News Flash: You Need to Write Less
In praise of novelists practicing flash fiction for fun and profit.
The Book Shaman
A discussion of the rites, rituals, and ceremonies of storycraft as well as noumenal content from the Other World from Dave Reed, the Book Shaman. And occasional ravings from the spirits and demons who write his novels.
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Latest episodes
Scene Stormers This Way Comes
The inaugural Mockingjay cohort will only accept twenty writers.
Stick the Landing
How to Create a Cathartic and Satisfying Conclusion [to Your Novel]
What Are You Reading? July 2026 Edition
To torture a metaphor, you are what you read. Right?
Reasons You Must Write in Our "ai" Era
You didn't ask, but she did, so here're my thoughts.
Deep Dive Notes: Aftermath
Collecting the notes from last week's paid subscriber call.
Relationships Are Hard
Writing about them doesn't have to be.
The Storyteller's Promise
You did know you were making a promise, right?
What Are You Reading? June 2026 Edition
To torture a metaphor, you are what you read. Right?
Deep Dive Notes: Cast Design Tools
Collecting the notes from last week's paid subscriber call.
Collaborating with You (a Human Writer)
There are at least as many ways to write a novel as there are novelists…
Ethical Disclosure Is Required
There seems to be a growing trend of "ai" services not disclosing their chatbot use.
What Are You Reading? May 2026 Edition
To torture a metaphor, you are what you read. Right?
Choose [Your Level] Wisely
There are lots of levels of conflict to cover in every scene of your novel.
Are You Writing a Product or a Novel?
Your answer prioritizes what you focus on in the work and how you proceed.
Ignition. Combustion. Detonation. Aftermath.
Whether your unit of story has a Dramatic Question or a Crisis Question, it has these.
Deep Dive Notes: Getting Started with Inciting Incidents
The first thing to happen in your scene or your story has to do more than one thing.
Baby's First Official Editor Credit
Finishing a novel is only the beginning… Now, we've got to publish and promote it!
Adding a New Paid Subscriber Benefit
What can I say? I like to be generous…and I like chatting with story nerds like you.
Belated Celebration of Maternal Units
Be she an archetypical mother, a fictional mama, or a literal mom, worship her well.