Fiction Writing Made Easy

• #189. Student Spotlight: From First Draft to Published Novel at 72 With Cheryl Arko

  Discover how a 72-year-old data scientist overcame perfectionism to publish her debut science fiction novel after decades of dreaming about it.Are you stuck with half-finished manuscripts or endlessly revising the same chapters? Does your story refuse to translate from your imagination to the page the way you envision it?You're not alone. The very perfectionism that drives you to write can become the biggest obstacle to finishing your novel.In this episode, Cheryl Arko shares her transformative journey from decades of false starts to published author at 72, revealing the exact strategies that helped her finally complete her science fiction novel after years of struggle.Tune in to hear:[14:31] The reverse outlining technique that revealed why Cheryl’s scenes weren't working (and exactly how to fix them)[17:47] How entering a writing competition boosted her confidence and validated her manuscript's potential (and earned her a finalist spot!)[20:39] The two-phase writing approach that freed Cheryl from perfectionism paralysis (and helped her make twice the progress in half the time)[29:35] How developing her antagonist into a more three-dimensional character solved plot problems Cheryl had been stuck on for months[35:01] The practical reasons Cheryl chose self-publishing at 72 (and how to decide what's right for you based on your timeline and goals)If you've ever abandoned a manuscript or worried it's too late to realize your writing dreams, this episode proves that with the right approach, you can finally type "The End" on your novel—no matter your age or how long you've been trying.🔗 Links mentioned in this episode:Cheryl Arko’s websiteBuy Cheryl’s book on AmazonEp. #40 - How to Write a Well-Structured Scene⭐ Rate + Review + Follow on Apple Podcasts"I love the Fiction Writing Made Easy podcast!" ← If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing this show! Your rating and review will help other writers find this podcast, and they're also super fun for me to read. Just click here, scroll all the way to the bottom, tap five stars to rate the show, and then select "Write a Review." Be sure to let me know your favorite episodes, too! Also, if you haven't done so already, make sure you're following the podcast! I'll be adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed, and if you're not following the show, there's a good chance you'll miss them. Click here to follow now!FREE QUIZ: Take this 30-second quiz to get a custom action plan that'll help you move from stuck writer to published author! Click here to register for my FREE training: 3 Things You Need to Write Your Novel in 2025.Support the show👉 Looking for a transcript? If you’re listening on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, scroll down below the episode player until you see the transcript.

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• #188. 5 Mindset Hacks to Help You Finish Your First Draft

  Five book coaches reveal their most powerful mindset hacks to help you crush self-doubt, overcome perfectionism, and finally finish your first draft—even if you've been stuck for months.Picture this: You sit down with a fresh cup of coffee, open your laptop to write your novel, and then that voice of doubt creeps in: "This is terrible. You don't know what you're doing." And then you're staring at a blinking cursor, completely frozen.Sound familiar?If you're nodding your head, you're not alone. Whether you're just starting your first novel or you've been trying to finish that draft for months (or years!), these mental roadblocks aren't signs of failure—they're normal challenges every writer faces.Tune in to this episode to hear five proven mindset strategies from professional book coaches and editors who have helped countless first-time novelists overcome writer's block, self-doubt, and procrastination to finally type "The End" on their first drafts.[02:11] The surprising mindset shift that turns "This writing is terrible" into productive writing sessions[08:41] How to carve out writing time that actually works (without quitting your day job or neglecting your family)[14:43] Why waiting to "feel inspired" is killing your novel—and the counterintuitive approach that actually works[20:12] The five simple questions that can rescue your story when you're stuck in the dreaded "middle slump"[27:08] How strategic "neglect" might be the missing ingredient to finally type "The End" on your manuscriptIf you're an aspiring author who is writing your first draft, or if you've started multiple manuscripts but keep getting stuck in the middle, this episode's for you!🔗 Links mentioned in this episode:Get on the waitlist for my Notes to Novel course!Candace Coakley’s website and InstagramSam Henke’s website and InstagramJenny Luke’s website and InstagramKarla Diaz’s website and InstagramSam Cameron’s website and Instagram⭐ Rate + Review + Follow on Apple Podcasts"I love the Fiction Writing Made Easy podcast!" ← If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing this show! Your rating and review will help other writers find this podcast, and they're also super fun for me to read. Just click here, scroll all the way to the bottom, tap five stars to rate the show, and then select "Write a Review." Be sure tFREE QUIZ: Take this 30-second quiz to get a custom action plan that'll help you move from stuck writer to published author! Click here to register for my FREE training: 3 Things You Need to Write Your Novel in 2025.Support the show👉 Looking for a transcript? If you’re listening on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, scroll down below the episode player until you see the transcript.

