thewritingcoach's podcast (general)

Writing coach Kevin T. Johns speaks with Lorraine Johnston about her Amazon bestselling book, which combines traditional writer's craft techniques with modern technology. 

Direct download: WC_195.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:31am EDT

Writing coach Kevin T. Johns discusses offending people, as well as rethinking his recent comments on disability and introversion. 

Direct download: WC_194.mp3
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Writing coach Kevin T. Johns shares his top ten mostly commonly shared tips for writers. 

Direct download: WC_193.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:57pm EDT

Over the last year, advances in artificial intelligence have been moving at a mind-boggling rate.

AI has clearly arrived, and it’s not going anywhere any time soon.

In fact, as more and more software—everything from Zoom to MS Word—incorporate AI into their interface, it has become almost impossible to avoid.

That means it’s time for writers to stop being afraid of AI and instead try to embrace the ways we can use it as a tool to support our imagination, creativity, and storytelling.

In this episode of The Writing Coach podcast, I explain how authors can harness the power of ChatGPT to improve the environmental descriptions in their writing.

Listen now!

Direct download: WC_192.mp3
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Writing coach Kevin T. Johns discusses how public school and high school sets writers up for failure and dissapointment. 

Direct download: WC__191.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:15pm EDT

Writing coach Kevin T. Johns describes the 6 different types of editors and the roles they play in the publishing and book production process. Listen now!

Direct download: WC__190.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:59pm EDT

Writing coach Kevin T. Johns explained how to effectively use the literary technique pathetic fallacy. 

Direct download: WC__189.mp3
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Writing coach Kevin T. Johns speak with his client, author Sandy Day, about the release of her new novel, Odd Mom Out. 

Direct download: WC_188.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:58pm EDT

I don’t know if you would call me a nihilist, an anarchist, an agnostic, or an existentialist.

The truth is I don’t even believe in putting a label on myself, whether it’s philosophically, religiously, or politically.

I don’t believe in anything except chaos.

Yet, paradoxically, I also believe in serendipity.

In this week’s episode of The Writing Coach podcast, I discuss the fascinating way that chaos and serendipity inform our lives, our careers, and our art.

Listen now!

Direct download: WC_187.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:40pm EDT

Many people spend their entire lives wanting to write; they get a taste of it when they are younger in High School or University, but then life happens. They get married, and they focus on raising a family, or they start a career or put their energy into building a business.

Often it's only upon finally reaching retirement age that they finally have the space, time, and energy in their lives to dedicate to their writing . . . and that's okay!

In this episode of The Writing Coach podcast, I explain why not only his age not a hinderance to becoming an author, it's actually an advantage.

Listen now!

Direct download: WC_186.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:34am EDT

With the new year underway, everyone is setting goals for 2024.

In this episode of The Writing Coach Podcast, writing coach Kevin T. Johns acknowledges the importance of setting goals, but then asks the question, what if goals aren’t really what we should be focused on? If we want to be happy and productive writers, perhaps our focus needs to go somewhere else.

Listen now!

 

Direct download: WC_185.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:32pm EDT

With 2023 at its end, it’s time to set your writing goals for the New Year.

In this episode of The Writing Coach Podcast, writing coach Kevin T. Johns outlines the mistakes writers often make when setting their project goals and timelines, describes why small achievable goals are essential, and breaks down half a dozen key performance indicators writers should be tracking in order to monitor their progress.

Listen now!

Direct download: WC_184.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:25pm EDT

As the year draws to a close, writing coach Kevin T. Johns looks back on the fiction, nonfiction, business, and writer’s craft books he read in 2023.

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Direct download: WC_183.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:49pm EDT

In episode 182 of The Writing Coach podcast, writing coach Kevin T. Johns explains, three, four, and five-act story structures, as well as circular structures, and more. Listen now!

Direct download: WC_182.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:15pm EDT

In this episode of The Writing Coach podcast, writing coach Kevin T. Johns delves into the nuanced interplay between storytelling and genre, recognizing genre not merely as a classification but as a dynamic force shaping the very essence of a narrative.

He explores the profound impact of genre on storytelling concepts, controlling ideas, thematic values, story length and physical form.

Then, through the lens of seasoned insights from writers like Robert McKee and Chuck Palahniuk, he explains how a nuanced understanding of genre not only enhances storytelling but also dictates practical elements of the publishing landscape, shaping the reader’s experience from the story’s inception to its physical creation.

Listen now!

Direct download: WC_181.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:51pm EDT

Navigating the ups and downs of creativity can be challenging.

Let’s face it: we don’t always feel 100%, and on those low-energy days, it can feel difficult to get started on our writing.

All the same, maintaining consistency in your writing schedule is crucial for habit formation and momentum, even when motivation is lacking.

In today’s episode of The Writing Coach podcast, you’ll discover eight writing activities designed to kickstart your creativity and help you make significant strides in your book, even when the energy tank feels low.

Listen now!

Direct download: WC_180.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:01pm EDT

The principle of the conservation of momentum is important in physics because it is a key quantity that helps describe and predict the motion of objects. That said, it is also a hugely important principle in the world of imagination, creative output, and productive writing.

We previously discussed the power of momentum in episode 150; now, thirty episodes later, we return to this ever-important topic.

 

Listen now!

Direct download: WC__179.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:38pm EDT

What is a writing coach? How do they help writers and what unique powers do they bring to the writing process? Writing coach Kevin T. Johns answers these questions in more in the latest episode of The Writing Coach podcast. Listen now!

Direct download: WC_178.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:27pm EDT

National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) is an annual event where writers attempt to draft a 50,000-word manuscript in the month of November.

The event has helped tens of thousands of writers with their writing.

That said, NaNoWriMo is not without its problems.

In this episode of The Writing Coach podcast, host Kevin T. Johns outlines what you need to know before committing to participating in NaNoWriMo.

Listen to the episode or read the transcript now!

Direct download: WC_177.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:23am EDT

In this episode of The Writing Coach podcast, writing coach Kevin T. Johns speaks with his client, award-winning romance author Anne Kane.

Anne lives in the beautiful Okanagan Valley. She’s always been fascinated by science fiction and fantasy, so she lets her imagination take over when she writes. The one thing the reader can always count on is that the main characters will live happily ever after, even if they have to defeat a few nasty aliens first.

During the conversation, Anne discusses

  • How winning a contest launched her career as a professional
    author
  • Why she is drawn to romance and science fiction
  • Her experiences with both traditional and self-publishing
  • Why she joined Kevin’s Story Plan and First Draft coaching programs despite having nearly 40 publications under her belt already
  • And much more!

Listen to the episode or read the transcript now!

 

Direct download: WC_176.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:37am EDT

In this episode of The Writing Coach podcast, writing coach Kevin T. Johns responds to a challenge issued by author Daniel Pease.

Pease challenged Kevin to watch a drum performance by El Estepario Siberiano and develop training advice for writers based on what he sees.

So that’s exactly what he did!

Kevin identifies 8 key things writers can learn from watching Siberiano’s video.

Listen to the episode or read the transcript now!

