X-Write-Z

Just Because It Happened, Doesn't Mean You Have to Tell Us

This week, we’re looking at common mistakes or habits surrounding the portrayal of events in a story. Whether a manuscript has multiple actions smushed into one sentence or entire scenes worth of unnecessary set up and transition, we’ve got some solutions.  P.S. Just because it happened, doesn’t mean you have to tell readers about it.   For all the lessons + tips from this episode in one spot, check out and download this PDF  (https://drive.google.com/file/d/13duj5elX1l5IjxHpfk5jLgCEhFzpHsAN/view?usp=drive_link [https://drive.google.com/file/d/13duj5elX1l5IjxHpfk5jLgCEhFzpHsAN/view?usp=drive_link]). No subscription or signup is necessary.  Do you need support with your writing? Check out our coaching and editing services at https://veronicajorden.com/ [https://veronicajorden.com/] and https://annaschechter.org/ [https://annaschechter.org/].  Do you want to know what Anna's reading? Check out her instagram @annaotations (https://www.instagram.com/annaotations/ [https://www.instagram.com/annaotations/]).

Filtering Out Filter Words

If we could only show you one thing, we’d love for it to be this: the importance of reducing filter words in your writing.  In this episode, we break down what a filter word is and discuss why it’s worthwhile to cut them + how you can.  Filter words add unnecessary distance between your POV character and your reader, effectively turning intense, emotional, and profound moments into reported, secondhand summaries. Unless you want to keep your reader at bay, these sneaky words have got to go. There are, of course, exceptions that we explore here too! For the lessons from this episode + a list of filter words in one spot, check out and download this PDF:  (https://drive.google.com/file/d/165sWgtLmAvEGdCaa_xWxx-ZmZk1fWWgl/view?usp=sharing [https://drive.google.com/file/d/165sWgtLmAvEGdCaa_xWxx-ZmZk1fWWgl/view?usp=sharing]). No subscription or signup is necessary.  Do you need support with your writing? Check out our coaching and editing services at https://veronicajorden.com/ [https://veronicajorden.com/] and https://annaschechter.org/ [https://annaschechter.org/].  Do you want to know what Anna's reading? Check out her instagram @annaotations (https://www.instagram.com/annaotations/ [https://www.instagram.com/annaotations/]).

What to Look For: Self-Editing Dialogue

This week, Anna and Veronica tackle the common mistakes they see (and, yes, have made) in dialogue writing.  Strong dialogue elevates stories, giving us character, voice, conflict, shocking reveals, swoonworthy declarations of love, and more. When it comes time to edit your manuscript or short story, you can use the tips and tricks explored in this episode to refine what your characters say…and how they say it.  For all the lessons from this episode in one spot, check out and download this PDF  (https://drive.google.com/file/d/1w3EWQpg0iduOYcgBU4zmbylCJhWowbaC/view?usp=sharing [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1w3EWQpg0iduOYcgBU4zmbylCJhWowbaC/view?usp=sharing]). No subscription or signup is necessary.  Do you need support with your writing? Check out our coaching and editing services at https://veronicajorden.com/ [https://veronicajorden.com/] and https://annaschechter.org/ [https://annaschechter.org/].  Do you want to know what Anna's reading? Check out her instagram @annaotations (https://www.instagram.com/annaotations/ [https://www.instagram.com/annaotations/]).

What Every Writer Can Learn about Worldbuilding from Romance and Horror

We’re baaaaaack!  To kick off 2026, Veronica and Anna are considering what romance and horror can teach writers of any genre about worldbuilding.  In this episode, we dig into some favorite examples of worldbuilding and discuss how you can apply the same, or similar, techniques to your own writing. For all the lessons from this episode in one spot, check out and download this PDF  (https://drive.google.com/file/d/1kdH3LxSDM9EjR9H_g_O31PEEaF05kVyS/view?usp=drive_link [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1kdH3LxSDM9EjR9H_g_O31PEEaF05kVyS/view?usp=drive_link]). No subscription or signup is necessary.  Do you need support with your writing? Check out our coaching and editing services at https://veronicajorden.com/ [https://veronicajorden.com/] and https://annaschechter.org/ [https://annaschechter.org/].  Do you want to know what Anna's reading? Check out her instagram @annaotations (https://www.instagram.com/annaotations/ [https://www.instagram.com/annaotations/]).

What Writers Can Learn from Back to the Future

Are you telling me you built a time machine…out of a DeLorean?! For the last episode of 2025, Anna and Veronica geek out over Back to the Future. Roads? Where we’re going, we don’t need roads! Come along with us to explore what makes Back to the Future so good–and what writers can learn from it.  For all the lessons from this episode in one spot, check out and download this PDF (https://drive.google.com/file/d/1O1ZHKchli_cUs4Cirjd9Vx3tcCOK2mff/view?usp=drive_link [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1O1ZHKchli_cUs4Cirjd9Vx3tcCOK2mff/view?usp=drive_link]). No subscription or signup is necessary.  Happy holidays, and happy writing! Do you need support with your writing? Check out our coaching and editing services at https://veronicajorden.com/ [https://veronicajorden.com/] and https://annaschechter.org/ [https://annaschechter.org/]. Are you looking for your next excellent read or a bookish gift for yourself or someone else? Check out Veronica's curated books and goodies shop, Fiction Flock, at https://www.fictionflock.com/ [https://www.fictionflock.com/].  Do you want to know what Anna's reading? Check out her instagram @annaotations (https://www.instagram.com/annaotations/ [https://www.instagram.com/annaotations/]).