Discover key takeaways from coaching writers in 2022, including trying new things, the challenge of writing interiority, the benefits of fast drafting, not being precious about the beginning of your first draft, and trusting the writing process. Gain insights into the writer's journey and how 'aha' moments come with persistence.

In this discussion, James Beswick, a software professional turned author, shares his incredible experience of completing his first draft in just three months. He delves into the importance of outlining, revealing how a solid framework can alleviate the writing process's overwhelm. James discusses the transition from wanting to write a screenplay to focusing on a novel and emphasizes the necessity of planning and feedback. His mindset shift around messy first drafts and seeking outside criticism offers valuable insights for aspiring writers.

Unraveling the crime genre conventions, the podcast covers the key elements like protagonist's quest to solve a crime, intelligent antagonists, closed circle of suspects, and the importance of clues and red herrings. The discussion includes the role of sidekick characters, MacGuffins, and a ticking clock to add suspense to the narrative.

Exploring the difference between writing in scene and summary in fiction writing, with examples from Harry Potter and Sharp Objects. Guidelines provided for when to use each technique effectively. Don't get hung up on this in your first draft - focus on finishing the story first!

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 recapRate + 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 ChecklistThe Spun Yarn Beta Reading ServiceProWritingAidHemingway EditorGrammarlyGrammar Girl’s Quick and Dirty TipsSupport the show👉 Looking for a transcript? If you’re listening on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, scroll down below the episode player until you see the transcript.

The podcast discusses the key scenes every morality story needs, using the movie Flight as an example. Topics include moral dilemmas, protagonist's inner struggles, selfish behavior, transformative journey, and essential elements of storytelling. Listeners learn about the protagonist's moral choices, sacrifices, and consequences in the narrative.

Stefanie Medrek shares her journey of writing a novel in 6 months and landing an agent 10 months later. Topics include idea generation, rewriting the first draft, editing process, querying, getting representation, and writing book two. Stefanie also discusses the importance of a fleshed-out outline, feedback from her agent, and her thoughts on coaching vs. online courses.

Explore the conventions of the status genre in fiction writing, focusing on protagonist's inner drive for respect and external success. Learn about key elements like antagonist threats, mentors, and moral challenges. Discover how 'The Devil Wears Prada' exemplifies these conventions in a bittersweet narrative.

In this episode, we're taking a deep dive into the first chapter of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling. Join me and fellow developmental editor, Abigail Perry, as we nerd out about the seventh book in the Harry Potter series.Here’s a preview of what we talk about:[07:45] A very quick summary of the first chapter[11:40] A macro analysis of the first chapter using 7 key questions from Paula Munier's book The Writer’s Guide to Beginnings[43:30] A micro analysis of the two scenes within the chapter using the "5 Commandments of Storytelling" from The Story Grid[54:00] Final thoughts and episode recapRate + 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 check out the LitMatch Podcast with Abigail Perry! You can also get in touch with Abigail through her website or on Instagram @abigailkperry.Ep. 59 - First Chapter Analysis: Harry Potter & the Sorcerer's StoneEp. 60 - First Chapter Analysis: Harry Potter & the Chamber of SecretsEp. 61 - First Chapter Analysis: Harry Potter & the Prisoner of AzkabanEp. 64 - First Chapter Analysis: Harry Potter & the Goblet of FireEp. 66 - First Chapter Analysis: Harry Potter & the Order of the PhoenixEp. 69 - First Chapter Analysis: Harry Potter & the Half Blood PrinceClick here to join our book club! Book Notes is a virtual book club for writers who want to read good books and then deconstruct them to figure out how and why they work. First up: UGLY LOVE by Colleen Hoover!Support the show👉 Looking for a transcript? If you’re listening on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, scroll down below the episode player until you see the transcript.

In this episode, we're taking a deep dive into the first chapter of Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling. Join me and fellow developmental editor, Abigail Perry, as we nerd out about the sixth book in the Harry Potter series–here’s a preview of what we talk about:[05:45] A very quick summary of the first chapter[07:15] A macro analysis of the first chapter using 7 key questions from Paula Munier's book The Writer’s Guide to Beginnings[13:45] A micro analysis of the two scenes within the chapter using the "5 Commandments of Storytelling" from The Story Grid[57:25] Final thoughts and episode recapRate + 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 check out the LitMatch Podcast with Abigail Perry! You can also get in touch with Abigail through her website or on Instagram @abigailkperry.Ep. 59 - First Chapter Analysis: Harry Potter & the Sorcerer's StoneEp. 60 - First Chapter Analysis: Harry Potter & the Chamber of SecretsEp. 61 - First Chapter Analysis: Harry Potter & the Prisoner of AzkabanEp. 64 - First Chapter Analysis: Harry Potter & the Goblet of FireEp. 66 - First Chapter Analysis: Harry Potter & the Order of the PhoenixWorkshop: How to Write Compelling and Well-Structured ScenesSupport the show👉 Looking for a transcript? If you’re listening on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, scroll down below the episode player until you see the transcript.