The First Draft Club - podcast cover

The First Draft Club

By Mary Adkins | Author & Book Writing Coachthefirstdraftclub.podbean.com
A podcast to help you overcome resistance and write with more joy, clarity, and confidence. If you’re working on a novel or memoir, stick around. Whether you haven’t written a word since your 5-paragraph essay days or you have an MFA in Creative Writing, this podcast is now your weekly coffee date on your journey to finish your first draft. Visit maryadkinswriter.com for more resources.
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Episodes

S04 E05 Let me guess: the idea was better in your head? [Reissue]

This episode originally aired on 4/9/2021. Due to a technical issue with Apple Podcasts deleting our episodes, this is a repost. New episodes will not have this notice. How do we deal with the fact that our stories, once on paper, are never as good as they were in our minds? Mary offers 3 strategies for handling this situation.

Apr 09, 202112 minSeason 4Ep. 79

S04 E04 How to Write Act 3 of the 3-Act Structure (Part 4 of 4) [Reissue]

This episode originally aired on 4/2/2021. Due to a technical issue with Apple Podcasts deleting our episodes, this is a repost. New episodes will not have this notice. Mary wraps up a four-episode series on the 3-act structure with a breakdown of her favorite of the three acts, Act 3, and talks about how to find the magic of it in your own writing.

Apr 02, 202110 minSeason 4Ep. 78

S04 E03 How to Write Act 2 of the 3-Act Structure (Part 3 of 4) [Reissue]

This episode originally aired on 3/26/2021. Due to a technical issue with Apple Podcasts deleting our episodes, this is a repost. New episodes will not have this notice. Mary talks all things Act 2—and, most importantly, gets into why Act 2 isn't a formula but a personal challenge for you, the author.

Mar 26, 202113 minSeason 4Ep. 77

S04 E02 How to Write Act 1 of the 3-Act Structure (Part 2 of 4) [Reissue]

This episode originally aired on 3/19/2021. Due to a technical issue with Apple Podcasts deleting our episodes, this is a repost. New episodes will not have this notice. In the second of four parts on the 3-act structure, Mary dives into what we mean by Act 1 and how to break it down into a manageable tool.

Mar 19, 20219 minSeason 4Ep. 76

S04 E01 My Least Annoying and Most Usable Breakdown of the 3-Act Structure (Part 1 of 4) [Reissue]

This episode originally aired on 3/12/2021. Due to a technical issue with Apple Podcasts deleting our episodes, this is a repost. New episodes will not have this notice. In the first episode of Season 4, Mary kicks off a four-episode series breaking down the 3-act structure...in a way that won't terrify you, turn you off, or make you feel like you're supposed to be writing by formula.

Mar 12, 202112 minSeason 4Ep. 75

How to Choose a Point of View for Your Novel

Choosing a point of view is a critical early step in the novel-writing process. In this episode, Mary talks about how to choose a point of view, and what to look out for in third person. (Video link: https://youtu.be/5Z9l7_YFKMU)

Feb 25, 202115 minEp. 32

S03 E08 How to Choose a Point of View for Your Novel [Reissue]

This episode originally aired on 2/25/2021. Due to a technical issue with Apple Podcasts deleting our episodes, this is a repost. New episodes will not have this notice. Choosing a point of view is a critical early step in the novel-writing process. In this episode, Mary talks about how to choose a point of view, and what to look out for in third person. (Video link: https://youtu.be/5Z9l7_YFKMU)

Feb 25, 202115 minSeason 3Ep. 74

How to Choose a Book Writing Coach

There are a lot of book writing coaches out there these days. What should you look for in one? (Video link: https://youtu.be/sfLpylT_x38)

Feb 18, 20219 minEp. 31

S03 E07 How to Choose a Book Writing Coach [Reissue]

This episode originally aired on 2/18/2021. Due to a technical issue with Apple Podcasts deleting our episodes, this is a repost. New episodes will not have this notice. There are a lot of book writing coaches out there these days. What should you look for in one? (Video link: https://youtu.be/sfLpylT_x38)

Feb 18, 20219 minSeason 3Ep. 73

S03 E06 4 Signs You’re Ready to Hire a Book Writing Coach [Reissue]

This episode originally aired on 2/11/2021. Due to a technical issue with Apple Podcasts deleting our episodes, this is a repost. New episodes will not have this notice. When is a good time to hire a book writing coach? Here's how to know that it's the right call. (Video link: https://youtu.be/OL1SAbCriaY)

Feb 11, 202112 minSeason 3Ep. 72

What does a book writing coach do?

