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

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Writers waste a lot of energy worrying about the wrong things.

In this episode of the Wordslinger 10-Shot, Kevin talks about finishing a story that started nearly 30 years ago, why your unfinished drafts may still have life in them, and why the “perfect” writing tool probably is not what’s standing between you and the work.

We also get into the ongoing AI debate for writers: where the line is, how AI can be useful, and why using tools to improve your writing is not the same thing as letting something else do the writing for you.

If you’ve ever abandoned a story, obsessed over which software or device to use, or wondered whether AI has a place in your writing process, this one is for you.

Subscribe to the channel for practical, honest guidance on writing, publishing, creativity, and building a sustainable author career. This is where writers come to get unstuck, get encouraged, and keep moving forward.

⏱️ Timecodes

00:00 — Recording from the virtual studio

00:39 — Finishing a draft that took 30 years to complete

01:26 — Why short fiction can be a smart creative strategy

02:37 — Building readers of your voice, not just your genre

04:37 — When a short story becomes a novella

05:10 — Revisiting an old idea that finally clicked

07:56 — How to know when an unfinished story is worth returning to

08:44 — Why writers should keep their old drafts

09:25 — How old story fragments helped launch the Dan Kotler series

10:31 — Returning to abandoned books years later

12:35 — The “perfect camera” lesson for writers

15:10 — Choosing the right writing software or device

16:12 — Handwriting, dictation, typewriters, Freewrite, AlphaSmart, Scrivener, and more

20:16 — The best writing tool is the one you already have

23:29 — The AI debate among writers

24:18 — Using AI as a writing aid versus using it to write for you

26:34 — Why every writer needs help improving

28:11 — Why passion still matters in the writing life

30:10 — The danger of AI witch hunts

32:43 — The line Kevin won’t cross with AI writing

33:29 — The Silence Between Signals is coming soon

34:11 — Share your thoughts: old drafts, writing tools, and AI

Links mentioned and recommended:

Wordslinger Podcast home page:

https://wordslingerpodcast.com

ProWritingAid:

https://tidd.ly/3NCdlk5

Draft2Digital:

https://draft2digital.com/wordslinger

Author Anchor:

https://authoranchor.com

Find Kevin and his books:

https://kevintumlinson.com

Join Kevin on Substack:

https://kevintumlinson.substack.com

What are you worrying about most right now as a writer: unfinished stories, finding the right tools, or navigating AI? Drop a comment and let’s talk about it.

Like, subscribe, and share this with a writer who needs to stop waiting and start writing.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What publishing trends should writers be paying attention to right now?

In this episode of the Wordslinger 10-Shot, Kevin looks at five trends shaping the current writing and publishing landscape—especially for indie authors, creative entrepreneurs, and anyone building a long-term writing career.

From the rise of short fiction and novellas, to the “analog rebellion” bringing writers back to typewriters, notebooks, and distraction-free drafting tools, to the growing power of direct sales and special editions, this episode is all about paying attention to where readers, writers, and creative culture seem to be moving.

Publishing is always changing. The smart writer learns how to adapt without losing sight of the work itself.

If you’re a writer trying to build a sustainable creative life, subscribe to the channel. This is where writers come for honest, practical guidance on writing, publishing, creativity, and building a career that can survive the real world.

Get my newest novel, Echo:

https://buy.bookfunnel.com/dmaxbi5aeh

Back the Parallel Truths graphic novel Kickstarter:

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/authorventuresllc/parallel-truths-a-multi-genre-graphic-novel-anthology?ref=6upt4c

Visit the Wordslinger Podcast home page:

https://wordslingerpodcast.com

Try ProWritingAid:

https://tidd.ly/3NCdlk5

Publish with Draft2Digital:

https://draft2digital.com/wordslinger

Get help from Author Anchor:

https://authoranchor.com

Find Kevin and his books:

https://kevintumlinson.com

Join Kevin on Substack:

https://kevintumlinson.substack.com

TIME CODES

00:00 – Podcasting from the Pennsylvania countryside

01:33 – The trends Kevin is seeing in publishing

02:32 – Trend #1: The rise of short fiction

03:19 – Why short fiction gives writers more freedom

04:36 – Reader fatigue and escapist fiction

05:57 – Novellas, short stories, and creative experiments

06:38 – Trend #2: The analog rebellion

07:16 – Focus writing tools and distraction-free drafting

08:36 – Typewriters, handwriting, and old-school creativity

10:18 – Why handwriting can unlock focus and memory

13:05 – Physical media and slower consumption

14:35 – Trend #3: Experimental formats and unusual book design

16:31 – When experimentation becomes a gimmick

17:39 – Trend #4: Special editions and collector books

19:19 – Trend #5: Direct sales for authors

20:07 – Building stronger reader relationships

21:00 – Selling exclusive short fiction directly

22:46 – Why direct sales can benefit both authors and readers

23:51 – What trends are you seeing?

