Show Notes
Anne Hawley and Rachelle Ramirez dive into the challenges nonfiction writers face when transitioning to fiction writing. They emphasize the critical difference between conveying information and creating intrigue. The discussion covers the importance of revealing character backstory gradually, the pitfalls of over-explaining, and practical advice on how to keep readers turning pages by raising questions rather than answering them outright. The episode provides valuable insights for writers aiming to engage readers more effectively in their fictional narratives.
00:00 Introduction to Fiction Writing for Nonfiction Authors 00:25 Challenges in Transitioning from Nonfiction to Fiction 01:14 The Importance of Intrigue Over Information 01:36 Avoiding Backstory Overload 03:50 Learning from Great Fiction 06:29 What to Leave Out in Fiction Writing 07:50 Engaging the Reader with Intrigue 12:11 Character Motivations and Actions 16:02 Common Obstacles for Nonfiction Writers 17:44 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
More from The Write Anyway Podcast
Here's a question that might change how you think about your main character: Does your protagonist want to change things—or preserve them?In this episode, Gabriela Pereira of DIYMFA breaks down her Storytelling Superpower framework—a surprisingly simple way to understand what makes protagonists like Elizabeth Bennett and Katniss Everdeen work so well on the page.Plus: why "supporting character" is a better term than "side character," the crucial difference between a villain and an antagonist, and what Shakespeare's Fool can teach you about the characters your protagonist doesn't want to listen to (but really should).
Feeling squeamish about your book—or even asking for blurbs? In this episode, Sue Campbell talks with actor–author–coach Jamie Rose about “Madame X,” the inner voice that sabotages women’s creative work. Come for the mindset shifts and bite-size tools; stay for raw memoir moments, smart launch lessons, and a Steven Pressfield surprise. If you want your launch (and writing life) to feel fun, organic, and fear-resilient, this one’s a must-listen.
Sue Campbell interviews Eli Potter, tech track coordinator for the San Francisco Writers Conference and author of the bestselling book Role Modelship: Multiply Your Impact to Influence AI, about writers’ fears and ethical concerns around AI.In this episode, Eli reveals why being rude to AI will sabotage your results, why writer's block is no longer an excuse, and how writers actually have a massive advantage in an AI-saturated world.Plus: the one question that unlocks AI's real power, why your brain is getting "wired" to AI output (and why that's dangerous), and how to use these tools ethically without losing what makes your writing yours.Whether you're AI-curious or AI-skeptical, this conversation will change how you think about technology in your writing life.
On the Write Anyway podcast, host Anne Hawley interviews epic fantasy novelist Don Elliott about a simple strategy he used to rapidly improve his prose and strengthen his author voice without formal schooling. After focusing for years on story craft, Don realized his line-level writing hadn’t advanced as much, so he studied authors he admires—Mark Lawrence, Patrick Rothfuss, Ursula K. Le Guin, George R. R. Martin, and Joe Abercrombie—to analyze sentence-level choices like length, metaphor use, lyricism, and how emotion is conveyed. He then took a fully edited manuscript and rewrote passages multiple times, trimming stacked metaphors and avoiding naming emotions in favor of evoking them, sharing before-and-after examples. Don recommends daily 30–60 minute rewrite drills—rewriting your own work in an admired author’s style or rewriting their passages in your voice—to build muscle memory, reporting dramatic improvement within a week.
Can you really write a book while raising kids? Creativity coach Susie Meserve says yes — but not in the way you think. In this episode, Sue sits down with Susie to talk about what actually gets in the way of creative moms (hint: it's not just time), why having children made both of them more prolific, and the guilt spiral that so many artist moms never talk about out loud. If you're a caregiver who's told yourself "I'll get back to my writing when things slow down" — this one's for you.