
Writer Unleashed
Writer Unleashed is a weekly podcast for fiction and memoir writers. It's a deep dive into story techniques, writing craft, and the mindsets that help you write with unstoppable momentum and create stories readers can't put down.
Latest episodes

Jul 15, 2025 • 18min
#239: 3 Quick Tips For Writing Stronger Dialogue
When dialogue works, it feels alive. It's charged with tension. It reveals character, drives the plot, and leaves space for the reader to lean in and feel what’s left unsaid. But when it doesn’t? It falls flat, feels forced, or gets skimmed over entirely.In this episode, I’m breaking down three essential tips to help you write dialogue that feels authentic, but curated. Natural, but emotionally charged. We’ll look at what to cut, how to shape each exchange, and how to infuse even simple moments with meaning and momentum.Whether you're deep into your draft or revising a scene that feels off, these tips will help you make your dialogue tighter, tenser, and more dynamic.Episode Web PageWant to join a community of like-minded writers? Need inspiration and support? Join us in our private Writer Unleashed Community Facebook Group. It's totally free to join.

Jul 8, 2025 • 14min
#238: What To Do When Feedback Shakes Your Confidence
You’ve finally shared your pages with someone. Maybe it was a critique partner, a writing group, an editor, or beta reader. You were nervous, but hopeful, maybe even excited, and then the feedback came. And now you’re spiraling.Maybe they pointed out something you thought you’d nailed, or they didn’t understand your main character, or they told you something that deep down you already feared might be true. And now the voice in your head is getting louder. Am I even a good writer? Do I have what it takes? Should I just stop now? What made me think I could even write this story?Today, we’re talking about what to do when feedback, no matter how well intentioned, shakes your confidence. How you respond to it is what makes all the difference.Episode Web PageWant to join a community of like-minded writers? Need inspiration and support? Join us in our private Writer Unleashed Community Facebook Group. It's totally free to join.

Jul 1, 2025 • 17min
#237: 3 Writing Myths That Might Be Holding You Back
There’s a lot of writing advice out there, but not all of it serves you. In this episode, we’re unpacking 3 common writing myths that might be slowing you down or making you second-guess your story. If you’ve been feeling stuck, this is your permission to let go of the “rules” and reconnect with the story you need to tell.Episode Web PageWant to join a community of like-minded writers? Need inspiration and support? Join us in our private Writer Unleashed Community Facebook Group. It's totally free to join.

Jun 24, 2025 • 19min
#236: From Chaos To Clarity: How To Make Sense Of Your Messy Draft
Writing your first novel can feel like dumping 1000 puzzle pieces onto the floor without the picture on the box to guide you. You've got characters, scenes, maybe even a few moments you love, but you have no clear sense of what it all adds up to.If you're staring at your messy draft thinking, What even is this? - don't worry. You're not alone, and you're not even as lost as you think.In today's episode, we'll explore how to step back, sift through what you've already written, and begin shaping it into something coherent, intentional and powerful.So if you're feeling overwhelmed, discouraged or stuck in the fog of your draft, take a breath. Let's bring some clarity to the chaos.Episode Web PageWant to join a community of like-minded writers? Need inspiration and support? Join us in our private Writer Unleashed Community Facebook Group. It's totally free to join.

Jun 17, 2025 • 19min
#235: Why You’re Stuck At Chapter One (And How to Finally Move Forward)
Struggling to get past chapter one, even with a solid outline and a great idea? In this episode, we unpack why starting your novel feels so hard, what’s really behind the block, and how to take the first imperfect steps forward. Episode Web PageWant to join a community of like-minded writers? Need inspiration and support? Join us in our private Writer Unleashed Community Facebook Group. It's totally free to join.

Jun 10, 2025 • 23min
#234: 5 Big First Chapter Mistakes (and How To Avoid Them)
In this episode, we’re zeroing in on one of the most important (and most rewritten) parts of your novel: the first chapter.A strong first chapter doesn’t need to be long or dramatic, but it does need to hook the reader, ground them in the world of the story, and raise a question they’re eager to follow.If you’ve ever found yourself stuck on your opening pages, rewriting again and again, wondering if it’s working, this episode will help you identify and avoid common problems, and more important, revise your first chapter so that it hooks and holds your reader. In this episode, we'll break down:5 of the most common first chapter fails, and what to do insteadKey questions to ask when revising your openingHow to avoid overwhelming the reader and keep them engaged page after pageIdeal first-chapter length ranges for different genres, and what matters more than word countEpisode Web PageWant to join a community of like-minded writers? Need inspiration and support? Join us in our private Writer Unleashed Community Facebook Group. It's totally free to join.

Jun 3, 2025 • 22min
# 233: 3 Essential Elements That Make A Scene
Explore the magic of compelling scenes as the hosts break down three essential elements crucial for gripping storytelling. Discover the nuanced interplay of character motivations and the significance of change that keeps readers engaged. Learn practical techniques to elevate your scenes, from incorporating emotional shifts to using vivid sensory details. If your narrative feels flat, this guide offers a transformative checklist to breathe life into your writing.

May 27, 2025 • 18min
#232: Mental Fitness For Writers
Writing a book isn’t just a creative act—it’s a mental marathon. And if you’ve ever found yourself stuck in self-doubt, overwhelmed by the blank page, or spiraling after a tough writing day, you’re not alone.In this episode, we’re diving into what it really means to build mental fitness as a writer. You’ll learn why talent isn’t enough—and how developing emotional resilience, self-trust, focus, and flexibility can keep you moving forward, even when the work feels hard.I’ll share practical ways to strengthen your mindset, protect your creative energy, and build the kind of inner stamina that helps you not only finish your book—but enjoy the process.Episode Web PageWant to join a community of like-minded writers? Need inspiration and support? Join us in our private Writer Unleashed Community Facebook Group. It's totally free to join.

May 20, 2025 • 29min
#231: 5 Ways to Bring Your Character’s Interior World Onto the Page
You've got an exciting plot. Compelling characters. And the action is moving along at a crisp pace. But something still feels flat. Chances are, your character’s inner world isn’t fully making it onto the page.In this episode, we’re talking about the layer that gives your story emotional weight and resonance—character interiority.You’ll learn:✔️ What interiority is (and what it’s not) ✔️ Why readers crave it ✔️ And 5 powerful techniques to reveal your character’s inner life without slowing your story downIf you’ve ever been told to “go deeper” into your character, or wondered how to make your scenes more emotionally engaging, this episode's for you.Episode Web PageWant to join a community of like-minded writers? Need inspiration and support? Join us in our private Writer Unleashed Community Facebook Group. It's totally free to join.

May 13, 2025 • 21min
# 230: Getting Out Of a Writing Slump (Without Forcing It)
Stuck in a writing slump? You’re not alone.In this episode, we’re talking about those hard, heavy moments when the words won’t come, your story feels stalled, and self-doubt creeps in. Slumps are a normal part of the creative cycle, but they can feel lonely and defeating when you’re deep in one.Today, I’m sharing gentle, practical ways to find your way back without forcing it or beating yourself up.You’ll learn: → Why slumps happen (even to seasoned authors) → Small, doable steps to ease back in → Why changing your environment can release stuck thinking and ignite fresh ideas → Ways to reconnect with your original spark and fall in love with your story againIf writing feels hard right now, this episode is your permission slip to stop shaming yourself, and start moving forward with curiosity, compassion, and small, steady steps.Episode Web PageWant to join a community of like-minded writers? Need inspiration and support? Join us in our private Writer Unleashed Community Facebook Group. It's totally free to join.