Bonus: From Stuck to Breakthrough: How Three Writers Found Their Path Forward

Fiction Writing Made Easy | Top Creative Writing Podcast for Fiction Writers & Writing Tips

What if the reason you're stuck on your novel isn't about talent or creativity, but simply a missing piece of the puzzle that could change everything?

Every writer knows that soul-crushing feeling of being completely stuck. Not just procrastinating or battling writer's block, but that specific paralysis where you love your story idea, want to write, but have absolutely no idea how to move forward.

In this episode, you'll hear from three writers who faced this exact challenge in very different ways. Kelsey wrote 11,000 words of an adult fantasy novel before hitting a wall with no idea what should happen next. Liya spent eight years starting and stopping the same young adult series, never making it past the first few chapters. And Danyel loved her idea, but kept running into structural problems she couldn’t solve.

What they discovered transformed not just their current projects, but their entire approach to storytelling—and their breakthroughs reveal exactly what might be missing from your own writing process.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• [05:05] The surprising way that reducing from two point-of-view characters to one solved major structural problems and created more mystery and page-turning tension in a thriller
• [08:00] Why having a flexible outline is like "someone turning on the lights and handing you a map"—and how it can make writing feel fun and exciting again instead of wandering in the dark
• [11:05] How understanding the crucial difference between scenes and chapters unlocked eight years of frustration for one writer and completely transformed her approach to story structure
• [14:15] Why being stuck isn't about lacking talent—it's simply an indication that you're missing a foundational piece of your story

If you’re ready for your breakthrough moment—and want my complete, step-by-step framework for writing a story that works—join the waitlist for the next open enrollment of my Notes to Novel course. Don’t miss your chance to turn your ideas into a finished draft you’re proud of!

🔗 Links mentioned in this episode:

• Grab this free guide to see how real writers (like you!) pushed past the most common writing roadblocks to finish their novels: 5 Writing Roadblocks Keeping You Stuck & How to Break Through
• Danyel Nicole Instagram
• Kelsey Evans Instagram
• Liya Grey Instagram

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👉 Looking for a transcript? If you’re listening on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, scroll down below the episode player until you see the transcript.

Chapters

1. Writing with Structure and Freedom (00:00:00)

2. Introduction to Getting Unstuck (00:02:34)

3. Danielle's Point of View Breakthrough (00:04:56)

4. Kelsey's Outlining Lightbulb Moment (00:09:43)

5. Leah's Journey from 2015 to Now (00:12:42)

6. Notes to Novel Course Opening (00:15:47)