Want to write a story that keeps readers up past midnight? Discover how small, unanswered questions—“little mysteries”—can quietly power your entire novel.
Discover why you might not be the kind of writer you thought you'd be, and why that's a good thing. This episode explores creative pivots, artistic growth, and how to follow your real writing voice.
Discover why your characters go off-script, and how Internal Family Systems (IFS) theory can help you understand your creative process in a whole new way.
What if planning your novel felt more like a game? Discover how this old-school screenwriting trick can revolutionize your story structure and spark creative breakthroughs and plan your novel with index cards!
What if your next big idea isn’t buried in research—but in boredom? Learn why stillness, silence, and doing nothing might be the secret to writing something truly original and why boredom and creativity go hand-in-hand.
Ever feel like your writing joy is slipping away? Discover why reconnecting with the reasons you really write could be the most important creative decision you’ll make.
Ever read a book so good you had no idea how the author pulled it off? In this episode, discover how to study those “magic tricks” and apply them to your own writing.
Can AI write compelling scenes? When I asked AI to describe a post office, it produced detailed yet predictable prose. AI-generated writing may useful for limited brainstorming, but truly memorable scenes require your unique creativity.
Is AI a revolutionary tool for novelists or a creativity killer? This episode explores the real impact of AI on storytelling—where it shines, where it fails, and how writers can use it without losing their creative spark
Resistance to writing is sneaky—it disguises itself as productivity, self-improvement, and even social connection. In this episode, Brad Reed explores the ways resistance keeps writers from their work, drawing insights from The War of Art by Steven Pressfield. Plus, a special farewell message as the Inside Creative Writing Podcast takes a new direction.
Struggling with clunky dialogue? Many writers lean too heavily on spoken words, missing a powerful technique that can elevate their storytelling. In this episode, discover a game-changing approach to writing dialogue that most authors never consider.
Want to make your readers feel something real? It’s not about telling them—it’s about showing them in the right way. In this episode, we dive deep into how to craft immersive, emotional moments in your writing using sensory details, inspired by Alan Heathcock’s 27 Tenets of Fiction.
Conflict in writing is the tension, struggle, or opposition that drives a story forward. It can be external (character vs. character, society, nature) or internal (character vs. self), but it always creates obstacles that challenge the protagonist and force growth or change.
New writers often overestimate their skills, avoid feedback, and get stuck between rigid rules and total creative freedom. Many write in isolation, struggling to spot their own weaknesses. This episode explores these challenges and how to overcome them with self-awareness, critique, and a balanced writing process.
To write vivid descriptions, focus on one or two striking details rather than overwhelming the reader with long lists. Use sensory details—sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch—to make scenes come alive.
A compelling opening is crucial because it sets the tone for your entire story and determines whether a reader will continue or move on to something else. Your first sentence should create curiosity, raise questions, or present an intriguing scenario that beckons the reader to delve deeper into your narrative.
Subtext is the unspoken meaning behind dialogue, character actions, and setting details. Instead of directly stating a character’s personality or emotions, skilled writers use small, intentional cues—like clothing, posture, or word choice—to subtly communicate deeper truths.
Theme is the foundation of a powerful story, yet many writers struggle to define and develop it effectively. If you’ve ever wondered how to integrate theme without being heavy-handed, this episode breaks it down in a practical way. We’ll explore how to uncover the deeper meaning behind your story and seamlessly weave it into your narrative.
Staring at a blank page, unsure what to do next? If you’ve ever felt stuck, this episode is for you. Writer’s block can feel paralyzing, but there are proven techniques to break through and keep writing—even when inspiration seems out of reach.
Great dialogue isn’t just about what’s said—it’s about what’s left unsaid. Writing subtext in dialogue helps create realistic, emotionally charged conversations that engage readers and reveal deeper character motivations. In this episode, we break down how to use the "third thing" technique to add layers of meaning to your dialogue without making it feel forced or unnatural.