Discover the five most common big-picture mistakes writers make in their first drafts—and learn exactly what you can do to fix them. Congratulations, you finished your first draft! …But now what? If you're feeling stuck or overwhelmed as you dive into editing your messy first draft, you're so not alone. As a developmental editor, I've reviewed hundreds of first drafts, and I've noticed that most new writers struggle with the same core issues —problems that have nothing to do with your writing ta...
May 06, 2025•21 min•Ep. 192
Discover the five ways to talk about your story’s genre so you can write, edit, and publish your novel with clarity and confidence. Ever found yourself staring at a blinking cursor, excited about your story idea but utterly confused about how to describe its genre? 😩 This kind of uncertainty isn't just frustrating. It can have serious consequences for your writing, editing, and publishing journey. Here’s what you need to know: There are actually five different layers of genre that work together...
Apr 29, 2025•26 min•Ep. 191
Congratulations! You've finished writing your first draft—an achievement that puts you ahead of countless aspiring writers who never make it past the dreaming stage. But now you're staring at your manuscript, wondering, "What next?" Maybe you've tried jumping straight into revisions only to find yourself overwhelmed, confused, or just plain stuck. Or maybe you’re just avoiding it altogether. If your excitement about finishing your draft has given way to editing anxiety, you're not alone. Every a...
Apr 22, 2025•28 min•Ep. 190
Discover how a 72-year-old data scientist overcame perfectionism to publish her debut science fiction novel after decades of dreaming about it. Are you stuck with half-finished manuscripts or endlessly revising the same chapters? Does your story refuse to translate from your imagination to the page the way you envision it? You're not alone. The very perfectionism that drives you to write can become the biggest obstacle to finishing your novel. In this episode, Cheryl Arko shares her transformati...
Apr 15, 2025•51 min•Ep. 189
Five book coaches reveal their most powerful mindset hacks to help you crush self-doubt, overcome perfectionism, and finally finish your first draft—even if you've been stuck for months. Picture this: You sit down with a fresh cup of coffee, open your laptop to write your novel, and then that voice of doubt creeps in: "This is terrible. You don't know what you're doing." And then you're staring at a blinking cursor, completely frozen. Sound familiar? If you're nodding your head, you're not alone...
Apr 08, 2025•36 min•Ep. 188
Master the art of the jaw-dropping plot twist and transform your readers from passive page-turners into gasping, can't-put-it-down fans. Ever gasped out loud while reading a thriller? That moment when everything flips upside down and you think, "I should have seen it coming!" 😱 That's the power of a well-crafted plot twist. Creating these goosebump-inducing moments isn't magic—it's a skill that any writer can master, even if you’re just starting out. And who better to learn from than someone wh...
Apr 01, 2025•46 min•Ep. 187
Writing your first novel is a journey unlike any other—equal parts exhilarating, frustrating, magical, and challenging. But here's what you need to know right now: it's completely doable with the right approach. Something I've discovered after working with hundreds of writers is that finishing a novel requires more than just talent or a great idea. It takes the right mindset, practical tools, and a strategic approach that keeps you moving forward even when inspiration fades. Tune in to learn the...
Mar 25, 2025•35 min•Ep. 186
Curious about writing books in more than one genre? Angela Haas shares a behind-the-scenes look at writing science fiction and romantic comedy! In today’s episode, we’re going behind the scenes of Angela Haas’s journey to hear how she self-published not one but two books in the last six months —one’s that’s a really fun space opera and the other that’s a romantic comedy. You’ll hear about her experience working with book editors , how she approaches the writing process as a die-hard pantser, and...
Mar 18, 2025•37 min•Ep. 185
“I want to write a dual timeline novel, but I’m struggling to weave the storylines together. Help!” 👈 This is something I hear from writers all the time. And while it’s true that writing a story with dual timelines presents its own set of challenges, the possibilities are often worth the effort. Tune in to this episode to learn the essential elements that make dual timeline novels work , common mistakes to avoid, and practical writing strategies you can use to write a dual timeline story that t...
Mar 11, 2025•30 min•Ep. 184
Curious about what it’s like to make the switch from writing for TV to writing books? Or maybe you want to learn writing tips from a screenwriter with decades of experience? Either way, you’re going to love this episode with Michael Jamin. Michael is a TV writer turned author who just published his collection of personal essays, A Paper Orchestra , in 2023. Since then, his book has won a Reedsy Discovery Editor’s Choice Award and has been named one of Vulture’s “Best Comedy Books of 2024.” Micha...
