Fix Your Novel with the Save the Cat Blueprint (Act 2) | Writing Tips & Techniques | Episode 31
Speculative Fiction Writing Made Simple: How to Write, Edit, and Publish Your Debut Fantasy, Science Fiction, or Dystopian NovelShow Notes
Does your novel feel have a saggy middle? Does it just meander around without a lot of momentum? In this episode, I’ll walk you through Act 2 of the Save the Cat story structure—a simple, effective tool to shape your novel into a story readers can’t put down. Learn how this flexible plotting method can keep your story on track while leaving plenty of room for creativity and unexpected inspiration. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: How to keep the middle of your novel from dragging—and why t...
More from Speculative Fiction Writing Made Simple: How to Write, Edit, and Publish Your Debut Fantasy, Science Fiction, or Dystopian Novel
In this episode, I sit down with fantasy author Charlotte B. Plumb to talk about writing Reap & Sow, her Gothic romantasy debut, and the craft lessons that helped her go from querying a novel that didn’t sell to landing nine offers of representation. Charlotte shares how she changed her writing process, strengthened her craft, and learned to build stories with compelling characters, immersive interiority, and the kind of structure that keeps readers turning pages. You’ll learn: ✨ How expe...
Most writers think writing an emotional scene means telling readers what the protagonist is feeling. But if readers only recognize the emotion instead of experiencing it themselves, the scene falls flat. In this episode, I'm sharing one of the biggest mindset shifts that transformed the way I write emotional scenes and three practical techniques you can use to create moments that truly move your readers. If you've ever wondered why your emotional scenes aren't landing the way you hoped, this ...
Writers often think world-building starts with maps, magic systems, political structures, or pages of lore. But what if it actually starts with your protagonist? In this excerpt from my conversation with Gabriela Pereira for WorldShift 2026, we explore one of the biggest mindset shifts writers can make about world-building. Gabriela explains why every story—not just fantasy or science fiction—involves world-building, and introduces her fascinating psychology-inspired framework that puts the p...
Age category feels straightforward… until it really, really isn’t. In this episode, I sit down with Ben Grange to unpack one of the most confusing (and important) decisions a writer can make: how to position your book in the market—and what “age category” actually means behind the scenes. We break down the real differences between middle grade, YA, new adult, and adult fiction… and why those lines are far blurrier (and more business-driven) than most writers realize. We talk candidly about ma...
Struggling to write scenes that actually work—the kind that keep readers turning pages instead of skimming or putting your book down? You’re not alone. In this episode, I’m breaking down what a scene really is (and what it’s not), why so many novels fall flat at the scene level, and the essential elements that make a scene engaging, cohesive, and impossible to ignore. Whether you’re drafting or revising, this writing episode will help you build scenes that truly drive your story forward. In t...