The Better Writer Podcast

June has always been a reflective time of year for me. As a former teacher, the end of the school year is the second New Year’s. It’s also my birthday month and now a double anniversary - I started my business in June 2022 and took it full time in June 2024.

So, as I reflect, I’m sharing eight lessons I’ve learned since turning my love of fiction into a career.

If you find this episode helpful, guess what? I share insights like this every week in my email newsletter. Subscribe at the link below!

Here are the resources mentioned in this newsletter:

• Subscribe to my newsletter here: https://olivia-helps-writers.kit.com/better-writer-newsletter
• Learn more about me & my work with writers here: https://oliviahelpswriters.com

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/29.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction

01:33 #1: Turn Up the Dial on Your Conflicts

02:51 #2: More Intense Doesn't Just Mean More

04:57 #3: Your First Draft Won't Have Your Best Ideas

09:12 #4: Beginning Authors Underestimate the Work

11:34 #5: Debut Authors Can Get Book Deals

13:33 #6: Indie Publishing Is More Than a Fallback

15:38 #7: Characterization Isn't Random Characteristics

17:08 #8: Your Story Matters

You’re writing a book and you want readers to love it. But are you using tropes and worldbuilding elements that could harm your future readers? Whether consciously or unconsciously, you may be including harmful stereotypes or tropes in your stories.

In this episode of the Better Writer Podcast, I’m sharing four mindsets that can help you worldbuild & write with sensitivity so you can avoid limiting your audience prematurely or accidentally falling into your own misrepresentation trap.

Let’s dive in!

Resources related to this episode (some mentioned, some not, all here to help you write better books):

• Writing the Other (many resources on representing varied racial & minority groups respectfully): https://writingtheother.com/
• Verna Myers’ TEDTalk “How to overcome our biases? Walk boldly toward them”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYyvbgINZkQ
• Molly Rookwood’s Blog Post “Antisemitism in Fantasy and Fairy Tales”: https://www.rookwoodediting.com/post/antisemitism-in-fantasy-and-fairy-tales
• My blog post “First, Do No Harm: World Building Tropes to Avoid”: https://www.oliviahelpswriters.com/blog/world-building-tropes-to-avoid
• Another blog post from me “3 Resources for Improving LGBTQIA+ Representation in Your Stories”: https://www.oliviahelpswriters.com/blog/improve-lgbtqia-representation-in-your-stories

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/28.

00:00 Intro

06:23 Mindset 1: Listen & Learn

09:50 Mindset 2: Leaning on "classic" tropes Isn't an excuse.

15:48 Mindset 3: Don't Write for One Reader

20:12 Mindset 4: Think Beyond Trauma

Most fiction writers know they’ll need help at some point, and those planning to publish know that feedback from a professional editor can help them write a successful book. But what kind of editing do you actually need? Do you need developmental editing or a book coach? Copy editing or proofreading? And what about line editing?

It’s a complicated question without a one-size-fits-all answer. So, let’s talk about it.

The answer depends on two factors: your publishing plan and your skill as a writer.

Listen to learn about the different types of editors and how to know which types of feedback you’ll need at each stage in your writing process.

• Request a sample edit from Olivia (closed to the public until July 7th): https://www.oliviahelpswriters.com/sample-edit
• Margie Lawson’s line editing courses: https://www.margielawson.com/lawson-writers-academy-2/
• Learn more about the different types of editors here: https://www.oliviahelpswriters.com/blog/types-of-editing-and-editors

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/27.

00:00 Intro

01:51 Types of Editing

06:36 Editing Needs for Trad vs. Self-Pub

11:12 Do you need developmental or line editing?

11:51 Editing for Absolute Beginners

16:05 When to Hire a Developmental Editor

20:27 Do You Need Line Editing?

22:25 Making Your Decision

25:52 Final Thoughts on Editorial Support

Revision isn’t just about perfecting your plot or sharpening scenes. Revision is also mental and emotional. In this episode, I’m breaking down the 6 mindsets that fiction writers need to embrace in order to successfully revise their books.

The six mindsets are:

1. Don’t compare your draft to a finished book.

2. Don’t be afraid of big changes.

3. Be patient.

4. Feedback isn’t law.

5. You can make your book great.

6. Embrace collaboration.

These mindsets aren’t always easy to embrace, but they will help you create a book that works for readers.

Listen to the full episode to learn why each of these mindsets is crucial and my advice for making them part of your process.

Want my support through every step of the revision process? My course/group coaching program Reader Ready Revisions is open for enrollment right now. You can learn more and apply for the next cohort here: https://readerreadyrevisions.com.

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/26.

