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:

1. Write down revision ideas as they come to you during the drafting process.
2. 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.
3. Document all big decisions about your world or character backstories so you have the beginnings of a story/series bible when you’re done.
4. Reverse outline as you draft by summarizing each day’s new writing when you’re done.
5. 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 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

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:

1. Words rewritten
2. Words edited
3. Scenes revised
4. Words deleted
5. Worldbuilding & character development work
6. Pages/books read
7. A reverse outline sprint
8. A learning sprint
9. 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.

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

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.

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!

For our 44th episode, I’m doing something special - my first interview episode!!

This week, I’m sharing a great conversation with Barbra Rodriguez an editor, book coach, and experienced health writer.

We talked all about writing fictional characters who have diverse health statuses, especially for those of us who write or work with historical fiction.

You’ll learn how to approach the research phase, how to be sensitive to modern understandings of medical conditions while writing accurate historical fiction, and more!

If you enjoyed this interview and want to hear more from Barbra you can check out her website here.

Want to learn more about writing characters with varied health conditions? You can check out Barbra’s free guide to selecting trustworthy online and other health-information resources here!

Thanks for listening, keep writing, and keep getting better one word at a time!

For a full transcript of the episode, please visit https://oliviahelpswriters.com/bwp/44

The next cohort of Reader Ready Revisions starts on October 5th, 2026 and I don't want you to miss out!

I’ve talked a lot about this program, so today I want to talk to the person who is interested but not 100% sure that this course is right for them.

I started my outline for this episode with 8 reasons, but they were too basic. You’ll still hear those reasons at the end, but first I wanted to get a little bit personal.

I talk about the types of writers I was thinking of when I built this course. The people that I'm delighted to help and how I use this course to make writing work for them!

If you hear yourself in the writers I describe here, go to ReaderReadyRevisions.com and apply for the next cohort!

Not quite sure? You can book a short, no-obligation call with me here.

Happy writing and I hope to see you in Reader Ready Revisions soon!!

Editing is great, don't get me wrong, but it is not your only option for getting support as a writer, and honestly, is not the best option in a lot of situations.

You know what is? Coaching.

In Episode 41 of the Better Writer Podcast, I’m talking all about the difference between editing and coaching and 6 reasons to choose coaching over editing as you revise your novel.

And if you want to learn even more from me, join me for the Revision Kickstart Challenge!

This free 3-day event runs from September 22nd - 24th!

Over those 3 days, I’ll teach you how to set yourself up for success, set a vision for your book, and prepare for the revision work ahead.

Plus, there just might be some fun prizes available!

Get the full details and register for the challenge at OHWRevisionClass.com!

I can’t wait to see you live and help you write a better book!!

Thanks for listening, keep writing, and keep getting better one word at a time!

For a full transcript of the episode, please visit https://oliviahelpswriters.com/bwp/41

This episode is my love letter to anyone who has looked at their messy draft and wanted to cry.

It doesn’t matter what your draft looks like right now, you aren’t doomed and this draft isn’t destiny. It might not be easy, but you can make your book work.

This week’s episode is part pep talk, part motivational speech, part call to action.

Listen now and get inspired to write the best book possible!

And if you want my help to kickstart your revisions, join me for the Revision Kickstart Challenge starting today!!!!

This free 3-day event runs from September 22nd - 24th!

Over those 3 days, I’ll teach you how to set yourself up for success, set a vision for your book, and prepare for the revision work ahead.

Listening to this after the challenge starts? That’s okay! You can register for replay access until 10/4/26!

Get the full details and register for the challenge at OHWRevisionClass.com!

I can’t wait to see you live and help you write a better book!!

Thanks for listening, keep writing, and keep getting better one word at a time!

For a full transcript of the episode, please visit https://oliviahelpswriters.com/bwp/42