First Draft Fridays

FDF #75: How to add humor to romance and suspense writing

Date: March 22nd, 2024

Host: Alessandra Torre with Lucy Score

Details: Happening on Friday, March 22, 2024 at 5 pm ET. In this episode of First Draft Friday, our guest is instant #1 New York Times bestselling author Lucy Score. Lucy will discuss how she adds humor to her work – and share tips on how you can do the same. You won’t want to miss this FREE live chat! In this First Draft Friday video chat, Lucy will answer your questions and share her experience.

FDF #73: Writing Third-Person Thrillers

Date: March 1st, 2024

Host: Alessandra Torre with Melissa Miller

Details: In this episode of First Draft Friday, our guest, bestselling thriller author Melissa Miller, discusses writing in multiple third-person POV thrillers.

FDF #72: Creating Dark Anti-Heroes

Date: February 16th, 2024

Host: Alessandra Torre with Scarlett St. Clair

Details: In this episode of First Draft Friday, our guest is bestselling romantic fantasy author Scarlett St. Clair. Scarlett discusses how she creates dark anti-heroes who readers fall in love with.

FDF: Writing in Different Voices

Date: June 7th, 2024

Host: Alessandra Torre with Brett Battles

Details: Happening on Friday, June 7, 2024 at 5pm ET! In this episode of First Draft Friday, our guest is New York Times bestselling thriller author Brett Battles. Brett will discuss writing in different voices and styles. You won’t want to miss this FREE live chat! In this First Draft Friday video chat, Brett will answer your questions and share his experience.

FDF #76: From Research to Stories

Date: April 26th, 2024

Host: Alessandra Torre with Audrey Harrison

Details: Happening on Friday, April 26, 2024 at 12pm Noon ET! In this episode of First Draft Friday, our guest is bestselling historical romance author Audrey Harrison. Audrey will discuss researching historical romances and how that research inspires and creates the ideas for bestselling novels. You won’t want to miss this FREE live chat! In this First Draft Friday video chat, Audrey will answer your questions and share her experience.

FDF #71a: Tips on Pivoting

Date: January 5th, 2024

Host: Alessandra Torre with Jeff Wheeler

Details: Variety is the spice of life – but is it also the secret to a long and prosperous author career? Our guest, Wall Street Journal bestselling author Jeff Wheeler, knows his stuff, and with a recent pivot into writing thrillers, he’s the perfect author to have this discussion with.

FDF #71: Writing as a Hybrid Author

Date: January 12th, 2024

Host: Alessandra Torre with Xio Axelrod

Details: In this episode of First Draft Friday from Authors A.I. our guest is bestselling contemporary romance author Xio Axelrod. Alessandra Torre and Xio Axelrod discuss themes related to writing romance, and Xio’s journey from indie to published author.

FDF #70: Your Characters Can Be You

Date: December 8th, 2023

Host: Alessandra Torre with Mary Carroll Moore

Details: In this episode of First Draft Friday from Authors A.I., authors Alessandra Torre and Mary Carroll Moore discuss how writers can incorporate themselves into their characters. Mary Carroll shares how she incorporated some of her own life experiences into her new book, A Woman’s Guide to Search and Rescue. .

FDF #69: Stepping Through Your Self Imposed Boundaries

Date: November 3rd, 2023

Host: Alessandra Torre with Debbie Weiss

Details: Authors Alessandra Torre and Debbie Weiss discuss stepping through self-imposed boundaries of fear and anxiety to pen your first book.

FDF #68: The Similarities & Differences Between Creative Nonfiction & Fiction

Date: September 29th, 2023

Host: Alessandra Torre with Lynne Golodner

Details: In this episode of First Draft Friday from Authors A.I. on Friday, September 29th at 12 Noon Eastern, Authors Alessandra Torre and Lynne Golodner will discuss the similarities & differences between creative nonfiction & fiction. You don’t want to miss this FREE live chat! Make sure you bring your questions. Sign up today.

