Episodes

  • Character Psychology & How to Use Character in Nonfiction: Character Development pt. 2
    Jul 2 2025

    Knowing your characters is crucial when you're writing a story—in fiction and in narrative nonfiction.

    So, what do you need to know about your characters? In this podcast, we'll discover how to use psychology and human behavior to engage your readers with real and relatable characters.

    Subscribe to my newsletter and get a free coaching call with me: http://www.yourbeststory.net

    Show more Show less
    23 mins
  • Character Development 1: What a Character Is and How to Create One
    Jun 16 2025

    What is a character exactly? And how does understanding that help you create an authentic character for your story?

    In this podcast, I share my insights on:

    • What a character is
    • What readers want from a character
    • What a character needs to come alive in your readers' brains

    This is part 1 of a double episode on character development. In part 2, we'll be discussing character psychology and character discovery in nonfiction.

    Subscribe to my newsletter and get a free one-hour coaching call with me: http://www.yourbeststory.net

    Show more Show less
    21 mins
  • How to Use Conflict in Your Scenes and Engage Readers Through the Middle Part of Your Book — Writing Fiction and Nonfiction Podcast
    Jun 2 2025

    Conflict is the most important ingredient for storytelling. And writers who know how to use it won't have trouble getting their readers through the middle part of their books.

    In this podcast, I show you how conflict in narrative works and how to use it. And I'll share a few classic examples from literature, film, and theater.


    Would you like a free writing coaching call? Go to http://www.yourbeststory.net and subscribe to my newsletter!

    Show more Show less
    25 mins
  • How to End Chapters Without Losing Engagement — Nonfiction Writing Podcast #5
    May 20 2025

    One problem all writers face: their readers have other things to do than reading. Chapter endings are the perfect places to close a book and start doing "something useful."

    How do you make sure your reader will pick up your book again at the first available opportunity?

    Make sure your reader is hungry for more.

    In this podcast, I show you how to use the 5W1H method to create engaging chapter endings, and I share many examples from published works.


    Would you like to have a free coaching call with me? Go to http://www.yourbeststory.net and subscribe to my newsletter.

    Show more Show less
    31 mins
  • When Are You Done Writing? My strategy to figure it out. — Nonfiction Writing Podcast #4
    May 6 2025

    When is your book or article ready for publication? In this podcast, I'll give you a strategy to figure it out.


    For weekly tips and inspiration, and a free coaching call, subscribe to my email list:

    http://www.yourbeststory.net

    Show more Show less
    24 mins
  • Coaching and Editing: Costs and Differences: A Conversation with a Writing Student — Part 2
    Apr 29 2025

    Also in this podcast: Writing about controversial topics and finding the right attitude and tone. And, for those who care, a little bit about my vision.


    Would you like a free coaching session with me?

    Go to http://www.yourbeststory.net

    (Use the pop-up or scroll down to the form.)

    Show more Show less
    21 mins
  • How to Write a Nonfiction Book, Answering Student Questions: A Conversation with a Writing Student — Part 1
    Apr 14 2025
    • What do the masters say about short sentences?
    • How do you avoid boring prose?
    • Can you be informal without losing credibility?
    • How many pages should a nonfiction book be?
    • How can you use 5W1H to create tension?
    • What's the editor's role in the writing process?

    In this podcast, I discuss these and many more questions with a coaching student.

    Would you like a free coaching session, too? Subscribe to my free weekly newsletter to schedule one:

    http://www.yourbeststory.net

    Show more Show less
    32 mins
  • Point of View, Stance, and Distance: Finding the Sweet Spots in Narrative Nonfiction Writing — Nonfiction Writing Podcast #3
    Mar 31 2025

    POV, stance, and distance are just as important in narrative nonfiction as in fiction. Botch this, and your reader will pick up another book.

    In this podcast, I share some of the best advice I have on setting these three extremely important parameters in scenic nonfiction writing.

    Join my email list, and get a free coaching session with me: www.yourbeststory.net



    Show more Show less
    32 mins