The Every Day Novelist

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The Every Day Novelist delivers a new 3 to 30 minute episode each day discussing writing craft, discipline, publishing, and business, all geared toward helping you achieve a professional pace (four to twelve or more novels in one year) in your writing. The direction of the show is steered by your questions, ideas, and disagreements.

J. Daniel Sawyer


    • Jul 17, 2024 LATEST EPISODE
    • weekdays NEW EPISODES
    • 11m AVG DURATION
    • 598 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from The Every Day Novelist

    Question 1122 How does the Homestead Affect Writing?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 17, 2024 9:16


    Joe asks:How has living on a homestead affected your writing life? If you had to do it over again, what would you do differently? The post Question 1122 How does the Homestead Affect Writing? appeared first on The Every Day Novelist.

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    Question 1121: Sacred ideas and Adapting from Screenplays

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 11, 2024 9:21


    Brad asks: Do you ever collaborate or bounce ideas with other authors? And any advice on writing a screenplay first, then adapting the story into a novel? Down From TenAnd Then She Was Gone The post Question 1121: Sacred ideas and Adapting from Screenplays appeared first on The Every Day Novelist.

    Question 1120: What is a play?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 11, 2024 7:10


    Caine asks: What is a play? Not the mechanics of how documents are formatted or anything like that, but what Plays are, what they aren't, and why people would write one. www.storybundle.com/steampunk The post Question 1120: What is a play? appeared first on The Every Day Novelist.

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    Questions 1119: Filling Up the Corners

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 9, 2024 17:40


    Roland asks:I want to write short stories to give my readers an extra taste of my characters and side characters, but my mind goes blank trying to come up with a story. I imagine scenes and situations all the time, but they don't feel very standalone. I also have lots … The post Questions 1119: Filling Up the Corners appeared first on The Every Day Novelist.

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    Question 1118: Preventing Author Avatars

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 8, 2024 16:50


    Herb asks: A while back on Twitter you said you give every protagonist a feature you hate and even antagonist one you admire to prevent creating characters who are just your avatar in the story. What is your process for inserting them transparently and selecting the traits? What are some … The post Question 1118: Preventing Author Avatars appeared first on The Every Day Novelist.

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    Question 1117: Why Have Sequels Gone Out of Fashion?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 21, 2024 12:51


    Roland asksI love Star Wars, but in the most narrow way. Episodes IV-VI and a few other things are pretty cool. But, I want new stories, not dozens of prequel movies and series. Why are they afraid to go forward vs living in the Star Wars past? It's not just … The post Question 1117: Why Have Sequels Gone Out of Fashion? appeared first on The Every Day Novelist.

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    Question 1116: Is it a Prequel, or Just Book One?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 20, 2024 7:46


    Roland asks: A lot of authors say they're writing a prequel (as a lead magnet) when they haven't published, or even finished, Book 1 yet. I know what they mean, but if they release ‘the prequel' first, then isn't that just Book 1 and not actually a prequel? The HobbitThe … The post Question 1116: Is it a Prequel, or Just Book One? appeared first on The Every Day Novelist.

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    Question 1115: Why Are People Writing Prequels?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 19, 2024 28:06


    Roland asks: Indie authors are obsessed with prequels to their Book Ones but I don't get it. I almost never want to know MORE about what happened before Book 1. Why have prequels become such a thing these days? Star Wars Prequel TrilogyStar Trek VJob (the Bible)Clash of the Titans … The post Question 1115: Why Are People Writing Prequels? appeared first on The Every Day Novelist.

    Feedback: The Bradbury Challenge

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 18, 2024 5:21


    Listener Ian has a progress report on doing the Bradbury Challenge for NanoWriMo The post Feedback: The Bradbury Challenge appeared first on The Every Day Novelist.

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    Questions 1114: Developing a Young Character

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 14, 2024 10:34


    Jim asks:Previously I mentioned I had a character who was 10 years old in a first book in a series. I had used him as a reader proxy, who gets into a little trouble but isn't really a protagonist. How do I take a character who is now 15, grow … The post Questions 1114: Developing a Young Character appeared first on The Every Day Novelist.

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    Question 1113: Troubles Finishing

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 13, 2024 16:22


    Pablo asks: I have been struggling with a manuscript for a novel since 2015. I begin, stop, give up, take it up again, and all the time it keeps evolving in my head. Now it's an unfinished chaotic first draft, only 38 pages so far. I'd like to be done … The post Question 1113: Troubles Finishing appeared first on The Every Day Novelist.

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    Question 1112: Products of NaNoWriMo

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 12, 2024 6:17


    Khellan asks:What happens to the stuff you and Kitty write during nanowrimo? Lost Days, Last Nights The post Question 1112: Products of NaNoWriMo appeared first on The Every Day Novelist.

