The Write Focus

Overcoming difficulties is a constant process, no matter which profession you enter.

All my guidebooks on writing contain insights that I wish I had understood then. Instead, I nodded along, thinking I understood, but I didn’t turn those insights into practical application.

Many writers talked about difficulties and consistency, but they usually added the dreaded word “Deadlines” whenever they talked about keys to success.

After years of experience, I must agree with them. Every project has a deadline, and deadlines get things done.

TIMINGS

• 00:41 Introduction
• 01:10 Deadline Tricks
• 08:07 Closing

Total Run Time = 9:07

 

LINK

Website https://thewritefocus.blogspot.com/2026/07/overcoming-difficulties-quick-tips-for.html

 

Licensed Music with the Quick Tips content is “Simple Acoustic Guitar” from the creator applehillstudios on Audio Jungle. The music is licensed for podcast and YouTube. Music for the opening and closing segments are in the narration, also licensed from Audio Jungle for the purpose of podcast and YouTube.

All short videos with the video are from Pexels.com, a site that offers free short videos, some with sound (turned off for this posting).

 

Thanks for listening to The Write Focus. We focus on productivity, process, craft, and tools.

As a Blast from the Past, our current focus is a series entitled Quick Tips for Writers. Here is a link to the playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXi3M_aM-d7JoFvT3aJEZPpneLjOH1Ur_&si=j8n2yOeaJz05H4bY Select the most recent episode through the URL after the TIMINGS.

Support the podcast with a cup of coffee at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/winkbooksr

• You can find workbooks and templates at Buy Me a Coffee. Available is the Enter the Writing Business Workbook and templates from the Discovering Characters
• Also available: worksheet templates and a video trailer script for Discovering Your Author Brand.

For more links and resources, visit www.thewritefocus.blogspot.com  .

Write to us at winkbooks@aol.com.

If you find value in this podcast, please share with your writing friends or write a review. (We’re small beans. We don’t have the advertising budget of the big peeps. You can make a difference.)

Content copyright is 2020 to 2026, Writers Ink Books.

Alice followed the White Rabbit into a hole that dropped her into a strange world.

Writing is like that, a hole into a strange wonderland. A project is an intriguing white rabbit luring us to follow even as it reminds us that the project has to meet a deadline or be “late for that important date”.

Our Writing Wonderland operates on 3 Basic Rules. Get these writing rules right, and your Wonderland will not turn into a horror story.

TIMINGS

• 00:41 Introduction
• 01:15 The Writing Wonderland
• 04:20 Closing

Total Run Time = 5:20

 

LINK

Website https://thewritefocus.blogspot.com/2026/07/writing-is-wonderland-quick-tips-for.html

 

Licensed Music with the Quick Tips content is “Simple Acoustic Guitar” from the creator applehillstudios on Audio Jungle. The music is licensed for podcast and YouTube. Music for the opening and closing segments are in the narration, also licensed from Audio Jungle for the purpose of podcast and YouTube.

All short videos with the video are from Pexels.com, a site that offers free short videos, some with sound (turned off for this posting).

 

Thanks for listening to The Write Focus. We focus on productivity, process, craft, and tools.

As a Blast from the Past, our current focus is a series entitled Quick Tips for Writers. Here is a link to the playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXi3M_aM-d7JoFvT3aJEZPpneLjOH1Ur_&si=j8n2yOeaJz05H4bY Select the most recent episode through the URL after the TIMINGS.

Support the podcast with a cup of coffee at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/winkbooksr

• You can find workbooks and templates at Buy Me a Coffee. Available is the Enter the Writing Business Workbook and templates from the Discovering Characters
• Also available: worksheet templates and a video trailer script for Discovering Your Author Brand.

For more links and resources, visit www.thewritefocus.blogspot.com  .

Write to us at winkbooks@aol.com.

If you find value in this podcast, please share with your writing friends or write a review. (We’re small beans. We don’t have the advertising budget of the big peeps. You can make a difference.)

Content copyright is 2020 to 2026, Writers Ink Books.

Consider your Cover is Quick Tip #12.

