We get a lot of questions from people starting on their very first novel. So in this week's episode, we're giving you all the advice that we wish we could time travel back and give ourselves on the day we started our first novels. There's so much writing advice out there, and no matter who you are, it's not all going to work for you. So in this episode, we'll share things to think about and consider as you plot and plan to begin a draft of your very first novel. And the bottom line is, you can do it, and we are here to cheer you on.

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Tips for new writers:

Give yourself a writing assignment

Just write your first novel

Immerse don't tell

Read

Get really comfort drafting unpolished

Be a joyful student

Invest a lot of time in ideation

Learn about the business of publishing

Your writing routine matters

Resources:

Show Don't Tell by Sandra Greth

Romancing the Beat by Gwen Hayes

Writing the Breakout Novel by Donald Maass

Write your Novel from the Middle by James Scott Bell

The Author's Publishing Playbook by Carly Watters

https://www.laurenkaywrites.com/

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This week we're discussing big and small things we want to learn. This episode is a great space for brainstorming. If you've been thinking that you'd like to pick up a new hobby. We're each discussing five big and small things that we'd like to learn in the near future. And we're also doing a hot take debate on the topic of plastic treat bags at children's birthday parties.

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5 Things we want to learn

Emma:

1. Learn Spanish
2. Play piano
3. Learn to write microfiction
4. Cooking and recipes
5. Painting

Elsie:

1. Water Marbling
2. Writing poetry
3. Classical painting lessons
4. Make 3 Ina Garten recipes
5. Book binding

Book Report:

Emma - The Cottage Around the Corner by D. L. Soria

Elsie - The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown

You can support us by leaving us a couple of 5 star recipe reviews this week at abeautifulmess.com

Have a topic idea for the podcast? Write in to us at podcast@abeautifulmess.com or leave us a voicemail at 417-893-0011.

This week we're talking about Elsie's new newsletter, why newsletters are sometimes even better than blogs, and our advice for how to make your newsletter stand out if you're starting your own. We are also going to be debating a listener hot take that's about homeschooling.

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Check out Elsie's newsletter: https://www.elsielarson.com/

Check out Elise's newsletter: https://www.elisejoy.com/

What will the newsletter be:

Cozy

Curious

Photos of crafts and things she's making

Stories and essays

Life updates

Entertaining

What the newsletter won't be:

Writing DIYs

Not written by AI

You can support us by leaving us a couple of 5 star recipe reviews this week at abeautifulmess.com

Have a topic idea for the podcast? Write in to us at podcast@abeautifulmess.com or leave us a voicemail at 417-893-0011.