This week, I’m talking about mistakes writers make when it comes to story structure. Story structure is vital. It gives our stories shape and ensures we are keeping readers hooked and entertained throughout. Given that reality, you might be expecting me to talk about structural issues, and yes, those definitely happen, but there’s a deeper issue holding writers back: misusing or misunderstanding story structure from the start. Too often, writers try to turn story structure systems into something they aren’t. In this episode, I’m offering a new way to think about structure while avoiding the biggest structure/mindset mistakes.

You’ll hear:

• The three mistakes writers make when thinking about structure
• Why sticking to strict percentages could be holding you back
• The myth that there is one universal structure that applies to all stories
• A new framework for thinking of story structure holistically, not rigidly
• And more!

Resources mentioned:

• Save the Cat Writes a Novel by Jessica Brody
• The Heroine’s Journey by Gail Carriger
• Anatomy of Story by John Truby
• The Writer’s Journey (hero’s journey) by Christopher Vogler
• The Virgin’s Promise by Kim Hudson
• Subscribe to the Better Writer Weekly newsletter here
• Follow me on Instagram here

For a full transcript of the episode, please visit oliviahelpswriters.com/bwp/12

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.

I talk about crafting a great experience for readers ALL THE TIME. But what does that even mean? In this episode, I’m breaking down three things fiction writers need to do to craft a great experience for their readers: meet their genre’s expectations, make readers care, and immerse us in the story.

Links Mentioned:

• Have questions? Reach out on Instagram, I’d love to help!
• Subscribe to the Better Writer Weekly here

For a full transcript of the episode, please visit oliviahelpswriters.com/bwp/11

In this episode, I’m sharing a partial replay of a masterclass I ran for writers called Revision Without Overwhelm: Learn the 4-step process to take your draft from messy to marvelous. In this class, I’m sharing 1) what really makes revision overwhelming, 2) the 4-steps to a successful revision, and 3) tips for managing your revision process so you can make your manuscript better without getting completely lost in the weeds.

If you’re listening to this episode when it comes out, Reader Ready Revisions is officially open for enrollment until January 30th, 2026! You can learn more and enroll with the link below. Missed this session? No worries! Subscribe to my newsletter and be the first to know when the next session opens!

Links Referenced

• Learn more about Reader Ready Revisions and enroll here
• Subscribe to the Better Writer Weekly here

For a full transcript of the episode, please visit oliviahelpswriters.com/bwp/10

In this super short episode of the Better Writer Podcast, I'm reading an email I sent to my email list a couple months ago. You may have heard other writers/writing teachers compare writing to the process of baking a cake. It's true. They're both complicated processes, hard to master if you're a beginner, and totally worth the hard work. Writers often think revision is the icing in this process. It's not. It's the whole cake.

Links Mentioned:

• Subscribe to the Better Writer Weekly newsletter here
• My favorite Chocolate Orange cake recipe is available here

For a full transcript of the episode, please visit oliviahelpswriters.com/bwp/8

Revision can be overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. As a developmental editor, revision is my superpower and I love helping people figure out what to do with their messy first (or second) drafts. In this episode, I’m sharing six do’s and don’ts for revising your novel successfully in 2026. If you can approach revisions strategically, the entire process becomes easier, more efficient, and more effective. Let’s dive in!

Links Mentioned:

• Get my Revision Kickstart Guide for free here: https://olivia-helps-writers.kit.com/revision-kickstart-guide
• Read my blog post on reverse outlining here:https://www.oliviahelpswriters/com/blog/reverse-outlining-what-why-and-how
• Learn more about Matt Bell’s book Refuse to Be Done here: https://bookshop.org/a/93888/9781641293419 (head’s up, I’m a bookshop.org affiliate!)

For a full transcript of the episode, please visit oliviahelpswriters.com/bwp/7

2025 is almost over, and if you’re anything like me, you’re feeling behind as a writer. This was a big year for me, but it was also an insanely unproductive year for my writing. In this episode, I’m sharing what I used to do to fit writing into my busy life as a full-time high school teacher. These are the habits I’m recommitting to in 2026 laid out so you can steal them and move forward on your writing goals this year!

