The Better Writer Podcast

It's no secret that I love reverse outlining. I genuinely think that a reverse outline is the best revision tool for pantsers or anyone else who is just starting out and has a messy draft.

However, I also know that there might be a writer out there who has tried reverse outlining in the past and wanted it to fix their messy draft, but it didn't work.

If you’re the writer who tried and gave up on reverse outlines, you might think that reverse outlines just don't work, or maybe that they just don't work for you. And that is possible - I will never say that any strategy is one size fits all - but it's also possible that you were missing the two things that make a reverse outline successful: a standard to evaluate that reverse outline with and a strategy for turning that outline into action.

In this episode of the Better Writer Podcast, I’m exploring the biggest reverse outline mistake writers make and the two elements that are critical for turning a basic summary into a powerful revision tool.

If you’re thinking about giving reverse outlining a second try OR you’re thinking about trying it for the first time, this episode is the perfect starting point!

Want a guide to my entire revision process? Check out my FREE revision checklist for pantsers 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/39

00:00 When Reverse Outlines Fail

01:27 The Problem with Reverse Outlines

04:30 Essential #1: A Standard to Evaluate Your Outline

12:59 Essential #2: A Strategy that Turns Outline Into Action

If you’re a fiction writer struggling to revise your book, a revision myth may be to blame. Too many writers have bought into a certain image of revision, or a certain method that was never a fit for them or how they write. If you think that your revision problem is just a sign that you’re undisciplined or bad at writing, I have news, you’re not the problem, your revision plan is.

In this episode, I’m talking about six common revision myths that can derail even the most committed aspiring author. The problem is that most revision methods were never made for people who write messy. Those methods assume your structure is coherent and your story is ready for detailed edits.

Unfortunately, those processes aren’t right for beginners or pantsers but that doesn’t mean your book is doomed. You just need a different plan.

Stop trying to make faulty revision methods work for you and instead try a method that’s actually designed to be efficient and effective for writers with rough, rough drafts. Listen for the myths and stay tuned for a revision plan that you can actually make work for you!

Here are the resources mentioned in this episode:

• If you want my full revision checklist - a step-by-step overview of the entire four phase revision process I teach my clients - for FREE, click here.

• To listen to Episode 37: Why Revising Fiction Sucks So Much (but doesn’t have to…), click here.
• To listen to Episode 2: Your High School English Teacher Lied - Let's Talk About It (which talks about all the ways high school classrooms get revision wrong), click 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/38

I love revision, but I know that most writers don’t. In fact, for many writers revision sucks so much that it keeps them from finding the book they poured their heart and soul into while drafting.

Today, I’m talking about what makes revision suck so we can normalize the struggle AND tips for helping you manage the process so you can confidently create your second draft (or beyond).

If you want my full revision checklist - a step-by-step overview of the entire four phase revision process I teach my clients - for FREE, click 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/37

Don’t get me wrong, developmental editing can be insanely valuable for writers, but it’s not the best option for all writers. In fact, I would argue that it’s not the best option for anyone working on their first book.

I’m seeing more and more writers embrace coaching, but there are still plenty of people out there who think editing is their best option for getting feedback on a novel. In this episode, I’m going to take you behind the scenes of my business to share why I shifted from editing to coaching and the value that this change has for writers.

I’ll also clarify which writers are best served by edits and which should stick to coaching for now.

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/36

Writing craft books have been an essential part of my education as a writer & editor. In this episode, I’m sharing the final 5 books in my top 10 craft books for aspiring fiction writers.

Have a craft book recommendation to share? Hit me up in the DMs - I’m @oliviahelpswriters on Instagram!

Here are the resources mentioned in this show - please note, this list contains affiliate links:

• My Bookshop.org shop (affiliate link): https://bookshop.org/shop/oliviahelpswriters
• 7 Figure Fiction by T. Taylor: https://bookshop.org/a/93888/9781942167594
• DIY MFA by Gabriela Pereira: https://bookshop.org/a/93888/9781599639345
• Intuitive Editing by Tiffany Yates Martin: https://bookshop.org/a/93888/9781950830022
• Story Genius by Lisa Cron: https://bookshop.org/a/93888/9781607748892
• The Emotion Thesaurus by Becca Puglisi & Angela Ackerman: https://bookshop.org/a/93888/9780999296349

Don’t miss my summer workshop series!

• Revision Mindset Workshop - August 4th, 4:30pm. Register here for $49: https://oliviahelpswriters.thrivecart.com/revision-mindset-workshop/
• Genre Expectations Workshop - August 11th, 4:30pm. Register here for $49: https://oliviahelpswriters.thrivecart.com/genre-expectations-workshop/
• Ideal Reader Workshop - August 18th, 4:30pm. Register here for $49: https://oliviahelpswriters.thrivecart.com/ideal-reader-workshop/
• Get all three workshops for $97: https://oliviahelpswriters.thrivecart.com/summer-workshops-2026/

Seeing this from the future? You can still purchase the recordings with the links above!

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/35

Writing craft books have been an essential part of my education as a writer & editor. In this episode, I’m sharing 5 of my top 10 books for aspiring fiction writers (the final 5 will be shared next week).

Have a craft book recommendation to share? Hit me up in the DMs - I’m @oliviahelpswriters on Instagram!

