Helping Writers Become Authors: Recent Episodes
K.M. Weiland
Helping Writers Become Authors provides writers help in summoning inspiration, crafting solid characters, outlining and structuring novels, and polishing prose. Learn how to write a book and edit it into a story agents will buy and readers will love. (Music intro by Kevin MacLeod.)
What if the Lie the Character Believes isn't really a lie?
For years I've taught the Lie the Character Believes as the foundation of character arc. But over time, I've come to see that this concept may point toward something much deeper than just a mistaken belief.
In this episode, I explore three increasingly complex models for understanding the Lie the Character Believes—from a simple false belief, to a limited perspective, and finally to an ego identity. Along the way, we'll look at why character arc may be less about transformation and more about alignment, how the backstory Ghost creates the identities that shape our stories, and why the deepest arcs mirror the lifelong process of individuation.
We talk about:
• Why the Lie the Character Believes isn't always a lie • The difference between false beliefs, limited perspectives, and ego identities • How the Ghost creates the coping mechanisms behind character arc • Why character arc may be better understood as alignment rather than transformation • The relationship between story, consciousness, and individuation • Why archetypal stories resonate so deeply with readers • Examples from Jane Eyre, Everything Everywhere All at Once, A Court of Thorns and Roses, The Matrix, and more
Whether you're developing a story, studying character arc, or simply fascinated by the deeper psychology of storytelling, I hope this conversation offers a fresh perspective on one of story theory's most foundational concepts.
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Introduction 02:51 The Lie the Character Believes Isn't Really a Lie 03:45 The Lie Starts Out as Truth 04:40 Yesterday's Truth Is Tomorrow's Lie 06:39 Three Ways to Understand the Lie the Character Believes 07:55 The Lie as Separation 09:53 Three Stories, Three Models 11:05 How the Ghost Creates the Lie 12:35 The Point at Which the Story Begins 13:27 Coping Mechanisms That Become Cages 14:40 Why Character Arc Is Alignment Rather Than Transformation 15:44 Non-Reactivity as the Path 17:14 Four Examples 18:10 The Lie the Character Believes as Social Reality 20:10 The Tyrant-Ogre Holdfast: Keeper of the Status Quo 22:40 Character Arc as the Union of Consciousness and the Unconscious 23:44 Want More? Shadow Archetypes: Writing Complex Fictional Characters 25:22 On the Blog: Why Honesty Makes Flawed Characters More Likable
Read the accompanying post: https://www.helpingwritersbecomeauthors.com/lie-the-character-believes-consciousness
LINKS & RESOURCES Want More?
8-WEEK COURSE: Shadow Archetypes: Writing Complex Fictional Characters
Learn how passive and aggressive shadow archetypes reveal the deepest fears, coping mechanisms, and transformational opportunities within your characters' arcs. This eight-week email course explores how archetypal psychology can help you create richer inner conflict, more resonant themes, and stories that reflect the deeper patterns of human growth.
Sign Up Here: https://kmweilandstore.com/b/shadow-archetypes-course
📚 Learn More About Writing Craft & Story Theory https://helpingwritersbecomeauthors.com/
✍️ Join My Mailing List (Weekly Writing Insights) https://www.helpingwritersbecomeauthors.com/resources/free-e-book/
📖 Explore My Books & Resources for Writers https://kmweilandstore.com/
📷 Follow Me on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/authorkmweiland/
❤️ Support Me on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/c/KMWeiland
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Welcome! I'm K.M. Weiland, an award-winning and internationally published author of writing guides such as Structuring Your Novel and Creating Character Arcs. I help writers understand not only how stories work, but why they matter—exploring story structure, character arc, archetypes, theme, and the deeper patterns of transformational storytelling.
On this channel, I share practical writing instruction alongside conversations about the psychology, philosophy, and mythic dimensions of story, helping writers create fiction that is both technically sound and deeply meaningful.
#CharacterArc #WritingAdvice #StoryStructure #CreativeWriting #WritingCommunity
A great ending is about much more than resolving the plot. Why do satisfying story endings stay with us for years, while others leave us empty? In this video, I explore the psychology of story endings.
When we think about writing endings, we often focus on tying up loose ends or delivering a dramatic finale. But endings serve a much deeper purpose. They complete the character's transformation, reveal the story's true meaning, and fulfill the archetypal pattern that gives stories their enduring psychological power.
In this post/podcast, I explore why endings matter—not only for craft, but as one of story's most important symbolic functions.
We talk about:
• Why the meaning of a story is found in its ending • How endings reveal a story's theme • Why transformation requires completion • The Death/Rebirth cycle at the heart of story structure • Why endless stories often lose their psychological resonance • The difference between a long story and a story that refuses to end • What Supernatural and the Marvel Cinematic Universe can teach us about satisfying endings • Five practical principles for writing endings that feel inevitable, meaningful, and emotionally complete
Whether you're writing a standalone novel or planning a long-running series, understanding the psychology behind story endings can help you create stories that leave readers with a lasting sense of meaning, transformation, and completion.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction 02:34 5 Questions About Endings Every Writer Must Answer 04:34 The Meaning of a Story Is Found in Its Ending 05:28 How Endings Change Everything 07:03 Endings Complete the Cycle of Transformation 07:38 The Many Shapes of Transformation 09:16 Why We Need to Witness the Entire Arc 10:37 Story, Society, and the End of Cycles 12:44 Ego Death and Cultural Transformation 14:07 The Modern Push Toward "Endless" Stories 16:06 Case Studies: Examples That Break the Arc 18:07 5 Ways to Write a Truly Satisfying Ending 18:23 Tip 1 – Connect Your Beginning to Your Ending 19:29 Tip 2 – Let Your Ending Reveal the Story's Meaning 20:37 Tip 3 – Complete the Transformation (Not Just the Plot) 21:29 Tip 4 – Use Third-Act Story Structure to Complete the Arc 23:08 Tip 5 – Know When the Arc Is Complete—and Have the Courage to End It 24:06 Master Character Transformation with Creating Character Arcs
Read the transcript: https://www.helpingwritersbecomeauthors.com/psychology-of-story-endings
LINKS & RESOURCES Want More?
Creating Character Arcs book: https://kmweilandstore.com/b/creating-character-arcs
📚 Learn More About Writing Craft & Story Theory https://helpingwritersbecomeauthors.com/
✍️ Join My Mailing List (Weekly Writing Insights) https://www.helpingwritersbecomeauthors.com/resources/free-e-book/
📖 Explore My Books & Resources for Writers https://kmweilandstore.com/
📷 Follow Me on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/authorkmweiland/
❤️ Support Me on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/c/KMWeiland
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Welcome! I'm K.M. Weiland, an award-winning and internationally published author of writing guides such as Structuring Your Novel and Creating Character Arcs. I mentor writers in story structure, character arcs, and the deeper psychology of storytelling, exploring not only how stories work, but why they matter.
On this channel, I share practical writing guidance alongside conversations about archetype, transformation, and the enduring power of story.
