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    Arts

    Speculative Fiction Writing Made Simple: How to Write, Edit, and Publish Your Debut Fantasy, Science Fiction, or Dystopian Novel

    Have you ever had a story idea you love—a vivid world, compelling characters, big themes—but every time you sit down to write, something just… isn’t working?

    If that sounds familiar, you’re in the right place.

    Welcome to Speculative Fiction Writing Made Simple.

    In each episode, I tackle one specific problem standing between you and a cohesive, compelling book—whether that’s character arc, plot structure, backstory, worldbuilding, magic systems, genre clarity, revision, or the publishing path. Some episodes are focused teaching sessions where I break down craft and process step by step, and others feature in-depth conversations with industry experts—authors, editors, agents, and publishing professionals—who share real-world insight into what actually works.

    No vague advice. No craft mysticism. Just concrete, actionable strategies you can apply immediately (often with free companion workbooks linked right in the show notes).

    This podcast is here to help you stop spinning your wheels and start making confident, intentional story choices—so your novel feels grounded, emotionally powerful, and readable all the way through.

    I’m your host, Heather Davis—Author Accelerator Certified Book Coach, developmental editor, host of the WorldShift Writing Summit, podcaster, and fellow speculative fiction writer. I’ve spent over a decade helping writers untangle messy drafts, fix stories that almost work, and build novels from the ground up in a way that’s sustainable and actually makes sense.

    And let’s be honest: writing a good novel—the kind readers want to finish, recommend, and come back to—is hard. This podcast doesn’t promise shortcuts or overnight success. Instead, it embraces the real, messy, challenging work of storytelling—and gives you the tools to do it well.

    If you’ve ever found yourself typing questions like these into Google, this show is for you:

    • What is show don’t tell?
    • What’s the difference between scenes and chapters?
    • How do I use Save the Cat to structure my novel without it feeling formulaic?
    • How do I include backstory without info-dumping?
    • Why isn’t my magic system working in my story?
    • How do I revise a novel without getting overwhelmed?
    • How do I write character driven stories? 
    • How do I develop my author Voice?
    • How do I write fantasy, romantasy, dystopian, science fiction, magical realism, paranormal, horror, or other speculative genres?
    • How do I develop my protagonist?
    • What is interiority?
    • How do I determine the these and Point of my novel? 
    • How do I create a character arc for my protagonist? 
    • etc. 

    So if you’re ready to write a novel you’re proud of—one that holds together, makes readers think, and earns their trust—go ahead and follow or subscribe. It’s the easiest way to support the show and make sure you don’t miss what’s coming next.

    Next steps:
    If you want to go deeper, get on my email list so you don’t miss my free and paid classes, workshops, and free writing sprints:
    👉 https://resources.manyworldswriting.com/U2F1zO

    Have a question or want to reach out directly? You can email me anytime at heather@manyworldswriting.com

    Until next time, keep writing, keep dreaming, and remember: the world needs your stories right now. Don’t give up on your novel—or yourself.

    Advertise
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    • Google Play
    • Spotify

    Latest Episodes:
    7 Crucial Steps to Creating and Writing a Captivating Magic System For Your Novel | Episode 15 Mar 28, 2024
    Show notes

    Snag my FREE workbook: resources.manyworldswriting.com/magic

    Ever wondered how to create an interesting and compelling magic system that readers will love?

    In this episode I’m breaking down exactly how to create a magic system that works.


    In this episode you’ll learn:


    1. The crucial importance of weaving an engaging magic system into your fantasy world.
    2. Differentiating between soft and hard magic systems, and knowing which to employ for maximum impact.
    3. A comprehensive 7-step guide to fashioning a magic system that is both intricate and internally consistent.
    4. Witness the creation of a magic system through a detailed example, illuminating every facet of the creative process.

    🌻🌻Find out more about the Many Worlds Drafting Club HERE!🌻🌻

    🌻🌻Schedule a quick chat with Heather to sign up to be a founding member of the MW Drafting Club HERE!🌻🌻


    9 Key Elements of Character Interiority: Writing Reality | Episode 14 Mar 21, 2024
    Show notes

    Snag my FREE interiority workbook: https://resources.manyworldswriting.com/interiority
    Have you ever wondered how to ensure your readers are so engrossed in your protagonist that they can put your novel down?
    In this episode I'm peeling back the layers of protagonist interiority and revealing how to create your protagonist's inner world and make your novel unputdownable.
    In this episode you’ll learn:
    What interiority is
    The 9 ways interiority manifests in novels
    Why you need to add interiority to your novel
    How to get interiority onto the page in your scenes
    How to balance your narrative with the right amount of interiority
    And so much more!

