Learn more about CHUM and what they do and how you can support them, and writers will find encouragement and ideas on how to add real-life charities to their stories to increase reader engagement.

Download the Author Assessment Worksheet today! A gift from Alessandra!

Podcast favorite Susan May Warren, author of the new novel Sundown, shares how she manages her time as she creates a book series.

Research, plotting, writing, she's got a time block for each piece. Listen to her process so you can figure out how to hone your own. Learn more about Susie May and all of her books, including nonfiction books for writers, at https://www.susanmaywarren.com/

Watch Kitty's free Masterclass series on writing at https://www.youtube.com/kittybucholtz for help on how to write more with less stress and more peace and joy. Available through December 31, 2022. Get $400 off the six-month Finish Your Book Group Coaching Program by using the coupon code "2022" through January 1, 2023! A great gift for yourself or another writer you love!

Today's guest is Suzanne Woods Fisher, author of the new novel Anything But Plain. She shares a great presentation with ten things she learned during her writing career that she wants to pass on to you.

You can find Suzanne at https://suzannewoodsfisher.com/

I'm wearing my "How to Spot a Hero" Spider-Man T-shirt as I record this episode. YOU are the hero! And you can be the person who is the hero to someone else! You can be the person who writes a book that changes people's lives. Even just one life changed would be worth our time. Are you willing to keep working at it and make the world a better place?

Our guest today is award-winning author Susan May Warren teaching us how to write a series.

There are several kinds of series and first Susie May explains them all. Then she shows us how to write a compelling series that readers can't stop reading. Plus she gives us a fantastic tip that we can use to help readers jump into a longer series.

Click below to get the wonderful handout Susie May gave us! And be sure to check out Sunrise, her latest book one in a series and one of the books we used for some of the examples, as well as Sunburst (June 7, 2022) and Sundown (Nov 1, 2022) to see how she puts a series together. (Also great books! I've read the first and preordered the others.)

Building a Powerful Series handout

It's the second quarter of the year -- how is your writing going? Where are you in meeting the goals you set for yourself a few months ago? Here are some tips for getting more done this quarter...and maybe more done for the rest of the year! Good luck!

In 2022, we're taking a direction change with the podcast and, instead of bringing you 50+ interviews during the year, you'll get 8-10 full-on teaching episodes. These are sessions you normally could only hear at a writers conference, about an hour long and full of practical advice to improve your writing and advance your career.

Today's guest teacher is best-selling historical author Amanda Cabot. Amanda explains about the different kinds of historical fiction with tips on how to write them well. Her latest novel, The Spark of Love, just released on March 1 and is available everywhere books are sold including Baker Book House (https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/381270, where you can find discounted pricing on paperbacks). Learn more about Amanda and her books at her website (http://www.amandacabot.com/).

When there's so much going on in the world, it can be easy to feel like there's little to nothing you can do to make a difference. But there are lots of things that you could do.

In this episode I mentioned that City Hearts Sweden (https://www.cityheartssweden.org/ukraine) is doing a lot to help Ukrainians near the border and those seeking refuge in Sweden.

I also noted that there are lots of organizations near you, wherever you live, that could use some help. For example, my sister runs a 501(c)3 charity in Michigan called CHUM Therapeutic Riding. During the pandemic, they couldn't always be open for their clients but the horses still have to eat every day. If you'd like to help feed a horse, you could donate to CHUM (https://www.chumtherapy.net/donationrider-fees), or find an organization closer to where you live or that matches your passions.

Helping others -- whether physically, financially, or emotionally -- helps us to feel better about the things we can't control. And keep writing! Your book could make a difference in the world!

The wonderful thing about stories -- whether reading or writing or listening to them or watching them -- is that they help us to know ourselves. We learn more about who we want to be, who we don't want to be, what makes us laugh and what makes us angry. I encourage you to find more of yourself this year in your writing and reading!

Mentioned in the show:

Switch on Your Brain by Dr. Caroline Leaf

Long Story Short on Netflix

Author Reading Room -- a monthly free virtual live event where readers can listen to authors read from their work and then ask them questions. Join us!

In today's Encouraging Words episode, I share my experience of the first time I ran in the snow just last month. It was cold and wet and more miserable than fun, but I did it. And it reminded me of how I can look at the harder parts of my writing life and see how I can tweak my attitude to make it through -- and even enjoy it. I hope this helps you find a similar parallel in your own life to talk yourself through the harder areas and on to accomplishment!

Today's guest is Olivia Bowser, founder and CEO of Liberate, the first mental fitness studio.

Liv explains to us how Liberate began and what it offers to help people develop and maintain mental wellness. The great thing about Liberate is that they work with both individuals and companies, in person and online. Check out their offerings and sign up for the 7-day free trial. Let's make 2022 our best year for mental health!

Learn more about Liberate at https://www.liberatestudio.com/.

Today's guest is Lynn Bohart, writing teacher and author of the cozy mystery series, Old Maids of Mercer Island.

Lynn shares her experiences on many of the ways she leveraged her writing skills to get more work and make money quicker while she continued writing her book series. Great ideas that will spark your imagination for things you can do as well, whether you are also moving into retirement or you're busy and only have time for small projects. We also talk about her mystery series -- fun times!

Learn more about Lynn and her books at https://www.lynnbohart-author.com/, and follow her on LinkedIn, Facebook, or wherever you like to connect.

Today's guest is Sarah Santacroce, author of Marketing Like We're Human and Selling Like We're Human, and host of the Humane Marketing podcast. As a ‘Hippie turned Business Coach’, Sarah works with heart-centered entrepreneurs to question their assumptions when it comes to marketing and give them permission to market their business their way, the gentle way!

We discuss Sarah's approach to marketing and how it differs from the traditional and online marketing styles, and talk about how the gentle marketing approach can work for writers.

Download Sarah's free 1-Page Marketing Plan at https://humane.marketing/1page. Learn more about her at https://sarahsantacroce.com/ and https://humane.marketing/

https://humane.marketing/humane-marketing-podcast/

https://humane.marketing/book1

https://humane.marketing/book2

In this month's Encouraging Words episode, I talk about how I've been looking at Susan May Warren's Values-Based Planning from episode 276 to decide on my priorities for 2022. After struggling with the idea that I don't want to stop doing things I love and am good at, I finally decided that I needed to let some things go - at least for now - because I'm not doing the work that is most important to me.

As of January 2022, the podcast will be on semi-hiatus, meaning I'll still do the monthly Encouraging Words episodes, and I'll also have guest episodes at irregular intervals. This will free up an enormous amount of time for me to get back to focusing on my first love, writing. :-)

I hope my candid discussion on how I came to this decision helps you as you think back on the last year or two and ask yourself what worked, what didn't, and how you can plan next year based on the things you find most important in your life.

Today's guest is mystery writer Amy S. Peele talking to us about writing her medical murder mysteries, Cut and Match.

Amy tells us the advice that mystery writer Michael Connelly gave her that moved her career forward, and she shares with us her journey -- and tips! -- as she began writing while still working a very demanding career with long hours.

We also talk about organ donation, a prime topic in her two mystery novels, and how you can make sure that your wishes in this matter are followed. If you have an iPhone, you can sign up for donation in the United States using the Health app. It connects to Donate Life America.

Learn more about Amy and her books at her website, https://amyspeele.com/. Follow her on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/amy.s.peele, Twitter https://twitter.com/amy_peele, Instagram https://www.instagram.com/amypeele/, and LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-s-peele-b815801b/.

Bestselling author Susan May Warren joins us again to help writers and other creatives understand how to plan a new year of accomplishments in a way that works best for each one of us, individually.

She tells us how she developed My Brilliant Writing Planner and explains the many ways we can use it to have a more creative and productive and joyful year. The planner is not a compilation of weekly To Do lists, she says, but a way of choosing what is most important to you based on your own values in life.

Learn more about My Brilliant Writing Planner and get one of your own at https://www.mybrilliantwritingplanner.com/. Go to Novel Academy to find out about all the resources Susie May has for writers including courses and a membership group, https://novel.academy/. And at her writer's website, you can check out all of her books across multiple genres, including the new series under the David James Warren pen name, https://www.susanmaywarren.com/. Follow her on social media including Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Author Natalie Walters returns to the show today to talk about how she finds ways to use some of the material that ends up being cut from a book, or reuse characters she created that never ended up in a published book. Natalie's new book, Lights Out, is a romantic suspense novel about a CIA analyst who brings together intelligence officers from around the world to combat global terrorism -- and one of them goes missing.

When the book she set in Egypt, written while she lived there, didn't sell, Natalie found lots of ideas about how we can make sure nothing we create is wasted. She has moved characters to another story, used settings somewhere else, given her readers snippets of deleted scenes, and more.

Learn more about Natalie and her books at her website https://www.nataliewalterswriter.com/ and follow her on Facebook and Instagram (https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100041917969557 and https://www.instagram.com/nataliewalters_writer/).

And if you're interested in working with Kitty to finish your book, email her at kitty AT kittybucholtz DOT com to schedule a time to talk about what you'd like to accomplish and how she can help.

Today's guest is Dr Sunil Raheja, author of Dancing with Wisdom: A Sacred Quest to Restore Meaning, Purpose and Fun to Your Life and Work. He's also the host of the Dancing with Wisdom podcast, and a psychiatrist and executive coach.

"For the really important decisions in life, there’s no textbook that’s going to give you the answers," Dr Sunil tells us. He shares how he got started on his journey to understand how life works, and he gives us many tips about what he's found.

He intersperses in the story of the book the writing of the book as well -- what he had to give up to finish it, what his writing coach taught him, and how much more time and work he ended up putting into it than he expected.

To learn more about Dr Sunil's work, and to get the first chapter of Dancing with Wisdom for free, visit his website https://drsunil.com/.

For more information about working with Kitty to finish writing your book, sign up for a free strategy session on her website: https://www.writenowworkshop.com/writingcoach/

Today's guest is attorney Kathryn Goldman, founder of Creative Law Center online.

This is a fascinating and informative look into copyright, copyright registration, fair use, public domain, the difference between giving credit and getting permission when using someone else's work, and so much more. Soon

Kathryn also pointed listeners to an article on her site about fair use (https://creativelawcenter.com/fair-use-guidelines/), a chart on Cornell University's site about determining public domain works (https://copyright.cornell.edu/publicdomain), an article about museums who give away images of public domain works (https://creativelawcenter.com/museums-open-access-images/), and She also shares several reasons why you should register your work with the U.S. Copyright Office (https://www.copyright.gov/registration/).

She also shares several reasons why you should register your work with the U.S. Copyright Office (https://www.copyright.gov/registration/). And one of them, she says, is that soon the Copyright Claims Board will open as an alternative to going to federal court for copyright disputes so long as you have registered the disputed item.

Find Kathryn and her many tools and resources for writers at Creative Law Center (https://creativelawcenter.com/). There you'll find lots of workshops, including the recorded "How to Minimize Risk When Writing Memoir" and the upcoming "Publishing Services: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly" live on Wednesday, November 17, 2021. You can also join the Business and Legal Resources Membership for Entrepreneurs and Creatives and get access to forms, contracts, workshops, and more (https://creativelawcenter.com/register/membership-signup/).

In this Encouraging Words episode, I talk about the fun benefits you can get out of writing during National Novel Writing Month and using the NaNoWriMo.org website. I also mention Rachel Aaron's fabulous book for writing faster, 2K to 10K: Writing Faster, Writing Better, and Writing More of What You Love, and other tips I've used to write more words during this month. Even just having a grateful, positive attitude will help you write more (and possibly better).

Today's guest is Betsy St. Amant, the funny author of the new romantic comedy, Tacos For Two.

In addition to talking about writing food into stories, Betsy shares how she works with her critique partner, ways she's found to increase reader engagement, how she thinks about planning her books, and much more. A fun and informative interview!

Learn more about Betsy and her books on her website, https://betsystamant.com/, and follow her on social media. Sign up for her newsletter to learn about her upcoming book signings (including one in Shreveport, LA) and to be eligible for all the things she loves to give away.

Today's guest is James R Hannibal, returning to share with us the story of how he purchased the rights to DragonRaid, a role playing game, and not only prepared to reissue it with a new name -- LightRaiders -- but also decided to write a book series around it.

Wolf Soldier, book one in the series, is about the band of young adventurers who rekindle the Lightraider Order and have to travel to the Dragon Lands to battle to save their homeland.

James tells us all about the process, including the many other people involved -- collaborative storytelling at its finest! They even created a language to go with the new game!

Learn more about James, his books, and the LightRaiders game at https://jamesrhannibal.com/ and https://lightraiders.com/.

Our mindset is a crucial part of how we live our lives, how we react to and interact with the world around us. We can control our thoughts if we try to notice them, and we can choose to focus on the positive in life. I share some examples from my recent run of the Copenhagen Half Marathon, and I encourage you to look for the positive in your own life, focus on what you're grateful for, and start noticing the changes that grow out of these things.

Today's guest is Certified Executor Advisor, David E Edey, talking to us about his new book, Executor Help: How to Settle an Estate, Pick an Executor, and Avoid Family Fights.

David has worked in the financial planning industry for over 35 years, and brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to us. We talk about the writing of his book and then segue into how the topic affects us as writers. Estate planning includes not only making a will, but also deciding what we want our executor and heirs to do with our intellectual property and our writing business if we become incapacitated or when we die.

In addition to his book, David offers a wealth of resources on his website including free downloads, a blog, and a podcast. Be sure to check them out and get this administrative task checked off your To Do list this year! https://www.davidedey.com/

Today's episode is a coaching session. You may not know much about working with a writing coach, so I thought I'd give you a taste of what it can be like. Stephanie Shackelford graciously agreed to come on the show and tell us about the writing problems she's been having with her fantasy novel. She's been working on this book for over 20 years, and wants to finish it and publish it soon.

Some of the questions I ask her may help you if you're struggling to finish a book long in the marking. Or it might help you help a friend.

The lovely Rachel Hauck joins us again today to talk about the disciplines of writing. There are so many things we need to juggle to write a book, to have a writing career, to create our art in a way that brings us more joy than frustration. Today we talk about some of the bigger things to keep in mind as a writer.

This episode will help you to readjust your focus and encourage you with the work you choose to do to move forward. Lots of great advice -- but don't get overwhelmed by it all, just choose what you'll focus on next in your writing business.

Learn more about Rachel and her books at her website, https://www.rachelhauck.com/, and follow her on social media.

Bestselling author DiAnn Mills returns to share with us tips from her new book, Exploring the Art of Character.

DiAnn believes a good bestselling book must have characters that we want to follow and learn more about. She gives us lots of ideas on how to dig deeper during the interview, and there are exercises at the end of each chapter in the book. DiAnn even offers listeners a copy of her own character sheet!

You can learn more about DiAnn and her books at her website, https://diannmills.com/. Exploring the Art of Character, her brand new romantic suspense novel, Trace of Doubt, and all of her other books are available wherever books are sold.

I've been studying mindset quite a bit the last couple of years, and I've learned a lot about what happens in your mind, body, and life when you focus more on the positive or more on the negative. Whichever way you choose to think, you can end up in a spiral that continues in the same direction. I offer some encouragement today to help you notice which direction you're going and make course corrections along the way.

Bestselling authors Amanda Cabot and Leigh Duncan return as our guests to talk about writing a series. We talk about the difference between continuing character series and connected character series and how you might choose which one will work best for your story.

Amanda and Leigh also talk about the kinds of information they collect and create to write a series, from character sheets to maps to floor plans to full-fledged story bibles.

You can learn more about Amanda, her books, and her social media links at her website, http://amandacabot.com/. Her novella collection, Brides of the Old West, is available for pre-order and will be released on September 14, 2021.

Learn more about Leigh and her books at https://leighduncan.com/. Her new Sugar Sand Beach series is available through Kindle Unlimited or for purchase on Amazon. Follow her at leighduncanbooks on Facebook and Instagram.

Today's guest is Dr Tayo, a physician, world traveller, and social entrepreneur.

In this episode, Dr Tayo shares illuminating information about how we can find more energy in the second half of life so we can continue to live out our dreams.

To book a free 15-minute call, go to https://go.oncehub.com/DrTayo. You can follow her on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/tayodee, and she also has a private group for women at www.facebook.com/groups/midlifedivas/ where she shares valuable information on health in the second half of life.

Today's guest is Mark Asquith, serial entrepreneur, podcast expert, and CEO and co-founder of podcast hosting, analytics, and monetization platform Captivate.fm.

As writers, we are always wondering what marketing we should be doing that we're not doing, and podcasting is one of the things we wonder about. Mark shares great tips and ideas on how to know if podcasting is for you, either as a guest or as the host of your own show.

Mark reminds us that while other people may seem to have the market cornered in our area of interest, our personalities are the one unique bit we can bring to a podcast. When you figure out the "why" behind your thoughts on podcasting, you can make a decision that works great for you.

Learn more about Mark and his thoughts on podcasting, as well as all kinds of how-to, by following him on Twitter (Mark.live/Twitter). Check out his website at https://www.markasquith.com/.

Author Shawn Smucker returns to the show to talk about his brand new book, The Weight of Memory. I'm a big fan of his magical realism books, and this one didn't disappoint.

Shawn and I talk about memory, how we think it works and what studies are showing about it. This conversation -- of course! -- led into how we create fictional stories, what makes a protagonist make their decisions, how that affects what happens next, and how all these come together to affect the reader's experience of the story.

Learn more about Shawn and his books at his website, http://shawnsmucker.com/, and he's on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram as Shawn Smucker. Find his podcast and courses at The Stories Between Us, https://www.thestoriesbetweenus.com/.

Author Liz Johnson is back with us to talk about her brand new book, Beyond the Tides. While she was writing it, some things in her personal life affected the storyline...in an amazing way! Listen to her story about how sometimes things going wrong can be the beginning of a good thing.

Since Liz works in marketing, and used to be a publicist, we also have a terrific conversation full of fabulous tips in this area as well!

You can connect with Liz on her website, https://www.lizjohnsonbooks.com/, to find out more about her and her books. Or follow her on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, all of which are @LizJohnsonBooks.

You may know that I'm a runner, not a fast one but I've finished every race I've started. And more to the point, I really enjoy it. More than a little surprising since I didn't start until the week before I turned 40. I've run a lot of half marathons since then. I sign up for races because it keeps me running. Trust me, I'd still be on the couch if I didn't have to prepare.

And all that training always reminds me of all the other things in life that require some training, including writing books. I hope you find my thoughts in this episode encouraging!

Author Susie Finkbeiner returns to have a discussion about how to get through the hard times...and how maybe adversity isn't always a bad thing. We talk about how we've managed the changes in our lives, how our writing has been affected, and what we've learned along the way.

We also discuss Susie's new book, The Nature of Small Birds, about a family involved in Operation Babylift after the Vietnam War. You can find the book at Baker Book House, Amazon, and your favorite book seller. You can learn more about Susie and her books at her website, https://susiefinkbeiner.com/, and on Instagram.

In a world where there is so much negativity, we need to focus on the positive things in our lives -- especially when life is going well! God has good plans in mind for us, and when we look for the good in our lives, we tend to find it.

What's going great in your life? Celebrate it!

Today's guest is Dave Chesson from Kindlepreneur talking about a brand new piece of writing software, Atticus.

Dave and his team have been working hard to create a one-stop shop for writing, collaboration, and publishing. Atticus allows you to not only compose in the software, but to collaborate with co-writers, editors, and beta readers. When you make edits, you no longer have to worry about whether or not you are updating the latest version. Dave explains all this and more in the episode.

To find out more about Atticus, go to the website, https://www.atticus.io/. Learn more about Dave and Kindlepreneur, an amazing resource for writers, at https://kindlepreneur.com/ and check out the YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-s3Pb8uIBm0QN8MVaulJKA.

Gwen Hernandez, author of Scrivener for Dummies, joins us today to talk about Scrivener, software to help you write and organize any type of writing.

After sharing how she got started with Scrivener and became an expert, literally writing the book on it, Gwen shares some of her favorite tips and tools in the software. We talk about how Scrivener can work well for both plotters and pantsers, fiction and nonfiction -- including keeping track of your blogs and guest posts -- and she gives tips for beginners and more advanced users.

You can learn more about Gwen, her books, her Scrivener classes, and other ways to work with her at https://gwenhernandez.com/ and https://scrivenerclasses.com/. Follow her on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

Today's guest is Maria Connor of My Author Concierge, a company that provides services like author assistant, project management, and more so that authors have more time to write.

Maria shares with us 10 reasons why getting organized will help you, and 6 tips to get your author business more organized today. She also explains how to use her Self-Publishing Checklist Series of short books, and talks briefly about her book Do Less. Write More about how to find an author assistant.

At the end, when we talked about how to track your books sales, Maria made these suggestions: BookTrakr (multiple platforms) https://www.booktrakr.com/, Book Report (Amazon sales only) https://www.getbookreport.com/, and Tracker Box (multiple platforms) http://www.storyboxsoftware.com/tdownload.htm.

You can find out more about Maria, her books, and her work for authors at her website, http://www.myauthorconcierge.com/, on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/MyAuthorConcierge, and on Twitter https://twitter.com/AuthorConcierge.

Today's guest is autistic biohacker, Jackie McMillan, chatting with us about how the lymph system in our bodies affects our ability to be creative.

Jackie shares a lot of ways we can help our bodies to help our minds, helping our lymph system to carry away the waste and deliver the nutrients we need to be at the top of our game. This is a don't-miss episode!

You can learn more about Jackie at her website, http://thrivewithautism.ca/, on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/Thrive.With.Autism, and at her Quora profile, https://www.quora.com/profile/Jackie-McMillan. Check our her book, Answers to Educators' Top 30 Questions About Reducing Autism Challenges in the Classroom, https://www.amazon.com/Educators-Questions-Reducing-Challenges-Classroom-ebook/dp/B00MYC98HI/.

Some days it's hard to remember that it's perfectly okay to disagree...and that we can do so without having an argument or causing a rift. Today I want to encourage you to be willing to say, this just isn't working for me...and then calmly and kindly move on with your life.

Welcome to the 250th episode of the show! Today's guest is Jody Hedlund, author of the new Come Back to Me, a time crossing historical romance.

Jody tells us a little about her new series and then jumps into how she creates buzz for her books. Her ideas will work for both traditionally published authors and indie authors, and many will be useful even before you are ready to launch a new book.

Learn more about Jody and her many books at her website, https://jodyhedlund.com/.

Today's guest is Ann Kroeker, writing coach, author, speaker and podcaster. Together we explore what it means to work with a writing coach.

How do you know if you need a writing coach and, more importantly, how do you know if you're ready? We discuss all the types of people you might work with to improve your writing, the different ways you can get help from a coach, and how to find the right coach for you. We also share tips on other ways you can get help without hiring a coach.

Learn more about Ann and everything she does at her website, https://annkroeker.com/ and get all the links you need at her Everything page, http://annkroeker.com/everything/.

I have been saying since the beginning of this podcast 3 1/2 years ago that I believe YOU can write a book and change the world. Today I talk about how to finish your book.

The three most important things you need are time to write, the mindset to get started and keep going, and the structure for the kind of book you want to write. I share a lot of suggestions and tips in all three areas to encourage YOU to write and finish your book. Happy writing!

TRANSCRIPTION

If you’ve been listening for awhile, you know that I’ve been working with writers to finish their book and get it out into the world. Whether you want to go the traditional route and publish with a publishing house or take the entrepreneurial route and learn how to publish it yourself, if you have a burning idea inside, I think it’s important to get it out.

I absolutely believe YOU can write a book, and I absolutely believe books change the world. What if you and I could change the world for the better?

I’m a writer so I know how it feels to have an idea or a story tumbling around inside! For me, if I don’t write, I start feeling like I’m withering away inside. I feel much better when I write my ideas down. I feel a sense of satisfaction just by getting things down on paper.

But the incredible and intense sense of accomplishment I feel when I finish a book – there’s nothing like it for me. And I want to help other people feel that too!

That’s just the inward-facing side of why I believe finishing your book is important. The part that affects you.

There’s also the effect of your book on other people. Maybe you’ll teach someone how to do something you are good at. Maybe you’ll convince people to make a change to improve their health or the health of the planet. Maybe you’ll help someone to have a few hours of relaxation and enjoyment after a long, hard day.

ALL of these reasons are great reasons for finishing your book, whether you’re more interested in your own satisfaction or more excited about how it will affect others. All good reasons!

Now, if you have lots of ideas, and it’s fun to let them tumble around when you’re just standing in line or sitting in traffic, and they’re NOT pushing and shoving to get out – no problem. I love daydreaming, and not every idea is making me uncomfortable until I write it down. My goodness, I’d be writing something every waking hour! Haha!

So maybe you like the idea of writing a book, of holding a book in your hand with your name on it. But when you start thinking about the hours involved, the time it takes to learn and grow so that your writing is good enough for people to want to give you money for it…maybe that doesn’t sound so fun.

That’s perfectly fine! Writing for the joy of it is definitely a good reason! What you decide to do with the book afterward is a separate choice.

So whether you’re thinking about writing just for yourself, or to leave a family legacy, or to promote your work or business, or to have a career – no matter what your end goal – there is one thing you have to do.

Finish.

In order to have a book of any length, you have to finish writing it! Haha! Right?

So what will it take for you to finish your book?

I’ve found there are three main things required no matter what you’re writing, fiction or nonfiction, no matter the length.

Time, mindset, and structure.

You need the time to sit down and write until you come to The End.

You need to believe that this endeavor is worth taking time away from other things.

And you need to have an idea of what you’re trying to create. A romance novel will have a different structure from an epic fantasy. A how-to-fix-your-motorcycle guide will be set up differently than a ministry book for growing a church.

Time, mindset, and structure are all intertwined. If...]]>EPISODE 248T

I have been saying since the beginning of this podcast 3 1/2 years ago that I believe YOU can write a book and change the world. Today I talk about how to finish your book.

The three most important things you need are time to write, the mindset to get started and keep going, and the structure for the kind of book you want to write. I share a lot of suggestions and tips in all three areas to encourage YOU to write and finish your book. Happy writing!

TRANSCRIPTION

If you’ve been listening for awhile, you know that I’ve been working with writers to finish their book and get it out into the world. Whether you want to go the traditional route and publish with a publishing house or take the entrepreneurial route and learn how to publish it yourself, if you have a burning idea inside, I think it’s important to get it out.

I absolutely believe YOU can write a book, and I absolutely believe books change the world. What if you and I could change the world for the better?

I’m a writer so I know how it feels to have an idea or a story tumbling around inside! For me, if I don’t write, I start feeling like I’m withering away inside. I feel much better when I write my ideas down. I feel a sense of satisfaction just by getting things down on paper.

But the incredible and intense sense of accomplishment I feel when I finish a book – there’s nothing like it for me. And I want to help other people feel that too!

That’s just the inward-facing side of why I believe finishing your book is important. The part that affects you.

There’s also the effect of your book on other people. Maybe you’ll teach someone how to do something you are good at. Maybe you’ll convince people to make a change to improve their health or the health of the planet. Maybe you’ll help someone to have a few hours of relaxation and enjoyment after a long, hard day.

ALL of these reasons are great reasons for finishing your book, whether you’re more interested in your own satisfaction or more excited about how it will affect others. All good reasons!

Now, if you have lots of ideas, and it’s fun to let them tumble around when you’re just standing in line or sitting in traffic, and they’re NOT pushing and shoving to get out – no problem. I love daydreaming, and not every idea is making me uncomfortable until I write it down. My goodness, I’d be writing something every waking hour! Haha!

So maybe you like the idea of writing a book, of holding a book in your hand with your name on it. But when you start thinking about the hours involved, the time it takes to learn and grow so that your writing is good enough for people to want to give you money for it…maybe that doesn’t sound so fun.

That’s perfectly fine! Writing for the joy of it is definitely a good reason! What you decide to do with the book afterward is a separate choice.

So whether you’re thinking about writing just for yourself, or to leave a family legacy, or to promote your work or business, or to have a career – no matter what your end goal – there is one thing you have to do.

Finish.

In order to have a book of any length, you have to finish writing it! Haha! Right?

So what will it take for you to finish your book?

I’ve found there are three main things required no matter what you’re writing, fiction or nonfiction, no matter the length.

Time, mindset, and structure.

You need the time to sit down and write until you come to The End.

You need to believe that this endeavor is worth taking time away from other things.

And you need to have an idea of what you’re trying to create. A romance novel will have a different structure from an epic fantasy. A how-to-fix-your-motorcycle guide will be set up differently than a ministry book for growing a church.

Time, mindset, and structure are all intertwined. If you don’t have a good structure for your book, it’s going to take a lot longer to write it. If you don’t set aside time to write and you let other things get in the way, you’re going to get discouraged and start to believe you’ll never finish.

I really do want you to finish your book, either for yourself or your readers or both. Let’s start with time. If we made a list of everything we would love to do or need to do, there would always be more than we can possibly accomplish. I’ve taught a time management class for writers for over a decade, and once I did a slide show for a writers conference showing a breakdown of the number of hours in a week and what might be taking up that time. Someone pointed out I’d done the math wrong, cramming more than 168 hours into the week! My subconscious at work! Haha!

So we need to think about what we must do – sleep, eat, exercise, work, buy groceries, do laundry – and how we can rearrange our week to carve out 15 or 30 or 60 minutes a day, or an hour or two a week. First thing in the morning, last thing before bed, at lunch, while your dog is eating before you have to take him for a walk. There are times you can grab a few minutes. You just have to look for them and take them. Even standing in line at the store, you could tap out a paragraph or two on your phone.

Or what can we pay or barter to be done for us? Maybe one of the kids wants a pair of sneakers that you feel are ridiculously priced. But what if your child did all the cooking or laundry for a month or two to earn the sneakers, and you made sure you used every moment of those hours only for writing? (This won’t work as well, of course, if you hover instead of write. Is it worth it for the laundry to be good enough, though not up to your standards, in order for you to have several hours to write?)

Or maybe you can hire someone to clean your house? Order in groceries and/or hot meals? Or instead of getting upset that your partner wants to golf or play video games or go shopping, and you don’t want to, make a deal for a certain amount of time that you write while they do the thing they really want to do. Then you both get what you want!

You need to figure out the story you need to tell yourself in order to believe that this endeavor is worth taking time away from other things.

Do you normally spend several hours a week binge watching favorite TV shows with your friends or family? I do! What if you took two of those hours and suggested they watch a show you don’t want to see while you write?

Changing your habits isn’t easy, but it can be worth it for the right reward. If after a month you are missing all the things you used to do with your time, give yourself permission to stop writing. It’s okay if it’s not important enough to you at this point in your life. Don’t let yourself feel guilty. Life is about choices, and we’ll be happier if we can make our choices and then choose to be happy with them, or at least at peace.

If, however, you find that your soul seems to be singing more, now that you’ve got more writing time, hurray! Keep it up!

So why do I think mindset is so important to a writer? Isn’t that just a trendy topic for now? Absolutely not. When you decided writing was more important to you than watching TV (I’m not knocking TV – I love ingesting stories in any form!), or it was worth having improperly folded laundry, or worth paying to have someone else clean your house, your decision affected your behavior. But you could very easily reject your decision and go back to hanging out with your friends in perfectly ironed shirts.

Our mindset is not only the story we tell ourselves – I’ll never be able to do this; how in the world will I write a whole novel; I could do this if someone helped me – but our mindset is also in charge of the story we tell our loved ones. We’re either saying, writing is important to me, please support me in this journey, or we’re saying, I know I say I want to write a book someday but all these other things are more important to me today.

And let me be clear – there is no value judgement here!

When my mom was in the hospital, I didn’t want to do anything but enjoy our last weeks together. When my husband was in a motorcycle accident, I was overwhelmed with my sudden role as full-time caregiver.

But when I don’t have a crisis to deal with, I choose to push my mind to create a story that says – writing is important to me, and I will watch a little less TV, see my friends a little less, barter with John to do a few more household chores, so that I can write more. Because if I didn’t have that mindset, I would say yes every time something fun came up!

Mindset is also important in terms of focusing on the positive over the negative. Think about how you feel when I say these two sentences.

I should write after dinner.

I get to write after dinner.

Can you feel it? Did you hear how I even used a different tone of voice?

This is the power of mindset. We can help ourselves find energy even when we’re tired if we work to keep our focus more upbeat.

Another thing about mindset, there is an individual nature to it. When it comes to the carrot and the stick, I’m usually a carrot person. That’s why gamification works for me. I like seeing the little stickers on my calendar that said I wrote today! I’ll definitely find a way to get my words in if it means I get to go to the movies with my friends. (You know, someday when I can go to the movies with my friends.)

But some of my writer friends are better with “I can’t do X unless I get my words in.” Or “I can’t take a lunch break until I hit X number of words.”

For me and the way my mind works, that’s too much on the negative side of thinking. It doesn’t work for me. I may quite easily write through my lunch hour if I’m on a roll. I’ve done it a lot in the past. But if I told myself I couldn’t have a lunch break until I reached a certain word count, my mind would balk. So you need to know how your mind works.

That’s just a short explanation of how time is an important part of finishing your book, and how mindset is an important part of finishing your book. There’s also structure, which can be a much bigger topic because each of you might be writing something completely different.

A couple of short examples – for my romantic comedies, I know I need to fully know and present both the heroine character and the hero character because they’ll both get about equal time on the page. I know there are some tropes I will likely use – reunited is the trope for Love at the Fluff and Fold – and there are certain things that will happen, like finally getting together and then later breaking up before coming back together forever with marriage on their minds.

But for my superhero books, while I have several point of view characters, the main character is my heroine Tori. And the main plot points will be about good guys fighting bad guys with one main problem and several smaller problems throughout the book.

My chick lit books are all first person told from the heroine’s point of view, and they are partly about life and partly about love.

Within fiction, these all have different structures, but they are far more similar when you compare them to nonfiction.

In my encouragement for writers book, I spent a lot of time planning the outline, rearranging the order of what I wanted to say. Then I wrote the first chapter a few different ways to come up with how I wanted to encourage writers in each of these topics. Once all of that was clear, I wrote the rest of the chapters.

However, this book is quite different in structure from, say, a how-to guide for motorcycle maintenance. In a book like that, each chapter will be stand-alone because people are going to turn straight to the bit they need help on. Plus, the writing will be a lot more step-by-step instructions, probably even including diagrams.

Hopefully, I’ve given you some things to think about. What area or areas do you need to work on? Where do you need help? And where in the world would you even find good help?

Thankfully, there are a lot of ways to find what you need! There are hundreds of books and articles on the web in each of those three areas – time, mindset, and structure – just for writers, in addition of thousands more for the general market. And don’t forget about all the podcasts available to you! (I’m so glad you’re listening to mine! Thanks for sharing your time with me!)

You could find another writer or group of writers who write something similar so you have a critique partner or critique group. (If you’re new to the lingo, you might hear someone talk about their crit partner – shorthand for critique.) Or maybe join a writers group at a local library or community center. Due to the pandemic, there are more groups online, which is great if you don’t live near one.

You can learn a ton at writers conferences, retreats, cruises, and one-day workshops! Again, sooo many are online, at least for now.

Or you can hire a professional. If you decide to wait until after you finish your first draft, you might be looking at hiring a developmental editor who will give you notes about how to make the book better. Or you might want to hire a book coach before you get too far into the writing to give you some feedback so you don’t get lost, and help you create a structure.

All of these possibilities have pros and cons. All require a different amount of time and money and commitment. I’ve done all of them and gotten different kinds of help along the way. I encourage you to think about what is going to help you most right now to write now and finish your book.

If you like me and my personality, reach out and we’ll get on a 30-minute Zoom call to see if we’d be a good match for one-on-one coaching. You can reach me at kitty at kittybucholtz.com or send me a message on Facebook Messenger or Twitter, I’m Kitty Bucholtz on both. Or go to the Contact page on WriteNowWorkshop.com

I have a Master’s Degree in Creative Writing with specialty classes in editing both fiction and nonfiction. In addition to the eight fiction titles of my own, I’ve directly helped five other authors get their books finished and in print. Plus, I’ve been teaching writing classes for over 20 years with hundreds of students.

I love writing and I love teaching and I would love to help you finish your book!

Please think about whether finishing your book this year is a priority for you. If it is, ask yourself what you’re going to do to make it happen. Then go do it!

I know you can a write a book! And maybe that book will change the world, one reader at a time.

Happy Writing!

Today's guest is literary agent Cynthia Ruchti of Books & Such Literary Management. You may remember Cynthia from Episode 240 when she spoke to us about writing with deep emotion.

Cynthia gives us a great bird's eye view of what agents do and don't do, how that will differ among agencies, and things for you to consider in order to know when is the right time for you to look for an agent.

Part of what a literary agent does is to eliminate all the reasons why an acquisitions editor would say no to a manuscript, she says. But depending on the agent, they also help manage an author's career.

Learn more about Cynthia and Books & Such (and what they're looking for) on their website, https://www.booksandsuch.com/.

Today's guest is former stealth pilot and award-winning novelist, James R Hannibal. His latest novel, The Paris Betrayal, is a spy left out in the cold story so we decided to talk about exactly how to write a spy novel!

You'll have a great time listening to James explain how to create a great spy story! Learn more about him and his books at his website https://jamesrhannibal.com/. Read his blog post about escaping the research bog here: https://www.blueridgeconference.com/research-escaping-the-research-bog-part-three/. Find out what James is doing with the DragonRaid game at https://lightraiders.com/. And read The Paris Betrayal, out now.

Spider-man is one of my favorite superheroes -- a regular guy with an unexpected and ginormous change in his life tries to figure out how to make the best of it. He's a good guy, although not perfect. He makes mistakes but mostly he's trying to figure out how to use his gifts in the best way, how to help other people, and he's also inclined to just enjoy his gifts. Swinging through the city must be fun!

There is a lot to be learned from Spider-man. We can take some of his lessons and apply them to our own lives, both in helping ourselves and in using our gifts to help others.

Today's guest is Dr Debra Holland, award-winning romance author as well as psychotherapist and grief counselor.

Dr Debra taught an online class for our Romance Writers of America chapter once called "Understanding Men." It was so helpful, I've never forgotten it -- and I asked if we could talk about it on the show. With humor and insight, Dr Debra helps us understand both the biological and the emotional differences between men and women and why it leads us to think, act, and speak as we do.

This is a great episode for learning to write better, more believable scenes from the other's point of view. It's also a fabulous mini-course on better understanding the significant people in our personal lives.

You can find Debra's fiction on Amazon or on her writing website, https://debraholland.com/, and you can learn more about her counseling work at https://drdebraholland.com/.

HAPPY EASTER!! This month's Encouraging Words episode focuses on taking time to find renewal in your life and in your writing. It's important to take time to pause and think about whether we're still headed in the direction we meant to go.

Things have changed a lot for everyone this past year. Is there anything we need to do to smooth out the road in front of us for the next nine months? I hope this gives you some food for thought, and encouragement on your journey! God bless you!

Today's guest is best-selling and award-winning author Irene Hannon. We're talking about the latest book in her Hope Harbor series, Blackberry Beach, which releases April 6, 2021, with more books in the series coming.

Irene shares about standing at the fork in the road when she had to decide between pursuing psychology and something in writing. Later, she had to decide at another fork if she would continue with her amazing corporate writing job or pursue writing fiction full-time.

Along the way, she learned a lot about both writing better books and balancing all the pieces of the writer's life. She is full of encouragement and advice for listeners, no matter what you write.

Find out more about Irene and her books at her website, https://www.irenehannon.com/, and follow her on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Irene-Hannon-426433004084567.

Today's guest is Ricardo Fayet, one of the founders of Reedsy, a one-stop shop for writers. At Reedsy, authors can find editors, book cover designers, marketers and more to help with the business of publishing a great book. Writers can also use the Reedsy Book Editor, and learn a ton from the blog, Reedsy Live (live webinars), and Reedsy Learning -- all for free.

We talk about these things as well as Ricardo's first book, How to Market a Book: Overperforming in a Crowded Market. It just came out in January 2021, and is free as an ebook, and also available in print. Ricardo gives us so much valuable information in this episode, you'll need to take time to write it all down!

Be sure to sign up for Reedsy's email newsletter on their home page so you don't miss anything! You can also follow them on Twitter at https://twitter.com/ReedsyHQ, on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/wearereedsy, on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/reedsy_hq/, and on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpo0MkTAyEl73PmIVs8CQvQ.

TRANSCRIPTION

[00:00:07.740] - Kitty

Welcome to Write Now Workshop Podcast, where you can write a book and change the world, I'm your host, Kitty Bucholtz. And this is Episode 241 -Reedsy and your publishing needs an interview with Ricardo Fayette coming to you on Thursday, March 25th, 2021. So yesterday was my birthday. Oh, I love birthdays they are one of my favorite things in the whole world, but I can't tell you what I've done because of course, I have to record this before the day that you hear it.So it's a surprise to me as well. But I will tell you that I took the day off. My husband took the day off because what else is he going to do with his vacation time? We can't go anywhere. And and I'm not sure what we did because we probably would have watched some Marvel movies or something like that, except for that we gave to gave up TV for Lent Monday through Saturday. So, yeah, if it's not raining then probably, hopefully we took a walk. Otherwise I literally have no idea what we will have done, but I'm going to assume I had a really good time. So hopefully you are doing something interesting fun. The weather is medium for you. You're not buried in ice or burning up in the heat depending on which hemisphere you're in. And hopefully the weather is good enough that you can at least get some fresh air outside depending on where you are.My thoughts and prayers are with you because it has been a tough year, hasn't it? But I am completely convinced that we can be in control of our mindset to a much greater degree than we often do. So let me encourage you to when you have a negative thought to take a captive, ask yourself, is this really the thought that I want to have running through my head right now? If not, no, then I'm going to replace it with something else. It's helpful to have a something else positive in mind beforehand so that you can be like, nope, that's not true, but this is true. For instance, I'll be thinking things like, I am so tired of working all the time and I never go anywhere and this is just not fun anymore. And then I'm like, wait, no, no, my job is fun. I do like it. It will be great when I can go out and see more humans, when I can actually hug people. My husband will be glad when I don't ask him for 14 hugs a day. So I just have to tell myself that's not true, actually. I mean, sometimes, you know, you're in that place where you're just like, but I love my job. I love writing. There are things that you're like, no, this is a good part about life.

[00:02:55.980] - Kitty

And you just have to know that I'm going to replace it and replace the...]]>EPISODE 241I

Today's guest is Ricardo Fayet, one of the founders of Reedsy, a one-stop shop for writers. At Reedsy, authors can find editors, book cover designers, marketers and more to help with the business of publishing a great book. Writers can also use the Reedsy Book Editor, and learn a ton from the blog, Reedsy Live (live webinars), and Reedsy Learning -- all for free.

We talk about these things as well as Ricardo's first book, How to Market a Book: Overperforming in a Crowded Market. It just came out in January 2021, and is free as an ebook, and also available in print. Ricardo gives us so much valuable information in this episode, you'll need to take time to write it all down!

Be sure to sign up for Reedsy's email newsletter on their home page so you don't miss anything! You can also follow them on Twitter at https://twitter.com/ReedsyHQ, on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/wearereedsy, on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/reedsy_hq/, and on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpo0MkTAyEl73PmIVs8CQvQ.

TRANSCRIPTION

[00:00:07.740] - Kitty

Welcome to Write Now Workshop Podcast, where you can write a book and change the world, I'm your host, Kitty Bucholtz. And this is Episode 241 -Reedsy and your publishing needs an interview with Ricardo Fayette coming to you on Thursday, March 25th, 2021. So yesterday was my birthday. Oh, I love birthdays they are one of my favorite things in the whole world, but I can't tell you what I've done because of course, I have to record this before the day that you hear it.So it's a surprise to me as well. But I will tell you that I took the day off. My husband took the day off because what else is he going to do with his vacation time? We can't go anywhere. And and I'm not sure what we did because we probably would have watched some Marvel movies or something like that, except for that we gave to gave up TV for Lent Monday through Saturday. So, yeah, if it's not raining then probably, hopefully we took a walk. Otherwise I literally have no idea what we will have done, but I'm going to assume I had a really good time. So hopefully you are doing something interesting fun. The weather is medium for you. You're not buried in ice or burning up in the heat depending on which hemisphere you're in. And hopefully the weather is good enough that you can at least get some fresh air outside depending on where you are.My thoughts and prayers are with you because it has been a tough year, hasn't it? But I am completely convinced that we can be in control of our mindset to a much greater degree than we often do. So let me encourage you to when you have a negative thought to take a captive, ask yourself, is this really the thought that I want to have running through my head right now? If not, no, then I'm going to replace it with something else. It's helpful to have a something else positive in mind beforehand so that you can be like, nope, that's not true, but this is true. For instance, I'll be thinking things like, I am so tired of working all the time and I never go anywhere and this is just not fun anymore. And then I'm like, wait, no, no, my job is fun. I do like it. It will be great when I can go out and see more humans, when I can actually hug people. My husband will be glad when I don't ask him for 14 hugs a day. So I just have to tell myself that's not true, actually. I mean, sometimes, you know, you're in that place where you're just like, but I love my job. I love writing. There are things that you're like, no, this is a good part about life.

[00:02:55.980] - Kitty

And you just have to know that I'm going to replace it and replace the negative thoughts when they come up. So remember that. And these are the sorts of things that I talk about on the monthly encouraging words episodes. So be sure that you're listening to those on the first Sunday of each month so that you can get a little extra pep talk in your life. I have to say, this episode is totally awesome. I really think that you could stop and start it and write down a ton of very helpful information that even if you've never self published your book before, you can get a great deal of direction as to what to do next.

[00:03:32.310] - Kitty

This isn't the only thing that you can do and it's not the only way to go. But there is so much information here, you will definitely feel like, you know, in general what the path should be. So Ricardo is going to be talking to us about his pretty new book that recently came out, actually came out last month in February, and the fact that it is a free e-book download and chock full of more information than you can possibly digest in one reading it. Definitely. It's something that I've just been hitting bookmarks on, things where I need to come back to this. I want to come back to that. And he also explains a lot about the Reedsy marketplace, which is basically like going into a big city square where there's a whole bunch of booths and you're like, oh, I want OK, this is me at the International Food Fair and Malmö. Oh, I definitely want the British fudge. So I'm going to that one.And I remember that there is some sort of jerk chicken like Caribbean jerk or chicken. I know I'm going to go over there and then mostly I'm going to wander around and see what else there is to see. So in a similar way, you can say, I know for sure I need to cover designer. I'd like to look and see what kinds of things editors are doing and how much that cost so I can decide, do I want to make a change to the way that I'm editing my books so far? Or maybe haven't had any editing done on your books, in which case do you like? OK, editor first, then cover designer. There's all sorts of different things that are available to you there. And these are not people who work for Reedsy. But again, it's like the big city square where people bring in their booth and they're like, this is what I have available to you. So lots of great information that you can get on Reedsy.com, a lot of great free information as well. And yeah, also, I was thinking when Ricardo and I were talking that this may still sound overwhelming to some people or you might just think, OK, but I, I don't want to do it by myself without any kind of oversight. Like, what if I do something wrong or I just don't feel like I have time to make a lot of mistakes right now. So I wanted to let you know or remind you, depending on how often you've been listening to the podcast, that this is one of the things that I do.

[00:05:45.910] - Kitty

I do one on one coaching for people in the Self-Publish Your Book Checklist program, where over the course of three months we meet every week and on a recorded Zoom call and we go through this is the thing that has to be done this week. This has to be done next week, then a week after that, that sort of thing. And we get you all the way through the entire process. I've done this for several clients already and we've had some great celebrations, when we get to hit the publish your book button and see it finally go up on Amazon and other different marketplaces. And it's great because the Zoom calls are recorded,so you can feel free to hire me for every book, but you can just take the recordings and go back through and go, OK, that's right. First we did this then this, then this. These are the things that I'm going to do next for the next book and the book after that and that sort of thing.

[00:06:35.380] - Kitty

So if you're interested in more information and also you can get my self published your book Checklist, that's a download that you can fill out on your computer, which is awesome. So you don't have to print it out and lose the piece of paper on your desk. As you can see, if you're watching on YouTube. I have a lot of paper on my desk, a lot of paper books. So this is nice. You can actually fill it out on your computer.

[00:06:58.000] - Kitty

You can get these things and more information at Writenowworkshop.com/ writing coach. Also, there are transcripts for all the episodes and there's a lot of great information in there. All the transcripts are available at Podcast.writenowworkshop.com. And then you can either go to forward slash episodes and find the episode that you're looking for or just wander through. And remember, this is episode 241. And then lastly, just a reminder that we are doing seasons now starting in January of this year.

[00:07:31.660] - Kitty

So that means out of every three months we'll be doing 10 episodes with three weeks off. So this is the second to last episode of the season. Next week will be Irene Hannon as our guest and then they'll be three weeks off and then the next season will start. So just a reminder, in case you're here for the first time and wondering how does this all work? Also, feel free, if you'd prefer to watch on YouTube, you can just go over to YouTube and /Kitty Bucholtz. That's what the channel is or just type in the search bar Write Now Workshop Podcast. And you can watch it while you're doing other things. That's sometimes fun for me, but I have to say, if I'm ever watching the YouTube version of Mark Dawson's Self Publishing Formula podcast on one screen, while I'm trying to work on the other, I spend all the time going, oh, oh, wait, no, I want to wait. I'm supposed to be working and listening to it, but it's part of the reason why I listen to a lot of my podcasts instead of watch them. But it is super fun. So remember that you can do it either way. Whatever works for you. In the meantime, get out your notebook and pen or your phone app or whatever it is, or just remember to come back to this. There's a great deal of information here, not in an overwhelming way. I think we've done a pretty good job at keeping it organized, including writing the first nonfiction book, if that's something that you are in the middle of or interested in doing. Ricardo also talks about the process of actually writing the book, which is always fun for us writers to hear. So without further ado, here is Ricardo.

[00:09:09.280] - Kitty

Today's guest is Ricardo Fiete. Ricardo is one of the four founders of Reedsy, a marketplace connecting authors to the world's top publishing talent, from editors to cover designers, book marketers or literary translators. He's the author of several ReedsY e-learning courses on marketing and a regular presenter at several prestigious writers conferences, Nynke, RWA Australia and the Self Publishing Show Live, among others.He has also recently published his first book titled How to Market a Book over Perform in a Crowded Market. He oversees the marketing for all Reedsy products, Marketplace, Book Editor, Learning Discovery and is a big SEO and Facebook advertising enthusiast. Welcome, Ricardo.

[00:09:53.560] - Ricardo

Thank you for having me. It's a pleasure to be here.

[00:09:55.630] - Kitty

Oh, this is great. You and I actually met last year at the Self Publishing Live show Self-Publish Show Life, right?Yeah, yeah. Sometimes I'm like, yeah, you know, SPF, I just want to call it SPF,

[00:10:11.600] - Ricardo

Yeah, it's easier.It's easier SPF, SPF life. Yeah, yeah.

[00:10:16.400] - Kitty

So that was totally great. I mean, the speakers were amazing. And I noticed in your book you actually mention some of the things that different speakers said at the presentation. I mean, these are people who are making more than a good living self publishing and learning to market.

[00:10:34.130] - Ricardo

Yeah, absolutely. It wasn't by far my first event.But but I still learn new things that every new event, you know, and the greatest thing is a lot of events are in the US, but this one was in the U.K. So closer to home for me. And also it brings different people. There were some very, very successful UK authors in there who had great things to say and perhaps a different perspective from from the usual US one. So it was really interesting to to learn from them and obviously to get to network with all these people afterwards.

[00:11:09.020] - Kitty

Yeah, yeah. That was really fun. I now have two new friends in London and a new friend in Austria from that walk in the rain, from the event to the pub where we had dinner afterwards. And we get together probably once a month for sure on Zoom or Facebook or whatever. And then we, you know, talk to each other on chat, probably three or four or five times a week. So it's fun, the friends that you can make at these events.

[00:11:36.600] - Ricardo

No, absolutely. I think it's a great way to to network, make friends, know other authors in your genre.Favorite part of my job is usually conferences. Right now, it's not it's not doing so well.But hopefully you will be able to go to conferences soon enough.

[00:11:55.760] - Kitty

Yeah, yeah. You and I had talked about you coming to Sweden because you're only in Spain. So it's just a couple hours flight for the conference that the day after I got home, I was supposed to sign with the hotel that this would be the date and I'm renting out these rooms and then it was locked down. So we will do that conference later.

[00:12:17.030] - Ricardo

Yeah, it's good. It's good. You didn't sign.

[00:12:19.330] - Kitty

Yeah. Yeah. So there's a limit to how much of that you can get to know a new friend when you're having dinner because people are eating and there's lots of people talking and also the audience may not know you very well. So why don't you give us just kind of a little background like how did you get into publishing? What's your background? And. Yeah, how did you get to publishing?

[00:12:41.780] - Ricardo

Sure, I always like to say that I don't have much of a background because I started Reedsy right after right after university. So my my one and only background is in publishing since I started Reedsy.It's been six years now. So it's enough to call it a background, I guess. But yeah, I went into publishing because we had this idea for Reedsy and it was an exciting industry in that we were heavy readers. My co-founder, my co-founders and I were heavy readers. We'd been impacted by kind of the digital change in publishing as readers, we were reading very much. I was reading on my phone, almost always been reading on my phone since the Kindle came on on the smartphone. My cofounder Emmanuel was one of the first people in France to read on Kindle. He imported his first Kindle from across the pond. And so, yeah, the question we're thinking about, what does this change for authors? We learned about self publishing. And then the question was, you know, if if people are self publishing, who does all the things the traditional publishing company is going to do, the editing, production, design, typesetting, etc. And and we came up with this idea for a marketplace. And it's all been going very, very nicely since. So I can now see that I have a background in publishing, but before that I didn't have much of anything.

[00:14:05.720] - Kitty

Well, I have to say, you're probably the first person who's bio I've read that says Facebook advertising enthusiasts, those words you don't often see together. So marketing must be something that you just genuinely enjoy or you wouldn't be doing so much of it now.

[00:14:24.020] - Ricardo

Absolutely. I started as CMO Reedsy, so, yeah, we decided to split tasks and for me to do the marketing and I mostly enjoyed it.I don't enjoy all aspects of marketing, but as I mentioned, like conferences, I really enjoy going to conferences. I do most of our podcast interviews and Facebook advertising, and I particularly enjoy because it's very it's very analytical and and I enjoy that sort of things unless unless I could probably add writing or writing consistently.But when it comes to looking at Facebook ads, analyzing, doing some SEO that's really fun for me.

[00:15:09.670] - Kitty

Yeah, well, and you guys figured it out pretty quickly that that is not necessarily something a lot of authors would consider fun or easy for them. So you really found your niche?

[00:15:21.350] - Ricardo

No, absolutely. That's a big it's a big market right now. And it's growing system for authors on the marketing end of things. We definitely don't have enough marketers on Reedsy to service all the authors that that come knocking for them.But it's hard to find good marketers who are ready to work one on one with authors with reasonable rates. It's really tough. Yeah, we have some in the marketplace, but it's definitely a growing market and we're still trying to figure out exactly how to how that's going to look like in the future. You know, as every author is going to have a marketing expert or someone to run their odds, or is it something that also the author should really do themselves? Because paying with paying for someone to manage the ads on top of the cost of the ads is not profitable long term.

[00:16:03.970] - Kitty

Right.

[00:16:04.790] - Ricardo

So, yeah, still trying to figure that one out, but there's definitely already quite a bit of help available in our marketplace.

[00:16:11.480] - Kitty

That's awesome.OK, we're going to talk about that. But first, let's talk about, you have written your first ever book. You know, you're a marketer and you said not necessarily as good or as consistent at writing, but as of the time this interview goes out, your first book will have been out for about six or eight weeks. It's it's out right now. And you and I are talking and I've been able to read it, and I really like it. It is chock full of information.

[00:16:38.660] - Ricardo

Thank you. Thank you. Yeah, it took me a while to write it and that's not something I necessarily enjoyed all the time. So it is the first one in a series. But the next few ones will be coming in the far future I think. Yeah, but yeah, I know it was definitely it was definitely important for us to release the book, at some point. I was getting tired of going to conferences and people asking me, so what do you write? Because that's the number one question you asked, you know, at a conference.And I yeah. I mean, I had a relatively good answer in that no, I don't write. I'm one of the founders of Reedsy. oh I really like Reedsy,thank you, etc.. But now I can say, yeah, I'm one of the founders of Reedsy and I've written a book, nonfiction book. So it's it's a better answer now. That was the main motivation for writing the book.

[00:17:23.480] - Kitty

Excellent. Well, and also it's something for people to keep in mind. You know, there's all kinds of listeners listening to this show and writing podcast in general. Some people have a main business that they're happy to keep on doing and they're writing additionally. And one of the things that works well and this is what you've done is you've written a book that will help people to find your business. And it's helpful in and of itself, but it also gives them a direction that kind of can funnel them into your business if they're your right customer, right?

[00:17:56.450] 

Yeah, absolutely.One of our philosophies...]]>87ce3bac-7752-4acb-afdd-78c03963d42eThu, 25 Mar 2021 02:00:00 -070059:27falsefull241241Reaching Out with Deep Emotion: An Interview with Cynthia RuchtiEPISODE 240I

Today's guest is author and literary agent, Cynthia Ruchti. Her newest book, Facing the Dawn, has just come out with Revell.

With over 30 years' experience on radio, Cynthia learned to write for the ear, how a passage sounds, and that experience shines through in her novels. She encourages listeners to think about how very many ways there are to tell a story -- novels, nonfiction, short stories, radio shows, plays, blog posts, magazine articles, etc. -- and find the one you're best at.

She talks about her writing process, how to find the emotion for your characters, even if you haven't experienced it, and she shares the best writing tip she ever got.

You can learn more about Cynthia and her books and speaking at her website, https://cynthiaruchti.com/ or hemmedinhope.com, easier to spell. Follow her on most social media as Cynthia Ruchti.

TRANSCRIPTION



Today's guest is Amanda Cabot, bestselling author of the brand new Dreams Rekindled, book two in the Mesquite Springs series.

Amanda has strong feelings about goal, motivation, and conflict (GMC) and choosing the internal and external conflict of her main characters. Don't like to think of all the ways you can make your hero's life worse? Want to give him or her a good life? Amanda has a great way to create compelling conflicts that will make you excited about the terrible things that are going to happen! (Torture is optional.)

Whether you're a plotter or a write-by-the-seat-of-your-pants kind of writer, Amanda has great tips for everyone. She believes in the power of fiction not just to entertain, but to heal. Inspiring food for thought!

Find out more about Amanda and her books, and get more writing tips, at her website, http://www.amandacabot.com/.

Not only should we "give it up for our writing" as in applaud and cheer, but sometimes we need to make choices about what we're going to give up in order to get more writing done.

What are you willing to spend a little less time on in order to move your writing business another step forward?

I gave up TV 6 days a week for Lent, and wow, has it opened up more relaxing time! In addition to going to bed a little earlier, I also have more personal reading time. And even with that extra sleep and extra reading, I'm finding more time to work on my books.

What is something you could cut back on for awhile, and how could you use that time?

TRANSCRIPTION

[00:00:07.650] 

Welcome to Write Now Workshop Podcast, where you can write a book and change the world, I'm your host, Kitty Bucholtz, and this is episode 238, Give It Up For Your Writing, an Encouraging Words episode coming to you on Sunday, March 7th, 2021. You know, there's a saying, let's give it up for... And then often it's something that's said at the beginning of introducing someone who's going to be like the speaker or something.

