Fiction Writing Made Easy
274 episodes - English - Latest episode: 2 days ago -How do I write a book? How do I create compelling characters that readers will love? How do I build a believable world for my story? What does it even mean to write a story that works? Do you have any writing tips? These are just some of the big questions that developmental editor and book coach, Savannah Gilbo, digs into on the Fiction Writing Made Easy Podcast. Each week, Savannah shares actionable tools, tips, and strategies that will help you write, edit, and publish your book. So, whether you're brand new to writing, or a seasoned author looking to improve your craft, this podcast is for you!
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Episodes
[SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT] My Book Is Available For Pre-Order!
July 09, 2024 07:00 - 14 minutes - 9.94 MBEver wish you could understand exactly what makes your favorite stories so lovable? Me too! So much so that I deconstructed every single scene in the first Harry Potter book to see how and why it worked. And today, I’m super excited to share with you that my brand-new book, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone: A Story Grid Masterwork Analysis Guide, is officially available for pre-order right now! Tune into this episode to hear me talk about things like: [03:25] What’s inside the book ...
#149. 5 Questions To Write Better Antagonists
July 02, 2024 07:00 - 26 minutes - 18.2 MBAntagonists can make or break a story—both for the writer and the reader. Writers who don’t spend time developing their antagonists tend to write drafts that fall apart in the middle. Anyone who reads a story with a weak or unconvincing protagonist is unlikely to finish it. So, how do we go about making our antagonists just as compelling as our protagonists? How do we write an antagonist with impact? In this episode, I’m sharing five questions that will help you create a compelling, gen...
#148. How To Use Universal Fantasy To Write Better Books (& Sell More Copies) With Theodora Taylor
June 25, 2024 07:00 - 44 minutes - 30.8 MB“Never wonder if readers will love your story again.” This is exactly what Theodora Taylor teaches you how to do in her book 7 FIGURE FICTION: How to Use Universal Fantasy to SELL Your Books to ANYONE. Despite writing fiction in a niche genre (interracial romance), Theodora Taylor has grown a fanbase of rabid readers and fans through the power of something she calls Universal Fantasy—aka “the ingredients you need to write DELICIOUS stories!” In this episode, Theodora Taylor shares how she ...
#147. A Week in the Life: 7 Days Behind the Scenes with Savannah (June 2024)
June 18, 2024 07:00 - 31 minutes - 21.8 MBWant a peek behind the scenes into my work week? 👀 In this episode, I’m taking you behind the scenes and sharing what I do as a developmental editor and book coach. I’ll talk through the projects I’m working on, what I’m excited (or not excited) about, what’s coming up in the next few weeks, what I learn from the writers I work with, and basically anything else that happens during the week! Tune into the episode to hear me talk about things like: [05:07] A behind-the-scenes look at the ...
#146. 6 Ways Mindfulness Can Make You A Happier & More Productive Writer With April Dávila
June 11, 2024 07:00 - 37 minutes - 25.6 MBIf you’ve ever felt frustrated with your progress (or lack of progress), it’s probably time to take a step back from your writing and consider your mindset. To help you do just that, I’m sharing a conversation in today’s podcast episode with April Dávila, an award-winning author, speaker, and writing coach who specializes in teaching writers to integrate mediation into their writing practice. Tune into this episode to hear us talk about how integrating mindfulness in her writing practice h...
#145. How To Develop Your Character's Backstory
June 04, 2024 07:00 - 20 minutes - 14.3 MBCrafting compelling backstories for your fictional characters is critical to developing a cohesive story, but it’s sometimes easier said than done. There are endless options when it comes to which details you can include in your character’s backstory, and what you do include will influence everything that happens in your story—from the plot events to your character’s motivations to your own ability to manage the thematic subtext of your story on a scene-by-scene-basis. In this episode, I’m...
