John Helps You Write Better
84 episodes - English - Latest episode: almost 2 years ago -Homepage Google Podcasts Overcast Castro Pocket Casts RSS feed
Episodes
You Actually Have To Do The Work
August 30, 2022 01:01 - 1 hour - 105 MBI don't know how to tell you this, but you actually have to do the work. No shortcuts, no magic bullets. Just you and your story and your fears and your doubts and your talent and your time and your discipline and your want to succeed. You can do this. If you want. PATREON - patreon.com/johnhelpsyouwritebetter
(re-upload) Writers Chat for 8-24
August 25, 2022 13:09 - 1 hour - 76.1 MBIt's the Writers Chat for August 24th. Tonight's topics include: complainers, tripwires, and people watching. ALSO: there's a new Patreon tier. GO CHECK IT OUT - http://patreon.com/johnhelpsyouwritebetter
(re-upload) The Writers Chat for 8/17
August 18, 2022 11:36 - 1 hour - 84.5 MBGreat Scott! It's the Writer's Chat, it's back (but not in pog form), and I'm answering a ton of questions about headaches, file organizing, humor, revision, writing groups, giving feedback, and advice I wish I took years ago.
All About Action Beats
August 16, 2022 00:08 - 1 hour - 56.2 MBBack to streaming and podcasting we go! And back to basics tonight as we cover one of the fundamentals of writing - action beats. What are they? What do they do? Why does any of this matter? Find out tonight and level up your writing.
Writers Chat for 7-20
July 21, 2022 00:52 - 1 hour - 95.1 MBIt's a camera-less Writers Chat from a studio WITH NO AC. With spicy questions and a hot and uncomfortable John. it's sure to be a great listen. Topics tonight include - agents, communities, turkey sandwiches, ticks, flashbacks, and newsletters. SO MUCH SPICE IT SHOULD COME WITH A WARNING LABEL.
5 Reasons You're Getting Rejected or Selling Poorly
July 19, 2022 00:14 - 1 hour - 61.1 MBRejection happens. Poor sales happen. But why though? Here are 5 reasons and what to do about them. WEBSITE - http://johnhelpsyouwritebetter.com PATREON - http://patreon.com/johnhelpsyouwritebetter TWITCH - http://twitch.tv/johnhelpsyouwritebetter YOUTUBE - http://youtube.com/johnadamus
The Writers Chat for 7/13
July 14, 2022 00:54 - 1 hour - 97.9 MBThe Writers Chat for July 13th is packed with business and creative questions alike. There are questions about LLCs, tea, death, marketing, humor, and trends. This one was a good one. PATREON - http://patreon.com/johnhelpsyouwritebetter TWITCH - http://twitch.tv/johnhelpsyouwritebetter
(re-upload) Perfectionism Is A Trap You Keep Falling Into
July 12, 2022 17:16 - 1 hour - 71.4 MBRE-UPLOADED. Perefectionism is a trap we allfall into from time to time and it's something we really need to talk about. PATREON - patreon.com/johnhelpsyouwritebetter TWITCH - twitch.tv/johnhelpsyouwritebetter
Perfectionism Is A Trap You Keep Falling Into.
July 12, 2022 00:33 - 1 hour - 96.8 MBPerfectionism is murdering you. No one wants anything to be perfect, we all talk about how perfectionism is impossible, but there we are all chasing it down over and over again. So let's talk about it. STREAMS - http://twitch.tv/johnhelpsyouwritebetter PATREON - http://patreon.com/johnhelpsyouwritebetter
What's up with nuance?
June 30, 2022 15:56 - 20 minutes - 19 MBIt's time to talk about birthday cake and learn a little about nuance as a writer and as a member of whatever writing spheres you call your own
It's not about time. (RE-UPLOAD)
June 29, 2022 12:00 - 17 minutes - 16.1 MBA quick note from a Tuesday.
Some notes for a Monday
June 27, 2022 21:09 - 12 minutes - 11.9 MBIt's a Monday, so let's talk about it.