[00:00:33.150] 

And what it means is let's all applaud for... And so definitely let's give it up for our writing.

[00:00:38.490] 

Let's definitely applaud our writing and all the things that we're doing to create stories and books and how-to guides and who knows what you're making right now that will do something to help somebody, to cheer somebody up, to do something that could change somebody's life, who that person changes somebody's life and that person changes somebody's life. And altogether, we are contributing to changing the world in a more positive way. And that's one of the things that I love about writing and one of the things that I absolutely, positively believe that any of us can do.

[00:01:09.630] 

But another way is looking at the words very specifically, give it up. What are we willing to give up for our writing? And that's what I wanted to talk about today. So we are about halfway through the Lenten season on the Christian calendar. And John and I have given up TV for Lent, so we've given it up six days a week. So no Netflix, no Disney plus, no video games, no just sitting there relaxing because we're super tired and it would be nice to not do anything.

[00:01:41.910] 

None of that. No, we choose one day either Saturday or Sunday, whichever day. Honestly, we choose whichever day we'll have the most time, though, on this upcoming Saturday to me, yesterday for you if you're listening to this on Sunday, we had our little pod of people come over to watch "WandaVision" all the way through from episode one to nine, because the last episode is airing today.

[00:02:08.910] 

As I'm making this recording, we're super excited and of course, we can't watch it because we gave up TV. But tomorrow will be our one day and I don't know if we twisted their arm or if they were eager. But our little pod of friends, just two other people who also, like us, are trying to be super careful, not go anywhere, wear masks when we do, that sort of thing, at least until everybody can get vaccinations, right? We are going to make them watch WandaVision.

[00:02:39.930] 

So I'm very excited. But that being said, some days are definitely harder than others. I've had a couple of days this week where I was just like, please, I just want to sit in front of the TV. We had a very odd and brand new experience for us on Monday right before this episode came out. So it was March 1st.

[00:03:01.530] 

We woke up at 3:30 in the morning to a bomb going off in our apartment building.

[00:03:07.740] 

It's totally bizarre to me, but apparently organized crime is very,...]]>EPISODE 238E

Not only should we "give it up for our writing" as in applaud and cheer, but sometimes we need to make choices about what we're going to give up in order to get more writing done.

What are you willing to spend a little less time on in order to move your writing business another step forward?

I gave up TV 6 days a week for Lent, and wow, has it opened up more relaxing time! In addition to going to bed a little earlier, I also have more personal reading time. And even with that extra sleep and extra reading, I'm finding more time to work on my books.

What is something you could cut back on for awhile, and how could you use that time?

TRANSCRIPTION

[00:00:07.650] 

Welcome to Write Now Workshop Podcast, where you can write a book and change the world, I'm your host, Kitty Bucholtz, and this is episode 238, Give It Up For Your Writing, an Encouraging Words episode coming to you on Sunday, March 7th, 2021. You know, there's a saying, let's give it up for... And then often it's something that's said at the beginning of introducing someone who's going to be like the speaker or something.

[00:00:33.150] 

And what it means is let's all applaud for... And so definitely let's give it up for our writing.

[00:00:38.490] 

Let's definitely applaud our writing and all the things that we're doing to create stories and books and how-to guides and who knows what you're making right now that will do something to help somebody, to cheer somebody up, to do something that could change somebody's life, who that person changes somebody's life and that person changes somebody's life. And altogether, we are contributing to changing the world in a more positive way. And that's one of the things that I love about writing and one of the things that I absolutely, positively believe that any of us can do.

[00:01:09.630] 

But another way is looking at the words very specifically, give it up. What are we willing to give up for our writing? And that's what I wanted to talk about today. So we are about halfway through the Lenten season on the Christian calendar. And John and I have given up TV for Lent, so we've given it up six days a week. So no Netflix, no Disney plus, no video games, no just sitting there relaxing because we're super tired and it would be nice to not do anything.

[00:01:41.910] 

None of that. No, we choose one day either Saturday or Sunday, whichever day. Honestly, we choose whichever day we'll have the most time, though, on this upcoming Saturday to me, yesterday for you if you're listening to this on Sunday, we had our little pod of people come over to watch "WandaVision" all the way through from episode one to nine, because the last episode is airing today.

[00:02:08.910] 

As I'm making this recording, we're super excited and of course, we can't watch it because we gave up TV. But tomorrow will be our one day and I don't know if we twisted their arm or if they were eager. But our little pod of friends, just two other people who also, like us, are trying to be super careful, not go anywhere, wear masks when we do, that sort of thing, at least until everybody can get vaccinations, right? We are going to make them watch WandaVision.

[00:02:39.930] 

So I'm very excited. But that being said, some days are definitely harder than others. I've had a couple of days this week where I was just like, please, I just want to sit in front of the TV. We had a very odd and brand new experience for us on Monday right before this episode came out. So it was March 1st.

[00:03:01.530] 

We woke up at 3:30 in the morning to a bomb going off in our apartment building.

[00:03:07.740] 

It's totally bizarre to me, but apparently organized crime is very, very good at planting bombs that only do enough damage to break your door and scare the crap out of everybody else in the neighborhood. I don't even think the neighbor, the owner of the shop, I don't even think he lives in this building or anywhere near because he drives to here in a vehicle. So anyway, very annoyed, actually kind of more than annoyed at organized crime and their ability to freak people out into paying them protection money, apparently. Grr. I have all sorts of thoughts on that.

[00:03:45.090] 

But obviously on that day, my point is I really just wanted to sit in front of the TV and eat chocolate and drink hot chocolate and just be someplace else. But having given up TV for Lent, I could not do that. I did do some reading. Thankfully, I have had a couple of awesome books. I've been reading some Stephen King books that are related. So "If It Bleeds" is the name of the -- I'm totally going off on a tangent right now because I'm reading these really great books and I want to share the titles with you.

[00:04:17.550] 

"If It Bleeds" has four novellas in it and the title novella I didn't realize was related to "The Outsider," which I didn't realize was related to "Mr. Mercedes," "Finders Keepers," and "End of Watch" or something like that.

[00:04:34.230] 

Anyway, so now there's like all these other books I also have to read about these characters, so I was happy to be finishing that. And then I got some Dresden Files books by Jim Butcher for Christmas. I'm super excited. I finally had time then to start one of those and then I usually read on my Kindle at night so I won't keep John up with lights. So I've been reading a Tessa Dare book, which I was sure I was rereading it, but I'm reading it going I don't think I read this one. I must have bought it and just forgot it. So I have a lot of really happy reading days happening, and one of the great things is, is that because I can't watch TV, I'm not watching TV, so the only thing I can do to relax is read. So I'm actually getting in a lot more reading time, which is nice. And I feel like, like I don't understand why, because I'm very happy to sit in front of the TV and relax that way, but when I can't and I'm doing more reading, it seems like the night actually lasts longer. And I end up with not only more reading time, but a little bit more writing time, which is also nice. Maybe because of the extra reading. My brain is just like working on stories and stuff. And of course, because I'm talking to you about writing, I had to wear my favorite writer's shirt today. So this is it. I'm a writer, what's your superpower?

[00:05:54.770] 

So here's the thing. Giving up things for writing, even if it's just for a little while, it can change and break habits that maybe we're glad that we're breaking a little bit. Like I don't want to give up TV forever, but giving up something that I enjoy for a few weeks helps me to remember what is really important to me in my life. And so what am I doing to fill that gap?

[00:06:19.210] 

Well, I'm doing more reading. Oh yeah. I forgot, like not really forgot how much I love this, but forgot how little of it I've had time or made time to do. It helps me to just have a change in perspective. And the idea of keeping in mind the things that are most important to me also helps me to remember that it's worth it to give up a little bit of something that's less important so I can have more of what I love most in my life.

[00:06:48.590] 

It helps me to remember that it's really easy to slide into habits that I didn't intend. And I don't necessarily mean the TV, but particularly this last year of the pandemic, I do a lot more eating and drinking. I've noticed a ton of people are agreeing and nodding their heads going, yeah, me too. I'm struggling to lose the pounds that I gained. It's not a ton, but still it's annoying and I want to find ways to reverse some of these things.

[00:07:21.020] 

So if I give up one thing and then it helps me to see other things differently, then maybe during this period and after I'll be able to find some of these other things that I want to change, like I've given up my exercise time to do more work, which that isn't good, not in the long term. So I'm slowly getting back into adding exercise time back into my everyday, not even just a couple of times a week.

[00:07:48.110] 

And I'm still getting plenty of work done. The TV used to take up some of my reading time. Now I have more reading time, which is great. It's also kind of awful because if I get involved in a really good book because I work at home, it can be very, very difficult for me to be like, well, lunch hour's over and I'll be like, I just had a three hour reading lunch hour. Oops. So, you know, there's pros and cons of that. But just like, letting things take up time that's not, in the end, the way that I wanted to spend my time.

[00:08:20.060] 

So on the one hand, I did just join Tik Tok and I found an author community there that is super cool as far as I can tell. They're super cool, nice, fun. And you probably know that I like doing videos, so I'm going to get started on there, which I wouldn't have time to even think about if I was, you know, still watching...basically, we just finished season five of Agents of Shield.

[00:08:47.450] 

So that's a hundred and ten episodes or something. But I love it. So it's hard, you know. Which thing do you love more? Which thing do you want to do more of? But if just during a season, whether it's once a year or once a quarter, you take a little time and you change your habits, you take some of the things out of your life so that you can just give yourself some space, some room to think.

[00:09:12.920] 

I feel like I've had more room to think, which is awesome. I often feel like I definitely don't have enough time to really sit and think about things. I just feel like it helps us to make sure that we kind of have this, maybe a touchstone possibly would be the right way to say it, this place to just keep coming back to once in a while at some kind of regular interval and going, OK, yep, hold on. I'm going to take some things out of my life so that when I add things back in, I make sure that I'm adding in the things that I most love find most important.

[00:09:49.100] 

And for me, definitely writing is one of them and also just having time to think about my stories.

[00:09:55.940] 

So I've actually been dreaming a lot more lately, which I very much enjoyed, except for a couple of nights ago. My entire dream time seemed to be focused on a very scary man from Stephen King's The Outsider, so that was borderline nightmares, but still, I woke up feeling like I just watched a really long horror movie that I was the star of. So I'm just saying that that you may find things happening, that you're like, oh, that's really interesting. And what does that mean and how do I feel about it? So that's me.

[00:10:31.040] 

I've taken TV out of my life for six weeks and I'm doing some things that I'm enjoying. And I'm sure I will get back into my old habits in many ways. But if I can keep from getting into all of the ones that I didn't want to be quite so mired up in, then I'll have made a little bit of progress.

[00:10:54.170] 

If in the next year I get totally bogged down in all of these things that I want to do less of but find myself doing more of anyway, then next year, you know, I have the opportunity -- or sooner, but Lent just makes it easy because it has a certain day that it starts in a certain day that it ends.

[00:11:12.770] 

But I can do it again and I can tell myself, OK, remember, you don't need this. It also helps me to keep from getting too attached to things that I think are important, but really might just be anesthesia, especially for me during this pandemic here where we can't go anywhere and we can't see anyone and yeah, there's like no human interaction. I feel like a veal, you know, in a little booth that doesn't get to hang out with the rest of the herd.

[00:11:43.590] 

And yeah, it just gets me thinking about things differently.

[00:11:48.080] 

So all of this to say, I hope that all of this, me telling you my experience, gives you some ideas for what might you want to change, give up for a day, maybe like every Monday you don't do X, or every first Friday of the month you don't do X, and you see whether or not things shake out in a little bit different way that you like. You can do it any way you want. That's the best part. But I think that you might find some really interesting and hopefully very positive outcomes.

[00:12:25.130] 

So those are my encouraging words for today. I hope that it helps you and gives you food for thought for the month. And the next Encouraging Words episode will be the first Sunday of next month. In the meantime, as usual, you will get another episode with a fantastic interview on Thursday. And I hope you have a fantastic week.

Today's guest is the wonderful Lisa Cron sharing with us about her new book, Story or Die: How to Use Brain Science to Engage, Persuade, and Change Minds in Business and in Life.

While Lisa's previous books, Wired For Story and Story Genius, were aimed more at writers, Story or Die is for everyone who is trying to understand someone else -- whether a potential customer or a neighbor -- and persuade them to change how they think and act.

Lisa loves talking about story and her passion overflows to her listeners. There is so much to learn here about how we think and how we can influence others. Think about your readers when you're listening, as well as other people you do business with or live with or interact with in any way.

Learn more about Lisa and her books at her website, http://wiredforstory.com/​, or connect with her on Twitter, @LisaCron.

Today's guest is John Ondrasik of Five For Fighting music fame. In addition to writing and performing music, John is also an inspirational speaker.

John shares with us how he views art and creativity, how he gets out of a funk, and the importance of doing things you love. He encourages us to find new creative challenges in addition to our main interest. He also reminds us that we are entrepreneurs, and we have to figure out new ways to make our creative businesses work as times change.

Learn more about John and Five For Fighting on his website https://fiveforfighting.com/, and be sure to listen to his TEDx talk for even more encouragement. https://youtu.be/OukUOjhArQM

[Photo credit: Jeremy Cowart]

TRANSCRIPTION

[00:00:07.690] - Kitty

Welcome to Write Now Workshop Podcast, where you can write a book and change the world, I'm your host, Kitty Bucholtz. And this is episode 236, Music to Last a Lifetime. An interview with John Ondrasik coming to you on Thursday, February 25th, 2021.

[00:00:27.400] 

I want to start this episode by telling you find the bookmark button or the save button on your podcast app. Or if you're watching this on the computer, save this episode. You are going to want to come back to it whenever you need a boost. This has been one of the most encouraging episodes that I can remember recording. And I have had some amazing guests. I think that you and I have both enjoyed just about every single person. When I say just about, I think I mean, every single person who's been on the show. But today's episode just really made my heart feel like, yes, this is someone who's been in a business of creating for so long. And it hasn't always been easy and he hasn't stopped doing it. And sometimes he has found new ways to do it or he does it around something else that comes into his life.

[00:01:21.820] 

And I'm thinking this is exactly the kind of encouragement that we all need, because I really believe that today is not the right day for you to decide to quit. Maybe it is, but probably it's not. And I want you to listen to this episode, and at the end, you ask yourself, what do I think is success for me? Because maybe what I'm doing is actually enough to make me happy right now. Maybe I have some goals and plans and a specific path that I'm on that I think is going to lead me even closer to the things that would make me happy. Am I happy enough to keep on going?

[00:02:03.790] 

I hope you are. And if you're not, that is totally fine. Nobody said that you have to do this forever. But if you can't stop writing, if you can't stop making up stories, whether they're in songs or in books or in some other format, then I just want to encourage you with this episode, I think that you're going to tell yourself, yes, this is totally worthwhile, what I do matters because what you do does matter.

[00:02:34.270] 

First of all, no matter who you are, what you do matters. You can make a positive difference in the world, wherever you are and whatever you're doing, the smallest things could have a ripple effect that you have absolutely no awareness of. And I think in some ways that's something that's like a gift that God gives us so that we can not be too full of ourselves, being like I know that I can positively influence every person around me today.

[00:03:01.510] - Kitty

The thing is that we can and we should. That is my belief. I do believe that your book or your song or your screenplay, whatever it is that you're working on, can change the world in a positive way and make it a better place for other people. And I think that that is totally worth all the time and energy and...]]>EPISODE 236I

Today's guest is John Ondrasik of Five For Fighting music fame. In addition to writing and performing music, John is also an inspirational speaker.

John shares with us how he views art and creativity, how he gets out of a funk, and the importance of doing things you love. He encourages us to find new creative challenges in addition to our main interest. He also reminds us that we are entrepreneurs, and we have to figure out new ways to make our creative businesses work as times change.

Learn more about John and Five For Fighting on his website https://fiveforfighting.com/, and be sure to listen to his TEDx talk for even more encouragement. https://youtu.be/OukUOjhArQM

[Photo credit: Jeremy Cowart]

TRANSCRIPTION

[00:00:07.690] - Kitty

Welcome to Write Now Workshop Podcast, where you can write a book and change the world, I'm your host, Kitty Bucholtz. And this is episode 236, Music to Last a Lifetime. An interview with John Ondrasik coming to you on Thursday, February 25th, 2021.

[00:00:27.400] 

I want to start this episode by telling you find the bookmark button or the save button on your podcast app. Or if you're watching this on the computer, save this episode. You are going to want to come back to it whenever you need a boost. This has been one of the most encouraging episodes that I can remember recording. And I have had some amazing guests. I think that you and I have both enjoyed just about every single person. When I say just about, I think I mean, every single person who's been on the show. But today's episode just really made my heart feel like, yes, this is someone who's been in a business of creating for so long. And it hasn't always been easy and he hasn't stopped doing it. And sometimes he has found new ways to do it or he does it around something else that comes into his life.

[00:01:21.820] 

And I'm thinking this is exactly the kind of encouragement that we all need, because I really believe that today is not the right day for you to decide to quit. Maybe it is, but probably it's not. And I want you to listen to this episode, and at the end, you ask yourself, what do I think is success for me? Because maybe what I'm doing is actually enough to make me happy right now. Maybe I have some goals and plans and a specific path that I'm on that I think is going to lead me even closer to the things that would make me happy. Am I happy enough to keep on going?

[00:02:03.790] 

I hope you are. And if you're not, that is totally fine. Nobody said that you have to do this forever. But if you can't stop writing, if you can't stop making up stories, whether they're in songs or in books or in some other format, then I just want to encourage you with this episode, I think that you're going to tell yourself, yes, this is totally worthwhile, what I do matters because what you do does matter.

[00:02:34.270] 

First of all, no matter who you are, what you do matters. You can make a positive difference in the world, wherever you are and whatever you're doing, the smallest things could have a ripple effect that you have absolutely no awareness of. And I think in some ways that's something that's like a gift that God gives us so that we can not be too full of ourselves, being like I know that I can positively influence every person around me today.

[00:03:01.510] - Kitty

The thing is that we can and we should. That is my belief. I do believe that your book or your song or your screenplay, whatever it is that you're working on, can change the world in a positive way and make it a better place for other people. And I think that that is totally worth all the time and energy and sometimes blood, sweat and tears that we put into it. If you're wondering about the blood, sometimes for me it's just a matter of picking up a knife in the kitchen to make a sandwich and thinking about my story at the same time. And then, yes, that is why John does not, my John, does not allow me to use knives anymore, because sometimes I forget that I am not in this world when I am playing with dangerous objects.

[00:03:43.450] 

But sorry for the aside, honestly, the things that you do and the things that you're thinking about, they matter. And if you're in a place where you have a half finished book that you've really been wanting to work on, but you just can't get yourself to do it, there's this place inside my heart that sometimes I really, really want to work on something, but I'm afraid that I can't do it. I'm afraid that I can't do it as well, to give it the substance that it has in my head, that it won't come out on paper. And there have been times when I have set something aside because I'm like, no, I can't. I just can't do it. I can't do it by myself.

[00:04:25.510] 

If there's any chance that you feel like just maybe somebody could help you get this book out and make it something that you're really proud of and happy with, give me a call. Now, when I say call, of course, you know, Internet calls. Go to my website, WriteNowWorkshop.Com/writingcoach, or send me an email at Kitty at KittyBucholtz.Com, because one of the things that I do and love is helping other people finish their books.

[00:04:58.690] 

The two things that are really the most important things in my creative life, which pretty much make up my life, is writing books and helping other people finish their books. So I've got the Finish Your Book membership group, where we get together twice a week and do writing sprints, and I love that because there's so much energy, there's so many books being written. It just makes me super happy. I never want to get off the call with people, even though it's my bedtime when it ends.

[00:05:22.770] 

And then there's also the one-on-one coaching where I'm specifically working just with you to get your book the way that you want it, or the Self-Publish Your Book coaching, which is your book's already done, it's already edited, it's ready to go, you just are not sure exactly what you're supposed to do to get it up on the various online stores. And all of these things, I do them because I really do believe that it might be your book or this other book of yours or this book of mine or this other book of mine that helps people in some way that is worthwhile. And if that is just something where I've had a really long day at work and I just really need to get away and escape into some other world where things work out and people fall in love and stay in love and the bad guy gets it in the end. I've been reading a lot of books where I'm just, I need to read a book where the bad guy gets it in the end.

[00:06:23.490] - Kitty

So if you think that there's any chance that you just need a little bit of help and encouragement and direction, then let me know because I want to help you. I don't want your book to never be written if it was always meant to be. So there's me on my, you know, I would call it an apple crate, except for that, it's really where my heart is, so here is me with my heart on my sleeve saying it's important. Keep writing. It really could be something amazing, even if it's just amazing to a few people and it moves them in some way that makes the world a better place, then I don't see how that could possibly be a bad thing or not worth your time.

[00:07:05.100] 

OK, so I'm going to say I'm going to stop talking about that. Also, if you are thinking about possibly self-publishing your book, you can get the Self-Publish Your Book Checklist from my website, also at WriteNowWorkshop.com. And remember that the show notes and transcripts for every episode are at podcast.writenowworkshop.com. You can go /episodes and just search for the episode number. Remember, this one is 236 and I'm going to put a link to John's TEDx talk in there too, because it was another just really encouraging bit of, you can do it. Keep going. This is how long it takes sometimes. Sometimes it's a lot more work than you think.

[00:07:49.350] - Kitty

Sometimes this piece comes out so perfectly and wonderfully and quickly and this piece takes you six months or, you know, in the book world, this book came out in two or three months and that book took seven years. I've got a couple of those seven year books. So anyway, I want to give you all the encouragement you possibly can. So in addition to today's episode, definitely check out John's TEDx talk again, link in the show notes. And right now, I think we just need to go right into the conversation with John. Enjoy.

[00:08:25.290] - Kitty

Today's guest is John Ondrasik. John has soared in every aspect of the music industry, from songwriting to producing to performing. This Los Angeles native better known as Five For Fighting, a hockey penalty moniker he chose to pay homage to his beloved L.A. Kings, has been a one man team unto himself, constantly shooting and scoring while setting the bar higher each time. His collection of heartfelt songs have found their place in the Great American Songbook and continue to stand the test of time. "Superman", the worldwide hit single, went platinum and became an anthem for the heroes of 9/11. "100 Years" went double platinum and continues to give every age group a lifetime's moment of reflection and nostalgia. John likes to say he was a 20 year overnight success who faced the rejection and struggles not uncommon to aspiring singer songwriters. Yet there's more to him than the music. His off the ice endeavors are equally, if not more, impressive. He performs for the USO and has found a new hat in inspirational keynote, speaking engagements across the globe. So, yes, in addition to making music, John is making a difference. He's pulled a hat trick of sorts, not just being an accomplished singer and songwriter, but an advocate for causes that are important to us all. Welcome, John.

[00:09:44.640] - John

Thank you, Kitty. Thank you for the kind intro.

[00:09:47.620] - Kitty

I have to say, just trying to figure out how to narrow it down after you get so many things going on in life. Sometimes people have so many cool things to say and there's a lot of really interesting stuff on your bio. I encourage anybody who already knows that they love your music, Five For Fighting, to just go look at your website some more. Also we should start with this, I'm from Michigan and you're an L.A. Kings fan. So we just have to know, like, can we still be friends? Is that going to work?

[00:10:21.560] - John

If you're a hockey fan, how can you not love the Detroit Red Wings? They are the hockey team of hockey teams and great organization and legends galore. So we hockey fans stick together.

[00:10:37.570] - Kitty

And in addition to the fact that I'm just going to love the the Red Wings for the rest of my life, no matter if they're doing well or not doing well, I mean, you can't be mad at somebody who had twenty four years of getting to the Stanley Cup, so.

[00:10:51.360] - John

Oh yeah. And they were in the playoffs every year for like three decades. And, you know, everybody's got to kind of go down and come back with both the Kings and the Red Wings. Now we're what we call rebuilding. So I'm sure I have more confidence in the Red Wings getting it right than the Kings. But, you know, hey, I never thought we'd win a Stanley Cup and we got to see my dream come true. So that's my hockey dreams, at least.

[00:11:15.260] - Kitty

And you'll be pleased in your seventy five degree LA weather today. Let's see, it's February as we're talking. And yesterday, my husband and I went for a walk and there were kids playing hockey on the ice. And I was like, oh, no, they're going to see you, it's like an old woman because they're like 14 maybe. And I'm like, I just want to go out there and just play around a little bit .

[00:11:39.240] - John

Put on your skates, you know,

[00:11:41.120] - Kitty

Wouldn't that be, so fun. So listen, let's start with kind of you've got great information on your bio. People who love you probably already know tons about you. But let's focus a little bit more on the writing side. So what was the first thing? Start wherever you like. But I was just thinking about, you know, you started playing music when you were very young, but then you were a teenager, if I understand, when you started writing. So how did you get into the writing and how do you think it stuck with you?

[00:12:12.180] - John

You know, I was very fortunate, my mom was a piano teacher. She was a piano major, went to USC and kind of a classical pianist, and she started teaching me and my sister, very young, to play the piano, which was great because, you know, for the piano, the younger you start, the better. And she would kind of teach at the local elementary school and we would do musicals. And, you know, like many kids, I was Tony in West Side Story with a squeaky chipmunk voice. And she was very wise, about 13 or 14 when I really didn't want to practice the piano anymore. I want to go ride my skateboard. She let me quit. And which I think was wise because if I had the passion for it, I'd keep going. If not, then I'd find another passion. And of course, I had my Burt Bacharach songbook and my Steven Schwartz Godspell and the Beatles five thousand songs that I would play. And then, like many writers, I fell in love for the first time and I had to write a song for her and I was 15. And ironically, I actually wrote it on guitar, which is weird because I'm a piano player my whole childhood. But I wrote a song for a girl, you know, and as it usually does it ends in heartbreak. So I wrote another song about that and I just kind of had a passion for writing. And I was such a music fan and especially of the piano players, Elton and Billy Joel were in their prime and Joni Mitchell and although I was a rocker, too, I love AC/DC and Zeppelin, and I love the singers, I loved Freddie Mercury. I love Steve Perry. So I was just so wrapped up in music. So I, I kind of bought the studio stuff and locked myself in my room for many years and wrote hundreds of bad songs. And but, you know, it was kind of my my passion. It kept me out of trouble. And it was a way I could kind of, you know, get out my teen angst. And I just loved it. And for me, it's great to be able to sing, able to perform. But that kind of moment that you play a song for the first time that you've written and you think it has something that's, you know, all the writers on this Zoom call understand that, you know, you work for months, sometimes a year to get that five minutes of gratitude and satisfaction. And that keeps me coming back.

[00:14:39.900] - Kitty

Yeah. As a novelist, I definitely feel the same. You know, you're reading books and you think, oh my gosh, stories and books are the best thing ever in the whole wide world. And then your childhood musings kind of turn into something later that you're like, this is so weird that I don't stop like you would think. I always thought when I was in college, that's when I'll stop. I'll put away childish things. Yeah, but I actually start getting more serious. I was like, you know, I don't want to just like, make little stories that maybe just a couple of people read. I want to see if I could write an actual book that people are like, wow, when's the next one coming out? When did you start showing your music to your friends? And how is the encouragement or a lot of times lack thereof? There's also a lot of lack of encouragement among...

[00:15:31.710] - John

Yeah, no, for sure. I mean, I was very fortunate that my parents supported me. It wasn't unconditional. I think my mom, being a musician, understood the odds, but they were like, all right, as long as you're going to college, we'll support your music. And then once I was out of college, you know, as long as you're working, you know, we'll support you. And so I really have that support and kind of emotional understanding, even though I knew they were kind of just waiting for me to get over it. But I couldn't get over it. And I'm not, kind of just like you, I was never content, unfortunately, I wasn't content enough to just write my songs and play them for my friends and be happy. You know, I had this ambition to do it and to be heard. I never needed to be, you know, David Lee Roth. But I wanted to be heard and in a perfect world, make a living at music.

[00:16:30.780] - John

And I was going to go over the cliff till I just couldn't do it. And circumstances were moving that way. I was actually incredibly lucky for the stars to align. I didn't have success till my late 20s and early 30s, which is unheard of in music. You know, if you don't have hits by the time you're twenty two, twenty three as a pop artist, you're, you better go find a real job. But I just kept pushing at it and got lucky and my girlfriend who became my wife was a music publisher and behind my back, she would still get my demos to people and everybody would say, oh, he's a good songwriter, but not a good singer, or a good singer, but not a great song, you know. And but for me, it kind of worked. And as I said, there's a thousand reasons why it shouldn't. But, you know, I did enough to give myself a chance. And I've been incredibly blessed to do it, you know, for twenty-five years.

[00:17:24.450] - Kitty

Yeah, that's amazing too. Yeah. Twenty-five years. When people get past the five year mark, I think there's a lot to celebrate.

[00:17:32.580] - John

Oh yeah. Yeah. I mean just to make, I tell you, when I talk to aspiring artists and songwriters or novelists or artists, you know, they talk about, oh, what's it like to have a number one song or, you know, to be on TV or and I say, you know, I have one wish for you, my wish for you is, you know, when you're my age and in your mid 50s, that if you want to do a concert or a show or sell a book, somebody will buy a ticket or somebody will buy your book or somebody'll come to your book signing because you're still doing it and you have a career. And to me, that's what I've always kind of dreamed of. And I think for most writers, they'd be very happy with that.

[00:18:13.020] - Kitty

Yeah, definitely. And there's always something, there are things that push you up and things that pull you down. And a lot of times it's a different thing every month or every year there's something. This last year has been really tough for a lot of writers that I know. Some people like me have gotten more done than they've gotten done, more done in the space of a year than I probably have ever gotten done in the space of a year. But a lot of my friends, I was just concerned that they felt like they were losing their mojo. And for some people, they have traditional book contracts and they're going to have to find a way to work this through because this is their job and somebody is counting on them. But there's so many other people who either because they're self-publish or because they haven't been published at all, they're in charge of their own schedule. And I was just like, what can I do to help encourage them, that today is not the day to quit, even though it feels like it sometimes? What are some times where you've gone through that? And how did you get to the other side?

[00:19:17.290] - John

Yeah, it's hard, I mean, if you just want to talk about this, last year, I think I've spoken to many of my creative friends,...]]>e6d26683-c1c1-433c-9773-a1fe9bbe3780Thu, 25 Feb 2021 03:30:00 -070053:28falsefull236236Better Health for Better CreativityEPISODE 235I

Today's guest is Jill Cruz, a Board-Certified Nutrition Specialist and the founder of Work with Your Nature Weight Loss.

I asked Jill to help us understand how we can be more creative in our work and keep up our good health even though most of us sit in front of a computer all day. She explained what some call the five pillars of health -- nutrition, sleep, stress management, physical activity, and mindset -- and how we can make small changes that will make a big difference.

Jill cautions us, though, not to tackle everything at once. That can lead to overwhelm and cause us to give up without seeing much progress. This is a brilliant interview with so many tips to help us improve our creativity by improving our health! The night after I interviewed Jill, I slept better than I have in a year!

You can find Jill on her website, https://wynweightloss.com/, where you can sign up for her amazing newsletter. Here's to a healthier, more productive year!

TRANSCRIPTION

[00:00:07.630] - Kitty

Welcome to Write Now Workshop Podcast, where you can write a book and change the world. I'm your host, Kitty Bucholtz, and this is episode number 235, "Better Health for Better Creativity," an interview with Jill Cruz coming to you on Thursday, February 18th, 2021. This episode could change your writing life. I am absolutely not kidding you. It actually might just change your life, period.

[00:00:36.010] 

In the time that it took Jill and I to do this interview, so, you know, an hour-ish, we talked for a few minutes afterwards so let's call it an hour and fifteen minutes tops, I slept better the night after we spoke than I have slept in months. And I am not kidding. I've been having some sleeping trouble. But she was explaining so many things in this podcast that helped me to understand - and I thought that I already understood, I thought I was bringing her on for you.

[00:01:04.300] - Kitty

Little did I know that she needed to tell me a lot of things that I just need to tweak this. I need to change how I look at this and that and this and that. Oh, my gosh. You guys, seriously, this is going to be a great episode for you. I think that if you've been having sleep trouble like me, possibly you might notice that your sleep is going to improve. I'll just tell you a little hint.

[00:01:29.560] 

It had totally to do with my mindset before I went to sleep, and I thought I had been doing enough, but apparently I hadn't. I just really, really focused on the things that made me super happy that I was super grateful for. I thought I just needed to relax. But when I really focused on thinking very positive, happy, strong thoughts like that is the best sleep that I've had in months. I am totally not using hyperbole.

[00:01:58.030] 

You know, I love hyperbole, not using it this time. I was like, holy cow, I got to do. This again. And, you know, I've gotten out of the habit a little bit, which again makes me go, wow, that obviously does make a difference because now I'm sleeping well, better, but like not like I had been those first couple of days after talking to her. So much information. And I really think that it's going to help both of us with with our general health and also the kind of health that leads to a clearer mind, clearer thinking and better creativity.

[00:02:29.170] 

So enjoy this episode, take notes. And remember, we now have transcripts on all the episodes, starting with this year, 2021. So go to podcast.WriteNowWorkshop.Com and find this episode 235 and you can read the transcript and remind yourself of all the things that she said that you want to make sure that you do. It's already changed my life. I'm sure it's going to change your life. Also...]]>EPISODE 235I

Today's guest is Jill Cruz, a Board-Certified Nutrition Specialist and the founder of Work with Your Nature Weight Loss.

I asked Jill to help us understand how we can be more creative in our work and keep up our good health even though most of us sit in front of a computer all day. She explained what some call the five pillars of health -- nutrition, sleep, stress management, physical activity, and mindset -- and how we can make small changes that will make a big difference.

Jill cautions us, though, not to tackle everything at once. That can lead to overwhelm and cause us to give up without seeing much progress. This is a brilliant interview with so many tips to help us improve our creativity by improving our health! The night after I interviewed Jill, I slept better than I have in a year!

You can find Jill on her website, https://wynweightloss.com/, where you can sign up for her amazing newsletter. Here's to a healthier, more productive year!

TRANSCRIPTION

[00:00:07.630] - Kitty

Welcome to Write Now Workshop Podcast, where you can write a book and change the world. I'm your host, Kitty Bucholtz, and this is episode number 235, "Better Health for Better Creativity," an interview with Jill Cruz coming to you on Thursday, February 18th, 2021. This episode could change your writing life. I am absolutely not kidding you. It actually might just change your life, period.

[00:00:36.010] 

In the time that it took Jill and I to do this interview, so, you know, an hour-ish, we talked for a few minutes afterwards so let's call it an hour and fifteen minutes tops, I slept better the night after we spoke than I have slept in months. And I am not kidding. I've been having some sleeping trouble. But she was explaining so many things in this podcast that helped me to understand - and I thought that I already understood, I thought I was bringing her on for you.

[00:01:04.300] - Kitty

Little did I know that she needed to tell me a lot of things that I just need to tweak this. I need to change how I look at this and that and this and that. Oh, my gosh. You guys, seriously, this is going to be a great episode for you. I think that if you've been having sleep trouble like me, possibly you might notice that your sleep is going to improve. I'll just tell you a little hint.

[00:01:29.560] 

It had totally to do with my mindset before I went to sleep, and I thought I had been doing enough, but apparently I hadn't. I just really, really focused on the things that made me super happy that I was super grateful for. I thought I just needed to relax. But when I really focused on thinking very positive, happy, strong thoughts like that is the best sleep that I've had in months. I am totally not using hyperbole.

[00:01:58.030] 

You know, I love hyperbole, not using it this time. I was like, holy cow, I got to do. This again. And, you know, I've gotten out of the habit a little bit, which again makes me go, wow, that obviously does make a difference because now I'm sleeping well, better, but like not like I had been those first couple of days after talking to her. So much information. And I really think that it's going to help both of us with with our general health and also the kind of health that leads to a clearer mind, clearer thinking and better creativity.

[00:02:29.170] 

So enjoy this episode, take notes. And remember, we now have transcripts on all the episodes, starting with this year, 2021. So go to podcast.WriteNowWorkshop.Com and find this episode 235 and you can read the transcript and remind yourself of all the things that she said that you want to make sure that you do. It's already changed my life. I'm sure it's going to change your life. Also remember that you can pick up my free Self-Publish Your Book Checklist.

[00:03:02.740] 

That is a downloadable PDF that you can also just leave on your computer and fill out on your computer so that you don't have to print it and then fill it out by hand and then wonder, what did I do with that piece of paper, which is what I tend to do. So you can sign up and also get a free copy of that. And remember, if you have any questions about the Finish Your Book membership program or the one on one coaching or the group coaching, you can find more information at WriteNowWorkshop.Com/writing coach. Or you can reach out to me at Kitty@KittyBucholtz dot com. Send me an email. The membership group is totally fun. We're getting a lot of writing done together. We're kind of using each other's energy and a lot of people are continuing to write after we hang up. So they're using that energy and having even more energy to get even more writing done, which is awesome.

[00:03:53.470] 

Plus, we have awesome guest speakers like Jill. In fact, Jill was one of our speakers answering specific questions where people could ask her, what can I do in this particular situation to help me with this problem, which is awesome. I love it.

[00:04:07.750] 

So much going on! 2021 is just going to be a very exciting year for us. There's lots of new things happening and I'm just excited for you to be a part of it. So reach out. Let me know if there's anything that you are loving about the changes, anything that you're hating about the changes, or if there's anything that you're like, hey, can you do this? Or maybe I won't be able to help you myself, but maybe I'll know somebody else who can help you with something else.

[00:04:34.750] 

So reach out. I am happy to help. I really do believe that we can write books that change the world, whether it is to changed the world of my readers who are stressed out, and then I give them more joy and happiness, or I take them to a place where really scary evil things are going on, but then good wins out in the end, or books that like literally are going to make people go, oh, this is so interesting, I'm going to do this differently. Oh, look, my life is better and now I'm interacting with other people in better way, and it's making these ripple effects of the world becoming a better place. So I completely believe that we can all do that. So I want you to write and I want you to finish. And if there's anything I can do to help, please let me know. In the meantime, Jill is about ready to give us all sorts of helpful tips that will help us with both our regular health and the health that we need in order to be the most creative people we can be to do the things that we have in mind. All right. Here's Jill.

[00:05:34.120] - Kitty

Today's guest is Jill Cruz. Jill helps women over 40 who hate dieting to lose weight and feel great without being deprived. Jill has a Master of Science degree in Human Nutrition and is a board-certified nutrition specialist. She combines her strong, science-based background with tons of practical nutrition, fitness and lifestyle guidance, helping people strive to be the best versions of themselves. She's on a mission to guide women to achieve their wildest dreams for their health while loving the food they eat and the life they live.

[00:06:09.960] - Kitty

Welcome, Jill.

[00:06:11.310] - Jill

Thank you. Thank you for having me.

[00:06:13.500] - Kitty

I just have to say, as a woman over 40, I'm like, I love your mission. I've been eating (pointing to something on her shelf) for like a month and a half now and it does feel good. But I'm wearing some jeans that are telling me it's time to back off.

[00:06:27.680] - Jill

Yeah, that can definitely happen. Listen, it happens to the best of us, everyone.

[00:06:33.330] - Kitty

Awesome. So listen, let's just kind of give the audience an idea of who you are and why we're talking. You and I met in a business coaching program called ACES that were both still in. We're talking in January, 2021. And we just hit it off. I liked you immediately the first time I talked to you. And then every time, you know, if you're talking during one of the group calls, I'm like, oh, that is so interesting. So I was thrilled when I reached out to you and said, could you talk about nutrition to writers who have this crazy sedentary activity and who I have to say most everyone I know eats while they write, which is terrible.But there's something about I think that has to do with the chewing and the crunching, does something in your head, I don't know. But anyway, I was very, very happy for you to come on the show and talk about how we can do our work better based on things that you specialize in.

[00:07:28.930] - Jill

Well, thank you for having me. I'm super excited to talk about it, too, because one of my big areas of interest is productivity and efficiency and really being your best. You know, how is it possible for we humans to kind of maximize our potential? It doesn't matter where you're starting. It's just how can you be a little bit better? A little bit better. A little bit better. So, yeah, I love talking about anything related to being a better writer or just being a better person.

[00:07:57.880] - Kitty

Yeah, yeah. Especially because, you know, it's been a tough year for a lot of people. Some people like you and I, we've been working at home the whole time and in some ways it feels like has my life really changed. But then all the people around you who used to be someplace else during the day, they're also at home. And so you realize your life has changed. And my life is.

[00:08:21.340] - Kitty

Yeah, my husband used to be an apprentice chef at a four-star resort when we got married. So instead of taking lunches with him and going away and then I would have peanut butter and jam or peanut butter on a banana or whatever came to my hand when I walked through the kitchen. Now I have these like big meals, delicious, lots of butter.And then I'm like, oh, well, since you're cooking, I feel like I should do something and my thing is baking. So I'm like, let me make some cookies and some cinnamon rolls and some homemade bread.And yeah, it's been fun, but I'm not sure how healthy it is. 

[00:09:00.010] - Jill

I mean one thing that I if anybody asked me at a party or if I'm working with a client, doesn't really matter if someone saying, you know, should I do this, is it OK if I do that, a lot of times I'll just say, well, what are your goals? Because for some people, it's really important to be to look a certain way or it's important to have their brain functioning really well during the day. Other people, it doesn't matter as much.So it really comes back down to what is it that you want to accomplish physically and also obviously career-wise, all of that comes into play. But I think that a lot of times people don't realize how much their lifestyle and nutrition practices affect their work. Yeah, yeah. So, you know, you may sit there saying, well, it doesn't really matter if I bake. You know, I'm not overweight. I'm having fun. I'm enjoying it. And that's great. But at the same time, if you want to be better and maybe be a better writer or whatever it is that you want to accomplish, you can use nutrition and lifestyle to do that. Right.

[00:10:07.480] - Kitty

OK, this is interesting because I'd never thought about me asking myself the question. I mean, I'm a product of the American marketing and media campaign that all women should look like, they weigh one hundred and ten pounds. And I'm like, I weighed one hundred and ten pounds and like the fifth grade, that's not good. So on the one hand I'm like, well, I want to be healthy. I don't want to die of a heart attack, you know, because I have sixteen pounds of fat surrounding my heart and my heart can't pump anymore. But I really like food and I would like to enjoy that too. But it's funny because even though I know nutrition affects my brain, like, I think that maybe it affects my brain long enough after I've eaten that I don't really make enough connections to know what thing helped and what they didn't like. I told you I had a little bit of caffeine about an hour and a half ago. And inside my brain, I'm like this squirrel on over the hedge.Have you seen that animated movie  his head,he's like, am going to go over here and climb the hedge and look over and, you know, do the look out thing that I said I do. But what all the other animals see is this girl going bing bing like, oh that's how I feel inside my head. I don't know if this will make me a better writer or a worse writer, but I suspect in two or three hours when it wears off I'll be like what. Writing. What's a writer.

[00:11:34.210] - Jill

Yeah, yeah, yeah. You're the opposite of the squirrel outside, you look very calm but inside.

[00:11:42.580] - Kitty

So tell us.So first of all, that is a great question and I just want to say it again. What are your goals? Lose weight. Think better, sleep better. I know nutrition helps you to sleep better. Exercise helps you sleep better. Supposedly I'm fifty two, I haven't slept past four a.m. and I don't know a while. Apparently that's a hormonal thing. And then I started thinking, well what about, what about my, you know, hormones can I do to eat differently or exercise differently that will make that ease up and not be such a problem? So there's probably six or ten hours worth of information you can give us. Why don't you pick, so it's writers listening. Why don't you pick what do you think are some things that would be really helpful for us to be thinking about for our 2021 goals?

[00:12:28.670] - Jill

Well, just going back to those goals. Danny who is, we are in this ACES program together, and Danny Iny is the CEO and he always talks about what is the roadblock, what is standing in the way of getting to where you want to go. And I think that's the first place when really to set that goal of what's going to bring you to the next phase, the next level up. So definitely you want to start with a goal, because I could tell you, do this, do that. But if you don't have a reason to do it, you're not you're just not going to do it. So first the goal and then the commitment to the goal. And then after that, there are really five areas that you could consider. There is nutrition, sleep, stress management, physical activity and mind set, and those are all five. Some people may call them pillars of health, that you could tackle one of those and you could see a big difference in your life. If you try to tackle all of them at the same time, you're probably just going to give up in a week. You know, like they have these programs where it's like 30 days get up every day, 6:00 a.m. workout and eat perfect. And, you know, go to bed on time and meditate. And after 30 days, you're like, OK, well, really, that was fun. But now let me get back to my life.

[00:13:53.110] - Kitty

Yeah, yeah.

[00:13:54.130] - Jill

No, it's it's not sustainable.

[00:13:55.990] - Kitty

Right.I have to tell you, like, I've learned a lot of things in this business coaching program, a lot of things about mindset and other things. And and again, like how can I work better? How can I get the most out of my brain during the day and that sort of thing. And so there's this 15 minute meditation that I found. And then there's this exercise that really only takes me about a half an hour unless I add some cardio. Then we're talking 30 to 60 Minutes. And then, you know, I was like, OK, I need to be calm and stop being so stressed out. So then I'm reading my Bible, talking to God and kind of putting my goals down just two or three goals for the day so I can just be calm. And by the time I actually get to work, it's like 10 a.m. noon. I'm like, I can't get enough work done now. I don't know what to do. So I totally hear you. I'm trying to do too many things at once and feeling like you're not accomplishing anything.

[00:14:44.710] - Jill

Yeah, yeah, yeah. Each one of those things has to become an ingrained habit before, I believe before you really want to move on to the next. So it could be about asking someone else like me, like a professional saying, OK, what area do you think I should start with first? But I actually think most of us know and when you're choosing, you know, it's not the thing that I need to work on the most necessarily. Like, if you know that your diet is really poor, you might think, well, I got to get that diet fixed right before I do any of these other things. That may be true. But then again, that really difficult thing, may feel like a mountain in front of you and overwhelming. So you may want to pick something that's actually low, low-hanging fruit, that's easy for you to do. OK, so if you let's say your diet is really poor and you're sedentary, maybe the first thing you want to pick is, I'm just going to take a walk every day if you're not already doing that or I walk, but I don't exercise. Now, walking is exercise, but technically I kind of put it into the category of physical activity. So but either way, we're designed to move. Yeah, we're designed to move sitting down all day, writing and especially I don't think people write with pens anymore when you're a writer. Right.

[00:16:10.840] - Kitty

A few people but yeah, mostly on the computer, I think.

[00:16:15.580] - Jill

That may provide different postural issues than, you know. So if you are sedentary, it's probably highly, highly imperative that you start getting up and moving and it could be five minutes a day to start. So so we could go, you know, we could talk about any of those if you want, like a tidbit from each.Yeah, I can do that. Does it makes sense.

[00:16:44.180] - Kitty

Yeah, absolutely. That sounds good. So there are five pillars. Maybe you can give us an example of one thing that we could change that might make our writing life a little bit easier in areas.

[00:16:56.780] - Jill

So let's since we were talking about physical activity, I think that's a great place to start. Physical activity and exercise is, for the most part, pretty free. I mean, you could invest in gym equipment like you were telling me, but you can also just go outside and walk. You can clean your house. It doesn't have to be a financial investment. So that's one thing. And it also, there are enormous, enormous benefits from being more physically active. When I say that we're designed to move, I'm not just saying that, like we are literally designed to move. So when we sit all day, we're doing the opposite of what we're supposed to be doing, unfortunately, I hate to break the news. Now, I work all day, too. So the standing desk, which you mentioned you have, can be a life-changer right there. So if that's possible to get a situation where you're not sitting, you're actually standing and doing your work.

[00:17:56.810] - Jill

It's a totally different energetically when I write. I'm not a writer, but I do write a lot of blog posts and stuff. When I speak when I work with clients, I'm always standing up. It's a different creative energy. So that's one big tip. And if you're not doing anything, just five minutes a day. If you can commit to for the next seven days, don't even think about the future, just think about the next seven days-every day I'm going to do something for five minutes. I'm going to walk, I'm going to do a couple of squats. I'm going to dance to my favorite song, whatever it is that will make a difference and then you can always build on it. That's the beautiful thing about it. We put so much pressure on ourselves, like, oh, I'm not...]]>74f9de04-0ed7-4dd1-87d8-821329cf24d4Thu, 18 Feb 2021 02:00:00 -070056:34falsefull235235The Magic of the Emerald Isle: An Interview with Jennifer DeibelEPISODE 234I

Today's guest is Jennifer Deibel, whose debut novel, A Dance in Donegal, just came out!

Jennifer tells us about life as a debut author, and how she started writing. She lived in Ireland at the time, and felt she'd finally found her heart there. That made her want to write about Ireland in a real way, not how it's portrayed in some movies and TV shows.

We talk about using all the senses when you write, and trying to capture what a place feels like when you write it. Jennifer also talks about starting a book, setting it aside when she had a child, picking it up and working on it again, having to set it aside again -- and how some stories just won't let you go.

You can buy Jennifer's novel wherever you buy books, and find out more about her and her upcoming projects at her website https://www.jenniferdeibel.com/. You can follow her on major social media sites, especially Instagram and Facebook, and join her Facebook reader's group.

TRANSCRIPTION

[00:00:07.770] - Kitty

Welcome to Write Now Workshop Podcast, where you can write a book and change the world, I'm your host, Kitty Bucholtz. And this is Episode 234, The Magic of the Emerald Isle. An interview with Jennifer Deibel coming to you on Thursday, February 11th, 2021. So how is your writing going? You know, I have a little pop up message on my calendar and on the first of every month, it pops up and just says, how's the writing going?

[00:00:36.630] - Kitty

And it gives me an opportunity every month to ask myself, have I taken a step back and looked at the big picture and asked myself, am I making progress in the direction that I was intending to go? This is always a good question to ask yourself whenever you're doing anything that takes more than a day. Am I going in the direction that I'm trying to go? Am I not only am I going off in a wrong direction, but am I taking too much time to do something that maybe isn't quite as necessary as it seems fun, i.e. research.

[00:01:09.510] - Kitty

It's a good time for us to just ask ourselves, is this the right book? And do I need to do more on this particular kind of research or less on this? Am I making enough progress that I will have a book in a while? Could I be doing any more writing? Am I being too hard on myself? And I should just relax a little bit and when I relax, then I'll do better writing sometimes. That's one of the issues that I have to tell myself, you need to relax more because you're freaking yourself out. And I think you'll get more done if you just chill out. So what do you need to ask yourself about your writing also? Do you just need some more energy? Do you need some more people to be around even though you might not be able to physically be with people? You could join My Finish Your Book membership group. We get together twice a week and we do a 30 minute writing sprint. Everybody says this is what I'm working on. And then at the end, this is how many words I wrote. This is how much editing I got done. And we are getting a ton done. And it's also super fun. We've got more people joining and everybody adds their own kind of energy to it. And it's amazing how much faster you write and how much more excited you can be about your project, because in a few minutes you're going to tell a whole bunch of people, yeah, I got this much done.

[00:02:28.920] - Kitty

And sometimes you're saying, well, I only got two hundred words written, but I figured something out in the plot that I wasn't sure about, or I had to go back over my table of contents for my nonfiction book and realized that something...]]>EPISODE 234I

Today's guest is Jennifer Deibel, whose debut novel, A Dance in Donegal, just came out!

Jennifer tells us about life as a debut author, and how she started writing. She lived in Ireland at the time, and felt she'd finally found her heart there. That made her want to write about Ireland in a real way, not how it's portrayed in some movies and TV shows.

We talk about using all the senses when you write, and trying to capture what a place feels like when you write it. Jennifer also talks about starting a book, setting it aside when she had a child, picking it up and working on it again, having to set it aside again -- and how some stories just won't let you go.

You can buy Jennifer's novel wherever you buy books, and find out more about her and her upcoming projects at her website https://www.jenniferdeibel.com/. You can follow her on major social media sites, especially Instagram and Facebook, and join her Facebook reader's group.

TRANSCRIPTION

[00:00:07.770] - Kitty

Welcome to Write Now Workshop Podcast, where you can write a book and change the world, I'm your host, Kitty Bucholtz. And this is Episode 234, The Magic of the Emerald Isle. An interview with Jennifer Deibel coming to you on Thursday, February 11th, 2021. So how is your writing going? You know, I have a little pop up message on my calendar and on the first of every month, it pops up and just says, how's the writing going?

[00:00:36.630] - Kitty

And it gives me an opportunity every month to ask myself, have I taken a step back and looked at the big picture and asked myself, am I making progress in the direction that I was intending to go? This is always a good question to ask yourself whenever you're doing anything that takes more than a day. Am I going in the direction that I'm trying to go? Am I not only am I going off in a wrong direction, but am I taking too much time to do something that maybe isn't quite as necessary as it seems fun, i.e. research.

[00:01:09.510] - Kitty

It's a good time for us to just ask ourselves, is this the right book? And do I need to do more on this particular kind of research or less on this? Am I making enough progress that I will have a book in a while? Could I be doing any more writing? Am I being too hard on myself? And I should just relax a little bit and when I relax, then I'll do better writing sometimes. That's one of the issues that I have to tell myself, you need to relax more because you're freaking yourself out. And I think you'll get more done if you just chill out. So what do you need to ask yourself about your writing also? Do you just need some more energy? Do you need some more people to be around even though you might not be able to physically be with people? You could join My Finish Your Book membership group. We get together twice a week and we do a 30 minute writing sprint. Everybody says this is what I'm working on. And then at the end, this is how many words I wrote. This is how much editing I got done. And we are getting a ton done. And it's also super fun. We've got more people joining and everybody adds their own kind of energy to it. And it's amazing how much faster you write and how much more excited you can be about your project, because in a few minutes you're going to tell a whole bunch of people, yeah, I got this much done.

[00:02:28.920] - Kitty

And sometimes you're saying, well, I only got two hundred words written, but I figured something out in the plot that I wasn't sure about, or I had to go back over my table of contents for my nonfiction book and realized that something was in the wrong place. But I still got, you know, two hundred and fifty words written.

[00:02:43.920] - Kitty

So then there are other people that, I'm just like, how fast can you type, woman? Yeah, one of them, she gets like nine hundred words written in a half an hour many times. And I'm thinking that's a lot of people's daily writing calls, a thousand words. So if you're interested you should come join us. So we not only have the two half-hour writing sprints, which actually takes us about forty five minutes for each call, but we also have a monthly guest. And in fact next week's podcast guest, Jill Cruz, was our February guest for the membership group. And for an hour, all of us could just ask our individual personal questions about things having to do with nutrition, ergonomics and how can I get more writing done? How can I make my body and my mind clearer and sharper so I can get more and better writing done? So that's always super fun having a whole hour with somebody where you can ask them more about either their writing process or some sort of health related thing or a business related thing to writing. Lots of fun things that we are doing in this group. And if you think that this sounds like something you want to check out, then you should go over to WriteNowWorkshop.Com/writing coach and you can see what it's about. Consider joining up and you can also see what other kinds of writing and coaching that I do, because there might be something else where, you are like, all this sounds like exactly what I need. So WriteNowWorkshop.Com/writingcoach. Also remember while you're there that you can download for free my Self-Publish Your Book Checklist, which is three pages of all the things that you need to know, find out, decide on in order to self publish your book if you decide to go that direction.

[00:04:31.170] 

All right. Remember that we have transcripts now on the show notes pages, very excited. My friend Angeley is doing an awesome job and making them better each week. So hopefully they are of interest to you or if you know somebody else who would rather read than listen or maybe somebody who has any kind of hearing disability and having the transcript would make it easier for them to catch everything that's happening. Definitely go to the show notes page.

[00:05:01.410] - Kitty

That would be podcast.WriteNowWorkshop.com/episodes and find the episode that you're looking for. So, for instance, today's is 234. Alright, I think those are all the announcements that I wanted to remember to make. In the meantime, I hope that you're excited to listen to Jennifer talk about setting her very first book ever in Ireland when she lived there not too long ago. But a little while back, she's got this wonderful story that is just kind of heartwarming and makes you think, oh, I need to go to Ireland or I've been there once and it's like I need to go back to Ireland. She's right. I felt this and that when I lived there. Maybe I should set some books...wait, wait. Remember that thing I said about the big picture? Sometimes I just need to stop and go, OK, maybe later. But right now, big picture. My progress needs to be on finishing this book and publishing this book. But in any case, I am very excited for Jennifer. Her very first book is coming out and she tells us all about the process and the things that she learned and also just the whole idea of writing a book set in another country. So I hope that you find lots of interesting tips. Here's Jennifer.

[00:06:18.440] 

Today's guest is Jennifer Deibel. Jennifer is a middle school teacher whose work has appeared on (n)courage, The Better Mom, Missions, Mosaic magazine and others, with firsthand immersive experience abroad. Jennifer writes stories that helped redefine home through the lens of culture, history and family. After nearly a decade of living in Ireland and Austria, she now lives in Arizona with her husband and their three children.

[00:06:44.600] - Kitty

Welcome, Jennifer.

[00:06:46.280] - Jennifer

Thank you. I'm so excited to be here.

[00:06:48.320] - Kitty

Yeah, and this is going to be like you're at the beginning of a whole bunch of new things because this is your first published novel, right?

[00:06:56.390] - Jennifer

That's right. Everyone asked me, how does it feel like, surreal is the only word I can use because it's exciting and terrifying. But I can't like even believe it's actually happening. And so to be sitting here talking is just amazing.

[00:07:09.080] - Kitty

Yeah. And it's got to be more surreal based on the fact that this interview, because your publicist is so on top of things, is actually being recorded months before your book comes out.

[00:07:23.480] - Kitty

But we thank you, Karen, because you rock and you're really good at your job.

[00:07:26.540] - Jennifer

So she is the absolute best. She is. I would be lost without her.

[00:07:32.570] - Kitty

So here we are talking about your book. And at the time, people are listening. Your book is actually come out.Congratulations.

[00:07:40.580] - Jennifer

Yeah,Even more surreal.

[00:07:42.740] - Kitty

I bet you can like almost not even quite grasp like what that is even going to feel like.

[00:07:49.220] - Jennifer

No, I was talking with some other writer friends of mine the other day and I said, I'm almost convinced the world is going to end before February 2nd because I can't fathom what it's actually going to be like to have it. It's been such a long time, such a long process just to even get the contract. So to have it actually happening is, yeah, just unreal. I'm so humbled and grateful, but also still somewhat in shock.

[00:08:15.950] - Kitty

Right. Right. Well, enjoy it because there is kind of a sense of excitement in the shock as well, right?

[00:08:22.250] - Jennifer

Oh, for sure. Absolutely.

[00:08:25.100] - Kitty

Well, listen, so tell us the story. Start wherever you want. We don't want to take the stories are awesome. We do want to hear the story. We just want to also make sure we talk about writing and that sort of thing as well. But tell us the story like, have you been writing stories since you were two or did you start three years ago? And how did you get the call? How did it all happen for you?

[00:08:45.530] - Jennifer

So I have always kind of been a writer. I was forever writing in my journal when I was a kid. I got a diary for my birthday or Christmas one year. I think I was like fourth or fifth grade. So without fail every night I would write in there, you know, as little girls do, pouring out their hopes and dreams. And I would write little stories every now and then. And then I really fell in love with creative writing in high school. And so I wrote a story like a a novel in high school. It was so bad. I'm pretty sure my main character's name change like four times because I can't remember what I named her and things like that. But I enjoyed it. But I never really thought about pursuing writing anything formal. And then in college, in my first English class, we did a creative writing unit and my professor then said, you know, you really should pursue a career in writing like you, you can really write. And I was like, Oh, thank you. I want to make money, though, so sorry.And then I ended up majoring in education. So I laugh at myself for that a lot. But then it kind of laid dormant for a long time until we were back in Ireland and blogs had just become really popular. And so I was reading a bunch of blogs, and saw an announcement that they were starting a new sort of contributor blog about parenting and they were looking for auditions. So I sent in an audition piece and was accepted. And that website called The Better Mom. And I still write for them 10 or 11 years on.