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• #187. How To Write An Unforgettable Plot Twist In Your Novel With Samantha Skal

  Master the art of the jaw-dropping plot twist and transform your readers from passive page-turners into gasping, can't-put-it-down fans.Ever gasped out loud while reading a thriller? That moment when everything flips upside down and you think, "I should have seen it coming!" 😱That's the power of a well-crafted plot twist.Creating these goosebump-inducing moments isn't magic—it's a skill that any writer can master, even if you’re just starting out. And who better to learn from than someone whose superpower is brainstorming plot twists?Samantha Skal is the director of Thriller Fest, the co-founder of Shadows and Secrets Writing Retreats (held in Salem’s most haunted hotel!), and a certified Author Accelerator book coach specializing in mystery, thriller, and suspense. So to say she knows a thing or two about crafting plot twists would be an understatement.In the episode, you’ll hear us talk about things like:[04:45] The difference between using red herrings in mysteries and thrillers(and why mixing them up might be killing your story's suspense)[07:11] Why "playing fair" with readers is the cardinal rule of plot twist writing—and how breaking it turns clever twists into manipulative disappointments[15:12] Why starting with your villain (not your protagonist) is the secret to crafting plot twists that are surprising yet inevitable[24:00] How your character's personal baggage can become your most powerful tool for misdirecting readers (without feeling manipulative)[40:45] The counterintuitive reason why vague storytelling kills suspense—and what to do instead to create maximum tensionWhether you're excited to start your first novel or stuck somewhere in the middle of a manuscript, wondering how to surprise your readers, this episode will help you craft plot twists that feel both surprising and inevitable. ⭐ Rate + Review + Follow on Apple Podcasts"I love the Fiction Writing Made Easy podcast!" ← If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing this show! Your rating and review will help other writers find this podcast, and they're also super fun for me to read. Just click here, scroll all the way to the bottom, tap five stars to rate the show, and then select "Write a Review." Be sure to let me know your favorite episodes, too! Also, if you haven't done so already, make sure you're following the podcast! I'll be adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed, and if you're not following the show, there's a good chance you'll miss them. Click here to follow now!🔗 Links mentioned in this episode:Samantha Skal’s websiteShadows & Secrets RetreatsFreebie: 17 Thriller Twist Ideas to Jumpstart Your BrainsFREE QUIZ: Take this 30-second quiz to get a custom action plan that'll help you move from stuck writer to published author! Click here to register for my FREE training: 3 Things You Need to Write Your Novel in 2025.Support the show👉 Looking for a transcript? If you’re listening on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, scroll down below the episode player until you see the transcript.

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• #186. First Draft Roadmap: 10 Steps to Writing A Novel For Beginners

