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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 was one little thing I kept harping on—if you know me, you know it was scene structure)[18:40] How she develops her characters and “spends time” with them until she knows exactly what they’d do and how they’d behave in any given scenario[24:55] The aspect of writing Pauline struggles with the most—and spoiler alert: it’s worldbuilding—plus, what’s she learned about worldbuilding during revisions[37:25] A behind-the-scenes look at her experience querying over 30 agents before finally finding her dream publisher in her own (Australian) backyard[50:25] Final words of wisdom and advice from PaulineRate + Review + Follow on Apple Podcasts"I love the Fiction Writing Made Easy podcast!" ← If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing this show! Your rating and review will help other writers find this podcast, and they're also super fun for me to go in and read. Just click here, scroll all the way to the bottom, tap five stars to rate the show, and then select "Write a Review." Let me know what your favorite part of the episode was, too! Also, if you haven't done so already, make sure you're following the podcast! I'll be adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed, and if you're not following the show, there's a good chance you'll miss them. Click here to follow now!Links mentioned in this episode: Visit Pauline’s website here Pauline’s debut novel, Memories Don’t Lie on Amazon Read Pauline’s short story, The Secret Keepers, in this edition of Metaphosis Magazine Check out other books published by Black Hare Press Want to learn more about my Notes to Novel course? Click here to sign up for my FREE TRAINING: The 5 Little-Known Mistakes Most Writers Make (& What to Do Instead) P.S. Did you know that I have a Facebook group just for fiction writers? In this private group, we talk about all things writing, editing, and publishing fiction. It's free to join and you can request access here. Hope to see you there!Support the show Want to support the Fiction Writing Made Easy Podcast? Click here to show your support, starting at $3/month >

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 how this relates back to your own writing journey[09:40] A mindset shift that will help you say goodbye to perfectionism and procrastination once and for all—trust me, you’re going to love this!Rate + Review + Follow on Apple Podcasts"I love the Fiction Writing Made Easy podcast!" ← If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing this show! Your rating and review will help other writers find this podcast, and they're also super fun for me to go in and read. Just click here, scroll all the way to the bottom, tap five stars to rate the show, and then select "Write a Review." Let me know what your favorite part of the episode was, too!Also, if you haven't done so already, make sure you're following the podcast! I'll be adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed, and if you're not following the show, there's a good chance you'll miss them. Click here to follow now!Links mentioned in this episode! Grab your FREE Story Starter Kit here! Seth Godin’s video P.S. Did you know that I have a Facebook group just for fiction writers? In this private group, we talk about all things writing, editing, and publishing fiction. It's free to join, and you can request access here. Hope to see you there!Support the show Want to support the Fiction Writing Made Easy Podcast? Click here to show your support, starting at $3/month >

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 within the chapter using the "5 Commandments of Storytelling" from The Story Grid [38:05] Final thoughts and episode recap Rate + Review + Follow on Apple Podcasts "I love the Fiction Writing Made Easy podcast!" ← If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing this show! Your rating and review will help other writers find this podcast, and they're also super fun for me to go in and read. Just click here, scroll all the way to the bottom, tap five stars to rate the show, and then select "Write a Review." Be sure to let me know what your favorite part of the episode was, too!  Also, if you haven't done so already, make sure you're following the podcast! I'll be adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed, and if you're not following the show, there's a good chance you'll miss them. Click here to follow now! Links mentioned in this episode: Want to join our book club? Click here to learn more! Click here to check out the LitMatch Podcast with Abigail Perry! You can also get in touch with Abigail through her website or on Instagram @abigailkperry. P.S. Did you know that I have a Facebook group just for fiction writers? In this private group, we talk about all things writing, editing, and publishing fiction. It's free to join and you can request access here. Hope to see you there!Support the show Want to support the Fiction Writing Made Easy Podcast? Click here to show your support, starting at $3/month >

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 navigate through many, many, many action items. So, that’s what this episode is all about. I hope you enjoy this peek behind-the-scenes! Rate + Review + Follow on Apple Podcasts "I love the Fiction Writing Made Easy podcast!" ← If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing this show! Your rating and review will help other writers find this podcast, and they're also super fun for me to go in and read. Just click here, scroll all the way to the bottom, tap five stars to rate the show, and then select "Write a Review." Be sure to let me know what your favorite part of the episode was, too!  Also, if you haven't done so already, make sure you're following the podcast! I'll be adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed, and if you're not following the show, there's a good chance you'll miss them. Click here to follow now! Links mentioned in this episode: Looking for more info about how to enroll in my Notes to Novel course? Sign up for my FREE masterclass, The 5 Mistakes Most Fiction Writers Make (and What To Do Instead) to learn more! Want to join our book club? Click here to learn more! P.S. Did you know that I have a Facebook group just for fiction writers? In this private group, we talk about all things writing, editing, and publishing fiction. It's free to join and you can request access here. Hope to see you there!Support the show Want to support the Fiction Writing Made Easy Podcast? Click here to show your support, starting at $3/month >