Why do we need heroic stories? More than entertainment, the best stories shape our imaginations, awaken courage, and remind us who we can become when life asks something difficult of us.
In this episode, I share a recent experience that affirmed the way I think about heroic fiction. After unexpectedly falling in love with the Chinese historical drama Pursuit of Jade, I found myself facing a frightening real-life wildfire scare only days later. What impacted me most wasn't just how much I had enjoyed the story, but how its images, characters, and courage gave me access to archetypal portals within myself when I needed them most.
Heroic stories don't merely entertain us. They prepare us. They evoke archetypal patterns that become part of our inner lives by shaping the way we face fear, uncertainty, sacrifice, and hope.
In this episode, we'll explore:
• Why heroic stories remain timeless • How fiction helps us rehearse courage before we need it • The relationship between heroism and archetypes • Why readers remember feelings more than plot • Six ways to write heroic stories that genuinely inspire readers • Why story is not just entertainment, but lived experience
CHAPTERS
01:44 The Hidden Structure of Story Is Heroic 03:12 Pursuit of Jade: Falling in Love With Asian Dramas 03:41 Pursuit of Jade: The Story 05:35 The Night a Wildfire Reminded Me Why Heroic Stories Matter 06:59 What Ran Through My Head… 08:10 How Stories Shape Courage Before We Need It 09:56 Stories Evoke and Activate Archetypes 12:04 Writing Stories That Inspire Readers 12:57 Channel Heroism Before You Write Heroic Characters 13:47 Write Heroic Archetypes, Not Just Heroic Actions 14:48 Heroic Characters Come in Many Archetypal Forms 15:47 Focus on the Feeling Readers Carry Away 17:30 Take Readers Through Death to Reach New Life 18:18 Let Goodness Be Genuinely Good 19:19 From Entertainment to Experience 20:39 Writing Soul-Driven Stories 21:36 On the Blog: The Four Seasons of Writing: How Authors Can Build a Burnout-Free Writing Routine
Read the transcript: https://helpingwritersbecomeauthors.com/why-we-need-heroic-stories
## LINKS & RESOURCES
## Want More? WRITING MASTERCLASS: Ego-Driven Character Arcs vs. Soul-Driven Character Arcs
Sign Up Here: https://kmweilandstore.com/b/ego-vs-soul-arc-class
Heroic stories aren't so much about external victories as about the inner choices that shape transformation. In this masterclass, explore the difference between characters whose growth is forced by circumstance and those who consciously choose a deeper path. You'll learn how these two arc types function structurally, how they relate to the Truth/Lie model, and how they can deepen both your story's thematic resonance and its archetypal power.
📚 Learn More About Writing Craft & Story Theory https://helpingwritersbecomeauthors.com/
✍️ Join My Mailing List https://www.helpingwritersbecomeauthors.com/resources/free-e-book/
📖 Explore My Books & Courses https://kmweilandstore.com/
📷 Instagram https://www.instagram.com/authorkmweiland/
❤️ Patreon https://www.patreon.com/c/KMWeiland
### ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Welcome! I'm K.M. Weiland, an award-winning and internationally published author of Structuring Your Novel, Creating Character Arcs, Writing Your Story's Theme, Writing Archetypal Character Arcs, and other books on story craft and story theory. I help writers understand not only how stories work, but why they matter.
On this channel, I explore story structure, character arcs, archetypal storytelling, and the deeper meaning of narrative, helping writers create stories with greater resonance, cohesion, and emotional truth.
#HeroicStories #Storytelling #WritingAdvice #CharacterArcs #CreativeWriting
When we talk about mythic fiction, it's easy to assume mythic stories are created through familiar ingredients: archetypes, symbolism, old myths, epic structure.
But I don't think that's where mythic storytelling begins.
In this post/podcast, I explore seven practices and mindsets that help writers reconnect with what the lost art of mythmaking--not just borrowing of old symbolic forms, but accessing the deeper creative process from which meaningful stories emerge in the first place.
We talk about:
• Why mythic stories often feel like they come through us rather than from us • How dreamzoning and flow states support deeper storytelling • Why "shoulds" can block archetypal imagination • How asking questions opens access to mythic resonance • The deeper shape beneath story structure • Why confronting the shadows matters for writers • How mythic storytelling functions as transformation and initiation
Mythic fiction isn't just a genre or an aesthetic. At its deepest level, it is a way of relating to story itself.
If you've ever wanted to write stories that feel more alive, more resonant, or more meaningful, but weren't sure how to move beyond technique alone, this conversation offers a practical place to begin.
01:50 What Is Mythic Fiction? 02:34 What Mythic Fiction Is Not 04:07 What Mythic Fiction Is 05:12 The Lost Art of Mythmaking 06:31 Practice #1: Entering the Flow State 08:49 Practice #2: Clear the "Shoulds" That Block Archetypal Imagination 09:58 Practice #3: Ask Questions Instead of Arriving With Answers 11:32 Practice #4: Study the Deeper Shape Beneath Story Structure 12:56 Practice #5: Study the Stories That Create Mythic Resonance 15:07 Practice #6: Be Fearless Enough to Enter the Shadows 17:11 Practice #7: Approach Archetypal Storytelling With Humility and Responsibility 18:16 Learning How to Imagine Better 19:22 Writing Masterclass: Alchemizing Plot, Character, and Theme
Read the transcript: https://helpingwritersbecomeauthors.com/how-to-write-mythic-fiction-practices
LINKS & RESOURCES
Want More?
WRITING MASTERCLASS: Alchemizing Plot, Character, & Theme
Sign Up Here: https://kmweilandstore.com/b/plot-character-theme-class
In this masterclass, I explore how plot, character, and theme act as one cohesive symbolic structure capable of creating stories with emotional resonance, narrative momentum, and deeper thematic meaning.
We'll talk about: • Aligning inner and outer arcs • Creating stories that feel alive from the inside out • Integrating plot, character, and theme organically • Writing stories with greater depth and cohesion
📚 Learn More About Writing Craft & Story Theory https://helpingwritersbecomeauthors.com/
✍️ Join My Mailing List (Weekly Writing Insights) https://www.helpingwritersbecomeauthors.com/resources/free-e-book/
📖 Explore My Books & Resources for Writers https://kmweilandstore.com/
📷 Follow Me on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/authorkmweiland/
❤️ Support Me on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/c/KMWeiland
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Welcome! I'm K.M. Weiland, an award-winning and internationally published author of writing guides such as Structuring Your Novel and Creating Character Arcs. I mentor writers in story theory, technique, and the deeper meaning of narrative, alongside all the wild and wonderful highs and lows of the writing life.
On this channel, I explore how stories work, why they matter, and how writers can approach craft with both clarity and care.
What makes a story feel truly mythic?
Many writers assume mythic fiction comes from borrowing archetypes, retelling old myths, or layering symbolic imagery into a story. While there is immense value in studying mythology, fairy tales, folklore, and archetypal storytelling traditions, something important has been lost in many modern conversations about mythic fiction. The old myths aren't powerful merely because of their plot structure or symbolism. They are powerful because they emerged from their creator's living relationship with symbol, transformation, mystery, dream, and the deeper psyche.
