#5 On the Convo Couch 🛋️
Master this one skill and your writing will CHANGE.
Hello Writers 👋
We’re well into the swing of our new podcast schedule and I’m really loving the rhythm. How are you finding having the two weeks to listen before a new episode drops? My hope is that it gives you time to digest and apply an insights and is a welcome break from your WIP.
This email contains the link to the OPENING STRONG WEBINAR for paid subscribers (only $7 per month!).
🎓 Paid Subscriber Webinar: Nailing Your Novel’s Opening
I’m kicking off 2025 with a brand new Writes4Women craft webinar — and this one’s for our paid Substack subscribers ($7/month). If you’ve ever wondered how to make your novel’s opening sing (instead of slump), this session is for you.
In this practical, hands-on class, I’ll be guiding you through the art of writing irresistible beginnings — from that very first sentence all the way through to your early chapters.
We’ll cover:
What makes a killer first line (and how to avoid the duds)
Techniques for hooking your reader from the get-go
How to introduce character, voice, tension and setting without an exposition avalanche
Examples from literary, crime and romance fiction to see what works across genres
Tips for rewriting and polishing once your draft is done
You’ll also get access to practical exercises, revision prompts, and a sneak peek at upcoming webinars in the series — including sessions on inciting incidents, backstory, and crafting those emotional gut-punch scenes we all love to read (and write).
This one’s all about helping you level up your manuscript’s beginning and keep the pages turning.
P.S. Not a paid subscriber yet? For just $7/month you’ll get access to all our monthly webinars, writing prompts, behind-the-scenes goodies and more. Cheaper than a takeaway coffee — and far better for your word count.
🚨LINK AT THE END OF THIS POST.
🙌 Craft Tip: Deep Point of View – Get Out of the Way!
One of the most powerful tools in your writer’s toolbox is deep point of view (DPOV). If you’ve ever been told your writing feels a little distant or you’re not “showing enough,” this might just be the magic wand you’re looking for — though magic has nothing on method.
Deep POV is all about removing the narrator. Not just quieting her voice — evicting her completely. As Lisa Hall-Wilson (author of Method Acting for Writers) says, it’s like strapping a GoPro to your character’s head. You want your reader living inside the story, not watching it from the sidelines with a cup of tea and polite detachment.
So how do you do it?
Start by ditching filter words like she felt, he saw, they thought. If your character feels cold, show them shivering and cursing the wind — don’t tell us they felt a chill. Use strong beats instead of “he said” tags, and when in doubt, go for emotional truth. What’s their why in this moment? What baggage are they dragging into this scene?
Yes, it’s more intense. Yes, it can be overwhelming. But it also lets your reader live the story — breath by breath, heartbreak by heartbreak.
If you’re curious about going deeper (pun intended), check out my chat with Lisa Hall-Wilson on the Writes4Women podcast. And if you’re a sucker for learning the hard stuff in good company, come along to one of our craft webinars. First one’s on backstory, launching next month!
Now, go forth and write like you mean it. No narrator required.
Listen to the full episode below 👇
🎤 Did you miss it?
Pam’s Top 3 Backlist Episodes
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ONLY ONE SPOT LEFT FOR The Next Chapter Writing Retreat April 10-13 in Kurrajong NSW.
This retreat is aimed at writers who have a completed draft of their manuscript (as a minimum) and are looking to tighten their writing, deepen their characters and create an engaging manuscript that will have readers turning the page.
The focus of the workshops is on refining, editing and shaping your work, and providing a dedicated space and time for you to learn and develop your skills alongside like-minded writers.
Those who attended in 2024 raved about their time together! I’d love to have some Writes4Women listeners join us but don’t delay as spaces are limited and filling fast.
That’s all for now. Watch out for more exciting guests and opportunities to deepen your craft over the coming months. And in the meantime, I hope the muse plays nice.
Pam x
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