00:29 Revision & Mindset

01:14 Mindset 1: Don't compare your draft to a finished book

04:03 Mindset 2: Don't be afraid of big changes.

06:28 Mindset 3: Be patient.

07:46 Mindset 4: Feedback isn't law

12:42 Mindset 5: You can make your book great.

16:17 Mindset 6: Embrace Collaboration

What do you think of when you think of revising your novel? Do you imagine diving in to your novel and starting to make changes on the page?

That’s an important step, but there are actually three whole steps that come first. Why? Because planning ahead of time means you’re more likely to revise strategically, not haphazardly.

Here are the three steps that need to come first:

1. Visualize your finished book so you have a destination for your revisions.
2. Analyze your draft so you know exactly what needs work.
3. Strategize your revisions so you can choose solutions that will make the entire book better, not just parts of it.

Want to learn more about the revision mistakes that keep fiction writers stuck? Sign up for my FREE revision masterclass. It’s called Finally Finish Your Book: Stop Making the 5 Revision Mistakes Keeping Your Story Stuck.

You can learn more about the class here: https://ohwrevisionclass.com/

Ready to register? Choose your session and sign up here:

• Wednesday, May 20th: https://olivia-helps-writers.kit.com/masterclass-may20
• Thursday, May 21st: https://olivia-helps-writers.kit.com/masterclass-may21
• Saturday, May 23rd: https://olivia-helps-writers.kit.com/masterclass-may23
• Tuesday, May 26th: https://olivia-helps-writers.kit.com/masterclass-may26

Can’t make any of them? Register anyway and I’ll send you the replay as soon as we’re done!

If you show up live OR watch the replay within 24 hours, you’ll get my book map template for free! See you there!

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/25.

Did you know that outlines aren't just for planning your novel? You can actually use an outline to revise as well, and it might just become your revision secret weapon.

This episode is your quick and dirty introduction to reverse outlining. A reverse outline is a versatile tool that you can use to make revision less confusing and overwhelming.

Here’s what you’ll learn in this episode:

1. The definition of a reverse outline
2. Why reverse outlines are particularly powerful for pantsers
3. How to use a reverse outline for revision
4. How to use a reverse outline as your revision plan

Sign up for my FREE revision masterclass and finally finish your book. You can learn more about the class here: https://ohwrevisionclass.com/

Ready to register? Choose your session and sign up here:

• Wednesday, May 20th: https://olivia-helps-writers.kit.com/masterclass-may20
• Thursday, May 21st: https://olivia-helps-writers.kit.com/masterclass-may21
• Saturday, May 23rd: https://olivia-helps-writers.kit.com/masterclass-may23
• Tuesday, May 26th: https://olivia-helps-writers.kit.com/masterclass-may26

Choose the session that works for you and I’ll see you there! Can’t make any of them? Register anyway and I’ll send you the replay as soon as we’re done!

If you show up live OR watch the replay within 24 hours, you’ll get my book map template for free!

Here are the resources mentioned in this episode:

• Read more about creating and using a reverse outline in this blog post https://www.oliviahelpswriters.com/blog/reverse-outlining-what-why-and-how
• Want to learn my step-by-step process for creating, analyzing, and using a reverse outline to revise your novel? Join the next round of Reader Ready Revisions here: https://www.oliviahelpswriters.com/reader-ready-revisions
• Have a response to this episode? Hit me up on Instagram @oliviahelpswriters https://instagram.com/oliviahelpswriters

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/24.

Fiction writers, can you answer these five questions about your book? If not, it’s time to stop, drop what you’re doing and listen to this podcast episode. I’m covering five crucial questions that you should answer before you start revising your book so that you can give your revisions direction and focus. They are:

1. Why this book?
2. What is your genre?
3. Who are you writing for?
4. What experience do you want readers to have?
5. How do you plan to publish?

Need help figuring out your answers to these questions? The next round of Reader Ready Revisions is officially open for enrollment! Not only will I teach you how to answer these questions, you’ll get my feedback to make sure you’re on the right track and help you shape your revision process based on your answers!

You can learn more and apply to join at www.ReaderReadyRevisions.com!

If we haven’t met, I’m Olivia, a developmental editor & book coach who helps genre fiction writers master a repeatable writing process so they can create books their future readers will love without overwhelm.

Here are the resources mentioned in this episode:

• Listen to Joanna Penn's podcast, The Creative Penn Podcast here: https://www.thecreativepenn.com/the-creative-penn-podcast-for-authors/ (sorry, I couldn't find that episode)
• Apply for the next round of Reader Ready Revisions here: https://www.oliviahelpswriters.com/reader-ready-revisions
• Grab my FREE Revision Kickstart Guide and join my newsletter here: https://olivia-helps-writers.ck.page/94b0145ae9
• Have a response to this episode? Hit me up on Instagram @oliviahelpswriters https://instagram.com/oliviahelpswriters

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/23.