The Spicy Writers Chat of 6/15
June 16, 2022 00:48 - 1 hour - 96.8 MBWARNING! If this were a menu, this would have three of those little jalapeños next to it. Loads of spicy stuff here all about heroes, villains, RevPit and Nancy Pelosi. Yeah, this is a good one.
Building a Better 2nd Draft - Your Opening Scenes and First Act
June 14, 2022 00:47 - 1 hour - 106 MBHow's the beginning of your story looking? Does it need some structure? How about a boost? Would it help you to know what should be there so you can make it better? In this thrilling sorta technical episode of Building A Better Second Draft, I walk you right through your first five scenes (and by extension all the way through your first act), one scene at a time. I think you're going to like this one.
Writer's Chat for 6/8
June 09, 2022 00:59 - 1 hour - 106 MBIt's the pretty spicy edition of the Writers Chat. Loads of good stuff here tonight. Exclamation points, time, suffering, and a good discussion about pies. I think you're going to love this one.
Organization - Valuable vs Wasted
June 07, 2022 16:38 - 20 minutes - 36.7 MBHow do you tell your story? Is it working for you? Time to look at the how of "how you're writing." http://writernextdoor.com http://patreon.com/johnhelpsyoucreate
The Power of Voice in Publishing
June 07, 2022 00:32 - 1 hour - 78.6 MBIt's great to be back and talking about something both abstract and practical like voice, helping debunk its mythology and turn it into a tool that can help you not only be a more effective writer, but a more prosperous creative.
What is Leveled Development?
May 19, 2022 19:30 - 19 minutes - 18.2 MBIn today's quick writing tip, let's talk about one of the ways to make the mundane into something tremendous by creating steps of difficulty rather than the normal progression. Is this a useful tool? Sometimes. Is this also a tool you can badly misuse? Sometimes.
How To Write The Perfect Romance
May 17, 2022 00:41 - 1 hour - 83.7 MBIt's time to talk all things romance. Whether you're crafting a romance novel or just a subplot, these are the things you need to know in order to get the most of your characters and give the best you can to your reader.
A Friday the 13th edition of the Writers Chat
May 14, 2022 00:28 - 1 hour - 75.4 MBIt's Friday the 13th. I thought I could try the Chat on a different day and that would make a difference in some substantial good way. It ... well, it didn't entirely set the world on fire like I hoped, but all the same is was good to answer questions and get people the help they need.
Building a Better Second Draft | Part 1: Arcs, Plots, Pacing, and Themes
May 10, 2022 00:29 - 1 hour - 76.9 MBThe start of a new series! Let's make your second draft into something remarkable. Tonight, we start by looking at all things plots and arcs. Learn about how to organize plots, what they need, when you can cut scenes, when you may need to bolster things, and how to identify themes. This one gets a little crunchy, so feel free to take some notes.
The Writers Chat for 5/4
May 05, 2022 01:09 - 1 hour - 107 MBOh man, this writers chat is great. Coming off a short covid-plague-headcold hiatus, this chat covers a load of things like descriptions and believing in yourself and adverbs. Lots of GREAT info here. Hope you love it.
The Writers Chat for 4/27
April 28, 2022 00:54 - 1 hour - 96.7 MBGrab your tea and Werthers Originals, I've got a cold, but that's not going to stop me from answering questions about anthologies, second drafts, beats, and subplots. PATREON - http://patreon.com/johnhelpsyoucreate TWITCH - http://twitch.tv/johnhelpsyouwritebetter
Every Book Is A Marathon
April 26, 2022 00:51 - 1 hour - 94.4 MBEvery book is a marathon, a long haul from point A to point B with loads of questions an challenges along the way. Tonight, I want to talk to you about what you need to know and what you can do to run the best race you can as long as you want to as often as you want to. PATREON - http://patreon.com/johnhelpsyoucreate
Bonus! Tell Me About The Patreon
April 20, 2022 21:56 - 1 hour - 154 MBSorry there's no Chat tonight. Instead, I've got a sampler platter of what happens over at the Patreon. For $2 a month, you can get tons of storytelling, writing, and publishing each week. Consider giving it a look. http://patreon.com/johnhelpsyoucreate
Stop Making Perfect Characters
April 19, 2022 00:41 - 1 hour - 86.4 MBI need you to challenge yourself and make some imperfect characters. Because you're good enough to.
