thewritingcoach's podcast: Recent Episodes
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Welcome to The Writing Coach. On this podcast, author Kevin T. Johns speaks with the instructors, editors, coaches, and mentors that help writers and authors create their art, build their audience, and sell their work.
On today's episode of The Writing Coach I'm joined by someone who has spent decades on the front lines of publishing, helping writers turn rough drafts into real, reader-ready books. Candice Johnson is a long-time editor, now a first-time novelist, with deep experience in traditional publishing and years of success as a freelance editor working primarily with indie authors.
In our conversation, Candice pulls back the curtain on how traditional publishing really works, what editors are actually looking for in a manuscript, and why it's so important for writers to remember that publishing is, at its core, a business. We talk about the realities of slush piles, the search for that "magical breakout book," and how the industry's upheaval around 2008 pushed many editors (and ultimately, the entire editor/writing-coach ecosystem) into the freelance world.
We also dig into what a copy editor really does and how that role often blurs into other kinds of editing when you're working independently with authors. Candice shares what makes for a healthy, productive author–editor relationship, why some writers resist revision, and how to know when your manuscript is truly ready to send to an editor. If you've ever worried an editor will "steal your voice" or "rewrite your book," this episode will give you a much calmer and much more accurate picture of how good editors really work.
Finally, we explore Candice's own transition from editor to novelist: the challenges of "taking off the editor hat," drafting without over-editing every sentence, and embracing revision as a vital, creative stage rather than a punishment. Along the way, you'll hear practical advice on feedback, critique partners, page counts, and why doing the best you can before you hire an editor can save you a lot of money and heartache.
If you've ever wondered what your editor is really thinking when they open your manuscript for the first time or how to become the kind of author editors love to work with, this episode is for you. Listen now!
In this episode of The Writing Coach podcast, I sit down with Emil Wilson to talk about how a former advertising and design professional who didn't grow up reading comics ended up creating The Nightingales, a genre-blurring work that feels part graphic novel, part literary memoir, and part sketchbook of memory itself. We dig into the book's bold formal choices (no panels, mixed media, pages that feel torn from a working artist's notebook) and how those decisions grew directly out of the question, "What does memory actually look like on the page?"
We also explore how Emil's background in marketing and visual communication shaped this approach to storytelling: the discipline of doing "a lot of work in a little space," the difference between illustration and true comics storytelling, and the way composition, color, and even blank space can deliver an emotional punch to readers.
Along the way, Emil shares candidly about caring for a sick parent, working as a buddy during the AIDS crisis, and transforming deeply personal, semi-autobiographical material into a story that still protects their own interior life.
If you're interested in graphic storytelling, blending memoir with fiction, or simply writing about family, grief, identity, and kindness in a way that feels honest rather than exploitative, this conversation is for you. Check it out now:
Welcome to The Writing Coach Podcast, the show where I talk to the people whose job it is to help writers actually get the work done, including coaches, editors, marketing experts, and the folks building the tools behind the craft. I'm your host, Kevin Johns.
Today's guest, Steven Puri, spent years as a studio executive at Fox and DreamWorks, producing digital effects on around fourteen films, working alongside James Cameron, David Fincher, and Mel Gibson, and picking up an Academy Award along the way for Independence Day. But somewhere in there, he got tired of sequels and spinoffs and walked away from film entirely to solve a different problem: why smart, talented people, including him, still can't get out of their own way when it's time to sit down and create.
That led him to build Sukha, a tool designed around flow states, to help writers and other creators beat procrastination and distraction and actually finish the thing they set out to make.
We get into what he learned in the room with some of Hollywood's best storytellers, why "hustle culture" isn't the same thing as doing great work, what flow state really is and how to get into one on command, and how any of us, whether we're writing a novel or just trying to finish that blog post, can stop waiting for inspiration and start doing the work. Check it out now!
Today on The Writing Coach podcast, I'm joined by author Susan Leon to discuss her debut novel, If They'd Only Known.
Susan's book is a dark, emotionally layered crime novel set in Northern Ontario, exploring the ripple effects of a child abduction and murder across a family, a community, and the decades that follow. But while the book uses the shape of a crime story, our conversation goes much deeper than plot.
We talk about:
- grief, trauma, forgiveness, acceptance, and what it means to write dark material from a place of wisdom rather than despair.
- Susan shares how her own life experiences shaped the emotional heart of the book,
- how real conversations with detectives, veterans, and families touched by loss informed her research,
- and why she believes forgiveness is not about excusing harm, but about freeing yourself from the weight of carrying it.
We also get into the writing journey itself:
- learning how to structure a novel after years of collecting scenes,
- discovering which character's story she was really telling,
- navigating historical research,
- working with beta readers,
- and finding community through writing programs and fellow authors.
This is a conversation about crime fiction, yes, but it's also about the power of stories to help us process pain, make meaning, and maybe even move forward. Check it out now.
On today's episode of the podcast, I'm thrilled to welcome back one of my favorite returning guests, author Sandy Day. The last time Sandy was on the show, we talked about her novel Odd Mom Out and the re‑release of Head on Backwards, Chest Full of Sand. This time, she's here to dive deep into her brand‑new book, Where the Night Winds Wail—a haunting Ontario noir inspired by the classic song "The Long Black Veil."
In our conversation, Sandy pulls back the curtain on the long and winding road this novel took to completion: from an early 30,000‑word NaNoWriMo draft to a fully realized 93,000‑word book rich with interiority, atmosphere, and character development. We talk about the dangers of writing a book in endless layers over many years, the painful process of killing your darlings, and how adding a single major character reshaped the entire story.
We also explore how music, obsession, and old wounds fuel Sandy's fiction. Sandy shares how the moody storytelling of "The Long Black Veil," her lifelong love of The Band, and films like Silver Linings Playbook influence her approach to love stories that are anything but neat "happily ever afters." From Jake, her musician protagonist struggling with buried talent and unresolved grief, to the storm at the heart of the book's setting, this is a conversation about art, pain, and learning how to live with the things that never fully heal.
Finally, Sandy and I dig into the business side of being an indie literary author—branding, cover design, Amazon categories, and the power of consistent, heartfelt communication through her weekly Substack newsletter. If you care about writing emotionally honest fiction, building a sustainable indie career, or simply love hearing a thoughtful author talk about her craft, you're going to get a lot out of this episode. Check it out now:
In this episode of The Writing Coach Podcast, I sit down with my client, author Linda Garnett to celebrate the release of her debut Gothic vampire novel, Red Falls.
Linda's journey is a fantastic reminder that writing a book is rarely a straight line from "idea" to "finished manuscript." Her novel evolved through outlining, drafting, revising, group feedback, one-on-one coaching, and a whole lot of faith in the process.
We talk about what it feels like to finally publish a book, the emotional roller coaster of launch week, the power of writing community, and how Linda went from wanting to simply prove she could finish a novel to seeing her debut climb the Amazon bestseller charts.
We also dig into the deliciously dark stuff: Gothic towns, dangerous vampires, found family, action scenes, messy first drafts, and why sometimes the best way into a story isn't through plot or character, but through atmosphere.
If you love vampires, Gothic fiction, indie author success stories, or practical craft talk with a bit of gothic charm this conversation is for you.
In this episode of The Writing Coach podcast, I'm joined by Gabrielle Dolan, a leadership communication expert, keynote speaker, and the author of eight books on storytelling, including her latest, Story Intelligence: The Craft of Authentic Storytelling Made Smarter with AI.
Gabrielle shares how nearly two decades in senior leadership and change management at one of Australia's largest banks led her to a powerful realization: stories communicate strategy, change, and ideas far better than data and slide decks alone. That insight inspired her to leave corporate life and teach storytelling as a core leadership and communication skill.
Together, explore:
- Why logic alone doesn't persuade and how emotion really drives decisions
- The four key types of stories you can use—parables, public, professional, and personal
- Why personal stories are the most underused yet most powerful in building trust and credibility
- How specificity (like "red back spider" and "Copperhead snake") makes stories more vivid and memorable
- The biggest communication failures in large organizations and how story can fix them
- What Gabrielle means by "story intelligence" and why authenticity is at its core
- How to use AI as a creative partner to find and refine your stories—without losing your voice
- The growing distrust of AI-polished content and how writers can stay credible in a skeptical world
If you're a writer, coach, or leader wondering how to stand out in an AI-driven, trust-poor environment, this conversation will help you communicate with more clarity, impact, and authenticity—on the page and in person
Check out the episode now!
In this episode of The Writing Coach Podcast, I'm joined by Patty McGee, a nationally recognized literacy consultant, speaker, and educator who is passionate about transforming classrooms into spaces where language and learning come alive. With decades of experience as a teacher, coach, and advocate for joyful, practical literacy instruction, Patty has worked alongside educators across the country to help unlock the potential of their students. She is also the author of three books, including her newest release, Not Your Granny's Grammar.
In our conversation, Patty and I explore what it really means to help writers grow. We talk about the kind of feedback that builds confidence instead of crushing it, the connection between grammar and voice, the importance of revision, and why so many writers carry lasting scars from being corrected rather than truly taught. We also dig into the challenge of teaching writing in online spaces, the role of play and inquiry in learning grammar, and how writers can protect their authentic voice in the age of AI.
Whether you're a teacher, a writing coach, a parent, or a writer trying to strengthen your craft without losing your humanity on the page, this episode is packed with insight, encouragement, and practical wisdom.
In this conversation, we cover:
- how to give feedback that helps writers improve without discouraging them
- why revision is essential to strong writing
- the relationship between grammar, voice, and artistic choice
- what teachers and coaches can learn from effective classroom practice
- how to make online writing instruction more engaging and human
- why a playful, inquiry-based approach to grammar can be so powerful
- how to think about AI without surrendering your voice as a writer
Check out the episode now!
Every writer has a moment when a story that was meant to stay private begins to ask for a wider audience.
Sometimes it starts with a notebook. Sometimes it starts with a question from your children. And sometimes it begins with a simple realization: If I don't write this down, these stories might disappear.
In this episode of The Writing Coach Podcast, I sit down with my client Margot Stornelli, a retired librarian who turned a personal journaling project into a full memoir. What began as a way to record her life for her children eventually grew into The Big Red Suitcase, a travel memoir filled with memories, reflections, and stories gathered over decades of living and exploring the world.
Margot's path to authorship is both inspiring and reassuring for writers at any stage. She didn't start with a grand publishing plan. She started with curiosity, a lifetime of experiences, and a desire to leave something meaningful for the next generation.
In our conversation, we talk about the surprising way her memoir began, how she slowly transformed scattered diary entries into a cohesive book, and what it's like to move from being a lifelong reader and librarian to becoming an author herself.
If you've ever wondered whether your own life stories might be worth writing down, this conversation will give you a powerful reason to start.
Check out the episode now!
Most writers don't burn out because they hate writing. They burn out because writing quietly becomes everything else.
Marketing. Tech. Algorithms. Platforms. Tools that promise leverage but demand constant attention. Somewhere along the way, the actual work—the slow, human, soul-driven act of storytelling—gets crowded out.
In this episode of The Writing Coach Podcast, I'm joined by author and industry veteran Kevin Tumlinson for a wide-ranging, honest conversation about what it really means to build a sustainable writing life in 2026 and beyond.
We talk about creative burnout, the myth of "doing it all yourself," and why AI isn't the monster it's often made out to be—unless you let it replace the very thing that makes writing matter. Kevin shares how slowing down, writing by hand, and embracing what he calls an "analog rebellion" helped him reconnect with the work after years of rapid release, daily livestreams, and nonstop output.
We also dig into something many writers are curious about—but hesitant to admit: getting help. Not automation. Not shortcuts. Real human assistance. We explore virtual assistants, delegation, leadership, and why letting go of the right tasks can actually give you more control over your author business—not less.
If you've ever thought, I just want to write… but I also want this to work, this conversation is for you.
Check out the episode now!
If you've ever felt overwhelmed by the visual side of book marketing—cover mockups, social media graphics, reels, and everything in between—this episode will feel like a breath of fresh air.
In this conversation, I'm joined by Kathleen Sweeney, co-founder of Book Brush, a visual marketing platform built specifically for authors. We talk about how Book Brush evolved by listening to writers, why so many authors struggle with consistency and branding, and how to think about marketing before your book launches—not after.
We also dig into the difference between DIY marketing and done-for-you support, when it makes sense to outsource, and how authors can stop trying to be "everything" and focus on what actually matters: writing great books.
If you want book marketing to feel clearer, lighter, and more manageable, this episode is for you.
In this episode, you'll learn:
- How authors can stop trying to do everything and focus on writing, without their marketing falling apart
- How Book Brush accidentally became one of the most author-focused marketing tools by listening to what writers actually wanted
- Why visual marketing feels so overwhelming for authors—and how to simplify it without losing quality
- The biggest social media mistakes authors make (including the infamous random cactus post)
- Why consistency and brand clarity matter more than posting every day
- When authors should start thinking about marketing (hint: way earlier than launch day)
- The difference between DIY marketing, à la carte help, and full-service support—and how to know which one is right for you
Check out the episode now!
What if writing didn't have to mean struggling, waiting for permission, or giving away your best work to gatekeepers?
In this episode of The Writing Coach Podcast, I sit down with writer, freelancer, novelist, and creator of multiple six-figure writing businesses, Amy Suto, to talk honestly about what it means to write for money and power in today's creator economy.
Amy's career started in Hollywood, where she followed the traditional path many writers are told is the dream… and then walked away from it. What she built instead is a writing career rooted in autonomy, audience ownership, and creative control through freelancing, paid newsletters, self-publishing, and smart focus.
In this conversation, we talk about:
- How writers can escape the "starving artist" myth
- Freelancing without burning out or underpricing yourself
- Why focus beats doing "all the things"
- How AI actually affects writers (and where it doesn't)
- Writing as deep thinking not content churn
- Charging more so you can do better work
- Building sustainable income without selling your soul
This is a wide-ranging, grounded conversation for writers who want to take their craft seriously and build a life that works—whether you're a novelist, freelancer, editor, coach, or somewhere in between.
Check out the episode now!
