The Writing Coach: Recent Episodes

Kevin T. Johns, author and writing coach

Author and writing coach Kevin T. Johns interviews the instructors, editors, coaches, and mentors that help writers and authors create their art, build their audience, and sell their work.

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In this episode of The Writing Coach podcast, writing coach Kevin Johns speaks with creativity coach, NLP expert, and accomplished author Beth Barany.

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In this episode of The Writing Coach podcast, writing coach Kevin Johns speaks with author and writing coach Brooke Adams Law.

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In this episode of The Writing Coach podcast, writing coach Kevin Johns speaks with author and writing coach Sarah Elisabeth Sawyer.

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In this episode of The Writing Coach podcast, writing coach Kevin Johns discusses the significance of small acts of kindness and their impact on his life, as well as the role of personality in shaping an artist's reputation. He explains how the behaviour of various artists--from writers to comic book artists to musicians--has influenced his perception of their work and how some of the most powerful acts of marketing involve small, personal actions.

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In this episode of The Writing Coach podcast, host Kevin T. Johns explores the power and magic of words. He discusses how words have the ability to shape our understanding of reality and perception. Through examples from language evolution, psychology, and literature, Kevin illustrates how the introduction of new words and terms can completely change cultural conversations and perspectives over time.

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In this episode of The Writing Coach podcast, writing coach Kevin T. Johns discusses 10 writing tips from Phoebe Waller-Bridge, the creator of the acclaimed TV show Fleabag.

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Celebrating the 200th episode of the show and Star Wars Day 2024, writing coach Kevin T. Johns reflects on the profound impact that Star Wars has had on his life and career as a writer. In a personal exploration spanning his childhood memories to his current thoughts on the franchise, Kevin charts how Star Wars shaped his imagination, morality and storytelling over the decades. Listeners are treated to insightful reflections on nostalgia, character identification and the challenges of maintaining an iconic property over multiple owners. The episode offers resonant perspectives on fandom, disappointment, and the power of stories to influence our lives.

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In this episode of The Writing Coach podcast, writing coach Kevin T. Johns shares his thoughts on various memoirs he has enjoyed.

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Writing coach Kevin T. Johns reveals how his client was able to land an offer of representation from a literary agent after sending a single email.

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Inspired by a Simon Sinek quote about arrogance and humility, in this episode of The Writing Coach podcast, host Kevin T. Johns explores how the modern view of writing as a talent differs from its historical roots as a trade.

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Writing coach Kevin T. Johns explains the story beats you can use to plot a fantastic final act for your book.

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In this episode of The Writing Coach podcast, writing coach Kevin Johns speaks with Amazon bestseller author Lorraine Johnston.

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In this episode of The Writing Coach podcast, writing coach Kevin Johns discusses the important topic of offending people through creative expression and communication. He acknowledges that with any public work, there is a risk of unintentionally offending some audiences.

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Writing coach Kevin T. Johns shares the top ten pieces of advice he most often gives to writers.

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Writing coach Kevin T. Johns explains how authors can harness the power of ChatGPT to improve the environmental descriptions in their writing.

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In this episode of The Writing Coach podcast, writing coach Kevin T. Johns argues many beginner authors struggle because our public school and high school education systems fail to teach students the revision skills, experimentation, and risk-taking necessary to create art.

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Writing coach Kevin T. Johns describes the 6 different types of editors and the roles they play in the publishing and book production process. Listen now!

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In this episode of The Writing Coach podcast, writing coach Kevin T. Johns introduces his new scene Alchemy Essentials Checklist tool.

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In this episode of The Writing Coach podcast, writing coach Kevin T. Johns examines the benefits of both discovery writing and story planning and then suggests they are both part of the same creative cycle.

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In this episode of The Writing Coach podcast, writing coach Kevin T. Johns shares three experiences that changed the way he thought about the invisible art of teaching.

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In this episode of The Writing Coach podcast, writing coach Kevin T. Johns explains the excitement art can provide and the joy literature can bring to a reader's life.

