Fiction Writing Made Easy | Top Creative Writing Podcast for Fiction Writers & Writing Tips

Tired of getting stuck on Chapter One? Discover how story structure can actually unleash your creativity instead of stifling it! Dive into the myth of 'free writing' and learn why planning may be the key to finishing your novel. Explore how constraints can breed imaginative storytelling and why avoiding structure comes with hidden costs. Plus, hear inspiring transformations from writers who embraced frameworks, turning their chaotic drafts into powerful narratives. It's time to rethink the way you write!

After years of collecting every writing craft book imaginable and studying with renowned editors, Neroli Lacey discovered that too much knowledge was actually keeping her stuck—until she learned to implement instead of accumulate.Today I'm chatting with Neroli Lacey, author of The Perfumer's Secret (a Pulitzer Prize Finalist, International Book Awards Winner, and National Indie Excellence Award Winner), about how focusing on implementation over information finally helped her transform her messy manuscript into an award-winning Women’s Fiction novel.In this episode, you'll hear us talk about things like:[05:55] Why owning "every craft book imaginable" and studying with top editors still left her with an unfinished novel (and the overwhelm that comes from trying to follow multiple systems at once)[07:30] The three foundational shifts that moved Neroli from scattered studying to focused execution—and finally finishing her first draft[10:55]  Why she chose hybrid publishing over traditional (and what that two-year process actually looked like)[13:50] How a self-proclaimed introvert built a 3,000-person newsletter by focusing on book recommendations instead of writing updates[22:40] Neroli’s advice for aspiring authors who are working on finishing their first book—"You don't have to know what you're doing—you take the first step and the path appears."If you've been collecting craft books but struggling to finish your novel, Neroli's story will resonate. Press play to discover why implementation beats accumulation every time!🔗 Links mentioned in this episode:Neroli Lacey’s websiteNeroli Lacey on InstagramGrab a FREE copy of Neroli’s book here!Buy The Perfumer’s Secret by Neroli LaceySue Campbell for book marketingJoin the Notes to Novel waitlist⭐ Follow & ReviewIf you loved this episode, please take a moment to follow the show and leave a review on Apple Podcasts! Your review will help other writers find this podcast and get the insights they need to finish their books. Thanks for tuning in to The Fiction Writing Made Easy Podcast! See you next week! Support the show👉 Looking for a transcript? If you’re listening on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, scroll down below the episode player until you see the transcript.

What if perfectionism is the real reason you haven't finished your novel—not lack of talent or time?"I need to get this right before I move on" keeps aspiring authors stuck forever. But here's what I've discovered... Perfectionism isn't about having high standards. It's about fear. Fear of judgment, failure, or not being "good enough."In this episode, you'll hear from three reformed perfectionists who broke free from the endless editing trap and finished their novels. Meet Pornika, who delayed starting for months thinking she needed every detail figured out first. Amy, working on her eighth novel but never finishing because she'd spend weeks perfecting each chapter. And Kara, who wrote 100,000 words but got overwhelmed trying to fix its problems.None of them lowered their standards. Instead, they discovered something far more powerful: how to write messy and make real progress.In this episode, you'll learn:[03:10] How a corporate finance professional went from months of planning paralysis to 114k words in 88 days using the fast drafting technique that changed everything[05:15] Why a writer starting her eighth novel finally broke her pattern of endless chapter editing and discovered the foundational skills that put her "in the power seat"[06:00] Why understanding theme, genre conventions, and scene structure actually makes writing easier and more enjoyable, not more restrictive[07:30] The "magical revisions" technique that lets you keep moving forward without getting bogged down in details you haven't figured out yet[09:00] The structural breakthrough that helped one writer transform a problematic 100k-word manuscript into a publishable novel[15:00] How to shift from perfectionist paralysis to forward momentum without sacrificing the quality you care aboutReady to stop polishing and start finishing? Join Poornika, Amy, Kara, and hundreds of other reformed perfectionists who've discovered that messy first drafts lead to better novels. Get on the waitlist for the next open enrollment of my Notes to Novel course and get my complete, step-by-step framework for writing a story that works. Don’t miss your chance to turn your ideas into a finished draft you’re proud of!🔗 Links mentioned in this episode:Grab my free guide to see how real writers (like you!) pushed past these roadblocks to finish their novels: 5 Writing Roadblocks Keeping You Stuck & How to Break ThroughPoornika Kakkanaiah InstagramAmi Blackford InstagramKara Kentley Instagram⭐ Follow & ReviewIf you loved this episode, please take a moment to follow the show and leave a review on Apple Podcasts! Your review will help other writers find this podcast and get the insights they need to finish their books. Thanks for tuning in to The Fiction Writing Made Easy Podcast! See you next week!Support the show👉 Looking for a transcript? If you’re listening on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, scroll down below the episode player until you see the transcript.

