#189. Student Spotlight: From First Draft to Published Novel at 72 With Cheryl Arko
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 transform...
15 Huhti 50min
#188. 5 Mindset Hacks to Help You Finish Your First Draft
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 al...
8 Huhti 35min
#187. How To Write An Unforgettable Plot Twist In Your Novel With Samantha Skal
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 ...
1 Huhti 46min
#186. First Draft Roadmap: 10 Steps to Writing A Novel For Beginners
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 ...
25 Maalis 35min
#185. Student Spotlight: How Angela Haas Published TWO Books In 6 Months
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, an...
18 Maalis 37min
#184. 3 Must-Know Tips For Writing A Novel With Dual Timelines
“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 ...
11 Maalis 30min
#183. From Screenwriter to Award-Winning Memoirist: Michael Jamin's Indie Publishing Journey
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.” Mic...
4 Maalis 32min
#182. Writing Romantasy: How to Balance Fantasy Elements and Romance in Your Novel
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 o...
25 Helmi 29min
