The Dialogue Doctor Podcast

Can the Enneagram actually help you write better characters? Or is it just pseudoscience with numbers, occult-looking diagrams, interpretive dance, and a suspicious amount of personality-test confidence? In this episode of The Dialogue Doctor Podcast, Jeff Elkins sits down with JP Rindfleisch IX to talk about the Enneagram as a tool for writers. Jeff and JP approach the topic with the right amount of usefulness and skepticism. They are not treating the Enneagram like scientific law. They are not suggesting writers should trap characters inside rigid personality boxes. Instead, they look at the Enneagram as a practical storytelling tool: a way to think about how different characters make decisions, respond to stress, create conflict, and develop distinct voices. The conversation starts with JP's approach to building character personality from the inside out, then turns into a funny and honest breakdown of the Enneagram's strange history, its disputed origins, its religious baggage, and why people are so drawn to systems that help them understand themselves and others. Then Jeff brings the conversation back to craft. For writers, the most useful part of the Enneagram may not be memorizing all nine numbers. It may be starting with the three major centers: thinking, feeling, and instinct. From there, Jeff and JP talk about how characters respond differently when they are under pressure. Some characters move toward fear and anxiety. Some move toward shame. Some move toward anger. Those core responses can help a writer build a cast where each character reacts to the same event in a different, believable, emotionally grounded way. The episode digs into: how personality tools can help writers without becoming a cage why characters should not all process conflict the same way how fear, shame, and anger can shape a character's voice how the Enneagram's three centers can help you build a more varied cast why the nine types are more useful when you go big-to-small how helpers, achievers, challengers, loyalists, investigators, peacemakers, and individualists can show up on the page how Jeff used Enneagram thinking while developing characters in NRDS and Mojo and Mayhem why wings, subtypes, and deeper Enneagram theory can become too muddy for practical character work how basic fears and desires can help define a character quickly and how healthy, average, and unhealthy versions of a type can help writers think about character growth This is not an episode about taking a personality test and assigning your protagonist a number. It is an episode about using personality frameworks lightly, strategically, and creatively so your characters do not all sound like slightly different versions of you. Listen in if you are trying to build a more varied cast, sharpen character voice, deepen conflict, or understand why one character reacts with anger, another with shame, and another with fear. Because the point is not to prove the Enneagram is true. The point is to steal what helps you write better fiction.

How do you open a fantasy novel with action without confusing the reader? In this episode of The Dialogue Doctor Podcast, Jeff Elkins sits down with new fiction author Malcolm Coon to work through the opening of Malcolm's fantasy heist novel. Malcolm has built an epic fantasy world loosely inspired by a D&D world he created with his brother when they were kids. Now he is turning that world into a story about couriers, rooftops, rebellion, hidden danger, and a young character being pulled into something much bigger than himself. The craft problem starts with the very first scene. Malcolm wants to open with movement, danger, and a rooftop chase. But he also wants readers to understand the world, care about the character, and know what kind of story they are stepping into. That creates the central question of the episode: How do you balance action, tension, worldbuilding, and character emotion in the opening pages? Jeff and Malcolm dig into the difference between starting with action and starting with high pressure. They talk about why a solo chase scene can be hard to make emotionally engaging, how reflective prose can slow tension, and why sometimes the better opening is not "start with danger," but "start with joy, then interrupt it." They also get into practical craft tools writers can use immediately, including: How to keep a chase scene at ground level Why trigger should come before response How backstory can rob an action scene of tension When inner thought works in third-person close POV Why a character's "brain voice" has to be treated like another character How to use internal reflection at emotional turning points Why mentor characters need clear emotional pressure How supporting characters can reveal the protagonist's growth arc When to use an anchor character to show the path the hero must reject How to make an opposing POV feel like the hero of their own story As the conversation expands, Jeff and Malcolm move from scene-level edits into the larger architecture of the novel. They talk about Pep, a young courier looking for purpose, identity, belonging, and participation; Saul, the protective uncle figure who understands the cost of rebellion; and Maddie, the mysterious courier who pulls Pep toward the mission. This episode is especially helpful for fantasy writers, adventure writers, heist writers, and anyone revising an opening chapter that has cool movement but not enough emotional clarity yet. Listen in if you are trying to figure out how to hook readers, introduce your world, build tension, reveal character, and make your first chapter do more than simply start fast. Because a great opening scene does not just move. It teaches the reader what kind of story they are about to love. For more, check out DialogueDoctor.com

