The Write Note

In this episode action speaks louder than words as we share writing tips to craft awesome action scenes that elevate the impact of your story and lock in reader engagement.Highlights:01:12 The pivotal action scene02:12 Character is King: Action Editon08:10 Make the action mean something11:33 Keep up the pace13:50 The 3 pitfalls of writing action18:25 Add sensory21:35 Add personality24:05 Think like a film editor27:14 I busted a chair across his teeth30:40 Hood slidin’ like Bo Duke

In this episode we share key elements you need to develop to create a custom-made world for your story.Highlights:01:24 Why worldbuilding is essential03:33 Character is King: World Builder Edition07:00 Your story’s foundation (6 key elements)07:31 Geography – Real world, New world, Authenticity11:23 Make significant settings memorable (examples)12:45 Physics – Rules of Nature, Magic, Technology17:24 Climate – Seasons, Weather, Character Impact20:40 Culture – Customs, Class, Politics, Occupations24:25 History – Deep past, Major events, Need to Know27:10 Religon – Poly/Mono, Influence on Society,28:20 Things to keep in mind

In this episode we hail The Bard himself, William Shakespeare, and celebrate the enduring impact his writing has had on Western literature and entertainment for over 400 years.Highlights:01:30 The Titan of Western Literature04:45 Character is King: Shakespeare Edition12:03 Shakespeare in Led Zeppelin - Merchant of Venice (Act 2, Scene 7)14:28 Shakespeare in Wonka - Romeo and Juliet (Act 2, Scene 2)16:20 We happy few - Henry V (Act 4, Scene 3)17:18 Something Good from Nothing - King Lear (Act 1, Scene 1)20:53 Double Double - Macbeth (Act 4, Scene 1)22:46 The Undiscovered Country - Henry V (Act 3, Scene 1)26:48 To be, or not to be (performed poorly by J Ryan Fenzel)

In this episode we share a creative writing exercise that teaches authors how to avoid the predictable and unleash the vivid.Episode Highlights:01:27 The Goldberg Prompt02:42 Setting up the exercise03:30 An example run-through04:23 Resulting verb-driven sentences

In this episode we take on writer’s block and share tried & true strategies to break through the wall and get those words flowing again.Episode Highlights:01:44 Character is King: Communication Problem Edition08:45 The 4 types of Writer’s Block12:42 Level 1 Treatment: Overcoming the variants18:45 Level 2 Treatment: Manage the writing process24:00 Set a clear intent for your writing session26:23 Movement is medicine30:51 Level 3 Treatment: Kickstarters31:08 Develop a character33:16 Start in the middle36:22 Genre swapping39:22 Caffeine

It's our annual Christmas Special! Join us as we unwrap a Yuletide edition of our Lyrically Speaking series to discuss the lyrics of classic Christmas songs and the stories behind the music.Highlights:01:38   What is the oldest Christmas Song?05:35   Character is King: Yuletide Tradition Edition11:40   Somewhere in My Memory16:09   The Man with the Bag21:04   ‘Zat You, Santa Claus?25:14   The Snow Miser/Heat Miser Song31:53   The Christmas Song36:49  Underneath the Tree

In this episode we examine the key elements that make up a great short story, and we share a collection of classic tales to illustrate the power of the format.Episode Highlights:01:30  What a short story does best03:27  Character is King: Short Story Edition10:08  Six key literary elements of the short story17:44  A training ground for the writer’s “long game”22:10  Story Example 1: A Good Man is Hard to Find26:45  Story Example 2: Trace30:07  Story Example 3: The Telltale Heart33:10  Story Example 4: The Star35:40  Story Example 5: A Rose for Emily40:20  Story Example 6: The Open Window