Direct download: WC_175.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:51pm EDT

In this episode of The Writing Coach podcast, writing coach Kevin T. Johns continues his examination of the Scene Alchemy Essentials Checklist tool and discusses the importance of:

  • The four internal and four external literary elements
  • Avoiding infodumps
  • Ensuring your protagonist struggles to achieve their goals
  • And why, even when your character achieves their scene goal, something else should go wrong

Listen to the episode or read the transcript now!

Direct download: WC_174.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:13pm EDT

In this episode of The Writing Coach podcast, writing coach Kevin T. Johns continues his review of the Scene Alchemy Essentials Checklist tool and discusses the importance of:

  • Dialogue
  • Sense Descriptions
  • Theme
  • Pushing drama, emotion, and tension to the max
  • Coming into scenes late and leaving them early

Listen to the episode now!

Direct download: WC_173.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:15pm EDT

In this episode of The Writing Coach podcast, writing coach Kevin T. Johns continues his review of the Scene Alchemy Essentials Checklist tool and discusses the importance of:

  • Scene Goals
  • Proper Tense
  • Scene Structure
  • Decision Points
  • Polarity Shifts
  • Progressive Complications
  • Openings and Closings
  • Pacing

Listen to the episode now!

Direct download: WC_172.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:26pm EDT

In this episode of The Writing Coach podcast, writing coach Kevin T. Johns introduces his new scene Alchemy Essentials Checklist tool and discusses the importance of:

  • Scene length
  • Point of View
  • Stakes
  • Intern and External Conflict
  • Causality
  • Setting

Listen now!

Direct download: WC_171.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:44pm EDT

Direct download: WC_170.mp3
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In this episode of The Writing Coach podcast, writing coach Kevin T. Johns shares three experiences that changed the way he thought about the invisible art of teaching.

Listen to the episode now!

Direct download: WC_169.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:49pm EDT

In this episode of The Writing Coach podcast, writing coach Kevin T. Johns explains the excitement art can provide and the joy literature can bring to a reader's life.

Listen now!

Direct download: WC_168.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:51pm EDT

In this episode of The Writing Coach podcast, writing coach Kevin T. Johns discusses the habit writers have of wanting to jump to a new project and provides advice about when is the right time to do it. 

Listen now!

Direct download: WC_167.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:08pm EDT

In this episode of The Writing Coach Podcast, writing coach Kevin T. Johns shares his thoughts on four quotes related to writing from futurist, author, and founder of Wired magazine, Kevin Kelly.

Listen now!

Direct download: WC_166.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:24pm EDT

In this episode of The Writing Coach Podcast, writing coach Kevin T. Johns outlines half-a-dozen common mistakes he sees in the manuscripts of aspiring authors.

The mistakes are so common, in fact, that he made every single one of them himself while drafting his first novel.

Listen now!

Direct download: WC_165.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:20pm EDT

In this episode of The Writing Coach Podcast, writing coach Kevin T. Johns discusses the "literary elements" he considers the building blocks of any scene. He covers the four external literary elements and the four internal literary elements, and then asks whether a ninth should be included.

Listen now!

Direct download: WC_164.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:29pm EDT

In this episode of The Writing Coach Podcast, writing coach Kevin T. Johns explains why no writer gets it right on the first try and how writing is always iterative. He also explores the joys and benefits of the revision process.

Listen now!

Direct download: WC_163.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:17pm EDT

In this episode of The Writing Coach Podcast, writing coach Kevin T. Johns discusses Star Wars, punk rock, and how writers should consider desperation as a preferable alternative to perfection.

Listen now!

Direct download: WC_162.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:53pm EDT

In this episode of The Writing Coach Podcast, writing coach Kevin T. Johns says goodbye to The Story Grid Podcast, which published its final episode last week. Kevin discusses the importance of the podcast, and his admiration for its hosts Shawn Coyne and Tim Grahl, and explains how their podcast was a profound act of generosity for both writing coaches and students of writer's craft.

Listen now!

Direct download: WC_161.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:42pm EDT

Writing coach Kevin T. Johns explains how To Do lists, checklists, standard operating procedures, and calendars can help writers and artists get organized, stay motivated, track progress, prioritize, and achieve a flow state easier. 

Listen now!

Direct download: WC_160.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:17pm EDT

In episode 159 of The Writing Coach podcast, I explore Aristotle's "Doctrine of the Mean," and how it can help us understand why both living a virtuous life and writing a fantastic book are so difficult to achieve. Listen now!

Direct download: WC_159.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:05pm EDT

In episode 158 of The Writing Coach podcast, I explore the powerful role that change plays in storytelling. Change impacts the characters and the world of your story but also the reader themselves. You'll learn about the transformative nature of storytelling and the undeniably powerful writer's craft tool that change can be for an author.

Listen to the episode or read the transcript now!

Direct download: WC_158.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:18pm EDT

Writing a book is a long-term project with lots of ups and downs along the way.

While almost every writer begins work on their book brimming with enthusiasm for the project, the initial excitement inevitably fades over time.

In episode 157 of The Writing Coach podcast, I explore what to do at that critical moment in the creative process when your initial enthusiasm for a project begins to fade.

Listen to the episode now!

Direct download: WC_157.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:43pm EDT

One of my favourite bands, Rancid, recently announced their forthcoming album will be titled Tomorrow Never Comes.

The title and the song it shares its name with got me thinking about time.

In episode 156 of The Writing Coach podcast, I explore time -- how we use it, how to reclaim it, and when the "right" time is to take on a project like writing a book.

Direct download: WC_156.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:37pm EDT

On Monday, April 24, 2023, I'm hosting a webinar called First Draft Secrets: How to Write a Fun and Focused First Draft, and it got me thinking about my first book and the role protocols played in helping me get it finished and published.

Writing and publishing a book sure isn't easy, which is why learning from those who have already achieved what we want to accomplish is so important.

In episode 155 of The Writing Coach podcast, I dig deep into the concept of protocols and how they can help you write your book.

Listen to the episode or read the transcript below:

Direct download: WC_155.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:10pm EDT

In episode 154 of The Writing Coach podcast, writing coach Kevin T. Johns tackles a hot topic in the world of writing these days: artificial intelligence (AI). Will AI writing soon replace human writing, and should writers be fearful for the future of their livelihood? Find out in this episode.

Direct download: WC_154.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:50am EDT

In episode 153 of The Writing Coach podcast, writing coach Kevin T. Johns discusses how in creating their art, writers can often stir up memories, traumas, and deep emotions not just within the reader but also within themselves.

Listen now!

Direct download: WC_153.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:12pm EDT

In episode 152 of The Writing Coach podcast, writing coach Kevin T. Johns shares four simple tips writers can implement to help set themselves up for long-term success.

Listen to the episode now!

Direct download: WC_152.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:12pm EDT

In episode 151 of The Writing Coach podcast, writing coach Kevin T. Johns covers three techniques writers can use to create and benefit from momentum with their writing.

In this episode, you'll learn:

  • Why writing a book is like recovering from surgery
  • What writers can learn from Jerry Seinfeld
  • The power of visual representations of success
  • Why not every scene needs to be a smash hit
  • And much more!

Listen to the episode now!

Direct download: WC_151.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:30pm EDT

the 150th episode of The Writing Coach podcast, writing coach Kevin T. Johns addresses the much-asked question, "Can great writing be taught?"

