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
How to Overcome Resistance
Here's the pep talk—and a bonus assignment—that will help you overcome resistance, if not once and for all, at least for this week.
S04 E07 How to Overcome Resistance [Reissue]
This episode originally aired on 4/23/2021. Due to a technical issue with Apple Podcasts deleting our episodes, this is a repost. New episodes will not have this notice.
Here's the pep talk—and a bon…
The Four Notebooks Method
See the Reissue episode for updated information on The Four Notebooks Method.
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Mary teaches you her signature method for handwriting your novel or memoir—The Four Notebooks Method—and tells you ho…
S04 E06 The Four Notebooks Method [Reissue]
This episode originally aired on 4/16/2021. Due to a technical issue with Apple Podcasts deleting our episodes, this is a repost. New episodes will not have this notice.
Mary teaches you her signatur…
Let me guess: the idea was better in your head?
How do we deal with the fact that our stories, once on paper, are never as good as they were in our minds? Mary offers 3 strategies for handling this situation.
S04 E05 Let me guess: the idea was better in your head? [Reissue]
This episode originally aired on 4/9/2021. Due to a technical issue with Apple Podcasts deleting our episodes, this is a repost. New episodes will not have this notice.
How do we deal with the fact t…
How to Write Act 3 of the 3-Act Structure (Part 4 of 4)
Mary wraps up a four-episode series on the 3-act structure with a breakdown of her favorite of the three acts, Act 3, and talks about how to find the magic of it in your own writing.
S04 E04 How to Write Act 3 of the 3-Act Structure (Part 4 of 4) [Reissue]
This episode originally aired on 4/2/2021. Due to a technical issue with Apple Podcasts deleting our episodes, this is a repost. New episodes will not have this notice.
Mary wraps up a four-episode s…
How to Write Act 2 of the 3-Act Structure (Part 3 of 4)
Mary talks all things Act 2—and, most importantly, gets into why Act 2 isn't a formula but a personal challenge for you, the author.
S04 E03 How to Write Act 2 of the 3-Act Structure (Part 3 of 4) [Reissue]
This episode originally aired on 3/26/2021. Due to a technical issue with Apple Podcasts deleting our episodes, this is a repost. New episodes will not have this notice.
Mary talks all things Act 2—…
How to Write Act 1 of the 3-Act Structure (Part 2 of 4)
In the second of four parts on the 3-act structure, Mary dives into what we mean by Act 1 and how to break it down into a manageable tool.
S04 E02 How to Write Act 1 of the 3-Act Structure (Part 2 of 4) [Reissue]
This episode originally aired on 3/19/2021. Due to a technical issue with Apple Podcasts deleting our episodes, this is a repost. New episodes will not have this notice.
In the second of four parts o…
My Least Annoying and Most Usable Breakdown of the 3-Act Structure (Part 1 of 4)
In the first episode of Season 4, Mary kicks off a four-episode series breaking down the 3-act structure...in a way that won't terrify you, turn you off, or make you feel like you're supposed to be w…
S04 E01 My Least Annoying and Most Usable Breakdown of the 3-Act Structure (Part 1 of 4) [Reissue]
This episode originally aired on 3/12/2021. Due to a technical issue with Apple Podcasts deleting our episodes, this is a repost. New episodes will not have this notice.
In the first episode of Seaso…
How to Choose a Point of View for Your Novel
Choosing a point of view is a critical early step in the novel-writing process. In this episode, Mary talks about how to choose a point of view, and what to look out for in third person. (Video link:…
S03 E08 How to Choose a Point of View for Your Novel [Reissue]
This episode originally aired on 2/25/2021. Due to a technical issue with Apple Podcasts deleting our episodes, this is a repost. New episodes will not have this notice.
Choosing a point of view is a…
How to Choose a Book Writing Coach
There are a lot of book writing coaches out there these days. What should you look for in one? (Video link: https://youtu.be/sfLpylT_x38)
S03 E07 How to Choose a Book Writing Coach [Reissue]
This episode originally aired on 2/18/2021. Due to a technical issue with Apple Podcasts deleting our episodes, this is a repost. New episodes will not have this notice.
There are a lot of book writi…
4 Signs You're Ready to Hire a Book Writing Coach
When is a good time to hire a book writing coach? Here's how to know that it's the right call. (Video link: https://youtu.be/OL1SAbCriaY)
S03 E06 4 Signs You’re Ready to Hire a Book Writing Coach [Reissue]
This episode originally aired on 2/11/2021. Due to a technical issue with Apple Podcasts deleting our episodes, this is a repost. New episodes will not have this notice.
When is a good time to hire a…