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 her book (and changed her genre from love to action) [26:00] Jennifer’s experience entering a Twitter pitch contest—and how it gave her the courage to submit her pages for a critique on TSNOTYAW podcast [30:35] Why Jennifer ultimately decided to indie publish her novel (even after getting a positive response from a few industry professionals) [43:35] The 3 biggest lessons Jennifer learned from this experience (and the advice she’d give to her past self when embarking on this writing journey) [47:00] Final words of wisdom and advice from Jennifer Rate + Review + Follow on Apple Podcasts "I love the Fiction Writing Made Easy podcast!" ← If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing this show! Your rating and review will help other writers find this podcast, and they're also super fun for me to go in and read. Just click here, scroll all the way to the bottom, tap five stars to rate the show, and then select "Write a Review." Be sure to let me know what your favorite part of the episode was, too!  Links mentioned in this episode: Visit Jennifer’s website or follow her on Instagram @jenniferleelauer Jennifer’s debut novel, The Girl in the Zoo on Amazon Jennifer’s fiction podcast The Strange Chronicles  The Spun Yarn Beta Reader Service The Shit No One Tells You About Writing Podcast Dyna Kau (cover designer) and Barbie at Monocle Editing Joanna Penn’s website Jane Friedman’s website Want to learn more about my Notes to Novel course? Click here to sign up for my FREE TRAINING: The 5 Little-Known Mistakes Most Writers Make (& What to Do Instead) P.S. Did you know that I have a Facebook group just for fiction writers? It's free to join and you can request access here.Support the show Want to support the Fiction Writing Made Easy Podcast? Click here to show your support, starting at $3/month >

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 works hard to improve their situation–and they want to feel a sense of triumph when that person succeeds. [04:20] 1- The protagonist becomes aware of an opportunity to rise in position. [05:07] 2- The protagonist commits to pursuing this new opportunity, leaving their comfort zone or current circumstances to go after it. [05:55] 3- The protagonist sees the true nature of the antagonist and/or learns what the antagonist wants and why. [07:00] 4- The protagonist reaches an all-is-lost moment where the antagonist or rival takes the lead and/or destroys the protagonist’s chance at getting what they want.  [08:00] 5- The protagonist faces the antagonist, and either gets what they want or redefines their definition of success to get what they need. [09:05] 6- The protagonist is rewarded externally, internally, or both. [09:50] Key points and episode recap Rate + Review + Follow on Apple Podcasts "I love the Fiction Writing Made Easy podcast!" ← If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing this show! Your rating and review will help other writers find this podcast, and they're also super fun for me to go in and read. Just click here, scroll all the way to the bottom, tap five stars to rate the show, and then select "Write a Review." Be sure to let me know what your favorite part of the episode was, too!  Also, if you haven't done so already, make sure you're following the podcast! I'll be adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed, and if you're not following the show, there's a good chance you'll miss them. Click here to follow now! Links mentioned in this episode: Episode Freebie: Status Genre Conventions PDF Cheat Sheet Click here to take the Fiction Writing Made Easier quiz to get your personalized podcast playlist! P.S. Did you know that I have a Facebook group just for fiction writers? In this private group, we talk about all things writing, editing, and publishing fiction. It's free to join and you can request access here. Hope to see you there!Support the show Want to support the Fiction Writing Made Easy Podcast? Click here to show your support, starting at $3/month >

