Explore every episode of the podcast First Draft Friday: Conversations about author craft
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Episode 75: Lucy Score - Adding humor to romance and suspense writing | 27 mars 2024 | 00:32:46 | |
Our guest is instant #1 New York Times bestselling author Lucy Score who discusses how she adds humor to her work – and shares tips on how you can do the same. This is an unedited chat loaded with questions and answers. Listen in! | |||
| Episode 73: Melissa F. Miller - Writing in Multiple Third Person POVs | 06 mars 2024 | 00:31:25 | |
In this episode of First Draft Friday, our guest is bestselling thriller author Melissa F. Miller. Melissa discusses writing in multiple third-person POV thrillers. Melissa says “I love writing big, juicy multiple POV thrillers. Every once in a while, I’ll do dual narrators (like my Shenandoah Shadows romantic suspense books and The Anniversary Party) or even just one narrator (the first three We Sisters Three mysteries), but most of the time, my view on points of view is the more, the merrier!” If you haven’t already, Meet Marlowe: The self-editing tool and visit our Writers Resource Center with free resources our team of authors has put together to help you on your writing journey. This is an unedited chat loaded with questions and answers. Listen in! | |||
| Episode 72: Scarlett St. Clair - Writing Dark Anti-Heroes That Readers Love | 22 févr. 2024 | 00:31:08 | |
Catch up as our guest, bestselling romantic fantasy author Scarlett St. Clair discusses her work with Alessandra Torre, and explains how she creates dark anti-heroes who readers fall in love with. This is an unedited chat loaded with questions and answers. Listen in! | |||
| Episode 71: Xio Axelrod - Writing as a Hybrid Author | 19 janv. 2024 | 00:32:12 | |
Bestselling contemporary romance author Xio Axelrod and Alessandra Torre discuss themes related to writing romance, and Xio’s journey from indie to published author. This is an unedited chat loaded with questions and answers. Listen in! | |||
| Episode 71a: Jeff Wheeler - When Authors Pivot | 19 janv. 2024 | 00:33:13 | |
Variety is the spice of life – but is it also the secret to a long and prosperous author career? Wall Street Journal bestselling author Jeff Wheeler knows his stuff, and with a recent pivot into writing thrillers, he’s the perfect author to have this discussion with. This is an unedited chat loaded with questions and answers. Listen in! | |||
| Episode 71a: Jeff Wheeler - When Authors Pivot | 08 janv. 2024 | 00:33:13 | |
Variety is the spice of life – but is it also the secret to a long and prosperous author career? This is an unedited chat loaded with questions and answers. Listen in! | |||
| Episode 69: Debbie Weiss - Stepping Through Your Self Imposed Boundaries | 08 janv. 2024 | 00:31:17 | |
Authors Alessandra Torre and Debbie Weiss discuss stepping through self-imposed boundaries of fear and anxiety to pen your first book. This is an unedited chat loaded with questions and answers. Listen in! | |||
| Episode 70: Mary Carroll Moore - Your Characters Can Be You | 08 janv. 2024 | 00:30:53 | |
Authors Alessandra Torre and Mary Carroll Moore discuss how writers can incorporate themselves into their characters. This is an unedited chat loaded with questions and answers. Listen in! | |||
| Episode 68: Lynne Golodner - The Similarities & Differences Between Creative Nonfiction & Fiction | 08 janv. 2024 | 00:31:23 | |
Authors Alessandra Torre and Lynne Golodner discuss the similarities & differences between creative nonfiction & fiction. This is an unedited chat loaded with questions and answers. Listen in! | |||
| Episode 67 - Jane L. Rosen - Screenwriter To Published Author | 16 nov. 2023 | 00:29:33 | |
Alessandra Torre and Jane L. Rosen discuss how Jane went from Screenwriter To Published Author and how she takes her real-life experiences & turns them into novels. This is an unedited chat loaded with questions and answers. Listen in! | |||
| Episode 66 - Kathleen Fine - Brainstorm to Book: Steps to Publishing | 16 nov. 2023 | 00:32:18 | |
Authors Alessandra Torre and Kathleen Fine discuss steps, advice, and tips on how first-time novel writers can get their book published. This is an unedited chat loaded with questions and answers. Listen in! | |||
| Episode 65 - Lael Raphael - Plotting for Pantsers | 16 nov. 2023 | 00:31:09 | |
Authors Lael Raphael and Alessandra Torre discuss how to use the Theory of the Outstanding Question to set up a plot which will engage and entertain readers. This is an unedited chat loaded with questions and answers. Listen in! | |||
