What if the reason you haven't written your novel has nothing to do with how many hours are in your day?

"I don't have time to write" might be the most common excuse that stops aspiring authors before they even start. But here’s what I’ve learned after working with hundreds of writers… It’s not about how much time you have that matters. It’s about what you do with your limited time that counts.

In this episode, you'll hear from three busy writers who had every legitimate reason to put their writing dreams on hold—yet didn't. Meet Maddie, a mom of four kids aged one to six who wrote her first draft while juggling pregnancy, a newborn, and a copywriting career. Rhonda, a clinical pharmacist who transitioned from competing in 14-hour triathlons to writing an 80,000-word manuscript. And Mark, a former college administrator, worried it was too late in life to learn how to write a novel.

None of them found magical extra hours in their day. Instead, they discovered something far more powerful: how to make their limited writing time more effective.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• [03:00] How a mom of four young children completed her first draft in just six months of actual writing time, including taking a year-long break for pregnancy and a newborn, without losing momentum
• [06:25] Why one debut author discovered that following a proven framework didn't create a cookie-cutter novel—it actually freed him to be more creative and original
• [09:35] The mindset shift that helped a 45-year-old clinical pharmacist transition from grueling 14-hour triathlons to completing her first 80,000-word novel
• [13:20] Why having limited writing time can actually make you a more effective writer, when you know exactly what to write in each session

Ready to stop using "no time" as your excuse? Join Maddie, Rhonda, Mark, and hundreds of other busy writers who've discovered that you don't need more hours—you need a better plan. 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 this free guide to discover how busy writers (with kids, jobs, and real lives!) find time to write consistently and finish their novels: 5 Time Management Strategies to Help You Write Your Novel
• Madi Unruh Instagram
• Mark Mrozinski Instagram

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FREE GUIDE: 5 Writing Roadblocks Keeping You Stuck (& How To Break Through)

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Feel stuck "finding time" to write your novel? You might be solving the wrong problem. Here's what's really going on—and what to do instead.

Why does finding time to write feel impossible sometimes? We blame our busy schedules (and yes, that's definitely part of it). But there's something else lurking beneath the surface that stops your writing progress dead in its tracks. And it has a way of making you feel like you're failing at this whole writing thing. Which is so not true.

In this episode, I'm pulling back the curtain on why "finding time" is actually making it HARDER to write your novel. Plus, I'm sharing 3 powerful mindset shifts and practical strategies to finally break free from this trap so you can finish your novel with the life you're actually living.

You'll hear me talk about things like:

[02:45] Why the writers who complain most about "no time" often spend hours on writing-related activities (just not actual writing)

[03:15] The hidden truth about "not enough time" that's actually keeping you stuck (hint: it's not what you think)

[05:15] How decision paralysis can waste your precious writing time—and the simple fix that takes 2 minutes

[06:10] Why some writers accomplish more in 20 minutes than others do in 2 hours

[07:25] The mindset shift that transforms time from your enemy into your creative ally (and 3 practical strategies to implement these shifts starting today)

Your story deserves to be told. Not someday when you have "more time." Not eventually when life calms down. But now, with the life you're actually living. The time is already there—you just need to see it differently.

🔗 Links mentioned in this episode:

• Grab the free Time Management Guide here!
• Join the Notes to Novel waitlist

⭐ Follow & Review

If 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!

FREE GUIDE: 5 Writing Roadblocks Keeping You Stuck (& How To Break Through)

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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 story

If 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 Through
• Danyel Nicole Instagram
• Kelsey Evans Instagram
• Liya Grey Instagram

⭐ Follow & Review

If 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!

FREE GUIDE: 5 Writing Roadblocks Keeping You Stuck (& How To Break Through)

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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 & Review

If 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!

FREE GUIDE: 5 Writing Roadblocks Keeping You Stuck (& How To Break Through)

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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 course
• Want me to send you this list of recommendations? Click here!

⭐ Follow & Review

If 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!

FREE GUIDE: 5 Writing Roadblocks Keeping You Stuck (& How To Break Through)

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Learn how to handle book reviews without letting them crush your confidence or derail your writing dreams.

Receiving your first book review can be both thrilling and terrifying at the same time. Whether it's a glowing five-star love letter or a brutal one-star takedown, reader reviews can send even the most confident authors into an emotional tailspin.

I recently sat down with book coaches Emily Golden and Rachel May of Golden May Editing to discuss the challenge of negative reviews. Between their own publishing experiences and years of guiding clients through review season, they know exactly what separates thriving authors from those who let negative feedback derail their dreams.

