Explore every episode of the podcast The Well-Storied Podcast
Dive into the complete episode list for The Well-Storied Podcast. Each episode is cataloged with detailed descriptions, making it easy to find and explore specific topics. Keep track of all episodes from your favorite podcast and never miss a moment of insightful content.
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Pub. Date
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Book Notes: How to Market a Book by Joanna Penn
04 Nov 2021
00:48:52
In today's episode, Kristen shares the second installment of Book Notes, a blog + podcast series that summarizes and provides key takeaways from books on writing, publishing, and creative living.
This episode explores Joanna Penn's "How to Market a Book" — a powerful reference guide that teaches authors how promote their books and build lucrative and long-lasting creative careers.
Running an Amazon ad campaign can be a great way to introduce your book to new readers and increase sales, but there’s no denying that Amazon Advertising comes with a learning curve.
In today's episode, Kristen breaks down an introduction to Amazon Ads as a book marketing tool and walks you through the process of creating your first Sponsored Product ad step by step.
To succeed in the business of writing and selling books, you’ll need an online headquarters — a place that readers can visit to learn everything they need to know about who you are, what you write, and where they can purchase your books. In other words, you’ll need an author website.
What information should an author website include? How does one go about creating an author website, exactly? When is the right time to create and launch your online headquarters? Kristen breaks down each of these questions in turn in today's episode!
As fun as fantastical powers can be to write, crafting your story's magic system with care is key. If you fail to understand the role that magic will play in your story and develop your system accordingly, then you run the risk of undercutting the conflict and tension that keep readers turning pages.
Not sure what I mean? Let’s delve further into this topic together in today's episode!
My Top Tips For Utilizing Fictional Language In Your Stories
27 Jun 2018
00:12:55
Should you include fictional language in your stories? And if you do choose to do so, how can you create a conlang with purpose and care? Let's discuss in today's episode!
Article + Transcript: www.well-storied.com/language Support the Podcast: www.patreon.com/wellstoried
Well-Storied Communities: www.well-storied.com/community All Episodes: www.well-storied.com/podcast
You can find the show on: iTunes, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Google Play, Youtube, RSS, and other popular podcatchers!
Completing novel research doesn't have to be a pluck-out-your-own-eyeballs kind of event. Learn how to approach research with focus and intention today!
Article + Transcript: www.well-storied.com/research Support the Podcast: www.patreon.com/wellstoried
Well-Storied Communities: www.well-storied.com/community All Episodes: www.well-storied.com/podcast
You can find the show on: iTunes, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Google Play, Youtube, RSS, and other popular podcatchers!
Some speculative fiction stories are set in imaginary worlds, others in alternative or fantastical realities here on Earth. Regardless of where your story takes place, developing fully-realized cultures is crucial to immersive world-building.
In today's episode, Kristen breaks down the role that culture plays in world-building, the two main approaches to developing fictional cultures, and the twelve common cultural elements you'll want to consider when bringing your world to life!
Find the episode transcript at: www.well-storied.com/culture
👉 Enjoy the show? Leave a rating & review! Both go a long way toward helping the podcast grow and reach new writers. 👈
You can also fuel the next episode by buying me a coffee: www.ko-fi.com/kristen
All Episodes: www.well-storied.com/podcast
You can find the show on: iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, Google Play, Youtube, RSS, and other popular podcatchers!
Everyone loves a good villain, but crafting antagonists that go beyond mere mustache-twirling can be tough. Let's talk about writing truly bone-chilling villains in today's episode, writers!
Article + Transcript: www.well-storied.com/villain New Email Course: www.well-storied.com/charactercourse Support the Podcast: www.patreon.com/wellstoried
Well-Storied Communities: www.well-storied.com/community All Episodes: www.well-storied.com/podcast
You can find the show on: iTunes, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Google Play, Youtube, RSS, and other popular podcatchers!
Creative comparison often gets a bad rap. Like self-doubt, comparison can be a lens through which writers can identify the strengths and weaknesses in their work, ultimately helping them improve the quality of their skills and stories with intention.
But without the right attitude in place, ego and insecurity can blind writers to the insights that comparison can provide, warping constructive comparison into a dangerously destructive act.
