Working Writers
Practical conversations about writing, publishing, and building a career as a working writer.
Pete Aldin and Bryan Chaffin
Recent Episodes
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What Should You Write Next?
Pete Aldin and Bryan Chaffin explore how writers can choose what to work on next when too many possibilities lead to analysis paralysis. They also discuss BookBub Featured Deals, what… Read more
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Are Writing Competitions Worth It?
Pete Aldin and Bryan Chaffin explore whether writing competitions are worth entering, from the benefits of awards and feedback to the realities of judging and rejection. They also discuss what… Read more
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Make Your Characters More Interesting
Pete Aldin and Bryan Chaffin explore how to make your characters more interesting, from finding unexpected flaws and contradictions to challenging your assumptions about who they are. They discuss techniques… Read more
Latest from the Blog
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Not Winning a Writing Contest Might Sting…
…but you gain so much simply from entering. Not everyone can win a competition (they’re kind of designed that way). But winning isn’t the only benefit they offer. Some contests come with an option for feedback. In those cases, a “rejection” can be a craft accelerant. You’ll get clear data on things that cold readers…
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Let Your Characters Learn They’re Wrong—about Themselves
“You keep telling yourself that.” Ever heard that comment? Most of us have something we’re deluding ourselves about. So, why should well-rounded fictional characters be any different? With fictional characters, there’s an opportunity to go all-out on this. The helicopter parent tells herself she’s simply involved in her kids’ lives. The coward calls himself cautious. The…
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A Diversity of Critique Partners
It doesn’t matter whether you’re a developing author or a seasoned veteran, every writer carries blind spots shaped by their background, assumptions, training, and experiences. Those blind spots can easily undermine your work, creating dull spots, glaring errors, and even unintentionally offensive content. Building a robust critique circle guards against this danger. Remember when you’re…
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