Let's Write Your Novel!

#043  "What is your book about?" It's a daunting question, and many working writers aren't in the position to answer it. But having a concise summary of the what and why of your book is beneficial, not only for those awkward moments at a party but for your own writing process. In this episode, we look at examples of short book summaries and break down what they are and how they help us.

Links:
FREE GUIDE! 10 Essential Questions to Ask Before Starting Your Novel

#042   Writers bring ourselves to our fiction in big and small ways, but we don't always recognize that we're doing it. In this week's episode. we'll explore some of the ways we put ourselves in our fiction, and the number one reason why it's important to know how much of this story is OUR story.

Links:
Free guide! 10 Essential Questions to Ask Before Starting Your Novel

#041  How much should I be writing? Am I writing enough? These are questions that plague writers, especially those of us who have busy lives outside of writing. And we usually answer ourselves with a resounding NO. In today's episode, I'm giving you a strategy to figure out exactly how much writing time is your minimum. (And guess what? It's different for everyone.) Once you know this, you'll never need to ask this question again.

Links:
Free Guide! 10 Essential Questions to Ask Before Starting Your Novel

#040   We all know the maxim that writers should be avid readers. But did you know that part of the reason is because your reading life can add to your revision strategies? In this episode, we look at three specific strategies for using your reading life to revise your current work in progress.

Links:
Free Guide! 10 Essential Questions to Ask Before Starting Your Novel

#039  You want to join a "writing group," but do you know exactly what you're looking for? In this episode, we'll make the distinction between writing buddies and critique groups, as well as between editors and book coaches.

Links:
Free Guide! 10 Essential Questions to Ask Before Starting Your Novel
A good article re: different types of editor services

Previous blog + podcast episodes re: getting feedback:

• Ep. 25: Build Your Support System
• Ep. 33: What Kind of Feedback Do You Need?

#038   Have you heard the phrase “show, don’t tell”? Have you ever had a reader suggest that you “show” as scene rather than just explain it? And have you wondered what the heck they mean or how in the world to do it?  In today's episode, I break it down to the essentials and give you an exercise to try with your own WIP.

Links:
Unstick Your Story consultation

#037  Is your narrator telling the story from the future or from the present? This is a crucial question to ask as you set out to write your story. In this episode, we talk about why it matters and how to figure it out.

Links:
Unstick Your Story consultation

#036   What does your commitment to your writing look like? This is what we explore in this quick but essential episode. Without commitment, it won't get done. Let's explore what commitment means and how to evaluate your own (with zero judgement or shame).  For more writing tips, visit https://hellowriters.net.

#035    There is more to an effective writing practice than simply writing. In this episode, I break down the seven (plus one) things you want to do on a regular basis in order to grow as a writer and strengthen your works-in-progress.

Links:
Ep 27: Read Like a Writer
Ep 34: Revising Along the Way
Unstick Your Story
Accountability and Time Management coaching
Free course!  4 Steps to a Solid First Draft of Your Book

#034   Don't save your revision until you've written an entire first draft...revise along the way! In this episode we discuss the value of intentionally revising a little bit each week, starting from the very beginning of the project.

Links:
Episode 34 handout
Prior episodes about planning:
     #16 Three Reasons to Plan Your Story
     #19 Two Things to Know
     #26 Know the End From the Beginning
Stephanie's book coaching services
Free course! From Stuck to Story: 4 Steps to a Solid First Draft of Your Book