In this episode, I explore:
• Why so much modern "mythic storytelling" can feel strangely hollow • The difference between inherited myth and living myth • Why writers often approach archetypes from the outside in • How mythic resonance actually emerges in story • Why mythic storytelling matters during times of cultural transformation • How writers can reconnect to the symbolic imagination itself
What if the role of the writer is not simply to preserve mythology, but to participate in it?
If you've ever wanted to write stories that feel more resonant, symbolic, emotionally alive, or spiritually meaningful, this episode explores the deeper source from which mythic fiction arises.
02:45 How Modern Writers Understand Mythic Fiction and Archetypal Storytelling 03:58 The Mythological and Folk Tale Lens for Mythic Fiction 04:32 The Anthropological & Psychological Lens for Mythic Fiction 05:10 Pop Culture & the Mythic Retelling 06:27 Studying Myth vs. Writing Mythic Fiction 09:03 Borrowing vs. Accessing Symbols 11:17 Inherited Myth vs. Living Myth 12:16 Mythic Fiction in Cultural Times of Transformation 13:43 Our Relationship to the Old Stories Grows Thin 14:55 Mythic Fiction Requires the Partnership of Intuition and Intellect 16:11 Mythic Fiction Reconnects Writers to the Deep Source of Story 18:38 The Need for New Myths in a Changing World 20:15 New Myths, Ancient Roots 21:15 Participating in Myth as Much as Preserving It 21:59 Reconnecting to Myth in Your Own Writing Process
Read the transcript: https://helpingwritersbecomeauthors.com/how-to-write-mythic-fiction
LINKS & RESOURCES
Want More?
This conversation connects deeply to my class Alchemizing Plot, Character, & Theme: https://kmweilandstore.com/b/plot-character-theme-class
In this masterclass, I explore how plot, character, and theme act as one cohesive symbolic structure capable of creating stories with emotional resonance, narrative momentum, and deeper thematic meaning.
We'll talk about: • Aligning inner and outer arcs • Creating stories that feel alive from the inside out • Integrating plot, character, and theme organically • Writing stories with greater depth and cohesion
📚 Learn More About Writing Craft & Story Theory https://helpingwritersbecomeauthors.com/
✍️ Join My Mailing List (Weekly Writing Insights) https://www.helpingwritersbecomeauthors.com/resources/free-e-book/
📖 Explore My Books & Resources for Writers https://kmweilandstore.com/
📷 Follow Me on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/authorkmweiland/
❤️ Support Me on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/c/KMWeiland
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Welcome! I'm K.M. Weiland, an award-winning and internationally published author of writing guides such as Structuring Your Novel and Creating Character Arcs. I mentor writers in story theory, technique, and the deeper meaning of narrative, alongside all the wild and wonderful highs and lows of the writing life.
On this channel, I explore how stories work, why they matter, and how writers can approach craft with both clarity and care.
#MythicFiction #Storytelling #WritingAdvice #Archetypes #CreativeWriting
For most of human history, stories were not primarily viewed as commercial products to be sold. Story functioned first as myth, meaning-making, entertainment, cultural memory, and a way of understanding ourselves and the world around us. But in today's marketplace-driven culture, storytelling exists almost entirely within commercial systems—something that inevitably shapes not just what we create, but how we relate to story itself.
In this episode, I explore the tension between story as product and story as something deeper, older, and more archetypal. From publishing culture and content creation to commercial pressure and creative burnout, modern storytelling increasingly exists inside systems designed around visibility, productivity, and sales. And although those systems offer real opportunities for writers, they can also subtly reshape not just what we create, but our relationship to the creative process itself.
Writers deserve to be supported for their work, and stories deserve to reach audiences. But it's worth examining how the modern entertainment marketplace influences our understanding of story—particularly when success metrics begin to overshadow resonance, meaning, and the deeper relationship many writers feel toward creativity itself.
We explore:
- Story as process vs product - Commercial storytelling vs archetypal storytelling - The commodification of story - Creative flow vs content production - The relationship between marketplace culture and creative burnout - How writers can balance commercial success with creative wholeness
This episode is an invitation to reexamine what story is, what role storytellers serve in society, and how writers can remain connected to the deeper meaning of story while still navigating the realities of the marketplace.
TIMESTAMPS
2:09 Story-as-product vs. story-as-archetype 3:40 Story Did Not Originate as a Commodity 5:40 Value, Money, and Meaning in a Marketplace-Driven Culture 6:00 The Storytelling Animal 6:39 Before Words, There Were Stories 8:09 Storytelling as Medicine, Meaning, and Cultural Foundation 8:53 One of Contemporary Culture's Dissonances… 10:16 How Perspective Subtly Influences Our Relationship to Our Stories 12:04 The Contemporary Model for Storytelling 13:32 The Most Important Balancing Act 14:46 4 Tips for Writers to Balance Commercial Success and Creative Wholeness 15:23 Understand Your Own Unique Perspectives About Story 17:32 Define Success on Two Levels—Not One 18:59 Write Your Best Stories by Honoring Your Relationship to Story 20:38 Engage With Story as an Archetypal Force 22:40 It's About the Lens You're Writing Fro
LINKS & RESOURCES Read the post/transcript: https://www.helpingwritersbecomeauthors.com/how-marketplace-shapes-storytelling
📖 Explore My Books & Resources for Writers https://kmweilandstore.com/
📷 Follow Me on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/authorkmweiland/
❤️ Support Me on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/c/KMWeiland
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Welcome! I'm K.M. Weiland, an award-winning and internationally published author of writing guides such as Structuring Your Novel, Creating Character Arcs, and Writing Your Story's Theme. I mentor writers in story theory, technique, and the deeper meaning of narrative, alongside all the wild and wonderful highs and lows of the writing life.
On this channel, I explore how stories work, why they matter, and how writers can approach craft with both clarity and care.
#Storytelling #WritingLife #CreativeProcess #WritingCraft #AuthorLife
Many writers are struggling with burnout in today's creative landscape—but the cause isn't always personal habits.
In this episode, I explore why writer burnout sometimes has less to do with storytelling itself and more to do with the conditions surrounding modern creative work. From constant output and visibility to the subtle pressure to keep up, many writers are navigating an environment that reshapes not just what we create but how writing feels.
If writing has started to feel heavier, more resistant, or more like effort than discovery, this conversation looks at what that might be signaling beneath the surface.
This is an exploration of the deeper emotional toll of writing today, the difference between creative process and content production, and how writers can begin to reframe burnout not as failure, but as information about alignment.
