In 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 readers—inc...
Oct 03, 2023•33 min•Ep. 111
In 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 you. [08...
Sep 26, 2023•11 min•Ep. 110
In 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) [11:22] Final tho...
Sep 20, 2023•13 min•Ep. 109
In 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 [11:00] H...
Sep 14, 2023•14 min•Ep. 108
In today’s episode, I’m sharing 3 steps to help you get started with list building. Here’s a preview of what’s included: [1:45] Having an email list is one of the best ways to build relationships with your readers over time. It’s what helps keep you top of mind the next time readers are looking for a new book to read, or a book to share with their friends and family. [3:15] Step 1: Define your target audience of readers. These are the people who will buy your book, leave you positive reviews, an...
Sep 05, 2023•15 min•Ep. 107
In today’s episode, I’m sharing 5 steps to building an author platform. Here’s a preview of what’s included: [00:59] Your author platform is the foundation for all your future book marketing efforts. You can start building it no matter where you’re at in the writing process! [02:07] Step 1: Define your target audience of readers [03:15] Step 2: Design your unique author brand [06:10] Step 3: Create your author website [07:49] Step 4: Setup your email list [09:51] Step 5: Develop your communicati...
Aug 29, 2023•19 min•Ep. 106
In today’s episode, Abigail K. Perry and I take a deep dive into the first chapter of Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus. Here’s a preview of what we talk about: [03:17] A very quick summary of the first two chapters [06:30] Our analysis of the scene/s within the first two chapters using the "5 Commandments of Storytelling" from The Story Grid [25:11] Final thoughts and episode recap Rate + Review + Follow on Apple Podcasts "I love the Fiction Writing Made Easy podcast!" ← If that sounds like...
Aug 22, 2023•25 min•Ep. 105
In today’s episode, I’m sharing my top 10 tips for writing stronger, more impactful dialogue in your novel. Here’s a preview of what’s included: [02:00] Tip #1: Make sure your dialogue serves a purpose in the overarching story. [03:00] Tip #2: Think of your dialogue as action vs. exposition (or active vs. passive). [06:09] Tip #3: Get clear on each character’s goal and motivation within a scene. [07:43] Tip #4: Make sure your dialogue is ripe with conflict and tension. [10:02] Tip #5: Check that...
Aug 15, 2023•23 min•Ep. 104
In today’s episode, I’m covering the conventions of the morality genre using the movie A Man Called Otto as an example. Here’s a preview of what’s included: [05:09] The protagonist starts the story at their worst (with a "wrong" moral compass) [06:40] The antagonist pressures the protagonist to face their bad behavior/wrongdoing [07:54] The protagonist is haunted by their past mistakes or selfish behavior [09:09] A character who represents the consequences of the protagonist’s wrongdoing [10:20]...
Aug 08, 2023•21 min•Ep. 103
In today’s episode, I’m sharing the 3 most common interiority mistakes I see writers make, as well as how to fix them. Here’s a preview of what’s included: [03:20] Mistake 1: The “too passive” protagonist. Your protagonist should always crave agency, even if they can't physically take action. [06:17] Mistake 2: The protagonist whose always present. Real people think about the past and future while making decisions. Your characters should too! [09:12] Mistake 3: The protagonist knows what the aut...
Aug 01, 2023•14 min•Ep. 102
In today’s episode, Abigail K. Perry and I take a deep dive into the first chapter of Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt. Here’s a preview of what we talk about: [05:38] A very quick summary of the first chapter [13:37] A macro analysis of the first chapter using 7 key questions from Paula Munier's book The Writer’s Guide to Beginnings [43:08] A micro analysis of the scene within the chapter using the "5 Commandments of Storytelling" from The Story Grid [52:50] Final thoughts and epi...
Jul 25, 2023•55 min•Ep. 101
In today’s episode, I’m taking you behind the scenes with me throughout my entire week, and I’m going to share what I’m working on, what big projects I’m focused on right now, and basically, anything that happens during the week. I'm always curious as to how people set up their day and what they're working on, and how they choose what they're going to actually work on that week. So, I thought you might be curious to know what I do all day as an editor and book coach—what I focus on and how I nav...
