Your first read-through of a first draft can feel like stepping into unknown territory. You’re excited to see what you made, but you’re also bracing for the messy parts you know are coming. In this episode, I walk you through exactly how to handle that first pass without falling into editing mode or judging every page.

You’ll learn what actually matters at this stage, what to ignore for now, how to take clear notes without derailing your momentum, and how to figure out the story you truly wrote. By the end, you’ll have a simple plan that makes this first read-through honest, grounded, and a lot less overwhelming.

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If your novel or memoir juggles multiple storylines—different timelines, narrators, or settings—you might wonder how to keep it all cohesive. In this episode, I share three craft techniques to make your separate narratives feel like parts of the same living story. You’ll learn how to connect your threads through a shared core question, create cause and effect across timelines, and use theme to tie everything together.

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What's the difference between a character-driven story and a plot-driven story? And how do you know which one you're writing? In this episode, I explain what these terms actually mean, how to identify where your manuscript falls on the spectrum, and—most importantly—how to strengthen whichever element needs more support. You'll learn the two most common problems writers face and get one simple exercise to help you revise with intention. There's no "right" answer here—just intentional choices.

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Got a story idea but don't know where to begin? You're not alone. Many writers either freeze at "Chapter One" or spend months planning without ever drafting. In this episode, I walk you through the essential things you need to know before you write your first scene. So you can stop overthinking and start writing today.

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Suspense isn't just for thrillers—it's what makes readers unable to put down any story, from memoir to fantasy to romance. In this episode, you'll learn three proven techniques to create page-turning tension in any genre. No car chases or explosions required.

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Writing a story with multiple POVs? In this episode, we’ll unpack how to keep your narrative focused, decide which characters need full arcs, and make sure every point-of-view earns its place in your story.

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Memoir is true, fiction is made up - but how does that change your actual storytelling? In this episode, I break down the key differences between memoir and fiction: what you can and can't do in memoir, how much creative license you have, and when to choose one form over the other. Plus: the surprising ways memoir and fiction use the exact same narrative techniques.

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If you’ve been wrestling with story structure, this episode will help you see it differently. Learn what’s really keeping you stuck and how to finally bring your draft to the finish line.

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