LIES! You DO have time to write. Today, Johnny talks some simple things you can do to create extra time in your schedule. But in truth, you aren’t adding time at all. You’re freeing it up. When you understand how Parkinson’s Law works against you, you can also turn it around to work FOR you. […]

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Every hero needs a great knockdown off their high horse, and a deep, dark secret is a great way to do that. Today, Sean talks about some great ways to make your hero’s world turn on its head. From discovering your father sees hooker because you’re the call girl who shows up at his door […]

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Everyone wants to be a writer. But you need to answer a question: Why are your books worth reading? Why are you different? Why are you better? You need to find your unique selling point. Once you identify this, you’ll be better able to break through the flood of self-publishing that’s currently in the market.

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As storytellers and artists in general, we should give our characters a strong sexual identity. This doesn’t mean sex, but who your character is. Sean explains how you can ‘future-proof’ your stories, especially with the world changing as it currently is. This isn’t just about giving your characters a quirk; sexual identity, paired with other […]

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We’re not going to give you a simple, formulaic answer because there are several things to consider. Today, Johnny talks about the questions you need to ask yourself before you choose the genre you want to write in. From stylistic to knowledge and desirability to knowing your why, you must be honest with yourself and […]

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Everyman is a term we throw around, but what does it really mean? An ‘everyman’ is the average Joe. He’s not special, perfect, at the top of the food chain, or anything like that. It someone we can all relate to. Today, Johnny talks about what makes a good everyman, and how not to screw […]

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Your tone or mood can take a drama and make it a comedy, romance, or even a thriller. Today, Sean talks about how you can take a story’s beats and change the tone to get a totally different version. Consider all the different takes on the Batman franchise, even from way back in the 60s. […]

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What’s a red herring? It’s a clue or piece of information that is nothing more than a misdirection. Today, Johnny talks about how we come across red herrings in real life, and how it can and should be mirrored in art. Every clue your hero finds shouldn’t lead him to his goal. That would be […]

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Hold the silly jokes… tent poles are very important! We’re using the term with story in mind, and whether you’re a plotter or pantser, you should keep them in mind, too. Today, Johnny talks about tent poles, how they help your reader stay interested in your story, and how to plan them well to prevent […]

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There’s a simple quote from William Faulkner every author should take to heart: “Read, read, read.” Today, Sean talks about what his take on the quote is, and while some of it is obvious, he digs into how he’s put his reading to practical use in making his self-publishing career a success.

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