The Better Writer Podcast | Podcast in RSS.com

The Better Writer Podcast

The Better Writer Podcast

di Olivia Bedford

Libri Miglioramento personale

Stagione 1

The Better Writer Podcast Trailer

Welcome to the Better Writer Podcast! The first official episodes drop on December 8th. In the meantime, you can get my best writing insights by joining the Better Writer Newsletter! Each Tuesday, you'll get writing advice and my best tips for building a better life! Links Subscribe to the Better Writer Weekly newsletter Learn more about my editing and coaching services Transcript Welcome to the Better Writer Podcast. My name is Olivia Bedford. I'm a former high school English teacher turned developmental editor and author accelerator certified book coach. And I'm here to help you become a better writer. If you want to write great books, books just like the ones you've been reading and falling in love with all your life, the Better Writer Podcast is here to help. As an editor and coach, it's my job to help fiction writers ditch the confusion and overwhelm so they can write the best books possible. And now I'm bringing everything I've learned about writing fiction to you in podcast form. On this show, we'll explore what it really takes to write a book that readers can't put down, whether that's mastering craft fundamentals, revising like a pro, or building a writing process that fits your real life, not someone else's Instagram perfect writing routine. My mission in life is to help fiction writers unlearn all the misguided, one-size-fits-noone advice out there and replace it with strategies that actually make your stories work. If you're an aspiring novelist who's ready to finally write an amazing book and maybe even get paid for it someday, you are in the right place. Welcome and happy writing. The Better Writer podcast officially launches on December 8th. So don't forget to hit subscribe and be the first to know when our first episodes drop. Thank you and I hope you'll join me and become a better writer one episode at a time.

Why Pantsers NEED Outlines (Just Not When You Think)

Dear Pantsers, if you think that you’re allergic to all outlines, think again. Pantsers can still use outlines, just not for planning their stories. Instead, I teach pantsers to use outlines in revision. A reverse outline specifically. Listen to episode 40 for all the ways that pantsers can use reverse outlines to get clarity on their stories and plan their revisions before rewriting their full draft 10,000 times. And if you want to learn even more from me, join me for the Revision Kickstart Challenge!! This free 3-day event runs from September 22nd - 24th! Over those 3 days, I’ll teach you how to set yourself up for success, set a vision for your book, and prepare for the revision work ahead. Plus, there just might be some fun prizes available! Get the full details and register for the challenge at OHWRevisionClass.com! I can’t wait to see you live and help you write a better book!! 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/40

Reverse Outlines Don’t Work Without This…

It's no secret that I love reverse outlining. I genuinely think that a reverse outline is the best revision tool for pantsers or anyone else who is just starting out and has a messy draft. However, I also know that there might be a writer out there who has tried reverse outlining in the past and wanted it to fix their messy draft, but it didn't work. If you’re the writer who tried and gave up on reverse outlines, you might think that reverse outlines just don't work, or maybe that they just don't work for you. And that is possible - I will never say that any strategy is one size fits all - but it's also possible that you were missing the two things that make a reverse outline successful: a standard to evaluate that reverse outline with and a strategy for turning that outline into action. In this episode of the Better Writer Podcast, I’m exploring the biggest reverse outline mistake writers make and the two elements that are critical for turning a basic summary into a powerful revision tool. If you’re thinking about giving reverse outlining a second try OR you’re thinking about trying it for the first time, this episode is the perfect starting point! Want a guide to my entire revision process? Check out my FREE revision checklist for pantsers here. 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/39 00:00 When Reverse Outlines Fail 01:27 The Problem with Reverse Outlines 04:30 Essential #1: A Standard to Evaluate Your Outline 12:59 Essential #2: A Strategy that Turns Outline Into Action

6 Revision Myths that Keep Fiction Writers Stuck

If you’re a fiction writer struggling to revise your book, a revision myth may be to blame. Too many writers have bought into a certain image of revision, or a certain method that was never a fit for them or how they write. If you think that your revision problem is just a sign that you’re undisciplined or bad at writing, I have news, you’re not the problem, your revision plan is. In this episode, I’m talking about six common revision myths that can derail even the most committed aspiring author. The problem is that most revision methods were never made for people who write messy. Those methods assume your structure is coherent and your story is ready for detailed edits. Unfortunately, those processes aren’t right for beginners or pantsers but that doesn’t mean your book is doomed. You just need a different plan. Stop trying to make faulty revision methods work for you and instead try a method that’s actually designed to be efficient and effective for writers with rough, rough drafts. Listen for the myths and stay tuned for a revision plan that you can actually make work for you! Here are the resources mentioned in this episode: If you want my full revision checklist - a step-by-step overview of the entire four phase revision process I teach my clients - for FREE, click here. To listen to Episode 37: Why Revising Fiction Sucks So Much (but doesn’t have to…), click here. To listen to Episode 2: Your High School English Teacher Lied - Let's Talk About It (which talks about all the ways high school classrooms get revision wrong), click here. 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/38

Why Revising Fiction Sucks So Much (but doesn’t have to…)

I love revision, but I know that most writers don’t. In fact, for many writers revision sucks so much that it keeps them from finding the book they poured their heart and soul into while drafting. Today, I’m talking about what makes revision suck so we can normalize the struggle AND tips for helping you manage the process so you can confidently create your second draft (or beyond). If you want my full revision checklist - a step-by-step overview of the entire four phase revision process I teach my clients - for FREE, click here. 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/37

Why I’m Shifting from Editing to Coaching (and writers should too)

Don’t get me wrong, developmental editing can be insanely valuable for writers, but it’s not the best option for all writers. In fact, I would argue that it’s not the best option for anyone working on their first book. I’m seeing more and more writers embrace coaching, but there are still plenty of people out there who think editing is their best option for getting feedback on a novel. In this episode, I’m going to take you behind the scenes of my business to share why I shifted from editing to coaching and the value that this change has for writers. I’ll also clarify which writers are best served by edits and which should stick to coaching for now. 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/36

