On Wise Productivity and Building Positive Character Arcs
Download the Understanding Story Structure and Character Arcs PDF GUIDE.Learn the art of crafting positive character arcs and tackling the realities of time management.I kick things off by sharing some eye-opening insights inspired by Oliver Burkman’s 4,000 Weeks, Time Management for Mortals, a must-read for anyone rethinking how to make the most of their time (spoiler: it’s not about doing more). Then, we shift gears to break down the magic behind positive character arcs—focusing on the growth and redemption subtypes. Using beloved examples like Harry Potter and A Christmas Carol, you’ll learn how to craft a positive character arc your readers will love!Plus, I’ve got a handy PDF guide to help you visualize story structure and character arcs—it’s free to download!Stick around for a sneak peek at what’s coming next: a deep dive into negative character arcs and an inspiring chat with romance writer Trisha Jenn Loehr about crafting romances.Episode Breakdown:00:00 Let’s Talk Positive Character Arcs00:15 Welcome to the Write it Scared Podcast01:33 Balancing Craft and Mindset02:02 The Truth About Time Management (Inspired by 4,000 Weeks)08:26 Breaking Down Positive Character Arcs10:55 Growth Arcs: What They Are and How to Write Them14:25 Redemption Arcs: Creating Powerful Transformations16:46 Structuring Positive Character Arcs Step-by-Step22:54 Recap + Free Resources for Your Writing Journey24:36 What’s Coming Next: Negative Arcs and a Romantic TwistDon’t forget to grab your PDF guide to visualize and understand story structure and character arcs, and subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode. Let’s keep building brave, brilliant stories together!Have a comment or idea about the show? Send me a direct text! Love to hear from you.Support the show To become a supporter of the show, click here!To get in touch with Stacy: Email: [email protected] https://www.writeitscared.co/ https://www.instagram.com/writeitscared/ Take advantage of these Free Resources From Write It Scared: Download Your Free Novel Planning and Drafting Quick Start Guide Download Your Free Guide to Remove Creative Blocks and Work Through Fears
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25:26
Learning to Say No to "Mom Guilt" with Author MK Pagano.
In this episode of the Write It Scared podcast, I discuss overcoming guilt as a parent pursuing creative passions and introduce M.K. Pagano, the author of 'Girls Who Burn,' who shares her journey to becoming a published writer. Our conversation highlights the challenges of balancing writing with parenting, dealing with setbacks such as losing an agent, and the importance of community support. MK offers practical advice for writing thrillers and emphasizes the significance of persistence and self-compassion in the writing journey. 00:00 Overcoming Parental Guilt for Creative Fulfillment01:23 Interview with MK Pagano: Debut Novel 'Girls Who Burn'04:05 MK Pagano's Writing Journey and Challenges12:26 Tips for Writing Thrillers19:17 Balancing Writing and Parenthood22:38 Final Thoughts and Encouragement for Writers31:19 Conclusion and Resources for WritersGuest Bio:MK Pagano writes stories about messy girls, mayhem, and murder. Her debut YA Thriller GIRLS WHO BURN is out now in the US, UK, and more. She is represented by Barbara Poelle of Word One Literary. When she’s not busy pondering the angst of fictional people, she can be found reading (from her own TBR and that of her children), dreaming of restoring an old French chateau, and wandering the weirder parts of New Jersey, where she currently resides with her family.Contact links:https://mkpagano.com/ https://www.instagram.com/mk_pagano/ Resources mentioned on the show:Alexa Donne’s Youtube ChannelHave a comment or idea about the show? Send me a direct text! Love to hear from you.Support the show To become a supporter of the show, click here!To get in touch with Stacy: Email: [email protected] https://www.writeitscared.co/ https://www.instagram.com/writeitscared/ Take advantage of these Free Resources From Write It Scared: Download Your Free Novel Planning and Drafting Quick Start Guide Download Your Free Guide to Remove Creative Blocks and Work Through Fears
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32:16
Understanding Story Structure and Character Arcs