In this episode of The Writing Coach Podcast, I'm joined by author Anne Kane, who published six books in two years—including her hit motorcycle romance series ACE: Riptide MC—and is releasing Spirit Bear Conspiracy.
We talk about what changed in Anne's writing life over the last two years: how plotting sped up her drafting, why a genre shift helped her rediscover her love of writing, and what it's like working with a small publisher that offers real support (covers, editing, marketing, and community).
If you're trying to finish a draft faster, write more consistently, or find the right genre "fit," this conversation will give you practical insights—and a big dose of momentum.
In this episode, we cover:
- Anne's new release: Spirit Bear Conspiracy
- Publishing 6 books in 2 years (and what sparked the streak)
- Plotting vs pantsing (and why plotting made drafting faster)
- Why "motorcycle romance" is a powerful two-word pitch
- Action + romance: making the genre fun to read and write
- Small press publishing: support, process, and collaboration
Listen now!
There's a persistent myth in the writing world: that great books are created by lone geniuses, toiling away in isolation, waiting for inspiration to strike.
It's a compelling image.
It's also wildly unhelpful and mostly untrue.
In this episode of The Writing Coach Podcast, I sat down with Gala Russ (author, editor, and writing coach) to talk about what actually helps writers grow: community, feedback, structure, emotional intelligence, and learning when to stop doing everything the hard way.
Gala's journey into writing didn't follow a neat, linear path. She started publishing fiction on Wattpad, learned to write in a serialized format with live reader feedback, was eventually hired by the platform, and later moved into book coaching and developmental editing. Along the way, she studied linguistics, taught ESL, worked as a strategic consultant, collaborated with co-authors, and trained as a coach—bringing all of that experience into how she now helps writers.
In our conversation, we dig into:
- Why so many writers struggle alone for years before asking for help
- How community and collaboration accelerate growth (without taking away your voice)
- The real difference between pantsers and plotters—and why it mostly disappears after draft one
- Why perfectionism is often a misunderstanding of how writing skill actually develops
- What co-authoring really requires (hint: it's a lot like improv—and a lot like dating)
- How learning to write is more like learning a language than finishing a single project
- Why "DIY" doesn't mean "do it alone," whether you're talking about punk rock or publishing
We also talk about Gala's approach to coaching, how she blends structure with intuition, strategy with somatics, and teaching with long-term support, plus what she's working on next, including courses for beginner novelists and writers looking to integrate romance subplots into non-romance stories.
Listen to the full episode below, and consider this your reminder that becoming a better writer doesn't require more suffering—it requires better systems, better support, and a willingness to learn alongside other humans who care about the work as much as you do.
In this week's episode of The Writing Coach Podcast, I sit down with writing coach Monica Hay for a conversation that goes deep into the psychology of writing.
We talk ADHD, resistance, perfectionism, brain science, messy first drafts, why story structure works for some writers and absolutely sinks others, and the surprising power of taking up writing later in life.
Monica also shares the behind-the-scenes process of building her innovative writing-buddy and critique-partner matching program
If you've ever wrestled with procrastination, compared yourself to your favorite author, wondered why your drafts don't match the masterpiece in your head, or felt like you "should" be further along by now… this conversation is going to feel like a warm hug from two coaches who've seen it all.
Listen now!
On this episode of The Writing Coach Podcast, I sit down with my client, Ivan Richmond—a Wiccan priest, spiritual leader, and author of The Religion of Good. Ivan’s journey is a fascinating one: raised in a Zen Buddhist monastery community, he eventually found his way to Wicca, blending ancient philosophy with modern spiritual practice.
In our conversation, we explore how ritual shapes meaning, why writing itself can be a kind of ecstatic practice, and how spirituality offers a path forward in what Ivan calls today’s “ethics crisis.” Whether you come from a faith background or consider yourself a skeptic, Ivan’s insights are practical, inspiring, and surprisingly universal.
Listen now!
Hey there, writers and writing coaches!
Today, we have a truly fascinating guest joining us. If you love storytelling that bends genres, experiments with structure, and dives deep into the magic of narrative, you’re in for a treat!
Our guest is Steve Weinstock, a musician, educator, and author of The Reincarnation Chronicles, a genre-blending fantasy series inspired by 1001 Nights. Steve’s worked with the FAME school, Juilliard, and UC Berkeley, taught musical theater writing at NYU, and even improvised music for modern dance classes. He’s spent his career coaching artists, shaping stories, and exploring the ways different art forms—music, theater, dance, and literature—intersect.
In this episode, we dig into Steve’s unique approach to storytelling, how his love for experimental literature and music composition influences his writing, and why he considers himself a “secret writing coach.” Plus, we reflect on our time together at the Ink & Impact Writers’ Retreat and how collaboration, creativity, and genre-bending can fuel great fiction.
So grab a coffee, get comfy, and let’s dive in!
Welcome back to The Writing Coach!
In our latest episode, I had the absolute pleasure of chatting with Douglas Vigliotti, author of the upcoming book Aristotle for Novelists.
Douglas brings Aristotle’s Poetics to life, showing how its ancient principles still resonate in modern storytelling. We dive deep into the building blocks of a great narrative, from mastering the three-act structure to understanding the profound impact of character believability. Douglas also explains the essential difference between comedies and tragedies and why understanding this distinction can transform your writing.
In the episode, we cover topics such as:
Aristotle’s Plot Principles: How a change in fortune and a connected sequence of events create a cohesive story.
Character Crafting: The four characteristics of a “true” character and why they matter.
Believability vs. Realism: Why stories don’t need to be realistic but must always feel believable.
Dealing with Criticism: Aristotle’s timeless approach to fair criticism and how writers can embrace feedback without losing their confidence.
Story Planning for Every Writer: Whether you’re a plotter or a pantser, Aristotle’s principles can help you refine your narrative.
We also had some fun comparing storytelling techniques from Aristotle to modern masters like George Lucas, David Mamet, and even the creators of South Park. Douglas’s passion for storytelling is contagious, and his ability to bridge the gap between ancient philosophy and contemporary writing makes this interview a must-listen.
Douglas doesn’t just talk theory—he offers actionable insights that any writer can apply. His practical approach to Aristotle’s teachings will inspire you to revisit your current projects with fresh eyes and a deeper understanding of story mechanics.
Listen Now!
Episode Spotlight: Michael Leonard on Pilgrims, Aliens, and a Journey from Tech to Fiction
This week on The Writing Coach Podcast, I’m thrilled to welcome my client, Michael Leonard, to discuss his debut novel, Pilgrims. Michael’s transition from a career in international business and tech to becoming a speculative fiction author is as fascinating as his book. Our conversation dives deep into the creative process, the challenges of publishing, and the philosophical questions that inspired his work.
Pilgrims is no ordinary first-contact story. This science fiction novel takes readers on a journey that blends interstellar drama with profound metaphysical exploration. When aliens arrive on Earth with religion in tow, humanity is forced to confront faith, identity, and the meaning of existence. Michael’s unique take avoids the shallow tropes often seen in the genre, offering a thoughtful and original narrative that leaves readers thinking long after the last page.
In this episode, Michael and I explore:
• The emotional rollercoaster of launching a book and how to embrace the marathon of being an author.
• The genesis of Pilgrims and how a childhood thought experiment evolved into a high-concept novel.
• The art of world-building with philosophical depth, including how Michael tackled big questions without losing his narrative’s authenticity.
• Why flawed characters create compelling stories—and how Michael ensured his protagonist was relatable despite his imperfections.
• The immersive full-cast audiobook production of Pilgrims, featuring sound effects, music, and narration by Jeff Hayes of Dungeon Crawler Carl fame.
Michael also reflects on the pivotal role of mentorship (spoiler alert: he gives me a lot of credit, which I humbly accept!) and shares actionable advice for aspiring authors, including the importance of investing in your craft and embracing the long game of a writing career.
Whether you’re a science fiction fan, a writer looking for inspiration, or someone fascinated by the intersection of faith and storytelling, this episode is for you.
In this latest episode of The Writing Coach Podcast, I had the pleasure of chatting with one of my superstar clients, the multi-talented author Sandy Day. If you’re a fan of heartfelt and relatable stories set against rich Canadian backdrops, you’re going to love this conversation.
Sandy returns to the podcast to talk about her re-released novel, Head on Backwards, Chest Full of Sand. This project, which began as a semi-autobiographical novella, has been expanded into a full-length novel. During our discussion, she opens up about the challenges of revisiting and revising older work, the joys of setting her story in the breathtaking landscape of Cape Breton, and the deep emotional resonance of her coming-of-age tale.
We also delve into her unique writing journey, from studying under Canadian literary icons like Michael Ondaatje and BP Nichol to navigating the independent publishing world with skill and grace. Sandy’s insights into crafting authentic characters, embracing her identity as a Canadian author, and balancing humor with seriousness in her writing are fascinating.
Plus, she shares her approach to connecting with readers through personal essays and newsletters, providing a glimpse into her creative process.
Tune in now to hear about Sandy’s remarkable career, her thoughts on embracing specificity to achieve universality, and why Head on Backwards, Chest Full of Sand is a must-read.
In this episode of The Writing Coach Podcast, I had the pleasure of speaking with Emma Dhesi, a talented book coach who brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the world of writing. We dive deep into her journey as a writer and coach, her unique approach to storytelling, and her personal and professional insights on crafting a fulfilling writing life.
Emma shares her transformative journey from actress to librarian to accomplished book coach, describing the moments that shaped her passion for storytelling. Her story reminds us of the power of perseverance and the importance of finding joy in the process, even when the path isn’t always straightforward.
Emma also describes the “Four Pillars of Author Success”—a roadmap she developed through her own experiences and coaching practice. Whether you’re penning your first chapter or navigating the complex world of publishing, these pillars offer valuable insights to help you find clarity, stay motivated, and, importantly, enjoy the ride.
Tune in to hear Emma’s thoughts on navigating the ups and downs of writing, the joy of community and mentorship, and why having fun along the way is essential for a sustainable and fulfilling creative career. This conversation is packed with warmth, insight, and practical wisdom—a must-listen for anyone committed to growing as a writer.
Listen now!
In this episode of The Writing Coach Podcast, I sit down with Rhonda Douglas, a Canadian writer and writing coach who is passionate about helping women and non-binary authors complete their first books.
Rhonda shares her journey as a writer, including the powerful impact that early feedback and recognition had on her as a young writer. She also discusses her experience in MFA programs, where she learned invaluable lessons about story structure and craft.
But the real heart of our conversation centers around the challenges that writers, especially women, face in actually finishing their books and getting them published. Rhonda discusses the fear, self-doubt, and distractions that can derail a writing project, and the strategies she’s developed to help her students overcome these obstacles.
Overall, this conversation is packed with insights and practical advice for any writer.
Listen to the episode now!
In the ever-evolving world of self-publishing, standing out as an author requires more than just talent—it takes strategy, resilience, and a strong understanding of the business side of being a writer.
In the latest episode of The Writing Coach podcast, I speak with Kimberley Grabas, founder of Your Writer Platform and a veteran in the author marketing world. Kimberley and I have crossed paths numerous times over the past decade, and this conversation was the perfect chance to explore the biggest shifts in author marketing we’ve experienced.
Kimberley and I both launched our careers in the early days of social media—when platforms like Twitter were new and figuring out how to market yourself online was the Wild West. Over the years, we’ve both learned that sustainable success in this industry requires more than just fleeting social media trends.
During the interview, we discuss:
- What has changed in author marketing over the last decade
- How authors can build a foundation for long-term success
- The importance of knowing your target reader
- How to make marketing feel authentic, not forced
- Why you need to know your brand values before you start marketing
- And much more!
This episode is packed with actionable insights into how the author marketing landscape has changed and how you can set yourself up for success. Kimberley’s advice will resonate with any writer looking to build a sustainable, thriving career, so listen now!
In this episode of The Writing Coach podcast, I chat with Sue Brown-Moore.
Sue is a sought-after book revision coach and one of LA Weekly’s 15 Book Coaches to Watch.
Sue and I discussed various aspects of fiction writing, including the importance of character-driven storytelling, imagination, romance, and authenticity.
We share our experiences and perspectives on these topics, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive approach to storytelling and the importance of inclusivity and character-driven narratives.
We also discuss pricing strategies for coaching and consulting services, with a focus on maintaining personal space and high-ticket, low-volume work.
Listen now!
Looking for inspiration, guidance, and a fresh perspective on your craft? You are in the right place.
In this week’s episode of The Writing Coach podcast, I sit down with Beth Barany, a creativity coach, NLP expert, and accomplished author.
Beth shares her fascinating journey from aspiring doctor to published writer, and offers invaluable insights on nurturing creativity, finding joy in the writing process, and approaching marketing with a heart-centered approach.
Beth’s unique blend of playfulness, emotional intelligence, and practical advice will leave you energized and ready to tackle your next writing project. Join us as we explore the world of science fiction, indie publishing, and the power of embracing your creative side.
Listen now!
In this episode of The Writing Coach podcast, writing coach Kevin Johns speaks with author and writing coach Brooke Adams Law.
In this episode of The Writing Coach podcast, writing coach Kevin Johns speaks with author and writing coach Sarah Elisabeth Sawyer. Sarah Elisabeth Sawyer is an author and writing instructor who takes authors struggling to master the tools and knowledge of their author journey and help them become confident in writing their books. She has been featured on Joanna Penn’s The Creative Penn podcast, Mark Dawson’s Self Publishing Show, Jane Friedman’s blog, and more. As a tribal member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, her signature course, Fiction Writing: American Indians, equips authors to write authentic stories that honor Native American history and culture. Her Dictation Bootcamp for Authors takes authors through the process of mastering dictation through easy exercises that help them become masters of their fictional worlds. Listen now!
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 behavior of various artists--from writers to comic book artists to musicians--have influenced his perception of their work and how some of the most powerful acts of marketing involve small, personal actions.
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.
Welcome to the latest episode of The Writing Coach podcast with Kevin T. Johns. In this episode, Kevin discusses writing tips from Phoebe Waller-Bridge, the creator of the acclaimed TV show Fleabag. Kevin goes over 10 tips from Waller-Bridge on aspects like starting with funny personal experiences, using comedy and drama together effectively, developing complex and imperfect characters, prioritizing truthfulness and excitement, and more. Kevin shares his perspective on each tip from Waller-Bridge, while also emphasizing the importance of structure in writing.
