In this episode, Dialogue Doctor Coach JP Rindfleisch IX works with Author Viver Israel to refine the characters in her cast. They start off by talking through JP and Viver's Story Hypothesis and how Viver's characters change. They talk through Viver's main character's voice and major voice modulations, and then they look at the voices of Viver's other cast members and how they all relate to one another. To find more of JP's work, check out https://www.jprindfleischix.com/ To learn more about writing dialogue, go to https://dialoguedoctor.com/

In this episode, Dialogue Doctor Coach JP Rindfleisch sits down with narrator and audio producer Kirt Graves to talk about audiobook production. Kirt shares about how his history in debate and growing up gay helped him built the super power of empathy. He talks about how he collaborates with authors, the role of the author in a narration project, and how to give the narrator good notes. JP and Kirt also talk about working on queer books and why representation is important. To find more of Kirt's work or to hire Kirt, check out https://www.kirtreads.com/ To find Kirt's podcast Hoof and Fang, go to https://www.hoofandfangpodcast.com/ For more on writing dialogue, check out https://dialoguedoctor.com/

Jeff and editor/writer/bookstore owner Tom Holbrook come together to talk about what they are seeing in the book world. They talk about things they are encountering frequently as editors, stories that they've recently loved, stories they consumed that were broken, and about the state of publishing in general. To find Tom online, go to https://holbrookauthorservices.com/  For more on writing dialogue, check out https://dialoguedoctor.com/  

In this episode, Dialogue Doctor Coach sits down with fantasy author Mark August to talk about writing a big cast with multiple points-of-view. Laura and Mark talk about introducing lots of characters, Laura breaks down how to introduce a lot of characters, letting us know who is in the scene, and getting characters talking right away. To find more of Mark's work, go to https://readmarkaugust.com/books/ For more on writing dialogue, check out https://dialoguedoctor.com/

WARNING - this episode contains conversation about suicide and violence. If you are thinking about hurting yourself, please call 988 now. Help is available. You can speak with someone today. In this episode, we are kicking off poetry month. Jeff sits down with poet Edward Doyle-Gillespie to talk about what inspires Ed to write poetry, why he loves it, and how it is different than writing fiction. To find more of Ed's poetry, check out his work on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/edoylegillespie?mibextid=ZbWKwL

In this episode, Jeff sits down with author Jenny Wilson to talk about her cast. They work through her vehicle's voice and how her vehicle needs to change during the story, then they talk about her surrounding cast members and how those cast members can enhance the reader's experience. For more on dialogue and characterization, check out https://dialoguedoctor.com/

In this episode, Jeff sits down with author Don Elliot to talk about plotting out a longer series. They talk about how to manage it, how to role it out to readers, and how to make it feel realistic. Jeff stresses in the episode that it is important to hook the reader at the scene/character level. They also talk plot structures, Game of Thrones, and the Godfather. For more on this, check out https://dialoguedoctor.com/  

In this episode, JP Rindfleisch the IX and Jeff talk about Houston Howard's book, You're Gonna Need a Bigger Story. JP takes Jeff through the main points and the process together how the story might impact their writing. To find more of JP, check out https://www.jprindfleischix.com/  For more on writing dialogue, go to https://dialoguedoctor.com/

In this episode, Jeff sits down with author Eric Heuser to look at a scene Eric is working on. Jeff and Eric talk about adding a POV to a work in progress, building emotional resonance, writing a character with a different interior and exterior voice, using reflective prose in segment breaks to give the reader a feeling of intimacy. For more on dialogue, check out https://dialoguedoctor.com/

In this episode, Laura and Jeff answer questions from the Dialoggers. Questions include: --Suggestions for plotting and planning a longer series, --How to write dialogue in a group scene where you have six or more characters in the discussion? --When trying to establish characters, world, and show the 'normal' state of life for them, how do you keep it interesting? This is especially tricky with fantasy considering the world building. --How do you choose to read a new author? Like do you choose mood or genre first? What do you type into Amazon? --What if your vehicle's steps towards their true need feel repetitive? People and/or situations change, but the choice or action seem too similar? --Can you offer any tips to help a writer who normally writes third-person close; write first-person? --Can you recommend a framework for finding the sweet spot between overwriting and underwriting during the drafting process? For more on dialogue, check out https://dialoguedoctor.com/  