Here are the resources mentioned in this show - please note, this list contains affiliate links:

• My Bookshop.org shop (affiliate link): https://bookshop.org/shop/oliviahelpswriters
• The Scene Book by Sandra Scofield: https://bookshop.org/a/93888/9780143038269
• Blueprint for a Book by Jennie Nash: https://bookshop.org/a/93888/9781733251129
• The Complete Art of World Building by Randy Ellefson: https://bookshop.org/a/93888/9781946995407
• Conflict and Suspense by James Scott Bell: https://bookshop.org/a/93888/9781599632735
• The Anatomy of Prose by Sacha Black: https://bookshop.org/a/93888/9781913236007
• The Rebel Author Podcast: https://sachablack.co.uk/the-rebel-author-podcast/

Want to hear more from me? Subscribe to my weekly newsletter, The Better Writer Weekly, here and get my Revision Kickstart Guide for free here: https://olivia-helps-writers.ck.page/94b0145ae9

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/34

00:00 Why I Love Craft Books

03:55 The Scene Book by Sandra Scofield

05:22 Blueprint for a Book by Jennie Nash

07:46 The Complete Art of World Building by Randy Ellefson

13:52 Conflict and Suspense by James Scott Bell

16:29 The Anatomy of Prose by Sacha Black

I’m a developmental editor & book coach who loves working with pantsers.

Failure is part of the writing life. Don’t believe me? Just take a look at the writers collecting rejections as they query, or the ones complaining about bad reviews from readers, or the ones who are silently waiting for someone–anyone–to take a chance on their book in the first place.

In reality, there are things that we cannot control in our writing lives. But there are also many things that we can control. That’s what I’m talking about today. Four mistakes that writers make in their writing or revision process. Mistakes that keep them stuck when they could be more successful.

The mistakes that keep readers stuck are:

1. Getting too attached to their original ideas.
2. Prioritizing the wrong things in revision.
3. Trying to please everyone by watering down your ideas.
4. Ignoring the weak spots in their writing craft.

Listen to the full episode for all the details.

Have a reaction to this episode? Let me know in the comments or hit me up on Instagram @oliviahelpswriters!

Want to hear more from me? Subscribe to my weekly newsletter, The Better Writer Weekly, here and get my Revision Kickstart Guide for free here: https://olivia-helps-writers.kit.com/revision-kickstart-guide

Here are the other resources mentioned in this episode:

• Listen to the Brandon Sanderson writing lectures here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLSH_xM-KC3ZvzkfVo_Dls0B5GiE2oMcLY
• Listen to episode two of the podcast here: https://oliviahelpswriters.com/bwp/2
• Check out my services for writers here: https://oliviahelpswriters.com/services

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/33

I’m a developmental editor & book coach who loves working with pantsers.

Does that surprise you? It shouldn’t.

Pantsers can write great books and no, I’m not going to sit here and tell you that you have to start using an outline for your projects. Instead, I’m going to tell you to figure out what works for you and then commit to making your books the best they can be within that process. It doesn’t matter how you do the work, as long as it gets done, and gets your book truly ready for readers.

Listen now to learn how I think of the difference between plotters and pantsers (hints it’s about which parts of the process light them up) and how I tested this idea in my classroom as a high school teacher.

Have a reaction to this episode? Come slide into my DMs - I’m @oliviahelpswriters on Instagram!

Want to hear more from me? Subscribe to my weekly newsletter, The Better Writer Weekly, here: https://olivia-helps-writers.kit.com/better-writer-newsletter

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

As a fiction writer, you know that feedback is essential. But you probably also know that even the smartest critique partners can end up giving you feedback that just doesn’t resonate. But what are you supposed to do next? Ignore the feedback completely? Grit your teeth and make the change because you respect the person giving it?

How about a more a strategic approach?

In this podcast episode, I’m going to give you a 5-step framework for strategically reviewing feedback you disagree with.

Here are the steps:

1. Take a break to process.
2. Consider the source.
3. Evaluate the feedback’s validity.
4. Separate the diagnosis from the cure.
5. Accept & implement OR reject and move on.

Listen to the full episode for all the details and examples of my own experiences with less-than-stellar feedback.

Want to work with me? Check out my services here: https://oliviahelpswriters.com/services

Want to start your revisions on the right foot before anyone else even sees the draft? Grab my free revision kickstart guide here: https://olivia-helps-writers.kit.com/revision-kickstart-guide

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/31.

00:00 Opening

01:05 Feedback Isn't a Mandate

04:35 Step 1: Take a Break

06:42 Step 2: Consider the Source

10:24 Step 3: Assess the Feedback's Validity

13:10 Assessing Feedback Validity

16:12 Step 4: Separate the Diagnosis and the Cure

22:31 Step 4: Accept & Implement OR Reject & Move On

You’re writing a book. You know that you need a professional editor to help you figure out how to revise your book successfully, but you’re not sure if you’re truly ready for such a big step. In this episode, I’m discussing five signs that you are ready to hire an editor. If you check all of these boxes, it’s time to reach out!

Here are the five signs that you are ready for professional editing:

1. You’ve taken your manuscript as far as you can on your own.
2. You’re actually open to feedback - not just looking for a rubber stamp on your writing.
3. You’re ready to invest in your work (even if you’re not guaranteed to make that money back).
4. You know how editing fits your personal and professional writing goals.
5. You’re emotionally ready to get feedback that may sting a little.

Want to hire me? Check out my services here.

Still revising on your own? Grab my free revision kickstart guide 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/30.

00:00 Intro

01:29 Sign 1: Your manuscript is ready.

02:56 Sign 2: You're open to feedback.

05:28 Sign 3: You're ready to invest.

07:11 Sign 4: You know what you want to get from editing.

08:29 Sign 5: You're emotionally ready.

10:49 Recap