Ep 174: Writing Compelling Stories with Ann Garvin
Writing compelling stories is not an easy task!
In this episode, Ann Garvin (who will release her 7th novel, Tell Two Friends, in September 2026 with Lake Union) discloses the often messy, unglamorous truth of how a story actually starts. For her, that's usually as some tiny thing Ann can't stop thinking about, long before it has a plot or even characters attached to it.
We talk about how to take that one nagging "kernel" of fascination and slowly build a book around it, and why your characters' flaws are usually what make readers care. Ann also walks through a deceptively useful trick for getting unstuck: asking, "What's the worst possible thing that could happen to this character right now?" (and then doing that to them).
Whether you write memoir, self-help, or fiction, this conversation is really about the same question every writer eventually has to answer: What am I actually fascinated by, and am I brave enough to explore it further? No matter how you're published or what genre you're writing, the part about having to sit down and write the damn book is the same for everyone!
CONNECT WITH ANN GARVIN
Website: anngarvin.com
Instagram: @anngarvin_
*Episode sponsor
Visit them on Instagram at @thebestofthesouthwest
CLICK HERE to download the Self-Publishing Starter Kit (it's free!)
Want to Stay in the Know?
Sign up to receive the latest book industry news and updates!
Ready to Write the Damn Book Already?
Get the first draft of your nonfiction or memoir written in 33 days!
...even if you don't have a cabin in the wilderness, 4 uninterrupted hours a day to write, or confidence that you're a "real" writer.
Amazon Ads for Indie Authors!
Learn how to run Amazon ads that actually work—even if you’ve never touched an ad platform in your life.
Want all my best author email templates?
From communicating with your launch team to building long-term relationships with readers, these templates take all the guesswork out of writing emails that turn email subscribers into loyal readers!
Need Coaching, Accountability & Community?
The Book Writers Collective provides the coaching, support, and writers' community you need to bring your book to life!
SELF-PUBLISHING STARTER KIT
Discover the exact steps to focus on (and mistakes to avoid) so you can self-publish an incredible book that's indistinguishable in quality from a New York Times bestseller.
Recent Posts
