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

Learn how dictation is your secret weapon for capturing story ideas, supporting overall health, and writing up to 3,000 words per hour.Are you curious about how dictation can improve your health and mobility, enhance your natural storytelling flow, and revolutionize your time management—even if you've tried and failed at it before? Well, then, you'll love this episode with Sarah Elisabeth Sawyer.Sarah is an author who's published 19 books—11 of which she wrote entirely through dictation. She now teaches other writers how to do the same so that they can write faster, spend less time sitting at their computers, and overcome perfectionism that stops them from getting words on the page.Be sure to tune in. You'll hear us talk about things like:[03:33] Why Sarah failed at dictation for years and the surprising mindset shift that made everything click into place.  [06:40] The 3 unexpected benefits of dictation that have nothing to do with writing speed but will change how you think about it.[09:14] How Sarah captured 1,200 words in just 20 minutes while washing dishes (the scene that would've been lost forever).[15:48] Why your brain freezes when you try to dictate your fiction and exactly how to create those missing neural pathways.[25:43] The dead-simple "open bracket" trick for adding quick notes mid-sentence without breaking your creative flow.[31:40] The surprisingly simple text message exercise that retrains your brain for dictation even if you had trouble with it before. Whether battling perfectionism, dealing with chronic pain, or just curious about dictation for writers, this episode gives you the practical steps to get started without expensive dictation software or complicated equipment.⭐ Follow & ReviewIf you loved this episode, please take a moment to follow the show and leave a review on Apple Podcasts! Your review will help other writers find this podcast and get the insights they need to finish their books. Thanks for tuning in to The Fiction Writing Made Easy Podcast! See you next week!🔗 Links mentioned in this episode:Check out Sarah’s Dictation + Scrivener Power Combo Mini-Course and use code FWME to get $50 off your purchase.Dictation For Authors Quickstart Guide (Free)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.

Discover the five most common big-picture mistakes writers make in their first drafts—and learn exactly what you can do to fix them.Congratulations, you finished your first draft! …But now what? If you're feeling stuck or overwhelmed as you dive into editing your messy first draft, you're so not alone. As a developmental editor, I've reviewed hundreds of first drafts, and I've noticed that most new writers struggle with the same core issues—problems that have nothing to do with your writing talent, but everything to do with fundamental story principles.In this episode, I’m sharing the 5 most common big-picture mistakes I see writers make in their first drafts (and exactly what you can do to fix them). You'll hear me talk about things like:[00:00] How to figure out if your story starts in the right place (and the one simple question that can help you find the perfect spot to begin your first chapter)[00:00] The difference between meaningful conflict vs. random plot events—and why your protagonist’s transformation depends on this key storytelling element[00:00] How to fix weak narrative drive (aka the dreaded "so what?" problem that causes readers to abandon books), and how to create seamless scene-to-scene connections[00:00] Character development strategies for increasing emotional stakes in your novel without resorting to melodramatic plot twists or artificial tension[00:00] The one mistake that might make readers feel cheated at the end of your novel (even if they can't explain why), and how to fix itIf you've finished your first draft but feel something's not quite working, or if you're struggling to revise a manuscript that just doesn't seem to come together, this episode will give you the clarity and direction you need to transform your story!🔗 Links mentioned in this episode:Novel Editing Roadmap: 10 Steps To Editing Your First Draft (Free Guide)Ep. #13 - 5 Things That Kill Narrative Drive (& How To Fix It)Ep. #18 - 5 Mistakes Writers Make In Their Opening PagesEp. #118 - How To Find The Major Dramatic Question Of Your StoryEp. #145 - How To Develop Your Character’s BackstoryEp. #149 - 5 Questions To Develop Better AntagonistsWant my entire step-by-step process for brainstorming, outlining, and writing your first draft? Click here to learn more about my Notes to Novel program.⭐ Follow & ReviewIf you loved this episode, please take a moment to follow the show and leave a review! Your review will help other writers find this podcast and get the insights they need to finish their books. Thanks for tuning in to The Fiction Writing Made Easy Podcast! See you next week!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.

Discover the five ways to talk about your story’s genre so you can write, edit, and publish your novel with clarity and confidence.Ever found yourself staring at a blinking cursor, excited about your story idea but utterly confused about how to describe its genre? 😩 This kind of uncertainty isn't just frustrating. It can have serious consequences for your writing, editing, and publishing journey.Here’s what you need to know: There are actually five different layers of genre that work together to describe your unique story. Think of this as your story's "genre DNA"—a description that gives readers a comprehensive picture of your work.Tune into this episode to learn:[02:22] How to determine if your novel is commercial, literary, or upmarket fiction—and why this positioning matters when writing, editing, and publishing[05:21] Why your story's time period affects everything from research requirements to character development (and what this means for fantasy authors whose stories often take place in their own temporal contexts)[07:32] How to select the appropriate age category for your target readers and why this critical decision shapes your word count, content, and marketing options[11:30] The different reality settings available for your story world and practical ways to manage worldbuilding without getting overwhelmed[18:15] How your story’s content genre can serve as your writing roadmap by defining the emotional experience readers expect from a story like yoursWhether you're drafting your first novel or preparing to query agents, this episode will help you define your story's genre so you can write with direction, revise with purpose, and market your book with confidence.⭐ Follow & ReviewIf you loved this episode, please take a moment to follow the show and leave a review! Your review will help other writers find this podcast and get the insights they need to finish their books. Thanks for tuning in to The Fiction Writing Made Easy Podcast! See you next week!🔗 Links mentioned in this episode:Ep. #2 - How To Choose The Right Genre For Your StoryFree Worksheet: Discover Your Story’s Unique Genre DNASupport 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.

