Mark interviews Jeff Elkins, The Dialogue Doctor, about writing emotion and a new in person gathering he's organizing in Baltimore in late 2026.

Prior to the interview, Mark shares comments from recent episode, a personal update, and a word from this episode's sponsor.

This episode is sponsored by Author Nation, being held in Las Vegas Nov 13 through 14, 2026

Learn more about Author Nation and register at AuthorNation.live.

During their conversation, Mark and Jeff talk about:

Jeff's latest book in the Dialogue Doctor series on writing emotions
How Jeff has never really done any marketing for his books
Struggling with intense self doubt
Co-authoring with JP Rindfleisch IX
The concept of thinking about how a scene makes the reader feel instead of how the character feels
How in a world of AI you should be the most human you can be and how it leads to the question: "What does it look like, what does it mean to write like a human?"
Seven different ways you can manipulate the reader's emotional journey and how they've come from the coaching Jeff does with authors
Recentering our story around the question of what our character's growth is
The book THE ANTI-RACISM WORKSHOP
The concept of the reader's ally character to either increase or relieve the pressure, or tension in a moment
Jeff's in person gathering happening in Baltimore later this year
And more...

After the interview, Mark reflects on four different things from the conversation, and includes an additional personal update that comes with a reflection.

Links of Interest:

The Dialogue Doctor
The Fiction Makers Conference (Aug 22, 23, 2026)
Jeff's Previous Appearances
- EP 312 - The Dialogue Doctor Will See You Now With Jeff Elkins
- EP 266 - "Let's Talk Dialogue with Jeff Elkins," He Said Reflectively
- EP 157 - A Conversation with Jeff Elkins, The Dialogue Doctor
- EP 226 - Reflective Round Table - December 2021
- EP 172 - Understanding and Navigating Gender
Manuscript Report (Mark's affiliate link - use MARK10 to save 10%)
Buy Mark a Coffee
Patreon for Stark Reflections
Mark's YouTube channel
ElevenLabs (AI Voice Generation - Affiliate link)
Mark's Stark Reflections on Writing & Publishing Newsletter (Signup)
An Author's Guide to Working With Bookstores and Libraries
The Relaxed Author
- Buy eBook Direct
- Buy Audiobook Direct
Publishing Pitfalls for Authors
An Author's Guide to Working with Libraries & Bookstores
Wide for the Win
Mark's Canadian Werewolf Books
The Canadian Mounted: A Trivia Guide to Planes, Trains and Automobiles
Yippee Ki-Yay Motherf*cker: A Trivia Guide to Die Hard
Merry Christmas! Shitter Was Full!: A Trivia Guide to National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation
I Think It's A Sign That The Pun Also Rises

Jeff Elkins is the founder of the Dialogue Doctor where he and two other passionate coaches help authors and provides free resources and a supportive community. He's the author of 13 novels, 5 books on the craft of writing, and over 100 short stories. He has worked with hundreds of authors over the years and helped thousands more via his many resources, his public speaking, and the Dialogue Doctor podcast.

The introductory, end, and bumper music for this podcast ("Laser Groove") was composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of www.incompetech.com and is Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0