Ep 290 If You've Hit the Muddy Middle... Do THIS

This week let's talk about the Muddy Middle. That moment when you hit about 40-45,000 words and then you lose ALL MOMENTUM. I have a solution for you. It'll take some work, but it will make your story move forward!Be sure to get on my mailing list for access to the 12 Days of Christmas! Sign up here ---> https://katcaldwell.com/writers-newsletterWant more information on my books, author swaps, short stories and what I’m reading? Sign up for my readers' newsletter. https://storylectory.katcaldwell.com/signup You can always ask me writing questions on instagram @author_katcaldwell

This week I talk about the Big 5 Personalities and how we can use them to create depth in our characters.Grab the pdf here: https://katcaldwell.com/big-5Sign up for my writers' newsletter to learn more about the craft of writing, know when my workshops are and be the first to get exclusive information on my writing retreats. https://katcaldwell.com/writers-newsletterWant more information on my books, author swaps, short stories and what I’m reading? Sign up for my readers' newsletter. https://storylectory.katcaldwell.com/signup You can always ask me writing questions on instagram @author_katcaldwell

Let's get into the micro of scenes and learn about the essentials you can look at when deciding which scenes stay in your book.Grab the cheatsheet here. https://katcaldwell.com/288Get on my writers' newsletter to learn more about the craft of writing, know when my workshops are and be the first to get exclusive information on my writing retreats. https://katcaldwell.com/writers-newsletterWant more information on my books, author swaps, short stories and what I’m reading? Sign up for my readers' newsletter. https://storylectory.katcaldwell.com/signup You can always ask me writing questions on instagram @author_katcaldwell

This week and next week we are going to review scenes. Today we'll be looking at the macro of scenes. What scenes are needed in genre fiction as well as what the difference is between Character Arc Scenes and Plot Scenes.Grab your free download here and let's go! https://katcaldwell.com/287Get on my writers' newsletter to learn more about the craft of writing, know when my workshops are and be the first to get exclusive information on my writing retreats. https://katcaldwell.com/writers-newsletterWant more information on my books, author swaps, short stories and what I’m reading? Sign up for my readers' newsletter. https://storylectory.katcaldwell.com/signup You can always ask me writing questions on instagram @author_katcaldwell

Today is a writing tip day. I'll be doing more of these, which will be a bit shorter than the interview episodes. Let me know what topics you want to hear about by joining my newsletter and mailing me, going to katcaldwell.com and filling out the contact form or DM'ing me on Instagram or TikTok.Sign up for my writers' newsletter to learn more about the craft of writing, know when my workshops are and be the first to get exclusive information on my writing retreats. https://katcaldwell.com/writers-newsletterWant more information on my books, author swaps, short stories and what I’m reading? Sign up for my readers' newsletter. https://storylectory.katcaldwell.com/signup You can always ask me writing questions on instagram @author_katcaldwell

I have Nancy Christie back on the show to talk with us about selling our books in person. Nancy has had several dozen in person book events working with Barnes and Noble and other indie bookstores and she is FULL of advice for us today. I hope this encourages you to get out there and set up an author event! And when you do, please tag me on social media. I would love to see it!You can find out more about Nancy on her website: https://www.nancychristie.com/Sign up for my writers' newsletter to learn more about the craft of writing, know when my workshops are and be the first to get exclusive information on my writing retreats. https://katcaldwell.com/writers-newsletterWant more information on my books, author swaps, short stories and what I’m reading? Sign up for my readers' newsletter. https://storylectory.katcaldwell.com/signup You can always ask me writing questions on instagram @author_katcaldwell