Tune in to hear us talk about things like:

[03:45] Why book reviews feel so much more intense than beta reader feedback (and the one key difference that changes everything).

[08:25] How to separate your novel from your identity so criticism doesn't feel like a personal attack on your self-worth.

[11:05] Why trying to "toughen up" actually makes book reviews hurt worse (and what to do instead when they sting).

[35:35] The simple boundary you can set with ARC readers to avoid getting ambushed by negative reviews.

[40:25] Why we obsess over one-star reviews but barely notice five-star ones (and how to flip this script).

[41:45] Whether you should let reviews influence your future writing decisions, and a brilliant way to use feedback as data, not direction.

Whether you're approaching your first book launch or struggling with review anxiety, this episode offers practical strategies to navigate both praise and criticism.

⭐ Follow & Review

If 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!

🔗 Links mentioned in this episode:

• Anti-Hustle Writing Life Masterclass
• Golden May Editing Website
• Story Magic Podcast

FREE GUIDE: 5 Writing Roadblocks Keeping You Stuck (& How To Break Through)

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Master the art of creating irresistible, page-turning curiosity without confusing or frustrating your readers.

Have you ever written what you thought was a brilliantly mysterious scene, only to have readers say they were completely lost? Or maybe you've struggled with knowing how much information to reveal and when?

Here's what most writers don't realize: there's a fine line between being mysterious and being vague. And the writers who master evoking curiosity without being vague or confusing are the ones who create truly compelling fiction.

In this episode, you'll hear me talk about things like:

• [02:35] Why most writers mistake withholding information for creating mystery—and the simple test to tell if you're being mysterious or just vague
• [03:20] The movie trailer analogy that'll completely change how you think about revealing information to readers
• [6:55] How to give readers the essential context they need to stay grounded in your story without giving everything away
• [8:25] Why the missing information must matter deeply to your protagonist—and how to tie your mysteries to what characters desperately want
• [10:30] How to deliver information that keeps readers engaged and wanting more (without just withholding everything)
• [11:50] The one question that determines whether you're creating compelling mystery or confusing noise, plus how to apply this across every genre

Whether you're writing romance, fantasy, thrillers, or any other type of fiction, this episode will help you create the kind of curiosity and tension that keeps readers glued to the page instead of accidentally driving them away.

⭐ Follow & Review

If 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!

🔗 Links mentioned in this episode:

• Want my entire step-by-step process for brainstorming, outlining, and writing your first draft? Click here to learn more about my Notes to Novel program.

FREE GUIDE: 5 Writing Roadblocks Keeping You Stuck (& How To Break Through)

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Discover the pros and cons of writing a novel from multiple POVs—including how to avoid the #1 mistake that kills multi-POV novels.

Are multiple point-of-view characters right for your story?

Will they create the kind of depth that keeps readers hooked, or will they just leave you with a tangled mess of voices that never quite click together?

Writing a multi-POV novel is one of the most challenging approaches to storytelling. When done well, it creates a rich, immersive experience that readers absolutely love. But when done poorly, it can completely derail your entire manuscript.

In today's episode, I'll explain what it means to write a multiple-point-of-view novel, how it differs from other narrative approaches, and if it's the right choice for your story.

You'll hear me talk about things like:

[03:05] Why most writers confuse multiple POV with omniscient POV and how this one mistake can sabotage your entire story.

[04:50] The surprising way multiple perspectives create story depth that makes readers think about your book long after finishing it (think Game of Thrones level complexity).

[07:15] My favorite "secret weapon" technique that uses contrasting viewpoints to create those jaw-dropping "aha" moments readers can't stop talking about.

[11:00] The #1 challenge that kills most multi-POV novels before they're even finished (hint: it's not plot structure, and it's definitely not what you think).

[15:25] Five make-or-break questions to ask yourself before committing to multiple POVs (because choosing the wrong narrative approach can derail months of hard work.)

If you've been wondering whether your story needs different character perspectives or if you're already writing from multiple points of view but feel overwhelmed by the nuances, this episode will give you the clarity and confidence you need to move forward.

🔗 Links mentioned in this episode:

• Ep. #90 - How to Choose the Best POV For Your Novel

⭐ Follow & Review

If 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!

FREE GUIDE: 5 Writing Roadblocks Keeping You Stuck (& How To Break Through)

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👉 Looking for a transcript? If you’re listening on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, scroll down below the episode player until you see the transcript.