HeyJaredHelping Writers Become Authors
Hosted by award-winning story coach K.M. Weiland, the Helping Writers Become Authors podcast will take you deep into story theory, writing techniques, and all the incredible wisdom of story.
- Indexed episodes, last 90 days
- 6
- Latest publication
- Sep 28, 2026
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- Earliest in this view
- Jul 6, 2026
Latest episodes
S18:E17: Character Misdirection: How to Write False Allies and False Enemies (opens the original)
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Character misdirection does more than set up clever betrayals. By using False Allies and False Enemies, writers can deepen conflict, complicate character arcs, and create plot twists that feel both surprising and inevitable. In this video, I explore four variations of character misdirection: the False Ally, the False Enemy, the False Ally turned True Ally, and the False Enemy turned True Enemy. We'll examine how the gap between characters' apparent and actual allegiances can challenge protagonis
S18:E16: The Impact Character: Why Every Character Arc Needs One (opens the original)
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What is an Impact Character, and how can this supporting character help you show a believable character arc instead of simply telling readers your protagonist has changed? Character arcs are largely internal, which creates an obvious challenge for writers: how do you dramatize a changing worldview on the page? One of the most effective techniques is to use relationships. In a Positive Change Arc, the Impact Character represents or embodies something that challenges the Lie the Character Believes
S18:E15: 5 Ways to Identify Your Writing Weaknesses (and Become a Better Writer) (opens the original)
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How do you identify your writing weaknesses? And, even more importantly, how can you tell if something really is a weakness? In this episode, I share five ways writers can recognize recurring craft problems, strengthen weak areas, and distinguish poor execution from intentional writing style. Every story presents its own challenges. Struggling with one beginning doesn't necessarily mean you're bad at beginnings. But when the same problem keeps cropping up across multiple stories, that's informat
S18:E14: The Lie the Character Believes: A Deeper Look at Consciousness and Character Arc (opens the original)
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What if the Lie the Character Believes isn't really a lie? For years I've taught the Lie the Character Believes as the foundation of character arc. But over time, I've come to see that this concept may point toward something much deeper than just a mistaken belief. In this episode, I explore three increasingly complex models for understanding the Lie the Character Believes—from a simple false belief, to a limited perspective, and finally to an ego identity. Along the way, we'll look at why chara
S18:E13: The Psychology of Story Endings (+5 Tips to Write a Truly Satisfying Ending) (opens the original)
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A great ending is about much more than resolving the plot. Why do satisfying story endings stay with us for years, while others leave us empty? In this video, I explore the psychology of story endings. When we think about writing endings, we often focus on tying up loose ends or delivering a dramatic finale. But endings serve a much deeper purpose. They complete the character's transformation, reveal the story's true meaning, and fulfill the archetypal pattern that gives stories their enduring p
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