The Better Writer Podcast

You want to join a November writing challenge, but you’re in the middle of your revisions.

Should you drop your project and do something new for Novel November? Maybe, if you want to. But there’s another option.

You can use Novel November to revise your novel instead. You just need to choose the right goal for where you are in the revision process.

Here are 8 goals you can set if you’re revising your book but still want to participate in a writing challenge:

1. Words rewritten
2. Words edited
3. Scenes revised
4. Words deleted
5. Worldbuilding & character development work
6. Pages/books read
7. A reverse outline sprint
8. A learning sprint
9. A promo/marketing sprint

For my explanation of all eight goals and when to consider them, listen to the full episode!

You can also check out a list of NaNoWriMo alternatives with links to sign up here.

Just FYI, I am not affiliated with or sponsoring any of these challenges and haven't even decided if I'm joining one this year!

For a full transcript of the episode, please visit https://oliviahelpswriters.com/bwp/46

For our 45th episode, I went live!!

That means the audio is a little rough, the audio-only version and transcript were late and the first few seconds are me fiddling with the camera.

This was my practice run for the Authortube Writing Conference and by that measure - it was a success!

In this episode of the Better Writer Podcast, I'm talking all about writing challenges. Should you join one? What are the benefits? And who should stay far, far away.

I'm going to talk about one of the most popular and outlandish writing challenges out there - the now-defunct NaNoWriMo challenge which has been reborn as Prowritingaid's Novel November, Dabble's 60-day novel writing challenge, and others. Should you really try to write 50,000 words in one month? What are the alternatives if that sounds bonkers to you but you still want a challenge?

Hear my thoughts in this special live episode of the Better Writer Podcast!

You can check out a list of NaNoWriMo alternatives with links to sign up here.

Just FYI, I am not affiliated with or sponsoring any of these challenges and haven't even decided if I'm joining one this year.

You can find a full transcript & video of the episode at oliviahelpswriters.com/bwp/45!

For our 44th episode, I’m doing something special - my first interview episode!!

This week, I’m sharing a great conversation with Barbra Rodriguez an editor, book coach, and experienced health writer.

We talked all about writing fictional characters who have diverse health statuses, especially for those of us who write or work with historical fiction.

You’ll learn how to approach the research phase, how to be sensitive to modern understandings of medical conditions while writing accurate historical fiction, and more!

If you enjoyed this interview and want to hear more from Barbra you can check out her website here.

Want to learn more about writing characters with varied health conditions? You can check out Barbra’s free guide to selecting trustworthy online and other health-information resources here!

Thanks for listening, keep writing, and keep getting better one word at a time!

For a full transcript of the episode, please visit https://oliviahelpswriters.com/bwp/44

The next cohort of Reader Ready Revisions starts on October 5th, 2026 and I don't want you to miss out!

I’ve talked a lot about this program, so today I want to talk to the person who is interested but not 100% sure that this course is right for them.

I started my outline for this episode with 8 reasons, but they were too basic. You’ll still hear those reasons at the end, but first I wanted to get a little bit personal.

I talk about the types of writers I was thinking of when I built this course. The people that I'm delighted to help and how I use this course to make writing work for them!

If you hear yourself in the writers I describe here, go to ReaderReadyRevisions.com and apply for the next cohort!

Not quite sure? You can book a short, no-obligation call with me here.

Happy writing and I hope to see you in Reader Ready Revisions soon!!

Welcome to another bonus episode of the Better Writer Podcast, the third and final replay from my Revision Kickstart Challenge.

The live sessions are now over, but if you hear this episode before 10/4/26 you can still register for the challenge and get access to the workbooks and video replays at OHWRevisionClass.com.

Here's what we talked about in session #3:

1. What to do in each phase of the revision process.
2. How to structure your revisions so you can work more efficiently.
3. Where feedback fits into the revision process.
4. Ways I can support you during the revision process.
5. And more!

As a reminder, if you're listening to this episode before 10/4/26 you can register for replay access and download the session workbooks.

Find all the details at OHWRevisionClass.com.

Ready to go all in on your revisions this fall? Reader Ready Revisions is open for enrollment and the next session starts on October 5th!

Learn more and apply at ReaderReadyRevisions.com.

Welcome to an extra special episode of the Better Writer Podcast!

