writing craft Archives - Sacha Black https://sachablack.co.uk/tag/writing-craft/ Books, Business and Bad Words Mon, 14 Apr 2025 14:35:51 +0000 en-GB hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.0 https://sachablack.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/cropped-logo-solo-colour-copy-scaled-1-32x32.jpg writing craft Archives - Sacha Black https://sachablack.co.uk/tag/writing-craft/ 32 32 290 Why Good Writers Get Stuck (And How to Break Through) with Lori Puma https://sachablack.co.uk/2025/04/16/290-why-good-writers-get-stuck-with-lori-puma/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=290-why-good-writers-get-stuck-with-lori-puma https://sachablack.co.uk/2025/04/16/290-why-good-writers-get-stuck-with-lori-puma/#respond Wed, 16 Apr 2025 05:00:05 +0000 https://sachablack.co.uk/?p=12681 Hello Rebels, welcome to episode 290 of The Rebel Author Podcast. Today, I’m talking to Lori Puma all about why writers good stuck and how to break through. In this episode we cover:  Common roadblocks writers hit in their manuscripts How to get unstuck Navigating craft advice without getting overwhelmed Keeping readers engaged throughout a […]

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]]> Hello Rebels, welcome to episode 290 of The Rebel Author Podcast. Today, I’m talking to Lori Puma all about why writers good stuck and how to break through.

In this episode we cover: 

  • Common roadblocks writers hit in their manuscripts
  • How to get unstuck
  • Navigating craft advice without getting overwhelmed
  • Keeping readers engaged throughout a romance
  • Tips for improving conflict and tension

Find out more about Lori:

LoriPuma.com

Subscribe to the What Fiction Craft Books Leave Out series

Scribophile

Rebel of the Week is: Carey
If you’d like to be a Rebel of the week please do send in your story, it can be any kind of rebellion. You can email your rebel story to rebelauthorpodcast@gmail.com

1 new patron this week, welcome and thank you to Lo Dodds. A big thank you to my existing patrons as well. If you’d like to support the show, and get early access to all the episodes as well as bonus content you can from as little as $2 a month by visiting: www.patreon.com/sachablack

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]]> https://sachablack.co.uk/2025/04/16/290-why-good-writers-get-stuck-with-lori-puma/feed/ 0 266 Monster Romance with Jason Pinter https://sachablack.co.uk/2024/10/30/266-monster-romance-with-jason-pinter/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=266-monster-romance-with-jason-pinter https://sachablack.co.uk/2024/10/30/266-monster-romance-with-jason-pinter/#respond Wed, 30 Oct 2024 05:00:47 +0000 https://sachablack.co.uk/?p=12473 Hello Rebels, welcome to episode 266 of The Rebel Author Podcast. Today, I’m talking to Jason Pinter all about writing monster romances. In this episode we cover:  Different writing approaches for different genres Creating realistic monsters Advice for switching between genres Balancing different elements when crafting a story Keys for reaching a wide audience Links […]

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]]> Hello Rebels, welcome to episode 266 of The Rebel Author Podcast. Today, I’m talking to Jason Pinter all about writing monster romances.

In this episode we cover: 

  • Different writing approaches for different genres
  • Creating realistic monsters
  • Advice for switching between genres
  • Balancing different elements when crafting a story
  • Keys for reaching a wide audience

Links I mentioned: 

Preorder House of Crimson Curses direct from me

Preorder House of Crimson Curses on all platforms

Find out more about Jason:

Tiktok @JerseyBookGuy

Instagram @JasonPinter

Read Dating & Dismemberment

Rebel of the Week is: Lena

If you’d like to be a Rebel of the week please do send in your story, it can be any kind of rebellion. You can email your rebel story to rebelauthorpodcast@gmail.com

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1 new patron this week, welcome and thank you to Elle Thorpe. A big thank you to my existing patrons. If you’d like to support the show, and get early access to all the episodes as well as bonus content you can from as little as $2 a month by visiting: www.patreon.com/sachablack

