Today is another Ask Me Anything! Inside this episode I'm answering these five questions: 1) How to tell if you're over-revising your novel manuscript. 2) What to do if you've hit a wall and can't move forward. 3) How to consider social media and your author platform. 4) What to do when you're feeling sick of reading your own work. 5) How to tackle self-doubt. Tune in to hear my tips and suggestions! Website | Instagram | Free Guide ✨...
Nov 12, 2024•24 min•Season 1Ep. 40
In today's episode, I'm diving into a crucial question for novel writers. Are you relying on tactics or strategies to move your work and progress forward? This is a subtle but essential distinction, and getting clear on it can make all the difference in your writing process. Today, I'll walk you through three key questions to ask yourself when it comes to your work in progress. Plus, I'll also give tips on how to shift from reactive tactics to purposeful strategies...and how to balance both! Web...
Oct 29, 2024•12 min•Season 1Ep. 39
Today I'm diving into one of my all time favorite topics: writing retreats. What makes them such a transformative experience for authors and how can they benefit our writing? I'm talking about solo retreats, group retreats, and everything in between. If you've been feeling stuck, uninspired, or just overwhelmed by the day to day hustle, tune in because this episode will help you see how a retreat can not only recharge your creativity, but propel you forward in your writing journey. Visit BookWor...
Oct 22, 2024•10 min•Season 1Ep. 38
In today's episode of Steps to Story, we're diving into one of the most crucial aspects of storytelling, your story's structure. For those of you who follow me, you'll know that my mission is to help you blend story structure with the story that's on your heart. Because as many of us know, it's not typically the actual story idea that needs work. It's the structure, the way in which we're telling it that often requires strengthening. I'll be covering two related topics: 1) Strengthening the bone...
Oct 15, 2024•11 min•Season 1Ep. 37
Suspense, mysteries and thrillers, oh my! Welcome to spooky season! Inside this episode of Steps to Story I'm talking with book coaches Samantha Skal and Kerry Savage about: The ideation of twists Knowing your villain Character POV The power of creativity community Managing your WIP And so much more! You can Samantha Skal here . You can find Kerry Savage here . You can find Shadows & Secrets here . To find more on Nicole - Website | Instagram | Free Guide ✨...
Oct 08, 2024•46 min•Season 1Ep. 35
Today I'm exploring how you can strategically allow yourself to be distracted and how those moments can open up new avenues in your novel writing. I'm uncovering six strategies that will not only give your brain a creative break, but allow you to bring fresh insights into your work in progress. Tune in to find out how. Website | Instagram | Free Guide ✨...
Oct 01, 2024•13 min•Season 1Ep. 35
Are you an emerging author who's starting to think about your author platform? Or perhaps you're just dipping your toe into the world of publisher pitches and agent queries. 📚 And let's be real, it can be a complicated journey. Right? Because writing the book's only half the equation. These days, not only do authors need to be storytellers, they're also expected to be the CEO's of their own brand. From building your author platform to querying agents, it's tough to know where to kick th...
Sep 24, 2024•23 min•Season 1Ep. 34
Do you know how to recognize the signs and symptoms of creative burnout? The state of physical, mental and emotional exhaustion that affects your creative work? Are you feeling like you need to step back and refill your creative well? 🎙️✨In this week's episode of Steps to Story, I'm diving deep into this topic with Emily Golden and Rachel May of Tenacious Writing. It's a thoughtful conversation that acts as a balm to my overworked senses. I invite you to tune in as the three of us di...
Sep 17, 2024•49 min•Season 1Ep. 33
Today I'm talking with fellow book coach Savannah Gilbo about how to write an action story that works. Inside the episode we're discussing: The idea of doing your best work Identifying frameworks that can help or hinder your progress How to triage your work with an analytical brain Plus, Savannah's sharing details about her brand new book for novel writers. Tune in to find out more. To find more on Savannah - website: savannahgilbo.com Instagram: savannah.gilbo Book: Amazon To find more on Nicol...
Sep 10, 2024•35 min•Season 1Ep. 32
If you didn't get a chance to attend my free webinar on August 27th, which was titled: How to Go From Idea to Action in Your Novel Writing; the good news is, I'm sharing the content again here inside this episode in the form of a free mini-masterclass. Inside this mini-masterclass, I'll be sharing four steps: 1) Identifying your story message 2) Determining whether you have enough to fill a whole book 3) Creating your novel's roadmap 4) Moving through obstacles For those who want to go deeper, h...