[00:10:22.810] - Kitty

Wow.

[00:10:23.770] - Jennifer

And Ruth, who's the gal who started the whole thing, said, you know, you really should consider starting a blog. So I started a blog so that people would have a place to go to after they read my work on The Better Mom if they liked it, and that's when I picked back up a story that I had first started. So I guess I have to back up just a wee bit. We spent two years in Ireland when we were first married before we had kids. We went over as students to study the language and culture and we lived in Donegal, which is where my story is set. And it was the most amazing and most difficult two years of our lives. It was really, really hard. We were completely isolated. And so when we came back, I needed a way to process everything that was happening. And I had this story idea of this young American girl who moves over to teach. And so I started writing it. I was expecting our first child. I got, I don't know, a couple of chapters done and then she was born. So then it sat for years because then I had two more kids after her. So at this point when I started my blog, we've just had our third. So our oldest was like six and I started working on it again. Bit by bit. And just through the blogging world with the connections that the better mom, I can go back in and see how things had lined up from that opportunity that lined up for me, nine, 10 years later, to get the contract that I signed with Revell a couple of years, about a year ago.I guess it was now, so I can see how it was in the workings and sort of meant to be. But it's still. Weird thing.

[00:12:12.260] - Kitty

so if you only signed your contract a year or so ago, then the book was pretty much done when you sold it.

[00:12:17.870] - Jennifer

The book was finished. I think with fiction, you typically need to have the manuscript pretty well finished before you pitch to agents and things like that.And because I mean, I used the hashtag for this book, NanowriDecade instead of NaNowrimo. Because it took me I think it was 12 years from the time I wrote the first word to when I actually finished it and was polished and it was ready to pitch.

[00:12:48.350] - Kitty

So. Well, that is pretty typical. So don't feel bad about it at all. All right, let's see, where should we start? Give us the overview for, how did you end up in Ireland for so long and did you set the book in Ireland just because you were there and you were like, well, here I am, I'll just do it.And then also we should remind people that the name of the book is

[00:13:11.690] - Jennifer

So the book is called A Dance in Donegal. And Donegal is the farthest northern county in Ireland. So Ireland has counties in it, but they're kind of like our states here in America. And so I did sort of set it there because we had been there and I was kind of processing through all the things that we had just experienced. And I already forgot the first question.

[00:13:40.340] - Kitty

So, yeah, I was still focused on making sure we said the name of the book and I wanted you to say it because I wasn't sure I could say the name correctly. And it turns out, yeah, you do say it differently than what I was thinking, but did you decide because you were there or I'll just set my first book that I've ever written here where I'm at, because there you were.

[00:14:03.000] - Jennifer

Yes, but I don't know that it was that conscious of a decision. OK, another part of it was I had just read a book, it was one of those like compilation of novellas where four different authors wrote a strand of a story. So it was about this sewing circle groups. And so each novella was from one of these different, character's point of view is that and in the back and I was already kind of rolling around the story idea for dance in my head and I saw in the back and I don't remember the publisher now. I want to say it might have been Harvest House, it is a publisher that I don't think does much fiction anymore. But they said we're always looking for great stories, especially stories with a cultural celebration or something like that. And I went, St. Patrick's Day, okay, now we're cooking with peanut oil. So that was kind of the catalyst to get me to actually start putting it on paper. And then it became this sort of cathartic experience. So there's a lot of what we experienced poured into what Moira my main character experiences, but also very different because she's a different person and we were there in 2001. And she's there in 1921. So there's some differences in there, but a lot about the culture has stayed the same.

[00:15:20.810] - Kitty

Yeah,

[00:15:21.980] - Jennifer

I wanted, because I loved Ireland, I fell in love with Ireland. I've always said I think my heart was always born there and I never truly found my heart until we lived there and but at the same time it was very hard, a very hard place to live. The particular area we were in just because of how isolated we were. And so I wanted a way to bring authentic Irish culture to people, because I feel like the Irish sort of get, they call it oi-rish, that sort of stage , no patchy fingers, if you please, and top of the morning and all that kind of stuff. And I wanted people to see the beautiful and rich depth. Deep richness, we'll say it this way, of the Irish culture and her people, and so that's kind of why I ended up putting it there.

[00:16:17.040] - Kitty

Wow. And if you have this feeling like you found your heart finally when you got there, then I would imagine that would be a big part of like deciding, I need to start writing and get some things down on paper.

[00:16:30.180] - Jennifer

Absolutely. Because there are some things that you just can't. I'm always better expressing myself through the written word than the spoken word, which might be obvious at this moment. But yeah, just that way of trying to find a way to put into words what I'm experiencing, what I'm feeling, because I want other people to be able to share in that as well. Because if they knew if they really knew the truth of what it's truly like, they would love it just as much. Because I think there's a reason, even if you go over and all you see is Blarney and the Ha'Penny Bridge and Dublin and the cliffs of Moore. Maybe even if that's all you get, there's a reason people come back and say, oh, it was the most magical thing and they haven't even scratched the surface of what it's really like.

[00:17:20.620] - Kitty

Yeah, yeah. OK, now one thing in your bio that I was just like, wow to me just seems like total night and day. So I used to live in Arizona for seven years and I've been to mostly Belfast, but also drove down to to Dublin for like a day. So I had 10 days of my life that has been in Ireland. And I'm thinking, how could you move? Like, how do you feel going from the greenest place on Earth to the brownest place on Earth?

[00:17:52.050] - Jennifer

Yes, it was quite of a shock. So I was born and raised in Arizona. Both my husband and I were. He was based, he grew up in Flagstaff, which is up in the northern mountains. Snow, they get seasons up there. I was born just outside of Flagstaff, but mostly lived in the southern part. So brown, brown, brown. When we moved over to Ireland the first time, like I could not warm up, it was so cold and the cold there is different. I don't know if it's the humidity or what, but it seeps into your bones. And it is called the 40 Shades of green...]]>961fbdd3-f4ca-47be-9231-b189a6f2d95bThu, 11 Feb 2021 02:00:00 -070055:49falsefull234234If You Can't Get Started: An Encouraging Words EpisodeEPISODE 233I

Since it's barely past the beginning of the year, I figure some people are having challenges in getting back into their writing on a regular basis. I know I've had some challenges trying to get my head out of vacation mode! So I came up with some ideas that might help you. I took my own advice and got a little more writing done this week! I hope you do too!

TRANSCRIPTION

[00:00:01.370]

Welcome to Write Now Workshop Podcast, where you can write a book and change the world, I'm your host, Kitty Bucholtz, and this is episode 233, "If You Can't Get Started," an Encouraging Words episode coming to you on Sunday, February 7th, 2021. Some days start out great and end great. And they were pretty freaking good all the way through. And those are the best days. My experience is not that those are the most common days though.

[00:00:32.240]

There's often something that's just like, oh, I forgot that I had to do this thing, or crap, I didn't know I had to do this thing, or I did this thing and it didn't work and now it's broken and now I have to fix it. Or, like, there's lots of things, at least in my days, where I'm just like, seriously, seriously. I just wanted a day, I just wanted one day where everything is going really smoothly.

[00:00:57.560]

And when I get one of those days, I'm like, this is the best! But I'm spoiled, and then I want more and I get irritated when I have days where it isn't, you know, kind of tulips and roses and unicorns all the way through.

[00:01:12.470]

Okay, but on days like that, like, am I doing a lot of writing? The thing is, is that the days that I'm having the perfect day and the days that I'm having kind of crap days, I'm not necessarily getting a significantly different number of words down. So what are we doing? Like, what's happening in our brains? I can't really comment on the brains thing right this second, because that is not any research that I did on this particular topic.

[00:01:38.660]

But you know how some days start out difficult and then they get better. And thank goodness, that's always a good thing. I'm not sure, I think for me it's harder when the day starts out really well and then it gets difficult and stays difficult until I go to bed. And then all I can think about is, please let this day be over and I can go to sleep and forget about it and wake up and it'll be a new day. That actually happened to me yesterday.

[00:01:59.660]

I don't know. It was just a very not awesome day. Wasn't a crap day, but it was worse than "meh." And, you know, sometimes it's just hard to to get writing. And sometimes it's like a whole long time, a whole lot of things that happened in a row.

[00:02:19.790]

And, you know, all of us can very quickly come up with a whole bunch of things where we're like, yeah, like this or this or this. So what do we do when we just need to kind of force ourselves back into writing without necessarily using the word "force?" So I'm always trying to think of a way to ease myself back in in a way that makes me cheerful and happy again and just excited and wanting to do it. So how do I get that excitement going?

[00:02:46.760]

Sometimes, sometimes it's just a matter of showing up. Some people say once you sit down and put your fingers on the keyboard and your document is open in front of you, like that's 90 percent of the battle. So butt in chair. Sometimes you can't even get that far. So what do you do? Well, in my Sydney writers group, so I have writer friends all around the world because I've moved so many times. And in my Sydney writers group, one of my friends was just like, I'm not getting anything accomplished and I just, I got nothing. I can't even get myself to want to do more. And so we were like, OK, you know what? Just show up to the accountability call. Like, don't have a plan for anything that you'll...]]>EPISODE 233I

Since it's barely past the beginning of the year, I figure some people are having challenges in getting back into their writing on a regular basis. I know I've had some challenges trying to get my head out of vacation mode! So I came up with some ideas that might help you. I took my own advice and got a little more writing done this week! I hope you do too!

TRANSCRIPTION

[00:00:01.370]

Welcome to Write Now Workshop Podcast, where you can write a book and change the world, I'm your host, Kitty Bucholtz, and this is episode 233, "If You Can't Get Started," an Encouraging Words episode coming to you on Sunday, February 7th, 2021. Some days start out great and end great. And they were pretty freaking good all the way through. And those are the best days. My experience is not that those are the most common days though.

[00:00:32.240]

There's often something that's just like, oh, I forgot that I had to do this thing, or crap, I didn't know I had to do this thing, or I did this thing and it didn't work and now it's broken and now I have to fix it. Or, like, there's lots of things, at least in my days, where I'm just like, seriously, seriously. I just wanted a day, I just wanted one day where everything is going really smoothly.

[00:00:57.560]

And when I get one of those days, I'm like, this is the best! But I'm spoiled, and then I want more and I get irritated when I have days where it isn't, you know, kind of tulips and roses and unicorns all the way through.

[00:01:12.470]

Okay, but on days like that, like, am I doing a lot of writing? The thing is, is that the days that I'm having the perfect day and the days that I'm having kind of crap days, I'm not necessarily getting a significantly different number of words down. So what are we doing? Like, what's happening in our brains? I can't really comment on the brains thing right this second, because that is not any research that I did on this particular topic.

[00:01:38.660]

But you know how some days start out difficult and then they get better. And thank goodness, that's always a good thing. I'm not sure, I think for me it's harder when the day starts out really well and then it gets difficult and stays difficult until I go to bed. And then all I can think about is, please let this day be over and I can go to sleep and forget about it and wake up and it'll be a new day. That actually happened to me yesterday.

[00:01:59.660]

I don't know. It was just a very not awesome day. Wasn't a crap day, but it was worse than "meh." And, you know, sometimes it's just hard to to get writing. And sometimes it's like a whole long time, a whole lot of things that happened in a row.

[00:02:19.790]

And, you know, all of us can very quickly come up with a whole bunch of things where we're like, yeah, like this or this or this. So what do we do when we just need to kind of force ourselves back into writing without necessarily using the word "force?" So I'm always trying to think of a way to ease myself back in in a way that makes me cheerful and happy again and just excited and wanting to do it. So how do I get that excitement going?

[00:02:46.760]

Sometimes, sometimes it's just a matter of showing up. Some people say once you sit down and put your fingers on the keyboard and your document is open in front of you, like that's 90 percent of the battle. So butt in chair. Sometimes you can't even get that far. So what do you do? Well, in my Sydney writers group, so I have writer friends all around the world because I've moved so many times. And in my Sydney writers group, one of my friends was just like, I'm not getting anything accomplished and I just, I got nothing. I can't even get myself to want to do more. And so we were like, OK, you know what? Just show up to the accountability call. Like, don't have a plan for anything that you'll be able to say, oh, at least I got this done this last week or this is my plan for next week. Like, have no plan, just show up for the call. Listen to us, be excited, like, get the energy of hanging out with us and then just let that be enough.

[00:03:49.670]

That will be the goal that you accomplish this week. And she did. And the next week she's like, OK, you know, I have a goal. I'm going to do this this week. And I think she started just, she got over it somehow. You know, part of it is the showing up. So that might be something that whether it is, you know, calling one of your writing besties or getting on a Zoom call with somebody or just showing up in front of your computer, one of those things might be helping.

[00:04:16.520]

All right. What about if it's been a really long time, you barely can remember what you are writing because it's been so long since you were able to get yourself going. This might be something that's happened with you. With like this episode is the first one for February. The Encouraging Words episodes come out the first Sunday of every month. So here in February, there are times when I'm like, OK, so in November I got consumed by the beginning of holiday things, particularly if I was in the US or in touch a lot with people in the US.

[00:04:52.010]

And then it's Christmas and then pretty much December is all Christmas. And then January is figuring out, OK, I just had this really great vacation, now I don't know what I'm doing. And sometimes it can be February before I'm like, OK, seriously, I need to figure out what I'm doing and where I'm going. But now it's been since November that I even looked at my file. Thankfully, that has not been my problem this particular year, but it has been my problem in the past.

[00:05:19.190]

And so what have I done? For me one of the things that has worked is just tell yourself you're going to sit down, open the document and just reread it. Just remind yourself what the story was about. Remind yourself of how excited you were to write it. And you know what? If the excitement isn't there, then I don't know. I'm not a big fan of telling you to stop in the middle of one book and start another, because I think that's an excellent recipe for never finishing a book.

[00:05:46.880]

But sometimes, sometimes you need to stop writing one book and work on something else. But I think a lot of times you just need to reread what you had already written, get yourself back into the excitement of what you had been doing, and then you'll start naturally noticing that you're like, OK, you know what? I just thought of something. This is a scene I want to write or this is this. You could write some notes or you could just start writing.

[00:06:08.960]

That might be all it takes for you to get kind of jumpstarted back into it. Now, if it's been just since yesterday or last week, which is more normal for me right now, I've had like a pretty good run of months of being pretty regular with writing. I think I've told you many times before, I'm not personally a "write every day" person. I'm more of a write a certain amount each week and it doesn't really matter to me if it's two or three days or one day or every day.

[00:06:41.510]

I have an idea of what I want to get accomplished in a week, but I'm not really a write every day kind of person. There's not very many things that I do every single day.

[00:06:51.020]

Get out of bed, eat, kiss my husband. But I don't know, there's just something in my personality. I like my days to be kind of a little bit different. So if it's just been since yesterday or since last week, since I was working on my story, but again, I'm like, OK, I need to figure out how to get myself back into it, because right this minute, like, my mind isn't really in it.

[00:07:15.200]

My heart isn't really in it. I have like this thirty minute chunk that I kind of am squeezing in between two other things. And I just need to hurry and get into it. A lot of times for me, the best thing I could do is just go lie down on the bed or the couch or whatever, or sit in a very comfortable chair, close my eyes and just sort of re-watch the movie of the story in my mind again.

[00:07:40.100]

That's how I see the story happening. Like, I literally can see it happening. I see the people moving around and doing the things and saying the things. And it usually takes me very little time before I'm like, oh my gosh, yes. That's one of the things that I wanted to put in it. But I haven't written that part yet, so maybe I should just get up and go write that part and then I'm feeling very, very happy.

[00:08:01.430]

So that's something that you could try if you haven't. This doesn't work for me, but it works for a lot of people. So I wanted to mention it, take a walk and think about it or go for a walk with somebody else and talk to them about either your story in general or the particular area that you're working on or just the particular area that you happen to be thinking about right this second. This works great for my husband.

[00:08:24.290]

He's like, can we go for a walk and can I do all the talking? Which he never says, except for when he is working on a story that he's like, I need to figure out this thing. So that is a possibility. I tend to be like, oh, wow, blue sky, fresh air or snow or, you know, whatever. I'm looking at everything around me and I can't keep my mind on my story when I go for a walk.

[00:08:47.930]

So it may or may not work for you, but it might be one of the things that you're like, oh yeah, I forgot. I've done that before and it does work for me. Make a mental list of all the things that you love about the story. Sometimes you're just in one of those moods like, oh, I'm just my day is not going well. I'm not in the mood for anything. I'm just kind of irritated with the world.

[00:09:12.110]

So if you can just stop for a second and go, OK, what are the some of the things I love about my story? I love this story because I love the characters. I love the story because it's book two in the series and I loved book one. I really, really, really thought Book one was the best book I've written so far, which is good because I'm always trying to make it a goal to have each book be the best book I've written so far.

[00:09:35.390]

And for me that happened. So I can be like, oh yeah, that that made me really happy that that happened this time. I love the characters. I love the setting. What else do I love? And I'll just keep going until I can think of like at least ten things from like, oh yeah. I love the way like Tabitha is so like loyal to her dead husband and she loves him so much and she doesn't want to let go of it.

[00:10:00.530]

On the other hand, she's very young, her children are very young, there's no reason for her to spend the rest of her life alone. She knows in her head that she needs to find some way to move past being the grieving widow, but she's not really sure how she's going to do it. And then I'm just sitting there thinking about Tabatha going, oh, Tabatha, I want to help you.

[00:10:24.510]

Right this second. Tabitha, I don't have an idea. I have a few ideas. I know who you're going to end up with. But how do I help you get past this? What seems like a colossal hill, this this obstacle that just seems too big.

[00:10:41.480]

And then I'll just be thinking about it and being like, oh, I really want to help Tabitha. When these things are just you're like, no, this is not I am just not in a writing mood. I am not in a creative mood. I am just not in the mood. But you're thinking but I still need to do something to just sort of like keep up. You don't want to let a whole bunch of days become a whole bunch of weeks, become a whole bunch of months of you not working on your book.

[00:11:08.030]

So what else could you do? Maybe you could draw. I don't know what, maybe just doodle, whatever it is that you do, maybe paint if you paint, maybe put a puzzle together, if that's something that you do. Think of something else creative that you like to do, fiddle around on your guitar, your keyboard or piano or whatever you've got musically, braid your daughter's hair, color your hair with something really weird and interesting.

[00:11:36.950]

I've always kind of wanted to have like a blue streak or a pink streak, but never really had the the courage to do it. And also, I live with someone who would have to look at my hair every day more than me. So I've never quite given myself, like, that kind of direction. But Tabitha has a pink streak in her hair. So I'm like, woo-hoo, I get to live vicariously through her!

[00:11:58.190]

Anyway, do something else creative. And maybe it's something that while you're doing it, you can also be sort of in the back of your mind thinking about your story. And that might help jumpstart things, too.

[00:12:09.770]

And then one of the other things that kind of fits with butt-in-chair and will keep you from staring at the blank screen with the blinking cursor is in a different document so that you don't think to yourself, wow, that was really, really good. I'm going to add it to my book because sometimes that's just -- a lot of times, let me just say, it's a bad idea. But writing a journal entry from one of your character's perspective or writing some of the back story of one of your characters, or like if you're having a really bad day, you could have a conversation with your character where they're either, you know, taking this side or that side or whatever and whatever the the thing in your day was.

[00:12:51.350]

And you can just be talking to them. So there's all sorts of just like other things that you could be writing with your characters in it, they can just kind of get you back into that interest and flow and make you feel like, oh, yeah, you know what, I got to close this document and open the actual book document. Well, hopefully you already did. But and because, like, now I'm totally into it. So those are just a few of the ideas that came to mind very quickly.

[00:13:16.760]

And hopefully it will give you more ideas about things that you're like, oh, I've done this. And that worked well for me. Or I've done that. Or my my writing critique partner, you know, does this. I should try that. I forgot that. I told her that that was a great idea. I think I'm going to try it.

[00:13:30.860]

So there's my ideas for getting you back on track again. If you have had some reason why you got stopped up, even if it was only for a day. Like I said, I just had a really bad day yesterday and didn't want to do anything. But then after thinking about a whole bunch of things about my characters, not even really about the story, then today I was like, oh yeah, I totally want to write because like now I have, like, the happiness of my characters in my head and how much I want to help them with their problems.

[00:14:01.190]

So those are my encouraging words for this month. I hope it is really helpful. I hope that you will think about all the other things that you've already done that have worked for you in the past and some of the things that you've read about or been told about from other people that you know or or people from books or whatever who have also had ideas that you're like, oh, yeah, I just thought of this and this and this.

[00:14:25.520]

And remember that also, one of the best things that you can do is share some ideas with one of your friends who's a little stuck right now, who hasn't been writing for weeks or months, just like some little nudge, doing something fun, having a Zoom writing sprint. There's so many things that you can do together that will just add to the positive energy in the air, and it tends to really come out well in the creativity of the writing process.

[00:14:53.270]

So there you go. I hope it's encouraging. I hope you have a fantastic week, a fantastic month. And remember, we have another fantastic episode coming up with Jennifer Deibel, I think I'm saying -- no, I think it's Deibel. Jennifer Deibel. Sorry, sometimes I read somebody's last name and I'm like, I know they told me how to say this, but now I'm not really sure if I remember right.

[00:15:17.690]

Anyway, she is a first time novelist and a teacher. So we were talking a lot about, you know, the difference between, you know what, I'm going to save it. Come back and listen to the conversation with Jennifer on Thursday and have an excellent writing week and a great writing month. Talk to you later.

Today's guest is Patricia Bradley, romantic suspense author of the brand new book, Obsession. This is book two in the Natchez Trace Park Rangers series.

Patricia shares lots of information about the Natchez Trace area, the kind of law enforcement in the U.S. National Parks, and how she came up with ideas for where the bad guys can bury the bodies there. She's also incredibly encouraging about not quitting, sharing that she wrote for over 30 years before publishing her first book. A great episode to help you keep going in your own writing!

Find out more about Patricia and her books at her website https://ptbradley.com/.

TRANSCRIPTION

[You'll need to add 03:28 -- 3 minutes and 28 seconds -- to the timecode below to account for the episode's introduction.]

[00:00:01.630] - Kitty

Today's guest is Patricia Bradley. Patricia is the author of Justice Delayed, Justice Buried, Justice Betrayed and Justice Delivered, as well as the Logan Point series. She's won an inspirational Reader's Choice Award in romantic suspense, a Daphne du Maurier Award and a Touched by Love Award. And she was a Carol Award finalist. She is co-founder of Aiming for Healthy Families, Inc. and she's a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Sisters in Crime. Patricia makes her home in Mississippi.

[00:00:33.910] - Kitty

Welcome back, Patricia.

[00:00:36.960] - Patricia

Thanks, I love being here. This is a fun time.

[00:00:40.350] - Kitty

I always love talking to you. I've actually I have thought that we had talked so much more recently, but the last time you were on the show was June 2018.

[00:00:51.310] - Patricia

You're kidding. I was trying to think when I was logging on, I was trying to think of how long ago it was, but I had no idea it was that. I know you hadn't been in Sweden very long.

[00:01:00.890] - Kitty

Right. Yeah, that's right. I had just moved here.

[00:01:05.350] - Patricia

Yeah. And the window was open and they were having a parade or something.

[00:01:08.710] - Kitty

That's right.I couldn't remember who I was talking to. It was the graduation parade. Yeah.

[00:01:15.530] - Patricia

Yeah. That was fun to get to see you get to say a different something different.

[00:01:23.080] - Kitty

Yeah. Yeah. Oh well so listen, if you are listening and don't remember talking or hearing Patricia talk before she was on episode 74 in June 2018. And Patricia, I don't know if I told you this, but I ran that episode as an encore episode on January 2nd 2020 because it's just one of my favorite episodes.

[00:01:45.400] - Patricia

It was a lot of fun. I like it. It's just a lot of fun. Yeah. And then I get this Southern accent.

[00:01:52.000] - Kitty

That's right. And I'm not sure if you were wearing pearls that day, but you have this like just totally put together elegant look. And to hear one of the first things that you say be I just love talking about murder. I was like, I'm going to love this interview.

[00:02:09.040] - Patricia

And do I do love talking about murder.

[00:02:12.130] - Kitty

Well let's do that some more.

[00:02:13.300] - Patricia

And justice. Yeah. And justice.

[00:02:15.400] - Kitty

I noticed that with all of your titles of your last series. Yeah. Justice is a big theme for you.

[00:02:21.310] - Patricia

It is.

[00:02:22.180] -...]]>EPISODE 232

Today's guest is Patricia Bradley, romantic suspense author of the brand new book, Obsession. This is book two in the Natchez Trace Park Rangers series.

Patricia shares lots of information about the Natchez Trace area, the kind of law enforcement in the U.S. National Parks, and how she came up with ideas for where the bad guys can bury the bodies there. She's also incredibly encouraging about not quitting, sharing that she wrote for over 30 years before publishing her first book. A great episode to help you keep going in your own writing!

Find out more about Patricia and her books at her website https://ptbradley.com/.

TRANSCRIPTION

[You'll need to add 03:28 -- 3 minutes and 28 seconds -- to the timecode below to account for the episode's introduction.]

[00:00:01.630] - Kitty

Today's guest is Patricia Bradley. Patricia is the author of Justice Delayed, Justice Buried, Justice Betrayed and Justice Delivered, as well as the Logan Point series. She's won an inspirational Reader's Choice Award in romantic suspense, a Daphne du Maurier Award and a Touched by Love Award. And she was a Carol Award finalist. She is co-founder of Aiming for Healthy Families, Inc. and she's a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Sisters in Crime. Patricia makes her home in Mississippi.

[00:00:33.910] - Kitty

Welcome back, Patricia.

[00:00:36.960] - Patricia

Thanks, I love being here. This is a fun time.

[00:00:40.350] - Kitty

I always love talking to you. I've actually I have thought that we had talked so much more recently, but the last time you were on the show was June 2018.

[00:00:51.310] - Patricia

You're kidding. I was trying to think when I was logging on, I was trying to think of how long ago it was, but I had no idea it was that. I know you hadn't been in Sweden very long.

[00:01:00.890] - Kitty

Right. Yeah, that's right. I had just moved here.

[00:01:05.350] - Patricia

Yeah. And the window was open and they were having a parade or something.

[00:01:08.710] - Kitty

That's right.I couldn't remember who I was talking to. It was the graduation parade. Yeah.

[00:01:15.530] - Patricia

Yeah. That was fun to get to see you get to say a different something different.

[00:01:23.080] - Kitty

Yeah. Yeah. Oh well so listen, if you are listening and don't remember talking or hearing Patricia talk before she was on episode 74 in June 2018. And Patricia, I don't know if I told you this, but I ran that episode as an encore episode on January 2nd 2020 because it's just one of my favorite episodes.

[00:01:45.400] - Patricia

It was a lot of fun. I like it. It's just a lot of fun. Yeah. And then I get this Southern accent.

[00:01:52.000] - Kitty

That's right. And I'm not sure if you were wearing pearls that day, but you have this like just totally put together elegant look. And to hear one of the first things that you say be I just love talking about murder. I was like, I'm going to love this interview.

[00:02:09.040] - Patricia

And do I do love talking about murder.

[00:02:12.130] - Kitty

Well let's do that some more.

[00:02:13.300] - Patricia

And justice. Yeah. And justice.

[00:02:15.400] - Kitty

I noticed that with all of your titles of your last series. Yeah. Justice is a big theme for you.

[00:02:21.310] - Patricia

It is.

[00:02:22.180] - Kitty

I like it. Well, listen, why don't you give people a little bit of a background on how you got started when you got started. And you've got a great story that you just reminded me. I'd obviously forgotten of, about exactly when it was that your first book came out. So why don't you just start wherever you think is a good place to start there?

[00:02:40.120] - Patricia

I'm not sure if I told this story before, but when I was thirty five, I couldn't sleep, I had no thoughts of writing, I was a reader, I read everything I read about the back of cereal boxes, I loved reading. And but at that point, I could not sleep well and I'd go to bed, and I lay there staring at the ceiling. And one night as I'm staring at the ceiling, this vision came in my head and it was a man standing in a window.And he turned to me and he said, This isn't the way my life was supposed to turn out. Wow. Hey, this sounds pretty good. And so I began telling myself his story at night when I couldn't sleep. And I always tell people these people came to live in my head. I had to write about them to make them go away. And then more people came so that that was and so that was when I was thirty five and I started learning the craft.

[00:03:36.890]

But where I lived, I lived in Mississippi, I didn't know any of the writers. So I began writing and making the same mistakes over and over because no one I had no one to tell me that what I was doing you didn't do. I mean I was head hopping, telling instead of showing. And so that went on for years. But it wasn't all bad because Womans World bought my very the very first thing I ever wrote, which is how the snow leopard.And it just blew my mind, that yes, the editor asked for twenty five hundred words. So of course I sent her four thousand.

[00:04:15.770] - Kitty

Right

[00:04:18.110] - Patricia

And normally though the editor would have just said at that time, you sent an sasa, asasa so I always called it, so that they could send your manuscript back to you. You had stamps on it and everything. And so I really want it. She really should have just put it, folded up and put in an envelope and send it back and say sorry when you can send me what I asked for. But she didn't , she loved the story. Cut it to twenty five hundred words. At that time it was twenty five hundred I think is a thousand now.

[00:04:52.340] - Kitty

Wow.

[00:04:52.670] - Patricia

Or maybe even seven fifty. I don't remember but, so, in the end, she bought it. And that had to be a God thing to encourage me, and so I wrote some more and it was seven years, six years maybe before they bought another one, but they came right at the right time to encourage me. And so I kept writing and learning.And then finally in 2007, I went to some writer's conference and I went back in 2000, but and I began to learn and get other writers involved. And so I formed a critique group and then they would point out what I was doing and which no one had ever done. And I began to learn to write what I needed to. I began to learn how to show instead of tell,I quit head hopping a long time ago because I found out that that wasn't something you do and but then in 2010, I went to some of Susan May Warrens deep thinker.I went to her very first deep thinkers.

[00:05:59.720] - Kitty

Like a retreat, right?

[00:06:00.660] - Patricia

Yeah, it is where I mean, it's almost like a college course crammed into four days that that one was four, the next three where five or six days. And then we would start at 8:00 and 11:00 and we would be writing and learning all that time. And so I would take whatever in one year and the next year and build on that. In fact, from the first year to the second year, I got the award for being the most improved writer.

[00:06:31.550] - Kitty

Nice

[00:06:34.160] - Patricia

So but I learned Susan May Warren and Rachel Haag, literally, they didn't, they gave me the building blocks to learn to write, and I took them and I used them. And then in 2012 October, the 26th of 2012, I received an email from my agent, Mary Sue Seymour, who unfortunately has passed away since then. But she was such a sweetheart. But I received an email from her that Ravell was offering a contract for three books, which was unheard of for someone who had never been published.

[00:07:09.620]

So that and when the very first book came out, it was five days beyond my sixty ninth birthday. So I want to anybody out there, any writer who thinks they're too old to write and I want to tell you something you're not. But you do. When God opens a door, He doesn't care about your age, He doesn't care about anything and neither do publishers, they want your work. So learn the craft and be ready for when God opens that door so that you can walk through it.

[00:07:42.130] - Kitty

I love that. Wow. Sixty- nine, when your first book came out. Did you say that you had started with that first story, that you had a dream when you were thirty -five.

[00:07:51.490] - Patricia

I did, but I never wrote that story and I have no idea why. It was not long after that that the story that Woman's World published came into my head about a woman whose husband had been a hit and run. An accident is supposed to be a hit and run, but she didn't believe it. And so she starts investigating. And the snow leopard, he was in the figurine business and his partner were shipping cocaine from overseas and the snow leopards. And she discovers that and then so that was that story.

[00:08:30.980] - Kitty

So you started out with this mystery bent, you've always written...

[00:08:36.260] - Patricia

I did and I was what you would probably call a lean writer. I do not write rhythmic, I do not write flowery prose, I'm a very lean writer, and I think that's because I started out writing stories where every word has to count, every word has to do more than one thing almost.

[00:08:59.250] - Kitty

Yeah.

[00:08:59.910] - Patricia

And so I feel probably what I would have been because I'm a bottom line person. This is what it is.And this is why you go so

[00:09:13.380] - Kitty

and it seems like that's a great kind of I was going to say theme, but that's not what I mean. A great way to write. If you're going to write mysteries like I don't even know I don't have any idea if anybody has written a mystery with flowery kind of language.

[00:09:32.340] - Patricia

Cozys's come near Cozy's are a little bit slower paced and a little bit more information. And I tried writing a cozy, but I found myself getting back into the suspense. So I don't think at this point in my life cozies meant for me. So.

[00:09:49.020] - Kitty

Yeah, well, so you've written I don't know if you even know quite a few mystery suspense novels and Obsession is the newest one.

[00:10:01.050] - Patricia

Right.It is for Revell. It is the 88 Airborne for us eight, nine, ten,the tenth book for Revell. And then I have two sweet romances with Harlequin. And then I have written the third one for Revell and is the fourth one is due June 1st.

[00:10:22.800] - Kitty

Wow.

[00:10:24.480] - Patricia

For Revell which will be. We don't know what the name of yet. I don't even know what it's going to be about except it's set in Natchez and it's probably going to involve the turning angel with the cemetery.Greg Iles has written a whole story mystery about involving that statue, but that and Windsor ruins, which is a fantastic place in Natchez I loved researching Natchez.

[00:10:49.860] - Kitty

OK, so actually that was one of the questions I was going to ask. Will come back to Obsession in a minute. Explain Natchez Trace, because I was getting the general idea when I was reading the book. But this is not a part of the geography that I'm at all familiar with. So I couldn't figure out if it was a road or a trail or I didn't know what it was.

[00:11:11.100] - Patricia

It's I think in most of our in the book you learn that it is it was a trail started by bisson looking for salt licks, and it traveled from Nashville to Natchez, to the Mississippi River, and then fur trappers began using it. And then Spaniard's. There were several different ethnicities who found who built up that area. And the last where the Cane cooks, which they would float their wares down, they would go a lot times story there in Kentucky or Tennessee or Ohio, and they would float their wares down to the Mississippi on the Tennessee, or Ohio all the way to New Orleans and then to get back, there were no steamboats. So they would walk from they would travel from New Orleans to Natchez, cross the river there at Natchez and then take that trail from Natchez, to Nashville. It also when it wasn't called the Natchez trace, but there was another trail that went from Nashville own up into Kentucky, which is not it hasn't been in Mississippi. There's not Mississippi. But and there's an organization. It was like the VAR.

[00:12:37.830]

But it's I can't remember what it is. But they pushed to have the Natchez trace a memorial or a national park made of it. And it is it's 444 miles. And they have put it they've used the old trace a lot of the ways they laid the road over there. But there are places where you can visit the old trace and still see it. It's amazing. If I go to my website. I think there's some pictures there on different blogs, but I need to make a Pinterest board for that. Yes. Mark that down.

[00:13:14.640] - Kitty

Yeah, yeah.

[00:13:15.360] - Patricia

Yeah. It is a trail and it's a there's the National Park Rangers and then there is the Natchesz Trace Park Rangers. And if the little if they're govern the Natchez Trace Parkway Rangers are law enforcement only. So the the ones who are not law enforcement in my books are part of the National Park Service, but they're all I mean, you talk about confusing. Yeah, when I was writing and then so but I didn't know. I thought it was all under just it was just the National Park Service and so as I'm interviewing the director at Tupelo, that's where she was based. I learned no, it's only law enforcement rangers on the Natchez trace parkway

[00:14:12.400] - Kitty

Ok,and it's multiple states. So this is some sort of special thing.

[00:14:16.990] - Patricia

It goes from Tennessee through Alabama and Mississippi.

[00:14:20.170] - Kitty

All right. Interesting. OK, well, that helps me to understand, because this series is actually what's the series name is has something to do with the Natchez Trace,

[00:14:30.350] - Patricia

The Natchez Trace Park Rangers.

[00:14:32.590] - Kitty

OK, all right. And so tell us a little bit about Book one and then let's talk about book two that just came out. Yay! Congratulations.

[00:14:40.870] - Patricia

Yes, thank you. I'm really excited about this, so I'm excited about all of them. But the one when you birth a book, you really get excited. But the first book was Stand Off and it Luke and I always like on my character's name. I cannot believe that.

[00:15:02.520]

Oh, my goodness. Right now, it's just gone, but anyway, Luke is within the law enforcement rangers. There are R.S.B Rangers, which are investigative services branch and he is and there's only about 36 in whole United States. And they are an elite group there, what you would call the FBI of the park rangers. And so but they're running drugs up the trace, which is there's not a lot of traffic, there are not a lot of law enforcement up and down the trace.

[00:15:41.960]

So if someone is minding their own business and not breaking the law is no problem to run anything through there because it's just an isolate. It is isolated. There's very little phone service. There are places where you have absolutely no phone service. And I'm hoping at some point since Mississippi is getting out, but all of them either whether it's Tennessee, Alabama or Mississippi, there are places there, absolutely no phone service.

[00:16:13.000] - Kitty

Yikes. so it's.

[00:16:15.210] - Patricia

Yeah. And I don't travel it at night anymore. I have traveled the last time I traveled at night, we had deer jumping across the road. It's a two lane road. Yeah. And one reason I like it is because there are no trucks whatsoever on it. It's just a very if if you're in the mood for a pleasant drive, if I will. When I drove to Jackson from Corinth, I would drive to to get on the trace and it was just a nice you can only go 50 miles an hour, but they usually don't bother you if you go fifty five or so.But it's a really pleasant drive.

[00:16:55.080] - Kitty

Yeah, there's a there's a drive when in Michigan that you would get off the freeway but then there'd be another 45 minutes to get to where we lived. And you did not want to get off the freeway at our exit anywhere near dusk. It's like let's get there early or let's stop at that freeway exit and have a really long dinner because just deer deer deer deer and so many deer accidents.

[00:17:18.690] - Patricia

I know it's scary.Yeah. I mean, we literally had one to jump. Just I think they're hoof got our fender and said, Lisa, that I was with the director of our non-profit because we have been down to trace to do some abstinence programs and it got light and we were right there at the trace and it was a bad decision. We should have gone on over to 25. So.

[00:17:53.770] - Kitty

Wow.

[00:17:55.420] - Patricia

And that's the last time I've been on the trace at night.

[00:17:58.570] - Kitty

Yeah, that makes sense. OK, so one of the things, so many things that you and I usually do this like we're like little pinball's inside the machine.

[00:18:09.760] - Patricia

One thing triggers another. Exactly.

[00:18:12.310] - Kitty

OK, so I'll try to keep us on track here. So I was I was wondering about the geography and what this is. So that's that's that. So give us an idea about what the series then is about and then tell us about Obsession, which just came out.

[00:18:28.420] - Patricia

It is.It's about different. I usually take the character from one book, Emma,Brook was my character's name. Rick Danvers was the character in Stand Off and her best friend was Emma and she is in Standoff. And then so the next book, which that was about Brook finds her dad, her dad's a park ranger, law enforcement ranger, and she is moving from the interpretive side, which is how you say when you go to the Park Service, the National Park Service, you will see these rangers and they were conducting tours and things and giving you information.

[00:19:11.770]

Those are the interpretive rangers. They generally do not wear a gun. Now, I think maybe out west they may. But in this area, the interpretive rangers are not law enforcement and they don't wear a gun. And then there's the law enforcement ones who. And they. They have to know the area because they can they can do the tours that they had to, but mostly they're...]]>19e1e946-76f9-4783-aa0e-0c1802cdd9a4Thu, 04 Feb 2021 06:00:00 -070001:07:28falsefull232232IngramSpark - Where Books Are Born: An Interview with Ben HughesEPISODE 231I

Welcome to season one of 2021! We'll now produce ten episodes every quarter, plus the monthly Encouraging Words episode. With the extra time, we're able to make some improvements to the show -- including a full transcript for each episode. Enjoy!

Today's guest is Ben Hughes, Business Development Manager at IngramSpark. Ben has a long history in publishing, both in traditional publishing and in working with independent/self-published authors. In our interview, he explains what IngramSpark does as a company, how they work with authors around the world, and what you can expect from them in the future.

Ben kindly agreed to take questions from the audience, so leave your question in the comments section below the YouTube version of the show. https://youtu.be/CzMt8-YIRFw

The transcript timecode begins at the start of the interview, so you'll need to add about 8 minutes (8:03) to the time to jump to that spot in the full episode.

TRANSCRIPT

[00:00:02.160] - Kitty

Today's guest is Ben Hughes. Ben is the business development manager for IngramSpark in the U.K. In this role, he oversees all lines of business as they relate to IngramSpark, including the customer service team, and has been in this post since January 2020.As the needs of authors develop in an ever changing publishing landscape, Ingram Spark is adapting to ensure that its author platform is second to none in terms of service, author, education, distribution options and customer satisfaction. Ben leads on these areas of focus for the U.K. business while also working closely with the parent organization in the United States and the other global office in Australia. With experience across physical and digital bookselling and publishing, Ben has worked for the lightning source, part of the Ingram business, and prior to that spent five years at Penguin Random House in various sales and operational roles.

[00:00:55.800] - Kitty

Welcome, Ben.

[00:00:56.740] - Ben

Thank you very much, Kitty. Thank you for having me. It's fun to see you. So it's been maybe well, by the time this goes live, almost a year you and I met in person in the last week of the Old World. I know it feels like a long time ago, and in some ways it is, but in others it's not really. And obviously, a lot's changed since then. But, yeah, you came to see us in sunny Milton Keynes in the UK where we're based. And yeah, it's great to great to see you again. It was so fun.

[00:01:27.330] - Kitty

I have to say that was one of the best parts of my trip. I mean, here I had never been to had I ever been to England before, maybe for my husband's a twin and his twin brother went to England, happened to be on their birthday, and we went to meet them for a weekend. But this at most was my second trip to England. And the most exciting part for me was going to the IngramSpark's facility.

[00:01:51.120] - Ben

I actually remember how excited you were and I think it was quite infectious. It was quite a small group. So we have these days where people can come, just for your listeners for context- we invite people to come and see where we print the books and what we do and how it works. We do these days maybe what we try to do one a month, but depending on what time of year it is, obviously we get less uptake the closer we are to Christmas. There are certain times of day where people are too busy. And yeah, that day it was quite a small group.I can't remember quite why, but it was nice in a way that it was a small group because it meant that we got to spend more time talking to each individual and it felt a little bit more personal, which is good.

[00:02:28.770] - Kitty

Yeah,...]]>EPISODE 231I

Welcome to season one of 2021! We'll now produce ten episodes every quarter, plus the monthly Encouraging Words episode. With the extra time, we're able to make some improvements to the show -- including a full transcript for each episode. Enjoy!

Today's guest is Ben Hughes, Business Development Manager at IngramSpark. Ben has a long history in publishing, both in traditional publishing and in working with independent/self-published authors. In our interview, he explains what IngramSpark does as a company, how they work with authors around the world, and what you can expect from them in the future.

Ben kindly agreed to take questions from the audience, so leave your question in the comments section below the YouTube version of the show. https://youtu.be/CzMt8-YIRFw

The transcript timecode begins at the start of the interview, so you'll need to add about 8 minutes (8:03) to the time to jump to that spot in the full episode.

TRANSCRIPT

[00:00:02.160] - Kitty

Today's guest is Ben Hughes. Ben is the business development manager for IngramSpark in the U.K. In this role, he oversees all lines of business as they relate to IngramSpark, including the customer service team, and has been in this post since January 2020.As the needs of authors develop in an ever changing publishing landscape, Ingram Spark is adapting to ensure that its author platform is second to none in terms of service, author, education, distribution options and customer satisfaction. Ben leads on these areas of focus for the U.K. business while also working closely with the parent organization in the United States and the other global office in Australia. With experience across physical and digital bookselling and publishing, Ben has worked for the lightning source, part of the Ingram business, and prior to that spent five years at Penguin Random House in various sales and operational roles.

[00:00:55.800] - Kitty

Welcome, Ben.

[00:00:56.740] - Ben

Thank you very much, Kitty. Thank you for having me. It's fun to see you. So it's been maybe well, by the time this goes live, almost a year you and I met in person in the last week of the Old World. I know it feels like a long time ago, and in some ways it is, but in others it's not really. And obviously, a lot's changed since then. But, yeah, you came to see us in sunny Milton Keynes in the UK where we're based. And yeah, it's great to great to see you again. It was so fun.

[00:01:27.330] - Kitty

I have to say that was one of the best parts of my trip. I mean, here I had never been to had I ever been to England before, maybe for my husband's a twin and his twin brother went to England, happened to be on their birthday, and we went to meet them for a weekend. But this at most was my second trip to England. And the most exciting part for me was going to the IngramSpark's facility.

[00:01:51.120] - Ben

I actually remember how excited you were and I think it was quite infectious. It was quite a small group. So we have these days where people can come, just for your listeners for context- we invite people to come and see where we print the books and what we do and how it works. We do these days maybe what we try to do one a month, but depending on what time of year it is, obviously we get less uptake the closer we are to Christmas. There are certain times of day where people are too busy. And yeah, that day it was quite a small group.I can't remember quite why, but it was nice in a way that it was a small group because it meant that we got to spend more time talking to each individual and it felt a little bit more personal, which is good.

[00:02:28.770] - Kitty

Yeah, yeah. It was actually because there was going to be a ginormous group that you guys had planned for because of Mark Dawson's event. But the corporation, the corporate part of your company, the parent company, had said, no, we can't do large events because covid had started becoming an issue. But three of us didn't get the email and we showed up and you guys were like, well, three people. That's OK.

[00:02:51.780] - Ben

I know. And it feels it feels kind of surreal now to think that, you know, we even did that even at three people. I haven't been to the office where we were since March last year. So now it feels kind of surreal. But hopefully we can get back to a point in time where we can invite people again because it's a fun part of what we do. And for any author, seeing a book go through the production process and end up on these little conveyor belts, it's quite fun. So that's a good part of the job. And we hopefully we can get back to that soon.

[00:03:25.140] - Kitty

Yes. And I just have to tell everybody, whenever this is an option for you, you have to go, because one of the women that I met, her name is Ulfa, and she and I are now fast friends, but she and I started jumping up and down on the production floor and she was like, we're seeing where books are born. And we were both so ridiculously nerdy. Excited.

[00:03:46.530] - Ben

Yeah, it is . For any book lover, it's a great thing to do. And yeah, you know we have some lunch. We have a nice time. We can have a chat. So yeah. I'm glad you had a good time. It's good.

[00:04:00.540] - Kitty

It was awesome. So let's talk about some of the things that I learned about IngramSparks, so there's a huge company called Ingram and then IngramSpark was created, I think , after authors started trying to ask Lightning Source if they can individually publish. Right. Because I remember I got an account at Lightning Source kind of near the end of that.

[00:04:21.390] - Ben

That's right. So you're right. Ingram Content Group, Ingram is a is an enormous American family-owned company. Still a family owned company based in Nashville and Tennessee, started off as a barge company going down the Mississippi River. Still, does that today. There are lots of different offshoots of the Ingram family name. And yeah, in the book business, Lightning Source is our kind of bigger main organization, which has catered for traditional publishers in a sense, and looks after some of the biggest publishers you'll have heard of , all of the big trade publishers, all of the biggest academic publishers, as well as some smaller independents as well. And you're right, there were limited author options at the time, and when I say author options, something that is perhaps more tailored, maybe a little bit more competitively priced, etc, and something that also understands the needs of an author as an individual over a business like a big publisher. So, yeah, at the time, I think it was around eight years ago now, my old boss, Robin Cutler, who is now retired after twenty- five years in the industry, she left her post at Amazon and came and set up IngramSpark within the Ingram family.And we've been looking after authors ever since.

[00:05:43.280] - Kitty

And I have to say that my experience has been that you look after authors very well and it's actually even in your bio, you know, that one of the things that you try to do is have the best author platform out there. So do you want to talk a little bit about when first of all, I'm not sure how many people don't know that much about print on demand publishing. So some of the audience is going to have already done it. Lots, but let's just kind of talk about what that is.

[00:06:17.990] - Ben

So quickly just kind of whistle stop tour of what sort of print on demand is. It is kind of, the clue is in the name. We don't kind of print books and keep them on shelves in thousands, hundreds and thousands. What we do is we can print one or ten or one hundred or five or nine, you know, and quite often that means that, you know, an author or a publisher can be far more flexible with their approach and also have more control over their inventory.They can spend less money up front on physical stock that they have to keep somewhere and invest money into and maybe spend that money or that time on something else, like editing or jacket design or marketing, for example.

[00:07:03.170] 

So Ingram and as an offshoot of that, IngramSpark is one of the kind of market leaders when it comes to print on demand and for the sake of acronyms, which Ingram is built on acronyms, we refer to it as POD. So if I say Pod 100 hundred times in this podcast, you know, I'm referring to a print on demand and so linked to the POD system of printing books, we also have a global distribution network. So not only can you print your book in the quantity that suits you, you also have access to every single retail channel you can think of.

[00:07:41.780] 

And that's globally, not just in the UK, not just in the US, not just in Australia, where we have our main kind of organizational buildings, but also far beyond that. We have print partners all across the globe, China, Russia, most of mainland Europe. So really we're seeing, it's a kind of, advent really for potential for where authors can sell their books. And, you know, in the last five, six, seven years, you know, we've had authors go from selling one copy to their friends or family to selling thousands of copies a year worldwide just by kind of learning how the distribution network works, educating themselves more on how to market a book.And we help with all of that stuff as well.

[00:08:28.640] 

So POD in its essence is, the book doesn't exist until somebody orders it to. Somebody hits by and then we receive that order through the metadata feeds that we manage and we print the book. And a paperback book will take us maybe two to three days to print before it's out the door. A hardback book might take slightly longer to be more of a manual process, but still the best working week we can have a hardback book out the door on the way to the end customer.

[00:08:57.110] 

So it's a really it's an amazing process. It frees up a lot of time and capital for authors and publishers. And really one thing that I tried to say is it gives back a lot of that control to an author to do what they want to do, when they want to do it.

[00:09:11.690] - Kitty

Yeah. And I have to say that one of the things that I was not to say surprised, but I'd never been in a printing facility like that before. I used to work in the magazine world for a short while and went to a totally different kind of a printer, a something press. I just lost the word. Yeah, yeah.The other kind of printer,

[00:09:32.330] - Ben

Like an offset printing .

[00:09:33.680] - Kitty

Offset, that's what I was trying to say. Yeah. Yeah. And so this is quite different and quite the same.And one of the things that was really a joy to me as an author, knowing that, you know, this is where my books are going to come from for for certain distribution channels, is that the quality of just even one book or one hardcover book? We watch some people actually do physical, like it's not just machines, some of it's physical people who are making sure that everything is perfect and looks beautiful.

[00:10:04.670] - Ben

Yeah, and that's a good point to make. So for a long time correctly, there has been a bit of a perception problem around print on demand books. Certainly in the UK, I would say less so in the US, but in the UK I would say definitely. I've spent my career so far working in trade publishing mostly, and so I'm kind of used to a certain level of quality when it comes to the finished product. And I think even I held this perception for a long time was that POD was maybe the kind of hallmark of a lesser quality. It's what people do when they're looking to save money. And that can be true. But for some people, it's not true and we cater for kind of both ends of the scale. So if you think about a trade publisher, when they start to put books to POD, it means they're not selling as much. And that's an opportunity for them to save money on that book. They can maybe bring some of the finishes down, they can change the paper type, they can maybe take off some of the fancy, you know, printing foil or some glitter. They can start to remove those things that the sales demand declines, but that's only one part of it. Lots of people use POD as their primary source of printing, and we cater to that end as well. So to that point, we've invested literally millions of dollars in bringing our printing equipment up to the standard of what you would see in any kind of traditional offset printer, clay or CPI for any UK listeners will be familiar with those printers, to the point that now, you know, I can say as impartially as possible you could hold a POD book in one hand and a traditional offset book in the other, and you would have to be a pretty keen maybe production expert to be able to tell the difference. Certainly from a customer point of view, the difference between those two things has come almost down to nothing over the years. And that's a that's a really big deal.

[00:11:59.570] - Kitty

Yeah, you guys have a kind of a display room that you showed us all the different kinds of things that you can do, which is amazing. Like I think of things in terms of novels and non-fiction books.But you have like I should let you describe it because it's quite a lot of different things you can print, you can print workbooks and like things for like a conference book and.

[00:12:22.570] - Ben

Exactly. And that's kind of a testament to my earlier point, you know, and as in that, we've invested in developing our technology so that once upon a time we could only really do one kind of thing, maybe a black and white paperback book. But now we have people uploading a large square format, kind of coffee table photography books. We have people doing cookery books through IngramSpark and Lightning Source.

[00:12:50.980] 

We have lots of children's authors, you know, high color density content, square format, hardback. So, yeah, the paper quality as well has come on leaps and bounds. We now use a trade paper that is used widely by most of the trade publishers in the U.K. So on that point, you would not be able to tell the difference. We made no secret of what we can't do as well, and I think that's important to say. So whilst there's lots you can do in IngramSpark, you know, unfortunately, we're not a point just yet where we can add unlimited finish types so we can't do things like spot UV and embossing and things like that.

[00:13:28.120] 

We can't necessarily add lots of nice foils or glitter or ribbons or end papers or things like that. We may do in future. If the demand is there for what we're doing, then we will certainly look at it. But, you know, in terms of where we were probably even five years ago, the the product range on offer now would would suit most authors and publishers to do what they need to do, I would say.

[00:13:52.030] - Kitty

Yeah, you have a and I would have put it right next to me if I had thought that I would bring it up.But do you have on your display area a hardcover novel that has a dust jacket where the hardback portion also has the cover on it.

[00:14:11.670] - Ben

Yeah.

[00:14:12.040] - Kitty

Plus the dust jacket. And when I looked at that, like I was like looking at all the edges in the inside, in the spine. And I was like, oh, my gosh, I am so in love with this. I'm totally going to do my books in hardback just so I can have this really beautiful looking copy of the book as well.

[00:14:25.490] - Ben

Oh, yes. Well, that's quite a new thing that we've launched maybe a year ago we launched that. So, yeah, you're right. Having the jacket image printed directly onto the hardboard behind the dust jacket as well. And for any book nerds or geeks, you know, that's great. And we know the hardback is something a bit special. And we encourage authors to certainly think about doing a hardback. We have people that sometimes do them just as a special, you know, maybe as a prize or give away.

[00:14:52.600] 

But obviously, when when authors start to hit a certain level of sales, you know, hardback book attracts a higher price point. So we we try to encourage people to think of it sort of economically as well. An author can make more money by publishing in hardback as well. And in a kind of modern world, you know, having multiple formats on offer is a good thing. If you can kind of incorporate it into your business and make it work, it can be a great thing to have more than one format.

[00:15:18.940] - Kitty

Yeah

[00:15:19.240] - Ben

People like to have a choice. And I'm certainly a hardback lover. I can see by your bookcase you are, too. So, yeah, absolutely. People. And we're doing more hardbacks now than ever as well. It's certainly an area of our business that's improving. And like you mentioned, a lot of that process is still quite manual. It's why it takes a little bit longer. But we're looking to automate more of our process to make it quicker and in turn, make it cheaper as well. So that's something definitely coming down the line. Definitely.

[00:15:47.810] - Kitty

Yeah, very nice. Now, we've talked a lot about all the different options and things that we can do in a couple of times, we've kind of briefly mentioned distribution and marketing. One of the things that I love and originally signed up to be on your newsletter list, even before I was technically a customer having my books printed there, you guys have the most amazing author education.Like, there's so many videos. I sometimes am like I'm not even sure where to tell my clients to start because there's so much information. So let's talk a little bit about what you're trying to do with that.

[00:16:24.190] - Ben

Yeah, absolutely. And that's you know, I think we mentioned it briefly earlier when you introduced my bio. That's a big part of what we're doing. And, you know, even though IngramSpark exists within this big company and it's a big corporation and we deal with lots of organizations who have you know, they've been publishing books for years, they know what they're doing, they're very professional. We also have a large portion of our customer base that are really starting in the beginning.

[00:16:53.080] 

And they haven't got the kind of practical skills to make a success of their book. And when I say that, I define that in as much as you're selling books, you're writing the book for the with the intention of selling copies. What success looks like is neither here nor there. It could be 10 copies. It could be ten thousand copies. But what we're trying to do with our education is, you know, help authors get a clearer understanding of how the publishing landscape works, what things are important, what you need to consider, what you what you can't take shortcuts with.

[00:17:31.300] 

And that's, you know, there are becoming fewer and fewer things you can take shortcuts with because people expect a certain level of quality. So with the education, that's something that's evolved over time. It used to...]]>3544080f-d4d4-442c-8f93-235ecff47bc9Thu, 28 Jan 2021 09:00:00 -070050:45falsefull231231Dream Big: An Encouraging Words EpisodeEPISODE 230E

Today's short episode is packed with encouragement for your new year! Taken directly from the fabulous T-shirt I received when I attended Mirasee's Teach Your Gift conference last month:

Dream Big!

Don't Give Up!

Reach Beyond Your Comfort Zone!

Teach Your Gift!

This January, more than ever, is a great time to rethink what you're doing with your life, and figure out how to focus even more on what's most important to you.

]]>EPISODE 230E

Today's short episode is packed with encouragement for your new year! Taken directly from the fabulous T-shirt I received when I attended Mirasee's Teach Your Gift conference last month:

Dream Big!

Don't Give Up!

Reach Beyond Your Comfort Zone!

Teach Your Gift!

This January, more than ever, is a great time to rethink what you're doing with your life, and figure out how to focus even more on what's most important to you.

]]>68ada208-a14b-44bc-93e4-d4a1ec1062f0Sun, 03 Jan 2021 02:00:00 -070007:18falsefull230230How NOT to Write a Story: An Interview with Lisa CronEPISODE 229I

Today's guest is story coach Lisa Cron, author of Wired for Story and Story Genius, returning to the show to talk about editing your first draft and why NaNoWriMo is not the best way to write your story.

Lisa is known for approaching story through brain science, helping writers craft stories that will impact readers. Her new book comes out in March, Story or Die: Why Story Is the Only Way to Engage, Persuade, and Inspire -- and How to Use Brain Science to Create One That Will.

Lisa explains what story is not -- it's not about beautiful writing, and it's not just a plot, a series of things that happen. And it's certainly not about a word count goal. But when people are taught that this is how you write a book, that explains why more than 9 out of 10 books are started but never finished, and more than 9 out of 10 finished books don't get picked up by publishers.

Listeners will be encouraged not to give up, to understand how they can write a great book by thinking about story differently. This applies to novelists, of course, but it also applies to anyone trying to share information in a way that convinces others to change their minds or act on what they learn. A fascinating interview that will help and encourage writers of every kind!

You can learn more about Lisa and how to work with her at her website, http://wiredforstory.com/, and her books are available everywhere.

]]>EPISODE 229I

Today's guest is story coach Lisa Cron, author of Wired for Story and Story Genius, returning to the show to talk about editing your first draft and why NaNoWriMo is not the best way to write your story.