Mar 04, 2025•32 min•Ep. 183
Calling all Romantasy (and Fantasy) authors! Tune in to learn how to write a Romantasy novel that perfectly blends fantasy elements with romance. Whether you're drafting your first Romantasy novel or refining your approach to an existing manuscript, this episode will help you deliver exactly what readers are looking for in this booming genre. Tune in for a deep dive into the Romantasy genre and learn things like: [01:35] Key differences between books like Fourth Wing , Radiance , and The Name of...
Feb 25, 2025•30 min•Ep. 182
Romantasy and Fantasy authors! Tune in to learn how the opening pages of House of Earth and Blood hooks readers and pulls them into the rest of the story. Join me and Abigail K. Perry for a deep dive into the opening chapter of the first Crescent City book, House of Earth and Blood , to find out how and why it works. We analyze this first chapter from both a macro and micro perspective to see what kind of promise it makes to the reader, how the author introduces us to the story world , and to fi...
Feb 18, 2025•53 min•Ep. 181
Discover how a debut author turned her first novel into an Amazon #1 bestseller using strategic marketing tactics instead of relying on social media. Meet Margaret Mantor, a science-fantasy romance author from Denver whose novel Air And Ashes hit Amazon's bestseller list one month after launch. Tune in to hear us talk about why giving away books for free can lead to more sales, how to use BookBub promotions and newsletter features to skyrocket your Amazon rankings , and why using social media to...
Feb 11, 2025•43 min•Ep. 180
Chronic illness teaches you about pain, loss, and resilience. Find out why this can make you a better storyteller. Writing a novel can feel impossible when managing a chronic illness . Symptoms, brain fog, and advice that doesn't fit your life can make you wonder if you'll ever finish your story. But your experience with chronic illness also gives you a rare edge that empowers you to connect with readers on a much deeper level. That's why I'm so excited to introduce you to Sandra Postma. She's a...
Feb 04, 2025•43 min•Ep. 179
Romance, historical fiction & fantasy writers—tune in to learn how the opening pages of Outlander hook readers into the story. In this listener-voted episode, I team up with developmental editor and book coach Abigail K. Perry to analyze the opening chapter of Diana Gabaldon's genre-defying masterpiece, Outlander , on a macro and micro level. And truth be told, this might be one of our most challenging chapter analyses yet, but you'll learn exactly what makes these opening pages super engagi...
Jan 28, 2025•1 hr•Ep. 178
Got writer's block and convinced it's because you lack talent? Think again! And I have the solution that'll change the way you approach your writing… If you're struggling to finish your novel , I want you to know that your lack of progress has nothing to do with your capabilities or the quality of your ideas. In fact, it boils down to an imbalance of three essential things—or pillars of novel creation, if you will. In this week's episode, I'm sharing what these three things are so you can overco...
Jan 21, 2025•20 min•Ep. 177
See how Notes to Novel™ helped these five writers go from a blank page to a story that works (without the overwhelm). With Notes to Novel™ (season 6) right around the corner, I'm bringing you something incredibly special today. I'm chatting with five amazing writers from season 5 about their experience inside the course. And let me tell you, they're in the trenches right now, actively working on their novels. Some have finished their outlines , while others are deep in the drafting phase , and o...
Jan 14, 2025•33 min•Ep. 176
Feel stuck writing your novel? These 5 time management strategies will squash all productivity blocks to get your story finished—finally (and fast). Why does finding the time to write feel so hard sometimes? We often blame our busy schedules (and yes, that's definitely part of it). But there's something else lurking around that stops your writing progress. And it has a way of making you feel like you're failing at this whole writing thing. Which is so not true. In this episode, I'm pulling back ...
Jan 07, 2025•31 min•Ep. 175
The best writing advice sticks with us because it changes our thinking about our craft. In this special year-end episode, I'm counting down the top 10 most powerful tips from Fiction Writing Made Easy in 2024—from crafting sizzling character chemistry and developing compelling antagonists to building immersive story worlds and mastering your character's backstory . Plus, learn how to overcome writer's block and tap into the power of the writing community to fuel your creative success. Let's cele...
Dec 31, 2024•31 min•Ep. 174
Is the thought of revising your first draft making you nauseous? I got you. These mindset tips will ease revision anxiety for good. It's one thing to pour your heart into writing a first draft . However, facing revisions and sharing your story with others can feel raw, uncomfortable, and downright scary. Not to worry. Every writer struggles with this novel writing phase , and that's why I've brought together four brilliant book coaches and editors to share their mindset wisdom to make the first ...