Sep 03, 2024•23 min•Season 1Ep. 31
You're going to hear a special episode today. It's a replay where five of my past students get together and talk about their experiences inside the Steps to Story program. Hopefully it will give you insight into my Steps to Story group novel writing program, but also some good motivation for your own work in progress. Inside we're covering topics such as: How to go from idea to action What's working and not working in novel writing The power of creative community and so much more! Website | Inst...
Aug 27, 2024•24 min•Season 1Ep. 30
Those who adapt a healthy mindset from the start are usually the ones who follow through with their novel writing dreams. That's why I'm breaking down some key mindset habits for writers inside today's episode. Tune in to learn 5 tips that will help you elevate your novel writing process. Website | Instagram | Free Novel Writing Guide | Small Group Program | FREE WEBINAR 🚀...
Aug 20, 2024•12 min•Season 1Ep. 29
Here’s the tough truth, I often see writers (myself included at one time) who are so excited about their story idea that they rush through the process and forget to establish a strong foundation for their novel. The result is a writer who hits the midpoint with no idea how they got there or where they’re going next. The pages suddenly don’t seem to hang together and both the character and story arcs are lacking. I don’t want this for you! That's why today I'm sharing four steps to building your ...
Aug 13, 2024•10 min•Season 1Ep. 28
Today's episode is all about story craft! I’m diving into the red flags that signal your novel manuscript might need a tune-up. Writing a book is a massive undertaking, and with so many moving parts, it's easy to lose sight of crucial structural elements along the way. The four issues I’m diving into are: Flat characters Poor narrative drive Confusing timelines Lack of conflict Tune in to find how to identify and strengthen these elements. Website | Instagram | Free Novel Writing Guide | Small G...
Aug 06, 2024•13 min•Season 1Ep. 27
Inside this episode, I'm diving into a topic that most writers are not immune to: project overwhelm. Sound familiar? I’m guessing the answer is yes. Because Whether you're a seasoned novelist or just starting your first manuscript, the weight of writing can sometimes feel like too much. There are so many elements of story structure to learn, so many demands on keeping up a writing routine, and so many good authors to compare ourselves to. I’m sharing six ways to avoid overwhelm and keep your cre...
Jul 30, 2024•9 min•Season 1Ep. 26
Today I’m tackling a question that every novelist faces at some point: "How do I know if my story premise will fill a whole book?" If you’re excited about your idea but hesitant to dive into writing, this episode is for you. I’m going to break it down into 3 simple steps to help you confidently take action with your novel. Tune in to learn more. Website | Instagram | Free Novel Writing Guide | Small Group Program WAITLIST 🚀...
Jul 23, 2024•9 min•Season 1Ep. 25
Today I'm diving into four crucial mistakes to avoid when writing your novel. While there is no wrong way to write your book, because your writing process should be your own, I can tell you that there are certain mistakes to be avoided in your process. Today I'm covering topics such as: Not having a roadmap Rushing the process Writing as if someone is looking over your shoulder Comparing your journey to others Tune in to learn how to avoid and overcome these writing mistakes in order to draft a ...
Jul 16, 2024•11 min•Season 1Ep. 24
Small but consistent efforts will keep you connected to your work this summer. Tune into today's short but sweet episode to learn three quick ways to keep your writing flow moving in the right direction this summer. Website | Instagram | Free Novel Writing Guide | Small Group Program WAITLIST 🚀...
Jul 09, 2024•7 min•Season 1Ep. 23
I have the privilege of getting to know fiction writers and their stories because of the work that I do. And lately, I've been noticing some trends. Today's episode is all about the list of trends that are unique to my corner of the world. Tune in to the episode to learn: 1) The types of "smart stories" coming across my desk 2) Risks and payoffs of genre-blending and going indie 3) The authentic and unapologetic ways writers are showing up 4) Misadventures of story structure and more! Website | ...
Jul 02, 2024•13 min•Season 1Ep. 22
In today's episode, we're going to dive into a hot topic in the novel writing process: Beta readers versus developmental editors. If you're a novelist looking to take your work to the next level, stay tuned, because we're about to uncover why beta readers and developmental editors are your secret weapon. Website | Instagram | Free Novel Writing Guide | Small Group Program WAITLIST 🚀...