What happens when a group of working authors sits down after a rough month and tells the truth about publishing? You get this episode of Write Wrong Repeat. In this conversation, JP Rindfleisch IX, Holly Lyne, Jeff Elkins, Tom Holbrook, and Crys Cain check in on their writing lives, business experiments, marketing wins, publishing frustrations, and the strange emotional math of trying to build an author career in public. August was not an easy month. The group talks honestly about grief, health scares, family chaos, ADHD, burnout, stalled goals, tight finances, pre-order jail, and the pressure to keep producing when life refuses to cooperate. But this is not just a "publishing is hard" episode. It is also full of practical author-business conversation. The group gets into translations, BookFunnel, mailing lists, Facebook ads, TikTok, direct sales, Kindle Unlimited, pen names, book events, reader connection, writing to market, paranormal detective fiction, cozy mystery, sports romance, and what happens when your book accidentally shares a title with James Patterson. They also wrestle with a bigger question: What is still giving you hope about publishing? The answers are messy, funny, honest, and surprisingly encouraging. The group talks about how old strategies do not necessarily die just because new tools arrive, why reader connection still matters, how community can keep authors moving, and why there are still more paths than ever for writers who are willing to experiment, simplify, adjust, and keep going. This episode is for authors who are juggling too many projects, wondering what marketing tools are worth their time, trying to decide between KU and direct sales, struggling to write through a hard season, or asking whether publishing is still a place where real writers can build something meaningful. Listen in for a candid, funny, behind-the-scenes look at the author life as it actually happens. Imperfect progress, weird experiments, failed plans, small wins, big pivots, and enough hope to keep writing. Timecodes: 0:00 – Welcome to Write Wrong Repeat Episode 5 0:55 – Chris on why August is always chaos 1:50 – Translations doubled Chris's income 4:15 – BookShift, translation tools, and foreign-language mailing lists 8:50 – Tom on translations, grief, cozy projects, TikTok, and ads 12:50 – Facebook ads, scaling slowly, and building profitable momentum 17:50 – Holly's August: health scare, Amazon cliff, NetGalley, and TikTok dips 23:05 – Jeff's update: the conference, Mojo and Mayhem, and TikTok experiments 30:15 – Writing to market with supernatural detective fiction 39:00 – Paranormal cozy vs. urban fantasy detective: where does the book fit? 41:45 – Kindle Unlimited, wide publishing, direct sales, and reader behavior 52:00 – JP's update: ADHD, art projects, TikTok Lives, direct sales, street teams, and simplifying the business 1:05:15 – Preorder jail, KDP changes, and the search for publishing hope 1:07:25 – What gives authors hope right now: TikTok, KU, direct sales, translations, audio, and reader connection 1:12:05 – More niches, more tools, and why old publishing strategies still work

In this episode, Jeff Elkins talks with Tony Lee, also known to many readers as Jack Gatland, about writing fast, building a sustainable author career, and learning to think like a publisher. Tony has worked across comics, screenplays, licensed fiction, journalism, audio drama, and novels. In this conversation, he shares what those different forms taught him about compression, dialogue, character, deadlines, reader expectations, and story momentum. Jeff and Tony talk about the transition from traditional media work into indie publishing, why readers remember characters more than plot mechanics, how Tony uses reader feedback to shape his series, and why authors need to be honest about which books are passion projects and which books keep the business alive. They also discuss burnout, AI, productivity tools, writing to market, author conferences, comparison, money, and the mindset shift that happens when a writer stops waiting for permission and starts making strategic decisions about their own career. This is a funny, blunt, deeply practical conversation for authors who want to build a writing life that actually works.

How do you make readers root for a character who has done something terrible? In this episode of The Dialogue Doctor Podcast, Jeff Elkins sits down with new author Aubrey W to talk through one of the hardest emotional arcs to pull off: repentance. Aubrey is working on a thriller built around a character who has done real harm, but she does not want the reader simply waiting for punishment. She wants the reader to long for redemption. That creates a powerful craft problem. How do you make a morally compromised character compelling without excusing what they have done? Jeff and Aubrey dig into what makes readers forgive, follow, and even love difficult characters. They talk about redemption arcs, unlikable protagonists, hidden wounds, vigilante logic, unreliable narrators, and the emotional difference between justice, revenge, repentance, and mercy. The conversation pulls examples from Six of Crows, Les Misérables, Gone Girl, The Girl on the Train, Dexter, and Spider-Man to explore how authors can give readers permission to care about characters who are lying, hiding, hurting people, or justifying their worst choices. They also get into the practical craft of first-person POV, how to create two distinct narrator voices, how inner thought changes pacing, when a character should lie to the reader, and why some stories only work when we are trapped inside the character's head. Listen in if you are writing a thriller, a redemption arc, an unreliable narrator, a morally gray protagonist, or any character who needs the reader to think, "I hate what you're doing, but I still want you to change." Because redemption only works when the reader still believes there is someone inside the character worth saving.   For more, check out Dialogue Doctor.com

