How can you use an outline to improve your book before you start the first draft? How can you use it to play with your creative ideas without feeling hemmed in by the process? In this interview, KM Weiland talks about how to outline your novel as well as thoughts on writer's block, filling the creative well, and longevity as a writer and blogger.   In the intro, 6 Figure Authors on productivity, I'm in editing mode for Tree of Life, and I talk about some lessons learned about writing from my 50K ultramarathon last weekend [pics on Instagram @jfpennauthor]. Plus, get your NaNoWriMo Storybundle, packed full of books on writing craft, marketing, business, and mindset — for a limited time: www.StoryBundle.com/nano Today's show is sponsored by ProWritingAid, writing and editing software that goes way beyond just grammar and typo checking. With its detailed reports on how to improve your writing and integration with Scrivener, ProWritingAid will help you improve your book before you send it to an editor, agent or publisher. Check it out for free or get 25% off the premium edition at www.ProWritingAid.com/joanna K.M. Weiland is the award-winning author of fantasy, medieval epic, historical, and Western adventures. She also writes non-fiction for authors and helps writers become authors on her fantastic vlog. Her books include Creating Character Arcs, Conquering Writer's Block, and Outlining Your Novel. You can listen above or on your favorite podcast app or read the notes and links below. Here are the highlights and the full transcript below. Show Notes * The importance of refilling the creative well — especially if you are experiencing writer's block * Outlining as brainstorming and discovery * Tips for how to outline * Why you don’t have to choose whether to be a plotter or pantser/ discovery writer * Benefits of outlining for discovery writers * How outlining can give a writer a simpler, more macro view of a story — and help you write your sales description/back blurb * How a clear premise can help you write a book’s description * Marketing across diverse genres * How blogging and non-fiction writing underpin Katie's business and fuel her fiction career You can find K.M. Weiland at HelpingWritersBecomeAuthors.com and on Twitter @KMWeiland Header photo by Laura Chouette on Unsplash Transcript of Interview with K.M. Weiland Joanna: K.M. Weiland is the award-winning author of fantasy, medieval epic, historical, and Western adventures. She also writes non-fiction for authors and helps writers become authors on her fantastic vlog. Her books include Creating Character Arcs,