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The Better Writer Podcast

The Better Writer Podcast

by Olivia Bedford

Books Self-Improvement

Season 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.

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!

Got bad feedback on your book? Here’s what to do next.

As a fiction writer, you know that feedback is essential. But you probably also know that even the smartest critique partners can end up giving you feedback that just doesn’t resonate. But what are you supposed to do next? Ignore the feedback completely? Grit your teeth and make the change because you respect the person giving it? How about a more a strategic approach? In this podcast episode, I’m going to give you a 5-step framework for strategically reviewing feedback you disagree with. Here are the steps: Take a break to process. Consider the source. Evaluate the feedback’s validity. Separate the diagnosis from the cure. Accept & implement OR reject and move on. Listen to the full episode for all the details and examples of my own experiences with less-than-stellar feedback. Want to work with me? Check out my services here: https://oliviahelpswriters.com/services Want to start your revisions on the right foot before anyone else even sees the draft? Grab my free revision kickstart guide here: https://olivia-helps-writers.kit.com/revision-kickstart-guide 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/31. 00:00 Opening 01:05 Feedback Isn't a Mandate 04:35 Step 1: Take a Break 06:42 Step 2: Consider the Source 10:24 Step 3: Assess the Feedback's Validity 13:10 Assessing Feedback Validity 16:12 Step 4: Separate the Diagnosis and the Cure 22:31 Step 4: Accept & Implement OR Reject & Move On

5 Signs You’re Ready to Hire a Professional Editor for Your Novel

You’re writing a book. You know that you need a professional editor to help you figure out how to revise your book successfully, but you’re not sure if you’re truly ready for such a big step. In this episode, I’m discussing five signs that you are ready to hire an editor. If you check all of these boxes, it’s time to reach out! Here are the five signs that you are ready for professional editing: You’ve taken your manuscript as far as you can on your own. You’re actually open to feedback - not just looking for a rubber stamp on your writing. You’re ready to invest in your work (even if you’re not guaranteed to make that money back). You know how editing fits your personal and professional writing goals. You’re emotionally ready to get feedback that may sting a little. Want to hire me? Check out my services here. Still revising on your own? Grab my free revision kickstart guide 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/30. 00:00 Intro 01:29 Sign 1: Your manuscript is ready. 02:56 Sign 2: You're open to feedback. 05:28 Sign 3: You're ready to invest. 07:11 Sign 4: You know what you want to get from editing. 08:29 Sign 5: You're emotionally ready. 10:49 Recap

8 Lessons I’ve Learned Since Becoming an Editor & Book Coach

June has always been a reflective time of year for me. As a former teacher, the end of the school year is the second New Year’s. It’s also my birthday month and now a double anniversary - I started my business in June 2022 and took it full time in June 2024. So, as I reflect, I’m sharing eight lessons I’ve learned since turning my love of fiction into a career. If you find this episode helpful, guess what? I share insights like this every week in my email newsletter. Subscribe at the link below! Here are the resources mentioned in this newsletter: Subscribe to my newsletter here: https://olivia-helps-writers.kit.com/better-writer-newsletter Learn more about me & my work with writers here: https://oliviahelpswriters.com 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/29. Chapters 00:00 Introduction 01:33 #1: Turn Up the Dial on Your Conflicts 02:51 #2: More Intense Doesn't Just Mean More 04:57 #3: Your First Draft Won't Have Your Best Ideas 09:12 #4: Beginning Authors Underestimate the Work 11:34 #5: Debut Authors Can Get Book Deals 13:33 #6: Indie Publishing Is More Than a Fallback 15:38 #7: Characterization Isn't Random Characteristics 17:08 #8: Your Story Matters

Scared of Writing Diverse Characters? Here’s How to Get Started.

You’re writing a book and you want readers to love it. But are you using tropes and worldbuilding elements that could harm your future readers? Whether consciously or unconsciously, you may be including harmful stereotypes or tropes in your stories. In this episode of the Better Writer Podcast, I’m sharing four mindsets that can help you worldbuild & write with sensitivity so you can avoid limiting your audience prematurely or accidentally falling into your own misrepresentation trap. Let’s dive in! Resources related to this episode (some mentioned, some not, all here to help you write better books): Writing the Other (many resources on representing varied racial & minority groups respectfully): https://writingtheother.com/ Verna Myers’ TEDTalk “How to overcome our biases? Walk boldly toward them”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYyvbgINZkQ Molly Rookwood’s Blog Post “Antisemitism in Fantasy and Fairy Tales”: https://www.rookwoodediting.com/post/antisemitism-in-fantasy-and-fairy-tales My blog post “First, Do No Harm: World Building Tropes to Avoid”: https://www.oliviahelpswriters.com/blog/world-building-tropes-to-avoid Another blog post from me “3 Resources for Improving LGBTQIA+ Representation in Your Stories”: https://www.oliviahelpswriters.com/blog/improve-lgbtqia-representation-in-your-stories 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/28. 00:00 Intro 06:23 Mindset 1: Listen & Learn 09:50 Mindset 2: Leaning on "classic" tropes Isn't an excuse. 15:48 Mindset 3: Don't Write for One Reader 20:12 Mindset 4: Think Beyond Trauma

Do you need an editor for your novel? It depends.

Most fiction writers know they’ll need help at some point, and those planning to publish know that feedback from a professional editor can help them write a successful book. But what kind of editing do you actually need? Do you need developmental editing or a book coach? Copy editing or proofreading? And what about line editing? It’s a complicated question without a one-size-fits-all answer. So, let’s talk about it. The answer depends on two factors: your publishing plan and your skill as a writer. Listen to learn about the different types of editors and how to know which types of feedback you’ll need at each stage in your writing process. Request a sample edit from Olivia (closed to the public until July 7th): https://www.oliviahelpswriters.com/sample-edit Margie Lawson’s line editing courses: https://www.margielawson.com/lawson-writers-academy-2/ Learn more about the different types of editors here: https://www.oliviahelpswriters.com/blog/types-of-editing-and-editors 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/27. 00:00 Intro 01:51 Types of Editing 06:36 Editing Needs for Trad vs. Self-Pub 11:12 Do you need developmental or line editing? 11:51 Editing for Absolute Beginners 16:05 When to Hire a Developmental Editor 20:27 Do You Need Line Editing? 22:25 Making Your Decision 25:52 Final Thoughts on Editorial Support

The 6 Mindsets Fiction Writers Need to Revise Successfully

Revision isn’t just about perfecting your plot or sharpening scenes. Revision is also mental and emotional. In this episode, I’m breaking down the 6 mindsets that fiction writers need to embrace in order to successfully revise their books. The six mindsets are: 1. Don’t compare your draft to a finished book. 2. Don’t be afraid of big changes. 3. Be patient. 4. Feedback isn’t law. 5. You can make your book great. 6. Embrace collaboration. These mindsets aren’t always easy to embrace, but they will help you create a book that works for readers. Listen to the full episode to learn why each of these mindsets is crucial and my advice for making them part of your process. Want my support through every step of the revision process? My course/group coaching program Reader Ready Revisions is open for enrollment right now. You can learn more and apply for the next cohort here: https://readerreadyrevisions.com. 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/26. 00:29 Revision & Mindset 01:14 Mindset 1: Don't compare your draft to a finished book 04:03 Mindset 2: Don't be afraid of big changes. 06:28 Mindset 3: Be patient. 07:46 Mindset 4: Feedback isn't law 12:42 Mindset 5: You can make your book great. 16:17 Mindset 6: Embrace Collaboration

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