Ernest Hemingway believed that the most powerful writing doesn’t explain everything. He called this the Iceberg Theory. The reader only sees the tip of the iceberg, but the deeper meaning exists beneath the surface. Instead of explaining emotions directly, the writer lets actions and small details reveal the truth. The underline meaning in a story, beneath the surface is something that many great authors use. It’s also something that I teach writers to find with the Story First method since I truly believe the power of the inner story. A wonderful book has an inner story and an outer story. 📖 Something great that you can do, especially as a newbie writer, is practice other techniques, play with the writing styles. This is how you find your own personal way of getting your words onto paper. 📑 If you’re an experienced writer, what a great way to hone into your skill than by trying other writing techniques! 😁 ✅ Your Challenge Write a short scene where a character is experiencing a strong emotion — but you cannot name the emotion. We’ve done a challenge similar to this in the past. But now, we are trying it out with more details. Don't use words like: 😢sad 😡angry 😱afraid 😄excited 🥺heartbroken Instead, show it through: 💥body language 💥small actions 💥dialogue 💥environment details Example: Instead of saying "He was nervous." 😬 Try something like: "He checked his watch again, then wiped his palms on his jeans." Let the reader feel it without being told. Bonus Challenge Write the same scene again but with the opposite emotion.

Many writers accidentally make dialogue sound stiff or unnatural. Today we’re practicing natural conversation. 🔥Your Challenge Write a short conversation between two characters where: • one character wants something • the other character is hiding something But neither of them says it directly. Think of how real people talk. 🗣️ We often: • avoid the real topic • speak indirectly • say one thing but mean another Example: Person A: “Did you go to the meeting yesterday?” Person B: “I had a lot going on.” The tension sits between the lines. Rules 🔥 Write at least 10 lines of dialogue 🔥 Use minimal description 🔥 Let the tension show through conversation Bonus Challenge Add one small physical action that reveals what the character is feeling.

You need to trust the one you already have. Many writers tend to run up to self-judgement, thinking that their story isn’t “Good Enough” or that they could make it better. This turns into a delay in finishing because they keep searching for that “better idea.” Focus on getting it onto paper. 📄 Don’t second guess and then take the time to edit yourself several times. Think of the Story First method. Story First says: 👉 Stay. Go deeper. What idea have you been circling but not committing to? Share it in the comments and let’s help one another!

Now, you might be wondering, “What does she mean?” 🤔 Every strong story holds because something connects it all. 🔗 It’s not the scenes or the characters. It’s the spine that holds it ALL together! 🙌 Think about it. 💭 What is holding your book together? 📕 Is there an underline meaning, message? What keeps the story moving? 📖 👉 If you had to describe your story in one sentence, what would it be? Keep it simple. We will refine later. Share it in the comments below! 👇

So many of us have dreamed of having our book turned into a movie. 🍿 The lights, the camera, the action! 🎦 Think of the: 🎬 Title 🎬 Tagline 🎬 Opening scene Let’s imagine it fully alive. ✨ Paint us a picture of your movie! 🎥 Drop yours below.