The First Draft Club
Episodes
Can I write a whole novel draft on my phone?
18 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Can you write a whole novel draft on the Notes app on your phone? Sure—Gertrude Stein basically did.
S02 E12 Can I write a whole novel draft on my phone? [Reissue]
18 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This episode originally aired on 12/18/2020. Due to a technical issue with Apple Podcasts deleting our episodes, this is a repost. New episodes will n...
What's a book auction?
11 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Mary covers all aspects of selling your book, from getting a literary agent to signing the contract.
S02 E11 What’s a book auction? [Reissue]
11 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This episode originally aired on 12/11/2020. Due to a technical issue with Apple Podcasts deleting our episodes, this is a repost. New episodes will n...
When—and from whom—should I solicit feedback?
04 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Feedback is critical, but not until the right time. Ask too early, and it can derail you. In this episode, Mary covers when, who, and how to ask for f...
S02 E10 When—and from whom—should I solicit feedback? [Reissue]
04 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This episode originally aired on 12/4/2020. Due to a technical issue with Apple Podcasts deleting our episodes, this is a repost. New episodes will no...
How do I write a solid first draft?
27 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Revising is necessary, but not a hundred times. In this episode, Mary talks about how to nail a solid first draft so that revising isn't a nightmare.
S02 E09 How do I write a solid first draft? [Reissue]
27 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This episode originally aired on 11/27/2020. Due to a technical issue with Apple Podcasts deleting our episodes, this is a repost. New episodes will n...
How many literary agents am I going to have to query?
20 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
To publish with a publisher, you'll likely have to get a literary agent, which requires querying them. This episode has some bad news and some good ne...
S02 E08 How many literary agents am I going to have to query? [Reissue]
20 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This episode originally aired on 11/20/2020. Due to a technical issue with Apple Podcasts deleting our episodes, this is a repost. New episodes will n...
How do I know when my draft is done?
13 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Mary talks about how to know when a draft is done, and how even after a book is published, she keeps editing.
S02 E07 How do I know when my draft is done? [Reissue]
13 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This episode originally aired on 11/13/2020. Due to a technical issue with Apple Podcasts deleting our episodes, this is a repost. New episodes will n...
How do I effectively use the devices Red Herrings and Macguffins?
06 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Ever heard of these writing devices? If not, don't worry—you'll learn in this episode.
S02 E06 How do I effectively use the devices Red Herrings and Macguffins? [Reissue]
06 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This episode originally aired on 11/6/2020. Due to a technical issue with Apple Podcasts deleting our episodes, this is a repost. New episodes will no...
How do I write when I feel so insecure?
30 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Mary gets trolled, feels insecure, and talks about what insecurity means...and what it doesn't.
S02 E05 How do I write when I feel so insecure? [Reissue]
30 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This episode originally aired on 10/30/2020. Due to a technical issue with Apple Podcasts deleting our episodes, this is a repost. New episodes will n...
How accurate do the real-world places in my novel need to be?
23 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Mary navigates the murky world of balancing fact and fiction when your fiction is set in a world like our own.
S02 E04 How accurate do the real-world places in my novel need to be? [Reissue]
23 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This episode originally aired on 10/23/2020. Due to a technical issue with Apple Podcasts deleting our episodes, this is a repost. New episodes will n...
When should I hit "pause" on writing to research more?
16 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Mary shares her inverted pyramid guide to researching for a novel and talks about why she does all her best research after 3 p.m.
S02 E03 When should I hit “pause” on writing to research more? [Reissue]
16 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This episode originally aired on 10/16/2020. Due to a technical issue with Apple Podcasts deleting our episodes, this is a repost. New episodes will n...
Is it bad to start a new book before I finish writing this one?
09 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Mary talks about juggling projects, following creativity's lead, and The Bachelorette.
S02 E02 Is it bad to start a new book before I finish writing this one? [Reissue]
09 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This episode originally aired on 10/9/2020. Due to a technical issue with Apple Podcasts deleting our episodes, this is a repost. New episodes will no...
Help! How do I write good dialogue?
02 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The trick to writing believable dialogue is to remember a key thing about humans: we're bad at it.
S02 E01 Help! How do I write good dialogue? [Reissue]
02 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This episode originally aired on 10/2/2020. Due to a technical issue with Apple Podcasts deleting our episodes, this is a repost. New episodes will no...
Let's recap our season takeaways.
28 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
All the questions answered during Season 1 in one quick-to-digest episode!
S01 E12 Let’s recap our season takeaways [Reissue]
28 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This episode originally aired on 8/28/2020. Due to a technical issue with Apple Podcasts deleting our episodes, this is a repost. New episodes will no...
Do I need an antagonist?
21 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
If you have to have a protagonist, you must need an antagonist, right? No. What you do need is more interesting.
S01 E11 Do I need an antagonist? [Reissue]
21 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This episode originally aired on 8/21/2020. Due to a technical issue with Apple Podcasts deleting our episodes, this is a repost. New episodes will no...
How do we include background without boring the reader?
14 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
All stories have a history. How much of that history you share with the reader, and where you bring it in, can determine whether that reader sticks wi...
S01 E10 How do we include background without boring the reader? [Reissue]
14 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This episode originally aired on 8/14/2020. Due to a technical issue with Apple Podcasts deleting our episodes, this is a repost. New episodes will no...
What if I don't know what it is I'm writing?
07 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Am I writing a short story or a novel? Am I ready to write my memoir? Mary addresses how to decide, and when the right time is to make the call.
S01 E09 What if I don’t know what it is I’m writing? [Reissue]
07 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This episode originally aired on 8/7/2020. Due to a technical issue with Apple Podcasts deleting our episodes, this is a repost. New episodes will not...
How do I make it through the murky middle?
31 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Every writer struggles with the middle. In this episode, Mary shares her favorite tactic for making it through.
S01 E08 How do I make it through the murky middle? [Reissue]
31 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This episode originally aired on 7/31/2020. Due to a technical issue with Apple Podcasts deleting our episodes, this is a repost. New episodes will no...
When will I feel like a "real" writer?
24 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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.
S01 E07 When will I feel like a “real” writer? [Reissue]
24 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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 no...
To outline, or not to outline?
17 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
That is the question.
S01 E06 To outline, or not to outline? [Reissue]
17 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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 no...
What is an inciting incident?
10 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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 no...
When and how should I think about chapters?
03 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Should I revise as I go, or write, THEN revise?
26 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This week, a writer asks, should I revise as I go, or wait? Mary has a very strong opinion on this question.
Why can't I finish a draft of my book?
26 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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...
How long should it take to write my book?
26 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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...
S01 E03 Should I revise as I go, or write, THEN revise? [Reissue]
26 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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 no...
S01 E02 Why can’t I finish a draft of my book? [Reissue]
26 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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 no...
S01 E01 How long should it take to write my book? [Reissue]
26 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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 no...
Welcome to The First Draft Club! - Trailer
25 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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. Wh...