1:54 Maybe It's Not Writing. Maybe It's Everything Else 3:54 5 Reasons Writers Are Burning Out 5:53 The Market Is Oversaturated Because the Algorithm Is Insatiable 8:01 Recognize the Tension, Then Choose What Games You're Willing to Play 9:13 Scarcity, Fear, & Pressure From Within the Writing Community 10:54 Keep Your Heart Open and Your Head Clear 12:23 Originality Feels Harder to Access 13:52 Remember: Originality Is Not an Idea, It's a Feeling 15:35 Disconnection From the Body and Natural Rhythms 17:14 Honor the Process, Not Just the Product 18:36 A Deeper Evolution in How We Relate to Meaning 20:59 What Can We Do About Burnout? 22:37 Conquering Writer's Block and Summoning Inspiration
Read the transcript: https://helpingwritersbecomeauthors.com/why-writers-are-burning-out
LINKS & RESOURCES
- Find a Writing Buddy (2026 Edition!): Critique Partners, Beta Readers & More https://www.helpingwritersbecomeauthors.com/find-a-writing-buddy-2026
📚 Learn More About Writing Craft & Story Theory https://helpingwritersbecomeauthors.com/
✍️ Join My Mailing List (Weekly Writing Insights) https://www.helpingwritersbecomeauthors.com/resources/free-e-book/
📖 Explore My Books & Resources for Writers https://kmweilandstore.com/
📷 Follow Me on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/authorkmweiland/
❤️ Support Me on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/c/KMWeiland
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Welcome! I'm K.M. Weiland, an award-winning and internationally published author of writing guides such as Structuring Your Novel and Creating Character Arcs. I mentor writers in story theory, technique, and the deeper meaning of narrative, alongside all the wild and wonderful highs and lows of the writing life.
On this channel, I explore how stories work, why they matter, and how writers can approach craft with both clarity and care.
#WriterBurnout #WritingLife #Storytelling #CreativeProcess #WritingCraft
Most stories frame conflict as something happening "out there"—a villain to defeat, an obstacle to overcome, or a problem to solve. But the most powerful character arcs aren't really about defeating the antagonist. They're about the protagonist reclaiming agency.
In this episode, we explore the deeper difference between internal conflict vs. external conflict and why strong stories use external conflict not just to create tension, but to force meaningful inner change. We also look at how stories can unintentionally weaken their protagonists when they place too much emphasis on blaming the antagonist—and how the strongest character arcs instead move from projection to responsibility.
We'll discuss:
- Why external conflict is often a mirror for internal conflict
- How focusing too much on the antagonist's culpability can weaken character agency
- Why stories about blame often feel hollow
- How powerful character arcs reclaim responsibility and sovereignty
- Practical questions you can use to strengthen your own characters
We'll also examine examples from Encanto, All the Light We Cannot See, Jane Eyre, and Harry Potter to see how the most meaningful victories in story often come not from changing external circumstances, but from changing how the protagonist shows up within them.
If you've ever wondered how to deepen your character arcs or better align your plot with your story's thematic meaning, this episode offers practical insights into how internal and external conflict work together to create powerful transformation.
Read the full transcript: https://www.helpingwritersbecomeauthors.com/internal-conflict-vs-external-conflict-character-arc
What does it really mean to write dark stories responsibly—and how can you make sure hope feels resonant?
In this episode, we explore the craft principles behind balancing darkness and meaning in fiction. Some stories venture into shadow and leave us better for it. Others leave us depleted. The difference is rarely in how much suffering appears on the page. It's whether that suffering is tethered to consequences, transformation, and movement within the character arc.
We'll talk about:
- Why darkness must be used to interrogate something specific in your story
- How to track psychological cause and effect in character arcs
- Why unearned hope feels naïve—and how to avoid it
- How to keep your story from collapsing into nihilism
- A simple litmus test to ensure your ending honors the story arc
If you desire to write fiction that confronts reality without surrendering meaning, this episode offers nine practical principles you can apply immediately to your own work.
Resources Mentioned in This Episode: Read the full article: https://www.helpingwritersbecomeauthors.com/how-to-write-dark-stories-responsibly
Story School Class: Ego-Driven vs. Soul-Driven Character Arcs: https://kmweilandstore.com/b/ego-vs-soul-arc-class Learn why some character arcs aren't about resisting change—but about embracing it.
Are you writing from your head—or from your body?
In this episode, we're exploring embodied writing and why so many stories lose emotional depth when we over-intellectualize the creative process. Craft and structure matter, but when storytelling becomes purely analytical, something vital can sometimes disappear.
We'll talk about what embodied writing actually means, how archetypal depth arises from lived experience rather than brainstorming alone, and why disconnection from our physical rhythms can leave our creative wells feeling dry.
I also share practical ways to rebalance a mental craft like writing with grounded creative flow—especially for writers who spend long hours indoors at a desk.
If you've ever felt like you're "pushing" your story instead of just letting it flow, this episode offers a path back to emotional resonance, organic transformation, and deeper storytelling power.
When we talk about story structure, we usually jump straight to acts, beats, and turning points. But beneath all of that is a deeper question: what is the shape of story itself?
In this episode, I explore why I've always taught structure in four quarters—long before I ever called it a Four-Act Structure—and how that perspective reveals story as a cycle rather than a straight line. We'll look at why the Midpoint matters so much, how circular structure creates meaning through return and renewal, and why four-part models keep showing up not just in stories, but in psychology, history, and the natural world.
This conversation is about stepping back from micromanaging beats and learning to sense where a story is within its larger movement—so pacing feels organic, turning points feel inevitable, and the story's shape does more of the work for you.
If you've ever felt like your story hits the beats but still feels flat—or like the middle isn't doing what it should—this episode offers a different way of seeing structure that may change how you approach your work.
You can find the companion blog post and diagrams discussed in this episode at HelpingWritersBecomeAuthors.com
What does it mean to think of story as cosmology? In this episode, I explore story not as entertainment or belief, but as a deeper framework for meaning—one that helps humans understand change, transformation, and lived experience.
When I talk about story as cosmology, I'm pointing to the idea that story functions beneath ideology and belief systems, shaping how we make sense of crisis, consequence, and change. Long before we articulate doctrines about the world, we experience life through story, and long after specific ideologies strain or collapse, the shape of story remains.
This episode looks at:
– Story as a pattern reflecting something larger – Why archetypal story structure mirrors lived patterns of transformation – How story holds under stress in ways rigid systems often don't – What this understanding asks of writers and storytellers today
This is a reflection on story as shape, pattern, and process, and why that matters so deeply to human experience.
Related Resources: Helping Writers Become Authors https://helpingwritersbecomeauthors.com/
Next Level Plot Structure by K.M. Weiland
We're living in a storytelling moment deeply fascinated by darkness—and for good reason. Stories have always helped us metabolize fear, trauma, and moral failure. But darkness is not meant to be the destination.
In this episode, I explore why writers need a sense of wonder in fiction, not as escapism or denial, but as a way of completing the story arc. Wonder is what allows stories to move through the descent rather than getting stuck there and to imagine a future still worth moving toward.
This is a reflection on how stories work psychologically and culturally, why so many books already carry hope with quiet integrity, and how writers (often without realizing it) contribute to building meaning, courage, and care through the stories they tell.