Jul 18, 2023•39 min•Ep. 100
In today’s episode, I’m sharing a round-up of mindset tips from some of my peers! Here’s a preview of what’s included: [02:00] Rachel May of Golden May Editing shares a mindset tip about taking the pressure off of your writing practice by letting it be easy. You can learn more about Rachel, Golden May Editing, and her Story Magic podcast here! [04:43] Georgina Green shares a mindset tip about using better language to talk to yourself about writing. She suggests operating from a growth mindset vs...
Jul 11, 2023•22 min•Ep. 99
In today’s episode, I’m sharing how to add subplots to your novel. Here’s a preview of what’s included: [1:50] Subplots are secondary storylines that receive less emphasis (and page time) than the main plot. The main purpose of any subplot in a novel is to enhance the main theme and conflict of the story. [2:45] Subplots have three primary relationships to your main plot. They can contradict or complement your theme and/or complicate the central conflict of your story. [06:05] Subplots typically...
Jul 04, 2023•13 min•Ep. 98
In today’s episode, we’re taking a deep dive into the first chapter of A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness. Join me and fellow developmental editor Abigail K. Perry as we talk through the first chapter of this popular fantasy novel. Here’s a preview of what we talk about: [08:20] A very quick summary of the first chapter [21:00] A micro-analysis of the first chapter to see how many scenes are present within the opening chapter—as well as how and why the scenes work [34:00] Our thoughts on...
Jun 27, 2023•55 min•Ep. 97
In this episode, I’m sharing my top 5 worldbuilding tips for science fiction and fantasy writers, with examples from popular novels. Here's a preview of what's included in the episode: [02:39] Tip #1—Go narrow and deep in your worldbuilding, not wide and shallow. Pick 2-3 worldbuilding categories to focus on, and only flesh out whatever's relevant to your plot and/or characters. [05:43] Tip #2—Determine what kind of magic or technology will exist in your story world. Will your magic/tech be used...
Jun 20, 2023•18 min•Ep. 96
In today’s episode, I’m sharing my top five tips to help you get started with your science fiction or fantasy novel. Here’s a preview of what’s included: [00:00] Step 1: Decide what kind of fantasy or science fiction story you’re writing. Find both the commercial genre and content genre of your story. [00:00] Step 2: Determine what your protagonist wants and needs. Look to your content genre for guidance, and then make your answer specific to your story idea [00:00] Step 3: Figure out what kind ...
Jun 13, 2023•22 min•Ep. 95
In today’s episode, we’re going to talk about writing interiority—aka how to reveal your character’s inner life on the page. Here’s a preview of what’s included: [03:20] What is interiority? Interiority is on-the-page access to a protagonist’s psyche as they process information in an interesting way. [06:15] What is the primary purpose of interiority? Interiority helps readers connect with your characters by exposing their inner life (plus so much more!). [08:20] An example of what interiority l...
Jun 08, 2023•17 min•Ep. 94
In today’s episode, we’re taking a deep dive into the first chapter of Legendborn by Tracey Deonn. Join me and fellow developmental editor, Abigail Perry, as we talk through the first chapter of this popular YA fantasy novel. Here’s a preview of what we talk about: [03:25] A very quick summary of the first chapter [05:00] A microanalysis of the two scenes within the first chapter using the "5 Commandments of Storytelling" from The Story Grid [18:25] Our thoughts on prologues [20:00] Final though...
May 30, 2023•23 min•Ep. 93
In today’s episode, we’re going to look at the five functions of dialogue in your story. Here’s a preview of what’s included: [03:50] Function #1: Dialogue can help you advance the plot [05:50] Function #2: Dialogue can help you reveal character [08:30] Function #3: Dialogue can help you establish context [12:40] Function #4: Dialogue can help you set the tone and mood [15:45] Function #5: Dialogue can help you reveal or hint at your theme [17:40] Key points and episode recap Rate + Review + Fol...
May 23, 2023•19 min•Ep. 92
In today’s episode, I’m sitting down with Jamie Varon to talk through her incredibly inspiring story of how she went from writing the first draft of her novel to landing her dream agent. Here’s a preview of what’s included: [04:15] A quick introduction to Jamie Varon (including a timeline of her writing, editing, and publishing journey) as well as a summary of her novel, Main Character Energy [17:45] Jamie describes what it’s like working with her agent—including what it’s like receiving feedbac...
