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Fiction Writer's Toolshed: Practical Tools for Authors

Fiction Writer's Toolshed: Practical Tools for Authors

Von: Tim Kearney Fiction Writer / Teacher
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Fiction Writer's Toolshed: Practical Tools for Authors is a hands-on training podcast that helps fiction writers of all skill levels build a repeatable skill set for finishing their work and writing consistently. The show provides a clear, easy-to-use, proven roadmap for turning ideas into completed fiction. Whether you're drafting your first short piece, revising a work in progress, or struggling to finish what you start, we can help. Each episode breaks down the writing tools, story techniques, and writer's troubleshooting skills fiction authors need to improve their craft, solve story problems, and build the habits required to write consistently. The goal is simple: help writers like you become productive authors. Are you an aspiring fiction writer ready to learn how to translate the vision in your mind and heart clearly onto the page, again and again? Are you a creative writer ready to stop fantasizing about stories and start finishing them? This is your moment. It's time to learn the tools and skills to craft the stories you were destined to write, and become the author you dream of being. Welcome to the Writer's Toolshed. This show is for you if you find yourself asking questions such as: How do I actually start writing fiction? Is my story idea good/original enough to be worth writing? (and what if someone else already did it?) Do I really have to write every day to be a 'real' writer? What does 'write what you know' really mean for fantasy / sci-fi? What does 'show, don't tell' actually mean—and when is it okay to tell? What software or tools should I use to write my novel? (Scrivener vs Word vs Google Docs vs longhand) How do I beat writer's block instead of just staring at the cursor? How do I write an entire novel without getting lost or giving up? (outlining vs pantsing, second-draft fixes, etc.) How should I name my characters (and avoid cringey names)? I finished my first draft! Now what the hell do I do with it? (cool-down period, big-picture edits, line edits) How do I get useful feedback or beta reads—without getting shredded or ignored? How do I actually get better as a writer? (beyond "read and write a lot.") How do I stay organized—notes, timelines, worldbuilding, drafts, all of it? How long should my book/short story be, and how do I handle word-count expectations? How do I correctly format a manuscript so agents/editors don't bin it on sight? (Shunn format, fonts, margins, etc.) Should I self-publish or go the traditional route? How do I get an agent for my novel, step by step? Where and how can I sell my self-published ebooks and print books? (KDP, Kobo, D2D, etc.) Is it realistically possible to make a living as a fiction writer? (And what other writing jobs exist) How do I know if my writing is any good—or if my novel is worth finishing? (Or "I'm writing my first novel and now I hate it, help") What exactly is fiction writing, and how is it different from other kinds of writing? What makes a character compelling instead of flat or cliché? How important is setting, and how do I make my world feel real without drowning readers in description? How do I come up with a strong plot instead of a bunch of random scenes? What's the role of conflict in fiction, and how much conflict is enough? How do I create suspense and tension without resorting to cheap tricks? What is a plot twist, and how do I write one that feels surprising but not random? How do I write realistic, interesting dialogue instead of wooden talking heads? How do I end a story in a way that feels satisfying and earned? What's a subplot and how do I weave subplots into the main story without losing focus? What's the difference between literary and genre fiction in terms of how I actually write the book? How long does it usually take to write a novel or short story (really)? How do I build a writing habit and stay motivated when life is busy? How do I overcome perfectionism and fear of failure on the page? (often framed as writer's block, but really mindset) How do I revise efficiently without endlessly tinkering and never finishing? How do I research for my fiction without getting lost in a rabbit hole? (history, science, police procedure, etc.) How can I improve my writing style or voice? Can I even change my voice on purpose? What's the difference between a short story and a novel in terms of structure and focus? How do I decide between traditional publishing, small presses, and self-publishing? How much money can I realistically expect to make from one novel? How do royalties, advances, and rights actually work for fiction authors? What are the most effective ways for a new novelist to find readers (without being spammy)? (mailing lists, social media, ads, etc.) Do I need a platform or social media following before I publish my book? How do I handle criticism and rejection without giving up? How do I know when feedback is right vs when to trust my own instincts? How do I deal with impostor syndrome—am I a ...2026 Kunst
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  • Say it First: Drafting Your Fiction Out Loud

    Say it First: Drafting Your Fiction Out Loud
    Aug 3 2026

    Ever sit down to write a scene you can already see perfectly in your head, and watch it go stiff and lifeless the moment your fingers hit the keys?

    In this episode of Fiction Writer's Toolshed, we look at the gap between the part of your brain that makes the story and the part of your body that has to get it onto the page-- and why, for a lot of writers, the bottleneck is the hands.

    You'll learn how to draft fiction by talking into the voice recorder already in your pocket, and why speaking a first draft isn't just three times faster than typing it. SPOILERS: It's that you can't revise while you're talking. There's no backspace on a mouth.
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    16 Min.
  • What Should You Write? A Creative Core Audit for Fiction Writers

    What Should You Write? A Creative Core Audit for Fiction Writers
    Jul 27 2026

    Ever feel like you're writing the kind of story you think you're supposed to write instead of the one you actually want to tell?

    In this episode of Fiction Writer's Toolshed, we explore the hidden cost of filtering your creative instincts through trends, genre expectations, and the pressure to fit in. You'll learn why developing your unique creative voice isn't about inventing a style-- it's about removing the filters that keep your strongest-- and most intimate-- ideas from reaching the page.

    Along the way, we'll look at how Hellboy creator Mike Mignola found the work that made him unmistakably himself, and I'll walk you through a simple Creative Core Audit to help you uncover the recurring themes, questions, and ideas that make your writing uniquely yours.

    If you've ever struggled to sound like yourself, worried your ideas were "too weird," or felt torn between writing for the market and writing what genuinely excites you, this episode will give you a practical framework for finding your creative center—and the confidence to build stories that only you could write.
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    16 Min.
  • Write This Instead of a Multiverse (w/ Matt Click)

    Write This Instead of a Multiverse (w/ Matt Click)
    Jul 20 2026

    A multiverse isn't the only way to create different versions of the same characters, worlds, and stories.

    In this episode of Fiction Writer's Toolshed, I'm joined by my longtime collaborator, editor, and Absolute Tabletop co-founder Matt Click to explore polycontinuity: a method for building multiple distinct continuities from the same fictional property.

    Matt and I discuss how to identify the core elements that make a fictional property recognizable, how new continuities can create more creative freedom, and how writers can reinvent familiar material without erasing or contradicting the original version.

    If your fictional universe has become crowded, restrictive, or trapped beneath the weight of its own canon, you may not need another timeline.

    You may need a new continuity... polycontinuity, that is.

    Is multiverse fiction overused? Is introducing a multiverse or time travel simply lazy writing when it is handled incorrectly? What makes a multiverse story feel fresh and unique instead of repetitive or confusing? And is there a better way for writers to create alternate universes, reboots, and new versions of familiar characters?

    This episode introduces an answer to all of that and more-- polycontinuity, a storytelling framework that helps writers build separate fictional continuities without connecting them through a traditional multiverse.
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    28 Min.
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