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Writer Unleashed
Nanci Panuccio
252 episodes
1 day ago
Backstory often gets blamed for slowing a story down. Writers are told to cut it, sprinkle it lightly, or avoid it altogether. But here’s the truth: the wrong backstory, delivered the wrong way, at the wrong time is the problem. Used with intention, backstory can reveal the wounds and desires that drive your character, raise the stakes, and transform an ordinary scene into one that lingers with readers. In this episode, I’ll share: 3 powerful ways to use backstory so it deepens, rather than d...
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How To
Education,
Fiction
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Backstory often gets blamed for slowing a story down. Writers are told to cut it, sprinkle it lightly, or avoid it altogether. But here’s the truth: the wrong backstory, delivered the wrong way, at the wrong time is the problem. Used with intention, backstory can reveal the wounds and desires that drive your character, raise the stakes, and transform an ordinary scene into one that lingers with readers. In this episode, I’ll share: 3 powerful ways to use backstory so it deepens, rather than d...
Show more...
How To
Education,
Fiction
Episodes (20/252)
Writer Unleashed
#242: Writing Backstory: 3 Game-Changing Tips
Backstory often gets blamed for slowing a story down. Writers are told to cut it, sprinkle it lightly, or avoid it altogether. But here’s the truth: the wrong backstory, delivered the wrong way, at the wrong time is the problem. Used with intention, backstory can reveal the wounds and desires that drive your character, raise the stakes, and transform an ordinary scene into one that lingers with readers. In this episode, I’ll share: 3 powerful ways to use backstory so it deepens, rather than d...
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6 days ago
10 minutes

Writer Unleashed
#241: 3 Ways To Write A Hook-Worthy First Sentence
Your opening line is your reader’s first invitation into your story, so it has to do more than just start the book. It has to hook. In this episode, I'm sharing 3 powerful strategies to craft a first sentence that grabs your readers' attention and keeps them wanting more. Episode Web Page Want to join a community of like-minded writers? Need inspiration and support? Join us in our private Writer Unleashed Community Facebook Group. It's totally free to join.
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1 week ago
15 minutes

Writer Unleashed
#240: 4 Powerful Ways To Show Character Change
We don’t just read stories to find out what happens. We read to witness who a character becomes. So how do you show that change? Not by stating it outright, or having another character comment on it, but through behavior, inner voice, and choices that reveal an internal shift. In this episode, we’re breaking down what character transformation looks like on the page, and 4 powerful ways to show it. Whether your character evolves in subtle or seismic ways, this episode will help you track and s...
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2 weeks ago
19 minutes

Writer Unleashed
#239: 3 Quick Tips For Writing Stronger Dialogue
When dialogue works, it feels alive. It's charged with tension. It reveals character, drives the plot, and leaves space for the reader to lean in and feel what’s left unsaid. But when it doesn’t? It falls flat, feels forced, or gets skimmed over entirely. In this episode, I’m breaking down three essential tips to help you write dialogue that feels authentic, but curated. Natural, but emotionally charged. We’ll look at what to cut, how to shape each exchange, and how to infuse even simple mome...
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3 weeks ago
18 minutes

Writer Unleashed
#238: What To Do When Feedback Shakes Your Confidence
You’ve finally shared your pages with someone. Maybe it was a critique partner, a writing group, an editor, or beta reader. You were nervous, but hopeful, maybe even excited, and then the feedback came. And now you’re spiraling. Maybe they pointed out something you thought you’d nailed, or they didn’t understand your main character, or they told you something that deep down you already feared might be true. And now the voice in your head is getting louder. Am I even a good writer? Do I ...
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1 month ago
13 minutes

Writer Unleashed
#237: 3 Writing Myths That Might Be Holding You Back
There’s a lot of writing advice out there, but not all of it serves you. In this episode, we’re unpacking 3 common writing myths that might be slowing you down or making you second-guess your story. If you’ve been feeling stuck, this is your permission to let go of the “rules” and reconnect with the story you need to tell. Episode Web Page Want to join a community of like-minded writers? Need inspiration and support? Join us in our private Writer Unleashed Community Facebook Group. It's tota...
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1 month ago
16 minutes