Celebrating the 200th episode of the show, along with Star Wars Day 2024, writing coach Kevin T. Johns explores his lifelong relationship with the Star Wars story and franchise.
Writing Coach Kevin T. Johns discusses some of his favourite books from the memoir genre.
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.
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.
He explores how ancient scribes and medieval monks approached writing as a form of labour and how during the Renaissance writers were integrated into guilds and apprenticeship programs. This episode will show you how embracing humility and pursuing apprenticeships can help you better understand writing’s mechanics as both an art and trade.
Listen to the episode now!
Writing coach Kevin T. Johns explains the story beats you can use to plot a fantastic final act for your book.
Writing coach Kevin T. Johns speaks with Lorraine Johnston about her Amazon bestselling book, which combines traditional writer's craft techniques with modern technology.
Writing coach Kevin T. Johns discusses offending people, as well as rethinking his recent comments on disability and introversion.
Writing coach Kevin T. Johns shares his top ten mostly commonly shared tips for writers.
Over the last year, advances in artificial intelligence have been moving at a mind-boggling rate.
AI has clearly arrived, and it’s not going anywhere any time soon.
In fact, as more and more software—everything from Zoom to MS Word—incorporate AI into their interface, it has become almost impossible to avoid.
That means it’s time for writers to stop being afraid of AI and instead try to embrace the ways we can use it as a tool to support our imagination, creativity, and storytelling.
In this episode of The Writing Coach podcast, I explain how authors can harness the power of ChatGPT to improve the environmental descriptions in their writing.
Listen now!
Writing coach Kevin T. Johns discusses how public school and high school sets writers up for failure and dissapointment.
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!
Writing coach Kevin T. Johns explained how to effectively use the literary technique pathetic fallacy.
Writing coach Kevin T. Johns speak with his client, author Sandy Day, about the release of her new novel, Odd Mom Out.
I don’t know if you would call me a nihilist, an anarchist, an agnostic, or an existentialist.
The truth is I don’t even believe in putting a label on myself, whether it’s philosophically, religiously, or politically.
I don’t believe in anything except chaos.
Yet, paradoxically, I also believe in serendipity.
In this week’s episode of The Writing Coach podcast, I discuss the fascinating way that chaos and serendipity inform our lives, our careers, and our art.
Listen now!
Many people spend their entire lives wanting to write; they get a taste of it when they are younger in High School or University, but then life happens. They get married, and they focus on raising a family, or they start a career or put their energy into building a business.
Often it's only upon finally reaching retirement age that they finally have the space, time, and energy in their lives to dedicate to their writing . . . and that's okay!
In this episode of The Writing Coach podcast, I explain why not only his age not a hinderance to becoming an author, it's actually an advantage.
Listen now!
With the new year underway, everyone is setting goals for 2024.
In this episode of The Writing Coach Podcast, writing coach Kevin T. Johns acknowledges the importance of setting goals, but then asks the question, what if goals aren’t really what we should be focused on? If we want to be happy and productive writers, perhaps our focus needs to go somewhere else. Listen now!
With 2023 at its end, it’s time to set your writing goals for the New Year.
In this episode of The Writing Coach Podcast, writing coach Kevin T. Johns outlines the mistakes writers often make when setting their project goals and timelines, describes why small achievable goals are essential, and breaks down half a dozen key performance indicators writers should be tracking in order to monitor their progress. Listen now!
As the year draws to a close, writing coach Kevin T. Johns looks back on the fiction, nonfiction, business, and writer’s craft books he read in 2023. Listen now!
In episode 182 of The Writing Coach podcast, writing coach Kevin T. Johns explains, three, four, and five-act story structures, as well as circular structures, and more. Listen now!
In this episode of The Writing Coach podcast, writing coach Kevin T. Johns delves into the nuanced interplay between storytelling and genre, recognizing genre not merely as a classification but as a dynamic force shaping the very essence of a narrative.
He explores the profound impact of genre on storytelling concepts, controlling ideas, thematic values, story length and physical form.
Then, through the lens of seasoned insights from writers like Robert McKee and Chuck Palahniuk, he explains how a nuanced understanding of genre not only enhances storytelling but also dictates practical elements of the publishing landscape, shaping the reader’s experience from the story’s inception to its physical creation.
Listen now!
Navigating the ups and downs of creativity can be challenging.
Let’s face it: we don’t always feel 100%, and on those low-energy days, it can feel difficult to get started on our writing.
All the same, maintaining consistency in your writing schedule is crucial for habit formation and momentum, even when motivation is lacking.
In today’s episode of The Writing Coach podcast, you’ll discover eight writing activities designed to kickstart your creativity and help you make significant strides in your book, even when the energy tank feels low.
Listen now!
The principle of the conservation of momentum is important in physics because it is a key quantity that helps describe and predict the motion of objects. That said, it is also a hugely important principle in the world of imagination, creative output, and productive writing.
We previously discussed the power of momentum in episode 150; now, thirty episodes later, we return to this ever-important topic.
Listen now!
What is a writing coach? How do they help writers and what unique powers do they bring to the writing process? Writing coach Kevin T. Johns answers these questions in more in the latest episode of The Writing Coach podcast. Listen now!
National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) is an annual event where writers attempt to draft a 50,000-word manuscript in the month of November.
The event has helped tens of thousands of writers with their writing.
That said, NaNoWriMo is not without its problems.
In this episode of The Writing Coach podcast, host Kevin T. Johns outlines what you need to know before committing to participating in NaNoWriMo.
Listen to the episode or read the transcript now!
In this episode of The Writing Coach podcast, writing coach Kevin T. Johns speaks with his client, award-winning romance author Anne Kane.
Anne lives in the beautiful Okanagan Valley. She’s always been fascinated by science fiction and fantasy, so she lets her imagination take over when she writes. The one thing the reader can always count on is that the main characters will live happily ever after, even if they have to defeat a few nasty aliens first.
During the conversation, Anne discusses
- How winning a contest launched her career as a professional author
- Why she is drawn to romance and science fiction
- Her experiences with both traditional and self-publishing
- Why she joined Kevin’s Story Plan and First Draft coaching programs despite having nearly 40 publications under her belt already
- And much more!
Listen to the episode or read the transcript now!
In this episode of The Writing Coach podcast, writing coach Kevin T. Johns responds to a challenge issued by author Daniel Pease.
Pease challenged Kevin to watch a drum performance by El Estepario Siberiano and develop training advice for writers based on what he sees.
So that’s exactly what he did!
Kevin identifies 8 key things writers can learn from watching Siberiano’s video.
Listen to the episode or read the transcript now!
In this episode of The Writing Coach podcast, writing coach Kevin T. Johns continues his examination of the Scene Alchemy Essentials Checklist tool and discusses the importance of:
- The four internal and four external literary elements
- Avoiding infodumps
- Ensuring your protagonist struggles to achieve their goals
- And why, even when your character achieves their scene goal, something else should go wrong
Listen to the episode or read the transcript now!
In this episode of The Writing Coach podcast, writing coach Kevin T. Johns continues his review of the Scene Alchemy Essentials Checklist tool and discusses the importance of:
- Dialogue
- Sense Descriptions
- Theme
- Pushing drama, emotion, and tension to the max
- Coming into scenes late and leaving them early
Listen to the episode now!
In this episode of The Writing Coach podcast, writing coach Kevin T. Johns continues his review of the Scene Alchemy Essentials Checklist tool and discusses the importance of:
- Scene Goals
- Proper Tense
- Scene Structure
- Decision Points
- Polarity Shifts
- Progressive Complications
- Openings and Closings
- Pacing
Listen to the episode now!
In this episode of The Writing Coach podcast, writing coach Kevin T. Johns introduces his new scene Alchemy Essentials Checklist tool and discusses the importance of:
- Scene length
- Point of View
- Stakes
- Intern and External Conflict
- Causality
- Setting
Listen now!
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.
Listen to the episode now!
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.
Listen now!
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 when is the right time to do it.
Listen now!
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.
Listen now!
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.
The mistakes are so common, in fact, that he made every single one of them himself while drafting his first novel.
Listen now!
In this episode of The Writing Coach Podcast, writing coach Kevin T. Johns discusses the "literary elements" he considers the building blocks of any scene. He covers the four external literary elements and the four internal literary elements, and then asks whether a ninth should be included.
Listen now!
In this episode of The Writing Coach Podcast, 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.
Listen now!
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.
Listen now!
In this episode of The Writing Coach Podcast, 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.
Listen now!
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, and achieve a flow state easier.
Listen now!
In episode 159 of The Writing Coach podcast, I explore 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. Listen now!
In episode 158 of The Writing Coach podcast, I explore the powerful role that change plays in storytelling. Change impacts the characters and the world of your story but also the reader themselves. You'll learn about the transformative nature of storytelling and the undeniably powerful writer's craft tool that change can be for an author.
Listen to the episode or read the transcript now!
Writing a book is a long-term project with lots of ups and downs along the way.
While almost every writer begins work on their book brimming with enthusiasm for the project, the initial excitement inevitably fades over time.
In episode 157 of The Writing Coachpodcast, I explore what to do at that critical moment in the creative process when your initial enthusiasm for a project begins to fade.
Listen to the episode now!
One of my favourite bands, Rancid, recently announced their forthcoming album will be titled Tomorrow Never Comes.
The title and the song it shares its name with got me thinking about time.
In episode 156 of The Writing Coach podcast, I explore time -- how we use it, how to reclaim it, and when the "right" time is to take on a project like writing a book.
On Monday, April 24, 2023, I'm hosting a webinar called First Draft Secrets: How to Write a Fun and Focused First Draft, and it got me thinking about my first book and the role protocols played in helping me get it finished and published.
Writing and publishing a book sure isn't easy, which is why learning from those who have already achieved what we want to accomplish is so important.
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.
Listen to the episode or read the transcript below:
In episode 154 of The Writing Coach podcast, 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.
In episode 153 of The Writing Coach podcast, writing coach Kevin T. Johns discusses how in creating their art, writers can often stir up memories, traumas, and deep emotions not just within the reader but also within themselves.
Listen now!
In episode 152 of The Writing Coach podcast, writing coach Kevin T. Johns shares four simple tips writers can implement to help set themselves up for long-term success.
Listen to the episode now!
In episode 151 of The Writing Coach podcast, writing coach Kevin T. Johns covers three techniques writers can use to create and benefit from momentum with their writing.
In this episode, you'll learn:
- Why writing a book is like recovering from surgery
- What writers can learn from Jerry Seinfeld
- The power of visual representations of success
- Why not every scene needs to be a smash hit
- And much more!
Listen to the episode now!
the 150th episode of The Writing Coach podcast, writing coach Kevin T. Johns addresses the much-asked question, "Can great writing be taught?"
In this episode, you'll learn:
- Why comparing yourself to"great writers" is pointless
- The role that natural talent and genius play in achieving success
- What skills beat out talent almost every time
- Why you don't have to be able to play guitar like Eddie Van Halen to be a musician
- The role persistence, interest, and curiosity play in learning to write
- The importance of "strapping on your skates" and "hitting the ice"
- And much more!
Listen to the episode now!
In this episode of The Writing Coach podcast, I'm thrilled to interview my client Helen Pilz who just published her sweet Christmas romance New York Snow and Turquoise.
Today on the podcast, I am speaking with my coaching client Helen Pilz about the release of her sweet Christmas romance story, New York Snow and Turquoise.
Born into a U.S. Air Force family, Helen lived in many places around the world, including Dublin, Ireland; Ankara, Turkey; the Philippine Islands; and London, U.K. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Wildlife Biology with a minor in history and additional studies in forest and rangeland management. Helen’s a member of Romance Writers of America (RWA) and RWA chapters: Hearts Through History Romance Writers; Futuristic, Fantasy & Paranormal RWA; and Land of Enchantment Romance Authors. She lives in New Mexico with her husband.
During our conversation, Helen discusses:
- How winning a writing contest in elementary school helped launch her writing career
- Her experience transitioning from traditional to independent publishing
- How she’s benefited from my group coaching programs
- Why her love for Southwest culture inspired a Christmas story set in New York
- And much more!
Listen now!
Most writers are creative individuals filled with thousands of wonderful ideas.
This creativity obviously serves writers well when it comes to developing ideas for stories.
Unfortunately, that same creative spark that stimulates the initiation of a writing project is the same instinct that inspires writers to jump from one project to the next without ever finishing and publishing anything.
In this episode, we explore why writers are so prone to abandoning projects and what you can do to see your writing through to publication.
Listen to the episode or read the transcript at www.kevintjohns.com
It's Remembrance Day here in Canada and Veteran's Day in America, so in today's episode of The Writing Coach podcast, we explore veteran authors and discuss how their experiences in war may have impacted their fiction.
Listen now!
Many beginning writers want to write a long book.
There seems to be some sort of belief that long equals good.
Yet, as this episode of The Writing Coach podcast demonstrates, some of the greatest novels ever written are rather short.
In this episode, I cover more than a dozen of my favourite books, all of which are under 60K words long.
Listen now!
No one does anything alone in this world. It takes collaboration, support, and community to make anything happen.
That's why I get so frustrated with the endless perpetuation of the myth of the solitary author.
You know what I am talking about: the writer who goes out into the woods alone with nothing but a typewriter and a bottle of whiskey, and then, months later, returns from their cabin of solitude with a masterpiece of a manuscript underneath their arm and ready for publication.
As lovely a story as that sounds, it's not how books are made.
In this episode of The Writing Coach podcast, we debunk the myth of the solitary author.
Listen to the episode now!
No one does anything alone in this world. It takes collaboration, support, and community to make anything happen.
That's why I get so frustrated with the endless perpetuation of the myth of the solitary author.
You know what I am talking about: the writer who goes out into the woods alone with nothing but a typewriter and a bottle of whiskey, and then, months later, returns from their cabin of solitude with a masterpiece of a manuscript underneath their arm and ready for publication.