Free Download: Understand Story Structure and Character ArcsToday, we’re diving deep into the magic of character arcs and how they intertwine with story structure and plot.I'll share insights on developing authentic characters so readers will empathize with them and want to know more.We'll chat about different character arcs—positive, negative, and flat—and how understanding these can enrich your storytelling. Plus, I'll debunk myths about story structure being formulaic and show you how it’s essential for guiding your characters' emotional journeys. By the end of this episode, you’ll have practical tips to develop compelling characters and a story your readers will love!00:00 Introduction to Character Arcs02:29 Exploring Story Structure06:27 Diving into Character Arcs09:19 Understanding Character Development19:31 Practical Tips for Writers20:36 Conclusion and ResourcesHave a comment or idea about the show? Send me a direct text! Love to hear from you.Support the show To become a supporter of the show, click here!To get in touch with Stacy: Email: [email protected] https://www.writeitscared.co/ https://www.instagram.com/writeitscared/ Take advantage of these Free Resources From Write It Scared: Download Your Free Novel Planning and Drafting Quick Start Guide Download Your Free Guide to Remove Creative Blocks and Work Through Fears
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21:33
Unlocking Your Characters with Michele Regenold
In this episode, I sit down with Michele Regenold, an author and certified book coach, to delve into the intricacies of character development. We explore the importance of knowing what drives your characters, distinguishing between their wants and needs, and identifying their fears. Michele introduces her character development tool 'Interview for Insight,' which aids writers in gaining a deeper understanding of their characters. You'll also hear about 'First Draft Confidence,' my free workbook designed to help you plan and write your novel more confidently. Join us as we uncover techniques and tools to enrich your storytelling. 00:00 Understanding Character Desires01:28 Interview with Michele Regenold01:59 Introducing First Draft Confidence02:59 Michelle's Writing Journey06:27 Character Development Insights15:58 Interview for Insight Tool28:09 Final Thoughts and ResourcesGuest BioMichele Regenold is an Author Accelerator-certified book coach, specializing in middle grade and young adult fiction. She has an MFA in writing for children and young adults from the Vermont College of Fine Arts, as well as master’s degrees in journalism and English from Iowa State University.For 20 years she honed her coaching and editing skills, first as a teacher of college English and later as the alumni magazine editor at Grinnell College, her undergraduate alma mater.Michele is a writer herself, mainly of middle grade fiction that often includes an animal character’s point of [email protected]: https://www.micheleregenold.com/blog/newsletter: https://www.micheleregenold.com/blogMore about Interview for Insight: https://www.micheleregenold.com/interivew-for-insightHave a comment or idea about the show? Send me a direct text! Love to hear from you.Support the show To become a supporter of the show, click here!To get in touch with Stacy: Email: [email protected] https://www.writeitscared.co/ https://www.instagram.com/writeitscared/ Take advantage of these Free Resources From Write It Scared: Download Your Free Novel Planning and Drafting Quick Start Guide Download Your Free Guide to Remove Creative Blocks and Work Through Fears
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29:09
Easing Into 2025 and Setting Smarter Writing Goals
If you feel unprepared for the new year, this episode is for you! Today, we discuss the importance of easing into the new year, reflecting on past achievements, and setting attainable writing goals. But at some point, we need to get after it, and for that, I have a detailed goal-setting exercise to help you map out your 2025 writing goals! Remember to practice patience and persistence and incorporate accountability into your routine as you work toward turning your dreams into goals and actions that become reality! Download Your Free Novel Planning and Drafting Quick Start Guide 00:00 Easing into the New Year01:20 Season Two Kickoff02:01 Planning for 202502:59 Setting Smart Writing Goals05:44 Reflecting on Past Achievements07:49 Creating Actionable Steps11:01 Building Accountability12:00 Exciting New Season Ahead12:36 Free Story Planning and Drafting Tool for Fiction WritersDownload Your Free Novel Planning and Drafting Quick Start Guide Have a comment or idea about the show? Send me a direct text! Love to hear from you.Support the show To become a supporter of the show, click here!To get in touch with Stacy: Email: [email protected] https://www.writeitscared.co/ https://www.instagram.com/writeitscared/ Take advantage of these Free Resources From Write It Scared: Download Your Free Novel Planning and Drafting Quick Start Guide Download Your Free Guide to Remove Creative Blocks and Work Through Fears
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