You want to write great books, books just like the ones you’ve been reading and falling in love with all your life, but somehow your vision just isn’t showing up on the page. Don’t despair. It’s not about lacking talent or some magical creative spark. You just need to learn how fiction works and The Better Writer Podcast is here to help.
On this show, we explore what it really takes to write a book that readers can’t put down: mastering story craft fundamentals, revising like a pro (and getting pro help), and building a writing process that fits your real life, not someone else’s Instagram-perfect writing routine.
Hosted by Olivia Bedford, a former English teacher turned developmental editor and Author Accelerator Certified Book Coach, this show has one goal: help fiction writers unlearn all the misguided, one-size-fits-no-one advice out there and replace it with strategies that actually make your stories work for your future readers.
If you’re an aspiring novelist who’s ready to finally understand how fiction works—and maybe even get paid for your writing someday—you’re in the right place. Welcome, and happy writing!
P.S. Don’t forget to hit subscribe and become a better writer, one episode at a time.
How to Fast Draft Without Condemning Your Future Self to Revision Hell
I’ve spent the last two episodes talking about writing challenges. If you’re thinking about Novel November or any of the other NaNoWriMo replacements out there, you’re probably excited to start writing the book. But what happens when you’re done and it’s time to revise that messy first draft?
I talk about revision a lot, and I definitely have suggestions for how to manage the revision process when you get there, but this episode isn’t about revision. It’s about setting yourself up for success while you’re still drafting.
In this episode, I’m sharing five things you can do while writing the draft to make your life easier in revision.
They are:
Write down revision ideas as they come to you during the drafting process.
Keep those future revision notes in a single, designated revision OR consolidate every week or so if you tend to take notes in multiple places.
Document all big decisions about your world or character backstories so you have the beginnings of a story/series bible when you’re done.
Reverse outline as you draft by summarizing each day’s new writing when you’re done.
Use TK/FCK or another marking system to designate missing information or decisions that you want to make later (e.g., character names, worldbuilding decisions, etc.).
Listen to the full episode for my explanation of each technique and how you can implement it in your writing process!
Happy novel writing!
P.S. Still looking for a new November writing challenge? Here (https://prowritingaid.com/nanowrimo-alternatives?utm_term=novel+november&utm_content=198273777977&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=24285520709&gbraid=0AAAAADeM3zOfFHndI9053PzrVVhPwpMcD&gclid=CjwKCAjwrbfWBhAeEiwAc2e6PmztWFI7yLwOpy4tciIG2KImNVqnl_GTbV6bVH2bfsDlivpEOeu36hoCTfQQAvD_BwE) are some options gathered by ProWritingAid!
I’m not sponsoring or affiliated with any of these challenges. I’m just a book coach who may or may not be joining a challenge as well this week!
For a full transcript of the episode, please visit https://oliviahelpswriters.com/bwp/47 (https://oliviahelpswriters.com/bwp/47)
20 Oct 2026
How to Turn a Writing Challenge Into a Revision Challenge
You want to join a November writing challenge, but you’re in the middle of your revisions.
Should you drop your project and do something new for Novel November? Maybe, if you want to. But there’s another option.
You can use Novel November to revise your novel instead. You just need to choose the right goal for where you are in the revision process.
Here are 8 goals you can set if you’re revising your book but still want to participate in a writing challenge:
Words rewritten
Words edited
Scenes revised
Words deleted
Worldbuilding & character development work
Pages/books read
A reverse outline sprint
A learning sprint
A promo/marketing sprint
For my explanation of all eight goals and when to consider them, listen to the full episode!
You can also check out a list of NaNoWriMo alternatives with links to sign up here (https://prowritingaid.com/nanowrimo-alternatives?utm_term=novel+november&utm_content=198273777977&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=24285520709&gbraid=0AAAAADeM3zOfFHndI9053PzrVVhPwpMcD&gclid=CjwKCAjwrbfWBhAeEiwAc2e6PmztWFI7yLwOpy4tciIG2KImNVqnl_GTbV6bVH2bfsDlivpEOeu36hoCTfQQAvD_BwE).
Just FYI, I am not affiliated with or sponsoring any of these challenges and haven't even decided if I'm joining one this year!
For a full transcript of the episode, please visit https://oliviahelpswriters.com/bwp/46 (https://oliviahelpswriters.com/bwp/46)
19 Oct 2026
Should You Actually Do Novel November?
For our 45th episode, I went live!!
That means the audio is a little rough, the audio-only version and transcript were late and the first few seconds are me fiddling with the camera.
This was my practice run for the Authortube Writing Conference and by that measure - it was a success!
In this episode of the Better Writer Podcast, I'm talking all about writing challenges. Should you join one? What are the benefits? And who should stay far, far away.
I'm going to talk about one of the most popular and outlandish writing challenges out there - the now-defunct NaNoWriMo challenge which has been reborn as Prowritingaid's Novel November, Dabble's 60-day novel writing challenge, and others. Should you really try to write 50,000 words in one month? What are the alternatives if that sounds bonkers to you but you still want a challenge?
Hear my thoughts in this special live episode of the Better Writer Podcast!
You can check out a list of NaNoWriMo alternatives with links to sign up here (https://prowritingaid.com/nanowrimo-alternatives?utm_term=novel+november&utm_content=198273777977&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=24285520709&gbraid=0AAAAADeM3zOfFHndI9053PzrVVhPwpMcD&gclid=CjwKCAjwrbfWBhAeEiwAc2e6PmztWFI7yLwOpy4tciIG2KImNVqnl_GTbV6bVH2bfsDlivpEOeu36hoCTfQQAvD_BwE).
Just FYI, I am not affiliated with or sponsoring any of these challenges and haven't even decided if I'm joining one this year.
You can find a full transcript & video of the episode at oliviahelpswriters.com/bwp/45!
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