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 should I do?”[05:25] Ben says, “I have a story that fits both the thriller and the horror conventions. Is that possible or would I need to include the conventions for both or just try to pick the one that best fits?”[06:30] Chris says, “I am completely new to writing fiction. How "rough" can I make my first draft? The sage advice seems to be that the first draft should trump all story construction and prose activities, but I am wondering how "good" does it need to be?"[09:05] Shamsee says, “Do you have any information (like the key scenes and conventions) on the fairy tale genre?” Rate + Review + Follow on Apple Podcasts "I love the Fiction Writing Made Easy podcast!" ← If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing this show! Your rating and review will help other writers find this podcast, and they're also super fun for me to go in and read. Just click here, scroll all the way to the bottom, tap five stars to rate the show, and then select "Write a Review." Let me know what your favorite part of the episode was, too!  Also, if you haven't done so already, make sure you're following the podcast! I'll be adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed, and if you're not following the show, there's a good chance you'll miss them. Click here to follow now! Links mentioned in this episode: Click here to take the Fiction Writing Made Easier quiz to get your personalized podcast playlist! Ep. 1 - The #1 Myth That Holds Writers Back Ep. 2 - How to Choose the Right Genre for Your Story Ep. 35 - 3 Reasons You're Not Writing Ep. 39 - The #1 Reason So Many Novels Go Unfinished Ep. 45 - How to Say Goodbye to Imposter Syndrome P.S. Did you know that I have a Facebook group just for fiction writers? In this private group, we talk about all things writing, editing, and publishing fiction. It's free to join and you can request access here. Hope to see you there!Support the show Want to support the Fiction Writing Made Easy Podcast? Click here to show your support, starting at $3/month >

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 you use language to communicate your story to readers. They help you make sure the voice and style of writing are consistent, too. [06:40] A copy editor is someone who focuses on spelling, grammar, and punctuation. They will address commonly confused words (for example, affect vs. effect) as well as ensure consistency with capitalization, hyphenation, and numerals.  [07:45] A brief description of some other editing roles including acquisition editors, beta readers, and proofreaders (plus, when you might work with them). [09:15] Some things to consider when searching for an editor to work with—including a list of questions you can ask to help you find the right editor for your book. [11:55] Key points and episode recap. Rate + Review + Follow on Apple Podcasts "I love the Fiction Writing Made Easy podcast!" ← If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing this show! Your rating and review will help other writers find this podcast, and they're also super fun for me to go in and read. Just click here, scroll all the way to the bottom, tap five stars to rate the show, and then select "Write a Review." Be sure to let me know what your favorite part of the episode was, too!  Also, if you haven't done so already, make sure you're following the podcast! I'll be adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed, and if you're not following the show, there's a good chance you'll miss them. Click here to follow now! Links mentioned in this episode: Click here to take the Fiction Writing Made Easier quiz to get your personalized podcast playlist! Ep. 73 - The Four Phases of Editing a Novel P.S. Did you know that I have a Facebook group just for fiction writers? In this private group, we talk about all things writing, editing, and publishing fiction. It's free to join and you can request access here. Hope to see you there!Support the show Want to support the Fiction Writing Made Easy Podcast? Click here to show your support, starting at $3/month >

In today’s episode, I’m sharing what the advice to “show, don’t tell” really means (and spoiler alert: it’s probably not what you think!). We’ll also talk about how to reveal your character’s emotions on the page, too. Here’s a preview of what’s included:  [01:20] In general, the advice to “show, don’t tell” means that a writer should relate information to readers through sensory details and actions rather than exposition. [03:39] But there’s more to it than that. To me, “show, don’t tell,” means that you need to show your character’s emotional reaction to what’s happening in a scene—and there are three main ways to do this. [03:56] Method #1: You can tell readers what your character is feeling. [04:35] Method #2: You can show emotions via body language or physical tells. [06:14] Method #3: You can show readers what your character is thinking in response to what’s happening in a scene. [12:15] Final thoughts and episode recap. Rate + Review + Follow on Apple Podcasts "I love the Fiction Writing Made Easy podcast!" ← If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing this show! Your rating and review will help other writers find this podcast, and they're also super fun for me to go in and read. Just click here, scroll all the way to the bottom, tap five stars to rate the show, and then select "Write a Review." Be sure to let me know what your favorite part of the episode was, too!  Also, if you haven't done so already, make sure you're following the podcast! I'll be adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed, and if you're not following the show, there's a good chance you'll miss them. Click here to follow now! Links mentioned in this episode: Ep. 2 - How to Choose the Right Genre for Your Story Want to learn more about the Notes to Novel course? Click here to sign up for my FREE masterclass, The 5 Little Known Mistakes Most Writers Make (and What To Do Instead) for more info >> P.S. Did you know that I have a Facebook group just for fiction writers? In this private group, we talk about all things writing, editing, and publishing fiction. It's free to join and you can request access here. Hope to see you there!Support the show Want to support the Fiction Writing Made Easy Podcast? Click here to show your support, starting at $3/month >

