This is K.M. Wyland and you are listening to the 196th episode of the word play podcast. It's so wonderful to be back

to writing. I mean officially writing as in writing the first draft of my historical fantasy

storming. I've been excited about this project for a long time.

It's just a fun, warm-hearted adventure story, a summer blockbuster sort of romp, so I have no doubts but that it will be joyed right from start to finish.

After finishing my research and my week off, I finally set down to type those first words.

In between books, I always forget that strange dichotomous

feeling of blind, stomach-turning terror, and tremendous anticipation. Beginnings are

easily the most difficult part of a story but so far

this one is just gliding along, easiest first chapter I've ever written. I hope you all

are enjoying your projects just as much.

A simple trick to make your characters pop.

The latest post in the video series on my blog

provides an easy way to bring instant added interest to any character.

To watch it, visit my website at www helping writers become Authors.com.

New videos are posted every Wednesday.

And now I hope you enjoy this week's podcast

How to Use foreshadowing.

Foreshadowing is a necessary part of any well executed story and yet despite all its prevalence and importance, it's actually a concept that many authors have a hard time getting their minds around it.

If we sift, foreshadowing down to its simplest form, we could say that it prepares readers for what will

happen later in the story. At first glance that may seem counterintuitive. Why

would we want readers to know what's going to happen later in the story?

If they know how the book turns out, they'll have no reason to read on. True enough.

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