One of the greatest expenses that an indie writer will have is the cost of a professional cover.

Yes, yes, people say that the editorial cost is the highest one. Development editors and content editors and line editors are expensive.

Let me argue with that. The first attractor for a book is the cover design. To capture and charm readers, invest in a great cover design.

How do we ensure the best cover design? Follow along for the tips.

 

TIMINGS

• 00:41 Introduction
• 01:15 Cover Considerations
• 04:56 Closing

Total Run Time = 5:57

 

LINK

Website https://thewritefocus.blogspot.com/2026/07/cover-considerations-quick-tips-for.html

 

Licensed Music with the Quick Tips content is “Simple Acoustic Guitar” from the creator applehillstudios on Audio Jungle. The music is licensed for podcast and YouTube. Music for the opening and closing segments are in the narration, also licensed from Audio Jungle for the purpose of podcast and YouTube.

All short videos with the video are from Pexels.com, a site that offers free short videos, some with sound (turned off for this posting).

 

Thanks for listening to The Write Focus. We focus on productivity, process, craft, and tools.

As a Blast from the Past, our current focus is a series entitled Quick Tips for Writers. Here is a link to the playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXi3M_aM-d7JoFvT3aJEZPpneLjOH1Ur_&si=j8n2yOeaJz05H4bY Select the most recent episode through the URL after the TIMINGS.

Support the podcast with a cup of coffee at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/winkbooksr

• You can find workbooks and templates at Buy Me a Coffee. Available is the Enter the Writing Business Workbook and templates from the Discovering Characters
• Also available: worksheet templates and a video trailer script for Discovering Your Author Brand.

For more links and resources, visit www.thewritefocus.blogspot.com  .

Write to us at winkbooks@aol.com.

If you find value in this podcast, please share with your writing friends or write a review. (We’re small beans. We don’t have the advertising budget of the big peeps. You can make a difference.)

Content copyright is 2020 to 2026, Writers Ink Books.

Writing constantly, writing fast ~ these can outpace our creativity, leaving us drained. The answer is to Juggle Projects.

I cannot simultaneously write two fiction projects; the projects we juggle have to be different.

This episode talks about that HOW.

TIMINGS

• 00:41 Introduction
• 01:15 Juggle Projects
• 04:50 Closing

Total Run Time = 5:49

 

LINK

Website https://thewritefocus.blogspot.com/2026/06/juggle-projects-quick-tips-for-writers.html

 

Licensed Music with the Quick Tips content is “Simple Acoustic Guitar” from the creator applehillstudios on Audio Jungle. The music is licensed for podcast and YouTube. Music for the opening and closing segments are in the narration, also licensed from Audio Jungle for the purpose of podcast and YouTube.

All short videos with the video are from Pexels.com, a site that offers free short videos, some with sound (turned off for this posting).

“Cocoons” is the Quick Tip for Writing in this episode.

When the words do not come as soon as we are ready to write, what can we do? We have to think like inchworms, the ones that eventually become beautiful butterflies.

TIMINGS

• 00:40 Introduction
• 01:15 Think Cocoons
• 03:43 Closing

Total Run Time = 4:42

 

LINK

Website https://thewritefocus.blogspot.com/2026/06/think-cocoons-quick-tips-for-writers-10.html

 

Licensed Music with the Quick Tips content is “Simple Acoustic Guitar” from the creator applehillstudios on Audio Jungle. The music is licensed for podcast and YouTube. Music for the opening and closing segments are in the narration, also licensed from Audio Jungle for the purpose of podcast and YouTube.

All short videos with the video are from Pexels.com, a site that offers free short videos, some with sound (turned off for this posting).

 

Thanks for listening to The Write Focus. We focus on productivity, process, craft, and tools.

As a Blast from the Past, our current focus is a series entitled Quick Tips for Writers. Here is a link to the playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXi3M_aM-d7JoFvT3aJEZPpneLjOH1Ur_&si=j8n2yOeaJz05H4bY Select the most recent episode through the URL after the TIMINGS.

