The Dialogue Doctor Podcast

Jeff Elkins
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Mar 30, 2026 • 51min

Episode 322 - Creating Emotional Texture in Your Story with Beth Biss

In this episode, Jeff sits down with Author Beth Biss to talk about the emotional texture of her work in progress. They talk about the difference between plot and growth arcs, how conflicts should resolve in the piece, the alignment vs misalignment of the character and the reader, the reader's expectations, managing the reader's altitude of a scene, and using triggers in a character's emotional journey. For more on the craft of writing, check out https://dialoguedoctor.com/
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Mar 23, 2026 • 1h 19min

Episode 321 - Adding Emotion to Action Scenes with John Krause

In this episode, Jeff meets with author John Krause to talk about John's work in progress. Jeff talks about increasing the emotional saturation of the story through emotional vocalizations, building the tension oft he story, and maturing a character without a doing a montage of training. Also, they invent the phrase, "Castle Punk." For more on the craft of writing, go to https://dialoguedoctor.com/
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Mar 16, 2026 • 1h 11min

Episode 320 - Writing Screenplays vs Writing Novels with Emma Jane Heaton

In this episode, Jeff sits down with author Emma Jane Heaton to talk about her writing and what she's been working on. They discuss the difference between writing screenplays and writing a novel and talk about what they've learned doing both. Find Emma Jane's film work here: https://www.youtube.com/@EmHeatonFilm For more on the craft of writing, check out: https://dialoguedoctor.com/
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Mar 9, 2026 • 58min

Episode 319 - Writing Complicated Scenes with Big Casts

In this episode, Jeff sits down with author Joan Lightning. Jeff and Joan talk about her fantasy novel in progress. They look at an action scene with four cast members that is filled with action and complicated relationships. For more on the craft of writing, check out https://dialoguedoctor.com/
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Mar 2, 2026 • 1h 11min

Episode 318 - Broken Stories and Ones that Work - A Time with Tom

In episode 318 of the Dialogue Doctor Podcast, Jeff and Tom talk about stories that work and stories that don't. They discuss new stats on authors using AI to write and publish. And they talk about the state of their own careers and endeavors. For more on the craft of writing, check out https://dialoguedoctor.com/
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Feb 23, 2026 • 1h 2min

Episode 317 - Writing Children and Dreams with Laura Humm

In this episode, Dialogue Doctor Coach Laura Humm works with Denis Kurlas on his work in progress. They talk about writing child voices in adult literature, and writing dreams, plus much more. For more on the craft of writing, check out https://dialoguedoctor.com/the-podcast/
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Feb 16, 2026 • 1h 13min

Episode 316 - Analyzing Raising Arizona

In this episode, we talk about the Coen Brother's classic movie, Raising Arizona. We analyze the cast of the movie focusing on the main characters and how their growth arcs shape the story. For more on the craft of writing, check out DialogueDoctor.com
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Feb 9, 2026 • 1h 31min

Episode 315 - The War of Art by Steven Pressfield - A Joint with JP

In this episode, Jeff is joined by Dialogue Doctor Coach and author JP Rindfliesch IX to talk about The War of Art by Steven Pressfield. They discuss the impact the book had on their lives and why they disagree with. For more on the craft of writing, check out DialogueDoctor.com
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Feb 2, 2026 • 1h 23min

Episode 314 - Writing Science Fiction with Energy with John Krause

In this episode, Jeff sits down with John Krause to look at John's most recent work in progress. They talk about science fiction and how to keep the descriptions engaging and moving. For more on the craft of writing, check out https://dialoguedoctor.com/
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Jan 26, 2026 • 42min

Episode 313 - Using the Enneagram for Characterization with Claire Taylor

In this episode, Jeff and Claire talk about Claire's new book "Write Iconic Characters" in which Claire uses the Enneagram to show how to write diverse characters. Claire has also been on the show in Episode 100 and Episode 229. You can find Claire's book here: https://www.amazon.com/Write-Iconic-Characters-motivations-unforgettable-ebook/dp/B0FRV351Y8/ Also check out Claire's coaching at https://www.liberatedwriter.com/claire And for more on the craft of writing, check out DialogueDoctor.com

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