The Dialogue Doctor Podcast

In this episode, Jeff sits down with members of the Dialogue Doctor community to analyze the Coen brothers' movie The Big Lebowski. In the episode, they discuss writing character's who don't change, how anchors work, using symbolic parallels, and juggling multiple conversations at one time. For more on the craft of writing, check out https://dialoguedoctor.com/

In this episode, Jeff sits down with Author Beth Biss to talk about the emotional texture of her work in progress. They talk about the difference between plot and growth arcs, how conflicts should resolve in the piece, the alignment vs misalignment of the character and the reader, the reader's expectations, managing the reader's altitude of a scene, and using triggers in a character's emotional journey. For more on the craft of writing, check out https://dialoguedoctor.com/

In this episode, Jeff meets with author John Krause to talk about John's work in progress. Jeff talks about increasing the emotional saturation of the story through emotional vocalizations, building the tension oft he story, and maturing a character without a doing a montage of training. Also, they invent the phrase, "Castle Punk." For more on the craft of writing, go to https://dialoguedoctor.com/

In this episode, Jeff sits down with author Emma Jane Heaton to talk about her writing and what she's been working on. They discuss the difference between writing screenplays and writing a novel and talk about what they've learned doing both. Find Emma Jane's film work here: https://www.youtube.com/@EmHeatonFilm For more on the craft of writing, check out: https://dialoguedoctor.com/

In this episode, Jeff sits down with author Joan Lightning. Jeff and Joan talk about her fantasy novel in progress. They look at an action scene with four cast members that is filled with action and complicated relationships. For more on the craft of writing, check out https://dialoguedoctor.com/

In episode 318 of the Dialogue Doctor Podcast, Jeff and Tom talk about stories that work and stories that don't. They discuss new stats on authors using AI to write and publish. And they talk about the state of their own careers and endeavors. For more on the craft of writing, check out https://dialoguedoctor.com/

In this episode, Dialogue Doctor Coach Laura Humm works with Denis Kurlas on his work in progress. They talk about writing child voices in adult literature, and writing dreams, plus much more. For more on the craft of writing, check out https://dialoguedoctor.com/the-podcast/

In this episode, we talk about the Coen Brother's classic movie, Raising Arizona. We analyze the cast of the movie focusing on the main characters and how their growth arcs shape the story. For more on the craft of writing, check out DialogueDoctor.com

In this episode, Jeff is joined by Dialogue Doctor Coach and author JP Rindfliesch IX to talk about The War of Art by Steven Pressfield. They discuss the impact the book had on their lives and why they disagree with. For more on the craft of writing, check out DialogueDoctor.com

In this episode, Jeff sits down with John Krause to look at John's most recent work in progress. They talk about science fiction and how to keep the descriptions engaging and moving. For more on the craft of writing, check out https://dialoguedoctor.com/

In this episode, Jeff and Claire talk about Claire's new book "Write Iconic Characters" in which Claire uses the Enneagram to show how to write diverse characters. Claire has also been on the show in Episode 100 and Episode 229. You can find Claire's book here: https://www.amazon.com/Write-Iconic-Characters-motivations-unforgettable-ebook/dp/B0FRV351Y8/ Also check out Claire's coaching at https://www.liberatedwriter.com/claire And for more on the craft of writing, check out DialogueDoctor.com

In this episode, Jeff sits down with science fiction author LeAnn Robinson. They talk about world building in a way that will hook readers. For more on the craft of writing, check out https://dialoguedoctor.com/

In this episode, Jeff is joined by Dialogue Doctor Coaches JP Rindfleisch IX and Laura Humm. They talk about life and catch up with one another after the holiday. Then they answer random questions together. It's a fun (and sometimes silly) episode. To find more about craft, check out DialogueDoctor.com

In this episode, Jeff sits down with author Dixie Williams to talk about querying and their experiences trying to sell their work.

In this episode, Jeff talks about building a measurable plan for your writing. He starts by talking through the 5 stage system he uses for planning. Jeff then pulls back the curtain and talks about all the things the Dialogue Doctor community did in 2025. Finally, Jeff lays out what's coming in 2026 including: 5 new events including an in-person conference, 2 new books, and lots of community excitement. For more on the Dialogue Doctor and the craft of writing, check out https://dialoguedoctor.com/

In this episode, Jeff sits down with author Pa Theriot. Pa and Jeff talk about what they should work on next. It's a question every author faces at some point, and a great reason to talk to a coach. Check out more on the craft of writing at https://dialoguedoctor.com/

This week, Jeff is joined by Pitch Master Lindsey Hughes. Jeff and Lindsey discuss career coaching. Then they dive into pitches sent in by listeners of the podcast. Lindsey gives tips on each pitch and on pitching in general. For more on the craft of writing and publishing, go to dialogueDoctor.com

This week on the podcast, Jeff sits down with romance author Ginny Moore to talk about writing big cast scenes that have strong emotional flow and build tension. For more on the craft of writing, check out dialoguedoctor.com