| Episode 64 - Kim Catanzarite - Phases of Editing | 16 nov. 2023 | 00:31:57 | |
Authors Alessandra Torre and Kim Catanzarite discuss the many phases of the editorial process—from the first draft to the proofreading pool and everything in between. Hear about what it really means to produce a finished manuscript, and how the editorial process can help get you there. This is an unedited chat loaded with questions and answers. Listen in! | |||
| Episode 63 - April White - Research: How Much is Enough? | 16 nov. 2023 | 00:31:56 | |
April White sits down with Alessandra Torre to talk about the real history and actual mysteries she researches for her books, and how to write responsibly in an age when representation and diversity is so important in our stories. This is an unedited chat loaded with questions and answers. Listen in! | |||
| Episode 61 - Ines Johnson - Pacing Techniques | 28 oct. 2023 | 00:31:13 | |
Alessandra Torre and Ines Johnson discuss how to write more bingeworthy books using pacing techniques from episodic television structure. This is an unedited chat loaded with questions and answers. Listen in! | |||
| Episode 62 - Jessica Flory - Crafting Themes To Inspire | 28 oct. 2023 | 00:31:47 | |
Alessandra Torre and Jessica Flory discuss how to choose a relatable theme that will resonate with readers, how to use character arcs to bring out theme, and how to deliver a powerful message without sounding preachy or overbearing. This is an unedited chat loaded with questions and answers. Listen in! | |||
| Episode 60 - Rebecca Zanetti - Multi Genre Writing | 25 oct. 2023 | 00:30:26 | |
Alessandra Torre and Rebecca Zanetti discuss how to write across several genres and stay true to your brand. Discover tips for writing fiction in different genres. This is an unedited chat loaded with questions and answers. Listen in! | |||
| Episode 59: Rhonda M. Lawson - Building Believable & Compelling Plots | 25 oct. 2023 | 00:36:24 | |
Literary strategist, book coach and 23-time published author Dr. Rhonda M. Lawson joins us with actionable tips on building compelling plotlines through planning, foreshadowing and character development. This is an unedited chat loaded with questions and answers. Listen in! | |||
| Episode 58: Dylan Thomas Pratt - Continuing the legacy of Scott Pratt | 27 juin 2023 | 00:32:18 | |
Dylan Thomas Pratt, son of the late international best-selling author Scott Pratt, whose work has sold more than six million copies, discusses the evolution of his role in the further development of his father’s work. This is an unedited chat loaded with questions and answers. Listen in! | |||
| Episode 57: Pamela Fagan Hutchins - Killing it with a Crime Fiction Series | 23 juin 2023 | 00:30:55 | |
Pamela Fagan Hutchins, USA Today bestselling and Silver Falchion Best Mystery winning author of 24 mystery/suspense/thriller novels (Patrick Flint & What Doesn’t Kill You) discusses tips for writing a compulsively readable crime fiction series. Listen in! This is an unedited chat loaded with questions and answers. Listen in! | |||
| Episode 56: James Rosone - Crafting Successful Series | 20 juin 2023 | 00:30:07 | |
James Rosone discusses how to craft a series that draws readers into books seven, eight, and beyond. Listen in! This is an unedited chat loaded with questions and answers. Listen in! | |||
| Episode 55: LT Ryan - Crafting Compelling Characters | 17 juin 2023 | 00:32:36 | |
Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and Amazon bestselling author of several mysteries and thrillers, including the Jack Noble and Rachel Hatch series, LT Ryan, discusses crafting compelling characters in order to create the best character-driven stories. Listen in! This is an unedited chat loaded with questions and answers. Listen in! | |||
| Episode 54 : A.L. Jackson - Deepening Character Developments | 15 juin 2023 | 00:33:20 | |
NYT bestselling author A.L. Jackson shares insight on how to develop unforgettable characters that will live in our readers’ hearts forever. Listen in! This is an unedited chat loaded with questions and answers. Listen in! | |||
| Episode 53 - Timothy Byron: Character Bias | 08 juin 2023 | 00:32:04 | |
Author Timothy Byron discusses how an author’s subconscious biases, and life experiences may determine the traits and personality types of their characters. In this unedited chat, he answers questions and give actionable tips. Listen in! This is an unedited chat loaded with questions and answers. Listen in! | |||
