As storytellers, we spend our lives thinking about story. How does it work? What makes it resonate? What makes certain narratives feel true while others fall flat? We analyze structure, character arc, theme, and meaning, often with the sense that story is something we are shaping from the outside-in. However, story is not just something […]
December 29, 2025 by 5 Comments NewsThe Best of Helping Writers Become Authors in 2025
Welcome to the final post of the year! And what a year it’s been. As I look back on 2025, I’m filled with gratitude for the amazing conversations, creativity, and growth this writing community has shared. For me, this year felt like a time of tying up loose ends and completing long arcs. It was […]
August 11, 2025 by 26 Comments Writer's HelpHow to Start Dictating Fiction (Even If You’ve Tried and Failed Before)
From KMW: I’ve always loved writing by hand. There’s something about the feel of pen on paper that just makes the creative process click for me, especially when outlining and brainstorming. However, between the wrist pain, bad posture, and the fact that I can’t read my own handwriting half the time, I’ll admit there are […]
July 21, 2025 by 20 Comments CharactersWhat Makes a Story “Bad”? A Guide to Why Your Narrative Isn’t Working
We’ve all experienced it: a story that looks good on paper, features big-name characters, or starts with an intriguing premise—but somehow falls flat. Maybe the characters feel hollow, the plot drifts without purpose, or the ending lands with a thud. But what actually makes a story “bad”? Are there pitfalls you can look out for […]
July 14, 2025 by 14 Comments Writer's HelpThe Ultimate Writing Glossary (Story Structure, Character Arcs, and More)
Over the years, I’ve developed a set of terms that have become foundational to how I teach storytelling. A few I’ve coined myself, others I’ve adapted, and some I’ve simply emphasized so frequently they’ve become closely associated with my approach to character arcs, story structure, and theme. Whether you’ve followed my work through this blog […]
February 17, 2025 by 21 Comments Writer's Help5 Proven Ways to Conquer Self-Doubt in Writing
Self-doubt is one of the biggest obstacles a writer will ever face. It creeps in at the worst moments—undermining confidence, stalling progress, and making you question whether your stories are even worth telling. Conquering self-doubt in writing isn’t about eliminating it altogether; it’s about learning to work with it. The key is recognizing self-doubt for […]
January 27, 2025 by 66 Comments Writing ResourcesMaster List of Answers to Most Asked-For Writing Topics on This Site
You who read this site and participate in its discussions on all the writing topics are an endless source of inspiration to me. This is true in many ways, but most literally in that when you ask deeply insightful questions, you often give me great ideas for posts about writing topics! A few months ago, […]
December 9, 2024 by 25 Comments PodcastTop 8 Lessons I’ve Learned as a Writer in 16 Years
Today, I want to take a moment to talk about eight of the lessons I’ve learned over my years of being a writer. Particularly, I want to share some of the the biggerepiphanies and moments that have impacted me in a way that’s changed my life. These are lessons that have been meaningful on a […]
April 8, 2024 by 77 Comments Writer's HelpWriters With ADHD: Strategies for Navigating the Writing Process
Note From KMW: Earlier this year, I received an email from Bret Wieseler, requesting, “I would love to see a post about writers with ADHD. If you’ve never struggled with it yourself, maybe you know someone who has and can share their thoughts, methods, management strategies, etc. You offer such great insight into the many […]
December 4, 2023 by Writer's HelpGift Guide: Digital Christmas Gifts for Writers
Writing is a journey, and every writer deserves tools that turn their literary dreams into reality. Whether you’re shopping for a seasoned novelist or an aspiring wordsmith (or yourself!), these digital Christmas gifts for writers will inspire, empower, and elevate their craft to new heights. These are all products I use myself (or created) and […]
