Fiction Writing Made Easy

#188. 5 Mindset Hacks to Help You Finish Your First Draft

Apr 8, 2025

Karla Diaz is a bilingual author accelerator and certified book coach, while Sam Cameron, an author and book coach, helps writers navigate their creative journeys. Together, they discuss powerful mindset hacks for overcoming self-doubt and perfectionism. Discover how to shift your mindset from ‘this writing is terrible’ to productivity. They share tips on carving out dedicated writing time, why waiting for inspiration doesn’t work, and five crucial questions to revive your story during tough writing phases. Embrace imperfection and prioritize your passion!

37:54

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Episode guests

Sam Cameron

Karla Diaz

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

Embracing self-compassion and reframing negative thoughts allows writers to overcome self-doubt and enjoy their creative process.

Intentional prioritization of writing time, supported by clear motivation and communication with loved ones, helps maintain consistent progress.

Deep dives

Self-Compassion During the Writing Process

Having compassion for oneself is crucial in navigating the messy journey of writing a first draft. Writers often experience self-criticism and doubt that can paralyze their creative efforts. By reframing negative thoughts with humor, individuals can shift their mindset and reduce pressure, allowing for a more enjoyable writing experience. Embracing imperfections while writing can deepen character development and foster a more authentic narrative, making the writing process not only productive but also fulfilling.

Intro

2min

Conquering Writer's Block

12min

Embracing Curiosity in Writing

15min

Prioritizing Passion: Letting Go of Societal Norms for Creative Freedom

4min

Overcoming Procrastination: Prioritizing Writing Over Chores

3min

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 alone. Whether you're just starting your first novel or you've been trying to finish that draft for months (or years!), these mental roadblocks aren't signs of failure—they're normal challenges every writer faces.

Tune in to this episode to hear five proven mindset strategies from professional book coaches and editors who have helped countless first-time novelists overcome writer's block, self-doubt, and procrastination to finally type "The End" on their first drafts.

[02:11] The surprising mindset shift that turns "This writing is terrible" into productive writing sessions
[08:41] How to carve out writing time that actually works (without quitting your day job or neglecting your family)
[14:43] Why waiting to "feel inspired" is killing your novel—and the counterintuitive approach that actually works
[20:12] The five simple questions that can rescue your story when you're stuck in the dreaded "middle slump"
[27:08] How strategic "neglect" might be the missing ingredient to finally type "The End" on your manuscript

If you're an aspiring author who is writing your first draft, or if you've started multiple manuscripts but keep getting stuck in the middle, this episode's for you!

🔗 Links mentioned in this episode:

Get on the waitlist for my Notes to Novel course!
Candace Coakley’s website and Instagram
Sam Henke’s website and Instagram
Jenny Luke’s website and Instagram
Karla Diaz’s website and Instagram
Sam Cameron’s website and Instagram

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