  Writing your first novel is a journey unlike any other—equal parts exhilarating, frustrating, magical, and challenging. But here's what you need to know right now: it's completely doable with the right approach.Something I've discovered after working with hundreds of writers is that finishing a novel requires more than just talent or a great idea. It takes the right mindset, practical tools, and a strategic approach that keeps you moving forward even when inspiration fades.Tune in to learn the exact novel-writing framework that has helped my clients and students transform their ideas into completed manuscripts, with a special focus on the foundational elements that make stories truly resonate with readers.You’ll hear me talk about things like:[02:10] The #1 reason most first-time novelists abandon their manuscripts (spoiler alert: it's not writer's block)[13:25] Why understanding your protagonist's inner obstacle is the key to creating a page-turning novel[20:20] The simple 3-part story structure that successful authors use to prevent getting stuck in the dreaded "murky middle"[26:45] Which writing routines actually work for busy people (and why marathon writing sessions might be sabotaging your progress)[30:20] The psychological trick that transforms "someday" writers into authors who actually finish their first draft[32:50] Episode recap and final thoughtsIf you've been dreaming about becoming an author but find yourself staring at a blank page or blinking cursor, or if you've started multiple manuscripts only to abandon them when the going gets tough, then this episode is for you!🔗 Links mentioned in this episode:Your First Draft Roadmap: 10 Steps To Writing a Novel (Free Guide)Want my entire step-by-step process for brainstorming, outlining, and writing your first draft? Click here to learn more about my Notes to Novel program.⭐ Rate + Review + Follow on Apple Podcasts"I love the Fiction Writing Made Easy podcast!" ← If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing this show! Your rating and review will help other writers find this podcast, and they're also super fun for me to read. Just click here, scroll all the way to the bottom, tap five stars to rate the show, and then select "Write a Review." Be sure to let me know your favorite episodes, too! Also, if you haven't done so already, make sure you're following the podcast! I'll be adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed, and if you're not following the show, there's a good chance you'll miss them. Click here to follow now!FREE QUIZ: Take this 30-second quiz to get a custom action plan that'll help you move from stuck writer to published author! Click here to register for my FREE training: 3 Things You Need to Write Your Novel in 2025.Support the show👉 Looking for a transcript? If you’re listening on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, scroll down below the episode player until you see the transcript.

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• #185. Student Spotlight: How Angela Haas Published TWO Books In 6 Months

  Curious about writing books in more than one genre? Angela Haas shares a behind-the-scenes look at writing science fiction and romantic comedy!In today’s episode, we’re going behind the scenes of Angela Haas’s journey to hear how she self-published not one but two books in the last six months—one’s that’s a really fun space opera and the other that’s a romantic comedy. You’ll hear about her experience working with book editors, how she approaches the writing process as a die-hard pantser, and what made her choose self-publishing for all three of her books.In the episode, you’ll hear us talk about things like:[06:50] What happened when Angela submitted her outline for feedback in an online writing course (it wasn’t mine!) and got negative feedback from the instructor who called her space opera story “spoofy”[13:45] How understanding this one writing technique (spoiler alert: it’s “show, don’t tell") helped improve the quality of Angela’s manuscripts, and what exactly made this tricky concept finally make sense[15:05] What made Angela (a die-hard pantser) finally embrace outlining—and what her unique approach to outlining looks like (spoiler alert: it’s flexible and creative, something all pantsers would love!)[17:45] What happened when Angela hired an editor who started re-writing passages from her story (and why this almost made her give up on writing altogether)[20:10] Why Angela decided to self-publish both of her books—including what she learned from researching traditional publishing and indie publishing and the factors that made her choose self-publishingIf you’re an aspiring author who dreams of self-publishing a novel to have more control over the creative process, you’re going to love this episode!🔗 Links mentioned in this episode:Angela Haas’s WebsiteAngela Haas on InstagramAngela Haas’s BooksThe Author Next Door Show⭐ Rate + Review + Follow on Apple Podcasts"I love the Fiction Writing Made Easy podcast!" ← If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing this show! Your rating and review will help other writers find this podcast, and they're also super fun for me to read. Just click here, scroll all the way to the bottom, tap five stars to rate the show, and then select "Write a Review." Be sure to let me know your favorite episodes, too! Also, if you haven't done so already, make sure you're following the podcast! I'll be adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed, and if you're not following the show, there's a good chance you'll miss them. Click here to follow now!FREE QUIZ: Take this 30-second quiz to get a custom action plan that'll help you move from stuck writer to published author! Click here to register for my FREE training: 3 Things You Need to Write Your Novel in 2025.Support the show👉 Looking for a transcript? If you’re listening on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, scroll down below the episode player until you see the transcript.

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