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]]> https://sachablack.co.uk/2024/10/30/266-monster-romance-with-jason-pinter/feed/ 0 242 How to Use Tropes with Cindy Dees https://sachablack.co.uk/2024/05/15/242-how-to-use-tropes-with-cindy-dees/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=242-how-to-use-tropes-with-cindy-dees https://sachablack.co.uk/2024/05/15/242-how-to-use-tropes-with-cindy-dees/#respond Wed, 15 May 2024 05:00:24 +0000 https://sachablack.co.uk/?p=12321 Hello Rebels, welcome to episode 242 of The Rebel Author Podcast. Today, I’m talking to Cindy Dees all about using tropes more effectively. In this episode we cover:  Why tropes hook readers Differences between internal and external tropes Craft tips to make our tropes resonate with readers How to market tropes better Integrating tropes in […]

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]]> Hello Rebels, welcome to episode 242 of The Rebel Author Podcast. Today, I’m talking to Cindy Dees all about using tropes more effectively.

In this episode we cover: 

  • Why tropes hook readers
  • Differences between internal and external tropes
  • Craft tips to make our tropes resonate with readers
  • How to market tropes better
  • Integrating tropes in a character’s back story

Find out more about Cindy:

CindyDees.com

CynthiaDees.com

Rebel of the Week is: Rosie

If you’d like to be a Rebel of the week please do send in your story, it can be any kind of rebellion. You can email your rebel story to rebelauthorpodcast@gmail.com

1 new patron this week, welcome and thank you to Gigi Rivers. A big thank you to my existing patrons. If you’d like to support the show, and get early access to all the episodes as well as bonus content you can from as little as $2 a month by visiting: www.patreon.com/sachablack 

This episode is sponsored by Fictionary

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Find out more about Fictionary StoryCoach Certification here.

As a rebel listener you can get 25% off StoryTeller, StoryTeller Premium and certification with code REBEL25.

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]]> https://sachablack.co.uk/2024/05/15/242-how-to-use-tropes-with-cindy-dees/feed/ 0 241 How to Write Serial Fiction with Stephanie Bond https://sachablack.co.uk/2024/05/08/241-how-to-write-serial-fiction-with-stephanie-bond/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=241-how-to-write-serial-fiction-with-stephanie-bond https://sachablack.co.uk/2024/05/08/241-how-to-write-serial-fiction-with-stephanie-bond/#respond Wed, 08 May 2024 05:00:33 +0000 https://sachablack.co.uk/?p=12314 Hello Rebels, welcome to episode 241 of The Rebel Author Podcast. Today, I’m talking to Stephanie Bond all about writing serial fiction. In this episode we cover:  What serial fiction is and how it differs from non-serialised fiction Common mistakes new serial fiction writers make Craft tips for writing serials Techniques to create hooks Business […]

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]]> Hello Rebels, welcome to episode 241 of The Rebel Author Podcast. Today, I’m talking to Stephanie Bond all about writing serial fiction.

In this episode we cover: 

  • What serial fiction is and how it differs from non-serialised fiction
  • Common mistakes new serial fiction writers make
  • Craft tips for writing serials
  • Techniques to create hooks
  • Business structure around serialised fiction

Find out more about Stephanie:

StephanieBond.com

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Rebel of the Week is: Lauren 

If you’d like to be a Rebel of the week please do send in your story, it can be any kind of rebellion. You can email your rebel story to rebelauthorpodcast@gmail.com

2 new patrons this week, welcome and thank you to Nina J Fox and Jen. A big thank you to my existing patrons. If you’d like to support the show, and get early access to all the episodes as well as bonus content you can from as little as $2 a month by visiting: www.patreon.com/sachablack

THIS EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY KOBO WRITING LIFE

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Visit Kobo Writing Life here, read the Kobo Writing Life blog here, and listen to their podcast here.

 

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]]> https://sachablack.co.uk/2024/05/08/241-how-to-write-serial-fiction-with-stephanie-bond/feed/ 0 234 How to Write LitRPG with Michael Chatfield https://sachablack.co.uk/2024/03/20/234-how-to-write-litrpg-with-michael-chatfield/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=234-how-to-write-litrpg-with-michael-chatfield https://sachablack.co.uk/2024/03/20/234-how-to-write-litrpg-with-michael-chatfield/#respond Wed, 20 Mar 2024 05:00:29 +0000 https://sachablack.co.uk/?p=12266 Hello Rebels, welcome to episode 234 of The Rebel Author Podcast. Today, I’m talking to Michael Chatfield all about writing LitRPG. In this episode we cover:  What is LitRPG and how it differs from fantasy Major craft pillars of LitRPG Elements of worldbuilding to focus on Creating game mechanics, rules, and in-game quests Common business […]

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]]> Hello Rebels, welcome to episode 234 of The Rebel Author Podcast. Today, I’m talking to Michael Chatfield all about writing LitRPG.