In this episode, Jeff sits down with Scott Fishman to talk about the memoir Scott is writing. They talk about the use of italics, using paragraph spacing to break up blocks of text making it more readable, using conversational spacing to create the feeling of dialogue, building to a dramatic summary conclusion at the end of a story, and more. For more on dialogue, check out https://dialoguedoctor.com/  

In this episode, Jeff sits down with LeAnn Robison to look at a "Big Cast" scene she's written. Big cast scenes are scenes of three or more characters. Jeff and LeAnn focus on managing a six character cast in a scene, what to do when the characters don't all participate equally, and how to keep all the characters engaged so the reader isn't surprised when the characters return. For more on writing dialogue, check out https://dialoguedoctor.com/

In this episode, Jeff sits down with author Nancy Stark. As they look at a piece together, they go deep into all things dialogue. They talk about varying character voices, the Dialogue Daisy, when and how to use prose, and how to maximize the impact of your dialogue. For more on dialogue, go to https://dialoguedoctor.com/  

In this episode, Dialogue Doctor Coach Laura Humm sits down with author Carrie Thomas to talk about a piece Carrie has been working on. They talk about how editing and plotting can cause you to lose passion for you project, they talk about the struggle of writing a complicated story with multiple POV, and making sure your story clearly communicates your themes. For more on writing dialogue and engaging characters, go to https://dialoguedoctor.com/  

In this solo episode, Jeff goes deep into a vehicle character. He breaks down what a vehicle characer is and then contrasts the five different types of vehicles. Jeff talks about what makes each vehicle special and how they can be used in your story to provide your reader with a satisfying emotional journey.  For more on writing dialogue, head over to https://dialoguedoctor.com/

In this episode, Jeff sits down with an author to talk about a multi-vehicle plot in which one of the main vehicles is an unlikable villain. They talk about empathizing with your main characters, understanding how a character can grow in a negative direction and still keep the reader hooked in with hope, and how to build complimenting characters around the villain. To register for the masterclass on writing intimacy, go to https://dialoguedoctor.teachable.com/p/story-intimacy For more on dialogue, check out https://dialoguedoctor.com/  

In this episode, Dialogue Doctor Coach JP Rindfleisch IX and author Madeline Davis sit down to talk through her plot and characters together. JP looks at each main character's Story Hypothesis and they discuss how the characters' wants and needs impact their story arcs. For more on dialogue, check out https://dialoguedoctor.com/ To get a copy of the Story Hypothesis, go to https://www.amazon.com/Story-Hypothesis-Missing-Fiction-Puzzle-ebook/dp/B0CCK47B3Q/

Happy New Year! In this episode, Jeff lays out what the Dialogue Doctor community will be up to in 2024. Then, Jeff and JP talk about the book Good to Great by Jim Collins. Jeff takes JP through the book and they discuss how authors can apply the business principles Jim Collins talks about. For more on writing dialogue, check out https://dialoguedoctor.com/  

In this special solo episode, Laura Humm goes deep into editing. She talks about her history with editing, the different types of edits, and what happens in the editing process. Then Laura goes deep into how you should choose an editor and what you should look for. Finally, Laura breaks down what you should do when you edit. For more on writing and editing dialogue, check out the DialogueDoctor.com.

In this episode, Jeff and Scott look at a scene Scott wrote. They talk about finishing novels, writing children's voices, building a character for growth, partnering unlikable characters with characters that like them, writing to segments of the dialogue, and Oliver Twist. For more on dialogue, check out https://dialoguedoctor.com/

In this episode, Dialogue Doctor Coach JP Rindfleisch IX sits down with author MZ to talk about the opening of her story. They look at MZ's Story Hypothesis, talk through her themes, look at her characterization, and then work through ways to ensure the opening of her story is as engaging as possible. To find JP's book, the Story Hypothesis, go to https://www.amazon.com/Story-Hypothesis-Missing-Fiction-Puzzle-ebook/dp/B0CCK47B3Q/ For more on writing dialogue, go to https://dialoguedoctor.com/  

In this episode, Jeff interviews the amazing Sacha Black. They talk about her career, her podcasting, the development of the Rebel Author brand, and the transformation of her fiction into Ruby Roe. It's a fantastic look inside the business of a wildly successful author/entrepreneur. To find more of Sacha's work with authors, go to https://sachablack.co.uk/the-rebel-author-podcast/ To find Sacha's fiction, check out https://rubyroe.co.uk/ For more on dialogue, check out https://dialoguedoctor.com/  