So, how can you overcome unhealthy creative comparison? Kristen breaks down everything you need to know in today's episode, writer.
Feel like you've created paper-thin caricatures rather than fully-developed characters? Today's episode presents six characterization questions you should ask yourself ASAP.
Article + Transcript: www.well-storied.com/caricature Free Character E-Course: www.well-storied.com/charactercourse Support the Podcast: www.patreon.com/wellstoried
Well-Storied Communities: www.well-storied.com/community All Episodes: www.well-storied.com/podcast
You can find the show on: iTunes, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Google Play, Youtube, RSS, and other popular podcatchers!
As writers, we need to reconsider how we approach the descriptions of our characters' appearances. Why so? And how can we work to bring our characters' looks to life? Let's dive in!
NOTE: I gave the wrong link to the new email course, Developing Complex Characters, at the end of today's episode. The correct link is www.well-storied.com/charactercourse. My apologies!
Article + Transcript: www.well-storied.com/appearance New Email Course: www.well-storied.com/charactercourse Support the Podcast: www.patreon.com/wellstoried
Well-Storied Communities: www.well-storied.com/community All Episodes: www.well-storied.com/podcast
You can find the show on: iTunes, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Google Play, Youtube, RSS, and other popular podcatchers!
How can defining your story's ideal reader lend clarity and direction to your work? We'll answer this question AND break down the process of discovering your own ideal reader in today's episode, writers!
Article + Transcript: www.well-storied.com/idealreader Support the Podcast: www.patreon.com/wellstoried
Well-Storied Communities: www.well-storied.com/community All Episodes: www.well-storied.com/podcast
You can find the show on: iTunes, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Google Play, Youtube, RSS, and other popular podcatchers!
How To Encourage Readers To Invest In Your Story By Crafting Relatable Characters
23 May 2018
00:10:14
How can you create an emotional connection that hooks readers into your story? It all begins with relatable characters. In today's episode, I explain why and provide a few key tips you don't want to miss!
Article + Transcript: www.well-storied.com/relatable Support the Podcast: www.patreon.com/wellstoried
Well-Storied Communities: www.well-storied.com/community All Episodes: www.well-storied.com/podcast
You can find the show on: iTunes, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Google Play, Youtube, RSS, and other popular podcatchers!
Does your story's sidekick serve a purpose? Learn how to craft a right-hand character that adds real and memorable value to your story with the tips and tricks in today's episode!
Article + Transcript: www.well-storied.com/sidekick Support the Podcast: www.patreon.com/wellstoried
Well-Storied Communities: www.well-storied.com/community All Episodes: www.well-storied.com/podcast
You can find the show on: iTunes, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Google Play, Youtube, RSS, and other popular podcatchers!
Crafting richly nuanced and realistic dialogue is no easy task. In today's episode, Kristen breaks down 19 tips you can implement to level up the quality of your characters' conversations ASAP.
Enjoy the show? Leave a rating & review! Both go a long way toward helping the podcast grow and reach new writers.
The Do's And Don'ts Of Crafting Your Story's Love Interest
09 May 2018
00:13:36
Writing a romance novel or romantic subplot for your story? Don't miss these important do's and don'ts that will keep your love interest from falling flat!
Article + Transcript: www.well-storied.com/loveinterest Support the Podcast: www.patreon.com/wellstoried
Well-Storied Communities: www.well-storied.com/community All Episodes: www.well-storied.com/podcast
You can find the show on: iTunes, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Google Play, Youtube, RSS, and other popular podcatchers!
We can all think of a few memorable mentor characters — Gandalf, Dumbledore, Haymitch and Effie Trinket — but how can we craft ones of our own? Let's discuss in today's episode!
Article + Transcript: www.well-storied.com/mentor Support the Podcast: www.patreon.com/wellstoried
Well-Storied Communities: www.well-storied.com/community All Episodes: www.well-storied.com/podcast
You can find the show on: iTunes, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Google Play, Youtube, RSS, and other popular podcatchers!
Are your story's supporting characters receiving enough attention? In today's episode, Kristen shares her top tips for crafting well-developed secondary characters that will never fall flat!