In this episode, you'll learn:

  • Why comparing yourself to"great writers" is pointless
  • The role that natural talent and genius play in achieving success
  • What skills beat out talent almost every time
  • Why you don't have to be able to play guitar like Eddie Van Halen to be a musician
  • The role persistence, interest, and curiosity play in learning to write
  • The importance of "strapping on your skates" and "hitting the ice"
  • And much more!

Listen to the episode now!

Direct download: WC_150.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:02pm EDT

In this episode of The Writing Coach podcast, I'm thrilled to interview my client Helen Pilz who just published her sweet Christmas romance New York Snow and Turquoise.

Today on the podcast, I am speaking with my coaching client Helen Pilz about the release of her sweet Christmas romance story, New York Snow and Turquoise.

Born into a U.S. Air Force family, Helen lived in many places around the world, including Dublin, Ireland; Ankara, Turkey; the Philippine Islands; and London, U.K. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Wildlife Biology with a minor in history and additional studies in forest and rangeland management. Helen’s a member of Romance Writers of America (RWA) and RWA chapters: Hearts Through History Romance Writers; Futuristic, Fantasy & Paranormal RWA; and Land of Enchantment Romance Authors. She lives in New Mexico with her husband.

During our conversation, Helen discusses:

  • How winning a writing contest in elementary school helped launch her writing career
  • Her experience transitioning from traditional to independent publishing
  • How she’s benefited from my group coaching programs
  • Why her love for Southwest culture inspired a Christmas story set in New York
  • And much more!

Listen now!

Direct download: WC_149.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:03am EDT

Most writers are creative individuals filled with thousands of wonderful ideas.

This creativity obviously serves writers well when it comes to developing ideas for stories.

Unfortunately, that same creative spark that stimulates the initiation of a writing project is the same instinct that inspires writers to jump from one project to the next without ever finishing and publishing anything.

In this episode, we explore why writers are so prone to abandoning projects and what you can do to see your writing through to publication.

Listen to the episode or read the transcript at www.kevintjohns.com

Direct download: WC_148.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:08pm EDT

It's Remembrance Day here in Canada and Veteran's Day in America, so in today's episode of The Writing Coach podcast, we explore veteran authors and discuss how their experiences in war may have impacted their fiction. 

Listen now!

Direct download: WC_147.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:38pm EDT

Many beginning writers want to write a long book.

There seems to be some sort of belief that long equals good.

Yet, as this episode of The Writing Coach podcast demonstrates, some of the greatest novels ever written are rather short.

In this episode, I cover more than a dozen of my favourite books, all of which are under 60K words long.

Listen now!

Direct download: WC_146.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:55am EDT

No one does anything alone in this world. It takes collaboration, support, and community to make anything happen.

That's why I get so frustrated with the endless perpetuation of the myth of the solitary author.

You know what I am talking about: the writer who goes out into the woods alone with nothing but a typewriter and a bottle of whiskey, and then, months later, returns from their cabin of solitude with a masterpiece of a manuscript underneath their arm and ready for publication.

As lovely a story as that sounds, it's not how books are made.

In this episode of The Writing Coach podcast, we debunk the myth of the solitary author.

Listen to the episode now!

Direct download: WC_145.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:55pm EDT

In the last episode of The Writing Coach podcast, I outlined my six-step roadmap for creating and publishing a book.

As I mentioned in that episode, I believe the most difficult stage in that entire process is writing the first draft.

That existential battle with the blank paid can be epic. Too many writers start out strong on the manuscript and then crash and burn for a number of common reasons.

In today's episode of the podcast, I outline the three biggest problems I see writers grappling with while writing a first draft. I then outline several techniques you can use to overcome those challenges and finish your first draft strong.

Listen now!

Direct download: QC_144.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:17am EDT

Writing coach Kevin T. Johns outlines his six-step road map for creating and publishing a book. 

Direct download: WC_143.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:39pm EDT

Social media provides writers with the opportunity to connect with writers from across the world.

But is the type of community social media provides really what writers need to find success?

Or are platforms like Facebook and Twitter doing more harm than good when it comes to writers achieving their literary goals?

I discuss the dangers of social media for writers in this week’s episode of The Writing Coach Podcast.

Direct download: WC_142.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:22pm EDT

Whether you’re recovering from illness, worn out after a long shift at the day job, or simply not maintaining energy levels the way you did when you were younger, every writer faces periods of low energy.

That said, if you want to continue to make consistent progress on your writing, you need to develop strategies for combating those low-energy days.

In this episode of the Writing Coach Podcast, I identify several techniques you can use to maintain the momentum of your writing even when you’re lacking inspiration, battling brain fog, or are just feeling downright exhausted.

Listen now.  

Direct download: WC_141.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:55pm EDT

As a writing coach, everyday writers come to me asking how they can improve their writing.

Using “Active Voice” is one of the easiest ways to improve the quality of any piece of writing.

Sentences written in Active Voice organize words so that the subject of the sentence is doing the action, not the object.

Confused? Don’t worry, I break it down for you in this episode of The Writing Coach podcast.

Listen to the episode now!

Direct download: WC_140.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:45pm EDT

Many writers draft an entire manuscript before learning the fundamentals of the art form.

When they come to me looking for editorial advice, only to discover their characters lack an arc, and/or the book's theme is murky, and/or both their scenes and story as a whole lack structure, and/or the story doesn't demonstrate clear causality, and/or any other of a number of common problems that can emerge in a first draft, they are often startled.

After all, no one becomes an artist because they want to follow rules.

And no one wants to write a story only to be told they are doing their art "wrong."

But creative writing, like all art forms, has fundamentals.

Many writers see these fundamentals as "rules" limiting their creativity, and the question thus becomes:

Are there actually rules to writing and, if so, can you break them?

That's the question we tackle in this episode of The Writing Coach podcast.

Listen now!

Direct download: WC__139.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:43pm EDT

Writing a book is a complicated process and figuring out where to start can be confusing, especially for new authors.

Some writers start with character.

Some writers start with a theme.

Filmmaker and painter David Lynch starts with transcendental meditation!

In this episode of The Writing Coach, I describe the perfect way to begin developing a story and exactly where you should start.

Listen to the episode now!

Direct download: WC_138.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:49pm EDT

Amazon's billion-dollar streaming series The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power has now been released . . . and it's not very good.

In this episode of The Writing Coach podcast, I explain the biggest problem with the show and then describe how you can avoid making the same mistakes when developing and drafting your fiction writing.

Listen now!

Direct download: WC_137.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:04pm EDT

I love these kinds of episodes.

I just love it when one of my clients works hard, makes steady process, and keeps with it through all the highs and lows that go into creating a book.

Then, one day, the book is launched, and I’m able to interview them here on the show as a published author!

Today is one of those days.

In this episode of The Writing Coach podcast, I speak with my client, author Phillip L. Wray.

We discuss the creative process of his debut novel, THE PONTCOURT MURDERS, how his love of French culture inspired the story, as well as his approach to combining musketeer adventure with Agatha Christie-style murder mystery.

Listen now:

Direct download: WC_136.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:32pm EDT

There are, of course, many ways to go about writing a book.

But having worked with hundreds of authors over the last decade, I’m absolutely convinced the most efficient, effective, and productive way of doing so is by planning ahead.

