

Writer Unleashed
Nanci Panuccio
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.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Feb 1, 2022 • 20min
#77: Common Writing Advice That's Holding You Back
There’s no one size fits all way to write. Still, there’s no shortage of advice on how to do it. But some advice can derail you for months, maybe years. Advice like reaching a certain word count per day. Or crafting your story with an ideal reader in mind. Or outlining before you’ve felt your way into your story. So, today I’m going to counter some of the most common advice I hear over and over and give you another perspective. Not sure if your idea has what it takes to become a powerful story? This free quick guide will help you uncover the heart of your idea in just three simple steps. You’ll walk away with a one-sentence premise you can build your entire book on, and the clarity and confidence to keep going.Download Your Quick Guide HereWant 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.

Jan 25, 2022 • 19min
#76: Writing Inspiration From the Masters
Writing is solitary. And if you’re anything like me, you like to dip into some inspiration from time to time for a creative boost or deeper insight into the craft. So much of our progress depends on how we feel about the work. So in this episode, I’m going to pull some of my favorite quotes and unwrap them for the wisdom and creative fuel they offer on writing technique and the writing life.Not sure if your idea has what it takes to become a powerful story? This free quick guide will help you uncover the heart of your idea in just three simple steps. You’ll walk away with a one-sentence premise you can build your entire book on, and the clarity and confidence to keep going.Download Your Quick Guide HereWant 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.

Jan 18, 2022 • 18min
#75: What Professional Dancing Taught Me About Writing
Have you ever thought, Writing should be easier for me than this? I sure did. I didn't know there was a craft to writing a novel. I thought talent and sheer passion would see me through. And then I became a professional competitive dancer and learned that desire and talent were just starter fuel. The truth is, writing is no easier than mastering any other art form. Talent is not enough. Technique on it's own is not enough. So, what does it take to master the art of writing? In this episode, I share what I learned as a dancer about bringing heart and technique together, how to practice deliberately to bring your work closer to a publishable caliber, and why perfectionism is restricting you. Episode WebsiteNot sure if your idea has what it takes to become a powerful story? This free quick guide will help you uncover the heart of your idea in just three simple steps. You’ll walk away with a one-sentence premise you can build your entire book on, and the clarity and confidence to keep going.Download Your Quick Guide HereWant 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.

Jan 11, 2022 • 24min
#74: How to Keep A Consistent Writing Routine When You're Crazy Busy
How do you keep a consistent writing routine when you're life is hectic as all hell? How do you find time to write and fulfill life's never-ending hamster wheel of responsibilities? And where do you find the energy? In this episode, you'll hear the strategies I've been using for years to let writing co-exist with a crazy busy, but beautiful life as a single working mom. You'll learn a more abundant way to think about time, how to ride the momentum when you're at your best, and how to protect your creative time fiercely. Books mentioned:168 Hours: You Have More Time Than You Think7 Habits of Highly Effective PeopleAlso Read:What the Most Successful People Do Before BreakfastAlso Listen To:#15 How to Find Your Creative FlowNot sure if your idea has what it takes to become a powerful story? This free quick guide will help you uncover the heart of your idea in just three simple steps. You’ll walk away with a one-sentence premise you can build your entire book on, and the clarity and confidence to keep going.Download Your Quick Guide HereWant 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.

Dec 22, 2021 • 30min
#73: Beyond the First Draft: 5 Storytelling Techniques for Better Story Structure
How can you be more efficient with structuring your story? How do you balance structure while keeping the story fresh and surprising? In this episode we're going to talk about 5 essential storytelling techniques that will help you structure your story into a riveting experience for your readers. You'll also learn how to hook your reader in your opening sentences instantly using one simple word. Also Listen to: Episode 71: Captivating CharactersEpisode 72: 3 Ways to Craft a Compelling Point of ViewNot sure if your idea has what it takes to become a powerful story? This free quick guide will help you uncover the heart of your idea in just three simple steps. You’ll walk away with a one-sentence premise you can build your entire book on, and the clarity and confidence to keep going.Download Your Quick Guide HereWant 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.