Today I'm speaking with Becky Grogan who is a marketing guru and a certified book coach who specializes in romance fiction. She has some great marketing tips today no matter what genre you write though, so keep listening!You can find more about Becky on her website: https://www.beckythebookcoach.com/Sign up for my writers' newsletter to learn more about the craft of writing, know when my workshops are and be the first to get exclusive information on my writing retreats. https://katcaldwell.com/writers-newsletterWant more information on my books, author swaps, short stories and what I’m reading? Sign up for my readers' newsletter. https://storylectory.katcaldwell.com/signup You can always ask me writing questions on instagram @author_katcaldwellCheck out my birthday discounts! https://www.curios.com/creators/katcaldwell-K5559X

An Amazon Bestselling Author, Alex Apostol first started independently publishing her books in 2012. Her first series, Chronicles of a Supernatural Huntsman, has made the top 100 on Amazon’s list for Supernatural Thrillers, Myths & Mythology, and Folklore & Fairytales. Dead Soil has quickly been climbing the charts and become a fan favorite and continues to be her bestseller. Novel Notes was the first journal she designed and has been a stable bestseller for Writing Skills Reference books. Novel Notes Journal: https://a.co/d/725jDyOFind Alex Instagram: www.intsagram.com/writeralexapostol (@writeralexapostol)Dead Soil 10th Anniversary presale: https://a.co/d/0qTLQozSign up for my writers' newsletter to learn more about the craft of writing, know when my workshops are and be the first to get exclusive information on my writing retreats. https://katcaldwell.com/writers-newsletterWant more information on my books, author swaps, short stories and what I’m reading? Sign up for my readers' newsletter. https://storylectory.katcaldwell.com/signup You can always ask me writing questions on instagram @author_katcaldwell

Christy and Carol Award–winning author Joanne Bischof DeWitt writes romantic fiction that tugs at the reader's heartstrings. Her historical romance The Lady and the Lionheart received an extraordinary 5 Star TOP PICK! from Romantic Times Book Reviews and was the very first independently published novel to win a Christy Award. It has also recently taken to the stage. As a longtime Jane Austen fan, Joanne is often making popcorn with her mom so they can rewatch their favorite adaptions, and as a new wife, she celebrates God's own redemptive love stories. Joanne thanks the Lord daily for bringing along her very own hero who's a perfect balance between Colonel Brandon and Mr. Darcy. Together, they're a blended family and the grateful parents of six teens and young adults, making them huge advocates for conversations, laughter, and large dinner tables. You can find her at joannebischofdewitt.com, YouTube: The Story Stitcher, Instagram: @joannebischofdewitt. Find The Heart of Bennet Hollow.My birthday treat for you this week---> Push a Pencil: 40 Prompts to Develop Your Creative Writing for just $2 https://www.curios.com/collections/0x9f6b15366c6f7cf051031cdc481f84f49e279167NYC Midnight story challenges: https://www.nycmidnight.com/ProWritingAid Novel November: https://prowritingaid.com/novel-novemberSign up for my writers' newsletter to learn more about the craft of writing, know when my workshops are and be the first to get exclusive information on my writing retreats. https://katcaldwell.com/writers-newsletterWant more information on my books, author swaps, short stories and what I’m reading? Sign up for my readers' newsletter. https://storylectory.katcaldwell.com/signup You can always ask me writing questions on instagram @author_katcaldwell

This week I'm talking with Hope Cole about her book Daughter of the Void (https://amzn.to/4o8Hrbu) Find out more about Hope Cole here: https://www.hrcole.com/My birthday treat for you this week---> The Stepping Series audiobooks for just $2 https://www.curios.com/c/WBKAXQ https://www.curios.com/c/V3EQ5YNYC Midnight story challenges: https://www.nycmidnight.com/ProWritingAid Novel November: https://prowritingaid.com/novel-novemberSign up for my writers' newsletter to learn more about the craft of writing, know when my workshops are and be the first to get exclusive information on my writing retreats. https://katcaldwell.com/writers-newsletterWant more information on my books, author swaps, short stories and what I’m reading? Sign up for my readers' newsletter. https://storylectory.katcaldwell.com/signup You can always ask me writing questions on instagram @author_katcaldwell