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.

If your image of a writer is someone sitting alone in an attic writing a masterpiece all by themselves, I’ve got news, that image is a myth. Collaboration is essential to writing a great book. Today, I’m talking about why you can’t just edit your book and five specific areas where we tend to mess up when we try to do all the editing by ourselves.

Links:

• Subscribe to the Better Writer Weekly newsletter here
• Learn about my editing & coaching services here

Key Takeaways:

• The image of the solitary genius writer is a myth.
• Collaboration is essential for revising. That doesn’t mean you need to hire a professional editor, but it does mean you need to let other people read your work.
• Our brains process information based on patterns, which can lead to errors in writing.
• There are five common areas where writers can make faulty assumptions that affect the reading experience. They include:
  • Assuming character motivations are self-evident
  • Worldbuilding infodumps - we know why that information matters, but readers don’t yet
  • Assuming all readers would react the same way your character would to a given situation so you don’t need to put their reaction on the page
  • Vague visual descriptions
  • Typos/misspelled words
• To avoid missing typos/ misspelled words you can: use text-to-speech software to hear your work out loud, change the font/text color to trick your brain, use an AI powered spell check (e.g., Grammarly or ProWritingAid) or hire a professional copyeditor/proofreader.

For a full transcript of the episode, please visit oliviahelpswriters.com/bwp/4

In this episode, I’m tackling one of fiction writing’s greatest controversies - the divide between plotters and pantsers.

I’ll talk about the real difference between plotters and pantsers, how to find a writing process that works for you, and how to avoid the shame that comes from putting too much pressure on what we “should” be doing instead of focusing on what we could accomplish if we just honored our strengths.

Links:

• Subscribe to the Better Writer Weekly newsletter here
• Learn about my outline critique service here
• Learn more about my work here
• Listen to How Writers Write here

Key Takeaways:

• Plotters outline their stories, while pantsers write spontaneously.
• The distinction between plotters and pantsers exists on a spectrum.
• Outlining can take just as long as revising a draft and ultimately it doesn’t matter how you spend your time.
• Readers care about the final product, not the process. No one gives you a gold star for outlining or a free pass if you wrote without one.
• Experimenting with different writing methods is essential.
• Your writing process may change over time and that’s okay - you have to keep testing and adapting.
• Don't let other people’s expectations dictate your writing habits.
• Quality of writing time is more important than quantity - don’t beat yourself up about not having enough time, just focus on making the most of the time you do have.
• Every writer has a unique approach to creativity. Find yours and make the most of it.
• The goal is to create a book that readers love. That’s it. The route you take to get there doesn’t matter.

For a full transcript of the episode, please visit oliviahelpswriters.com/bwp/3

Newsflash: your high school English teacher lied to you about the writing process. How do I know? I was one of them! I spent six years teaching students to write the wrong way before I started writing fiction and realized that professional writers are doing things differently. Like, completely differently. Tune in for the six lies you likely learned in high school and how to keep them from hindering your progress in the future.

Links:

• Subscribe to the Better Writer Weekly newsletter here
• Learn more about me and my work here

Key Takeaways:

• Everything your high school English teacher taught you about writing is a lie.
• You do not have to outline; there are multiple ways to write.
• Your first draft does not need to be perfect, but too many assignments are designed as if the first draft should be readable and coherent.
• Editing involves more than just correcting typos; it requires structural changes and re-envisioning everything about your story if needed.
• Collaboration is essential in writing even if it’s often discouraged or downplayed in the classroom.
• Grammar rules can be bent in creative writing; focus on storytelling.
• There is no single standard for writing; it varies by genre and audience.
• The reader's experience is the most important goal; if your story doesn’t work for them, it doesn’t work at all.
• Understanding your own writing process is crucial for success.
• Unlearning harmful writing habits can lead to better writing outcomes.

For a full transcript of the episode, please visit oliviahelpswriters.com/bwp/2

In the very first episode of the Better Writer Podcast, I’m asking one very important question: Does writing fiction matter?

When AI has shown up to replace us and the world feels like it’s always in a state of crisis does it still make sense to sit down and write your stories?

I believe it is. Here’s why.

Links mentioned in this episode:

• Subscribe to the Better Writer Weekly newsletter here
• Learn more about my work here
• Read my blog post on harmful worldbuilding tropes here
• Check out the sources that I consulted in putting together this show:
  • Article: Does reading fiction make us better people?
  • Study: How Does Fiction Reading Influence Empathy? An Experimental Investigation on the Role of Emotional Transportation
  • Study: Bookworms versus nerds: Exposure to fiction versus non-fiction, divergent associations with social ability, and the simulation of fictional social worlds
  • Article: Why Sharing Stories Brings People Together
  • Article: Paul Slovic observes the ‘psychic numbing’ of COVID-19
  • Article: Why Your Brain Can’t Empathize with Large Tragedies
  • Books Mentioned (affiliate links):
    • Wired for Story
    • The Well of Tears
    • The Duke and I (Bridgerton #1)

Key Takeaways:

• Writing is essential even in a world dominated by AI.
• Diverse perspectives in literature are crucial for changing our world for the better - even if we don't see results right away.
• Fiction is an amazing coping mechanism and your book could be the thing that gets someone through the toughest part of their life.
• Stories can help readers navigate difficult emotions and experiences in a safe way that doesn't trigger the defensiveness that can keep people from connecting in real life.
• Writing can also empower you whether it's just in telling a story that matters to you or in accomplishing a difficult goal.

For a full transcript of the episode, please visit oliviahelpswriters.com/bwp/1