Jun 25, 2024•12 min•Season 1Ep. 21
I sent out a CTA to my followers asking their burning questions about their writing and publishing journeys. I got a great response and am happy to say that the questions sent back to me have a nice range of topics. This episode of Steps to Story is all about answering those questions! Inside this episode, I'm covering topics such as: The best method for outlining your novel How to know when you're done writing Whether or not to include an epilogue How to start your next novel manuscript The ins...
Jun 18, 2024•25 min•Season 1Ep. 20
Are flat characters killing your story? It's something I see all too often in my book coaching and developmental editing business. In this episode of Steps to Story, I'm breaking down the WHY, HOW, and WHAT when it comes to breathing new life into your novel's cast of characters. Let's give your novel manuscript the attention it deserves! Tune in to learn more! Website | Instagram | Programs | My New Book! 📚...
Jun 11, 2024•10 min•Season 1Ep. 19
In this episode, I'm talking about ONE crucial strategy for novel writers: the idea of leaning into your wins. I believe this practice can be a key tool for overcoming obstacles and achieving your goals. Especially when it comes to your writing and publishing journey. Tune in to find out how you can start incorporating this one thing into your writing practice in order to turn things around and follow your novel writing dreams. Website | Instagram | Programs | My New Book! 📚...
Jun 04, 2024•11 min•Season 1Ep. 18
Today is my book's birthday! CITY OF BOOKS is now out in the world. And in celebration, I want to do something a little different today. I'm going to pull back the curtain and share parts of my author journey with you. Inside this episode, I'm sharing the Top Ten Things I've Learned in my author career. Tune in to hear about my thoughts on: Writing life Editors Publishers Author goals and more! Website | Instagram | Programs | My New Book! 📚...
May 28, 2024•17 min•Season 1Ep. 17
I'm having an inspired conversation with two of my sisters in publishing for our books releasing this spring and summer. And there's a giveaway! 👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻 Together with authors Jeanne Blasberg and Susie Orman Schnall, we're breaking it down and talking about the real, real behind: The writing process The publishing industry What it took to get our books out into the world THERE'S ALSO A GIVEAWAY!!📚 To enter a giveaway of 10+ new releases in fiction: 1) Leave a rating for this podcast 2) Take...
May 21, 2024•50 min•Season 1Ep. 16
In today's episode, I'm taking a deep dive into the BIG shifts in publishing with my publisher, Brooke Warner. We're having an open conversation about: Publishing paths The world of hybrid The changing landscape Realities of book distribution Expectations of a new generation Opportunities and tips for authors And so much more! This episode is packed with insight that you don't want to miss! You can find Brooke Warner at: Website: https://brookewarner.com Instagram: @brooke_warner Substack: brook...
May 14, 2024•33 min•Season 1Ep. 15
Welcome to a special month of podcast episodes! Because this is my book launch month (CITY OF BOOKS releases May 28th📚), I’m taking my podcast from solo episodes to interviews. Today, I'm talking with Jennie Nash. Inside this episode, we're talking about why mentors matter. We're uncovering what happens when someone shines a light on our creative path, to reveal what's possible. Join us for an honest and thoughtful conversation around the topics of: mentors book coaches the writing life Wh...
May 07, 2024•40 min•Season 1Ep. 14
Crafting a strong opening scene is crucial for grabbing the reader's attention and setting the tone for the entire novel. As writers, we know this on some level, and yet when it comes to crafting that important opening chapter, we sometimes forget which elements to include. So, in today’s episode, I'm discussing key elements that writers need to know when creating the opening to their novel. Website | Instagram | Programs | Free Novel Writing Guide...
Apr 30, 2024•9 min•Season 1Ep. 13
Today’s episode is meant to be a gentle reminder for anyone who is feeling perplexed or frustrated with certain elements of the writing and publishing journey. While some elements of the publishing world may be out of a writer's control, there are SO many things that aren't. My number one recommendation is to take time to focus on the craft. Because in this, there are five wonderful things you can have control over. Tune in to find out what they are. Website | Instagram | Programs | Free Nove...
Apr 23, 2024•6 min•Season 1Ep. 12
In this episode, we'll be delving into the art of restraint in novel writing. Specifically, we'll discuss why it's crucial for writers to resist the temptation to throw in everything but the kitchen sink into their novel manuscript. Otherwise known as kitchen sink syndrome. It’s something I see often in my book coaching and developmental editing business – writers find themselves stuck and second guessing their story, and as a result, they tend to throw far too many characters, plot points, &...
Apr 16, 2024•8 min•Season 1Ep. 11
