Hi Reader, Give your Big Bad a staff meeting worth attending! Supervillains, spies, and wizards rarely work alone. Even the most dramatic Big Bad needs a support system: henchmen, minions, and evil sidekicks. A great henchman is built from three ingredients: Distinct identity: We recognize them instantly. Real motivation: They’re not just evil furniture. Clear function: They have a job in the villain ecosystem. Let’s build your evil team. Make Them Pop: The No Numbers Rule Henchmen should...
9 days ago • 3 min read
Hi Reader, Last week we talked about the villain's journey. Now let's build your villain. 1) Villain or Antagonist? A villain is a malicious character who opposes the hero through selfish, immoral actions. An antagonist is anything that opposes the protagonist’s goal (person, force, idea, emotion). ☐ Is your opposing force malicious (villain), or simply in the way (antagonist)? 2) The Villain thinks he’s the Hero. Your villain wakes up thinking: “I’m justified.” “I’m correcting an injustice.”...
16 days ago • 2 min read
Hi Reader, Your hero’s journey is the focus of your story. But plot twist, have you ever thought about your villain’s journey? In The Villain’s Journey: How to Create Villains Readers Love to Hate, Debbie Burke takes us through the bad guy’s character arc, giving a fun new way to think about stakes and conflict. Villains vs Antagonists: What’s the Difference? The villain is a malicious character who opposes the hero and drives conflict through evil, selfish, and immoral actions. The...
23 days ago • 4 min read
Hi Reader, Every year, I pick a theme, one simple idea I can use like a compass. Not a 37-item resolution list. Not a personality transplant. Just one guiding star that helps me make better decisions when life (and inboxes) get crazy. This year’s theme: I Love Data! Before you hide under a cozy blanket with your favorite novel, hear me out. Data doesn’t have to mean spreadsheets. Data can be as friendly as a sticky note. It’s just information that helps you make smarter choices. And if you’re...
about 1 month ago • 3 min read
Hi Reader, Every January 1, something delightful happens in the creative universe: Public Domain Day. It’s the moment a fresh batch of older books, films, songs, art, and characters becomes legally free to remix, adapt, and reboot. And in 2026, that means works from 1930 (plus sound recordings from 1925) are now available under U.S. law. So What is the Public Domain? In plain writer-speak: creative works that are not protected by copyright make up the public domain. You don’t need permission....
about 1 month ago • 5 min read
Hi Reader, Wishing you a happy, prosperous, creative 2026! Here's how to set yourself up for success in 2026: How to Schedule Your Writing Year Like a Pro Do These Three Things Every Week to Grow Your Career Steal My Creative Calendar & Fill Your Feed All Year Be Easy to Find: Three Quick Things to Fix Improve Your Writing Craft with These Podcasts and Books Use These Tools to Make More Money in Your Writer Business Start Your Newsletter In Case You Missed It The Power of Underdog Stories The...
about 1 month ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, Wishing you and your loved ones a wonderful holiday! Christmas Movie Merriment How to Write a Hallmark Christmas Movie Diehard is a Christmas Movie Deck the Halls with Story Beats In Case You Missed It The Power of Underdog Stories The Genius of Grimm's Fairy Tales How to Schedule Your Writing Year Like a Pro Do These Three Things Every Week to Grow Your Career Steal My Creative Calendar & Fill Your Feed All Year Cheers, Lindsey Thanks for reading! You can share this article HERE
about 2 months ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, Let’s make our stories click in 2026! Pull out your notebooks. Open your calendar. We’re about to turn that swirling idea confetti in your brain into an actual plan. (Yes, a fun plan.) Plan Your Creative Projects We all have a stash of stories we want to tell. This year, we’re getting them out of your head and onto paper where they belong. Step 1: Do a lightning list. On a blank sheet of paper, jot down as many story ideas as you can. Go fast. No judging, no overthinking, no “is...
about 2 months ago • 3 min read
Hi Reader, For the next three weeks, we’re getting ready for 2026 together. Yes, the new year is a traditional time to build new habits, but that date is totally arbitrary. It turns midnight every night. You can choose a “New Year” anytime you want. Every single day is a fresh chance to build your life, your writing business, and your big dreamy dreams. Instead of giant to-do lists and overwhelming goals that make you want to hide under a blanket, start small. Think “tiny but mighty.” Do just...
2 months ago • 1 min read