The Novel Writing Podcast
Writing a novel doesn't have to take decades. Author and Tally Ink coach Colleen Mitchell provides authors with bite-sized mindset tips, encouragement, inspiration, and tips for the writing process. So grab a cup, cozy up, and let's get to writing! The Novel Writing Podcast is a production of Tally Ink.
Episodes
180 episodes
Publishing Myth #3: You Don’t Need to Market
If you build it (write it) they will come, right?Not so fast. Publishing is just like any other industry.... If you want to be make money, you have to market your book. There's a pervasive myth among new author...
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Episode 180
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3:49
The Pros & Cons of DIY in Self-Publishing
There are many pieces in the self-publishing puzzle, but what are the pros and cons of DIY-ing them?Doing it yourself saves money (and time) but in many cases, the risks outweigh the benefits.This is a deeper dive into DIY and s...
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Episode 179
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14:03
Mastering the Outline, with E.A. Winters
E.A. Winters, indie author of 9 books, joins me to discuss her outlining process. Developed over the last five or six years, E.A. has reached the point where her outlines are keystone to writing fast, relatively clean first drafts....
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Episode 178
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54:41
Literary Sins: DIY-ing EVERYTHING
Every indie author wants to save money on the process, but can you really DIY *everything*?If you're looking into DIY-ing everything from editing to formatting to cover design, there are some things to consider.Not all DIY is cr...
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Episode 177
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9:44
3 Tips to Confidently Approach Your First Draft
There are an infinite number of tips that writers could attempt to keep in mind while writing their first drafts.Every writer's toolbox is different, but if these 3 tips work for you, they could become your go-tos for first drafts....
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Episode 176
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3:55
Literary Sins: Improper Research
Did you research those little details enough?There's a delicate balance between too much and just right, but at the opposite end of the spectrum is not even bothering with research.... Research that would ensure you're not ...
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Episode 175
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4:54
How to Avoid Flat, Static, Mary Sues
How do you know if your main characters have the best characterizations to be a main character?If you've ever scratched your head over what it means for characters to be flat or round, static or dynamic, (and what the heck a Mary Sue is...
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Episode 174
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5:41
Do You Need a Pen Name?
Are you thinking about using a pen name for your books?Not every author will choose to use one, but a nom de plume can be an attractive choice depending on your circumstances.In this episode, we talk about the top 5 reasons auth...
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Episode 173
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9:18
How to Know Your Book’s Age Group
Do you know what age group your book falls into? Figuring out the difference between children's books, chapter books, middle grade, young adult, new adult, and adult can be difficult to navigate.While knowing your age group...
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Episode 172
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5:49
How to Write Fight Scenes, with Carla Hoch
Do you struggle with writing realistic fight scenes?Never fear, Carla Hoch is here! Carla, author of the Fight Write books, joins us to talk about common mistakes new authors (and experienced authors, TBH) make when writing...
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Episode 171
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58:31
3 Ways to Strengthen Your Plot
Are you struggling with a saggy middle? Figuring out to fix it can feel daunting if you don't have a place to start.Try these 3 ways to strengthen your plot!
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Episode 170
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3:52
Publishing Myth #2: Indie = Success
If you don't go traditional, you're probably an indie author. While indie has become 1000% more accessible than it was even just 10 years ago, it's not without its downsides.The fact that it's easy to hit publish on Amazon ...
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Episode 169
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3:56
How Many Books Should Be in Your Series?
How do you decide how many books should be in your series?It's not as simple as picking a number out of the air. In this episode we cover what a series is versus what it isn't, how to understand how much story you have, cut...
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Episode 168
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9:42
What Makes Characters Memorable?
What makes a character memorable?It's more than just what they look like, who they are, or what they say.Check out these six techniques for crafting memorable characters, which you can do before you even start writing the first ...
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Episode 167
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5:43
How to Actually Finish Your First Draft
Many writers, both newbies and veterans alike, struggle to finish first drafts.So what's the magic formula for actually writing "The End"? Spoiler: There is no magic formula, but The 60 Day Novel Writing Challenge is pretty darn...
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Episode 166
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5:43
Publishing Myth #1: Traditional = Success
Many authors want to be traditionally published because of the percieved prestige that comes with the name of a Big Publishing House.Unfortunately, the publishing industry has changed A LOT in the last 20 years, and it's no longer a gua...
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Episode 165
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5:58
Literary Sins: Infodumping in the Published Book
Don't publish the infodump!It's easy to infodump even when you don't mean to, which is why editors and critique partners are so important before publishing.While infodumping is part of the normal drafting process, authors should...
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Episode 164
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4:43
What is an Unreliable Narrator?
What is an unreliable narrator? Writers and readers alike use this moniker often without understanding what it really means.In this episode, we break down what an unreliable narrator is, the best genres that make use of the...
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Episode 163
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4:54
Literary Sins: Random Character to the Rescue
As a reader, how do you react when a random character comes to the rescue during the climax?Odds are, you probably feel cheated.In this episode, we break down this literary sin and how to avoid committing it.
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Episode 162
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3:36
10 Productivity Tips for Writers, PART 2
Struggling with being a productive writer? We all fall into distraction traps and periods of low productivity. All productivity tips are like tools in a toolbox, and having multiple is a great way to break out of writer's block....
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Episode 161
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6:37
10 Productivity Tips for Writers, PART 1
Struggling with being a productive writer? We all fall into distraction traps and periods of low productivity. All productivity tips are like tools in a toolbox, and having multiple is a great way to break out of write...
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Episode 160
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5:11
How to Achieve Your Writing Goals in 2025
Are you ready to hit 2025 running toward your writing goals?If not, do not fear! This episode covers 5 essential tactics for planning a successful writing year, no matter what your goals are.2025 is right around the...
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Episode 159
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11:39
Reasons to Write the Blurb Early
The blurb is one of the hardest and most hated parts of an author's life... at least that's what it seems like!In this episode, we break down why writing the blurb early is actually the smartest thing to do.Blurbs don't need to ...
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Episode 158
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4:26