In this episode, Jeff is joined by author, editor, and former bookstore owner, Tom Holbrook. Jeff and Tom talk about stories they love, stories that are broken, and what they are seeing in their clients' work recently. Tom ends with a plea for writers to find groups of authors they can be supported by. For more on craft and to sign up for the newsletter, check out https://dialoguedoctor.com/

In this episode, Jeff sits down with Author Beth Biss to discuss Beth's work in progress. They focus on the emotional experience of Beth's main character in the scene and how the reader's emotional journey matches it. Jeff also compares composing the emotions of a scene to playing music. For more on the craft of writing, go to https://dialoguedoctor.com/

In this episode, Jeff sits down with members of the Dialogue Doctor Community to talk about An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge by the father of True Crime and Psychological Horror, Ambrose Bierce. They talk about the mastery of the writing, creating a main character the reader is supposed to dislike, and playing tricks on the reader. For more on the craft of writing, come to DialogueDoctor.com

In this episode, Jeff sits down with authors Christine Daigle, Tom Hollbrook, and JP Rindfleisch IX to talk about their experience at Author Nation.

In this episode, Dialogue Doctor Coach Laura Humm sits down with author Liz Woodiwiss. They look at a Call to Action scene Liz has written and discuss how to make world building more engaging by leading with emotion. For more on the craft of writing, check out https://dialoguedoctor.com/ To join the community, come to https://www.patreon.com/JeffElkins

In this episode, Jeff breaks down every theory and tool the Dialogue Doctor Team has created about writing. He talks about: Why you should focus on the emotional journey, The different types of vehicle characers, The Dialogue Daisy, How to build a character voice, Understanding your character possiblities, The Story Hypothesis, Building an emotional shape of a story, Understanding your cast through VEAH Dialogue First drafts, Voice Modulation, The 5 different ways to open a scene, Dialogue Tags, And the 10 Magical Dials of Manipulating a Character's emotional journey At the end of the episode, Jeff makes a big announcement. For more on the craft of writing, check out https://dialoguedoctor.com/

Want to write better mystery stories? In this episode of The Dialogue Doctor Podcast, Jeff Elkins sits down with crime and mystery writer Doug Dorow for a live editing session focused on how to write sidekicks and build a strong detective character arc. They discuss: How to write compelling sidekicks that make your detective shine How sidekicks can reveal your protagonist's strengths, flaws, and growth What makes a great detective arc across a mystery or crime series How to keep character development evolving from book to book If you're crafting a detective series, crime novel, or cozy mystery, this episode will help you create unforgettable character partnerships and deeper emotional arcs that keep readers coming back. 👉 Subscribe for weekly writing tips and editing sessions that make your stories stronger. 👉Check out the DialogueDoctor.com for more on the craft of writing. #WritingTips #MysteryWriting #CrimeFiction #DetectiveSeries #CharacterDevelopment #WritingPodcast #DialogueDoctor

This week, Jeff Elkins is joined by author V.E. Griffth. Together, they examine the climatic fight of V.E.'s action novel. They discuss aligning the final fight with what the character has learned and creating clear emotional lines for the reader. Check out more at https://dialoguedoctor.com/

In this episode, Jeff sits down with Becca Syme. Jeff and Becca talk about the state of publishing, howt things have changed, and how writers should see and understand themselves in the market. As conversations with Becca do, they veer into strengths and how writers need to find power in their work. To find Becca's new kickstarter, go to https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/beccasyme/dear-writer-you-still-need-to-quit For more on the craft of writing, check out https://dialoguedoctor.com/

In this episode, Jeff is joined by his writing partner, Dialogue Doctor Coach JP Rindfleisch the IX. Jeff and JP talk about the book The Hidden Tools of Comedy by Steve Kaplan. They discuss Kaplan's theory of comedy, talk about the comedic equation, and then discuss the 8 tools of comedy. Find Steve Kaplan's book here: https://www.amazon.com/Hidden-Tools-Comedy-Serious-Business/dp/1615931406 Check out JP's work here: https://shop.jprindfleischix.com/ Check out Jeff and JP's Kickstarter here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/jprindfleischix/nrds-queer-paranormal-comedy-seasons-1and2-special-editions For more on the craft of writing, go to https://dialoguedoctor.com/

In this episode, Jeff sits down with the amazing author, Laura Goode. Jeff and Laura talk about the art of pitching your work, performative confidence, and he wonderful book "Pitch Craft." To find Laura's book, go to https://www.amazon.com/Pitch-Craft-Writers-Getting-Published/dp/0593837126 For more on the craft of writing, check out https://dialoguedoctor.com/ To find Jeff and JP's Kickstarter, go to https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/jprindfleischix/nrds-queer-paranormal-comedy-seasons-1and2-special-editions

In this episode, Jeff sits down with author Mary Van Everbroeck to work through a short story she's written. They talk about the complexity of writing and "big cast" scene, and creating powerful emotional tension in a scene. For more on the craft of writing, check out https://dialoguedoctor.com/