In today’s episode, we’re taking a deep dive into the first chapter of Ugly Love by Colleen Hoover. Join me and fellow developmental editor, Abigail Perry, as we talk through this popular contemporary romance. Here’s a preview of what we talk about: [03:30] A very quick summary of the first chapter [05:30] A macro analysis of the first chapter using 7 key questions from Paula Munier's book The Writer’s Guide to Beginnings [28:15] A micro analysis of the scene within the chapter using the "5 Commandments of Storytelling" from The Story Grid [55:15] Final thoughts and episode recap Rate + Review + Follow on Apple Podcasts "I love the Fiction Writing Made Easy podcast!" ← If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing this show! Your rating and review will help other writers find this podcast, and they're also super fun for me to go in and read. Just click here, scroll all the way to the bottom, tap five stars to rate the show, and then select "Write a Review." Be sure to let me know what your favorite part of the episode was, too!  Also, if you haven't done so already, make sure you're following the podcast! I'll be adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed, and if you're not following the show, there's a good chance you'll miss them. Click here to follow now! Links mentioned in this episode: Want to join our book club? Click here to learn more! Click here to check out the LitMatch Podcast with Abigail Perry! You can also get in touch with Abigail through her website or on Instagram @abigailkperry. P.S. Did you know that I have a Facebook group just for fiction writers? In this private group, we talk about all things writing, editing, and publishing fiction. It's free to join and you can request access here. Hope to see you there!Support the show Want to support the Fiction Writing Made Easy Podcast? Click here to show your support, starting at $3/month >

In today’s episode, I asked five of my Notes to Novel students to share their biggest lessons learned while working through their first drafts. Here’s a preview of what’s included:  [02:00] Kelsey Evans on how understanding her genre’s framework made the biggest difference in her ability to finally finish her first draft[06:35] Stefanie Medrek and her favorite advice for battling writer’s block[11:00] Angela Haas on the popular writing advice to “show, don’t tell” [16:00] Bree Cox on how she used her outline to test out ideas before writing[20:30] Kara Kentley on the importance of having a writing community[28:20] Casey Drillette on how she embraced the outlining process (as a pantser!) Rate + Review + Follow on Apple Podcasts "I love the Fiction Writing Made Easy podcast!" ← If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing this show! Your rating and review will help other writers find this podcast, and they're also super fun for me to read. Just click here, scroll all the way to the bottom, tap five stars to rate the show, and then select "Write a Review." Be sure to let me know what your favorite part of the episode was, too!  Also, if you haven't done so already, make sure you're following the podcast! I'll be adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed, and if you're not following the show, there's a good chance you'll miss them. Click here to follow now! Links mentioned in this episode: Follow Kelsey Evans on Twitter @kelseyevans or visit her website here Follow Stefanie Medrek on Instagram @medrekwrites or visit her website here. Follow Angela Haas on Facebook or visit her website here Follow Bree Cox on Instagram @breeacox or visit her website here Follow Kara Kentley on Instagram, Tik Tok, or Twitter @karakentley or visit her website here Follow Casey Drillette on Instagram @caseydrillette My FREE training—The 5 Little Known Mistakes Most Fiction Writers Make (and What To Do Instead). P.S. Did you know that I have a Facebook group just for fiction writers? In this private group, we talk about all things writing, editing, and publishing fiction. It's free to join and you can request access here. Hope to see you there!Support the show Want to support the Fiction Writing Made Easy Podcast? Click here to show your support, starting at $3/month >

In today’s episode, I’m going to share the three things to focus on if you’re a brand new writer—or if I was coaching someone who was brand new to writing. Here’s a preview of what’s included:  [02:17] Getting your mindset right is super important! Don’t expect to write the perfect first draft. Instead, consider your first draft the “discovery draft” and have fun with it! [04:50] Figure out your story’s content genre so that you have a roadmap to follow. Your content genre can tell you all kinds of things, from the types of characters you’ll need, some of the key scenes readers expect to see, and more. [07:25] Learn how to write a solid scene. If you can write a scene that works, you can definitely write a story that works! Practice on your own work-in-progress scenes AND break down the structure of scenes in published novels, too. [09:55] Final thoughts and episode recap Rate + Review + Follow on Apple Podcasts "I love the Fiction Writing Made Easy podcast!" ← If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing this show! Your rating and review will help other writers find this podcast, and they're also super fun for me to go in and read. Just click here, scroll all the way to the bottom, tap five stars to rate the show, and then select "Write a Review." Be sure to let me know what your favorite part of the episode was, too!  Also, if you haven't done so already, make sure you're following the podcast! I'll be adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed, and if you're not following the show, there's a good chance you'll miss them. Click here to follow now! Links mentioned in this episode: FREE TRAINING: The 5 Little Known Mistakes Most Fiction Writers Make (and What to Do Instead). Click here to register for free! Ep. 2 - Genre: The Key to Writing a Story That Works Ep. 40 - How to Write a Well-Structured Scene Ep. 6 - 3 Reasons You Should Write in Scenes vs. Chapters Ep. 9 - Value Shifts: How to Determine if Your Scenes Work Ep. 43 - 10 Tips for Writing Better Scenes P.S. Did you know that I have a Facebook group just for fiction writers? In this private group, we talk about all things writing, editing, and publishing fiction. It's free to join and you can request access here. Hope to see you there!Support the show Want to support the Fiction Writing Made Easy Podcast? Click here to show your support, starting at $3/month >