In this bonus episode, I'm sharing a replay of the live Revision Kickstart Challenge I'm running from 9/22-9/24.

Here's what we talked about in session #2:

1. Why genre is the most important decision you'll make about your book.
2. Why identifying a specific, niche audience is better than trying to write a book that appeals to everyone.
3. How to create a profile of your ideal readers.
4. Identifying the people that you want to repel (and why we need to push some readers away).

If you're listening to this episode the day it comes out, it is not too late to join the challenge and show up live to our last session on 9/24/26 at 3:30pm Eastern.

Just go to OHWRevisionClass.com to register for free!

Listening before 10/4/26? You can register for replay access even if the live calls are over.

Find all the details at OHWRevisionClass.com.

Welcome to an extra special episode of the Better Writer Podcast!

In this bonus episode, I'm sharing a replay of the live Revision Kickstart Challenge I'm running from 9/22-9/24.

Here's what we talked about in session #1:

1. Why the writing habits you learned in school won't cut it when you're trying to revise.
2. What it really means to get your book ready for readers
3. Your inspiration & vision of success
4. The mindsets that support revision success
5. And more!

If you're listening to this episode the day it comes out, it is not too late to join the challenge live. Just go to OHWRevisionClass.com to register for free!

Listening before 10/4/26? You can register for replay access even if the live calls are over.

Find all the details at OHWRevisionClass.com.

P.S. Listening from the future? Just head to oliviahelpswriters.com - I'm sure I have something great coming up that will help you revise with confidence!

Thanks you for listening, keep writing, and keep getting better one word at a time!!

This episode is my love letter to anyone who has looked at their messy draft and wanted to cry.

It doesn’t matter what your draft looks like right now, you aren’t doomed and this draft isn’t destiny. It might not be easy, but you can make your book work.

This week’s episode is part pep talk, part motivational speech, part call to action.

Listen now and get inspired to write the best book possible!

And if you want my help to kickstart your revisions, join me for the Revision Kickstart Challenge starting today!!!!

This free 3-day event runs from September 22nd - 24th!

Over those 3 days, I’ll teach you how to set yourself up for success, set a vision for your book, and prepare for the revision work ahead.

Listening to this after the challenge starts? That’s okay! You can register for replay access until 10/4/26!

Get the full details and register for the challenge at OHWRevisionClass.com!

I can’t wait to see you live and help you write a better book!!

Thanks for listening, keep writing, and keep getting better one word at a time!

For a full transcript of the episode, please visit https://oliviahelpswriters.com/bwp/42

Editing is great, don't get me wrong, but it is not your only option for getting support as a writer, and honestly, is not the best option in a lot of situations.

You know what is? Coaching.

In Episode 41 of the Better Writer Podcast, I’m talking all about the difference between editing and coaching and 6 reasons to choose coaching over editing as you revise your novel.

And if you want to learn even more from me, join me for the Revision Kickstart Challenge!

This free 3-day event runs from September 22nd - 24th!

Over those 3 days, I’ll teach you how to set yourself up for success, set a vision for your book, and prepare for the revision work ahead.

Plus, there just might be some fun prizes available!

Get the full details and register for the challenge at OHWRevisionClass.com!

I can’t wait to see you live and help you write a better book!!

Thanks for listening, keep writing, and keep getting better one word at a time!

For a full transcript of the episode, please visit https://oliviahelpswriters.com/bwp/41

Dear Pantsers, if you think that you’re allergic to all outlines, think again. Pantsers can still use outlines, just not for planning their stories.

Instead, I teach pantsers to use outlines in revision. A reverse outline specifically.

Listen to episode 40 for all the ways that pantsers can use reverse outlines to get clarity on their stories and plan their revisions before rewriting their full draft 10,000 times.

And if you want to learn even more from me, join me for the Revision Kickstart Challenge!!

This free 3-day event runs from September 22nd - 24th!

Over those 3 days, I’ll teach you how to set yourself up for success, set a vision for your book, and prepare for the revision work ahead.

Plus, there just might be some fun prizes available!

Get the full details and register for the challenge at OHWRevisionClass.com!

I can’t wait to see you live and help you write a better book!!

Thanks for listening, keep writing, and keep getting better one word at a time!

For a full transcript of the episode, please visit https://oliviahelpswriters.com/bwp/40