Rephonic
Artwork for Essential Guide to Writing a Novel

Essential Guide to Writing a Novel

James Thayer
Character Development
Fiction Writing
Writing Fiction
Character-Driven Stories
Writing
Scene Writing
Dialogue Techniques
Phrases Notebook
Writing Techniques
Storytelling Techniques
Creative Writing
Dialogue Writing Techniques
Plot-Driven Stories
Common Writing Errors
Anne Of Green Gables
Ernest Hemingway
Story Structure
BCBC Plotting
Real-Time Dialogue
Character Voice

Hosted by James Thayer, the podcast is a practical, step-by-step manual on how to craft a novel. It presents a set of tools for large issues such as story development and scene construction (Kirkus Reviews said Thayer's novels are "superbly crafted') and it also examines techniques that will make your sentence-by-sentence writing shine. The New York Times Book Review has said Thayer's "writing is ... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes208Founded4 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
EducationFiction

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Essential Guide to Writing a Novel

Latest Episodes

Writing is magic.  We type on a keyboard, and then the words we type create powerful images in readers' minds.  Here is a discussion of our main tool for creating vivid images: detail.  Which details, how to use them, and examples from a detail maste... more

Sometimes an unreliable narrator can be great fun to create, and great fun to read about.  Here are techniques for developing a protagonist the reader learns not to trust.  Also, how can we avoid dull interior monologue and  instead show readers what... more

Novelist John D. McDonald said he had more plot ideas than time to write them.  That's not the case for most of us writers.  We usually are in chronic need of more plot, more story.  Here are techniques for inventing plot from James Scott Bell and Le... more

Sometimes we are full  of ambition to write.  Yet we don't.  We put off our writing, then put it off again.  Why do we do that?  And what can be done to get us in front of the keyboard?  Here are thoughts on what we can do to get us producing.  Also,... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Host

Jim Thayer
Host of the podcast, Jim Thayer provides practical insights on how to improve writing skills and navigate the process of novel writing, drawing from both personal experience and literary expertise.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 1.7k ratings
  • Helpful & a JOY to listen to

    This podcast gives great practical tips for writing - lots of examples of the tips in action, too, which is helpful. James is a joy to listen to… he’s very passionate about writing & literature & has such a cheerful disposition to him that makes listening to his episodes delightful!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Anne Alden
    United States2 months ago
  • Vital information for all fiction writers.

    Updating this review two days after Christmas. I’m so sorry to hear that Jack has died. I always loved hearing about his antics. So sorry for your loss. They are like family to us.

    This podcast is packed with useful information. I love James’ quirky presentation and occasional digressions. Well worth subscribing.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Lynn Mac
    Spain3 months ago
  • Pragmatic and Professional

    I’m nine episodes in, and honestly, it feels like slipping into an old-school Novel Writing 101 lecture where the professor actually likes teaching. Thayer is organized, generous with examples, and somehow pulls off a charming faux-modesty that gives the whole thing a warm, gently humorous vibe.

    Full confession: I’ve never written a novel, and now I’m trying to write one. (Don’t laugh. Or do. It’s fine.) There are countless writing resources out there—some ramble, some are drowning in self-pr... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    MrDzyn
    United States4 months ago
  • Incredibly good

    I love the show. I’m writing a book and the advice

    In this podcast has proven truly crucial.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Happykittyonthemoon
    United States7 months ago
  • Super helpful, but…

    Please come to the point. And make that point the same as the title.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    cletzerismyname
    United States7 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Some listeners express that the content is repetitive over an extended period, suggesting that variety could enhance engagement.
Listeners appreciate the structured, practical advice provided for writers, often highlighting the engaging and supportive style of the host.
Many reviews note the wealth of examples and insights from notable authors that enhance the instructional quality of the episodes.
Overall, the podcast is viewed as a supportive environment for writers, with personal anecdotes that foster a sense of community among aspiring authors.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#179
United Kingdom/Education
Apple Podcasts
#89
Denmark/Education
Apple Podcasts
#142
Netherlands/Education
Apple Podcasts
#167
Philippines/Education
Apple Podcasts
#213
Indonesia/Education

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Episode 191 - Do we know enough to write the first sentence?
Q: At what point in your process do you feel ready to begin drafting?
A writer should assess their confidence in writing techniques and clarity of plot before beginning to draft.
Episode 186 - Showing--not telling--what a character is thinking.
Q: What would be the best writing practice when it comes to writing chapters we are not happy with?
It's suggested to finish the chapter and move on, making notes about what might need improvement for later.
Episode 182 - Things to think about as we write the end of our story.
Q: Do you have advice on getting over that editing dread?
Editing is a necessary part of the writing life, and while it may be tedious, it's essential for improving the manuscript.
Episode 176 - Inventing a fabulous title.
Q: What is your opinion on how to edit your first draft?
The editing process varies widely among writers, with some editing heavily and others editing very little or not at all, as individual preferences and methods differ significantly.
Episode 159 - A surefire way to generate plot, the sidekick.
Q: How do bad novels get published?
A good story, weakly told will do better than a weak story, well told; publishers prioritize a compelling story above all.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Essential Guide to Writing a Novel

What is Essential Guide to Writing a Novel about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This podcast offers a practical and structured approach to novel writing, focusing on the intricacies of crafting compelling narratives and developing characters. Throughout various episodes, the host shares insights on essential writing techniques, such as sentence structure, character development, dialogue creation, and editing strategies. The discussions often reference notable authors and their works, providing listeners with relatable examples and valuable lessons to enhance their writing abilities. The content is aimed at aspiring writers seeking guidance on the creative process, making it an invaluable resource for anyone aiming to navigate the complexities of fiction writing.

A unique aspect of this podcast is its blend of instruct... more

Where can I find podcast stats for Essential Guide to Writing a Novel?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for Essential Guide to Writing a Novel. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to Essential Guide to Writing a Novel and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does Essential Guide to Writing a Novel get?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for three million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for Essential Guide to Writing a Novel, including podcast download numbers and subscriber numbers, so you can make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You will need to upgrade your account to access this premium data.

What are the audience demographics for Essential Guide to Writing a Novel?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for Essential Guide to Writing a Novel, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.

How many subscribers and views does Essential Guide to Writing a Novel have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Essential Guide to Writing a Novel has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

How many episodes of Essential Guide to Writing a Novel are there?

Essential Guide to Writing a Novel launched 4 years ago and published 208 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Essential Guide to Writing a Novel?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Essential Guide to Writing a Novel?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Essential Guide to Writing a Novel from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.

How do I access podcast episode transcripts for Essential Guide to Writing a Novel?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of Essential Guide to Writing a Novel. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

Find and pitch the right podcasts

We help savvy brands, marketers and PR professionals to find the right podcasts for any topic or niche. Get the data and contacts you need to pitch podcasts at scale and turn listeners into customers.
Try it free for 7 days