The Whole Writer

Inside this (replay) episode I'm sharing an unfiltered look at my author journey over the last decade. After four published novels, I'm sharing the Top 10 things I've learned - everything from working with gatekeepers, understanding market trends, building community, and identifying meaningful author goals. This episode also marks the end of Season 1 of the Steps to Story podcast. I...

Ever wish you could go behind-the-scenes and ask an author how they went from idea to finished manuscript, how they overcame writing challenges, and how they went about the business of self-publishing their first book? Good news, I'm doing that today with author Saleema Ishq. Please join me as we dive into Saleema's journey from short story writer to debut novelist! You can find more abo...

Feeling stuck in your writing? There’s a difference between forcing a story and letting it flow. ⁠With the New Year approaching, it’s easy to feel the pressure to “just get it done.” But sometimes, the best progress happens when we lean into flow.⁠ In today’s episode, I’m sharing three ways to know when to push and when to let go: ⁠ 1️⃣ Write from intention, not tension. ⁠ 2️⃣ Build habits that in...

Listeners, you’re in for a treat today. I’m chatting with friend and author coach, Camille Pagan. We’re diving into the topics of...  author mindset career decisions  roadblocks  market trends ...and so much more. You can learn more about her work at www.camillepagan.com and www.evenbetter.co For more on Nicole: Website | Instagram | Free Guide ✨

Today is another Ask Me Anything! Inside this episode I'm answering these five questions: 1) How to tell if you're over-revising your novel manuscript. 2) What to do if you've hit a wall and can't move forward. 3) How to consider social media and your author platform. 4) What to do when you're feeling sick of reading your own work. 5) How to tackle self-doubt. Tune in to h...

In today's episode, I'm diving into a crucial question for novel writers. Are you relying on tactics or strategies to move your work and progress forward?  This is a subtle but essential distinction, and getting clear on it can make all the difference in your writing process.  Today, I'll walk you through three key questions to ask yourself when it comes to your work in progress. Pl...

Today I'm diving into one of my all time favorite topics: writing retreats. What makes them such a transformative experience for authors and how can they benefit our writing? I'm talking about solo retreats, group retreats, and everything in between. If you've been feeling stuck, uninspired, or just overwhelmed by the day to day hustle, tune in because this episode will help you see...

In today's episode of Steps to Story, we're diving into one of the most crucial aspects of storytelling, your story's structure.  For those of you who follow me, you'll know that my mission is to help you blend story structure with the story that's on your heart. Because as many of us know, it's not typically the actual story idea that needs work. It's the struct...

Suspense, mysteries and thrillers, oh my! Welcome to spooky season! Inside this episode of Steps to Story I'm talking with book coaches Samantha Skal and Kerry Savage about: The ideation of twists Knowing your villain Character POV The power of creativity community Managing your WIP And so much more! You can Samantha Skal here . You can find Kerry Savage here . You can find Shadows & Secr...

Today I'm exploring how you can strategically allow yourself to be distracted and how those moments can open up new avenues in your novel writing.  I'm uncovering six strategies that will not only give your brain a creative break, but allow you to bring fresh insights into your work in progress. Tune in to find out how. Website | Instagram | Free Guide ✨

Do you know how to recognize the signs and symptoms of creative burnout? The state of physical, mental and emotional exhaustion that affects your creative work?⁠ ⁠ Are you feeling like you need to step back and refill your creative well? ⁠ ⁠ 🎙️✨In this week's episode of Steps to Story, I'm diving deep into this topic with Emily Golden and Rachel May of Tenacious Writing. It's a tho...

Today I'm talking with fellow book coach Savannah Gilbo about how to write an action story that works. Inside the episode we're discussing: The idea of doing your best work Identifying frameworks that can help or hinder your progress How to triage your work with an analytical brain Plus, Savannah's sharing details about her brand new book for novel writers. Tune in to find out more....