Support the podcast with a cup of coffee at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/winkbooksr

• You can find workbooks and templates at Buy Me a Coffee. Available is the Enter the Writing Business Workbook and templates from the Discovering Characters
• Also available: worksheet templates and a video trailer script for Discovering Your Author Brand.

For more links and resources, visit www.thewritefocus.blogspot.com  .

Write to us at winkbooks@aol.com.

If you find value in this podcast, please share with your writing friends or write a review. (We’re small beans. We don’t have the advertising budget of the big peeps. You can make a difference.)

Long before a writer pens the last word in a story and launches into the Proof-Plus, that writer is considering promotions.

Promotions, marketing, that’s the same thing.

So much of marketing depends on spare cash and good fortune in eyes discovering it. The chief marketing tool, however, is something the writer can totally control.

Let’s look at the Loss Leader, also known as the Reader Magnet.

TIMINGS

• 00:41 Introduction
• 01:15 Reader Magnets
• 06:18 Closing

Total Run Time = 3:45

 

LINK

Website https://thewritefocus.blogspot.com/2026/06/reader-magnets-quick-tips-for-writers-9.html

 

Licensed Music with the Quick Tips content is “Simple Acoustic Guitar” from the creator applehillstudios on Audio Jungle. The music is licensed for podcast and YouTube. Music for the opening and closing segments are in the narration, also licensed from Audio Jungle for the purpose of podcast and YouTube.

All short videos with the video are from Pexels.com, a site that offers free short videos, some with sound (turned off for this posting).

 

Thanks for listening to The Write Focus. We focus on productivity, process, craft, and tools.

As a Blast from the Past, our current focus is a series entitled Quick Tips for Writers. Here is a link to the playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXi3M_aM-d7JoFvT3aJEZPpneLjOH1Ur_&si=j8n2yOeaJz05H4bY Select the most recent episode through the URL after the TIMINGS.

Support the podcast with a cup of coffee at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/winkbooksr

• You can find workbooks and templates at Buy Me a Coffee. Available is the Enter the Writing Business Workbook and templates from the Discovering Characters
• Also available: worksheet templates and a video trailer script for Discovering Your Author Brand.

For more links and resources, visit www.thewritefocus.blogspot.com  .

Write to us at winkbooks@aol.com.

If you find value in this podcast, please share with your writing friends or write a review. (We’re small beans. We don’t have the advertising budget of the big peeps. You can make a difference.)

Every successful story, short or long, has two key elements. These two keys recur throughout the story.

One takes a new form at every instance, teasing the reader into reading more. The other also teases the reader, but this time the key remains the same, merely doubling and re-doubling, increasing and intensifying.

What are these key elements?

You’ll have to listen to discover that answer. ;)

TIMINGS

• 00:41 Introduction
• 01:15 Two Key Elements for Successful Stories
• 04:16 Closing

Total Run Time = 5:17

 

LINK

Website https://thewritefocus.blogspot.com/2026/06/2-keys-to-successful-stories-quick-tips.html

 

Licensed Music with the Quick Tips content is “Simple Acoustic Guitar” from the creator applehillstudios on Audio Jungle. The music is licensed for podcast and YouTube. Music for the opening and closing segments are in the narration, also licensed from Audio Jungle for the purpose of podcast and YouTube.

All short videos with the video are from Pexels.com, a site that offers free short videos, some with sound (turned off for this posting).

In our second episode on antagonists, we discuss the additional evil actors that drive a plot, as much a part as our main character, our Protagonists.

We offer three Quick Tips, first about our major antagonist and then two more about minor antagonists.

A key element whips by pretty rapidly, in that each minor antagonist teaches the protagonist a skill or a way to defeat the major antagonist. We don’t want you to miss that. ;)

Quick Tips for Writers continues next week with 2 Requirements for Every Story.

TIMINGS

• 00:41 Introduction
• 01:15 Antagonists, part 2
• 03:31 Closing

Total Run Time = 4:31

LINK

Website https://thewritefocus.blogspot.com/2026/03/antagonists-part-2-quick-tips-for.html

Licensed Music with the Quick Tips content is “Simple Acoustic Guitar” from the creator applehillstudios on Audio Jungle. The music is licensed for podcast and YouTube.