Knowing where your book is going, who it’s about, what it has to say about the world, and why readers are going to love it before you even write the first page frees up creativity, relieves stress, and speeds up the entire writing process.

In this episode of The Writing Coach podcast, I explain my personalized approach to story planning and outline how you can create a rock-solid outline for your novel in thirty days or less.

Listen now.

Direct download: WC_135.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:45pm EDT

Conflict is central to storytelling.

But too often when I tell my coaching clients that one of their scenes needs more conflict, they think I mean"big" conflict. They think of building exploding, dragons being slain, and lovers breaking up.

Conflict, drama, and tension, however, do not require life and death stakes to evoke emotional resonance with a reader.

In this episode of The Writing Coach podcast, fresh from vacation, I share examples of real-life everyday conflicts I witnessed at a children's resort focused on fun and happiness.

Listen now!

Direct download: WC_134.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:42pm EDT

Everyone deserves a vacation from time to time.

We all need opportunities to rest, unwind, and recuperate.

For writers, however, vacation time can cause quite a dilemma.

I am pretty sure it was our literary friend Hamlet who once said, "To write, or not to write while on vacation? That is the question!"

In this week's episodes of The Writing Coach podcast, we tackle that question, and I share my advice on how to go about best mixing writing and relaxation.

Listen to the episode now!

Direct download: WC__133.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:38pm EDT

Every night I read to my daughter.

The Hobbit, Harry Potter, The Dark is Rising . . .

Most recently, I’ve been reading her The Pages Turners trilogy (written by yours truly).  

It got me thinking about the process of rereading our own work and how our opinion about what is good, and what isn’t, changes over time.

In this episode of The Writing Coach podcast, I discuss how the ever-changing perspective we have about our own art functions at the macro and micro levels, and how you can use that perspective to get through those particularly challenging writing days.

Listen to the episode or read the transcript at www.kevintjohns.com.

Direct download: WC_132.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:31am EDT

If you've listened to my podcast, taken one of my courses, read one of my books, or just spend more than twenty minutes around me, then you probably know I'm a big Star Wars fan.

That said, I was less than thrilled with the recent Obi-Wan Kenobi series, and it left me pondering the state of writing and storytelling on streaming television shows.

In this episode of the podcast, I discuss two different approaches to writing that can result in the creation of a masterpiece, and how current television shows like Kenobi are not following either of those paths.

Listen to the full episode now!

Direct download: WC_131.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:38pm EDT

Do you "Wake Up Exhausted" like Tegan and Sarah song?

Do you relate to Post Malone's "always tired" tattoo?

Has age or health problems reduced your energy levels?

Do you lack the energy to do the writing you want to do?  

If so, this episode of The Writing Coach podcast is for you!

In this episode, I discuss productivity, time management, and dealing with reduced energy levels. 

Listen now!

Direct download: WC_130.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:45pm EDT

My group coaching programs First Draft (for writers working on their first draft) and Final Draft (for writers in the revisions process), include a weekly question and answer session and group discussion.

These are agenda-free sessions where the writers in the group are given the opportunity to discuss whatever writing-related challenges they are dealing with or topics they have on their minds.

In this week's episode of The Writing Coach podcast, I thought it would be fun to give you a glimpse behind the curtain and share with you fifty (!) different topics the group has discussed over the last two months.

What types of things do writers talk about when they come together? Listen to this episode to find out now!

Direct download: WC_129.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:22pm EDT

No writer wants to be told by a doctor (or anyone else) that they need to step away from the keyboard for any period of time, or, worse yet, that they require surgery on their wrists.

All the same, carpal tunnel syndrome remains a real and significant risk for writers.

That's why, in this episode of The Writing Coach podcast, we discuss not only the importance of wrist health and good ergonomics for writers, but also several approaches to writing that don't involve typing at a keyboard.

Direct download: WC_128.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:23pm EDT

In last’s week’s episode, I briefly touched on the positive impact a punk rock mentality has had on my creative output.

The more I thought about it, the more I realized the multitude of lessons I have learned from the world of punk rock.

As such, in episode #127 of The Writing Coach podcast, I reveal ten lessons writers can take from the world of punk rock.

Listen to the full episode now or read the transcript below. 

Direct download: WC_127.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:19pm EDT

In episode #126 of The Writing Coach podcast, I discuss the concept of "waiting for perfect" in podcasting, writing, and life. During the episode, you'll discover:

  • What iMacs, Roombas, and audio interfaces have to do with writing
  • The problem with waiting for perfect to come find you
  • Why resiliency is both a good AND bad trait
  • The challenge of making big purchases
  • How life is about solving one program after another
  • Why the punk rock DIY mentality is hugely helpful
  • And much more!

Listen to the full episode now or read the transcript at HTTP://www.kevintjohns.com

Direct download: WC_126.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:11pm EDT

As a writing coach, one of the questions I'm most often asked is, “How long does it take to write a book?” It’s a simple enough question, but answering it demands taking into account a number of variables.

In episode #125 of The Writing Coach podcast, I cover the four key variables involved in determining exactly how long it takes to write a book, and then we dive into every writer’s favourite topic . . . MATH!

I kid, I kid. The math in the episode is fairly minimal; by punching some variables into our equation, we are able to determine an answer regarding how long it takes to write the average book.

Listen to the full episode now or read the transcript below.

Direct download: WC_125.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:38pm EDT

In episode #124 of The Writing Coach podcast, we explore multiple techniques for filling in gaps in your in your plot. You’ll learn:

  • How a manuscript doesn’t need to be written in chronological order
  • Why macro-level story structure is always key
  • How to use “why don’t they?” questions
  • The huge impact moving objects from one character to another can have
  • And much more!

Listen to the full episode now or read the transcript below. 

Direct download: WC_124.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:17am EDT

In episode #123 of The Writing Coach podcast, we tackle a topic many writers are familiar with: self-doubt. You'll learn:

  • Why writers are especially prone to self-doubt (and what to do about it)
  • Which Steven Pressfield book is most applicable to this topic (it's not the one you are thinking of!)
  • What Marie Foreleo can teach you about dealing with criticism and haters
  • The mindset advice James Altucher gives regarding how to find success
  • And much more!

Listen to the full episode now or read the transcript now. 

Direct download: WC_123.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:46pm EDT

Welcome to The Writing Coach. On this podcast, I speak with the instructors, editors, coaches, and mentors who help writers and authors create their art, build their audience, and sell their work.

In episode #121 of The Writing Coach podcast, I speak with Val Ries, author of the new book Chief Inspiration Officer: How to Lead the Team Everyone Wants to Be On.

Val Ries has spent years turning around struggling teams, uplifting low morale, and making sure that workplace productivity actually works. As the founder of Executive Muse, she has guided over 1,000 leaders in building their own top-performing teams at Fortune 500 companies and small businesses.

When it came time to write her first book, Val chose to work with me as her writing coach. As such, I am absolutely thrilled to have her on the podcast.

During our discussion, Val describes:

  • How real-time feedback informed the drafting of the book
  • Why both leadership and writing can evoke self-doubt
  • The 4 biggest challenges she faced while writing the book
  • How you can inspire those around you to be their best selves
  • And more!

