The Novel Writing Podcast

The blurb is one of the hardest and most hated parts of an author's life... at least that's what it seems like!

In this episode, we break down why writing the blurb early is actually the smartest thing to do.

Blurbs don't need to be perfect or finalized immediately, but they should exist for the reasons discussed here.

Need help with your blurb? Check out our Coaching & Critique Group, where we hold Blurb Workshops and provide personalized feedback on your blurb drafts!

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

Where do you start when it comes to books on writing craft?

A simple search on Amazon for "writing craft books" brings up over 70,000 results.

This episode covers the books that I recommend over and over for writers inside the Challenge or our Coaching & Critique group.

From story structure and theme to tropes, genres, and beyond, use this episode as a starting point for building your writing craft library.

Visit tallyink.com for links to all of the books mentioned in this episode.

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

Have you committed this literary sin?

Having too large of a cast, or introducing too many characters at the same time, can lose readers and make them forget important details.

This, our second installment of the Literary Sins Series, addresses the problems of a large cast and offers solutions for how to fix them.

Check out the 5-Day Character Development Challenge at tallyink.com.

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 curious about Author Nation and whether you should go next year?

This episode covers who Author Nation is for, what kinds of sessions were offered, my overall takeaways, and some favorite sessions.

I also talk about what I would do differently next time.

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

Do you get stressed and overwhelmed whenever you look at everything it takes to publish a book, whether you're pursuing self publishing or traditional?

You're not alone. I see this in a lot of authors, especially the ones working on the first or second draft.

This episode presents a different way to filter your perspective so you can stop freaking out and get back to work on your book.

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

How do you know when it's time to switch from the writing mode to the editing mode?

What even is the difference between them? 

In this episode I share a different way to think about this that allows us the freedom to move from one to the other with ease.

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

Writer's Block Bonus Category - Creative Powerhouse!

Halie calls this result a TRIPLE THREAT! AKA, nothing really slows you down.

Or does it?

Creative Powerhouses aren't immune to bumps in the road, and this episode covers why.

To find out your primary blocker, take our Writer's Block Quiz! This quiz will diagnose your writer's block and how to best deal with it.

Take the quiz here!

https://www.the60daynovelwritingchallenge.com/writers-block-quiz-embed

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 do you do when you have more than one story idea floating around in your head?

Do you work on just one? 

Write multiple at once?

Something in between?

Like most writing questions, the answer is "it depends".

This episode breaks down how to approach your writing decisions when you have more than one idea, and whether you should complete a project before moving on to the next one.

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

Writer's Block Category #3 - Difficulty Prioritizing

When your to-do list is miles long and keeps growing every second, it can feel irresponsible and indulgent to write.

But the truth is that your writing is important, and creativity is a form of self care.

This episode covers the paradox of choice and different methods for prioritizing your life so that writing remains towar the top of the list.

To find out your primary blocker, take our Writer's Block Quiz! This quiz will diagnose your writer's block and how to best deal with it.

Take the quiz here!

https://www.the60daynovelwritingchallenge.com/writers-block-quiz-embed

Prioritization Matrix Spread: https://www.instagram.com/reel/C4QdP99K8D2/

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 a Discovery Writer or an Outliner?

Which one is better than the other? Which one SHOULD you write in?

If these terms give you strong feelings one way or the other, make sure you listen through the end of this episode!

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