Lisa is known for approaching story through brain science, helping writers craft stories that will impact readers. Her new book comes out in March, Story or Die: Why Story Is the Only Way to Engage, Persuade, and Inspire -- and How to Use Brain Science to Create One That Will.

Lisa explains what story is not -- it's not about beautiful writing, and it's not just a plot, a series of things that happen. And it's certainly not about a word count goal. But when people are taught that this is how you write a book, that explains why more than 9 out of 10 books are started but never finished, and more than 9 out of 10 finished books don't get picked up by publishers.

Listeners will be encouraged not to give up, to understand how they can write a great book by thinking about story differently. This applies to novelists, of course, but it also applies to anyone trying to share information in a way that convinces others to change their minds or act on what they learn. A fascinating interview that will help and encourage writers of every kind!

You can learn more about Lisa and how to work with her at her website, http://wiredforstory.com/, and her books are available everywhere.

]]>a1424384-0a3b-4ce7-96b5-072d7d6ac823Thu, 31 Dec 2020 02:00:00 -070001:06:55falsefull229229After the First Draft: An Interview with Ally MachateEPISODE 228I

Today's guest is Ally Machate, professional editor, expert publishing consultant, and founder of The Writer's Ally.

Ally shares the steps on what to do after you finish the first draft. First -- put it away! Don't look at it for at least a week. Then you can come back to it with fresh eyes. Next, read it all the way through and make notes about what you can see needs to be changed -- not the nit-picky things, but the big story elements. Ally gives lots of examples about what to look for in the draft, whether it's fiction or nonfiction, and next steps.

She also shares how to know when to hire an editor to help make your book even better. So many great tips!

Find out more about Ally and her services at The Writer's Ally (.com) and Ally Machate (.com). You can also join her Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/thewritersallies/.

]]>EPISODE 228I

Today's guest is Ally Machate, professional editor, expert publishing consultant, and founder of The Writer's Ally.

Ally shares the steps on what to do after you finish the first draft. First -- put it away! Don't look at it for at least a week. Then you can come back to it with fresh eyes. Next, read it all the way through and make notes about what you can see needs to be changed -- not the nit-picky things, but the big story elements. Ally gives lots of examples about what to look for in the draft, whether it's fiction or nonfiction, and next steps.

She also shares how to know when to hire an editor to help make your book even better. So many great tips!

Find out more about Ally and her services at The Writer's Ally (.com) and Ally Machate (.com). You can also join her Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/thewritersallies/.

]]>dca54aa5-1918-4f33-9139-b8b8e923dbd1Thu, 24 Dec 2020 02:00:00 -070001:03:02falsefull228228An Agent's Perspective: An Interview with Julie GwinnEPISODE 227I

Today's guest is agent Julie Gwinn from The Seymour Agency. With a decade in publishing and another two in marketing, she has a great perspective on what moves an author's career forward.

Julie gives us lots of great advice about how to get from the end of a first draft to a published book. We talk about how to create your best chances for a successful hybrid career, what a query letter is, how to build a great book proposal, what a simultaneous submission is, how to submit, and so much more!

Find Julie as well as other agents and editors and what they're looking for on Query Manager and Manuscript Wish List (MSWL), and find many of them on Twitter and other social media. You can find Julie at The Seymour Agency as well. https://theseymouragency.com/about-us

]]>EPISODE 227I

Today's guest is agent Julie Gwinn from The Seymour Agency. With a decade in publishing and another two in marketing, she has a great perspective on what moves an author's career forward.

Julie gives us lots of great advice about how to get from the end of a first draft to a published book. We talk about how to create your best chances for a successful hybrid career, what a query letter is, how to build a great book proposal, what a simultaneous submission is, how to submit, and so much more!

Find Julie as well as other agents and editors and what they're looking for on Query Manager and Manuscript Wish List (MSWL), and find many of them on Twitter and other social media. You can find Julie at The Seymour Agency as well. https://theseymouragency.com/about-us

]]>53f87605-9bfa-46d6-934c-f10cfb5e7039Thu, 17 Dec 2020 07:00:00 -070001:00:24falsefull227227The Editing Team: An Interview with Elysia Whisler and Sara MegibowEPISODE 226I

In the second of five episodes all about editing, debut author Elysia Whisler and her agent Sara Megibow join us to discuss all of the aspects of editing from the author to the agent to the editor at the publishing house.

Elysia tells us about her writing journey, and how Rescue You became her first published novel (although it's not the first book she's written). She and Sara explain all the stages of editing from the self-editing a writer does before submitting all the way through the process to the finished, published book. They share a ton of tips useful to most any writer, whatever you write, wherever you're at in the journey.

Rescue You is available wherever books are sold in ebook and print, as well as in audio. Learn more about Elysia, her upcoming books, and get links to follow her at her website, https://www.elysiawhisler.com/. You can learn more about Sara and how to submit to her at the agency's website, http://ktliterary.com/. Or follow her on Twitter, @SaraMegibow.

]]>EPISODE 226I

In the second of five episodes all about editing, debut author Elysia Whisler and her agent Sara Megibow join us to discuss all of the aspects of editing from the author to the agent to the editor at the publishing house.

Elysia tells us about her writing journey, and how Rescue You became her first published novel (although it's not the first book she's written). She and Sara explain all the stages of editing from the self-editing a writer does before submitting all the way through the process to the finished, published book. They share a ton of tips useful to most any writer, whatever you write, wherever you're at in the journey.

Rescue You is available wherever books are sold in ebook and print, as well as in audio. Learn more about Elysia, her upcoming books, and get links to follow her at her website, https://www.elysiawhisler.com/. You can learn more about Sara and how to submit to her at the agency's website, http://ktliterary.com/. Or follow her on Twitter, @SaraMegibow.

]]>9c22fbc1-03c8-446d-8c0d-e92338f98135Thu, 10 Dec 2020 09:00:00 -070001:09:43falsefull226226Getting Ready For a Brand New Start: An Encouraging Words EpisodeEPISODE 225E

In our final Encouraging Words episode of the year, we talk about making a list of everything that has gone right this year, all the positives. Set a timer for two minutes and see how many things you can list!

This is also a great time of year to not only make a list of what went well, but also to journal about your dreams (things you would love to happen but you have little control over) and your goals (things you can think through the steps to accomplish them).

You do have the ability to change the world -- for better or for worse! I urge you to choose wisely and take action. :-D Your words will make a difference!

]]>EPISODE 225E

In our final Encouraging Words episode of the year, we talk about making a list of everything that has gone right this year, all the positives. Set a timer for two minutes and see how many things you can list!

This is also a great time of year to not only make a list of what went well, but also to journal about your dreams (things you would love to happen but you have little control over) and your goals (things you can think through the steps to accomplish them).

You do have the ability to change the world -- for better or for worse! I urge you to choose wisely and take action. :-D Your words will make a difference!

]]>a21ef3af-d33a-45e8-954e-1d6bd468257cTue, 08 Dec 2020 09:00:00 -070013:33falsefull225225How to Revise Your Book: An Interview with Jennie NashEPISODE 224I

Today's guest is Jennie Nash, founder and CEO of Author Accelerator. Her book coaching clients have landed six-figure book deals with Big 5 publishing houses, so I asked her to come share with us her best tips for editing your book. This is the first of five episodes this month all on this one topic!

Jennie starts with explaining the kinds of editing a book can need, and helps us understand what might happen if we hire the wrong type of editor. Additionally, when we begin self-editing, we need to understand how to look at our fiction or nonfiction books with an editor's hat on instead of a writing hat.

She shares her three steps to revision and generously offers listeners her Stoplight Strategy handout here https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Stoplight-Strategy.pdf. You can also get her Inside Outline at her website, https://www.authoraccelerator.com/insideoutlinebook. Find her course, How to Revise Your Book, on Mark Dawson's Self Publishing Formula courses page https://learn.selfpublishingformula.com/courses.

]]>EPISODE 224I

Today's guest is Jennie Nash, founder and CEO of Author Accelerator. Her book coaching clients have landed six-figure book deals with Big 5 publishing houses, so I asked her to come share with us her best tips for editing your book. This is the first of five episodes this month all on this one topic!

Jennie starts with explaining the kinds of editing a book can need, and helps us understand what might happen if we hire the wrong type of editor. Additionally, when we begin self-editing, we need to understand how to look at our fiction or nonfiction books with an editor's hat on instead of a writing hat.

She shares her three steps to revision and generously offers listeners her Stoplight Strategy handout here https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Stoplight-Strategy.pdf. You can also get her Inside Outline at her website, https://www.authoraccelerator.com/insideoutlinebook. Find her course, How to Revise Your Book, on Mark Dawson's Self Publishing Formula courses page https://learn.selfpublishingformula.com/courses.

]]>909c19f1-6824-4093-89bf-46a7b0e70a3aThu, 03 Dec 2020 09:00:00 -070001:18:01falsefull224224Writing to Make People Happy: An Interview with Hilary GalanoyEPISODE 223I

Today's guest is screenwriter Hilary Galanoy, co-writer with Elizabeth Hackett of the Netflix romantic comedies Love, Guaranteed and Falling Inn Love. (Note: You MUST watch the Disclaimer at the end of Love, Guaranteed - it's hysterical!)

Hilary shares with us how she and her partner and friend work together to write their screenplays, how their process works, and how others do it differently. She tells the story of how actress and producer, Rachel Leigh Cook, came up with the idea for Love, Guaranteed. And she talks about the Covid rewrite of Hilary and Liz's Hallmark movie, My Best Friend's Bouquet, so that most of the film could be made outside with social distancing in place.

There are lots of writing tips scattered throughout interesting stories of twenty years of writing with your best friend, so be sure to take notes. And don't be afraid to go watch all of their movies in the name of research!

You can find Hilary on her website at https://hilarygalanoy.com/, on Twitter as @drunchmenu, and on Instagram as @hgalanoy.

]]>EPISODE 223I

Today's guest is screenwriter Hilary Galanoy, co-writer with Elizabeth Hackett of the Netflix romantic comedies Love, Guaranteed and Falling Inn Love. (Note: You MUST watch the Disclaimer at the end of Love, Guaranteed - it's hysterical!)

Hilary shares with us how she and her partner and friend work together to write their screenplays, how their process works, and how others do it differently. She tells the story of how actress and producer, Rachel Leigh Cook, came up with the idea for Love, Guaranteed. And she talks about the Covid rewrite of Hilary and Liz's Hallmark movie, My Best Friend's Bouquet, so that most of the film could be made outside with social distancing in place.

There are lots of writing tips scattered throughout interesting stories of twenty years of writing with your best friend, so be sure to take notes. And don't be afraid to go watch all of their movies in the name of research!

You can find Hilary on her website at https://hilarygalanoy.com/, on Twitter as @drunchmenu, and on Instagram as @hgalanoy.

]]>9e863609-708f-4bba-afc1-e8e21f9fdbb8Thu, 26 Nov 2020 02:00:00 -070001:03:51falsefull223223Blank Page to Final Draft: An Interview with Bryn DonovanEPISODE 222I

Today's guest is Bryn Donovan, author of paranormal romance as well as books for writers, whose new book just released on Tuesday. Blank Page to Final Draft will take you through the process of writing a book from the very beginning to the point of having a publishable manuscript.

Our discussion is chock full of helpful advice from an editor who is also a writer! Bryn shares with us her thoughts on when to get feedback on your story, how to find beta readers and why they're important, and when to stop writing and rethink your direction. (Tip: writing as fast as you can without thinking isn't always the best strategy.)

Bryn understands that some of her advice will be difficult for people to swallow, especially those who write by the seat of their pants. If you're a pantser, she says, and you like the end result, great! But if you wish your books were better, she encourages you to give some of her advice a try.

You can learn more about Bryn and her books on her website, https://www.bryndonovan.com/. Watch the videos as she created the Blank Page to Final Draft book by teaching it on her YouTube channel, https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCy1bE-x45k32XjKsXsdIX3g.

]]>EPISODE 222I

Today's guest is Bryn Donovan, author of paranormal romance as well as books for writers, whose new book just released on Tuesday. Blank Page to Final Draft will take you through the process of writing a book from the very beginning to the point of having a publishable manuscript.

Our discussion is chock full of helpful advice from an editor who is also a writer! Bryn shares with us her thoughts on when to get feedback on your story, how to find beta readers and why they're important, and when to stop writing and rethink your direction. (Tip: writing as fast as you can without thinking isn't always the best strategy.)

Bryn understands that some of her advice will be difficult for people to swallow, especially those who write by the seat of their pants. If you're a pantser, she says, and you like the end result, great! But if you wish your books were better, she encourages you to give some of her advice a try.

You can learn more about Bryn and her books on her website, https://www.bryndonovan.com/. Watch the videos as she created the Blank Page to Final Draft book by teaching it on her YouTube channel, https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCy1bE-x45k32XjKsXsdIX3g.

]]>6d243ad9-c1df-4bb5-ba89-3bfb51db89b6Thu, 19 Nov 2020 09:00:00 -070055:27falsefull222222Rom-Coms and Christmas Stories: An Interview with Teri WilsonEPISODE 221I

Our guest today is award-winning author Teri Wilson, whose latest book, Christmas Charms, came out last month with Hallmark Publishing.

After sharing her story of how she started, Teri jumps into all things writing. We talk about how she came up with many of her ideas, the pros and cons of writing first person versus third person point-of-view, the importance of voice, the ways she celebrates her victories, and her love of writing about royals.

She also explains the meet-cute in romantic comedies, creating secondary characters, writing visually, and the fun of writing Christmas stories - even if you live in Texas where it rarely snows.

Learn more about Teri and her books at her website, https://teriwilson.net/, and on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. If you love puppy pictures, follow her on Instagram!

]]>EPISODE 221I

Our guest today is award-winning author Teri Wilson, whose latest book, Christmas Charms, came out last month with Hallmark Publishing.

After sharing her story of how she started, Teri jumps into all things writing. We talk about how she came up with many of her ideas, the pros and cons of writing first person versus third person point-of-view, the importance of voice, the ways she celebrates her victories, and her love of writing about royals.

She also explains the meet-cute in romantic comedies, creating secondary characters, writing visually, and the fun of writing Christmas stories - even if you live in Texas where it rarely snows.

Learn more about Teri and her books at her website, https://teriwilson.net/, and on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. If you love puppy pictures, follow her on Instagram!

]]>81cfa3f0-cd0a-4ae0-b175-f9e9fca5dba9Thu, 12 Nov 2020 04:00:00 -070059:29falsefull221221Writing with Deeper Meaning: An Interview with Davis BunnEPISODE 220I

Today's guest is award-winning and bestselling author, Davis Bunn. His newest book, Burden of Proof, just released this week and it is awesome!

Davis talks to us today about a lot of things - how his career has evolved over the years, how his two writing names (Davis Bunn and Thomas Locke) may become joined together because of his work in film (or they may not), how publishers are looking at what it takes to be a successful author right now, and much more.

But then we spend some time talking about how to take an idea that is so special to you that you're afraid to ruin it, and how you can become transformed through faith and mediation to let go of ego and allow yourself to grow beyond your comfort zone. When you can learn to go beyond yourself and connect to something much deeper, tap into a deeper creativity, your writing can become transformative, for yourself and for your readers.

Be sure to listen to the end to learn the best advice on research I've ever heard!

You can learn more about Davis and his books at davisbunn.com and tlocke.com/ as well as at http://bakerpublishinggroup.com/authors/davis-bunn/689. Follow him on Facebook as Davis Bunn Author.

]]>EPISODE 220I

Today's guest is award-winning and bestselling author, Davis Bunn. His newest book, Burden of Proof, just released this week and it is awesome!

Davis talks to us today about a lot of things - how his career has evolved over the years, how his two writing names (Davis Bunn and Thomas Locke) may become joined together because of his work in film (or they may not), how publishers are looking at what it takes to be a successful author right now, and much more.

But then we spend some time talking about how to take an idea that is so special to you that you're afraid to ruin it, and how you can become transformed through faith and mediation to let go of ego and allow yourself to grow beyond your comfort zone. When you can learn to go beyond yourself and connect to something much deeper, tap into a deeper creativity, your writing can become transformative, for yourself and for your readers.

Be sure to listen to the end to learn the best advice on research I've ever heard!

You can learn more about Davis and his books at davisbunn.com and tlocke.com/ as well as at http://bakerpublishinggroup.com/authors/davis-bunn/689. Follow him on Facebook as Davis Bunn Author.

]]>782cff73-6ee8-423e-b59d-e1eaf85b9474Thu, 05 Nov 2020 02:00:00 -070001:07:04falsefull220220Unity: An Encouraging Words EpisodeEPISODE 219E

It's always a good time to think about unity - feeling a sense of connection with others. In this Encouraging Words episode, I talk about finding a sense of unity with other writers and people in general. If we focus on our similarities, we can keep our differences from wrenching us apart. I hope this episode encourages you this week!

]]>EPISODE 219E

It's always a good time to think about unity - feeling a sense of connection with others. In this Encouraging Words episode, I talk about finding a sense of unity with other writers and people in general. If we focus on our similarities, we can keep our differences from wrenching us apart. I hope this episode encourages you this week!

]]>f1b6aa92-50f8-480b-8807-b336fa161647Sun, 01 Nov 2020 02:00:00 -070010:02falsefull219219Time to Make a Plan: An Interview with Susan May WarrenEPISODE 218I

Susan May Warren is back with us today to show us her new 2021 My Brilliant Writing Planner! This is my favorite planner! And this year you have four styles (and price points) to choose from.

Susie May and I also talk about all kinds of time and energy management tips from our own experience and our years of teaching on that topic for writers. Whether you're a plotter or a pantser, you'll find great ideas for finishing this year strong and starting next year with a bang.

If you already have a planner or journal you love, great. You may find some of our tips will help you get even more from it. If you haven't found something that really works for you yet, consider giving My Brilliant Writing Planner a try. One of the best things about it is that it incorporates your whole life, not just your writing.

You can track your writing and plan your books for the year, but you can also plan your meals, track your exercise and water intake, appointments, and all the other parts of your life. (I even keep track of when I water my plants here and only one plant has died!) Use it to plan and then follow through, or use it to track what you've accomplished and how long things take you (to finish writing a book, for instance). Check out the website to see what the inside pages look like.

If you're purchasing from outside the United States, be sure to scroll down and click on International Buyer. There's also a video of the launch party right above that link that shows you all four versions of the planner so you can decide which one you like the best.

Susie May and I hope this episode gives you some added energy to figure out how to get your books written because, as she loves to say, your story matters! Follow Susie May and find out more about all of her books on her website, http://www.susanmaywarren.com/.

]]>EPISODE 218I

Susan May Warren is back with us today to show us her new 2021 My Brilliant Writing Planner! This is my favorite planner! And this year you have four styles (and price points) to choose from.

Susie May and I also talk about all kinds of time and energy management tips from our own experience and our years of teaching on that topic for writers. Whether you're a plotter or a pantser, you'll find great ideas for finishing this year strong and starting next year with a bang.

If you already have a planner or journal you love, great. You may find some of our tips will help you get even more from it. If you haven't found something that really works for you yet, consider giving My Brilliant Writing Planner a try. One of the best things about it is that it incorporates your whole life, not just your writing.

You can track your writing and plan your books for the year, but you can also plan your meals, track your exercise and water intake, appointments, and all the other parts of your life. (I even keep track of when I water my plants here and only one plant has died!) Use it to plan and then follow through, or use it to track what you've accomplished and how long things take you (to finish writing a book, for instance). Check out the website to see what the inside pages look like.

If you're purchasing from outside the United States, be sure to scroll down and click on International Buyer. There's also a video of the launch party right above that link that shows you all four versions of the planner so you can decide which one you like the best.

Susie May and I hope this episode gives you some added energy to figure out how to get your books written because, as she loves to say, your story matters! Follow Susie May and find out more about all of her books on her website, http://www.susanmaywarren.com/.

]]>cec525ab-9614-4edb-9c6d-f1113e99bfbfThu, 29 Oct 2020 09:00:00 -070001:09:51falsefull218218Writing a Page-Turning Thriller: An Interview with Rachelle DekkerEPISODE 217I

This week's guest is Rachelle Dekker, author of the new suspense book, Nine. In addition to talking about writing and the writing life, you can hear me rave about how much I loved this book!

We had such a great time talking about writing, what we learn through the process, and what themes you find yourself writing again and again. For Rachelle, it's all about identity.

We talk about the different genres Rachelle has written, growing up as the daughter of a bestselling author (Ted Dekker) and then cowriting together, how she does a lot of her research, and some of her best writing tips.

You can learn more about Rachelle and her books at her website, https://www.rachelledekker.com/ as well as at Baker Publishing, http://bakerpublishinggroup.com/. Find her on Facebook as Rachelle Dekker Author.

]]>EPISODE 217I

This week's guest is Rachelle Dekker, author of the new suspense book, Nine. In addition to talking about writing and the writing life, you can hear me rave about how much I loved this book!

We had such a great time talking about writing, what we learn through the process, and what themes you find yourself writing again and again. For Rachelle, it's all about identity.

We talk about the different genres Rachelle has written, growing up as the daughter of a bestselling author (Ted Dekker) and then cowriting together, how she does a lot of her research, and some of her best writing tips.

You can learn more about Rachelle and her books at her website, https://www.rachelledekker.com/ as well as at Baker Publishing, http://bakerpublishinggroup.com/. Find her on Facebook as Rachelle Dekker Author.

]]>f83b744a-afc9-457a-8938-ed271c02b0bfThu, 22 Oct 2020 02:00:00 -070001:08:35falsefull217217Action Adventure in Ancient History: An Interview with Bryan LitfinEPISODE 216I

Today's guest is Bryan Litfin, author of the brand new novel, The Conqueror, an action adventure story set in the time of Constantine in the third century.

When Bryan wrote that he wants to write books with the action and adventure of the Indiana Jones movies, I was hooked - I had to interview him. What follows is a fun and informative jaunt through history, research, plotting, and writing that will get you itching to get back to your own book.

This is a fantastic interview with lots of energy and ideas for making the stories you love to write larger than life.

You can find Bryan and his books on his website, https://bryanlitfin.com/.

]]>EPISODE 216I

Today's guest is Bryan Litfin, author of the brand new novel, The Conqueror, an action adventure story set in the time of Constantine in the third century.

When Bryan wrote that he wants to write books with the action and adventure of the Indiana Jones movies, I was hooked - I had to interview him. What follows is a fun and informative jaunt through history, research, plotting, and writing that will get you itching to get back to your own book.

This is a fantastic interview with lots of energy and ideas for making the stories you love to write larger than life.

You can find Bryan and his books on his website, https://bryanlitfin.com/.

]]>a3de5bfd-34e1-41e5-aa71-fb24b276914bThu, 15 Oct 2020 02:00:00 -070049:45falsefull216216Before and After Photos - An Encouraging Words EpisodeEPISODE 215E

In this month's Encouraging Words episode, I talk about the idea of before and after photos in any area of our life. We see them all the time selling things like diet plans, gym memberships, and personal trainers. But can we use our imaginations to see our before and after photos for today's challenges? What will I look like in a month when I finish this book? So happy and excited and celebrating -- so now I have that energy in my head to use to actually finish the book. Or anything else that is a short-term goal or challenge.

]]>EPISODE 215E

In this month's Encouraging Words episode, I talk about the idea of before and after photos in any area of our life. We see them all the time selling things like diet plans, gym memberships, and personal trainers. But can we use our imaginations to see our before and after photos for today's challenges? What will I look like in a month when I finish this book? So happy and excited and celebrating -- so now I have that energy in my head to use to actually finish the book. Or anything else that is a short-term goal or challenge.

]]>1a2b1757-65ee-4052-aa6e-830c93ad06e7Sun, 11 Oct 2020 02:00:00 -070013:57falsefull215215Worldbuilding with Royalty: An Interview with Rachel HauckEPISODE 214I

Today's guest is bestselling author Rachel Hauck. Her newest book, To Love a Prince, came out in August and is book one in her new True Blue Royal series.

Rachel has 30+ books out, and has taught dozens of writers how to improve their craft. From this perspective, we talk about worldbuilding in stories, whether contemporary or historical, in real places or fictional ones.

Since Rachel has so many books about royalty, I asked her to explain how she creates new countries with princes and princesses that sound real and believable. She goes into detail about all the things she researched in order to develop new countries with real problems. She also talks about turning the story upside down - like when she created the wedding chapel that never had any weddings, or the first prince in history who was left at the altar.

There is an enormous amount of advice in this episode and plenty of tips no matter what kind of stories you write!

You can find out more about Rachel and her books at her website, https://www.rachelhauck.com/, where you can also find all of her social media handles.

]]>EPISODE 214I

Today's guest is bestselling author Rachel Hauck. Her newest book, To Love a Prince, came out in August and is book one in her new True Blue Royal series.

Rachel has 30+ books out, and has taught dozens of writers how to improve their craft. From this perspective, we talk about worldbuilding in stories, whether contemporary or historical, in real places or fictional ones.

Since Rachel has so many books about royalty, I asked her to explain how she creates new countries with princes and princesses that sound real and believable. She goes into detail about all the things she researched in order to develop new countries with real problems. She also talks about turning the story upside down - like when she created the wedding chapel that never had any weddings, or the first prince in history who was left at the altar.

There is an enormous amount of advice in this episode and plenty of tips no matter what kind of stories you write!

You can find out more about Rachel and her books at her website, https://www.rachelhauck.com/, where you can also find all of her social media handles.

]]>fd9553cf-6a4f-4550-9bbf-a2ea6dadff8cThu, 08 Oct 2020 02:00:00 -070001:02:25falsefull214214Writing a Dual Timeline: An Interview with Amanda CoxEPISODE 213I

Today's guest is debut author, Amanda Cox. Her novel, The Edge of Belonging, came out in September and completely captured my heart!

Amanda tells us how, while in the process of getting an editor's attention and selling her novel, she took a story told in a single timeline and changed it to become two linked stories in their own timelines that come together in the end.

She also explains how she dug deeper into her characters using some of the questions and techniques she used to use with clients when she was a therapist. I found this brilliant and asked her to repeat it! Altogether, another fun conversation about writing and sharing writing tips.

You can find out more about Amanda and her upcoming books at her website, https://amandacoxwrites.com/, and across social media as amandacoxwrites.

]]>EPISODE 213I

Today's guest is debut author, Amanda Cox. Her novel, The Edge of Belonging, came out in September and completely captured my heart!

Amanda tells us how, while in the process of getting an editor's attention and selling her novel, she took a story told in a single timeline and changed it to become two linked stories in their own timelines that come together in the end.

She also explains how she dug deeper into her characters using some of the questions and techniques she used to use with clients when she was a therapist. I found this brilliant and asked her to repeat it! Altogether, another fun conversation about writing and sharing writing tips.

You can find out more about Amanda and her upcoming books at her website, https://amandacoxwrites.com/, and across social media as amandacoxwrites.

]]>c03c8180-e1a1-4d50-b648-b12463ccf63cThu, 01 Oct 2020 02:00:00 -070053:38falsefull213213Moving From the Big Five to Indie: An Interview with Roxanne St ClaireEPISODE 212I

Joining us today is bestselling romance author, Roxanne St. Claire. Rocki's latest book, Man's Best Friend, releases September 25, 2020, the day after this episode airs. If you like romance and fun and dogs, you'll love this book!

Rocki started her career in traditional publishing, first with Pocket Books at Simon & Schuster, and then also writing for Harlequin, Random House, and Grand Central Publishing. When she was offered her biggest contract, though, there was a clause she was unwilling to accept, so she said no.

Going indie was the best business risk she's ever taken. She has more creative freedom than ever before, more joy, and more money. She works hard - it is a full-time job - but it's the best thing she's ever done as a writer. Rocki shares her experiences so you can decide if indie publishing might be right for you.

You can find out more about Rocki and all of her books at her website, http://www.roxannestclaire.com/. If you're interested in joining her reader's group, go to https://www.facebook.com/groups/roxannestclairereaders.

]]>EPISODE 212I

Joining us today is bestselling romance author, Roxanne St. Claire. Rocki's latest book, Man's Best Friend, releases September 25, 2020, the day after this episode airs. If you like romance and fun and dogs, you'll love this book!

Rocki started her career in traditional publishing, first with Pocket Books at Simon & Schuster, and then also writing for Harlequin, Random House, and Grand Central Publishing. When she was offered her biggest contract, though, there was a clause she was unwilling to accept, so she said no.

Going indie was the best business risk she's ever taken. She has more creative freedom than ever before, more joy, and more money. She works hard - it is a full-time job - but it's the best thing she's ever done as a writer. Rocki shares her experiences so you can decide if indie publishing might be right for you.

You can find out more about Rocki and all of her books at her website, http://www.roxannestclaire.com/. If you're interested in joining her reader's group, go to https://www.facebook.com/groups/roxannestclairereaders.

]]>b0b9ebeb-73c0-4630-8c4f-5d8950eda428Thu, 24 Sep 2020 03:45:00 -070001:20:17falsefull212212Novelizing True Crime: An Interview with Jennifer DornbushEPISODE 211I

Our guest today is Jennifer Graeser Dornbush, screenwriter, author, international speaker, and forensic specialist. Her father was a medical examiner with a home office, so Jennifer grew up around death. She participated in her first fatality investigation when she was eight years old, and she's been involved in writing about crime ever since.

Jennifer explains how she found a crime that she couldn't stop thinking about so she decided to write about it. That book, Hole in the Woods, was just released in August 2020. She shares how she decided what facts to keep in the story, what parts she wanted to change, and why. If you're at all interested in writing crime fiction - or nonfiction - this is the episode for you!

Learn more about Jennifer, her books - including Forensic Speak, a guide to writing about forensics accurately - and her speaking availability at her website, https://www.jenniferdornbush.com/.

]]>EPISODE 211I

Our guest today is Jennifer Graeser Dornbush, screenwriter, author, international speaker, and forensic specialist. Her father was a medical examiner with a home office, so Jennifer grew up around death. She participated in her first fatality investigation when she was eight years old, and she's been involved in writing about crime ever since.

Jennifer explains how she found a crime that she couldn't stop thinking about so she decided to write about it. That book, Hole in the Woods, was just released in August 2020. She shares how she decided what facts to keep in the story, what parts she wanted to change, and why. If you're at all interested in writing crime fiction - or nonfiction - this is the episode for you!

Learn more about Jennifer, her books - including Forensic Speak, a guide to writing about forensics accurately - and her speaking availability at her website, https://www.jenniferdornbush.com/.

]]>7164c1a7-cd9b-4569-adff-817bacaed6b3Thu, 10 Sep 2020 05:00:00 -070001:09:58falsefull211211Just Ask: An Encouraging Words EpisodeEPISODE 210E

Our Encouraging Words episode today is about reaching out when you need a word of encouragement. I posted on Facebook last week saying I need some encouragement and the response overwhelmed me! It made me think that we all need a reminder that there are a lot of people out there willing and ready to encourage you in whatever you're going through - if only they knew you needed it. So reach out! And read between the lines of your friends, ask yourself if maybe they need a little encouragement, and be proactive. We'll all have more strength to make it through this tough year. Hang in there! You can do it!

]]>EPISODE 210E

Our Encouraging Words episode today is about reaching out when you need a word of encouragement. I posted on Facebook last week saying I need some encouragement and the response overwhelmed me! It made me think that we all need a reminder that there are a lot of people out there willing and ready to encourage you in whatever you're going through - if only they knew you needed it. So reach out! And read between the lines of your friends, ask yourself if maybe they need a little encouragement, and be proactive. We'll all have more strength to make it through this tough year. Hang in there! You can do it!

]]>d500571b-ed40-4f9b-993b-0952ef8d5822Mon, 07 Sep 2020 01:00:00 -070014:27falsefull210210How to Write for Hallmark: An Interview with Leigh DuncanEPISODE 209I

Today's guest is Leigh Duncan, author of Hallmark's first contemporary romance series. The first two books are already available, A Simple Wedding and A Cottage Wedding, set in the town of Heart's Landing. A Waterfront Wedding will be released in April 2021.

She tells us how she got started with Hallmark Publishing - and how you can, too! Sweet romance is more than just no sex. Leigh explains what Hallmark is looking for in their books. There is so much great advice here if this is a publisher you want to pursue! This is an episode you'll want to listen to with a notepad and pen.

You can find out more about Leigh and her books at her website https://leighduncan.com/ and she's on social media as leighduncanbooks. Leigh loves to hear from readers and writers, so reach out!

]]>EPISODE 209I

Today's guest is Leigh Duncan, author of Hallmark's first contemporary romance series. The first two books are already available, A Simple Wedding and A Cottage Wedding, set in the town of Heart's Landing. A Waterfront Wedding will be released in April 2021.

She tells us how she got started with Hallmark Publishing - and how you can, too! Sweet romance is more than just no sex. Leigh explains what Hallmark is looking for in their books. There is so much great advice here if this is a publisher you want to pursue! This is an episode you'll want to listen to with a notepad and pen.

You can find out more about Leigh and her books at her website https://leighduncan.com/ and she's on social media as leighduncanbooks. Leigh loves to hear from readers and writers, so reach out!

]]>4d73b0fd-d2ed-4813-a01e-53b2c79a8c37Thu, 27 Aug 2020 04:00:00 -070056:27falsefull209209Never Stop Writing: An Interview with Liz JohnsonEPISODE 208I

Today's guest is Liz Johnson, author of the brand new A Dazzle of Diamonds, final book in the Georgia Coast Romance series.

Liz shares her fun story about beginning to write stories at age 7 and selling her first novel at 27. We talk about the fun of research and how to find just the right elements from a research trip to add into your books. It's a great conversation with a lot of helpful nuggets of advice for writers, as well as laughs and inspiration.

You can find Liz everywhere on the Internet as "Liz Johnson Books" - including her website https://www.lizjohnsonbooks.com/ and all of her social media accounts.

]]>EPISODE 208I

Today's guest is Liz Johnson, author of the brand new A Dazzle of Diamonds, final book in the Georgia Coast Romance series.

Liz shares her fun story about beginning to write stories at age 7 and selling her first novel at 27. We talk about the fun of research and how to find just the right elements from a research trip to add into your books. It's a great conversation with a lot of helpful nuggets of advice for writers, as well as laughs and inspiration.

You can find Liz everywhere on the Internet as "Liz Johnson Books" - including her website https://www.lizjohnsonbooks.com/ and all of her social media accounts.

]]>891c7f05-f67b-4a0e-aebb-f4acee6b5a36Thu, 13 Aug 2020 05:45:00 -070001:00:05falsefull208208Planting and Harvesting: An Encouraging Words EpisodeEPISODE 207E

After eating some of the most delicious strawberries since last summer, I got to thinking about harvests - how grateful I am for the harvest of fruit in its natural season rather than that grown off-season in a greenhouse - and about the harvests in our own lives.

In order to have a harvest, you need to plant. What am I planting in my life, and what will that yield in the end? In my personal life, the thoughts I plant - or let someone else plant - become beliefs, and those lead to a harvest of behaviors. In my professional life, I need to plant by writing books, water the plants by publishing them, and harvest the plants by marketing and selling the books.

What do we want to harvest? In order to see if we'll get what we're hoping for, we need to look and see what we're planting and tending in our gardens.

]]>EPISODE 207E

After eating some of the most delicious strawberries since last summer, I got to thinking about harvests - how grateful I am for the harvest of fruit in its natural season rather than that grown off-season in a greenhouse - and about the harvests in our own lives.

In order to have a harvest, you need to plant. What am I planting in my life, and what will that yield in the end? In my personal life, the thoughts I plant - or let someone else plant - become beliefs, and those lead to a harvest of behaviors. In my professional life, I need to plant by writing books, water the plants by publishing them, and harvest the plants by marketing and selling the books.

What do we want to harvest? In order to see if we'll get what we're hoping for, we need to look and see what we're planting and tending in our gardens.

]]>72622563-63ae-4540-94ca-70d151b5ba22Sun, 02 Aug 2020 02:00:00 -070014:13falsefull207207Hitting the Wall and Bouncing Back: An Interview with Quinton LitchfieldEPISODE 206I

Today's guest is Quinton Litchfield, pastor of C3 Church in Malmö, Sweden, and 2-time burnout survivor.

Quinton talks freely about how he hit the wall, and things we can do if we find ourselves approaching the same point. He reminds us that no one is going to thank us for working so hard that we burn out. Some periods of life require sacrifice of time and energy, but when that sacrifice becomes a lifestyle, we need to step back and take stock of our life and where it's headed.

He shares a great analogy for creativity that he heard - it's less like an elephant that you hang every idea on and more like a nest of sea turtle eggs that you watch to see which ones make it to the ocean. Quinton suggests dumping all of your ideas into a folder on your phone or your computer. Write it all down and get it out of your head because it's stressful to try to remember everything.

Remember, too, isolation only makes things worse, so make sure you talk about your feelings with your spouse, a friend, a family member, anyone who will listen, support you, and help you make healthy decisions.

We hope the show offers you tips to avoid hitting the wall in the first place, warning signs to look for, and encouragement that you can bounce back if it happens.

]]>EPISODE 206I

Today's guest is Quinton Litchfield, pastor of C3 Church in Malmö, Sweden, and 2-time burnout survivor.

Quinton talks freely about how he hit the wall, and things we can do if we find ourselves approaching the same point. He reminds us that no one is going to thank us for working so hard that we burn out. Some periods of life require sacrifice of time and energy, but when that sacrifice becomes a lifestyle, we need to step back and take stock of our life and where it's headed.

He shares a great analogy for creativity that he heard - it's less like an elephant that you hang every idea on and more like a nest of sea turtle eggs that you watch to see which ones make it to the ocean. Quinton suggests dumping all of your ideas into a folder on your phone or your computer. Write it all down and get it out of your head because it's stressful to try to remember everything.

Remember, too, isolation only makes things worse, so make sure you talk about your feelings with your spouse, a friend, a family member, anyone who will listen, support you, and help you make healthy decisions.

We hope the show offers you tips to avoid hitting the wall in the first place, warning signs to look for, and encouragement that you can bounce back if it happens.

]]>d8d186f1-4250-41f0-9738-0ce4d424bf3eThu, 30 Jul 2020 02:15:00 -070057:57falsefull206206Cowriting the End of a Series: An Interview with Melissa KosciEPISODE 205I

Today's guest is Melissa Kosci, co-author of the new suspense book, A Dream Within a Dream, cowritten with Mike Nappa.

Melissa tells us how she came to be cowriter of a series that already had two books in it, and what it was like to help finish telling the story. (I read book one of the Coffey & Hill series, Annabel Lee, and didn't realize A Dream Within a Dream was the end of the same series. Exciting! I loved Annabel Lee!) MIke Nappa is a big Edgar Allen Poe fan, as you can tell in the book titles.

We talk about the cowriting process, similarities and differences to how Melissa writes on her own, writing under a pen name, and much more.

You can find her website and her social media accounts under the name Melissa Koslin. http://melissakoslin.com/

]]>EPISODE 205I

Today's guest is Melissa Kosci, co-author of the new suspense book, A Dream Within a Dream, cowritten with Mike Nappa.

Melissa tells us how she came to be cowriter of a series that already had two books in it, and what it was like to help finish telling the story. (I read book one of the Coffey & Hill series, Annabel Lee, and didn't realize A Dream Within a Dream was the end of the same series. Exciting! I loved Annabel Lee!) MIke Nappa is a big Edgar Allen Poe fan, as you can tell in the book titles.

We talk about the cowriting process, similarities and differences to how Melissa writes on her own, writing under a pen name, and much more.

You can find her website and her social media accounts under the name Melissa Koslin. http://melissakoslin.com/

]]>cb1883e3-44bb-414f-add3-fb891eddbf38Thu, 16 Jul 2020 02:00:00 -070001:00:04falsefull205205Practicing Balance: An Encouraging Words EpisodeEPISODE 204E

In this weird world we live in with a pandemic going on around us, restrictions on our movements coming and going, and too many terrible things happening and crowding the news, it can be really difficult to find balance in your life.

I share my own experiences and what I've been doing to try to keep practicing living a more balanced life. I hope it encourages you as you do the same.

]]>EPISODE 204E

In this weird world we live in with a pandemic going on around us, restrictions on our movements coming and going, and too many terrible things happening and crowding the news, it can be really difficult to find balance in your life.

I share my own experiences and what I've been doing to try to keep practicing living a more balanced life. I hope it encourages you as you do the same.

]]>f973720e-d2b0-4a24-b25e-de29b91c2a55Sun, 05 Jul 2020 02:00:00 -070018:02falsefull204204History and the Art of Storytelling: An Interview with Jeremy DronfieldEPISODE 203I

In today's episode, we hear from Jeremy Dronfield, author of The Boy Who Followed His Father into Auschwitz, and many other titles.

Jeremy tells us how he got involved with writing this story, the research he did, how he had to work to convince the survivors to trust him with their story, and the path to publishing the book - twice.

Along the way, he gives us a lot of writing tips and advice. Jeremy builds scenes visually in his head before writing them down. Then he tries to get the reader to see what he's seeing. The result with this book is the sometimes stark, sometimes heartwarming story of a family living in Vienna during Hitler's takeover. Jeremy's writing style sucks you into their lives, offering both beauty and tears as you relive this private history with the people who were there.

Jeremy talks about the process of publishing, writing proposals that work, submitting to agents, his work in ghostwriting and co-writing other books, and much more.

You can find Jeremy at his website, http://jeremydronfield.com/, and his books are available wherever books are sold.

]]>EPISODE 203I

In today's episode, we hear from Jeremy Dronfield, author of The Boy Who Followed His Father into Auschwitz, and many other titles.

Jeremy tells us how he got involved with writing this story, the research he did, how he had to work to convince the survivors to trust him with their story, and the path to publishing the book - twice.

Along the way, he gives us a lot of writing tips and advice. Jeremy builds scenes visually in his head before writing them down. Then he tries to get the reader to see what he's seeing. The result with this book is the sometimes stark, sometimes heartwarming story of a family living in Vienna during Hitler's takeover. Jeremy's writing style sucks you into their lives, offering both beauty and tears as you relive this private history with the people who were there.

Jeremy talks about the process of publishing, writing proposals that work, submitting to agents, his work in ghostwriting and co-writing other books, and much more.

You can find Jeremy at his website, http://jeremydronfield.com/, and his books are available wherever books are sold.

]]>ffd22df6-5ae2-4595-9455-69af349b63d8Thu, 02 Jul 2020 05:00:00 -070001:06:39falsefull203203Understanding Life Through Story: An Interview with Susie FinkbeinerEPISODE 202I

Today's guest is Susie Finkbeiner, author of the new novel, Stories That Bind Us.

We have an interesting discussion on when writing can be a healthy escape for us, and when it's an avoidance tactic keeping us from dealing with our own issues. Writing is a great way to process life, and we want to help our readers do the same.

Susie talks about the difference between vulnerability and weakness, saying it's okay to be sensitive. After all, we're trying to make our readers feel, so of course we need to be able to feel our emotions too. We want our words to not only thrill our readers, but impact their lives. In this way, writing fiction can be a noble pursuit.

To learn more about Susie and her books, visit her website at https://susiefinkbeiner.com/ and follow her on Instagram and Facebook.

]]>EPISODE 202I

Today's guest is Susie Finkbeiner, author of the new novel, Stories That Bind Us.

We have an interesting discussion on when writing can be a healthy escape for us, and when it's an avoidance tactic keeping us from dealing with our own issues. Writing is a great way to process life, and we want to help our readers do the same.

Susie talks about the difference between vulnerability and weakness, saying it's okay to be sensitive. After all, we're trying to make our readers feel, so of course we need to be able to feel our emotions too. We want our words to not only thrill our readers, but impact their lives. In this way, writing fiction can be a noble pursuit.

To learn more about Susie and her books, visit her website at https://susiefinkbeiner.com/ and follow her on Instagram and Facebook.

]]>a5096733-7d96-4881-b00c-f088b7b61b60Thu, 18 Jun 2020 02:00:00 -070001:05:45falsefull202202The Hidden Life of Us: An Encouraging Words EpisodeEPISODE 201E

I read this amazing book last year called The Hidden Life of Trees by Peter Wohlleben about how trees that are connected to each other can help and protect each other through their connections, and how a single tree off by itself doesn't have the same protections.

There are so many hidden things happening in people, too. We can have a tiny effect on a lot of people, and those effects can build and build in a domino effect. The very small kindnesses we do for each other -- a smile, a nod, opening a door -- can make the world a better place. The prayers we say for each other -- friend or stranger -- can have unknown positive effects. Just because we don't know if our efforts will bear fruit doesn't mean we shouldn't try.

I hope you find these encouraging words food for thought today.

]]>EPISODE 201E

I read this amazing book last year called The Hidden Life of Trees by Peter Wohlleben about how trees that are connected to each other can help and protect each other through their connections, and how a single tree off by itself doesn't have the same protections.

There are so many hidden things happening in people, too. We can have a tiny effect on a lot of people, and those effects can build and build in a domino effect. The very small kindnesses we do for each other -- a smile, a nod, opening a door -- can make the world a better place. The prayers we say for each other -- friend or stranger -- can have unknown positive effects. Just because we don't know if our efforts will bear fruit doesn't mean we shouldn't try.

I hope you find these encouraging words food for thought today.

]]>e408dac5-0523-48c9-b3ea-3362d9b1f6cbSun, 07 Jun 2020 02:00:00 -070016:36falsefull201201Building a Career: An Interview with Joanna PennEPISODE 200!!

Today’s guest is the wonderful Joanna Penn, author, podcaster, speaker, and all-around lovely lady! When I asked myself who, in my wildest happy dreams, I would like to be a guest on my 200th episode, Joanna was my first thought. And lucky me, she said yes! :-D

I asked Joanna to start by taking us on a quick tour of her journey, how she started, how she learned about publishing, and how she earned and then surpassed the good salary she'd been earning in her day job.

Joanna urges listeners to consider the long-term game, and practice persistence. If you quit too soon, you might think you were failing only because you didn't realize the road was longer than you'd realized.

You also need to keep in mind that you don’t have to do everything, and you don't have to follow the path of those around you. Everyone will have a slightly different journey. You need to find what makes you happy and is sustainable. How do you want to live?

There is an abundance of information on The Creative Penn website, https://www.thecreativepenn.com/. Most of it is free, so take a look. She offers a free copy of her Author 2.0 Blueprint, plus you can find all of the episodes of her podcast, The Creative Penn, and links to all of her books -- nonfiction for writers as well as her thrillers, dark fantasy, and the rest of her books. Joanna welcomes questions on Twitter, @TheCreativePenn.

]]>EPISODE 200!!

Today’s guest is the wonderful Joanna Penn, author, podcaster, speaker, and all-around lovely lady! When I asked myself who, in my wildest happy dreams, I would like to be a guest on my 200th episode, Joanna was my first thought. And lucky me, she said yes! :-D

I asked Joanna to start by taking us on a quick tour of her journey, how she started, how she learned about publishing, and how she earned and then surpassed the good salary she'd been earning in her day job.

Joanna urges listeners to consider the long-term game, and practice persistence. If you quit too soon, you might think you were failing only because you didn't realize the road was longer than you'd realized.

You also need to keep in mind that you don’t have to do everything, and you don't have to follow the path of those around you. Everyone will have a slightly different journey. You need to find what makes you happy and is sustainable. How do you want to live?

There is an abundance of information on The Creative Penn website, https://www.thecreativepenn.com/. Most of it is free, so take a look. She offers a free copy of her Author 2.0 Blueprint, plus you can find all of the episodes of her podcast, The Creative Penn, and links to all of her books -- nonfiction for writers as well as her thrillers, dark fantasy, and the rest of her books. Joanna welcomes questions on Twitter, @TheCreativePenn.

]]>83adc4ce-d939-4a86-8db7-2cbe3984d336Thu, 04 Jun 2020 02:00:00 -070001:00:26falsefull200200The Athlete and Writer Inside: An Interview with Sue ReynoldsEPISODE 199I

Today's guest is first-time author, Sue Reynolds. In her debut book, The Athlete Inside, Sue tells how at age 60 she lost 200 pounds and began her journey toward finishing sixth at the World Triathlon Championship.

She tells us how one day her "why" changed - that she stopped thinking about her weight in terms of others' expectations of her, but in terms of her changing expectations of herself. And that was the beginning of a new life.

We talk together about her insecurity in calling herself an athlete, and later a writer, and how that mirrors what many of us feel. She talks about learning to trust a coach, and how finding an accountability partner was not a sign of weakness or admitting you can't do it alone, but instead it was one of the most helpful parts of her journey.

Throughout this inspiring talk, Sue and I point out the many parallels of how finding an athlete inside is similar to finding there is a writer inside. She shares her best tips and biggest lessons, all of which are helpful to any kind of pursuit and any time in your life. I hope you find this interview as inspiring as I did!

Find out more about Sue and her book, The Athlete Inside, at her website https://suereynolds.net/ where you can also find all of her social media links.

]]>EPISODE 199I

Today's guest is first-time author, Sue Reynolds. In her debut book, The Athlete Inside, Sue tells how at age 60 she lost 200 pounds and began her journey toward finishing sixth at the World Triathlon Championship.

She tells us how one day her "why" changed - that she stopped thinking about her weight in terms of others' expectations of her, but in terms of her changing expectations of herself. And that was the beginning of a new life.

We talk together about her insecurity in calling herself an athlete, and later a writer, and how that mirrors what many of us feel. She talks about learning to trust a coach, and how finding an accountability partner was not a sign of weakness or admitting you can't do it alone, but instead it was one of the most helpful parts of her journey.

Throughout this inspiring talk, Sue and I point out the many parallels of how finding an athlete inside is similar to finding there is a writer inside. She shares her best tips and biggest lessons, all of which are helpful to any kind of pursuit and any time in your life. I hope you find this interview as inspiring as I did!

Find out more about Sue and her book, The Athlete Inside, at her website https://suereynolds.net/ where you can also find all of her social media links.

]]>d2908a7a-3dbe-476a-adfc-d1b8f4f92301Thu, 28 May 2020 10:00:00 -070001:19:39falsefull199199Everyday People with Big Hearts: An Interview with Kristan HigginsEPISODE 198

Today's guest is the multi-bestselling humorous women's fiction author, Kristan Higgins. Her newest book, Always the Last to Know, releases on June 9, 2020.

Kristan's books tend to be funny and heart-warming, with gut-wrenching difficulties, laugh-out-loud moments, and immensely satisfactory endings. Interviewing her was a very similar experience.

She talks about getting started, how her career progressed, and the strange reader emails she's gotten. We discuss how she creates different characters for every book even though they are mostly everyday people like you and me. It's a conversation much like her books - laughing about life's funny/weird moments, discussing the seriousness of the problems we all face, and mostly feeling like you're now friends by the times it ends.

To learn more about Kristan and her books (and then feel like you know her as a friend), visit her website (https://www.kristanhiggins.com/) where you can also find your favorites social media links. You can preorder Always the Last to Know at your favorite bookstore.

]]>EPISODE 198

Today's guest is the multi-bestselling humorous women's fiction author, Kristan Higgins. Her newest book, Always the Last to Know, releases on June 9, 2020.

Kristan's books tend to be funny and heart-warming, with gut-wrenching difficulties, laugh-out-loud moments, and immensely satisfactory endings. Interviewing her was a very similar experience.

She talks about getting started, how her career progressed, and the strange reader emails she's gotten. We discuss how she creates different characters for every book even though they are mostly everyday people like you and me. It's a conversation much like her books - laughing about life's funny/weird moments, discussing the seriousness of the problems we all face, and mostly feeling like you're now friends by the times it ends.

To learn more about Kristan and her books (and then feel like you know her as a friend), visit her website (https://www.kristanhiggins.com/) where you can also find your favorites social media links. You can preorder Always the Last to Know at your favorite bookstore.

]]>528df3b2-d16b-48c9-9955-9b8169b9cf64Thu, 21 May 2020 02:00:00 -070001:13:03falsefull198198When Life Imitates Art: An Interview with DiAnn MillsEPISODE 197I

Today’s guest is the lovely DiAnn Mills, bestselling author of the brand new romantic suspense novel, Airborne. The story of that novel coming out now is one of several great ones DiAnn tells during the interview.

She starts with the story of how her husband challenged her to stop saying she was going to write a book some day and just do it. She quit her job, studied the how-to books and the bestsellers, and wrote her first book – which was sold and published the next year! So begins how one author started with the end in mind, the idea that this would be her business, and worked to make the dream a reality.

The story of how Airborne came to be is equally enthralling! The exact sort of people DiAnn needed to talk to in order to research the book kept coming out of the woodwork, giving her heaps of information of the exact kind she needed. Not only that, but at the time the book was ready to be released – something similar was happening around the world! In a scary time, this is a book that can give closure, justice, and hope to readers.

DiAnn explains how to seek out the information you need from all kinds of organizations from the FBI to the CDC to the Texas Marshals. She encourages writers to pick up the phone and go right to the source to get the best information. Yes, it can be nerve-wracking to make a cold call, but think about how this is going to make your book so much better. You never know what great relationships will grow from it.

In fact, DiAnn encourages listeners to write her and ask her questions. You can find all of her social media links on her website, and you can get some free chapters to read when you sign up for her newsletter. https://diannmills.com/

]]>EPISODE 197I

Today’s guest is the lovely DiAnn Mills, bestselling author of the brand new romantic suspense novel, Airborne. The story of that novel coming out now is one of several great ones DiAnn tells during the interview.

She starts with the story of how her husband challenged her to stop saying she was going to write a book some day and just do it. She quit her job, studied the how-to books and the bestsellers, and wrote her first book – which was sold and published the next year! So begins how one author started with the end in mind, the idea that this would be her business, and worked to make the dream a reality.

The story of how Airborne came to be is equally enthralling! The exact sort of people DiAnn needed to talk to in order to research the book kept coming out of the woodwork, giving her heaps of information of the exact kind she needed. Not only that, but at the time the book was ready to be released – something similar was happening around the world! In a scary time, this is a book that can give closure, justice, and hope to readers.

DiAnn explains how to seek out the information you need from all kinds of organizations from the FBI to the CDC to the Texas Marshals. She encourages writers to pick up the phone and go right to the source to get the best information. Yes, it can be nerve-wracking to make a cold call, but think about how this is going to make your book so much better. You never know what great relationships will grow from it.

In fact, DiAnn encourages listeners to write her and ask her questions. You can find all of her social media links on her website, and you can get some free chapters to read when you sign up for her newsletter. https://diannmills.com/

]]>9fe51d58-0f87-49e6-a6e8-53616a821461Thu, 14 May 2020 02:00:00 -070001:05:15falsefull197197Laugh Out Loud Stories: An Interview with Bethany TurnerEPISODE 196

Our guest today is Bethany Turner, author of the hilarious new Hadley Beckett's Next Dish. If you like romantic comedies, or if you love celebrity chefs and their cooking shows, you'll love this book!

Bethany and I talk a lot and laugh a lot, but there's a lot of little things to pick up and consider for your own writing. For instance, you may be wondering when to use popular culture and current events in your stories, and how to know whether it will make the book dated. Bethany gives us her take on that since pop culture references are a trademark of her writing.

She tells us the unusual story of how she got started writing and how she published her first book, and we talk about writing amidst chaos. Since we're fiction writers, we also lied to each other about not gaining any weight during the current lockdown or when researching cooking shows. :-D

I hope you enjoy the crazy amounts of laughter in this episode! Like her books, it's a feel-good show. You can learn more about Bethany and her books at her website, http://seebethanywrite.com/.

]]>EPISODE 196

Our guest today is Bethany Turner, author of the hilarious new Hadley Beckett's Next Dish. If you like romantic comedies, or if you love celebrity chefs and their cooking shows, you'll love this book!

Bethany and I talk a lot and laugh a lot, but there's a lot of little things to pick up and consider for your own writing. For instance, you may be wondering when to use popular culture and current events in your stories, and how to know whether it will make the book dated. Bethany gives us her take on that since pop culture references are a trademark of her writing.

She tells us the unusual story of how she got started writing and how she published her first book, and we talk about writing amidst chaos. Since we're fiction writers, we also lied to each other about not gaining any weight during the current lockdown or when researching cooking shows. :-D

I hope you enjoy the crazy amounts of laughter in this episode! Like her books, it's a feel-good show. You can learn more about Bethany and her books at her website, http://seebethanywrite.com/.

]]>6aec4ae9-a500-4d16-993a-e86c261fdaa8Thu, 07 May 2020 02:30:00 -070001:13:53falsefull196196One Body, Many Parts, A Place for Everyone: An Encouraging Words EpisodeEPISODE 195E

In this Encouraging Words episode, I talk about how even though right now we are forced to stay at home and keep away from each other when we're out, we are still part of the larger body of humanity. We are connected even if we feel it less than ever.

We are finding new-normal ways of doing things together, and some of those just might be great things we can continue in the future when we go back to some semblance of our old lives. If you need someone to encourage you, make you feel less alone, please reach out to a friend! And if you haven't heard from one or more of your friends recently, text or call them and make sure they're doing okay, that they aren't feeling depressed or anxious, that they have what they need. The human contact will make you both feel better!

]]>EPISODE 195E

In this Encouraging Words episode, I talk about how even though right now we are forced to stay at home and keep away from each other when we're out, we are still part of the larger body of humanity. We are connected even if we feel it less than ever.

We are finding new-normal ways of doing things together, and some of those just might be great things we can continue in the future when we go back to some semblance of our old lives. If you need someone to encourage you, make you feel less alone, please reach out to a friend! And if you haven't heard from one or more of your friends recently, text or call them and make sure they're doing okay, that they aren't feeling depressed or anxious, that they have what they need. The human contact will make you both feel better!

]]>3ae501f8-38d8-4519-bd90-81eed8228be3Sun, 03 May 2020 02:00:00 -070015:51falsefull195195Now Is the Time to Share Your HeartEPISODE 194

We hear a lot about being authentic, our true selves, but what does that mean? I think of my heart as both strong and vulnerable, something that is big enough to share with others but also often in danger of being hurt. So I have a protective fence around my heart, but the type of fencing used changes.

Do you have a tall steel fence around your heart? A big hedge? A split-rail fence? (That's the type I couldn't remember the name of in the episode! Haha!) How do you know if your fence is too big, cutting you off from real relationships with others? What can you do about it?

That's the conversation I have with you today. I hope it gives you food for thought - when we're all physically apart from each other, and in general as you choose how vulnerable you want to be with your readers.

]]>EPISODE 194

We hear a lot about being authentic, our true selves, but what does that mean? I think of my heart as both strong and vulnerable, something that is big enough to share with others but also often in danger of being hurt. So I have a protective fence around my heart, but the type of fencing used changes.

Do you have a tall steel fence around your heart? A big hedge? A split-rail fence? (That's the type I couldn't remember the name of in the episode! Haha!) How do you know if your fence is too big, cutting you off from real relationships with others? What can you do about it?

That's the conversation I have with you today. I hope it gives you food for thought - when we're all physically apart from each other, and in general as you choose how vulnerable you want to be with your readers.

]]>91da8f10-9772-41c3-9b4b-f97994a7fc03Thu, 30 Apr 2020 02:00:00 -070029:03falsefull194194Writing News You Can UseEPISODE 193

Today's episode is a round-up of lots of interesting and fun information I've found that might help your writing career, your motivation, your creativity, and your overall sense of well-being as we keep working in our homes (whether we want to or not).

I also talked about the new book I'm working on, Encouragement for Writers, and I'll be adding a link shortly to a survey I'd love you to take to find out what you need encouragement on.

