
John Helps You Write Better
300 episodes — Page 2 of 6

S18 Ep 45When was the last time you celebrated a win?
EIn today's episode, I want to talk to you about celebrating victories. If you've had any wins, they count.

S18 Ep 44Installing and uninstalling software in your head
EIn today's episode, I want to talk to you about what you've got in your head.

S18 Ep 43What you believe
EIn today's episode, let's talk about belief.

S18 Ep 42The danger of 77.63
EIn today's episode, I want to talk to you about seventy-seven dollars and sixty-three cents.

S18 Ep 41How to build an action scene
EIn today's episode, I want to talk to you about how you're writing action beats.

S18 Ep 40How to build better dialogue and tension
EIn today's episode, let's talk about talking.

S18 Ep 39The switch you have to flip in your head
EIn today's episode, I want to talk to you about the difference between thinking you're writing to make them happy and your writing making you happy.

S18 Ep 38To do lists, Costco, and your writing
EIn today's episode, I want to talk to you about getting things done and what Costco can teach us about how to do things.

S18 Ep 37Talking about haves and have nots (sort of)
EIn today's episode, I want to talk to you about some have and have nots that maybe come up in your creative process.

S18 Ep 36Please do not watch the new Matlock
EIn today's episode, I would like to save you a whole hour of your life and tell you why you should avoid the new version of Matlock.

S18 Ep 35Warcraft and Writing, part 2
EIn today's episode, I keep talking about the worst warlock in an MMO and how it parallels your writing journey

S18 Ep 34Warcraft and Writing, part 1
EIn today's episode, I want to talk to you about the parallels between my not-so-great MMO playing and you working towards your publishing goals.

S18 Ep 33Answering "Where do I start?" part 3
EIn today's episode, I conclude the three-part answer to "Where do I start?"

S18 Ep 34BONUS!! What are people looking for in your first pages?
EIn this BONUS episode, I want to talk to you about what you need to do in your first few pages, no matter what you're writing.

S18 Ep 32Answering "where do I start" part 2
EIn today's episode, I continue to answer the question "Where do I start?"

S18 Ep 31Answering "Where do I start", part 1
EIn today's episode, I answer the question "Where do I start?" which a lot of writers ask me and I feel like I don't answer clearly enough. Until now.

S18 Ep 30Are you "professional" ?
EIn today's episode I want to talk to you about how loaded and vague the word "professional is and how you need to kick it out of your thinking as a writer.

S18 Ep 29The help goes where the help needs to go
EIn today's episode I want to talk to you about what exactly the help you ask for from an editor looks like and how it works.

S18 Ep 28Asking for help makes a difference
EIn today's episode, I want to talk to you about asking for help with your work.

S18 Ep 27Why you don't need Nano part 2
EIn today's episode, I continue to point out reasons why you need to yeet NaNo to the curb.

S18 Ep 26Why you don't need NaNoWriMo, part 1
EIn today's episode, I want to talk to you about ditching NaNo for good.

S18 Ep 25Please put your ego down a little. It's getting in the way.
EIn today's episode I want to remind you that you need to be open to all kinds of feedback - even the stuff that says you're maybe not as good as you think you are.

S18 Ep 24WORKSHOP AUDIO - What you need to know about Publishing
EThis past weekend I spoke at the virtual Story Valley Writing Conference. Here's the audio from the Sunday workshop and Q&A all about publishing.

S18 Ep 23WORKSHOP AUDIO! How to Build Characters
EThis past weekend I was fortunate enough to speak at the Story Valley virtual Writing Conference. Here is the audio from Saturday's panel on building characters.

S18 Ep 22Who's a good writer?
EIn today's episode, I want to ask you to look at your definition of "good" when you talk about someone being a "good writer."

S18 Ep 21A challenge for those of you about to publish traditionally
EIn today's episode, I'm issuing a challenge to any author about to publish their work traditionally and go out on submission.

S18 Ep 20What to do when your expectations aren't met
EIn today's episode, I want to tell you about the road construction that isn't happening and how that can mean something to your writing.

S18 Ep 19The Writers Chat for 7.30
EIn this week's Writers Chat, it's 13 answers for 13 questions, including how to start a horror story, when you have enough beta readers, and how to prove that you're a good writer.

S18 Ep 15What to look for in a writing community or writing space
EIn today's episode, I want to talk to you about the groups you join when you're a writer.

S18 Ep 14Don't rush to your end goal
EIn today's episode, I want to talk to you about why you shouldn't rush to fame you're expecting as an author.

S18 Ep 15How To Build An Audience
EIn this longer episode, I'd like to talk to you about building an audience.

S18 Ep 13Please ask questions
EIn today's episode, I want to talk to you about the importance of asking questions.

S18 Ep 12Are you sure you need a SFW account and an NSFW account?
EIn today's episode I'd like to speak to those writers who are on the fence about making separate accounts for their SFW writing and their NSFW art.

S18 Ep 11Is serialization right for you?
EIn today's episode, I want to talk to you about Kindle Vella and serialization.

S18 Ep 10You have to do your best
EIn today's episode I want to remind you that you have to do your best, not your fastest.

S18 Ep 9Control your mind, not the reader
EIn today's episode, I want to talk to you about the impact you can have on your reader.

S18 Ep 8Let's talk about plot twists.
EIn today's episode, I have a few things to tell you about plot twists.

S18 Ep 74 Mistakes You Might Be Making With Your Plot
Ein today's episode, here's the audio from yesterday's YouTube video all about mistakes in your plot

S18 Ep 6How about a marketing tip?
EIn today's episode, I've got some marketing advice for you.

S18 Ep 5Are you reading carefully?
EIn today's episode I want to talk to you about why people are always telling writers to read more.

S18 Ep 4I need you to try marketing
EIn today's episode, I want to talk to you about your approach to marketing.

S18 Ep 3How to write a book in less than forever
EIn today's episode, I want to talk to you about your writing schedule.

S18 Ep 2Say No To Hyperbole
EIn today's episode, I want to talk to you about why your preferred language for hyping up writers and books might not be helping.

S18 Ep 1So ... about that conference...
EIn today's episode, I want to talk to you about the weekend I just had.

S17 Ep 26Hey, it's time to stop pants-ing
EIn today's episode, I want to talk to you about why you need to be more organized.

S17 Ep 25No, you don't want to be a short story writer
EIn today's episode, I want to talk to you about those short stories you're thinking about publishing.

S17 Ep 24I'd like you to swim upstream
EIn today's episode, I want to talk to you about chasing trends and trying to be an individual like all the other people doing the exact same stuff.

S17 Ep 23Rejection is a part of this whole endeavor
EIn today's episode, I'd like to talk to those writers who are maybe thinking that the rejections they got are more personal than professional.

S17 Ep 22Don't let the naysayers stop you
EIn today's episode, I want to talk to you about the people who won't like your work and how you can't let them stop you from writing.

S17 Ep 21Yes, you really need an editor, not just software
EIn today's episode, I want to talk to you about why you need a human editor and not just software to help you write your book.