The Better Writer Podcast

Fiction Writers: Are you starting your revisions the right way?

What do you think of when you think of revising your novel? Do you imagine diving in to your novel and starting to make changes on the page? That’s an important step, but there are actually three whole steps that come first. Why? Because planning ahead of time means you’re more likely to revise strategically, not haphazardly. Here are the three steps that need to come first: 1. Visualize your finished book so you have a destination for your revisions. 2. Analyze your draft so you know exactly what needs work. 3. Strategize your revisions so you can choose solutions that will make the entire book better, not just parts of it. Want to learn more about the revision mistakes that keep fiction writers stuck? Sign up for my FREE revision masterclass. It’s called Finally Finish Your Book: Stop Making the 5 Revision Mistakes Keeping Your Story Stuck. You can learn more about the class here: https://ohwrevisionclass.com/ [https://ohwrevisionclass.com/] Ready to register? Choose your session and sign up here: * Wednesday, May 20th: https://olivia-helps-writers.kit.com/masterclass-may20 [https://olivia-helps-writers.kit.com/masterclass-may20] * Thursday, May 21st: https://olivia-helps-writers.kit.com/masterclass-may21 [https://olivia-helps-writers.kit.com/masterclass-may21] * Saturday, May 23rd: https://olivia-helps-writers.kit.com/masterclass-may23 [https://olivia-helps-writers.kit.com/masterclass-may23] * Tuesday, May 26th: https://olivia-helps-writers.kit.com/masterclass-may26 [https://olivia-helps-writers.kit.com/masterclass-may26] Can’t make any of them? Register anyway and I’ll send you the replay as soon as we’re done! If you show up live OR watch the replay within 24 hours, you’ll get my book map template for free! See you there! Thanks for listening, keep writing, and keep getting better one word at a time! For a full transcript of the episode, please visit https://oliviahelpswriters.com/bwp/25 [https://oliviahelpswriters.com/bwp/25].

How a Reverse Outline Can Help Fiction Writers Revise Their Novels

Did you know that outlines aren't just for planning your novel? You can actually use an outline to revise as well, and it might just become your revision secret weapon. This episode is your quick and dirty introduction to reverse outlining. A reverse outline is a versatile tool that you can use to make revision less confusing and overwhelming. Here’s what you’ll learn in this episode: 1. The definition of a reverse outline 2. Why reverse outlines are particularly powerful for pantsers 3. How to use a reverse outline for revision 4. How to use a reverse outline as your revision plan Sign up for my FREE revision masterclass and finally finish your book. You can learn more about the class here: https://ohwrevisionclass.com/ [https://ohwrevisionclass.com/] Ready to register? Choose your session and sign up here: * Wednesday, May 20th: https://olivia-helps-writers.kit.com/masterclass-may20 [https://olivia-helps-writers.kit.com/masterclass-may20] * Thursday, May 21st: https://olivia-helps-writers.kit.com/masterclass-may21 [https://olivia-helps-writers.kit.com/masterclass-may21] * Saturday, May 23rd: https://olivia-helps-writers.kit.com/masterclass-may23 [https://olivia-helps-writers.kit.com/masterclass-may23] * Tuesday, May 26th: https://olivia-helps-writers.kit.com/masterclass-may26 [https://olivia-helps-writers.kit.com/masterclass-may26] Choose the session that works for you and I’ll see you there! Can’t make any of them? Register anyway and I’ll send you the replay as soon as we’re done! If you show up live OR watch the replay within 24 hours, you’ll get my book map template for free! Here are the resources mentioned in this episode: * Read more about creating and using a reverse outline in this blog post https://www.oliviahelpswriters.com/blog/reverse-outlining-what-why-and-how [https://www.oliviahelpswriters.com/blog/reverse-outlining-what-why-and-how] * Want to learn my step-by-step process for creating, analyzing, and using a reverse outline to revise your novel? Join the next round of Reader Ready Revisions here: https://www.oliviahelpswriters.com/reader-ready-revisions [https://www.oliviahelpswriters.com/reader-ready-revisions] * Have a response to this episode? Hit me up on Instagram @oliviahelpswriters https://instagram.com/oliviahelpswriters [https://instagram.com/oliviahelpswriters] Thanks for listening, keep writing, and keep getting better one word at a time! For a full transcript of the episode, please visit https://oliviahelpswriters.com/bwp/24 [https://oliviahelpswriters.com/bwp/24].

5 Questions Fiction Writers Must Answer Before Revising

Fiction writers, can you answer these five questions about your book? If not, it’s time to stop, drop what you’re doing and listen to this podcast episode. I’m covering five crucial questions that you should answer before you start revising your book so that you can give your revisions direction and focus. They are: 1. Why this book? 2. What is your genre? 3. Who are you writing for? 4. What experience do you want readers to have? 5. How do you plan to publish? Need help figuring out your answers to these questions? The next round of Reader Ready Revisions is officially open for enrollment! Not only will I teach you how to answer these questions, you’ll get my feedback to make sure you’re on the right track and help you shape your revision process based on your answers! You can learn more and apply to join at www.ReaderReadyRevisions.com [http://www.ReaderReadyRevisions.com]! If we haven’t met, I’m Olivia, a developmental editor & book coach who helps genre fiction writers master a repeatable writing process so they can create books their future readers will love without overwhelm. Here are the resources mentioned in this episode: * Listen to Joanna Penn's podcast, The Creative Penn Podcast here: https://www.thecreativepenn.com/the-creative-penn-podcast-for-authors/ [https://www.thecreativepenn.com/the-creative-penn-podcast-for-authors/] (sorry, I couldn't find that episode) * Apply for the next round of Reader Ready Revisions here: https://www.oliviahelpswriters.com/reader-ready-revisions [https://www.oliviahelpswriters.com/reader-ready-revisions] * Grab my FREE Revision Kickstart Guide and join my newsletter here: https://olivia-helps-writers.ck.page/94b0145ae9 [https://olivia-helps-writers.ck.page/94b0145ae9] * Have a response to this episode? Hit me up on Instagram @oliviahelpswriters https://instagram.com/oliviahelpswriters [https://instagram.com/oliviahelpswriters] Thanks for listening, keep writing, and keep getting better one word at a time! For a full transcript of the episode, please visit https://oliviahelpswriters.com/bwp/23 [https://oliviahelpswriters.com/bwp/23].