Two huge stories. Two very different emotional experiences. In this episode, Jeff Elkins and Tom Holbrook sit down for a spoiler-filled conversation about Spider-Man: Brand New Day and Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey. But this is not just a movie review. It is a craft conversation for authors. Jeff and Tom dig into why some stories feel emotionally satisfying while others feel impressive but distant. They talk about spectacle, stakes, character wounds, nonlinear structure, callbacks, moral choices, emotional payoff, and the difference between a story that feels big and a story that actually lands. Along the way, they compare Spider-Man's ground-level vulnerability with the epic scope of The Odyssey, unpack how Tom Holland's performance creates instant emotional connection, and look at what Christopher Nolan does well when building structure, symbols, trauma, and mythic weight. This episode is for authors who want to understand why readers care. Not just why a plot works. Not just why a world feels big. But why a character's pain, choices, relationships, and emotional movement are what make a story memorable. Listen in if you are writing fantasy, sci-fi, thrillers, superhero stories, epic fiction, or anything with high stakes; and you want those stakes to matter on a human level. Because spectacle may get attention. But emotion is what makes the story stay.

Thriller writers hear the advice all the time: get to the inciting incident fast. But what happens when you get there so quickly the reader has not had time to care? In this episode of The Dialogue Doctor Podcast, Jeff Elkins sits down with author Jed to look at the opening chapters of a corporate thriller with a romantic subplot. Jed's story begins with a stolen item, a veiled threat, a high-pressure professional team, and the kind of tense setup thriller readers expect. The problem is not that the opening lacks conflict. The problem is that the story may be moving so efficiently that the reader does not yet know who to emotionally follow. Jeff and Jed dig into one of the trickiest craft problems in thriller writing: how to use third-person omniscient POV without making the reader feel unanchored. They talk about "head-hopping," the difference between omniscient narration and a guiding narrator, and how a small narrative guide can help direct the reader's emotional experience through a big cast. They also explore why a thriller opening may need a little more character interaction before the crime lands, how dialogue can make a professional team feel alive, why a front-loaded letter may distance the reader, and how to balance fast pacing with enough emotional connection to make the tension matter. Watch this episode if you are writing a thriller, working with a large cast, struggling with POV, or trying to figure out how to make your opening chapter feel tense, cinematic, and emotionally grounded. Because a great thriller does not just start with something going wrong. It starts with readers knowing exactly why they should care.

What actually sells books right now? Is it craft? Writing to market? Better ads? Faster production? AI tools? A stronger backlist? Or is the real answer messier than any one author guru wants to admit? In this episode of Write, Wrong, Repeat, Holly Lyne, Jeff Elkins, JP Rindfleisch IX, Crys Cain, and Tom Holbrook get honest about the current state of the author business. The conversation starts with real author updates: rough NetGalley reviews, TikTok experiments, BookVault print quality, Facebook ads, AI translations, ADHD and productivity, newsletter flows, rights reversions, and the emotional whiplash of trying to build a sustainable writing career while life keeps happening. Then the group digs into the big question authors are hearing everywhere right now: is craft king again? The answer is not simple. Craft matters. Writing to market matters. Reader expectation matters. Emotional connection matters. And "good writing" does not always mean literary prose—it means giving your readers the experience they came for and doing it well. If you are an indie author trying to decide where to put your energy next, this episode will help you think more clearly about craft, market fit, ads, AI, reader expectations, and the difference between chasing trends and building stories people actually want to keep reading. Listen for a practical, funny, brutally honest conversation about what is working, what is exhausting, and what authors may need to rethink next.