In This Episode, We Explore:
- Why dark stories play an essential role in storytelling
- The danger of getting stuck in the descent
- Why stories must complete the arc
- The sense of wonder in fiction as moral imagination
- How stories help us imagine a future worth moving toward
Links & Resources
📚 Writing craft & story theory: https://helpingwritersbecomeauthors.com/
✍️ Join my mailing list (weekly insights for writers): https://www.helpingwritersbecomeauthors.com/resources/free-e-book/
📖 Explore my books and resources for writers: https://kmweilandstore.com/ (Including Writing Your Story's Theme, Structuring Your Novel, and Creating Character Arcs)
📷 Find me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorkmweiland/
About the Host
K.M. Weiland is an award-winning and internationally published author of writing guides such as Structuring Your Novel and Creating Character Arcs. She mentors writers in story theory, technique, the deeper meaning of narrative, and all the wild and wonderful highs and lows of the writing life.
In this episode, I'm looking back on how my writing career evolved in 2025—a milestone year marked by turning forty, rediscovering my teaching voice, and stepping into a deeper vision for my work. I explore the transitions from SEO to GEO, the shifting landscape of the writing life, and the tools and insights that helped me reimagine the next decade of my author career. Join me as I share the lessons, transformations, and new directions that are shaping where Helping Writers Become Authors goes from here.
It's that time again—my annual roundup of the best books I read this year! In this episode, I'm sharing the top 10 reads that made my 2025 unforgettablem, from romantasy and magical realism that were some of my best reads of the decade to thought-provoking nonfiction that challenged how I think about life, creativity, and the world around us.
This year, I read purely for the joy of it. No research, no goals, just great stories, fascinating ideas, and the simple pleasure of turning pages late into the night.
Join me as I talk about the books that inspired me most and why they stuck with me long after I finished them. Whether you're looking for your next great read or just want to reflect on your own year in books, you'll find plenty of inspiration here.
Full transcript here: https://www.helpingwritersbecomeauthors.com/best-books-i-read-in-2025/
Today, I'm turning forty and taking a quiet moment to reflect on the decade that brought me here. My thirties were a season of transformation, challenge, and deep awakening. They changed me utterly, teaching me about pain as a portal, creativity as a life force, and story as the map that guides us home to ourselves. In this episode, I'm sharing 40 Things You Might Not Know About Me—a blend of the personal and the profound, from lessons on love, self-sovereignty, and radical ownership, to small joys like morning rituals and the comfort of old movies. It's a celebration of what it means to grow, to heal, and to keep choosing life again and again and again. Whether you're at a turning point yourself or simply in need of a little perspective and inspiration, I hope these reflections remind you that every story, including yours, is always unfolding. Read the full transcript here: https://www.helpingwritersbecomeauthors.com/40-things-you-might-not-know-about-me-turning-40-reflections
Do you ever feel stuck in the "in-between" sections of your story that come after one major plot point but before the next? You're not alone. Many writers can identify the big beats of their story's structure, but find the real challenge is connecting those plot points in a way that feels organic and alive. In this episode, K.M. Weiland shares a powerful shift in perspective: learning to see your story not just as a list of beats or acts, but as eight connected sections, each one shaped by the turning point before it and driving toward the one ahead. You'll learn how to: * Build scene sequences instead of isolated scenes. * Use the Intent–Reaction–New Intent rhythm to maintain momentum. * Let each section take on its own thematic color to keep the story flowing.
Drawing examples from The Lion King, K.M. shows how the "in-between moments" are where character transformation truly unfolds. If you've ever felt your story sag between the big events, this episode will help you fill those spaces with purpose, emotion, and movement. Find the full transcript here: https://www.helpingwritersbecomeauthors.com/connect-plot-points-keep-story-moving
What would stories be without their long, uncertain middles? In this episode, we explore the real purpose of the Second Act in story structure. The Secodn is the heart of every story, where transformation happens. You’ll learn why this “middle” isn’t just filler, but the symbolic journey that tests your characters, deepens your theme, and gives your ending power and meaning. Whether you’re struggling with the “murky middle” or want to understand how to make your story’s structure feel organic and emotionally resonant, this discussion will help you see the Second Act for what it truly is: the story itself.
Discover how the Midpoint in story structure is more than a Moment of Truth. It’s self-recognition in which characters remember who they are.
Not every story needs a protagonist who undergoes a massive, life-altering transformation. Some of the most memorable tales hinge on smaller, quieter shifts, or even on characters who remain steadfast throughout.
In this episode, we’ll explore the full spectrum of character arcs:
- Big arcs that redefine a protagonist’s worldview
- Small arcs that mirror the subtle growth we experience every day
- Flat arcs where characters stay true but still drive change in others
We’ll also talk about how to decide which degree of change best fits your story, why arcs that are mismatched to the plot stakes can leave readers unsatisfied, and how aligning your character’s inner journey with your plot creates powerful resonance.
Whether you’re writing a standalone novel or a long-running series, understanding the difference between big, small, and Flat Arcs will give you more flexibility (and more power) when crafting your characters’ journeys.
What makes a character unforgettable? It’s not just quirks or dialogue. It’s personality. Your characters' personalities shape their arcs, influence their voices, drive their goals, and and connect plot and theme into a cohesive whole.
In this episode, we’ll explore why personality is the secret ingredient to compelling storytelling and how you can use it to create characters who resonate with readers long after the final page.
You’ll Learn:
- 3 reasons personality is the foundation of great characters
- 4 ways personality drives storytelling (arc, voice, conflict, theme)
- 10 practical tips for weaving personality into your plot, dialogue, and arcs
- How to use tools like the Enneagram and MBTI to stress-test your character development
Whether you’re outlining your next novel or revising a draft, this episode will help you unlock deeper, more authentic storytelling through the lens of personality.
Why All Stories Are Myth (and How They Transform the Psyche)
What if every story you’ve ever loved—whether it’s Spirited Away, The Lord of the Rings, or Pride & Prejudice—wasn’t just entertainment or even “realistic” fiction, but myth in disguise? In this week’s episode of the Helping Writers Become Authors podcast, we explore the mythic foundation of narrative and why all stories are myth at their core.
Together, we’ll look at how archetypal story structure emerges across cultures and genres, why every character in a tale can be seen as an aspect of the psyche, and how archetypal character arcs—from the Hero’s Journey to the Maiden, Queen, King, Crone, and Mage—offer writers a timeless blueprint for building powerful, resonant fiction.
When you understand story as mythic storytelling—as a dream of the unconscious, a symbolic map of initiation and transformation—you begin to see how narrative has always been about more than plot. Story is the theater of the self. It’s how writers and readers alike experience growth, healing, and the deeper truths of being human.
Join me as we step into the mystery of mythic storytelling and discover how these ancient patterns can transform not just your stories, but your writing life.
Feeling bored at the movies? Learn what's happened to modern storytelling and what it will take to restore the magic and emotional impact.
Here's how writers can apply the five conflict management styles to create richer, more realistic character conflicts in your fiction.
Discover the 5 types of scene endings—Yes, No, No But, and No And—and why one of them might be weakening your story’s momentum.
If writers don't consume stories with intention, who will? Here are 7 mindful habits to read more intentionally and get more from stories.