Bonus! Thoughts About Scheduling
April 18, 2022 15:51 - 12 minutes - 23.5 MBI had 15 minutes between projects and here's a few quick thoughts about how to make a schedule. (This will later find its way into more fully formed thoughts for a stream at the end of April)
The Writers Chat for 4/13
April 14, 2022 00:52 - 1 hour - 98.6 MBThis was one hell of a good night. We talked tropes and genres and food comparisons and why sample pages are like bad plumbing etiquette. Such a good time. I think you're going to find a lot of valuable help here.
Taking the Fear Out Of Pitching
April 12, 2022 00:49 - 1 hour - 95.8 MBI'm bringing you a few tools and a new lens through which to view pitching. It's scary, but it doesn't need to be as scary as so many people make it. It's hard, but it doesn't need to be the impossible terrible thing people make it out to be. I think this will help you get better at it.
The Writers Chat for 4/6
April 07, 2022 00:47 - 1 hour - 96 MBOne hell of a good night. Great questions about editors, feedback, notes, publishers, social media and how to write multi-person conversations. Also, there's a great story about a massage chair that tried to kill me.
Let's talk Platforms - what works, what doesn't, what you need to know
April 05, 2022 00:46 - 1 hour - 95 MBWe can no longer deny how important platforms are for every kind of creative. Tonight, we walk through SEVEN different platforms, their pros and cons, as well as some stats to help you better use them to whatever creative end you may have.
The Writers Chat for 3/30
March 31, 2022 00:57 - 1 hour - 98.3 MBOh man, what a night! Tonight we talked about book covers, fear, pricing, salescopy, writing as a job, tea, editors and editorial style, and how great my couch is. One hell of a great night, thanks to everyone who was there. TWITCH - http://twitch.tv/johnhelpsyouwritebetter PATREON - http://patreon.com/johnhelpsyoucreate
Writing and Reading Reviews - Review Better Do Better
March 29, 2022 00:12 - 58 minutes - 53.6 MBYou are not your stars. You are not your bad reviews. What matters in a review you get, what matters in a review you leave, and more all explained in this episode of How Do I Write This.
The Writers Chat for 3/23
March 24, 2022 00:41 - 1 hour - 84 MBThis is one hell of a Writers Chat. Great questions about conventions and passive voice and narration and writing schedules. This one's a good one.
Failure and Mistakes - Writers Toolbox Episode 1
March 22, 2022 00:32 - 1 hour - 77.2 MBI think it’s worth talking about Failure and Mistakes. I think they’re two tools we undervalue and demonize. Why? What if we changed the conversation? TWITCH - http://twitch.tv/johnhelpsyouwritebetter PATREON - http://patreon.com/johnhelpsyoucreate USED IN THIS VIDEO (affiliate links help me buy food) Rodecaster Pro - https://amzn.to/3IuP3zR Rode PodMic - https://amzn.to/3wnaQaf Aperture MC light - https://amzn.to/3wpJhx2 ElGato master mount - https://amzn.to/3Iuefqf ElGato Strea...
The Writers Chat for 3/16
March 17, 2022 01:11 - 1 hour - 108 MBit's the Writers Chat for 3/16. Tonight it's beta readers, love triangles, publishing, cheese, Indiana Jones, and selling books the old fashioned way. I think you'll like this one. TWITCH http://twitch.tv/johnhelpyouwritebetter PATREON http://patreon.com/johnhelpsyoucreate BOOK A FREE APPOINTMENT: http://writernextdoorappointments.as.me/freeconsultation
Impostor Syndrome (FIXED AUDIO)
March 16, 2022 21:47 - 1 hour - 225 MBHey it's the Impostor Syndrome episode, again. The opening music has been way cut down.