Most writers are taught to think about plot, character arcs, genre, theme, setting, cast, and prose as separate craft problems. But what if they are all doing the same job? What if every tool in your novel exists to shape one thing: the reader's emotional journey? In this solo episode of The Dialogue Doctor Podcast, Jeff Elkins introduces the big idea behind his new book, The Dialogue Doctor on Writing Emotion. Instead of treating emotion like something mysterious that either "works" or doesn't, Jeff breaks it down into a practical framework writers can actually use. You'll learn how to think about your story through seven emotional tools: trajectory, vector, alignment, saturation, velocity, pressure, and altitude. These tools help explain why readers feel hope, dread, comfort, tension, frustration, satisfaction, heartbreak, or joy as they move through a story. Jeff also talks about why traditional story systems like Save the Cat, Story Grid, and beat sheets are useful—but limited. The goal is not to throw those systems away. The goal is to understand what they are doing to the reader so you can use them with more freedom, confidence, and creativity. Watch this episode if you want to stop guessing your way through emotional scenes and start designing a reader journey that actually lands. Because great stories do not just happen on the page. They happen inside the reader.

Your dialogue can be sharp. Your scene can move fast. Your characters can have real chemistry. But if the reader doesn't spend enough time inside the emotional turn, the biggest moment in the scene can fly by before it lands. In this episode of The Dialogue Doctor Podcast, Jeff Elkins works with sci-fi author Leanne Robinson on a dialogue-heavy scene between an alien woman and the hero who has complicated feelings for her. What begins as a fun, flirtatious reunion quickly turns into something much bigger: a relationship crisis, a betrayal, a pregnancy reveal, and a major turning point in Randy's emotional arc. Jeff's core advice is simple but powerful: emotional depth often comes from time on the page. You'll learn how to slow down the right moments without dragging the scene, how to expand key utterances so readers feel the emotional shift, how to use inner thought to clarify what a character is really reacting to, and how to separate romance, suspicion, betrayal, fear, and responsibility when they all collide in the same conversation. This session is especially useful if you write dialogue-heavy scenes, sci-fi romance, multi-POV stories, character-driven conflict, or emotional turning points where a character has to become more serious, responsible, or honest with themselves. Watch this episode if you want to learn how to take a scene that already works and make it hit harder.

A young hero is about to make a decision that could change everything. But will the reader feel the weight of that choice? In this coaching session, editor Laura Humm works with author Liz Woodwiss on Chapter 21 of Liz's epic fantasy novel. The scene centers on Terry, a 14-year-old reluctant hero who is being pushed toward a terrifyingly grown-up decision: petitioning the King directly during a Day of King's Grace in order to expose the Queen's manipulation. Laura helps Liz strengthen the chapter by bringing the reader deeper into Terry's point of view. Instead of letting the scene become a room full of adults discussing politics, Laura shows how Terry's fear, hope, confusion, and urgency can guide the reader through the complexity of the moment. You'll learn how to open a scene with emotional stakes, how to keep third person close narration anchored in your protagonist, how to remind readers what matters at the start of a chapter, and how to use teenage reactions, whispers, and shared panic to make political fantasy feel immediate and personal. The session also digs into world-building through character-specific imagery, including how Terry's lace-making background can shape the way he sees danger, pressure, and choice. Watch this session if you're writing YA fantasy, political intrigue, a reluctant hero, or any scene where a young character has to stand in a room full of adults and decide who they are going to become.

A young hero is about to make a decision that could change everything. But will the reader feel the weight of that choice? In this coaching session, editor Laura Humm works with author Liz Woodwiss on Chapter 21 of Liz's epic fantasy novel. The scene centers on Terry, a 14-year-old reluctant hero who is being pushed toward a terrifyingly grown-up decision: petitioning the King directly during a Day of King's Grace in order to expose the Queen's manipulation. Laura helps Liz strengthen the chapter by bringing the reader deeper into Terry's point of view. Instead of letting the scene become a room full of adults discussing politics, Laura shows how Terry's fear, hope, confusion, and urgency can guide the reader through the complexity of the moment. You'll learn how to open a scene with emotional stakes, how to keep third person close narration anchored in your protagonist, how to remind readers what matters at the start of a chapter, and how to use teenage reactions, whispers, and shared panic to make political fantasy feel immediate and personal. The session also digs into world-building through character-specific imagery, including how Terry's lace-making background can shape the way he sees danger, pressure, and choice. Watch this session if you're writing YA fantasy, political intrigue, a reluctant hero, or any scene where a young character has to stand in a room full of adults and decide who they are going to become.

You've revised the book. You've worked through the big problems. You can see the finish line. But now every tiny note feels dangerous. Should you fix that sentence? Change that symbol? Rework that scene? Ask for more feedback? Or are you just giving yourself another reason not to finish? In episode 337 of The Dialogue Doctor Podcast, Jeff Elkins works with author Laurel Bollinger on the final revision stage of her children's fantasy novel and helps her sort the edits that matter from the edits that only create noise. You'll learn how to look at your almost-finished manuscript with more confidence, make smart choices about continuity, voice, pacing, character consistency, and story logic, and stop treating every small question like a five-alarm fire. If you're close to finishing your book but keep getting pulled back into one more pass, this episode will help you breathe, focus, and move forward. Because the goal isn't to edit forever. The goal is to finish the book and get it into readers' hands.