FDF #67: From Screenwriter To Published Author

Date: September 15th, 2023

Host: Alessandra Torre with Jane L. Rosen

Details: In this episode of First Draft Friday from Authors A.I. on Friday, September 15th at 12 Noon Eastern, Authors Alessandra Torre and Jane L. Rosen will discuss steps, advice, and tips on how real life experiences can be turned into successful novels. You don’t want to miss this FREE live chat! Make sure you bring your questions. Sign up today.

FDF #66: Brainstorm to Book: Steps to Publishing

Date: September 1st, 2023

Host: Alessandra Torre with Kathleen Fine

Details: In this episode of First Draft Friday from Authors A.I. on Friday, September 1st at 12 Noon Eastern, Authors Alessandra Torre and Kathleen Fine will discuss steps, advice, and tips on how first-time novel writers can get their book published. You don’t want to miss this FREE live chat! Make sure you bring your questions. Sign up today.

FDF #65: Plotting for Pantsers

Date: July 28th, 2023

Host: Alessandra Torre with Lael Raphael

Details: In this episode of First Draft Friday from Authors A.I. on Friday, July 28th at 12 Noon Eastern time, Authors Alessandra Torre and Lael Raphael will discuss how to use the Theory of the Outstanding Question to set up a plot which will engage and entertain readers. You don’t want to miss this FREE live chat! Make sure you bring your questions. Sign up today.

FDF #64: Phases of Editing

Date: July 14th, 2023

Host: Alessandra Torre with Kim Catanzarite

Details: In this episode of First Draft Friday from Authors A.I. on Friday, July 14th at 12 Noon Eastern time, Authors Alessandra Torre and Kim Catanzarite will discuss the many phases of the editorial process—from the first draft to the proofreading pool and everything in between. Details will include who to enlist for each phase (no you don’t always need to hire a professional) and why every part of the process is essential. You don’t want to miss this FREE live chat! Make sure you bring your questions. Sign up today.

FDF #63: Research: How Much is Enough?

Date: June 30th, 2023

Host: Alessandra Torre with April White

Details: In this episode of First Draft Friday from Authors A.I. on Friday, June 30th at 12 Noon Eastern time, historical fantasy and contemporary romantic suspense author, April White, sits down with Alessandra Torre to talk about the real history and actual mysteries she researches for her books, and how to write responsibly in an age when representation and diversity is so important in our stories. You don’t want to miss this FREE live chat! Make sure you bring your questions. Sign up today.

FDF #62: Crafting Themes To Inspire

Date: June 16th, 2023

Host: Alessandra Torre with Jessica Flory

Details: In this episode of First Draft Friday from Authors A.I. on Friday, June 16th our host, Alessandra Torre will be in a discussion with our guest, author Jessica Flory about how to choose a relatable theme that will resonate with readers. You don’t want to miss this FREE live chat! Make sure you bring your questions. Sign up today.

FDF #61: Pacing Techniques

Date: June 2nd, 2023

Host: Alessandra Torre with Ines Johnson

Details: In this episode of First Draft Friday from Authors A.I. on Friday, June 2nd our host, Alessandra Torre will be in a discussion with our guest, Best-selling Author Ines Johnson about how to write more bingeworthy books using pacing techniques from episodic television structure. You don’t want to miss this FREE live chat! Make sure you bring your questions. Sign up today.

FDF #60: Multi Genre Writing

Date: May 19th, 2023

Host: Alessandra Torre with Rebecca Zanetti

Details: In this episode of First Draft Friday from Authors A.I. on Friday, May 19th our host, Alessandra Torre will be in a discussion with our guest, NY Times Best-selling Author Rebecca Zanetti about how to write across several genres and stay true to your brand. You don’t want to miss this FREE live chat! Make sure you bring your questions. Sign up today.

