The Deliberate Scribe – Writing Fiction & Nonfiction with Authenticity, Confidence, and Power

Niels Kwakernaak @ Your Best Story Editing

Hone your writing skills on your way to work or while doing the dishes! We talk about writing fiction, nonfiction, narrative techniques, and ways to engage your reader so that you'll grow your confidence and authority as a writer. See also my website: http://www.yourbeststory.net Or connect with me via LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nielskwakernaak Subscribe to my free "Change the World Writing" course: https://yourbeststory.net/subscribe-for-your-free-writing-course/

  1. 07/21/2025

    Fiction Writing: Creating Tension with Character Relationships

    Tense relationships make suspenseful stories. When the main characters are stuck together AND in conflict, the most suspenseful plots emerge. In this podcast, I'll discuss how these character relationships work and how to create them in your stories. Learn how to Optimize characters for conflictUse different scripts to create conflict between charactersUse the principles of the crucible to add tensionCreate exciting relationships in your B-, C-, and D-stories, or subplots Subscribe to my newsletter for weekly tips, tricks, and inspiration: http://www.yourbeststory.net

    26 min

  2. 07/02/2025

    Fiction Writing: Character Psychology & How to Use Character: Character Development pt. 2

    Knowing your characters is crucial when you're writing a story—in fiction and in narrative nonfiction. So, what do you need to know about your characters? In this podcast, we'll discover how to use psychology and human behavior to engage your readers with real and relatable characters. Subscribe to my newsletter and get a free coaching call with me: http://www.yourbeststory.net

    23 min

  3. 06/16/2025

    Fiction Writing: Character Development 1: What a Character Is and How to Create One

    What is a character exactly? And how does understanding that help you create an authentic character for your story? In this podcast, I share my insights on: What a character isWhat readers want from a character What a character needs to come alive in your readers' brainsThis is part 1 of a double episode on character development. In part 2, we'll be discussing character psychology and character discovery in nonfiction. Subscribe to my newsletter and get a free one-hour coaching call with me: http://www.yourbeststory.net

    21 min

  4. 06/02/2025

    The Middle Part of Your Book: Using Conflict to Keep Readers Engaged — Writing Fiction and Nonfiction Podcast

    Conflict is the most important ingredient for storytelling. And writers who know how to use it won't have trouble getting their readers through the middle part of their books. In this podcast, I show you how conflict in narrative works and how to use it. And I'll share a few classic examples from literature, film, and theater. Would you like a free writing coaching call? Go to http://www.yourbeststory.net and subscribe to my newsletter!

    25 min

  5. 05/20/2025

    How to End Chapters Without Losing Engagement — Nonfiction Writing Podcast #5

    One problem all writers face: their readers have other things to do than reading. Chapter endings are the perfect places to close a book and start doing "something useful." How do you make sure your reader will pick up your book again at the first available opportunity? Make sure your reader is hungry for more. In this podcast, I show you how to use the 5W1H method to create engaging chapter endings, and I share many examples from published works. Would you like to have a free coaching call with me? Go to http://www.yourbeststory.net and subscribe to my newsletter.

    31 min

  6. 05/06/2025

    When Are You Done Writing? My strategy to figure it out. — Nonfiction Writing Podcast #4

    When is your book or article ready for publication? In this podcast, I'll give you a strategy to figure it out. For weekly tips and inspiration, and a free coaching call, subscribe to my email list: http://www.yourbeststory.net

    24 min

  7. 04/29/2025

    Coaching and Editing: Costs and Differences: A Conversation with a Writing Student — Part 2

    Also in this podcast: Writing about controversial topics and finding the right attitude and tone. And, for those who care, a little bit about my vision. Would you like a free coaching session with me? Go to http://www.yourbeststory.net (Use the pop-up or scroll down to the form.)

    21 min

  8. 04/14/2025

    How to Write a Nonfiction Book, Answering Student Questions: A Conversation with a Writing Student — Part 1

    What do the masters say about short sentences?How do you avoid boring prose?Can you be informal without losing credibility?How many pages should a nonfiction book be?How can you use 5W1H to create tension?What's the editor's role in the writing process?In this podcast, I discuss these and many more questions with a coaching student. Would you like a free coaching session, too? Subscribe to my free weekly newsletter to schedule one: http://www.yourbeststory.net

    32 min
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About

Hone your writing skills on your way to work or while doing the dishes! We talk about writing fiction, nonfiction, narrative techniques, and ways to engage your reader so that you'll grow your confidence and authority as a writer. See also my website: http://www.yourbeststory.net Or connect with me via LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nielskwakernaak Subscribe to my free "Change the World Writing" course: https://yourbeststory.net/subscribe-for-your-free-writing-course/

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