24:54 – Sometimes writers just have to improvise

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What if the old pulp fiction model is exactly what modern authors need right now?

In this episode of the Wordslinger 10-Shot, Kevin talks about using short stories as both a creative reset and a smart publishing strategy. If you’re feeling burned out on your novel, stuck in a long rewrite, or just craving a fresh creative project, short fiction can help refill the bucket while still moving your author business forward.

Short stories can become ebooks, direct sales products, Substack exclusives, audiobooks, reader magnets, annual collections, anthology opportunities, and more. It’s not just about writing something shorter. It’s about creating more entry points for readers, building your catalog, strengthening your platform, and staying creatively energized.

This is a practical strategy for writers, indie authors, creatives, and creative entrepreneurs who want to keep producing without burning out.

If you’re serious about your writing and publishing journey, subscribe to this channel. Wordslinger is where writers come for clear, useful, real-world guidance on writing better books, building an author platform, publishing smarter, and creating a sustainable creative life.

Mentioned in this episode:

Preorder ECHO:

https://bit.ly/qrecho

Wordslinger Podcast:

https://wordslingerpodcast.com

Find Kevin and his books:

https://kevintumlinson.com

Join Kevin on Substack:

https://kevintumlinson.substack.com

ProWritingAid:

https://tidd.ly/3NCdlk5

Draft2Digital:

https://draft2digital.com/wordslinger

AuthorAnchor:

https://authoranchor.com

Key moments:

00:00 — Welcome and the preorder announcement for ECHO

01:19 — Creative burnout, brain fry, and stepping back from the novel

02:10 — Refilling the creative bucket

03:36 — Why Kevin started writing a short story

04:06 — The short fiction strategy begins

04:45 — Direct sales, Substack, and reader-friendly pricing

05:20 — Why Kevin refuses to train readers to wait for discounts

06:20 — Loyalty discounts and rewarding newsletter subscribers

08:08 — Short stories as fast creative products

09:36 — Why stepping away from a novel can restore excitement

10:19 — The long-form/short-form writing rhythm

12:38 — Short fiction as a powerful income tool

13:20 — What modern authors can learn from the pulp fiction era

14:13 — Short story markets, magazines, contests, and anthologies

15:04 — Publishing short fiction as ebooks

15:50 — Budget-friendly covers and formatting options

16:37 — Wide distribution versus direct publishing

18:10 — How AuthorAnchor can help authors with support tasks

19:01 — Selling short fiction through your own storefront

20:10 — Using Substack as a paid fiction library

20:48 — Recording short audiobooks yourself

21:58 — Bundling short stories into annual collections

23:32 — Collections, anthologies, and working with other authors

25:20 — Why short fiction fits the current publishing era

26:22 — Reader loyalty, AI pushback, and owning your platform

29:04 — Why shorter fiction may matter more in the attention economy

31:25 — Competing with every other form of media

32:28 — Questions, comments, and building a writer community

What do you think? Are short stories part of your writing or publishing strategy? Leave a comment and let’s talk about it.

Subscribe for more practical writing and publishing guidance from Kevin Tumlinson and the Wordslinger Podcast.

#WritingAdvice #IndieAuthor #SelfPublishing #ShortStories #CreativeEntrepreneur #AuthorPlatform #WritingTips #PublishingTips #WordslingerPodcast #KevinTumlinson

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Can bad AI writing actually make you a better writer?

In this episode of the Wordslinger Podcast, Kevin talks through what he’s working on right now as an author, including the launch of his new Alex Kayne thriller, *Echo*, the messy reality of book promotion, rebuilding his author platform, updating his book links, and experimenting with AI as a writing-adjacent tool.

But the big idea here is this: AI may be useful for writers precisely because it often gets the writing wrong.

Kevin shares how using AI for critique, structural feedback, and scene ideas can sometimes produce weak, soulless results—but those results can challenge a real writer to think harder, write better, and bring more humanity to the page. AI can be training wheels. It can be a sparring partner. It can even be a bad example. But it should not replace the one thing that matters most: the writer doing the writing.

If you’re a novelist, indie author, creative entrepreneur, or creator trying to build a stronger writing life, this episode is about practical book promotion, author platforms, direct sales, AI, and the discipline of protecting your creative work.

