The Better Writer Podcast

For our 44th episode, I’m doing something special - my first interview episode!! This week, I’m sharing a great conversation with Barbra Rodriguez an editor, book coach, and experienced health writer. We talked all about writing fictional characters who have diverse health statuses, especially for those of us who write or work with historical fiction. You’ll learn how to approach the research phas...

The next cohort of Reader Ready Revisions starts on October 5th, 2026 and I don't want you to miss out! I’ve talked a lot about this program, so today I want to talk to the person who is interested but not 100% sure that this course is right for them. I started my outline for this episode with 8 reasons, but they were too basic. You’ll still hear those reasons at the end, but first I wanted to get...

Welcome to another bonus episode of the Better Writer Podcast, the third and final replay from my Revision Kickstart Challenge. The live sessions are now over, but if you hear this episode before 10/4/26 you can still register for the challenge and get access to the workbooks and video replays at OHWRevisionClass.com . Here's what we talked about in session #3: What to do in each phase of the revi...

Welcome to an extra special episode of the Better Writer Podcast! In this bonus episode, I'm sharing a replay of the live Revision Kickstart Challenge I'm running from 9/22-9/24. Here's what we talked about in session #2: Why genre is the most important decision you'll make about your book. Why identifying a specific, niche audience is better than trying to write a book that appeals to everyone. H...

Welcome to an extra special episode of the Better Writer Podcast! In this bonus episode, I'm sharing a replay of the live Revision Kickstart Challenge I'm running from 9/22-9/24. Here's what we talked about in session #1: Why the writing habits you learned in school won't cut it when you're trying to revise. What it really means to get your book ready for readers Your inspiration & vision of s...

This episode is my love letter to anyone who has looked at their messy draft and wanted to cry. It doesn’t matter what your draft looks like right now, you aren’t doomed and this draft isn’t destiny. It might not be easy, but you can make your book work. This week’s episode is part pep talk, part motivational speech, part call to action. Listen now and get inspired to write the best book possible!...

Editing is great, don't get me wrong, but it is not your only option for getting support as a writer, and honestly, is not the best option in a lot of situations. You know what is? Coaching. In Episode 41 of the Better Writer Podcast, I’m talking all about the difference between editing and coaching and 6 reasons to choose coaching over editing as you revise your novel. And if you want to learn ev...

Dear Pantsers, if you think that you’re allergic to all outlines, think again. Pantsers can still use outlines, just not for planning their stories. Instead, I teach pantsers to use outlines in revision. A reverse outline specifically. Listen to episode 40 for all the ways that pantsers can use reverse outlines to get clarity on their stories and plan their revisions before rewriting their full dr...

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 r...

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 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...

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 epi...

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 Book...

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 affilia...

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...

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 do...

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...

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: Y...

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, gu...

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 lim...

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, l...

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 y...

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: Visualize your finishe...

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: The definiti...

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: Why this book? What is your genre? Who are you writing for? What experience do you...