In this episode we expose weird and whacky conspiracy theories from the literary, film, and music worlds and reveal the secrets “they” don’t want you to know. Episode Highlights:02:55   “Paul is Dead” catches fire06:47   Character is King: Conspiratorial Edition12:45   Theory 1 - She doesn’t exist15:12   Theory 2 - Witches Boo18:10   Theory 3 - It’s not her, it’s him21:26   Theory 4 - Who’s your daddy?24:40   Theory 5 – Lennon and the King28:18   Theory 6 – Back to the North Pole

In this episode we present a new collection of classic idioms and share the histories and origins that made them timeless expressions of speech.Episode highlights:03:00              Coffee badging and three sheets 06:15               Character is King: Idiomatic Expression Edition12:03               A very southern idiom14:40               Lost in translation17:19               Born of a Scottish proverb21:00               Benson Boone and Rick Springfield23:25              The Thatched Roof Theory26:20              Novel uses of a bullet29:06              Honorable Mentions

In this episode we break down the elements and genres that make up a great beach read novel, and we share our Top 5 list of titles that pair perfect with sun and sand.Episode highlights:01:40               Choose your Beach Read wisely02:10               Character is King: Beach Edition11:14               The Blueprint: 6 Key Elements & 3 Prime Genres16:07               Top 5 List of Great Beach Read Novels22:12               The 48-hour book26:57              A prime beach read

In this episode we take a close look at taglines. From big business to blockbusters to books we discuss how these brief blurbs of exposition just might be the most valuable marketing tool ever devised and share key tips to on how to craft an effective tagline for your novel.Episode highlights:02:08             What is a tagline?04:25             Novel examples08:55             The key to writing a tagline for a book12:40              Character is King: Tagline Edition17:16               Tagline Tag21:05              Early morning aliens

In this episode we roll out Volume 5 of our Lyrically Speaking series and celebrate the musical. Join us as we explore the lyrics of classic showtunes from Broadway and beyond in this fun retrospective.Episode highlights:02:56              What makes a musical?07:22               Character is King: The Musical Edition14:52               Brown paper packages19:05               The greatest negotiation23:38               Sit down!30:49               Minutes turn to hours35:35               Tell me more41:20               Three meals a day

In this episode we examine the MacGuffin, its history, popularization, and use in modern storytelling. We also share our Top 5 list of all-time great MacGuffins.Episode highlights:01:29               What is a MacGuffin?08:27              Character is King: MacGuffin Edition13:15               The Top 5 list of all-time great cinema MacGuffins14:39               I know something you don’t18:09               It’s all in the plans21:00               To infinity…23:50              The stuff that dreams are made of26:00              Like an addiction

In this episode YA fantasy author Carrie Anne Noble joins us to discuss folklore, fairy tales, and how she finds new stories to tell. Carrie reveals behind-the-book details about her new novel THE SPRINGBORN, and shares the impact that her debut novel, THE MERMAID’s SISTER, had on her life. And for a little bonus content, Keira and I discuss the path she took to get her novel KEEPER OF THE LIGHT from publisher signing to pub date.Episode highlights:02:33          Keira’s fairy tale: Publishing KEEPER OF THE LIGHT11:20            Character is King: Enchanted Edition18:17            Welcome Carrie Anne Noble20:27          The life-changing impact of THE MERMAID’S SISTER23:15           The fairy tale vibe of THE SPRINGBORN25:35          How THE GINGERBREAD QUEEN became a sequel27:48          Carrie’s fresh figurative language33:00          The inspiration of Pennsylvania

In this episode Christian author Taylor S Newport joins us to discuss her debut into the thriller genre, the perfect balance of action and integrity, and the potential to be prolific.Episode highlights:02:56               Astounding accomplishments of youth04:25               Character is King: Exceptional Youth Edition10:45               Welcome Taylor S Newport 12:53               Thrills and integrity17:13               Writing fast and crafting a cliffhanger20:11               A writing editor or an editing writer?26:20               Being somewhat prolific

