What do most writing craft books leave out—and how can you avoid getting stuck mid-draft? In this episode of Exit Plan Writer, I talk with developmental editor and story coach Lori Puma, author of the free ebook What Fiction Craft Books Left Out.

Free to download here: https://loripuma.com/craft-books-skip

Lori shares why genre fiction authors (romance, fantasy, mystery, thriller) struggle with missing guidance, how to build a strong story foundation, and why antagonists are the secret to page-turning plots. We also dig into my own work-in-progress, with Lori giving live coaching on character arcs, conflict, and how to avoid a “Frankenstein” draft.

If you’ve ever wondered what a developmental editor really does—or how to take your messy middle to a finished, reader-hooking novel—this episode is packed with practical insights you won’t find in traditional craft guides.

You can find Lori at www.loripuma.com

And me at www.exitplanwriter.com

An update to experiment number two. How exactly is writing going now that I’m back at the day job?

In this episode I discuss the sacrifices one has to make to obtain the things we want.

I reflect on what I learned during my hiatus from work now that I can compare the two situations properly.

Tune in to listen to why I feel unstructured time is important.

In this solo episode, I share the money lessons from my first 8-week experiment of ditching the day job to focus on writing. Running a writing business is still a business, and cash flow matters more than I first realized. I talk honestly about the “cash flow dilemma,” what it really takes to fund creative work, and why pretending money doesn’t matter only leads to stress later. I also pull back the curtain on what six-figure authors like Joanna Penn, Sasha Black, and Rachael Herron are actually earning, and how they combine multiple income streams—from book sales to nonfiction, courses, and Patreon. Whether you’re dreaming of becoming an author entrepreneur or just curious about what it takes to make writing sustainable, this episode gives you a grounded look at the financial side of a creative life.

Email me at Podcast@exitplanwriter.com or go to my Substack https://exitplanwriter.substack.com