In this episode, Dialogue Doctor Coach Laura Humm meets with two of the Dialoggers for an "Office Hour." In this session, Laura and the Dialoggers talk about: Writing distinct character voices Making child characters sound like children And what makes a thriller a thriller. For more on the craft of writing, check out, https://dialoguedoctor.com/

In this episode, Jeff, Laura, and a few members of the community discuss the book My Friends by Fredrik Backman. [WARNING! SPOILERS] They get into the character arcs, the power of the narrator, nonlinear story telling, and the beauty of Backman's writing. Also, Jeff reveals his super fandom, and Laura and Jeff debate the ending of a character. For more on the craft of writing, come to https://dialoguedoctor.com/

In this episode, Jeff sits down with author John Krause to talk about John's work in progress. They look at John's Middle Grade mystry thriller and discuss how to build emotional peaks into the climax of the plot. For more on the craft of writing, check out https://dialoguedoctor.com/

In this episode, Jeff, JP Rindfleisch IX, and Laura Humm (all the Dialogue Doctor Coaches) come together for a COACHES CALL! They discuss why they stop reading books, the best teachings to come out of the Dialogue Doctor, and places they are finding beauty in the world. For more on the craft of writing, or to hire a coach, come to https://dialoguedoctor.com/

In this episode, Jeff and JP Rindfleisch IX dig into the book Save the Cat Writes a Novel by Jessica Brody. They discuss the the major teachings of the book, how the book impacted their early writing, and how they have move away from its teachings over time. Find more on Jessica here: https://www.jessicabrody.com/ Check out JP's work here: https://shop.jprindfleischix.com/ For more on the craft of writing, go to https://dialoguedoctor.com/

In this episode, Dialogue Doctor Coach Laura Humm sits down with author Danielle Bonneau to talk about Danielle's work in progress. They focus on an important scene in Danielle's work in progress. After talking about high lighting and other editing tools, they get into the characters emotional flows and wants/needs at the turns in each scene. For more on the craft of writing, come to https://dialoguedoctor.com/

In this episode, Jeff sits down with Pitch Master Lindsey Hughes to discuss why pitching is important and how to pitch your work. They then read pitches from the Dialoggers and offered feedback. To find Lindsey's work, go to https://thepitchmaster.com/ For more on the craft of writting, check out https://dialoguedoctor.com/

In this episode, Jeff sits down with Johnny B Truant to talk about his new work The Artisan Author. They discuss how he understands himself as an author, how his understanding is shaping his craft, and how he hopes to bring joy back to the indie author world. To learn more about Johnny's work, check out https://johnnybtruant.com/ To see Johnny's Kickstarter, go to https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/johnnybtruant/the-artisan-author-your-way-out-of-the-self-pub-rat-race

In this episode, Jeff is joined by publishing veteran and founder of Bold Story Press, Emily Barrosse. Emily tackles 7 (plus a few more) questions from listners about publishing. Questions are: Are publishers more likely to accept submissions from agents or do they equally accept direct subs? What's the proportion of submissions accepted via agents vs directly from authors? What timeline can I expect with a traditional publisher (small, mid, or large)? If an author is adamant about not wanting to change their story in any way, should they avoid seeking a traditional publisher and pursue independent publishing instead? What are your thoughts? What is the most important thing to include in an agent Query when writing a memoir? Is the perception that agents only look at current trends true? If I'm writing outside of sales trends (writing the book of my heart) what should I do to get a publisher to see value in my work? In the changing landscape of publishing in general and how traditional publishers are pivoting? How are the Big Trad publishers situating AI within their operations? If someone is considering a hybrid press today, are there any telltale clues that we can use to separate out the legit small publishing houses from those that are out to scam authors? To contact Emily or find out how to work with her, go to https://www.boldstorypress.com/ For more on the craft of writing, check out https://dialoguedoctor.com/

In this episode, Jeff sits down with author Dixie Williams. Dixie has finished her first novel and would like to write a second about one of the side characters. She and Jeff plot out the novel based on how the characters might grow and look at what a series might look like. For more on the craft of writing, go to https://dialoguedoctor.com/

In this episode, Jeff is joined by Tom Holbrook (author, editor, coach, and former bookstore owner). They discuss story and what they are seeing as editors.

In this episode, Dialogue Doctor Coach Laura Humm sits down with author Ted Atchley to look at a scene from his work in progress. They discuss character voices, writing YA, and leading scenes with emotion. For more on the craft of writing, check out https://dialoguedoctor.com/

In this episode, Jeff meets up with three of the members of the Dialogue Doctor Community to dissect and learn from the short story Sonny's Blues by James Baldwin. For more on the craft of writing, go to https://dialoguedoctor.com/

In this episode, Jeff sits down with author Dennis Kurlas to talk about his work in progress. They discuss the options you have when your novel is almost finished and you are tweaking it. Specifically, they discuss how to add emotional weight to scenes. For more on the craft of writing, check out DialogueDoctor.com