Thoughts on Impostor Syndrome
March 15, 2022 00:43 - 1 hour - 94 MBOne of the most requested Monday night topics ever - impostor syndrome. What is it, what can we do about it, how can we do better with it? Find out all this and more in this great recording. Love you. Don't give up.
Do Over: The Writers Chat for 3/9
March 10, 2022 15:24 - 57 minutes - 52.4 MBAfter one of the worst technical disasters in the last 12 months, let's take another stab at the Writers Chat, shall we? http://bit.ly/200special for the coaching special deal on offer. TWITCH: http://twitch.tv/johnhelpsyouwritebetter PATREON: http://patreon.com/johnhelpsyoucreate
Feeling Like An Island - 3/7/22 (1st stream, new set up)
March 08, 2022 01:11 - 1 hour - 64.9 MByes, I know this one is short. I was nervous. Plenty to cover here, including the return of the rant bell! Feeling like an Island is an all too-common and under-discussed part of being a writer, but I think I have a way to work through it. TWITCH - twitch.tv/johnhelpsyouwritebetter PATREON - patreon.com/johnhelpsyoucreate
Writers Chat for 2/9
February 10, 2022 02:08 - 2 hours - 117 MBWhat a great night! This Chat covers a lot of ground ranging from Green Lanterns to expectations to grifters and GIFs. Some great questions were asked, and I hope you find something in this that helps you. Twitch -- http://twitch.tv/johnhelpsyouwritebetter YouTube - http://youtube.com/c/JohnAdamus Patreon -- http://patreon.com/johnhelpsyoucreate
Some thoughts on Failure and Creativity
February 08, 2022 12:41 - 1 hour - 108 MBAudio from 2/7's stream all about Failure. Yes it sucks, but I've got a few things for you to think about that might help you change how you feel. Hope you enjoy this, it was a good night.
The Writers Chat for 2/2 now on 2/4
February 05, 2022 02:16 - 2 hours - 116 MBI know it's Friday, but this was supposed to be done Wednesday, so let's call this a very special episode of the Writers Chat. I'll see you next Wednesday for more. Don't forget to check out the Patreon: http://patreon.com/johnhelpsyoucreate And check out the Twitch this weekend for a surprise thing on Saturday: http://twitch.tv/johnhelpsyouwritebetter
Beats & Scene Construction
February 02, 2022 02:12 - 2 hours - 118 MBThe follow-up to Every Sentence Is A Camera, this recording offers a more detailed and practical approach to converting every sentence as a conceptual camera into words that make up ideas on the page. Note: This one is a bit dense in spots, and I spend a good few seconds struggling to remember the characters in Twilight. Must be a Tuesday.
The Writers Chat for 1/26
January 27, 2022 02:14 - 2 hours - 120 MBWhat a Chat! Learn about character needs and cheat codes and Choco Tacos and how you can write salescopy. This one was a lot of fun.
Every Sentence Is A Camera
January 25, 2022 02:20 - 2 hours - 123 MBHere it is, the one big key that unlocked a lot of doors for me as a writer and editor and coach. Understanding how to control the reader's images, putting the movie in their head, that's the key to a fertile and productive writing career, no matter the genre or your level of experience. And here's how. If you like this and want more streams like this one, check out http://patreon.com/johnhelpsyoucreate If you want to be part of the live audience for future streams, check out http://twit...
Writer's Chat for 1/19
January 20, 2022 01:55 - 1 hour - 98.4 MBIt's the Writers Chat for 1/19! Now with better sound insulation and fewer fidgeting moments. Tonight we talked about writing during a pandemic, how to connect with your reader, and a lot of technical how-to questions. If you like this, support it on Patreon: patreon.com/johnhelpsyoucreate
Trunk Novels!
January 18, 2022 02:12 - 2 hours - 122 MBHere's everything you might want to know about what a trunk novel is, what it isn't, and how to fix one if you've got one.
The Writers Chat for January 12 2022
January 13, 2022 02:09 - 1 hour - 90.4 MBThe first writer chat of 2022! **NOTE: There are technical issues in part of this. I did my best to fix it, and I'm looking for a more permanent solution**