In this episode we ring in the New Year with a Top 5 list of resolutions for writers to engage and improve their craft in 2025. Episode highlights:02:41               Who originated the idea of New Year’s Resolutions?05:58              Character is King: Great Resolve Edition12:25               The Top 5 list of resolutions for writers13:10               Correspondence course15:30               Own it!18:05               Life gets in the way22:12               Immersive days23:49              The REAL reward of writing

In this episode we bask in the glow of the holiday season and explore the lyrics of a collection of classic Christmas songs and share the untold stories behind the music.Episode highlights:02:00              How many Christmas songs are there?05:27              Character is King: Special Christmas Edition11:06               A merry little song16:02               Keira’s intro to Christmas20:37              The hymn once banned by the Catholic Church 26:33              Christmas wrapped up in a bow31:20               A stolen song and A Very Special Christmas36:41               A Broadway Christmas tune42:17               Merry Christmas from The Write Note

In this episode Amazon Bestselling author Diana Rubino joins us to discuss how a love for history has inspired her to write nearly 20 historical romance and biographical novels.Episode highlights:01:17               Past is more than prologue04:41              Character is King: Historic Edition14:00              Welcome Diana Rubino19:22               Finding comfort in biographies23:22              Who killed President Kennedy?28:55              Love conquers all35:54              Feeling the weight of history40:50              Around the World in 80 Meals45:02              Josephine Earp: Sassy Lady of History

In this special episode Keira shares big news about her writing career. Episode highlights:01:19   Keira’s big news02:51   A Smyth’s Quill – The story that landed a contract04:24   Oliver-Heber Books: The Terms07:05   Writing under a deadline08:30   The best part of OHB (so far) 

In this episode author and graphic artist Dineen Miller joins us to discuss creating the perfect book cover and shares the allure of writing romantic comedies.Episode highlights:01:10               Judging a book by the cover05:57             Character is King: Artistic World Edition11:29               Welcome Dineen Miller13:40              The evolution of graphic art technology17:14               Cover market awareness is vital20:48             Weighing in on AI26:30             What is the job of your book cover?33:39             The allure of writing romantic comedies39:06             Moments Matter – Laughter Lingers42:15              Writing from a male perspective

In this episode we examine the most controversial story-ending trope ever devised. It was all a dream…or was it?  We look at the good, the bad, and the ugly of employing this trope and play a game of “Neat” or “Cheat” with some famous dreamy endings. Episode highlights:01:35               Nailing the end of a story02:40              It was all a dream…or was it? - The controversial trope09:46              Character is King: Dreamy Edition (or is it?)13:26               Neat or Cheat13:58               A dream-sharing masterpiece18:18               Was Dickens deceptive?20:41               The great escape…or was it?26:40              A train, a bell, and a hole in a pocket31:37               The midnight twist35:25              Honorable mention

In this episode we celebrate Summerween with a creepy collection of songs and the stories that made them scary. From the Stones to the X-files. From a gypsy to a howling crooner, we cover some spooky, cooky, ground.Episode highlights:01:25 Keira Returns!01:55 What is Summerween?06:00 Character is King: Summerween Edition10:55 From a certain perspective14:18 A gypsy, a potion, and a cop16:33 A wonderful song with a creep X-factor21:15 A paranoid song25:00 A happy song made creepy30:07 Screaming a song to death

In this episode we welcome author and poet Kara Quinn to discuss the long and winding path she took to find a literary agent. Kara also shares the challenges she faced when she took on the all-consuming task of writing a psychological thriller.Highlights:01:35               Kara’s Poem03:02              Character is King: Poetic Edition (abbreviated)04:55              Welcome Kara Quinn05:57              The long path to find an agent11:00               Query tools and tips13:15               Good rejections17:10               St. Augustine & the chemical structure of Serotonin 21:35               What Happened to Vivian Bell – The elevator pitch.28:27               Kara the creepy weirdo34:03               A cherished writing exercise38:19               Writing poetry vs writing a novel44:16               The nostalgia of A Gold Chain47:52               How to drink like an author