In this episode we cover: 

  • What is LitRPG and how it differs from fantasy
  • Major craft pillars of LitRPG
  • Elements of worldbuilding to focus on
  • Creating game mechanics, rules, and in-game quests
  • Common business models for LitRPG authors

Links I mentioned:

Storygarden Summit March 19 – 22

Find out more about Michael:

Order The Four Horsemen from Michael’s store

Order The Four Horsemen from Amazon

Ream

Rebel of the Week is: Madeline 

If you’d like to be a Rebel of the week please do send in your story, it can be any kind of rebellion. You can email your rebel story to rebelauthorpodcast@gmail.com

1 new patron this week, welcome and thank you to Melissa. A big thank you to my existing patrons as well. If you’d like to support the show, and get early access to all the episodes as well as bonus content you can from as little as $2 a month by visiting: www.patreon.com/sachablack

 

THIS EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY KOBO WRITING LIFE

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Visit Kobo Writing Life here, read the Kobo Writing Life blog here, and listen to their podcast here.

 

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]]> https://sachablack.co.uk/2024/03/20/234-how-to-write-litrpg-with-michael-chatfield/feed/ 0 226 How To Write Horror with Jesse D’Angelo https://sachablack.co.uk/2024/01/24/226-how-to-write-horror-with-jesse-dangelo/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=226-how-to-write-horror-with-jesse-dangelo https://sachablack.co.uk/2024/01/24/226-how-to-write-horror-with-jesse-dangelo/#respond Wed, 24 Jan 2024 05:00:06 +0000 https://sachablack.co.uk/?p=12187 On episode 226 of The Rebel Author Podcast, Sacha Black is talking to Jesse D'Angelo all about writing horror.

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]]> Hello Rebels, welcome to episode 226 of The Rebel Author Podcast. Today, I’m talking to Jesse D’Angelo all about writing horror.

In this episode we cover: 

  • Common tropes of the horror genre
  • Lessons learned from acting in and directing horror films
  • The major pillars of horror writing
  • Craft tips for eliciting a fear emotion response
  • Marketing advice for horror writers

Prose in the Market Webinar Information:

I am running three session times to try and accommodate as many timezones as I can (more on this below).

“Writing to market” isn’t new. But when teachers talk about it they focus on understanding the market, advertising, brand and pitch. But what about the writing and craft of writing to market? If you’re tired of trying to work out how to deliver what readers want, then this is the workshop for you.

In this session, I’ll explain:

  • How to deconstruct bestselling books and implement the tools you find
  • An easy three step methodology for deconstruction
  • Practical examples of deconstruction and implementation in your own work
  • Why you’re not using copywriting enough
  • How to intentionally slip TikTok-able/Marketable scenes into your novels that will hook readers
  • The craft of tropes
  • Live deconstruction using examples from those in the session.

You’ll also receive a workbook containing exercises for you to implement all the things you learn during the session.

Session Times and Dates

FAQ

Will this session be recorded? Will the recording be available for sale?

The session will be recorded. The recording will only be available to ticket-holders. I will not sell the recording. I am only doing these as live sessions. When I teach, I love to see everyone’s reactions and get audience participation. But depending on demand, I may run more of them in the future.

