The First Draft Club

In this episode, Mary gets very real about why most creative writing classes make you feel discouraged and directionless, and how to handle such a class.

What makes a novel count as “literary fiction?” How is it different from “upmarket” fiction? And are they both better than commercial fiction? Mary defines these categories and discusses why she believes upmarket is your sweet spot as a new novelist.

In this episode, Mary takes on the threat of AI to professional writing and discusses why she believes it will never replace human storytellers.

There's an undercurrent of literary snobbery that pervades many creative writing spaces. In this episode, Mary names it, shares personal stories of what it looks like, and talks about why it can be destructive.

Literary agent Marisa Corvisiero chats with Mary about what contract terms she tries to negotiate for her clients, why she thinks it's savvy for authors to publish both traditionally and independently, and how un-agented and self-publishing authors can get help with their contracts. Check out Marisa's Authorpreneur Workshop HERE ( https://www.corvisieroagency.com/writers-workshop.html ). First Dra...

In this first episode of Season 6, Mary shares what she's been working on during this long break between seasons and why she set aside her latest novel, never to return to it. Trigger warning: Pregnancy loss is mentioned.

After a long break, Mary is back for season 6 with more writing tips and some fun new episodes!

Mary applied for MFA programs 3 times and was accepted twice, but never went. In this episode, she shares her story, as well as what she sees as the pros and cons of an MFA in Creative Writing. Check out the video of this episode on the YouTube Channel: https://youtu.be/c4VV9HX-jdQ

Literary agents: no one really knows the secret to getting one or everything they do for you once you have one. Here, Mary shares the 3 things she didn't know about getting a literary agent and working with one (until she did). Check out the video of this episode on the YouTube Channel: https://youtu.be/Snvvn5As2M4

There's plenty for writers to worry about without worrying about the things we DON'T need to be concerned by. In this episode, Mary discusses the three fears writers often have that they don't need to have. Check out more on the YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNkf-ON2jDRU1IdB2sb03Jw/featured

Getting a literary agent was, for Mary, the hardest part of becoming a published author. Here, she breaks down the process into actionable steps. Check out the video of this episode on the YouTube Channel: https://youtu.be/tt871Fqw8_s

Publishing your first book mostly feels amazing, but there are a few surprises you may not expect. In this episode, Mary shares 5 of those surprises. Check out the video of this episode on the YouTube Channel: https://youtu.be/45eLaVuDC7g

Writing a book—and not just any book, but a good book—doesn't have to take over your life or take forever. You can write a solid draft in 45 minutes a day, 5 days a week, over just a few months. Here's how. Check out the video of this episode on the YouTube Channel: https://youtu.be/rS6lgWjMXhs

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.