As lovely a story as that sounds, it's not how books are made.
In this episode of The Writing Coach podcast, we debunk the myth of the solitary author.
Listen to the episode now!
In the last episode of The Writing Coach podcast, I outlined my six-step roadmap for creating and publishing a book.
As I mentioned in that episode, I believe the most difficult stage in that entire process is writing the first draft.
That existential battle with the blank paid can be epic. Too many writers start out strong on the manuscript and then crash and burn for a number of common reasons.
In today's episode of the podcast, I outline the three biggest problems I see writers grappling with while writing a first draft. I then outline several techniques you can use to overcome those challenges and finish your first draft strong.
Listen now!
In the last episode of The Writing Coach podcast, I outlined my six-step roadmap for creating and publishing a book.
As I mentioned in that episode, I believe the most difficult stage in that entire process is writing the first draft.
That existential battle with the blank paid can be epic. Too many writers start out strong on the manuscript and then crash and burn for a number of common reasons.
In today's episode of the podcast, I outline the three biggest problems I see writers grappling with while writing a first draft. I then outline several techniques you can use to overcome those challenges and finish your first draft strong.
Listen now!
Writing coach Kevin T. Johns outlines his six-step road map for creating and publishing a book.
Writing coach Kevin T. Johns outlines his six-step road map for creating and publishing a book.
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?
I discuss the dangers of social media for writers in this week’s episode of The Writing Coach Podcast.
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?
I discuss the dangers of social media for writers in this week’s episode of The Writing Coach Podcast.
Whether you’re recovering from illness, worn out after a long shift at the day job, or simply not maintaining energy levels the way you did when you were younger, every writer faces periods of low energy.
That said, if you want to continue to make consistent progress on your writing, you need to develop strategies for combating those low-energy days.
In this episode of the Writing Coach Podcast, I identify several techniques you can use to maintain the momentum of your writing even when you’re lacking inspiration, battling brain fog, or are just feeling downright exhausted.
Listen now.
Whether you’re recovering from illness, worn out after a long shift at the day job, or simply not maintaining energy levels the way you did when you were younger, every writer faces periods of low energy.
That said, if you want to continue to make consistent progress on your writing, you need to develop strategies for combating those low-energy days.
In this episode of the Writing Coach Podcast, I identify several techniques you can use to maintain the momentum of your writing even when you’re lacking inspiration, battling brain fog, or are just feeling downright exhausted.
Listen now.
As a writing coach, everyday writers come to me asking how they can improve their writing.
Using “Active Voice” is one of the easiest ways to improve the quality of any piece of writing.
Sentences written in Active Voice organize words so that the subjectof the sentence is doing the action, not the object.
Confused? Don’t worry, I break it down for you in this episode of The Writing Coach podcast.
Listen to the episode now!
Many writers draft an entire manuscript before learning the fundamentals of the art form.
When they come to me looking for editorial advice, only to discover their characters lack an arc, and/or the book's theme is murky, and/or both their scenes and story as a whole lack structure, and/or the story doesn't demonstrate clear causality, and/or any other of a number of common problems that can emerge in a first draft, they are often startled.
After all, no one becomes an artist because they want to follow rules.
And no one wants to write a story only to be told they are doing their art "wrong."
But creative writing, like all art forms, has fundamentals.
Many writers see these fundamentals as "rules" limiting their creativity, and the question thus becomes:
Are there actually rules to writing and, if so, can you break them?
That's the question we tackle in this episode of The Writing Coach podcast.
Listen now!
Writing a book is a complicated process and figuring out where to start can be confusing, especially for new authors.
Some writers start with character.
Some writers start with a theme.
Filmmaker and painter David Lynch starts with transcendental meditation!
In this episode of The Writing Coach, I describe the perfect way to begin developing a story and exactly where you should start.
Listen to the episode now!
Amazon's billion-dollar streaming series The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power has now been released . . . and it's not very good.
In this episode of The Writing Coach podcast, I explain the biggest problem with the show and then describe how you can avoid making the same mistakes when developing and drafting your fiction writing.
Listen now!
I love these kinds of episodes.
I just love it when one of my clients works hard, makes steady process, and keeps with it through all the highs and lows that go into creating a book.
Then, one day, the book is launched, and I’m able to interview them here on the show as a published author!
Today is one of those days.
In this episode of The Writing Coach podcast, I speak with my client, author Phillip L. Wray.
We discuss the creative process of his debut novel, THE PONTCOURT MURDERS, how his love of French culture inspired the story, as well as his approach to combining musketeer adventure with Agatha Christie-style murder mystery.
Listen now:
There are, of course, many ways to go about writing a book.
But having worked with hundreds of authors over the last decade, I’m absolutely convinced the most efficient, effective, and productive way of doing so is by planning ahead.
Knowing where your book is going, who it’s about, what it has to say about the world, and why readers are going to love it before you even write the first page frees up creativity, relieves stress, and speeds up the entire writing process.
In this episode of The Writing Coach podcast, I explain my personalized approach to story planning and outline how you can create a rock-solid outline for your novel in thirty days or less.
Listen now.
Conflict is central to storytelling.
But too often when I tell my coaching clients that one of their scenes needs more conflict, they think I mean"big" conflict. They think of building exploding, dragons being slain, and lovers breaking up.
Conflict, drama, and tension, however, do not require life and death stakes to evoke emotional resonance with a reader.
In this episode of The Writing Coach podcast, fresh from vacation, I share examples of real-life everyday conflicts I witnessed at a children's resort focused on fun and happiness.
Listen now!
Everyone deserves a vacation from time to time.
We all need opportunities to rest, unwind, and recuperate.
For writers, however, vacation time can cause quite a dilemma.
I am pretty sure it was our literary friend Hamlet who once said, "To write, or not to write while on vacation? That is the question!"
In this week's episodes of The Writing Coach podcast, we tackle that question, and I share my advice on how to go about best mixing writing and relaxation.
Listen to the episode now!
Everyone deserves a vacation from time to time.
We all need opportunities to rest, unwind, and recuperate.
For writers, however, vacation time can cause quite a dilemma.
I am pretty sure it was our literary friend Hamlet who once said, "To write, or not to write while on vacation? That is the question!"
In this week's episodes of The Writing Coach podcast, we tackle that question, and I share my advice on how to go about best mixing writing and relaxation.
Listen to the episode now!
Every night I read to my daughter.
The Hobbit, Harry Potter, The Dark is Rising . . .
Most recently, I’ve been reading her The Pages Turners trilogy (written by yours truly).
It got me thinking about the process of rereading our own work and how our opinion about what is good, and what isn’t, changes over time.
In this episode of The Writing Coach podcast, I discuss 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 those particularly challenging writing days.
Listen to the episode or read the transcript at www.kevintjohns.com.
If you've listened to my podcast, taken one of my courses, read one of my books, or just spend more than twenty minutes around me, then you probably know I'm a big Star Wars fan.
That said, I was less than thrilled with the recent Obi-Wan Kenobi series, and it left me pondering the state of writing and storytelling on streaming television shows.
In this episode of the podcast, I discuss 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.
Listen to the full episode now!
Do you "Wake Up Exhausted" like Tegan and Sarah song?
Do you relate to Post Malone's "always tired" tattoo?
Has age or health problems reduced your energy levels?
Do you lack the energy to do the writing you want to do?
If so, this episode of The Writing Coach podcast is for you!
In this episode, I discuss productivity, time management, and dealing with reduced energy levels.
Listen now!
My group coaching programs First Draft (for writers working on their first draft) and Final Draft (for writers in the revisions process), include a weekly question and answer session and group discussion.
These are agenda-free sessions where the writers in the group are given the opportunity to discuss whatever writing-related challenges they are dealing with or topics they have on their minds.
In this week's episode of The Writing Coach podcast, I thought it would be fun to give you a glimpse behind the curtain and share with you fifty (!) different topics the group has discussed over the last two months.
What types of things do writers talk about when they come together? Listen to this episode to find out now!
No writer wants to be told by a doctor (or anyone else) that they need to step away from the keyboard for any period of time, or, worse yet, that they require surgery on their wrists.
All the same, carpal tunnel syndrome remains a real and significant risk for writers.
That's why, in this episode of The Writing Coach podcast, we discuss not only the importance of wrist health and good ergonomics for writers, but also several approaches to writing that don't involve typing at a keyboard.
In last’s week’s episode, I briefly touched on the positive impact a punk rock mentality has had on my creative output.
The more I thought about it, the more I realized the multitude of lessons I have learned from the world of punk rock.
As such, in episode #127 of The Writing Coach podcast, I reveal ten lessons writers can take from the world of punk rock.
Listen to the full episode now or read the transcript below.
In episode #126 of The Writing Coach podcast, I discuss the concept of "waiting for perfect" in podcasting, writing, and life. During the episode, you'll discover:
- What iMacs, Roombas, and audio interfaces have to do with writing
- The problem with waiting for perfect to come find you
- Why resiliency is both a good AND bad trait
- The challenge of making big purchases
- How life is about solving one program after another
- Why the punk rock DIY mentality is hugely helpful
- And much more!
Listen to the full episode now or read the transcript at HTTP://www.kevintjohns.com
As a writing coach, one of the questions I'm most often asked is, “How long does it take to write a book?” It’s a simple enough question, but answering it demands taking into account a number of variables.
In episode #125 of The Writing Coach podcast, I cover the four key variables involved in determining exactly how long it takes to write a book, and then we dive into every writer’s favourite topic . . . MATH!
I kid, I kid. The math in the episode is fairly minimal; by punching some variables into our equation, we are able to determine an answer regarding how long it takes to write the average book.
Listen to the full episode now or read the transcript below.
In episode #124 of The Writing Coach podcast, we explore multiple techniques for filling in gaps in your in your plot. You’ll learn:
- How a manuscript doesn’t need to be written in chronological order
- Why macro-level story structure is always key
- How to use “why don’t they?” questions
- The huge impact moving objects from one character to another can have
- And much more!
Listen to the full episode now or read the transcript below.
In episode #123 of The Writing Coach podcast, we tackle a topic many writers are familiar with: self-doubt. You'll learn:
- Why writers are especially prone to self-doubt (and what to do about it)
- Which Steven Pressfield book is most applicable to this topic (it's not the one you are thinking of!)
- What Marie Foreleo can teach you about dealing with criticism and haters
- The mindset advice James Altucher gives regarding how to find success
- And much more!
Listen to the full episode now or read the transcript now.
In episode 122, writing coach Kevin T. Johns shares what he has been up to since his last podcast episode, including: * Why he spent his November NOT participating in NaNoWriMo * Why community is a beautiful thing * The exact moment he realized he had COVID * Why he gave away a $500 program for free * And much more!
Listen now!
Welcome toThe Writing Coach.On this podcast, I speak with the instructors, editors, coaches, and mentors who help writers and authors create their art, build their audience, and sell their work.
In episode #121 of The Writing Coach podcast, I speak with Val Ries, author of the new bookChief Inspiration Officer: How to Lead the Team Everyone Wants to Be On.
Val Ries has spent years turning around struggling teams, uplifting low morale, and making sure that workplace productivity actually works. As the founder of Executive Muse, she has guided over 1,000 leaders in building their own top-performing teams at Fortune 500 companies and small businesses.
When it came time to write her first book, Val chose to work with me as her writing coach. As such, I am absolutely thrilled to have her on the podcast.
During our discussion, Val describes:
- How real-time feedback informed the drafting of the book
- Why both leadership and writing can evoke self-doubt
- The 4 biggest challenges she faced while writing the book
- How you can inspire those around you to be their best selves
- And more!
Listen to the full podcast episode:
*Welcome to *The Writing Coach.* On this podcast, I speak with the instructors, editors, coaches, and mentors who help writers and authors create their art, build their audience, and sell their work.***
In episode #120 of The Writing Coach podcast, I speak with author Mia Romero.
Born in Spain with a far too long and unpronounceable name, Mia Romero’s proudest light-bulb moment is shortening her name so readers wouldn’t have such a hard time asking for her books! Immigrating to the U.K. at the age of four, her love of stories began the moment she picked up a ‘Rupert, the Bear’ book and still shows no sign of waning. Educated in London and New York, she is an avid fan of both British and American cultures.
Mia’s debut novel, Otherkind, with its British characters, landscapes and humour, as well as new and original supernatural beings, was inspired by her love of American books and shows, and her desire to help build the ever-growing British supernatural & paranormal fiction industry.
During our discussion, Mia describes:
- How American and British culture influences her work
- What she learned from writing in Charles Dickens style as a ten-year-old
- How she approaches scene-writing like a film director
- Why she recommends writing even if you don’t feel like you know what you are doing
- How she went from a pantser to a planner
- And more!
*Listen to the full podcast episode!*
*Welcome to *The Writing Coach.* On this podcast, I speak with the instructors, editors, coaches, and mentors who help writers and authors create their art, build their audience, and sell their work.***
In episode #119 of The Writing Coach podcast, I speak with writer Carmone Harris.
Over the month of November, I ran my new group program, STORY PLAN INTENSIVE. The goal of the program was simple: rather than spend the month throwing together a stressful to create (and possibly disastrous) first draft of a manuscript via NaNoWriMo, the participants would instead spend the month planning their story, developing their macro-level story craft, and ultimately complete a rock-solid outline for their book that will set them up for long term success.
The program was a hit and I look forward to running it again before too long. (If you would like to participate in the next round of STORY PLAN INTENSIVE, reach out to me at kevintjohns@gmail.com.)
One of the participants in the program was Carmone Harriss. Carmone is a mother, embroiderer, and writer. When she’s not writing and being a mom, she loves to watch movies and television shows. She also enjoys reading and has a love for music. She’s a member of the Supernatural fandom and loves vampires and rock and roll. Her favorite book genres are YA/NA Paranormal romances, fantasy/urban fantasy, horror, and a few other romances.
Throughout STORY PLAN INTENSIVE, Carmone shared numerous resources with the group via our private forum. What impressed me about Carmone’s sharing was not just the helpful content she was able to find, but also the vast array of channels she was pulling content from. As such, I asked Carmone to be on the show to discuss the various sources she finds inspiration for her writing.
