It is all about the reader. Because at the end of the day, they’re the only thing that matters.

Most writing books talk about “story” in a weird way. They make it sound helpless, like a baby that needs a diaper change or a car that needs a tune-up. “Stop your plot from floundering! Say goodbye to passive characters!”

I skip all that and look from the other side: the reader’s experience. After all, a book is nothing without a reader. The reader always comes first.

What does this mean? Here’s an example.

• Instead of asking: How do I write a perfect plot?
• Ask: How do I bring the reader along on a beautiful journey?

Or

• Instead of asking: How do I make this action scene cool?
• Ask: What sensory details would place the reader directly in this moment?

Do you see the difference? One is about polishing the story, the other is about caring for the people who have come to enjoy the story. They’re the ones who deserve your time and energy.

But there’s a problem. It can be hard to stop and think like a reader, especially when you’re neck-deep in worldbuidling, characters, conflicts—not to mention all the extra responsibilities of life.

That’s why I wrote Lose Your Words. It takes out all the guesswork by dividing the reader’s experience into 10 distinct zones, each with a unique effect on the story.

Here’s a sample.

• Sensory: Use tactile details to ground the reader and speed up the pace
• Conceptual: Slow things down with exposition and lore, creating room for thought

So instead of asking, “What do I need to explain during this scene?” Start with this instead: “What do I want the reader to feel? Should it go fast or slow? Is this the time for logic or emotion?”

These are ultimately better questions. Because the reader isn’t directly experiencing the story, they’re really experiencing the experience.

Does that make sense?

I promise it will by the end of my book. And then it will feel empowering, because you’ll understand the truth.

Storytelling is less about getting everything right, and more about generosity.

Once you start thinking this way, there is absolutely no going back.

Want to know more? Check out this quick explainer I made that goes over the basics of the book and gives you a taste of what you’ll learn.

Becoming the writer you’re meant to be isn’t about memorizing formulas. It’s not about reusing old clichés or copy-pasting the same story as the most popular books of today.

It’s about understanding at a soul-deep level why stories speak to us in the first place, and what you can do to foster that connection.

Now’s your chance to take the next step. Level up your game and learn how to write books that connect with readers in a new way.

Are you ready?