I had never heard the term "book writing coach" until I became one. What does a book writing coach do, and how might one benefit you? (Video link: https://youtu.be/7aK7hKUntAo)

Feb 04, 202110 minEp. 29

S03 E05 What does a book writing coach do? [Reissue]

This episode originally aired on 2/4/2021. Due to a technical issue with Apple Podcasts deleting our episodes, this is a repost. New episodes will not have this notice. I had never heard the term "book writing coach" until I became one. What does a book writing coach do, and how might one benefit you? (Video link: https://youtu.be/7aK7hKUntAo)

Feb 04, 202110 minSeason 3Ep. 71

How to Get a Literary Agent: 5 Don't's

You have to get a literary agent to sell your book, and for me, this was the hardest part of getting published. Here are the 5 big mistakes to avoid. (Video link: https://youtu.be/LQJQyeIAXo8)

Jan 28, 202111 minEp. 28

S03 E04 How to Get a Literary Agent: 5 Don’t’s [Reissue]

This episode originally aired on 1/28/2021. Due to a technical issue with Apple Podcasts deleting our episodes, this is a repost. New episodes will not have this notice. You have to get a literary agent to sell your book, and for me, this was the hardest part of getting published. Here are the 5 big mistakes to avoid. (Video link: https://youtu.be/LQJQyeIAXo8)

Jan 28, 202111 minSeason 3Ep. 70

The Writing Generator for People Who Aren't in 7th Grade

Ever want a writing prompt but not one written for a 12-year-old working on a Halloween story? This writing prompt generator is the only one you'll ever need to jog you out of a stuck place. (Video link: https://youtu.be/_EbYSgRlMGU)

Jan 21, 202110 minEp. 27

S03 E03 The Writing Generator for People Who Aren’t in 7th Grade [Reissue]

This episode originally aired on 1/21/2021. Due to a technical issue with Apple Podcasts deleting our episodes, this is a repost. New episodes will not have this notice. Ever want a writing prompt but not one written for a 12-year-old working on a Halloween story? This writing prompt generator is the only one you'll ever need to jog you out of a stuck place. (Video link: https://youtu.be/_EbYSgRlMGU)

Jan 21, 202110 minSeason 3Ep. 69

How much can an author expect to make on a book?

What's a book advance, how is it paid out, and how do you get a really big one? Mary covers the last taboo in publishing: money. (Video link: https://youtu.be/gcgLvai4wYk)

Jan 14, 202114 minEp. 26

S03 E02 How much can an author expect to make on a book? [Reissue]

This episode originally aired on 1/14/2021. Due to a technical issue with Apple Podcasts deleting our episodes, this is a repost. New episodes will not have this notice. What's a book advance, how is it paid out, and how do you get a really big one? Mary covers the last taboo in publishing: money. (Video link: https://youtu.be/gcgLvai4wYk)

Jan 14, 202114 minSeason 3Ep. 68

Can anyone write a book?

The 3 things you absolutely must have in order to write a book—at least a decent one. (Video link: https://youtu.be/kdoRLY27Too)

Jan 07, 202112 minEp. 25

S03 E01 Can anyone write a book? [Reissue]

This episode originally aired on 1/7/2021. Due to a technical issue with Apple Podcasts deleting our episodes, this is a repost. New episodes will not have this notice. The 3 things you absolutely must have in order to write a book—at least a decent one. (Video link: https://youtu.be/kdoRLY27Too )

Jan 07, 202112 minSeason 3Ep. 67

S02 E12 Can I write a whole novel draft on my phone? [Reissue]

This episode originally aired on 12/18/2020. Due to a technical issue with Apple Podcasts deleting our episodes, this is a repost. New episodes will not have this notice. Can you write a whole novel draft on the Notes app on your phone? Sure—Gertrude Stein basically did.

Dec 18, 202010 minSeason 2Ep. 66

What's a book auction?

Mary covers all aspects of selling your book, from getting a literary agent to signing the contract.

Dec 11, 202016 minEp. 23

S02 E11 What’s a book auction? [Reissue]

This episode originally aired on 12/11/2020. Due to a technical issue with Apple Podcasts deleting our episodes, this is a repost. New episodes will not have this notice. Mary covers all aspects of selling your book, from getting a literary agent to signing the contract.

Dec 11, 202016 minSeason 2Ep. 65

When—and from whom—should I solicit feedback?

Feedback is critical, but not until the right time. Ask too early, and it can derail you. In this episode, Mary covers when, who, and how to ask for feedback on your book draft.

Dec 04, 202012 minEp. 22
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