Subscribe to the channel for honest, practical guidance on writing, publishing, book marketing, author business, creative discipline, and building a long-term career as a working writer.

⏱️ Timecodes

00:00 — What I’m working on this week

00:24 — Introducing *Echo*, the new Alex Kayne thriller

01:04 — The challenge of practical book promotion

02:17 — Why your author platform still matters

03:54 — The frustrating reality of print preorders

06:26 — Podcasting, YouTube, and reader interaction

07:23 — Rebuilding my book links and direct sales setup

10:04 — Using BookFunnel universal book links

13:03 — The rule: never let platform work stop the writing

14:31 — Refreshing book covers and promotion graphics

15:49 — When an author should hire a virtual assistant

17:28 — The right time to get help with your author business

19:09 — Returning to unfinished books and old projects

20:47 — Feeding feedback into AI tools

21:37 — Why I don’t use AI to write my books

22:12 — AI as grammar check, critique tool, and developmental editor

23:02 — Why bad AI writing can make you better

24:10 — The caveat: writers still need real skills

25:28 — AI as training wheels for writers

26:28 — Why you can’t outsource the writing and still call it writing

27:47 — AI books, copyright questions, and the future of publishing

29:50 — AI slop vs. human storytelling

30:41 — Making art instead of feeding the machine

31:39 — Final thoughts and invitation to comment

Links mentioned:

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: How are you using AI in your writing life? Is it helping you think more clearly, or are you worried it’s getting in the way of the real work?

Leave a comment and let’s talk about it.

#WritingCommunity #IndieAuthors #AIWriting #CreativeWriting #SelfPublishing #BookMarketing #AuthorPlatform #WritingTips #WordslingerPodcast #KevinTumlinson

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What happens when you let AI touch your novel?

In today’s Wordslinger 10-Shot, I talk honestly about experimenting with AI during a major novel rewrite — what completely failed, what surprisingly worked, and why I believe the future of writing still belongs to humans… just humans using better tools.

I tested Claude as a rewrite partner on a full manuscript, and the results were eye-opening. The AI rewrite itself? A mess. But the outlining, continuity tracking, scene planning, and editorial assistance? That changed the game.

This episode is for writers, creatives, and creative entrepreneurs trying to figure out where AI fits into the creative process without sacrificing originality, voice, or soul.

We talk about:

* Why AI-generated fiction often feels flat

* The difference between “writing with AI” and “letting AI write”

* How I’m using AI during rewrites and outlining

* Why storytelling still depends on human intuition

* The publishing industry’s changing relationship with AI

* How writers can adapt without losing themselves in the process

If you’re trying to navigate the future of publishing, storytelling, and creativity, this channel is built for you.

👉 Subscribe for practical, honest guidance on writing, publishing, creativity, and building a sustainable author career:

[https://www.youtube.com/@WordslingerPodcast](https://www.youtube.com/@WordslingerPodcast)

⏱️ TIMECODES

00:00 – Welcome & what’s been happening this week

02:30 – Testing AI on a full novel rewrite

03:40 – Why the AI rewrite completely failed

04:30 – The surprising way AI actually helped

06:30 – AI as an outlining partner

08:20 – Why AI-generated stories feel formulaic

10:30 – Concerns about AI training & publishing

12:10 – Why writers must adapt

13:30 – The reality of major rewrites

15:15 – Rebuilding a novel from existing parts

16:40 – Why setting books aside can help

18:40 – A new writing strategy going forward

21:10 – Using story structures with AI assistance

23:20 – The “writer’s room” approach

24:20 – AI as a prosthetic, not a replacement

25:40 – Why human beta readers still matter

28:10 – Publishers already using AI internally

29:00 – Final thoughts on the future of writing

LINKS & RESOURCES

🌐 Wordslinger Podcast

[https://wordslingerpodcast.com](https://wordslingerpodcast.com)

✍️ ProWritingAid

[https://tidd.ly/3NCdlk5](https://tidd.ly/3NCdlk5)

📚 Draft2Digital

[https://draft2digital.com/wordslinger](https://draft2digital.com/wordslinger)

⚓ Author Anchor

[https://authoranchor.com](https://authoranchor.com)

📖 Find Kevin and his books

[https://kevintumlinson.com](https://kevintumlinson.com)

📰 Join Kevin on Substack

[https://kevintumlinson.substack.com](https://kevintumlinson.substack.com)

#WritingCommunity #AmWriting #AIWriting #Publishing #WritingTips #CreativeEntrepreneur #SelfPublishing #Authors #WritersLife #ArtificialIntelligence

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