FDF #59: Building Believable & Compelling Plots

Date: April 7th, 2023

Host: Alessandra Torre with Dr. Rhonda M. Lawson

Details: In this episode of First Draft Friday from Authors A.I. on Friday, April 7th our host, Alessandra Torre will be in a discussion with our guest, author Dr. Rhonda M. Lawson. Literary strategist, book coach and 23-time published author Dr. Rhonda M. Lawson joins us with actionable tips on building compelling plotlines through planning, foreshadowing and character development. You don’t want to miss this FREE live chat! Make sure you bring your questions. Sign up today.

FDF #58: Continuing the legacy

Date: March 24th, 2023

Host: Alessandra Torre with Dylan Thomas Pratt

Details: Join us, Friday, March 24th at 12PM NOON Eastern Time. Our guest, Dylan Thomas Pratt, son of the late, great international best-selling author Scott Pratt who’s work has sold more than six million copies, will discuss the evolution of his role in the further development of his father’s work. This is a FREE live chat, so please bring your questions and opinions. Sign up now!

FDF #57: Killing it with a Crime Fiction Series

Date: March 3rd, 2023

Host: Alessandra Torre with Pamela Fagan Hutchins

Details: Join us, Friday, March 3rd at 12PM NOON Eastern Time. Our guest, Pamela Fagan Hutchins will share insight and discuss tips for writing a compulsively readable crime fiction series. This is a FREE live chat, so please bring your questions and opinions. Pamela will give you actionable tips! Sign up now!

FDF #56: Crafting Successful Series

Date: February 17th, 2023

Host: Alessandra Torre with James Rosone

Details: Join us, Friday, February 17th at 12PM NOON Eastern Time. Our guest, James Rosone will share insight how to craft a series that draws readers into books seven, eight, and beyond. This is a FREE live chat, so please bring your questions and opinions. James will give you actionable tips! Sign up now!

FDF #55: Crafting Compelling Characters

Date: February 10th, 2023

Host: Alessandra Torre with LT Ryan

Details: Join us, Friday, February 10th at 12PM NOON Eastern Time. Our guest, LT Ryan, author of several mysteries and thrillers, including the Jack Noble and Rachel Hatch series will discuss developing characters readers can’t get enough of. This is a FREE live chat, so please bring your questions and opinions. LT Ryan will give you actionable tips!

FDF #54: Deepening Character Development

Date: February 3rd, 2023

Host: Alessandra Torre with A.L. Jackson

Details: Join us, Friday, February 3rd at 12PM NOON Eastern Time. Our guest, A.L. Jackson will share insight on how to develop unforgettable characters that will live in our readers’ hearts forever. This is a FREE live chat, so please bring your questions and opinions. A.L. Jackson will give you actionable tips! Sign up now!

FDF #53: Character Bias

Date: January 20th, 2023

Host: Alessandra Torre with Timothy Byron

Details: Join us, Friday, January 20th at 12PM NOON Eastern Time. Our guest, Timothy Byron will discuss how an author’s subconscious biases, and life experiences may determine the traits and personality types of their characters. Join us as we will discuss unconscious character bias. This is a FREE live chat, so please bring your questions and opinions. Timothy will give you actionable tips! Sign up now!

FDF #51: Juggling Writing and Life

Date: December 16th, 2022

Host: Alessandra Torre with Jeff Carson

Details: Join us, Friday, December 16th at 12PM NOON Eastern Time. Our guest, bestselling author of the David Wolf and Ali Falco Series Jeff Carson will share some of what helps him stay on track and mostly sane as he juggles life and creating the next novel. This is a FREE live chat, so please bring your questions and opinions. Jeff will give you actionable tips! Sign up now!

FDF #50: Defeat ‘Writer’s Block’ with Outlining

Date: October 28th, 2022

Host: Alessandra Torre with Scott Bartlett

Details: Join us, Friday, October 28th at 5PM Eastern Time. Our guest, Science fiction author Scott Bartlett will discuss and share his simple method for structuring stories. This is a FREE live chat, so please bring your questions and opinions. Scott will give you actionable tips! Sign up now!