May 09, 2023•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 91
In today’s episode, I’m going to walk you through how to choose the best point of view and tense for your story. Here’s a preview of what’s included: [01:35] Point of view is the lens through which your story is told. It’s whose eyes the reader will experience your story through. [01:56] In first person point of view, your protagonist is the narrator. They’re telling the story in their own words, from their own perspective, and filtering things through their own worldview and biases. [04:50] In ...
Apr 04, 2023•19 min•Ep. 90
In today's episode, I’m sitting down with Pauline Yates to talk through how she used short stories to hone her craft and publish her debut novel. Here’s a preview of what’s included: [03:05] An introduction to Pauline Yates and her story, Memories Don’t Lie. [03:55] How she used short stories to hone her craft and practice submitting her work to publishers (and spoiler alert: she’s now published many of her short stories!) [13:45] Pauline’s take on what it was like to work with me (and how there...
Mar 21, 2023•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 89
In today’s episode, I’m talking about how perfectionism is really just another form of procrastination. I also share some words of wisdom to help you get back on track and moving forward with your writing again. Here’s a preview of what’s included: [02:20] My two cents on how perfectionism and procrastination are linked and what to do if you find yourself stuck in a neverending loop of procrastination [05:25] A recent story about how I did an imperfect presentation (and got called out on it)—and...
Mar 14, 2023•15 min•Ep. 88
In today’s episode, we’re taking a deep dive into the first chapter of The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab. Join me and fellow developmental editor, Abigail Perry, as we talk through the first chapter of this popular fantasy novel. Here’s a preview of what we talk about: [03:45] A very quick summary of the first chapter [16:45] A macro analysis of the first chapter using 7 key questions from Paula Munier's book The Writer’s Guide to Beginnings [26:55] A micro analysis of the scene w...
Feb 28, 2023•38 min•Ep. 87
In today’s episode, I’m taking you behind-the-scenes with me throughout my entire week, and I’m going to share what I’m working on, what big projects I’m focused on right now, and basically, anything that happens during the week. I'm always curious as to how people set up their day and what they're working on and how they choose what they're going to actually work on that week. So, I thought you might be curious to know what I do all day as an editor and book coach—what I focus on and how I navi...
Feb 21, 2023•29 min•Ep. 86
In today's episode, I’m sitting down with Jennifer Lauer to talk through how she overcame her fear of the blank page and indie published her debut novel. Here’s a preview of what’s included: [03:00] An introduction to Jennifer Lauer and her story, The Girl in the Zoo [09:30] What the beginning of the writing process looked like for Jennifer—and when she finally realized that her fear of the blank page was preventing her from writing [14:45] What happened when Jennifer finished the first draft of...
Feb 14, 2023•48 min•Ep. 85
In today’s episode, I’m covering the key scenes that every status story needs. I’ve also included examples of how they show up in the movie The Devil Wears Prada. Here’s a preview of what’s included: [01:40] Status stories center around the protagonist’s inner need for respect that manifests as a specific desire to achieve or accomplish something in the external world. [02:40] Readers of status stories want to feel hopeful that the protagonist will succeed. They want to read about someone who wo...
Feb 07, 2023•12 min•Ep. 84
In today's extra special bonus episode, I'm going to answer some questions from my listeners! Here's a quick overview of what we talk about in this episode: [01:15] Ame says, “Would you be able to talk more about the coming of age genre, specifically how to develop a good plot and the aim of the book?” [02:50] Emme says, “I have a really compelling story idea, characters, and full outline that I'm really excited about, but I'm not confident in my writing and abilities to bring it to life. What s...
Feb 02, 2023•13 min
In today's episode, we’re going to talk through the different types of editors you might need to work with to get your book ready to publish . Here's a preview of what's included: [01:40] A developmental editor is someone who is concerned with the overall content and structure of your manuscript, and whether or not your story “works.” They focus on things like character development, story structure, plot, genre, theme, and point of view. [05:32] A line editor is someone who focuses on the way yo...
Jan 31, 2023•14 min•Ep. 83