#144. Student Spotlight: How She Landed A Book Deal With Her Dream Publisher (With Savannah Carlisle)
May 28, 2024 07:00 - 43 minutes - 30.2 MBHave you ever heard someone say that the only difference between a published author and an unpublished author is that the published author never gave up? I wholeheartedly believe this, and my guest today proves it’s true. Savannah Carlisle writes heartwarming romance novels that transport readers to fun and quirky small towns where friends feel like family. And her debut novel, The Library of Second Chances, is officially available for purchase as of May 2024. Tune into this episode to h...
#143. How To Pitch Podcasts With Michelle Glogovac
May 21, 2024 07:00 - 40 minutes - 27.5 MB“Human beings want to hear the stories of other human beings. And that's exactly what podcasts do.” - Michelle Glogovac You have a finished book, now what? Learn how to pitch yourself to podcasts (and create your own podcast book tour!) in this episode. Here’s a preview of what’s included: [04:47] What is a podcast book tour? And what are the benefits of doing one? [12:20] How to pitch yourself, even if you don’t have a finished book. [31:32] How to repurpose content from your interview...
#142. How To Write A Query Letter That Get Requests
May 14, 2024 07:00 - 21 minutes - 14.6 MB“I recommend working on your query letter as soon as you feel good enough about the overall shape of your story.” - Savannah Gilbo Agents and editors must sort through hundreds of query letters to find an outstanding story. So, how do you write a query letter that catches their attention and makes them want to read more? Tune into this episode to learn how to write a query letter that works! Here’s a preview of what’s included: [01:31] What are query letters, and why are they important? [...
#141. How To Create Believable Monsters With Randy Ellefson
May 07, 2024 07:00 - 52 minutes - 36.2 MB“The object itself didn't cause the conflict. The person who made the choice with the object caused the conflict.” - Randy Ellefson In today’s episode, we’re going to cover something really fun—how to create believable monsters. And I have a special guest joining me today—someone that knows way more about creating monsters than I do. His name is Randy Ellefson, and he is the author of The Art of World Building. Here’s a preview of what’s included: [03:48] Randy gives us his definition of ...
#140. First Chapter Analysis: Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
April 30, 2024 07:00 - 56 minutes - 39.1 MB“We need to advance the plot and we need to develop the character. When you can marry the two, you have a strong scene.” - Abigail K. Perry We’re taking a deep dive into Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins to see how and why it works. Join me and Abigail K. Perry as we break down this first chapter of the third book of The Hunger Games trilogy to see how it hooks our interest and pulls us into the story! Here's a preview of what's included: [04:03] Chapter summary: This opening chapter sets up...
#139: 5 Multi POV Mistakes (And How To Avoid Them)
April 23, 2024 07:00 - 20 minutes - 14.4 MBTelling a story through multiple viewpoints can be a great way to create a more expansive (and objective) look at your characters, world, plot, and/or theme. But with each additional viewpoint character you add to your story, the more room there is for mistakes. In this episode, I'm sharing the 5 most common multi POV mistakes writers make and how to avoid them in your draft. Here’s a preview of what’s included: [2:10] Mistake #1: Including too many POV characters without an intentional re...
#138: How To Manage Your Creative Anxiety With Rhonda Douglas
April 16, 2024 07:00 - 41 minutes - 28.3 MB“Writing is a creative project. It's not an earthquake, but the thoughts and the worries can feel similar. If I can have a positive association or feel prepared for an earthquake, surely I can do that for writing.” - Rhonda Douglas Ever found yourself staring at the blank page, trying to write but unable to find the right words? You’re not alone! Tune in to hear Rhonda Douglas share strategies for managing creative anxiety and writer’s block. Here’s a preview of what’s included [01:29] Wh...
#137: 5 Tips For Writing Better Fiction (Even If You're Just Starting Out)
April 09, 2024 07:00 - 32 minutes - 22.5 MB“Focus your pre-writing and drafting and revising efforts on the present moment of your story.” - Daniel David Wallace I asked five of my peers to share one of their favorite writing tips, and boy, did they deliver! Tune in to hear 5 editors and coaches talk about their favorite tip and why it’s so helpful. Here’s a preview of what’s included: [01:40] Tip #1: Fully embrace scene structure in your storytelling process because the narrative will flow seamlessly from beginning to end. [06:12...
