Kobo Writing Life Podcast Kobo ReWriting Life – #22 – How to Write 9,000 Words Before Breakfast with Dale Mayer
Nov 4, 2025
Dale Mayer, a USA Today bestselling author known for her prolific output across genres, shares her secrets to writing success. She reveals her effective dictation workflow that allows her to produce up to 13,000 words daily. Dale discusses the importance of self-publishing for maintaining creative control and the valuable lessons learned throughout her career. Listeners will appreciate her insights on balancing family life with intense writing schedules and her strategies for connecting with readers, including expanding into audiobooks.
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Do You, Not Someone Else
- Avoid copying another author's path; interview peers and develop a system that fits your strengths.
- Focus on your own consistent process rather than imitating one successful author's tactics.
Avoid Overconsuming Your Genre
- Reading current genre books endlessly can unconsciously make your writing mimic others.
- Dale avoids reading the genres she writes to keep her voice original and distinct.
The Catalog Problem And Backlist Advantage
- Vast catalogs mean most new books compete against millions of low-visibility titles.
- Authors must write multiple books and build backlist to climb above the crowded long tail.