If you didn't get a chance to attend my free webinar on August 27th, which was titled: How to Go From Idea to Action in Your Novel Writing; the good news is, I'm sharing the content again here inside this episode in the form of a free mini-masterclass. Inside this mini-masterclass, I'll be sharing four steps: 1) Identifying your story message 2) Determining whether you have enough t...

You're going to hear a special episode today.  It's a replay where five of my past students get together and talk about their experiences inside the Steps to Story program. Hopefully it will give you insight into my Steps to Story group novel writing program, but also some good motivation for your own work in progress. Inside we're covering topics such as: How to go from idea to act...

Those who adapt a healthy mindset from the start are usually the ones who follow through with their novel writing dreams. That's why I'm breaking down some key mindset habits for writers inside today's episode. Tune in to learn 5 tips that will help you elevate your novel writing process. Website | Instagram | Free Novel Writing Guide | Small Group Program | FREE WEBINAR 🚀

Here’s the tough truth, I often see writers (myself included at one time) who are so excited about their story idea that they rush through the process and forget to establish a strong foundation for their novel.  The result is a writer who hits the midpoint with no idea how they got there or where they’re going next.  The pages suddenly don’t seem to hang together and both the character and story...

Today's episode is all about story craft! I’m diving into the red flags that signal your novel manuscript might need a tune-up.  Writing a book is a massive undertaking, and with so many moving parts, it's easy to lose sight of crucial structural elements along the way. The four issues I’m diving into are:  Flat characters Poor narrative drive Confusing timelines Lack of conflict Tune in...

Inside this episode, I'm diving into a topic that most writers are not immune to: project overwhelm.  Sound familiar? I’m guessing the answer is yes. Because Whether you're a seasoned novelist or just starting your first manuscript, the weight of writing can sometimes feel like too much.  There are so many elements of story structure to learn, so many demands on keeping up a writing rout...

Today I’m tackling a question that every novelist faces at some point: "How do I know if my story premise will fill a whole book?"  If you’re excited about your idea but hesitant to dive into writing, this episode is for you.  I’m going to break it down into 3 simple steps to help you confidently take action with your novel. Tune in to learn more. Website | Instagram | Free Novel Writing...

Today I'm diving into four crucial mistakes to avoid when writing your novel. While there is no wrong way to write your book, because your writing process should be your own, I can tell you that there are certain mistakes to be avoided in your process. Today I'm covering topics such as: Not having a roadmap Rushing the process Writing as if someone is looking over your shoulder Comparing...

Small but consistent efforts will keep you connected to your work this summer. Tune into today's short but sweet episode to learn three quick ways to keep your writing flow moving in the right direction this summer.  Website | Instagram | Free Novel Writing Guide | Small Group Program WAITLIST 🚀

I have the privilege of getting to know fiction writers and their stories because of the work that I do. And lately, I've been noticing some trends. Today's episode is all about the list of trends that are unique to my corner of the world. Tune in to the episode to learn: 1) The types of "smart stories" coming across my desk 2) Risks and payoffs of genre-blending and going indi...

In today's episode, we're going to dive into a hot topic in the novel writing process: Beta readers versus developmental editors.  If you're a novelist looking to take your work to the next level, stay tuned, because we're about to uncover why beta readers and developmental editors are your secret weapon. Website | Instagram | Free Novel Writing Guide | Small Group Program WAIT...

I sent out a CTA to my followers asking their burning questions about their writing and publishing journeys. I got a great response and am happy to say that the questions sent back to me have a nice range of topics.  This episode of Steps to Story is all about answering those questions! Inside this episode, I'm covering topics such as: The best method for outlining your novel How to know when...

Are flat characters killing your story? It's something I see all too often in my book coaching and developmental editing business.  In this episode of Steps to Story, I'm breaking down the WHY, HOW, and WHAT when it comes to breathing new life into your novel's cast of characters. Let's give your novel manuscript the attention it deserves! Tune in to learn more! Website | Insta...