Congratulations! You've finished writing your first draft—an achievement that puts you ahead of countless aspiring writers who never make it past the dreaming stage. But now you're staring at your manuscript, wondering, "What next?" Maybe you've tried jumping straight into revisions only to find yourself overwhelmed, confused, or just plain stuck. Or maybe you’re just avoiding it altogether.If your excitement about finishing your draft has given way to editing anxiety, you're not alone. Every author—even the most seasoned professionals—reaches this crossroads, where the path forward seems foggy at best.Tune in to learn the exact novel editing framework that has helped my clients and students transform their messy drafts into completed manuscripts.You’ll hear me talk about things like:[06:21] The game-changing approach to organizing your editing notes that’ll prevent months of wasted time and getting stuck in "revision loops"[07:17] How mapping what you actually wrote (not what you intended to write) can expose the hidden strengths and weaknesses of your manuscript[10:05] The #1 mistake first-time novelists make when editing their messy first drafts (and how to avoid falling into this all too common trap)[16:05] The four-category sorting system that helps you prioritize feedback and make confident decisions about which changes to implement[23:22] How your publishing path impacts your editing to-do list (and which steps to take if you’re self-publishing or traditional publishing)If you've finally finished your first draft but find yourself paralyzed by the editing process, or if you've been revising the same chapters for months without making real progress, this episode gives you the clear, structured approach you need.🔗 Links mentioned in this episode:Novel Editing Roadmap: 10 Steps To Editing Your First Draft (Free Guide)Want my entire step-by-step process for brainstorming, outlining, and writing your first draft? Click here to learn more about my Notes to Novel program.⭐ Follow & ReviewIf you loved this episode, please take a moment to follow the show and leave a review on Apple Podcasts! Your review will help other writers find this podcast and get the insights they need to finish their books. Thanks for tuning in to The Fiction Writing Made Easy Podcast! See you next week!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.

Cheryl Arko, a data scientist and debut author of "The Allegrian Legacy," shares her inspiring journey of publishing her first novel at 72. She discusses overcoming perfectionism and the strategies that finally enabled her to finish her manuscript. Listeners hear about her innovative reverse outlining technique that transformed her writing process, the confidence boost from entering a writing competition, and how evolving her antagonist helped solve long-standing plot issues. Cheryl’s story encourages aspiring writers that it's never too late to chase their dreams.

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!

Samantha Skal, Director of ThrillerFest and expert in mystery and suspense, dives deep into crafting unforgettable plot twists. She emphasizes the importance of 'playing fair' with readers and starting with the villain to create surprising yet inevitable twists. Discover how personal character baggage can cleverly misdirect while still keeping the narrative logical. Samantha also discusses the strategic use of red herrings and character depth as essential tools for enhancing suspense and reader engagement. Get ready to transform your storytelling skills!

Embarking on your first novel can be quite the adventure! Discover why many new writers give up and how to overcome it. Learn the importance of identifying your protagonist's inner struggles to create gripping narratives. Uncover a straightforward story structure to navigate the tricky middle sections of your manuscript. Find out effective writing routines tailored for busy schedules, plus a psychological trick that can turn your dreams of authorship into reality. Embrace the journey and transform your ideas into completed novels!

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, and what made her choose self-publishing for all three of her books.In the episode, you’ll hear us talk about things like:[06:50] What happened when Angela submitted her outline for feedback in an online writing course (it wasn’t mine!) and got negative feedback from the instructor who called her space opera story “spoofy”[13:45] How understanding this one writing technique (spoiler alert: it’s “show, don’t tell") helped improve the quality of Angela’s manuscripts, and what exactly made this tricky concept finally make sense[15:05] What made Angela (a die-hard pantser) finally embrace outlining—and what her unique approach to outlining looks like (spoiler alert: it’s flexible and creative, something all pantsers would love!)[17:45] What happened when Angela hired an editor who started re-writing passages from her story (and why this almost made her give up on writing altogether)[20:10] Why Angela decided to self-publish both of her books—including what she learned from researching traditional publishing and indie publishing and the factors that made her choose self-publishingIf you’re an aspiring author who dreams of self-publishing a novel to have more control over the creative process, you’re going to love this episode!🔗 Links mentioned in this episode:Angela Haas’s WebsiteAngela Haas on InstagramAngela Haas’s BooksThe Author Next Door Show⭐ Rate + 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 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 your favorite episodes, 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!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.

Struggling to weave together dual timelines in your novel? Discover essential elements that make these narratives work. Learn the crucial distinction between true dual timelines and flashbacks. Explore proven methods to arrange chapters and create meaningful connections between timelines. Keep readers hooked, regardless of which timeline they’re following, and tackle the common pitfalls of dual storytelling. Get ready to craft a captivating story that resonates with your audience!