The Novel Writing Podcast
Writing a novel doesn't have to take decades. Author and Tally Ink coach Colleen Mitchell provides authors with bite-sized mindset tips, encouragement, inspiration, and tips for the writing process. So grab a cup, cozy up, and let's get to writing! The Novel Writing Podcast is a production of Tally Ink.
Episodes
147 episodes
Literary Sins 1: Head-Hopping
Have you committed this literary sin? Head hopping, or jumping from one POV to another in the same paragraph, scene, or chapter, can throw readers off as to who's really telling the story. This can pull a reader out of...
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Episode 147
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6:16
If You Have Limiting Beliefs
Writer's Block Category #1 - Limiting BeliefsAKA, the things we believe about ourselves that do nothing but keep us from our full potential.And spoiler alert, nobody is forcing us to believe these things. So what counts ...
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Episode 146
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5:36
The Writer’s Block Quiz
Ever wonder what kind of writer's block you're most susceptible to?Or what to do about it when you can't get yourself to write?While we will all experience some form of writer's block at some point, there are different types and...
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Episode 145
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2:16
This or That: 3rd Person or 1st Person
Should you write your book in first person or third person? What even are those POVs and what does it mean to write in one or the other?If POV confuses you or you're just not sure which one you should use in your novel, thi...
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Episode 144
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7:13
If You Are an Inspired Introvert…
Are you an INSPIRED INTROVERT? This episode is for those writers who tend toward solitude and writing on their own, but could really benefit from sharing their work... if only they could conquer the fear of feedback.Not sure wha...
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Episode 143
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4:06
Pareto’s Principle (80/20 Rule for Writing)
Pareto's Principle is the idea that 80% of outcomes come from 20% of causes.We can use this principle to improve our writing lives, especially with the first draft.Listen in to find out how you can apply Pareto's Principle to yo...
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Episode 142
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5:00
If You Are a Chaotic Creative…
Are you a CHAOTIC CREATIVE? This episode is for those writers who have brain explosions of ideas all the time, jump from story to story, navigate uncharted creative territory, but have trouble finishing a project.Not sure what y...
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Episode 141
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3:14
To Prologue or Not to Prologue
Quick, what do you think about prologues? If you're thinking as a writer, your answer might be "YES, I LOVE THEM!"But as a reader, maybe not.Prologues are the other oft-maligned pseudo-chapters along with epilogues,...
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Episode 140
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5:51
If You Are a Community Creator…
Are you a COMMUNITY CREATOR? This episode is for those writers who thrive with a writing group or critique partner, having accountability, but also a place (or person) with whom to share writing wins and struggles.Not sure what ...
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Episode 139
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2:55
To Epilogue or Not to Epilogue
Are epilogues necessary? If you want to include an epilogue, what's the best way to go about it?What is the point of an epilogue, anyway?In this episode I share my thoughts on epilogues, and some best practices abou...
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Episode 138
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4:54
If You Are a Skeptical Scribe…
Are you a SKEPTICAL SCRIBE? This episode is for those writers who question everything, who go on deep research quests for exactly the right reference... but get paralyzed if something is "off" or imperfect.Not sure what your wri...
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Episode 137
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3:25
Writing as Healing, with Caitlin Shetterly
Caitlin Shetterly, author of Pete and Alice in Maine, shares her return path to writing fiction after years in nonfiction. A major medical event in the winter of 2020 to 2021 aligned so perfectly such that she experienced the s...
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Episode 136
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35:36
If You Are a Diligent Drafter…
Are you a DILIGENT DRAFTER? This episode is for those writers who are self-disciplined, super organized, know exactly where the story is going... and still have trouble sitting down to write.Not sure what your writing persona is...
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Episode 135
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3:43
The Writing Persona Quiz
Ever wonder what kind of writing persona you have? Or what motivates you to write? Or even what the hidden pitfalls of those are? (Because they exist!) Announcing the Writing Persona Quiz! This brand new quiz from Tally ...
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Episode 134
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1:54
How to Handle Negative Reviews
When authors get negative reviews, the first instinct is to feel bad because someone didn't like what we wrote.However, not all negative reviews are alike, and we can't approach them all the same way.The troll reviews are very d...
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Episode 133
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5:37
The Parkinson’s Law Paradox
Have you ever heard of Parkinson's Law?If not, it's the law that work expands so as to fill the time available for its completion. AKA, if you give yourself a whole day to do something, it will take you all day to do it.
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Episode 132
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3:39
Release the Pressure
Not all pressure is good.Whether you're facing deadlines, word counts, or critter feedback, too much of the wrong kind of pressure can mess with your writing mindset. This episode covers why working under pressure is not al...
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Episode 131
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4:37
Author Entrepreneurship with Dave Moreno
Business coach and entrepreneur Dave Moreno joins me on the podcast to talk about how and why authors should approach writing (and the results of writing) like a real business.We discuss business mindset for authors, core messages and v...
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Episode 130
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24:10
Who Reviews are Really For
I apologize for the audio quality! This was recorded live on a hike and my mic was a little too close to my face 😅.Who are reviews actually for? Authors or readers? Both? In this ranty episode I share my thoughts on exa...
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Episode 129
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6:00
What Drives You to Write?
What drives you as a writer? Internal fulfillment, or external rewards? While neither is wrong or right, it's important to know your primary driver so that when you get into a writing slump, you have a proven way to break free. ...
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Episode 128
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6:21
From Romance to Domestic Thriller, with Christina Rozeline
Author Christina Rozeline from Vinton, Louisiana shares how her writing evolved from a cheesy romance to a domestic thriller. But that wasn't her only growth! Christina's confidence skyrocketed from never turning on her camera during Pr...
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Episode 127
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17:26
How to Write Physicalities of Emotion
Learn what it really means to show, not tell, emotions in your writing! Your characters actions are how they reveal their feelings, but it's not always easy to figure out WHAT those actions or feelings are.This episode incl...
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Episode 126
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4:37
Have High Expectations and Low Attachment
In this slightly ranty raw podcast brought to you by a weekend sunrise hike, I talk about how to maintain high expectations but not feel terrible if you don't meet them.
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Episode 125
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7:29
Don’t Fear Failure, with Caleb Palmquist
Comic book author and serial Kickstarter Caleb Palmquist joins me to talk about what he's learned from running over 20 Kickstarters.He has a lot to say about failure and finding your audience, both of which are important parts of the "s...
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Episode 124
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38:03