I came this close to walking away from writing forever.

After a traditional publishing deal went sideways, I paid back the advance, lost the rights for a stretch, and seriously believed my career was over before it started. What saved me wasn’t “just write every day.” It was building a deliberate system around the chaos of multiple projects, side hustles, and creative energy.

In this Wordslinger 10-Shot I break down the exact approach I still use today so I can keep finishing books while running a podcast, YouTube channel, coaching, and other ventures without burning out or falling into shiny-object syndrome.

You’ll learn:

How I use directed intensity instead of forcing myself to grind on one thing

Why strategic “side quests” actually help me finish more fiction

The simple scheduling trick that keeps everything moving

How secondary skills and businesses can feed (not steal from) your main writing career

Whether you’re a novelist, indie author, content creator, or multi-passionate entrepreneur, this system is designed for people who refuse to choose just one lane.

Timestamps

00:00 – The deal that almost ended my writing career

01:12 – Why “just write more” wasn’t the answer

02:45 – Directed intensity: my core rule for juggling projects

04:20 – Side quests vs. shiny object syndrome

06:10 – How I schedule production days and recovery

07:55 – Secondary “encodings” that actually support your writing

09:15 – Final thoughts + invitation

Resources & Links

Wordslinger Podcast → https://wordslingerpodcast.com

ProWritingAid (my go-to editing tool) → https://tidd.ly/3NCdlk5

Draft2Digital → https://draft2digital.com/wordslinger

AuthorAnchor → https://authoranchor.com

Find all my books & more → https://kevintumlinson.com

Join me on Substack → https://kevintumlinson.substack.com

If you’re a writer or creative entrepreneur looking for practical, no-fluff guidance on building a sustainable writing and publishing career, this is the channel for you. Hit subscribe, turn on notifications, and let’s keep growing together.

Drop a comment and tell me: What’s the biggest “chaos” you’re trying to organize in your creative life right now?#Wordslinger #IndieAuthor #WritingLife #CreativeEntrepreneur #AuthorTips

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What makes a story impossible to put down?

It usually starts with one uncomfortable truth: You have to make your characters suffer.

In this episode of the Wordslinger 10-Shot, I dig into several practical writing craft principles that can help you create stronger characters, sharper scenes, more natural dialogue, and stories that keep readers turning pages.

We’ll talk about why change is the engine of story, how consequences create momentum, why “and then” can quietly kill your plot, and how to build tension without exhausting your reader. I’ll also explore dialogue as a form of action, the value of leaving some questions unanswered, and how to recognize when a story is truly finished.

Whether you’re writing your first novel or your fiftieth, these are the kinds of craft fundamentals that can help you tell more compelling stories.

What writing craft topic would you like me to cover next? Leave your question in the comments. I may turn it into a future episode.

TIMECODES

00:00 – Why writers should talk more about craft

01:44 – Why your characters need to suffer

03:36 – Suffering doesn’t have to mean physical danger

07:38 – Every scene must create change

10:13 – Creating discomfort and escalating tension

10:54 – “And then” versus “because” storytelling

12:18 – Giving readers moments of hope and relief

14:31 – Why everything in a story must serve a purpose

18:11 – Building tension in peaks and valleys

18:55 – Understanding three-act structure

21:30 – Change as the purpose of scenes

23:20 – Dialogue as action, not exposition

27:37 – Why explanatory dialogue stops a story cold

29:32 – Suspense as the distance between knowledge and action

30:52 – How to know when your story is over

34:03 – Leaving some questions unanswered

37:30 – Using A, B, and C plots across a series

40:17 – Why craft remains a writer’s primary tool

Subscribe to the channel for practical, honest guidance on writing, publishing, marketing, and building a sustainable creative career. Whether you’re just getting started or working toward your next breakthrough, this is the place to find useful advice for every stage of your writing and publishing journey.

Visit the Wordslinger Podcast:

https://wordslingerpodcast.com

Improve your writing with ProWritingAid:

https://tidd.ly/3NCdlk5

Publish and distribute your books with Draft2Digital:

https://draft2digital.com/wordslinger

Get professional support for your author career with AuthorAnchor:

https://authoranchor.com

Find Kevin and his books:

https://kevintumlinson.com

Join Kevin on Substack:

https://kevintumlinson.substack.com

#WritingCraft #WritingTips #Authors #CreativeWriting #Storytelling #IndieAuthors #WritingAdvice #NovelWriting #CharacterDevelopment #WordslingerPodcast

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Writers are dreamers — and unfortunately, scammers know it.

In this episode of the Wordslinger Podcast, I’m breaking down 5 scams targeting writers right now, especially indie authors, self-published authors, and creative entrepreneurs trying to build a real career around their work.

From fake awards and vanity publishers to bogus film deals, fake agents, and “guaranteed bestseller” packages, these scams all have one thing in common: they prey on your desire to be discovered.

The good news? You can protect yourself with a little skepticism, a few common-sense checks, and one simple rule: if someone approaches you out of nowhere, flatters your book heavily, creates urgency, and asks for money up front — stop and verify first.

If you’re a writer trying to build a publishing career without getting taken advantage of, this episode is for you.

Subscribe to the channel for practical, honest guidance on writing, publishing, creativity, and building a sustainable author career.

⏱️ Timecodes

00:00 – Why writers are targeted by scammers

00:46 – Common scam warning signs

02:50 – Scam #5: Fake awards and contest scams

05:44 – Scam #4: Predatory review and bestseller packages

09:07 – Scam #3: Vanity publishers in disguise

13:21 – Scam #2: Fake film, TV, and foreign rights deals

18:35 – Scam #1: Impersonation scams

22:16 – How to verify agents, publishers, and big-name offers

24:03 – The simple rule every author should remember

24:52 – Why scams aimed at writers make me angry

25:16 – Courses, gurus, and bad publishing advice

29:07 – Avoiding the trap of the “quick win”

34:14 – Final thoughts and how to join the conversation

Links mentioned and recommended:

Wordslinger Podcast home page:

https://wordslingerpodcast.com

ProWritingAid:

https://tidd.ly/3NCdlk5

Draft2Digital:

https://draft2digital.com/wordslinger

AuthorAnchor:

https://authoranchor.com

Find Kevin and his books: https://kevintumlinson.com

Join Kevin on Substack: https://kevintumlinson.substack.com

Question for you: Have you ever been approached by a suspicious “publisher,” “agent,” contest, or media company? Drop a comment and share the red flags you spotted — it might help another writer avoid the same trap.

#WritingCommunity #IndieAuthors #SelfPublishing #AuthorTube #WritingAdvice #PublishingTips #CreativeEntrepreneur #WordslingerPodcast

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