This week on Writing Break, we’re exploring how to weave the extraordinary into the ordinary without breaking the spell of magical realism. We're also discussing Amazon's increasing censorship of authors and artists.

Overthinking Couch Topics:

1. How it differs from fantasy and why the magic must stay unexplained
2. Techniques to balance realism and wonder
3. Common pitfalls that break the spell
4. The Latin American roots of magical realism and its global legacy
5. A writing prompt to help you find the extraordinary in the everyday

• The Biggest Mistake Writers Make - Writing Break
• Free Style Sheet Templates
• Free Writing Tips

Music licensed from Storyblocks.

Who are you becoming as a writer? Forget making a list of New Year's resolutions; instead, write a narrative for 2026. This bonus episode includes prompts for a creative reset to prepare you for the year ahead.

• Free Style Sheet Templates
• Free Writing Tips

Music licensed from Storyblocks.

This Christmas Day bonus episode explores the creative power of stubbornness and includes three reflective prompts to help you close out your year with clarity and intention.

Overthinking Couch Topics:

• Why writers need stubbornness
• How it protects your voice.
• How it carries books across the finish line

• The Biggest Mistake Writers Make - Writing Break
• Free Style Sheet Templates
• Free Writing Tips

Music licensed from Storyblocks.

In the final part of our Fantasy Subgenre Series, we explore the soft side of the genre: Cozy Fantasy, Slice-of-Life Fantasy, Eco-Fantasy, Children’s Fantasy, YA Fantasy, Comical/Satirical Fantasy, Fairy-Tale Fantasy, and Fairy-Tale Retellings.

Overthinking Couch Topics:

• Creating stillness and gentle magic
• Land-based storytelling
• Intensity and transformation in YA Fantasy
• Why some readers crave gentleness
• The paradox at the heart of enchantment

• "Take This Longing" by Leonard Cohen
• Writing Fantasy: Building Worlds That Breathe - Writing Break
• The Biggest Mistake Writers Make - Writing Break
• Free Style Sheet Templates
• Free Writing Tips

Music licensed from Storyblocks.

In Part II of our Fantasy Subgenre Series, we explore the darker and more modern branches of fantasy: Dark Fantasy, Grimdark, Urban Fantasy, Contemporary/Modern Fantasy, Paranormal Fantasy, Romantasy, Progression Fantasy, LitRPG, and Gamelit.

Overthinking Couch Topics:

• What defines each subgenre?
• Why do readers love them?
• How does magic, character, and structure shift across newer fantasy genres?
• Is your magic system essential, atmospheric, metaphorical, or structural?

• Writing Fantasy: Building Worlds That Breathe - Writing Break
• The Biggest Mistake Writers Make - Writing Break
• Free Style Sheet Templates
• Free Writing Tips

Music licensed from Storyblocks.

In Part I of this three-episode Fantasy Subgenre Series, we dive into the grand-scale branches of fantasy: Epic Fantasy, High Fantasy, Low Fantasy, Sword & Sorcery, Historical Fantasy, Alternate History, Mythic Fantasy, Indigenous/Mythic-Region Fantasy, Portal Fantasy, Science Fantasy, Steampunk, and Gaslamp Fantasy.

Overthinking Couch Topics:

• What defines each subgenre?
• Why do readers love them?
• How can you use world-building, magic systems, and narrative scope to shape your own stories?
• Which element of your world is doing the most narrative heavy lifting?

If you love building worlds, bending history, or stepping through portals without warning, this episode is your map.

• Writing Fantasy: Building Worlds That Breathe - Writing Break
• The Biggest Mistake Writers Make - Writing Break
• Free Style Sheet Templates
• Free Writing Tips

Music licensed from Storyblocks.

Pour yourself something spiced and settle in as we revisit writing tips from this season’s genre deep dives.

• The Biggest Mistake Writers Make - Writing Break
• 7 Literary Conflicts Explained (Clip Show #11) - Writing Break
• Free Style Sheet Templates
• Free Writing Tips

Music licensed from Storyblocks.

If your book is “for everyone,” it’s actually for no one. In this sharp yet encouraging episode, we tackle one of the biggest hurdles for new authors: not wanting to be boxed in by genre.

Overthinking Couch Topics:

• Identify your book’s genre and emotional promise.
• Avoid the “genre blender” mistake that confuses readers.
• Use genre conventions as creative and marketing tools.
• Communicate your book’s identity in one professional sentence.
• Decide when and how to blend genres.

• The Biggest Mistake Writers Make - Writing Break
• Free Style Sheet Templates
• Free Writing Tips

Music licensed from Storyblocks.