Article + Transcript: www.well-storied.com/secondary Support the Podcast: www.patreon.com/wellstoried Character Archives: www.well-storied.com/characters Crafting Incredible Characters: www.well-storied.com/crafting-incredible-characters
Well-Storied Communities: www.well-storied.com/community All Episodes: www.well-storied.com/podcast
You can find the show on: iTunes, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Google Play, Youtube, RSS, and other popular podcatchers!
To find commercial success, every author needs a platform -- the ability to sell books because of who they are or who they can reach. But how do you build a platform that helps you reach the right readers and sell more books?
In today's episode, Kristen breaks down the four foundational elements of any successful author platform, the five most popular strategies that authors use to expand their reach, and the key to successful platform growth that can make or break your success as an author.
👉 Enjoy the show? Leave a rating & review! Both go a long way toward helping the podcast grow and reach new writers. 👈
Living the writing life isn't always easy. In today's episode, I'm sharing ten hard truths that may not be easy to hear but will help you live your best writing life all the same. Let's dive in!
Article + Transcript: www.well-storied.com/hardtruths Support the Podcast: www.patreon.com/wellstoried Encouraging Truths Episode: #57
Well-Storied Communities: www.well-storied.com/community All Episodes: www.well-storied.com/podcast
You can find the show on: iTunes, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Google Play, Youtube, RSS, and other popular podcatchers!
We all need a little encouragement from time to time. Today, I'm sharing ten truths to help you banish writing doubts and begin living your very best writing life!
Article + Transcript: www.well-storied.com/truths Support the Podcast: www.patreon.com/wellstoried
Well-Storied Communities: www.well-storied.com/community All Episodes: www.well-storied.com/podcast
You can find the show on: iTunes, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Google Play, Youtube, RSS, and other popular podcatchers!
Breathing life into your story's setting is certainly no easy task, but have no fear. I'm sharing my top tips for crafting immersive setting descriptions in today's episode of the podcast!
Article + Transcript: www.well-storied.com/setting Support the Podcast: www.patreon.com/wellstoried
Well-Storied Communities: www.well-storied.com/community All Episodes: www.well-storied.com/podcast
You can find the show on: iTunes, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Google Play, Youtube, RSS, and other popular podcatchers!
Eager to immerse readers in your story’s fantastical world?
Like any part of the writing process, effective world-building takes time, intention, and attention to detail. In today’s episode, I’m breaking down each of the major elements you should consider when building your story’s fictional world.
Enjoy the show? Leave a rating & review! Both go a long way toward helping the podcast grow and reach new writers.
How To Decide Which Exciting Story Idea To Write Next
21 Mar 2018
00:10:32
Have a hundred thrilling story ideas rumbling around your brain? Choosing which idea to write next may not be easy, but today we're outlining a few tips and tricks that can make the process a bit less painful and a whole lot more purposeful. Let's go!
Article + Transcript: www.well-storied.com/decide Support the Podcast: www.patreon.com/wellstoried
Well-Storied Communities: www.well-storied.com/community All Episodes: www.well-storied.com/podcast
You can find the show on: iTunes, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Google Play, Youtube, RSS, and other popular podcatchers!
Often, it seems the longer we work to devise the concept for our next great novel, the more distant our muse becomes. A lack of inspiration can lead to mounting frustration that keeps us from picking up the pen. How, then, can we overcome this form of writer’s block and begin generating new story ideas like the ever-inspired writers we long to be?
Today, I’m going to break down three powerful brainstorming methods that can stir your muse to life in no time.
Enjoy the show? Leave a rating & review! Both go a long way toward helping the podcast grow and reach new writers.
Finding The Novel Outlining Process That's Right For You
07 Mar 2018
00:13:59
How can you craft an outline that serves as a powerful tool in your drafting arsenal? Are outlines even necessary in the first place? We'll answer all these questions and more in today's episode of the podcast!
Article + Transcript: www.well-storied.com/outline Support the Podcast: www.patreon.com/wellstoried
Well-Storied Communities: www.well-storied.com/community All Episodes: www.well-storied.com/podcast
You can find the show on: iTunes, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Google Play, Youtube, RSS, and other popular podcatchers!