In this episode we examine the long-lost art of writing advertising jingles and recognize the copywriters and creative directors who crafted the most memorable songs from commercial advertising’s golden era. Along the way, we revisit classic commercial tunes.Episode highlights:01:20    From song to sonic tagline03:38    A jingle that went to Billboard’s No. 206:14    Nutty07:13    Broadway Branding08:11    It does it all in 30 seconds09:17    Insidious tune10:19    The unity of sweet effervescence

In this episode J Ryan and Keira discuss the importance of creating an engaging premise when crafting a story and share their Top-3 list of story examples having an awesome premise.Episode highlights:01:25         What if?02:53        The components of a great premise04:50        Character is King: Clever Premise Edition10:35          Amazing amber idea12:59          Rewarding heroics16:08          Strange19:40          Boarding22:13          A bunch of firsts24:39         Again and again27:10           Fun fact

This episode is a horse of a different color as J Ryan and Keira take a deep dive into idioms. Join their exploration of how these beloved expressions of speech have permeated our culture and day to day lives and learn the amazing history and origin of some of their favorites. Episode highlights:01:55 What is an idiom?03:50 Our verbal culture (Tribal Knowledge)05:35 Character is King: Idiom Edition12:50 Let it whip16:25 The “All” of something18:35 Siriusly?21:10 Couldn’t be more different22:38 Boxing, jumping, acting, or sailing?25:16 You’re not worthy 

In this episode, J Ryan and Keira welcome romance & fantasy author Kara Douglas to discuss the tropes of love, unraveling fate, and making magic. Kara also shares her key to social media book promotion and how she gets advanced copies of her books into readers hands.Episode highlights:01:20               Blending Genres03:45              Character is King: Mixed Genre Edition09:59              Welcome Kara Douglas10:47               Lunaria’s theme13:35               Fitting in the fantasy17:05               Inspiration in Ireland21:50               Pantser vs Plotter26:15               Why Alice In Wonderland?29:05              Kara’s social media advice35:55              Unraveling the ARC process

In this episode, J Ryan and Keira welcome USA Today bestselling thriller and suspense author Luana Ehrlich to discuss the secret of being a prolific writer, the challenge of juggling multiple series characters, and the art of intertwining faith with thrills and chills. Episode highlights:01:15               What makes a prolific author?05:45             Character is King: Long Running Series Edition11:17               The lost era of appointment TV13:43               Welcome Luana Ehrlich17:45               It blew their minds20:01               The origin of Titus Ray26:02              Weaving in the faith30:54              The pros, cons, and humor of First Person POV36:45              Finding a voice for your hero (in audiobooks)40:54              Keeping characters distinct45:10               A day in the life of Luana Ehrlich53:35              Reflections of life in Michigan

In this second installment of the Lyrically Speaking series, J Ryan and Keira shine a festive light on classic Christmas songs and explore the lyrics that make the holidays bright. Along the way, they share not-so-well-known stories behind these beloved tunes and reveal a 400-year-old mystery surrounding one cherished Christmas carol. Episode highlights:02:14               Holiday inspiration and irony03:24              Character is King: Christmas Edition09:20              A picture postcard of Christmas—with morbid edges?13:20               What other type of Christmas is there?17:47               A toe-tapping celebration of Santa Claus22:37               An ancient manuscript recorded by a King28:28               The exuberance of youth…and an elf32:28               It captures Christmas Eve so well37:48               Our own Scrooge moment

In this episode, J Ryan and Keira take a deep dive into Pixar Studio's 22 Rules of Storytelling, examining each rule and sharing examples of how they are executed in popular films and in their own writing projects. They also unveil Pixar's unique corporate creative process, "The Pixar Braintrust," and discuss how it came to be. Episode highlights:03:33               George Lucas, Steve Jobs, ILM & the birth of Pixar05:59               The Pixar Braintrust08:06               Character is King: Pixar Edition14:53               Diving into the 22 Rules of Storytelling18:07               When do you see the theme in your work?24:17               The End is the beginning…and the middle27:40               Learn what you like, then use it31:26               An obvious way to surprise yourself36:54              Keeping it real…no matter the circumstance 41:55               It’s such a waste, or is it? (Even after 14 years)47:17               Exercise: Fix a broken story

