The content discusses the common struggle writers face when unable to draft specific chapters. It distinguishes between two types of "stuck" moments: those caused by personal motivation issues and those arising from structural flaws in the narrative. Four guiding questions help identify and resolve the underlying problems, ultimately leading to better writing outcomes.
2 Jul 2026
Writing YA Fiction
In a futuristic high school, all students have their abilities scored and displayed, defining their social status. Sixteen-year-old Kes struggles with an embarrassing past that haunts him. His unique trait, Flux, is virtually worthless. Determined to prove himself, he seeks a rift to reassess his scores, accompanied by two friends. Ultimately, he confronts teen angst within a competitive system.
25 Jun 2026
OODA Loops by Example
The author emphasizes the importance of the "Orient" stage in the revision process, demonstrating how one clean paragraph from a work-in-progress can conceal vital emotional content. By analyzing the passage's purpose, the author reveals that an impactful edit transformed a cold line into one reflecting deeper character control, highlighting the significance of intent in writing.
18 Jun 2026
OODA Loops for Editing
The article discusses the challenges writers face during revisions and emphasizes that the issue often lies not in writing skills but in a missing cognitive step, termed "Orient." It introduces the OODA loop model (Observe, Orient, Decide, Act) to enhance revision efficiency, advocating for writers to articulate a passage's purpose before making changes to ensure structural integrity.
11 Jun 2026
In Defense of the Adverb
The prohibition against adverbs, rooted in a specific writing concern, has become an overly broad rule harming prose quality. While some adverbs can dilute writing, others provide essential emotional and temporal nuance. Writers should evaluate adverbs carefully, identifying their function rather than deleting them indiscriminately to maintain narrative precision and voice.
4 Jun 2026
Naming as Theme
The discussion focuses on the significance of naming in storytelling, highlighting how names contribute to thematic depth. Through examples from Ursula K. Le Guin, Cormac McCarthy, and Kazuo Ishiguro, the text illustrates that names carry arguments about identity and relationships, impacting the narrative's emotional resonance. Writers are encouraged to scrutinize their naming choices.
28 May 2026
Earning the Proposal
Romance writers face the challenge of crafting significant moments like proposals, especially when outcomes are predictable. The excerpt from "Another Past" illustrates this through Paul’s proposal to Jeryl, emphasizing the importance of context and emotional groundwork. The scene underscores that romantic milestones often reveal deeper character decisions and commitments.
21 May 2026
When the Bullets Are Real
This episode looks at what real encounters with sudden violence looks like in a narrative. Action sequences can be critical, but how POV characters react is seldom the typical Hollywood reaction.
30 Apr 2026
Why We All Like Story — What Fiction Does That Nothing Else Can
The essay reflects on the transformative power of reading, particularly the emotional depth and understanding gained through fictional experiences. It emphasizes how stories expand consciousness by allowing readers to inhabit other perspectives and fully feel emotions. Writing serves as a means for authors to clarify their thoughts, creating a bond of recognition between reader and writer.
23 Apr 2026
When Time Breaks: Tracking Story Timelines and What They Actually Do to a StorySignal Zero – Audio Story
The author reflects on the complexities of managing story timelines, using mathematical principles for world-building in the Technomancer series. The deliberate use of π days creates narrative challenges, enhancing stakes and reader engagement. He emphasizes that understanding time in storytelling goes beyond mechanics; it shapes character experiences and emotional depth in the narrative.
16 Apr 2026
Signal Zero – Audio Story
Signal Zero, the first story in An Author's Voice narrated series, follows Sergeant Voss, who guards an archaeological site on a frontier world. After eleven weeks, the team discovers an alien system that addresses humanity directly, questioning their identity. Voss is left uncertain about the system's claims, driving the narrative.
12 Apr 2026
The Quiet Apocalypse
In "An Author's Voice" Episode 3, the author explores the nuances of writing significant moments in storytelling. Through an excerpt from "Signal Zero," he emphasizes the power of restraint over grandiosity, suggesting that a character's struggle to articulate monumental experiences can evoke deeper emotional responses from readers. The takeaway encourages writers to downplay instead of inflate pivotal scenes.
5 Apr 2026
The Dirty Secret of First Person
In "An Author's Voice," the second episode explores the concept of unreliable narrators in first-person fiction. It emphasizes that all first-person narrators are inherently unreliable due to their subjective perceptions. Successful narratives hinge on a narrator's blind spots, revealing deeper emotional truths and compelling storytelling. Writers need to control these gaps for effective craft.
29 Mar 2026
The Perception Gap
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