Archive - Craft Hacks of Before and After the Book Deal

Craft from the Couch: Episode 03 | M.L. Rio

In which Courtney talks to international bestselling author M.L. Rio about deadlines and time management.

Jul 24

June 2024

Adding intrigue and urgency to your writing- the narrative time crunch continued

Part 2 of 2 of our deep dive into time constraints.

Jun 19

Introducing the narrative time crunch, and how it can add urgency + intrigue to your writing

Part 1 of 2. Plus an invitation to share examples of your favorite times constraints.

Jun 12

May 2024

My Glossary of Craft Terms...explained

From "violin lines" to "seven dollar words," I explain the terms I have invented to help improve your writing in practical and achievable ways.

May 29

Craft from the Couch #2: Chloe Caldwell on REISSUES

Chloe's novella WOMEN came out in 2014 with a micro press. Ten years later it's re-publishing with a Big 5 publisher. Wow! How? Why? Chloe spills the…

May 15

April 2024

Craft from the Couch: Episode One

Welcome to the inaugural edition of CRAFT FROM THE COUCH featuring | Marie-Helene Bertino on Voice

Apr 24

40:00

March 2024

Are word count-related writing goals cramping your writing process?

Effective and enjoyable writing strategies beyond 1000 words a day

Mar 6

December 2023

Why sensory tags and stage directions are ruining your writing (and costing you readers)

Pitting Colleen Hoover against Raymond Chandler and Justin Torres against Dan Brown to see who writes action best.

Dec 14, 2023

November 2023

The technique that puts fresh air into your writing and keep readers turning pages

Introducing: The Zoom Out!

Nov 29, 2023

6 Things to know before you NaNoWriMo

How to start—and end—the month of November with something solid you can work from instead of a traffic jam of words. (Plus general writing tips for…

Nov 1, 2023

September 2023

What the hell is interiority and how do you get it?

Are we telling instead of showing now, or what? I pit Ottessa Moshfegh against Colleen Hoover to find out.

Sep 13, 2023

August 2023

How to write a beat sheet to tame unruly work

The Hollywood screenwriting cheat that can save your writing (and your mind)

Aug 9, 2023

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