Shows / The Writing Coach
The Writing Coach
Author and writing coach Kevin T. Johns interviews the instructors, editors, coaches, and mentors that help writers and authors create their art, build their audience, and sell their work.
Episodes
The Writing CoachPractical Goal Setting Techniques for Writers — The Writing Coach Episode 184
Writing coach Kevin T. Johns outlines the mistakes writers often make when setting their project goals and timelines, describes why small achievable goals are…
The Writing CoachThe 20 Best Books I Read in 2023 — The Writing Coach Episode 183
As the year draws to a close, writing coach Kevin T. Johns looks back on the fiction, nonfiction, business, and writer's craft books he read this year.
The Writing CoachA Writer’s Guide to Three, Four, and Five-Act Story Structures — The Writing Coach Episode 182
In episode 182 of The Writing Coach podcast, writing coach Kevin T. Johns explains, three, four, and five-act story structures, as well as circular structures…
The Writing CoachThe Incredible Importance of Knowing Your Genre — The Writing Coach Episode 181
Writing coach Kevin T. Johns breaks down the incredible importance of writers knowing their genre.
The Writing Coach8 Writing Activities for When You Are Feeling Low Energy — The Writing Coach Episode 180
In episode 180 of The Writing Coach podcast you’ll discover eight writing activities designed to kickstart your creativity and help you make significant…
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Creative Work and the Conservation of Momentum — The Writing Coach Episode 179
The principle of the conservation of momentum is important in physics because it is a key quantity that helps describe and predict the motion of objects. That…
The Writing CoachThe Unique Power of a Writing Coach — The Writing Coach Episode 178
Writing Coach Kevin T. Johns explains exactly how a writing coach works with their clients to transform the writing process.
The Writing CoachThe Problem with National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) — The Writing Coach Episode 177
Thinking of participating in NaNoWriMo this year? Listen to the latest episode of The Writing Coach podcast first.
The Writing CoachAuthor Anne Kane on Writing Sci-Fi, Romance, Erotica, and more! — The Writing Coach Episode 176
In this episode of The Writing Coach podcast, writing coach Kevin T. Johns speaks with his client, award-winning romance author Anne Kane about the launch of…
The Writing CoachEight Things Writers Can Learn From a Drummer — The Writing Coach Episode 175
Writing coach Kevin T. Johns identifies 8 key things writers can learn from a drummer.
The Writing CoachScene Alchemy Essentials Checklist – Part 4 — The Writing Coach Episode 174
This is the final part in a four part series where writing coach Kevin T. Johns discusses elements of his new Scene Alchemy Essentials Checklist tool.
The Writing CoachScene Alchemy Essentials Checklist – Part 3 — The Writing Coach Episode 173
This the third part in a series where writing coach Kevin T. Johns reviews of the Scene Alchemy Essentials Checklist tool.
The Writing CoachScene Alchemy Essentials Checklist – Part 2 — The Writing Coach Episode 172
Writing coach Kevin T. Johns continues his review of the Scene Alchemy Essentials Checklist tool.
The Writing CoachScene Alchemy Essentials Checklist – Part 1 — The Writing Coach Episode 171
Writing coach Kevin T. Johns introduces his new scene Alchemy Essentials Checklist tool.
The Writing CoachThe Pantser-Planner Ouroboros — The Writing Coach Episode 170
Writing coach Kevin T. Johns examines the benefits of both discovery writing and story planning and then suggests they are both part of the same creative cycle.
The Writing CoachThree Stories About Teaching — The Writing Coach Episode 169
Writing coach Kevin T. Johns shares three experiences that changed the way he thought about the invisible art of teaching.
The Writing CoachSomething to be Excited About — The Writing Coach Episode 168
Writing coach Kevin T. Johns explains the excitement art can provide and the joy literature can bring to a reader's life.
The Writing CoachWhen to Jump Projects — The Writing Coach Episode 167
Writing coach Kevin T. Johns discusses the habit writers have of wanting to jump to a new project and provides advice about the right time to do it.
