Claim OwnershipThe Author's Journey with Gary Khan
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Are you an aspiring author lost on your treacherous journey to becoming the next bestseller? Come hang out with me as I interview adventurers, marketing gurus, publishers and authors, both experienced and new. We journey together in the great unknown and share lessons from our failures and successes – all in the hope that we help you avoid our mistakes and leverage our advice to manifest your destiny. For more information hit me up on my socials at https://instabio.cc/RealGaryKhan Come learn, laugh, and share your authentic author’s journey with us.
24 Episodes
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How our characters react to situations reveals a lot about them. If exposed to a threat, do your characters fight or flee? Are they brave or cowardly? What physiological, physical, emotional, rational and irrational responses occur in the moment? All of this helps to build a vivid image of your character in the minds of readers. In this week’s episode, we unpack how reactions characterize. We look at reaction of your POV character when exposed to external stimuli and how other characters...
What we say and how we say it reveals a lot about our characters. The most memorable, engaging characters all have one thing in common – a unique voice that stands out from the crowd. Think of the most amazing lines from literature and popular culture. They helped to etch the character into our hearts and minds forever. In this episode we explore the use of dialogue as a tool to characterize indirectly. We look at how dialogue characterizes and how to use it effectively in your own writi...
Life is filled with action. We are what we do after all. The characters we create are no different. What a character does – their habits, mannerisms, nervous ticks, the way they move tells us a lot about them. This is one of the techniques of indirect characterization. In this episode, we explore the first method of indirect characterization – action, and why it is so effective at revealing character. Then we look at how to write character using action, and as a bonus I share a great dis...
To be one of the best author’s in the game, you must arm yourself with the tools of the trade. An essential tool is the Direct Characterization Method. It is a fairly straightforward technique, but many struggle to pull it off the way they should. This makes for poor writing. By improving your abilities to use the technique, you can stand out amongst the myriad of mediocre authors. In this week’s episode we unpack all things Direct Method including a recap of the definition and a look at...
Ever heard the saying Story is about interesting things that happen to interesting characters? No? Well, I made it up, but it is no less true. In everyday life the stories we tell are about something that has happened to us or someone else, and our responses to those events. If you want to master storytelling, you must master the art of creating characters – enter characterization. In this episode, we define characterization in the literary sense and explore the two main methods of chara...
1Nothing shows your authorial flex as much as pulling of a shocking, masterful plot twist that blows your readers’ minds. Hindsight is 20/20 and it is easy to see them coming from a mile away once they are revealed, but crafting the buggers is not that easy.In this episode, we explore the top 5 best plot twist types and detail how you can go about writing them so you can spice up that plot and get to the blowing of minds part. Key knowledge you will acquire in this episode:An defini...
Plot gaps or plot holes can send your readers running for the hills faster than mad axeman on Halloween. As authors, we love our work. It is a sacred part of us that we share with the world, but it is true what they say: love makes us blind. In this episode, we explore my five worst plot gap tropes in the literature that have the power to tank your hard work. We explore what a plot gap is and how to avoid or correct it in your writing, so you produce the highest quality, consistent story...
Writing highly effective subplots have eluded many authors. If your story's feel flat and something is missing from your plot, it is most likely some great subplots. There are many reasons it improves your writing, and a few sure ways to write killer subplots. In this episode, we explore what a subplot is, what the six reasons it improves your writing are, and how you can write better subplots that will make your story shine that much brighter. Key knowledge you will acq...
Plotting a novel can get complicated, fast. Plot can be as simple as beginning, middle or end. Alternatively, you can use complicated plot structures that make your literature professor salivate. There a plenty of resources out there to help you improve the way you plot your novel, but rarely do aspiring authors get to ask questions about plot with which we really struggle.This week’s episode is structured as a question and answer forum. I scoured the internet, social media and picked the bra...