I love writers but, I have to be honest, I don’t put you first. That honor belongs to your future readers.

And you, my friend, should be putting your future readers first too. Why? Because readers will ultimately decide whether your book is a success - or not - once it’s published.

Here are my top tips for fiction writers who want to revise with readers in mind:

1. Know Your Ideal Reader: If you try to write for everyone, you’ll end up writing for no one. Instead, I want you to get super-specific about who your book is for and what matters most to them.
2. Know Your Genre: Once you know who you’re writing for, you have to know what they want from you. That means getting super specific about what your genre demands at a structural and scene level.
3. Put Readers' Priorities First: Readers care about the craft elements that most shape their experience. Conflict, character, immersive scenes that show instead of tell, and more. While you can also focus on your favorite craft elements, you need to deliver on the things readers want first.
4. Find Balance: What you love matters too! There are times when you need to make sacrifices for readers and time to stick to your guns and make sure that your book is still your book when you’re done.

Need help figuring out how to put your readers first in revision? The next round of Reader Ready Revisions starts soon! Not only will I teach you how to identify your ideal readers and genre expectations, you’ll get my feedback on your work to make sure you’re on the right track before your revision even starts!

Join the waitlist here and get early access + special bonuses.

If we haven’t met, I’m Olivia, a developmental editor & book coach who helps genre fiction writers master a repeatable writing process so they can create books their future readers will love without overwhelm.

Here are the resources mentioned in this episode:

• Want to be the first to know when Reader Ready Revisions opens? Join the waitlist here: https://www.oliviahelpswriters.com/reader-ready-revisions
• Grab my FREE Revision Kickstart Guide and join my newsletter here
• Have a response to this episode? Hit me up on Instagram @oliviahelpswriters

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/22.

When I’m not reading fiction or books about writing, I’m reading business books.

A recent favorite, Who Not How by Dan Sullivan and Dr. Benjamin Hardy. Now, I want to tell you all about it. Why? Because there are so many gems in this book that also apply to the writing fiction.

And no, I don’t mean the business side of publishing (but you should totally check it out for that aspect as well, especially if you’re self-publishing). These insights also apply to the process of writing fiction.

Here are four insights from Who Not How that will help you write a better book:

1. You Will Need Feedback to Finish - Unless you’re solely writing for yourself, you need to make sure that your writing works for other people. How does that happen? Feedback!
2. Know What "Done" Means To You - Give in to perfectionism and you’ll end up tweaking your novel for eternity. Call it done when key elements still aren’t working? You’ll fall short of your goals. Finding the happy medium means knowing what done means to you and holding yourself to that standard.
3. Don't Struggle Alone - Writing a novel isn’t just hard on a craft level, it’s grueling on an emotional level. When you’re feeling stuck or just plain hopeless about your book, it’s time to call on writer friends for support.
4. Stop Striving Solo - Other writers aren’t your competition. After all, you can’t possibly write enough books to fully satisfy your readers. Trying to do everything on your own is a recipe for toxic thinking that keeps you stuck.

If we haven’t met, I’m Olivia, a developmental editor & book coach who helps genre fiction writers master a repeatable writing process so they can create books their future readers will love without overwhelm.

Here are the resources mentioned in this episode:

• Learn more about Who Not How by Dan Sullivan and Dr. Benjamin Hardy here
• Want to be the first to know when Reader Ready Revisions opens? Join the waitlist here
• Grab my FREE Revision Kickstart Guide and join my newsletter here
• Have a response to this episode? Hit me up on Instagram @oliviahelpswriters

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/21.

Disclaimer: I am not at all affiliated with Dan Sullivan, Dr. Benjamin Hardy, or Strategic Coach.

I did something big this week: I closed to sample edit requests for the first time since I started my business.

That decision was partially logistical, but only partially. It also represents a philosophical shift in my business. I’m transitioning away from an editing-focused model to a book coaching focused model.

Whether you’ve ever intended to work with me or not, I hope this episode helps you think through the options open to you as a writer so you can make an informed decision about what kind of help is right for you, no matter where you are in your writing journey.

Here are the resources and tools mentioned in this episode:

• Want to be the first to know when I open to sample edits on June 9th AND get a head start on the first phase of the revision process? Grab my FREE Revision Kickstart Guide right here: https://olivia-helps-writers.ck.page/94b0145ae9
• Have a response to this episode? Hit me up on Instagram @oliviahelpswriters
• Learn more about working with a book coach here: https://www.authoraccelerator.com/

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/20.