Here are all the promised links: :-)

Writers Digest - emails that include Monday Motivation, writing prompts, classes offered, and more. Website has lots of information for writers of every kind. https://www.writersdigest.com/

IngramSpark - Offering free title setup, free revisions, and print discounts in some countries through May 31, 2020. Lots of free resources on their website about how to self-publish and market your books, including a blog, a podcast, and free online courses. https://www.ingramspark.com/

Self Publishing Formula University - In addition to the SPF podcast and the information you get in the emails, there are great mini-classes in the SPF University (not a real university). Normally, you have to be a student in one of the classes or a patron in Patreon to have access, but Mark Dawson and team wanted to give people something to help with our lock-down time, so anyone can enroll for free for a limited time! https://selfpublishingformula.com/spfufree

National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) - #StayHomeWriMo is a new initiative to support and encourage you in these trying times. It will be continued indefinitely at this point. Follow them on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube, and find out more here: https://nanowrimo.org/stayhomewrimo

Chris Fox is one of many writers with a really good YouTube channel, lots of great videos to help you with your writing and the writing life. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCu6RYg6_-pTQxLVq3Fv6lYg

James Clear, author of Atomic Habits, shared a great interview that explains in a few minutes what his (awesome!) 300-page book will help you with. Definitely watch it since we're all being forced into new habits for awhile. https://globalnews.ca/video/6272424/how-to-develop-good-habits-and-break-bad-ones?__s=ii8ggyxjigixqtm3if3n

Dear Future Me - a way to write yourself a letter that you receive by email at any point in the future you choose - a day, a week, a year. Great way to encourage yourself and/or give yourself some accountability. https://www.futureme.org/

EPISODE 193

Today's episode is a round-up of lots of interesting and fun information I've found that might help your writing career, your motivation, your creativity, and your overall sense of well-being as we keep working in our homes (whether we want to or not).

I also talked about the new book I'm working on, Encouragement for Writers, and I'll be adding a link shortly to a survey I'd love you to take to find out what you need encouragement on.

Here are all the promised links: :-)

Writers Digest - emails that include Monday Motivation, writing prompts, classes offered, and more. Website has lots of information for writers of every kind. https://www.writersdigest.com/

IngramSpark - Offering free title setup, free revisions, and print discounts in some countries through May 31, 2020. Lots of free resources on their website about how to self-publish and market your books, including a blog, a podcast, and free online courses. https://www.ingramspark.com/

Self Publishing Formula University - In addition to the SPF podcast and the information you get in the emails, there are great mini-classes in the SPF University (not a real university). Normally, you have to be a student in one of the classes or a patron in Patreon to have access, but Mark Dawson and team wanted to give people something to help with our lock-down time, so anyone can enroll for free for a limited time! https://selfpublishingformula.com/spfufree

National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) - #StayHomeWriMo is a new initiative to support and encourage you in these trying times. It will be continued indefinitely at this point. Follow them on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube, and find out more here: https://nanowrimo.org/stayhomewrimo

Chris Fox is one of many writers with a really good YouTube channel, lots of great videos to help you with your writing and the writing life. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCu6RYg6_-pTQxLVq3Fv6lYg

James Clear, author of Atomic Habits, shared a great interview that explains in a few minutes what his (awesome!) 300-page book will help you with. Definitely watch it since we're all being forced into new habits for awhile. https://globalnews.ca/video/6272424/how-to-develop-good-habits-and-break-bad-ones?__s=ii8ggyxjigixqtm3if3n

Dear Future Me - a way to write yourself a letter that you receive by email at any point in the future you choose - a day, a week, a year. Great way to encourage yourself and/or give yourself some accountability. https://www.futureme.org/

John Assaraf and Neurogym - a great blog article on how to help your brain increase your motivation! https://blog.myneurogym.com/video-innercise-motivation/

Lots of great free webinars, etc. going on right now! For instance...

Joseph Michael and Learning Scrivener Fast https://learnscrivenerfast.com/

Nick Stephanson and Your First 10,000 Readers https://yourfirst10kreaders.com/

Donald Miller and Building a Storybrand (lots of great free videos on YouTube if you search for him there) https://storybrand.com/

Scribe Book School - I don't know anything about this, just found it randomly, looks like it might be for nonfiction only, free conference April 28-29, 2020 https://scribewriting.com/bookschool/

Self-Publishing School with Chandler Bolt - I don't know much about this one either, and it might also be for nonfiction only https://self-publishingschool.com/

London Book Fair - in addition to staying in touch with those on their email list with a Book Club and a Film Club, they're offering a free livestream event called "Rights Essentials" on April 28, 2020 https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/rights-essentials-tickets-102870883582

Amazon is offering NINE international books translated into English for free today and tomorrow, April 23-24, to celebrate World Book Day! To see and download the books from your local Amazon location (if it's not the U.S.), click on the link right under the banner that says, “Shop on an Amazon international site?” and change to your Amazon location to download the books to your account. https://www.amazon.com/article/read-the-world-2020

Michael, Jr - clean comedian with an inspiring TEDx talk here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twSvd5bQLDw and a brand-new full comedy special here: https://youtu.be/ST_vobpMBSM

I also suggested you should search for more of your favorite comedians, music acts, etc. to find some videos to make you smile and laugh. For instance, I found this video for the Pentatonix World Tour: https://youtu.be/RCR7Y9eO6nI

And maybe this is a good time for you to learn a language using Duolingo or Babbel or some other program. Get ready to travel someplace really cool when we can travel again!

]]>296d1152-fdc3-4871-b6f3-bf14cc552a2aThu, 23 Apr 2020 09:00:00 -070044:37falsefull193193Create Your Own New NormalEPISODE 192

We've had a lot of "new normal" forced on us lately, but what if we take charge and create our own new normal? We're creative people, we can think of ways to make our new circumstances work for us!

In this episode, I talk about how to redefine the structure of your day so you still attain your overall goals. I mention my own health goals, business goals, and keeping some fun time in the schedule - because it is way too easy to work all the time, or not much at all when you work at home.

You have more power over your life than you realize! Make choices that work for you, and you can add more joy and laughter into your life. Now is the time to harness your creative energy to make changes that just might continue working better for you after our current restrictions are lifted.

]]>EPISODE 192

We've had a lot of "new normal" forced on us lately, but what if we take charge and create our own new normal? We're creative people, we can think of ways to make our new circumstances work for us!

In this episode, I talk about how to redefine the structure of your day so you still attain your overall goals. I mention my own health goals, business goals, and keeping some fun time in the schedule - because it is way too easy to work all the time, or not much at all when you work at home.

You have more power over your life than you realize! Make choices that work for you, and you can add more joy and laughter into your life. Now is the time to harness your creative energy to make changes that just might continue working better for you after our current restrictions are lifted.

]]>b14b2b9c-e32c-420e-aa39-2dd42de19559Thu, 16 Apr 2020 02:00:00 -070028:34falsefull192192When Your Life Depends On It: An Interview with Brad BorkanEPISODE 191I

Today’s guest is Brad Borkan, author of When Your Life Depends On It (co-written with David Hirzel, audiobook narrated by Dennis Kleinman). Brad's specialty area is decision sciences, how businesses and people make decisions.

We have a fascinating discussion about Antarctic explorers, the main characters in his nonfiction book, and how we can learn from their choices, both for our own modern life and for our fictional characters. These people made life and death decisions every day and rarely ever died. How did they manage that?

Brad tells us how he found his co-writer (even that was a risk), and explains how they spent a lot of time working on the outline before they started writing. After reading just a few paragraphs of the finished book, Brad decided they needed a professional audiobook narrator. Now all three men are not just a team, but lifelong friends.

You’ll love the exciting stories Brad shares in this episode! It’s interesting how the lessons learned from these explorers also applied to how Brad’s team formed and grew. He reminds us that teamwork is an important part of survival and growth in any area of our lives.

You can learn more about Brad and the book on his website (https://extreme-decisions.com/), on Amazon, and wherever books are sold.

]]>EPISODE 191I

Today’s guest is Brad Borkan, author of When Your Life Depends On It (co-written with David Hirzel, audiobook narrated by Dennis Kleinman). Brad's specialty area is decision sciences, how businesses and people make decisions.

We have a fascinating discussion about Antarctic explorers, the main characters in his nonfiction book, and how we can learn from their choices, both for our own modern life and for our fictional characters. These people made life and death decisions every day and rarely ever died. How did they manage that?

Brad tells us how he found his co-writer (even that was a risk), and explains how they spent a lot of time working on the outline before they started writing. After reading just a few paragraphs of the finished book, Brad decided they needed a professional audiobook narrator. Now all three men are not just a team, but lifelong friends.

You’ll love the exciting stories Brad shares in this episode! It’s interesting how the lessons learned from these explorers also applied to how Brad’s team formed and grew. He reminds us that teamwork is an important part of survival and growth in any area of our lives.

You can learn more about Brad and the book on his website (https://extreme-decisions.com/), on Amazon, and wherever books are sold.

]]>feafd4de-cba2-4357-b87b-ffaeaef571b5Thu, 09 Apr 2020 05:00:00 -070001:14:41falsefull191191Finding Encouragement in Tough Times: An Encouraging Words episode with Markus WatsonEPISODE 190E

This month for our Encouraging Words episode, I asked my friend Markus Watson to join us. We discuss how people weren't made to be in isolation, and some things we can do to overcome the emotional effects.

Markus explains the "Robinson stories" and we talk about the ideas of families and people being lost and in isolation. We also talk about a lot of ways we can use technology to overcome the feeling of being alone.

]]>EPISODE 190E

This month for our Encouraging Words episode, I asked my friend Markus Watson to join us. We discuss how people weren't made to be in isolation, and some things we can do to overcome the emotional effects.

Markus explains the "Robinson stories" and we talk about the ideas of families and people being lost and in isolation. We also talk about a lot of ways we can use technology to overcome the feeling of being alone.

]]>b3a4b415-9c3b-448d-9b39-1c7dab922db8Sun, 05 Apr 2020 02:00:00 -070048:31falsefull190190Self Publishing 101: An Interview with James BlatchEPISODE 189I

Today's guest is James Blatch from Mark Dawson's Self Publishing Formula talking to us about one of their online classes that's open just a couple more days from when this episode goes live on April 2, 2020.

I'm a student in both of Mark's courses, Self Publishing 101 and Advertising for Authors. I took the 101 course after hearing Mark talk about a couple things I didn't know how to do on his podcast, The Self Publishing Show. I figured if I could improve my book's chances of selling even to a small degree, it would be worth the cost of the class.

I don't have any affiliate links, but I'm such a fan of everything Mark and James and John do, I wanted to be sure you knew about it as well. James also mentions in the interview that for a limited time, they are making their SPF University (not a real university) FREE to everyone! So click the link and sign up! And check out the 101 class while you're there. It might be just what you've been looking for.

https://learn.selfpublishingformula.com/p/101

http://selfpublishingformula.com/spfufree

https://selfpublishingformula.com/spf-podcast/

]]>EPISODE 189I

Today's guest is James Blatch from Mark Dawson's Self Publishing Formula talking to us about one of their online classes that's open just a couple more days from when this episode goes live on April 2, 2020.

I'm a student in both of Mark's courses, Self Publishing 101 and Advertising for Authors. I took the 101 course after hearing Mark talk about a couple things I didn't know how to do on his podcast, The Self Publishing Show. I figured if I could improve my book's chances of selling even to a small degree, it would be worth the cost of the class.

I don't have any affiliate links, but I'm such a fan of everything Mark and James and John do, I wanted to be sure you knew about it as well. James also mentions in the interview that for a limited time, they are making their SPF University (not a real university) FREE to everyone! So click the link and sign up! And check out the 101 class while you're there. It might be just what you've been looking for.

https://learn.selfpublishingformula.com/p/101

http://selfpublishingformula.com/spfufree

https://selfpublishingformula.com/spf-podcast/

]]>c799dfd9-a6c4-4c4f-836f-16423a5b07acThu, 02 Apr 2020 09:00:00 -070001:03:12falsefull189189Your New Normal Writing Life: An Interview with Natalie WaltersEPISODE 188I

Today’s guest is romantic suspense author Natalie Walters, author of the brand new Silent Shadows coming out on March 31, 2020. Listen to the end to find out more about pre-order goodies you can receive directly from Natalie if you order the book before March 31. :)

[Sorry about the audio and video hiccups in this episode! With sooo many people using the Internet and streaming at the same time, this was the best quality we could get at the time.]

Chatting just a couple weeks into the Covid-19 pandemic, Natalie and I decided to talk about what's happening, how it's affecting our lives and the lives of those around us, and how it affects us as writers.

So many people are having to give up things they’ve been working toward for years - graduation ceremonies and parties, celebrations like my 30th anniversary party and trip, and innumerable other events, large and small. But Natalie has been telling their son that they will celebrate, but differently now, and maybe do a bigger celebration later when people can get together again. Trying to put things in perspective, we need to remember that this will pass - and we may find ourselves being refined to become better people.

There are also lots of things to inspire us - people going to visit grandparents and playing tic-tac-toe on each side of a window, people finding a way to give some of the extra they have to others in need, people creating flash mobs in social media to open your windows at a certain time to sing or exercise together.

Because it's all about people. Our world is created by our actions and reactions, and while we may feel so many things are outside our control right now, our actions and reactions are within our control. Natalie and I share a lot of ideas for how we can all do things to help our little corners of the world survive and thrive.

Remember that exercising grace and care and encouragement towards those around you as well as yourself will help this crisis feel more manageable. Helping others in big and small ways will help you feel better about the world.

And no matter what genre we write in, there are ideas in the headlines and stories now that can help us add depth to our own stories as we write and edit. Or maybe you'll get new ideas, for even the smallest part of your story, when you ask “what if” based on how things are happening in the world around you right now. It can add the sense that this story feels like real life.

You can learn more about Natalie and her books at her website, where you can also find her social media links. And remember, pre-order goodies are available to anyone who orders Silent Shadows between now and Tuesday, March 31, when the book comes out!

]]>EPISODE 188I

Today’s guest is romantic suspense author Natalie Walters, author of the brand new Silent Shadows coming out on March 31, 2020. Listen to the end to find out more about pre-order goodies you can receive directly from Natalie if you order the book before March 31. :)

[Sorry about the audio and video hiccups in this episode! With sooo many people using the Internet and streaming at the same time, this was the best quality we could get at the time.]

Chatting just a couple weeks into the Covid-19 pandemic, Natalie and I decided to talk about what's happening, how it's affecting our lives and the lives of those around us, and how it affects us as writers.

So many people are having to give up things they’ve been working toward for years - graduation ceremonies and parties, celebrations like my 30th anniversary party and trip, and innumerable other events, large and small. But Natalie has been telling their son that they will celebrate, but differently now, and maybe do a bigger celebration later when people can get together again. Trying to put things in perspective, we need to remember that this will pass - and we may find ourselves being refined to become better people.

There are also lots of things to inspire us - people going to visit grandparents and playing tic-tac-toe on each side of a window, people finding a way to give some of the extra they have to others in need, people creating flash mobs in social media to open your windows at a certain time to sing or exercise together.

Because it's all about people. Our world is created by our actions and reactions, and while we may feel so many things are outside our control right now, our actions and reactions are within our control. Natalie and I share a lot of ideas for how we can all do things to help our little corners of the world survive and thrive.

Remember that exercising grace and care and encouragement towards those around you as well as yourself will help this crisis feel more manageable. Helping others in big and small ways will help you feel better about the world.

And no matter what genre we write in, there are ideas in the headlines and stories now that can help us add depth to our own stories as we write and edit. Or maybe you'll get new ideas, for even the smallest part of your story, when you ask “what if” based on how things are happening in the world around you right now. It can add the sense that this story feels like real life.

You can learn more about Natalie and her books at her website, where you can also find her social media links. And remember, pre-order goodies are available to anyone who orders Silent Shadows between now and Tuesday, March 31, when the book comes out!

]]>84b3cbf2-b95d-4dc7-a4f4-bb415a1ace48Thu, 26 Mar 2020 09:00:00 -070001:09:17falsefull188188How to Have Fun When There's No Toilet PaperEPISODE 187T

Since our world has been tipped on its side from the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19), many of us find ourselves trying to make sense of a new normal. Maybe you're working from home for the first time, and it may not have transitioned in a smooth and easy way. Maybe other people are at home now that you're not used to having in your work space, and you all have to figure out how to get things done without getting irritated at each other.

I wanted to give you a whole bunch of reminders/ideas about things you can do to make this period a little easier. From taking an afternoon walk to spring cleaning to finishing watching that online class you never finished, we can find ways to make this temporary period not so bad.

I hope you enjoy my enthusiasm and encouragement, especially if you really needed a boost today! :-D

]]>EPISODE 187T

Since our world has been tipped on its side from the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19), many of us find ourselves trying to make sense of a new normal. Maybe you're working from home for the first time, and it may not have transitioned in a smooth and easy way. Maybe other people are at home now that you're not used to having in your work space, and you all have to figure out how to get things done without getting irritated at each other.

I wanted to give you a whole bunch of reminders/ideas about things you can do to make this period a little easier. From taking an afternoon walk to spring cleaning to finishing watching that online class you never finished, we can find ways to make this temporary period not so bad.

I hope you enjoy my enthusiasm and encouragement, especially if you really needed a boost today! :-D

]]>cb8f9e25-fd4d-4640-8e44-8b53390634e8Thu, 19 Mar 2020 09:00:00 -070048:26falsefull187187The First SPS Live Event: An OverviewEPISODE 186T

This week I attended the first ever live event hosted by the Self Publishing Show podcast with Mark Dawson and James Blatch. It was awesome!!

First of all, there is nothing like being with your people, the folks who "get" you, who don't have a blank look on their face when you talk about your writing, or editing, or read-through rates, or ad ROI.

Second of all, the amount of positive energy running through the room, through the restaurants when we got together to eat, even as we walked together to the tube station in London to go home - I felt like I was high. :-D

The speakers were incredible and I wanted to share a little of what they talked about with you. I couldn't share a lot of details because it was a paid event and some of the speakers wanted the information to stay with those who attended or paid for the videos after, totally understandable. But I give you the highlights here and name a lot of people and companies you can Google to find out more about them!

I hope you enjoy the episode and feel inspired and encouraged by all the positive energy and publishing tips! :-D

]]>EPISODE 186T

This week I attended the first ever live event hosted by the Self Publishing Show podcast with Mark Dawson and James Blatch. It was awesome!!

First of all, there is nothing like being with your people, the folks who "get" you, who don't have a blank look on their face when you talk about your writing, or editing, or read-through rates, or ad ROI.

Second of all, the amount of positive energy running through the room, through the restaurants when we got together to eat, even as we walked together to the tube station in London to go home - I felt like I was high. :-D

The speakers were incredible and I wanted to share a little of what they talked about with you. I couldn't share a lot of details because it was a paid event and some of the speakers wanted the information to stay with those who attended or paid for the videos after, totally understandable. But I give you the highlights here and name a lot of people and companies you can Google to find out more about them!

I hope you enjoy the episode and feel inspired and encouraged by all the positive energy and publishing tips! :-D

]]>3fb58165-6b85-42c1-bbbd-3d5de37d8855Thu, 12 Mar 2020 01:30:00 -070047:26falsefull186186Writing Stories From Ancient History: An Interview with Jill Eileen SmithEPISODE 185I

Today's guest is historical fiction author Jill Eileen Smith. Jill's focus has been on Old Testament women of the Bible and, wow, does she have her research work cut out for her!

We talk about how to research from multiple sources, and how to fill in the blanks when written history doesn't give you many details. Jill is particularly encouraging when it comes to writing a story "everyone" has already done, like the story of Esther in the Bible. Her latest book is Star of Persia, her take on the story of Esther, including some known historical figures of the day.

If you've been wondering how to write a piece of historical fiction without much written history to go on, Jill may be able to give you some ideas.

You can find Jill and her books on her website, or look for Jill Eileen Smith on most social media.

]]>EPISODE 185I

Today's guest is historical fiction author Jill Eileen Smith. Jill's focus has been on Old Testament women of the Bible and, wow, does she have her research work cut out for her!

We talk about how to research from multiple sources, and how to fill in the blanks when written history doesn't give you many details. Jill is particularly encouraging when it comes to writing a story "everyone" has already done, like the story of Esther in the Bible. Her latest book is Star of Persia, her take on the story of Esther, including some known historical figures of the day.

If you've been wondering how to write a piece of historical fiction without much written history to go on, Jill may be able to give you some ideas.

You can find Jill and her books on her website, or look for Jill Eileen Smith on most social media.

]]>b70e9704-cc7f-4aab-9f3d-bead3b72f990Thu, 05 Mar 2020 02:00:00 -070001:06:34falsefull185185When I Think of Snow - An Encouraging Words EpisodeEPISODE 184E

I had a really crappy week this past week. Lots of good moments, but days that kept ending in stress and disappointment and frustration. By the end of the week, I was a bit of a wreck...which was no good since I was finally going to be enjoying some time with friends Friday night.

I kept thinking that I just needed to think of something that makes me happy, or think of some things I'm grateful for. I'm grateful for A LOT but I couldn't think of anything as I took the wrong bus to our friends' house. Until I remembered the forecast said it might snow overnight. That made me smile. It hasn't snowed here in over a year and I've been waiting and watching.

Then it made me giggle a little that the hope of snow was the thing that made me smile after a long week. I hope you are looking for and finding something that will make you smile when you're stuck in a pit of frustration. It helps! :)

]]>EPISODE 184E

I had a really crappy week this past week. Lots of good moments, but days that kept ending in stress and disappointment and frustration. By the end of the week, I was a bit of a wreck...which was no good since I was finally going to be enjoying some time with friends Friday night.

I kept thinking that I just needed to think of something that makes me happy, or think of some things I'm grateful for. I'm grateful for A LOT but I couldn't think of anything as I took the wrong bus to our friends' house. Until I remembered the forecast said it might snow overnight. That made me smile. It hasn't snowed here in over a year and I've been waiting and watching.

Then it made me giggle a little that the hope of snow was the thing that made me smile after a long week. I hope you are looking for and finding something that will make you smile when you're stuck in a pit of frustration. It helps! :)

]]>ab2c4dcc-6ad8-453a-b124-424287c6c433Sun, 01 Mar 2020 02:00:00 -070009:41falsefull184184Burnout, Restart, and Managing Your ResourcesEPISODE 183

Sometimes you hear or read similar things over and over in a short period of time. When that happens, our brains often nudge us to ask - is this something important that I should be paying attention to right now?

This past week, I have heard or read similar ideas from Joanna Penn of The Creative Penn podcast, Susan May Warren with My Brilliant Writing Planner (on sale for 30% off as of the day this episode airs), and Paul Scanlon. After thinking about all of them for a bit, I realized I had more to say on some of these subjects, so I decided to do just that with this episode. I hope you find it interesting and helpful.

]]>EPISODE 183

Sometimes you hear or read similar things over and over in a short period of time. When that happens, our brains often nudge us to ask - is this something important that I should be paying attention to right now?

This past week, I have heard or read similar ideas from Joanna Penn of The Creative Penn podcast, Susan May Warren with My Brilliant Writing Planner (on sale for 30% off as of the day this episode airs), and Paul Scanlon. After thinking about all of them for a bit, I realized I had more to say on some of these subjects, so I decided to do just that with this episode. I hope you find it interesting and helpful.

]]>fe47e18b-3ea2-48f8-8367-156e156b6bc8Thu, 27 Feb 2020 02:00:00 -070048:22falsefull183183Self-Publishing and Greek Gods: An Interview with Kym ThurlowEPISODE 182I

Today's guest is fantasy author Kym Thurlow, writing as Eliza Raine. Kym tells us how she got started writing and why she decided to self-publish, sharing a lot of great information along the way.

Kym has learned a lot about writing and the business of publishing through online forums like 20Booksto50K, courses like Mark Dawson's Self Publishing 101 and Ads for Authors, and podcasts like Mark Dawson's Self Publishing Show, The Creative Penn, Six Figure Authors, and KM Weiland's Helping Writers Become Authors. She also loves the reports at K-lytics and recommends them.

In this episode, we talk about planning to leave your day job, changing and testing book covers, advertising, audiobooks, and more! I got super excited when Kym told us about a website called 4theWords that gamifies your writing to help you increase your word count. :-D

You can find Kym's book cover design work at Kim's Cozy Covers. Learn more about her and her books on her website, or by searching for Eliza Raine in Audible and Amazon.

]]>EPISODE 182I

Today's guest is fantasy author Kym Thurlow, writing as Eliza Raine. Kym tells us how she got started writing and why she decided to self-publish, sharing a lot of great information along the way.

Kym has learned a lot about writing and the business of publishing through online forums like 20Booksto50K, courses like Mark Dawson's Self Publishing 101 and Ads for Authors, and podcasts like Mark Dawson's Self Publishing Show, The Creative Penn, Six Figure Authors, and KM Weiland's Helping Writers Become Authors. She also loves the reports at K-lytics and recommends them.

In this episode, we talk about planning to leave your day job, changing and testing book covers, advertising, audiobooks, and more! I got super excited when Kym told us about a website called 4theWords that gamifies your writing to help you increase your word count. :-D

You can find Kym's book cover design work at Kim's Cozy Covers. Learn more about her and her books on her website, or by searching for Eliza Raine in Audible and Amazon.

]]>415cff32-f5b3-4c68-bfa4-f7e26611171dThu, 20 Feb 2020 09:00:00 -070001:03:59falsefull182182My Bullheaded Superhero Valentine - An EXTRA EpisodeEPISODE 181

For my first EXTRA episode, I decided to have fun and read the first chapter of my short book, My Bullheaded Superhero Valentine, for your Valentine's Day listening pleasure. I hope you enjoy it! :-D

]]>EPISODE 181

For my first EXTRA episode, I decided to have fun and read the first chapter of my short book, My Bullheaded Superhero Valentine, for your Valentine's Day listening pleasure. I hope you enjoy it! :-D

]]>a97009e0-2e85-4202-829d-5f95043811e8Fri, 14 Feb 2020 09:00:00 -070020:40falsefull181181The Beginning and the End: An Interview with James Scott BellEPISODE 180I

Today's guest is bestselling and award-winning author James Scott Bell. We talk about two of his many nonfiction books for writers, The Last Fifty Pages and Plotman to the Rescue.

From the first book, Jim talks about the Ahhh and the Uh-Oh types of endings. There can be a satisfying ending where it all works out for the protagonists, or at the end, when things seem to have worked out, the reader glimpses some little thing that says something bad might still happen, like at the end of Stephen King’s Pet Semetery.

There are genre conventions for some books like the happily ever after in romance, but there are all kinds of shapes to endings. As an author, you need to find the right trajectory for your ending. Not having any idea what it is can lead to a lot of rewriting or a less than satisfactory ending for readers.

Plotman to the Rescue is a reference book to find the problem you’re having with your story and some suggestions on how to fix it. Jim has so many creative suggestions for writing books - this is a great episode for any level of writer!

You can find out more about Jim, his books, and his teaching on his website. He can also be found on Patreon where you can read his short fiction before anyone else!

]]>EPISODE 180I

Today's guest is bestselling and award-winning author James Scott Bell. We talk about two of his many nonfiction books for writers, The Last Fifty Pages and Plotman to the Rescue.

From the first book, Jim talks about the Ahhh and the Uh-Oh types of endings. There can be a satisfying ending where it all works out for the protagonists, or at the end, when things seem to have worked out, the reader glimpses some little thing that says something bad might still happen, like at the end of Stephen King’s Pet Semetery.

There are genre conventions for some books like the happily ever after in romance, but there are all kinds of shapes to endings. As an author, you need to find the right trajectory for your ending. Not having any idea what it is can lead to a lot of rewriting or a less than satisfactory ending for readers.

Plotman to the Rescue is a reference book to find the problem you’re having with your story and some suggestions on how to fix it. Jim has so many creative suggestions for writing books - this is a great episode for any level of writer!

You can find out more about Jim, his books, and his teaching on his website. He can also be found on Patreon where you can read his short fiction before anyone else!

]]>187c6fa0-ca2c-41b1-9475-445fd600afdbThu, 13 Feb 2020 09:00:00 -070001:06:58falsefull180180Great Characters Make Great SeriesEPISODE 179I

Today's guest is Tom Threadgill, author of police procedurals and suspense novels. His newest book, Collision of Lies, just released this week and is the beginning of a new series.

For those of you who don't consider yourselves plotters, you'll love hearing Tom talk about how he writes - a true seat of the pants writer! He shares how he came up with the idea for Collision of Lies and how he wrote the first draft. A fun and funny interview with plenty of take-aways for listeners.

You can learn more about Tom on his website, and find his books everywhere books are sold.

]]>EPISODE 179I

Today's guest is Tom Threadgill, author of police procedurals and suspense novels. His newest book, Collision of Lies, just released this week and is the beginning of a new series.

For those of you who don't consider yourselves plotters, you'll love hearing Tom talk about how he writes - a true seat of the pants writer! He shares how he came up with the idea for Collision of Lies and how he wrote the first draft. A fun and funny interview with plenty of take-aways for listeners.

You can learn more about Tom on his website, and find his books everywhere books are sold.

]]>3c43d51c-bbad-4646-8114-f0f8d301f88aThu, 06 Feb 2020 09:00:00 -070001:07:02falsefull179179More Than Just Your Own PowerEPISODE 178E

Today I talk about having a word or verse for the year, something to help us focus or to encourage us toward this year's goals. But sometimes that point of focus changes - and you get even more focused! That's what happened to me this month. I hope my experience encourages you that this is the start of something great!

]]>EPISODE 178E

Today I talk about having a word or verse for the year, something to help us focus or to encourage us toward this year's goals. But sometimes that point of focus changes - and you get even more focused! That's what happened to me this month. I hope my experience encourages you that this is the start of something great!

]]>d3fa3dce-f399-4717-b593-f38836e9b3ddSun, 02 Feb 2020 02:00:00 -070021:31falsefull178178From Blog to Book: Repurposing Your NonfictionEPISODE 177T

I just finished helping a friend get his very first book up on Amazon - woohooo!! We're both very excited as this is something he's wanted to do for a few years! It occurred to me that I could share what I know about repurposing your writing and maybe help you get a book together too!

I hope you find this to be a helpful episode! Good luck and happy writing! :-D

]]>EPISODE 177T

I just finished helping a friend get his very first book up on Amazon - woohooo!! We're both very excited as this is something he's wanted to do for a few years! It occurred to me that I could share what I know about repurposing your writing and maybe help you get a book together too!

I hope you find this to be a helpful episode! Good luck and happy writing! :-D

]]>d7638d97-b041-4331-8713-0ff4cfe62253Thu, 30 Jan 2020 09:00:00 -070029:57falsefull177177A Passion for History: An Interview with Regina ScottEPISODE 176I

Regina Scott has published over 45 historical novels, winning awards and fans along the way. She loves history, so she finds research fun, not boring at all. Today she tells us about some of the amazing fun - that is, research - she's done in the name of fiction, and helps us see what we can do as well.

Since she writes Regency romances (and explains what that is) as well as Christian historical romances, we talk about her two newest books today. A Distance Too Grand came out in October from Revell, and is an adventure about a photographer traveling with an Army unit so she can photograph the Grand Canyon. The book came out during the 100th anniversary year of this wonder of the world being preserved as a national park.

Because I absolutely love Regency romances, we also talk about her newest, The Matchmaker's Rogue, book one in a new series released just this month.

You can find all of Regina's books wherever books are sold, and you can find Regina at her website, and on Facebook and Pinterest.

]]>EPISODE 176I

Regina Scott has published over 45 historical novels, winning awards and fans along the way. She loves history, so she finds research fun, not boring at all. Today she tells us about some of the amazing fun - that is, research - she's done in the name of fiction, and helps us see what we can do as well.

Since she writes Regency romances (and explains what that is) as well as Christian historical romances, we talk about her two newest books today. A Distance Too Grand came out in October from Revell, and is an adventure about a photographer traveling with an Army unit so she can photograph the Grand Canyon. The book came out during the 100th anniversary year of this wonder of the world being preserved as a national park.

Because I absolutely love Regency romances, we also talk about her newest, The Matchmaker's Rogue, book one in a new series released just this month.

You can find all of Regina's books wherever books are sold, and you can find Regina at her website, and on Facebook and Pinterest.

]]>e62f2053-db5a-40ea-8d57-c3fe781b29ffThu, 23 Jan 2020 09:00:00 -070001:08:47falsefull176176Bringing Justice to Fiction: An Interview with Lynette EasonEPISODE 175I

Today's guest is Lynette Eason, author of the new book, Collateral Damage. With over 60 books published, Lynette has a lot of experience in creating new characters, new series, and all kinds of interesting plots.

Lynette shares how she starts a book, how she gets started writing for the day, how she found law enforcement and military experts to ask questions, how she works with her critique partner, and so much more. She suggests you find the people you need to help you early on. Then you can ask these experts a few questions here and there over the course of writing the book rather than asking them all your questions and "please, read my whole book" at the end. :-D

She mentions several great references including the Killer Nashville conference, Writers Police Academy/MurderCon, Crime Scene Writers, and more.

You can find Lynette on her website, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, and find her books wherever books are sold. Be sure to check out Collateral Damage, book one in her new series, Danger Never Sleeps.

]]>EPISODE 175I

Today's guest is Lynette Eason, author of the new book, Collateral Damage. With over 60 books published, Lynette has a lot of experience in creating new characters, new series, and all kinds of interesting plots.

Lynette shares how she starts a book, how she gets started writing for the day, how she found law enforcement and military experts to ask questions, how she works with her critique partner, and so much more. She suggests you find the people you need to help you early on. Then you can ask these experts a few questions here and there over the course of writing the book rather than asking them all your questions and "please, read my whole book" at the end. :-D

She mentions several great references including the Killer Nashville conference, Writers Police Academy/MurderCon, Crime Scene Writers, and more.

You can find Lynette on her website, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, and find her books wherever books are sold. Be sure to check out Collateral Damage, book one in her new series, Danger Never Sleeps.

]]>23ac9897-70a3-46c0-a381-1e26ae53fcd1Thu, 16 Jan 2020 02:00:00 -070057:38falsefull175175Do 1% Better This YearIt's time to plan out our new year, to think about what worked last year and what didn't. But don't just write down a bunch of hoped-for goals, consider how much time you'll need to do them all compared to how much time you actually have.

I go through several good first steps to getting the big picture under control as well as talk about what I've been learning from James Clear's book, Atomic Habits, and Charles Duhigg's book, The Power of Habit.

This is going to be our best year yet! Welcome, 2020! :-D

]]>It's time to plan out our new year, to think about what worked last year and what didn't. But don't just write down a bunch of hoped-for goals, consider how much time you'll need to do them all compared to how much time you actually have.

I go through several good first steps to getting the big picture under control as well as talk about what I've been learning from James Clear's book, Atomic Habits, and Charles Duhigg's book, The Power of Habit.

This is going to be our best year yet! Welcome, 2020! :-D

]]>cf290dfd-b2ff-4d6b-bf71-fbc5b3081f97Thu, 09 Jan 2020 09:00:00 -070001:13:26falsefull174174Adding White Space to Your YearEPISODE 173E

As you start the new year, it's important to remember that over-planning and over-scheduling can lead to stress, disappointment, and - worst case scenario - burnout. To avoid that and enjoy your work all year long, plan some white space into your schedule. Some extra room in your calendar so you can move things around when necessary, and to take a little time out sometimes to stare at the ceiling and daydream. It'll boost your energy and your creativity, and lead to a more peaceful - and possibly more productive - life.

]]>EPISODE 173E

As you start the new year, it's important to remember that over-planning and over-scheduling can lead to stress, disappointment, and - worst case scenario - burnout. To avoid that and enjoy your work all year long, plan some white space into your schedule. Some extra room in your calendar so you can move things around when necessary, and to take a little time out sometimes to stare at the ceiling and daydream. It'll boost your energy and your creativity, and lead to a more peaceful - and possibly more productive - life.

]]>b298861e-bb52-4c25-ad46-d9d182ba5a71Sun, 05 Jan 2020 02:00:00 -070023:40falsefull173173Add a Little Murder: An Interview with Patricia Bradley - ENCOREEPISODE 172I

Interviewing the lovely Patricia Bradley was an exercise in paradoxes. Hearing this sweet Christian woman pronounce in her soft, Southern drawl, "Oh, I love to talk about murder. It's just fun" was just the beginning of my mind bending to look at things differently. :-D But I should have expected nothing less after I read the tagline for her website: Where love and faith cross paths...with murder.

Patricia writes romantic suspense and says that murdering your characters is a great way to kill off your anxieties. (I think I'm going to try that! :-D ) What follows is a fun conversation about how she writes - an encouraging look at writing for pantsers!

My biggest takeaway was when I realized that Patricia writes the scenes with the murderer or psychopath's point of view without knowing who the bad guy is - so it's just "he or she" - and later she'll have an ah-ha moment about who that person is in her story. I can't wait to try this!

Patricia has a lot of great stuff on her blog, and she also suggests several other blogs/websites including:

Suspense Sisters: https://suspensesisters.blogspot.com/...

Learn How to Write a Novel: 

http://learnhowtowriteanovel.com/blog...

Writers Police Academy: http://www.writerspoliceacademy.com/

Alicia Rasley's site: http://www.aliciarasley.com

Harlequin Heartwarming blog: http://heartwarmingauthors.blogspot.com/

The Crime Scene Writer Yahoo Group: 

https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/c...

She also loves to use James Scott Bell's book, Super Structure, as she writes.

You can follow Patricia Bradley on Goodreads, Facebook, and Twitter and on her blog: https://ptbradley.com/blog

]]>EPISODE 172I

Interviewing the lovely Patricia Bradley was an exercise in paradoxes. Hearing this sweet Christian woman pronounce in her soft, Southern drawl, "Oh, I love to talk about murder. It's just fun" was just the beginning of my mind bending to look at things differently. :-D But I should have expected nothing less after I read the tagline for her website: Where love and faith cross paths...with murder.

Patricia writes romantic suspense and says that murdering your characters is a great way to kill off your anxieties. (I think I'm going to try that! :-D ) What follows is a fun conversation about how she writes - an encouraging look at writing for pantsers!

My biggest takeaway was when I realized that Patricia writes the scenes with the murderer or psychopath's point of view without knowing who the bad guy is - so it's just "he or she" - and later she'll have an ah-ha moment about who that person is in her story. I can't wait to try this!

Patricia has a lot of great stuff on her blog, and she also suggests several other blogs/websites including:

Suspense Sisters: https://suspensesisters.blogspot.com/...

Learn How to Write a Novel: 

http://learnhowtowriteanovel.com/blog...

Writers Police Academy: http://www.writerspoliceacademy.com/

Alicia Rasley's site: http://www.aliciarasley.com

Harlequin Heartwarming blog: http://heartwarmingauthors.blogspot.com/

The Crime Scene Writer Yahoo Group: 

https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/c...

She also loves to use James Scott Bell's book, Super Structure, as she writes.

You can follow Patricia Bradley on Goodreads, Facebook, and Twitter and on her blog: https://ptbradley.com/blog

]]>ad121f07-6b2f-42fb-b936-75d9e7afffd0Thu, 02 Jan 2020 09:00:00 -070054:01falsefull172172Writing From the Middle: An Interview with James Scott BellEPISODE 171I

James Scott Bell is a Christy Award-winning and International Thriller Writers Award-winning author in several fiction genres, and a beloved and sought-after writing teacher. He has written many nonfiction titles on the craft of writing, including several for Writer’s Digest Books. In today’s episode, Jim talks about how he got the idea for his craft book, Write Your Novel From the Middle.

]]>EPISODE 171I

James Scott Bell is a Christy Award-winning and International Thriller Writers Award-winning author in several fiction genres, and a beloved and sought-after writing teacher. He has written many nonfiction titles on the craft of writing, including several for Writer’s Digest Books. In today’s episode, Jim talks about how he got the idea for his craft book, Write Your Novel From the Middle.

]]>7dd0af0e-ca49-4c47-91e6-4f64c6ca5dddThu, 26 Dec 2019 11:00:00 -070041:49falsefull171171Preparing to Plan for the New YearEPISODE 170T

Today's guest is - ME! :-D In January 2018, James Blatch interviewed me on The Self Publishing Show Podcast (then called Mark Dawson's Self Publishing Formula Podcast) about time management for writers. I've been teaching a class called Going the Distance for over a decade, helping other writers plan their time so they can get more done.

I thought this would be a good overview of all the things I teach in my course, and give you something to mull on in the back of your mind while you're cooking or shopping or wrapping presents or lying on the beach. (Hello, Southern Hemisphere!) In January, I'll come back with more practical details you can use to make 2020 your best year yet!

]]>EPISODE 170T

Today's guest is - ME! :-D In January 2018, James Blatch interviewed me on The Self Publishing Show Podcast (then called Mark Dawson's Self Publishing Formula Podcast) about time management for writers. I've been teaching a class called Going the Distance for over a decade, helping other writers plan their time so they can get more done.

I thought this would be a good overview of all the things I teach in my course, and give you something to mull on in the back of your mind while you're cooking or shopping or wrapping presents or lying on the beach. (Hello, Southern Hemisphere!) In January, I'll come back with more practical details you can use to make 2020 your best year yet!

]]>3196e368-30d7-4266-9775-7cd482a4860eThu, 19 Dec 2019 09:00:00 -070057:49falsefull170170Radical Rx - The Anti-Hustle Path to Health: An Interview with Ellen MartinEPISODE 169I

Today Ellen Martin is back and discussing her Radical Rx - her path from overworked entrepreneur to fighting cancer and winning with a whole new health plan.

As author entrepreneurs, we have to be careful not to work ourselves to the point of burnout - as I've talked about on several episodes - or worse, a terrible illness. What can we do to keep our health at its best while also getting our work done? And what might be done if we've pushed ourselves too far?

Ellen is not a medical professional, and we are not giving medical advice, but she shares what has worked for her, and encourages us all to start taking better care of ourselves today.

]]>EPISODE 169I

Today Ellen Martin is back and discussing her Radical Rx - her path from overworked entrepreneur to fighting cancer and winning with a whole new health plan.

As author entrepreneurs, we have to be careful not to work ourselves to the point of burnout - as I've talked about on several episodes - or worse, a terrible illness. What can we do to keep our health at its best while also getting our work done? And what might be done if we've pushed ourselves too far?

Ellen is not a medical professional, and we are not giving medical advice, but she shares what has worked for her, and encourages us all to start taking better care of ourselves today.

]]>e0fdfc74-dec6-46d5-bced-459775f2deaeThu, 12 Dec 2019 09:00:00 -070001:16:41falsefull169169A Bowl of SunshineEPISODE 168E

A friend told me the funniest thing the other day in a Facebook comment - and I had to share it with you. Such a smart, funny bit of philosophy that can apply to so many areas of life!

]]>EPISODE 168E

A friend told me the funniest thing the other day in a Facebook comment - and I had to share it with you. Such a smart, funny bit of philosophy that can apply to so many areas of life!

]]>38661824-9ced-4dd7-95b3-d22bb713bb49Sun, 08 Dec 2019 02:00:00 -070008:20falsefull168168Encouragement to Take a LeapEPISODE 167T

A couple weeks ago, I spoke to my Rotary Club about myself and ended with what I hoped was an encouraging push for everyone to believe that they have a lot to give to the world, no matter background or age. I hope listening to my talk encourages you to believe you have more power than you realize! :-D

]]>EPISODE 167T

A couple weeks ago, I spoke to my Rotary Club about myself and ended with what I hoped was an encouraging push for everyone to believe that they have a lot to give to the world, no matter background or age. I hope listening to my talk encourages you to believe you have more power than you realize! :-D

]]>5f688135-b735-405e-84bd-3bac22b9f414Sat, 07 Dec 2019 09:00:00 -070030:46falsefull167167Writing Murder and MayhemEPISODE 166I

Our guest today, Natalie Walters, has just published her second romantic suspense novel, Deadly Deceit, the followup to Living Lies. We have an enthusiastic conversation about scary movies, where to hide the bodies, and finding story ideas in your own life.

Natalie finds brainstorming to be the most fun part of writing. While usually a plotter, sometimes she brainstorms the main character first and sometimes it\'s the situation. For Deadly Deceit, she was excited to come up with the method of murder first.

We spend some time discussing suspension of disbelief in books and movies, and the questions that writers ask themselves in order to keep readers believing that the situation could really happen. Natalie suggests reaching out to fellow writers to ask them for contacts to interview to make sure your characters and situations are as realistic as possible.

You can find Natalie on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, and all of her social media links can be found on her website.

]]>EPISODE 166I

Our guest today, Natalie Walters, has just published her second romantic suspense novel, Deadly Deceit, the followup to Living Lies. We have an enthusiastic conversation about scary movies, where to hide the bodies, and finding story ideas in your own life.

Natalie finds brainstorming to be the most fun part of writing. While usually a plotter, sometimes she brainstorms the main character first and sometimes it\'s the situation. For Deadly Deceit, she was excited to come up with the method of murder first.

We spend some time discussing suspension of disbelief in books and movies, and the questions that writers ask themselves in order to keep readers believing that the situation could really happen. Natalie suggests reaching out to fellow writers to ask them for contacts to interview to make sure your characters and situations are as realistic as possible.

You can find Natalie on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, and all of her social media links can be found on her website.

]]>19e0e333-5472-4213-b127-7888503bc612Thu, 21 Nov 2019 09:00:00 -070001:12:33falsefull166166Writing Thrillers and Spy NovelsEPISODE 165I

Today\'s guest is James R Hannibal, author of military thrillers for adults and fantasy adventure books for kids. His newest book is The Gryphon Heist, book one in a new series.

In this episode, we chat about James\' military background and how he came to write military thrillers. We also discuss how to create characters different from ourselves, and the kinds of research James did for The Gryphon Heist.

James is a big believer in the power of writers conferences to network, even if you\'re an introvert. Like many writers, he\'s made some lifetime friendships at conferences.

You can find James at his website, and on most social media as James R Hannibal. He\'s most active on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, and is happy to answer questions on Facebook.

]]>EPISODE 165I

Today\'s guest is James R Hannibal, author of military thrillers for adults and fantasy adventure books for kids. His newest book is The Gryphon Heist, book one in a new series.

In this episode, we chat about James\' military background and how he came to write military thrillers. We also discuss how to create characters different from ourselves, and the kinds of research James did for The Gryphon Heist.

James is a big believer in the power of writers conferences to network, even if you\'re an introvert. Like many writers, he\'s made some lifetime friendships at conferences.

You can find James at his website, and on most social media as James R Hannibal. He\'s most active on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, and is happy to answer questions on Facebook.

]]>431fd3e5-c83f-420f-a46d-98a3b703567eThu, 14 Nov 2019 06:30:00 -070053:25falsefull165165Becoming a Story Genius: An Interview with Lisa Cron – ENCOREEPISODE 164I

Since I’m sick this week, I’m bringing you an encore of one of my favorite episodes of the show, an interview with Lisa Cron, which aired April 12, 2018. I hope it inspires you!

In addition to teaching writing in the UCLA Extension writing program, Lisa Cron is the author of both Wired for Story and Story Genius. She is an energetic and enthusiastic speaker who will reignite your fire and passion for writing!

Lisa says that her first book, Wired for Story, is more of an explanation of how it all works in the audience member’s brain when they are reading or watching a story. Story Genius takes it a step further and explains how to make your stories amazing.

If you’re a neuroscience geek like me, there’s really interesting stuff to get your mind racing along those lines. But if you just want to know, Why do people love the stories they love?, Lisa and her books will help you better understand it.

This interview is so interesting on so many levels! I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

Learn more about Lisa’s take on story at her CreativeLive workshop!

]]>EPISODE 164I

Since I’m sick this week, I’m bringing you an encore of one of my favorite episodes of the show, an interview with Lisa Cron, which aired April 12, 2018. I hope it inspires you!

In addition to teaching writing in the UCLA Extension writing program, Lisa Cron is the author of both Wired for Story and Story Genius. She is an energetic and enthusiastic speaker who will reignite your fire and passion for writing!

Lisa says that her first book, Wired for Story, is more of an explanation of how it all works in the audience member’s brain when they are reading or watching a story. Story Genius takes it a step further and explains how to make your stories amazing.

If you’re a neuroscience geek like me, there’s really interesting stuff to get your mind racing along those lines. But if you just want to know, Why do people love the stories they love?, Lisa and her books will help you better understand it.

This interview is so interesting on so many levels! I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

Learn more about Lisa’s take on story at her CreativeLive workshop!

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=2530Thu, 07 Nov 2019 02:00:00 -070055:41falsefullEPISODE 164I Since I’m sick this week, I’m bringing you an encore of one of my favorite episodes of the show, an interview with Lisa Cron, which aired April 12, 2018. I hope it inspires you! In addition to teaching writing in the UCLA Extension writing program, Lisa Cron is the author of both Wired for Story and Story Genius.…Positive Energy for Writing: An Encouraging Words EpisodeEPISODE 163E

In this Encouraging Words episode, I compare how I get a book written with how I learned to run a half marathon, and I share some of the ways I keep up positive energy when I’m writing. So much of our energy is in our minds, so watch your thoughts! So much of it also comes from our hearts, so choose how you feel about writing today. And have some fun – stickers, word count competitions with your friends, or working toward badges in something like National Novel Writing Month.

]]>EPISODE 163E

In this Encouraging Words episode, I compare how I get a book written with how I learned to run a half marathon, and I share some of the ways I keep up positive energy when I’m writing. So much of our energy is in our minds, so watch your thoughts! So much of it also comes from our hearts, so choose how you feel about writing today. And have some fun – stickers, word count competitions with your friends, or working toward badges in something like National Novel Writing Month.

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=2523Sun, 03 Nov 2019 10:00:14 -070018:20falsefullEPISODE 163E In this Encouraging Words episode, I compare how I get a book written with how I learned to run a half marathon, and I share some of the ways I keep up positive energy when I’m writing. So much of our energy is in our minds, so watch your thoughts! So much of…Writing Tips for Debut Authors: An Interview with Tari FarisEPISODE 162I

Our guest today is debut author Tari Faris. Her first book, You Belong With Me, just came out in September 2019.

Tari’s number one tip for authors is patience. She’s been writing for ten years, and it took seven years from the time she began pursuing publication to getting a contract. She encourages writers to find a community of writers to get involved in so you don’t feel alone. It’s also a good place to learn and share information.

Tari shares other tips and things she’s learned along her journey as we discuss You Belong With Me and the other books she’s writing in the series. In addition to the writing, we also discuss some of the business parts of writing including her decision to give away the prequel novella to anyone who signs up for her newsletter by November 30, 2019.

You can learn more about Tari and her books at TariFaris.com and on her Facebook page, and you can meet her in person at the annual ACFW conference, at Book Lovers Con in March 2020, and at Story Fest next year (part of ACFW). She also helps teach at MyBookTherapy.com and blogs at LearnHowtoWriteaNovel.com.

]]>EPISODE 162I

Our guest today is debut author Tari Faris. Her first book, You Belong With Me, just came out in September 2019.

Tari’s number one tip for authors is patience. She’s been writing for ten years, and it took seven years from the time she began pursuing publication to getting a contract. She encourages writers to find a community of writers to get involved in so you don’t feel alone. It’s also a good place to learn and share information.

Tari shares other tips and things she’s learned along her journey as we discuss You Belong With Me and the other books she’s writing in the series. In addition to the writing, we also discuss some of the business parts of writing including her decision to give away the prequel novella to anyone who signs up for her newsletter by November 30, 2019.

You can learn more about Tari and her books at TariFaris.com and on her Facebook page, and you can meet her in person at the annual ACFW conference, at Book Lovers Con in March 2020, and at Story Fest next year (part of ACFW). She also helps teach at MyBookTherapy.com and blogs at LearnHowtoWriteaNovel.com.

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=2516Thu, 31 Oct 2019 10:00:39 -070001:11:24falsefullEPISODE 162I Our guest today is debut author Tari Faris. Her first book, You Belong With Me, just came out in September 2019. Tari’s number one tip for authors is patience. She’s been writing for ten years, and it took seven years from the time she began pursuing publication to getting a contract. She encourages…Creating an Online Class: An Interview with Ellen MartinEPISODE 161I

Today’s guest is Ellen Martin, founder of CourseLauncherHQ. We’re talking about online classes and all the questions you might have as to whether or not this is something you might want to pursue.

Some of the questions Ellen answers include:

• How do you know if you’re really a teacher?
• How do you know if you know enough to teach someone else?
• How do you know if your class is successful?
• How much work is it to setup and run an online class?

She also mentioned a couple of books she likes – The Course Design Formula by Rebecca Frost Cuevas, and Teach and Grow Rich by Danny Iny.

If you’re interested in learning whether Ellen and CourseLauncherHQ can help you, go to CourseLauncherHQ.com/go/writenowworkshop to get more information. She’s launching a beta program soon, and it might be just the right time for you to teach a new course! (I use Ellen’s services, and I’ve been really happy with the program for the last few years!)

Also, if you’re interested in the TED talk about Sacred Rest by Saundra Dalton-Smith, here is the link. You can also find her book of the same title on Amazon and other bookstores.

]]>EPISODE 161I

Today’s guest is Ellen Martin, founder of CourseLauncherHQ. We’re talking about online classes and all the questions you might have as to whether or not this is something you might want to pursue.

Some of the questions Ellen answers include:

• How do you know if you’re really a teacher?
• How do you know if you know enough to teach someone else?
• How do you know if your class is successful?
• How much work is it to setup and run an online class?

She also mentioned a couple of books she likes – The Course Design Formula by Rebecca Frost Cuevas, and Teach and Grow Rich by Danny Iny.

If you’re interested in learning whether Ellen and CourseLauncherHQ can help you, go to CourseLauncherHQ.com/go/writenowworkshop to get more information. She’s launching a beta program soon, and it might be just the right time for you to teach a new course! (I use Ellen’s services, and I’ve been really happy with the program for the last few years!)

Also, if you’re interested in the TED talk about Sacred Rest by Saundra Dalton-Smith, here is the link. You can also find her book of the same title on Amazon and other bookstores.

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=2509Thu, 24 Oct 2019 16:19:10 -070001:05:39falsefullEPISODE 161I Today’s guest is Ellen Martin, founder of CourseLauncherHQ. We’re talking about online classes and all the questions you might have as to whether or not this is something you might want to pursue. Some of the questions Ellen answers include: How do you know if you’re really a teacher? How do you know…Watching Our Words – An Encouraging Words EpisodeThis month’s Encouraging Words episode – sorry it’s late! – is about the power of our words, both written and spoken. In Proverbs, it says words hold the power of life and death. I really think that’s true no matter what kind of words – spoken or written, fiction or social media or conversation.

The tricky part is trying to keep our hearts in a good place…and keeping our mouths shut when our hearts are not quite right.

]]>This month’s Encouraging Words episode – sorry it’s late! – is about the power of our words, both written and spoken. In Proverbs, it says words hold the power of life and death. I really think that’s true no matter what kind of words – spoken or written, fiction or social media or conversation.

The tricky part is trying to keep our hearts in a good place…and keeping our mouths shut when our hearts are not quite right.

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=2504Sun, 20 Oct 2019 09:00:56 -070009:53falsefullThis month’s Encouraging Words episode – sorry it’s late! – is about the power of our words, both written and spoken. In Proverbs, it says words hold the power of life and death. I really think that’s true no matter what kind of words – spoken or written, fiction or social media or conversation. The…My Brilliant Writing Planner – An Interview with Susan May WarrenEPISODE 159I

Our guest today has been a cheerful and encouraging presence on the show before – bestselling author Susan May Warren is back to tell us about My Brilliant Writing Planner.

When people started asking Susie May how she gets so much done, she explained her system for planning and organizing all the facets of her life from writing to mothering to personal time. Her base idea is called power blocking, and she explains how she’s been using it for years.

Eventually, she created her own daily planner that included all the aspects of her writing career that she wanted to plan and track as well as aspects of her daily life that also needed to be done. In the new planner, there is also a section at the beginning explaining values-based planning, and a sacred rest assessment. Understanding what Susie May intended when she created the planner will help you use it in the best way for you personally. There is even a free online class explaining how she uses it that you have access to after your purchase.

Whether you like My Brilliant Writing Planner, have something else, or don’t like planners at all, we share a lot of ideas for planning the year in our interview. We discuss sacred rest, values-based planning, being fully present whatever you are doing, and the power of gratitude – as well as the power of colorful encouraging stickers! We hope this episode inspires and encourages you!

If you’re interested in My Brilliant Writing Planner, it is $10 off through the month of October 2019. Plus, if you order using the coupon code KITTY, Susie May will add a free sticky pad that is a daily to-do sheet that matches the planner. This free gift is available with the coupon code until the 2021 planner comes out!

You can learn more about Susie May’s online classes at My Book Therapy.com. From there you can find the planner, the school – Novel Academy, and the blog. Find out more about Susie May and her books at her website.

]]>EPISODE 159I

Our guest today has been a cheerful and encouraging presence on the show before – bestselling author Susan May Warren is back to tell us about My Brilliant Writing Planner.

When people started asking Susie May how she gets so much done, she explained her system for planning and organizing all the facets of her life from writing to mothering to personal time. Her base idea is called power blocking, and she explains how she’s been using it for years.

Eventually, she created her own daily planner that included all the aspects of her writing career that she wanted to plan and track as well as aspects of her daily life that also needed to be done. In the new planner, there is also a section at the beginning explaining values-based planning, and a sacred rest assessment. Understanding what Susie May intended when she created the planner will help you use it in the best way for you personally. There is even a free online class explaining how she uses it that you have access to after your purchase.

Whether you like My Brilliant Writing Planner, have something else, or don’t like planners at all, we share a lot of ideas for planning the year in our interview. We discuss sacred rest, values-based planning, being fully present whatever you are doing, and the power of gratitude – as well as the power of colorful encouraging stickers! We hope this episode inspires and encourages you!

If you’re interested in My Brilliant Writing Planner, it is $10 off through the month of October 2019. Plus, if you order using the coupon code KITTY, Susie May will add a free sticky pad that is a daily to-do sheet that matches the planner. This free gift is available with the coupon code until the 2021 planner comes out!

You can learn more about Susie May’s online classes at My Book Therapy.com. From there you can find the planner, the school – Novel Academy, and the blog. Find out more about Susie May and her books at her website.

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=2495Thu, 17 Oct 2019 11:09:41 -070001:09:49falsefullEPISODE 159I Our guest today has been a cheerful and encouraging presence on the show before – bestselling author Susan May Warren is back to tell us about My Brilliant Writing Planner. When people started asking Susie May how she gets so much done, she explained her system for planning and organizing all the facets…Managing an Online Literary Magazine: An Interview with Carol L White and AE DeckerEPISODE 158I

Join us today as Carol L Wright and AE Decker from the Bethlehem Writers Group share their wisdom and experiences in creating an online literary magazine.

Carol and Ann explain how it all started, some of the mistakes made along the way, and how they found their groove. In addition to the quarterly literary magazine, Bethlehem Writers Roundtable (a paying market!), the group also publishes an anthology of short stories every other year.

Early each year they host a contest based on the theme of the anthology. The annual winners are published in the anthology, and the runners-up are published in the online magazine. A celebrity judge chooses the best story. In 2019, John Grogan, author of Marley and Me, was the final judge. In 2020, Spencer Quinn/Peter Abrahams, author of the Chet & Bernie Mysteries, will be the celebrity judge.

