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Fiction Writing Made Easy

#80: Student Spotlight: 5 Lessons Learned From Writing a First Draft

January 10, 2023 Episode 80
#80: Student Spotlight: 5 Lessons Learned From Writing a First Draft
Fiction Writing Made Easy
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Fiction Writing Made Easy
#80: Student Spotlight: 5 Lessons Learned From Writing a First Draft
Jan 10, 2023 Episode 80

In today’s episode, I asked five of my Notes to Novel students to share their biggest lessons learned while working through their first drafts. Here’s a preview of what’s included: 

[02:00] Kelsey Evans on how understanding her genre’s framework made the biggest difference in her ability to finally finish her first draft
[06:35] Stefanie Medrek and her favorite advice for battling writer’s block
[11:00] Angela Haas on the popular writing advice to “show, don’t tell” 
[16:00] Bree Cox on how she used her outline to test out ideas before writing
[20:30] Kara Kentley on the importance of having a writing community
[28:20] Casey Drillette on how she embraced the outlining process (as a pantser!)

Rate + Review + Follow on Apple Podcasts

"I love the Fiction Writing Made Easy podcast!" ← If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing this show! Your rating and review will help other writers find this podcast, and they're also super fun for me to read. Just click here, scroll all the way to the bottom, tap five stars to rate the show, and then select "Write a Review." Be sure to let me know what your favorite part of the episode was, too! 

Also, if you haven't done so already, make sure you're following the podcast! I'll be adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed, and if you're not following the show, there's a good chance you'll miss them. Click here to follow now!

Links mentioned in this episode:


Click here to pre-order a copy of my brand-new book, The Story Grid Masterwork Analysis Guide to Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, and get a handful of extra-special pre-order bonuses for free!

👉 Looking for a transcript? If you’re listening on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, scroll down below the episode player until you see the transcript.

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Show Notes

In today’s episode, I asked five of my Notes to Novel students to share their biggest lessons learned while working through their first drafts. Here’s a preview of what’s included: 

[02:00] Kelsey Evans on how understanding her genre’s framework made the biggest difference in her ability to finally finish her first draft
[06:35] Stefanie Medrek and her favorite advice for battling writer’s block
[11:00] Angela Haas on the popular writing advice to “show, don’t tell” 
[16:00] Bree Cox on how she used her outline to test out ideas before writing
[20:30] Kara Kentley on the importance of having a writing community
[28:20] Casey Drillette on how she embraced the outlining process (as a pantser!)

Rate + Review + Follow on Apple Podcasts

"I love the Fiction Writing Made Easy podcast!" ← If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing this show! Your rating and review will help other writers find this podcast, and they're also super fun for me to read. Just click here, scroll all the way to the bottom, tap five stars to rate the show, and then select "Write a Review." Be sure to let me know what your favorite part of the episode was, too! 

Also, if you haven't done so already, make sure you're following the podcast! I'll be adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed, and if you're not following the show, there's a good chance you'll miss them. Click here to follow now!

Links mentioned in this episode:


Click here to pre-order a copy of my brand-new book, The Story Grid Masterwork Analysis Guide to Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, and get a handful of extra-special pre-order bonuses for free!

👉 Looking for a transcript? If you’re listening on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, scroll down below the episode player until you see the transcript.