In this episode, I'm doing a little countdown of some of the best and most listened-to clips from the Fiction Writing Made Easy podcast in 2022. Here's a preview of what you'll hear in the episode: [01:40] Tip #10: Test out your idea by writing a 1-2 sentence summary of your entire story, focusing on the main story thread. [04:15] Tip #9: Create a scene-by-scene roadmap for your entire story (and then pressure-test it!) before you start writing. [07:10] Tip #8: Write (and edit) your story in scenes, not chapters! This will help you stay on track and produce a well-paced story. [10:40] Tip #7: Not everything that happens in a story needs to be dramatized in a full-blown scene. Sometimes, you can summarize! [13:05] Tip #6: Establish your character’s mental and emotional state at the very beginning of each one of your scenes. [16:45] Tip #5: When you finish writing a first draft, the very first thing you should do is take a break! [19:50] Tip #4: Make sure something meaningful happens in your opening pages if you want to catch the reader’s attention! [22:35] Tip #3: If you want to hook an agent’s attention with your query letter, don’t be vague when summarizing your story–be specific! [25:15] Tip #2: If you want to get a traditional publishing deal, consider self-publishing (first) to gain experience and grow your audience. [26:55] Tip #1: Don’t assume a traditional publisher will provide significant marketing help if you get a book deal. Rate + Review + Follow on Apple Podcasts "I love the Fiction Writing Made Easy podcast!" ← If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing this show! Your rating and review will help other writers find this podcast, and they're also super fun for me to go in and read. Just click here, scroll all the way to the bottom, tap five stars to rate the show, and then select "Write a Review." Be sure to let me know what your favorite part of the episode was, too!  Also, if you haven't done so already, make sure you're following the podcast! Click here to follow now! Links mentioned in this episode: Click here to learn more about the First 5 Pages Workshop! Ep. 54 - How to Test Your Story Idea Before Writing Ep. 55 - 3 Tips for Writing a First Draft in 90 Days Ep. 56 - 5 Reasons Why Readers Stop Reading Ep. 58 - 10 Querying Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them) Ep. 61 - First Chapter Analysis: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban Ep. 63 - Don’t Start a Scene Without These 3 Things Ep. 66 - The Pros and Cons of Traditional Publishing Ep. 67 - The Pros and Cons of Indie Publishing Support the show Want to support the Fiction Writing Made Easy Podcast? Click here to show your support, starting at $3/month >

In today’s episode, I’m sharing some of the key takeaways I learned from coaching writers in 2022. Here’s a preview of what’s included:  [01:30] Takeaway #1: Don’t be afraid to try new things! Plus, the story of how two different writers tried something new—and had surprisingly good results. [05:10] Takeaway #2: Writing interiority is hard for almost every writer. And in my opinion, it’s not talked about enough. This is something every writer should study more! [08:10] Takeaway #3: Sometimes fast drafting is the key to success. Plus, how one writer moved through planning and outlining her story quickly, despite the discomfort. [11:35] Takeaway #4: Don’t be so precious about the beginning of your first draft. Plus, a tip for what to do if you feel stuck on your opening scenes or pages. [14:05] Takeaway #5: Trust the process! The ‘a-ha’ moments always come. How one writer was finally able to see the big picture of her story—but how it took getting all the way to ‘The End’ to do so. Rate + Review + Follow on Apple Podcasts "I love the Fiction Writing Made Easy podcast!" ← If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing this show! Your rating and review will help other writers find this podcast, and they're also super fun for me to go in and read. Just click here, scroll all the way to the bottom, tap five stars to rate the show, and then select "Write a Review." Be sure to let me know what your favorite part of the episode was, too!  Also, if you haven't done so already, make sure you're following the podcast! I'll be adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed, and if you're not following the show, there's a good chance you'll miss them. Click here to follow now! Links mentioned in this episode: Ep. 71 - Student Spotlight: How She Wrote a Novel in 6 Months (and Landed an Agent 10 Months Later) with Stefanie Medrek Ep. 76 - Student Spotlight: The Power of Outlining (and How He Finished a First Draft in 3 Months) With James Beswick Get on the Notes to Novel Waitlist! Doors open again on January 9th! P.S. Did you know that I have a Facebook group just for fiction writers? In this private group, we talk about all things writing, editing, and publishing fiction. It's free to join and you can request access here. Hope to see you there!Support the show Want to support the Fiction Writing Made Easy Podcast? Click here to show your support, starting at $3/month >

