Steps to Story
The Steps to Story podcast with your host Nicole Meier, delivering weekly episodes (in short and accessible recordings!) that provide fiction writers with essential steps and strategies, so they can get clear on their big story idea, complete their manuscripts, and follow their novel writing dreams.
If you’re an emerging author seeking guidance, this podcast is for you!
Episodes
38 episodes
37. Strengthening Your Story's Bones: Customized Support for Story Structure
In today's episode of Steps to Story, we're diving into one of the most crucial aspects of storytelling, your story's structure. For those of you who follow me, you'll know that my mission is to help you blend story structure with the ...
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Season 1
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Episode 37
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10:59
36. Level Up Your Thriller, Mystery & Suspense with Samantha Skal & Kerry Savage
Suspense, mysteries and thrillers, oh my! Welcome to spooky season! Inside this episode of Steps to Story I'm talking with book coaches Samantha Skal and Kerry Savage about:The ideation of twistsKnowing your villain
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Season 1
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Episode 35
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45:41
35. Embrace the Drift: How Distraction Can Help Your WIP
Today I'm exploring how you can strategically allow yourself to be distracted and how those moments can open up new avenues in your novel writing. I'm uncovering six strategies that will not only give your brain a creative break, b...
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Season 1
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Episode 35
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13:01
34. [✨Big Announcement!] Author Platforms with Gretchen Schaffer
Are you an emerging author who's starting to think about your author platform? Or perhaps you're just dipping your toe into the world of publisher pitches and agent queries. 📚And let's be real, it can be a complicated journey. Right?<...
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Season 1
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Episode 34
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22:37
33. Recovering From Creative Burnout with Emily Golden & Rachel May
Do you know how to recognize the signs and symptoms of creative burnout? The state of physical, mental and emotional exhaustion that affects your creative work?Are you feeling like you need to step back and refill your creative well? ...
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Season 1
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Episode 33
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49:18
32. How to Write an Action Story That Works With Savannah Gilbo
Today I'm talking with fellow book coach Savannah Gilbo about how to write an action story that works. Inside the episode we're discussing:The idea of doing your best workIdentifying frameworks that can help or hinder your ...
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Season 1
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Episode 32
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35:02
31. [MASTERCLASS] How to Go From Idea to Action in Your Novel Writing
If you didn't get a chance to attend my free webinar on August 27th, which was titled: How to Go From Idea to Action in Your Novel Writing; the good news is, I'm sharing the content again here inside this episode in the form of a free mini-mast...
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Season 1
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Episode 31
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23:05
30. Inside Steps to Story: Real Talk From Writers in My Program
You're going to hear a special episode today. It's a replay where five of my past students get together and talk about their experiences inside the Steps to Story program. Hopefully it will give you insight into my Steps to Story g...
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Season 1
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Episode 30
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23:52
29. Five Powerful Mindset Habits to Adopt Before You Write Forward
Those who adapt a healthy mindset from the start are usually the ones who follow through with their novel writing dreams. That's why I'm breaking down some key mindset habits for writers inside today's episode.Tune in to learn 5 tips th...
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Season 1
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Episode 29
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11:51
28. How to Build a Strong Foundation for Your Novel Writing
Here’s the tough truth, I often see writers (myself included at one time) who are so excited about their story idea that they rush through the process and forget to establish a strong foundation for their novel. The result is a wri...
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Season 1
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Episode 28
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10:29
27. Four Signs Your Novel Manuscript Isn't Hanging Together
Today's episode is all about story craft! I’m diving into the red flags that signal your novel manuscript might need a tune-up. Writing a book is a massive undertaking, and with so many moving parts, it's easy to lose sight of cruci...
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Season 1
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Episode 27
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13:29
26. Six Ways to Avoid Overwhelm When Crafting Your Novel
Inside this episode, I'm diving into a topic that most writers are not immune to: project overwhelm. Sound familiar?I’m guessing the answer is yes. Because Whether you're a seasoned novelist or just starting your first manuscript, ...