More information on the contest can be found at the Bethlehem Writers Roundtable site. You can find Carol at her website and on Facebook. Ann can be found at her website, and on Twitter. Her publisher’s website is World Weaver Press.

]]>EPISODE 158I

Join us today as Carol L Wright and AE Decker from the Bethlehem Writers Group share their wisdom and experiences in creating an online literary magazine.

Carol and Ann explain how it all started, some of the mistakes made along the way, and how they found their groove. In addition to the quarterly literary magazine, Bethlehem Writers Roundtable (a paying market!), the group also publishes an anthology of short stories every other year.

Early each year they host a contest based on the theme of the anthology. The annual winners are published in the anthology, and the runners-up are published in the online magazine. A celebrity judge chooses the best story. In 2019, John Grogan, author of Marley and Me, was the final judge. In 2020, Spencer Quinn/Peter Abrahams, author of the Chet & Bernie Mysteries, will be the celebrity judge.

More information on the contest can be found at the Bethlehem Writers Roundtable site. You can find Carol at her website and on Facebook. Ann can be found at her website, and on Twitter. Her publisher’s website is World Weaver Press.

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=2488Thu, 03 Oct 2019 08:00:00 -070043:09falsefullEPISODE 158I Join us today as Carol L Wright and AE Decker from the Bethlehem Writers Group share their wisdom and experiences in creating an online literary magazine. Carol and Ann explain how it all started, some of the mistakes made along the way, and how they found their groove. In addition to the quarterly…Passion and Positivity for Mental Health: An Interview with Ellie RhodesToday’s guest is Ellie Rhodes, a product manager (and copywriter!) at Ubisoft Montreal, a video game developer. Ellie has tweeted her experiences in the area of anxiety, depression, and burnout, sharing tips with her followers about coping mechanisms and just helping others know they are not alone.

We talk about burnout and the video game industry, self-care tips and taking selfish time to renew your energy (might be a puzzle, might be watching cake decorating videos or farm animals on YouTube), and more things Ellie and I have found that help or hinder the healing process.

Ellie and I hope that this episode is encouraging to you – personally or so you can help a friend.   If you’d like to read the article that introduced me to Ellie in the first place, you can do so here. A list of all the Women of Ubisoft articles is here. (They’re great!)

You can follow Ellie on Instagram and Twitter and other social media platforms as EllieJoyPanic. If you’d like to ask her a question on any of the topics we discussed, you can also email her at EllieJoyPanic AT Outlook DOT com.

]]>Today’s guest is Ellie Rhodes, a product manager (and copywriter!) at Ubisoft Montreal, a video game developer. Ellie has tweeted her experiences in the area of anxiety, depression, and burnout, sharing tips with her followers about coping mechanisms and just helping others know they are not alone.

We talk about burnout and the video game industry, self-care tips and taking selfish time to renew your energy (might be a puzzle, might be watching cake decorating videos or farm animals on YouTube), and more things Ellie and I have found that help or hinder the healing process.

Ellie and I hope that this episode is encouraging to you – personally or so you can help a friend.   If you’d like to read the article that introduced me to Ellie in the first place, you can do so here. A list of all the Women of Ubisoft articles is here. (They’re great!)

You can follow Ellie on Instagram and Twitter and other social media platforms as EllieJoyPanic. If you’d like to ask her a question on any of the topics we discussed, you can also email her at EllieJoyPanic AT Outlook DOT com.

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=2483Thu, 19 Sep 2019 09:00:23 -070001:02:40falsefullToday’s guest is Ellie Rhodes, a product manager (and copywriter!) at Ubisoft Montreal, a video game developer. Ellie has tweeted her experiences in the area of anxiety, depression, and burnout, sharing tips with her followers about coping mechanisms and just helping others know they are not alone. We talk about burnout and the video game…To Plan or Not to Plan – YES!EPISODE 156E

Sometimes it seems like I overplan. Some days I think I need a better plan. I’ve had a few days that have been blissful with no plan! But how do you know when to do the one thing and when to do the other? I give you my best ideas on how I decide.

]]>EPISODE 156E

Sometimes it seems like I overplan. Some days I think I need a better plan. I’ve had a few days that have been blissful with no plan! But how do you know when to do the one thing and when to do the other? I give you my best ideas on how I decide.

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=2479Sun, 08 Sep 2019 09:00:45 -070011:22falsefullEPISODE 156E Sometimes it seems like I overplan. Some days I think I need a better plan. I’ve had a few days that have been blissful with no plan! But how do you know when to do the one thing and when to do the other? I give you my best ideas on how I…Getting Back to WorkEPISODE 155T

Many of us are wrapping up the summer, vacations, and watching or helping students go back to school. It’s one of those natural times of year to see what else we want to accomplish in the last few months, and figure out the best way to accomplish our goals.

I teach a time management class most January’s, and I help people do all they can to accomplish the tasks they set for themselves. But this past year or so, I’ve been very careful about not helping you to the point where you burn out, too.

One of the things that can help is planned time off. I marked last Sunday off my calendar specifically to have no plans. It was blissful!

So in addition to planning some time off, we also want to plan the most important things we want to get done before year’s end. You can plan forward – how much time do you have each day or week, and how much can you get done in that time. Or plan backwards – what do you need to get done, and how many hours a day or week will be necessary to do so.

Planners can also be a big help. Check out Susan May Warren’s My Brilliant Writing Planner for a discount on the 2019 version, and a discount when preordering the 2020 one. Susie May will be on the show again in a few weeks to tell you about all the new updates in next year’s planner.

]]>EPISODE 155T

Many of us are wrapping up the summer, vacations, and watching or helping students go back to school. It’s one of those natural times of year to see what else we want to accomplish in the last few months, and figure out the best way to accomplish our goals.

I teach a time management class most January’s, and I help people do all they can to accomplish the tasks they set for themselves. But this past year or so, I’ve been very careful about not helping you to the point where you burn out, too.

One of the things that can help is planned time off. I marked last Sunday off my calendar specifically to have no plans. It was blissful!

So in addition to planning some time off, we also want to plan the most important things we want to get done before year’s end. You can plan forward – how much time do you have each day or week, and how much can you get done in that time. Or plan backwards – what do you need to get done, and how many hours a day or week will be necessary to do so.

Planners can also be a big help. Check out Susan May Warren’s My Brilliant Writing Planner for a discount on the 2019 version, and a discount when preordering the 2020 one. Susie May will be on the show again in a few weeks to tell you about all the new updates in next year’s planner.

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=2475Thu, 05 Sep 2019 09:00:33 -070026:23falsefullEPISODE 155T Many of us are wrapping up the summer, vacations, and watching or helping students go back to school. It’s one of those natural times of year to see what else we want to accomplish in the last few months, and figure out the best way to accomplish our goals. I teach a time…Burnout and BackslidingEPISODE 154T

Sadly, I've felt like my journey to recovery from burnout has been a bit two or three steps forward, one step back. I don't ever want to create an episode about it just to have someone to vent to, but it's been a hard few weeks. I thought if I could figure out how to help myself, I could write down what seemed to work and share it with you.

In this episode, I discuss how to learn to recognize the backward steps and encourage you to start a list of things that usually help you stop backsliding and begin making forward progress again. I share some of the mental and emotional challenges I've had and what has helped, as well as the wisdom I've gleaned about how to deal with the physical symptoms.

I hope this helps you - to either help yourself if you're struggling with burnout, or to help a friend.

]]>EPISODE 154T

Sadly, I've felt like my journey to recovery from burnout has been a bit two or three steps forward, one step back. I don't ever want to create an episode about it just to have someone to vent to, but it's been a hard few weeks. I thought if I could figure out how to help myself, I could write down what seemed to work and share it with you.

In this episode, I discuss how to learn to recognize the backward steps and encourage you to start a list of things that usually help you stop backsliding and begin making forward progress again. I share some of the mental and emotional challenges I've had and what has helped, as well as the wisdom I've gleaned about how to deal with the physical symptoms.

I hope this helps you - to either help yourself if you're struggling with burnout, or to help a friend.

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=2470Thu, 22 Aug 2019 08:00:00 -070038:40falsefullAnthologies for Writers Groups: An Interview with Marianne H. DonleyEPISODE 153I

Today's guest is Marianne H. Donley, a writer who has worked with her writers group to put out several fiction anthologies over the last several years. She uses this experience as an example for her tips and suggestions for you if you're thinking about getting some writers together and creating an anthology.

There are a lot of pieces and parts to consider if you want to put together a multi-author anthology. It takes far more time than you think it will, especially for whomever edits it. (Unless you hire out an editor, the best editor in your group is going to need to read every story and give notes where appropriate.)

You also will have to cover all the production items within your group, or decide how to pay for hiring it out - editing, cover design, formatting, etc. Someone will have to be in charge of the uploading - and under whose name will that be? That segues into the topic of money - will the costs come from one person or evenly from the group? And how will proceeds from sales be distributed? Or will you offer the book for free?

These are just a small sampling of the many issues Marianne helps us consider as she walks us through the process of creating an anthology. Here are links to some of the things she mentioned:

Bethlehem Writers Roundtable ezine:  https://sites.google.com/site/bethlehemwritersroundtable/

Submit to the ezine: https://sites.google.com/site/bethlehemwritersroundtable/submissions

Short Story Award contest page: https://sites.google.com/site/bethlehemwritersroundtable/short-story-contest

Bethlehem Writers Group anthologies: https://www.asliceoforange.net/authors/bethlehem-writers-group-llc/

A Slice of Orange: https://asliceoforange.net/

...and its bookstore: https://www.asliceoforange.net/book-store/

Request to be an interviewed author: https://www.asliceoforange.net/contact/author-interviews/

Charmed Writers free Flash Fiction book (and description includes information on how to join): https://www.asliceoforange.net/books/charmed-writers-presents-flash-fiction-2019/

5-Minute Covers (may or may not still be in business): https://www.facebook.com/5MinuteCovers/

The Book Designer with Joel Friedlander: https://www.thebookdesigner.com/

]]>EPISODE 153I

Today's guest is Marianne H. Donley, a writer who has worked with her writers group to put out several fiction anthologies over the last several years. She uses this experience as an example for her tips and suggestions for you if you're thinking about getting some writers together and creating an anthology.

There are a lot of pieces and parts to consider if you want to put together a multi-author anthology. It takes far more time than you think it will, especially for whomever edits it. (Unless you hire out an editor, the best editor in your group is going to need to read every story and give notes where appropriate.)

You also will have to cover all the production items within your group, or decide how to pay for hiring it out - editing, cover design, formatting, etc. Someone will have to be in charge of the uploading - and under whose name will that be? That segues into the topic of money - will the costs come from one person or evenly from the group? And how will proceeds from sales be distributed? Or will you offer the book for free?

These are just a small sampling of the many issues Marianne helps us consider as she walks us through the process of creating an anthology. Here are links to some of the things she mentioned:

Bethlehem Writers Roundtable ezine:  https://sites.google.com/site/bethlehemwritersroundtable/

Submit to the ezine: https://sites.google.com/site/bethlehemwritersroundtable/submissions

Short Story Award contest page: https://sites.google.com/site/bethlehemwritersroundtable/short-story-contest

Bethlehem Writers Group anthologies: https://www.asliceoforange.net/authors/bethlehem-writers-group-llc/

A Slice of Orange: https://asliceoforange.net/

...and its bookstore: https://www.asliceoforange.net/book-store/

Request to be an interviewed author: https://www.asliceoforange.net/contact/author-interviews/

Charmed Writers free Flash Fiction book (and description includes information on how to join): https://www.asliceoforange.net/books/charmed-writers-presents-flash-fiction-2019/

5-Minute Covers (may or may not still be in business): https://www.facebook.com/5MinuteCovers/

The Book Designer with Joel Friedlander: https://www.thebookdesigner.com/

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=2457Thu, 08 Aug 2019 09:17:00 -070059:50falsefullA Perspective of Gratitude: An Encouraging Words EpisodeEPISODE 152E

There are times when I'm thinking about or talking about something happening in my life and I mention what didn't go well, and I wonder if I'm complaining. I'm often happy with and grateful for the bigger picture of the topic even though there are areas that I wish were different. It could be my hair or my writing or my vacation. In general, I'm happy with all those things...but I mention the parts I didn't like...and I worry I might be getting into a bad habit of complaining.

Of course there are lots of things we wish were different, but if we can stay focused on the good things and all we are grateful for, it will help us to keep a healthy perspective. And a positive outlook does amazing things for helping our minds to think up new and creative solutions! So that's a bonus!

I hope this Encouraging Words episode has helped you to feel good about yourself and your life today! :-D

]]>EPISODE 152E

There are times when I'm thinking about or talking about something happening in my life and I mention what didn't go well, and I wonder if I'm complaining. I'm often happy with and grateful for the bigger picture of the topic even though there are areas that I wish were different. It could be my hair or my writing or my vacation. In general, I'm happy with all those things...but I mention the parts I didn't like...and I worry I might be getting into a bad habit of complaining.

Of course there are lots of things we wish were different, but if we can stay focused on the good things and all we are grateful for, it will help us to keep a healthy perspective. And a positive outlook does amazing things for helping our minds to think up new and creative solutions! So that's a bonus!

I hope this Encouraging Words episode has helped you to feel good about yourself and your life today! :-D

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=2451Sun, 04 Aug 2019 08:00:00 -070010:10falsefullAdvice From a Bookseller: An Interview with Jodie BrandtEPISODE 151I

Today’s guest is Jodie Brandt, senior bookseller at Brilliant Books, an independent bookstore in Traverse City, Michigan.

Jodie shares some ideas on how to approach Brilliant Books or another bookstore as an author. You can find more information on what Brilliant Books is looking for in authors who would like to do a signing or other event on their Resources for Authors page. Even if you don’t live near this store, it could be helpful information you can apply when contacting an independent bookstore near you.

If you’re interested in tabletop gaming, that’s another interest of Jodie’s and we spend some time talking about how he got involved in writing in that industry.

Jodie is also the host of QuestWise, a YouTube channel where he discusses and reviews tabletop and video games. He mentions an amazing game called The Great American Novel Roleplaying Game that recently completed a successful Kickstarter campaign. It sounds like a fun game to check out. You can find Jodie on Facebook under QuestWise.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Brilliant Books has an amazing shipping policy! If you don’t live near a great independent bookstore yourself, Brilliant Books can be YOUR bookstore - they ship anywhere in the United States for FREE! When you add a U.S. shipping address at checkout, a new shipping option will pop up: FREE Shipping - USPS Media Mail: $0.00. Try it out!

]]>EPISODE 151I

Today’s guest is Jodie Brandt, senior bookseller at Brilliant Books, an independent bookstore in Traverse City, Michigan.

Jodie shares some ideas on how to approach Brilliant Books or another bookstore as an author. You can find more information on what Brilliant Books is looking for in authors who would like to do a signing or other event on their Resources for Authors page. Even if you don’t live near this store, it could be helpful information you can apply when contacting an independent bookstore near you.

If you’re interested in tabletop gaming, that’s another interest of Jodie’s and we spend some time talking about how he got involved in writing in that industry.

Jodie is also the host of QuestWise, a YouTube channel where he discusses and reviews tabletop and video games. He mentions an amazing game called The Great American Novel Roleplaying Game that recently completed a successful Kickstarter campaign. It sounds like a fun game to check out. You can find Jodie on Facebook under QuestWise.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Brilliant Books has an amazing shipping policy! If you don’t live near a great independent bookstore yourself, Brilliant Books can be YOUR bookstore - they ship anywhere in the United States for FREE! When you add a U.S. shipping address at checkout, a new shipping option will pop up: FREE Shipping - USPS Media Mail: $0.00. Try it out!

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=2446Thu, 25 Jul 2019 09:00:00 -070001:02:18falsefullBook Specs For Your Self-Published BookEPISODE 150T

When I self-publish my own books or work with clients to publish theirs, I use my Book Specifications Worksheet to collect all the information needed to create the final ebook and/or print book. In this episode, I go over several areas of the worksheet, letting you know all of the things you'll have to decide before you publish.

If you use Vellum to create your book files, some of the information isn't necessary since Vellum does it automatically. If you use Adobe InDesign or something similar, you'll need to make decisions on most of the areas included. One of the best parts of this worksheet is that you can use the decisions you made on the first book to roll over to future books. Then your readers will get a consistent publishing experience from you - one more way to look like the professional you are.

Download your copy of my Book Specifications Worksheet here.

]]>EPISODE 150T

When I self-publish my own books or work with clients to publish theirs, I use my Book Specifications Worksheet to collect all the information needed to create the final ebook and/or print book. In this episode, I go over several areas of the worksheet, letting you know all of the things you'll have to decide before you publish.

If you use Vellum to create your book files, some of the information isn't necessary since Vellum does it automatically. If you use Adobe InDesign or something similar, you'll need to make decisions on most of the areas included. One of the best parts of this worksheet is that you can use the decisions you made on the first book to roll over to future books. Then your readers will get a consistent publishing experience from you - one more way to look like the professional you are.

Download your copy of my Book Specifications Worksheet here.

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=2438Thu, 11 Jul 2019 08:00:00 -070028:40falsefullLike a Bride and a Bridegroom: An Encouraging Words EpisodeEPISODE 149E

I like to share things that I have recently found encouraging, and today it is the poetry Song of Solomon, also called Song of Songs, in the Bible. It is a beautiful five-page poem about two young lovers who are crazy in love. It's an analogy for how much God loves us and pursues us and wants to be with us, and how much he wants us to love him back. It's not only beautiful, it makes me feel cherished.

From a writing standpoint, Song of Solomon is also great research for adding some good emotion and intimacy and tenderness into your love story or into the romantic subplot of your novel. Also, it's a great piece of poetry to study if you like poetry or you write poetry. Maybe it will give you some ideas for something you're working on.

]]>EPISODE 149E

I like to share things that I have recently found encouraging, and today it is the poetry Song of Solomon, also called Song of Songs, in the Bible. It is a beautiful five-page poem about two young lovers who are crazy in love. It's an analogy for how much God loves us and pursues us and wants to be with us, and how much he wants us to love him back. It's not only beautiful, it makes me feel cherished.

From a writing standpoint, Song of Solomon is also great research for adding some good emotion and intimacy and tenderness into your love story or into the romantic subplot of your novel. Also, it's a great piece of poetry to study if you like poetry or you write poetry. Maybe it will give you some ideas for something you're working on.

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=2433Sun, 07 Jul 2019 08:00:00 -070012:18falsefullEven Superman Had a Day Job: An Interview with Margaret EthridgeEPISODE 148I

Today's guest is Margaret Ethridge, author of Contentment and Commitment, who also writes as Maggie Wells, author of Love Game and Play Dates.

Margaret likes to write about life choices, and she often uses her own life as a jumping off point for ideas. For instance, she loves college football, so she created a college sports series called Love Games. She met and married a single dad, which gave her ideas to write the single dad series, Play Dates.

"People make choices or things happen that we don't plan for," she says. She likes the romances that come about in unexpected ways, and she likes to write about those things.

Although many writers can't wait to quit their day job and write full-time, Margaret gives a talk about the reasons why many writers will continue to work a day job or at least a side hustle in addition to their writing. And why that is perfectly okay.

Listen to Margaret as she shares some advice that works for her - as well as some "do as I say, not as I did" advice. :) And be encouraged that what you need to do is simply what works for you.

]]>EPISODE 148I

Today's guest is Margaret Ethridge, author of Contentment and Commitment, who also writes as Maggie Wells, author of Love Game and Play Dates.

Margaret likes to write about life choices, and she often uses her own life as a jumping off point for ideas. For instance, she loves college football, so she created a college sports series called Love Games. She met and married a single dad, which gave her ideas to write the single dad series, Play Dates.

"People make choices or things happen that we don't plan for," she says. She likes the romances that come about in unexpected ways, and she likes to write about those things.

Although many writers can't wait to quit their day job and write full-time, Margaret gives a talk about the reasons why many writers will continue to work a day job or at least a side hustle in addition to their writing. And why that is perfectly okay.

Listen to Margaret as she shares some advice that works for her - as well as some "do as I say, not as I did" advice. :) And be encouraged that what you need to do is simply what works for you.

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=2426Thu, 27 Jun 2019 08:00:00 -070001:12:34falsefullWriting for Video Games: An Interview with Alice RendellEPISODE 147I

Alice Rendell is an acclaimed video game writer currently working as a Senior Narrative Designer. Today she explains how writing for video games works and shares some tips about how to get into this type of writing.

While most novelists work alone, writing for video games is super collaborative. You're in an office environment interacting with people in many other departments, partially to make sure your teammates are following your narrative in what they're creating as well.

It's a relatively young industry compared to film and television, but there are more and more schools teaching aspects of the video game industry to aspiring developers.

A lot of people who work in games are there because they're passionate about them, just like Alice. "I'm not afraid to say I'm a geek." :-D

You can follow Alice on Twitter to learn more about her and her work. She also suggests Twine as a fun, free tool for creating your own mini game.

]]>EPISODE 147I

Alice Rendell is an acclaimed video game writer currently working as a Senior Narrative Designer. Today she explains how writing for video games works and shares some tips about how to get into this type of writing.

While most novelists work alone, writing for video games is super collaborative. You're in an office environment interacting with people in many other departments, partially to make sure your teammates are following your narrative in what they're creating as well.

It's a relatively young industry compared to film and television, but there are more and more schools teaching aspects of the video game industry to aspiring developers.

A lot of people who work in games are there because they're passionate about them, just like Alice. "I'm not afraid to say I'm a geek." :-D

You can follow Alice on Twitter to learn more about her and her work. She also suggests Twine as a fun, free tool for creating your own mini game.

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=2412Thu, 13 Jun 2019 08:00:00 -070048:56falsefullBe Strong and Courageous: An Encouraging Words EpisodeEPISODE 146E

One of my favorite verses is at the beginning of Joshua - "Be strong and courageous." It's written four times in just that first chapter. I find it encouraging when I have something big going on. Or when I have a lot to do. Or when I'm in the middle of a book that seems to be going nowhere.

In this episode, I share some encouraging words that I hope help you find an extra kick of strength to keep going.

]]>EPISODE 146E

One of my favorite verses is at the beginning of Joshua - "Be strong and courageous." It's written four times in just that first chapter. I find it encouraging when I have something big going on. Or when I have a lot to do. Or when I'm in the middle of a book that seems to be going nowhere.

In this episode, I share some encouraging words that I hope help you find an extra kick of strength to keep going.

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=2406Sun, 09 Jun 2019 08:00:00 -070011:25falsefullOne Literary Agent’s Take on Publishing: An Interview with Sara MegibowEPISODE 145I

Today's guest is Sara Megibow, an agent at kt Literary in Colorado. While Sara is quick to point out that many of the things we discuss can be gross over-generalizations, and her thoughts and opinions on agenting are her own and not a guide for what all agents think, this is a great interview full of helpful information for just about all writers.

Many people ask Sara how publishing has changed in the last few years with the market disruptions caused by digital publishing. But we go back to the 1920s, and even earlier, talking about the many market disruptions over the years and how publishing has constantly adjusted.

Sara shares some market data (mostly US-based), how some of this data affects a few particular genres, explains what each individual writer needs to ask themselves before they make decisions based on the information they learn, how submission works (and how to submit to her), writing a good query letter, and so much more!

Some of the websites Sara mentions include:

Manuscript Wishlist

Agentquery.com

AAR Online

SFWA's Writers Beware

Writer's Digest Successful Queries

Evil Editor

Query Shark

Follow Sara on Twitter, and find her submission guidelines including her email address on the agency's website.

]]>EPISODE 145I

Today's guest is Sara Megibow, an agent at kt Literary in Colorado. While Sara is quick to point out that many of the things we discuss can be gross over-generalizations, and her thoughts and opinions on agenting are her own and not a guide for what all agents think, this is a great interview full of helpful information for just about all writers.

Many people ask Sara how publishing has changed in the last few years with the market disruptions caused by digital publishing. But we go back to the 1920s, and even earlier, talking about the many market disruptions over the years and how publishing has constantly adjusted.

Sara shares some market data (mostly US-based), how some of this data affects a few particular genres, explains what each individual writer needs to ask themselves before they make decisions based on the information they learn, how submission works (and how to submit to her), writing a good query letter, and so much more!

Some of the websites Sara mentions include:

Manuscript Wishlist

Agentquery.com

AAR Online

SFWA's Writers Beware

Writer's Digest Successful Queries

Evil Editor

Query Shark

Follow Sara on Twitter, and find her submission guidelines including her email address on the agency's website.

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=2396Thu, 30 May 2019 13:08:00 -070001:00:09falsefullFinding Inspiration: Everyday Places to Find New IdeasEPISODE 144T

We've finally settled down enough to start watching Game of Thrones (now that it's ending!) and it occurred to me that George R.R. Martin does not have a problem with throwing his characters into conflict. Not even if it kills them!

As for me, I find it very difficult when writing a sweet romance to have an interesting conflict, something that's not too tame but not too far out. So I started writing down where I get inspired to find conflicts that shake up my creativity.

If we look back at Game of Thrones again, we see a lot of betrayal. Well, no matter what kind of book you're writing - even a sweet romance - there is some level of betrayal that can work for your story.

I have more examples from The West Wing, children's fables, children's books, the Bible, and poetry. I hope this episode gives you some great ideas for introducing more conflict into your stories, or finding new ideas in general.

]]>EPISODE 144T

We've finally settled down enough to start watching Game of Thrones (now that it's ending!) and it occurred to me that George R.R. Martin does not have a problem with throwing his characters into conflict. Not even if it kills them!

As for me, I find it very difficult when writing a sweet romance to have an interesting conflict, something that's not too tame but not too far out. So I started writing down where I get inspired to find conflicts that shake up my creativity.

If we look back at Game of Thrones again, we see a lot of betrayal. Well, no matter what kind of book you're writing - even a sweet romance - there is some level of betrayal that can work for your story.

I have more examples from The West Wing, children's fables, children's books, the Bible, and poetry. I hope this episode gives you some great ideas for introducing more conflict into your stories, or finding new ideas in general.

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=2389Thu, 23 May 2019 08:00:00 -070022:59falsefullOne Man’s Take on Romantic Comedies: An Interview with Rich AmooiEPISODE 143I

Our guest today is romantic comedy author, Rich Amooi. He's been obsessed with romantic comedies since the 1980s, watching When Harry Met Sally, Say Anything, and other films with great quirky dialogue.

Rich's new book, Dying to Meet You, is his 14th romantic comedy novel. In our interview, he talks about where he got the ideas for some of his books, his writing process, and how he introduces the hero and heroine in most cases - and lots more!

We have a fun conversation about how Rich went from a career as a radio DJ to a rom-com writer, and what it's like to have two writers in the house. (His wife, Silvi Martin, is also a published author.)

You can get a romantic comedy novella (not available for sale) when you sign up for Rich's newsletter. Find more information on his website, and follow him on Facebook and Twitter.

]]>EPISODE 143I

Our guest today is romantic comedy author, Rich Amooi. He's been obsessed with romantic comedies since the 1980s, watching When Harry Met Sally, Say Anything, and other films with great quirky dialogue.

Rich's new book, Dying to Meet You, is his 14th romantic comedy novel. In our interview, he talks about where he got the ideas for some of his books, his writing process, and how he introduces the hero and heroine in most cases - and lots more!

We have a fun conversation about how Rich went from a career as a radio DJ to a rom-com writer, and what it's like to have two writers in the house. (His wife, Silvi Martin, is also a published author.)

You can get a romantic comedy novella (not available for sale) when you sign up for Rich's newsletter. Find more information on his website, and follow him on Facebook and Twitter.

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=2380Thu, 16 May 2019 08:00:00 -070058:32falsefullYour Business and Writing ToolboxEPISODE 142T

Between my entrepreneurship class for foreign-born women here in Sweden and listening to Stephen King's On Writing in audiobook form on my way to and from work, I have business and writing on the brain right now. So I thought it would be a great time to share with you how I try to keep track of the big picture when I get lost in the dirt and the details of having a writing business.

The most important thing a writer can do is...write.

Seems obvious, right? But when you start adding in all of the business aspects, all of the marketing, all of the myriad other things that you must - or are told you must - do to have a successful writing career, sometimes the writing can take a backseat.

In this episode, I list what I believe are the four key elements you need to be a writer, and a longer list of all the things that are easier if you've decided in advance how to handle them. These are your tools.

With my ideas for tools as a jumping off point, create your own toolbox with the best tools for you. And always...keep writing, keep improving your writing, and write some more.

]]>EPISODE 142T

Between my entrepreneurship class for foreign-born women here in Sweden and listening to Stephen King's On Writing in audiobook form on my way to and from work, I have business and writing on the brain right now. So I thought it would be a great time to share with you how I try to keep track of the big picture when I get lost in the dirt and the details of having a writing business.

The most important thing a writer can do is...write.

Seems obvious, right? But when you start adding in all of the business aspects, all of the marketing, all of the myriad other things that you must - or are told you must - do to have a successful writing career, sometimes the writing can take a backseat.

In this episode, I list what I believe are the four key elements you need to be a writer, and a longer list of all the things that are easier if you've decided in advance how to handle them. These are your tools.

With my ideas for tools as a jumping off point, create your own toolbox with the best tools for you. And always...keep writing, keep improving your writing, and write some more.

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=2376Thu, 09 May 2019 08:00:00 -070036:09falsefullTrying Your Best Is Good Enough: An Encouraging Words EpisodeEPISODE 141E

In today's Encouraging Words episode, I want to encourage you that you are probably not a person who doesn't try their best. Sure, maybe you could do better if you had more time, or better materials, or any number of other things that make the situation different.

But right now, with the time and resources you have, you probably are doing the best job you can. If you can learn to accept this and relax, you may find you have more peace, more joy, and more creativity.

And if you decide that you really haven't done your best, instead of castigating yourself, try to be specific about what you can do differently next time. Then relax and know you'll do better next time. :)

]]>EPISODE 141E

In today's Encouraging Words episode, I want to encourage you that you are probably not a person who doesn't try their best. Sure, maybe you could do better if you had more time, or better materials, or any number of other things that make the situation different.

But right now, with the time and resources you have, you probably are doing the best job you can. If you can learn to accept this and relax, you may find you have more peace, more joy, and more creativity.

And if you decide that you really haven't done your best, instead of castigating yourself, try to be specific about what you can do differently next time. Then relax and know you'll do better next time. :)

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=2372Sun, 05 May 2019 08:00:00 -070017:40falsefullFinding Time to Write: An Interview with John BucholtzEPISODE 140I

Today's guest is the love of my life, my husband, John Bucholtz. :-D He started writing Middle Grade books a few years ago, and today he's sharing how he finds time to write despite several international moves, a motorcycle accident, and full-time employment.

Like many writers, he started writing in elementary school. But it wasn't until about ten years ago that he wrote his first book, taking about three years and creating a first draft of 140,000 words! At first, he wrote in the morning before work, mostly because he simply woke up too early. He still finds this to be arguably his most creative time, but once he got a gym membership he lost most of that time - since that's his best workout time as well.

John discusses a lot of the things he's tried to get words on the page, what worked for him and what didn't. From trying different times of the day to different locations, from writing sprints to writing retreats, he's tried a lot of things, finding different things that work for him at different points in life. It takes time and experimentation to find out what works for you - but keep trying!

Follow John on Facebook where he posts lots of encouraging and funny memes about writing. :)

]]>EPISODE 140I

Today's guest is the love of my life, my husband, John Bucholtz. :-D He started writing Middle Grade books a few years ago, and today he's sharing how he finds time to write despite several international moves, a motorcycle accident, and full-time employment.

Like many writers, he started writing in elementary school. But it wasn't until about ten years ago that he wrote his first book, taking about three years and creating a first draft of 140,000 words! At first, he wrote in the morning before work, mostly because he simply woke up too early. He still finds this to be arguably his most creative time, but once he got a gym membership he lost most of that time - since that's his best workout time as well.

John discusses a lot of the things he's tried to get words on the page, what worked for him and what didn't. From trying different times of the day to different locations, from writing sprints to writing retreats, he's tried a lot of things, finding different things that work for him at different points in life. It takes time and experimentation to find out what works for you - but keep trying!

Follow John on Facebook where he posts lots of encouraging and funny memes about writing. :)

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=2364Thu, 02 May 2019 08:00:00 -070048:32falsefullFinishing Your First Book: An Interview with James BlatchEPISODE 139I

Our guest today is former BBC reporter, James Blatch. You may recognize him as the co-host of the Self-Publishing Show podcast (formerly Self-Publishing Formula) with Mark Dawson. He shares with us the long journey of writing his first book, which should be out in a few months.

James tells us how he started his first novel when he was about twenty, but it didn't go anywhere. Then got the itch again about nine years ago. This time he happened to hear about NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) about the same time and he sat down and just started writing. This burst of story energy may have ended early as it does for so many NaNo participants, except that a friend from the BBC asked to interview James about it. So he had to keep writing.

And he did. He finished the novel but...it can be hard to figure out what to do after you've got the first rough draft down. The writing stalled. Then he heard about Jenny Nash and her Author Accelerator program. Jenny asked him a question that pushed James to better understand what he was writing and why, and the next draft came much easier.

James can't say enough good things about Jenny and Author Accelerator. It was what he needed to finally get the story in his head formed into the kind of book that readers want to buy. He shares several tips for those in a similar place - trying to get to the end of a first book and creating a publishable story. He's near the end of this particular journey. The Last Flight will be out later this year!

You can learn more about James and his book on his website and on Twitter.

]]>EPISODE 139I

Our guest today is former BBC reporter, James Blatch. You may recognize him as the co-host of the Self-Publishing Show podcast (formerly Self-Publishing Formula) with Mark Dawson. He shares with us the long journey of writing his first book, which should be out in a few months.

James tells us how he started his first novel when he was about twenty, but it didn't go anywhere. Then got the itch again about nine years ago. This time he happened to hear about NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) about the same time and he sat down and just started writing. This burst of story energy may have ended early as it does for so many NaNo participants, except that a friend from the BBC asked to interview James about it. So he had to keep writing.

And he did. He finished the novel but...it can be hard to figure out what to do after you've got the first rough draft down. The writing stalled. Then he heard about Jenny Nash and her Author Accelerator program. Jenny asked him a question that pushed James to better understand what he was writing and why, and the next draft came much easier.

James can't say enough good things about Jenny and Author Accelerator. It was what he needed to finally get the story in his head formed into the kind of book that readers want to buy. He shares several tips for those in a similar place - trying to get to the end of a first book and creating a publishable story. He's near the end of this particular journey. The Last Flight will be out later this year!

You can learn more about James and his book on his website and on Twitter.

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=2358Thu, 25 Apr 2019 08:00:00 -070001:13:30falsefullFood, Language, and Writing 18th Century America: An Interview with Laura FrantzEPISODE 138I

Our guest today is Laura Frantz, historical romance author of nearly a dozen books of faith, romance, and courage. Her latest book is A Bound Heart, the story of two people sold as indentured servants and expelled from their beloved Scotland, but destined to be together in the Americas.

Laura writes in a log cabin in Kentucky! She and I have a lot of fun talking about food in Colonial America in the beginning of this episode. There is so much to talk about when it comes to what you thought was true and the facts you uncover. If you write or are interested in this period of history, you'll enjoy our fun discussion!

Then we move into Laura's story of her love of history and her interest in her own family history. This new book, in fact, has links to her sixth-great-grandfather, George Hume. Laura has wonderful advice for those interested in or currently working on a historical piece. This is a fun, interesting, and helpful episode for any writer.

You can find Laura at her website, on Pinterest, and on Facebook, and her books (print, ebook, and audiobook editions) are available wherever books are sold.

]]>EPISODE 138I

Our guest today is Laura Frantz, historical romance author of nearly a dozen books of faith, romance, and courage. Her latest book is A Bound Heart, the story of two people sold as indentured servants and expelled from their beloved Scotland, but destined to be together in the Americas.

Laura writes in a log cabin in Kentucky! She and I have a lot of fun talking about food in Colonial America in the beginning of this episode. There is so much to talk about when it comes to what you thought was true and the facts you uncover. If you write or are interested in this period of history, you'll enjoy our fun discussion!

Then we move into Laura's story of her love of history and her interest in her own family history. This new book, in fact, has links to her sixth-great-grandfather, George Hume. Laura has wonderful advice for those interested in or currently working on a historical piece. This is a fun, interesting, and helpful episode for any writer.

You can find Laura at her website, on Pinterest, and on Facebook, and her books (print, ebook, and audiobook editions) are available wherever books are sold.

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=2353Thu, 18 Apr 2019 08:05:00 -070001:11:22falsefullWriting What You Love: An Interview with Cassidy CarterEPISODE 137I

Today's guest is Cassidy Carter, whose new book, Love on Location, just came out with Hallmark Publishing. Hallmark is all about sweet romance, usually with some humor on the side, and Cassidy definitely delivers.

Cassidy tells us about her writing journey, starting at Carina Press, taking a break with her children, then coming back with a slightly different genre at Hallmark. She's happy to be exclusively with them, and hopes to add another genre to her repertoire - cozy mysteries.

During our conversation, she gave us some great writing tips including making your secondary characters as real and three-dimensional as the main characters. She also talked about her research, which included such hard work as camping with her family and watching hours of her favorite reality TV shows. :-D Cassidy is living proof that researching your topic can be valuable without being boring or expensive.

As always in Hallmark books, there is a great recipe at the end of Love on Location, one of Cassidy's favorites. (I'm planning on trying it, too!)

Cassidy is most active on Twitter, and can also be reached through her website and Facebook.

]]>EPISODE 137I

Today's guest is Cassidy Carter, whose new book, Love on Location, just came out with Hallmark Publishing. Hallmark is all about sweet romance, usually with some humor on the side, and Cassidy definitely delivers.

Cassidy tells us about her writing journey, starting at Carina Press, taking a break with her children, then coming back with a slightly different genre at Hallmark. She's happy to be exclusively with them, and hopes to add another genre to her repertoire - cozy mysteries.

During our conversation, she gave us some great writing tips including making your secondary characters as real and three-dimensional as the main characters. She also talked about her research, which included such hard work as camping with her family and watching hours of her favorite reality TV shows. :-D Cassidy is living proof that researching your topic can be valuable without being boring or expensive.

As always in Hallmark books, there is a great recipe at the end of Love on Location, one of Cassidy's favorites. (I'm planning on trying it, too!)

Cassidy is most active on Twitter, and can also be reached through her website and Facebook.

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=2348Thu, 11 Apr 2019 08:00:00 -070046:47falsefullCreativity Breaks: An Encouraging Words EpisodeEPISODE 136E

My birthday vacation last week led me to the idea for this month's Encouraging Words episode. Taking some time off, and doing and seeing creative and amazing things I've never seen, I feel like I came back to my life a new person! I not only felt refreshed, but I felt more creative and ready to jump back into my writing.

Whether you're planning your next vacation, or just need a break to reset, here are some of the ideas I talk about this week to take a creativity break:

• You can do something as short as a walk outside in nice weather
• Or you can make a lot of plans for a longer break
• Sometimes having a day that you don't do anything is the best "plan"
• Museums, movies, or an art lesson could do wonders for your imagination
• Get together with a friend who makes you laugh and feel good
• But definitely put a break on your calendar so you DO IT

]]>EPISODE 136E

My birthday vacation last week led me to the idea for this month's Encouraging Words episode. Taking some time off, and doing and seeing creative and amazing things I've never seen, I feel like I came back to my life a new person! I not only felt refreshed, but I felt more creative and ready to jump back into my writing.

Whether you're planning your next vacation, or just need a break to reset, here are some of the ideas I talk about this week to take a creativity break:

• You can do something as short as a walk outside in nice weather
• Or you can make a lot of plans for a longer break
• Sometimes having a day that you don't do anything is the best "plan"
• Museums, movies, or an art lesson could do wonders for your imagination
• Get together with a friend who makes you laugh and feel good
• But definitely put a break on your calendar so you DO IT

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=2344Sun, 07 Apr 2019 08:00:00 -070022:09falsefullLearning to Heal From Burnout, Part 2: An Interview with Amanda HudsonEPISODE 135I

Today's guest, Amanda Hudson, is a writer who has recently experienced burnout - not being tired of doing what she's doing, but burnout in the medical sense of the word.

Amanda had so much advice that we decided to break our interview into two episodes, so here is the second half starting from where we left off last week.

Let me know if this is helpful, and if you'd like a book on the subject. I'd be willing to share my difficult experiences and interview people who can give us more advice and direction if I thought it was something needed.

Please listen to this episode to learn how to better help yourself or a friend. Share it on social media. There is no reason for us to feel alone or be without help. :)

]]>EPISODE 135I

Today's guest, Amanda Hudson, is a writer who has recently experienced burnout - not being tired of doing what she's doing, but burnout in the medical sense of the word.

Amanda had so much advice that we decided to break our interview into two episodes, so here is the second half starting from where we left off last week.

Let me know if this is helpful, and if you'd like a book on the subject. I'd be willing to share my difficult experiences and interview people who can give us more advice and direction if I thought it was something needed.

Please listen to this episode to learn how to better help yourself or a friend. Share it on social media. There is no reason for us to feel alone or be without help. :)

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=2339Thu, 04 Apr 2019 08:00:00 -070043:04falsefullLearning to Heal From Burnout, Part 1: An Interview with Amanda HudsonEPISODE 134I

Today's guest, Amanda Hudson, is a writer who has recently experienced burnout - not being tired of doing what she's doing, but burnout in the medical sense of the word.

If you've been listening to the show, you know that I've been struggling to understand burnout and heal from it myself. Amanda lives in Sweden where employers and the public health system support a deeper understanding of the root problems as well as providing a path for healing.

Amanda's advice comes from her own experience, and what doctors and therapists have told her. She explains the physical and emotional aspects, and shares what she is doing or has done that has helped. She also shares a profile of the kind of people most likely to be affected by burnout.

You can learn more about stress biology at SimplyPsychology.org.

Please listen to this episode to learn how to better help yourself or a friend. Share it on social media. There is no reason for us to feel alone or be without help. :)

]]>EPISODE 134I

Today's guest, Amanda Hudson, is a writer who has recently experienced burnout - not being tired of doing what she's doing, but burnout in the medical sense of the word.

If you've been listening to the show, you know that I've been struggling to understand burnout and heal from it myself. Amanda lives in Sweden where employers and the public health system support a deeper understanding of the root problems as well as providing a path for healing.

Amanda's advice comes from her own experience, and what doctors and therapists have told her. She explains the physical and emotional aspects, and shares what she is doing or has done that has helped. She also shares a profile of the kind of people most likely to be affected by burnout.

You can learn more about stress biology at SimplyPsychology.org.

Please listen to this episode to learn how to better help yourself or a friend. Share it on social media. There is no reason for us to feel alone or be without help. :)

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=2331Thu, 28 Mar 2019 09:00:00 -070044:53falsefullBreaking All the Rules: An Interview with Samuel ParkerEPISODE 133I

Today's guest is Samuel Parker, a suspense/thriller writer talking to us today about his latest book, Border Son.

I really enjoyed this story, possibly because it wasn't the "usual" type of suspense book I'm used to. Samuel says it's not the usual build-up-and-crescendo-three-times kind of structure. He sees the scenes and writes to those, often something simple but building in intensity.

Samuel tells a story about walking across the border from the United States to Mexico, how scared he was, and what happened. And then being able to put all that tension and emotion into the story. His style isn't to over-describe, either. Rather than focusing on the stain on the wall or the knots in the wood, he focuses on the feeling you get when you walk this way or smell that.

When asked about his writing process, Samuel laughs and says this is probably something others shouldn't follow but...he doesn't have a writing schedule. He doesn't write every day. He pursued it as a job at one point, and he didn't enjoy it as work. So this is the thing he loves to do around another full-time job.

I actually think this is a great idea for people who might feel or have felt the same way! I'm taking a break doing that myself, writing where I can around a temporary full-time job. :-D

Learn more about Samuel and his books at SamuelParkerBooks.com, and follow him on Facebook.

]]>EPISODE 133I

Today's guest is Samuel Parker, a suspense/thriller writer talking to us today about his latest book, Border Son.

I really enjoyed this story, possibly because it wasn't the "usual" type of suspense book I'm used to. Samuel says it's not the usual build-up-and-crescendo-three-times kind of structure. He sees the scenes and writes to those, often something simple but building in intensity.

Samuel tells a story about walking across the border from the United States to Mexico, how scared he was, and what happened. And then being able to put all that tension and emotion into the story. His style isn't to over-describe, either. Rather than focusing on the stain on the wall or the knots in the wood, he focuses on the feeling you get when you walk this way or smell that.

When asked about his writing process, Samuel laughs and says this is probably something others shouldn't follow but...he doesn't have a writing schedule. He doesn't write every day. He pursued it as a job at one point, and he didn't enjoy it as work. So this is the thing he loves to do around another full-time job.

I actually think this is a great idea for people who might feel or have felt the same way! I'm taking a break doing that myself, writing where I can around a temporary full-time job. :-D

Learn more about Samuel and his books at SamuelParkerBooks.com, and follow him on Facebook.

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=2322Thu, 21 Mar 2019 09:00:00 -070053:26falsefullCreating Depth From Within: An Interview with Suzanne Woods FisherEPISODE 132I

Suzanne Woods Fisher is back with us again! In October 2018, she spoke about strong Quaker women, and today we're talking about the Amish. Suzanne's interest in the Amish comes partly through her grandfather, who was raised Plain. There is an appeal to simplifying your life, but there's more to our fascination than that.

To capture the real essence of her characters, Suzanne tries to reflect the real people she's met. That's one reason she doesn't write the combination of Penn Dutch and English dialogue. She personally doesn't know any real people who talk like that. She also writes some of the same characters in more than one series. So, for instance, the main character of her new book, Mending Fences, book one of The Deacon's Family series, is an older but not really grown up Luke Schrock. People who read The Bishop's Family series will have already had some experience with Luke and his shenanigans as a boy, but you won't need to have read those books to enjoy what's happening in the new series.

Suzanne writes about Luke going to rehab and then agreeing to come back to his community and make amends for the things he did. She based some of his experiences on real facilities that have been built for/by the Amish and Mennonite communities. We have a really interesting conversation about how all these things come together in a serious way, but also with the humor you get when the hero is as charming as Luke. :-D

One of my favorite pieces of advice was Suzanne's suggestion to think of piano scales rather than whether you are wasting time or pages writing words that will never actually be in the book. It's not a waste, she says, it's like doing piano scales, keeping your writing mind nimble. Don't you just love that?! :-D

To learn more about Suzanne and her books, visit her website and/or follow her on Facebook and Instagram.

]]>EPISODE 132I

Suzanne Woods Fisher is back with us again! In October 2018, she spoke about strong Quaker women, and today we're talking about the Amish. Suzanne's interest in the Amish comes partly through her grandfather, who was raised Plain. There is an appeal to simplifying your life, but there's more to our fascination than that.

To capture the real essence of her characters, Suzanne tries to reflect the real people she's met. That's one reason she doesn't write the combination of Penn Dutch and English dialogue. She personally doesn't know any real people who talk like that. She also writes some of the same characters in more than one series. So, for instance, the main character of her new book, Mending Fences, book one of The Deacon's Family series, is an older but not really grown up Luke Schrock. People who read The Bishop's Family series will have already had some experience with Luke and his shenanigans as a boy, but you won't need to have read those books to enjoy what's happening in the new series.

Suzanne writes about Luke going to rehab and then agreeing to come back to his community and make amends for the things he did. She based some of his experiences on real facilities that have been built for/by the Amish and Mennonite communities. We have a really interesting conversation about how all these things come together in a serious way, but also with the humor you get when the hero is as charming as Luke. :-D

One of my favorite pieces of advice was Suzanne's suggestion to think of piano scales rather than whether you are wasting time or pages writing words that will never actually be in the book. It's not a waste, she says, it's like doing piano scales, keeping your writing mind nimble. Don't you just love that?! :-D

To learn more about Suzanne and her books, visit her website and/or follow her on Facebook and Instagram.

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=2314Thu, 14 Mar 2019 09:00:00 -070001:04:09falsefull131I – A Forensic Genealogist as a Character: An Interview with Elizabeth GoddardElizabeth Goddard is the award-winning author of over 40 novels of adventure, romance, and suspense. Today we talk about her latest book, Never Let Go, book one in her new series, Uncommon Justice.

The main character in Never Let Go is a forensic genealogist trying to find a missing person. Elizabeth first heard of this kind of work in a news story and thought it was so interesting she wanted to use it in a book. If you're listening on the day the episode comes out, Elizabeth is doing the cover reveal for book two on social media today!

Elizabeth is a big fan of networking and strongly encourages everyone to make this a habit. When she decided which agent she really wanted, she kept going to conferences until she met him. She sent him her work and, ten months later, she signed with agent Steve Laube.

We talk about her process, and how it changes for each book. Her advice is - be confident, enjoy your writing, and have fun! You can find out more about Elizabeth and her books at her website, and you can follow her on social media and on her Amazon author page.

]]>Elizabeth Goddard is the award-winning author of over 40 novels of adventure, romance, and suspense. Today we talk about her latest book, Never Let Go, book one in her new series, Uncommon Justice.

The main character in Never Let Go is a forensic genealogist trying to find a missing person. Elizabeth first heard of this kind of work in a news story and thought it was so interesting she wanted to use it in a book. If you're listening on the day the episode comes out, Elizabeth is doing the cover reveal for book two on social media today!

Elizabeth is a big fan of networking and strongly encourages everyone to make this a habit. When she decided which agent she really wanted, she kept going to conferences until she met him. She sent him her work and, ten months later, she signed with agent Steve Laube.

We talk about her process, and how it changes for each book. Her advice is - be confident, enjoy your writing, and have fun! You can find out more about Elizabeth and her books at her website, and you can follow her on social media and on her Amazon author page.

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=2306Thu, 07 Mar 2019 10:00:00 -070046:05falsefull130E – The Direction You Face Matters: An Encouraging Words EpisodeIt's the first Sunday of the month, so it's time for another Encouraging Words episode! Today I share about a message I heard at church last week from a guest speaker, Paster Steve Warren of C3 Church Amsterdam.

His message was on vision - having a vision for the year, and for your life. He reiterated something we all know, but don't always think about a lot: The direction you face matters.

The direction of your life matters.

It got me thinking - it's not easy to go in a direction you're not looking. Even when I have horseback riding lessons or motorcycle riding lessons, the instructors always remind you to look in the direction you want to go because what you're riding will go in the direction you're looking.

Pastor Steve also reminded us - life comes out of you and onto/into others. Whether it's smiles or words or actions, it flows out of you onto other people. So keep that in mind this week when you're interacting with those around you. :-)

]]>It's the first Sunday of the month, so it's time for another Encouraging Words episode! Today I share about a message I heard at church last week from a guest speaker, Paster Steve Warren of C3 Church Amsterdam.

His message was on vision - having a vision for the year, and for your life. He reiterated something we all know, but don't always think about a lot: The direction you face matters.

The direction of your life matters.

It got me thinking - it's not easy to go in a direction you're not looking. Even when I have horseback riding lessons or motorcycle riding lessons, the instructors always remind you to look in the direction you want to go because what you're riding will go in the direction you're looking.

Pastor Steve also reminded us - life comes out of you and onto/into others. Whether it's smiles or words or actions, it flows out of you onto other people. So keep that in mind this week when you're interacting with those around you. :-)

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=2302Sun, 03 Mar 2019 18:38:00 -070011:03falsefull129I – One Story Spanning Generations: An Interview with Erin BartelsNew author Erin Bartels joins us today to talk about her novel, We Hope For Better Things. While this is her first published book, Erin has been involved in the publishing industry for over fifteen years. She shares her story of how the book came about, how long she researched it before she started writing, and much more.

We had a great discussion on diversity in writing and "us vs them" in writing and in real life. She shared great advice she got from another writer - that your characters need to have agency, to act on their own and not just be acted upon, especially if they are "other" than you, the writer. Erin said this helped her make some of the black characters in her book even stronger.

Erin believes that writing and reading fiction helps us be less judgmental as human beings. That's what storytelling is about, sharing our humanity as we search for our own growth as individuals. She also shares a quote from CS Lewis about "chronological snobbery" - how historically humans believe they are better and more evolved than their forebears...and we talk about how history shows us this isn't true.

We also talked about how difficult it can be to juggle writing with all the other things you have to do or want to do in your life. Unfortunately, she had to give up things she loves to do in order to make more room for a writing career. She suggests we ask ourselves what things can we give up that someone else can do - because no one but you can write your book.

Her next book, The Words Between Us, starts on the morning of the protagonist's father's execution. You can read more about it on the Books page of Erin's website. It will come out in September 2019.

Despite some heavy topics, Erin and I have a fun conversation full of laughter as well as discussions of writing and more serious matters. You can read more about Erin and connect with her via social media on her website. Also, listen to her podcast, Your Face is Crooked. :)

]]>New author Erin Bartels joins us today to talk about her novel, We Hope For Better Things. While this is her first published book, Erin has been involved in the publishing industry for over fifteen years. She shares her story of how the book came about, how long she researched it before she started writing, and much more.

We had a great discussion on diversity in writing and "us vs them" in writing and in real life. She shared great advice she got from another writer - that your characters need to have agency, to act on their own and not just be acted upon, especially if they are "other" than you, the writer. Erin said this helped her make some of the black characters in her book even stronger.

Erin believes that writing and reading fiction helps us be less judgmental as human beings. That's what storytelling is about, sharing our humanity as we search for our own growth as individuals. She also shares a quote from CS Lewis about "chronological snobbery" - how historically humans believe they are better and more evolved than their forebears...and we talk about how history shows us this isn't true.

We also talked about how difficult it can be to juggle writing with all the other things you have to do or want to do in your life. Unfortunately, she had to give up things she loves to do in order to make more room for a writing career. She suggests we ask ourselves what things can we give up that someone else can do - because no one but you can write your book.

Her next book, The Words Between Us, starts on the morning of the protagonist's father's execution. You can read more about it on the Books page of Erin's website. It will come out in September 2019.

Despite some heavy topics, Erin and I have a fun conversation full of laughter as well as discussions of writing and more serious matters. You can read more about Erin and connect with her via social media on her website. Also, listen to her podcast, Your Face is Crooked. :)

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=2296Thu, 28 Feb 2019 10:00:00 -070001:06:14falsefull128I – Finding a Narrator for Your Audiobook: An Interview with Catherine GaffneyToday's fabulous guest is my own audiobook narrator, Catherine Gaffney! Catherine is a stage and screen actress, and a voice over artist and audiobook narrator. Catherine joins us from her new studio to talk about how you can find the best audiobook narrator for your book.

We covered a lot of areas, but some of the highlights included the idea that when writing your book, you might want to read some of it aloud to see what it would sound like later. (Sometimes you'll be able to make your writing better this way regardless of whether you create an audiobook.)

When choosing the audition piece for narrators, don't choose the first scene. Choose a portion of the most important scene in your book, the one that makes the whole story come together. Or if you have a lot of people in your book, like my 6-person superhero team, choose a scene with the most number of people talking so you can hear how the narrator would handle all those voices. Or maybe choose a portion of a sex scene or fight scene and a portion of another scene so you can hear how the narrator would change the sound of each. So many ideas!

Once you find your first choice narrator and you listen to the first fifteen minutes, you should know if this is the sound you want for your book. Catherine reminds us authors that you're looking for someone who can give you an interpretation of your book, not necessarily giving it the exact sound you hear in your head when you write or read it. As she says, it won't be the same color, but you're looking for a narrator who is in the same color family.

Catherine suggested Edge Studios and their words to time calculator if you want to get an idea of how long your book will be in audio. It does, of course, depend on whether it's a fast-reading action book or a slow moving literary novel. This is important to know for budgeting because you pay your narrator per finished hour of the book.

In the end, perhaps this is Catherine's best advice: If an audition doesn't make you feel "Wow, I can't believe I wrote that," maybe you should keep listening to more auditions. Somewhere it will hit the target.

You can learn more about Catherine and her work on her website, and you can listen to samples of all the audiobooks she's done so far on Audible. And in my opinion - if you have any books that have a light, fun sound, Catherine is the narrator for you! :-D

]]>Today's fabulous guest is my own audiobook narrator, Catherine Gaffney! Catherine is a stage and screen actress, and a voice over artist and audiobook narrator. Catherine joins us from her new studio to talk about how you can find the best audiobook narrator for your book.

We covered a lot of areas, but some of the highlights included the idea that when writing your book, you might want to read some of it aloud to see what it would sound like later. (Sometimes you'll be able to make your writing better this way regardless of whether you create an audiobook.)

When choosing the audition piece for narrators, don't choose the first scene. Choose a portion of the most important scene in your book, the one that makes the whole story come together. Or if you have a lot of people in your book, like my 6-person superhero team, choose a scene with the most number of people talking so you can hear how the narrator would handle all those voices. Or maybe choose a portion of a sex scene or fight scene and a portion of another scene so you can hear how the narrator would change the sound of each. So many ideas!

Once you find your first choice narrator and you listen to the first fifteen minutes, you should know if this is the sound you want for your book. Catherine reminds us authors that you're looking for someone who can give you an interpretation of your book, not necessarily giving it the exact sound you hear in your head when you write or read it. As she says, it won't be the same color, but you're looking for a narrator who is in the same color family.

Catherine suggested Edge Studios and their words to time calculator if you want to get an idea of how long your book will be in audio. It does, of course, depend on whether it's a fast-reading action book or a slow moving literary novel. This is important to know for budgeting because you pay your narrator per finished hour of the book.

In the end, perhaps this is Catherine's best advice: If an audition doesn't make you feel "Wow, I can't believe I wrote that," maybe you should keep listening to more auditions. Somewhere it will hit the target.

You can learn more about Catherine and her work on her website, and you can listen to samples of all the audiobooks she's done so far on Audible. And in my opinion - if you have any books that have a light, fun sound, Catherine is the narrator for you! :-D

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=2290Thu, 21 Feb 2019 10:00:00 -070052:00falsefull127I – The 5-Part Story: An Interview with Sean GaffneyToday's guest is the fun and multi-talented writer, Sean Gaffney. He has written professionally for theater, film, television, and the web. He has also taught most of these forms of writing for universities and arts organizations.

In our interview, Sean and I cover a wide range of topics, but it all comes back to one thing - story. How do you write a compelling story that makes people want to continue with it until the end?

We talk about the pros and cons of specialization versus writing anything and everything. One of the best things about specializing in one genre and/or medium is that you get better faster. If gaining a foothold in the market, increasing revenue, and moving up in your field are the more important things to you, specialization is the way to go. If you prefer to follow your heart and understand that it may be a slower, more difficult road, writing what you want and taking any writing work that appeals to you at the time could be the best choice for you.

One of the things to keep in mind when you're putting your story together is that structure, character, dialogue, theme - these are not separate parts of a story, they are all intertwined together. Our conversation about the Marvel movies and the DC movies really highlights this.

Get more details about the 5-part story and other storytelling tips on Sean's blog and website.

]]>Today's guest is the fun and multi-talented writer, Sean Gaffney. He has written professionally for theater, film, television, and the web. He has also taught most of these forms of writing for universities and arts organizations.

In our interview, Sean and I cover a wide range of topics, but it all comes back to one thing - story. How do you write a compelling story that makes people want to continue with it until the end?

We talk about the pros and cons of specialization versus writing anything and everything. One of the best things about specializing in one genre and/or medium is that you get better faster. If gaining a foothold in the market, increasing revenue, and moving up in your field are the more important things to you, specialization is the way to go. If you prefer to follow your heart and understand that it may be a slower, more difficult road, writing what you want and taking any writing work that appeals to you at the time could be the best choice for you.

