In Episode 10 of Novel Beginnings, Di and Tim venture into the heart of the creative maze, discussing the feeling of being lost in the writing process and reminding us that, in truth, not all who wander are lost. They explore the character's transformative journey from orphan to wanderer, warrior, to martyr, paralleling this with their own evolution from wandering writers to warriors of the word. This episode tackles the roadblocks of doubt and the shift towards belief, providing an intimate...

In Episode 9 of Novel Beginnings, hosts Di and Tim delve into the fascinating world of magic systems in storytelling. They explore Brandon Sanderson's three laws of magic, discussing strategies for crafting unique and compelling magic systems in their novels.

In Episode 8 of Novel Beginnings, hosts Di and Tim explore the art of finding authorial voice, delving into the influences that shape it, from literary inspirations to personal experiences. Reflecting on Ira Glass's insightful quote about taste, they navigate the delicate balance between aspiration and execution in writing. In understanding how voice translates any artistic medium, they prompt the question "what do you want your readers to walk away with?" as a way to define their own voice,...

In Episode 7 of Novel Beginnings, as we step into the promising dawn of New Year 2024, Di and Tim invite you to join them on a reflective journey that not only celebrates reaching the monumental milestone of completing a first draft but also sets the stage for the resolutions that lie ahead. In this episode, Di and Tim discuss the concept of character resolutions within their narratives. They delve into the intricate balance between the needs and wants that drive our characters' goals,...

In Episode 6 of Novel Beginnings, hosts Di and Tim emphasize the importance of acknowledging and celebrating your achievements, highlighting the necessity of taking a well-deserved breather before moving on to the next phase. This episode focuses on the process of querying agents and offers a look into the business side of being an author. Di and Tim delve into classic story structures like the Hero's Journey, discussing how to effectively use character archetypes to add depth to your...

In Episode 5 of Novel Beginnings, hosts Di and Tim delve into the intricate dance between our emotions and our writing. How do our feelings seep into our work, and can writing serve as an escape? We explore the 'Head, Heart, Gut' character filter as a tool for your characters. The discussion then contrasts three-dimensional characters with their two-dimensional counterparts, exploring ways to bring characters to life with complexity and depth using these tools.This episode also addresses the...

In Episode 4 of Novel Beginnings, releasing on November 1st—just in time for the start of National Novel Writing Month—hosts Di and Tim journey through the peaks of hitting milestones and the valleys of missing them. Dive deep into the art of building the layers of your story and discover the importance of jotting down ideas—whether it's day or even the middle of the night. Pondering when to edit? We shed light on the timing and nuances. We also delve into the transformation of writing from a...

In Episode 3 of Novel Beginnings, hosts Di and Tim dive into their upcoming milestones and tackle the inevitable ebbs and flows of the writing process. Have you embraced the principle of 'No Zero Days'? We explore its significance and highlight the advantages of having an accountability partner. This episode places a strong emphasis on the theme of "time"—from setting your novel's timeline to appreciating the true value of time and its impact on your work. We also discuss the best moments to...

In Episode 2 of Novel Beginnings, hosts Di and Tim unpack the feeling of building momentum in your writing journey. They discuss the transformative power of accountability and delve into the psyche of 'identifying as a writer.' They also shed light on a crucial concept: that story problems often stem from character problems. From choosing character names to prioritizing your manuscript, the episode focuses on pride and productivity and embraces the mantra 'progress not...

Welcome to the inaugural episode of Novel Beginnings. Hosts Di and Tim delve deep into the first steps of writing your debut novel. From the sparks of inspiration to the nuances of perspective—should you write in first or third person?—we cover it all. But more importantly, we talk about the most crucial aspect of all: just doing it. Stop overthinking, stop being precious, and start writing. Email us at: [email protected]