FDF #49: Small-Town Settings that Readers Want to Live In

Date: October 14th, 2022

Host: Alessandra Torre with Robin James

Details: Join us, Friday, October 14th at 12 Noon Eastern Time. Our guest, Robin James, bestselling author of over 16 small-town crime thrillers (Cass Leary & Mara Brent series) will discuss tips for how to build fictional towns that can become like characters unto themselves. This is a FREE live chat, so please bring your questions and opinions. Robin will give you actionable tips! Sign up now!

FDF #48: Enhancing fiction using facts

Date: July 22nd, 2022

Host: Alessandra Torre with Douglas E. Richards

Details: Join us, Friday, July 22nd at 5PM Eastern Time. Our guest, Douglas E. Richards, New York Times bestselling author of numerous near-future science-fiction thrillers, discusses research, how to use factual information to enhance thrillers, and how to invoke a sense of wonder in readers. This is a FREE live chat, so please bring your questions and opinions. Douglas will give you actionable tips! Sign up now!

FDF #47: Stepping From the Shadows

Date: July 8th, 2022

Host: Alessandra Torre with Daniel Paisner

Details: Join us, Friday, July 8th at 12NOON Eastern Time. Our guest, New York Times best-selling collaborator Daniel Paisner, will discuss the many ways we learn to tap the lives all around us to inform our fictions. This is a FREE live chat, so please bring your questions and opinions. Daniel will give you actionable tips! Sign up now!

FDF #46: The Journey from Book to Film

Date: July 1st, 2022

Host: Alessandra Torre with Michele Scott

Details: Join us, Friday, July 1st at 5PM Eastern Time. Our guest, NYT & USA Today author Michele Scott, will discuss the journey from book to film. This is a FREE live chat, so please bring your questions and opinions. Michele will give you actionable tips! Sign up now!

FDF #45: Revealing Character Through Dialogue

Date: June 10th, 2022

Host: Alessandra Torre with Amy L. Bernstein

Details: Join us, Friday, June 10th at 5PM Eastern Time. Our guest, Amy L. Bernstein, will discuss revealing character through dialogue. This is a FREE live chat, so please bring your questions and opinions. Amy will give you actionable tips! Sign up now!

FDF #44: Playing Your Role

Date: May 20th, 2022

Host: Alessandra Torre with Gordon Byron

Details: Join us, Friday, May 20th at 11AM Eastern Time. Our guest, Gordon Byron, will discuss the role YOU play in character development. This is a FREE live chat, so please bring your questions and opinions. Gordon will give you actionable tips! Sign up now!

FDF #43: Using Conflict for Maximum Impact

Date: May 6th, 2022

Host: Alessandra Torre with Becca Puglisi

Details: Join us, Friday, May 6th at 12 Noon Eastern Time. Our guest, Becca Puglisi, will discuss the pivotal role conflict plays in storytelling. This is a FREE live chat, so please bring your questions and opinions. Becca will give you actionable tips! Sign up now!

FDF #42: The Long Road to Publication

Date: April 22nd, 2022

Host: Alessandra Torre with Danielle Girard

Details: Join us, Friday, April 22nd at 5 PM Eastern Time. Our guest, USA Today bestselling author, Danielle Girard, will discuss facing rejection and the long road to publication—how to stay motivated, how to get over the disappointments, and ways to keep the job fun while waiting for news. This is a FREE live chat, so please bring your questions and opinions. Danielle will give you actionable tips! Sign up now!

FDF #40: Creating a Bestseller Using Marlowe

Date: March 18th, 2022

Host: Alessandra Torre with James Rosone

Details: Our guest, best-selling author James Rosone, discusses how to use your Marlowe report to engineer a bestseller and develop effective audience targeting for your marketing campaign. You won’t want to miss this FREE live chat! In this First Draft Friday video chat, Audrey will answer your questions and share her experience.

