Discover the five novelist types that go beyond the limiting outliner vs. pantser debate, helping you find your perfect writing process on a spectrum from minimal planning to detailed structure. Learn how to identify your writer type and use the right tools to dramatically increase your chances of finishing your book.

Learn three powerful writing insights about artistic confidence and creative decision-making from watching a 7-year-old approach art as conversation rather than sacred object. Discover how to stop seeking permission for creative choices and trust your artistic vision like children naturally do.

Feeling overwhelmed by long-term goals? Learn the counter-intuitive strategy that keeps you motivated when gratification feels impossibly far away. Mary shares her summer reality check of tackling house organization, French lessons, and a new watercolor hobby while revealing the mindset shift that makes big writing projects sustainable and enjoyable.

Learn the marginalia method for novel research that prevents overwhelm and helps writers efficiently capture story ideas while reading research books without getting bogged down in unnecessary details.

What happens when a bestselling author annotates her own 25-year-old novel? I discovered the answer in an airport bookstore, and it taught me something crucial about how we treat our past creative work—and ourselves.

Discover how a professional novelist ethically integrates AI into her writing process without compromising her creative integrity. Learn three specific applications for research, grammar cleanup, and brainstorming synthesis that enhance productivity while maintaining complete creative control.

What if you could write your novel while taking a walk? I was skeptical too, until I tried dictating my latest manuscript using nothing but my phone and comfortable shoes. The results completely changed how I think about fitting writing into a busy life.

In this episode, Mary shares a powerful metaphor from Nora Ephron about juggling priorities as a writer and parent. She unpacks how to identify what truly matters—your “glass balls”—so you can protect your writing time without guilt.

Why great writing isn’t enough—and how one free, simple strategy can help you build the strong, plot-driven story your novel needs.