#136. First Chapter Analysis: Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
April 02, 2024 07:00 - 1 hour - 42.2 MB“Usually stakes start personal and they become public. That's a way of raising stakes, regardless of the genre.” - Savannah Gilbo We’re diving deep into Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins to see how and why it works. Join me and Abigail K. Perry as we break down this first chapter to see how it hooks our interest and pulls us into the story! Here's a preview of what's included: [05:22] Chapter summary: This chapter focuses on Katniss, who is navigating life after winning the Hunger Games. ...
#136: First Chapter Analysis: Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
April 02, 2024 07:00 - 1 hour - 42.4 MB“Usually stakes start personal and they become public. That's a way of raising stakes, regardless of the genre.” - Savannah Gilbo We’re diving deep into Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins to see how and why it works. Join me and Abigail K. Perry as we break down this first chapter to see how it hooks our interest and pulls us into the story! Here's a preview of what's included: [05:22] Chapter summary: This chapter focuses on Katniss, who is navigating life after winning the Hunger Games. ...
#135: Mastering Point of View and Voice: Expert Tips From Gabriela Pereira Of DIY MFA
March 26, 2024 07:00 - 42 minutes - 29 MB“You, the writer, have a bigger sphere of knowledge. You know more things than the narrator necessarily knows.” - Gabriela Pereira In today’s episode, I ask Gabriela Pereira of DIY MFA for her thoughts on some of the most commonly asked questions I get about point of view and voice—and she shares some of her favorite tips and strategies for mastering POV and voice in your writing. Here’s a preview of what’s included: [1:51] What's Gabriela’s advice for writers trying to choose the "right"...
#134: How To Stop Procrastinating: 5 Productivity Tips For Writers
March 19, 2024 07:00 - 29 minutes - 20.2 MB“It's really important to focus on the big picture story first and not worry about granular details that you can figure out later.” - Savannah Gilbo Get more done in less time, overcome procrastination, and become a master at time management with these 5 super simple productivity tips that I’ve been using daily for the last 10 years. Read the blog post here! Here’s a preview of what’s included: [01:07] What is productivity and why does it matter? [04:44] How to time block your days in ...
#133: A Week in the Life: 7 Days Behind the Scenes with Savannah (March 2024)
March 12, 2024 07:00 - 35 minutes - 24.2 MB“Sometimes it's easy to take feedback to mean that your story's broken when it's not.” - Savannah Gilbo I’m taking you behind the scenes with me throughout my entire work week! You’ll see how I plan my days, what projects I work on, what I learn from the writers I work with, and so much more! Read the blog post here! Here’s a preview of what’s included: [01:48] Sunday Update - This week will be a mixed bag. I’m taking a 2-day online course from Laura Belgray, who’s sharing a behind-the-...
#132: First Chapter Analysis: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
March 05, 2024 08:00 - 1 hour - 46.2 MB“In stories that feel society dominant, is survival even worth it if you don't have freedom?” - Abigail K. Perry We’re taking a deep dive into The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins to see how and why it works. Join me and Abigail K. Perry as we break down this first chapter to see how it hooks our interest and pulls us into the story! Read the blog post here! Here's a preview of what's included: [04:39] Chapter summary: In the opening chapter, the author employs a tight focus on Katniss'...
#131: 5 Steps To Start Planning Your Book Series
February 27, 2024 08:00 - 35 minutes - 24.2 MB“The key to making books within a series work is to grow, escalate, and complicate the conflict and stakes from book to book.” - Savannah Gilbo A good book series allows readers to immerse themselves in a world and stay there. But how do you write a series that works? To start, here are 5 steps to help you start planning your book series. Read the blog post here! Here’s a preview of what’s included: [01:42] Savannah discusses the the three primary categories of book series—static, dynam...