What makes a bad story? The answer may surprise you. Here's what really makes a story fail—and how to fix it.
Intentional storytelling means making creative choices with purpose. Here’s why that matters more than ever in an AI-driven content world.
Discover how to honor your character's history while crafting different character arcs for the same character in new stories.
Discover systems that can help you write different character arcs for the same character in your series. Keep stories interesting and unique!
Discover the connection between archetypal arcs and Enneagram insights for transformative storytelling and character growth.
Discover the unique lies each Enneagram subtype believes and how these shape their fears, desires, and character development in storytelling.
Unlock the intricacies of the Corruption Character Arc. Discover how fear, pride, and desire lead to a character's downfall.
Writing a fall arc involves capturing characters' heartbreaking journeys. Discover techniques for depicting their moral decline.
Understand the Disillusionment Arc in storytelling, a powerful journey portraying human growth through confronting stark realities.
Explore the four stages of knowing in character arcs to understand transformation and enhance your storytelling skills.
From magic to government, discover the 8 key pillars of worldbuilding that will make your fantasy world feel real.
Discover essential character goal examples for writers and learn how to craft compelling, multi-layered motivations using the "three choices."
Learn how to conquer self-doubt in writing and transform it into a driving force for growth and improvement.
Delve into the impact of AI on fiction writing. Explore the opportunities and concerns surrounding the incorporation of AI in creative work.
Recover from creative burnout with these holistic strategies. Create space in your life to rebuild creativity and overcome writer's block.
Demystify the rules of fiction and learn how they empower storytelling. Discover how underlying structure enhances creative autonomy.
Gain insights from life-changing lessons and intentions for growth in the new year. Explore the powerful connection between writing and life.
Discover the top 10 books of 2024. Dive into captivating fantasy novels and explore fascinating non-fiction works.
Discover the top lessons I've learned as a writer. Gain insights and inspiration from my personal experiences as a career writer.
Discover the 5 gift rule for writers this Christmas. Find sustainable and mindful gift ideas that will delight the writers in your life.
Understanding the difference between antagonist vs. villain. Explore the complex dynamics that go beyond typical storytelling conventions.
Explore the most important characters driving the narrative in a compelling story. Discover their motivations and how they impact outcome.
Discover the different types of Points of View (POV) in storytelling. Learn how to master narrative perspective for more engaging writing.
Discover the importance of the Resolution in storytelling. Learn how to bring closure to your story and leave readers with a final emotion.
Crafting the perfect Climax for your novel is essential. Learn how to create tension, suspense, and unforgettable moments for your readers.
Learn why the Third Plot Point is a vital turning point in your story structure. Understand how to set it up for a powerful ending.
Explore how to write an exciting and satisfying Third Act. Learn how to build an epic finale as your plot reaches its thrilling conclusion.
Explore how to write an exciting and satisfying Third Act. Learn how to build an epic finale as your plot reaches its thrilling conclusion.
Unleash your creativity and trust yourself as a writer. Discover how to overcome self-doubt and embrace your unique artistic voice.
Unleash the second half of the Second Act in your story. Explore how characters' decisions and inner growth drive the narrative.
Uncover the power of the Midpoint in storytelling. Explore how this pivotal moment in the Second Act changes the paradigm of the story.
Discover how to tackle the first half of the Second Act in your story with confidence. Learn valuable tips on structure and character.
Craft immersive stories by writing strong themes that resonate. Explore how to create narratives that connect with readers on a deeper level.
Uncover the power of the First Plot Point in storytelling. Learn how this seismic shift sets the stage for escalating tension and conflict.
Uncover the power of the First Plot Point in storytelling. Learn how this seismic shift sets the stage for escalating tension and conflict.
Master the art of crafting a captivating Inciting Event in your story. Explore its significance and discover techniques to make it impactful.
Master the art of crafting a captivating Inciting Event in your story. Explore its significance and discover techniques to make it impactful.
Understand the importance of the First Act in story structure. Learn how the Hook, Inciting Event, and First Plot Point set up the plot.
Learn how the Hook grabs readers from the very first page with an irresistible question that piques their curiosity and keeps them reading.
Uncover why story structure is important. Learn how understanding story structure can help you create resonating and seamless narratives.
Discover the keys to effective plot structure with two new books for writers from K.M. Weiland. Build a strong foundation for your stories!
Discover the secrets of the Lie the Character Believes. Explore the impact of this crucial storytelling element.
Learn effective strategies for juggling life and writing, including ways to maintain creative focus amid distractions.
Learn how to seamlessly transition out of big set pieces in your story. Discover practical tips for scene structure and transitions.
Discover effective strategies for writing the parts you don't like and maintaining creative flow through elements that trigger resistance.
Learn how to troubleshoot your story's ending and craft a compelling climax. Tips on character arcs and themes for a satisfying conclusion.
Unlock the power of self-awareness in your writing journey with the Enneagram types for writers. Learn strengths and weaknesses of Types 5-9.
Discover Enneagram types for writers and how they can enhance your understanding of yourself and your craft. Types 1-4 in this episode.
Unleash archetypal settings in your stories. Discover how symbolic and archetypal settings elevate narratives and resonate with readers.
Start off right with this checklist for beginning your story. Grab your readers' attention and keep them engaged by establishing the plot.
Learn the four basic types of setting as a way to help you choose story settings that create meaningful connections among characters.
Delve into the alchemy of character arc. Explore the parallels between alchemy, Jungian analysis, and story structure.
Master the art of introducing your characters in your first chapter. Learn to hook readers and lay the foundation for character development.
Discover the power of shadow archetypes in character development. Join the Shadow Archetypes course to write stories of depth and complexity.
Learn the art of writing deeply emotional fiction. Discover six tools to infuse stories with emotional resonance that lingers for readers.
Learn how to use antagonists to create unforgettable plots. Strengthen narratives and build your characters' journey with this skill.
Use this essential guide to backstory to share the history of your characters and story world with your audience at just the right moments.
Learn how to regain a sense of creative fulfillment in the business of writing and get tips for managing the pressures of marketing fiction.
An overview of the main concerns when deciding where to start plotting a story, depending on where it makes the most sense for you.
One of the best tricks for writing memorable character relationships is to think of each relationship as an entity of its own. Here's how.
What happens when you lose the joy? Learn how to rediscover the joy of writing you experienced way back at the beginning of your journey,
Learning how to identify plot devices and fully support them on every page of your story is a huge step toward writing cohesive and resonant fiction.
Six tips for how to write interesting happy scenes that will become some of your readers favorite moments in the story.
Understanding some of the main types of scenes can help you recognize which choice is right for your story at any particular moment.
Understanding what your character fears can offer significant insights into your story and its underlying themes.
Learn how the Lie the Character Believes is a gauge of the character's relationship with reality--and how to use it to upgrade character arcs.
Writers can find value and nuance by digging deeper into the functionality of these four terms in answering: "What does your character want?"
All four terms--Ghost vs. wound vs. Lie vs. weakness--refer to a pain point for your character. Here's how to understand the nuances.
