The Dialogue Doctor Podcast

Jeff Elkins
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Dec 29, 2025 • 57min

Episode 309 - Tools and Tips for Building a Measurable Plan

In this episode, Jeff talks about building a measurable plan for your writing. He starts by talking through the 5 stage system he uses for planning. Jeff then pulls back the curtain and talks about all the things the Dialogue Doctor community did in 2025. Finally, Jeff lays out what's coming in 2026 including: 5 new events including an in-person conference, 2 new books, and lots of community excitement. For more on the Dialogue Doctor and the craft of writing, check out https://dialoguedoctor.com/
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Dec 22, 2025 • 55min

Episode 308 - "Help! I'm a Writer. What Do I Do Next? with Pa Theriot

In this episode, Jeff sits down with author Pa Theriot. Pa and Jeff talk about what they should work on next. It's a question every author faces at some point, and a great reason to talk to a coach. Check out more on the craft of writing at https://dialoguedoctor.com/
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Dec 15, 2025 • 1h 28min

Episode 307 - How to Pitch with the Pitch Master Lindsey Hughes

This week, Jeff is joined by Pitch Master Lindsey Hughes. Jeff and Lindsey discuss career coaching. Then they dive into pitches sent in by listeners of the podcast. Lindsey gives tips on each pitch and on pitching in general. For more on the craft of writing and publishing, go to dialogueDoctor.com
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Dec 8, 2025 • 59min

Episode 306 - Writing Holiday Party Scenes

This week on the podcast, Jeff sits down with romance author Ginny Moore to talk about writing big cast scenes that have strong emotional flow and build tension. For more on the craft of writing, check out dialoguedoctor.com
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Dec 1, 2025 • 1h 4min

Episode 305 - You Need Support - Time with Tom

In this episode, Jeff is joined by author, editor, and former bookstore owner, Tom Holbrook. Jeff and Tom talk about stories they love, stories that are broken, and what they are seeing in their clients' work recently. Tom ends with a plea for writers to find groups of authors they can be supported by. For more on craft and to sign up for the newsletter, check out https://dialoguedoctor.com/
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Nov 24, 2025 • 1h 9min

Episode 304 - Understanding the Emotional Flow of Your Story

In this episode, Jeff sits down with Author Beth Biss to discuss Beth's work in progress. They focus on the emotional experience of Beth's main character in the scene and how the reader's emotional journey matches it. Jeff also compares composing the emotions of a scene to playing music. For more on the craft of writing, go to https://dialoguedoctor.com/
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Nov 17, 2025 • 1h 3min

Episode 303 - Learning from a Masterful Short Story - An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge

In this episode, Jeff sits down with members of the Dialogue Doctor Community to talk about An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge by the father of True Crime and Psychological Horror, Ambrose Bierce. They talk about the mastery of the writing, creating a main character the reader is supposed to dislike, and playing tricks on the reader. For more on the craft of writing, come to DialogueDoctor.com
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Nov 13, 2025 • 54min

Episode 302 - Author Nation Recap!

In this episode, Jeff sits down with authors Christine Daigle, Tom Hollbrook, and JP Rindfleisch IX to talk about their experience at Author Nation.
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Nov 10, 2025 • 1h 20min

Episode 301 - World Building with Emotion

Liz Woodiwiss, an aspiring epic fantasy author, shares insights about her manuscript with coach Laura Humm. They dive into a pivotal Call to Action scene, emphasizing the importance of leading with emotion in world-building. Laura helps Liz explore her protagonist Terry's perspective and emotional journey, ensuring readers connect deeply with his fears and awakening to broader threats. They discuss structuring emotional beats and reveal how to amplify climactic moments by placing emotional stakes front and center.
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Nov 3, 2025 • 1h 21min

Episode 300 - The Dialogue Doctor DNA

Dive into the art of storytelling as Jeff explores the power of emotional journeys in writing. Learn about vehicle characters and their growth arcs, the intriguing Dialogue Daisy for building character voice, and how to create tension with scene architecture. Discover key techniques like dialogue-first drafts, voice modulation, and the strategic use of dialogue tags. Plus, Jeff reveals eight magical dials to manipulate readers' emotions and announces an exciting new book preorder—perfect for aspiring writers!

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