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
What if I don't know what it is I'm writing?
Am I writing a short story or a novel? Am I ready to write my memoir? Mary addresses how to decide, and when the right time is to make the call.
S01 E09 What if I don’t know what it is I’m writing? [Reissue]
This episode originally aired on 8/7/2020. Due to a technical issue with Apple Podcasts deleting our episodes, this is a repost. New episodes will not have this notice.
Am I writing a short story or …
How do I make it through the murky middle?
Every writer struggles with the middle. In this episode, Mary shares her favorite tactic for making it through.
S01 E08 How do I make it through the murky middle? [Reissue]
This episode originally aired on 7/31/2020. Due to a technical issue with Apple Podcasts deleting our episodes, this is a repost. New episodes will not have this notice.
Every writer struggles with…
When will I feel like a "real" writer?
A writer asks when writing her book will start to feel like a real project, and not like a side hobby she may or may not finish.
S01 E07 When will I feel like a “real” writer? [Reissue]
This episode originally aired on 7/24/2020. Due to a technical issue with Apple Podcasts deleting our episodes, this is a repost. New episodes will not have this notice.
A writer asks when writing he…
S01 E06 To outline, or not to outline? [Reissue]
This episode originally aired on 7/17/2020. Due to a technical issue with Apple Podcasts deleting our episodes, this is a repost. New episodes will not have this notice.
That is the question.
What is an inciting incident?
A writer asks about that terrifying term "the inciting incident," and Mary gets real in her answer.
S01 E05 What is an inciting incident? [Reissue]
This episode originally aired on 7/10/2020. Due to a technical issue with Apple Podcasts deleting our episodes, this is a repost. New episodes will not have this notice.
A writer asks about that te…
When and how should I think about chapters?
In this episode, Mary talks everything chapters: yes or no, how long, how many, and what about parts?
S01 E04 When and how should I think about chapters? [Reissue]
This episode originally aired on 7/3/2020. Due to a technical issue with Apple Podcasts deleting our episodes, this is a repost. New episodes will not have this notice.
In this episode, Mary talks …
Why can't I finish a draft of my book?
In this episode, Mary tackles the question of what to do when you just can't finish a &%$ draft. If you have six half-written books in your home, this episode is for you.
How long should it take to write my book?
In this inaugural episode of The First Draft Club, Mary answers a writer's question about how long it should take to write a first draft of a book and how long one should expect to revise.
Should I revise as I go, or write, THEN revise?
This week, a writer asks, should I revise as I go, or wait? Mary has a very strong opinion on this question.
S01 E01 How long should it take to write my book? [Reissue]
This episode originally aired on 6/26/2020. Due to a technical issue with Apple Podcasts deleting our episodes, this is a repost. New episodes will not have this notice.
In this inaugural episode of …
S01 E02 Why can’t I finish a draft of my book? [Reissue]
This episode originally aired on 6/26/2020. Due to a technical issue with Apple Podcasts deleting our episodes, this is a repost. New episodes will not have this notice.
In this episode, Mary tackles…
S01 E03 Should I revise as I go, or write, THEN revise? [Reissue]
This episode originally aired on 6/26/2020. Due to a technical issue with Apple Podcasts deleting our episodes, this is a repost. New episodes will not have this notice.
This week, a writer asks, s…
Welcome to The First Draft Club! - Trailer
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-parag…