FDF #41: Packing an (Emotional) Punch

Date: April 1st, 2022

Host: Alessandra Torre with Sierra Simone

Details: Join us, Friday, April 1st at 12 NOON Eastern Time. Our guest, USA Today bestselling author Sierra Simone, will discuss how to infuse a story with feeling and depth to make your book an unforgettable experience for your readers. This is a FREE live chat, so please bring your questions and opinions. Sierra will give you actionable tips! Sign up now!

FDF #39: Make Settings Sexy

Date: March 4th, 2022

Host: Alessandra Torre with Tiffany Reisz

Details: Join us, Friday, March 4th at 12 NOON Eastern Time. Our guest, USA Today best-selling author Tiffany Reisz, will discuss the importance of your novels setting. The right setting can make or break your novel. This is a FREE live chat, so please bring your questions and opinions. Tiffany will answer questions, and give you actionable tips! Sign up now!

FDF #38: You 100% Don’t Understand Your Genre

Date: February 18th, 2022

Host: Alessandra Torre with Stephenie Magister

Details: Join us, Friday, February 18th at 5PM Eastern Time. Our guest, author and editor, Stephenie Magister helps us take a deeper look at what experience the reader is REALLY having in the genre you thought you were writing. This is a FREE live chat, so please bring your questions and opinions. Stephenie will answer questions, and give you actionable tips! Sign up now!

FDF #37: Conquering the Writer’s Block Myth

Date: February 4th, 2022

Host: Alessandra Torre with Jeff Deck

Details: Join us, Friday, February 4th at Noon Eastern Time. Our guest, writing coach, ghostwriter, and author Jeff Deck is in a discussion with Alessandra Torre about conquering the writer’s block myth . This is a FREE live chat, so please bring your questions and opinions to the event! In this First Draft Friday live video chat, Jeff will answer questions, and give you actionable tips! Sign up now!

FDF #36: Bridging The Genre Gap

Date: January 21st, 2022

Host: Alessandra Torre with Ryan Schow

Details: Join us, Friday, January 21st at Noon Eastern Time. Our guest, author Ryan Schow is in a discussion with Alessandra Torre about writing in different genres. This is a FREE live chat, so please bring your questions and opinions to the event! In this First Draft Friday live video chat, Ryan will answer questions, and give you actionable tips!

FDF #35: Devising Page Turning Plots

Date: January 7th, 2022

Host: Alessandra Torre with Robert Dugoni

Details: Alessandra Torre, with guest, New York Times bestselling author, Robert Dugoni, discusses the keys to grabbing a reader’s attention and keeping it through to the last page. In this First Draft Friday video chat, Robert answers questions, and give you actionable tips!

FDF #34 – Next Level Characters

Date: December 17th, 2021

Host: Alessandra Torre with Greta Boris

Details: Join us on Friday, December 17th with our guest, best-selling author, Greta Boris in a discussion with Alessandra Torre about the 9 Enneagram personality types. Are you ready to take your characters to the next level? Sign up today!

Free Handout: Click Here

FDF #33: Write a Gripping First Page

Date: December 3rd, 2021

Host: Alessandra Torre with Joan Dempsey

Details: Join us, Friday, December 3rd at Noon Eastern Time. Our guest, author and writing coach, Joan Dempsey is in a discussion with Alessandra Torre about writing a gripping first page. This is a FREE live chat, so please bring your questions and opinions to the event! In this First Draft Friday live video chat, Joan will answer questions, and give you actionable tips! Sign up now!

Free Handout: Click Here

FDF #32: Secrets of Writing in Different Voices

Date: November 5th, 2021

Host: Alessandra Torre with Jeff Wheeler

Details: Join us, Friday, November 5th at Noon Eastern Time. Our guest, bestselling author Jeff Wheeler is in a discussion with Alessandra Torre about his secrets of writing in different voices. This is a FREE live chat, so please bring your questions and opinions to the event! In this First Draft Friday live video chat, Jeff Wheeler will answer questions, and give you actionable tips!