    Question 1111: Tough Truths About Loving Writing

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 11, 2024 8:35


    Jim asks:I may have asked something like this before, but how does one rekindle the enjoyment of writing? It used to be a thing I did to avoid doing things I didn't want to do, like finding time in the middle of the work day to sneak in some words, … The post Question 1111: Tough Truths About Loving Writing appeared first on The Every Day Novelist.

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    Question 1110: Breaking Faith With Readers

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 11, 2024 14:43


    Ed asks:What does it mean for an author to “break faith” with his readers? The Wheel of Time by Robert JordanPoodle Springs by Raymond Chandler and Robert B ParkerVariable Star by Robert A Heinlein and Spider RobinsonThe SilmarillionThe Game of ThronesWriting Excuses podcastA Subversive Masterpiece The post Question 1110: Breaking Faith With Readers appeared first on The Every Day Novelist.

    Question 1109: Writing the Right Sequel

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 6, 2024 14:50


    Jim said:In my last question I talked about re-discovering the sequel I was supposed to be writing after spending 95,000 words on the wrong idea. As I approached the writing of the appropriate sequel, I bogged down early. I think I've figured out that the problem was not understanding the … The post Question 1109: Writing the Right Sequel appeared first on The Every Day Novelist.

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    Question 1108: Writing the Wrong Novel

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 5, 2024 11:01


    Jim asks:A little while back I dove into a sequel featuring my protagonist about fifteen years down the road. It was a big time jump, one I was ready for in the character, but so much more would have occurred, and so much left undone that it was the wrong … The post Question 1108: Writing the Wrong Novel appeared first on The Every Day Novelist.

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    Question 1107: Film vs. Book: Characterization in Lord of the Rings

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 4, 2024 27:38


    Indiana Jim:A couple years ago you did an epic twitter thread on what the Lord of the Rings films got wrong. Could you do an episode on this topic so we can learn how to avoid these pitfalls in characterization? Original twitter thread We Need To Talk About FrodoLord of … The post Question 1107: Film vs. Book: Characterization in Lord of the Rings appeared first on The Every Day Novelist.

    Where The Hell Have We Been?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 3, 2024 6:56


    A guide to surgery for writers and an update from the hosts. Healthy Living Can Be Deadly The Secrets of the Heinlein Juvenile The post Where The Hell Have We Been? appeared first on The Every Day Novelist.

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    Quick Announcement

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 11, 2024 0:40


    Quick show announcement – we will be back Monday. The post Quick Announcement appeared first on The Every Day Novelist.

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    Question 1106: Creativity and ADD

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 10, 2024 16:10


    Jim asks: You've spoken before about how ADD and its derivatives can be a boon to the creative person, and the dangers of medicating it out. What are some ways the writer can manage the symptoms while appreciating the benefits? The post Question 1106: Creativity and ADD appeared first on The Every Day Novelist.

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    Question 1105: Changing the Way You Listen

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 9, 2024 5:10


    Today we have feedback from Khellan on changing the way you listen and getting out of your own way. archivos The post Question 1105: Changing the Way You Listen appeared first on The Every Day Novelist.

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    Question 1104: Building Life Experience

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 5, 2024 18:41


    Joe asks: Lots of young people want to be writers, but don't have enough life experience to write anything interesting. What ways do you recommend to gain that sort of life experience? Meditations by Marcus AureliusThe Bed of Procrustes by Nassim Nicholas TalebThe Notebooks of Lazarus LongCity Slickers The post Question 1104: Building Life Experience appeared first on The Every Day Novelist.

    Questions 1103: Cannell’s Secret Sauce

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 4, 2024 6:01


    Indiana Jim asks: Stephen J. Cannell produced some of the best television shows ever, and I know you're an aficionado. What was his secret sauce for engaging and enduring episodic storytelling? WiseguyRockford FilesThe A TeamSilk StalkingsThe Commish The post Questions 1103: Cannell's Secret Sauce appeared first on The Every Day Novelist.

    Catch-up & Announcements

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 3, 2024 11:10


    A handful of announcements, or what we've been up to. The Write Stuff50 by 50 ChallengeLost Days, Last Nights announcement postThe Shoes I Wore This Morning, a sample of the Lost Days collectionUnfolding the World substackAnd Then She Was Gone The post Catch-up & Announcements appeared first on The Every Day Novelist.

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    Question 1102: Reading as a Writer

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 26, 2024 7:54


    Joe asks:I've been enjoying these short q&a podcasts! Here's a question for your next one: what is your take on reading as a writer? Do you believe it's important to read widely in the genre you write, or to avoid your genre and read widely in everything else? I've heard … The post Question 1102: Reading as a Writer appeared first on The Every Day Novelist.