In today's episode, I’m sitting down with James Beswick to talk through his incredibly inspiring story of how he finished his first draft in three months. Here’s a preview of what’s included:  [03:30] An introduction to James Beswick and how he decided to write a book[05:30] How James carved out writing time in his calendar, while working a full time job [06:30] What James’s Notes to Novel experience was like—and why he decided to enroll in the course in the first place[08:25] How James initially wanted to write a screenplay, but then decided to write a novel instead (Plus, our thoughts on writing a novel vs. writing a screenplay)[11:00] How your genre framework removes the terror and overwhelm from the writing process (and pulls back the curtain on how to actually write a novel)[13:30] A quick description of James’s story[14:45] What is was like for James to create an outline—and the three things that helped him outline his story the most[16:30] The secret to avoiding writing problematic scenes where nothing happens[18:45] My feedback on James’s outline (the 3 main issues he had + what worked)[21:45] James’s big a-ha moment re: writing the perfect first draft (and the mindset shift that got him through writing a messy first draft)[24:30] Why James decided to get outside feedback from an editor once he had a finished draft (and what this process was like)[27:00] Our thoughts on the hardest section of the story to write[29:00] What it was like for James to get feedback on his first draft—and what some of the biggest issues were in terms of plot and character[36:00] An update on how the second draft is going for James (and how he’s using his outline to help him navigate the revision process)[46:00] Final words of wisdom and advice from JamesRate + Review + Follow on Apple Podcasts"I love the Fiction Writing Made Easy podcast!" ← If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing this show! Your rating and review will help other writers find this podcast, and they're also super fun for me to go in and read. Just click here, scroll all the way to the bottom, tap five stars to rate the show, and then select "Write a Review." Be sure to let me know what your favorite part of the episode was, too! Also, if you haven't done so already, make sure you're following the podcast! I'll be adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed, and if you're not following the show, there's a good chance you'll miss them. Click here to follow now!Links mentioned in this episode: Follow James Beswick on Twitter! Interested in the Notes to Novel course? Click here to get on the waitlist. Doors will re-open in early January, and you'll be the first to know! P.S. Did you know that I have a Facebook group just for fiction writers? In this private group, we talk about all things writing, editing, and publishing fiction. It's free to join and you can request access here. Hope to see you there!Support the show Want to support the Fiction Writing Made Easy Podcast? Click here to show your support, starting at $3/month >

In today's episode, I’m covering the conventions of the crime genre. This includes the character roles, settings, and events that need to be present in a crime story in order for it to work and satisfy fans of the genre. Here’s a preview of what’s included:  [01:30] Crime stories are all about the quest to either solve or commit a crime. So, these stories start with a crime, build with an investigation (or a completion of the crime), and end with identifying and bringing the criminal to justice (or not). [05:15] 1. There’s a crime with at least one victim that launches the investigation. [06:15] 2. The protagonist is intelligent and determined to solve the crime.  [08:15] 3. There’s an equally smart or crafty antagonist who seems to be a step ahead of the protagonist the whole time. [09:15] 4. There is a closed circle of suspects, each with a credible motive and a reasonable opportunity to commit the crime. [10:30] 5. There’s a MacGuffin (or a very specific thing the antagonist wants). [11:30] 6. A sidekick character who acts as a sounding board for the protagonist. [12:25] 7. There are clues and red herrings that help (or hurt) the investigation. [13:40] 8. There’s a ticking clock by which the protagonist must solve the crime. [14:37] 9. There’s a speech in praise of the antagonist that shows their brilliance. [15:48] 10. There’s at least one shapeshifter character. [16:42] Key points and episode recap Rate + Review + Follow on Apple Podcasts "I love the Fiction Writing Made Easy podcast!" ← If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing this show! Your rating and review will help other writers find this podcast, and they're also super fun for me to go in and read. Just click here, scroll all the way to the bottom, tap five stars to rate the show, and then select "Write a Review." Be sure to let me know what your favorite part of the episode was, too!  Also, if you haven't done so already, make sure you're following the podcast! I'll be adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed, and if you're not following the show, there's a good chance you'll miss them. Click here to follow now! Links mentioned in this episode: Episode Freebie: Crime Genre Cheat Sheet The 6 Key Scenes Every Crime Story Needs (article) What are Obligatory Scenes and Conventions? (article) Understanding Genre: How to Write Better Stories (article) P.S. Did you know that I have a Facebook group just for fiction writers? In this private group, we talk about all things writing, editing, and publishing fiction. It's free to join and you can request access here. Hope to see you there!Support the show Want to support the Fiction Writing Made Easy Podcast? Click here to show your support, starting at $3/month >