In 1949, mythologist Joseph Campbell published The Hero With a Thousand Faces, which outlines the structure of the journeys that archetypical heroes experience in world myths.
This structure became known as the monomyth, or Hero’s Journey, and has since served as the framework behind many popular speculativefiction books and films, including Star Wars, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, The Hunger Games, Ender's Game, and The Lord of the Rings.
Learn how to utilize the Hero's Journey plot structure to outline your own epic fantasy or science fiction story in today's episode!
Enjoy the show? Leave a rating & review! Both go a long way toward helping the podcast grow and reach new writers.
Asking Yourself These Five Questions Can Help You Write Better First Drafts
01 Mar 2018
00:13:13
First drafts are never perfect, but how can you write a first draft that leaves you feeling creatively fulfilled and ready to tackle the next step in your writing journey? These five questions may just revolutionize your drafting process!
Article + Transcript: www.well-storied.com/firstdraft Support the Podcast: www.patreon.com/wellstoried
Well-Storied Communities: www.well-storied.com/community All Episodes: www.well-storied.com/podcast
You can find the show on: iTunes, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Google Play, Youtube, RSS, and other popular podcatchers!
Death can serve as a powerful storytelling tool in many ways, but with great power comes great responsibility. What's the secret sauce to killing off characters in a way that readers can respect?
In today's episode, Kristen breaks down the five key reasons that good storytellers choose to kill their characters.
👉 Enjoy the show? Leave a rating & review! Both go a long way toward helping the podcast grow and reach new writers. 👈
Is fast-drafting the key to finally rocking your first draft? Whether you struggle to finish, find yourself constantly editing as you write, or simply aren't satisfied with your current drafting process, this technique may be for you!
Article + Transcript: www.well-storied.com/fastdraft Support the Podcast: www.patreon.com/wellstoried
Well-Storied Communities: www.well-storied.com/community All Episodes: www.well-storied.com/podcast
You can find the show on: iTunes, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Google Play, Youtube, RSS, and other popular podcatchers!
To create characters as real as the people around us, we must remember to forge for them their own unique voices. But how do you go about defining those voices? Let's break it down in today's episode of the podcast!
Article + Transcript: www.well-storied.com/uniquevoice Support the Podcast: www.patreon.com/wellstoried Crafting Incredible Characters: www.well-storied.com/incrediblecharacters
Well-Storied Communities: www.well-storied.com/community All Episodes: www.well-storied.com/podcast
You can find the show on: iTunes, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Google Play, Youtube, RSS, and other popular podcatchers!
Choosing the perfect title for a story is tough. There's no real process to it, no formula. Or is there? After studying book titles pretty intensively these past few weeks, I have a few tips & tricks for choosing a captivating book title that I think you may enjoy!
Article + Transcript: www.well-storied.com/title Support the Podcast: www.patreon.com/wellstoried
Well-Storied Communities: www.well-storied.com/community All Episodes: www.well-storied.com/podcast
You can find the show on: iTunes, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Google Play, Youtube, RSS, and other popular podcatchers!
Have You Chosen The Right Main Character To Tell Your Story?
07 Feb 2018
00:11:07
Main characters can make or break a story's success, but knowing whether you've chosen the perfect protagonist to tell your story doesn't have to be a stab in the dark. Why? Let's discuss in today's episode!
Article + Transcript: www.well-storied.com/protagonist Support the Podcast: www.patreon.com/wellstoried Crafting Incredible Characters: www.well-storied.com/incrediblecharacters
Well-Storied Communities: www.well-storied.com/community All Episodes: www.well-storied.com/podcast
You can find the show on: iTunes, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Google Play, Youtube, RSS, and other popular podcatchers!
Have you ever noticed the short quotations at the beginnings of a book or its chapters? Those are called epigraphs, and today we'll discuss whether or not you should include them in your stories.
Article + Transcript: www.well-storied.com/epigraph Support the Podcast: www.patreon.com/wellstoried
Well-Storied Communities: www.well-storied.com/community All Episodes: www.well-storied.com/podcast
You can find the show on: iTunes, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Google Play, Youtube, RSS, and other popular podcatchers!
