The Novel Writing Podcast

Did you research those little details enough? There's a delicate balance between too much and just right, but at the opposite end of the spectrum is not even bothering with research....  Research that would ensure you're not making mistakes an expert would notice. Check out the full episode on why it's important to research even the minor details. Send us Fan Mail What to do next… R...

How do you know if your main characters have the best characterizations to be a main character? If you've ever scratched your head over what it means for characters to be flat or round, static or dynamic, (and what the heck a Mary Sue is) then this episode is for you. Send us Fan Mail What to do next… Read transcripts & access interview recordings on Substack Apply for Author Coaching wit...

Are you thinking about using a pen name for your books? Not every author will choose to use one, but a nom de plume can be an attractive choice depending on your circumstances. In this episode, we talk about the top 5 reasons authors use pen names, pros and cons of using them, and a few things to consider when choosing and establishing a pen name. Send us Fan Mail What to do next… Read transcripts...

Do you know what age group your book falls into?  Figuring out the difference between children's books, chapter books, middle grade, young adult, new adult, and adult can be difficult to navigate. While knowing your age group is important for marketing and pitching down the line, it can also drive your writing decisions in the first draft. Listen in to learn more! Send us Fan Mail What to do...

Do you struggle with writing realistic fight scenes? Never fear, Carla Hoch is here!  Carla, author of the Fight Write books, joins us to talk about common mistakes new authors (and experienced authors, TBH) make when writing fight scenes, and how to fix them.  Connect with Carla on Instagram @fightwritecarla , or online at fightwrite.net . Send us Fan Mail What to do next… Read transcripts &...

Are you struggling with a saggy middle?  Figuring out to fix it can feel daunting if you don't have a place to start. Try these 3 ways to strengthen your plot! Send us Fan Mail What to do next… Read transcripts & access interview recordings on Substack Apply for Author Coaching with Colleen Take the 60 Day Novel Writing Challenge for FREE   Sell your eBooks direct with Curios (keep 100% o...

If you don't go traditional, you're probably an indie author.  While indie has become 1000% more accessible than it was even just 10 years ago, it's not without its downsides. The fact that it's easy to hit publish on Amazon now does not mean you're going to rake in the big bucks a day or a month later.  In this episode we're breaking down why it's a myth that go...

How do you decide how many books should be in your series? It's not as simple as picking a number out of the air.  In this episode we cover what a series is versus what it isn't, how to understand how much story you have, cutoff points, and questions to ask yourself to help decide if the number you're thinking is the number you'll end up with. Send us Fan Mail What to do next…...

What makes a character memorable? It's more than just what they look like, who they are, or what they say. Check out these six techniques for crafting memorable characters, which you can do before you even start writing the first draft! Send us Fan Mail What to do next… Read transcripts & access interview recordings on Substack Apply for Author Coaching with Colleen Take the 60 Day Novel...

Many writers, both newbies and veterans alike, struggle to finish first drafts. So what's the magic formula for actually writing "The End"? Spoiler: There is no magic formula, but The 60 Day Novel Writing Challenge is pretty darn close. Listen in to see if you're heading down one of the three paths that don't lead to a finished draft, and how The 60 Day Novel Writing Chall...

Many authors want to be traditionally published because of the percieved prestige that comes with the name of a Big Publishing House. Unfortunately, the publishing industry has changed A LOT in the last 20 years, and it's no longer a guarantee that signing with one of the Big 5 Traditional Publishers will make you big money. In this episode, we're breaking down the first myth in publishi...

Don't publish the infodump! It's easy to infodump even when you don't mean to, which is why editors and critique partners are so important before publishing. While infodumping is part of the normal drafting process, authors should take care not to let it bog down the final draft. Send us Fan Mail What to do next… Read transcripts & access interview recordings on Substack Apply f...

