The Novel Writing Podcast

How do you decide how many books should be in your series?

It's not as simple as picking a number out of the air. 

In this episode we cover what a series is versus what it isn't, how to understand how much story you have, cutoff points, and questions to ask yourself to help decide if the number you're thinking is the number you'll end up with.

Send us Fan Mail

What to do next…

• Read transcripts & access interview recordings on Substack
• Apply for Author Coaching with Colleen
• Take the 60 Day Novel Writing Challenge for FREE 
• Sell your eBooks direct with Curios (keep 100% of sales) - Affiliate Link
• Read Colleen's clean YA portal fantasy series (The Chronicles of Talahm)
• Read Halie's YA fantasy series (Secrets of the Tally)
• Leave a review on Apple Podcasts

What makes a character memorable?

It's more than just what they look like, who they are, or what they say.

Check out these six techniques for crafting memorable characters, which you can do before you even start writing the first draft!

Send us Fan Mail

What to do next…

• Read transcripts & access interview recordings on Substack
• Apply for Author Coaching with Colleen
• Take the 60 Day Novel Writing Challenge for FREE 
• Sell your eBooks direct with Curios (keep 100% of sales) - Affiliate Link
• Read Colleen's clean YA portal fantasy series (The Chronicles of Talahm)
• Read Halie's YA fantasy series (Secrets of the Tally)
• Leave a review on Apple Podcasts

Many writers, both newbies and veterans alike, struggle to finish first drafts.

So what's the magic formula for actually writing "The End"?

Spoiler: There is no magic formula, but The 60 Day Novel Writing Challenge is pretty darn close.

Listen in to see if you're heading down one of the three paths that don't lead to a finished draft, and how The 60 Day Novel Writing Challenge can get you on the right track.

Send us Fan Mail

What to do next…

• Read transcripts & access interview recordings on Substack
• Apply for Author Coaching with Colleen
• Take the 60 Day Novel Writing Challenge for FREE 
• Sell your eBooks direct with Curios (keep 100% of sales) - Affiliate Link
• Read Colleen's clean YA portal fantasy series (The Chronicles of Talahm)
• Read Halie's YA fantasy series (Secrets of the Tally)
• Leave a review on Apple Podcasts

Many authors want to be traditionally published because of the percieved prestige that comes with the name of a Big Publishing House.

Unfortunately, the publishing industry has changed A LOT in the last 20 years, and it's no longer a guarantee that signing with one of the Big 5 Traditional Publishers will make you big money.

In this episode, we're breaking down the first myth in publishing, which is the idea that traditional = success.

To dive deeper into the results of the DOJ vs. Penguin Random House trial referenced in this episode, listen to the full breakdown on the Novel Marketing Podcast, found HERE.

Send us Fan Mail

What to do next…

• Read transcripts & access interview recordings on Substack
• Apply for Author Coaching with Colleen
• Take the 60 Day Novel Writing Challenge for FREE 
• Sell your eBooks direct with Curios (keep 100% of sales) - Affiliate Link
• Read Colleen's clean YA portal fantasy series (The Chronicles of Talahm)
• Read Halie's YA fantasy series (Secrets of the Tally)
• Leave a review on Apple Podcasts

Don't publish the infodump!

It's easy to infodump even when you don't mean to, which is why editors and critique partners are so important before publishing.

While infodumping is part of the normal drafting process, authors should take care not to let it bog down the final draft.

Send us Fan Mail

What to do next…

• Read transcripts & access interview recordings on Substack
• Apply for Author Coaching with Colleen
• Take the 60 Day Novel Writing Challenge for FREE 
• Sell your eBooks direct with Curios (keep 100% of sales) - Affiliate Link
• Read Colleen's clean YA portal fantasy series (The Chronicles of Talahm)
• Read Halie's YA fantasy series (Secrets of the Tally)
• Leave a review on Apple Podcasts

What is an unreliable narrator? 

Writers and readers alike use this moniker often without understanding what it really means.

In this episode, we break down what an unreliable narrator is, the best genres that make use of them, pros and cons, and four examples of characters in popular literature who are unreliable narrators.

Send us Fan Mail

What to do next…

• Read transcripts & access interview recordings on Substack
• Apply for Author Coaching with Colleen
• Take the 60 Day Novel Writing Challenge for FREE 
• Sell your eBooks direct with Curios (keep 100% of sales) - Affiliate Link
• Read Colleen's clean YA portal fantasy series (The Chronicles of Talahm)
• Read Halie's YA fantasy series (Secrets of the Tally)
• Leave a review on Apple Podcasts

As a reader, how do you react when a random character comes to the rescue during the climax?

Odds are, you probably feel cheated.

In this episode, we break down this literary sin and how to avoid committing it.

Click here to find out if our Coaching & Critique Group is the right fit for you!

Send us Fan Mail

What to do next…

• Read transcripts & access interview recordings on Substack
• Apply for Author Coaching with Colleen
• Take the 60 Day Novel Writing Challenge for FREE 
• Sell your eBooks direct with Curios (keep 100% of sales) - Affiliate Link
• Read Colleen's clean YA portal fantasy series (The Chronicles of Talahm)
• Read Halie's YA fantasy series (Secrets of the Tally)
• Leave a review on Apple Podcasts

Struggling with being a productive writer?

We all fall into distraction traps and periods of low productivity.

All productivity tips are like tools in a toolbox, and having multiple is a great way to break out of writer's block.

This episode covers the last 5 of 10 productivity tips for writers to keep in mind as we start 2025!

Click here to find out if our Coaching & Critique Group is the right fit for you!

Send us Fan Mail

What to do next…

• Read transcripts & access interview recordings on Substack
• Apply for Author Coaching with Colleen
• Take the 60 Day Novel Writing Challenge for FREE 
• Sell your eBooks direct with Curios (keep 100% of sales) - Affiliate Link
• Read Colleen's clean YA portal fantasy series (The Chronicles of Talahm)
• Read Halie's YA fantasy series (Secrets of the Tally)
• Leave a review on Apple Podcasts

Struggling with being a productive writer? 

We all fall into distraction traps and periods of low productivity. 

All productivity tips are like tools in a toolbox, and having multiple is a great way to break out of writer's block.

This episode covers the first 5 of 10 productivity tips for writers to keep in mind as we start 2025!

Send us Fan Mail

What to do next…

• Read transcripts & access interview recordings on Substack
• Apply for Author Coaching with Colleen
• Take the 60 Day Novel Writing Challenge for FREE 
• Sell your eBooks direct with Curios (keep 100% of sales) - Affiliate Link
• Read Colleen's clean YA portal fantasy series (The Chronicles of Talahm)
• Read Halie's YA fantasy series (Secrets of the Tally)
• Leave a review on Apple Podcasts

Are you ready to hit 2025 running toward your writing goals?

If not, do not fear! 

This episode covers 5 essential tactics for planning a successful writing year, no matter what your goals are.

2025 is right around the corner, and before you know it you'll be striving toward your next writing achievement.

Send us Fan Mail

What to do next…

• Read transcripts & access interview recordings on Substack
• Apply for Author Coaching with Colleen
• Take the 60 Day Novel Writing Challenge for FREE 
• Sell your eBooks direct with Curios (keep 100% of sales) - Affiliate Link
• Read Colleen's clean YA portal fantasy series (The Chronicles of Talahm)
• Read Halie's YA fantasy series (Secrets of the Tally)
• Leave a review on Apple Podcasts