FDF #31: Writing a unique magic system

Date: October 22nd, 2021

Host: Alessandra Torre with C. R. Rowenson

Details: Join us, Friday, October 22nd at Noon Eastern Time. Our guest, author C. R. Rowenson is in a discussion with Alessandra Torre about what it takes to make your magic system unique. This is a FREE live chat, so please bring your questions and opinions to the event! In this First Draft Friday live video chat, C. R. Rowenson will answer questions, and give you actionable tips!

FDF #30: Writing characters your readers will love.

Date: October 8th, 2021

Host: Alessandra Torre with Tamie Dearen

Details: Join us, Friday, October 8th at Noon Eastern Time. Our guest, bestselling author Tamie Dearen enters in to a discussion with Alessandra Torre about writing characters your readers will love and sympathize with, even when your plot forces them to do unlikable things. This is a FREE live chat, so please bring your questions and opinions to the event! In this First Draft Friday live video chat, Tamie will answer questions, and give you actionable tips!

FDF #29: Writing Horror Effectively

Date: September 24th, 2021

Host: Alessandra Torre with Jack Pierce

Details: Join us, Friday, September 24th at Noon Eastern Time. Our guest, bestselling author of Under a Mourning Star and Harvest The Children, Jack Pierce in a discussion with Alessandra Torre about writing horror effectively. This is a FREE live chat, so please bring your questions and opinions to the event! In this First Draft Friday live video chat, Jack will answer questions, and give you actionable tips! Sign up now!

FDF #28: The Origins of Story Outline

Date: September 10th, 2021

Host: Alessandra Torre with Stefan Emunds

Details: Join us, Friday, September 10th, with guest author Stefan Emunds in a discussion with Alessandra Torre about the origins of the story outline. This is a FREE live chat, so please bring your questions and opinions to the event! In this First Draft Friday live video chat, Stefan will answer questions, and give you actionable tips! You’ll also receive a booklet which highlights the origins of story outline, the adversity cycle, and the story cycle from Stefan’s book, The Eight Crafts of Writing.

Free Handout: Click Here

FDF #27: Working with a writing coach

Date: July 9th, 2021

Host: Alessandra Torre with Author Dave Reed

Details: At 5PM ET, Guest author Dave Reed discusses how to stop the never-ending cycle of years of NOT finishing a book—with a little help from his friends. Hiring a writing coach can feel daunting and expensive and fraught. Learn the seven secrets to getting more than your money’s worth from a professional writing coach. This will be a free live chat, so please bring your questions and opinions to the event! In this First Draft Friday live video chat, Dave will answer questions and give you tips.

FDF #26: Unlearning Habits

Date: June 25th, 2021

Host: Alessandra Torre with Author Michael Hurd

Details: At 12PM NOON ET, Guest author Michael Hurd along with author Alessandra Torre will discuss strategies and tips for transitioning from objective writing to subjective writing. Each form has its own rules, style, and yes, habits. Switching isn’t always easy. Your pre-read (beta) team could be one of your best allies to help you overcome, and unlearn those habits. Tune in and watch as Michael shares his personal journey from non-fiction to fiction writing. This will be a free live chat, so please bring your questions and opinions to the event! In this First Draft Friday live video chat, Michael will answer questions and give you tips.

FDF #25: Believable Fiction

Date: June 11th, 2021

Host: Alessandra Torre with Author Fiona Quinn

Details: Guest author Fiona Quinn along with author Alessandra Torre discuss strategies for writing believable fiction. Writing your scene with confidence comes from having a good intellectual and sensory understanding of what your protagonist is attempting. Join us for strategies to get the information you need under your belt so your writing is seamless and authentic. This was a live chat. In this First Draft Friday live video chat, Fiona gives you actionable tips.

FDF #24: The psychology of thrillers

Date: May 28th, 2021

Host: Alessandra Torre with Author Andy Maslen

Details: At Noon ET, guest author Andy Maslen was back with Alessandra Torre to discuss more about unpredictable emotions, unstable characters, and undermining perceptions in psychological thrillers. In this First Draft Friday live video chat, Andy answers questions and gives you actionable tips.