Find out more about Jesse:

Jesse’s Website

buyhorrorbooks.com

Twitter – @blackbirdsdance

Facebook – @jdauthorartist

Insta – @dangelojesse

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Rebel of the Week is: Laura

If you’d like to be a Rebel of the week please do send in your story, it can be any kind of rebellion. You can email your rebel story to rebelauthorpodcast@gmail.com

2 new patrons this week, welcome and thank you to Tammy Tyree and Jenn. A big thank you to my existing patrons as well. If you’d like to support the show, and get early access to all the episodes as well as bonus content you can from as little as $2 a month by visiting: www.patreon.com/sachablack

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]]> https://sachablack.co.uk/2024/01/24/226-how-to-write-horror-with-jesse-dangelo/feed/ 0 159 How to Write a Cozy Mystery with Sara Rosett https://sachablack.co.uk/2022/10/12/159-how-to-write-a-cozy-mystery-with-sara-rosett/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=159-how-to-write-a-cozy-mystery-with-sara-rosett https://sachablack.co.uk/2022/10/12/159-how-to-write-a-cozy-mystery-with-sara-rosett/#respond Wed, 12 Oct 2022 04:00:24 +0000 https://sachablack.co.uk/?p=11575 On episode 159 of The Rebel Author Podcast, Sacha Black is talking to Sara Rosett all about how to write cozy mysteries.

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]]> Hello Rebels, welcome to episode 159 of The Rebel Author Podcast. Today, I’m talking to Sara Rosett all about how to write cozy mysteries.

In this episode we cover: 

  • The psychology of cozy mysteries
  • Cozy tropes
  • Mistakes to avoid
  • Craft advice for writing cozy mysteries
  • Marketing for introverts

This week’s question is: What would you like for Christmas?

Recommendation of the week is: A Lair of Bones by Helen Scheuerer

Apple

Amazon UK

Amazon USA

***this show uses affiliate links

Find out more about Sara at:

Author Website

How to Outline a Cozy Mystery

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Rebel of the Week is: Jennie Krypton (TikTok @jennie_krypton)

rebel_photoayne5.jpg

If you’d like to be a Rebel of the week please do send in your story, it can be any kind of rebellion. You can email your rebel story to rebelauthorpodcast@gmail.com

1 new patron this week, welcome and thank you to Cianne McKinnon. A big thank you to my existing patrons as well. If you’d like to support the show, and get early access to all the episodes as well as bonus content you can from as little as $2 a month by visiting: www.patreon.com/sachablack

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]]> https://sachablack.co.uk/2022/10/12/159-how-to-write-a-cozy-mystery-with-sara-rosett/feed/ 0 143 How to Write Great Beginnings with Sandra Gerth https://sachablack.co.uk/2022/06/22/143-how-to-write-great-beginnings-with-sandra-gerth/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=143-how-to-write-great-beginnings-with-sandra-gerth https://sachablack.co.uk/2022/06/22/143-how-to-write-great-beginnings-with-sandra-gerth/#respond Wed, 22 Jun 2022 07:00:59 +0000 https://sachablack.co.uk/?p=11429 On episode 143 of The Rebel Author Podcast, Sacha talks to Sandra Gerth all about how to write great beginnings.

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]]> Hello Rebels, welcome to episode 143 of The Rebel Author Podcast. Today, I’m talking to Sandra Gerth all about how to write great beginnings.

In this episode we cover: 

  • The most common mistakes authors make with beginnings
  • What you need to establish in the first act and first chapter
  • How to handle prologues and flashbacks
  • Hooks
  • How to know when you have the right beginning

This week’s question is: It’s mid year. What one thing will you complete by the end of the year?

Recommendation of the week is: The Fantastical Transmogrifier: A Camp Enigma Novel by Patron Jennifer Roundell

Amazon UK

Amazon USA

***this show uses affiliate links

Links I mentioned are:

Sacha’s Sapphic Mailing List: Get 250+ sapphic YA book recommendations

Find out more about Sandra at:

Write Great Beginnings

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Free cheat sheet with 20 dos and don’ts of writing great beginnings

Newsletter for authors

 

Rebel of the Week is: Beth Cox

If you’d like to be a Rebel of the week please do send in your story, it can be any kind of rebellion. You can email your rebel story to rebelauthorpodcast@gmail.com

2 new patrons this week, welcome and thank you to Marian Sargent and Shannon Grogan. A big thank you to my existing patrons as well. If you’d like to support the show, and get early access to all the episodes as well as bonus content you can from as little as $2 a month by visiting: www.patreon.com/sachablack

 

THIS EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY KOBO WRITING LIFE

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Visit Kobo Writing Life here, read the Kobo Writing Life blog here, and listen to their podcast here.