Music for the opening and closing segments are in the narration, also licensed from Audio Jungle for the purpose of podcast and YouTube.

All short videos with the video are from Pexels.com, a site that offers free short videos, some with sound (turned off for this posting).

Thanks for listening to The Write Focus.

We focus on productivity, process, craft, and tools.

As a Blast from the Past, our current focus is a series entitled Quick Tips for Writers. Here is a link to the playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXi3M_aM-d7JoFvT3aJEZPpneLjOH1Ur_&si=j8n2yOeaJz05H4bY

Select the most recent episode through the URL after the TIMINGS.

Support the podcast with a cup of coffee at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/winkbooksr

• You can find workbooks and templates at Buy Me a Coffee. Available is the Enter the Writing Business Workbook and templates from the Discovering Characters series.

• Also available: worksheet templates and a video trailer script for Discovering Your Author Brand.

For more links and resources, visit www.thewritefocus.blogspot.com .

Write to us at winkbooks@aol.com.

If you find value in this podcast, please share with your writing friends or write a review. (We’re small beans. We don’t have the advertising budget of the big peeps. You can make a difference.)

Pentecost concludes the Easter Season.

Fifty days after the Resurrection, ten days after Ascension, it completes the jubilation that starts before sunrise on Easter Day with the Son’s rise.

“He is risen” does not complete everything. Pentecost is the completion.

Let’s ground ourselves in the reasons.

 

TIMINGS

• 00:40 Introduction
• 00:50 Pentecost
• 08:55 Closing

Total Run Time = 9:54

 

LINK

Website https://thewritefocus.blogspot.com/2026/05/pentecost-concludes-easter-season.html

 

Licensed Music with the Easter segment is entitled “Soft Beautiful Hope Piano” from the creator Nehliudoff on Audio Jungle while that with the Writing segment, with the same title, is from the creator Little Victory, also on Audio Jungle. Music for the opening and closing segments are in the narration.

All short videos with the video are from Pexels.com, a site that offers free short videos, some with sound.

In the Quick Tips series, episodes 6 and 7 are linked, for both are about antagonists, twisty and surprising antagonists.

A truth of conflict is that a weak antagonist creates a weak Protagonist. Since we writers want our main characters to be strong, then the conflict-creator of the story needs to be equally strong.

The first way to do this is to twist our readers’ expectations of the antagonist.

TIMINGS

• 00:40 Introduction
• 0:1:12 Learn to Twist / Antagonists
• 06:18 Closing

Total Run Time = 3:36

 

LINK

Website https://thewritefocus.blogspot.com/2026/03/quick-tip-6-learn-to-twist-721.html

 

Licensed Music with the Quick Tips content is “Simple Acoustic Guitar” from the creator applehillstudios on Audio Jungle. The music is licensed for podcast and YouTube. Music for the opening and closing segments are in the narration, also licensed from Audio Jungle for the purpose of podcast and YouTube.

All short videos with the video are from Pexels.com, a site that offers free short videos, some with sound (turned off for this posting).

 

Thanks for listening to The Write Focus. We focus on productivity, process, craft, and tools.

As a Blast from the Past, our current focus is a series entitled Quick Tips for Writers. Here is a link to the playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXi3M_aM-d7JoFvT3aJEZPpneLjOH1Ur_&si=j8n2yOeaJz05H4bY Select the most recent episode through the URL after the TIMINGS.

Support the podcast with a cup of coffee at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/winkbooksr

• You can find workbooks and templates at Buy Me a Coffee. Available is the Enter the Writing Business Workbook and templates from the Discovering Characters
• Also available: worksheet templates and a video trailer script for Discovering Your Author Brand.

For more links and resources, visit www.thewritefocus.blogspot.com  .

Write to us at winkbooks@aol.com.

If you find value in this podcast, please share with your writing friends or write a review. (We’re small beans. We don’t have the advertising budget of the big peeps. You can make a difference.)