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

Category

Arts

Latest episode

Jul 8, 2026

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Episodes

S01 E07 When will I feel like a “real” writer? [Reissue] 24.07.2020

This episode originally aired on 7/24/2020. Due to a technical issue with Apple Podcasts deleting our episodes, this is a repost. New episodes will not have this notice. 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.

To outline, or not to outline? 17.07.2020

That is the question.

S01 E06 To outline, or not to outline? [Reissue] 17.07.2020

This episode originally aired on 7/17/2020. Due to a technical issue with Apple Podcasts deleting our episodes, this is a repost. New episodes will not have this notice. That is the question.

What is an inciting incident? 10.07.2020

A writer asks about that terrifying term "the inciting incident," and Mary gets real in her answer.

S01 E05 What is an inciting incident? [Reissue] 10.07.2020

This episode originally aired on 7/10/2020. Due to a technical issue with Apple Podcasts deleting our episodes, this is a repost. New episodes will not have this notice.   A writer asks about that terrifying term "the inciting incident," and Mary gets real in her answer.

When and how should I think about chapters? 03.07.2020

In this episode, Mary talks everything chapters: yes or no, how long, how many, and what about parts?

S01 E04 When and how should I think about chapters? [Reissue] 03.07.2020

This episode originally aired on 7/3/2020. 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 everything chapters: yes or no, how long, how many, and what about parts?

How long should it take to write my book? 26.06.2020

In this inaugural episode of The First Draft Club, Mary answers a writer's question about how long it should take to write a first draft of a book and how long one should expect to revise.

Why can't I finish a draft of my book? 26.06.2020

In this episode, Mary tackles the question of what to do when you just can't finish a &%$ draft. If you have six half-written books in your home, this episode is for you.

Should I revise as I go, or write, THEN revise? 26.06.2020

This week, a writer asks, should I revise as I go, or wait? Mary has a very strong opinion on this question.

S01 E01 How long should it take to write my book? [Reissue] 26.06.2020

This episode originally aired on 6/26/2020. Due to a technical issue with Apple Podcasts deleting our episodes, this is a repost. New episodes will not have this notice. In this inaugural episode of The First Draft Club, Mary answers a writer's question about how long it should take to write a first draft of a book and how long one should expect to revise.

S01 E02 Why can’t I finish a draft of my book? [Reissue] 26.06.2020

This episode originally aired on 6/26/2020. 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 tackles the question of what to do when you just can't finish a &%$ draft. If you have six half-written books in your home, this episode is for you.

S01 E03 Should I revise as I go, or write, THEN revise? [Reissue] 26.06.2020

This episode originally aired on 6/26/2020. Due to a technical issue with Apple Podcasts deleting our episodes, this is a repost. New episodes will not have this notice.   This week, a writer asks, should I revise as I go, or wait? Mary has a very strong opinion on this question.

Welcome to The First Draft Club! - Trailer 25.06.2020

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.

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