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In this episode of The Writing Coach Podcast, writing coach Kevin T. Johns discusses the habit writers have of wanting to jump to a new project and provides advice about the right time to do it.

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In this episode of The Writing Coach Podcast, writing coach Kevin T. Johns shares his thoughts on four quotes related to writing from futurist, author, and founder of Wired Magazine, Kevin Kelly.

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In this episode of The Writing Coach Podcast, writing coach Kevin T. Johns outlines half-a-dozen common mistakes he sees in the manuscripts of aspiring authors.

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Writing coach Kevin T. Johns discusses the "literary elements" he considers the building blocks of a scene. He covers the four external literary elements and the four internal literary elements, and then asks whether a ninth should be included.

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Writing coach Kevin T. Johns explains why no writer gets it right on the first try and how writing is always iterative. He also explores the joys and benefits of the revision process.

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In this episode of The Writing Coach Podcast, writing coach Kevin T. Johns discusses Star Wars, punk rock, and how writers should consider desperation as a preferable alternative to perfection.

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writing coach Kevin T. Johns says goodbye to The Story Grid Podcast, which published its final episode last week. Kevin discusses the importance of the podcast, and his admiration for its hosts Shawn Coyne and Tim Grahl, and explains how their podcast was a profound act of generosity for both writing coaches and students of writer's craft.

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Writing coach Kevin T. Johns explains how to-do lists, checklists, standard operating procedures, and calendars can help writers and artists get organized, stay motivated, track progress, prioritize tasks, and achieve a flow state easier.

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Writing coach Kevin T. Johns explores Aristotle's "Doctrine of the Mean," and how it can help us understand why both living a virtuous life and writing a fantastic book are so difficult to achieve.

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Writing coach Kevin T. Johns explores the powerful role that change plays in storytelling.

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Writing coach Kevin T. Johns covers what to do at that critical moment in the creative process when your initial enthusiasm for a project begins to fade.

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Writing coach Kevin T. Johns explores time: how we use it, how to reclaim it, and when the right time is to take on a project like writing a book.

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In episode 155 of The Writing Coach podcast, I dig deep into the concept of protocols and how they can help you write your book.

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Writing coach Kevin T. Johns tackles a hot topic in the world of writing these days: artificial intelligence (AI). Will AI writing soon replace human writing and should writers be fearful for the future of their livelihood? Find out in this episode.

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Writing coach Kevin T. Johns discusses how in creating their art writers can often stir up memories, traumas, and deep emotions within themselves.

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Writing coach Kevin T. Johns shares four simple tips writers can implement to help set themselves up for long-term success.

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Writing coach Kevin T. Johns covers three techniques writers can use to create and benefit from momentum with their writing.

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Writing coach Kevin T. Johns addresses the much-asked question, "Can great writing be taught?"

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Author Helen Pilz speaks with writing coach Kevin T. Johns about the launch of her new holiday-themed story, NEW YORK SNOW AND TURQUOISE.

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Writing coach Kevin T. Johns explains why so many writers hop from one project to the next without finishing anything.

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Writing coach Kevin T. Johns discusses veteran authors and how their experiences in war may have impacted their fiction.

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Writing coach Kevin T. Johns discusses 15 literally masterpieces under 60K words long.

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Writing coach Kevin T. Johns debunks the myth of the solitary author and discusses some of the most important and successful writer communities of the last 150 years.

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Writing coach Kevin T. Johns discusses the three biggest problems writers face when crafting a first draft and how to overcome them.

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Writing coach Kevin T. Johns outlines his six-step roadmap for taking a book from initial idea creation through to publication.

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Social media provides writers with the opportunity to connect with writers from across the world, but is the type of community social media provides really what writers need to find success? Or are platforms like Facebook and Twitter doing more harm than good when it comes to writers achieving their literary goals?

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Writing Coach Kevin T. Johns identifies several techniques you can use to maintain the momentum of your writing, even when you are lacking inspiration, battling brain fog, or just feeling downright exhausted.