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Season 1
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Episode 26
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9:11
25. How to Know if Your Story Premise Will Fill a Whole Book
Today I’m tackling a question that every novelist faces at some point: "How do I know if my story premise will fill a whole book?" If you’re excited about your idea but hesitant to dive into writing, this episode is for you. I...
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Season 1
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Episode 25
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8:47
24. Sidestep These 4 Novel-Writing Pitfalls for Success
Today I'm diving into four crucial mistakes to avoid when writing your novel. While there is no wrong way to write your book, because your writing process should be your own, I can tell you that there are certain mistakes to be avoided in your ...
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Season 1
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Episode 24
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10:48
23. Summer Boost: 3 Ways to Stay in the Writing Flow Right Now
Small but consistent efforts will keep you connected to your work this summer. Tune into today's short but sweet episode to learn three quick ways to keep your writing flow moving in the right direction this summer.
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Season 1
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Episode 23
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7:21
22. From Manuscript to Market: Trends I'm Seeing in my Book Coaching
I have the privilege of getting to know fiction writers and their stories because of the work that I do. And lately, I've been noticing some trends. Today's episode is all about the list of trends that are unique to my corner of the world.T...
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Season 1
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Episode 22
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12:30
21. Beta Readers vs. Developmental Editors: What Writers Need to Know
In today's episode, we're going to dive into a hot topic in the novel writing process: Beta readers versus developmental editors. If you're a novelist looking to take your work to the next level, stay tuned, because we're about to unco...
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Season 1
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Episode 21
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12:26
20. Your Burning Questions Answered!
I sent out a CTA to my followers asking their burning questions about their writing and publishing journeys. I got a great response and am happy to say that the questions sent back to me have a nice range of topics. This episode of Ste...
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Season 1
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Episode 20
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24:32
19. Flat Characters, Flat Story: Breathing Life into Your Cast
Are flat characters killing your story? It's something I see all too often in my book coaching and developmental editing business. In this episode of Steps to Story, I'm breaking down the WHY, HOW, and WHAT when it comes to breathi...
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Season 1
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Episode 19
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10:22
18. Do This ONE Thing to Transform Your Novel Writing
In this episode, I'm talking about ONE crucial strategy for novel writers: the idea of leaning into your wins. I believe this practice can be a key tool for overcoming obstacles and achieving your goals. Especially when it co...
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Season 1
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Episode 18
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10:43
17. Top 10 Things I've Learned as an Author
Today is my book's birthday! CITY OF BOOKS is now out in the world. And in celebration, I want to do something a little different today. I'm going to pull back the curtain and share parts of my author journey with you. Inside this ...
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Season 1
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Episode 17
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16:41
16. The Road to Publication: A Roundtable Discussion with Jeanne Blasberg & Susie Orman Schnall
I'm having an inspired conversation with two of my sisters in publishing for our books releasing this spring and summer. And there's a giveaway!👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻 Together with authors Jeanne Blasberg and Susie Orman Schnall, we're breaking ...
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Season 1
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Episode 16
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50:26
15. Big Shifts in Publishing with Brooke Warner
In today's episode, I'm taking a deep dive into the BIG shifts in publishing with my publisher, Brooke Warner.We're having an open conversation about:Publishing pathsThe world of hybridThe changing landscap...
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Season 1
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Episode 15
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33:17
14. Why Mentors Matter with Jennie Nash
Welcome to a special month of podcast episodes! Because this is my book launch month (CITY OF BOOKS releases May 28th📚), I’m taking my podcast from solo episodes to interviews.Today, I'm talking with Jennie Nash.Inside this e...
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Season 1
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Episode 14
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39:36
13. How to Hook Readers in Scene One
Crafting a strong opening scene is crucial for grabbing the reader's attention and setting the tone for the entire novel. As writers, we know this on some level, and yet when it comes to crafting that important opening chapter, we ...
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Season 1
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Episode 13
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8:43