Writers want readers to care the first time two important characters meet. But the problem is that first meeting scenes can easily become functional. Characters exchange information, explain the plot, describe the setting, and move the story forward, but the reader does not yet feel the chemistry, tension, suspicion, or possibility between them. In this episode, Jeff Elkins works with author Gladys Strickland on a scene where two main characters, Sarah and Thaddeus, meet in person for the first time. Sarah is an art historian trying to rebuild her academic confidence. Thaddeus is an archaeologist with a damaged reputation and a blunt, guarded personality. They do not fully trust each other yet, but they are being pulled toward a mystery that will force them to work together. Jeff shows how small craft choices can make that first meeting come alive: how a character's home can reveal who they are, how two POVs can interpret the same room differently, how sentence length and word choice separate character voices, and how body language helps readers understand emotional tone. The conversation also digs into how to weave research, history, and worldbuilding into dialogue without dumping information on the reader. Jeff explains why readers need only the details they must remember, why POV characters should not hide their thoughts from us, and how emotional ramps help arguments, trust, and chemistry build at the right pace. Watch this episode if you're writing a first meeting scene, a dual POV scene, a mystery or thriller, an academic adventure, or any story where two characters need to move from suspicion toward partnership.

Authors want to write great books, launch them well, grow their readership, and make smart business decisions. But the problem is that indie publishing never feels simple. Launches are stressful even after dozens of books. Ads can look profitable one month and shaky the next. TikTok can sell books but demand more visibility than some authors want. NetGalley can bring reviews, but only if the right readers get the book. And while all of that is happening, writers still have to protect their creativity and avoid burning out. In this episode of Write, Wrong, Repeat, Jeff Elkins, Holly Lyne, Tom Holbrook, JP Rindfleisch, and Crys Cain talk honestly about what they're testing in their author businesses right now. They discuss launch-day anxiety, NetGalley lessons, Facebook ads, Amazon freebies, TikTok lives, faceless TikTok accounts, newsletters, reader magnets, preorders, BookVault, direct sales, and using AI tools to organize the chaos. The conversation digs into the real question underneath all the tactics: how do authors build systems that sell books without draining the joy out of writing them? Watch this episode if you're trying to figure out what's worth your time as an indie author, how other writers are experimenting with launches and marketing, and how to keep moving forward when the author business feels messy, uncertain, and very, very real.

Writers want group conversations that feel natural, reveal the story world, and move multiple relationships forward at once. But when several characters begin talking, the POV character can quietly disappear. The dialogue may communicate important information, but the reader loses their emotional guide. Tension fades, exposition takes over, and the scene stops feeling like it belongs to the protagonist. In this episode, Jeff Elkins coaches author Dennis Kurlas on a historical-fiction scene set in Athens shortly before the 1967 Greek military coup. After escaping a volatile political demonstration, Leo, Margo, and their companions enter a taverna where political debate, buried memories, romantic tension, and a charismatic resistance fighter begin pulling them apart. Jeff explains how to carry fear from one chapter into the next, keep a silent POV character emotionally present, and use internal thought, body language, and brief dialogue to show how every exchange affects him. They also explore how physical gestures can track the changing state of a relationship, how vivid settings can deepen historical fiction, and how repeated images can escalate a character's fear. As Leo becomes increasingly threatened by Margo's independence and attraction to Alexandros, seemingly small reactions begin foreshadowing the unhealthy partner he may become. Watch this episode if you're writing group dialogue, historical fiction, political conversations, romantic jealousy, or any scene where your protagonist risks becoming a spectator in their own story. For more on the craft of writing, check out DialogueDoctor.com

