First Draft Friday: Conversations about author craft
Authors A.I. presents First Draft Friday!
A regular open house for the author community where we talk about the craft of novel writing and storytelling with fellow authors, editors or entrepreneurs. Learn tips and trade secrets from the best names in fiction writing.
Have a topic you’d like us to tackle? Know an author who would make a good guest? Let us know at team@authors.ai
And get more author resources, including our manuscript analysis tool, at authors.ai
Episodes
75 episodes
Episode 75: Lucy Score - Adding humor to romance and suspense writing
Our guest is instant #1 New York Times bestselling author Lucy Score who discusses how she adds humor to her work – and shares tips on how you can do the same.Find out about our next First Draft Friday chats, and our manuscript analysis...
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Season 2
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Episode 75
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32:46
Episode 73: Melissa F. Miller - Writing in Multiple Third Person POVs
In this episode of First Draft Friday, our guest is bestselling thriller author Melissa F. Miller. Melissa discusses writing in multiple third-person POV thrillers.Melissa says “I love writing big, juicy multiple POV thrillers. Every onc...
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Season 2
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Episode 73
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31:25
Episode 72: Scarlett St. Clair - Writing Dark Anti-Heroes That Readers Love
Catch up as our guest, bestselling romantic fantasy author Scarlett St. Clair discusses her work with Alessandra Torre, and explains how she creates dark anti-heroes who readers fall in love with. More about our manuscript an...
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31:08
Episode 71: Xio Axelrod - Writing as a Hybrid Author
Bestselling contemporary romance author Xio Axelrod and Alessandra Torre discuss themes related to writing romance, and Xio’s journey from indie to published author.
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Season 2
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Episode 71
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32:12
Episode 71a: Jeff Wheeler - When Authors Pivot
Variety is the spice of life – but is it also the secret to a long and prosperous author career? Wall Street Journal bestselling author Jeff Wheeler knows his stuff, and with a recent pivot into writing thrillers, he’s the perfect a...
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Season 2
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Episode 71
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33:13
Episode 70: Mary Carroll Moore - Your Characters Can Be You
Authors Alessandra Torre and Mary Carroll Moore discuss how writers can incorporate themselves into their characters.Mary Carroll shares how she incorporated some of her own life experiences into her latest book, A Woman’s Guide to Search a...
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Season 2
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Episode 70
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30:53
Episode 69: Debbie Weiss - Stepping Through Your Self Imposed Boundaries
Authors Alessandra Torre and Debbie Weiss discuss stepping through self-imposed boundaries of fear and anxiety to pen your first book.
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Season 2
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Episode 69
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31:17
Episode 68: Lynne Golodner - The Similarities & Differences Between Creative Nonfiction & Fiction
Authors Alessandra Torre and Lynne Golodner discuss the similarities & differences between creative nonfiction & fiction.
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Season 2
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Episode 68
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31:23
Episode 71a: Jeff Wheeler - When Authors Pivot
Variety is the spice of life – but is it also the secret to a long and prosperous author career? Wall Street Journal bestselling author Jeff Wheeler knows his stuff, and with a recent pivot into writing thrillers, he’s the perfect auth...
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Season 2
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Episode 71
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33:13
Episode 67 - Jane L. Rosen - Screenwriter To Published Author
Alessandra Torre and Jane L. Rosen discuss how Jane went from Screenwriter To Published Author and how she takes her real-life experiences & turns them into novels.
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Season 2
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Episode 67
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29:33
Episode 66 - Kathleen Fine - Brainstorm to Book: Steps to Publishing
Authors Alessandra Torre and Kathleen Fine discuss steps, advice, and tips on how first-time novel writers can get their book published. In this episode, she shares the inside scoop of what worked for her (and what didn’t) to...
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Season 2
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Episode 66
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32:18
Episode 65 - Lael Raphael - Plotting for Pantsers
Authors Lael Raphael and Alessandra Torre discuss how to use the Theory of the Outstanding Question to set up a plot which will engage and entertain readers.Listen here to discover what is an Outstanding Question? Two great examples of ...