Links Mentioned:

• Subscribe to the Better Writer Weekly newsletter here: https://olivia-helps-writers.kit.com/better-writer-newsletter
• Check out Sarah Elizabeth Sawyer’s work on Fictation here: https://www.fictioncourses.com/dictation
• Check out my blog post on setting flexible writing goals here: https://www.oliviahelpswriters.com/blog/using-flexible-goals
• Check out my blog post on setting non-word count writing goals here: https://www.oliviahelpswriters.com/blog/beyond-word-count-five-metrics-to-spice-up-your-writing-goals

Key Takeaways

• For me, 2025 was a pretty incredible year. It was also an incredibly busy year. I got a lot done, but my writing unfortunately took a backseat to everything else. In 2026, I’m recommitting to my writing.
• Here are my top tips for making writing a part of your life, even if you’re super busy.
• First, set goals that mix flexibility and accountability. For me, that meant setting a strict monthly goal (e.g., 10,000 words) and flexible weekly/ daily goals. I would aim to write an average number of words per week (e.g., 2,500) but adjusted the specific number depending on how busy each week was. The same was true for my daily goals. I had a number to aim for, but if I missed the goal, I moved on and used other days to catch up.
• I also tracked my goals, but I only focused on what I’d actually accomplished, not how far above or below my goal I was on any given day. That analysis was saved for the end of the week when I assessed my progress and adjusted the remaining weekly goals accordingly.
• Second, be realistic about your constraints. I prefer to set goals based on how much time I have, not try to fit an unrealistic goal into my life after setting it.
• Microgoals (e.g., 8 words per day) are also great for keeping yourself mentally focused on a goal, even if you don’t have enough time for a serious writing session.
• You can also embrace shorter writing sessions or writing sessions that look different from the norm. For example, dictating your fiction can be a great way to sneak in a writing session while doing something else, like driving.
• If you’re feeling behind going into the new year, stop it! As long as you’re making progress, you’re better off now than you were one year ago and you’ll be even better off next year compared to right now. Be realistic, set goals that make sense for your life, and enjoy the process.

Thank you for listening to another episode of the Better Writer Podcast! For a full transcript of the episode, please visit https://oliviahelpswriters.com/bwp/6

Ever wondered what a developmental editor does? Not even sure what developmental editing is? This episode breaks down my entire process as a fiction developmental editor - covering what developmental editing is, how I work through a project, and why developmental editing matters to you as a fiction writer. Let’s dive in!

Links Mentioned:

• Subscribe to the Better Writer Weekly newsletter here: https://olivia-helps-writers.kit.com/better-writer-newsletter
• Check out my services here: https://oliviahelpswriters.com/services
• Learn more about my new revision course here: https://readerreadyrevisions.com
• Find an editor via the Editorial Freelancer’s Association here: https://the-efa.org
• Find an editor via Reedsy: https://reedsy.com

Key Takeaways

• The vast majority of readers DNF (DNF = did not finish) books because of developmental issues - boring stories, characters they don’t like, nonexistent plotting, and more!
• Unlike other forms of editing that focus on line-level issues, developmental editing is all about fixing the big-picture elements of your story - the story elements that keep readers hooked.
• My developmental edits are built around the four step revision process: prioritize, analyze, strategize, and revise. I do steps 1-3, so you can focus on step 4.
• My edit starts before I ever see your manuscript. First, I need to understand your genre, target audience, publishing goals, and story vision, so I know what to prioritize.
• Then, I analyze your manuscript by commenting on your work and creating a book map (structural overview of your story).
• Step three is to strategize by crafting an editorial letter full of revision suggestions you can use on your own.
• My goal as an editor is to empower you with multiple revision choices, not hand out a set of mandates.
• I don’t work with every genre because I’m not an expert in every genre, but if you think I’m the right person to help you write a great book, get in touch!

For a full transcript of the episode, please visit https://oliviahelpswriters.com/bwp/5