During our discussion, Carmone explains how writers can use:
- Role-Playing Boards
- Music
- Youtube
- TikTok
- Podcasts
- And more!
*Listen to the full podcast episode:*
In episode #118 of The Writing Coach podcast, I speak with author Garry Cox.
With a Masters of Education from Northern Arizona University, Garry has devoted his life to inspiring people to realize their dreams. He’s a teacher, a poet, an actor, a runner, a blogger, father, and friend.
During our discussion, Michelle describes:
- How he combines common place notebooks with scheduled writing time to create his poetry
- What his “first responder” approach to poetry entails
- How educators can encourage the younger generation to developing their thinking through writing
- Why he loves writing in the mornings
- The importance of brain mites
- And much more
- And much more!
*Listen to the full podcast episode now!*
In episode #11y of The Writing Coach podcast, I speak with author Michelle Cornish.
Michelle Cornish is a recovering CPA with a passion for stories. Writing mostly women’s fiction with strong female heroines, Michelle’s books often include nods to her former life as a CPA. When Michelle’s not writing, she’s hanging out with her two boys and husband in the beautiful Okanagan Valley, BC, Canada.
During our discussion, Michelle describes:
- How she uses preorder to stimulate productivity and accountability
- Why she has decided to try genre-hopping
- How she went about turning all of her novels into audiobooks
- Why an experimental mindset is the best way to approach book marketing
- And much more!
*Welcome to *The Writing Coach.* On this podcast, I speak with the instructors, editors, coaches, and mentors who help writers and authors create their art, build their audience, and sell their work.***
In episode #116 of The Writing Coach podcast, I speak with movement and nutrition coach Tyler Hammett.
Tyler is NASM Certified Nutrition Consultant and NASM Certified Personal Trainer. He is the founder of Nourish, a community focused on uplifting individuals through fitness, nutrition, movement, and overall wellness.
He is also the spouse of a full-time professional writer!
During our discussion, Tyler describes:
- What is it like living with a professional writer
- The role habit formation plays in both health and writing
- Ways writers can work movement and stretching into their daily writing routine
- The importance of hydration, sleep, and time outdoors
- How health and fitness can increase creativity and productivity
- And much more!
Listen now@
*Welcome to *The Writing Coach.* On this podcast, I speak with the instructors, editors, coaches, and mentors who help writers and authors create their art, build their audience, and sell their work.***
In episode #115 of The Writing Coach podcast, I speak with my client, author Michael E. Ginsberg.
Michael is an attorney in Washington, DC, practicing in the field of national security law. He spent a decade in private practice at Arnold & Porter LLP in Washington, DC, and then worked several years in the U.S. government as a Senior Associate General Counsel in the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, where he served as legal counsel for the Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity. He currently is Vice President and Deputy General Counsel at a Virginia-based defense contractor.
His debut novel, DEBT BOMB, is a political thriller, tied into real-world events, about an apocalyptic threat to America that is ticking remorselessly in the background while Americans continue their daily routines, oblivious to the danger.
During our discussion, Michael describes:
- His varied and diverse interests in sports, spaceflight, history, politics, and journalism
- What he learned working as a journalist and editor for the Harvard Crimson
- How a genuine fear concerning the American national debt inspire the plot of his novel
- His experiences working in national security and how it influenced his writing
- Why he chose to work with a book coach and what he got out of the experience
- How he maintained focus on his manuscript throughout the pandemic
- Why he chose to work with hybrid publisher BQB Publishing and what the publisher brought to the project
- And much more!
Listen now!
*Welcome to *The Writing Coach.* On this podcast, I speak with the instructors, editors, coaches, and mentors who help writers and authors create their art, build their audience, and sell their work.***
In episode #114 of The Writing Coach podcast, I speak with author and writing coach Susan Crossman.
Susan Crossman is a best-selling author, a speaker, an editor, and a content marketing consultant who wields the power tool of language to benefit people who seek greater success.
Through her content marketing company, Content with Clarity/Crossman Communications, Susan and her team create high-quality online content that helps businesses connect with their target audience. As a book coach and editor, Susan helps entrepreneurs and others create the books that will support their businesses, their hearts, and their careers.
During our discussion, Susan describes:
- Why she returned to school for a MA in English literature after already launching a successful career as a journalist
- What she learned about book marketing from working with her publisher on her first book
- Why she considers the brain magical territory worth studying
- How the loss of a dear loved one inspired her to pursue her publishing career
- Why writing a first book is so difficult
- How the conversations we have with ourselves impact our results
- The surprising circumstances regarding how she accidentally ended up in a coaching certification program
- And much more!
*Listen to the full podcast episode!*
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.
Cassandra is the author of We Are Bridges: A Memoir (Feminist Press, 2021), winner of the Louise Meriwether First Book Prize, and editor-in-chief of L.A. Parent magazine in Los Angeles. She formerly worked as a newspaper reporter, senior communications writer, and community relations manager for the LA. Dodgers. Her stories have appeared in The Times-Picayune, Atlanta Journal Constitution, Everything But the Burden, Writers Resist, the NYT “Conception” series, and elsewhere.
During our discussion, Cassandra describes:
- How her mother’s passion for reading inspired her to become a writer
- What it was like being the first Black and first woman editor-in-chief of her university newspaper
- How being part of NOMO – a group of black poets, novelists, and artists – influenced her non-fiction writing
- What excites her about her role as editor-in-chief of LA Parent magazine and how she approaches collaboration with her team of editors, writers, photographers, and designers
- Why she chose to write a memoir that covers not only her story but also explores the inter-generational trauma resulting from the lynching of her great-grandfather
- And much more!
Listen now!
*Welcome to *The Writing Coach.* On this podcast, I speak with the instructors, editors, coaches, and mentors who help writers and authors create their art, build their audience, and sell their work.***
In episode #112 of The Writing Coach podcast, I speak with Deryn Van Der Tang.
Deryn is a writer and exploration geological cartographer who worked in the mining and oil industry before retraining as a housing manager and working with the elderly. Her life has taken her through divorce and widowhood, and around the world to multiple countries and continents.
A descendent of the 1820 settlers in South Africa, she has spent most of her life trying to find her voice and expression of her faith through writing, art, and photography. Her words and photographs have been published in a variety of places, and she has been selected for Senior Travel Writer competitions. Her blog Crossing My Bridges covers her soulful adventures through life and is interspersed with her love of poetry and art.
Through her writing, photography, and fine art, Deryn seeks to transform both positive and negative experiences into something spiritual and beautiful. She is inspired by nature and the natural processes of life, growth, and death — finding meaning in their metaphors and seasons.
During our discussion, Deryn describes:
- Why she volunteers to beta read and review other authors’ work
- The impact both mentorship and self-education played in her development
- What it was like being displaced from her home country of Rhodesia-Zimbabwe
- The importance of resilience for writers
- The relationship between biology, the natural world, and art
- The value of being exposed to diversity in both the natural world and human cultures
- And much more!
*Listen now!*
Welcome to The Writing Coach. On this podcast, I speak with the instructors, editors, coaches, and mentors who help writers and authors create their art, build their audience, and sell their work.
In episode #111 of The Writing Coach podcast, I speak with Cameron Sutter and Ryan Zee.
Cameron is an independently published YA author and a software engineer — and the lead developer of Plottr. A graduate of BYU, Cameron lives near Oklahoma City, Oklahoma with his wife and six (yes, six!) amazing children.
Ryan Zee is the founder of BookSweeps, one of the largest book giveaway and lead generation platforms for authors, as well as the co-founder of Plottr, the popular visual outlining software. An official MailerLite Email Marketing Expert, Ryan has consulted with bestselling authors including Andrew Gross, Mary Jo Putney, and Kendall Ryan. He is also an aspiring author.
During our discussion, Cameron and Ryan describe:
- How authors can use Plottr to support their writing in both the planning and revisions process
- Where the idea for Plottr originally came from
- Whether Plottr is just for planners or if pansters can use it to
- The impact the large number of sales of the software has had on their company
- How writing coaches are using the tool with their clients
- And much more!
Listen now!
Welcome to The Writing Coach. On this podcast, I speak with the instructors, editors, coaches, and mentors who help writers and authors create their art, build their audience, and sell their work.
In episode #110 of The Writing Coach podcast, I speak with Bella Mahaya Carter.
Bella Mahaya Carter is the author of Where Do You Hang Your Hammock?: Finding Peace of Mind While You Write, Publish, and Promote Your Book. She is a creative writing teacher, empowerment coach, and speaker, and author of an award-winning memoir, Raw: My Journey from Anxiety to Joy, and a collection of narrative poems, Secrets of My Sex.
Bella has worked with hundreds of writers since 2008 and has degrees in literature, film, and spiritual psychology. Her poetry, essays, fiction, and interviews have appeared in Mind, Body, Green; The Sun; Lilith; Fearless Soul; Writer’s Bone; Women Writers, Women’s Books; Chic Vegan; Bad Yogi Magazine; Jane Friedman’s Blog; Pick the Brain; Spiritual Media blog; Literary Mama; several anthologies, and elsewhere.
During our discussion, Bella describes:
- How our body, mind, and spiritual health influence our writing
- Why “striving” isn’t necessarily a good thing
- What she learned as a dancer that transferred over into her writing career
- Why she coined the term “universal doubt” and how it applies to writers
- What she hopes readers will take away from her new book
- How hanging a hammock in her back yard lead to a creative breakthrough
- And much more!
Welcome to The Writing Coach. On this podcast, I speak with the instructors, editors, coaches, and mentors who help writers and authors create their art, build their audience, and sell their work.
In episode #109 of The Writing Coach podcast, I speak with musician, inventor, and entrepreneur Will Henshall.
Will is a Los Angeles based tech entrepreneur, inventor, and music producer. He was the founding member and main writer in the UK pop soul band Londonbeat. Their massive early 90s hit “I’ve Been Thinking About You” reached #1 in the Billboard chart and was the top selling single in all major territories and won him BMI/PRS songwriter of the year. In the mid-90s, he founded San Francisco based audio tech company Rocket Network. The “DigiDelivery” media transfer system, now part of ProTools 12 Cloud collaboration, is a standard tool used every day in pro audio production for TV, movies, and music. He sold the company to Avid in 2003. His most recent start up is www.focusatwill.com, a science driven instrumental music streaming service (2 million users) that helps people at work and study reduce distractions and be more productive. He holds 5 patents, and has a new one in the oven!
During our discussion, Will describes:
- What it is like to write a #1 Billboard Hit and the pressure to follow up hits
- The role the limbic system plays in creativity
- How music and writing are “real time” are forms
- The science of music, focus, concentration, and productivity
- Why achieving a flow state is essential to creative success
- The different brain types and what music they need to excel
- Why lawyers make great writers
- And much more!
Listen now!
Welcome toThe Writing Coach.On this podcast, I speak with the instructors, editors, coaches, and mentors who help writers and authors create their art, build their audience, and sell their work.
In episode #108 of The Writing Coach podcast, I speak with fiction editor Lori Puma.
Lori previously appeared on episode 72 the show. Lori helps authors write novels readers can’t put down. She works with writers who dream of making a living writing novels in popular genres like fantasy, romance, thriller, science fiction, mystery, and young adult. As an editor, she specializes in teaching authors how to plan and revise their plots so readers stay hooked.
During our discussion, Lori describes:
- Why she loves working with genre fiction authors
- Her life-long love of comedy writing
- Why she frequently uses examples in her teaching
- How writers can get free advice on their story ideas via the author support series on her website
- And much more!
For full show notes, video, transcripts, and audio visit http://www.kevintjohns.com
In episode #107 of The Writing Coach podcast, I speak with author and book cover designer Karen Dimmick.
Karen previously appeared on episode #35 of the podcast, where we discussed mind hacks for writers. These days, Karen a book cover designer creating custom and premade book covers. Her goal is to create covers that capture future readers attention and sells books. Karen specializes in Fantasy and Science Fiction. I cover Urban Fantasy, High/Epic Fantasy, LitRPG/GameLit, Harem/Reverse Harem, Paranormal Romance, Dark Fantasy, Sci-fi and Paranormal Fantasy book covers.
During our discussion, Karen describes:
- What makes a great book cover
- Why genre is so important to cover design
- The importance of font choice on covers
- Who book covers are really for
- Four different types of books covers
- How to get the most out of working with a freelance covers designer
- the benefits of both custom and pre-made covers
- And much more!
Listen now!
Welcome to The Writing Coach. On this podcast, I speak with the instructors, editors, coaches, and mentors who help writers and authors create their art, build their audience, and sell their work. In episode #106 of The Writing Coach podcast, I speak with author and writing coach J. Thorn.
J. Thorn has published two million words and has sold more than 185,000 books worldwide. In March of 2014 Thorn held the #5 position in Horror alongside his childhood idols Dean Koontz and Stephen King (at #4 and #2 respectively). He is an official member of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, the Horror Writers Association, and the Great Lakes Association of Horror Writers.
J. earned a B.A. in American History from the University of Pittsburgh and a M.A. from Duquesne University. He is a full-time writer, part-time professor at John Carroll University, co-owner of Molten Universe Media, podcaster, FM radio DJ, musician, and a certified Story Grid nerd.
During our discussion, J. describes:
- How he has approached work and productivity throughout the COVID-19 pandemic
- Why writing a novel is like having a baby
- The way music has influenced his writing
- How he approaches each writing and publishing project as an experiment
- Why he made the decision to leave his day job to pursue writing full-time
- And much more!
For full show notes visit http://www.kevintjohns.com
In episode #105 of The Writing Coach podcast, I speak with David Puretz.
David Puretz is the author of The Escapist, a debut literary fiction novel exploring themes of mental health and self-discovery.He is the Editorial Director of the literary journal Global City Review and the creator and founder of the quarterly burly bird zine, which is sponsored by Fortroyal Foundation, a non-profit for the conservation and preservation of the arts. Puretz received an MFA in Creative Writing from The City College of New York and was a trailblazer for Ithaca College’s BA in Writing. Currently, Puretz resides in New York City where he teaches writing at Yeshiva University. Kaye is the author of Your Book, Your Brand: The Step-by-Step Guide to Launching Your Book and Boosting Your Sales, and the creator of Branding Outside the Box, where she helps authors and entrepreneurs become more memorable.