Dec 24, 2024•26 min•Ep. 173
Want a sneak peek into my life as a developmental editor and book coach? Listen in and find out what I do in my work week to help authors transform their story ideas into fully realized novels. I'll walk you through what I'm learning, how I support fiction writers in finishing their novels , and my exciting plans for 2025. Plus, I'll share all the behind-the-scenes moments that make my book coach life so rewarding. So, pour yourself a coffee (or matcha tea) and join me as I share: [02:40] How th...
Dec 17, 2024•35 min•Ep. 172
Need help with tone and mood in your novel writing? Maybe your scenes aren't hitting the right emotional notes, or your story atmosphere feels off. Today, we're breaking down four practical ways to master these tricky writing elements to keep your readers hooked. In this episode, I'm chatting with Isobelle Lans, a UK-based author, editor, and writing coach who runs Inspired Creative Co. With years of experience helping writers develop their storytelling skills, Isobelle knows exactly how to brea...
Dec 10, 2024•23 min•Ep. 171
Whether you want complete creative freedom, better royalties, or a faster speed to market—get the clarity you need to choose the right publishing path for your novel. Your novel is (or nearly) complete; now it's time to choose your publishing path. Whether you're drawn to big traditional publishing with major bookstore distribution, love the creative control of self-publishing , want bigger royalties with hybrid publishing , or are interested in the boutique experience of publishing through a sm...
Dec 03, 2024•40 min•Ep. 170
Finally, finish your book with effective writing strategies designed to work in harmony with your neurodivergent mind. Does sitting down to write your book feel impossible on some days, while on other days, you can write for hours on end? Maybe you feel guilty whenever someone says, "Real writers write every day" or "Just stick to a routine,"—but here's the thing—your neurodivergent brain may not work that way. And that's totally okay. In this episode, I've brought together four amazing writing ...
Nov 26, 2024•32 min•Ep. 169
If you’re serious about becoming a published author , determining your novel’s genre is one of the most important things you’ll have to do. But sometimes that’s easier said than done, especially if your book toes the line between Women’s Fiction and Romance. In this episode, I’m going to walk you through the difference between Women’s Fiction and Romance so you can write the best book possible and snag the attention of both agents and readers alike. You'll learn things like: [02:12] Five differe...
Nov 19, 2024•24 min•Ep. 168
“When should I start marketing my book?” This is a question I get asked all the time! Along with other similar questions like, “Do I need to build an email list?” And “What are some effective ways to market my book?” My guest, Lacy Lieffers of Black Fox Marketing , is here to answer all of these questions (and more) in this podcast episode! Tune into this episode to hear us talk about why marketing matters from day one , how to think about book marketing throughout the entire writing, editing, a...
Nov 12, 2024•42 min•Ep. 167
Selling 5,000+ copies of a debut novel in 18 months (without a massive social media following ) might seem out of reach to most aspiring authors . But, in fact, it’s not. And our incredible podcast guest, Jennifer Lauer, is here to show you how it's done. When we last spoke, Jennifer was on the brink of launching her debut sci-fi novel , The Girl in the Zoo . Fast-forward to today, and she's sold over 5,000 copies, launched a successful fiction podcast , and released a new paranormal mystery nov...
Nov 05, 2024•45 min•Ep. 166
It’s no secret that one of the biggest roadblocks to getting traditionally published is the dreaded literary agent rejection. But to find the right literary agent for you and your story, you have to go through the process of querying a handful of agents—which means you should expect to get a handful of rejections before finding your perfect match. In this episode, I’m sharing the three most common literary agent rejection scenarios and, more importantly, what you can do in each scenario to take ...
Oct 29, 2024•18 min•Ep. 165
Ever wonder what happens when you ditch your agent and decide to self-publish instead? This episode is a must-listen if you're curious about the ins and outs of self-publishing and how it can possibly safeguard your creative control. In this episode, Stefanie Medrek is back on the podcast—and boy, has her story changed! The last time we chatted, she had just landed an agent and was about to go out on submission. But now she's releasing her debut romantic suspense novel as a self-published author...
Oct 22, 2024•43 min•Ep. 164
You finished your book and now you’re looking for a cover designer , but where do you start? Where can you find a good book cover designer? And how much should you expect to pay them for a quality book cover? These are all questions my guest, Zoe Norvell , will answer in this week’s brand-new podcast episode! Zoe is the mastermind behind INeedABookCover.com and INeedABookInterior.com —and she’s been designing book covers professionally since 2011 (both for big publishers and self-published autho...
Oct 15, 2024•46 min•Ep. 163