Writer Unleashed
#236: From Chaos To Clarity: How To Make Sense Of Your Messy Draft
Writing your first novel can feel like dumping 1000 puzzle pieces onto the floor without the picture on the box to guide you. You've got characters, scenes, maybe even a few moments you love, but you have no clear sense of what it all adds up to. If you're staring at your messy draft thinking, What even is this? - don't worry. You're not alone, and you're not even as lost as you think. In today's episode, we'll explore how to step back, sift through what you've already written, and begi...
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1 month ago
19 minutes

Writer Unleashed
#235: Why You’re Stuck At Chapter One (And How to Finally Move Forward)
Struggling to get past chapter one, even with a solid outline and a great idea? In this episode, we unpack why starting your novel feels so hard, what’s really behind the block, and how to take the first imperfect steps forward. Episode Web Page https://nancipanuccio.com/guide/ Want to join a community of like-minded writers? Need inspiration and support? Join us in our private Writer Unleashed Community Facebook Group. It's totally free to join.
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1 month ago
18 minutes

Writer Unleashed
#234: 5 Big First Chapter Mistakes (and How To Avoid Them)
In this episode, we’re zeroing in on one of the most important (and most rewritten) parts of your novel: the first chapter. A strong first chapter doesn’t need to be long or dramatic, but it does need to hook the reader, ground them in the world of the story, and raise a question they’re eager to follow. If you’ve ever found yourself stuck on your opening pages, rewriting again and again, wondering if it’s working, this episode will help you identify and avoid common problems, and more import...
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2 months ago
23 minutes

Writer Unleashed
# 233: 3 Essential Elements That Make A Scene
You’ve written pages. Maybe even chapters. But your scenes still aren’t landing the way you imagined. The pacing drags. The tension fizzles. And you’re not sure why. In this episode, we’re diving into the 3 essential elements that make a scene work. So your story doesn’t just move forward, but pulls the reader in and keeps them hooked moment by moment. If your scenes feel a little off, or you’re not sure they’re doing enough, this is your go-to guide. You’ll also get a practical checklist to ...
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2 months ago
21 minutes

Writer Unleashed
#232: Mental Fitness For Writers
Writing a book isn’t just a creative act—it’s a mental marathon. And if you’ve ever found yourself stuck in self-doubt, overwhelmed by the blank page, or spiraling after a tough writing day, you’re not alone. In this episode, we’re diving into what it really means to build mental fitness as a writer. You’ll learn why talent isn’t enough—and how developing emotional resilience, self-trust, focus, and flexibility can keep you moving forward, even when the work feels hard. I’ll share practical w...
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2 months ago
17 minutes

Writer Unleashed
#231: 5 Ways to Bring Your Character’s Interior World Onto the Page
You've got an exciting plot. Compelling characters. And the action is moving along at a crisp pace. But something still feels flat. Chances are, your character’s inner world isn’t fully making it onto the page. In this episode, we’re talking about the layer that gives your story emotional weight and resonance—character interiority. You’ll learn: ✔️ What interiority is (and what it’s not) ✔️ Why readers crave it ✔️ And 5 powerful techniques to reveal your character’s inner life wit...
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2 months ago
29 minutes

Writer Unleashed
# 230: Getting Out Of a Writing Slump (Without Forcing It)
Stuck in a writing slump? You’re not alone. In this episode, we’re talking about those hard, heavy moments when the words won’t come, your story feels stalled, and self-doubt creeps in. Slumps are a normal part of the creative cycle, but they can feel lonely and defeating when you’re deep in one. Today, I’m sharing gentle, practical ways to find your way back without forcing it or beating yourself up. You’ll learn: → Why slumps happen (even to seasoned authors) → Small, doable ste...
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3 months ago
21 minutes

