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What if the voice interrupting your writing isn’t the problem—but the raw material for your best character?
In this episode of the podcast, Jake explores one of the most universal challenges writers face: intrusive thoughts—the voices that criticize, inflate, or pull you away from the page. Rather than treating them as something to eliminate, he reframes them as something to use.
At their core, intrusive thoughts are not random. They are often internalized voices—fragments of past experiences, fears, protections, and desires—that surface when you’re trying to focus. Whether they sound supportive or destructive, they interrupt your ability to stay present with your writing. And the more you fight them, the more power they gain.
Using Amadeus, Jake shows how these voices can be transformed into character. In both play and film versions, Salieri becomes the embodiment of self-doubt—the voice that believes it will never be enough—while Mozart represents an opposing force of undeniable creative brilliance. By externalizing the internal conflict that exists within every artist, Shaffer creates not only compelling characters, but a story driven by psychological truth.
From this example, Jake introduces a practical technique: take a recurring intrusive thought and imagine it as a character with their own worldview, desires, and fears. Once the voice is no longer “you,” you can observe it, question it, and apply pressure to it through story. And because characters change, you can begin to change your relationship to that voice as well.
By the end of the episode, you’ll see intrusive thoughts not as a distraction to overcome, but as a source of character, structure, and transformation—one that can deepen both your writing and your understanding of yourself.
You’ll discover:
🎧 LISTEN NOW to learn how to turn the voice in your head into a powerful engine for character, structure, and emotionally connected storytelling.
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Last Updated: May 13, 2025 2:00 PM EST
By registering for the course, you are agreeing to the following terms, which form a legal contract between you and Jacob Krueger Studio, LLC (“Company”) and govern your attendance at and/or participation in Company’s course (the “Course”).
Prevention of “Zoom-Bomber” Disruptions; Unauthorized Publication of Class Videos. Company will record each class session, including your participation in the session, entitled “The Videos”. To prevent disruptions by “zoom-bombers” and provide Company and
participants the legal standing to remove unauthorized content from platforms such as YouTube and social media sites, you agree that
(1) you are prohibited from recording any portion of the Course;
(2) in exchange for the opportunity to participate in the Course, you assign to Company your verbal contributions to the session discussions.
To be clear, you assign to Company only your oral statements during recorded Course sessions. You retain all copyright to any and all written materials you submit to the class and the right to use them in any way you choose without permission from or compensation to the Company.
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