In this episode of The First Draft Club, Mary Adkins dismantles the elitist myth that plot is somehow “lowbrow” or optional in literary fiction. Drawing from her own experience and actual Big 5 rejection letters, she explains why plot is essential—not just for publication, but for reader satisfaction. Plus, she shares her favorite low-pressure, free method for making sure your story works, no matter where you are in your writing journey.

Whether you’ve been told your prose is beautiful but “the pacing is off,” or you’re trying to finish a draft that just won’t come together, this episode is your permission slip to prioritize plot—and a guide for how to do it well.

🎧 What You’ll Learn:

• Why plot gets unfairly dismissed in some writing circles

• What real editors say when they pass on beautifully written manuscripts

• The difference between compelling writing and a compelling story

• A free and easy story-development strategy you can try today (no downloads, no critique groups)

📌 Links and Resources:

• Apply to The Book Incubator to get access to the full Four Notebooks training: thebookincubator.com

• Listen to the Four Notebooks Method episode: http://bit.ly/3wGmMTc

• Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/SAmFiIYVEEw

🖊 Want writing support that respects your voice and your story? Apply to join The Book Incubator, Mary’s 12-month MFA-alternative for writers who want to finish their books...without writing them by committee.

There’s one mistake I see writers make over and over again—and it’s the reason so many great books never get finished. It’s called premature optimization, and while it’s a term from computer science, it applies perfectly to writing a novel.

In this episode, I break down what premature optimization looks like for writers, why it’s so dangerous in a first draft, and how it’s connected to the failure of a now-forgotten Google product (RIP Google Wave). I also share real rejection letters from Big 5 editors that highlight the number one thing publishers are actually looking for—and why beautiful writing isn’t enough.

If you’re in the early or messy middle stages of your book, this episode will help you shift your focus to what really matters: story.

What You’ll Learn:

• What premature optimization is and how it derails writing progress

• Why polishing your sentences too early can backfire

• The difference between writing a book vs. writing a book by committee

• What Big 5 editors actually say in rejections—and what you can learn from them

Links & Resources:

• Read the blog post version: https://maryadkinswriter.com/blog/how-to-not-ruin-your-novel

• Watch the full video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/krT6XdRC3TE?si=QrorxAu-SZuu6nUQ

• Apply to The Book Incubator: https://www.thebookincubator.com/

Subscribe & Review:

If you loved this episode, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a writing friend who needs to hear it. Your support helps more writers find this show—and finish their books.

BIG NEWS!

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Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/thirdrailpress/third-rail-press-for-the-untold-stories-of-womens-lives Third Rail Press: https://www.thirdrailpress.org/