Listen to the full podcast episode:

Direct download: WC_121_Final.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:52pm EDT

Welcome to The Writing Coach. On this podcast, I speak with the instructors, editors, coaches, and mentors who help writers and authors create their art, build their audience, and sell their work.

In episode #120 of The Writing Coach podcast, I speak with author Mia Romero.

Born in Spain with a far too long and unpronounceable name, Mia Romero’s proudest light-bulb moment is shortening her name so readers wouldn’t have such a hard time asking for her books! Immigrating to the U.K. at the age of four, her love of stories began the moment she picked up a ‘Rupert, the Bear’ book and still shows no sign of waning. Educated in London and New York, she is an avid fan of both British and American cultures.

Mia’s debut novel, Otherkind, with its British characters, landscapes and humour, as well as new and original supernatural beings, was inspired by her love of American books and shows, and her desire to help build the ever-growing British supernatural & paranormal fiction industry.

During our discussion, Mia describes:

 

  • How American and British culture influences her work
  • What she learned from writing in Charles Dickens style as a ten-year-old
  • How she approaches scene-writing like a film director
  • Why she recommends writing even if you don’t feel like you know what you are doing
  • How she went from a pantser to a planner
  • And more!

Listen to the full podcast episode!

Direct download: WC_120_Final.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:36pm EDT

In episode #118 of The Writing Coach podcast, I speak with author Garry Cox.

With a Masters of Education from Northern Arizona University, Garry has devoted his life to inspiring people to realize their dreams. He’s a teacher, a poet, an actor, a runner, a blogger, father, and friend.  

During our discussion, Michelle describes:

 

  • How he combines common place notebooks with scheduled writing time to create his poetry
  • What his “first responder” approach to poetry entails
  • How educators can encourage the younger generation to developing their thinking through writing
  • Why he loves writing in the mornings
  • The importance of brain mites
  • And much more
  • And much more!

Listen to the full podcast episode now!

Direct download: WC_118_Final.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:08am EDT

In episode #11y of The Writing Coach podcast, I speak with author Michelle Cornish.

Michelle Cornish is a recovering CPA with a passion for stories. Writing mostly women’s fiction with strong female heroines, Michelle’s books often include nods to her former life as a CPA. When Michelle’s not writing, she’s hanging out with her two boys and husband in the beautiful Okanagan Valley, BC, Canada.

During our discussion, Michelle describes:

  • How she uses preorder to stimulate productivity and accountability
  • Why she has decided to try genre-hopping
  • How she went about turning all of her novels into audiobooks
  • Why an experimental mindset is the best way to approach book marketing
  • And much more!
Direct download: TWC_117_Final.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:31pm EDT

Welcome to The Writing Coach. On this podcast, I speak with the instructors, editors, coaches, and mentors who help writers and authors create their art, build their audience, and sell their work.

In episode #116 of The Writing Coach podcast, I speak with movement and nutrition coach Tyler Hammett.

Tyler is NASM Certified Nutrition Consultant and NASM Certified Personal Trainer. He is the founder of Nourish, a community focused on uplifting individuals through fitness, nutrition, movement, and overall wellness.

He is also the spouse of a full-time professional writer!

During our discussion, Tyler describes:

 

  • What is it like living with a professional writer
  • The role habit formation plays in both health and writing
  • Ways writers can work movement and stretching into their daily writing routine
  • The importance of hydration, sleep, and time outdoors
  • How health and fitness can increase creativity and productivity
  • And much more!

 Listen now@

Direct download: WC_116.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:00pm EDT

Welcome to The Writing Coach. On this podcast, I speak with the instructors, editors, coaches, and mentors who help writers and authors create their art, build their audience, and sell their work.

In episode #115 of The Writing Coach podcast, I speak with my client, author Michael E. Ginsberg.

Michael is an attorney in Washington, DC, practicing in the field of national security law. He spent a decade in private practice at Arnold & Porter LLP in Washington, DC, and then worked several years in the U.S. government as a Senior Associate General Counsel in the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, where he served as legal counsel for the Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity. He currently is Vice President and Deputy General Counsel at a Virginia-based defense contractor.

His debut novel, DEBT BOMB, is a political thriller, tied into real-world events, about an apocalyptic threat to America that is ticking remorselessly in the background while Americans continue their daily routines, oblivious to the danger.

During our discussion, Michael describes:

 

  • His varied and diverse interests in sports, spaceflight, history, politics, and journalism
  • What he learned working as a journalist and editor for the Harvard Crimson
  • How a genuine fear concerning the American national debt inspire the plot of his novel
  • His experiences working in national security and how it influenced his writing
  • Why he chose to work with a book coach and what he got out of the experience
  • How he maintained focus on his manuscript throughout the pandemic
  • Why he chose to work with hybrid publisher BQB Publishing and what the publisher brought to the project
  • And much more!

Listen now!

Direct download: WC_115_Final.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:50pm EDT

Welcome to The Writing Coach. On this podcast, I speak with the instructors, editors, coaches, and mentors who help writers and authors create their art, build their audience, and sell their work.

In episode #114 of The Writing Coach podcast, I speak with author and writing coach Susan Crossman.

Susan Crossman is a best-selling author, a speaker, an editor, and a content marketing consultant who wields the power tool of language to benefit people who seek greater success.

Through her content marketing company, Content with Clarity/Crossman Communications, Susan and her team create high-quality online content that helps businesses connect with their target audience. As a book coach and editor, Susan helps entrepreneurs and others create the books that will support their businesses, their hearts, and their careers.

During our discussion, Susan describes:

 

  • Why she returned to school for a MA in English literature after already launching a successful career as a journalist
  • What she learned about book marketing from working with her publisher on her first book
  • Why she considers the brain magical territory worth studying
  • How the loss of a dear loved one inspired her to pursue her publishing career
  • Why writing a first book is so difficult
  • How the conversations we have with ourselves impact our results
  • The surprising circumstances regarding how she accidentally ended up in a coaching certification program
  • And much more!

Listen to the full podcast episode!

Direct download: WC_114_Final.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:30pm EDT

In episode 113 of The Writing Coach podcast, host Kevin T. Johns speaks with Cassandra Lane, award-winning memoirist and editor-in-chief of LA Parent magazine.

Cassandra is the author of We Are Bridges: A Memoir (Feminist Press, 2021), winner of the Louise Meriwether First Book Prize, and editor-in-chief of L.A. Parent magazine in Los Angeles. She formerly worked as a newspaper reporter, senior communications writer, and community relations manager for the LA. Dodgers. Her stories have appeared in The Times-Picayune, Atlanta Journal Constitution, Everything But the Burden, Writers Resist, the NYT “Conception” series, and elsewhere.

During our discussion, Cassandra describes:

  • How her mother’s passion for reading inspired her to become a writer
  • What it was like being the first Black and first woman editor-in-chief of her university newspaper
  • How being part of NOMO – a group of black poets, novelists, and artists – influenced her non-fiction writing
  • What excites her about her role as editor-in-chief of LA Parent magazine and how she approaches collaboration with her team of editors, writers, photographers, and designers
  • Why she chose to write a memoir that covers not only her story but also explores the inter-generational trauma resulting from the lynching of her great-grandfather
  • And much more!

Listen now!