How to transform imposter syndrome for writers from an enemy into a tool for growing yourself throughout the journey of the writing life.
Here are five places in your story where you can use your character's shadows to create amazing complexity and thematic resonance.
"Shadow theory" is one of the most intuitive tools a writer can use to identify the contrasting elements that create complex characters.
Four reasons why the dismissive statement "it's just a story" is not only erroneous, but one of humanity's most the dangerous lies.
Step-by-step guide to finding the right book cover designer, preparing for the design process, and achieving an effective collaboration.
Discover the versatile and effective technique of the backstory drip by learning four techniques for revealing backstory in your story.
Backstory techniques are crucial to the success of any story. Backstory-as-story and alternating timelines are two possible approaches.
Learn how to use four specific backstory techniques to share character histories with your audience, starting with prologues and flashbacks.
When "good writing" strikes its steel upon the flint of archetypes, there is a sudden unity of truth between author and reader.
Learn how organic themes arise from plot (and vice versa) and specifically how to recognize five important elements of an organic theme.
Learning how to write literary fiction can be helpful not only in writing the genre itself, but in raising the vibration on any type of story.
Learning how to write mystery stories involves the most impressive trick of all: outsmarting readers while still playing fair with the clues.
Learning how to write historical fiction requires the skills to a well-drawn story, with the added responsibility of evoking times gone by.
Learning how to write romance requires both strong technique and the courage to write vulnerably about this integral part of life.
Fantasy combines imagination and innovation with deep roots in archetype and myth. Here are five tips for how to write fantasy.
Making a return to writing after a long time away can feel overwhelming or even bewildering. Here are five tips to set you up for success.
I share with you 5 gifts from a year of healing, in hopes you may also find them healing or inspiring in your own journey into the New Year.
Check out some of my favorite books from 2022 in three categories: Fiction, Writing How-To, and General Non-Fiction.
Discover important ingredients, ideas, and tools to help you tell your stories even in situations that may not be the best places to write.
Examines why negative reviews of your book may be impacting you and how to re-center your perspective afterwards.
Creating unique character voices is one of the great challenges of writing fiction. Here are nine considerations and five tips for creating yours.
Explores nine negative character arcs in the Enneagram personality theory, including the thematic Truths the characters are missing.
Explore nine positive character arcs in the Enneagram personality theory, including the Lie each character starts out believing.
Do you need personal experience to write about something? Turns out there are four ways to "know" something, and experience is just one.
Here are seven tips for how to add complexity to your story without crossing the line into unwanted complications.
You want your story to be complex, not complicated. Is your story too complicated? Here are nine important things to think about.
One of the most important keys to creating good fiction is understanding how to write emotional scenes in a way that feels genuine.
A closer look at the mechanics of structural timing. What is it? Why is it important? And how precise does it have to be?
Not all beta readers are created equal. Just as you can learn to be a better writer, you can also learn to be a better beta reader.
How you structure a story with multiple main characters will depend on which type of plot you're working with.
Discover the pros and cons of opening your story in medias res (or "in the middle" of action) and use these tips to refine your use of it.
Is opening your story in medias res compatible with the Three-Act Structure? The secret is in understanding how the First Act functions.
If your story suffers from cardboard characters, it probably also suffers from plot contrivances. Good news: if you fix one, you fix both.
In many ways, the New Normal World of a story's Resolution is what successfully completes the context of the entire story.
The Underworld of a Story's Third Act is symbolically important for creating powerful and realistic change with your characters and plot.
Writers can use the metaphoric Adventure World of a story's Second Act to better understand this crucial part of story structure.
Authors need to understand the four "worlds" represented within a story's structure, the first of which is the Normal World of the First Act.
If you want to deepen the complexity of your story's theme, one tool you can employ is Robert McKee's thematic square.
Use these six ways to find your best ideas for writing your book, as you cultivate, channel, and honor your deeper inspiration.
Examines the role of the antagonist in the second half of a story's structure--the Second Pinch Point through the Resolution.
The major plot beats in a story are interwoven with the protagonist's journey. But what is the role of the antagonist in story structure?
Should writers make it a habit to write every day? Here are five pros of writing every day, as well as five potential cons.
Writing a second novel can often be surprisingly harder than the first one. Check out six challenges sophomore writers often face.
Ask these important questions to make sure the passage of time in a story is strengthening rather than weakening its narrative power.
Here are six important considerations to keep in mind when amping up your story's most important scenes--its set-piece scenes.
The question of "how to know when you're a successful author?" offers some obvious answers--and yet the subject is far more complex.
When should you take a break from writing? And once you've taken that step, what in heaven's name are you going to do with yourself?
Creating an amazing supporting cast that can offer important relationship dynamics in fiction will also help develop your protagonist.
Learn how archetypes and story structure mirror each other in any individual book and can be used to further strengthen your story.
Here are a five important questions you, as a writer of fiction, can ask yourself to help you in making story structure your own.
There’s nothing incorrect in using confrontation to create conflict in fiction. But to understand conflict as only confrontation is too narrow a definition.
Learn how to increase the health and effectiveness of the writer's inner critic while diminishing toxic effects.
Here are this writer's New Year reflections, focusing on six "gifts" I gave myself and why I believe they were profoundly life-changing.
The two halves of the Climactic Moment require the story's final sequence to offer two very specific beats: Sacrifice and Victory/Failure.
The two halves of the Third Plot Point work together to create a scene arc that moves from the False Victory to the Low Moment.
The halves of the Midpoint are unique in story structure in that they mark the dividing line between the two halves of the entire story arc.
The First Plot Point is often referred to as a threshold, a visual metaphor representing the native two-sidedness of all structural beats.
A series examining the two important "halves" in each of story structure's major beats, beginning with the Inciting Event in the First Act.
Find out what defines repetitive scenes, as well as strategies for recognizing and avoiding them in your fiction.
The archetypal antagonists for the Mage Arc often manifest subtly--not in obvious "evil," but in an ordinary person's weakness.
The archetypal antagonists for the Crone Arc are represented as a Death Blight and as the subtle Tempter who would lure her from the Truth.
The archetypal antagonists for the King Arc are the Cataclysm and the Rebel, both of which challenge the King to culminate his rule.
Usually the archetypal antagonists for a Queen Arc are represented by the Invader in the outer conflict and the Empty Throne in the inner conflict.
The antagonists for the Hero Arc can be seen archetypally as both the Dragon and the Sick King.
The antagonists for the Maiden Arc can be seen archetypally as both her Authority Figures and a frightening Predator.
A series looking at the archetypal antagonists inherent within each of the six main archetypal "life arcs."
How can you tell what your story's premise is telling readers? Here are four questions you can ask about your story's premise.
The tremendous (but sometimes misunderstood) significance of the Climactic Moment in the ending of a story.
The role of the antagonist varies depending on the nature of the protagonist's character arc.
Should you edit as you go? The best choice has much to do with a writer's personality, strengths, weaknesses, and even lifestyle demands.