Writer Unleashed
#229: 5 Ways To End Your Story
You’ve built your character's world and raised the stakes. But how do you end your story in a way that feels true and unforgettable? In this episode, I’m breaking down the 4 biggest mistakes writers make with endings, plus 5 different ways to close your story. You’ll also get practical tips for revising an ending that’s falling flat, and learn how the right ending can transform your entire story. If you’re stuck or second-guessing how to close your story, this episode's for you. Episode...
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3 months ago
24 minutes

Writer Unleashed
#228: 3 Powerful Ways To Open Your Story
Among the most important (and intimidating) decisions you'll make as a writer is how to begin your story. That opening moment sets the tone, establishes the world, and signals to your readers what kind of story they're stepping into. There isn't one right way to open your story. It's all play and experimentation. The key to a powerful ending is choosing one that's aligned with the story you're telling and the emotional experience you want your reader to have. In this episode, I'm ...
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3 months ago
20 minutes

Writer Unleashed
#227: Say Less, Mean More: The Secret to Writing Great Dialogue
Writing dialog can feel deceptively simple. After all, it's just people talking, right? But in far too many stories, characters are recapping the plot or revealing too much of what they're thinking or feeling. The dialogue is pure exposition, doing too much of the story's heavy lifting. Great dialogue works on multiple levels, often saying more in what's unsaid than what is said. So in this episode, we're going to look at common pitfalls. And I'll show you how to write conversati...
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3 months ago
16 minutes

Writer Unleashed
#226: Writing Your Story Setting: 4 Essential Techniques
Writing your story setting requires more than just pretty language, and does so much more than provide the physical setting. It anchors the reader in time and place while immersing them in a tactile sensory experience in every scene. In this episode, I'm going to give you 4 essential techniques for writing your story setting. You'll learn how to craft your settings selectively and with intention. Episode Web Page Not sure where to begin writing? Need a way in to your story?...
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3 months ago
25 minutes

Writer Unleashed
#225: From First To Final Draft: 3 Phases Of Revision
Revising a first draft can feel overwhelming. Where do you start? What do you cut? How do you keep your original vision alive How do you take all the moving parts and refine it into a more coherent, effective whole? In this episode, I’ll guide you through the three key phases of revision—and give you practical tips to help you shape your messy draft into a strong, finished story. Episode Website Got value from this episode? Share your insights and wins with me! Not sure where to begin ...
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4 months ago
19 minutes

Writer Unleashed
#224: Then vs. Now: The Key To Writing A Strong Retrospective Voice
Retrospective narrators have the power to tell your story with both raw immediacy and hard earned wisdom. This narrator doesn’t just recall the past – he or she reinterprets it. What makes it tricky is that you’re not just telling the story of what happened. You’re telling it through two lenses: The younger self who lived it. And the older self who looks back with reflection, wisdom, and maybe even regret. So in today’s episode, we’ll explore how to unlock the full potential of a retrospectiv...
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4 months ago
16 minutes

Writer Unleashed
#223: How To Write A Believable Child Narrator
There’s something captivating about seeing a story unfold through a child’s perspective. Child narrators strip away the layers of adult logic, cynicism and pretense, revealing raw wonder, confusion or even unexpected wisdom. But writing from a child’s perspective is deceptively difficult. Writers often fall into traps, making the child sound too innocent, too passive, or one dimensional. So in today’s episode, I’ll help you navigate 3 common challenges so you can create a believable, compelli...
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4 months ago
23 minutes

Writer Unleashed
Backstory often gets blamed for slowing a story down. Writers are told to cut it, sprinkle it lightly, or avoid it altogether. But here’s the truth: the wrong backstory, delivered the wrong way, at the wrong time is the problem. Used with intention, backstory can reveal the wounds and desires that drive your character, raise the stakes, and transform an ordinary scene into one that lingers with readers. In this episode, I’ll share: 3 powerful ways to use backstory so it deepens, rather than d...