#222. 3 Mindset Shifts Every Writer Needs to Finish Their Novel
02 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Discover the mindset shifts to break out of analysis paralysis, choose progress over perfection, and...
#221. 5 Line Editing Tips to Make Your Prose Shine
25 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Discover five practical line editing strategies that sharpen your prose, strengthen emotional clarit...
#220. How to Build an Author Platform (Even if You're an Introvert) with Shelby Leigh
18 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Learn how to build a focused, authentic author platform to connect with readers early, grow your vis...
#219. How To Build Story Tension by Sharing More (Not Less) with Daniel David Wallace
11 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Discover why clarity (not secrecy) is the key to keeping your readers engaged, curious, and emotiona...
#218. How to Find & Work With Beta Readers to Improve Your Manuscript
04 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Learn how to work with beta readers in a grounded, calm way so feedback feels useful, not overwhelmi...
#217. Save the Cat! Writes Horror: How to Write Truly Terrifying Stories With Jamie Nash
28 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ever wonder why some horror stories linger in your mind long after the lights go out? Jamie Nash rev...
#216. Story Structure: The 5 Scenes Every Story Needs (With Kristina Stanley)
21 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Learn the five key plot points that turn struggling manuscripts into finished novels—and exactly w...
#215. How to Write a Prologue Readers Won’t Skip (& When to Start at Chapter One Instead)
14 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Should you include a prologue or skip it? Here's how to make the right choice for your novel.Pr...
#214. Subverting the Mainstream Lens: Writing Stories That Stay True to Your People (With Tiffany Grimes)
07 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Learn how to write authentic, diverse characters without over-explaining or fearing criticism.Writin...
#213. 5 Expert Tips To Edit Your Messy First Draft Without The Overwhelm
30 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Five book coaches reveal the editing secrets that turn messy first drafts into ready-to-publish manu...
#212. 5 Ways Writers Can Use AI to Help With Book Marketing
23 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
You’ve poured your heart into writing your book, but now you’re staring down the next challenge:...
#211. How to Write Romantasy Power Couples Readers Obsess Over With Jenna Moreci
16 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Want to write a Romantasy that readers obsess over? Here’s how to deliver the tropes, intimacy, an...
#210. 5 Tips For Writing A Multiple POV Novel Without Confusing Your Readers
09 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Discover the five essential strategies for mastering multiple-POV novels without confusing your read...
#209. How to Revise Your Novel Like a Pro (Without Losing Your Mind) With Alice Sudlow
02 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Discover the counterintuitive first draft editing approach that transforms messy manuscripts into pa...
#208. Student Spotlight: 5 Lessons Learned from Notes to Novel (Season 6)
26 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Real writers share how they broke free from endless rewrites and abandoned drafts to finally finish ...
#207. What Agents & Readers Want: How to Write a Story That Works
19 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Have you ever sat down to write a novel and thought, “Where do I even begin?” Or maybe you’ve ...
#206. Student Spotlight: How Gina Elizabeth Went From Stuck to Publishing Two Books in Just One Year
12 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
After years of getting stuck at chapter six, Gina Elizabeth finally discovered the missing piece tha...
Bonus: Plotting for Pantsers: How 3 Writers Found Freedom in Story Structure
07 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The myth that plotting kills creativity is keeping countless discovery writers stuck in an endless c...
#205. How Story Structure Can Free Your Creativity and Help You Finish Your Novel
05 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The myth of "writing free" is keeping talented writers stuck on Chapter One. Here's w...
#204. Student Spotlight: Why Overlearning Is Holding You Back: Neroli Lacey’s Journey to Publishing Success
29 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
After years of collecting every writing craft book imaginable and studying with renowned editors, Ne...
Bonus: How 3 Perfectionists Finally Broke Free & Finished Their First Drafts
24 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What if perfectionism is the real reason you haven't finished your novel—not lack of talent o...
#203. Why Writing Advice Is Keeping You Stuck (And What to Do Instead)
22 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
All those writing articles you've bookmarked? They might be the exact reason you can't fin...
#202. Student Spotlight: How Kara Kentley Turned a Messy Draft Into a Published Romance (and How You Can Too)
15 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
After years of rewriting the same sagging middle and juggling two confusing timelines, Kara Kentley ...
Bonus: Making Time To Write: How 3 Busy Writers Finished Their First Drafts
10 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What if the reason you haven't written your novel has nothing to do with how many hours are in ...