#130: How to Craft Romantic Chemistry & Tension Between Characters
February 20, 2024 08:00 - 25 minutes - 17.7 MB“ Flat or boring characters who are underdeveloped are never going to light up a scene, no matter how many tricks you pull.” - Savannah Gilbo If you’re writing romance, the chemistry and tension between your characters can make or break your story. Let’s explore how to create romantic chemistry between two characters in an authentic and compelling way to keep readers on the edge of their seats. Read the blog post here! Here’s a preview of what’s included: [01:44] What is chemistry? [03:...
#129: Overcoming The Fear Of Marketing With Alexa Bigwarfe
February 13, 2024 08:00 - 43 minutes - 30.2 MB“Work on being a better writer and work on your craft and the other stuff will follow. As long as you have a great book, marketing comes a lot easier.” - Alexa Bigwarfe In today’s brand-new episode, I’m sharing a conversation with Alexa Bigwarfe about how writers can overcome the fear of marketing their books and what you can do right now to kickstart your marketing efforts. Read the blog post here! Here’s a preview of what’s included: [3:55] Where should new writers market their books?...
#128: What Are Obligatory Scenes And Conventions?
February 06, 2024 08:00 - 19 minutes - 13.2 MB“When a story doesn't include these key scenes and conventions of its genre, it's just not going to work.” - Savannah Gilbo Want a framework for your entire story? Learn what readers expect from a story like yours, and then use these obligatory scenes and conventions as a framework to craft a story that works. Read the blog post here! Here’s a preview of what’s included: [03:47] What are obligatory scenes and conventions (and why are they important)? [06:58] 3 steps to finding the obli...
#127: First Chapter Analysis: The Five People You Meet In Heaven by Mitch Albom
January 30, 2024 08:00 - 1 hour - 41.8 MB“It might seem strange to start a story with an ending, but all endings are also beginnings. We just don't know it at the time.” - Abigail K. Perry In this episode, we’re talking about The Five People You Meet In Heaven by Mitch Albom to see how and why it works. Join Abigail K. Perry and me as we break down this first chapter to see how it hooks our interest and pulls us into the story. Read the blog post here! Here's a preview of what's included: [02:40] Chapter summary: Abigail rea...
#126: Save The Cat! Troubleshooting Common Plot Problems With Jessica Brody
January 23, 2024 08:00 - 41 minutes - 28.7 MB“Every time you write something hard, it changes you as a writer, and it makes you a better writer.” - Jessica Brody Today I'm sharing a conversation with Jessica Brody where we talk about some of the most common mistakes writers make when outlining, writing, and editing their books using the “Save the Cat” method. Read the blog post here! Here's a preview of what's included: [02:30] Jessica introduces herself and shares her experience writing fiction using the Save The Cat! plotting met...
126. Save The Cat! Troubleshooting Common Plot Problems With Jessica Brody
January 23, 2024 08:00 - 41 minutes - 28.7 MB“Every time you write something hard, it changes you as a writer, and it makes you a better writer.” - Jessica Brody Today I'm sharing a conversation with Jessica Brody where we talk about some of the most common mistakes writers make when outlining, writing, and editing their books using the “Save the Cat” method. Here's a preview of what's included: [02:30] Jessica introduces herself and shares her experience writing fiction using the Save The Cat! plotting method. [04:00] Savannah asks...
#125: Novel Writing Pitfalls: Don't Make These 5 Mistakes
January 16, 2024 08:00 - 26 minutes - 18.1 MB“ The purpose of a first draft is not to come up with something that's perfect. Instead, the purpose is to explore your story and get it out of your head.” - Savannah Gilbo Transform your writing as I reveal 5 all-too-common mistakes that plague writers. Learn the savvy strategies to sidestep these blunders and discover my top-notch tips for rectifying them if you've already fallen prey. Read the blog post here! Here’s a preview of what’s included: [01:20] Having gratitude for every mis...
#124: Student Spotlight: 5 Lessons Learned from Notes to Novel (Season 3)
January 09, 2024 08:00 - 29 minutes - 20.6 MB“That's how much my writing's improved. But not just the writing, it's the ease. It's not a struggle when I sit down in front of the laptop to write. Everything just seems a lot easier.” - Morgan Schrock In today's episode, I reached out to some of my Notes to Novels Season 3 students and asked them to share the number one thing they learned about writing a first draft. You're going to get to hear from real writers who are in the trenches, actively working on their novels and I think it'll ...