Time with Tom is back! Jeff and editor/bookstore owner/all-around-brilliant-writer Tom Holbrook sit down to talk about great stories they've consumed, problems they are thinking through, trends they've seen in editing, and more. To find Tom's editing services, go to https://holbrookauthorservices.com/holbrook-author-services/  For more on writing great dialogue, check out https://dialoguedoctor.com/  

In this episode, Jeff sits down with author Carol Painter to examine a piece she is working on. As they work through Carol's writing, they talk about jumping time in conversation, writing dialogue that is deeply intimate, finding places for reflection, leaning into emotional moment and starting conversations strong. Carol was also on episodes 111 and 121. For more on writing dialogue, go to https://dialoguedoctor.com/  

In this solo episode, Jeff talks about four different things you can do to ensure your scenes are strong. He takes a deep dive into scene conflict, He talks about understanding your scene's vehicle,  He gives three tips for manipulating the intensity of a scene, And he talks about balancing the tempo of a scene.  For more on writing dialogue, check out  https://dialoguedoctor.com/

In this episode, Dialogue Doctor Coach Laura Humm and Dennis Kurlas look at a piece Dennis has been working on. They talk about arranging scenes to bring greater emotional impact, keeping characters in motion, and making sure we fulfill reader expectations. For more on writing powerful dialogue, check out https://dialoguedoctor.com/

In this episode, Jeff and Faye look at her work in progress. They talk through writing a "journey" narrative in a historical fiction genre. Jeff and Faye look at her cast and talk through the scenes she needs to write to show character growth. They talk about how to layer historical scenes over the top of the moments of character growth. For more on writing dialogue, check out https://dialoguedoctor.com/

In this episode, Jeff sits down with author Amy Suthon to talk through the cast of her work in process. They discuss vehicles, engines, anchors, and hazards and how those characters can be used to find plot holes and develop an exciting character growth arc for readers. For more on dialogue, check out https://dialoguedoctor.com/

In this episode, Jeff sits down with author Pa Theriot to talk about their work in progress that has unique structure. After reviewing the story, they brainstorm together where they might publish it. To find more on Pa's work, go to https://payitforwardeditorial.com/ For more on dialogue go to https://dialoguedoctor.com/  

In this episode, Dialogue Doctor Coach JP Rindfleisch IX sits down with author Emma Jane Heaton to talk about her work in progress. They build a Story Hypothesis for each of Emma Jane's characters and talk about how each character will grow through out the story. To get your copy of the Story Hypothesis, go to https://www.amazon.com/Story-Hypothesis-Missing-Fiction-Puzzle-ebook/dp/B0CCK47B3Q/ For more on dialogue, head over to https://dialoguedoctor.com/  

In this episode, Jeff sits down with author Liz Hurley to talk about building a cast of characters in order to develop the stories plot. They build character voices together, talk about vehicle characters, and then develop a cast. For more on writing dialogue, check out https://dialoguedoctor.com/

In this episode, Jeff sits down with author Gladys Strickland to talk through the voices in her cast. They talk about building voices from back story and personality traits, finding a character's wants and needs, and pairing characters together in a cast. For more on writing dialogue, go to https://dialoguedoctor.com/

In this episode, Dialogue Doctor Coach Laura Humm sits down with author Eric Heuser. They look at a piece Eric is writing and talk about how to appropriately write a child's voice for an adult novel. They focus on building a child's voice and how that voice compares to adult voices, modulating the children's voices when they speak to each other, and mistakes writers make when writing kids. For more on writing dialogue, check out https://dialoguedoctor.com/

In this episode, Jeff sits down with author Ian Worrall to look at a piece Ian has written. They talk about making the piece "dialogue centric" or "screenplay ready," they discuss maintaining the energy of the dialogue while balancing inner thoughts and prose, and they talk about finding the segments within a conversation. For more on writing dialogue, check out https://dialoguedoctor.com/

In this episode, Jeff sits down with Becca Syme from Better Faster Academy and the Quit Cast. They talk about Becca's vast experience in the industry, writing aligned with your strengths, the current state of publishing, and where publishing might be headed. The conversation with Becca starts around minute 17. To find Becca's Strength Coaching, go to https://betterfasteracademy.com/ To find Becca's YouTube Channel, go to https://www.youtube.com/@BeccaSyme For more on writing dialogue, go to https://dialoguedoctor.com/