#201. The Time Myth: Why ‘Finding Time to Write’ Actually Makes It Harder
08 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Feel stuck "finding time" to write your novel? You might be solving the wrong problem. Her...
Bonus: From Stuck to Breakthrough: How 3 Writers Found Their Path Forward
03 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What if the reason you're stuck on your novel isn't about talent or creativity, but simply...
#200. Why Most Writers Give Up (And How to Finally Finish Your Novel)
01 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ever wonder why 97% of aspiring authors never finish their books? The answer might surprise you.If y...
#199. Struggling With Flat Characters? These 5 Books Will Transform Your Writing
24 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Master character development with these five must-read books that transform static characters from b...
#198. Book Reviews: Navigating the Emotional Rollercoaster of Reader Feedback (With Emily Golden & Rachel May)
17 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Learn how to handle book reviews without letting them crush your confidence or derail your writing d...
#197. How to Write a Novel That Hooks Readers Through Curiosity (Not Confusion)
10 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Master the art of creating irresistible, page-turning curiosity without confusing or frustrating you...
#196. The Pros and Cons of Writing A Novel With Multiple Points of View
03 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Discover the pros and cons of writing a novel from multiple POVs—including how to avoid the #1 mis...
#195. How Deliberate Practice Can Improve Your Fiction Writing (With Tim Grahl)
27 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Master the fundamental building block of fiction writing with this one exercise that's helped w...
#194. Self-Publishing Your Novel: A 10 Step Guide for First-Time Authors
20 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Congratulations! You've finished writing your novel, and you've set your sights on self-pu...
#193. How Dictation Can Help You Write Faster With Sarah Elisabeth Sawyer
13 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Learn how dictation is your secret weapon for capturing story ideas, supporting overall health, and ...
#192. 5 Big-Picture First Draft Mistakes (& How To Fix Them)
06 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Discover the five most common big-picture mistakes writers make in their first drafts—and learn ex...
#191. Fiction Genres Made Easy: Understanding the 5 Dimensions of Genre
29 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Discover the five ways to talk about your story’s genre so you can write, edit, and publish your n...
#190. Novel Editing: 10 Steps to Editing Your First Draft
22 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Congratulations! You've finished writing your first draft—an achievement that puts you ahead ...
#189. Student Spotlight: From First Draft to Published Novel at 72 With Cheryl Arko
15 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Discover how a 72-year-old data scientist overcame perfectionism to publish her debut science fictio...
#188. 5 Mindset Hacks to Help You Finish Your First Draft
08 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Five book coaches reveal their most powerful mindset hacks to help you crush self-doubt, overcome pe...
#187. How To Write An Unforgettable Plot Twist In Your Novel With Samantha Skal
01 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Master the art of the jaw-dropping plot twist and transform your readers from passive page-turners i...
#186. First Draft Roadmap: 10 Steps to Writing A Novel For Beginners
25 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Writing your first novel is a journey unlike any other—equal parts exhilarating, frustrating, magi...
#185. Student Spotlight: How Angela Haas Published TWO Books In 6 Months
18 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Curious about writing books in more than one genre? Angela Haas shares a behind-the-scenes look at w...
#184. 3 Must-Know Tips For Writing A Novel With Dual Timelines
11 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
“I want to write a dual timeline novel, but I’m struggling to weave the storylines together. Hel...
#183. From Screenwriter to Award-Winning Memoirist: Michael Jamin's Indie Publishing Journey
04 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Curious about what it’s like to make the switch from writing for TV to writing books? Or maybe you...
#182. Writing Romantasy: How to Balance Fantasy Elements and Romance in Your Novel
25 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Calling all Romantasy (and Fantasy) authors! Tune in to learn how to write a Romantasy novel that pe...
#181. First Chapter Analysis: House Of Earth And Blood by Sarah J. Maas
18 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Romantasy and Fantasy authors! Tune in to learn how the opening pages of House of Earth and Blood ho...
#180. Student Spotlight: How Her Debut Novel Became An Amazon Bestseller With Margaret Mantor
11 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Discover how a debut author turned her first novel into an Amazon #1 bestseller using strategic mark...
#179. Writing When You Have A Chronic Illness With Sandra Postma
04 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Chronic illness teaches you about pain, loss, and resilience. Find out why this can make you a bette...