One of the things to keep in mind when you're putting your story together is that structure, character, dialogue, theme - these are not separate parts of a story, they are all intertwined together. Our conversation about the Marvel movies and the DC movies really highlights this.

Get more details about the 5-part story and other storytelling tips on Sean's blog and website.

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=2280Thu, 14 Feb 2019 10:00:00 -070056:46falsefull126I – Anatomy of a Mystery: An Interview with Jennifer DornbushForensic specialist Jennifer Dornbush is back on the show! You may remember her talking to us about how to turn a movie into a novel back in September. This time she's helping us understand how to plot out a mystery, thriller, suspense, or crime story.

Jennifer has a couple of acronyms that will help us build a foundation for our story. She also shows us one surprising element that's in nearly every mystery, thriller, suspense or crime story - but I'd never thought about it. Then she explains all the different kinds of evidence you might have in your story. We even have an interesting discussion about creating red herrings.

If you're a pantser, don't worry! Jennifer gives you the three items you need to start your story even if you don't yet know where you're going. In fact, she reminds us that real life detectives are pantsers! They don't know what happened either. :-D

Sign up for Jennifer's newsletter and get a crime story masterclass for free. Her website has lots of additional resources, too, and links to her books including Forensic Speak: How to Write Realistic Crime Dramas as well as book one in her mystery series, The Coroner.

]]>Forensic specialist Jennifer Dornbush is back on the show! You may remember her talking to us about how to turn a movie into a novel back in September. This time she's helping us understand how to plot out a mystery, thriller, suspense, or crime story.

Jennifer has a couple of acronyms that will help us build a foundation for our story. She also shows us one surprising element that's in nearly every mystery, thriller, suspense or crime story - but I'd never thought about it. Then she explains all the different kinds of evidence you might have in your story. We even have an interesting discussion about creating red herrings.

If you're a pantser, don't worry! Jennifer gives you the three items you need to start your story even if you don't yet know where you're going. In fact, she reminds us that real life detectives are pantsers! They don't know what happened either. :-D

Sign up for Jennifer's newsletter and get a crime story masterclass for free. Her website has lots of additional resources, too, and links to her books including Forensic Speak: How to Write Realistic Crime Dramas as well as book one in her mystery series, The Coroner.

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=2275Thu, 07 Feb 2019 10:00:00 -070051:31falsefull125E – Forewarned Is Forearmed: Burnout Recovery Part 2Although I find it embarrassing to share such painful and embarrassing and deeply personal parts of my life, I have not found much truly helpful information about how to recover from burnout on the Internet. So I'm sharing with you anything that I've found to be useful as I recover.

I had a real hit-bottom moment last Sunday. I couldn't stop crying and John and I had to leave church not long after the service started. Thankfully, the panic that rises up when you can't control things in your body or your mind was lessened as soon as I remembered that just a few days earlier a friend of mine told be that sometimes you'll get hit with a bad day seemingly out of the blue. When I remembered that, I was able to at least get control of the panic, although it didn't help me to stop or control the crying.

It's been a tough week - way better than Sunday, but I feel like I've lost some of the ground I'd gained over the last several months. I decided I needed to start being more aware of what was going on in my body and my mind and why.

I made a note of the some of the things that - like the first sneeze when you start to wonder if you're coming down with a cold - give me warning that I need to take better care of myself. For me, these issues include:

• tight muscles, especially in my neck and shoulders, but really everywhere
• sleep problems, especially waking in the middle of the night and not falling asleep again
• feeling stressed or hurried even when I don't have a reason to be
• not breathing enough or deeply enough
• feeling angry or tearful for no apparent reason

Your warning signs may differ from mine, but I thought showing you my list would help you think of yours. Once we know what the warning signals are, we can be prepared with ways we can avoid another low point or even a panic attack.

I'm going to focus on breathing more and deeper, and I'm going to look for breathing exercises to help me calm my mind and body. I hope you find this to be encouragement to make your own list of warning signs, and come up with ways you can combat what's happening before you lose your footing. Good luck! We can do this!

]]>Although I find it embarrassing to share such painful and embarrassing and deeply personal parts of my life, I have not found much truly helpful information about how to recover from burnout on the Internet. So I'm sharing with you anything that I've found to be useful as I recover.

I had a real hit-bottom moment last Sunday. I couldn't stop crying and John and I had to leave church not long after the service started. Thankfully, the panic that rises up when you can't control things in your body or your mind was lessened as soon as I remembered that just a few days earlier a friend of mine told be that sometimes you'll get hit with a bad day seemingly out of the blue. When I remembered that, I was able to at least get control of the panic, although it didn't help me to stop or control the crying.

It's been a tough week - way better than Sunday, but I feel like I've lost some of the ground I'd gained over the last several months. I decided I needed to start being more aware of what was going on in my body and my mind and why.

I made a note of the some of the things that - like the first sneeze when you start to wonder if you're coming down with a cold - give me warning that I need to take better care of myself. For me, these issues include:

• tight muscles, especially in my neck and shoulders, but really everywhere
• sleep problems, especially waking in the middle of the night and not falling asleep again
• feeling stressed or hurried even when I don't have a reason to be
• not breathing enough or deeply enough
• feeling angry or tearful for no apparent reason

Your warning signs may differ from mine, but I thought showing you my list would help you think of yours. Once we know what the warning signals are, we can be prepared with ways we can avoid another low point or even a panic attack.

I'm going to focus on breathing more and deeper, and I'm going to look for breathing exercises to help me calm my mind and body. I hope you find this to be encouragement to make your own list of warning signs, and come up with ways you can combat what's happening before you lose your footing. Good luck! We can do this!

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=2271Sun, 03 Feb 2019 10:00:00 -070024:10falsefull124T – Understanding the Basics of PublishingA friend of mine asked me to help her understand a little about publishing because her father had written a novel and she wanted to make sure he didn't get taken advantage of. This is some of the information I shared with her.

There are two main ways to publish a book - traditional publishing, and self-publishing (also called indie publishing). When sending your book to a traditional publisher, there are four things to consider.

1. Ask a lot of questions of other authors, especially ones who are currently working with the publishing house(s) you are interested in. This is most helpful before you sign a contract.
2. Remember that money flows to authors, not from them. A respectable traditional publisher doesn't charge authors for anything or ask them to pay for anything. The publisher is taking a calculated risk that your book will sell enough copies to reimburse them for the editing, cover design, interior design and formatting, etc. That's why an author only gets 5-25% royalties. If the publisher wants to charge the author for editing or other items, consider this a big red flag.
3. Do a lot of research on companies you're submitting to (same with agents, if you pursue one). Do an Internet search for "ABC Publishing House reviews" and see what has been written about them. Keep in mind, some authors will be on a rant about something that is not the norm, so don't judge a company on just one review. However, a lot of angry authors should make you think twice. Be sure to check the dates of the posts you read to make sure what you're reading is current.
4. If, after all of your research and submissions, you get an offer from a publishing house to publish your book - celebrate! After you've danced around a bit, take a deep breath and understand that the next part of the process will take some time. It can take months to finalize a contract and get the first check. (You don't generally get the full amount of your advance at once.) While the legal department is working on contract negotiations, your editor will have already started you on your edits. Don't be worried about doing a lot of work on your book without having the signed contract. Keep in touch about it, but don't worry. Again, an agent can help smooth over this process if you want to pursue an agent as well.

This is just a brief overview of the process, but I hope it helps you feel more confident about what to research, what questions to ask, and what to expect. Good luck!

]]>A friend of mine asked me to help her understand a little about publishing because her father had written a novel and she wanted to make sure he didn't get taken advantage of. This is some of the information I shared with her.

There are two main ways to publish a book - traditional publishing, and self-publishing (also called indie publishing). When sending your book to a traditional publisher, there are four things to consider.

1. Ask a lot of questions of other authors, especially ones who are currently working with the publishing house(s) you are interested in. This is most helpful before you sign a contract.
2. Remember that money flows to authors, not from them. A respectable traditional publisher doesn't charge authors for anything or ask them to pay for anything. The publisher is taking a calculated risk that your book will sell enough copies to reimburse them for the editing, cover design, interior design and formatting, etc. That's why an author only gets 5-25% royalties. If the publisher wants to charge the author for editing or other items, consider this a big red flag.
3. Do a lot of research on companies you're submitting to (same with agents, if you pursue one). Do an Internet search for "ABC Publishing House reviews" and see what has been written about them. Keep in mind, some authors will be on a rant about something that is not the norm, so don't judge a company on just one review. However, a lot of angry authors should make you think twice. Be sure to check the dates of the posts you read to make sure what you're reading is current.
4. If, after all of your research and submissions, you get an offer from a publishing house to publish your book - celebrate! After you've danced around a bit, take a deep breath and understand that the next part of the process will take some time. It can take months to finalize a contract and get the first check. (You don't generally get the full amount of your advance at once.) While the legal department is working on contract negotiations, your editor will have already started you on your edits. Don't be worried about doing a lot of work on your book without having the signed contract. Keep in touch about it, but don't worry. Again, an agent can help smooth over this process if you want to pursue an agent as well.

This is just a brief overview of the process, but I hope it helps you feel more confident about what to research, what questions to ask, and what to expect. Good luck!

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=2264Thu, 31 Jan 2019 10:00:00 -070035:16falsefull123T – Breaking Your Goals Into Workable ChunksTwo weeks ago, we talked about how to create and prioritize a short list of your most important goals for the year. Today, we'll discuss how to break down big goals into small pieces you can work on every day or week or month.

There are two main ways to do this - plan toward a specific date, or plan a certain amount of work per period.

Let's say you want to submit your completed manuscript to Hallmark Publishing next month during their open submission period. ;-) You would write down everything that needs to be done and how much time you have to do it. As of today, the last day you can submit an unagented manuscript is five weeks away. If you want to do one last polish, send the book to a couple of beta readers to get feedback, and write a synopsis, you can break those pieces into even smaller chunks and figure out where you need to be at the end of each week. Much of the writing life is working toward a deadline like this.

But maybe you've never written a book before, or you're about to write in a genre you've never written in, and you have no idea how long it will take you to write it. In that case, say you're going to work 10 hours a week. After several weeks, you notice a pattern of about 500 words per hour, which comes to about 5000 words per week. You've researched the genre and know you need to have a 90,000-100,000 word manuscript. Now you can guesstimate when you will finish your first draft, and you can use this as a baseline for planning future first drafts.

Some tasks are more difficult to break down. For instance, my #1 goal for 2019 is to regain and actively keep the mental health I lost during burnout last year. But how do I quantify improved sleep, added peace, and more joy? After one month, should I try to find out if I'm 1/12th of the way to my goal?

In this case, I might choose to write at least four times a week in a sleep journal to record how well I'm sleeping and try to find patterns between good nights and bad nights. I might set aside 1-2 hours twice a week for "me time" to do something that makes me laugh or brings me joy, maybe going to lunch with friends or watching a movie of my choosing by myself or giving myself two hours of uninterrupted reading.

Figuring out how to pursue and track intangible goals can require more imagination, but you can think of ways to do it that work for your life and how your mind thinks. No matter what kind of goal or what method you use to pursue and track it, make sure to check in with yourself once a month to see if you're making progress. If not, tweak what you're doing and try again for another month. This is how you'll discover the best methods for you.

]]>Two weeks ago, we talked about how to create and prioritize a short list of your most important goals for the year. Today, we'll discuss how to break down big goals into small pieces you can work on every day or week or month.

There are two main ways to do this - plan toward a specific date, or plan a certain amount of work per period.

Let's say you want to submit your completed manuscript to Hallmark Publishing next month during their open submission period. ;-) You would write down everything that needs to be done and how much time you have to do it. As of today, the last day you can submit an unagented manuscript is five weeks away. If you want to do one last polish, send the book to a couple of beta readers to get feedback, and write a synopsis, you can break those pieces into even smaller chunks and figure out where you need to be at the end of each week. Much of the writing life is working toward a deadline like this.

But maybe you've never written a book before, or you're about to write in a genre you've never written in, and you have no idea how long it will take you to write it. In that case, say you're going to work 10 hours a week. After several weeks, you notice a pattern of about 500 words per hour, which comes to about 5000 words per week. You've researched the genre and know you need to have a 90,000-100,000 word manuscript. Now you can guesstimate when you will finish your first draft, and you can use this as a baseline for planning future first drafts.

Some tasks are more difficult to break down. For instance, my #1 goal for 2019 is to regain and actively keep the mental health I lost during burnout last year. But how do I quantify improved sleep, added peace, and more joy? After one month, should I try to find out if I'm 1/12th of the way to my goal?

In this case, I might choose to write at least four times a week in a sleep journal to record how well I'm sleeping and try to find patterns between good nights and bad nights. I might set aside 1-2 hours twice a week for "me time" to do something that makes me laugh or brings me joy, maybe going to lunch with friends or watching a movie of my choosing by myself or giving myself two hours of uninterrupted reading.

Figuring out how to pursue and track intangible goals can require more imagination, but you can think of ways to do it that work for your life and how your mind thinks. No matter what kind of goal or what method you use to pursue and track it, make sure to check in with yourself once a month to see if you're making progress. If not, tweak what you're doing and try again for another month. This is how you'll discover the best methods for you.

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=2258Thu, 24 Jan 2019 10:00:00 -070028:40falsefull122I – Finding Your Voice in Audiobooks: An Interview with Will DagesWill Dages joins us today from Findaway Voices, part of the larger company, Findaway. Will is Head of Product there, which is perfect for him since he's an avid audiobook listener and the kind of guy you can tell really wants to help you, the author, succeed.

After a quick background into how they started and how the company works, Will explained the process of how you go about making an audiobook. One of his marketing tips is to leverage an audiobook narrator who already has a following. Many regular listeners will follow the narrator just as much as they follow an author. [Note: I've done that!]

When a narrator signs up with Findaway Voices, there is a casting team that evaluates them so there is a great summary to read of every narrator and what they can do (accents, etc.). When an author comes in and starts looking for a narrator, Will jokes that they try to match the author and narrator almost like an online dating service. :-D In fact, about 95% of authors find the narrator they want to use on that first suggested casting list!

If an author chooses, they can use Findaway Voices to find a narrator and create an audiobook, and then take the finished files and go someplace else with them. While the company would love to help you distribute your audiobooks, you don't have to use them.

If you're interested in the royalty share deal that ACX allows, Findaway Voices is coming up with a great way to help you with that - without making you go exclusive. You heard it first here! :-D

Will gives us advice on how to decide if you should hire a narrator or read your book yourself, when to create book bundles, using your narrator for marketing and creating bonus content around them, testing your audience and their likelihood to convert to audio by starting with just a short story (2-3 hours might be best, a couple commutes' worth to get listeners hooked), experiment with wide distribution with a short/shorter story that's an aside to your series if the rest of your series is currently exclusive on ACX, getting your audiobooks into libraries, and much more!

And finally, the big announcements Will wanted to share with us! :-D First, they are launching with Storytel this quarter! Storytel is a massive player in the audiobook world with over 750,000 paying subscribers to their service. They are targeting countries where Audible doesn't have a presence, and they're working to get people reading in audio first.

Second, Findaway Voices now has a direct deal with Apple iBooks! Authors can get almost double the royalty rate by going through Findaway Voices to reach Apple. :-D Additionally, you get control over your list price. Authors can also create promotional prices (sales) with several of the stores Findaway Voices is working with including GooglePlay, Nook Audiobooks, and soon Apple iBooks. I'm so excited about this!

If you haven't tried getting into audiobooks yet, or if you stepped away from it because it didn't seem to be working for you, this might be the time and Findaway Voices might be the company for you to try again. :-D

You can follow Findaway Voices on Twitter, on Facebook, and they have a blog as well. You can find out where they'll be in a coming-soon blog post so you can meet with Will and his team and talk more about your specific situation. In 2019, they will be at Smarter Artists Summit, Sell More...]]>Will Dages joins us today from Findaway Voices, part of the larger company, Findaway. Will is Head of Product there, which is perfect for him since he's an avid audiobook listener and the kind of guy you can tell really wants to help you, the author, succeed.

After a quick background into how they started and how the company works, Will explained the process of how you go about making an audiobook. One of his marketing tips is to leverage an audiobook narrator who already has a following. Many regular listeners will follow the narrator just as much as they follow an author. [Note: I've done that!]

When a narrator signs up with Findaway Voices, there is a casting team that evaluates them so there is a great summary to read of every narrator and what they can do (accents, etc.). When an author comes in and starts looking for a narrator, Will jokes that they try to match the author and narrator almost like an online dating service. :-D In fact, about 95% of authors find the narrator they want to use on that first suggested casting list!

If an author chooses, they can use Findaway Voices to find a narrator and create an audiobook, and then take the finished files and go someplace else with them. While the company would love to help you distribute your audiobooks, you don't have to use them.

If you're interested in the royalty share deal that ACX allows, Findaway Voices is coming up with a great way to help you with that - without making you go exclusive. You heard it first here! :-D

Will gives us advice on how to decide if you should hire a narrator or read your book yourself, when to create book bundles, using your narrator for marketing and creating bonus content around them, testing your audience and their likelihood to convert to audio by starting with just a short story (2-3 hours might be best, a couple commutes' worth to get listeners hooked), experiment with wide distribution with a short/shorter story that's an aside to your series if the rest of your series is currently exclusive on ACX, getting your audiobooks into libraries, and much more!

And finally, the big announcements Will wanted to share with us! :-D First, they are launching with Storytel this quarter! Storytel is a massive player in the audiobook world with over 750,000 paying subscribers to their service. They are targeting countries where Audible doesn't have a presence, and they're working to get people reading in audio first.

Second, Findaway Voices now has a direct deal with Apple iBooks! Authors can get almost double the royalty rate by going through Findaway Voices to reach Apple. :-D Additionally, you get control over your list price. Authors can also create promotional prices (sales) with several of the stores Findaway Voices is working with including GooglePlay, Nook Audiobooks, and soon Apple iBooks. I'm so excited about this!

If you haven't tried getting into audiobooks yet, or if you stepped away from it because it didn't seem to be working for you, this might be the time and Findaway Voices might be the company for you to try again. :-D

You can follow Findaway Voices on Twitter, on Facebook, and they have a blog as well. You can find out where they'll be in a coming-soon blog post so you can meet with Will and his team and talk more about your specific situation. In 2019, they will be at Smarter Artists Summit, Sell More Books Show, Romance Writers of America national conference, London Book Fair, Frankfurt Book Fair, NINC, 20BooksVegas, and more.

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=2247Thu, 17 Jan 2019 10:00:00 -070001:05:06falsefull121T – Goals From the Top DownThe beginning of a new season - be it a week or month or year or whatever - is quite often a good time to stop and think about what you've accomplished recently, what worked, what didn't, and what you want to accomplish in the next season.

In this episode, I suggest several ways to go back through the last year and remember what all you did. It's likely far more than you think! Then you can compare how busy you were and how much you got done with how much time you expect to have this year. Maybe you need to slow down a bit so you don't burn out, or maybe you've decided to limit, say, your TV watching so you can write more.

Looking back can very often help you figure out what you want to do next as well as helping you guesstimate how much you can actually accomplish in the next period. So as you're creating your list of what you accomplished last year, also start a brain dump list of everything you'd like to accomplish this year. Include everything, not just your writing business.

Once that list is pretty complete, choose the number one goal you most want to accomplish this year. Write it down.

Now choose the Top 3 (your #1 as well as #2 and #3), your Top 5, and your Top 10 most important goals from your list. It's likely that no more than five or six of the top ten are writing-related. You're going to have goals for your personal life, family, health, finances, etc.

Remembering that the item you decided was your #1 goal is the one that you want to take priority, you can now take this shorter list and begin breaking down each of the ten items into smaller pieces, then figuring out what needs to be done each week/month/quarter in order to turn your goals into plans, and then into accomplishments.

Good luck! :-D

]]>The beginning of a new season - be it a week or month or year or whatever - is quite often a good time to stop and think about what you've accomplished recently, what worked, what didn't, and what you want to accomplish in the next season.

In this episode, I suggest several ways to go back through the last year and remember what all you did. It's likely far more than you think! Then you can compare how busy you were and how much you got done with how much time you expect to have this year. Maybe you need to slow down a bit so you don't burn out, or maybe you've decided to limit, say, your TV watching so you can write more.

Looking back can very often help you figure out what you want to do next as well as helping you guesstimate how much you can actually accomplish in the next period. So as you're creating your list of what you accomplished last year, also start a brain dump list of everything you'd like to accomplish this year. Include everything, not just your writing business.

Once that list is pretty complete, choose the number one goal you most want to accomplish this year. Write it down.

Now choose the Top 3 (your #1 as well as #2 and #3), your Top 5, and your Top 10 most important goals from your list. It's likely that no more than five or six of the top ten are writing-related. You're going to have goals for your personal life, family, health, finances, etc.

Remembering that the item you decided was your #1 goal is the one that you want to take priority, you can now take this shorter list and begin breaking down each of the ten items into smaller pieces, then figuring out what needs to be done each week/month/quarter in order to turn your goals into plans, and then into accomplishments.

Good luck! :-D

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=2243Thu, 10 Jan 2019 10:00:00 -070032:45falsefull120E – The Art of Asking by Amanda PalmerI recently finished listening to the audiobook version of The Art of Asking by Amanda Palmer. Amanda is a popular musician, and her indie approach to her music and her fans reminds me a lot of the indie approach to self-publishing books.

The thing is...Amanda isn't afraid to ask her fans for what she needs. If she's going to be in a city playing a gig and needs a place to crash, she gets on Twitter and asks her fans. If she's going to be writing in a coffee shop, she gets on Twitter and tells her fans that they should come over and say hi.

The book is about much more than her music and her fans. Amanda shares her struggles with asking for help, especially outside of her fanbase. She shares how hard it was to ask for any kind of help from her husband (author Neil Gaiman), and she helps the listener/reader think through what they have a hard time asking for as she shares her own experiences.

I enjoyed listening to Amanda read the book to me, and I really got to thinking more about my own fans. Am I afraid to let them get too close? Am I afraid to ask them for what I need - whether it's encouragement to keep going or help spreading the word about my books?

I hope you find this episode encouraging you to reach our to your audience with more of yourself, asking for what you need and asking them what they need in return.

]]>I recently finished listening to the audiobook version of The Art of Asking by Amanda Palmer. Amanda is a popular musician, and her indie approach to her music and her fans reminds me a lot of the indie approach to self-publishing books.

The thing is...Amanda isn't afraid to ask her fans for what she needs. If she's going to be in a city playing a gig and needs a place to crash, she gets on Twitter and asks her fans. If she's going to be writing in a coffee shop, she gets on Twitter and tells her fans that they should come over and say hi.

The book is about much more than her music and her fans. Amanda shares her struggles with asking for help, especially outside of her fanbase. She shares how hard it was to ask for any kind of help from her husband (author Neil Gaiman), and she helps the listener/reader think through what they have a hard time asking for as she shares her own experiences.

I enjoyed listening to Amanda read the book to me, and I really got to thinking more about my own fans. Am I afraid to let them get too close? Am I afraid to ask them for what I need - whether it's encouragement to keep going or help spreading the word about my books?

I hope you find this episode encouraging you to reach our to your audience with more of yourself, asking for what you need and asking them what they need in return.

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=2239Sun, 06 Jan 2019 10:00:00 -070017:33falsefull119T – Knowing Your WHY Will Change Your WritingToday's episode is taken from a live writing workshop I taught at my church in Malmö, Sweden, in November 2018. In this first portion of the talk, I discuss the "why" of your writing and how that "why" will help you choose topics and stories that will impact your audience to a greater degree. (See the entire brilliant clip of comedian Michael Jr. on his YouTube channel here.) Knowing your "why" will also help you to write better, choosing more impactful words and phrases and constructing your manuscript in more interesting and compelling ways.

But how do you know if you're "doing it right?" If anyone tells you after reading your work that they understood and/or were moved, that's a good sign that you're getting through. If the reactions are more "meh" and "I think I understood" then you probably have more work to do.

I also mention the fruits of the Spirit as mentioned in the Bible - love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control - and talk about how each of those sentiments can be a way to better reach a certain audience. For instance, if you're writing to a group of stressed new mothers you'd want to write with a tone of peace rather than a "telling you what to do" attitude, even while getting across the same information.

The full 2-hour workshop will be available soon for Patreon subscribers only. :-D

]]>Today's episode is taken from a live writing workshop I taught at my church in Malmö, Sweden, in November 2018. In this first portion of the talk, I discuss the "why" of your writing and how that "why" will help you choose topics and stories that will impact your audience to a greater degree. (See the entire brilliant clip of comedian Michael Jr. on his YouTube channel here.) Knowing your "why" will also help you to write better, choosing more impactful words and phrases and constructing your manuscript in more interesting and compelling ways.

But how do you know if you're "doing it right?" If anyone tells you after reading your work that they understood and/or were moved, that's a good sign that you're getting through. If the reactions are more "meh" and "I think I understood" then you probably have more work to do.

I also mention the fruits of the Spirit as mentioned in the Bible - love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control - and talk about how each of those sentiments can be a way to better reach a certain audience. For instance, if you're writing to a group of stressed new mothers you'd want to write with a tone of peace rather than a "telling you what to do" attitude, even while getting across the same information.

The full 2-hour workshop will be available soon for Patreon subscribers only. :-D

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=2231Thu, 03 Jan 2019 10:00:00 -070042:03falsefull118I – Writing For a Brand: An Interview with Nancy NaigleToday's author, Nancy Naigle, is a delight to talk to! She's got such great stories about how she started writing, how she got involved with Hallmark Publishing, the excitement of seeing Hallmark movies adapted from two of her books (Christmas Joy and Hope at Christmas, published by St. Martin's Griffin), and how fun it is to have three completely different Christmas trees in her house!

She starts by telling the story of writing the novelization of Christmas in Evergreen, currently my favorite Christmas book, and a Hallmark original movie. She thought it would be a piece of cake. :-D After all, Hallmark sent her the script and the movie, she just needed to fill it in, right? Alas, it wasn't nearly as simple as she'd expected, but she learned a lot!

[Note: At the time of this interview, Hallmark Publishing is offering everyone a chance to get the ebook version of Christmas in Evergreen for free - and to give a copy to a friend! Click here for the link. Also, several of her books, at this writing, are on sale for 99c. Check them out!]

It's been Christmas all year for Nancy this year. In addition to writing the novelization of the sequel, Christmas in Evergreen: Letters to Santa, she also released Dear Santa for St. Martin's Griffin in October, and the two Hallmark movies aired in November. She laughs about having her decorations up just after Halloween so she could have her movie launch party with Christmas decorations.

Nancy encourages writers that it's never too late to start writing the stories in your heart! She didn't decide to start until the year she turned 40. :-D It took her nine years to get her first book published, but now she has 25 books out!

You can pre-order Nancy's next Hallmark original novel, The Secret Ingredient, in time for Valentine's Day. Follow her on her website, Twitter, and Facebook.

]]>Today's author, Nancy Naigle, is a delight to talk to! She's got such great stories about how she started writing, how she got involved with Hallmark Publishing, the excitement of seeing Hallmark movies adapted from two of her books (Christmas Joy and Hope at Christmas, published by St. Martin's Griffin), and how fun it is to have three completely different Christmas trees in her house!

She starts by telling the story of writing the novelization of Christmas in Evergreen, currently my favorite Christmas book, and a Hallmark original movie. She thought it would be a piece of cake. :-D After all, Hallmark sent her the script and the movie, she just needed to fill it in, right? Alas, it wasn't nearly as simple as she'd expected, but she learned a lot!

[Note: At the time of this interview, Hallmark Publishing is offering everyone a chance to get the ebook version of Christmas in Evergreen for free - and to give a copy to a friend! Click here for the link. Also, several of her books, at this writing, are on sale for 99c. Check them out!]

It's been Christmas all year for Nancy this year. In addition to writing the novelization of the sequel, Christmas in Evergreen: Letters to Santa, she also released Dear Santa for St. Martin's Griffin in October, and the two Hallmark movies aired in November. She laughs about having her decorations up just after Halloween so she could have her movie launch party with Christmas decorations.

Nancy encourages writers that it's never too late to start writing the stories in your heart! She didn't decide to start until the year she turned 40. :-D It took her nine years to get her first book published, but now she has 25 books out!

You can pre-order Nancy's next Hallmark original novel, The Secret Ingredient, in time for Valentine's Day. Follow her on her website, Twitter, and Facebook.

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=2217Thu, 27 Dec 2018 10:00:00 -070059:36falsefull117I – All I Want For Christmas Is a Book Contract: An Interview with Alys MurrayNew author Alys Murray joins us today to talk about her first book, The Christmas Company, released by Hallmark Publishing in October 2018.

Alys shares her journey from finding Hallmark's call for unagented writers to submitting her manuscript to finding an agent to selling two more books - all in short order. Quite the exciting journey! Since she found both Hallmark's call and her agent via Twitter, I also asked her to explain a little about #PitchWars. ;-)

Alys is a playwright, too, and we talked about the differences in media as well as the difference between the type of writing expected in grad school and finding your own writer's voice in genre fiction. Interesting stuff!

She was also a guest on Hallmark's "Home & Family" TV show, and tells us all about the fun of being interviewed - and cooking! - on a TV show. :-D

You can find The Christmas Company at Hallmark Publishing, select Hallmark stores, all of the usual online sites, as well as Target stores, some Walmart stores, and some Meijer stores. You can follow Alys at WriterAlys on Twitter and Instagram, AlysMurrayAuthor on Facebook, and on her website AlysMurray.com.

]]>New author Alys Murray joins us today to talk about her first book, The Christmas Company, released by Hallmark Publishing in October 2018.

Alys shares her journey from finding Hallmark's call for unagented writers to submitting her manuscript to finding an agent to selling two more books - all in short order. Quite the exciting journey! Since she found both Hallmark's call and her agent via Twitter, I also asked her to explain a little about #PitchWars. ;-)

Alys is a playwright, too, and we talked about the differences in media as well as the difference between the type of writing expected in grad school and finding your own writer's voice in genre fiction. Interesting stuff!

She was also a guest on Hallmark's "Home & Family" TV show, and tells us all about the fun of being interviewed - and cooking! - on a TV show. :-D

You can find The Christmas Company at Hallmark Publishing, select Hallmark stores, all of the usual online sites, as well as Target stores, some Walmart stores, and some Meijer stores. You can follow Alys at WriterAlys on Twitter and Instagram, AlysMurrayAuthor on Facebook, and on her website AlysMurray.com.

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=2213Thu, 20 Dec 2018 10:00:00 -070058:38falsefull116I – Writing a First Novel Isn’t Easy: An Interview with Stacey DonovanStacey Donovan is back as today's guest - but this time as an author! Stacey wrote the first original novel published by Hallmark Publishing, Sunrise Cabin. She also writes under the name Bryn Donovan.

Last time we talked to Stacey, she told us about her job as Director of Hallmark Publishing and what kinds of stories Hallmark is looking for. Today we're talking about Stacey's life as a writer. She started as a poet and later tried her hand at novel writing. Despite all she'd learned in grad school, writing and finishing the first novel was difficult.

Stacey shares her journey, as well as tips and tricks for writers to try if they are struggling to finish a book or if they don't think the finished product turned out well. No advice is right for everyone, she says, but her first piece of advice is to finish a book! Any book, just finish one. There are things you can't learn about writing until you've written a whole book and gotten to "the end."

Her second piece of advice is to try outlining if you haven't done so. If you're writing by the seat of your pants, and finishing books, and you love how they turned out - great! But if not, try doing an outline first. She thought she wasn't "that kind of writer," but once she tried it her books turned out better. Give it a try!

Stacey also has a great thread over on Twitter where she gives tips for writing a synopsis and proposal - you know, because you might want to submit your book to Hallmark Publishing! :-D

Check out Stacey's blog, chock full of writing advice, writing prompts, master lists, and more! You can also follow her on Twitter at Donovanesque.

]]>Stacey Donovan is back as today's guest - but this time as an author! Stacey wrote the first original novel published by Hallmark Publishing, Sunrise Cabin. She also writes under the name Bryn Donovan.

Last time we talked to Stacey, she told us about her job as Director of Hallmark Publishing and what kinds of stories Hallmark is looking for. Today we're talking about Stacey's life as a writer. She started as a poet and later tried her hand at novel writing. Despite all she'd learned in grad school, writing and finishing the first novel was difficult.

Stacey shares her journey, as well as tips and tricks for writers to try if they are struggling to finish a book or if they don't think the finished product turned out well. No advice is right for everyone, she says, but her first piece of advice is to finish a book! Any book, just finish one. There are things you can't learn about writing until you've written a whole book and gotten to "the end."

Her second piece of advice is to try outlining if you haven't done so. If you're writing by the seat of your pants, and finishing books, and you love how they turned out - great! But if not, try doing an outline first. She thought she wasn't "that kind of writer," but once she tried it her books turned out better. Give it a try!

Stacey also has a great thread over on Twitter where she gives tips for writing a synopsis and proposal - you know, because you might want to submit your book to Hallmark Publishing! :-D

Check out Stacey's blog, chock full of writing advice, writing prompts, master lists, and more! You can also follow her on Twitter at Donovanesque.

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=2207Thu, 13 Dec 2018 11:51:00 -070045:09falsefull115I – How the Story Changes: An Interview with Shawn SmuckerToday, we're back again with Shawn Smucker, but this time we're talking about nonfiction and his new memoir, Once We Were Strangers. It's the story of how Shawn came to have a friendship with a Syrian refugee in Shawn's hometown of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and how their friendship changed both men.

This book moved me like no other book this year. I felt like I needed to reexamine my thoughts and feelings, but especially my actions toward new people in town, displaced people, and especially in regards to refugees. I strongly encourage you to read the book and see what you think!

While we talked, one of things that most interested me was Shawn saying that he originally meant to go one direction with the book - to just tell Mohammed's story - but it turned into something else, something unexpected. As a writer, I totally get this! Which is probably part of what made his story fascinating. :-D

Shawn offers a lot of great advice to writers about ghost writing and memoir writing. Be sure to listen with your Notes app open! You can find out more about Shawn and his books at his website, and follow him on Facebook and Twitter as Shawn Smucker.

]]>Today, we're back again with Shawn Smucker, but this time we're talking about nonfiction and his new memoir, Once We Were Strangers. It's the story of how Shawn came to have a friendship with a Syrian refugee in Shawn's hometown of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and how their friendship changed both men.

This book moved me like no other book this year. I felt like I needed to reexamine my thoughts and feelings, but especially my actions toward new people in town, displaced people, and especially in regards to refugees. I strongly encourage you to read the book and see what you think!

While we talked, one of things that most interested me was Shawn saying that he originally meant to go one direction with the book - to just tell Mohammed's story - but it turned into something else, something unexpected. As a writer, I totally get this! Which is probably part of what made his story fascinating. :-D

Shawn offers a lot of great advice to writers about ghost writing and memoir writing. Be sure to listen with your Notes app open! You can find out more about Shawn and his books at his website, and follow him on Facebook and Twitter as Shawn Smucker.

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=2200Thu, 06 Dec 2018 10:00:00 -070047:40falsefull114E – PreparationAdvent is here, and many people around the world are preparing for Christmas! Others are preparing for Hanukkah and Kwanzaa and New Year's Eve. Families are making plans to get together, to bake a lot, cook a lot, shop a lot. There's a lot going on this month!

In addition to the holiday planning, many of us are beginning to consider our goals for 2019 - writing goals, health goals, business and relationship and financial goals. But what do we need to do to prepare to make those goals into reality?

Writing down our plans - whether it's a meal menu or writing goals for next year - is an important first step. But it needs to go farther. If you don't buy the items for the meal, you can't make it. If you don't write down the steps you'll need to take to make your goals a reality, not much will happen.

Preparation of our hearts for the holidays is important to really experience them the way we want to. And preparation to make our dreams into goals, and our goals into reality is also important! I hope you take the time to prepare...and enjoy it in peace and joy. :-D

]]>Advent is here, and many people around the world are preparing for Christmas! Others are preparing for Hanukkah and Kwanzaa and New Year's Eve. Families are making plans to get together, to bake a lot, cook a lot, shop a lot. There's a lot going on this month!

In addition to the holiday planning, many of us are beginning to consider our goals for 2019 - writing goals, health goals, business and relationship and financial goals. But what do we need to do to prepare to make those goals into reality?

Writing down our plans - whether it's a meal menu or writing goals for next year - is an important first step. But it needs to go farther. If you don't buy the items for the meal, you can't make it. If you don't write down the steps you'll need to take to make your goals a reality, not much will happen.

Preparation of our hearts for the holidays is important to really experience them the way we want to. And preparation to make our dreams into goals, and our goals into reality is also important! I hope you take the time to prepare...and enjoy it in peace and joy. :-D

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=2196Sun, 02 Dec 2018 10:00:00 -070011:23falsefull113I – Imagining a Real Life: An Interview with Jane KirkpatrickJane Kirkpatrick writes historical fiction from a different angle. She researches fascinating real people and then writes what's missing from history -- their personal stories.

Everything She Didn't Say is the latest of Jane's novels. It's about the real and imagined life of Carrie Strahorn, a pioneer woman and journalist of the late 19th century. Jane used Carrie's real memoir, Fifteen Thousand Miles by Stage, to create the story of what Carrie might have thought or felt but decided not to voice publicly.

Jane says writing this kind of book is a balance between not betraying the essence of the real person while also trying to be insightful about what the person had chosen not to say according to books and historical records.

There are a lot of strange and interesting ways to research real people, and Jane shares many of them with us. A book Jane suggests is Structuring Your Novel by Robert Meredith & John Fitzgerald. From this book, Jane uses three questions when starting a new story.

1. What is your intention? Jane says this is like your elevator pitch, your one sentence that describes the story.
2. What is your attitude toward this story? Or...What do you feel deeply about in this story?
3. What's your purpose in writing this? Or... How do you hope a reader will be changed? Or... I'm trying to prove or show that...(life is an adventure, by relieving the suffering of others we help relieve our own, or whatever your story purpose is).

This is a fascinating interview for anyone interested in history, genealogy, research, and storytelling. You can follow Jane on her website, JKBooks.com, and on Facebook as TheAuthorJaneKirkpatrick, and you can buy her books in your favorite online or bricks-and-mortar bookstore.

]]>Jane Kirkpatrick writes historical fiction from a different angle. She researches fascinating real people and then writes what's missing from history -- their personal stories.

Everything She Didn't Say is the latest of Jane's novels. It's about the real and imagined life of Carrie Strahorn, a pioneer woman and journalist of the late 19th century. Jane used Carrie's real memoir, Fifteen Thousand Miles by Stage, to create the story of what Carrie might have thought or felt but decided not to voice publicly.

Jane says writing this kind of book is a balance between not betraying the essence of the real person while also trying to be insightful about what the person had chosen not to say according to books and historical records.

There are a lot of strange and interesting ways to research real people, and Jane shares many of them with us. A book Jane suggests is Structuring Your Novel by Robert Meredith & John Fitzgerald. From this book, Jane uses three questions when starting a new story.

1. What is your intention? Jane says this is like your elevator pitch, your one sentence that describes the story.
2. What is your attitude toward this story? Or...What do you feel deeply about in this story?
3. What's your purpose in writing this? Or... How do you hope a reader will be changed? Or... I'm trying to prove or show that...(life is an adventure, by relieving the suffering of others we help relieve our own, or whatever your story purpose is).

This is a fascinating interview for anyone interested in history, genealogy, research, and storytelling. You can follow Jane on her website, JKBooks.com, and on Facebook as TheAuthorJaneKirkpatrick, and you can buy her books in your favorite online or bricks-and-mortar bookstore.

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=2144Thu, 29 Nov 2018 10:00:00 -070053:35falsefull112E – Why Are You Doing This?Some things stick in your head and you can't stop thinking about them. That's what happened to me this week with a Michael, Jr. YouTube video. He's a comedian, and he was explaining to a group how it's different to know what you're doing, to be good at something, versus being good at it and knowing why you're doing it. Here's the video if you want to watch. (It starts about 9 minutes in.)

 

I was thinking about my own experiences as a writer as I listened to this, and I couldn't stop thinking about the why. This is a popular topic in online marketing right now, but I want you to really take this to the deepest level you can go and ask yourself, Why am I taking time away from family, friends, rest, play, and other important things in my life to sit down and write?

Whatever your answer is, what's the why behind that? And the why behind that?

Eventually you are going to hit your bedrock reason for writing, the very foundation from which you create. Even if you think you know your reason already, if it's been awhile ask the why questions again and see if the answer is still the same. Over time, it may shift a bit and it's good for you to keep track of the real reason you're doing this.

Because once you are certain of your why, your words will become far more powerful and effective.

]]>Some things stick in your head and you can't stop thinking about them. That's what happened to me this week with a Michael, Jr. YouTube video. He's a comedian, and he was explaining to a group how it's different to know what you're doing, to be good at something, versus being good at it and knowing why you're doing it. Here's the video if you want to watch. (It starts about 9 minutes in.)

 

I was thinking about my own experiences as a writer as I listened to this, and I couldn't stop thinking about the why. This is a popular topic in online marketing right now, but I want you to really take this to the deepest level you can go and ask yourself, Why am I taking time away from family, friends, rest, play, and other important things in my life to sit down and write?

Whatever your answer is, what's the why behind that? And the why behind that?

Eventually you are going to hit your bedrock reason for writing, the very foundation from which you create. Even if you think you know your reason already, if it's been awhile ask the why questions again and see if the answer is still the same. Over time, it may shift a bit and it's good for you to keep track of the real reason you're doing this.

Because once you are certain of your why, your words will become far more powerful and effective.

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=2187Sun, 25 Nov 2018 10:00:00 -070020:25falsefull111I – Lessons From a Long Career: An Interview with Thomas LockeToday's guest is author Thomas Locke, also known as Davis Bunn. Thomas has a brand new book out this week, the dystopian novel Enclave. In today's interview, we walk through Thomas/Davis' career as he tells us what he's learned over twenty-plus years of highs and lows.

The first thing he talks about is discipline. The discipline to keep on writing as you wait for your books to sell. The discipline to keep going when you have lots of reasons to quit. And the discipline to take advantage of the time you have in order to write as much as you can - perhaps more than you would have thought possible.

One example of how that discipline paid off is his story of writing three full-length novels with no contract and no one asking for them...and how that eventually turned into nine contracted books in three series.

If you're interested in writing science fiction or fantasy, Thomas explains that one of the biggest failings is when a writer creates a story that is heavy on the idea, but poor in characters. Readers need to genuinely bond with a character in order to follow them for a whole book.

Thomas gives us great advice, including specific writing tips, throughout the interview. This is an episode you'll want to come back to in order to take notes!

Follow him on Facebook as Thomas Locke and as Davis Bunn.

]]>Today's guest is author Thomas Locke, also known as Davis Bunn. Thomas has a brand new book out this week, the dystopian novel Enclave. In today's interview, we walk through Thomas/Davis' career as he tells us what he's learned over twenty-plus years of highs and lows.

The first thing he talks about is discipline. The discipline to keep on writing as you wait for your books to sell. The discipline to keep going when you have lots of reasons to quit. And the discipline to take advantage of the time you have in order to write as much as you can - perhaps more than you would have thought possible.

One example of how that discipline paid off is his story of writing three full-length novels with no contract and no one asking for them...and how that eventually turned into nine contracted books in three series.

If you're interested in writing science fiction or fantasy, Thomas explains that one of the biggest failings is when a writer creates a story that is heavy on the idea, but poor in characters. Readers need to genuinely bond with a character in order to follow them for a whole book.

Thomas gives us great advice, including specific writing tips, throughout the interview. This is an episode you'll want to come back to in order to take notes!

Follow him on Facebook as Thomas Locke and as Davis Bunn.

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=2182Thu, 22 Nov 2018 10:00:00 -070052:17falsefull110I – Hallmark Publishing Needs Sweet Stories: An Interview with Stacey DonovanEditor Stacey Donovan joins us today to tell us about Hallmark Publishing! I've been talking about this new publisher of sweet romances and cozy mysteries for months now.

Stacey talks about pitching the idea to the Hallmark CEO, getting the first books written as novelizations of existing Hallmark movies, and then her own romance novel being the first original novel published by the company.

She tells us what she is looking for, how to submit depending on whether you have an agent or not, and that the best guide to what they're looking for is watching Hallmark movies. These are definitely G-rated stories, not even PG, so keep that in mind. Sweet, uplifting romances and cozy mysteries with a real emphasis on the cozy. Seasonal tie-ins are great for the romances, but aren't necessary for the mysteries.

To find out more about what Hallmark Publishing is looking for, checkout their Write For Us page, and follow Stacey on Twitter.

]]>Editor Stacey Donovan joins us today to tell us about Hallmark Publishing! I've been talking about this new publisher of sweet romances and cozy mysteries for months now.

Stacey talks about pitching the idea to the Hallmark CEO, getting the first books written as novelizations of existing Hallmark movies, and then her own romance novel being the first original novel published by the company.

She tells us what she is looking for, how to submit depending on whether you have an agent or not, and that the best guide to what they're looking for is watching Hallmark movies. These are definitely G-rated stories, not even PG, so keep that in mind. Sweet, uplifting romances and cozy mysteries with a real emphasis on the cozy. Seasonal tie-ins are great for the romances, but aren't necessary for the mysteries.

To find out more about what Hallmark Publishing is looking for, checkout their Write For Us page, and follow Stacey on Twitter.

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=2175Thu, 15 Nov 2018 10:00:00 -070030:40falsefull109E – Recognize the Good and Write It DownSometimes I have to stop and ask myself, is God trying to get my attention? Because it sure seems like I keep running into this or seeing that lately. That happened this week, as a matter of fact.

When I was interviewing Stacey Donovan of Hallmark Publishing, she was talking about her main character in her new book, Sunrise Cabin, and how she starts each day saying aloud everything she is grateful for. Stacey admitted that particular trait is one of her own.

Then I was chatting with my friend Kristin and she said, wow, you've really had a lot going right in your life this month. And I stopped and thought, huh, that's right, and I haven't paused long enough to realize it, let alone be grateful for it.

That thought led me to remember that just a few days before I'd been talking to my friend Becca about gratitude and writing, but that I didn't enjoy journaling about what I was grateful for. It all sounded the same, which sounded boring to me.

Taken together, though, these three separate conversations got me thinking that God might be trying to get my attention in the area of awareness of gratitude. So I started looking for ways to capture it, to stop doing long enough to be intentionally aware of all the things that were going right or well in my life.

Have you noticed any patterns lately, things that keep coming to your attention? Maybe God and your brain are trying to get your attention. Take a minute to stop and consider what keeps popping up. Then write it down. It'll help you process it. But it's also part of who you are as a writer - you're a keep of the information, a keeper of histories. Enjoy it!

]]>Sometimes I have to stop and ask myself, is God trying to get my attention? Because it sure seems like I keep running into this or seeing that lately. That happened this week, as a matter of fact.

When I was interviewing Stacey Donovan of Hallmark Publishing, she was talking about her main character in her new book, Sunrise Cabin, and how she starts each day saying aloud everything she is grateful for. Stacey admitted that particular trait is one of her own.

Then I was chatting with my friend Kristin and she said, wow, you've really had a lot going right in your life this month. And I stopped and thought, huh, that's right, and I haven't paused long enough to realize it, let alone be grateful for it.

That thought led me to remember that just a few days before I'd been talking to my friend Becca about gratitude and writing, but that I didn't enjoy journaling about what I was grateful for. It all sounded the same, which sounded boring to me.

Taken together, though, these three separate conversations got me thinking that God might be trying to get my attention in the area of awareness of gratitude. So I started looking for ways to capture it, to stop doing long enough to be intentionally aware of all the things that were going right or well in my life.

Have you noticed any patterns lately, things that keep coming to your attention? Maybe God and your brain are trying to get your attention. Take a minute to stop and consider what keeps popping up. Then write it down. It'll help you process it. But it's also part of who you are as a writer - you're a keep of the information, a keeper of histories. Enjoy it!

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=2170Sun, 11 Nov 2018 10:00:00 -070012:24falsefull108I – Human Trafficking in Fiction: An Interview with Lynn H BlackburnToday's conversation with Lynn H Blackburn is so interesting! Not only do we talk about fun stuff like writing and stories, but we start our conversation with a very serious problem in the world - human trafficking. Her book, In Too Deep, has an element of human trafficking in the plot that makes it both compelling and chilling.

Lynn tells us how better research helped her improve one of the characters in this series. She laughs that using TV shows as the basis for how someone in this or that profession would work is not a good idea! But talking to people who actually work in the field opened up more intriguing aspects to the character as she learned what it would really be like to be this person.

Highly recommended by Lynn (and other writers I know) is the Writers' Police Academy. In fact, this is where she saw a demonstration of the local law enforcement dive team - and that's where she got the idea for this book and series. (In Too Deep is book two, so you may want to start with Beneath the Surface.)

Lynn also talks about the challenges of homeschooling two boys and managing the needs of a developmentally challenged daughter, and then trying to work her writing around all of her family needs. She'd prefer a schedule with huge chunks of time, but the reality is she needs to take her schedule as it comes and make it all work, differently every day. She's got lots of encouragement and suggestions for other writers in similar circumstances.

Learn more about Lynn on her website and find her books at your favorite bookstore or online retailer.

]]>Today's conversation with Lynn H Blackburn is so interesting! Not only do we talk about fun stuff like writing and stories, but we start our conversation with a very serious problem in the world - human trafficking. Her book, In Too Deep, has an element of human trafficking in the plot that makes it both compelling and chilling.

Lynn tells us how better research helped her improve one of the characters in this series. She laughs that using TV shows as the basis for how someone in this or that profession would work is not a good idea! But talking to people who actually work in the field opened up more intriguing aspects to the character as she learned what it would really be like to be this person.

Highly recommended by Lynn (and other writers I know) is the Writers' Police Academy. In fact, this is where she saw a demonstration of the local law enforcement dive team - and that's where she got the idea for this book and series. (In Too Deep is book two, so you may want to start with Beneath the Surface.)

Lynn also talks about the challenges of homeschooling two boys and managing the needs of a developmentally challenged daughter, and then trying to work her writing around all of her family needs. She'd prefer a schedule with huge chunks of time, but the reality is she needs to take her schedule as it comes and make it all work, differently every day. She's got lots of encouragement and suggestions for other writers in similar circumstances.

Learn more about Lynn on her website and find her books at your favorite bookstore or online retailer.

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=2163Thu, 08 Nov 2018 10:00:00 -070055:20falsefull107E – Planted, Not BuriedSometimes we feel stuck. Maybe a little, like walking in a bog. Maybe a lot, like waist-deep. Maybe we sometimes even feel we're totally buried, cold, in the dark, alone.

Imagine, though, that you're not buried but...planted. Like a seed that gets planted in the spring, maybe this is a very temporary season, one which will soon show signs of life as the seed breaks down and a plant springs up. But even if this time in your life is like a bulb planted in the fall, with a long, cold winter ahead, remember that something beautiful can come out of it!

I've seen crocuses pushing up through the hard late winter ground, certain that it's nearly spring despite the snowbanks around them. They are an amazing and beautiful sight!

Wherever you're at in life - or wherever a friend or loved one seems to be at - there is hope! Even if it seems like we're buried by the circumstances of our life, we have the potential to see something beautiful grow from it in the future. That's definitely encouraging! :-D

]]>Sometimes we feel stuck. Maybe a little, like walking in a bog. Maybe a lot, like waist-deep. Maybe we sometimes even feel we're totally buried, cold, in the dark, alone.

Imagine, though, that you're not buried but...planted. Like a seed that gets planted in the spring, maybe this is a very temporary season, one which will soon show signs of life as the seed breaks down and a plant springs up. But even if this time in your life is like a bulb planted in the fall, with a long, cold winter ahead, remember that something beautiful can come out of it!

I've seen crocuses pushing up through the hard late winter ground, certain that it's nearly spring despite the snowbanks around them. They are an amazing and beautiful sight!

Wherever you're at in life - or wherever a friend or loved one seems to be at - there is hope! Even if it seems like we're buried by the circumstances of our life, we have the potential to see something beautiful grow from it in the future. That's definitely encouraging! :-D

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=2160Sun, 04 Nov 2018 10:00:00 -070010:22falsefull106I – Amish and the Civil War: An Interview with Jan DrexlerOur guest today is Jan Drexler, a historical novelist whose stories often feature Amish characters. Today we talk about the challenges and choices Plain folk faced during the Civil War. Jan is a Civil War buff and traces her family history back through the Amish of the 1700s, so she brings a unique take to her stories.

She used census records and Ancestry.com to find out more about her family, and tried to figure out how and where her family moved away from Amish traditions. In her latest book, The Sound of Distant Thunder, she uses both history of the Amish church and the history of the United States to bring out the points in her story.

Jan researches until she finds a story nugget, then she moves to creative mode to flesh out the characters and the situation. As she comes up with questions, she goes back to research mode, sometimes checking to see if some real event or person could have interacted with her characters. She does this back-and-forth all the way through the first draft.

We have a great conversation that also includes a lot of great writing tips! I learned about tabbed sticky notes - a great way to find information again in books. Like me, Jan uses Scrivener to save website URLs for online research. Instead of taking the time to read an entire book from cover to cover, Jan uses the Index to find just the bit of research she needs today. If she needs more information, she uses the bibliography in the book to find more books and articles to go through.

When do you stop researching and start writing? Jan says she can feel the moment when the pot starts to boil, so to speak. The ideas begin to form and it's time to start writing. By that time, she usually has her characters and an outline or list of plot points so she can go ahead and begin. Jan explains her writing process and it sounds so good, I'm going to try it! :-D

Find out more about Jan at JanDrexler.com and follow her on Facebook as JanDrexlerAuthor and on Twitter as JanDrexler. Jan is also a member of Seekerville, one of Writer's Digest's 101 Best Websites for Writers. Jan has some great articles there on building a story world, starting an Amish series, and using setting in your story.

]]>Our guest today is Jan Drexler, a historical novelist whose stories often feature Amish characters. Today we talk about the challenges and choices Plain folk faced during the Civil War. Jan is a Civil War buff and traces her family history back through the Amish of the 1700s, so she brings a unique take to her stories.

She used census records and Ancestry.com to find out more about her family, and tried to figure out how and where her family moved away from Amish traditions. In her latest book, The Sound of Distant Thunder, she uses both history of the Amish church and the history of the United States to bring out the points in her story.

Jan researches until she finds a story nugget, then she moves to creative mode to flesh out the characters and the situation. As she comes up with questions, she goes back to research mode, sometimes checking to see if some real event or person could have interacted with her characters. She does this back-and-forth all the way through the first draft.

We have a great conversation that also includes a lot of great writing tips! I learned about tabbed sticky notes - a great way to find information again in books. Like me, Jan uses Scrivener to save website URLs for online research. Instead of taking the time to read an entire book from cover to cover, Jan uses the Index to find just the bit of research she needs today. If she needs more information, she uses the bibliography in the book to find more books and articles to go through.

When do you stop researching and start writing? Jan says she can feel the moment when the pot starts to boil, so to speak. The ideas begin to form and it's time to start writing. By that time, she usually has her characters and an outline or list of plot points so she can go ahead and begin. Jan explains her writing process and it sounds so good, I'm going to try it! :-D

Find out more about Jan at JanDrexler.com and follow her on Facebook as JanDrexlerAuthor and on Twitter as JanDrexler. Jan is also a member of Seekerville, one of Writer's Digest's 101 Best Websites for Writers. Jan has some great articles there on building a story world, starting an Amish series, and using setting in your story.

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=2154Thu, 01 Nov 2018 09:10:00 -070057:37falsefull105I – Writing Christmas in July: An Interview with Melody CarlsonOur guest today is Melody Carlson, the award-winning author of over two hundred books. Despite having so many, she does tend to be known for her many Christmas stories. Today we talk to her about her latest Christmas book, A Christmas by the Sea.

Due to the timing of publishing, Melody mostly has to write her Christmas books in July with the air conditioner on. It's fun to hear how some of the parts of her real life made it into this book. Melody even has some "sand dollar angels" that she'll be giving away as part of some upcoming Christmas contests. (Be sure to go sign up for her newsletter to participate!)

When asked how she came to be such a prolific writer, she explains that when she first started she had to write fast because that was all the time she had. (She wrote her first complete book long-hand on a yellow legal pad!) The good thing about that, she says, is that it teaches you not to edit as you go along. And you can prove to yourself that you can finish a book. :)

We also talked about how to keep a series going with new ideas and how to keep coming up with new ideas on the same topic, like Christmas. Having a full cast of characters is a big help, especially if you like to write character-driven stories. Having some heartaches or low places for the character at the beginning of the stories but ending them with hope is another way Melody likes to write. But she makes sure the character is likable enough for readers to want to follow them.

Melody shares her thoughts and advice on how to be prolific, picking a genre and sticking to it - or not, and finding your best way to write despite other writers' advice. ;-) One of the great things about National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) is that you can find out if writing fast works for you. Melody encourages us to give it a try!

As we move into the Christmas season, it's a good time to check out A Christmas by the Sea. There's also another new series,The Legacy of Sunset Cove, and book one is already out - Harbor Secrets. You can find all of Melody's books at your favorite online retailer and by ordering from your local bookstore. You can also follow her on Facebook at MelodyCarlsonAuthor.

]]>Our guest today is Melody Carlson, the award-winning author of over two hundred books. Despite having so many, she does tend to be known for her many Christmas stories. Today we talk to her about her latest Christmas book, A Christmas by the Sea.

Due to the timing of publishing, Melody mostly has to write her Christmas books in July with the air conditioner on. It's fun to hear how some of the parts of her real life made it into this book. Melody even has some "sand dollar angels" that she'll be giving away as part of some upcoming Christmas contests. (Be sure to go sign up for her newsletter to participate!)

When asked how she came to be such a prolific writer, she explains that when she first started she had to write fast because that was all the time she had. (She wrote her first complete book long-hand on a yellow legal pad!) The good thing about that, she says, is that it teaches you not to edit as you go along. And you can prove to yourself that you can finish a book. :)

We also talked about how to keep a series going with new ideas and how to keep coming up with new ideas on the same topic, like Christmas. Having a full cast of characters is a big help, especially if you like to write character-driven stories. Having some heartaches or low places for the character at the beginning of the stories but ending them with hope is another way Melody likes to write. But she makes sure the character is likable enough for readers to want to follow them.

Melody shares her thoughts and advice on how to be prolific, picking a genre and sticking to it - or not, and finding your best way to write despite other writers' advice. ;-) One of the great things about National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) is that you can find out if writing fast works for you. Melody encourages us to give it a try!

As we move into the Christmas season, it's a good time to check out A Christmas by the Sea. There's also another new series,The Legacy of Sunset Cove, and book one is already out - Harbor Secrets. You can find all of Melody's books at your favorite online retailer and by ordering from your local bookstore. You can also follow her on Facebook at MelodyCarlsonAuthor.

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=2136Thu, 25 Oct 2018 10:34:00 -070045:27falsefull104I – Romantic Suspense From Around the World: An Interview with Lisa HarrisThe lovely Lisa Harris talks to us today about building a romantic suspense novel from the ground up. She explains how she organizes her information (she loves Scrivener and Excel!), what she needs to know before she begins, and how she starts writing.

