Writers I work with—and if I’m honest, I myself—launch multiple projects, enthusiastic about every idea. We open a document, give it a working title, tap out a few paragraphs with loads of energy. Like the squirrel, we scamper around the Internet or library doing research, gathering quotes and anecdotes to incorporate into this shiny new work-in-progress.

A few days or weeks later, we abandon it, our sentences as sparse as the squirrel’s twigs up in that tree. The raw materials of a project—research, paragraphs, quotations—sit on our hard drive. Will we return to it and continue building or abandon it for projects with more potential?

Often we do abandon the project and scamper off to start another one.

Weeks or months later, we might open our Finder window or Google Drive and scroll through our archives, astonished to see so much unfinished business: half-drafted projects, a concept of a book, or the start of a post. We can feel like we’ve wasted our time and resources.

Are we quitters? Are we creatively weak? Are we people who love to start things but get bogged down in the messy middle, throwing in the towel when we can’t find our way through?

Our inability to finish can leave us feeling embarrassed, ashamed, or frustrated.

But that’s unhelpful self-talk. Instead, in this episode, we reframe it.

Listen or head to https://annkroeker.com/2026/03/25/are-abandoned-projects-a-sign-of-creative-weakness/ to read it and access additional related reading.

And to work with one-on-one, head to https://annkroeker.com/writing-coach - I can provide you with human support for writing you produce as the thoughtful human you are...no AI necessary!

In novels, memoir, nonfiction, and poetry, a narrator can set up the main story so that we have a frame effect. This is, in fact, called the “frame narrative.” The main story, then, becomes “the story within the story.” Learn all about it and study examples in this episode.

The frame narrative sets up the “main” narrative, and provides context and lends plausibility to the story within the story. The nested story likely has a completely different narrator from the frame’s narrator (and the frame might also offer insight into that nested-story’s narrator).

The frame creates distance and reduces criticism of the first storyteller who sets things up. If you dislike or don’t agree with the story told, well, don’t blame the messenger. The main narrator is simply telling someone else’s the story (”Hey, this is what I heard a guy say”).

The frame narrative’s speaker says the bold thing by letting someone else say the bold thing. In other words, the frame narrative delegates to someone else the task of saying the hard or controversial thing.

You can see how you can try the frame narrative yourself to add distance from topics that matter to you. It’s a way of telling it slant. Invent one or both narrators, and create the story that sets up the nested story. You, too, can say the bold thing by letting someone else say the bold thing.

Listen or head to https://annkroeker.com/2026/02/25/do-you-really-want-to-write-quietly-its-an-ai-favorite/ to read it and access all my sources in the footnotes. And to work with one-on-one, head to https://annkroeker.com/writing-coach - I can provide you with human support for writing you produce as the thoughtful human you are...no AI necessary!

We all have “pet” words or phrases that slide into our prose like a favorite shoe that’s shaped to our foot and supports our gait—literary techniques that feel like our voice on the page.

Some writers come across more casual, using sentence fragments or words like “ain’t” and “c’mon!” Others turn to ellipses for hesitation and pop a statement (or question) in parentheses for humor.

Guess who’s been paying attention to how we express ourselves?

Yeah, LLMs slurped up our online writing and got a taste for the way we write. Their favorite words and phrases draw from our favorite words and phrases, and now they’re repeating them ad nauseam, shoving them into everyone’s drafts so people leaning on AI for their writing start to sound suspiciously similar.

What’s especially frustrating is that these are perfectly good writing techniques, and now that I see them spilling into my inbox, I hesitate using them.

In the hands of skilled writers, a light touch with these could produce a pleasant flow, but AI doesn’t yet seem to fully sense the need for restraint, balance, and pacing. It stuffs otherwise effective wording into their drafts like too many prizes in a box of Cracker Jack. They stop being special after the fifth appearance.

Once I point them out, you’ll start to spot them in blog posts, articles, newsletters, and social media. In this episode, I point out several AI favorites. You'll start t spot them everywhere.

Listen or head to https://annkroeker.com/2026/02/25/do-you-really-want-to-write-quietly-its-an-ai-favorite/ to read it and access all my sources in the footnotes. And to work with one-on-one, head to https://annkroeker.com/writing-coach - I can provide you with human support for writing you produce as the thoughtful human you are...no AI necessary!

I opened someone's newsletter a few weeks ago touting the “glorious” age of AI and the advantages it provides.

Hm, I thought. AI is fascinating, I guess. Speedy. Clever, in its way. But…glorious?

It’s been studying us. Wouldn’t that suggest anything “glorious” about AI can be attributed in part to what it’s drawn from that which makes us gloriously human? It did, after all, train on our published projects like articles, blog posts, and books (which it’s already consumed, with or without our permission).

I’ve been thinking a lot about AI lately, as headline after headline offers dire warnings (job losses!) or lavish praises (glorious!), depending on the source. I know clients and colleagues who are using AI extensively in their operations, including research, drafting, and editing. I know others who haven’t tried it even once.