#178. First Chapter Analysis: Outlander by Diana Gabaldon
28 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Romance, historical fiction & fantasy writers—tune in to learn how the opening pages of Outlan...
#177. 3 Things You Need To Write Your Novel In 2025
21 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Got writer's block and convinced it's because you lack talent? Think again! And I have the...
# 176. Student Spotlight: 5 Lessons Learned from Notes to Novel (Season 5)
14 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
See how Notes to Novel™ helped these five writers go from a blank page to a story that works (with...
#175. 5 Easy Time Management Strategies To Write Your Novel Faster
07 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Feel stuck writing your novel? These 5 time management strategies will squash all productivity block...
#174. Counting Down The Best Writing Tips From FWME In 2024
31 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The best writing advice sticks with us because it changes our thinking about our craft. In this spec...
#173. 5 Mindset Tips For Revising Your First Draft
24 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Is the thought of revising your first draft making you nauseous? I got you. These mindset tips will ...
#172. A Week in the Life: 7 Days Behind the Scenes with Savannah (December 2024)
17 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Want a sneak peek into my life as a developmental editor and book coach? Listen in and find out what...
#171. How To Utilize Tone & Mood In Your Writing With Isobelle Lans
10 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Need help with tone and mood in your novel writing? Maybe your scenes aren't hitting the right ...
#170. How To Pick Your Publishing Path With Nicole Meier
03 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Whether you want complete creative freedom, better royalties, or a faster speed to market—get the ...
#169. 5 Tips To Help Neurodivergent Writers Finish Their Books
26 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Finally, finish your book with effective writing strategies designed to work in harmony with your ne...
#168. Women's Fiction vs. Romance: What's The Difference?
19 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
If you’re serious about becoming a published author, determining your novel’s genre is one of th...
#167. Why Marketing Matters From Day One With Lacy Lieffers
12 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
“When should I start marketing my book?” This is a question I get asked all the time! Along with...
#166. Student Spotlight: How Jennifer Sold 5,000+ Copies of Her Debut Novel in 18 Months (Without a Big Social Media Following)
05 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Selling 5,000+ copies of a debut novel in 18 months (without a massive social media following) might...
#165. How To Interpret Agent Rejections (& What To Do Next)
29 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
It’s no secret that one of the biggest roadblocks to getting traditionally published is the dreade...
#164. Student Spotlight: Why She Ditched Her Agent And Self-Published Her Debut Novel With Stefanie Medrek
22 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Ever wonder what happens when you ditch your agent and decide to self-publish instead? This episode ...
#163. How To Find & Work With A Book Cover Designer With Zoe Norvell
15 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
You finished your book and now you’re looking for a cover designer, but where do you start? Where ...
#162. Book Recs: 5 Books Every Aspiring Writer Needs To Read
08 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
One of the questions I get asked by a lot of aspiring authors is, “What books should I read to lea...
#161. Scene Beats: What They Are & Why They Matter
01 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Have you ever Googled things like “how many words should be in a novel?” Or “how many scenes s...
#160. How Tim Grahl Wrote His Best Book Yet In 6 Months
24 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
How do you know if you’re actually getting better at writing? In this episode, my guest, Tim Grahl...
#159. A Week in the Life: 7 Days Behind the Scenes with Savannah (September 2024)
17 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Want a peek behind the scenes into my work week? 👀In this episode, I’m taking you behind the sc...
#158. How To Strengthen Your Writing with the Power of Social Media With Lara Ferrari
10 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Would you believe me if I said social media could make you a better writer? If you’re shaking your...
#157. 10 Surprising Lessons From My First Book Launch
03 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Earlier this year, I published my first book, The Story Grid Masterwork Analysis Guide to Harry Pott...
#156. Student Spotlight: 5 Lessons Learned from Notes to Novel (Season 4)
27 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Do you ever wish you could see a behind-the-scenes look at how other people write? In this episode,...
#155. 10 Things That Will NOT Make You A Better Writer
20 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
As someone who’s worked with hundreds of authors, I see people making the same mistakes over and o...
#154. Coaching Call: Critiquing Jac Sahlin's Query And First Five Pages
13 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
“I think your story has a genre identity crisis. That’s probably why you’re not getting respon...
#153. Scene Analysis: Chapter 5 "Diagon Alley" From Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
06 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
“How many scenes are in the Diagon Alley chapter of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone?” Be...
