Episode 149: How to Craft a Heartbreaking Villain's Backstory

Want to keep your readers on the edge of their seats? In this episode of The Kate and Abbie Show, we’re breaking down 7 easy ways to add suspense to your story and make it impossible to put down.From building tension through your character’s deepest fears to raising the stakes with a ticking clock, these powerful storytelling techniques will help you craft suspenseful, high-stakes fiction that keeps readers hooked. Whether you’re writing a novel, screenplay, or short story, these writing suspense tips will level up your storytelling game.If you want to master writing tension and conflict and create page-turning suspense, this episode is for you!

Struggling to create a tragic villain backstory that tugs your reader's heartstrings? In this podcast, we'll show you how to write a villain with depth, exploring backstory techniques that make your antagonist unforgettable. Learn the secrets to writing a compelling villain by understanding villain motivation, how to make a villain relatable, and writing a tragic backstory that resonates. We’ll dive into creating a sympathetic villain, crafting a powerful villain origin story, and mastering antagonist character development. Whether you’re working on a villain redemption arc or wondering how to make villains more human, this podcast is packed with tips to help you build an unforgettable antagonist.JOIN THE MUSE CHALLENGE: https://www.patreon.com/c/kaemmons

Are you ready to write faster than you ever have? Ready to charge into your writing projects with reckless creativity and write more words than you thought possible? In today's podcast, Kate and I will share our top 10 unique writing hacks for getting more words on the page FASTER (without rushing!) Grab a notebook and get ready to be inspired. Let's go! WATCH THE MUSE CHALLENGE SUMMIT REPLAY: https://www.patreon.com/posts/your-time-to-119319412 🖥️TAKE MY SCRIVENER MASTERCLASS: https://makeyourstorymatter.teachable.com/p/teachmescrivener 💵GET 20% OFF SCRIVENER - USE CODE "ABBIE" → https://www.literatureandlatte.com/scrivener-affiliate.html?fpr=abbie26 ________________________________ Subscribe for more episodes of #TheKateAndAbbieShow! Make Your Story Matter™ and make your author dreams come true… new videos every Wednesday. ✨ V A L U A B L E R E S O U R C E S✨ ❤️GET BONUS CONTENT + SUPPORT THIS CHANNEL: https://www.patreon.com/abbieemmons 📚READ MY BOOKS: https://amzn.to/3Ivk0Gr ✏️TAKE MY EDITING MASTERCLASS: https://www.learnfromabbie.com/p/edit-your-book-like-a-pro 💬TAKE MY BOOK BLURB MASTERCLASS: https://www.learnfromabbie.com/p/how-to-craft-a-bestseller-book-blurb 📓GET MY FREE WRITING TEMPLATES: https://abbieemmons.ck.page/make-your-story-matter 🎤LISTEN TO MY PODCAST WITH MY SISTER: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kate-and-abbie-show 🎥 MY GEAR + WRITING TOOLS: https://abbieemmonsauthor.com/my-gear 🎵 I GET ALL MY MUSIC FROM EPIDEMIC SOUND… CLAIM YOUR 60-DAY FREE TRIAL HERE: https://www.epidemicsound.com/referral/v02bl3/ MORE VIDEOS YOU WOULD LIKE: → WHAT TO WRITE ABOUT WHEN YOU’RE BORED https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_3PL1a4K7E&t=809s → THE ULTIMATE CHARACTER PROFILE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k1W5DSOlPrw&t=198s → WRITERS REACT TO WRITERS IN MOVIES https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bY01DOIVWwY&t=803s → MY CHAPTER-BY-CHAPTER OUTLINING METHOD https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KqTnmNjkaec&t=434s

Whether you're embarking on a New Year's goal or you're getting ready to tackle a big writing project whose time has come, Abbie and I are here to share with you our secrets for writing the book of your dreams FAST. We believe that writing a book doesn't have to be a never-ending project or a pipe dream; in fact, it can be something that you finish within 1-3 months. It's time to STOP putting your writing dreams on hold... and dive in! Let's go! ✨ SIGN UP FOR THE "YOUR TIME TO WRITE" JANUARY CHALLENGE: www.patreon.com/kaemmons