The Writing CoachFour Quotes From Kevin Kelly — The Writing Coach Episode 166
Writing coach Kevin T. Johns shares his thoughts on four quotes related to writing from futurist, author, and founder of Wired Magazine, Kevin Kelly.
The Writing CoachCommon Beginner Mistakes (That I Made!) — The Writing Coach Episode 165
Writing coach Kevin T. Johns outlines half-a-dozen common mistakes he sees in the manuscripts of aspiring authors.
The Writing CoachThe 8 (or 9) Literary Elements — The Writing Coach Episode 164
Writing coach Kevin T. Johns discusses the "literary elements" he considers the building blocks of a scene. He covers the four external literary elements and…
The Writing CoachWriting is Iterative — The Writing Coach Episode 163
Writing coach Kevin T. Johns explains why no writer gets it right on the first try and how writing is always iterative. He also explores the joys and benefits…
The Writing CoachPerfection vs. Desperation — The Writing Coach Episode 162
Writing coach Kevin T. Johns discusses Star Wars, punk rock, and how writers should consider desperation as a preferable alternative to perfection.
The Writing CoachGoodbye Story Grid Podcast — The Writing Coach Episode 161
Writing coach Kevin T. Johns says goodbye to The Story Grid Podcast, which published its final episode last week. Kevin discusses the importance of the…
The Writing CoachIn Praise of Lists — The Writing Coach Episode 160
Writing coach Kevin T. Johns explains how to-do lists, checklists, standard operating procedures, and calendars can help writers and artists get organized…
The Writing CoachThe Doctrine of the Mean — The Writing Coach Episode 159
Writing coach Kevin T. Johns explores Aristotle's "Doctrine of the Mean," and how it can help us understand why both living a virtuous life and writing a…
The Writing CoachStories Are About Change — The Writing Coach Episode 158
Writing coach Kevin T. Johns explores the powerful role that change plays in storytelling.
The Writing CoachWhat to Do When Enthusiasm Fades — The Writing Coach Episode 157
Writing coach Kevin T. Johns covers what to do at that critical moment in the creative process when your initial enthusiasm for a project begins to fade.
The Writing CoachTomorrow Never Comes — The Writing Coach Episode 156
Writing coach Kevin T. Johns explores time: how we use it, how to reclaim it, and when the right time is to take on a project like writing a book.
The Writing CoachJust Follow the Protocols! — The Writing Coach Episode 155
In episode 155 of The Writing Coach podcast, I dig deep into the concept of protocols and how they can help you write your book.
The Writing CoachShould Writers Fear Artificial Intelligence (AI)? — The Writing Coach Episode 154
Writing coach Kevin T. Johns tackles a hot topic in the world of writing these days: artificial intelligence (AI). Will AI writing soon replace human writing…
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Writing is Emotional Work — The Writing Coach Episode 153
Writing coach Kevin T. Johns discusses how in creating their art writers can often stir up memories, traumas, and deep emotions not just within the reader, but…
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4 Simple Tips for Writing Success — The Writing Coach Episode 152
Writing coach Kevin T. Johns shares four simple tips writers can implement to help set themselves up for long-term success.
The Writing CoachHow to Benefit from Momentum with Your Writing — The Writing Coach Episode 151
Writing coach Kevin T. Johns covers three techniques writers can use to create and benefit from momentum with their writing.
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Can Great Writing be Taught? — The Writing Coach Episode 150
Writing coach Kevin T. Johns addresses the much-asked question, "Can great writing be taught?"
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Helen Pilz on Writing a Christmas Romance — The Writing Coach Episode 149
Author Helen Pilz speaks with writing coach Kevin T. Johns about the launch of her new holiday-themed story, NEW YORK SNOW AND TURQUOISE.
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Why Writers Abandon Projects — The Writing Coach Episode 148
Writing coach Kevin T. Johns explains why so many writers hop from one project to the next without finishing anything.
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Remembering Veteran Authors — The Writing Coach Episode 147
Writing coach Kevin T. Johns discusses veteran authors and how their experiences in war may have impacted their fiction.
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15 Literary Masterpieces Under 60K Words — The Writing Coach Episode 146
iting coach Kevin T. Johns discusses 15 literally masterpieces under 60K words long.
