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, 2021•12 min•Season 4Ep. 79
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, 2021•10 min•Ep. 36
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, 2021•10 min•Season 4Ep. 78
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, 2021•13 min•Ep. 35
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, 2021•13 min•Season 4Ep. 77
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, 2021•9 min•Ep. 34
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, 2021•9 min•Season 4Ep. 76
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, 2021•12 min•Ep. 33
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, 2021•12 min•Season 4Ep. 75
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, 2021•15 min•Ep. 32
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, 2021•15 min•Season 3Ep. 74
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, 2021•9 min•Ep. 31
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, 2021•9 min•Season 3Ep. 73
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, 2021•12 min•Ep. 30
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, 2021•12 min•Season 3Ep. 72
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, 2021•10 min•Ep. 29
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, 2021•10 min•Season 3Ep. 71
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, 2021•11 min•Ep. 28
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, 2021•11 min•Season 3Ep. 70
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, 2021•10 min•Ep. 27
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, 2021•10 min•Season 3Ep. 69
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, 2021•14 min•Ep. 26
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, 2021•14 min•Season 3Ep. 68
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, 2021•12 min•Ep. 25
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, 2021•12 min•Season 3Ep. 67
Can you write a whole novel draft on the Notes app on your phone? Sure—Gertrude Stein basically did.
Dec 18, 2020•10 min•Ep. 24
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, 2020•10 min•Season 2Ep. 66
Mary covers all aspects of selling your book, from getting a literary agent to signing the contract.
Dec 11, 2020•16 min•Ep. 23
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, 2020•16 min•Season 2Ep. 65
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, 2020•12 min•Ep. 22