To be honest, I’ve gone back and forth on it myself. When ChatGPT was first making the headlines in 2022, I “interviewed it“ because I was curious to see how it worked and what it would say. I was simultaneously freaked out and fascinated with the results. Should I avoid it or embrace it?

I didn’t decide on the spot. Instead, I experimented with it in low-stakes ways before drawing any conclusions; it’s evolving so rapidly, however, I land on an opinion only to change my mind a week later based on new information. I’m suffering from technological whiplash.

Now that AI is embedded in our writing programs, email inboxes, and more, I’m revisiting my opinion once more.

Turns out I had a lot to say. Listen or head to https://annkroeker.com/2026/02/11/whose-voice-is-on-your-pages-human-vs-ai-writing/ to read it and access all my sources in the footnotes.

Award-winning author and editor Janyre Tromp joins us for an in-depth exploration of her deep publishing experience. She’s seen it from all angles, as an editor in traditional publishing houses, and as an author who has seen the pros and cons of both traditional and self-publishing. Janyre breaks down the definitions, differences, and decision-making process for authors as they consider the publishing path that’s right for them.

In this wide-ranging discussion, you'll learn:

• Clear definitions of vanity press, hybrid publishing, self-publishing, and traditional publishing
• Why Janyre decided to try self-publishing (indie publishing) after undeniable success as a traditionally published author
• How she leverages her marketing background for maximum sales
• When to choose traditional publishing vs. self-publishing vs. other options
• The financial realities and potential of each publishing path
• Which path has become her favorite (and why)

This interview is perfect for aspiring authors, seasoned writers considering a change, or anyone curious about how things are changing…and how we can make an informed decision.

00:00 Multitasking Editor Embraces Indie

05:13 Publishing Access vs Readers

08:37 Indie Publishing Workflow Explained

12:45 Indie Publishing Services Evolve

13:37 Building Your Self-Publishing Team

19:21 Nonfiction Marketing Strategies

22:35 Self-Publishing: Learn or Delegate

23:29 Indie Authors as a Business

28:43 Effective Nonfiction Self-Publishing Tips

31:05 Publishing Requires Patience and Marketing

34:48 Indie Influence on Traditional Publishing

38:44 Hybrid Author vs Publisher

41:07 Navigating Publishing Rights & Royalties

45:39 Hiring Reputable Publishing Services

46:56 Vetting Publishers for Success

52:45 Benefits of Audiobooks for Readers

53:52 The Enduring Power of Books

57:51 Craft Your Book's Big Idea

• Free 3-Day Challenge: Craft Your Book’s Big Idea: annkroeker.com/3day
• Previous interview with Janyre about target audience: Start with Your Ideal Audience

In this episode, Ann Kroeker, Writing Coach, explores how clarifying your role in a reader’s life transforms your tone, structure, and connection on the page. Using real-world analogies and examples from Anne Bogel, Annie F. Downs, and Lisa TerKeurst, Ann shows how to choose and calibrate a voice readers trust—whether you’re a knowledgeable friend, a teacher, a tower of authority, or a fellow traveler in the field.

In This Episode You’ll Discover:

• Why defining your role makes writing more intuitive and effective
• How to spot a voice/role mismatch that’s holding your manuscript back
• The “knowledgeable friend” approach that helped Anne Bogel find her flow
• How Annie F. Downs’ “coffee with a friend” brand guides tone and content
• Lisa TerKeurst’s 4 voices for authors: Tower, Teacher, In the Field, and In the Pit
• When to avoid the “In the Pit” voice (and what to do instead)
• Practical tone tweaks: contractions, anecdotes, sentence fragments, vulnerability
• A quick exercise to test multiple voices and choose what fits
• How to align structure, examples, and word choice with your chosen role
• Ways to iterate based on reader response

0:00 - Introduction and welcome from Ann Kroeker

0:26 - Episode topic: What’s your role in your reader’s life?

0:40 - Roles professionals play and their impact

0:57 - Why writers should understand their role for better connection

1:10 - Identifying your reader-facing role: friend, expert, or fellow traveler?

1:17 - The impact of a tone-role mismatch for writers

1:35 - How tone, structure, and writing style change when role aligns

1:45 - Aligning roles for authenticity and effective voice

1:50 - Writers Anne Bogel, Annie F. Downs, and Lisa TerKeurst refine their roles

2:17 - Anne Bogel’s “friend who knows some things” approach

2:47 - Using knowledgeable friend tone: relate and inform

3:04 - Annie F. Downs’ “coffee with a friend” brand

3:33 - Using anecdotes, humor, and vulnerability as a friendly writer

3:50 - Lisa TerKeurst’s four author voices explained

4:23 - The Tower Voice (authoritative expert)

4:46 - The Teacher Voice (research-backed and vulnerable)

5:04 - The In-the-Field Voice (guiding as fellow traveler)