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]]> https://sachablack.co.uk/2022/06/22/143-how-to-write-great-beginnings-with-sandra-gerth/feed/ 0 129 Save the Cat Writes a Novel with Jessica Brody https://sachablack.co.uk/2022/03/16/129-save-the-cat-writes-a-novel-with-jessica-brody/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=129-save-the-cat-writes-a-novel-with-jessica-brody https://sachablack.co.uk/2022/03/16/129-save-the-cat-writes-a-novel-with-jessica-brody/#comments Wed, 16 Mar 2022 08:00:37 +0000 https://sachablack.co.uk/?p=11270 Hello Rebels, welcome to episode 129 of The Rebel Author Podcast. Today, I’m talking to Jessica Brody all about how to use the save the cat method for writing your novel.

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]]> Hello Rebels, welcome to episode 129 of The Rebel Author Podcast. Today, I’m talking to Jessica Brody all about how to use the save the cat method for writing your novel.


In this episode we cover: 

  • What Save the Cat is
  • What the main beats are
  • Mistakes to avoid with Save the Cat
  • How to use save the cat beats with dual POV

This week’s question is: What are your favorite tropes?

Recommendation of the week is: A Lesson in Vengeance by Victoria Lee

Apple

Kobo

Amazon UK

Amazon USA

***this show uses affiliate links

Links I mentioned are: 

35% Birthday discount until 18th March. Use code: BIRTHDAY35

Sacha Black’s Shop

The Senses Course

Preorder the Rebel Anthology

Find out more about Jessica at:

JessicaBrody.com

Twitter

Instagram

Rebel of the Week is: River

If you’d like to be a Rebel of the week please do send in your story, it can be any kind of rebellion. You can email your rebel story to rebelauthorpodcast@gmail.com

1 new patron this week, welcome and thank you to Verona Rae. A big thank you to my existing patrons as well. If you’d like to support the show, and get early access to all the episodes as well as bonus content you can from as little as $2 a month by visiting: www.patreon.com/sachablack

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]]> https://sachablack.co.uk/2022/03/16/129-save-the-cat-writes-a-novel-with-jessica-brody/feed/ 1 124 How to Craft Your Writing Voice with September C Fawkes https://sachablack.co.uk/2022/02/09/124-how-to-craft-your-writing-voice-with-september-c-fawkes/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=124-how-to-craft-your-writing-voice-with-september-c-fawkes https://sachablack.co.uk/2022/02/09/124-how-to-craft-your-writing-voice-with-september-c-fawkes/#respond Wed, 09 Feb 2022 08:00:52 +0000 https://sachablack.co.uk/?p=11227 Hello Rebels, welcome to episode 124 of The Rebel Author Podcast. Today, I’m talking to September C Fawkes all about how to craft your writing voice. In this episode we cover:  What is voice? How to create distinctive voice How does a character’s background influence voice Mistakes to avoid with voice Tools for differentiating dialogue […]

The post 124 How to Craft Your Writing Voice with September C Fawkes appeared first on Sacha Black.

]]> Hello Rebels, welcome to episode 124 of The Rebel Author Podcast. Today, I’m talking to September C Fawkes all about how to craft your writing voice.

In this episode we cover: 

  • What is voice?
  • How to create distinctive voice
  • How does a character’s background influence voice
  • Mistakes to avoid with voice
  • Tools for differentiating dialogue

This week’s question is: How do you, or what books have gotten you out of a reading slump?

Recommendation of the week is:

My Audiobook 13 Steps to Evil is on sale for the whole of February.

Get a 50% discount if you buy from me direct, use code: FABFIFTY

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Find out more about September at:

Facebook

Tumblr

Instagram

Twitter

 

Rebel of the Week is: Kathryn Fletcher 

If you’d like to be a Rebel of the week please do send in your story, it can be any kind of rebellion. You can email your rebel story to rebelauthorpodcast@gmail.com

1 new patron this week, a big welcome and thank you to Maryn Corkran. A big thank you to my existing patrons as well. If you’d like to support the show, and get early access to all the episodes as well as bonus content you can from as little as $2 a month by visiting: www.patreon.com/sachablack

The post 124 How to Craft Your Writing Voice with September C Fawkes appeared first on Sacha Black.

]]> https://sachablack.co.uk/2022/02/09/124-how-to-craft-your-writing-voice-with-september-c-fawkes/feed/ 0