Writers want opening chapters that showcase their voice, introduce an unforgettable character, and make readers desperate to continue. But a strong voice can become self-indulgent. The narrator may entertain the reader without moving the story forward, explaining too much, repeating the same joke, or delaying the moment when something actually happens. In a writing competition, where judges are actively looking for reasons to stop reading, those extra words can cost you. In this episode, Jeff Elkins coaches author Scott Williamson on the opening of his darkly funny fantasy story about Auntie Pearl, a 300-year-old witch trying to turn a corpse into tea before her aging body falls apart. They explore how to tighten an opening without stripping away its personality, create intimacy between a first-person narrator and the reader, and withhold information to build mystery and narrative promise. Jeff also explains why writers should address one reader at a time, avoid telling readers what they are thinking, and keep present-tense narrators from revealing knowledge they cannot possess. The conversation also examines how vulnerability can make a monstrous character lovable, how a child character can become an engine for change, and how dark humor can keep physical suffering entertaining rather than exhausting. Watch this episode if you're revising an opening chapter, entering a writing competition, developing an intimate first-person voice, or trying to make readers fall in love with a character who does terrible things.     www.DialogueDoctor.com

Writers want to create stories with unforgettable endings, powerful dialogue, and characters readers genuinely care about. But the problem is that we often spend most of our energy on the external plot: solving the murder, winning the trial, defeating the villain, or uncovering the truth. Those events create pressure, but they are not necessarily what makes the audience feel satisfied when the story ends. In this episode, Jeff Elkins (The Dialogue Doctor) and members of the Dialogue Doctor Community break down the character structure of A Few Good Men to reveal why the movie works. You'll learn how a story's "Vehicle characters" carry the reader's emotional experience, how a character's wound creates immediate hopes and fears, and why the real ending depends on whether the lead character becomes the person the audience hoped they could be. Jeff also examines how supporting characters can raise the pressure by ending tragically, how "Engines" and "Anchors" push a character toward their best or worst self, and why Joanne's storyline feels less satisfying than the arcs around her. Finally, the episode breaks down the pacing behind the iconic "You can't handle the truth" scene, showing how rapid-fire dialogue, strategic silence, emotional pauses, and a prolonged hero moment transform a courtroom exchange into an unforgettable climax. Watch this episode if you want to build stronger character arcs, create a cast that actively shapes your protagonist, write more emotionally satisfying endings, or understand why some famous scenes stay with audiences for decades. For more on the craft of writing, go to DialogueDoctor.com

Writers want sharp dialogue, compelling conflict, and characters with enough tension to keep readers turning pages. But the problem is that conflict can easily get stuck. Characters snipe at each other, trade sarcasm, or argue at the same emotional level for too long. The scene has energy, but it does not move. The relationship does not shift. The reader starts to feel like the conversation is circling instead of building. In this episode, Laura Humm coaches Tony Maxwell on how to make character conflict escalate, de-escalate, and actually change the relationship between characters. They discuss how to balance prose and dialogue, how to use the "zipper" technique to check the rhythm of a conversation, and how to move an enemies-to-allies dynamic from hostility into vulnerability. They also dig into how to write an arrogant protagonist without making readers hate him, how to give both characters expertise and agency, and how to use specialized knowledge—like veterinary medicine—without turning the scene into an info dump. You'll learn how to make dialogue feel like a tennis match, how to hide exposition inside conflict, how to use vulnerability to shift a relationship, and how to make every joke, barb, and emotional landing serve the scene. Watch this episode if your characters have great banter but the scene still feels flat, if your exposition keeps slowing the story down, or if you're trying to write conflict that actually changes something.   For more on writing dialogue, come to DialogueDoctor.com.  For the Fiction Makers Conference, come to FictionMakers.Live

Writers want to spend more time writing books and less time drowning in admin, ads, social media, and publishing decisions. But the problem is that the author business is messy. Ads may or may not be working. TikTok can feel confusing. Pen names complicate branding. AI tools raise questions about ethics, workflow, and usefulness. And while all of that is happening, the book still has to get written. In this episode of "Write, Wrong, Repeat" Jeff Elkins, JP Rindfleisch IX, Cry Cain, Tom Holbrook, and Holly Lyne talk through what they're testing in their author businesses right now. They discuss Facebook ads, Amazon ads, freebies, TikTok strategy, faceless accounts, pen names, genre-specific branding, and how AI tools like Codex can help organize admin, social content, spreadsheets, and marketing tasks. The conversation also digs into the real writer-life problem underneath all the tools: how do you protect your creative focus while still doing the business work required to publish? Holly shares how she wrote 100,000 words in a month, how she uses AI as a kind of business operations manager, and how clearing admin clutter helped her stay focused on the manuscript. Watch this episode if you're an indie author trying to figure out what's actually worth your time, what systems might help you keep writing, and how other writers are experimenting their way forward one month at a time.