Direct download: WC_113_Final.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:04pm EDT

Welcome to The Writing Coach. On this podcast, I speak with the instructors, editors, coaches, and mentors who help writers and authors create their art, build their audience, and sell their work.

In episode #112 of The Writing Coach podcast, I speak with Deryn Van Der Tang.

Deryn is a writer and exploration geological cartographer who worked in the mining and oil industry before retraining as a housing manager and working with the elderly. Her life has taken her through divorce and widowhood, and around the world to multiple countries and continents.

A descendent of the 1820 settlers in South Africa, she has spent most of her life trying to find her voice and expression of her faith through writing, art, and photography. Her words and photographs have been published in a variety of places, and she has been selected for Senior Travel Writer competitions. Her blog Crossing My Bridges covers her soulful adventures through life and is interspersed with her love of poetry and art.

Through her writing, photography, and fine art, Deryn seeks to transform both positive and negative experiences into something spiritual and beautiful. She is inspired by nature and the natural processes of life, growth, and death — finding meaning in their metaphors and seasons.

 

During our discussion, Deryn describes:

 

  • Why she volunteers to beta read and review other authors’ work
  • The impact both mentorship and self-education played in her development
  • What it was like being displaced from her home country of Rhodesia-Zimbabwe
  • The importance of resilience for writers
  • The relationship between biology, the natural world, and art
  • The value of being exposed to diversity in both the natural world and human cultures
  • And much more!

Listen now!

Direct download: WC_112_Final.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:35am EDT

Welcome to The Writing Coach. On this podcast, I speak with the instructors, editors, coaches, and mentors who help writers and authors create their art, build their audience, and sell their work.

In episode #111 of The Writing Coach podcast, I speak with Cameron Sutter and Ryan Zee.

Cameron is an independently published YA author and a software engineer — and the lead developer of Plottr. A graduate of BYU, Cameron lives near Oklahoma City, Oklahoma with his wife and six (yes, six!) amazing children.

Ryan Zee is the founder of BookSweeps, one of the largest book giveaway and lead generation platforms for authors, as well as the co-founder of Plottr, the popular visual outlining software. An official MailerLite Email Marketing Expert, Ryan has consulted with bestselling authors including Andrew Gross, Mary Jo Putney, and Kendall Ryan. He is also an aspiring author.

During our discussion, Cameron and Ryan describe:

  • How authors can use Plottr to support their writing in both the planning and revisions process
  • Where the idea for Plottr originally came from
  • Whether Plottr is just for planners or if pansters can use it to
  • The impact the large number of sales of the software has had on their company
  • How writing coaches are using the tool with their clients
  • And much more!

Listen now!

Direct download: WC_111.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:06am EDT

Welcome to The Writing Coach. On this podcast, I speak with the instructors, editors, coaches, and mentors who help writers and authors create their art, build their audience, and sell their work.

In episode #110 of The Writing Coach podcast, I speak with Bella Mahaya Carter.

Bella Mahaya Carter is the author of Where Do You Hang Your Hammock?: Finding Peace of Mind While You Write, Publish, and Promote Your Book. She is a creative writing teacher, empowerment coach, and speaker, and author of an award-winning memoir, Raw: My Journey from Anxiety to Joy, and a collection of narrative poems, Secrets of My Sex.

Bella has worked with hundreds of writers since 2008 and has degrees in literature, film, and spiritual psychology. Her poetry, essays, fiction, and interviews have appeared in Mind, Body, Green; The Sun; Lilith; Fearless Soul; Writers Bone; Women Writers, Womens Books; Chic Vegan; Bad Yogi Magazine; Jane Friedman’s Blog; Pick the Brain; Spiritual Media blog; Literary Mama; several anthologies, and elsewhere.

During our discussion, Bella describes:

  • How our body, mind, and spiritual health influence our writing
  • Why “striving” isn’t necessarily a good thing
  • What she learned as a dancer that transferred over into her writing career
  • Why she coined the term “universal doubt” and how it applies to writers
  • What she hopes readers will take away from her new book
  • How hanging a hammock in her back yard lead to a creative breakthrough
  • And much more!
Direct download: Writing_Coach_110_M.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:01pm EDT

Welcome to The Writing Coach. On this podcast, I speak with the instructors, editors, coaches, and mentors who help writers and authors create their art, build their audience, and sell their work.

In episode #109 of The Writing Coach podcast, I speak with musician, inventor, and entrepreneur Will Henshall.

Will is a Los Angeles based tech entrepreneur, inventor, and music producer. He was the founding member and main writer in the UK pop soul band Londonbeat. Their massive early 90s hit “I’ve Been Thinking About You” reached #1 in the Billboard chart and was the top selling single in all major territories and won him BMI/PRS songwriter of the year. In the mid-90s, he founded San Francisco based audio tech company Rocket Network. The “DigiDelivery” media transfer system, now part of ProTools 12 Cloud collaboration, is a standard tool used every day in pro audio production for TV, movies, and music. He sold the company to Avid in 2003. His most recent start up is www.focusatwill.com, a science driven instrumental music streaming service (2 million users) that helps people at work and study reduce distractions and be more productive. He holds 5 patents, and has a new one in the oven!

During our discussion, Will describes:

  • What it is like to write a #1 Billboard Hit and the pressure to follow up hits
  • The role the limbic system plays in creativity
  • How music and writing are “real time” are forms
  • The science of music, focus, concentration, and productivity
  • Why achieving a flow state is essential to creative success
  • The different brain types and what music they need to excel
  • Why lawyers make great writers
  • And much more!

Listen now!

Direct download: WC_109.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:11am EDT

Welcome to The Writing Coach. On this podcast, I speak with the instructors, editors, coaches, and mentors who help writers and authors create their art, build their audience, and sell their work.

In episode #108 of The Writing Coach podcast, I speak with fiction editor Lori Puma.

Lori previously appeared on episode 72 the show. Lori helps authors write novels readers can’t put down. She works with writers who dream of making a living writing novels in popular genres like fantasy, romance, thriller, science fiction, mystery, and young adult. As an editor, she specializes in teaching authors how to plan and revise their plots so readers stay hooked.

During our discussion, Lori describes:

  • Why she loves working with genre fiction authors
  • Her life-long love of comedy writing
  • Why she frequently uses examples in her teaching
  • How writers can get free advice on their story ideas via the author support series on her website
  • And much more!

For full show notes, video, transcripts, and audio visit http://www.kevintjohns.com

Direct download: WC_108.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:56pm EDT

In episode #107 of The Writing Coach podcast, I speak with author and book cover designer Karen Dimmick.

Karen previously appeared on episode #35 of the podcast, where we discussed mind hacks for writers. These days, Karen a book cover designer creating custom and premade book covers. Her goal is to create covers that capture future readers attention and sells books. Karen specializes in Fantasy and Science Fiction. I cover Urban Fantasy, High/Epic Fantasy, LitRPG/GameLit, Harem/Reverse Harem, Paranormal Romance, Dark Fantasy, Sci-fi and Paranormal Fantasy book covers.

During our discussion, Karen describes:

  • What makes a great book cover
  • Why genre is so important to cover design
  • The importance of font choice on covers
  • Who book covers are really for
  • Four different types of books covers
  • How to get the most out of working with a freelance covers designer
  • the benefits of both custom and pre-made covers
  • And much more!