Why Fiction Writers Need to Put Readers First

I love writers but, I have to be honest, I don’t put you first. That honor belongs to your future readers. And you, my friend, should be putting your future readers first too. Why? Because readers will ultimately decide whether your book is a success - or not - once it’s published. Here are my top tips for fiction writers who want to revise with readers in mind: 1. Know Your Ideal Reader: If you try to write for everyone, you’ll end up writing for no one. Instead, I want you to get super-specific about who your book is for and what matters most to them. 2. Know Your Genre: Once you know who you’re writing for, you have to know what they want from you. That means getting super specific about what your genre demands at a structural and scene level. 3. Put Readers' Priorities First: Readers care about the craft elements that most shape their experience. Conflict, character, immersive scenes that show instead of tell, and more. While you can also focus on your favorite craft elements, you need to deliver on the things readers want first. 4. Find Balance: What you love matters too! There are times when you need to make sacrifices for readers and time to stick to your guns and make sure that your book is still your book when you’re done. Need help figuring out how to put your readers first in revision? The next round of Reader Ready Revisions [https://www.oliviahelpswriters.com/reader-ready-revisions] starts soon! Not only will I teach you how to identify your ideal readers and genre expectations, you’ll get my feedback on your work to make sure you’re on the right track before your revision even starts! Join the waitlist here [https://www.oliviahelpswriters.com/reader-ready-revisions] and get early access + special bonuses. If we haven’t met, I’m Olivia, a developmental editor & book coach who helps genre fiction writers master a repeatable writing process so they can create books their future readers will love without overwhelm. Here are the resources mentioned in this episode: * Want to be the first to know when Reader Ready Revisions opens? Join the waitlist here: https://www.oliviahelpswriters.com/reader-ready-revisions [https://www.oliviahelpswriters.com/reader-ready-revisions] * Grab my FREE Revision Kickstart Guide and join my newsletter here [https://olivia-helps-writers.ck.page/94b0145ae9] * Have a response to this episode? Hit me up on Instagram @oliviahelpswriters [https://instagram.com/oliviahelpswriters] Thanks for listening, keep writing, and keep getting better one word at a time! For a full transcript of the episode, please visit https://oliviahelpswriters.com/bwp/22 [https://oliviahelpswriters.com/bwp/22].

What “Who Not How” Can Teach You About Writing Fiction

When I’m not reading fiction or books about writing, I’m reading business books. A recent favorite, Who Not How by Dan Sullivan and Dr. Benjamin Hardy. Now, I want to tell you all about it. Why? Because there are so many gems in this book that also apply to the writing fiction. And no, I don’t mean the business side of publishing (but you should totally check it out for that aspect as well, especially if you’re self-publishing). These insights also apply to the process of writing fiction. Here are four insights from Who Not How that will help you write a better book: 1. You Will Need Feedback to Finish - Unless you’re solely writing for yourself, you need to make sure that your writing works for other people. How does that happen? Feedback! 2. Know What "Done" Means To You - Give in to perfectionism and you’ll end up tweaking your novel for eternity. Call it done when key elements still aren’t working? You’ll fall short of your goals. Finding the happy medium means knowing what done means to you and holding yourself to that standard. 3. Don't Struggle Alone - Writing a novel isn’t just hard on a craft level, it’s grueling on an emotional level. When you’re feeling stuck or just plain hopeless about your book, it’s time to call on writer friends for support. 4. Stop Striving Solo - Other writers aren’t your competition. After all, you can’t possibly write enough books to fully satisfy your readers. Trying to do everything on your own is a recipe for toxic thinking that keeps you stuck. If we haven’t met, I’m Olivia, a developmental editor & book coach who helps genre fiction writers master a repeatable writing process so they can create books their future readers will love without overwhelm. Here are the resources mentioned in this episode: * Learn more about Who Not How by Dan Sullivan and Dr. Benjamin Hardy here [https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/54018473-who-not-how] * Want to be the first to know when Reader Ready Revisions opens? Join the waitlist here [https://www.oliviahelpswriters.com/reader-ready-revisions] * Grab my FREE Revision Kickstart Guide and join my newsletter here [https://olivia-helps-writers.ck.page/94b0145ae9] * Have a response to this episode? Hit me up on Instagram @oliviahelpswriters [https://instagram.com/oliviahelpswriters] Thanks for listening, keep writing, and keep getting better one word at a time! For a full transcript of the episode, please visit https://oliviahelpswriters.com/bwp/21 [https://oliviahelpswriters.com/bwp/21]. Disclaimer: I am not at all affiliated with Dan Sullivan, Dr. Benjamin Hardy, or Strategic Coach.