In this episode, J Ryan and Keira welcome author Dony Jay to discuss writing action-packed spy thrillers from a Chistian perspective. Dony also shares his insights into police procedurals, and how his 20-year career as a police investigator has prepared him to write his new crime thriller series. Episode highlights:01:52               How much of ourselves do we put in our fiction?07:20              FRAK!09:40             Character is King: Law Enforcement Edition16:37               Welcome Dony Jay17:56               Fiction with Conviction21:18               Breaking the curse (word)24:56              What do crime & mystery authors get wrong?33:12               Writing facts vs writing fiction37:45              Dony’s secret to character development45:35              The challenge of independence 51:08               Book trailers and marketing

In this episode, J Ryan and Keira welcome thriller author Jack Arbor to discuss his action & espionage series The Russian Assassin, the weight of Cold War history, and the challenge of crafting a lovable anti-hero. The conversation also delves into the business side of independent publication and the benefits of cultivating an extensive Beta Reader network.Episode highlights:02:58             Growing up during the Cold War – A brief history07:48             Did you feel the doom? - Anxieties of a new generation10:06              Character is King: Cold War Edition (Technicality ahead!)17:22               Welcome Jack Arbor20:04             Creating Max Austin24:20             The flavor of a place35:10              The art of Product Market Fit40:58             The best sketch artists46:14              Who would play your main character?48:00             Jack’s Beta Reader process54:32             Getting the world right in Book-159:44             Bourbon or beer?1:03:14            Makin’ Coffee

In this episode, hosts J Ryan and Keira dive into the world of music to discuss how the structure and conventions of the modern pop song provides fertile ground for excellent writing, and they share their favorite examples of stellar lyrics from songs over the past 70 years.Episode highlights:02:41                    Structure, constraints, and good writing 05:36                   Character is King: Music Edition12:55                    A masterclass of concise writing17:30                    Wait, the song is about that?21:29                    A band transforms24:40                   Correcting the record on a tortured artist28:05                   A self-deprecating character study32:50                   The song is the same, you’re the one who changed

In this episode contemporary romance novelist Kristy Lynae Moore joins J Ryan and Keira to talk about travel adventures, life on a ranch, and a fascination for a particular Kingsman. Kristy also discusses how she discovered and fell in love with the art of typography, and shares her biggest challenge with independent publishing. Episode highlights:01:25                    Do you like to travel?      02:57                   Overselling the Mona Lisa05:11                    Character is King: Travel Edition09:31                    Welcome Kristy Lynae Moore      11:27                    What to leave in, what to leave out15:57                    Splitting time between writing, typography, and motherhood17:32                    Immortalizing the Exs19:33                    Crushing on the Kingsman24:00                   Discovering a love for typography29:23                   Handling critiques33:31                    The hardest part of publishing36:12                    Can you elaborate on the ranch?

In this episode YA novelist Nicole Adair joins J Ryan and Keira to talk about the twists and turns of teenage angst, the work of writing, and the unifying power of Taylor Swift. Nicole also discusses the purpose and importance of her social media posts, and the awesome yet terrifying world of independent publishing. Episode highlights:01:20                    What makes a YA novel “YA”?      05:57                   Anatomy of a rivalry07:20                   Character is King: Rivals Edition15:25                    Welcome Nicole Adair    18:38                    Discovering character development23:39                   The Taylor Swift connection26:57                   The Twist31:30                    Write something every day38:00                   Doing the work41:10                    Write Nicole Write: Confessions of a YA author46:07                   Independence and growth51:52                    Why are indie rock stars cool?