#123: How To Overcome The 5 Types Of Imposter Syndrome
January 02, 2024 08:00 - 19 minutes - 13.3 MB“Try learning new skills and then putting what you learn into practice right away, because, at the end of the day, you can only really learn through doing anyway.” - Savannah Gilbo Is imposter syndrome holding you back from writing a novel? Here are the EXACT action steps you can take right now to combat your feelings of self-doubt, inadequacy, and fear—and to overcome imposter syndrome for good. Read the blog post here! Here’s a preview of what’s included: [01:28] What exactly is impo...
# 123: How To Overcome The 5 Types Of Imposter Syndrome
January 02, 2024 08:00 - 19 minutes - 13.3 MB“Try learning new skills and then putting what you learn into practice right away, because, at the end of the day, you can only really learn through doing anyway.” - Savannah Gilbo Is imposter syndrome holding you back from writing a novel? Here are the EXACT action steps you can take right now to combat your feelings of self-doubt, inadequacy, and fear—and to overcome imposter syndrome for good. Here’s a preview of what’s included: [01:28] What exactly is imposter syndrome? How can you c...
#122: Counting Down The Best Tips From FWME In 2023
December 26, 2023 08:00 - 42 minutes - 29.2 MB“My point is that you have to do the work to make the mistakes and learn.” - Savannah Gilbo The past year on Fiction Writing Made Easy has been a treasure trove of insights, expert advice, and creative hacks, all neatly bundled up in amazing podcast episodes and interviews. Today, we dive into a delightful countdown, revisiting the very best tips that get into the heart of fiction writing, and uncovering the gems that made 2023 an inspiration for writers. Read the blog post here! Here’...
#121: 5 Takeaways From Coaching Writers in 2023
December 19, 2023 08:00 - 24 minutes - 16.6 MB“The more work you do up front and the more you get your mindset right, the more likely your chances of success are.” - Savannah Gilbo In this episode, I'm giving you a glimpse behind the scenes and sharing some of the key takeaways I learned from coaching writers this year. I hope that you'll be able to reap some of the benefits of these lessons so that you can move forward with your writing in the most efficient way possible. Read the blog post here! Here’s a preview of what’s include...
#120: First Chapter Analysis: Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
December 12, 2023 08:00 - 1 hour - 49 MB“I think that's really important at the end of every time that you write a scene. Ask yourself, how can I raise the stakes even more?” - Abigail K. Perry Join us today as we embark on a thrilling literary journey through the fantastical world of Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yaros. In this episode, I'm joined by Abigail K. Perry and I encourage you to read this mesmerizing tale, peel it apart with us, and participate in our analysis of it. Read the blog post here! Here's a preview of what's inc...
#119: Student Spotlight: How Fern Bernstein Wrote A Dual Timeline Novel Based On The Edies of Grey Gardens
December 05, 2023 08:00 - 46 minutes - 31.8 MB“It's the inciting incident, the turning point, the crisis moment, the climax, and the resolution, and each scene really needs to have that to move the story forward.” - Fern Bernstein In today's episode, I’m sitting down for a conversation with Fern Bernstein to talk about her debut novel, Staunch: The Edie's of Grey Gardens. Here’s a preview of what’s included: [01:44] Savannah reads the back cover of Staunch: The Edie's of Grey Gardens to get context for today’s discussion. [12:14] Th...
#119: Student Spotlight: Writing Character Realities and The Art of Embracing Dual Timelines with Fern Bernstein
December 05, 2023 08:00 - 45 minutes - 31.3 MB“It's the inciting incident, the turning point, the crisis moment, the climax, and the resolution, and each scene really needs to have that to move the story forward.” - Fern Bernstein In today's episode, I’m sitting down for a conversation with Fern Bernstein to talk about her debut novel, Staunch: The Edie's of Grey Gardens. Here’s a preview of what’s included: [01:44] Savannah reads the back cover of Staunch: The Edie's of Grey Gardens to get context for today’s discussion. [12:14] Th...
