The Dialogue Doctor Podcast

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. 

In this episode, Dialogue Doctor Coach Laura Humm sits down with author Liz Woodiwiss. They look at a Call to Action scene Liz has written and discuss how to make world building more engaging by leading with emotion. For more on the craft of writing, check out https://dialoguedoctor.com/ To join the community, come to https://www.patreon.com/JeffElkins  

In this episode, Jeff breaks down every theory and tool the Dialogue Doctor Team has created about writing. He talks about:  Why you should focus on the emotional journey, The different types of vehicle characers, The Dialogue Daisy, How to build a character voice, Understanding your character possiblities, The Story Hypothesis, Building an emotional shape of a story, Understanding your cast through VEAH Dialogue First drafts, Voice Modulation, The 5 different ways to open a scene, Dialogue Tags, And the 10 Magical Dials of Manipulating a Character's emotional journey At the end of the episode, Jeff makes a big announcement. For more on the craft of writing, check out https://dialoguedoctor.com/

Want to write better mystery stories? In this episode of The Dialogue Doctor Podcast, Jeff Elkins sits down with crime and mystery writer Doug Dorow for a live editing session focused on how to write sidekicks and build a strong detective character arc. They discuss: How to write compelling sidekicks that make your detective shine  How sidekicks can reveal your protagonist's strengths, flaws, and growth  What makes a great detective arc across a mystery or crime series  How to keep character development evolving from book to book  If you're crafting a detective series, crime novel, or cozy mystery, this episode will help you create unforgettable character partnerships and deeper emotional arcs that keep readers coming back.

This week, Jeff Elkins is joined by author V.E. Griffth. Together, they examine the climatic fight of V.E.'s action novel. They discuss aligning the final fight with what the character has learned and creating clear emotional lines for the reader.  Check out more at https://dialoguedoctor.com/

In this episode, Jeff sits down with Becca Syme. Jeff and Becca talk about the state of publishing, howt things have changed, and how writers should see and understand themselves in the market. As conversations with Becca do, they veer into strengths and how writers need to find power in their work. To find Becca's new kickstarter, go to https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/beccasyme/dear-writer-you-still-need-to-quit For more on the craft of writing, check out https://dialoguedoctor.com/

In this episode, Jeff is joined by his writing partner, Dialogue Doctor Coach JP Rindfleisch the IX. Jeff and JP talk about the book The Hidden Tools of Comedy by Steve Kaplan. They discuss Kaplan's theory of comedy, talk about the comedic equation, and then discuss the 8 tools of comedy.  Find Steve Kaplan's book here: https://www.amazon.com/Hidden-Tools-Comedy-Serious-Business/dp/1615931406 Check out JP's work here: https://shop.jprindfleischix.com/ Check out Jeff and JP's Kickstarter here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/jprindfleischix/nrds-queer-paranormal-comedy-seasons-1and2-special-editions For more on the craft of writing, go to https://dialoguedoctor.com/  

In this episode, Jeff sits down with the amazing author, Laura Goode. Jeff and Laura talk about the art of pitching your work, performative confidence, and he wonderful book "Pitch Craft."  To find Laura's book, go to https://www.amazon.com/Pitch-Craft-Writers-Getting-Published/dp/0593837126 For more on the craft of writing, check out https://dialoguedoctor.com/ To find Jeff and JP's Kickstarter, go to https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/jprindfleischix/nrds-queer-paranormal-comedy-seasons-1and2-special-editions  

In this episode, Jeff sits down with author Mary Van Everbroeck to work through a short story she's written. They talk about the complexity of writing and "big cast" scene, and creating powerful emotional tension in a scene.  For more on the craft of writing, check out https://dialoguedoctor.com/

In this episode, Dialogue Doctor Coach Laura Humm meets with two of the Dialoggers for an "Office Hour." In this session, Laura and the Dialoggers talk about:  Writing distinct character voices Making child characters sound like children And what makes a thriller a thriller.  For more on the craft of writing, check out, https://dialoguedoctor.com/

In this episode, Jeff, Laura, and a few members of the community discuss the book My Friends by Fredrik Backman. [WARNING! SPOILERS] They get into the character arcs, the power of the narrator, nonlinear story telling, and the beauty of Backman's writing. Also, Jeff reveals his super fandom, and Laura and Jeff debate the ending of a character. For more on the craft of writing, come to https://dialoguedoctor.com/

In this episode, Jeff sits down with author John Krause to talk about John's work in progress. They look at John's Middle Grade mystry thriller and discuss how to build emotional peaks into the climax of the plot.  For more on the craft of writing, check out https://dialoguedoctor.com/

In this episode, Jeff, JP Rindfleisch IX, and Laura Humm (all the Dialogue Doctor Coaches) come together for a COACHES CALL! They discuss why they stop reading books, the best teachings to come out of the Dialogue Doctor, and places they are finding beauty in the world.  For more on the craft of writing, or to hire a coach, come to https://dialoguedoctor.com/

In this episode, Jeff and JP Rindfleisch IX dig into the book Save the Cat Writes a Novel by Jessica Brody. They discuss the the major teachings of the book, how the book impacted their early writing, and how they have move away from its teachings over time.  Find more on Jessica here: https://www.jessicabrody.com/ Check out JP's work here: https://shop.jprindfleischix.com/ For more on the craft of writing, go to https://dialoguedoctor.com/

In this episode, Dialogue Doctor Coach Laura Humm sits down with author Danielle Bonneau to talk about Danielle's work in progress. They focus on an important scene in Danielle's work in progress. After talking about high lighting and other editing tools, they get into the characters emotional flows and wants/needs at the turns in each scene. For more on the craft of writing, come to https://dialoguedoctor.com/

In this episode, Jeff sits down with Pitch Master Lindsey Hughes to discuss why pitching is important and how to pitch your work. They then read pitches from the Dialoggers and offered feedback.  To find Lindsey's work, go to https://thepitchmaster.com/ For more on the craft of writting, check out https://dialoguedoctor.com/

In this episode, Jeff sits down with Johnny B Truant to talk about his new work The Artisan Author. They discuss how he understands himself as an author, how his understanding is shaping his craft, and how he hopes to bring joy back to the indie author world.  To learn more about Johnny's work, check out https://johnnybtruant.com/ To see Johnny's Kickstarter, go to https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/johnnybtruant/the-artisan-author-your-way-out-of-the-self-pub-rat-race