In this episode, Dialogue Doctor Coach JP Rindfleisch IX look at a chapter of a new crime thriller Angela is writing. Before jumping into the piece, they talk about the character's needs and how those should impact the story, they look at the themes and how they relate to the characters, and then they build character voices together. They then look at Angela's writing. They rework the opening on the piece and ironing out the First Person POV. For more on JP, check out his website: https://www.jprindfleischix.com/services/ For more on dialogue or to hire JP as a Dialogue Doctor Coach, check out https://dialoguedoctor.com/  

In this episode, Jeff sits down with author and podcaster Holly Lyne to look at a chapter of her work in progress together. They talk about aligning your vehicle character's voice to their growth arc, using exposition effectively, and protecting the energy created by character exchanges. To find more of Holly's work (including a recent episode of her podcast in which Jeff talked about imposter syndrome), check out https://www.flowcode.com/page/hollylyne  For more on writing dialogue, go to https://dialoguedoctor.com/

In this episode, Dialogue Doctor Coach Laura Humm sits down with author Barbara Clark to talk about first chapters and what opening scenes need to have. For more on writing great dialogue, check out https://dialoguedoctor.com/

In this episode, Tom Holbrook and Jeff Elkins sit down to talk about publishing and craft. They talk about mixing genre and go over stories they believed did it effectively. They discuss stories they love, stories that are broken, and they reflect on the state of the industry. They also cover why sometimes stories with no dialogue still work. To learn more about Tom or look at his editing business, check out https://holbrookauthorservices.com/holbrook-author-services/ For more on writing dialogue, check out https://dialoguedoctor.com/

In this episode, Dialogue Doctor Coach JP Rindfleisch IX sits down with Hollie Smurthwaite to help Hollie figure out next steps in her current work in progress. Using Story Hypothesis needs and character types, JP helps Hollie move her story forward and they begin to think about expanding the story into a series. For more on writing dialogue, check out https://dialoguedoctor.com/

In this episode, Jeff sits down with author Deb Jensen. Together, they work on Deb's plot by thinking through her cast and how her characters will interact with each other. As they work, they discuss being AI Assisted authors and how you can use AI to help you brainstorm character voices. For more on dialogue, check out https://dialoguedoctor.com/  

Jeff and Dialogue Doctor Coach JP Rindfleisch IX sit down together to talk about the Story Hypothesis system. They dive deep into understanding character wants and needs, building those wants and needs into a plot, and using those wants and needs to demonstrate character growth. To get a copy of Story Hypothesis, go to https://books2read.com/storyhypothesis/ For more on dialogue, go to https://dialoguedoctor.com/  

In this episode, Dialogue Doctor Coach Laura Humm sits down with newer author Vivian Figueredo to talk about organizing your story. Together they layout the plot lines in Vivian's story and talk about how to line her plot lines interwork with her themes. Through the episode, Laura coaches Vivian in taking a story from her family history and turning it into story that takes a reader on a coherent journey. To learn more about dialogue, go to https://dialoguedoctor.com/  

In this episode, Dialogue Doctor Coach sits down with author John Krause to examine his cast of 4 characters. They talk about writing voices for characters who are teenagers and children, building voices that are true to their personalities, and designing a cast of contrasting voices that enhance your story. To see more of John's work, check out https://www.johnkrausebooks.com/  For more on dialogue, check out https://dialoguedoctor.com/  

Jeff sits down with the Great TJ Klune. They talk about writing powerful and dynamic characters, building character growth arcs, TJ's passion for inclusivity in his writing, using sensitivity readers, and a whole bunch of other things. To find more on TJ Klune, head over to https://www.tjklunebooks.com/ For more on writing dialogue, head to https://dialoguedoctor.com/

In this episode, Jeff sits down with author Carmen Catena Lewis to work out her plot together. Like many writers, Carmen knows how she wants the story to feel, but she isn't sure what kind of story beats or moments of character growth the story needs. She and Jeff work together to take the story from a general feeling to a set of scenes to be written. For more on dialogue or tips on improving your craft, check out https://dialoguedoctor.com  

At the end of episode 153, Jeff and Laura got off on a tangent about Jeff's fiction. This bonus episode provides that bonus content.  For more on dialogue, go to https://dialoguedoctor.com/

Dialogue Doctor Coach Laura Humm returns to the podcast to answer questions for listeners with Jeff. The questions are: Best story you've engaged with recently? 2. Something you learned about writing recently? 3. How should we structure internal dialogue? 4. How does a character flaw and a character voice work together? 5. What are the 3 best resources for novice and experienced writers? 6. What is something you found unsurmountable when you started but now you can manage? For more on dialogue, check out https://dialoguedoctor.com/