Fiction Writing Made Easy | Top Creative Writing Podcast for Fiction Writers & Writing Tips

Guests on the podcast share valuable insights on finishing a first draft by understanding genre frameworks, battling writer's block, using the 'show, don't tell' writing advice, and testing ideas before writing. They also discuss the importance of having a writing community and embracing the outlining process.

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 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: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 WorksEp. 40 - How to Write a Well-Structured SceneEp. 6 - 3 Reasons You Should Write in Scenes vs. ChaptersEp. 9 - Value Shifts: How to Determine if Your Scenes WorkEp. 43 - 10 Tips for Writing Better 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.

In this podcast, the host shares top tips for fiction writing in 2022, such as testing story ideas, scene-by-scene outlining, writing in scenes, and more. Advice includes starting with character emotions, taking breaks, crafting engaging openings, and being specific in query letters. The podcast also discusses self-publishing to gain experience before seeking traditional deals and the importance of author marketing in publishing.

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.