In today's episode, I’m covering the difference between writing in scene versus writing in summary. Here’s a preview of what’s included: [01:45] Scenes are concrete moments that unfold in real time. Readers “watch” the characters move across the setting, interact with other characters or the setting, and speak as if everything’s taking place in the real world, in real time. [02:55] Summaries happen over a condensed period of time (days, months, years, etc.). They convey ideas, concepts, and information rather than create specific experiences that a character (and readers) are “living through” in that moment. [04:20] An example from Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling [07:30] An example from Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn (trigger warning: a dead body) [10:55] Top 3 guidelines for when you should write in scene [12:20] Top three guidelines for when you should write in summary [16:15] Do not get hung up on this when writing your first draft! Your main job when writing a first draft is to get to THE END–worry about scene vs. summary later. [16:45] Key points and episode recap Rate + Review + Follow on Apple Podcasts "I love the Fiction Writing Made Easy podcast!" ← If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing this show! Your rating and review will help other writers find this podcast, and they're also super fun for me to go in and read. Just click here, scroll all the way to the bottom, tap five stars to rate the show, and then select "Write a Review." Be sure to let me know what your favorite part of the episode was, too!  Also, if you haven't done so already, make sure you're following the podcast! I'll be adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed, and if you're not following the show, there's a good chance you'll miss them. Click here to follow now! Links mentioned in this episode: Ep. 40 - How to Write a Well-Structured Scene (article) How to Write Better Scenes (workshop) P.S. Did you know that I have a Facebook group just for fiction writers? In this private group, we talk about all things writing, editing, and publishing fiction. It's free to join and you can request access here. Hope to see you there!Support the show Want to support the Fiction Writing Made Easy Podcast? Click here to show your support, starting at $3/month >

In today's episode, we’re going to talk about how to edit your messy first draft without slipping into overwhelm. Here’s a preview of what’s included:  [01:50] The very first thing you should do when you finish a first draft  [04:15] A quick overview of the four editing phases, and how breaking your edits down into these phases will help you reduce overwhelm. [05:45] Phase 1: The “Story Level” edit [09:25] Phase 2: The “Scene Level edit” [13:35] How your editing plan might change depending on your publishing goals [14:30] Phase 3: The “Page Level edit” [16:20] Phase 4: The “Sentence Level edit” [19:35] My answer to writers who ask me, “Can I do these phases out of order?” (spoiler alert: my answer is almost always no) [20:00] FAQ: Is there a way to go through all four phases faster? [20:45] Key points and episode recap Rate + Review + Follow on Apple Podcasts "I love the Fiction Writing Made Easy podcast!" ← If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing this show! Your rating and review will help other writers find this podcast, and they're also super fun for me to go in and read. Just click here, scroll all the way to the bottom, tap five stars to rate the show, and then select "Write a Review." Be sure to let me know what your favorite part of the episode was, too!  Also, if you haven't done so already, make sure you're following the podcast! I'll be adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed, and if you're not following the show, there's a good chance you'll miss them. Click here to follow now! Links mentioned in this episode: Episode Freebie: Your Next Steps DIY Editing Checklist The Spun Yarn Beta Reading Service ProWritingAid Hemingway Editor Grammarly Grammar Girl’s Quick and Dirty Tips P.S. Did you know that I have a Facebook group just for fiction writers? In this private group, we talk about all things writing, editing, and publishing fiction. It's free to join and you can request access here. Hope to see you there!Support the show Want to support the Fiction Writing Made Easy Podcast? Click here to show your support, starting at $3/month >