Are you struggling with a writing issue you just can't seem to shake? Or feeling intimidated by your latest big writing goal? Learn how to conquer writing overwhelm today with this easy divide-and-conquer system!
Article + Transcript: www.well-storied.com/overwhelm Support the Podcast: www.patreon.com/wellstoried Write With Purpose: www.well-storied.com/purpose
Well-Storied Communities: www.well-storied.com/community All Episodes: www.well-storied.com/podcast
You can find the show on: iTunes, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Google Play, Youtube, RSS, and other popular podcatchers!
Have you ever thought about writing with filmmaking in mind? In today's episode, we're discussing how a basic understanding of common film shots can help you better craft visceral, visual scenes. Ready to jump in?
Article + Transcript: www.well-storied.com/framing Support the Podcast: www.patreon.com/wellstoried
Well-Storied Communities: www.well-storied.com/community All Episodes: www.well-storied.com/podcast
You can find the show on: iTunes, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Google Play, Youtube, RSS, and other popular podcatchers!
Writers, it's time to go out with a bang! Learn how to write a killer climactic sequence in today's episode on the third act of the 3-Act Story Structure. (Spoiler Alert for The Hunger Games, Pride & Prejudice, and The Fault in Our Stars...)
Article + Transcript: www.well-storied.com/actthree Support the Podcast: www.patreon.com/wellstoried
Well-Storied Communities: www.well-storied.com/community All Episodes: www.well-storied.com/podcast
You can find the show on: iTunes, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Google Play, Youtube, RSS, and other popular podcatchers!
The Second Act: Is The Middle Of Your Story Dragging?
07 Jan 2018
00:13:44
Don't settle for Sagging Middle Syndrome! If you struggle to connect random scenes into a proper narrative, worry that your book will bore readers, or often leave your first drafts unfinished, this breakdown of Act Two is for you. (Spoiler Alert for The Hunger Games, Pride & Prejudice, and The Fault in Our Stars...)
Article + Transcript: www.well-storied.com/acttwo Support the Podcast: www.patreon.com/wellstoried
Well-Storied Communities: www.well-storied.com/community All Episodes: www.well-storied.com/podcast
You can find the show on: iTunes, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Google Play, Youtube, RSS, and other popular podcatchers!
The First Act: Nailing Your Novel's Opening Chapters
03 Jan 2018
00:13:34
Are you ready to write an amazing opening sequence for your story, one that hooks readers in for the long haul? Learn how to nail your novel's opening act in this first installment of our series on the 3-Act Story Structure. (Spoiler Alert for The Hunger Games, Pride & Prejudice, and The Fault in Our Stars...)
Article + Transcript: www.well-storied.com/actone Support the Podcast: www.patreon.com/wellstoried
Well-Storied Communities: www.well-storied.com/community All Episodes: www.well-storied.com/podcast
You can find the show on: iTunes, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Google Play, Youtube, RSS, and other popular podcatchers!
Is a daily writing routine right for you? In today's episode, Kristen shares her own experience in forging a 1,000-day daily writing streak, as well as the pros and cons of creating a daily practice of your own.
Article + Transcript: www.well-storied.com/daily Support the Podcast: www.patreon.com/wellstoried
Well-Storied Communities: www.well-storied.com/community All Episodes: www.well-storied.com/podcast
You can find the show on: iTunes, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Google Play, Youtube, RSS, and other popular podcatchers!
Does your story feel too fast or too slow at times? Are you worried about whether a lack of consistent pacing will discourage readers from finishing your novel?
In today's episode, Kristen breaks down why consistent pacing is so important, how to mindfully build strong pacing into your story, and even how to break your consistent pacing to achieve specific effects within your story.
Article + Transcript: www.well-storied.com/pacing Support the Podcast: www.patreon.com/wellstoried
Well-Storied Communities: www.well-storied.com/community All Episodes: www.well-storied.com/podcast
You can find the show on: iTunes, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Google Play, Youtube, RSS, and other popular podcatchers!