The Wheel of Time is one of the most famous and well-written epic fantasy adventures in history. It is my favourite series and is a treasure trove of knowledge. Barbara Baig, a master creative writing teacher and prodigious writer herself, advised that we should learn from the best and when it comes to fantasy few can top Robert Jordan. In this episode, we review the elements of plot and use the Wheel of Time Book 1: Eye of the World to analyse the lessons on plot. Key knowledge yo...
We have fallen in love with fictional characters. They have been our family, our friends, our lovers, our fantasies. In some instances, we loathe them, but regardless of how we feel they are etched into our memories for all eternity. Character is central to fictional writing. You need compelling characters in your works, like you need air to breathe. Without it, our writing will be like you – dead. In this episode, I run down the list of my top ten fictional characters of all time and sh...
Ever have a staring contest with a blank page hoping this time will be different, only to lose for the umpteenth time? Many aspiring authors experience the ill-fated Writer’s Block on their author’s journey. I have had my moments and there a few things more frustrating. Over the years, I have collected some brainstorming techniques that help me bust even the biggest of slumps. In this episode I share three ways I brainstorm new writing ideas, be it for my blog or my next novel. Key ...
No one grows up with the aim of being unsuccessful in life. Authors are the same. We all dream of achieving success but how does one know if they are successful or not? This is where things get sticky. The world is full of different definitions of success so it is hard to know where you stand. In this episode we look at the most common metrics used to define success as a writer from various sources and I share my own definition to the litany of definitions out there. In this episode...
An Interview with Gary Khan Part 2 I have always dreamt of making it so big that I get to be interviewed by someone famous like Oprah or Ellen. In the absence of those dreams, I opted for the next best thing. I sent out a blast on social media asking fans to send in their interview questions from around the world. In this week's episode, my fans interview me about my author's journey. I answer all questions honestly and provide resources for authors who may find themselves in the same predi...
An Interview with Gary Khan Part 1I have always dreamt of making it so big that I get to be interviewed by someone famous like Oprah or Ellen. In the absence of those dreams, I opted for the next best thing. I sent out a blast on social media asking fans to send in their interview questions from around the world. In this week's episode, my fans interview me about my author's journey. I answer all questions honestly and provide resources for authors who may find themselves in the same predicam...
Your third grade teacher gave you an A on your English essay and said “you write good.” Your friends and family invite you to share stories at social gatherings because you so wildly entertaining. You a hit sensation at office parties. You want to become an author but don’t know how. You google, then study and google some more. Finally, you take the plunge and start writing your book. Two pages in you stop and remember you have nothing to write about. You google some more, then watch 10,...
Ever sat around the campfire with your best friends and shared your favourite parts about the latest book, movie or television series? Better yet, have you ever stumbled into a boring social gathering where you were not sure how exactly it was that you came to be there. Your eyes keep darting towards the door and then the most beautiful human walks into the room and engages you in conversation. You talk a lot about things but you discover you love of the same author and the exact same book. T...
All of us have read something in our lives that has shaped us. There is at least one author/filmmaker/musician that has influenced our art whatever that may be. Where would we be without them. This podcast looks at the idea of finding you authors that can influence you. I share several writers that have influenced me and some readings from their works which have inspired me the most. We look at legends of fantasy epics like Robert Jordan, to J.K. Rowling, Magical Connoisseur, to Emily Di...
Every author dreams of making it big but the vast majority fall into obscurity. There are many underrated authors that have produced great works of art throughout history, but most people have never heard of them. Writing is not about chasing fame and fortune. It is about heeding the call of the passion that lives inside of you. There is something special in each of us that wants to be set free. Allow your mind and your heart to give birth to these ideas which add beauty and colour to a ...
You LOVE writing. It serenades your soul in ways nothing else can, but the busyness of life keeps getting in the way. In the endless ocean of distraction everything competes for your attention and your writing suffers. Most of us are not full-time authors. We have day jobs, love lives, friendships and those pesky errands that need doing. Don’t forget about the latest Netflix release you have been waiting on for the last few months. How do you overcome all that temptation and get down to ...
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