In today's episode, I’m covering the key scenes that every morality story needs. I’ve also included examples of how they show up in the movie Flight. Here’s a preview of what’s included:  [01:45] Morality stories center around a protagonist with a moral compass that’s about to change, for better or for worse. They’re either seeking redemption from past mistakes or they want to silence their inner conscience so they can keep doing selfish things. [03:00] Readers choose these types of stories because they want to see what another person will do when given the choice to act selfishly or altruistically. Will they make the “right” choice? Or the “wrong” one? [05:15] Key Scene #1: The protagonist faces an opportunity or challenge to be selfless [06:05] Key Scene #2: The protagonist commits to doing nothing about the greater need (and may even move in the opposite direction) [07:30] Key Scene #3: The protagonist learns what the antagonist wants and why, and the greater external need is starting to become uncomfortable [08:40] Key Scene #4: The protagonist reaches an all-is-lost moment where it seems like their selfish ways will no longer work [09:35] Key Scene #5: The protagonist either sacrifices something in service of an individual, or they decide once and for all to maintain their selfish way of being [11:00] Key Scene #6: The protagonist is either rewarded with forgiveness, or they’re punished for sticking to their selfish ways [12:15] Key points and episode recap. Rate + Review + Follow on Apple Podcasts "I love the Fiction Writing Made Easy podcast!" ← If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing this show! Your rating and review will help other writers find this podcast, and they're also super fun for me to go in and read. Just click here, scroll all the way to the bottom, tap five stars to rate the show, and then select "Write a Review." Be sure to let me know what your favorite part of the episode was, too!  Also, if you haven't done so already, make sure you're following the podcast! I'll be adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed, and if you're not following the show, there's a good chance you'll miss them. Click here to follow now! Links mentioned in this episode: Episode Freebie: Morality Genre Cheat Sheet Ep. 2 - How to Choose the Right Genre for Your Story (article) What are Obligatory Scenes and Conventions? (article) P.S. Did you know that I have a Facebook group just for fiction writers? In this private group, we talk about all things writing, editing, and publishing fiction. It's free to join and you can request access here. Hope to see you there!Support the show Want to support the Fiction Writing Made Easy Podcast? Click here to show your support, starting at $3/month >

In today's episode, I’m sitting down with Stefanie Medrek to talk through her incredibly inspiring story of how she went from having an idea for a story to landing an agent. Here’s a preview of what’s included:  [05:00] The exact moment Stefanie had the idea for her story—and how she just knew it wouldn’t let her go until she put pen to paper [08:00] A quick description of Stefanie’s story [09:35] Stefanie’s initial reaction to my advice to throw out all 40,000 of the words she had written, and what happened when she did [12:00] A few of the key takeaways Stefanie learned from re-writing her first draft [15:00] What the editing process was like (and how long it took) [17:35] How and when Stefanie knew she was ready to start querying [19:00] Stefanie’s reaction to getting a heart on her #PitMad pitch (IYKYK) [22:30] The moment Stefanie almost gave up on writing… and then got a call from her (now) agent an hour later [25:00] How having a fleshed out outline helped Stefanie avoid spiraling into overwhelm [27:00] What happened when Stefanie got the offer of representation [28:00] What it was like to get feedback (and suggested changes) from her agent [30:00] A quick look into what writing book two looks like [34:00] Stefanie’s thoughts on 1:1 coaching vs. the Notes to Novel course [38:00] Final words of wisdom and advice from Stefanie Rate + Review + Follow on Apple Podcasts "I love the Fiction Writing Made Easy podcast!" ← If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing this show! Your rating and review will help other writers find this podcast, and they're also super fun for me to go in and read. Just click here, scroll all the way to the bottom, tap five stars to rate the show, and then select "Write a Review." Be sure to let me know what your favorite part of the episode was, too!  Also, if you haven't done so already, make sure you're following the podcast! I'll be adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed, and if you're not following the show, there's a good chance you'll miss them. Click here to follow now! Links mentioned in this episode: Stefanie Medrek’s website Follow Stefanie on Instagram The doors to my Notes to Novel course are closing for the rest of 2022 very soon! If you want my proven roadmap for writing a first draft that works, click here to enroll so that you can get started today! Click here to sign up for my FREE TRAINING: The 5 Little-Known Mistakes Most Writers Make (& What to Do Instead) P.S. Did you know that I have a Facebook group just for fiction writers? In this private group, we talk about all things writing, editing, and publishing fiction. It's free to join and you can request access here. Hope to see you there!Support the show Want to support the Fiction Writing Made Easy Podcast? Click here to show your support, starting at $3/month >