How to Write Fiction: Alone in A Room With Invisible People TM: How to Write Fiction

How to Write When You Don't Feel Like Writing

Every writer has been there.  You are not alone.  Even the seasoned pros have their bad days - or weeks.  If writing is your dream, a stalemate with the screen is something you can get over.

Perhaps it's just a muse strike... but there might be more to it.  Maybe there is something amiss with the work itself that is causing your stagnation.  Or perhaps it's a personal issue.

In this episode Holly and Rebecca discuss various reasons why you might be having a harder time sitting down to get those words written - and what to do about it.

After the episode: Have something to say?  A question to ask? Jump into the FREE forums at HollysWritingClasses.com (no purchase or ownership of courses necessary) and share with us.

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Competition VS Cooperation Between Writers

Scathing crits, passive aggressive comments from a 'friend' or mean-spirited reviews can all rile us up.  But what exactly is behind a lot of this?

The desire to destroy others.

In this episode Holly delves deep into the ever-present 'elephant in the industry' and sets forth her flag in the underground fight for bringing other novelists and writers up - supporting them as your people instead of looking at them as a stepping stone from which to reach the top.  

Many writers are out there fighting the good fight for themselves and each other.  Join us.  Be a part of the solution and keep readers coming back for more.

After the episode: Have something to say?  A question to ask? Jump into the FREE forums at HollysWritingClasses.com (no purchase or ownership of courses necessary) and share with us.

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How to Write Sex and Romance in Any Genre

Sometimes sex or romance - or both - adds to fiction.  The question is, when?

I (host Rebecca Galardo) and Author/Teacher Holly Lisle discuss when sex and romance adds, when it detracts, and how to write it well.  Characters, plot and genre come into play, but so do you.  You are the most important part of this.  While we describe what sex and romance is to us, that is only our part of the equation.  What is it to you and the stories you are itching to tell?

After the episode: Have something to say?  A question to ask? Jump into the FREE forums at HollysWritingClasses.com (no purchase or ownership of courses necessary) and share with us.

Share, rate and subscribe for weekly episodes!

How to Write Surprises and Mysteries in Any Genre

Have you ever read a book that kept surprising you with twists and turns you didn't see coming but once read you couldn't unsee the clues?  How about the opposite - guessed the twist from the start? If you aspire to write great mysteries in your novels and avoid at all costs the obvious surprises, this episode could give you the tools to do just that.

I (host Rebecca Galardo) and Author/Teacher Holly Lisle discuss how to plan surprises and mysteries while leaving room for your muse to play.  Without over-planning, spontaneous twists that even shock you as the author can come into play!

Get the free worksheet on our download page at AIARWIP.com/downloads (no email requested, no obligation whatsoever).

After the episode: Have something to say?  A question to ask? Jump into the FREE forums at HollysWritingClasses.com (no purchase or ownership of courses necessary) and share with us.

Share, rate and subscribe for weekly episodes!

 

11 Common Stereotypes: How to Make Them (and others) Real People - Part Two

The conclusion to the two parter on stereotypes:

I (host Rebecca Galardo) and Author/Teacher Holly Lisle discuss stereotypes that we've all seen in fiction: on the page or screen. The Evil Villain, Selfless Hero, Badass Chick, Tough Guy, Angsty Teen, Comic Relief, Henchmen and more.

You might have other examples and that's fine!  Holly offers a system of questions and answers to show you how YOU can take a stereotype - ANY stereotype - from a bland cliche to a deep, well-rounded character.

In Part One we dove into the first few characters.  In this episode we speed it up but still show the make up of the stereotypes left on the list, how to look deeper into characters that require more and ways to show their differences.  We'll wrap it up with a more concise focus on the process as well as sharing the one rule you'll need to remember when dealing with any character.  We also have a brief discussion of specifically using stereotyping and cliches to play with the reader's/viewer's expectations.

After the episode: Have something to say? A question to ask? Jump into the forums for FREE at HollysWritingClasses.com and share with us!