#118: How To Find The Major Dramatic Question Of Your Story
November 28, 2023 08:00 - 12 minutes - 8.7 MB“Every story has one main question that it raises in the beginning and answers by the end.” - Savannah Gilbo In this latest podcast episode, we'll explore a fundamental element of storytelling: the Major Dramatic Question (MDQ). From the outset of your story, readers should be gripped by this central question. Here’s a preview of what’s included: [01:31] Savannah talks about why the major dramatic question (MDQ) of a story is a helpful question for writers and how you can find the MDQ of y...
#117: Exploring the World of Beta and Sensitivity Reading with Julie Taylor from The Spun Yarn
November 21, 2023 08:00 - 59 minutes - 41.1 MB“As I kid I was like, I would love to get paid to read.” - Julie Taylor In today’s episode, I’m sitting down to chat with Julie Taylor, Chief Operating Officer at The Spun Yarn - a company that offers paid beta reading and sensitivity reading services to authors. Here’s a preview of what’s included: [06:15] How does The Spun Yarn create a perfect matching system between its authors and its beta readers? [15:37] When would an author need this type of service? How is it different than worki...
#116: First Chapter Analysis: Anxious People by Fredrik Backman
November 14, 2023 08:00 - 56 minutes - 38.7 MB“In every story, you want to have that internal change because, without internal change, there is no character change.” - Savannah Gilbo In today’s episode, both Abigail K. Perry and I talk about the intriguing world of "Anxious People" by Frederick Backman. Buckle up, because this first chapter exploration is different from any other you've encountered before. Here’s a preview of what’s included: [05:08] Chapter summary: an unnamed narrator describes a plot involving idiots, bad decisions...
#115: Student Spotlight: How Anne Mortensen Went From Inspiration to Publication (& Indie Published Her Novels)
November 07, 2023 08:00 - 47 minutes - 32.9 MB“I tried to ignore it, but when inspiration strikes, sometimes the inspiration keeps striking, and it just didn't want to go.” - Anne Mortensen In today’s episode, I’m sitting down with Anne Mortensen to talk through what it was like to write, edit, and publish not one, but two of her books. You'll also get an exclusive look at her experience working alongside a developmental editor and book coach (that's me!) to bring her stories to life. Here’s a preview of what’s included: [02:05] Anne ...
#114: 3 Common Dialogue Mistakes (And How To Fix Them)
October 31, 2023 07:00 - 18 minutes - 12.8 MB“Dialogue is a form of action. We can utilize what's happening around the dialogue to assist what's being said.” - Savannah Gilbo Today, I'm thrilled to talk about the intricate art of dialogue with you once more. We're going to explore three common pitfalls that often lurk in dialogue and learning how to navigate these challenges can truly elevate your storytelling. Here’s a preview of what’s included: [02:34] Savannah explains the meaning of attributions and what to do when you doubt if ...
#113: First Chapter Analysis: The Magicians by Lev Grossman
October 24, 2023 07:00 - 1 hour - 59.1 MB“I feel that emotional connection, the emotional struggles here are going to be a big gameplay in how the story is executed.” - Abigail K. Perry Magic has always fascinated us, hasn't it? The mere thought of a world where the impossible becomes possible, where spells are cast, and extraordinary adventures unfold, has captivated readers for generations. In the realm of adult fantasy novels, one name stands out – Lev Grossman and his masterpiece, "The Magicians." Today, both Abigail K. Perry...
#112: 5 Questions Your Reader Shouldn't Have To Ask
October 17, 2023 07:00 - 13 minutes - 9.42 MBYou need to get readers asking questions to hook them into your story, but you don’t want them asking the wrong questions or being so confused that they stop reading altogether. In this episode, I share 5 questions your readers should never have to ask—here's a preview of what's included: [01:58] Who is this person? [03:35] Where is the scene taking place? [04:50] Who else is in the scene? [06:15] What's the point of this? [07:55] Why should I care? [10:25] Final thoughts and episode recap ...