    🌻🌻Find out more about the Many Worlds Drafting Club HERE!🌻🌻

    🌻🌻Schedule a quick chat with Heather to sign up to be a founding member of the MW Drafting Club HERE!🌻🌻


    7 Key Facts You MUST Know About Your Protagonist (Before Writing Another Word) | Episode 13 Mar 07, 2024
    Show notes

    What makes a protagonist memorable and unique? What makes readers fall in love with them enough to follow them around for 300-500 pages?

    Knowing the answers to those questions is the difference between creating a flat, dull protagonist and having a magnetic protagonist that readers can’t get enough of!

    In this episode you’ll learn:

    1. Why every novel is actually character driven
    2. How character arc must be thoroughly considered when getting to know your protagonist
    3. The 7 questions you must ask yourself about your protagonist to make them magnetic to readers
    4. And so much more!

    Snag my FREE protagonist workbook:

    https://manyworldswriting.com/protagonist

    Join the Many Worlds Writing Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1012106499677937/?mibextid=oMANbw

    🌻🌻Find out more about the Many Worlds Drafting Club HERE!🌻🌻

    🌻🌻Schedule a quick chat with Heather to sign up to be a founding member of the MW Drafting Club HERE!🌻🌻


    Show and Tell: The Secret to Writing Better Scenes | Episode 12 Feb 29, 2024
    Show notes

    If you're a writer, you've likely encountered the timeless advice: "Show Don't Tell." While intended to enhance scene creation by encouraging vivid depiction over mere narration, this guidance has been misunderstood, leading to detrimental effects on otherwise strong novels.

    If you've questioned the validity of this advice, stay tuned as I debunk misconceptions and provide practical strategies to reignite the potency and depth of your scenes.

    In this episode you’ll learn:

    1. Showing vs. telling on the page
    2. Why balancing both creates stronger, more meaningful storytelling
    3. Mastering the art of crafting scenes that skillfully blend showing and telling.

    If you’re ready to learn more about the art of showing and telling, snag my FREE workbook: https://www.manyworldswriting.com/showandtell


    Join the Many Worlds Writing Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1012106499677937/?mibextid=oMANbw

    🌻🌻Find out more about the Many Worlds Drafting Club HERE!🌻🌻

    🌻🌻Schedule a quick chat with Heather to sign up to be a founding member of the MW Drafting Club HERE!🌻🌻


    How to Turn a Narrative Summary into a Full Scene: Expanding Your Writing | Episode 11 Feb 22, 2024
    Show notes

    The most important skill you can have as a writer is the ability to write a compelling scene, but it’s a skill that few writers have actually mastered.

    So in this episode we are going to do a deep dive into scene structure and learn:

    1) How to know if an event in your novel actually needs to be a scene

    2) the structure of a great scene

    3) the 6 elements you should add to every scene to make them vibrant and irresistible to readers

    4) how to expand a summary into a full scene.

    If you’re ready to learn all about how kick*ss scenes are actually written, snag my FREE workbook: https://www.manyworldswriting.com/scene

    Are you ready for an affordable mentorship program that will help you write a powerful speculative fiction novel? Fill out an application to my Powerful Writers, Powerful Novels Mentorship Program: manyworldswriting.com/mentorship

    Join the Many Worlds Writing Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1012106499677937/?mibextid=oMANbw

    🌻🌻Find out more about the Many Worlds Drafting Club HERE!🌻🌻

    🌻🌻Schedule a quick chat with Heather to sign up to be a founding member of the MW Drafting Club HERE!🌻🌻


    The 10 Key Components of Writing a Great Scene | Episode 10 Feb 08, 2024
    Show notes

    The most important skill you can have as a writer is the ability to write a great scene... but, unfortunately, it’s a skill that few writers have actually mastered.

    You need to understand:

    1) What a scene is.

    2) Whether a given event in your novel needs to be a scene.

    3) The structure of a great scene.