Click below to listen now:
Welcome toThe Writing Coach.On this podcast, I speak with the instructors, editors, coaches, and mentors who help writers and authors create their art, build their audience, and sell their work.
In episode #104 of The Writing Coach podcast, I speak with veteran publicist, social media pro, and brand manager Dana Kaye.
In 2009, Dana founded Kaye Publicity, Inc., a boutique PR company specializing in publishing and entertainment. Known for her innovative ideas and knowledge of current trends, she coaches her clients on how to identify and establish their unique personal brands.
Kaye is the author of Your Book, Your Brand: The Step-by-Step Guide to Launching Your Book and Boosting Your Sales, and the creator of Branding Outside the Box, where she helps authors and entrepreneurs become more memorable.
During our discussion, Dana describes:
- What exactly is an “author brand” and why is it important?
- How authors can best use podcasts, emails lists, and social media
- The important difference between publicity and marketing
- How booking marketing has changed over the last decade
- The role networking plays in selling books
- And much more!
Click below to listen now:
In episode #103 of The Writing Coach podcast, I speak with architect and author Donald M. Rattner.
Donald is the author of My Creative Space: How to Design Your Home to Stimulate Ideas and Spark Innovation and the principal of Donald M. Rattner, Architect. As a consultant, he draws on scientific research to help individuals and organizations maximize occupant creativity in workplace, residential, wellness, hospitality, and retail environments.
An educator and author as well as practitioner, Rattner’s publications include entries in professional reference books, and numerous contributions to print and online channels. He has taught at the University of Illinois, New York Academy of Art, New York University, Parsons School of Design, and online
During our discussion, Donald describes:
- How manipulating your environment can stimulate creativity
- Why he spent nearly as much time gathering the images for his book as he did writing it
- How scientific research helps give validity to the creativity techniques he recommends
- Why mood and ambiance such as lighting, room temperature, scent, and sound, influence mental processing
- How certain physical characteristics in the built environment can heighten creativity, including tall ceilings, calming hues, the display of art, access to beautiful views, and more!
Click below to listen now!
Welcome to The Writing Coach. On this podcast, I speak with the instructors, editors, coaches, and mentors who help writers and authors create their art, build their audience, and sell their work. In episode #102 of The Writing Coach podcast, I speak with author and story coach, Marc Graham.
Marc is an actor, speaker, story coach, shamanic practitioner, and whiskey aficionado. His first novel, Of Ashes and Dust, won the Paul Gillette Memorial Writing Contest and National Writers Association Manuscript Contest.
When struggling to write his next novel, he turned to one of the most ancient forms of storytelling for inspiration: mythology. Graham discovered that Norse runes (an ancient form of divination) can play an effective role in killing writer’s block. He demonstrates the technique in his new book, Runes for Writers: Boost Your Creativity and Destroy Writer’s Block.
During our discussion, Marc describes:
- How a traditional Christian upbringing eventually led to a wider exploration of spiritual beliefs and a search for universal truths
- The challenges and joys of writing historical fiction
- How conventional storytellers can engage in the same creatives practices as the ancient and modern shaman of indigenous civilizations to deepen their writing
- Techniques for effectively working research into your fiction writing
- How synchronicities help point him in the direction of what story he should pursue next
- The power story and how it can play a role in helping to heal the world’s social ills
- And much more!
The Writing Coach Episode #102 Show Notes Check out Marc’s website.
Learn more about my children’s book: Rocket Princess vs. Snaggletooth the Dragon.
Welcome to The Writing Coach. On this podcast, I speak with the instructors, editors, coaches, and mentors who help writers and authors create their art, build their audience, and sell their work.
In episode #101 of The Writing Coach podcast, I speak Paul Wilson, author of Bad Karma: The True Story of a Mexican Surf Trip from Hell. Paul is a lifelong resident of coastal San Diego, attending high school at a time when Independent surfing was an option for Phys. Ed., and Rock Poetry was passed off as an advanced English course. It didn’t take much for him to become disenchanted with formal education and drop out of The University of Southern California to embrace his entrepreneurial side. Paul is a multi-patented inventor, a photographer, and has built several successful businesses. Embracing his love of baseball and the ocean, he attends every San Diego Padres home game, and lives in Mission Beach, California with his wife Susan.
During our discussion, Paul describes:
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Why he had to wait for the statute of limitations to run out before he could write his memoir
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His thoughts on the relationships between photography and writing
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How his experiences traveling in Mexico taught him that some of the poorest people in the world can also be the most generous
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Why surfing and storytelling mix so well
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The unique challenges of writing memoir
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How last year’s The Writer’s Craft Summit helped him finish and publish his book - What he learned working with a professional editor on the book
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How a great cover has helped him get the book into book stores and surf shops
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The unique niche he’s found for the book amongst Volkswagen Bus aficionados
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And much more! Listen now!
For full show notes visit: http://www.kevintjohns.com
Welcome to episode #100 The Writing Coach podcast.
In this special milestone episode, Kevin answers questions from listeners and clients!
Welcome to The Writing Coach. On this podcast, I speak with the instructors, editors, coaches, and mentors who help writers and authors create their art, build their audience, and sell their work. In episode #99 of The Writing Coach podcast, I speak Sydney Liu.
Sydney is the co-founder of Commaful, a storytelling site where people go to share discover fiction. The site is home to hundreds of thousands of fanfics, short stories, and poems, all shared in a picture-book style format. He loves thinking about the intersection of art, technology, and storytelling and is always down to hear a great story.
During our discussion, Sydney describes:
- Why a desire to encourage his friends to read his writing was the original inspiration for the Commaful platform
- How Commaful differs from traditional blogs and social media platforms
- The unique ways in which the platform combines visual media with fiction storytelling and poetry
- What he and his co-founder are doing to ensure the Commaful community remains supportive of artists and writers and is able to avoid toxicity
- How Commaful is using contests to put the spotlight on new writers as well as attract diverse voices
- Which genres are most popular on Commaful
- How Commaful is helping authors promote their books and find a community
- And much more!
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Welcome to The Writing Coach. On this podcast, I speak with the instructors, editors, coaches, and mentors who help writers and authors create their art, build their audience, and sell their work. In episode #98 of The Writing Coach podcast, I speak with Julie Evelyn Joyce.
Julie is an award-winning author and a proud Canuck. When she’s not writing quirky and witty romances, she spends her time molding young minds, playing sports, singing karaoke, juggling, and dancing like there’s no tomorrow. Sometimes simultaneously. She’s also in hot pursuit of her own happily ever after, and anxiously awaits the day serial dating becomes an Olympic event. Her debut novel,Steeped in Love, has received glowing reviews and is the winner of the 2019 Kobo Emerging Writer Prize in romance.
During our discussion, Julie describes:
- How she got her start as an author by writing Gilmour Girls fanfiction
- The important role her mother played in supporting her writing career
- The crossroads she came to after the traditional publisher she had been working with disbanded
- The vast and supportive community she discovered in the world of indie publishing
- Her experiences teaching fiction writing to high school students
- What it was like winning the 2019 Kobo Emerging Writer Prize
- How writing and teacher access two different aspects of her personality
- And much more!
Click below to listen now:
Welcome to The Writing Coach. On this podcast, I speak with the instructors, editors, coaches, and mentors who help writers and authors create their art, build their audience, and sell their work. In episode #97 of The Writing Coach podcast, I speak with author Jennifer Blanchard.
Jennifer Blanchard is a best-selling author, a screenwriter, a Developmental Book Editor and the Writing Industry’s Mindset Coach. It’s her mission in life to change the way people think and challenge what they believe is possible. Her screenplay, “The Rules,” placed as a Semi-Finalist in the Stage32 Rom-Com Script Contest in 2019. She previously in episode 77 of The Writing Coach and was an expert speaker at The Writer’s Craft Summit.
During our discussion, Rea describes:
- Why she loves teaching story structure in particular
- How her novel-writing craft knowledge has helped launch her screenwriting career
- Why an understanding of fundamental writer’s craft techniques is essential to the success of authors
- How her workshop Write Your Damn Story got started almost a decade ago, how it has evolved over the years, and what workshop attendees can expect when they enroll this month
- And much more!
Click below to listen now!
In episode #96 of The Writing Coach podcast, I speak with author Rea Frey. With a degree in creative writing from Columbia and six traditionally published books under her belt, Rea has helped hundreds of clients refine, hone, and craft their own ideas into full-fledged books. Whether it’s working on a book proposal to sell to a publisher, ghostwriting a memoir, or consulting on a great idea, Rea’s fifteen years in the publishing industry will clarify the message, mission, audience, and ultimately help find a home for a client’s work. During our discussion, Rea describes: - How she balances a busy writing schedule with homeschooling her daughter - What it was like studying creative writing in an academic environment - Why her early books not being as successful as she would have liked helped set her up for success later in her career - What is was like optioning the rights to adapt her novel to Argent Pictures and then being hired to write the pilot episode of the series - How she helps authors craft incredible book proposals that land them big publishing deals - And much more! For full show notes visit http://www.kevintjohns.com
In episode #95 of The Writing Coach podcast, I speak with author and book marketing expert Amy Collins.
Amy is the President of New Shelves Books, one of the largest book sales and marketing content providers in the US. She is a USA TODAY and WALL STREET JOURNAL bestselling author and as a former Book Buyer for a chain of bookstores in New York and Sales Director for a large publishing company, she has spent her career working with Barnes & Noble, Target, Costco, Books-A-Million, Wal-Mart, and is a trusted expert, speaker, and recommended sales consultant for some of the largest book and library retailers and wholesalers in the publishing industry.
In the last 20 years, Amy and her team have sold over 40 Million books into the bookstore, library, and Chain store market for small and midsized publishers. She is on the national advisory board for IngramSpark, is a board member of Author U, a featured columnist for THEBOOKDESIGNER, BookWorks, IBPA, and a trusted teacher in the world of small press publishers.
She has taught and spoken at many of the publishing industry’s top festivals and conferences including Publisher’s Weekly’s BookCon, Oklahoma Writer’s Conference, Author U, AAPS, Dublin Writers Conference, BAIPA, PALA, St. Louis Writer’s Conference, Writers Digest indieLAB, Henderson Writers Conference, and many others.
When not in the office, her focus is on the working poor and poverty elimination, and she spends a great deal of time personally and professionally working with and training women from disadvantaged backgrounds. A member of several charitable and political organizations, she donates not only her time, but a portion of her company’s profits to grant based charities that work to alleviate the cycle of poverty.
During our discussion, Amy describes:
- Why there are so many talented authors, but only a handful of successful authors
- How getting a job at a book store led to her 30-year career in publishing
- The role book buyers play at brick and mortar book stores
- Why not every idea needs to become a book
- The one thing she does every day to build her audience
- Her top tips for what authors need to do to find their audience
- And much more!
Listen now!
In episode #94 of The Writing Coach podcast, I speak with author Fred Waitzkin.
Fred was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in 1943. When he was a teenager he wavered between wanting to spend his life as a fisherman, Afro Cuban drummer, or novelist. He went to Kenyon College and did graduate study at New York University.
His work has appeared in Esquire, New York magazine, the New York Times Sunday Magazine, the New York Times Book Review, Outside, Sports Illustrated, Forbes, the Huffington Post, and the Daily Beast, among other publications. His memoir, Searching for Bobby Fischer, was made into a major motion picture released in 1993. His other books are Mortal Games, The Last Marlin, The Dream Merchant, and Deep Water Blues. Recently, he has completed an original screenplay, The Rave.
Waitzkin lives in Manhattan with his wife, Bonnie, and has two children, Josh and Katya, and two grandsons, Jack and Charlie. He spends as much time as possible on the bridge of his old boat, The Ebb Tide, trolling baits off distant islands with his family.
During our discussion, Fred describes:
- Where he finds the ideas for his stories
- How he views the unique relationship between fiction and non-fiction
- What his daily writing process looks like
- How having his memoir adapted into a hit Hollywood film impacted his life and his writing
- His approach to mentoring writers
- How a coaching experience led to a breakthrough in the writing of his latest book, Deep Water Blues
- And much more!
For full show notes visit http://www.kevintjohns.com
In episode #93 of The Writing Coach podcast, I speak with graphic recorder, Kit Irwin.
Kit creates visual representations of live events in real time to make meetings more effective, presentations more memorable, and participants more engaged. Her short stories have been published online, in literary magazines, and in anthologies, such as Flash Fiction Forward. She also creates visual bios for solo entrepreneurs to tell their story on their website’s About Us page.
Link to my website http://TheVisionScribe.com
During our discussion, Kit describes:
- What the work of a graphic recorder entails
- The role metaphor plays in the creation of her sketchnotes
- How a Master’s degree in Critical and Creative Thinking have benefited her career
- Why her desire to make e-learning less boring led to her work as a graphic recorder
- Her number one tip on making the leap into a career in creative work
- The non-linear nature of graphic communication
- And much more!
For full how notes visit: http://www.kevintjohns.com
Welcome to The Writing Coach. On this podcast, I speak with the instructors, editors, coaches, and mentors who help writers and authors create their art, build their audience, and sell their work.
In episode #92 of The Writing Coach podcast, I discuss why sometimes the most creative periods in our lives look and sound like silence to outside observers.
In episode #91 of The Writing Coach podcast, I speak with Jennifer Louden.
Jennifer Louden is a personal growth pioneer who helped launch the concept of self-care with her first best-selling book The Woman’s Comfort Book. Since then, she’s written six additional books on well-being and whole living, with a million copies of her books in print in nine languages.
Jennifer has spoken around the U.S., Canada, and Europe, and has written a national magazine column for Martha Stewart magazine. Plus, she’s been profiled or quoted in dozens of major magazines, two of Brené Brown’s books Daring Greatly and Dare to Lead, appeared on hundreds of TV, radio shows and podcasts, and even on Oprah.
Jennifer has been teaching women’s writing and self-care retreats and creative writing workshops since 1992 and creating vibrant online communities and innovative learning experiences since 2000.