All those writing articles you've bookmarked? They might be the exact reason you can't finish your novel. Here's what's really happening—and the simple shift that changes everything.You know that browser folder labeled "Writing Advice"? The one with 147 articles about plot structure and 83 posts on character development? Yeah, that one. What if I told you it's actually keeping you stuck?In this episode, I'm exposing the "writing advice trap" that catches even the most dedicated writers. After helping hundreds of writers finish their novels, I've discovered why the most knowledgeable writers often write the least (and what you can do differently starting today). Tune in to hear me talk about:[00:52] Why writers who read the most writing advice often can't finish their novels (the pattern that surprised me)[01:53] How to stop rewriting Chapter One forever (and what broke the cycle for a writer stuck for 5 years[03:44] Save the Cat vs Hero's Journey vs Story Grid (and why contradictory writing advice is keeping you stuck[08:16] The 3 things successful writers do differently to actually finish their first draft[12:20] How to choose a writing method and stick with it (plus the one question that changes everything)The truth? Any complete system works better than ten partial systems. You don't need the "perfect" method. You need to pick one and follow it all the way through.🔗 Links mentioned in this episode:Read the full blog post hereGet your free First Draft RoadmapJoin the Notes to Novel waitlist⭐ Follow & ReviewIf you loved this episode, please take a moment to follow the show and leave a review on Apple Podcasts! Your review will help other writers find this podcast and get the insights they need to finish their books. Thanks for tuning in to The Fiction Writing Made Easy Podcast! See you next week!Support the show👉 Looking for a transcript? If you’re listening on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, scroll down below the episode player until you see the transcript.

After years of rewriting the same sagging middle and juggling two confusing timelines, Kara Kentley discovered the romance structure secrets that transformed her messy draft into a published novel that sells daily.Today I'm chatting with Kara Kentley, contemporary romance author of Another Summer and a Notes to Novel graduate, about how learning genre expectations finally helped her finish the book she'd been struggling with for years.In this episode, you'll hear us talk about things like:[07:46] Why her 95,000-word draft had a "sagging middle" that lost readers halfway through (and the two-timeline problem making it worse)[11:55] How choosing one timeline and adding dual POV transformed her confused manuscript into a cohesive story[15:05] The relief she felt discovering romance novels have specific beats that happen in order—and how this became her roadmap[20”15] Kara’s nightmare writing conference experience (and what she learned about starting your book in the right place)[35:35] What happened when she launched without reviews or marketing—and still became #1 in her category for two weeksIf you've been struggling to finish your romance novel or any manuscript with structural problems, Kara's journey from pantsed chaos to organized success proves that the right framework can set you free. Press play to discover how romance structure could be the missing piece you need to finally type "The End."🔗 Links mentioned in this episode:Kara Kentley’s websiteBuy Another Summer by Kara KentleyJoin the Notes to Novel waitlistThe Complete Writer's Guide to Heroes and Heroines: Sixteen Master Archetypes by Tami D. Cowden, Caro LaFever, & Sue VidersTravis Baldree’s articleI Need A Book Cover⭐ Follow & ReviewIf you loved this episode, please take a moment to follow the show and leave a review on Apple Podcasts! Your review will help other writers find this podcast and get the insights they need to finish their books. Thanks for tuning in to The Fiction Writing Made Easy Podcast! See you next week! Support the show👉 Looking for a transcript? If you’re listening on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, scroll down below the episode player until you see the transcript.

Explore how three busy writers overcame the common excuse of not having enough time. A mom juggles four kids while writing a romance novel, proving that effective planning beats extra hours. A former triathlete dives into historical fiction, battling self-doubt yet discovering joy in the writing journey. A late-blooming college admin learns that a structured approach can unleash creativity. Their stories inspire aspiring authors to rethink their writing ambitions and harness their limited time for success.

Feeling stuck finding time to write? Discover how focusing on this myth can actually hinder your progress. Learn why writers often complain about time yet engage in other writing-related activities. Dive into the hidden causes of feeling pressed for time and how decision paralysis can sap your creative energy. You'll uncover mindset shifts that can transform your relationship with time, turning it from an enemy into an ally. Get ready to implement practical strategies that help you write with the life you’re already living!