Dec 15, 2021 • 21min
#72: Beyond the First Draft: 3 Ways to Craft a Compelling Point of View
Do you ever feel like you're tying yourself up in knots with all the different points of view your story has? POV is one of the most misunderstood and often poorly taught story elements. It's also one of the most important story decisions you make. But there's so much confusion about POV. In today's episode, we'll untangle some of the confusion. You'll learn what point of view is (and what it's not) and the 3 main constructs that create point of view. And a writing exercise to drive it all home, so grab something to write on and write with. Also listen to:Episode 71: Beyond the First Draft: Captivating CharactersNot sure if your idea has what it takes to become a powerful story? This free quick guide will help you uncover the heart of your idea in just three simple steps. You’ll walk away with a one-sentence premise you can build your entire book on, and the clarity and confidence to keep going.Download Your Quick Guide HereWant 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.

Dec 8, 2021 • 23min
#71: Beyond the First Draft: Captivating Characters
You have your first draft. Or maybe you're stalled in your current work in progress. Now what? How do you finish what you started? Today, you'll learn how to move forward with your work in progress, or revise the draft you already have. This is part 1 of a 3 part mini series, Beyond the First Draft. This episode focuses on character development. You'll get clear on who your story is about, what your main character wants, how to build complexity into your characters, and how to reveal their nuances. Grab your FREE Character Questionnaire and Email Series here. Episode Show NotesNot sure if your idea has what it takes to become a powerful story? This free quick guide will help you uncover the heart of your idea in just three simple steps. You’ll walk away with a one-sentence premise you can build your entire book on, and the clarity and confidence to keep going.Download Your Quick Guide HereWant 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.

Dec 1, 2021 • 20min
#70: Five Common Writing Traps and How to Avoid Them
There's a lot of writing advice floating around. But most of it shackles writers more than it helps, and sometimes leads to paint-by-number stories. In this episode, learn common traps when it comes to plot, action, backstory, show, don't tell, and point of view. You'll turn around misconceptions and learn what to do instead. Episode WebsiteNot sure if your idea has what it takes to become a powerful story? This free quick guide will help you uncover the heart of your idea in just three simple steps. You’ll walk away with a one-sentence premise you can build your entire book on, and the clarity and confidence to keep going.Download Your Quick Guide HereWant 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.

Nov 17, 2021 • 16min
#69: How to Create Plot Continuity With Character Thought
What does character thought have to do with plot? It's the connective tissue that brings continuity to your story, scene by scene. It helps fill in all those plot holes. And it keep your reader grounded in what's happening as your story advances. Character thought is part of the action. It's the connective tissue that accomplishes 3 things:reminds your reader what happened earlier, establishes desire and motive in the present, and creates suspense about what might happen next. In this episode, you'll learn 3 ways to have characters think their way through your scenes to give your plot continuity.https://nancipanuccio.com/69Also Listen To:Episode 66: Two Simple Ways to Amp Up SuspenseNot sure if your idea has what it takes to become a powerful story? This free quick guide will help you uncover the heart of your idea in just three simple steps. You’ll walk away with a one-sentence premise you can build your entire book on, and the clarity and confidence to keep going.Download Your Quick Guide HereWant 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.

Nov 10, 2021 • 14min
#68: How to Use Subplots to Amplify Your Novel
How do you harness the depth and complexity of your story material? And orchestrate all those story threads so that they intensify your plot? By creating subplots. Learn two ways subplots work, plus three places your subplots may already be hiding out in your WIP waiting to be developed. NanciPanuccio.com/68Links mentioned:FREE Character Questionnairenancipanuccio.com/character/Not sure if your idea has what it takes to become a powerful story? This free quick guide will help you uncover the heart of your idea in just three simple steps. You’ll walk away with a one-sentence premise you can build your entire book on, and the clarity and confidence to keep going.Download Your Quick Guide HereWant 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.