5:26 - The In-the-Pit Voice (venting without solutions)

5:45 - Finding your role: reflection questions for writers

6:12 - How readers see you shapes your style

6:22 - Structuring research-based writing with the Tower Voice

6:33 - Blending guidance with personal insight as a Teacher

6:40 - Using shared experience for trust in the Field Voice

7:04 - The pitfalls of writing from struggle without solutions

7:12 - Experimenting with different writer voices

7:38 - Adjusting tone and style to suit your authentic role

8:12 - Realizing and embodying your role for writing flow

8:29 - Invitation to Craft Your Book’s Big Idea challenge

8:50 - Ann Kroeker encourages and supports writers

9:02 - Closing and ongoing support for writers

• Free 3-Day Challenge: Craft Your Book’s Big Idea — annkroeker.com/3day
• Lisa TerKeurst interview (linked in episode show notes at annkroeker.com/writersrole)

To read and check out all info, head to annkroeker.com/writersrole

In this episode, Ann Kroeker, Writing Coach tackles the common "research rabbit hole" problem that plagues nonfiction writers. Learn how to balance thorough research with productive writing, using Isaac Newton's famous quote about "standing on ye sholders of giants" as inspiration for leveraging others' knowledge without getting lost in endless sources.

• Why the research rabbit hole is a distraction for nonfiction writers
• Noticing when you're researching versus procrastinating
• Practical strategies to ensure you stay focused on the research
• The importance of research for credibility and specificity in nonfiction

⌚️Timestamps:

0:00 - Welcome & Introduction

0:48 - Getting Lost in Research

1:30 - Does Detail Matter?

2:00 - Value of Specifics

3:15 - Building Trust Through Research

3:44 - Research in Memoir & Essays

4:09 - Standing on Giants’ Shoulders

4:40 - 7 Focused Research Tips

5:05 - Bracket Placeholders

5:23 - Tackling Online Distractions

5:45 - Parking Lot Document

6:00 - Staying Relevant

6:23 - Research Timers

6:48 - Organizing Research

7:16 - Research as Conversation

7:45 - Back to Writing

To read and check out all info, head to annkroeker.com/rabbithole

Episode 283 | Release Date: September 24, 2025

In this episode, Ann Kroeker is joined by award-winning author and editor Janyre Tromp for a deep dive into identifying your ideal audience as a writer. Janyre draws on 20+ years of publishing, editing, and marketing experience to explain why targeting the right readers—and understanding their true needs—will transform every stage of your writing process, from drafting to editing to pitching and platform-building. Whether you write fiction, nonfiction, essays, or poetry, this conversation will equip you with actionable strategies, creative encouragement, and permission to be yourself as you connect with real people through your words.

• The difference between demographics and psychographics (and why felt needs matter most)
• How to use “real people” as your audience guide—beyond generic market profiles
• Why writing purely from your own perspective may miss your target audience (and what to do about it)
• Practical strategies for exploring and validating your audience—before you write the whole book
• The value and methods of “testing” your message on social media, in articles, or through speaking
• Smart ways to use outlines, chapter summaries, and comparative titles to clarify your audience
• Why platform-building is about genuine connection, not perfection or performance
• How to balance platform work with writing—plus batching, repurposing, and self-care tips from Janyre’s own practice
• Encouragement for embracing your unique voice and message, even when life or creativity feels overwhelming

• Janyre’s multi-role background: Traditional/indie publishing, editing, and marketing
• Defining your ideal audience: From broad demographics to nuanced psychographics
• How emotion—not just facts—sells books and builds connection
• The role of social media as a “testing lab” for ideas and audience resonance
• Outlining, annotating, and revising to realign with your audience
• Using comparative titles and community spaces to get to know your readers
• Overcoming perfectionism and performance pressure as you build your platform
• Grace for the process—nobody does it all, and real people connect with real people

“Emotion sells a book. Facts do not sell books… That’s why you see a commercial, they’re appealing to an emotion, not a fact.”

“If you want to publish a book and help people, then you have to approach your book writing from that person’s perspective and write the book that they need, not the book that you want to write.”

“Social media is this lovely little lab where you can write about stuff and get immediate gratification of whether it works or not.”

“Go find your audience wherever they are and hang out with them… If you have a conversation with them that resonates, they’ll come hang out with you elsewhere too.”

“You have a message that only you can give. Don’t be afraid to step out into that and make those connections.”

• Join Janyre’s upcoming YPM training: Your Platform Matters (YPM)
• Learn more about Janyre Tromp: janyretromp.com and Editing Insiders
• Free Facebook group for editing questions: Editing Insiders on Facebook

• Email Ann: annkroeker.com/contact
• Explore free & paid offerings: annkroeker.com/everything
• Get free coaching in your inbox: annkroeker.com/connect
• Follow Janyre Tromp: @janyretromp on Instagram, LinkedIn, and (newbie!) TikTok

I'm cheering you on as a writing coach in your ear. Thanks for listening!