#152. Three Act Structure Breakdown: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
01 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
How did Rowling deliver on the life-and-death stakes an action story requires, but in a way appropri...
Bonus: The Global Story Structure of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone
30 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Rowling is a master at weaving the external plot with Harry’s internal character arc—and using t...
Bonus: How To Write Scenes Like Rowling (An Interview With Savannah Gilbo & Abigail K. Perry)
25 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
J.K. Rowling is the master of layering things within her scenes. She’s also fantastic at raising t...
#151. How Rowling Built A World Ripe For Life Or Death Conflicts (An Interview With Savannah Gilbo & Abigail K. Perry)
23 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Ever wonder how Rowling created such a fantastic, three-dimensional story world for her Harry Potter...
Bonus: How Rowling Used Plot Catalysts to Keep Readers Engaged (A Sneak Peek From My Book!)
18 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Plot catalysts make it difficult for a character to achieve their goals. If you’re writing an Acti...
#150. How Rowling Created A Cast of Compelling Characters (An Interview With Savannah Gilbo & Abigail K. Perry)
16 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Ever wonder how Rowling created such a wonderful cast of quirky and relatable characters in the Harr...
Bonus: What Made Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone A Best Seller? (An Interview With Savannah Gilbo & Abigail K. Perry)
11 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
What made Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone a worldwide bestseller? Why does this story still ...
[SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT] My Book Is Available For Pre-Order!
09 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Ever wish you could understand exactly what makes your favorite stories so lovable? Me too! So much ...
#149. 5 Questions To Write Better Antagonists
02 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Antagonists can make or break a story—both for the writer and the reader. Writers who don’t spe...
#148. How To Use Universal Fantasy To Write Better Books (& Sell More Copies) With Theodora Taylor
25 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
“Never wonder if readers will love your story again.” This is exactly what Theodora Taylor teach...
#147. A Week in the Life: 7 Days Behind the Scenes with Savannah (June 2024)
18 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Want a peek behind the scenes into my work week? 👀In this episode, I’m taking you behind the sc...
#146. 6 Ways Mindfulness Can Make You A Happier & More Productive Writer With April Dávila
11 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
If you’ve ever felt frustrated with your progress (or lack of progress), it’s probably time to t...
#145. How To Develop Your Character's Backstory
04 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Crafting compelling backstories for your fictional characters is critical to developing a cohesive s...
#144. Student Spotlight: How She Landed A Book Deal With Her Dream Publisher (With Savannah Carlisle)
28 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Have you ever heard someone say that the only difference between a published author and an unpublish...
#143. How To Pitch Podcasts With Michelle Glogovac
21 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
“Human beings want to hear the stories of other human beings. And that's exactly what podcast...
#142. How To Write A Query Letter That Get Requests
14 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
“I recommend working on your query letter as soon as you feel good enough about the overall shape ...
#141. How To Create Believable Monsters With Randy Ellefson
07 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
“The object itself didn't cause the conflict. The person who made the choice with the object ...
#140. First Chapter Analysis: Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
30 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
“We need to advance the plot and we need to develop the character. When you can marry the two, you...
#139: 5 Multi POV Mistakes (And How To Avoid Them)
23 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Telling a story through multiple viewpoints can be a great way to create a more expansive (and objec...
#138: How To Manage Your Creative Anxiety With Rhonda Douglas
16 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
“Writing is a creative project. It's not an earthquake, but the thoughts and the worries can ...
#137: 5 Tips For Writing Better Fiction (Even If You're Just Starting Out)
09 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
“Focus your pre-writing and drafting and revising efforts on the present moment of your story.” ...
#136: First Chapter Analysis: Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
02 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
“Usually stakes start personal and they become public. That's a way of raising stakes, regard...
#135: Mastering Point of View and Voice: Expert Tips From Gabriela Pereira Of DIY MFA
26 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
“You, the writer, have a bigger sphere of knowledge. You know more things than the narrator necess...
#134: How To Stop Procrastinating: 5 Productivity Tips For Writers
19 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
“It's really important to focus on the big picture story first and not worry about granular d...
#133: A Week in the Life: 7 Days Behind the Scenes with Savannah (March 2024)
12 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
“Sometimes it's easy to take feedback to mean that your story's broken when it's no...
#132: First Chapter Analysis: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
05 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
“In stories that feel society dominant, is survival even worth it if you don't have freedom?”...