In this episode, Jeff sits down with Tom Hollbrook. They cover a wide range of topics, from the logistical frustrations of indie publishing to deep dives into narrative craft and the impact of artificial intelligence on the industry. They talk about alternative distribution methods, service gaps, releasing a minimal vialable product, the evolving role of AI, and having the courage to examine your craft.  For more, write dialoguedoctor.com

In this episode, Jeff sits down with author Carol Painter to talk about the end of her book. Jeff and Carol talk about using repeated scenes, showing character change through voice modulation, maintaining character agency at the end of the story, building the emotional saturation, how a book works on an author, and writing a satisfying ending for your reader.  For more on the craft of editing, go to DialogueDoctor.com

In this episode, Dialogue Doctor Coach Laura Humm sits down with author Aaron Betts to talk about writing a teenage voice. They discuss "turning the volume up to 10" on the protagonist's emotions, swapping adult logic for more egocentric needs, breaking large paragraphs into back-and-forth exchanges, using inner thoughts or vocalizations to clarify body language, mapping relational change, and deeping conversations.  For more on the craft of writing, go to DialogueDoctor.com.

In this episode, Jeff is joined by author JP Rindfleisch IX for a Joint with JP. They dive into the Business Model Generation by Alexander Osterwalder and Yves Pigneur. Jeff and JP walk through the classic entrepreneurial tool, "The Business Model Canvas" as authors. They talk about how each of the 9 boxes work, and how they view them as authors. They dive deep into risks and assumptions and how as author-prenuers we should be diagnosing those things.  For more on writing, check out DialogueDoctor.com

In this episode, Jeff is joined by V.E. Griffith to brainstorm the plot and character arcs for the second book in Griffith's urban fantasy series. The session focuses on using character growth to drive the plot, a method Jeff advocates as the most effective way to build a story. They explore the growth arcs of two characters and then use the emotional beats of change to outline the plot of the book. For more on the craft of writing, go to DialogueDoctor.com

"Write Wrong Repeat" is a monthly conversation between authors Crys Cain, Holly Lyne, Jeff Elkins, JP Rindfleisch IX, and Tom Holbrook about their lives as authors and what they are trying to write and sell their books. 

In this episode, Jeff sits down to talk about her new book, Masterful Microtension. They discuss what microtension is, how to effectively use tools like metaphors and white space, how repetition works, character change, and lots more.  For more on the craft of writing, check out DialogueDoctor.com

In this episode, Jeff sits down with film maker and author Ron Newcomb. They talk about business and financing strategies, using validation tools, the Brain Trust model, the four keys to conversion, and the impact and use of AI. They cover the path to production, being a multi-hyphenate write, and focusing on hope.  For more on the craft of writing, check out DialogueDoctor.com.

In this episode, Jeff sits down with author Pa Theriot to talk about their work in progress. They discuss how Pa writes neurodivergent stories from a neurodivergent perspective, what to do when you are adding a POV to a full story, and how to find a wound for the POV that will allow for the themes you are looking for in your story.  For more on the craft of writing, check out https://dialoguedoctor.com/

In this episode, Jeff sits down with members of the Dialogue Doctor community to analyze the Coen brothers' movie The Big Lebowski. In the episode, they discuss writing character's who don't change, how anchors work, using symbolic parallels, and juggling multiple conversations at one time.  For more on the craft of writing, check out https://dialoguedoctor.com/

In this episode, Jeff sits down with Author Beth Biss to talk about the emotional texture of her work in progress. They talk about the difference between plot and growth arcs, how conflicts should resolve in the piece, the alignment vs misalignment of the character and the reader, the reader's expectations, managing the reader's altitude of a scene, and using triggers in a character's emotional journey.  For more on the craft of writing, check out https://dialoguedoctor.com/

In this episode, Jeff meets with author John Krause to talk about John's work in progress. Jeff talks about increasing the emotional saturation of the story through emotional vocalizations, building the tension oft he story, and maturing a character without a doing a montage of training. Also, they invent the phrase, "Castle Punk."  For more on the craft of writing, go to https://dialoguedoctor.com/

In this episode, Jeff sits down with author Emma Jane Heaton to talk about her writing and what she's been working on. They discuss the difference between writing screenplays and writing a novel and talk about what they've learned doing both.  Find Emma Jane's film work here: https://www.youtube.com/@EmHeatonFilm For more on the craft of writing, check out: https://dialoguedoctor.com/

In this episode, Jeff sits down with author Joan Lightning. Jeff and Joan talk about her fantasy novel in progress. They look at an action scene with four cast members that is filled with action and complicated relationships.  For more on the craft of writing, check out https://dialoguedoctor.com/