What is an unreliable narrator?  Writers and readers alike use this moniker often without understanding what it really means. In this episode, we break down what an unreliable narrator is, the best genres that make use of them, pros and cons, and four examples of characters in popular literature who are unreliable narrators. Send us Fan Mail What to do next… Read transcripts & access interview...

As a reader, how do you react when a random character comes to the rescue during the climax? Odds are, you probably feel cheated. In this episode, we break down this literary sin and how to avoid committing it. Click here to find out if our Coaching & Critique Group is the right fit for you! Send us Fan Mail What to do next… Read transcripts & access interview recordings on Substack Apply...

Struggling with being a productive writer? We all fall into distraction traps and periods of low productivity. All productivity tips are like tools in a toolbox, and having multiple is a great way to break out of writer's block. This episode covers the last 5 of 10 productivity tips for writers to keep in mind as we start 2025! Click here to find out if our Coaching & Critique Group is th...

Struggling with being a productive writer?  We all fall into distraction traps and periods of low productivity.  All productivity tips are like tools in a toolbox, and having multiple is a great way to break out of writer's block. This episode covers the first 5 of 10 productivity tips for writers to keep in mind as we start 2025! Send us Fan Mail What to do next… Read transcripts & acces...

Are you ready to hit 2025 running toward your writing goals? If not, do not fear!  This episode covers 5 essential tactics for planning a successful writing year, no matter what your goals are. 2025 is right around the corner, and before you know it you'll be striving toward your next writing achievement. Send us Fan Mail What to do next… Read transcripts & access interview recordings on...

The blurb is one of the hardest and most hated parts of an author's life... at least that's what it seems like! In this episode, we break down why writing the blurb early is actually the smartest thing to do. Blurbs don't need to be perfect or finalized immediately, but they should exist for the reasons discussed here. Need help with your blurb? Check out our Coaching & Critique...

Where do you start when it comes to books on writing craft? A simple search on Amazon for "writing craft books" brings up over 70,000 results. This episode covers the books that I recommend over and over for writers inside the Challenge or our Coaching & Critique group. From story structure and theme to tropes, genres, and beyond, use this episode as a starting point for building you...

Have you committed this literary sin? Having too large of a cast, or introducing too many characters at the same time, can lose readers and make them forget important details. This, our second installment of the Literary Sins Series, addresses the problems of a large cast and offers solutions for how to fix them. Check out the 5-Day Character Development Challenge at tallyink.com . Send us Fan Mai...

Are you curious about Author Nation and whether you should go next year? This episode covers who Author Nation is for, what kinds of sessions were offered, my overall takeaways, and some favorite sessions. I also talk about what I would do differently next time. Send us Fan Mail What to do next… Read transcripts & access interview recordings on Substack Apply for Author Coaching with Colleen T...

Do you get stressed and overwhelmed whenever you look at everything it takes to publish a book, whether you're pursuing self publishing or traditional? You're not alone. I see this in a lot of authors, especially the ones working on the first or second draft. This episode presents a different way to filter your perspective so you can stop freaking out and get back to work on your book. S...

How do you know when it's time to switch from the writing mode to the editing mode? What even is the difference between them?  In this episode I share a different way to think about this that allows us the freedom to move from one to the other with ease. Send us Fan Mail What to do next… Read transcripts & access interview recordings on Substack Apply for Author Coaching with Colleen Take...

Writer's Block Bonus Category - Creative Powerhouse! Halie calls this result a TRIPLE THREAT! AKA, nothing really slows you down. Or does it? Creative Powerhouses aren't immune to bumps in the road, and this episode covers why. To find out your primary blocker, take our Writer's Block Quiz! This quiz will diagnose your writer's block and how to best deal with it. Take the quiz...

What do you do when you have more than one story idea floating around in your head? Do you work on just one?  Write multiple at once? Something in between? Like most writing questions, the answer is "it depends". This episode breaks down how to approach your writing decisions when you have more than one idea, and whether you should complete a project before moving on to the next one. Sen...