In today’s episode, I’m sharing my thoughts on writing courses—including 5 things that make a fiction writing course worth your time and money. Here’s a preview of what’s included: [02:15] A good writing course should provide you with more than just “tactics and templates.” It should move you beyond just learning and get you into action.[04:45] A good writing course should provide you with a community of like-minded writers who share similar goals and access to a mentor who can support you.[08:05] A good writing course should feel like a “HECK YES!” And if it doesn't, then it's probably a heck no—and that's okay! Trust your gut on this decision.[09:15] My two cents re: the question, "Can you learn to write a book from all the free resources online and/or in craft books?" (Spoiler alert: YES, you can!)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 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:Interested in joining the Notes to Novel course next time doors open for enrollment? Click here to add your name to the waitlist!Join the LIVE 5-Day Unlock Your Story Challenge here! Let me help you develop the 4 foundational elements of a working story idea—a plot that hooks interest, a protagonist with a compelling goal, conflict with high stakes, and a theme with heart—for only $47! Support the showWant to support the Fiction Writing Made Easy Podcast? Click here to show your support, starting at $3/month >

In today’s episode, I’m sharing 5 of the most common “scene level” issues to look for when editing your draft.  Here’s a preview of what’s included: [02:44] Issue #1: The scene isn’t properly structured and it feels flat.[03:59] Issue #2: The POV character doesn’t have enough agency.[05:57] Issue #3: There’s too much extra stuff crowding the scene.[07:50] Issue #4: There’s not enough interiority on the page.[09:35] Issue #5: The POV is inconsistent (aka there's head hopping)[11:22] Final thoughts and episode recap.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 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:The 5-Day Unlock Your Story: A LIVE challenge designed to help you get your ideas out of your head and onto the page.Ep. 40 - How to Write a Well-Structured SceneEp. 43 - 10 Tips For Writing Better ScenesEp. 63 - Don’t Start A Scene Without These 3 ThingsEp. 74 - When Should You Write in Scene vs. Summary?Ep. 94 - How to Reveal Your Character’s Inner Life on the PageJoin the LIVE 5-Day Unlock Your Story Challenge here! Let me help you develop the 4 foundational elements of a working story idea—a plot that hooks interest, a protagonist with a compelling goal, conflict with high stakes, and a theme with heart—for only $47! Support the showWant to support the Fiction Writing Made Easy Podcast? Click here to show your support, starting at $3/month >

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[11:00] How to strengthen your capacity for zero (including some question prompts to get you started thinking about your current capacity for zero)[12:25] Final thoughts and episode recap.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 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:Ep. 71 - Student Spotlight: How She Wrote a Novel in 6 Months (and Landed an Agent 10 Months Later) with Stefanie MedrekFREE RESOURCE: Need help getting started with your story? This workbook will help you flesh out the foundational elements of your story so you can start writing with confidence and ease. Get your free copy here →Join the LIVE 5-Day Unlock Your Story Challenge here! Let me help you develop the 4 foundational elements of a working story idea—a plot that hooks interest, a protagonist with a compelling goal, conflict with high stakes, and a theme with heart—for only $47! Support the showWant to support the Fiction Writing Made Easy Podcast? Click here to show your support, starting at $3/month >

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 reviews, and recommend it to all their friends. It’s who all your marketing efforts need to speak to![5:35] Step 2: Start generating leads for your list by offering a freebie (or lead magnet) in exchange for email addresses. You could offer things like sample chapters, book club questions, free ebooks, character interviews, and more.[9:30] Step 3: Develop your content strategy so that you can stay in communication with your subscribers and build that “know, like, and trust” factor before you write and sell your next book. Don’t overcomplicate this step![12:25] Final thoughts and episode recap.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 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:Ep. 106 - 5 Steps to Building Your Author PlatformFREE RESOURCE: Need help getting started with your story? This workbook will help you flesh out the foundational elements of your story so you can start writing with confidence and ease. Get your free copy here →Join the LIVE 5-Day Unlock Your Story Challenge here! Let me help you develop the 4 foundational elements of a working story idea—a plot that hooks interest, a protagonist with a compelling goal, conflict with high stakes, and a theme with heart—for only $47! Support the showWant to support the Fiction Writing Made Easy Podcast? Click here to show your support, starting at $3/month >

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 communication strategy[15:42] Final thoughts and episode recap.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 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:Ep. 4 - How to Identify Your Story’s Ideal ReaderFREE RESOURCE: Need help getting started with your story? This workbook will help you flesh out the foundational elements of your story so you can start writing with confidence and ease. Get your free copy here →Join the LIVE 5-Day Unlock Your Story Challenge here! Let me help you develop the 4 foundational elements of a working story idea—a plot that hooks interest, a protagonist with a compelling goal, conflict with high stakes, and a theme with heart—for only $47! Support the showWant to support the Fiction Writing Made Easy Podcast? Click here to show your support, starting at $3/month >