The First Draft Club

You've started writing...but at 10 or 40 pages in, how do you decide what happens NEXT in your story? In this episode, Mary shares 4 favorite strategies. Check out the video of this episode on the YouTube Channel: https://youtu.be/lzr2tPx-zSE

Here it is—Mary's entire process for writing a publishable novel, broken down into 7 steps. You won't want to miss this one. Check out the video of this episode on the YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DDIhmteyHSU&ab_channel=MaryAdkins    

It took Mary 99 years to write her first book (well, 6). In this episode, she shares the 3 biggest mistakes she made that she doesn't want you to make...and what to do instead. Check out the video of this episode on the YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJxT-ffg_5k&ab_channel=MaryAdkins

Does your dialogue sound like a third-grade play? You'll want to get these strategies for writing better dialogue. Here's how Mary makes sure to write the way people actually talk. Check out the video of this episode on the YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S9aWlbH3vQY&ab_channel=MaryAdkins

Mary's novel PALM BEACH is out! Order the book to get free access to a private workshop only for book purchasers—listen to this mini-episode for details. Check out maryadkinswriter.com. Stay tuned for Season 5 coming THIS FALL!

This episode originally aired on 8/3/2021. Due to a technical issue with Apple Podcasts deleting our episodes, this is a repost. New episodes will not have this notice. Mary's novel PALM BEACH is out! Order the book to get free access to a private workshop only for book purchasers—listen to this mini-episode for details. Check out maryadkinswriter.com. Stay tuned for Season 5!

The first blank page is the hardest one to take down. In this episode, Mary offers original 10 hacks for overcoming your demons and getting your book draft underway. hacks.maryadkinswriter.com

This episode originally aired on 5/7/2021. Due to a technical issue with Apple Podcasts deleting our episodes, this is a repost. New episodes will not have this notice. The first blank page is the hardest one to take down. In this episode, Mary offers original 10 hacks for overcoming your demons and getting your book draft underway. hacks.maryadkinswriter.com

Mary breaks down the 9 Enneagram types and evaluates different writing goals for each one. If you loathe the term "writing goals," you need to listen—you may just need a different kind. https://tests.enneagraminstitute.com goals.maryadkinswriter.com

This episode originally aired on 4/30/2021. Due to a technical issue with Apple Podcasts deleting our episodes, this is a repost. New episodes will not have this notice. Mary breaks down the 9 Enneagram types and evaluates different writing goals for each one. If you loathe the term "writing goals," you need to listen—you may just need a different kind. https://tests.enneagraminstitute.com goals.m...

Here's the pep talk—and a bonus assignment—that will help you overcome resistance, if not once and for all, at least for this week.

This episode originally aired on 4/23/2021. Due to a technical issue with Apple Podcasts deleting our episodes, this is a repost. New episodes will not have this notice. Here's the pep talk—and a bonus assignment—that will help you overcome resistance, if not once and for all, at least for this week.

See the Reissue episode for updated information on The Four Notebooks Method. --- Mary teaches you her signature method for handwriting your novel or memoir—The Four Notebooks Method—and tells you how you can pre-order her notebook and corresponding system. Check out www.freedownload.maryadkinswriter.com .

This episode originally aired on 4/16/2021. Due to a technical issue with Apple Podcasts deleting our episodes, this is a repost. New episodes will not have this notice. Mary teaches you her signature method for handwriting your novel or memoir—The Four Notebooks Method—and tells you how you can download her notebook template for free. Check out www.freedownload.maryadkinswriter.com .

How do we deal with the fact that our stories, once on paper, are never as good as they were in our minds? Mary offers 3 strategies for handling this situation.

This episode originally aired on 4/9/2021. Due to a technical issue with Apple Podcasts deleting our episodes, this is a repost. New episodes will not have this notice. How do we deal with the fact that our stories, once on paper, are never as good as they were in our minds? Mary offers 3 strategies for handling this situation.  

Mary wraps up a four-episode series on the 3-act structure with a breakdown of her favorite of the three acts, Act 3, and talks about how to find the magic of it in your own writing.

This episode originally aired on 4/2/2021. Due to a technical issue with Apple Podcasts deleting our episodes, this is a repost. New episodes will not have this notice. Mary wraps up a four-episode series on the 3-act structure with a breakdown of her favorite of the three acts, Act 3, and talks about how to find the magic of it in your own writing.

Mary talks all things Act 2—and, most importantly, gets into why Act 2 isn't a formula but a personal challenge for you, the author.

This episode originally aired on 3/26/2021. Due to a technical issue with Apple Podcasts deleting our episodes, this is a repost. New episodes will not have this notice. Mary talks all things Act 2—and, most importantly, gets into why Act 2 isn't a formula but a personal challenge for you, the author.

In the second of four parts on the 3-act structure, Mary dives into what we mean by Act 1 and how to break it down into a manageable tool.

This episode originally aired on 3/19/2021. Due to a technical issue with Apple Podcasts deleting our episodes, this is a repost. New episodes will not have this notice. In the second of four parts on the 3-act structure, Mary dives into what we mean by Act 1 and how to break it down into a manageable tool.

In the first episode of Season 4, Mary kicks off a four-episode series breaking down the 3-act structure...in a way that won't terrify you, turn you off, or make you feel like you're supposed to be writing by formula.

This episode originally aired on 3/12/2021. Due to a technical issue with Apple Podcasts deleting our episodes, this is a repost. New episodes will not have this notice. In the first episode of Season 4, Mary kicks off a four-episode series breaking down the 3-act structure...in a way that won't terrify you, turn you off, or make you feel like you're supposed to be writing by formula.

Choosing a point of view is a critical early step in the novel-writing process. In this episode, Mary talks about how to choose a point of view, and what to look out for in third person. (Video link: https://youtu.be/5Z9l7_YFKMU)