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Debunking the Myth of the Solitary Author — The Writing Coach Episode 145
Writing coach Kevin T. Johns debunks the myth of the solitary author and discusses some of the most important and successful writer communities of the last 150…
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Three Biggest Problems When Writing a First Draft — The Writing Coach Episode 144
Writing coach Kevin T. Johns discusses the three biggest problems writers face when writing a first draft and how to overcome them.
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The Six-Step Roadmap to Publication — The Writing Coach Episode 143
Writing coach Kevin T. Johns outlines his six-step roadmap for taking a book from initial idea creation through to publication.
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Social Media and Writing — The Writing Coach Episode 142
Social media provides writers with the opportunity to connect with writers from across the world, but is the type of community social media provides really…
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How to Make Progress When Feeling Low Energy — The Writing Coach Episode 141
Writing Coach Kevin T. Johns identifies several techniques you can use to maintain the momentum of your writing, even when you’re lacking inspiration, battling…
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Active Voice: The Easiest Way to Improve Your Writing — The Writing Coach Episode 140
Writing Coach Kevin T. Johns explains how to use active voice to instantly improve your writing.
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Can you break the rules of writing?– The Writing Coach Episode 139
Writing coach Kevin T. Johns answers the question: Are there actually rules to writing and if so can you break them?
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How to Start Writing a Book – The Writing Coach Ep. 138
Writing a book is a complicated process and figuring out where to start can be confusing, especially for new authors. In this episode of The Writing Coach…
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The Big Problem with The Rings of Power — The Writing Coach Episode 137
Writing Coach Kevin T. Johns explains how you can avoid making the big mistake the writers of 'The Rings of Power' made.
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Phillip L. Wray on Writing Historical Mysteries — The Writing Coach Episode 136
Writing Coach Kevin T. Johns speaks with author Phillip L. Wray about the launch of his debut novel, THE PONTCOURT MURDERS, a musketeer murder mystery set in…
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How to Plan a Book in 30 Days (or Less) — The Writing Coach Episode 135
Writing Coach Kevin T. Johns explains his personalized approach to story planning and outlines how you can create a rock-solid outline for your novel in thirty…
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Conflict is (Too) Easy to Find — The Writing Coach Episode 134
Writing coach Kevin T. Johns discusses the kinds of everyday real-life conflicts you can draw on to generate drama, tension, and emotional resonance in your…
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Should You Write While on Vacation? — The Writing Coach Episode 133
Writing coach Kevin T. Johns discusses the benefits and drawbacks of writing while on vacation and recommends how best to go about mixing writing with…
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Rereading Your Own Work – The Writing Coach Ep. 132
Writing coach Kevin T. Johns discusses how the ever-changing perspective we have about our own art functions at the macro and micro levels, and how you can use…
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Star Wars & the State of Writing on Streaming Shows – The Writing Coach Ep. 131
Writing coach Kevin T. Johns discusses two different approaches to writing that can result in the creation of a masterpiece, and how current television shows…
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Energy Management for Writers – The Writing Coach Ep. 130
Kevin T. Johns discusses energy management for writers in episode #130 of The Writing Coach podcast.
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50 Topics Writers Discuss – The Writing Coach Ep. 129
In episode #129 of The Writing Coach podcast, Kevin T. Johns shares 50 topics recently discussed in his First Draft and Final Draft group coaching programs.
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Wrist Health & Alternatives to Typing – The Writing Coach Ep. 128
In episode #128 of The Writing Coach podcast, Kevin T. Johns discusses the importance of wrist health and good ergonomics for writers, and outlines several…
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10 Lessons Writers Can Learn from Punk Rock – The Writing Coach Ep. 127
In episode #127 of The Writing Coach podcast, Kevin T. Johns reveals 10 lessons writers can learn from punk rock.
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Waiting for Perfect – The Writing Coach Ep. 126
Host Kevin T. Johns speaks with author Michelle Cornish.
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How Long Does it Take to Write a Book? — The Writing Coach Episode 125
Host Kevin T. Johns speaks with author Michelle Cornish.