The world needs us all to be writers and creators. It needs the next Pulitzer winner, and it needs the scribbled poem forgotten on a napkin in a cafe.
How can you apply archetypal character arcs in a practical way to your own stories? Here are five considerations for choosing archetypes.
The final Flat archetype of the Mentor is one of the most significant within human storytelling.
The Flat archetype of the Elder provides crucial guidance for enacting important change in surrounding characters.
The Flat archetype of the Ruler represents the potential period in a person’s life in which he or she is in a position of leadership.
We don’t often think of the Flat archetype of the Parent with the same enthusiasm as we do the Hero. And yet they are intrinsically linked.
A deeply nuanced archetype that evolves with us for most of our lives, the Flat archetype of the Lover is inherent and integral.
The archetype of the Child is necessarily an archetype of deep vulnerability and surprisingly powerful impact upon other characters.
Flat archetypes are often seen teaching other characters some of the same lessons they just learned in their own previously completed arcs.
Will the character triumph--or succumb in the end to the powerful temptations of either of the Mage's shadow archetypes, the Miser or the Sorcerer?
If the character cannot powerfully transition into the final act of life, the risk is that of sliding into the Crone's shadow archetypes.
Whether this powerful character brings life to the Kingdom depends on if he is in the grip of the King's shadow archetypes of Puppet and Tyrant.
The Queen’s shadows have the potential to block her possibility for a positively transformative archetypal character arc.
The Hero’s shadow archetypes of Coward and Bully are especially important (and cautionary) due to the pervasiveness of the Hero’s Journey.
Out of fear and egoism, the Maiden's shadow archetypes would prevent her from embracing a new perspective and completing her journey.
Each positive character archetype inherently represents a struggle with related shadow archetypes--one passive and one aggressive.
The powerful and mysterious Mage Arc--the final archetypal character arc--turns its attention to questions of power and surrender.
The Crone Arc begins the final act of the “life arcs” by presenting an inevitable and imperative Underworld Journey.
Although the plot in a King Arc can be absolutely epic, it is a fundamentally spiritual arc--more so than any that have preceded it.
The majestic Queen Arc builds upon the lessons learned in the Hero's Journey to create an archetypal character arc that offers a worthy sequel.
The Hero Arc is the story of the conquering champion--the ingenuous but perhaps immodest youth setting out to do a great deed.
As the "youngest" of the archetypal character arcs, the Maiden Arc represents the quintessential coming-of-age story.
For a writer, one of the most exciting explorations of archetype can be found within specific archetypal character arcs--or journeys.
Why are archetypal stories so important and what does this mean for you as a writer attempting to channel these deep patterns of existence?
It is not too simplistic or idealistic a statement to say that storytelling--and therefore story theory--is a quest for meaning.
Pairing the Karpman Drama Triangle and the Empowerment Triangle offers a fantastic tool for creating solid character arcs.
Seven writing lessons to inspire, ground, and encourage you in moving forward into the wide new frontier of 2021.
Every writer knows about daydreaming. But what about dreamzoning? How can it help you cultivate inspiration for your storytelling?
The problem of overthinking your writing is really part of the larger challenge of learning how to live a truly creative lifestyle.
Scene sequences bring together a series of individual scenes into a distinct narrative section, united by focus, location, and/or theme.
Growing as a writer is not merely about mastering a skill, but also, and more pertinently, about our growth as human beings.
An overview of chiastic story structure itself, along with four tips to employ this technique over the longer work of an entire series.
How can you keep your pacing tight and the story interesting over the long haul of the Second Act? The simplest answer: Mind the Midpoint.
Learn to identify and leverage several important story structure similarities between your story’s Pinch Points.
Deepen your understanding of story structure by examining the parallel functions of the First Plot Point and the Third Plot Point.
You can think of the link between your story’s Hook and Resolution in four different ways. Ask these questions to help in brainstorming.
Structurally speaking, the Inciting Event initiates the story's conflict, while the Climactic Moment fully resolves it.
Once you've decided in favor of the indie route, what are the actual steps to self-publish your book? Use this actionable list.
Your antagonist's motivations can make or break your story. If they are weak, unconvincing, or complicated, your story suffers in key areas.
Once you understand why you are afraid to let anyone read your writing, you can come up with a successful plan to mitigate the fears.
Your story instincts and your ability to tap into them clearly will define how much "talent" you may have as a writer.
Learning how to write sequel scenes is a specialized technique that will allow you to grip readers' attention on every page.
Want to help writers during the pandemic? Here are five ideas--along with giveaways to help you get started in bolstering the writing community.
The more lightly we grab hold of certain misconceptions about being a writer, the more easily we can discard them when they're no longer of use to us.
Whether you're outlining or editing, here are four questions you can ask to help identify, rectify, or prevent plot holes.
Sooner or later, procrastination is stumbling block for most of us. As an INTJ, here are my top four tips for how to get stuff done as a writer.
Writing looks a little different in every stage of a writer's life. Here's a look at the way your age affects your writing in the Three Acts of your life.
How to better understand the four cognitive functions as a writer by consciously developing them--Intuition, Sensing, Thinking, and Feeling.
To help you improve your writing and storytelling, here are eleven exercises you can use to consciously access your visual thinking and creativity.
Have questions about editing your novel? The best way to find good answers is to ask good questions. Here are eight excellent questions about editing.
Controlling and cutting down on distraction is the first step in reclaiming our full creative capacity. Here are 13 tips to get started!
In order to grab readers, you'll need to consider several specific types of hooks for your opening chapter. You may want to use one--or all of them.
If you find you don't feel like writing right now, here's a list of 15 important writing tasks you may be more in the mood for.
The more you learn to listen to the self that appears on the page, the more writing improves your relationship with yourself in an ever-deepening journey.
Sometimes the hardest part of getting some writing done is just... doing it. Here are 10 tips for cultivating discipline and renewing enthusiasm.
Writing and stories have the power to help all of us--but especially writers. Here are seven ways writing can help us keep going in times of uncertainty.
If you're writing from home (or honestly, trying to accomplish just about anything from home), here are eight tips for maximizing your daily routine.
Want to put something good into the world right now? Here are five ways the power of hopeful stories can create change in a positive way.
Knowing your story's ending will help you know the right answer to almost any POV question. Let's look at 5 questions about using multiple POVs.
Your goal in introducing characters should be to do so with the least amount of info possible while still making the characters memorable. Here's how!
When creativity becomes a servant of the ego, rather than the other way around--we can get confused about what we're doing and why.
Here are fourteen professional writing resources to help with all parts of authorpreneurship: writing, editing, blogging/podcasting, book formatting, marketing.
Learn how to be critical of stories in a way that turns the potential for negativity into a positive force that drives your own creativity.
Of all the many aspects of scene structure, scene dilemmas are among the most powerful but also the most overlooked. Here are six steps to acing yours.
Life creates art, but life also devours art. Learn how important it is for committed artists to take steps to protect creativity.
When figuring out how to pitch your novel, you may realize your story's hook and its heart might not be compatible within such a short description.