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    Question 1101: Pacing in Action-Adventure

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 25, 2024 8:08


    Tim asks: What're your opinions on pacing an Action-adventure novel? How much action is actually necessary? King Solomon's Mines by H. Rider HaggardSahara by Clive CusslerIndiana JonesRomancing the StoneThe Killing Floor by Lee ChildJurrassic Park (film)Congo (film)The Lost World by DoyleThe Mummy The post Question 1101: Pacing in Action-Adventure appeared first on The Every Day Novelist.

    Question 1100: Finding Public Domain Books

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 24, 2024 3:57


    Where/how do you go to track down and read those books out of copyright? You mentioned King Solomon's Mine recently and I'd love to get a copy of that on my ereader if there's a free resource to grab it. Notes:Archive.orgSFFaudio.orgLibriVox The post Question 1100: Finding Public Domain Books appeared first on The Every Day Novelist.

    Question 1099: Measuring Yourself as a Writer

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 23, 2024 14:09


    Caine asks:In a self evaluation of our own skill sets/aptitudes as a writer, what identifiers should exist that would indicate we have developed into a substantial professional writer? How do we know that we have what we need skills wise? What should we be able to do? What should we … The post Question 1099: Measuring Yourself as a Writer appeared first on The Every Day Novelist.

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    Question 1098: Getting Back In The Mood

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 22, 2024 7:41


    Khellan asks:I've recently started carving out some “guaranteed” time to write fiction 3 times a week. It's been a long time. Do you have any tools or tricks to get you back in the particular headspace or mood for the specific story you're working on, or have you ingrained the … The post Question 1098: Getting Back In The Mood appeared first on The Every Day Novelist.

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    Question 1097: We Need a Punctuation Master Class

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 12, 2024 4:09


    Khellen asks:You mentioned punctuation and that stuff in another episode… Do you have enough to create a mini ebook with that stuff in? It is 123.6% worthwhile, because I forget and have to find a couple of books to figure out the rules! Sponsored by Archivos The post Question 1097: We Need a Punctuation Master Class appeared first on The Every Day Novelist.

    Question 1096: How To Write a Worstseller

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 11, 2024 7:09


    Joe asks:Lots of people have opinions about how to write a bestseller. What are some of the more interesting and counter intuitive ways to write a book that never sells at all? Sponsored by Archivos The post Question 1096: How To Write a Worstseller appeared first on The Every Day Novelist.

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    Question 1095: Dictation and Twisty Plots

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 10, 2024 6:40


    Tim asks:I've noticed dictation results in a more twisty story than typing, at least for me. I guess I'm curious if there are any techniques you use that alter the kind of story that results? Resources Mentioned:The Clarke Lantham MysteriesJ. Daniel Sawyer Fiction Podcast The post Question 1095: Dictation and Twisty Plots appeared first on The Every Day Novelist.

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    Question 1093: Mentally Tough Characters

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 9, 2024 11:38


    Tim asks:Grit. How do you express a character's mental toughness whether they're a Point of View character or not? Resources mentioned:The Gulag ArchipelagoWitnessTakenJohn Wick Sponsored by Archivos The post Question 1093: Mentally Tough Characters appeared first on The Every Day Novelist.

    Question 1092: Destructive Writing Advice

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 5, 2024 11:00


    Joe asks:What writing advice would have totally tanked you as a writer if you hadn't ignored it? Resources Mentioned:The Collected Poems of Emily DickensonThe Best of Hemingway The post Question 1092: Destructive Writing Advice appeared first on The Every Day Novelist.

    Question 1091: Individual Characters or Chessmen?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 4, 2024 19:59


    Tim asks:Do you see your characters more like real people or more like toys with all manner of features to employ in the narrative? Resources mentioned: On Fairy-Stories by JRR TolkienLast Days of Socrates by PlatoBiblical Book of JobCollected Classic Novels of HG WellsDavid Mamet Masterclass The post Question 1091: Individual Characters or Chessmen? appeared first on The Every Day Novelist.

    Question 1090: Creative Partnerships

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 3, 2024 18:44


    Ed asks:Can you riff on creative partnerships, particularly long term? What makes them succeed? What makes them fail? How does one find a creative partner? And how does one adapt or change when a creative partnership ends? Resources Mentioned:The Expanse by James S.A. CoreyThe Man Who Wrote Frankenstein by John … The post Question 1090: Creative Partnerships appeared first on The Every Day Novelist.