Ep. #112: 5 Questions Your Reader Shouldn't Have To Ask
October 17, 2023 07:00 - 12 minutes - 8.92 MBYou need to get readers asking questions to hook them into your story, but you don’t want them asking the wrong questions or being so confused that they stop reading altogether. In this episode, I share 5 questions your readers should never have to ask—here's a preview of what's included: [01:58] Who is this person? [03:35] Where is the scene taking place? [04:50] Who else is in the scene? [06:15] What's the point of this? [07:55] Why should I care? [10:25] Final thoughts and episode recap ...
111B. [48 Hour Bonus] 5 Secrets To Help You Start & Finish Your Novel
October 10, 2023 07:00 - 1 hour - 59.8 MBThis episode is a recording of a LIVE masterclass I just did, and I wanted to give you an exclusive audio peek into what it was all about. Enjoy this audio, but hurry, it's only live for 48 hours! In this audio, you'll hear what’s *actually* necessary to brainstorm, outline, and write a novel—even if you've never written a novel before. Specifically, you will learn things like: How your story's genre can provide the framework for your entire story (and how one writer used this framework...
#111: Student Spotlight: From Messy First Draft to Publishing His Debut Novel With Edward J. Cembal
October 03, 2023 22:00 - 33 minutes - 23.2 MBIn today’s episode, I’m sitting down with Edward J. Cembal to talk through what it was like to write, edit, and publish his debut novel, The Monsters In Our Shadows. Here’s a preview of what’s included: [04:00] A quick introduction to Edward J. Cembal (including a timeline of his writing, editing, and publishing journey) as well as a summary of his debut dystopian novel, The Monsters In Our Shadows [09:00] Edward describes what it’s like working with a book coach, an editor, and beta read...
#111. Student Spotlight: From Messy First Draft to Publishing His Debut Novel With Edward J. Cembal
October 03, 2023 22:00 - 34 minutes - 23.6 MBIn today’s episode, I’m sitting down with Edward J. Cembal to talk through what it was like to write, edit, and publish his debut novel, The Monsters In Our Shadows. Here’s a preview of what’s included: [04:00] A quick introduction to Edward J. Cembal (including a timeline of his writing, editing, and publishing journey) as well as a summary of his debut dystopian novel, The Monsters In Our Shadows [09:00] Edward describes what it’s like working with a book coach, an editor, and beta read...
#110: Is A Writing Course Really Worth it For Beginners?
September 26, 2023 07:00 - 11 minutes - 8.23 MBIn today’s episode, I’m sharing my thoughts on writing courses—including 5 things that make a fiction writing course worth your time and money. Here’s a preview of what’s included: [02:15] A good writing course should provide you with more than just “tactics and templates.” It should move you beyond just learning and get you into action. [04:45] A good writing course should provide you with a community of like-minded writers who share similar goals and access to a mentor who can support yo...
#109: 5 Common Scene Issues (And How to Fix Them)
September 20, 2023 17:00 - 13 minutes - 9.29 MBIn today’s episode, I’m sharing 5 of the most common “scene level” issues to look for when editing your draft. Here’s a preview of what’s included: [02:44] Issue #1: The scene isn’t properly structured and it feels flat. [03:59] Issue #2: The POV character doesn’t have enough agency. [05:57] Issue #3: There’s too much extra stuff crowding the scene. [07:50] Issue #4: There’s not enough interiority on the page. [09:35] Issue #5: The POV is inconsistent (aka there's head hopping) [11:2...
#108: Why Your Capacity For Zero is Crucial As A Writer
September 14, 2023 07:00 - 14 minutes - 10.2 MBIn today’s episode, I’m sharing one of my favorite mindset tips—and it all has to do with your ability (and willingness) to start from scratch. I call it strengthening your capacity for zero. Here’s a preview of what’s included: [01:25] Your capacity for zero describes how willing you are to start over if something you’re outlining or writing doesn’t work. [04:45] What happened when I told one of the writers I work with that she had to start over after writing a 40,000-word first draft [11...