Do you struggle to commit to creative time every day? Are you ready to build a writing habit that lasts long after NaNoWriMo ends? In today's podcast, we're sharing our best advice for creating a bulletproof writing habit that sticks. So if you've been struggling to show up for your book, this episode will give you the tools you need to make writing a daily habit. Grab a notebook and let's get started! ✨ Get 30% OFF The Writer's Wellness Journey when you purchase with full payment. USE CODE: NANO2024 at checkout. Get access here: https://kaemmons.teachable.com/p/wellness-for-writers 🌿 Enroll in Kate's incredible platform for creatives, Rewildest Life here: https://rewildestlife.com/ Subscribe for more episodes of #TheKateAndAbbieShow! Make Your Story Matter™ and make your author dreams come true… new videos every Wednesday. ✨ V A L U A B L E R E S O U R C E S✨ ❤️SUPPORT THE KATE AND ABBIE SHOW: https://www.patreon.com/thekateandabbieshow 📚READ ABBIE'S BOOKS: https://amzn.to/3Ivk0Gr 📚READ KATE'S BOOKS: https://amzn.to/3WKDP4D 🖥️TAKE MY SCRIVENER MASTERCLASS: https://makeyourstorymatter.teachable.com/p/teachmescrivener ✏️TAKE MY EDITING MASTERCLASS: https://www.learnfromabbie.com/p/edit-your-book-like-a-pro 💬TAKE MY BOOK BLURB MASTERCLASS: https://www.learnfromabbie.com/p/how-to-craft-a-bestseller-book-blurb 📓GET MY FREE WRITING TEMPLATES: https://abbieemmons.ck.page/make-your-story-matter 💵GET 20% OFF SCRIVENER - USE CODE "ABBIE" → https://www.literatureandlatte.com/scrivener-affiliate.html?fpr=abbie26 🎤LISTEN TO MY PODCAST WITH MY SISTER: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kate-and-abbie-show 🎥 MY GEAR + WRITING TOOLS: https://abbieemmonsauthor.com/my-gear 🎵 I GET ALL MY MUSIC FROM EPIDEMIC SOUND… CLAIM YOUR 60-DAY FREE TRIAL HERE: https://www.epidemicsound.com/referral/v02bl3/

Writing a novel (or 50k words) in one month comes with unique challenges. Whether you're embarking on the adventure of tackling NaNoWriMo 2024 or simply starting a new literary endeavor, we're here to help you prepare yourself to write your best novel. We will cut through the clutter and overwhelm and focus on the FEW vital things that will help you write more words this November. So grab a notebook and a cup of coffee, and let's get into it! ✨ Get 30% OFF The Writer's Wellness Journey when you purchase with full payment. USE CODE: NANO2024 at checkout. Get access here: https://kaemmons.teachable.com/p/wellness-for-writers 🌿 Enroll in Kate's incredible platform for creatives, Rewildest Life here: https://rewildestlife.com/ Subscribe for more episodes of #TheKateAndAbbieShow! Make Your Story Matter™ and make your author dreams come true… new videos every Wednesday. ✨ V A L U A B L E R E S O U R C E S✨ ❤️SUPPORT THE KATE AND ABBIE SHOW: https://www.patreon.com/thekateandabbieshow 📚READ ABBIE'S BOOKS: https://amzn.to/3Ivk0Gr 📚READ KATE'S BOOKS: https://amzn.to/3WKDP4D 🖥️TAKE MY SCRIVENER MASTERCLASS: https://makeyourstorymatter.teachable.com/p/teachmescrivener ✏️TAKE MY EDITING MASTERCLASS: https://www.learnfromabbie.com/p/edit-your-book-like-a-pro 💬TAKE MY BOOK BLURB MASTERCLASS: https://www.learnfromabbie.com/p/how-to-craft-a-bestseller-book-blurb 📓GET MY FREE WRITING TEMPLATES: https://abbieemmons.ck.page/make-your-story-matter 💵GET 20% OFF SCRIVENER - USE CODE "ABBIE" → https://www.literatureandlatte.com/scrivener-affiliate.html?fpr=abbie26 🎤LISTEN TO MY PODCAST WITH MY SISTER: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kate-and-abbie-show 🎥 MY GEAR + WRITING TOOLS: https://abbieemmonsauthor.com/my-gear 🎵 I GET ALL MY MUSIC FROM EPIDEMIC SOUND… CLAIM YOUR 60-DAY FREE TRIAL HERE: https://www.epidemicsound.com/referral/v02bl3/

Is it possible to write "insta-love" romance that actually feels believable and earned? That's the big question we're tackling in today's podcast. We'll explore six powerful tried-and-true methods for making your couple's relationship feel well-developed and compelling, even if you're working with a short timeline for your story. So, if you need two characters to fall in love quickly... this episode is for you. Buying our books is the best way to support us as artists! 📚 KATE’S BOOKS: https://amzn.to/3YOkP6s 📚ABBIE’S BOOKS: https://amzn.to/3Ivk0Gr ➡️ Join the Patreon and get access to exclusive live hangout sessions: https://www.patreon.com/thekateandabbieshow/ Like this episode? Give us a thumbs up, subscribe, and tell us what you thought. Kate's 7-Day Meditative Journey for Writers: https://kaemmons.teachable.com/p/writers-reset-7-day-meditative-journey ✏️TAKE ABBIE'S SCRIVENER MASTERCLASS: https://makeyourstorymatter.teachable.com/p/teachmescrivener 💻GET 20% OFF SCRIVENER - USE CODE "ABBIE" → https://www.literatureandlatte.com/scrivener-affiliate.html?fpr=abbie26 GET ABBIE'S SCRIVENER THEMES: https://makeyourstorymatter.teachable.com/p/pack-of-7-custom-scrivener-themes/ Connect with Kate on Instagram (@lonehawkwriter) Connect with Abbie on Instagram (@makeyourstorymatter)