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Writing Coach Kevin T. Johns explains how to use active voice to instantly improve your writing.

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Writing coach Kevin T. Johns answers the question: Are there actually rules to writing and if so can you break them?

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Writing a book is a complicated process and figuring out where to start can be confusing, especially for new authors. In this episode of The Writing Coach, Kevin T. Johns describes the perfect way to begin developing a story and exactly where you should start.

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Writing Coach Kevin T. Johns explains how you can avoid making the big mistake the writers of 'The Rings of Power' made.

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Writing Coach Kevin T. Johns speaks with author Phillip L. Wray about the launch of his debut novel, THE PONTCOURT MURDERS, a musketeer murder mystery set in 17th century France.

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Writing Coach Kevin T. Johns explains his personalized approach to story planning and outlines how you can create a rock-solid outline for your novel in thirty days or less.

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Writing coach Kevin T. Johns discusses the kinds of everyday real-life conflicts you can draw on to generate drama, tension, and emotional resonance in your writing.

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Writing coach Kevin T. Johns discusses the benefits and drawbacks of writing while on vacation and recommends how best to go about mixing writing with relaxation.

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Writing coach Kevin T. Johns discusses how the ever-changing perspective we have about our own art functions at the macro and micro levels, and how you can use that perspective to get through particularly challenging writing days.

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Writing coach Kevin T. Johns discusses two different approaches to writing that can result in the creation of a masterpiece, and how current television shows like Kenobi are not following either of those paths.

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Kevin T. Johns discusses energy management for writers in episode #130 of The Writing Coach podcast.

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In episode #129 of The Writing Coach podcast, Kevin T. Johns shares 50 topics recently discussed in his First Draft and Final Draft group coaching programs.

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In episode #128 of The Writing Coach podcast, Kevin T. Johns discusses the importance of wrist health and good ergonomics for writers, and outlines several approaches to writing that don't involve typing at a keyboard.

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In episode #127 of The Writing Coach podcast, Kevin T. Johns reveals 10 lessons writers can learn from punk rock.

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In episode #126 of The Writing Coach podcast, Kevin T. Johns discusses the process of waiting for perfect in life and writing.

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In episode #125 of The Writing Coach podcast, Kevin T. Johns answers the question, "How long does it take to write a book?

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In episode #124 of The Writing Coach podcast, we explore multiple techniques for filling in gaps in your in your plot.

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In episode #123 of The Writing Coach podcast, writing coach Kevin T. Johns discusses self-doubt in writers, emotional availability, and choosing yourself.

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In episode #122 of The Writing Coach podcast we catch up with what Kevin has been up to for the last six months, including battles COVID and giving away a $500 program for free.

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In episode #121 of The Writing Coach podcast, host Kevin T. Johns speaks with executive coach and author Val Ries about her new book CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER.

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In episode #120 of The Writing Coach podcast, host Kevin T. Johns speaks with author Mia Romero about transitioning from a pantser to a planner.

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In episode #119 of The Writing Coach podcast, host Kevin T. Johns speaks with writer Carmone Harris about where to find inspiration.

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In episode #118 of The Writing Coach podcast, host Kevin T. Johns speaks with poet and educator Garry Cox.

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In episode #117 of The Writing Coach podcast, host Kevin T. Johns speaks with author Michelle Cornish.

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In episode #116 of The Writing Coach podcast, host Kevin T. Johns speaks with movement and nutrition coach Tyler Hammett.

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In episode #115 of The Writing Coach podcast, host Kevin T. Johns speaks with author Michael E. Ginsberg.

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In episode #114 of The Writing Coach podcast, host Kevin T. Johns speaks with author, editor, and book coach Susan Crossman.

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In episode #113 of The Writing Coach podcast, host Kevin T. Johns speaks with Cassandra Lane, award winning memoirist and editor-in-chief of LA Parent magazine.

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In episode 112 of The Writing Coach podcast, host Kevin T. Johns speaks with writer and exploration geological cartographer Deryn Van Der Tang.