FDF #23: The “unwritten law” of writing a Psychological Thriller

Date: May 14th, 2021

Host: Alessandra Torre with Author Andy Maslen

Details: At Noon ET, Guest author Andy Maslen outlines the genre conventions, challenges and rewards of writing psychological thrillers from sympathetic victims to ambiguous villains. This will be a live chat, so please bring your questions and opinions to the event! In this First Draft Friday live video chat, he’ll answer your questions and give you actionable tips.

FDF #22: Pantsing vs Plotting

Date: April 23rd, 2021

Host: Alessandra Torre with Author MJ Blehart

Details: At Noon ET, Author MJ Blehart will be comparing and contrasting the different approaches of writing styles between “pantsers” and “planners” and the pros and cons of both. This will be a live chat, so please bring your questions and opinions to the event! In this First Draft Friday live video chat, he’ll answer your questions and give you actionable tips.

FDF #21: How to Structure a Novel

Date: April 9th, 2021

Host: Alessandra Torre with Author Jim Woods

Details: At Noon ET, author Jim Woods will show you a fun, simple way to structure your book. Learn how to create a compelling story that draws in the reader and keeps them turning the page. In this live video chat, he’ll answer your questions and give you actionable tips.

FDF #20: Creating side characters that shine

Date: March 26th, 2021

Host: Alessandra Torre with Author Cindy Skaggs

Details: At 5pm ET, author Cindy Skaggs will discuss using into secondary (or side) characters in your novel. Side characters can be instrumental in giving your book depth, opening up your fictional world, and can be a great place for additional plotlines and main character development to occur. In this live video chat, she’ll answer your questions and give you actionable tips on how to make the best use of these characters.

FDF #19: Building a stronger editing team

Date: March 12th, 2021

Host: Alessandra Torre with Guest Marion Archer

Details: At 5pm ET, editor Marion Archer will discuss what you need to know about building in the right beta readers and developmental eyes, when to bring them on, and the importance of a well-rounded editing team. She’ll answer your questions and give you actionable tips on how to have a stronger editing team and process.

FDF #18: Writing in the Young Adult Voice

Date: February 26th, 2021

Host: Alessandra Torre with Guest Morgan Baden

Details: At 12pm ET, Author Morgan Baden will discuss how to nail the Young Adult voice in your writing. In this live video chat with Alessandra Torre, they will explore how tone and language can make or break an authentic teen voice, and learn what makes a book be classified as YA in the first place.

FDF #17: How hot should your romance novel be?

Date: February 12th, 2021

Host: Alessandra Torre with Guest Bron Whitley

Details: At 5pm ET, romance authors Bron Whitley and Alessandra Torre will discuss heat levels in different romance subgenres. Learn tips on building chemistry among characters in sweet and steamy ways, along with some do’s and don’ts of writing romantic scenes.

FDF #16: Increasing your writing speed

Date: January 29th, 2021

Host: Alessandra Torre with Guest Chris Fox

Details: Bestselling author Chris Fox discusses how to get the most out of your writing time by increasing your writing speed. Learn tips and effective habits to improve your daily word count.

FDF #15: Forbidden Sins of Your First Page

Date: January 15th, 2021

Host: Editor and Author Tex Thompson

Details: Author Tex Thompson discusses some common pitfalls of a novel’s first pages, and how to kick yours into proper place. Learn about exposition, pacing, whether or not to use a prologue, and using unexpected emotions to hook a reader.

FDF #14: Writing mistakes to avoid in your novel

Date: December 11th, 2020

Host: Fiction Editor Susan Barnes

Details: Book editor Susan Barnes reveals the most common missteps that authors make. These mistakes can cause poor reviews, lost sales, and readers abandoning your novel midway through. In this half-hour event, Susan teaches how to avoid common pitfalls and what to watch our for when you’re writing and rewriting a draft.

FDF #13: Bringing your location to life

Date: September 25th, 2020

Host: Romance author Maria Luis

Details: On this First Draft Friday, bestselling author Maria Luis joins host Alessandra Torre. Maria shares how to use your location in the same way that you do your characters – to help bring your book to life!

