#108: Why Your Capacity For Zero is Crucial As A Writer
In today’s episode, I’m sharing one of my favorite mindset tips—and it all has to do with your ability (and willingness) to start from scratch. I call it strengthening your capacity for zero. Here’s a preview of what’s included: [01:25] Your capacity for zero describes how willing you are to start over if something you’re outlining or writing doesn’t work. [04:45] What happened when I told one of the writers I work with that she had to start over after writing a 40,000-word first draft [11:...
14 Sep 202313min
#107: Email List Building Essentials For Authors
In today’s episode, I’m sharing 3 steps to help you get started with list building. Here’s a preview of what’s included: [1:45] Having an email list is one of the best ways to build relationships with your readers over time. It’s what helps keep you top of mind the next time readers are looking for a new book to read, or a book to share with their friends and family. [3:15] Step 1: Define your target audience of readers. These are the people who will buy your book, leave you positive review...
5 Sep 202315min
#106: 5 Steps to Building Your Author Platform
In today’s episode, I’m sharing 5 steps to building an author platform. Here’s a preview of what’s included: [00:59] Your author platform is the foundation for all your future book marketing efforts. You can start building it no matter where you’re at in the writing process! [02:07] Step 1: Define your target audience of readers [03:15] Step 2: Design your unique author brand [06:10] Step 3: Create your author website [07:49] Step 4: Setup your email list [09:51] Step 5: Develop your co...
29 Aug 202319min
#105: First Chapter Analysis: Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
In today’s episode, Abigail K. Perry and I take a deep dive into the first chapter of Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus. Here’s a preview of what we talk about: [03:17] A very quick summary of the first two chapters [06:30] Our analysis of the scene/s within the first two chapters using the "5 Commandments of Storytelling" from The Story Grid [25:11] Final thoughts and episode recap Rate + Review + Follow on Apple Podcasts "I love the Fiction Writing Made Easy podcast!" ← If that soun...
22 Aug 202325min
#104: 10 Tips For Writing Better Dialogue
In today’s episode, I’m sharing my top 10 tips for writing stronger, more impactful dialogue in your novel. Here’s a preview of what’s included: [02:00] Tip #1: Make sure your dialogue serves a purpose in the overarching story. [03:00] Tip #2: Think of your dialogue as action vs. exposition (or active vs. passive). [06:09] Tip #3: Get clear on each character’s goal and motivation within a scene. [07:43] Tip #4: Make sure your dialogue is ripe with conflict and tension. [10:02] Tip #5: C...
15 Aug 202322min
#103: Morality Genre Conventions
In today’s episode, I’m covering the conventions of the morality genre using the movie A Man Called Otto as an example. Here’s a preview of what’s included: [05:09] The protagonist starts the story at their worst (with a "wrong" moral compass) [06:40] The antagonist pressures the protagonist to face their bad behavior/wrongdoing [07:54] The protagonist is haunted by their past mistakes or selfish behavior [09:09] A character who represents the consequences of the protagonist’s wrongdoin...
8 Aug 202320min
#102: 3 Common Interiority Mistakes (and How to Fix Them)
In today’s episode, I’m sharing the 3 most common interiority mistakes I see writers make, as well as how to fix them. Here’s a preview of what’s included: [03:20] Mistake 1: The “too passive” protagonist. Your protagonist should always crave agency, even if they can't physically take action. [06:17] Mistake 2: The protagonist whose always present. Real people think about the past and future while making decisions. Your characters should too! [09:12] Mistake 3: The protagonist kno...
1 Aug 202313min
#101: First Chapter Analysis: Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt
In today’s episode, Abigail K. Perry and I take a deep dive into the first chapter of Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt. Here’s a preview of what we talk about: [05:38] A very quick summary of the first chapter [13:37] A macro analysis of the first chapter using 7 key questions from Paula Munier's book The Writer’s Guide to Beginnings [43:08] A micro analysis of the scene within the chapter using the "5 Commandments of Storytelling" from The Story Grid [52:50] Final thoughts ...
25 Juli 202354min
