#78: Down The Best Tips From FWME In 2022

In this episode, I'm doing a little countdown of some of the best and most listened-to clips from the Fiction Writing Made Easy podcast in 2022. Here's a preview of what you'll hear in the episode:

[01:40] Tip #10: Test out your idea by writing a 1-2 sentence summary of your entire story, focusing on the main story thread.

[04:15] Tip #9: Create a scene-by-scene roadmap for your entire story (and then pressure-test it!) before you start writing.

[07:10] Tip #8: Write (and edit) your story in scenes, not chapters! This will help you stay on track and produce a well-paced story.

[10:40] Tip #7: Not everything that happens in a story needs to be dramatized in a full-blown scene. Sometimes, you can summarize!

[13:05] Tip #6: Establish your character’s mental and emotional state at the very beginning of each one of your scenes.

[16:45] Tip #5: When you finish writing a first draft, the very first thing you should do is take a break!

[19:50] Tip #4: Make sure something meaningful happens in your opening pages if you want to catch the reader’s attention!

[22:35] Tip #3: If you want to hook an agent’s attention with your query letter, don’t be vague when summarizing your story–be specific!

[25:15] Tip #2: If you want to get a traditional publishing deal, consider self-publishing (first) to gain experience and grow your audience.

[26:55] Tip #1: Don’t assume a traditional publisher will provide significant marketing help if you get a book deal.

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Links mentioned in this episode:

• Click here to learn more about the First 5 Pages Workshop!
• Ep. 54 - How to Test Your Story Idea Before Writing
• Ep. 55 - 3 Tips for Writing a First Draft in 90 Days
• Ep. 56 - 5 Reasons Why Readers Stop Reading
• Ep. 58 - 10 Querying Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)
• Ep. 61 - First Chapter Analysis: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
• Ep. 63 - Don’t Start a Scene Without These 3 Things
• Ep. 66 - The Pros and Cons of Traditional Publishing

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