| Episode 51 - Jeff Carson: Juggling Writing and Life | 06 juin 2023 | 00:31:34 | |
With never-ending, relentless day-to-day obligations and options pulling us in different directions, writing (and completing) projects can at times seem a tough, borderline impossible task. Bestselling author of the David Wolf and Ali Falco Series Jeff Carson shares some of what helps him stay on track and mostly sane as he juggles life and creating the next novel. Listen in! This is an unedited chat loaded with questions and answers. Listen in! | |||
| Episode 50 - Scott Bartlett: Defeating ‘Writer’s Block’ | 05 juin 2023 | 00:31:29 | |
Science fiction author Scott Bartlett shares his simple method for structuring stories. Knowing where you’re going in a story will help you define goals for each scene, keeping the words flowing! Listen in! This is an unedited chat loaded with questions and answers. Listen in! | |||
| Episode 49 - Robin James - Writing Small-Town Settings that Readers Want to Live In | 01 juin 2023 | 00:31:03 | |
In this episode of First Draft Friday from Authors A.I., Robin James, bestselling author of over 16 small-town crime thrillers (Cass Leary & Mara Brent series) will discuss tips for how to build fictional towns that can become like characters unto themselves. This is an unedited chat loaded with questions and answers. Listen in! | |||
| Episode 48 - Douglas E. Richards - Enhancing fiction using facts | 29 juil. 2022 | 00:31:04 | |
In this episode of First Draft Friday from Authors A.I., Douglas E. Richards, New York Times bestselling author of numerous near-future science-fiction thrillers, discusses research, how to use factual information to enhance thrillers, and how to invoke a sense of wonder in readers. This is an unedited chat loaded with questions and answers. Listen in! | |||
| Episode 47 - Daniel Paisner - Stepping From the Shadows | 10 juil. 2022 | 00:31:51 | |
In this episode of First Draft Friday from Authors A.I. our guest, Daniel Paisner is in a discussion with Alessandra Torre. This is an unedited chat loaded with questions and answers. Listen in! | |||
| Episode 46 - Michele Scott - The Journey from Book to Film | 10 juil. 2022 | 00:31:58 | |
In this episode of First Draft Friday from Authors A.I. our guest, Michele Scoott is in a discussion with Alessandra Torre. This is an unedited chat loaded with questions and answers. Listen in! | |||
| Episode 45 - Amy L. Bernstein - Revealing Character Through Dialogue | 10 juil. 2022 | 00:31:08 | |
In this episode of First Draft Friday from Authors A.I. our guest, Amy L. Bernstein is in a discussion with Alessandra Torre about the critical do’s and don’ts of dialogue in fiction. This is an unedited chat loaded with questions and answers. Listen in! | |||
| Episode 44 - Gordon Byron - Playing Your Role | 08 juin 2022 | 00:31:19 | |
In this episode of First Draft Friday from Authors A.I. our guest, Gordon Byron is in a discussion with Alessandra Torre about the role writers play in character development. This is an unedited chat loaded with questions and answers. Listen in! | |||
| Episode 43: Becca Puglisi - Using Conflict for Maximum Impact | 17 mai 2022 | 00:37:06 | |
In this episode of First Draft Friday from Authors A.I. our guest, Becca Puglisi is in a discussion with Alessandra Torre about conflict’s role in plot and character arc. This is an unedited chat loaded with questions and answers. Listen in! | |||
| Episode 42: Danielle Girard - The Long Road To Publication | 10 mai 2022 | 00:31:57 | |
In this episode of First Draft Friday from Authors A.I. our guest, best-selling author Danielle Girard is in a discussion with Alessandra Torre about the long road to publication. This is an unedited chat loaded with questions and answers. Listen in! | |||
| Episode 41 : Sierra Simone - Packing an (Emotional) Punch | 08 avr. 2022 | 00:31:02 | |
In this episode of First Draft Friday from Authors A.I. our guest, best-selling author Sierra Simone is in a discussion with Alessandra Torre. This is an unedited chat loaded with questions and answers. Listen in! | |||
| Episode #40 - James Rosone: Creating a Bestseller Using Marlowe | 02 avr. 2022 | 00:35:51 | |
In this episode of First Draft Friday from Authors A.I. our guest, best-selling author James Rosone is in a discussion with Alessandra Torre. This is an unedited chat loaded with questions and answers. Listen in! | |||
| Episode 39: Tiffany Reisz - Make Settings Sexy | 12 mars 2022 | 00:38:20 | |
