By Mary Adkins | Author & Book Writing Coach

The First Draft Club

Arts EN ↓ 164 episodes

A podcast to help you overcome resistance and write with more joy, clarity, and confidence. If you’re working on a novel or memoir, stick around. Whether you haven‘t written a word since your 5-paragraph essay days or you have an MFA in Creative Writing, this weekly podcast is now your favorite writing companion on your journey to finish your first draft.

Author

By Mary Adkins | Author & Book Writing Coach

Episodes

How do I know when my draft is done? 13.11.2020 15:40

In this episode, Mary talks about how to know when a draft is done, and how even after a book is published, she keeps editing.

S02 E07 How do I know when my draft is done? [Reissue] 13.11.2020 15:40

This episode originally aired on 11/13/2020. Due to a technical issue with Apple Podcasts deleting our episodes, this is a repost. New episodes will not have this notice. In this episode, Mary talks about how to know when a draft is done, and how even after a book is published, she keeps editing.

How do I effectively use the devices Red Herrings and Macguffins? 06.11.2020 16:09

Ever heard of these writing devices? If not, don't worry—you'll learn in this episode.

S02 E06 How do I effectively use the devices Red Herrings and Macguffins? [Reissue] 06.11.2020 16:09

This episode originally aired on 11/6/2020. Due to a technical issue with Apple Podcasts deleting our episodes, this is a repost. New episodes will not have this notice. Ever heard of these writing devices? If not, don't worry—you'll learn in this episode.

How do I write when I feel so insecure? 30.10.2020 10:59

Mary gets trolled, feels insecure, and talks about what insecurity means...and what it doesn't.

S02 E05 How do I write when I feel so insecure? [Reissue] 30.10.2020 10:59

This episode originally aired on 10/30/2020. Due to a technical issue with Apple Podcasts deleting our episodes, this is a repost. New episodes will not have this notice. Mary gets trolled, feels insecure, and talks about what insecurity means...and what it doesn't.

How accurate do the real-world places in my novel need to be? 23.10.2020 11:46

In this episode, Mary navigates the murky world of balancing fact and fiction when your fiction is set in a world like our own.

S02 E04 How accurate do the real-world places in my novel need to be? [Reissue] 23.10.2020 11:46

This episode originally aired on 10/23/2020. Due to a technical issue with Apple Podcasts deleting our episodes, this is a repost. New episodes will not have this notice. In this episode, Mary navigates the murky world of balancing fact and fiction when your fiction is set in a world like our own.

When should I hit "pause" on writing to research more? 16.10.2020 11:53

Mary shares her inverted pyramid guide to researching for a novel and talks about why she does all her best research after 3 p.m.

S02 E03 When should I hit “pause” on writing to research more? [Reissue] 16.10.2020 11:53

This episode originally aired on 10/16/2020. Due to a technical issue with Apple Podcasts deleting our episodes, this is a repost. New episodes will not have this notice. Mary shares her inverted pyramid guide to researching for a novel and talks about why she does all her best research after 3 p.m.

Is it bad to start a new book before I finish writing this one? 09.10.2020 9:21

In this episode, Mary talks about juggling projects, following creativity's lead, and The Bachelorette.

S02 E02 Is it bad to start a new book before I finish writing this one? [Reissue] 09.10.2020 9:21

This episode originally aired on 10/9/2020. Due to a technical issue with Apple Podcasts deleting our episodes, this is a repost. New episodes will not have this notice. In this episode, Mary talks about juggling projects, following creativity's lead, and The Bachelorette.

Help! How do I write good dialogue? 02.10.2020 10:14

The trick to writing believable dialogue is to remember a key thing about humans: we're bad at it.

S02 E01 Help! How do I write good dialogue? [Reissue] 02.10.2020 10:14

This episode originally aired on 10/2/2020. Due to a technical issue with Apple Podcasts deleting our episodes, this is a repost. New episodes will not have this notice. The trick to writing believable dialogue is to remember a key thing about humans: we're bad at it.

Let's recap our season takeaways. 28.08.2020 11:09

All the questions answered during Season 1 in one quick-to-digest episode!

S01 E12 Let’s recap our season takeaways [Reissue] 28.08.2020 11:09

This episode originally aired on 8/28/2020. Due to a technical issue with Apple Podcasts deleting our episodes, this is a repost. New episodes will not have this notice. All the questions answered during Season 1 in one quick-to-digest episode!

Do I need an antagonist? 21.08.2020 9:55

If you have to have a protagonist, you must need an antagonist, right? No. What you do need is more interesting.

S01 E11 Do I need an antagonist? [Reissue] 21.08.2020 9:55

This episode originally aired on 8/21/2020. Due to a technical issue with Apple Podcasts deleting our episodes, this is a repost. New episodes will not have this notice. If you have to have a protagonist, you must need an antagonist, right? No. What you do need is more interesting.

How do we include background without boring the reader? 14.08.2020 14:41

All stories have a history. How much of that history you share with the reader, and where you bring it in, can determine whether that reader sticks with your book or not. In this episode, we discuss a rule of thumb for incorporating backstory into your novel or memoir.

S01 E10 How do we include background without boring the reader? [Reissue] 14.08.2020 14:41

This episode originally aired on 8/14/2020. Due to a technical issue with Apple Podcasts deleting our episodes, this is a repost. New episodes will not have this notice. All stories have a history. How much of that history you share with the reader, and where you bring it in, can determine whether that reader sticks with your book or not. In this episode, we discuss a rule of thumb for incorporati...

What if I don't know what it is I'm writing? 07.08.2020 11:49

Am I writing a short story or a novel? Am I ready to write my memoir? Mary addresses how to decide, and when the right time is to make the call.

S01 E09 What if I don’t know what it is I’m writing? [Reissue] 07.08.2020 11:49

This episode originally aired on 8/7/2020. Due to a technical issue with Apple Podcasts deleting our episodes, this is a repost. New episodes will not have this notice. Am I writing a short story or a novel? Am I ready to write my memoir? Mary addresses how to decide, and when the right time is to make the call.

How do I make it through the murky middle? 31.07.2020 12:23

Every writer struggles with the middle. In this episode, Mary shares her favorite tactic for making it through.

S01 E08 How do I make it through the murky middle? [Reissue] 31.07.2020 12:23

This episode originally aired on 7/31/2020. Due to a technical issue with Apple Podcasts deleting our episodes, this is a repost. New episodes will not have this notice. Every writer struggles with the middle. In this episode, Mary shares her favorite tactic for making it through.

When will I feel like a "real" writer? 24.07.2020 9:46

A writer asks when writing her book will start to feel like a real project, and not like a side hobby she may or may not finish.