During our conversation, Jennifer describes:
- How a time of great desperation, unhappiness, and depression ultimately launched her career as a successful author
- The danger of wrapping up your entire self-worth in your writing
- The importance of self-care and why she rejects the notion that artists must be tortured souls
- What aspects of writing she struggles with and how she overcomes challenges in her writing
- Three things you need to know before you start writing
- What differentiates successful writers from those who fizzle out
- Why she thinks being a writer is the coolest calling in the world
- And much more!
Welcome to The Writing Coach. On this podcast, I speak with the instructors, editors, coaches, and mentors who help writers and authors create their art, build their audience, and sell their work.
In episode #90 of The Writing Coach podcast, I speak with Chad Allen.
Chad Allen is a writer, speaker, editor, and writing coach. A 20-year publishing professional, he has worked with many bestselling authors and is creator of Book Proposal Academy, an online course, and BookCamp, a mentoring and community hub for writers. His passion is helping writers get their books into the world, and he blogs athttp://www.chadrallen.com/.
During our conversation, Chad describes:
- How his passion for the writing of C.S. Lewis led to a career in publishing
- Why he feels called to help writers
- How his blog served as the launching pad for his coaching business
- The origins of his Book Proposal Academy
- Why coaching feels like it is the thing he was born to do
- And much more!
In episode #88 of The Writing Coach podcast, I speak with Barbara Kyle.
Barbara is the author of the acclaimed Thornleigh Saga, a seven-book series of historical novels set in Tudor England (“Riveting Tudor drama” – USA Today) and of contemporary thrillers, three under pen-name Stephen Kyle, including Beyond Recall, a Literary Guild Selection. Her latest novel is The Traitor’s Daughter. Over half a million copies of her books have been sold in seven countries.
Barbara has taught writers at the University of Toronto and is a popular guest presenter at international writers’ conferences. Before becoming an author Barbara enjoyed a 20-year acting career in television, film, and stage productions in Canada and the U.S.
Through her master classes, online programs, and manuscript evaluations, Barbara’s mentoring has launched many writers to published success, including bestselling mystery author Robert Rotenberg, award-winning historical novelists Cryssa Bazos and Bruce Gardner, debut novelist Christine Higdon, urban fantasy writer T.K. Thorne, and Steven T. Wax for his award-winning memoir.
During our conversation, Barbara describes:
- Why her career as an actress on stage, television, and film was fantastic training for her career as a novelist
- The importance of knowing your protagonist’s objective
- How winning a short story competition from the local library association gave her the confidence to pursue novel writing
- Why she chose to set her series in Tudor era England
- The important role mentors have played in her life and what she learned from them
- To what she attributes her half a millions books sold
- And much more!
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In episode #87 of The Writing Coach Podcast, host Kevin T. Johns revisits the Christmas episode of his old podcast, Write Along Radio.
For full show notes for this episode, visit http://www.kevintjohns.com
In episode #86 of The Writing Coach podcast, I speak with Sally McGraw
Sally McGraw is a savvy and versatile ghostwriter, editor, and copywriter with more than 15 years of professional experience. She’s written for newspapers, blogs, magazines, newsletters, and websites, slowly building a resume that she hopes will impress the pants off of you. She’s written three non-fiction books under her own name, and ghostwritten a dozen more. Her articles have been featured on the Huffington Post and About.com, her blog has been highlighted by Marie Claire and Glamour, she’s a contributing editor at Adios Barbie, and her marketing and entrepreneurial advice has appeared on the GoDaddy blog. She firmly believes she has the best job in the known universe, and loves helping her clients craft expressive artist statements, laugh-out-loud posts, in-depth articles, and heart-rending books.
During our conversation, Sally describes:
- How she built a massively successful blog about fashion and body image
- Why she transitioned from the fashion world into ghostwriting and editing
- Her candid thoughts on people wearing cargo shorts to the Opera
- Why she finds ghostwriting memoirs particularly challenging
- The reason a client once described her as “a personal decoder ring”
- Why she is passionate about empowering women in business
- Her experience teaching a CreativeLive course that was viewed by over 7,000 writers
- And much more!
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Welcome to The Writing Coach. On this podcast, I speak with the instructors, editors, coaches, and mentors who help writers and authors create their art, build their audience, and sell their work. In episode #85 of The Writing Coach podcast, I speak with Rachel Sentes of Gal Friday Publicity.
Rachel is a publicist and literary agent who specializes in working with authors and publishers from across Canada and in the United States. She prides herself on finding the right angle and the right media for projects in an easygoing, fun, but forthright manner, so that her clients get the goods on how the publicity business works, and how to make your next book launch campaign successful.
During our discussion, Rachel describes:
- How books were the first and most important gifts she received as a child
- The important role journaling has played in her life for the last 40 years (and why they must be burned upon her death!)
- How she ended up marrying a literary agent after a terrible first date
- What exactly a publicist does for a writer
- Who shouldn’t work with a publicist
- How her work as a publicist led to her becoming a literary agent
- And much more!
Listen now!
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Welcome to The Writing Coach. On this podcast, I speak with the instructors, editors, coaches, and mentors who help writers and authors create their art, build their audience, and sell their work. In episode #84 of The Writing Coach podcast, I speak with Elizabeth Atkins and Catherine M. Greenspan.
Elizabeth is a best-selling author, actress, TV host and award-winning journalist who uses a multimedia platform to inspire people to unlock their infinite potential and live with passion, prosperity, health, and happiness. Elizabeth has written more than 20 books.
Catherine created the first-ever series of young adult novels featuring a biracial girl. The Veronica Series follows the 14-year-old girl along a tricky terrain of friends, boys, school, and family in a race-obsessed world.
Together, Catherine and Elizabeth are the siblings behind Two Sisters Writing and Publishing, where they publish meaningful books by authors of color, women writers, and those who celebrate diversity through their stories and characters.
During our discussion, Catherine and Elizabeth describe:
- How their father's journaling habit influenced their lives and approach to writing
- Why they becAme writing coaches, ghostwriters, and eventually publishers
- How their Power Journaling program combines journaling with meditation to help by-pass writers' inner critics
- Why it's important now more than ever to promote diverse voices IN the book world and how independent publishers can step up to plate
- How Elizabeth came to co-write a book with Billy Dee Williams of Star Wars fame
- And much more!
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Welcome to The Writing Coach. On this podcast, I speak with the instructors, editors, coaches, and mentors who help writers and authors create their art, build their audience, and sell their work. In episode #83 of The Writing Coach podcast, I speak with Blaine Bradshaw.
Blaine is a freelance editor with 10 years experience that started in the Army. While initially his scope was limited to geographic reports and briefings he expanded to novels and opened Superior Story in 2014. Over the years he has worked with dozens of writers to develop compelling stories while maintaining their unique voice.
During our discussion, Michelle describes:
- Why a single typo led to him having to do 1000 pushup
- How he stumbled upon a vibrant writing community on the Deviant Art platform
- Why his experience with a factory-style editing service ultimately led to his personalized approach to working with writers
- The complexity involved in defining different types of editing
- The role empathy plays in the editing process
- And much more!
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Welcome to The Writing Coach. On this podcast, I speak with the instructors, editors, coaches, and mentors who help writers and authors create their art, build their audience, and sell their work. In episode #82 of The Writing Coach podcast, I speak with Michelle Cornish.
Michelle is a mom, author, illustrator, and former accountant on a mission to prove accountants are just as exciting as lawyers. After spending almost 20 years in the public accounting industry, Michelle sold her accounting practice to spend more time with her family and pursue her dream of writing. In 2017, she published Keep More Money, a guide to help business owners find a trustworthy accountant. Her debut financial crime thriller Murder Audit will be released on October 31, 2018, and is available for pre-order now.
During our discussion, Michelle describes:
- What she learned from publishing a non-fiction book that she then applied to her new novel, Murder Audit
- How her frustration with the stereotypical portrayal of accountants led to the creation of her novel’s protagonist Cynthia Webber
- Why she thinks publishing a novel is so much scarier than publishing a non-fiction book
- How she found writing a novel to be similar to solving mathematical puzzles
- Why she is so passionate about seeking out learning opportunities
- And much more!
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Welcome to The Writing Coach. On this podcast, I speak with the instructors, editors, coaches, and mentors who help writers and authors create their art, build their audience, and sell their work. In episode #81 of The Writing Coach podcast, I speak with artist success coach Nikól Peterman of Zen Red NYC.
Nikól is a certified empowerment coach who works with leading creatives who struggle to attract their perfect audience, feel amazing in their performance, and see themselves as valuable. She empowers professional artists, speakers, entrepreneurs, and presenters to be fearless, embodying a powerful presence that allows them to connect deeply with their audience, and stand out from the crowd. She specializes in skills for overcoming fear, overwhelm, and the constant roller coaster of ups and downs that come with putting your work out to the world.
During our discussion, Nikól describes:
- How letting go of perfectionism and sharing vulnerability actually draws people towards us
- The role creative writing played in her transition from performer and choreographer to empowerment coach for artists
- The importance of looking at our art through the lens of a professional
- How she encourages her creative clients to ask themselves what they are holding back
- What she means when she says marketing is all about belonging
- Why right now is an amazing time to be an artist
- And much more!
For full show notes visit: http://www.kevintjohns.com
Welcome to The Writing Coach. On this podcast, I speak with the instructors, editors, coaches, and mentors who help writers and authors create their art, build their audience, and sell their work. In episode #80 of The Writing Coach podcast, I answer some important questions about author platform building and book marketing.
This week one of my former clients posted a number of fantastic marketing related questions in a private Facebook group that I run. I decided to answer the questions via the podcast.
During the episode I cover:
- Why your author platform doesn't necessarily have to be blog-based
- The best methods for platform building
- How I have gone about building my email list
- My thoughts on how writers should approach blogging
- Who I turn to when seeking advice and tips on book marketing
- And much more!
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In episode #79 of The Writing Coach podcast, I speak with publicity coach and founder of the Build Your Brand Academy Chris Well.
Chris is a media veteran who has worked more than 30 years in professional media. He’s been a magazine editor, columnist, journalist, broadcaster, and college instructor, with field experience covering music, publishing, human interest, and more. Also a published novelist, Chris has written suspense and mysteries for traditional publishers and as a self-published author. He and his wife live in Tennessee.
During our discussion, Chris describes:
- Why he feels compelled to help authors understand and navigate the media outreach process
- What he has learned working on both sides of the fence as both a media professional and an author
- How, after landing a traditional publishing contract, he was forced to lower his expectations regarding what a publisher has to offer when it comes to publicity and marketing
- The major differences between old media (magazines, newspapers, TV, and radio) and new digital media platforms (online videos, podcasts, and blogs)
- His surprising advice about "leading with the book"
- How book marketing is similar to farming
- And much more!
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In episode #78 of The Writing Coach podcast, I speak with Lauren Sapala.
Lauren is the author of The INFJ Writer, a guide for sensitive intuitive writers, and Firefly Magic: Heart Powered Marketing for Highly Sensitive Writers, as well as The West Coast Trilogy, an autobiographical fiction series. She currently lives in San Francisco.
During our discussion, Lauren describes:
- Why she considers her coaching a form of healing work
- How the structure and energy of academia can often lead to overly critical writing instructors and teachers, and how the world of creativity and art differs completely
- Why she doesn't shy away from discussing her time dealing with alcoholism
- How self-publishing The INFJ Writer was such a pleasurable experience that she ceased seeking an agent for her fiction and started-indie publishing those books as well
- The way the Meyers-Briggs personality types have given her a greater understanding of her writing clients and how she can better help intuitive introverts achieve their artistic goals
- How transgressive fiction combines darkness with humour, and the challenges she has faced as a writer working in that genre
- And much more!
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Welcome to The Writing Coach. On this podcast, I speak with the instructors, editors, coaches, and mentors who help writers and authors create their art, build their audience, and sell their work. In episode #77 of The Writing Coach podcast, I speak with Jennifer Blanchard.
Jennifer a multi-passionate author, screenwriter, blogger, and coach who is on a mission to change the way writers think and challenge what they believe is possible. In early 2009, after years of struggling with her stories, she learned about story structure, which changed everything for her. She published her debut novel, SoundCheck, in 2015, and she's been writing nonfiction books, novels, and screenplays ever since.
During our discussion, Jennifer describes:
- How being a multi-passionate creative can be energizing and freeing
- The role her blog played in helping her transition from a chronic procrastinator to an incredibility productive writer
- How stumbling upon a story structure article by Larry Brooks changed her life forever
- Why she challenged herself to write and publish nine books in nine months (!)
- What she offers in her Multi-Passionate Mastermind
- The importance of a daily mindset practice
- And much more!
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Think there aren't any good movies about writing?
Think again, my friend!
In episode #76 of The Writing Coach podcast, guest host, Laura Morano, and I debunk the myth that there are no good movies about writing.
We discuss more than a dozen fantastic films featuring writer protagonists dealing with the highs and lows of putting words to the page and trying to create something beautiful in the world.
Click below to listen now!
Welcome to The Writing Coach. On this podcast, I speak with the instructors, editors, coaches, and mentors who help writers and authors create their art, build their audience, and sell their work. In episode #75 of The Writing Coach podcast, I speak with Elisa Doucette of Craft Your Content.
Elisa is a writer, editor, and entrepreneur who currently travels the world looking for great stories to live, interesting tales to share, and new ways to make words sexy.
She has worked for over a decade creating compelling content and writing for various businesses and publications. Her work has been featured in The New York Times, The Boston Globe, Yahoo! Small Business, The Shine Network, The Huffington Post, and Brazen Careerist among others, including syndicated columns on Forbes.com and Maine Today Media. Her short stories have been published in numerous literary magazines and websites, and she has appeared as a guest on radio shows and podcasts around the web, such as Frommer’s Radio, Entrepreneurs on Fire, and The Chris Hahn Show. She also hosts a podcast for writers and creatives, called Writers' Rough Drafts.
As the owner and executive editor of the editing and writing coaching agency, Craft Your Content, Elisa oversees the acquisition and cultivation of a talented team of word and content geniuses while also encouraging the development of clients’ writing and thought prowess. CYC serves as a champion for each writers’ unique voice and vision, while helping them to publish their best content.