In this episode of First Draft Friday from Authors A.I., our guest, USA Today best-selling author Tiffany Reisz is in a discussion with Alessandra Torre. This is an unedited chat loaded with questions and answers. Listen in! | |||
| Episode 38: Stephenie Magister - You 100% Don’t Understand Your Genre | 27 févr. 2022 | 00:36:02 | |
Author and editor for award-winning and best-selling books, Stephenie Magister helps us take a deeper look at what experience the reader is REALLY having in the genre you thought you were writing in (comedy, horror, thriller, sci-fi, fantasy, literature, memoir, creative nonfiction vs personal essay). This is an unedited chat loaded with questions and answers. Listen in! | |||
| Episode 37: Jeff Deck - Conquering the Writer’s Block Myth | 18 févr. 2022 | 00:37:16 | |
Our guest, writing coach, ghostwriter, and author Jeff Deck is in a discussion with Alessandra Torre about conquering the writer’s block myth. This is an unedited chat loaded with questions and answers. Listen in! | |||
| Episode 36: Ryan Schow - Bridging The Genre Gap | 08 févr. 2022 | 00:33:21 | |
Guest author Ryan Schow is in a discussion with Alessandra Torre about transitioning between genres. This is an unedited chat loaded with questions and answers. Listen in! | |||
| Episode 35: Robert Dugoni - Devising Page Turning Plots | 03 févr. 2022 | 00:31:17 | |
Guest author Robert Dugoni is in a discussion with Alessandra Torre about writing plots to keep readers turning the pages. This is an unedited chat loaded with questions and answers. Listen in! | |||
| Episode 34 - Greta Boris - Next Level Characters | 03 févr. 2022 | 00:34:32 | |
Guest author Greta Boris is in a discussion with Alessandra Torre about how to create character sheets with Enneagram. This is an unedited chat loaded with questions and answers. Listen in! | |||
| Episode 33: Joan Dempsey - Write a Gripping First Page | 02 févr. 2022 | 00:32:40 | |
Guest author, and writing coach, Joan Dempsey is in a discussion with Alessandra Torre about writing a gripping first page. This is an unedited chat loaded with questions and answers. Listen in! | |||
| Episode 32: Jeff Wheeler - Secrets of Writing in Different Voices | 02 févr. 2022 | 00:34:47 | |
Guest author Jeff Wheeler is in a discussion with Alessandra Torre about his secrets of writing in different voices. This is an unedited chat loaded with questions and answers. Listen in! | |||
| Episode 31: C. R. Rowenson - Writing a unique magic system | 02 févr. 2022 | 00:34:20 | |
Guest author C. R. Rowenson is in a discussion with Alessandra Torre about what it takes to make your magic system unique. This is an unedited chat loaded with questions and answers. Listen in! | |||
| Episode 30: Tamie Dearen - Writing characters your readers will love. | 02 févr. 2022 | 00:34:00 | |
Guest author Tamie Dearen is in a discussion with Alessandra Torre about writing characters your readers will love and sympathize with, even when your plot forces them to do unlikable things. This is an unedited chat loaded with questions and answers. Listen in! | |||
| Episode #29: Jack Pierce - Writing Horror Effectively | 06 oct. 2021 | 00:30:51 | |
Guest author Jack Pierce is in a discussion with Alessandra Torre about writing horror stories that hit the mark. This is an unedited chat loaded with questions and answers. Listen in! | |||
| Episode 28: Stefan Emunds - The Origins of Story Outline | 28 sept. 2021 | 00:30:18 | |
Guest author Stefan Emunds discusses the origins of story outline. This is an unedited chat loaded with questions and answers. Listen in! | |||
| Episode 26: Michael Hurd - Unlearning Writing Habits | 15 juil. 2021 | 00:30:59 | |
Guest author Michael Hurd along with author Alessandra Torre will discuss strategies and tips for transitioning from objective writing to subjective writing. Each form has its own rules, style, and yes, habits. Switching isn’t always easy. Your pre-read (beta) team could be one of your best allies to help you overcome, and unlearn those habits. This is an unedited chat loaded with questions and answers. Listen in! | |||
| Episode 25: Fiona Quinn - Writing Believable Fiction | 15 juil. 2021 | 00:30:52 | |
Guest author Fiona Quinn along with author Alessandra Torre discuss strategies for writing believable fiction. Writing your scene with confidence comes from having a good intellectual and sensory understanding of what your protagonist is attempting. Join us for strategies to get the information you need under your belt so your writing is seamless and authentic. This is an unedited chat loaded with questions and answers. Listen in! | |||