11 Common Stereotypes: How to Make Them (and others) Real People - Part One

In this two parter, I (host Rebecca Galardo) and Author/Teacher Holly Lisle discuss stereotypes that we've all seen in fiction: on the page or screen. The Evil Villain, Selfless Hero, Badass Chick, Tough Guy, Angsty Teen, Comic Relief, Henchmen and more.

You might have other examples and that's fine!  Holly offers a system of questions and answers to show you how YOU can take a stereotype - ANY stereotype - from a bland cliche to a deep, well-rounded character.

We'll show you what makes up these particular stereotypes and how to look deeper into characters that require more.  Next week, we'll wrap it up with the other half of the examples, the one rule you'll need to remember when dealing with any character and a discussion on how you can use stereotyping and cliches to play with the reader's/viewer's expectations.

After the episode: Have something to say? A question to ask? Jump into the forums for FREE at HollysWritingClasses.com and share with us!

Living Inside Your Story - Connecting to Your Characters and Fiction

I, (host Rebecca Galardo) and Author/Teacher Holly Lisle discuss YOUR story and the impact of using what you've lived through - both good and bad - as well as your own beliefs and objective observation in order to create deeper, richer stories.

Many writers face the struggle of feeling their story ideas lacking in interest, conflict, mystery or a unique voice.  You worry over what you have to say - is even important or interesting?  Will anyone care?

Holly can help you find a way to connect with your story through life events and then put yourself in the path of having the story come to you.  Details in your life matter and even if you think your 'everyday life' holds no magic, look closer.  You, your life and perspectives can be unique, you just have to know what to look for.

After the episode: Have something to say?  A question to ask? Jump into the forums at HollysWritingClasses.com and share with us.

Connecting to Your World - Worldbuilding Extras

Alone in a Room with Invisible Peopleis a podcast focusing on topics related to writing, revising and publishing fiction.

 

I, (host Rebecca Galardo) and Author/Teacher Holly Lisle talk about worldbuilding again, this time how you as the writer can connect with your creation!  Your world can be big or small, set in any genre and at any time - doesn't matter.  There are no stipulations when it comes to creating a realistic, living, breathing world.

If you're concerned your words will leave readers feeling flat, uninterested and as if the characters are just moving along in a gray, dull blur - have a listen to this episode.  Holly can help you to find what's missing, how to bring your worlds to life and - maybe most important - how to create a connection between what you've created and your readers.

After the episode: Have something to say?  A question to ask? Jump into the forums at HollysWritingClasses.com and share with us.

 

 

Learn Your Genre – How to Dissect a Novel You Love

Learn Your Genre – How to Dissect a Novel You Love

I, (host Rebecca Galardo) and Author/Teacher Holly Lisle talk about her method for dissecting good novels - that you love - and breaking them down in order to learn the genre you want to jump into.

Whether you are wanting to write in a genre you have always loved or you need to learn a new one relatively quickly, Holly has done both and lays out a clear path to success in this episode.

Find out: how to spot the best parts of a genre, when you can leave out bits and how to add what matters to you into your work.

Listen to the episode, then hop on over to our site, print out the free worksheets (no email is asked for and there are no requirements or restrictions in order to download them) and get to work!

 

After the episode: Have something to say?  A question to ask? Jump into the forums at HollysWritingClasses.com and share with us.

Goal Setting - and Goal KEEPING - for Writing Fiction

Goal Setting - and Goal KEEPING - for Writing Fiction

I, (host Rebecca Galardo) and Author/Teacher Holly Lisle go into Goal Setting and KEEPING for the fiction writer.

This is not about breaking out your planners or purchasing a $40 goal setting book or taking an expensive (or free) online course.  It's not about vision boards or huge aspirations and big dreams coming true without knowing a single step to get there.

This is about finding the right goals, breaking those goals down, getting leverage, setting achievable targets and working towards them consistently, as well as how to reward yourself for reaching them!

When everyone is setting lofty year-end goals or scoffing at those "suckers setting New Year resolutions", you can be mindful and strong and achieving wins from Day One.

 

After the episode: Have tips for our listeners on goal setting that have worked for you? Jump into the forums at HollysWritingClasses.com and share with us.