Fix Your Novel with the Save the Cat Blueprint (Act 1) | Writing Tips & Techniques | Episode 29

Fix Your Novel with the Save the Cat Blueprint (Act 1) | Writing Tips & Techniques | Episode 29

Author: Heather Davis, Writing Coach, Book Coach, and Developmental Editor, Many Worlds Writing January 23, 2025 Duration: 21:12
Does your novel feel like it’s wandering aimlessly, struggling to find direction? In this episode, I’ll walk you through the first five beats of the Save the Cat story structure—a simple, effective tool to shape your novel into a story readers can’t put down. Learn how this flexible plotting method can keep your story on track while leaving plenty of room for creativity and unexpected inspiration. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: Why Save the Cat is the perfect balance of structure and cre...

That moment of staring at a blank page, your incredible idea for a fantasy realm or sci-fi adventure feeling just out of reach, is a shared experience for so many writers. Speculative Fiction Writing Made Simple exists to bridge that gap, transforming that initial spark into a finished novel. Hosted by Heather Davis, a writing coach and developmental editor with Many Worlds Writing, this podcast moves past vague inspiration to deliver practical, actionable guidance. Each discussion focuses on a single, tangible craft challenge-from constructing believable magic systems and intricate worlds to navigating complex character arcs and plot structures that hold up under pressure. The aim is to demystify the entire process, breaking down the daunting journey of a debut author into manageable steps. You’ll find conversations that feel like a focused coaching session, dedicated to the unique demands of fantasy, science fiction, and dystopian storytelling. This isn't about theoretical advice; it's about providing the tools to write, revise, and ultimately publish your book. Whether you're struggling with where to begin or how to polish a final draft, this resource meets you where you are in your creative process. Tune in for a clear-eyed, supportive take on building the speculative story that only you can tell.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 53

Speculative Fiction Writing Made Simple: How to Write, Edit, and Publish Your Debut Fantasy, Science Fiction, or Dystopian Novel
Podcast Episodes
The 10 Key Components of Writing a Great Scene | Episode 10 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:02
The most important skill you can have as a writer is the ability to write a great scene... but, unfortunately, it’s a skill that few writers have actually mastered. You need to understand: 1) What a scene is. 2) Whether…
Writing Backstory without Info Dumping | Episode 9 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:54
Backstory is an essential part of every novel. Without it, your protagonist doesn’t have a meaningful character arc and your story lacks depth. But writers are (understandably) scared to put backstory in their novel beca…
The 7 Golden Rules of Writing Great Dialogue | Episode 7 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:28
Nothing grabs readers’ attention like dialogue. That’s why it’s absolutely imperative to make sure that the dialogue in your novel is serving the story and making readers hungry for more. Ready to learn more about dialog…
Master the 4 Essential Layers of Writing POV | Episode 6 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:57
Spoiler alert—there’s a whole lot more to POV than just first person, second person, and third person. There are actually 4 layers that you need to master if you want readers and agents to love your novel! So if you’re r…
How to Become a Better Writer | Episode 5 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:49
📘Access the FREE workbook right here: https://www.manyworldswriting.com/better📘 ✨Fill out an application to my Powerful Writers, Powerful Novels Mentorship Program: manyworldswriting.com/mentorship ✨ Join the Many Worlds…
The Surprising Key to Making Any Protagonist "Likable" | Episode 3 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:15
Access the FREE workbook right here: https://www.manyworldswriting.com/likable Are you worried that your protagonist might not be likable? Often as writers, we love our protagonists deeply, but readers might not be able…
Use This Simple Technique to Write Your First Novel | Episode 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:07
Access the FREE workbook right here: https://www.manyworldswriting.com/storytelling Ever found yourself wondering if your novel might be missing a key ingredient, one that could keep readers and agents from fully connect…