The First Draft Club
A podcast to help you overcome resistance and write with more joy, clarity, and confidence. If you’re working on a novel or memoir, stick around. Whether you haven‘t written a word since your 5-paragraph essay days or you have an MFA in Creative Writing, this weekly podcast is now your favorite writing companion on your journey to finish your first draft.
- Update frequency
- every 5 days
- Average duration
- 14 minutes
- Episodes
- 139
- Years Active
- 2020 - 2025
S06 E03 On Literary Snobbery: How to Recognize It, Understand It, and Handle it
There's an undercurrent of literary snobbery that pervades many creative writing spaces. In this episode, Mary names it, shares personal stories of what it looks like, and talks about why it can be d…
S06 E02 Live with a Literary Agent
Literary agent Marisa Corvisiero chats with Mary about what contract terms she tries to negotiate for her clients, why she thinks it's savvy for authors to publish both traditionally and independentl…
S06 E01 What I’ve Been Writing & Why I Abandoned My Latest Novel
In this first episode of Season 6, Mary shares what she's been working on during this long break between seasons and why she set aside her latest novel, never to return to it.
Trigger warning: Pregna…
WE’RE BACK!
After a long break, Mary is back for season 6 with more writing tips and some fun new episodes!
S05 E10 Should you get an MFA in Creative Writing? The Pros & Cons
Mary applied for MFA programs 3 times and was accepted twice, but never went. In this episode, she shares her story, as well as what she sees as the pros and cons of an MFA in Creative Writing.
Check…
S05 E09 3 Things No One Tells You About Getting a Literary Agent
Literary agents: no one really knows the secret to getting one or everything they do for you once you have one. Here, Mary shares the 3 things she didn't know about getting a literary agent and worki…
S05 E08 The 3 Most Common Unfounded Fears of Writers
There's plenty for writers to worry about without worrying about the things we DON'T need to be concerned by. In this episode, Mary discusses the three fears writers often have that they don't need t…
S05 E07 5 Steps to Getting a Literary Agent
Getting a literary agent was, for Mary, the hardest part of becoming a published author. Here, she breaks down the process into actionable steps.
Check out the video of this episode on the YouTube Ch…
S05 E06 After You’re Published: 5 Surprises
Publishing your first book mostly feels amazing, but there are a few surprises you may not expect. In this episode, Mary shares 5 of those surprises.
Check out the video of this episode on the YouTub…
S05 E05 How to Write Your Book in 45 Minutes a Day
Writing a book—and not just any book, but a good book—doesn't have to take over your life or take forever. You can write a solid draft in 45 minutes a day, 5 days a week, over just a few months. Here…
S05 E04 How to Decide What Comes Next in Your Novel
You've started writing...but at 10 or 40 pages in, how do you decide what happens NEXT in your story? In this episode, Mary shares 4 favorite strategies.
Check out the video of this episode on the Yo…
S05 E03 How to Write a Novel (The Complete, Proven Guide)
Here it is—Mary's entire process for writing a publishable novel, broken down into 7 steps. You won't want to miss this one.
Check out the video of this episode on the YouTube Channel: https://www.yo…
S05 E02 How I Wrote My First Book (My Personal Journey)
It took Mary 99 years to write her first book (well, 6). In this episode, she shares the 3 biggest mistakes she made that she doesn't want you to make...and what to do instead.
Check out the video of…
S05 E01 How to Write Compelling Dialogue
Does your dialogue sound like a third-grade play? You'll want to get these strategies for writing better dialogue. Here's how Mary makes sure to write the way people actually talk.
Check out the vide…
Big News from Mary!
Mary's novel PALM BEACH is out! Order the book to get free access to a private workshop only for book purchasers—listen to this mini-episode for details.
Check out maryadkinswriter.com. Stay tuned fo…
Big News from Mary!
This episode originally aired on 8/3/2021. Due to a technical issue with Apple Podcasts deleting our episodes, this is a repost. New episodes will not have this notice.
Mary's novel PALM BEACH is out…
10 Hacks for Just Getting Started
The first blank page is the hardest one to take down. In this episode, Mary offers original 10 hacks for overcoming your demons and getting your book draft underway.
hacks.maryadkinswriter.com
S04 E09 10 Hacks for Just Getting Started [Reissue]
This episode originally aired on 5/7/2021. Due to a technical issue with Apple Podcasts deleting our episodes, this is a repost. New episodes will not have this notice.
The first blank page is the ha…
Your Best Writing Goals Based on Your Enneagram Type
Mary breaks down the 9 Enneagram types and evaluates different writing goals for each one. If you loathe the term "writing goals," you need to listen—you may just need a different kind.
S04 E08 Your Best Writing Goals Based on Your Enneagram Type [Reissue]
This episode originally aired on 4/30/2021. Due to a technical issue with Apple Podcasts deleting our episodes, this is a repost. New episodes will not have this notice.
Mary breaks down the 9 Enneag…