"Every hero needs a villain to vanquish." — Steven Spielberg

Crime thriller author Terry Weaver reveals how to write a villain readers can't look away from — and why damaged characters are the real secret to unforgettable fiction.

Terry Weaver is the author of three tightly-paced Texas crime thrillers (A Dark Day in Texas, Whitewashed Tomb, A Long Night Cry) and the filmmaker behind The Beast of Trinity, Texas. In this episode, he shares the practical craft behind writing morally complex characters — including how he builds his protagonist Eli Ridge and the villains who push him to the edge.

In this episode, you'll learn: ✅ How to write a villain readers understand — even when they shouldn't ✅ Why damaged characters need "just enough justification" to earn empathy ✅ The Robert McKee principle behind every great thriller: "The only way to move a story forward is through conflict" ✅ How short, choppy chapters create unbreakable tension ✅ Why every crime writer needs a subject matter expert (Terry used a homicide detective) ✅ What writing and directing have in common — and where they split apart

Whether you're writing crime fiction, psychological thrillers, or any genre with moral complexity, this conversation delivers real villain-writing technique from someone who's lived both sides of the camera.

📚 RESOURCES MENTIONED

• Story by Robert McKee
• On Writing by Stephen King
• No Country for Old Men — Anton Chigurh as villain study
• The Beast of Trinity, Texas — Terry Weaver's film
• Eli Ridge series: A Dark Day in Texas · Whitewashed Tomb · A Long Night Cry

🎙️ ABOUT THE AUTHOR'S MIND Want to write better fiction? We give you direct access to the thinking, process, and craft of today's professional authors. No theory — just real experience.

Connect with Terry: https://terryweaver.substack.com/

Get his books: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09B6BDM8S?binding=paperback&qid=1775319574&sr=8-1&ref

Find Shilo's books here:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DFV59FRQ?binding=kindle_edition&qid=1771886025&sr=1-1&ref

Looking for her other pen names? Check them out!

Elysian Hunt ~ Clean Rom Coms

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DFZ4P281?binding=kindle_edition&ref


Quinn Knightly ~ Medieval action adventure

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DT4YMGZL?binding=kindle_edition&qid=1771885958&sr=8-1&ref

C.R. Fulton ~ Middle grade chapter books that are wholesome:

https://bakkenbooks.com/collections/the-campground-kids-collection

Want to know what actually gets a novel published? Not a better query letter. Not more connections. Not a bigger social media following.

Just skill.

In this episode, Kern Carter — an indie author who signed deals with Penguin and Scholastic and sold 15,000 books in the past year without being social media famous — breaks down the craft decisions that changed his career. He built a loyal readership through the quality of his work alone, and he's here to tell you exactly how.

Whether you're trying to figure out how to write a novel that gets noticed, how to get a book deal, or how to move from self-publishing to traditional publishing, Kern gives you the real experience — not theory.

In this episode:

• How Kern went from indie self-publisher to Penguin & Scholastic author
• Why your opening pages are the only thing that matters
• The 8-month novel writing course that changed everything (even after he was already published)
• How he writes authentic relationships without losing readers
• Why sentence rhythm matters more than grammar
• The truth about building a readership without social media

🎙️ Guest: Kern Carter — traditionally published with Penguin & Scholastic, 15,000+ books sold

The Author's Mind gives you direct access to the thinking, process, and craft of today's professional writers. No theory — just real experience.

Find Kern at kerncarter.com

Find Shilo's books here:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DFV59FRQ?binding=kindle_edition&qid=1771886025&sr=1-1&ref

Looking for her other pen names? Check them out!

Elysian Hunt ~ Clean Rom Coms

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DFZ4P281?binding=kindle_edition&ref


Quinn Knightly ~ Medieval action adventure

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DT4YMGZL?binding=kindle_edition&qid=1771885958&sr=8-1&ref

C.R. Fulton ~ Middle grade chapter books that are wholesome:

https://bakkenbooks.com/collections/the-campground-kids-collection

Should you trust AI to narrate your book — or hire a human? Audiobook narrator Liza Jacobs (30+ titles, 10 accents) gives authors the unfiltered truth about audiobook production, costs, casting, and why the human voice still wins.

In this episode of The Author's Mind, Liza breaks down everything authors need to know before turning their book into an audiobook — from how much it actually costs, to the one casting mistake that ruins listener experience.

🎧 What you'll learn:

• Why 99.9% of fiction is perfect for audio (and what's not)
• The REAL cost of audiobook production (hint: an 8.5-hour audiobook starts at $2,000+)
• How to find and hire the right audiobook narrator for YOUR book
• AI narration vs. human narration — why AI still can't replace emotional depth
• The difference between dual, duet, and multicast narration (and which to choose)
• How to pick the right retail sample to maximize listener conversions
• What narrators WISH authors knew before submitting a manuscript
• Should you start your series audiobook with Book 1 or your most popular title?

👤 About Liza Jacobs: Liza Jacobs is a professional audiobook narrator with over 30 titles and 10 accents, specializing in cozy mysteries, romance, and fantasy. Find her resources for independent authors — including a free downloadable guide — at her website. 🔗 LizaJacobs.com

📌 Chapters: 00:00 – Introduction to Liza Jacobs 02:00 – How Liza got into audiobook narration 06:00 – Is your book right for audio? 10:00 – How much does an audiobook cost? 16:00 – AI narration vs. human narrators 22:00 – How to hire and cast the right narrator 30:00 – Dual, duet & multicast narration explained 38:00 – Choosing your retail sample strategically 44:00 – Tips for authors submitting manuscripts 50:00 – Where to find Liza & her free author guide

🔎 Whether you're self-publishing your first novel or building a backlist, this episode gives you the roadmap for audiobook production done right.

👉 Subscribe for more craft and career insights from professional authors

#audiobook #audiobooknarrator #selfpublishing #writingtips #indieauthor #audiobookproduction #howtowriteabook #selfpublishingadvice #fiction #authorlife

Find Shilo's books here:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DFV59FRQ?binding=kindle_edition&qid=1771886025&sr=1-1&ref

Looking for her other pen names? Check them out!

Elysian Hunt ~ Clean Rom Coms

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DFZ4P281?binding=kindle_edition&ref


Quinn Knightly ~ Medieval action adventure

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DT4YMGZL?binding=kindle_edition&qid=1771885958&sr=8-1&ref

C.R. Fulton ~ Middle grade chapter books that are wholesome:

https://bakkenbooks.com/collections/the-campground-kids-collection