Listen now!

Direct download: WC107_-_Karen_Dimmick.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:51pm EDT

Welcome to The Writing Coach. On this podcast, I speak with the instructors, editors, coaches, and mentors who help writers and authors create their art, build their audience, and sell their work.

 

In episode #106 of The Writing Coach podcast, I speak with author and writing coach J. Thorn.

J. Thorn has published two million words and has sold more than 185,000 books worldwide. In March of 2014 Thorn held the #5 position in Horror alongside his childhood idols Dean Koontz and Stephen King (at #4 and #2 respectively). He is an official member of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, the Horror Writers Association, and the Great Lakes Association of Horror Writers.

J. earned a B.A. in American History from the University of Pittsburgh and a M.A. from Duquesne University. He is a full-time writer, part-time professor at John Carroll University, co-owner of Molten Universe Media, podcaster, FM radio DJ, musician, and a certified Story Grid nerd.

During our discussion, J. describes:

  • How he has approached work and productivity throughout the COVID-19 pandemic
  • Why writing a novel is like having a baby
  • The way music has influenced his writing
  • How he approaches each writing and publishing project as an experiment
  • Why he made the decision to leave his day job to pursue writing full-time
  • And much more!

For full show notes visit http://www.kevintjohns.com

Direct download: WC_106.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:02pm EDT

In episode #105 of The Writing Coach podcast, I speak with David Puretz.

David Puretz is the author of The Escapist, a debut literary fiction novel exploring themes of mental health and self-discovery.He is the Editorial Director of the literary journal Global City Review and the creator and founder of the quarterly burly bird zine, which is sponsored by Fortroyal Foundation, a non-profit for the conservation and preservation of the arts. Puretz received an MFA in Creative Writing from The City College of New York and was a trailblazer for Ithaca College’s BA in Writing. Currently, Puretz resides in New York City where he teaches writing at Yeshiva University. Kaye is the author of Your Book, Your Brand: The Step-by-Step Guide to Launching Your Book and Boosting Your Sales, and the creator of Branding Outside the Box, where she helps authors and entrepreneurs become more memorable.

Click below to listen now:

Direct download: WC105_1.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:07pm EDT

Welcome to The Writing Coach. On this podcast, I speak with the instructors, editors, coaches, and mentors who help writers and authors create their art, build their audience, and sell their work.

 

In episode #104 of The Writing Coach podcast, I speak with veteran publicist, social media pro, and brand manager Dana Kaye.

In 2009, Dana founded Kaye Publicity, Inc., a boutique PR company specializing in publishing and entertainment. Known for her innovative ideas and knowledge of current trends, she coaches her clients on how to identify and establish their unique personal brands.

Kaye is the author of Your Book, Your Brand: The Step-by-Step Guide to Launching Your Book and Boosting Your Sales, and the creator of Branding Outside the Box, where she helps authors and entrepreneurs become more memorable.

During our discussion, Dana describes:

  • What exactly is an “author brand” and why is it important?
  • How authors can best use podcasts, emails lists, and social media
  • The important difference between publicity and marketing
  • How booking marketing has changed over the last decade
  • The role networking plays in selling books
  • And much more!

Click below to listen now:

Direct download: WC_104.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:27pm EDT

In episode #103 of The Writing Coach podcast, I speak with architect and author Donald M. Rattner.

Donald is the author of My Creative Space: How to Design Your Home to Stimulate Ideas and Spark Innovation and the principal of Donald M. Rattner, Architect. As a consultant, he draws on scientific research to help individuals and organizations maximize occupant creativity in workplace, residential, wellness, hospitality, and retail environments.

An educator and author as well as practitioner, Rattner’s publications include entries in professional reference books, and numerous contributions to print and online channels. He has taught at the University of Illinois, New York Academy of Art, New York University, Parsons School of Design, and online

During our discussion, Donald describes:

  • How manipulating your environment can stimulate creativity
  • Why he spent nearly as much time gathering the images for his book as he did writing it
  • How scientific research helps give validity to the creativity techniques he recommends
  • Why mood and ambiance such as lighting, room temperature, scent, and sound, influence mental processing
  • How certain physical characteristics in the built environment can heighten creativity, including tall ceilings, calming hues, the display of art, access to beautiful views, and more!

Click below to listen now!

Direct download: WC_103.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:10am EDT

Welcome to The Writing Coach. On this podcast, I speak with the instructors, editors, coaches, and mentors who help writers and authors create their art, build their audience, and sell their work.

In episode #102 of The Writing Coach podcast, I speak with author and story coach, Marc Graham.

Marc is an actor, speaker, story coach, shamanic practitioner, and whiskey aficionado. His first novel, Of Ashes and Dust, won the Paul Gillette Memorial Writing Contest and National Writers Association Manuscript Contest. 

When struggling to write his next novel, he turned to one of the most ancient forms of storytelling for inspiration: mythology. Graham discovered that Norse runes (an ancient form of divination) can play an effective role in killing writer’s block. He demonstrates the technique in his new book, Runes for Writers: Boost Your Creativity and Destroy Writer’s Block.

During our discussion, Marc describes:

  • How a traditional Christian upbringing eventually led to a wider exploration of spiritual beliefs and a search for universal truths
  • The challenges and joys of writing historical fiction
  • How conventional storytellers can engage in the same creatives practices as the ancient and modern shaman of indigenous civilizations to deepen their writing
  • Techniques for effectively working research into your fiction writing
  • How synchronicities help point him in the direction of what story he should pursue next
  • The power story and how it can play a role in helping to heal the world’s social ills
  • And much more!

The Writing Coach Episode #102 Show Notes

Check out Marc’s website.

Learn more about my children’s book: Rocket Princess vs. Snaggletooth the Dragon.

Direct download: WC102.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:19pm EDT

Welcome to The Writing Coach. On this podcast, I speak with the instructors, editors, coaches, and mentors who help writers and authors create their art, build their audience, and sell their work.

In episode #101 of The Writing Coach podcast, I speak Paul Wilson, author of Bad Karma: The True Story of a Mexican Surf Trip from Hell. Paul is a lifelong resident of coastal San Diego, attending high school at a time when Independent surfing was an option for Phys. Ed., and Rock Poetry was passed off as an advanced English course. It didn’t take much for him to become disenchanted with formal education and drop out of The University of Southern California to embrace his entrepreneurial side. Paul is a multi-patented inventor, a photographer, and has built several successful businesses. Embracing his love of baseball and the ocean, he attends every San Diego Padres home game, and lives in Mission Beach, California with his wife Susan.

During our discussion, Paul describes:

- Why he had to wait for the statute of limitations to run out before he could write his memoir

- His thoughts on the relationships between photography and writing

- How his experiences traveling in Mexico taught him that some of the poorest people in the world can also be the most generous

- Why surfing and storytelling mix so well

- The unique challenges of writing memoir

- How last year’s The Writer’s Craft Summit helped him finish and publish his book - What he learned working with a professional editor on the book

- How a great cover has helped him get the book into book stores and surf shops

- The unique niche he’s found for the book amongst Volkswagen Bus aficionados

- And much more! Listen now!