Do you want to write flawed, lovable, and relatable characters? In this new podcast episode, we're exploring five simple techniques for making your characters more unique and realistic by giving them vices and virtues that will make your readers fall in love. Ready to take your characters to the next level? Grab a notebook, and let's dive into this discussion! ________________________________ Buying our books is the best way to support us as artists! 📚 KATE’S BOOKS: https://amzn.to/3YOkP6s 📚ABBIE’S BOOKS: https://amzn.to/3Ivk0Gr ➡️ Join the Patreon and get access to exclusive live hangout sessions: https://www.patreon.com/thekateandabbieshow/ Subscribe for more episodes of #TheKateAndAbbieShow! Make Your Story Matter™ and make your author dreams come true… new videos every Wednesday. ✨ V A L U A B L E R E S O U R C E S✨ ❤️GET BONUS CONTENT + SUPPORT THIS CHANNEL: https://www.patreon.com/abbieemmons 📚READ MY BOOKS: https://amzn.to/3Ivk0Gr 🖥️TAKE MY SCRIVENER MASTERCLASS: https://makeyourstorymatter.teachable.com/p/teachmescrivener ✏️TAKE MY EDITING MASTERCLASS: https://www.learnfromabbie.com/p/edit-your-book-like-a-pro 💬TAKE MY BOOK BLURB MASTERCLASS: https://www.learnfromabbie.com/p/how-to-craft-a-bestseller-book-blurb 📓GET MY FREE WRITING TEMPLATES: https://abbieemmons.ck.page/make-your-story-matter 💵GET 20% OFF SCRIVENER - USE CODE "ABBIE" → https://www.literatureandlatte.com/scrivener-affiliate.html?fpr=abbie26 🎤LISTEN TO MY PODCAST WITH MY SISTER: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kate-and-abbie-show 🎥 MY GEAR + WRITING TOOLS: https://abbieemmonsauthor.com/my-gear 🎵 I GET ALL MY MUSIC FROM EPIDEMIC SOUND… CLAIM YOUR 60-DAY FREE TRIAL HERE: https://www.epidemicsound.com/referral/v02bl3/

Do you want to kick your story off with a bang and captivate your readers in chapter one? The secret is to make us care about your characters and write an explosive inciting incident within those crucial first few pages of your story. That's why, in today's podcast, we're exploring how to shove your characters outside their comfort zone in the first chapter of your book and keep your readers turning pages until the final chapter. Let's dive into this! Want to read some fantastic examples of the inciting incident in chapter one? Check out our books! 📚 KATE’S BOOKS: https://amzn.to/3YOkP6s 📚ABBIE’S BOOKS: https://amzn.to/3Ivk0Gr Buying our books is the best way to support us as artists! ➡️ Join the Patreon and get access to exclusive live hangout sessions: https://www.patreon.com/thekateandabbieshow/ Like this episode? Give us a thumbs up, subscribe, and tell us what you thought. Kate's 7-Day Meditative Journey for Writers: https://kaemmons.teachable.com/p/writers-reset-7-day-meditative-journey ✏️TAKE ABBIE'S SCRIVENER MASTERCLASS: https://makeyourstorymatter.teachable.com/p/teachmescrivener 💻GET 20% OFF SCRIVENER - USE CODE "ABBIE" → https://www.literatureandlatte.com/scrivener-affiliate.html?fpr=abbie26 GET ABBIE'S SCRIVENER THEMES: https://makeyourstorymatter.teachable.com/p/pack-of-7-custom-scrivener-themes/ Connect with Kate on Instagram (@lonehawkwriter) Connect with Abbie on Instagram (@makeyourstorymatter)

Is your dialogue falling flat, sounding repetitive, or feeling forced? Do you want to elevate your dialogue-writing skills but don’t know where to begin? In this new podcast episode, Kate and I reveal three game-changing tips to transform dull dialogue into compelling conversations—as well as how to pinpoint problem areas so that you can take your story to the next level! Grab a notebook, and let’s dive into this discussion. Comment below and join the discussion! What is one valuable lesson you've learned about writing dialogue? FOLLOW KATE FOR MORE PODCAST CONTENT LIKE THIS 👉 https://www.youtube.com/@KAEmmons ❤️SUPPORT THE KATE AND ABBIE SHOW: https://www.patreon.com/thekateandabbieshow 📚READ ABBIE'S BOOKS: https://amzn.to/3Ivk0Gr 📚READ KATE'S BOOKS: https://amzn.to/3WKDP4D