What if the reason you're stuck on your novel isn't about talent or creativity, but simply a missing piece of the puzzle that could change everything?Every writer knows that soul-crushing feeling of being completely stuck. Not just procrastinating or battling writer's block, but that specific paralysis where you love your story idea, want to write, but have absolutely no idea how to move forward. In this episode, you'll hear from three writers who faced this exact challenge in very different ways. Kelsey wrote 11,000 words of an adult fantasy novel before hitting a wall with no idea what should happen next. Liya spent eight years starting and stopping the same young adult series, never making it past the first few chapters. And Danyel loved her idea, but kept running into structural problems she couldn’t solve. What they discovered transformed not just their current projects, but their entire approach to storytelling—and their breakthroughs reveal exactly what might be missing from your own writing process.In this episode, you’ll learn:[05:05] The surprising way that reducing from two point-of-view characters to one solved major structural problems and created more mystery and page-turning tension in a thriller[08:00] Why having a flexible outline is like "someone turning on the lights and handing you a map"—and how it can make writing feel fun and exciting again instead of wandering in the dark[11:05] How understanding the crucial difference between scenes and chapters unlocked eight years of frustration for one writer and completely transformed her approach to story structure[14:15] Why being stuck isn't about lacking talent—it's simply an indication that you're missing a foundational piece of your storyIf you’re ready for your breakthrough moment—and want my complete, step-by-step framework for writing a story that works—join the waitlist for the next open enrollment of my Notes to Novel course. Don’t miss your chance to turn your ideas into a finished draft you’re proud of!🔗 Links mentioned in this episode:Grab this free guide to see how real writers (like you!) pushed past the most common writing roadblocks to finish their novels: 5 Writing Roadblocks Keeping You Stuck & How to Break ThroughDanyel Nicole InstagramKelsey Evans InstagramLiya Grey Instagram⭐ Follow & ReviewIf you loved this episode, please take a moment to follow the show and leave a review on Apple Podcasts! Your review will help other writers find this podcast and get the insights they need to finish their books. Thanks for tuning in to The Fiction Writing Made Easy Podcast! See you next week!Support the show👉 Looking for a transcript? If you’re listening on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, scroll down below the episode player until you see the transcript.

Ever wonder why 97% of aspiring authors never finish their books? The answer might surprise you.If you've been dreaming about writing a novel but find yourself starting and stopping, getting stuck in the middle, or just staring at a blank page wondering where to even begin, you're not alone.Here's what I've noticed after working with hundreds of writers: the ones who actually finish their novels aren't more talented or creative than you. They've just learned to navigate around five specific roadblocks that trap everyone else in an endless cycle of starting and stopping.In this episode, I'm breaking down exactly what those writing roadblocks are and how you can sidestep them to break free from the cycle that keeps so many writers trapped.This is what I talk about: [03:00] The planning trap that leaves writers lost in the "saggy middle" with no clue how to move forward (and why even a simple roadmap changes everything).[04:50] Why chasing the perfect first sentence is killing your momentum and what successful authors do instead when they sit down to write.[00:00] How consuming endless writing advice keeps you from actually writing and the one thing you need to focus on to finally make progress.[06:35] Why trying to write your novel completely alone makes everything ten times harder, and what kind of support actually helps you finish.[08:10] The fundamental difference between writers who finish and those who don't (and it's probably not what you're expecting).If you've been stuck in the start-and-stop cycle or wondering if you'll ever actually finish your novel, this episode reveals precisely how to join the small percentage of writers who actually make it to The End.🔗 Links mentioned in this episode:Want my complete, step-by-step framework for writing a story that works? Join the waitlist for the next open enrollment of my Notes to Novel course. Don’t miss your chance to turn your ideas into a finished draft you’re proud of!Grab this free guide to see how real writers (like you!) pushed past the most common writing roadblocks to finish their novels: 5 Writing Roadblocks Keeping You Stuck & How to Break Through⭐ Follow & ReviewIf you loved this episode, please take a moment to follow the show and leave a review on Apple Podcasts! Your review will help other writers find this podcast and get the insights they need to finish their books. Thanks for tuning in to The Fiction Writing Made Easy Podcast! See you next week!Support the show👉 Looking for a transcript? If you’re listening on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, scroll down below the episode player until you see the transcript.

Master character development with these five must-read books that transform static characters from boring to brilliant.You've created characters with compelling backstories, but somehow, they still feel... flat. They move through your plot but don't feel like real people.Here's the thing: character development is what makes readers fall in love with your story, not just read it. But it's also one of the trickiest parts of fiction writing.That’s why today, I'm sharing five books that have completely transformed my approach to character development. And they've also helped hundreds of my students create characters readers are totally invested in. You'll hear me talk about things like:[01:17] Why most characters feel flat even when they have clear goals and motivations (and which book can help you unlock the missing piece)[06:22] My favorite resource for understanding character arcs, whether you’re writing a positive arc, a negative arc, or a flat one[08:16] Which book can help you understand your villain's emotional wounds—and why this might be more important than perfecting your protagonist's backstory[10:35] A book that’ll help you make readers feel your character's emotions without ever naming a single feeling on the page[00:00] My go-to resource for learning how to marry your plot with your characters (this one’s especially good for pantsers who want a little more structure!)If your characters feel static despite having detailed backstories, or if you're struggling to show meaningful character growth throughout your story, this episode will give you the exact resources you need to create characters readers will never forget.🔗 Links mentioned in this episode:Join the waitlist for my Notes to Novel courseWant me to send you this list of recommendations? Click here!⭐ Follow & ReviewIf you loved this episode, please take a moment to follow the show and leave a review on Apple Podcasts! Your review will help other writers find this podcast and get the insights they need to finish their books. Thanks for tuning in to The Fiction Writing Made Easy Podcast! See you next week! Support the show👉 Looking for a transcript? If you’re listening on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, scroll down below the episode player until you see the transcript.