For full show notes visit: http://www.kevintjohns.com

Direct download: WC101.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:49pm EDT

Welcome to The Writing Coach. On this podcast, I speak with the instructors, editors, coaches, and mentors who help writers and authors create their art, build their audience, and sell their work.

In episode #99 of The Writing Coach podcast, I speak Sydney Liu.

Sydney is the co-founder of Commaful, a storytelling site where people go to share discover fiction. The site is home to hundreds of thousands of fanfics, short stories, and poems, all shared in a picture-book style format. He loves thinking about the intersection of art, technology, and storytelling and is always down to hear a great story.

During our discussion, Sydney describes:

  • Why a desire to encourage his friends to read his writing was the original inspiration for the Commaful platform
  • How Commaful differs from traditional blogs and social media platforms
  • The unique ways in which the platform combines visual media with fiction storytelling and poetry
  • What he and his co-founder are doing to ensure the Commaful community remains supportive of artists and writers and is able to avoid toxicity
  • How Commaful is using contests to put the spotlight on new writers as well as attract diverse voices
  • Which genres are most popular on Commaful
  • How Commaful is helping authors promote their books and find a community
  • And much more!

Click below to listen now:

Direct download: WC_099.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:21am EDT

Welcome to The Writing Coach. On this podcast, I speak with the instructors, editors, coaches, and mentors who help writers and authors create their art, build their audience, and sell their work.

In episode #98 of The Writing Coach podcast, I speak with Julie Evelyn Joyce.

Julie is an award-winning author and a proud Canuck. When she’s not writing quirky and witty romances, she spends her time molding young minds, playing sports, singing karaoke, juggling, and dancing like there’s no tomorrow. Sometimes simultaneously. She’s also in hot pursuit of her own happily ever after, and anxiously awaits the day serial dating becomes an Olympic event. Her debut novel, Steeped in Love, has received glowing reviews and is the winner of the 2019 Kobo Emerging Writer Prize in romance.

During our discussion, Julie describes:

  • How she got her start as an author by writing Gilmour Girls fanfiction
  • The important role her mother played in supporting her writing career
  • The crossroads she came to after the traditional publisher she had been working with disbanded
  • The vast and supportive community she discovered in the world of indie publishing
  • Her experiences teaching fiction writing to high school students
  • What it was like winning the 2019 Kobo Emerging Writer Prize
  • How writing and teacher access two different aspects of her personality
  • And much more!

Click below to listen now:

Direct download: WC098.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:39am EDT

In episode #96 of The Writing Coach podcast, I speak with author Rea Frey. With a degree in creative writing from Columbia and six traditionally published books under her belt, Rea has helped hundreds of clients refine, hone, and craft their own ideas into full-fledged books. Whether it’s working on a book proposal to sell to a publisher, ghostwriting a memoir, or consulting on a great idea, Rea’s fifteen years in the publishing industry will clarify the message, mission, audience, and ultimately help find a home for a client’s work. During our discussion, Rea describes: - How she balances a busy writing schedule with homeschooling her daughter - What it was like studying creative writing in an academic environment - Why her early books not being as successful as she would have liked helped set her up for success later in her career - What is was like optioning the rights to adapt her novel to Argent Pictures and then being hired to write the pilot episode of the series - How she helps authors craft incredible book proposals that land them big publishing deals - And much more! For full show notes visit http://www.kevintjohns.com

Direct download: WC096.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:21pm EDT

In episode #94 of The Writing Coach podcast, I speak with author Fred Waitzkin.

Fred was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in 1943. When he was a teenager he wavered between wanting to spend his life as a fisherman, Afro Cuban drummer, or novelist. He went to Kenyon College and did graduate study at New York University.

His work has appeared in EsquireNew York magazine, the New York Times Sunday Magazine, the New York Times Book ReviewOutsideSports IllustratedForbes, the Huffington Post, and the Daily Beast, among other publications. His memoir, Searching for Bobby Fischer, was made into a major motion picture released in 1993. His other books are Mortal GamesThe Last MarlinThe Dream Merchant, and Deep Water Blues. Recently, he has completed an original screenplay, The Rave.

Waitzkin lives in Manhattan with his wife, Bonnie, and has two children, Josh and Katya, and two grandsons, Jack and Charlie. He spends as much time as possible on the bridge of his old boat, The Ebb Tide, trolling baits off distant islands with his family.

During our discussion, Fred describes:

  • Where he finds the ideas for his stories
  • How he views the unique relationship between fiction and non-fiction
  • What his daily writing process looks like
  • How having his memoir adapted into a hit Hollywood film impacted his life and his writing
  • His approach to mentoring writers
  • How a coaching experience led to a breakthrough in the writing of his latest book, Deep Water Blues
  • And much more!

For full show notes visit http://www.kevintjohns.com

Direct download: WC094.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:47pm EDT

In episode #93 of The Writing Coach podcast, I speak with graphic recorder, Kit Irwin.

Kit creates visual representations of live events in real time to make meetings more effective, presentations more memorable, and participants more engaged. Her short stories have been published online, in literary magazines, and in anthologies, such as Flash Fiction Forward. She also creates visual bios for solo entrepreneurs to tell their story on their website’s About Us page.

Link to my website http://TheVisionScribe.com

During our discussion, Kit describes:

  • What the work of a graphic recorder entails
  • The role metaphor plays in the creation of her sketchnotes
  • How a Master’s degree in Critical and Creative Thinking have benefited her career
  • Why her desire to make e-learning less boring led to her work as a graphic recorder
  • Her number one tip on  making the leap into a career in creative work
  • The non-linear nature of graphic communication
  • And much more!

For full how notes visit: http://www.kevintjohns.com

Direct download: WC_093.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:33am EDT

Welcome to The Writing Coach. On this podcast, I speak with the instructors, editors, coaches, and mentors who help writers and authors create their art, build their audience, and sell their work.

In episode #92 of The Writing Coach podcast, I discuss why sometimes the most creative periods in our lives look and sound like silence to outside observers.

Direct download: WC_92.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:28pm EDT

In episode #91 of The Writing Coach podcast, I speak with Jennifer Louden.

Jennifer Louden is a personal growth pioneer who helped launch the concept of self-care with her first best-selling book The Woman’s Comfort Book. Since then, she’s written six additional books on well-being and whole living, with a million copies of her books in print in nine languages.

Jennifer has spoken around the U.S., Canada, and Europe, and has written a national magazine column for Martha Stewart magazine. Plus, she’s been profiled or quoted in dozens of major magazines, two of Brené Brown’s books Daring Greatly and Dare to Lead, appeared on hundreds of TV, radio shows and podcasts, and even on Oprah.

Jennifer has been teaching women’s writing and self-care retreats and creative writing workshops since 1992 and creating vibrant online communities and innovative learning experiences since 2000.

During our conversation, Jennifer describes:

  • How a time of great desperation, unhappiness, and depression ultimately launched her career as a successful author
  • The danger of wrapping up your entire self-worth in your writing
  • The importance of self-care and why she rejects the notion that artists must be tortured souls
  • What aspects of writing she struggles with and how she overcomes challenges in her writing
  • Three things you need to know before you start writing
  • What differentiates successful writers from those who fizzle out
  • Why she thinks being a writer is the coolest calling in the world
  • And much more!

Direct download: WC_91.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:47pm EDT