In episode 318 of the Dialogue Doctor Podcast, Jeff and Tom talk about stories that work and stories that don't. They discuss new stats on authors using AI to write and publish. And they talk about the state of their own careers and endeavors.  For more on the craft of writing, check out https://dialoguedoctor.com/  

In this episode, Dialogue Doctor Coach Laura Humm works with Denis Kurlas on his work in progress. They talk about writing child voices in adult literature, and writing dreams, plus much more.  For more on the craft of writing, check out https://dialoguedoctor.com/the-podcast/

In this episode, we talk about the Coen Brother's classic movie, Raising Arizona. We analyze the cast of the movie focusing on the main characters and how their growth arcs shape the story.  For more on the craft of writing, check out DialogueDoctor.com

In this episode, Jeff is joined by Dialogue Doctor Coach and author JP Rindfliesch IX to talk about The War of Art by Steven Pressfield. They discuss the impact the book had on their lives and why they disagree with.  For more on the craft of writing, check out DialogueDoctor.com

In this episode, Jeff sits down with John Krause to look at John's most recent work in progress. They talk about science fiction and how to keep the descriptions engaging and moving.  For more on the craft of writing, check out https://dialoguedoctor.com/

In this episode, Jeff and Claire talk about Claire's new book "Write Iconic Characters" in which Claire uses the Enneagram to show how to write diverse characters.  Claire has also been on the show in Episode 100 and Episode 229.  You can find Claire's book here: https://www.amazon.com/Write-Iconic-Characters-motivations-unforgettable-ebook/dp/B0FRV351Y8/ Also check out Claire's coaching at https://www.liberatedwriter.com/claire And for more on the craft of writing, check out DialogueDoctor.com

In this episode, Jeff sits down with science fiction author LeAnn Robinson. They talk about world building in a way that will hook readers.  For more on the craft of writing, check out https://dialoguedoctor.com/

In this episode, Jeff is joined by Dialogue Doctor Coaches JP Rindfleisch IX and Laura Humm. They talk about life and catch up with one another after the holiday. Then they answer random questions together. It's a fun (and sometimes silly) episode.  To find more about craft, check out DialogueDoctor.com

In this episode, Jeff sits down with author Dixie Williams to talk about querying and their experiences trying to sell their work. 

In this episode, Jeff talks about building a measurable plan for your writing. He starts by talking through the 5 stage system he uses for planning. Jeff then pulls back the curtain and talks about all the things the Dialogue Doctor community did in 2025. Finally, Jeff lays out what's coming in 2026 including: 5 new events including an in-person conference, 2 new books, and lots of community excitement.  For more on the Dialogue Doctor and the craft of writing, check out https://dialoguedoctor.com/

In this episode, Jeff sits down with author Pa Theriot. Pa and Jeff talk about what they should work on next. It's a question every author faces at some point, and a great reason to talk to a coach.  Check out more on the craft of writing at https://dialoguedoctor.com/

This week, Jeff is joined by Pitch Master Lindsey Hughes. Jeff and Lindsey discuss career coaching. Then they dive into pitches sent in by listeners of the podcast. Lindsey gives tips on each pitch and on pitching in general.    For more on the craft of writing and publishing, go to dialogueDoctor.com

This week on the podcast, Jeff sits down with romance author Ginny Moore to talk about writing big cast scenes that have strong emotional flow and build tension.  For more on the craft of writing, check out dialoguedoctor.com

In this episode, Jeff is joined by author, editor, and former bookstore owner, Tom Holbrook. Jeff and Tom talk about stories they love, stories that are broken, and what they are seeing in their clients' work recently. Tom ends with a plea for writers to find groups of authors they can be supported by.  For more on craft and to sign up for the newsletter, check out https://dialoguedoctor.com/

In this episode, Jeff sits down with Author Beth Biss to discuss Beth's work in progress. They focus on the emotional experience of Beth's main character in the scene and how the reader's emotional journey matches it. Jeff also compares composing the emotions of a scene to playing music.  For more on the craft of writing, go to https://dialoguedoctor.com/

In this episode, Jeff sits down with members of the Dialogue Doctor Community to talk about An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge by the father of True Crime and Psychological Horror, Ambrose Bierce. They talk about the mastery of the writing, creating a main character the reader is supposed to dislike, and playing tricks on the reader.  For more on the craft of writing, come to DialogueDoctor.com

In this episode, Jeff sits down with authors Christine Daigle, Tom Hollbrook, and JP Rindfleisch IX to talk about their experience at Author Nation.