FDF #12: Self-Editing Steps for Authors

Date: November 13th, 2020

Host: Romance author Penny Reid

Details: Learning how to improve your manuscript is an important skill for any author to have. On this First Draft Friday, USA Today bestselling romance author Penny Reid and Authors A.I. CEO Alessandra Torre discuss self-editing. Penny will share the steps she takes in her own self-edit process.

FDF #11: Getting Cozy with Mysteries

Date: October 31st, 2020

Host: Mystery authors Sara Rosett and Tonya Kappes

Details: These bestselling mystery authors have an open discussion about writing in the mystery genre. They’ll share tips for appealing to mystery readers, what those readers expect in a novel, and what to avoid when penning a mystery novel.

FDF #10: Four-Act Fiction

Date: October 16th, 2020

Host: Author Alessandra Torre

Details: Lou Aronica, Publisher of The Story Plant and New York Times bestselling author, and John Adcox, author and CEO of Gramarye Media discuss a four-act structure, and tips on how to use it in your fiction-writing.

FDF #9: Skeletons in Your Plot

Date: September 25th, 2020

Host: Romance author Lucy Score

Details: Don’t have time (or the will) to create detailed book outlines in advance? Paranormal romance/urban fantasy author Steffanie Holmes will share her skeleton draft method. Steff writes a first draft for a book in a few days without any kind of plan or outline.

FDF #8: Flawed Heroes & Virtuous Villains

Date: September 11th, 2020

Host: Romance author Alessandra Torre

Details: Bestselling British crime and thriller author Andy Maslen discusses the art of creating complex, believable, three-dimensional characters, starting with your protagonist and antagonist.

FDF #7: The turn-key technique to creating memorable characters

Date: August 28th, 2020

Host: Romance author Alessandra Torre

Details: Where do you start when creating characters for a new book or series that your readers will love? Veteran authors Judith Lucci and Fiona Quinn — who have more than 40 bestsellers between them — discuss a little-known technique they use to harness memory, sensory perception and logic to build engrossing characters and scenes.

FDF #6: The secret sauce of great editing

Date: August 14th, 2020

Host: Fantasy author Charlie N. Holmberg

Details: What are the benefits of working with a professional book editor? Jason Kirk and Charlie Holmberg discuss how good editors can teach authors to “fish” and improve their self-editing skills with each succeeding manuscript. Jason is the award-winning editor of 100+ books with 20 years of editing and publishing experience.

FDF #5: Productivity tips for authors

Date: July 31st, 2020

Host: Thriller author Danielle Girard

Details: Legal thriller author Robin James has a special superpower: writing through distractions. She and Danielle offer tips on how to be more productive with your writing and how to power your way to success.

FDF #4: Can A.I. make your next novel a bestseller?

Date: July 17th, 2020

Host: Alessandra Torre

Details: Matthew Jockers, PhD, co-author of The Bestseller Code and co-founder of Authors A.I., talks about how artificial intelligence can help authors enhance their storytelling and sell more books. Dr. Jockers is a pioneer in the applications of machine learning to the study of fiction. He is the creator of the groundbreadking new A.I. tool Marlowe.

FDF #3: Using A.I. to help with story beats

Date: July 3rd, 2020

Host: Alessandra Torre & JD Lasica

Details: James Rosone, a bestselling military thriller author, recently turned to writing a military sci-fi series. He discusses how he uses an artificial intelligence to help his storytelling at key parts of the rewrite process.

FDF #2: Nailing character development

Date: June 19th, 2020

Host: Alessandra Torre

Details: Romance author Alessandre Torre discusses how authors can flesh out their character development with veteran editor/publisher Lou Aronica.

FDF #1: What are your biggest writing challenges?

Date: June 5th, 2020

Host: Alessandra Torre

Details: Romance author Alessandre Torre and historical romance author Cecelia Mecca discuss some of the top challenges they face as they write their fiction.