    If you’re ready to learn all about how kick*ss scenes are actually written, snag my FREE workbook: https://www.manyworldswriting.com/scene

    Are you ready for an affordable mentorship program that will help you write a powerful speculative fiction novel? Fill out an application to my Powerful Writers, Powerful Novels Mentorship Program: https://manyworldswriting.com/mentorship

    Join the Many Worlds Writing Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1012106499677937/?mibextid=oMANbw

    🌻🌻Find out more about the Many Worlds Drafting Club HERE!🌻🌻

    🌻🌻Schedule a quick chat with Heather to sign up to be a founding member of the MW Drafting Club HERE!🌻🌻


    Writing Backstory without Info Dumping | Episode 9 Jan 25, 2024
    Show notes

    Backstory is an essential part of every novel.

    Without it, your protagonist doesn’t have a meaningful character arc and your story lacks depth. But writers are (understandably) scared to put backstory in their novel because they’re afraid of info dumping.

    Well, there is a way to strike a perfect balance. You CAN include valuable backstory AND avoid info dumping.

    Grab my FREE checklist right here and learn the 5 principles of highly effective backstory: https://www.manyworldswriting.com/backstory

    Are you ready for an affordable mentorship program that will help you write a powerful speculative fiction novel? Fill out an application to my Powerful Writers, Powerful Novels Mentorship Program: manyworldswriting.com/mentorship

    Join the Many Worlds Writing Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1012106499677937/?mibextid=oMANbw

    🌻🌻Find out more about the Many Worlds Drafting Club HERE!🌻🌻

    🌻🌻Schedule a quick chat with Heather to sign up to be a founding member of the MW Drafting Club HERE!🌻🌻


    7 Key Understandings to Help You Reframe Criticism of Your Writing | Episode 8 Jan 18, 2024
    Show notes

    Criticism is one of the hardest things for writers to process and it sometimes leads to writers giving up on the craft or refusing to share their work with the world.

    If you’re ready explore the 7 key understandings that will help you reframe criticism for a healthier relationship with it, access the FREE workbook right here: https://www.manyworldswriting.com/handlingcriticism

    Are you ready for an affordable mentorship program that will help you write a powerful speculative fiction novel? Fill out an application to my Powerful Writers, Powerful Novels Mentorship Program:

    https://www.manyworldswriting.com/mentorship


    Join the Many Worlds Writing Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1012106499677937/?mibextid=oMANbw

    🌻🌻Find out more about the Many Worlds Drafting Club HERE!🌻🌻

    🌻🌻Schedule a quick chat with Heather to sign up to be a founding member of the MW Drafting Club HERE!🌻🌻


    The 7 Golden Rules of Writing Great Dialogue | Episode 7 Jan 10, 2024
    Show notes

    Nothing grabs readers’ attention like dialogue. That’s why it’s absolutely imperative to make sure that the dialogue in your novel is serving the story and making readers hungry for more.

    Ready to learn more about dialogue? Don’t forget to access the FREE dialogue checklist right here: https://www.manyworldswriting.com/dialoguechecklist

    If you’re ready to REALLY understand all the ins and outs of great dialogue, grab my Dynamic Dialogue COURSE right here: https://www.manyworldswriting.com/dialogue

    Are you ready for an affordable mentorship program that will help you write a powerful speculative fiction novel? Fill out an application to my Powerful Writers, Powerful Novels Mentorship Program: https://www.manyworldswriting.com/mentorship

    Join the Many Worlds Writing Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1012106499677937/?mibextid=oMANbw

    🌻🌻Find out more about the Many Worlds Drafting Club HERE!🌻🌻

    🌻🌻Schedule a quick chat with Heather to sign up to be a founding member of the MW Drafting Club HERE!🌻🌻


    Master the 4 Essential Layers of Writing POV | Episode 6 Jan 03, 2024
    Show notes

    Spoiler alert—there’s a whole lot more to POV than just first person, second person, and third person. There are actually 4 layers that you need to master if you want readers and agents to love your novel!

    So if you’re ready to master POV in 2024, dive into the episode and don’t forget to access the FREE workbook right here: https://www.manyworldswriting.com/POV

    Wait... are you ready to really take your writing to the next level in 2024? Are you ready for an affordable mentorship program that will help you write a powerful speculative fiction novel? If so, fill out an application to my Powerful Writers, Powerful Novels Mentorship Program and get on the waitlist:

    manyworldswriting.com/mentorship

    Join the Many Worlds Writing Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1012106499677937/?mibextid=oMANbw

    🌻🌻Find out more about the Many Worlds Drafting Club HERE!🌻🌻

    🌻🌻Schedule a quick chat with Heather to sign up to be a founding member of the MW Drafting Club HERE!🌻🌻


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