My Top 10 Craft Book Recommendations for Writers - Part 2

Writing craft books have been an essential part of my education as a writer & editor. In this episode, I’m sharing the final 5 books in my top 10 craft books for aspiring fiction writers. Have a craft book recommendation to share? Hit me up in the DMs - I’m @oliviahelpswriters on Instagram! Here are the resources mentioned in this show - please note, this list contains affiliate links: My Bookshop.org shop (affiliate link): https://bookshop.org/shop/oliviahelpswriters 7 Figure Fiction by T. Taylor: https://bookshop.org/a/93888/9781942167594 DIY MFA by Gabriela Pereira: https://bookshop.org/a/93888/9781599639345 Intuitive Editing by Tiffany Yates Martin: https://bookshop.org/a/93888/9781950830022 Story Genius by Lisa Cron: https://bookshop.org/a/93888/9781607748892 The Emotion Thesaurus by Becca Puglisi & Angela Ackerman: https://bookshop.org/a/93888/9780999296349 Don’t miss my summer workshop series! Revision Mindset Workshop - August 4th, 4:30pm. Register here for $49: https://oliviahelpswriters.thrivecart.com/revision-mindset-workshop/ Genre Expectations Workshop - August 11th, 4:30pm. Register here for $49: https://oliviahelpswriters.thrivecart.com/genre-expectations-workshop/ Ideal Reader Workshop - August 18th, 4:30pm. Register here for $49: https://oliviahelpswriters.thrivecart.com/ideal-reader-workshop/ Get all three workshops for $97: https://oliviahelpswriters.thrivecart.com/summer-workshops-2026/ Seeing this from the future? You can still purchase the recordings with the links above! 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/35

Top 10 Craft Book Recommendations for Writers - Part 1

Writing craft books have been an essential part of my education as a writer & editor. In this episode, I’m sharing 5 of my top 10 books for aspiring fiction writers (the final 5 will be shared next week). Have a craft book recommendation to share? Hit me up in the DMs - I’m @oliviahelpswriters on Instagram! Here are the resources mentioned in this show - please note, this list contains affiliate links: My Bookshop.org shop (affiliate link): https://bookshop.org/shop/oliviahelpswriters The Scene Book by Sandra Scofield: https://bookshop.org/a/93888/9780143038269 Blueprint for a Book by Jennie Nash: https://bookshop.org/a/93888/9781733251129 The Complete Art of World Building by Randy Ellefson: https://bookshop.org/a/93888/9781946995407 Conflict and Suspense by James Scott Bell: https://bookshop.org/a/93888/9781599632735 The Anatomy of Prose by Sacha Black: https://bookshop.org/a/93888/9781913236007 The Rebel Author Podcast: https://sachablack.co.uk/the-rebel-author-podcast/ Want to hear more from me? Subscribe to my weekly newsletter, The Better Writer Weekly, here and get my Revision Kickstart Guide for free here: https://olivia-helps-writers.ck.page/94b0145ae9 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/34 00:00 Why I Love Craft Books 03:55 The Scene Book by Sandra Scofield 05:22 Blueprint for a Book by Jennie Nash 07:46 The Complete Art of World Building by Randy Ellefson 13:52 Conflict and Suspense by James Scott Bell 16:29 The Anatomy of Prose by Sacha Black

How Writers Fail

I’m a developmental editor & book coach who loves working with pantsers. Failure is part of the writing life. Don’t believe me? Just take a look at the writers collecting rejections as they query, or the ones complaining about bad reviews from readers, or the ones who are silently waiting for someone–anyone–to take a chance on their book in the first place. In reality, there are things that we cannot control in our writing lives. But there are also many things that we can control. That’s what I’m talking about today. Four mistakes that writers make in their writing or revision process. Mistakes that keep them stuck when they could be more successful. The mistakes that keep readers stuck are: Getting too attached to their original ideas. Prioritizing the wrong things in revision. Trying to please everyone by watering down your ideas. Ignoring the weak spots in their writing craft. Listen to the full episode for all the details. Have a reaction to this episode? Let me know in the comments or hit me up on Instagram @oliviahelpswriters! Want to hear more from me? Subscribe to my weekly newsletter, The Better Writer Weekly, here and get my Revision Kickstart Guide for free here: https://olivia-helps-writers.kit.com/revision-kickstart-guide Here are the other resources mentioned in this episode: Listen to the Brandon Sanderson writing lectures here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLSH_xM-KC3ZvzkfVo_Dls0B5GiE2oMcLY Listen to episode two of the podcast here: https://oliviahelpswriters.com/bwp/2 Check out my services for writers here: https://oliviahelpswriters.com/services 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/33

The plotter vs. pantser myth that's holding you back

I’m a developmental editor & book coach who loves working with pantsers. Does that surprise you? It shouldn’t. Pantsers can write great books and no, I’m not going to sit here and tell you that you have to start using an outline for your projects. Instead, I’m going to tell you to figure out what works for you and then commit to making your books the best they can be within that process. It doesn’t matter how you do the work, as long as it gets done, and gets your book truly ready for readers. Listen now to learn how I think of the difference between plotters and pantsers (hints it’s about which parts of the process light them up) and how I tested this idea in my classroom as a high school teacher. Have a reaction to this episode? Come slide into my DMs - I’m @oliviahelpswriters on Instagram! Want to hear more from me? Subscribe to my weekly newsletter, The Better Writer Weekly, here: https://olivia-helps-writers.kit.com/better-writer-newsletter Thanks for listening, keep writing, and keep getting better one word at a time!

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