Hosts J Ryan and Keira discuss the importance of building confidence in your writing, and how to go about doing it. Confidence is nurtured through hard work and experience, but it can come from other surprising places as well.Episode highlights:01:45                   Character is King               06:20                  Are you confident in your writing?08:35                  On a scale of 1 to 1012:15                    What is “knowing”?14:15                    Honesty is the best policy17:20                   What makes a good Beta?21:22                   Acknowledgments23:00                  Learning how not to make a light bulb26:35                  When is confidence a bad thing?30:50                  The olden days of telephones

In this episode hosts J Ryan and Keira take you inside the Writing Workshop of San Francisco. Having participated in this year’s event, Keira provides a debrief and exploration of the 2-day workshop, including session offerings, an overview of the literary professionals in attendance, and a detailed look at the book pitch process. Along the way she shares an exciting bit of news as well. Episode highlights:01:05                    Our embedded correspondent   02:10                    What is the Writing Workshop of San Francisco?04:00                   Breaking News!07:00                   And here’s the pitch…13:00                    So how did it end?15:05                    Info-dumping and queries17:30                    Writers Got Talent19:50                    Your first paragraph21:10                    The particulars of the workshop

In this episode romance novelist Bitsy Yates joins J Ryan and Keira to talk about how the Massachusetts landscape and a mandated quarantine inspired her to write her debut novel Unapologetically Yours. Along the way, they discuss the power of social media, writing while being a mom, hybrid publishing, and the challenges and opportunities of writing a romance story in the midst of a global pandemic.  Episode highlights:01:14                    Podcast Shout-Out of the Month               02:07                  Character is King10:51                    Welcome Bitsy Yates16:30                   Love, life, and Plan-B21:10                    The inspiration of Salem25:47                  Writing between naps31:10                    The scoop on hybrid publishing34:21                   Marketing then and now37:46                  Career building41:33                   A peek into Bitsy’s next book

Hosts J Ryan and Keira have a fun discussion about lines from movies that are so well written and executed they become ingrained in popular consciousness, regardless of if you've seen the movie or not. And they explore how these lines provide a lesson to authors in how to write dialogue for their own characters.Episode highlights:01:17                    Shout-out: Parents Who Write / Writing Momentum        03:10                   Character is King08:50                  What do these bits of dialogue have in common?12:00                   You may not have seen it, but you know it14:38                   What’s so funny about facing your fears?16:36                   Work with me here19:04                   How do you know that!!20:45                  A moment of defeat22:58                  Where is that from?24:47                  Stay true to your characters26:00                  Info dumps – Be on guard

Hosts J Ryan and Keira discuss how injecting non-standard character struggles, traits, and relationships into a genre novel can strengthen the story. And they delve into the questions an author must consider before going independent.Episode highlights:02:47                 What is a Whim?              06:25                 A story of choices11:10                    Character struggles – A writer’s therapy13:28                  Relationship development in Tarsha (feet up)16:21                   The joy of dialogue19:14                   The subtle art of messaging 20:50                 Going independent: Control23:15                  Going independent: The Numbers25:44                 Going independent: Unexpected Challenges27:04                 Going independent: One Crucial Thing to Know30:16                  Going independent: Social Marketing Fun

Write Note hosts J Ryan Fenzel and Keira F Jacobs introduce themselves, give a little bit of their background stories, and discuss why they decided to start a writing podcast focused on independent authors.Episode highlights:00:39        Why we’re doing a podcast          03:55        You are my daughter05:48        What is your origin story?13:26          The world in a trunk14:52          Arsenic and inspiration17:34          Bendigo’s elevator pitch .......................

The Write Note is a podcast for independent authors by independent authors. Topic-of-the-month episodes focus on key elements of creative writing and storytelling. Interview episodes delve into the writing life with indie authors or explore the path to book production with industry professionals. The Write Note is hosted by 20-year indie author J Ryan Fenzel and his daughter, Keira F Jacobs, a newbie just getting started on the writer's road. dEHt6YVoGgRVFIc9L6h8