    Question 1089: Creating Effective Antagonists

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 2, 2024 10:21


    Khellen asks:My antagonist hasn't shown up halfway through the book and I'm not sure what to do. How do you build an effective antagonist for your stories? Resources Mentioned: Suave Rob's Awesome Adventures by J. Daniel SawyerThe Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien Sponsored by Archivos The post Question 1089: Creating Effective Antagonists appeared first on The Every Day Novelist.

    Question 1088: Writing Implements

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 22, 2023 5:30


    Dawn asks: Which is best for writing: typing, longhand, or dictation? Why? Sponsored by Archivos The post Question 1088: Writing Implements appeared first on The Every Day Novelist.

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    Question 1087: Expanding a Short Story Into a Novel

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 21, 2023 5:42


    Nichole asks:I'm having trouble expanding my short story into a novel. Can you give some techniques and examples? Resources: Predestination and Other Games of Chance (full cast audio podcast by J. Daniel Sawyer) Nightfall by Isaac Asimov novel, short story The post Question 1087: Expanding a Short Story Into a Novel appeared first on The Every Day Novelist.

    Questions 1086: Networking for Writers

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 20, 2023 9:19


    Dawn asks:How should a lonely writer go about networking with other writers? The post Questions 1086: Networking for Writers appeared first on The Every Day Novelist.

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    Question 1085: Showing Narrator Gender in First Person

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 19, 2023 10:09


    Nichole asks: How does one show the gender of a first person narrator? Resources: I, Claudius by Robert Graves Sponsored by Archivos The post Question 1085: Showing Narrator Gender in First Person appeared first on The Every Day Novelist.

    Question 1084: What Motivates a Writer?

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 18, 2023 5:55


    Tim asks:What makes you (and other listeners) want to tell stories? Resources: Splinter of the Mind's Eye by Alan Dean Foster Sponsored by Archivos The post Question 1084: What Motivates a Writer? appeared first on The Every Day Novelist.

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    Question 1083: Vacations for Freelancers

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 18, 2023 14:59


    Dawn asks:How do freelancers deal with breaks and vacations? Sponsored by Suave Rob's Awesome Adventures! The post Question 1083: Vacations for Freelancers appeared first on The Every Day Novelist.

    Question 1082: When Not to Write

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 8, 2023 6:51


    Dawn asks: Is there ever a time in one's life when you shouldn't start writing? Sponsor: Suave Rob's Awesome Adventures The post Question 1082: When Not to Write appeared first on The Every Day Novelist.

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    Question 1081: Edible Plants

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 7, 2023 14:05


    Nichole asks: So what's the skinny on all the edible plants up there on your homestead? Resources mentioned:Monty Python and the Holy Grail The post Question 1081: Edible Plants appeared first on The Every Day Novelist.

    Question 1080: Work-Life Balance

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 6, 2023 8:10


    Alexis asks: I always feel behind. What kind of advice do you have for work-life balance for freelancers? The post Question 1080: Work-Life Balance appeared first on The Every Day Novelist.

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    We’re BACK! Question 1079: Fear of Writing

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 2, 2023 11:33


    We're back after far too long an absence. In this episode you will find a feeble justification for our delinquency, as well as a brand new sparkling question from Dawn. Dawn asks: How do you get around a fear of writing? Sponsored by Archivos The post We're BACK! Question 1079: Fear of Writing appeared first on The Every Day Novelist.

    Question 1078: Sustaining an Unplanned Series

    Play Episode Listen Later May 25, 2023 10:48


    Tim asks:How can I keep the momentum going in a series that I haven't planned out from the beginning? Resources Mentioned:Splinter of the Mind's Eye by Alan Dean Foster The post Question 1078: Sustaining an Unplanned Series appeared first on The Every Day Novelist.

    Question 1077: AI and the Politics of the Future

    Play Episode Listen Later May 24, 2023 13:17


    Ed asks:Will AI push our world in a more libertarian or totalitarian direction? The post Question 1077: AI and the Politics of the Future appeared first on The Every Day Novelist.

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    Question 1076: The Most Fun Story to Write

    Play Episode Listen Later May 23, 2023 6:01


    Tim asks:Which of your stories was the most fun to write? Resources mentioned:Suave Rob's Double-X Derring-DoSuave Rob's Rough'N'Ready Rugrat RaptureChicken Noodle GravityFuneral Hats The post Question 1076: The Most Fun Story to Write appeared first on The Every Day Novelist.

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    Question 1075: AI and the Demographic Collapse

    Play Episode Listen Later May 22, 2023 11:42


    Ed asks:What will happen to AI, and what will AI do, as the bottom falls out of the world's demography? The post Question 1075: AI and the Demographic Collapse appeared first on The Every Day Novelist.

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