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Season 2
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Episode 65
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31:09
Episode 64 - Kim Catanzarite - Phases of Editing
Authors Alessandra Torre and Kim Catanzarite discuss the many phases of the editorial process—from the first draft to the proofreading pool and everything in between.Hear about what it really means to produce a finished manuscript...
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Season 2
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Episode 64
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31:57
Episode 63 - April White - Research: How Much is Enough?
April White sits down with Alessandra Torre to talk about the real history and actual mysteries she researches for her books, and how to write responsibly in an age when representation and diversity is so important in our stories.Hear a...
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Season 2
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Episode 63
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31:56
Episode 62 - Jessica Flory - Crafting Themes To Inspire
Alessandra Torre and Jessica Flory discuss how to choose a relatable theme that will resonate with readers, how to use character arcs to bring out theme, and how to deliver a powerful message without sounding preachy or overbearing.Tune...
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Season 2
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Episode 62
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31:47
Episode 61 - Ines Johnson - Pacing Techniques
Alessandra Torre and Ines Johnson discuss how to write more bingeworthy books using pacing techniques from episodic television structure.Novelists, are you ready to learn the pacing techniques employed by episodic television writers tha...
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Season 2
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Episode 61
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31:13
Episode 60 - Rebecca Zanetti - Multi Genre Writing
Alessandra Torre and Rebecca Zanetti discuss how to write across several genres and stay true to your brand. Discover tips for writing fiction in different genres.
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Season 2
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Episode 60
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30:26
Episode 59: Rhonda M. Lawson - Building Believable & Compelling Plots
Literary strategist, book coach and 23-time published author Dr. Rhonda M. Lawson joins us with actionable tips on building compelling plotlines through planning, foreshadowing and character development.
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Season 2
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Episode 59
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36:24
Episode 58: Dylan Thomas Pratt - Continuing the legacy of Scott Pratt
Dylan Thomas Pratt, son of the late international best-selling author Scott Pratt, whose work has sold more than six million copies, discusses the evolution of his role in the further development of his father’s work. His father, S...
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Season 2
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Episode 58
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32:18
Episode 57: Pamela Fagan Hutchins - Killing it with a Crime Fiction Series
Pamela Fagan Hutchins, USA Today bestselling and Silver Falchion Best Mystery winning author of 24 mystery/suspense/thriller novels (Patrick Flint & What Doesn’t Kill You) discusses tips for writing a compulsively readable crime fiction ser...
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Season 2
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Episode 57
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30:55
Episode 56: James Rosone - Crafting Successful Series
James Rosone discusses how to craft a series that draws readers into books seven, eight, and beyond.In this unedited chat, he answers questions and give actionable tips.Listen in!
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Season 2
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Episode 56
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30:07
Episode 55: LT Ryan - Crafting Compelling Characters
Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and Amazon bestselling author of several mysteries and thrillers, including the Jack Noble and Rachel Hatch series, LT Ryan, discusses crafting compelling characters in order to create the best character-driven s...
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Season 2
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Episode 55
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32:36
Episode 54 : A.L. Jackson - Deepening Character Developments
NYT bestselling author A.L. Jackson shares insight on how to develop unforgettable characters that will live in our readers’ hearts forever.In this unedited chat, she answers questions and give actionable tips.Listen in...
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Season 2
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Episode 54
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33:20
Episode 53 - Timothy Byron: Character Bias
Author Timothy Byron discusses how an author’s subconscious biases, and life experiences may determine the traits and personality types of their characters.In this unedited chat, he answers questions and give actionable tips.<...
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Season 2
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Episode 53
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32:04
Episode 51 - Jeff Carson: Juggling Writing and Life
With never-ending, relentless day-to-day obligations and options pulling us in different directions, writing (and completing) projects can at times seem a tough, borderline impossible task. Bestselling author of the David Wolf and Ali Falco Ser...
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Season 2
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Episode 51
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31:34