During our discussion, Elisa describes:
- Why, despite living abroad and running a digital company, she doesn't consider herself a lifestyle entrepreneur
- How challenges making friends in her youth led to a passion for literature and writing
- The unique relationship between music technique and writing
- How she met Stephen King in person (!)
- Why she invested hundreds of hours in her online course, Become a Master Writer, and how you can benefit from enrolling regardless of what type of writing you do
- And much more!
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In episode #74 of The Writing Coach podcast, I speak with book marketing coach Audrey Hughey.
Audrey previously appeared on the show in episode #61, where we discussed her book marketing program and community, the Author Transformation Alliance. This week, Audrey returns to the show to discuss The Ultimate Authorship Planner, an incredible new resource she has created for authors.
The Ultimate Authorship Planner is designed to be an all-in-one day planner and writing-career coach, helping authors to organize their writing life and get on a clear path to reach their goals. The planner is a place to:
- Track daily and weekly word counts
- Map out writing and publishing plans for an entire year
- Manage and track monthly expenses
- Develop an editing checklist and evaluate potential editors
- Plan social media marketing, book promotions, and advertising
- Sketch out ideas for author newsletter and track open and click-through rates
- Have space and flexibility to plan your days and weeks according to your own unique lifestyle and schedule.
I own a copy of the planner (and I love it!) so I was thrilled to get an opportunity to talk to Audrey all about it.
During our discussion, Audrey describes:
- Where the original idea of the planner came from (and how it sent her NaNoWriMo in an entirely new direction)
- How she worked with her community of authors to create a product she knew they would find valuable
- The role planning, tracking, and reviewing plays in achieving goals, selling books, and building an author business
- Why she chose to publish the book using the Lulu platform in additional Amazon's CreateSpace
- How and why she was able to create three different covers for her planner
- And much more!
Whether you're on the lookout for a planner to help get your author business organized, or just curious about the behind the scenes work that goes into creating a product like this, you won't want to miss this episode.
Click below to listen now!
Episode #72 of The Writing Coach podcast features our first ever guest host, Lori Puma.
Lori Puma is a Story Grid Certified editor who helps writers turn first drafts into stories readers can’t put down. Lori started her writing career publishing scientific papers that also double as sleeping aids. Since then, she’s done a lot of things, including working as a marketer and having her work published in places such as the Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, and Mashable. Lori’s focus as an editor is helping writers build the storytelling skills they need for a career writing fiction.
Lori scored the role of guest host by making the rather unusual pitch of offering to interview me on my own show. It was a great opportunity to talk about my coaching process with The Writing Coach listeners.
During our discussion, I describe:
- What I consider to be the fundamental elements of writer's craft
- The importance of starting your story planning with genre
- My real thoughts on pantsing vs. planning
- The three biggest challenges writers face while crafting a novel
- Why a coach's role is to open up new doorways of possibility to our clients
- What I recommend writers do when their plans go off-track
- And much more!
Listen to the episode now:
Welcome to The Writing Coach. On this podcast, I speak with the instructors, editors, coaches, and mentors who help writers and authors create their art, build their audience, and sell their work. In episode #71 of The Writing Coach podcast, I speak with Allison Fallon.
Allison believes a regular practice of writing can change your life. She is the author of a dozen books, a sought-after public speaker, and coach to hundreds of authors from New York Times Bestsellers to total beginners.
During our discussion, Allison describes:
- The importance of bringing vulnerability to writing
- How growing up in Portland influenced her early writing
- The coach's role in bearing witness to an artist's creativity
- Why she considers a regular yoga practice to be a vital component of her creative work
- And much more!
Listen to the episode now!
Welcome to The Writing Coach. On this podcast, I speak with the instructors, editors, coaches, and mentors who help writers and authors create their art, build their audience, and sell their work. In episode #70 of The Writing Coach podcast, I speak with Lisa Tener.
An authority on book writing and publishing, and winner of the Silver Stevie Award for Coach/Mentor of the Year, Lisa guides experts, entrepreneurs and visionaries to joyfully write and publish their books. Lisa has been quoted in The New York Times, featured on ABC News and more. Lisa Tener serves on the faculty of Harvard Medical School’s publishing and women's leadership courses, and teaches Award Winning Book Writing Courses.
Lisa Tener's clients have received 5- and 6-figure book deals from a large variety of publishers from Random House, St. Martin's Press and Harper Collins to niche and university publishers. Her clients' books have been featured by Oprah, on NPR, the Today Show, Good Morning America and all over the national media, including the New York Times, Cosmopolitan, Women's Health, Forbes and much more.
During our discussion, Lisa describes:
- Transforming anger into a tool for creativity
- Why the best teachers are lifelong learners
- How a time of serious illness in her life led to a period of intense reading and self-discovery
- The importance of finding your own way
- Five elements for entering a flow state as a writer
- And much more!
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In episode #69 of The Writing Coach podcast, I speak with Angela Ackerman.
Angela is a writing coach, international speaker, and co-author of the bestselling book, The Emotion Thesaurus: A Writer’s Guide to Character Expression, as well as five others. Her books are available in six languages, are sourced by US universities, and are used by novelists, screenwriters, editors, and psychologists around the world. Angela is also the co-founder of the popular site Writers Helping Writers, as well as One Stop for Writers, an innovative online library built to help writers elevate their storytelling.
During our discussion, Angela describes:
- Which literary serial killer she wanted to name her dog after
- The valuable lessons she learned from joining an online critique group early in her career
- Why her book, The Emotional Thesaurus, has been so popular with writers
- What she learned from collaborating with writing coaches like James Scott Bell, Jennie Nash, and Lisa Cron
- How she ended up developing online resources for writer with Lee Powell, the creator of Scrivener
- Her passion for helping writers learn and grow,
- And much more!
Listen to the episode now!
In episode #68 of The Writing Coach podcast, I discuss how to spot a publishing scam.
It takes passion, dedications, and a massive amount of hard work to produce a 70,000 manuscript. It takes even more effort and focus to proceed to revise those 70K words several times over. Usually, aspiring authors are feeling pretty desperate by the time they reach the publication stage of the book production process. That desperation, combined with a lack of knowledge regarding the publishing industry, is frequently taken advantage of by scammers, frauds, hucksters, and criminals in the world of publishing.
In this episode, we're going to go over the steps you can take to investigate an offer before you hand over any money or personal information to a service provider, agent, or publisher.
Listen to the episode now!
In episode #67 of The Writing Coach podcast, I speak with Brooke Warner.
Brooke Warner is publisher of She Writes Press, founder of Warner Coaching Inc., and author of What’s Your Book? and How to Sell Your Memoir. Brooke’s expertise is in traditional and new publishing, and she is an equal advocate for publishing with a traditional house and self-publishing. She sits on the board of the Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) and the National Association of Memoir Writers (NAMW). Her website was selected by The Write Life as one of the Top 100 Best Websites for Writers in 2014.
During our conversation, Brooke describes:
- How a talk with her mom about what she loves led to a career in publishing
- The exact moment she realized her experience in editing and publishing could be used for an author coaching business
- The massive learning curve for memoir writers and the “kiss of death” they need to avoid in their writing
- The role perseverance (and the help of a coach) played in landing her TedX talk, “Green-Light Revolution”
- Why she founded She Writes Press and what it means to be a hybrid publisher
- How the current American political environment means having a platform for women writers is more important than ever
- And much more!
Listen to the episode now!
In episode #66 of The Writing Coach podcast, I speak with Lisa Bloom.
Lisa Bloom is a highly professional and accomplished Storyteller, Professional Certified Coach (ICF) and Training & Development Expert with more than 20 years experience working in public and private sectors, high-tech and financial services environments. Lisa trains Story Coaches and helps entrepreneurs de-stress the marketing, build their business with confidence and inspiration by finding their success story.
During our conversation, Lisa describes:
- How a story can be used to build trust and create credibility
- Her deep belief that we are all innate storytellers
- Why she spent time working as a "galley slave"
- The massive benefits she experienced from writing a weekly story on her blog for ten years straight
- How finding congruity between your outer story and inner story leads to powerful authenticity
Listen to the episode now:
In episode #65 of The Writing Coach podcast, I speak with John Adamus.
Since 1997, John's entire career has been working with people to tell their stories. Whether in television, film, stage, or publishing, he has worked with talented creatives who have all different kinds of stories to tell. Through his website, The Writer Next Door, John offers a full suite of tools to help writers reach their creative goals, from story design and coaching to first chapter diagnostics and help with query letters. John is the executive editor at Parvus Press, a publishing company focused on science fiction and fantasy, and he also extremely active on Twitter, where you'll find him sharing writing tips and advice throughout the day.
During our conversation, John describes:
- How he had been helping people for years before he realized "creative coaching" was the name for what he was doing
- Why he got fired from his slush pile reader job at a New York publishing house
- The challenge of learning how to determine your value and charge what you are worth for your services
- The important role a mentor played in his life and his development as a writer and editor
- And much more
Listen to the episode now!
For full show notes, visit http://www.kevintjohns.com/
Welcome to The Writing Coach. On this podcast, I speak with the instructors, editors, coaches, and mentors who help writers and authors create their art, build their audience, and sell their work. In episode #64 of The Writing Coach podcast, I speak with Jennie Nash.
Jennie has spent 30 years in the books. She is the author of seven books, one of the world’s top one-on-one writing coaches, and the co-founder of Author Accelerator, a company that matches authors with books coaches.
During our conversation, Jennie describes:
- Why she finds the quick fix solutions to learning writers craft so frustrating
- What she learned from her writer father
- The moment she turned down a multi-book deal with a traditional publisher
- Why a writing retreat once asked her to "tone down" her intensity
- The reason writers need to get good at asking for what they want
- How talent can often get in the way of storytelling
- The non-linear nature of writing
- And much more
Listen to the episode now!
Welcome to The Writing Coach. On this podcast, I speak with the instructors, editors, coaches, and mentors who help writers and authors create their art, build their audience, and sell their work. In episode #63 of The Writing Coach podcast, I speak with Franciska Csongrady.
Franciska is in her third year of an English Literature degree at Oxford University in England. In addition to her studies, she tutors students from around the world looking to improve their English writing.
During our conversation, Franciska describes:
- How growing up in Hungary, England, and Austria led to an interest in learning languages, including English, Hungarian, Spanish, German, and even some Latin
- What it is like going to a school and walking the same halls that were once walked by the likes of C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien
- What she has learned from teaching English to students from all around the world
- And much more
Listen to the episode now.
For full show notes visit http://www.kevintjohns.com
In episode #62 of The Writing Coach podcast, I speak with writer, editor, and media manager Sarah Foil.
Sarah describes herself as a cliché: an introverted, caffeine-addicted, wine-obsessed writer in North Carolina with a husband, crazy dog and angry cat.
(Sounds like my kind of person!)
She has an MFA and served as the editor of the literary magazine Incunabula for four years before launching into the freelance world, where she now works with aspiring and first-time novelists as an editor and media manager.
During our conversation, Sarah describes:
- Why, as a young girl, she realized she wanted to learn how to make dad's cry (with words)
- The big takeaways from her MFA program
- The common mistakes writer's make when submitting to editors, and why writers need to focus on the first page of their submission
- Her approach to social media management and the tools she uses to preschedule her posts
- And much more
Listen to the episode now!
In episode #61 of The Writing Coach podcast, I speak with Audrey Hughey.
Audrey Hughey is the founder of The Write Services Social Media Management and creator of the Author Transformation Alliance. Her passion is inspiring and empowering authors to achieve their goals and dreams with effective and authentic marketing.
During our conversation, Audrey describes:
- Why its important for authors to develop book marketing plans
- How she uses a community to educate and empower authors
- What she learned in the world of fitness that she carried over into book marketing
- Her "no excuse" approach to achieving her goals
- Why she created the 2018 Author Journal
- And much more
Listen to the episode now!
Welcome to The Writing Coach. On this podcast, I speak with the instructors, editors, coaches, and mentors who help writers and authors create their art, build their audience, and sell their work. A client of mine recently asked me what novels I would recommend for the purpose demonstrating different aspects of writer's craft.
This episode answers that question!
Listen now!
In ep. #48 of The Writing Coach podcast, I speak with Trevor Crane.
Trevor Crane is a 10-time #1 international bestselling author and the founder of Bestseller Big Business and Super Kids Books Publishing. He is the host of the GreatnessQuest.com podcast and the creator of TheGreatnessNetwork.com. Most of all, Trevor is loaded with passion. Whether he’s speaking in front of an audience or consulting business owners and executives, Trevor gives his heart and soul to help people achieve the results they desire. He transforms the “complicated” into simple-to-understand and easy-to-implement steps that anyone can apply.
During our conversation, Trevor describes:
- How it took him 20 years to publish his first book before going on to publish 10 bestsellers
- The important role belief plays in finding success
- How writing and publishing a book should be a collaborative experience similar to building a house
- The mistake Al Gore made in the creation of An Inconvenient Truthand why most authors make the same mistake
- How everyone has their own area of genius
- Why he thinks more creatives actually need to stop creating
- And much more
Listen to the episode now!
In episode 34 of The Writing Coach, I speak with Susan Friedmann.
Susan is a Certified Speaking Professional and a veteran business and niche marketing expert who has carved her niche by helping companies worldwide get the most out of attending trade shows and industry events. She offers programs to increase results and focus on building better relationships with customers, prospects and advocates in the marketplace.
A prolific author, Susan has written fourteen books including, Meeting and Event Planning for Dummies, The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Target Marketing, Riches in Niches: How to Make it BIG in a small Market, which made it to #1 in hot business books on Amazon.com.
During our conversation, Susan describes:
- How the publishing industry has changed over the last three decades;
- Her nuts and bolts approach to writing and teaching;
- The value and benefits of self-publishing for authors;
- How the September 11 terrorist in New York attacks nearly prevented one of her books from being published;
- The way the National Speakers Association has connected her with many important mentors;
- What she has learned from a year of podcasting;
- The importance of niche marketing for authors;
- And much more!