She also talks about setting a word-count goal that works for you, and things you can do if you miss a day or two and need to catch up. She even creates "postcards" about the characters in Canva so she can look at them and be reminded of the main information she needs to remember. Interestingly, Lisa often doesn't know who the villain is until she's well into the book!

If you're going to start a new book soon, you'll pick up some great tips from Lisa on ways to organize what you know and capture what you learn as you write.

You can learn more about Lisa and her books on her website, lisaharriswrites.com/. Check out her latest book, A Secret to Die For, wherever books are sold. And if you sign up for her newsletter on her website, you'll get a free copy of one of her Africa-set books, Blood Ransom.

]]>The lovely Lisa Harris talks to us today about building a romantic suspense novel from the ground up. She explains how she organizes her information (she loves Scrivener and Excel!), what she needs to know before she begins, and how she starts writing.

She also talks about setting a word-count goal that works for you, and things you can do if you miss a day or two and need to catch up. She even creates "postcards" about the characters in Canva so she can look at them and be reminded of the main information she needs to remember. Interestingly, Lisa often doesn't know who the villain is until she's well into the book!

If you're going to start a new book soon, you'll pick up some great tips from Lisa on ways to organize what you know and capture what you learn as you write.

You can learn more about Lisa and her books on her website, lisaharriswrites.com/. Check out her latest book, A Secret to Die For, wherever books are sold. And if you sign up for her newsletter on her website, you'll get a free copy of one of her Africa-set books, Blood Ransom.

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=2128Thu, 18 Oct 2018 08:20:00 -070052:07falsefull103I – The Strong Quaker Women of Nantucket: An Interview with Suzanne Woods FisherSuzanne Woods Fisher joins us today for a riveting and fun conversation about Nantucket, its amazing history and people, and the trilogy of Quaker books she set on the island.

Did you know that the Macy family (from the Macy's department stores) and the Folger family (from Folger's coffee, what my mom drank) both come from Nantucket island? So did Benjamin Franklin's mother. Suzanne says it's amazing how many families we've heard of who have roots in this little piece of land off the Massachusetts coast.

In this episode, we talk about the island's interesting history, and the strong women who lived there and took care of business while their whaling husbands were away for a year or more at a time. The history and research Suzanne shares is fascinating. Her latest book, The Light Before Day, is the third in the Nantucket Legacy series.

You can contact her on her website, SuzanneWoodsFisher.com, and on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest as Suzanne Woods Fisher.

]]>Suzanne Woods Fisher joins us today for a riveting and fun conversation about Nantucket, its amazing history and people, and the trilogy of Quaker books she set on the island.

Did you know that the Macy family (from the Macy's department stores) and the Folger family (from Folger's coffee, what my mom drank) both come from Nantucket island? So did Benjamin Franklin's mother. Suzanne says it's amazing how many families we've heard of who have roots in this little piece of land off the Massachusetts coast.

In this episode, we talk about the island's interesting history, and the strong women who lived there and took care of business while their whaling husbands were away for a year or more at a time. The history and research Suzanne shares is fascinating. Her latest book, The Light Before Day, is the third in the Nantucket Legacy series.

You can contact her on her website, SuzanneWoodsFisher.com, and on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest as Suzanne Woods Fisher.

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=2124Thu, 11 Oct 2018 08:00:00 -070050:57falsefull102E – Success Doesn’t Mean No FailuresEver since I was a teenager, I've enjoyed reading the second half of Proverbs 31 about the Wife of Noble Character. I've always looked at that passage as an example of who I'd like to become, what I strive to be.

But recently I've read it again with a new perspective. This is not about a woman who doesn't rest. It doesn't say that she never failed. When it says that her lamp doesn't go out at night, I now think it's more likely that the point is that she earns enough to be able to pay her utilities without worry, not that she works instead of sleeps. :-D

She helps others - which could be anyone, any amount of help, not necessarily that she's so rich that she's become a philanthropist. (Though that could be true!)

When it says she doesn't eat the bread of idleness, I always heard it as - but you, Kitty, are lazy. That's not what it says though! It doesn't say she never rests, never takes a break, but that's how I used to read it.

I think we all really need to remember that success doesn't mean no failures. It doesn't mean things come easily or naturally without effort. And it doesn't mean you go it alone!

]]>Ever since I was a teenager, I've enjoyed reading the second half of Proverbs 31 about the Wife of Noble Character. I've always looked at that passage as an example of who I'd like to become, what I strive to be.

But recently I've read it again with a new perspective. This is not about a woman who doesn't rest. It doesn't say that she never failed. When it says that her lamp doesn't go out at night, I now think it's more likely that the point is that she earns enough to be able to pay her utilities without worry, not that she works instead of sleeps. :-D

She helps others - which could be anyone, any amount of help, not necessarily that she's so rich that she's become a philanthropist. (Though that could be true!)

When it says she doesn't eat the bread of idleness, I always heard it as - but you, Kitty, are lazy. That's not what it says though! It doesn't say she never rests, never takes a break, but that's how I used to read it.

I think we all really need to remember that success doesn't mean no failures. It doesn't mean things come easily or naturally without effort. And it doesn't mean you go it alone!

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=2117Sun, 07 Oct 2018 08:00:00 -070025:56falsefull101I – Querying and Getting THE CALL: An Interview with Claire Eliza BartlettWe writers love stories, and some of the most exciting are stories of getting THE CALL - from an agent who wants to represent our books (and with whom we're now working happily ever after), and from our agent or an editor who wants to buy our books. Claire Eliza Bartlett, our guest today, tells us about the excitement of both calls!

Claire is on the journey toward publication of her first novel, and she shares with us how it started and many of the steps along the way. She also has several tips for other writers who are working toward traditional publication.

As we chatted, Claire mentioned the Night Witches from World War II and how they influenced part of her new YA novel, We Rule the Night (coming out April 2, 2019). If you haven't heard of them, you can read more about their exciting and heroic lives here and here.

And just in case you're interested, Claire also mentioned liking the Swedish metal band, Sabaton. Here is the link to their song "Night Witches." I'm not really a fan of metal music, but I like this song and video. :)

Claire also mentioned the influence of the Canadian fantasy writer, Guy Gavriel Kay.

Read more about We Rule the Night and even pre-order it on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and IndieBound. You can follow Claire on her website, authorclaire.com, and on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook as bartlebett.

]]>We writers love stories, and some of the most exciting are stories of getting THE CALL - from an agent who wants to represent our books (and with whom we're now working happily ever after), and from our agent or an editor who wants to buy our books. Claire Eliza Bartlett, our guest today, tells us about the excitement of both calls!

Claire is on the journey toward publication of her first novel, and she shares with us how it started and many of the steps along the way. She also has several tips for other writers who are working toward traditional publication.

As we chatted, Claire mentioned the Night Witches from World War II and how they influenced part of her new YA novel, We Rule the Night (coming out April 2, 2019). If you haven't heard of them, you can read more about their exciting and heroic lives here and here.

And just in case you're interested, Claire also mentioned liking the Swedish metal band, Sabaton. Here is the link to their song "Night Witches." I'm not really a fan of metal music, but I like this song and video. :)

Claire also mentioned the influence of the Canadian fantasy writer, Guy Gavriel Kay.

Read more about We Rule the Night and even pre-order it on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and IndieBound. You can follow Claire on her website, authorclaire.com, and on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook as bartlebett.

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=2096Thu, 04 Oct 2018 08:08:00 -070001:01:11falsefull100I – The Expanding World of Kobo: An Interview with Christine MunroeToday marks the 100th episode of WRITE NOW! Workshop Podcast! Woohoo!!! :-D Very exciting day for me!

To celebrate, I asked Christine Munroe, Director of Kobo Writing Life, if she would be our guest today. :-D She graciously agreed, and we had a wonderful time talking about all the many things Kobo is doing with and for writers.

The newest announcement is that Kobo has partnered with Walmart in the United States so that Walmart customers can buy ebooks and audiobooks in the Walmart stores! How cool is that? If you're a Walmart customer and not already buying books on Kobo.com or using the Kobo app, you can download and use the "Walmart Ebooks by Rakuten Kobo" app to read the books you buy or to buy more in between visits to the store. Walmart is also selling Kobo readers in stores.

Thinking about gift ideas yet? Yup, you can not only buy someone a Kobo ereader at Walmart, you can buy them a gift card for ebooks AND a gift card for audiobooks! Kobo launched their audiobook program last fall, and it's competitively priced at $9.99USD per month after a 30-day free trial. Thinking of friends and family who prefer large print books? Any ebook is automatically a large print edition, Chrissy reminds us, because ereaders and reading apps allow you to change the font size.

If you're like me, you like to wrap physical items to give as gifts, not just have an email automatically sent on someone's birthday saying - "Kitty just bought you this ebook and it's been automatically added to your device." That's great for some things, but at Christmas I want wrapping paper! LOL! Now you can go to Walmart and buy a physical gift to wrap (even though the ebooks and audiobooks are digital items).

Chrissy also explains about the Kobo Plus ebook subscription program in the Netherlands and Belgium. Additionally, she talks about how writers can get their audiobooks onto Kobo (and also Walmart now, remember!), or start a new audiobook using companies like Findaway Voices or ListenUp, among others. There is so much going on at Kobo!

Speaking of audiobooks, on the Kobo blog (news.kobo.com) there is a post from September 2017, "The Best Audiobook Narrators of All Time (So Far)." Check it out if you are interested in trying an audiobook for the first time - or if you already know you love them.

Chrissy shares a ton of great information in our interview, but there is so much more you can learn if you're interested in selling your books on Kobo or want to know how to sell more. Check out the blog (kobowritinglife.com), which also links to the podcast episodes (search for Kobo Writing Life in your podcast app). If you're new to Kobo, see how easy it is to create an account at Kobo.com/writinglife.

If you'd like to get to know Chrissy a little better, read her blog post about her trip to Australia. Her "random fact #1" will be of interest to romance writers.

I'll have Chrissy back again soon to talk about exactly how to use Kobo Writing Life to upload and sell your books. :-)

]]>Today marks the 100th episode of WRITE NOW! Workshop Podcast! Woohoo!!! :-D Very exciting day for me!

To celebrate, I asked Christine Munroe, Director of Kobo Writing Life, if she would be our guest today. :-D She graciously agreed, and we had a wonderful time talking about all the many things Kobo is doing with and for writers.

The newest announcement is that Kobo has partnered with Walmart in the United States so that Walmart customers can buy ebooks and audiobooks in the Walmart stores! How cool is that? If you're a Walmart customer and not already buying books on Kobo.com or using the Kobo app, you can download and use the "Walmart Ebooks by Rakuten Kobo" app to read the books you buy or to buy more in between visits to the store. Walmart is also selling Kobo readers in stores.

Thinking about gift ideas yet? Yup, you can not only buy someone a Kobo ereader at Walmart, you can buy them a gift card for ebooks AND a gift card for audiobooks! Kobo launched their audiobook program last fall, and it's competitively priced at $9.99USD per month after a 30-day free trial. Thinking of friends and family who prefer large print books? Any ebook is automatically a large print edition, Chrissy reminds us, because ereaders and reading apps allow you to change the font size.

If you're like me, you like to wrap physical items to give as gifts, not just have an email automatically sent on someone's birthday saying - "Kitty just bought you this ebook and it's been automatically added to your device." That's great for some things, but at Christmas I want wrapping paper! LOL! Now you can go to Walmart and buy a physical gift to wrap (even though the ebooks and audiobooks are digital items).

Chrissy also explains about the Kobo Plus ebook subscription program in the Netherlands and Belgium. Additionally, she talks about how writers can get their audiobooks onto Kobo (and also Walmart now, remember!), or start a new audiobook using companies like Findaway Voices or ListenUp, among others. There is so much going on at Kobo!

Speaking of audiobooks, on the Kobo blog (news.kobo.com) there is a post from September 2017, "The Best Audiobook Narrators of All Time (So Far)." Check it out if you are interested in trying an audiobook for the first time - or if you already know you love them.

Chrissy shares a ton of great information in our interview, but there is so much more you can learn if you're interested in selling your books on Kobo or want to know how to sell more. Check out the blog (kobowritinglife.com), which also links to the podcast episodes (search for Kobo Writing Life in your podcast app). If you're new to Kobo, see how easy it is to create an account at Kobo.com/writinglife.

If you'd like to get to know Chrissy a little better, read her blog post about her trip to Australia. Her "random fact #1" will be of interest to romance writers.

I'll have Chrissy back again soon to talk about exactly how to use Kobo Writing Life to upload and sell your books. :-)

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=2099Thu, 27 Sep 2018 12:45:00 -070059:42falsefull099I – The Novelization of a Movie: An Interview with Jennifer DornbushJennifer Dornbush is a screenwriter, author, speaker, and forensic specialist. Today we talk about her new movie, God Bless the Broken Road, and the novelization she wrote by the same title.

Jennifer says both the making of the movie and the release of the novel had aspects of a "broken road" as both had obstacles that seemed insurmountable at times. One of the things that helped her with her (first published) novel was the book Novelizations by Rene Gutteridge and Cheryl McKay, which she highly recommends.

As of the publish date of this episode, September 20, 2018, the movie is still in theaters, and the Kindle version of the book happens to be on sale for 99c. There is also a large print hardcover edition, a paperback edition, an audiobook, and a movie soundtrack.

You can learn more about Jennifer, her books and helps for writers, her other novels and films, her speaking and consulting work, and follow her social media accounts at JenniferDornbush.com. You can also find her YouTube channel as Jennifer Dornbush, and one of my favorite playlists - Forensic Fridays!

]]>Jennifer Dornbush is a screenwriter, author, speaker, and forensic specialist. Today we talk about her new movie, God Bless the Broken Road, and the novelization she wrote by the same title.

Jennifer says both the making of the movie and the release of the novel had aspects of a "broken road" as both had obstacles that seemed insurmountable at times. One of the things that helped her with her (first published) novel was the book Novelizations by Rene Gutteridge and Cheryl McKay, which she highly recommends.

As of the publish date of this episode, September 20, 2018, the movie is still in theaters, and the Kindle version of the book happens to be on sale for 99c. There is also a large print hardcover edition, a paperback edition, an audiobook, and a movie soundtrack.

You can learn more about Jennifer, her books and helps for writers, her other novels and films, her speaking and consulting work, and follow her social media accounts at JenniferDornbush.com. You can also find her YouTube channel as Jennifer Dornbush, and one of my favorite playlists - Forensic Fridays!

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=2101Thu, 20 Sep 2018 08:44:00 -070052:08falsefull098I – Self-Editing with Style: An Interview with Tisha MartinToday's guest is editor Tisha Martin! Tisha edits for a couple of publishing companies, has private clients, and judges books for Writer's Digest. Today she gives us tips on how to self-edit our books with style.

She starts with characters, asking what we can do with our characters to help move the plot forward. Then she moves into scene building, how action and conflict affect how the reader interprets the scene. And finally we talk about dialogue. How can you show the characters' emotions in a way that moves readers and doesn't leave them bored?

Tisha will be teaching two classes next month at the Breathe Christian Writers Conference in Grand Rapids, Michigan. One class will be on self-editing for beginners who have finished a manuscript and don't know what to do next, and one will be self-editing for advanced writers, helping them to uncover the psychological snags they can encounter after several books.

Check out Tisha's website and her editing services. She's offering a discount through December 1, 2018!

]]>Today's guest is editor Tisha Martin! Tisha edits for a couple of publishing companies, has private clients, and judges books for Writer's Digest. Today she gives us tips on how to self-edit our books with style.

She starts with characters, asking what we can do with our characters to help move the plot forward. Then she moves into scene building, how action and conflict affect how the reader interprets the scene. And finally we talk about dialogue. How can you show the characters' emotions in a way that moves readers and doesn't leave them bored?

Tisha will be teaching two classes next month at the Breathe Christian Writers Conference in Grand Rapids, Michigan. One class will be on self-editing for beginners who have finished a manuscript and don't know what to do next, and one will be self-editing for advanced writers, helping them to uncover the psychological snags they can encounter after several books.

Check out Tisha's website and her editing services. She's offering a discount through December 1, 2018!

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=2091Thu, 13 Sep 2018 10:26:00 -070047:35falsefull097E – We Don’t Know the Rest of the StorySummer is about over and I've decided that while I do need to continue guarding my time and my work so that I don't fall into the bad patterns that led me to burnout, I miss doing the Encouraging Words episodes! So I'm going to do at least one a month. Here are my encouraging thoughts for September. :-)

I was reading my Bible this morning and read from Ecclesiastes, a book of wisdom in the Old Testament. It says that God has set eternity in the human heart, yet no one can fathom what God has done from the beginning to the end.

It got me all excited because I've been thinking about the next stories I want to write, and how the best stories start in media res, in the middle of the action. The reader doesn't know when the book begins what has happened earlier in this character's life, and he doesn't know how the entire life will end up. But there is this portion that we will tell the reader about that starts here and ends there, and we try to make it as interesting and/or exciting as we can.

I love the idea that God is doing the same thing with us! I'm in the middle of my story. I am trying to have a good character arc, growing as I go, and I don't know exactly how the full story will end. But just like we know which writers tend to write sad endings, which tend to write happy endings, which make sure that evil is defeated by the last page, I can rest assured that God is the kind of author I like, too. I don't know how my story will end exactly, but I know it will be a satisfying, happy ending!

]]>Summer is about over and I've decided that while I do need to continue guarding my time and my work so that I don't fall into the bad patterns that led me to burnout, I miss doing the Encouraging Words episodes! So I'm going to do at least one a month. Here are my encouraging thoughts for September. :-)

I was reading my Bible this morning and read from Ecclesiastes, a book of wisdom in the Old Testament. It says that God has set eternity in the human heart, yet no one can fathom what God has done from the beginning to the end.

It got me all excited because I've been thinking about the next stories I want to write, and how the best stories start in media res, in the middle of the action. The reader doesn't know when the book begins what has happened earlier in this character's life, and he doesn't know how the entire life will end up. But there is this portion that we will tell the reader about that starts here and ends there, and we try to make it as interesting and/or exciting as we can.

I love the idea that God is doing the same thing with us! I'm in the middle of my story. I am trying to have a good character arc, growing as I go, and I don't know exactly how the full story will end. But just like we know which writers tend to write sad endings, which tend to write happy endings, which make sure that evil is defeated by the last page, I can rest assured that God is the kind of author I like, too. I don't know how my story will end exactly, but I know it will be a satisfying, happy ending!

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=2084Sun, 09 Sep 2018 08:00:00 -070009:07falsefull096I – Diversity and Disabled Characters: An Interview with Kathryn R BielToday's guest is Kathryn R Biel, author of chick lit, romantic comedies, women's fiction, and more - and probably no relation to actor Jessica Biel, although she's asked that a lot. Due to a horrendous Internet connection that was constantly going out the day before, when we recorded the interview a second time we were so relieved to not have to repeat every sentence that we forgot to look at the clock!

In this rather long - but fun! - interview, we talk about resilient women, IKEA, defeating evil, the Spice Girls, writing, the Avengers, and diversity, moving from subject to subject with ease. :-D Oh, and we also talk about her brand new book, Paradise by the Dashboard Light.

We really got caught up in our topic when we started talking about disabled/differently-abled people and how underrepresented they are in fiction. Kathryn is a school physical therapist by day and interacts constantly with people with mental and/or physical challenges, so she finds herself including similar types of characters in her books.

We hope you enjoy our interesting and fun conversation that takes us all over the writing map. :-D You can find Kathryn on her website, Facebook, and on Twitter and Instagram as @KRBiel. Also, check out the Facebook group she and some friends put together to share upbeat books with happy endings, Smart Reads, Happily Ever Afters.

]]>Today's guest is Kathryn R Biel, author of chick lit, romantic comedies, women's fiction, and more - and probably no relation to actor Jessica Biel, although she's asked that a lot. Due to a horrendous Internet connection that was constantly going out the day before, when we recorded the interview a second time we were so relieved to not have to repeat every sentence that we forgot to look at the clock!

In this rather long - but fun! - interview, we talk about resilient women, IKEA, defeating evil, the Spice Girls, writing, the Avengers, and diversity, moving from subject to subject with ease. :-D Oh, and we also talk about her brand new book, Paradise by the Dashboard Light.

We really got caught up in our topic when we started talking about disabled/differently-abled people and how underrepresented they are in fiction. Kathryn is a school physical therapist by day and interacts constantly with people with mental and/or physical challenges, so she finds herself including similar types of characters in her books.

We hope you enjoy our interesting and fun conversation that takes us all over the writing map. :-D You can find Kathryn on her website, Facebook, and on Twitter and Instagram as @KRBiel. Also, check out the Facebook group she and some friends put together to share upbeat books with happy endings, Smart Reads, Happily Ever Afters.

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=2078Thu, 06 Sep 2018 16:43:00 -070001:29:36falsefull095T – Creating a Writers GroupDo you wish you had a writers group? Here are some steps to create your own.

Step 1: Look around

Who do you know at work or church or in your neighborhood who writes? Check out local libraries and bookstores to see if they already have a group going, if anyone has posted a notice that they're looking for a group, or if you can post a notice that you're interested in starting a group. Maybe even try using a site like MeetUp to find other writers.

Step 2: Informational Meeting

Meet in a neutral/public location (in case anyone strange comes that you don't want in your house) and introduce yourselves. Share what you write, what stage you're at in your writing, and what you're looking for in a writers group. Do you want to critique, or brainstorm, or just sit and write together without talking, or something else?

Have someone take notes and moderate the discussion. Decide if you want to try out a first meeting to see if you all work well together. If so, decide on the details - how many people will be critiqued each meeting, how many words/pages per person, when will you meet and for how long, where will you meet, choose a date for the first meeting, etc.

Step 3: Organize

You could use something like Google Calendar and Google Docs like my new group's organizer does. She sets up an event and emails go out to remind everyone of when and where the meeting will take place. She also created a folder for each person who will be critiqued at the next meeting and reminds them to upload their work to the folder at least a week in advance. Then everyone in the group can go to these folders and download the documents to critique before the meeting. Some people like to print them and write their notes on the paper, some people like to use Track Changes in Word and then email that to the person being critiqued. There are lots of other ways to do this, too!

Step 4: First Meeting

The point of the meeting is to critique or brainstorm or whatever you all decided you were going to do. But it's also to see if you all work well together. How did everyone like it? What needs to be changed for next time? Do you need to change the number of people being critiqued or the length of the submissions? Do you need to change the start or end times, or choose to change the location or make it rolling (go to a different person's home or a different cafe each week)? How often do you want to meet again?

Now is the time to solidify your meeting guidelines if you didn't do it in the informational meeting. What are the rules to your critique group? Does everyone have to start by saying at least one thing they liked about each submission? How can everyone give constructive criticism? Perhaps avoid saying "you should..." or "I would..." and instead say, "Maybe you could...or..." to give the author a chance to take all of your advice and come up with their own best plan.

On the other hand, some writers groups have standards about how far you have to be in your writing or career to even join. Some pride themselves on really delving deep into how to make the work significantly better and so require members to have a thick skin. So long as you all agree, create guidelines that work best for your group.

Good luck!

]]>Do you wish you had a writers group? Here are some steps to create your own.

Step 1: Look around

Who do you know at work or church or in your neighborhood who writes? Check out local libraries and bookstores to see if they already have a group going, if anyone has posted a notice that they're looking for a group, or if you can post a notice that you're interested in starting a group. Maybe even try using a site like MeetUp to find other writers.

Step 2: Informational Meeting

Meet in a neutral/public location (in case anyone strange comes that you don't want in your house) and introduce yourselves. Share what you write, what stage you're at in your writing, and what you're looking for in a writers group. Do you want to critique, or brainstorm, or just sit and write together without talking, or something else?

Have someone take notes and moderate the discussion. Decide if you want to try out a first meeting to see if you all work well together. If so, decide on the details - how many people will be critiqued each meeting, how many words/pages per person, when will you meet and for how long, where will you meet, choose a date for the first meeting, etc.

Step 3: Organize

You could use something like Google Calendar and Google Docs like my new group's organizer does. She sets up an event and emails go out to remind everyone of when and where the meeting will take place. She also created a folder for each person who will be critiqued at the next meeting and reminds them to upload their work to the folder at least a week in advance. Then everyone in the group can go to these folders and download the documents to critique before the meeting. Some people like to print them and write their notes on the paper, some people like to use Track Changes in Word and then email that to the person being critiqued. There are lots of other ways to do this, too!

Step 4: First Meeting

The point of the meeting is to critique or brainstorm or whatever you all decided you were going to do. But it's also to see if you all work well together. How did everyone like it? What needs to be changed for next time? Do you need to change the number of people being critiqued or the length of the submissions? Do you need to change the start or end times, or choose to change the location or make it rolling (go to a different person's home or a different cafe each week)? How often do you want to meet again?

Now is the time to solidify your meeting guidelines if you didn't do it in the informational meeting. What are the rules to your critique group? Does everyone have to start by saying at least one thing they liked about each submission? How can everyone give constructive criticism? Perhaps avoid saying "you should..." or "I would..." and instead say, "Maybe you could...or..." to give the author a chance to take all of your advice and come up with their own best plan.

On the other hand, some writers groups have standards about how far you have to be in your writing or career to even join. Some pride themselves on really delving deep into how to make the work significantly better and so require members to have a thick skin. So long as you all agree, create guidelines that work best for your group.

Good luck!

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=2072Thu, 30 Aug 2018 10:23:00 -070037:48falsefull094T – Burnout Recovery, Part 1Over the last couple of months, I've been trying to figure out how to recover from burnout. I've found some information on the Internet, but it's been pretty vague and not as helpful as what I needed. So as I've made my own path to recovery, I wanted to make sure I share my experiences with you in case it helps you to recover from or avoid burnout in your own life.

One of the things that helped a lot was going on an actual vacation, the kind where you don't work! (Yes, I'm one of those people who took my laptop into the other room and worked on my book or my marketing while everyone else watched a football game on Thanksgiving Day.) Another big help in making me feel better has been spending time with people I love who love me. I've been laughing more in the last couple weeks than I have in a long time, and I know that has changed my perception of my life.

On Monday of this week, I told God I'm trying to have faith that He's going to guide me and help me know what to do with my life - since burnout has made me more than a little confused about that. I told Him it was harder to know what guidance is coming from Him since I can't hear His physical voice. Guess what? In less than 48 hours, three people said something to me about what they like about me, what they think I'm good at, and what they think will make me succeed in business - without being prompted! Ask and you will receive!

Also, last week's episode with Joanna Davidson Politano has been running through my mind as I wonder if I've got branches that are being inflexible. Do I have too many branches that aren't growing sweet grapes and some need to be cut off? Another way to look at the idea of pruning back to just two branches off each vine in the winter is to ask myself, what if there are only one or two more books I can write and publish before my time is over? Is this book the most important one? What is my why for this book, right now?

In the end, it all comes down to - what are my gifts, and am I using them in the best manner, and am I willing to be flexible and change if life leads me in an unexpected direction?

I hope this helps you to consider what's going on in your life, whether you need to ask some questions, make some changes. And I really hope my thoughts on recovering from burnout help you to recover and/or avoid burnout yourself.

]]>Over the last couple of months, I've been trying to figure out how to recover from burnout. I've found some information on the Internet, but it's been pretty vague and not as helpful as what I needed. So as I've made my own path to recovery, I wanted to make sure I share my experiences with you in case it helps you to recover from or avoid burnout in your own life.

One of the things that helped a lot was going on an actual vacation, the kind where you don't work! (Yes, I'm one of those people who took my laptop into the other room and worked on my book or my marketing while everyone else watched a football game on Thanksgiving Day.) Another big help in making me feel better has been spending time with people I love who love me. I've been laughing more in the last couple weeks than I have in a long time, and I know that has changed my perception of my life.

On Monday of this week, I told God I'm trying to have faith that He's going to guide me and help me know what to do with my life - since burnout has made me more than a little confused about that. I told Him it was harder to know what guidance is coming from Him since I can't hear His physical voice. Guess what? In less than 48 hours, three people said something to me about what they like about me, what they think I'm good at, and what they think will make me succeed in business - without being prompted! Ask and you will receive!

Also, last week's episode with Joanna Davidson Politano has been running through my mind as I wonder if I've got branches that are being inflexible. Do I have too many branches that aren't growing sweet grapes and some need to be cut off? Another way to look at the idea of pruning back to just two branches off each vine in the winter is to ask myself, what if there are only one or two more books I can write and publish before my time is over? Is this book the most important one? What is my why for this book, right now?

In the end, it all comes down to - what are my gifts, and am I using them in the best manner, and am I willing to be flexible and change if life leads me in an unexpected direction?

I hope this helps you to consider what's going on in your life, whether you need to ask some questions, make some changes. And I really hope my thoughts on recovering from burnout help you to recover and/or avoid burnout yourself.

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=2067Thu, 23 Aug 2018 08:00:00 -070038:58falsefull093I – Victorian England Comes Alive: An Interview with Joanna Davidson PolitanoToday's guest is historical romance writer, Joanna Davidson Politano! But don't be fooled, Joanna's books have more of a Gothic, almost literary, flavor. If you like Victoria Holt, for example, you may well love Joanna's books.

We chatted about her latest book, the beautifully written and very fun (adventure and mystery as well as romance) A Rumored Fortune. It released on July 31, 2018, and I finished reading it just before we spoke. Joanna told us the lovely story about how it allowed her to revisit the courtship and romance with her husband, which I oohed and ahhed over. (Here's a blog post about it!)

One of her writing tips she shares is that when you're writing, you need to let go of the idea that there is going to be an audience reading your book in the future. You need to write the book first for yourself; that will bring your very best story out. That's what she did with her first book, Lady Jayne Disappears, which won awards and praise.

Arguably, the best part the show is when Joanna starts describing her research into vineyards for A Rumored Fortune. And how it changed her life. I strongly encourage you to listen to this portion of the interview even if you listen to nothing else. (It's about halfway through.) It just might change your life. :-D

]]>Today's guest is historical romance writer, Joanna Davidson Politano! But don't be fooled, Joanna's books have more of a Gothic, almost literary, flavor. If you like Victoria Holt, for example, you may well love Joanna's books.

We chatted about her latest book, the beautifully written and very fun (adventure and mystery as well as romance) A Rumored Fortune. It released on July 31, 2018, and I finished reading it just before we spoke. Joanna told us the lovely story about how it allowed her to revisit the courtship and romance with her husband, which I oohed and ahhed over. (Here's a blog post about it!)

One of her writing tips she shares is that when you're writing, you need to let go of the idea that there is going to be an audience reading your book in the future. You need to write the book first for yourself; that will bring your very best story out. That's what she did with her first book, Lady Jayne Disappears, which won awards and praise.

Arguably, the best part the show is when Joanna starts describing her research into vineyards for A Rumored Fortune. And how it changed her life. I strongly encourage you to listen to this portion of the interview even if you listen to nothing else. (It's about halfway through.) It just might change your life. :-D

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=2004Thu, 16 Aug 2018 08:25:00 -070044:29falsefull092I – Writing Retreats and Classes: An Interview with Susan May WarrenThe lovely Susan May Warren is back, and this time with writing tools!

It was all we could do, the last time she was on the show, to stay focused on her new book and not stray off into all the ways Susie May helps other writers. So this show is all about her helping all of us to become better writers through a ton of tools she's developed for all levels of writers. :-D

As you listen, you'll hear about Learn How to Write a Novel (.com) and all of the free information you can find there. Whether you're a beginner or an advanced writer, you can sign up for a free class, learn tips from the pros from the great blog (including posts from former WNW Podcast guests Sarah Sundin and Patricia Bradley), and click around for links to other great resources.

One of those other resources is Novel.Academy, where you can take classes, join the membership site for weekly classes with Susie May, and learn more about the in-person writing retreats. The Deep Thinker's Retreat will be in February 2019 and the Deep Woods Writing Camp is in October 2019.

Susie May also tells us how she developed The Story Equation (affiliate link alert!) and turned it into a book. And - one of my favorite parts - she created a time management planner for your whole life! She talks about how she decides what she's going to do with her time, and how she gets a lot done in her work life while still having an incredible personal life. Awesome! You can still buy the 2018 version here (affiliate link alert!) and pre-order the 2019 planner here (links as of August 9, 2018).

I hope you found lots of great information in this episode. I sure did!

]]>The lovely Susan May Warren is back, and this time with writing tools!

It was all we could do, the last time she was on the show, to stay focused on her new book and not stray off into all the ways Susie May helps other writers. So this show is all about her helping all of us to become better writers through a ton of tools she's developed for all levels of writers. :-D

As you listen, you'll hear about Learn How to Write a Novel (.com) and all of the free information you can find there. Whether you're a beginner or an advanced writer, you can sign up for a free class, learn tips from the pros from the great blog (including posts from former WNW Podcast guests Sarah Sundin and Patricia Bradley), and click around for links to other great resources.

One of those other resources is Novel.Academy, where you can take classes, join the membership site for weekly classes with Susie May, and learn more about the in-person writing retreats. The Deep Thinker's Retreat will be in February 2019 and the Deep Woods Writing Camp is in October 2019.

Susie May also tells us how she developed The Story Equation (affiliate link alert!) and turned it into a book. And - one of my favorite parts - she created a time management planner for your whole life! She talks about how she decides what she's going to do with her time, and how she gets a lot done in her work life while still having an incredible personal life. Awesome! You can still buy the 2018 version here (affiliate link alert!) and pre-order the 2019 planner here (links as of August 9, 2018).

I hope you found lots of great information in this episode. I sure did!

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=1997Thu, 09 Aug 2018 08:00:00 -070057:48falsefull091T – What I Learned at RWA 2018There was so much to learn at the Romance Writers of America National Conference held in July this year in Denver, Colorado, that I decided to share some of it with you. :-D

The YARWA (Young Adult Romance Writers of America) chapter held a half-day event that included an agent/editor panel - and I share 7 things they say writers do wrong with their queries. Michael Hauge was also one of their speakers - I love his workshops! You should definitely check out his blog and his DVDs teaching about writing great stories.

Erica Ridley held an amazing workshop on how to create your author newsletter. She'll be making it into an online class soon, so contact her to ask for more information. It was amazing!

Rosanne Bane gave a fascinating workshop on how our brains help us - and hinder us! - in our creative endeavors. She has a blog and a book with more helpful information.

I loved meeting Mark Dawson in person - he's just as he seems in his podcast (SelfPublishingFormula.com) and his classes, but even friendlier. He gave lots of great tips in his workshops on how to create better ads for our books.

My husband and I went to three of the writing sprint get togethers and got a lot written! I wrote down the outline that's been in my head for a while on the ghost chick lit I've been thinking about, and started the first chapter. I feel soooo much better now that I've finally written something after a year's dry spell! If you haven't tried writing sprints, Google what other people are doing and give one a try!

I also went to the workshops and/or office hours of most of the businesses related to self-publishing. The big news for Kobo is that they will be coming to Walmart in the United States in autumn 2018! Christine Munroe, Director of Kobo Writing Life, told us that Walmart will be taking the full catalog, not just the top sellers, so covers will be more important than ever.

After talking to the IngramSpark representatives, I'll be opening an account there for the first time. I'll record what I do and how so I can make a video for you. Remember, Kobo and IngramSpark also have their own podcasts for you to learn even more about how to work within their businesses so check them out.

Natalie Vandergast at Hallmark Publishing was like a Hallmark movie heroine - friendly and helpful and so cool you want to be her friend! :-D I hope I get to work with her - remember to check out their submission guidelines and see if you have a completed book you can send them before their September 3, 2018, deadline.

The representatives from Amazon's KDP, ACX, and CreateSpace companies were on hand to tell us more about...]]>There was so much to learn at the Romance Writers of America National Conference held in July this year in Denver, Colorado, that I decided to share some of it with you. :-D

The YARWA (Young Adult Romance Writers of America) chapter held a half-day event that included an agent/editor panel - and I share 7 things they say writers do wrong with their queries. Michael Hauge was also one of their speakers - I love his workshops! You should definitely check out his blog and his DVDs teaching about writing great stories.

Erica Ridley held an amazing workshop on how to create your author newsletter. She'll be making it into an online class soon, so contact her to ask for more information. It was amazing!

Rosanne Bane gave a fascinating workshop on how our brains help us - and hinder us! - in our creative endeavors. She has a blog and a book with more helpful information.

I loved meeting Mark Dawson in person - he's just as he seems in his podcast (SelfPublishingFormula.com) and his classes, but even friendlier. He gave lots of great tips in his workshops on how to create better ads for our books.

My husband and I went to three of the writing sprint get togethers and got a lot written! I wrote down the outline that's been in my head for a while on the ghost chick lit I've been thinking about, and started the first chapter. I feel soooo much better now that I've finally written something after a year's dry spell! If you haven't tried writing sprints, Google what other people are doing and give one a try!

I also went to the workshops and/or office hours of most of the businesses related to self-publishing. The big news for Kobo is that they will be coming to Walmart in the United States in autumn 2018! Christine Munroe, Director of Kobo Writing Life, told us that Walmart will be taking the full catalog, not just the top sellers, so covers will be more important than ever.

After talking to the IngramSpark representatives, I'll be opening an account there for the first time. I'll record what I do and how so I can make a video for you. Remember, Kobo and IngramSpark also have their own podcasts for you to learn even more about how to work within their businesses so check them out.

Natalie Vandergast at Hallmark Publishing was like a Hallmark movie heroine - friendly and helpful and so cool you want to be her friend! :-D I hope I get to work with her - remember to check out their submission guidelines and see if you have a completed book you can send them before their September 3, 2018, deadline.

The representatives from Amazon's KDP, ACX, and CreateSpace companies were on hand to tell us more about what's going on with them. If you didn't know about this, check out KDP Jumpstart as your guide to how to get started. They also try to stay in communication with authors on the KDP Forum.

A couple of the other great workshops I went to included Kristi Ann Hunter's Sweet Romance workshop and a Synopsis Writing workshop taught by Julia Kelly and Alisha Rai. Both were great examples of how much you can learn about a subject you already know if you go in with an attitude of trying to learn. I got a lot from both workshops.

And of course, saving the best for last, my favorite part of the conference was teaching my own workshop! :-D In addition to the workshop, 10 Things You Need to Know Before You Start Self-Publishing, I'm also writing a book on the subject. I want people to make a truly informed decision about self-publishing before they decide for sure yes or no. That way you don't have to worry about the fear of missing out nor the worry about having to do things you don't want to learn how to do. I'll keep you updated about the progress of the book. ;-)

It was a great conference! I hope you learned a couple things listening to the podcast. Check out the links for even more information. Happy Writing!

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=1988Thu, 02 Aug 2018 10:16:00 -070041:41falsefull090I – Mini-Interviews LIVE From RWA 2018When I was at the Romance Writers of America National Conference last week in Denver, Colorado, I interviewed several of the attendees to find out why they were there and what their favorite part of the conference was. I hope you enjoy listening to all their responses!

If you'd like to learn more about them, the names of my guests are:

• Tracy Reed
• Debra Mullins
• Kathryn R. Biel
• Melissa Baldwin
• Becky Monson
• Gracey Evans
• Alice Gaines
• Christina Alexandra
• Rick Ochocki
• John Bucholtz
• Laurel Wetzork
• Catharine Henry

I hope you enjoy getting to know these authors better! :-D

]]>When I was at the Romance Writers of America National Conference last week in Denver, Colorado, I interviewed several of the attendees to find out why they were there and what their favorite part of the conference was. I hope you enjoy listening to all their responses!

If you'd like to learn more about them, the names of my guests are:

• Tracy Reed
• Debra Mullins
• Kathryn R. Biel
• Melissa Baldwin
• Becky Monson
• Gracey Evans
• Alice Gaines
• Christina Alexandra
• Rick Ochocki
• John Bucholtz
• Laurel Wetzork
• Catharine Henry

I hope you enjoy getting to know these authors better! :-D

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=1982Thu, 26 Jul 2018 17:05:00 -070042:17falsefull089I – Keeping a Travel Journal: An Interview with Marcy WeydemullerEditor and writing teacher Marcy Weydemuller is back to show us how to use travel journaling to create both fiction and nonfiction. She's been blogging about the topic (starting with this post) as well as several other topics in her journaling series.

She's got some great ideas on how to get started and how to keep notes so you can write up your experiences when you get back from your travels. This is great for me - I always feel like there's no time, but now I have some great tools to try out.

Marcy shows us a couple ways we can use what we saw, heard, smelled, and ate to create scenes and characters in our novels. She also goes through the various possibilities for creating nonfiction from our trips. In fact, she even gives us ideas on using travel journaling at home - just by going to a place you've never been in your own town.

There are more possibilities to travel journaling than I realized! :-D I hope you find some great tips!

]]>Editor and writing teacher Marcy Weydemuller is back to show us how to use travel journaling to create both fiction and nonfiction. She's been blogging about the topic (starting with this post) as well as several other topics in her journaling series.

She's got some great ideas on how to get started and how to keep notes so you can write up your experiences when you get back from your travels. This is great for me - I always feel like there's no time, but now I have some great tools to try out.

Marcy shows us a couple ways we can use what we saw, heard, smelled, and ate to create scenes and characters in our novels. She also goes through the various possibilities for creating nonfiction from our trips. In fact, she even gives us ideas on using travel journaling at home - just by going to a place you've never been in your own town.

There are more possibilities to travel journaling than I realized! :-D I hope you find some great tips!

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=1975Wed, 18 Jul 2018 08:00:00 -070054:51falsefull088I – The Fascinating World of Mystical Realism: An Interview with Shawn SmuckerShawn Smucker is the author of the young adult book, The Day the Angels Fell, and the brand new sequel, The Edge of Over There, tales of mystery and magic that will leave you wanting more. Today, Shawn talks to us about his journey to fiction and how it started by writing a nonfiction book for his aunt.

He began earning his living co-writing memoirs for others, and one such experience took him to Istanbul. Working with this missionary, writing his life story, Shawn felt the beginnings of what would become The Day the Angels Fell, his first novel. He self-published it, but his nonfiction agent asked to shop it around - and that and the sequel were sold to Revell.

Shawn's writing journey is an interesting and inspiring story that will encourage you to keep going, no matter your genre. Speculative fiction can be a difficult sell, whether traditionally published or self-published, and writers might get caught in the sticky web of trying too hard to make their book stand out. Shawn encourages us to write the best book that serves the story in its truest form, to keep writing, keep growing, and keep putting your work out there. Don't give up!

Learn more about Shawn's books, follow him on social media, and sign up for his newsletter where you can find out when and where the Tree of Life will turn up next - all at his website, ShawnSmucker.com.

]]>Shawn Smucker is the author of the young adult book, The Day the Angels Fell, and the brand new sequel, The Edge of Over There, tales of mystery and magic that will leave you wanting more. Today, Shawn talks to us about his journey to fiction and how it started by writing a nonfiction book for his aunt.

He began earning his living co-writing memoirs for others, and one such experience took him to Istanbul. Working with this missionary, writing his life story, Shawn felt the beginnings of what would become The Day the Angels Fell, his first novel. He self-published it, but his nonfiction agent asked to shop it around - and that and the sequel were sold to Revell.

Shawn's writing journey is an interesting and inspiring story that will encourage you to keep going, no matter your genre. Speculative fiction can be a difficult sell, whether traditionally published or self-published, and writers might get caught in the sticky web of trying too hard to make their book stand out. Shawn encourages us to write the best book that serves the story in its truest form, to keep writing, keep growing, and keep putting your work out there. Don't give up!

Learn more about Shawn's books, follow him on social media, and sign up for his newsletter where you can find out when and where the Tree of Life will turn up next - all at his website, ShawnSmucker.com.

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=1971Thu, 12 Jul 2018 08:00:00 -070040:49falsefull087E – Our Personal Mid-Year Check-inLast episode, we talked about doing a mid-year check-in with our writing goals to see if there are any areas that need adjusting as we enter the second half of the year.

Today, I'd like to talk to you about doing the same thing with your personal goals. Is there anything that you've been saying, "I want to get better at this" or "I want to do more of that" this year? If so, do you have some concrete tasks that you can do to accomplish those goals?

For instance, one of my goals this year is to recover from burnout. The general "how-to" on that is a beginning, but it hasn't been enough for me to make the kind of progress I want and need to fully heal. It occurred to me that spending six days a week podcasting (to put out three episodes a week) is not conducive to my goal to recover from burnout. :-D

So when you find something in your personal life that is not getting the attention it needs in order for you to successfully complete the goal before the end of the year, what do you do?

For me, I decided to use summer as my reason for cutting back to one episode per week for a couple of months. Then I can reevaluate my progress on my most important goal - recovering from burnout - and see if the podcast change hurts the podcast or somehow makes it better or gives me another better idea to try after the two months are over.

What about you? What personal goal needs more time or attention from you? Do you have specific actions to take to make progress on your goal? Will you know when you've accomplished it? (That's something I still need to figure out with the burnout - how will I know when I'm fully recovered/healed?)

I hope this episode encourages you to take a good look at your own life and make the necessary changes to make you happiest in the long run. :-)

]]>Last episode, we talked about doing a mid-year check-in with our writing goals to see if there are any areas that need adjusting as we enter the second half of the year.

Today, I'd like to talk to you about doing the same thing with your personal goals. Is there anything that you've been saying, "I want to get better at this" or "I want to do more of that" this year? If so, do you have some concrete tasks that you can do to accomplish those goals?

For instance, one of my goals this year is to recover from burnout. The general "how-to" on that is a beginning, but it hasn't been enough for me to make the kind of progress I want and need to fully heal. It occurred to me that spending six days a week podcasting (to put out three episodes a week) is not conducive to my goal to recover from burnout. :-D

So when you find something in your personal life that is not getting the attention it needs in order for you to successfully complete the goal before the end of the year, what do you do?

For me, I decided to use summer as my reason for cutting back to one episode per week for a couple of months. Then I can reevaluate my progress on my most important goal - recovering from burnout - and see if the podcast change hurts the podcast or somehow makes it better or gives me another better idea to try after the two months are over.

What about you? What personal goal needs more time or attention from you? Do you have specific actions to take to make progress on your goal? Will you know when you've accomplished it? (That's something I still need to figure out with the burnout - how will I know when I'm fully recovered/healed?)

I hope this episode encourages you to take a good look at your own life and make the necessary changes to make you happiest in the long run. :-)

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=1967Sun, 08 Jul 2018 08:00:00 -070014:03falsefull086T – A Mid-Year RestartNormally, you'd get an interview today as you do every Thursday, but we are halfway through the year so I thought it would be good to check in and see how you're doing on your goals for the year. I suggest people do a self-check every 3-6 months to see if they're on track with the plans they set at the beginning of the year, and to see what needs to be adjusted.

In May of this year, I spoke to a writers group in California on one of my favorite topics, when to hit the Restart button. Today, I'm bringing you that presentation in its entirety. To see the slides I used, watch the episode on YouTube. There's lots of helpful information here, so follow along and see if you need to make any adjustments to your goals or production schedule to end the year with your definition of success!

Good luck!

]]>Normally, you'd get an interview today as you do every Thursday, but we are halfway through the year so I thought it would be good to check in and see how you're doing on your goals for the year. I suggest people do a self-check every 3-6 months to see if they're on track with the plans they set at the beginning of the year, and to see what needs to be adjusted.

In May of this year, I spoke to a writers group in California on one of my favorite topics, when to hit the Restart button. Today, I'm bringing you that presentation in its entirety. To see the slides I used, watch the episode on YouTube. There's lots of helpful information here, so follow along and see if you need to make any adjustments to your goals or production schedule to end the year with your definition of success!

Good luck!

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=1961Thu, 05 Jul 2018 10:00:00 -070001:18:32falsefull085T – Writing a Query LetterAfter Laura Drake explained to us how to pitch our book at a conference last week, it seemed another logical topic would be how to write a query letter. And since I'm about to write a query letter myself, I figured the timing was perfect!

My go-to resource for publishing information for ages was literary agent (turned author) Nathan Bransford's blog. There is really no way I can distill his "Query Letter Template" blog post down into a more concise explanation, so read it over and check out the "formula" for a great query letter.

Nathan is also great about linking to other posts on his blog with related information, and you'll find several links in that post. But here are two more great posts on his blog - "The One Sentence, One Paragraph, and Two Paragraph Pitch" and "How to Write a Query Letter." So much great information here!

And if you want someone else's opinion on how to write a great query letter, just do an Internet search - there is a ton of information out there! Here is another great one I found.

]]>After Laura Drake explained to us how to pitch our book at a conference last week, it seemed another logical topic would be how to write a query letter. And since I'm about to write a query letter myself, I figured the timing was perfect!

My go-to resource for publishing information for ages was literary agent (turned author) Nathan Bransford's blog. There is really no way I can distill his "Query Letter Template" blog post down into a more concise explanation, so read it over and check out the "formula" for a great query letter.

Nathan is also great about linking to other posts on his blog with related information, and you'll find several links in that post. But here are two more great posts on his blog - "The One Sentence, One Paragraph, and Two Paragraph Pitch" and "How to Write a Query Letter." So much great information here!

And if you want someone else's opinion on how to write a great query letter, just do an Internet search - there is a ton of information out there! Here is another great one I found.

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=1955Tue, 03 Jul 2018 19:08:00 -070026:15falsefull084E – A Change in PerspectiveSometimes, if we change our perspective, we can see things in our lives and in ourselves more clearly. When things are going great, and the little things are bothering us, a reminder that others have a lot more pain in their lives right now can help us to regain our perspective and gratitude. Conversely, if life is hitting us in big ways, enjoying the small things - a flowering plant, a child's laugh, a quiet moment - can help us to change our perspective, too. And again, help us regain our gratitude.

What's bothering you today? How can you look at it differently?

Try Googling "encouragement for writers." Some of the things I found include great articles, Pinterest pages with fun images and quotes, and other people's experiences and how they dealt with them. Since what's bothering me is burnout, I Googled "burnout for writers" and found some helpful tips from other writers who have been through it.

Not everything you find will agree with each other, not everything will be helpful to you personally, but you can find ideas to help you with today's challenge or something encouraging or fun to make you smile.

I hope your change in perspective helps you to see something new today!

]]>Sometimes, if we change our perspective, we can see things in our lives and in ourselves more clearly. When things are going great, and the little things are bothering us, a reminder that others have a lot more pain in their lives right now can help us to regain our perspective and gratitude. Conversely, if life is hitting us in big ways, enjoying the small things - a flowering plant, a child's laugh, a quiet moment - can help us to change our perspective, too. And again, help us regain our gratitude.

What's bothering you today? How can you look at it differently?

Try Googling "encouragement for writers." Some of the things I found include great articles, Pinterest pages with fun images and quotes, and other people's experiences and how they dealt with them. Since what's bothering me is burnout, I Googled "burnout for writers" and found some helpful tips from other writers who have been through it.

Not everything you find will agree with each other, not everything will be helpful to you personally, but you can find ideas to help you with today's challenge or something encouraging or fun to make you smile.

I hope your change in perspective helps you to see something new today!

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=1949Sun, 01 Jul 2018 08:00:00 -070012:05falsefull083I – Pitching Your Book at a Conference: An Interview with Laura DrakeLaura Drake is back for a timely look at pitching your book! It's conference season, and writers conferences are one of the best places to find and pitch your book to agents and editors who may be the right fit. But how do you say everything you want to say in 2-10 minutes?!

Pitching veteran Laura Drake has some great tips for you. Preparation and practice are the two key elements! But knowing when to stop talking is also a big part of a great pitch.

Laura was here talking to us about the importance of the first five pages - what you'll need after the agent says, "Send me a sample!" So if you haven't heard it or need a refresher, listen to Episode 65 The First Five Pages again.

You can find more on Laura, her books, and her Write Stuff Podcast at LauraDrakeBooks.com.

]]>Laura Drake is back for a timely look at pitching your book! It's conference season, and writers conferences are one of the best places to find and pitch your book to agents and editors who may be the right fit. But how do you say everything you want to say in 2-10 minutes?!

Pitching veteran Laura Drake has some great tips for you. Preparation and practice are the two key elements! But knowing when to stop talking is also a big part of a great pitch.

Laura was here talking to us about the importance of the first five pages - what you'll need after the agent says, "Send me a sample!" So if you haven't heard it or need a refresher, listen to Episode 65 The First Five Pages again.

You can find more on Laura, her books, and her Write Stuff Podcast at LauraDrakeBooks.com.

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=1944Thu, 28 Jun 2018 08:00:00 -070045:07falsefull082T – Where Scrivener Meets VellumA few days ago, I got a great email from Vellum. They wrote to let users know that if you use Scrivener as well, the new version 3.0 now has a choice to compile/export for "Vellum Export." That means when you use that option, Scrivener will create the docx file that Vellum requires in order to create your ebook.

Hurray! It's perhaps a small step that you now don't have to do, but it's one I'm glad to cross off my formatting checklist!

If you use Scrivener for Windows, ignore this update. Vellum doesn't have a Windows version at this time, so you can't use it anyway. But if you can get access to a Mac computer, even occasionally, check out Vellum for creating ebooks, and now print books. You can download the software for free to try it out. Pay only if you decide you want to create the files. I love Vellum! It saves me hours for every book I publish.

As a side note, I remembered as I was finishing up that I heard this week that Hallmark has an arm now called Hallmark Publishing. (I don't know when it started.) They are having an open submission period until September 3, 2018, for sweet romances and cozy mysteries. Check out their guidelines here. They also will let you know about future open submission periods via Twitter at @HallmarkPublish. Good luck!

]]>A few days ago, I got a great email from Vellum. They wrote to let users know that if you use Scrivener as well, the new version 3.0 now has a choice to compile/export for "Vellum Export." That means when you use that option, Scrivener will create the docx file that Vellum requires in order to create your ebook.

Hurray! It's perhaps a small step that you now don't have to do, but it's one I'm glad to cross off my formatting checklist!

If you use Scrivener for Windows, ignore this update. Vellum doesn't have a Windows version at this time, so you can't use it anyway. But if you can get access to a Mac computer, even occasionally, check out Vellum for creating ebooks, and now print books. You can download the software for free to try it out. Pay only if you decide you want to create the files. I love Vellum! It saves me hours for every book I publish.

As a side note, I remembered as I was finishing up that I heard this week that Hallmark has an arm now called Hallmark Publishing. (I don't know when it started.) They are having an open submission period until September 3, 2018, for sweet romances and cozy mysteries. Check out their guidelines here. They also will let you know about future open submission periods via Twitter at @HallmarkPublish. Good luck!

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=1940Tue, 26 Jun 2018 08:00:00 -070011:19falsefull081E – When You Don’t Feel Like ItSometimes you just don't feel like doing what you need to do. You're too hot, too cold, too tired, having too much fun. You don't feel like it.

How important is this thing you "have to do"? If it's not important, no worries. But if it is, sometimes you just need to paste on a smile, choose to have a good attitude, and go do it.

Remember, there's a point at which we can reach decision fatigue each day. We've asked ourselves too many questions, or the same questions too many times, and our brain finally runs out of decision juice. ;-) So what can we do to get ourselves up and going?

When at all possible, planning ahead for the thing you need to do will help you get up and do it without thinking about it. For instance, I lay out my running clothes the night before mornings I'm going to run. I check the weather so I can wear the right clothes. I fill my water bottle, lay out my keys, make sure my iPod or phone is charged enough, and I try to remember to put my sunglasses in the pile (though that one thing I do tend to forget half the time).

When you can have a plan for this thing you're going to do later, you won't be as tempted to ask yourself, "Do I really want to do this?" You won't open yourself up to the temptation to put it off. The less you think about it, the more you can make "it" run on auto-pilot, the more likely you'll just do it at the appointed time. Planning for a morning writing session can be just as easy - and helpful! - as planning for my morning runs.

Keep in mind, sometimes you just need a break - especially in the middle of the day. So the best way to get something done later in the day might be to give yourself 10-20 minutes to do something relaxing like read. Set your alarm, if you need to, so you don't let 20 minutes become 2 hours. Then, again, just jump in and do it without allowing yourself to overthink it.

Hone this reflex the way that stoplights when we're driving have trained us to immediately hit the gas as soon as the light turns green. You can't just sit there until you feel like going, not if someone is honking behind you!

Next time you have to do something you don't feel like doing, take a few of these tips, and then do it!

]]>Sometimes you just don't feel like doing what you need to do. You're too hot, too cold, too tired, having too much fun. You don't feel like it.

How important is this thing you "have to do"? If it's not important, no worries. But if it is, sometimes you just need to paste on a smile, choose to have a good attitude, and go do it.

Remember, there's a point at which we can reach decision fatigue each day. We've asked ourselves too many questions, or the same questions too many times, and our brain finally runs out of decision juice. ;-) So what can we do to get ourselves up and going?

When at all possible, planning ahead for the thing you need to do will help you get up and do it without thinking about it. For instance, I lay out my running clothes the night before mornings I'm going to run. I check the weather so I can wear the right clothes. I fill my water bottle, lay out my keys, make sure my iPod or phone is charged enough, and I try to remember to put my sunglasses in the pile (though that one thing I do tend to forget half the time).

When you can have a plan for this thing you're going to do later, you won't be as tempted to ask yourself, "Do I really want to do this?" You won't open yourself up to the temptation to put it off. The less you think about it, the more you can make "it" run on auto-pilot, the more likely you'll just do it at the appointed time. Planning for a morning writing session can be just as easy - and helpful! - as planning for my morning runs.

Keep in mind, sometimes you just need a break - especially in the middle of the day. So the best way to get something done later in the day might be to give yourself 10-20 minutes to do something relaxing like read. Set your alarm, if you need to, so you don't let 20 minutes become 2 hours. Then, again, just jump in and do it without allowing yourself to overthink it.

Hone this reflex the way that stoplights when we're driving have trained us to immediately hit the gas as soon as the light turns green. You can't just sit there until you feel like going, not if someone is honking behind you!

Next time you have to do something you don't feel like doing, take a few of these tips, and then do it!

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=1934Sun, 24 Jun 2018 08:00:00 -070011:35falsefull080I – Crafting a Novel Around a Real Person: An Interview with Sydney AveySydney Avey is the author of three historical fiction novels including The Sheep Walker's Daughter, The Lyre and the Lamb, and The Trials of Nellie Belle, a partially fictionalized tale of her great-grandmother's life as the first female traveling court reporter in the American West.

Today Sydney shares her story of how she came to read the real Nellie Belle's short stories and how it prompted her to write about this amazing woman's life. She tells us about talking to relatives to learn more about their common ancestor, and asking permission to mention other relatives from the still-living family members.

Sydney also encourages listeners to write for joy, to tell their family's stories and share them with the rest of the family. Writing for publication, in this case, may be secondary or a non-issue. It's worth it just to share these stories so they aren't forgotten forever.

In addition to historical fiction, Sydney has also published news articles, poetry, and short stories. Learn more about her and find her social media links on her website.

]]>Sydney Avey is the author of three historical fiction novels including The Sheep Walker's Daughter, The Lyre and the Lamb, and The Trials of Nellie Belle, a partially fictionalized tale of her great-grandmother's life as the first female traveling court reporter in the American West.

Today Sydney shares her story of how she came to read the real Nellie Belle's short stories and how it prompted her to write about this amazing woman's life. She tells us about talking to relatives to learn more about their common ancestor, and asking permission to mention other relatives from the still-living family members.

Sydney also encourages listeners to write for joy, to tell their family's stories and share them with the rest of the family. Writing for publication, in this case, may be secondary or a non-issue. It's worth it just to share these stories so they aren't forgotten forever.

In addition to historical fiction, Sydney has also published news articles, poetry, and short stories. Learn more about her and find her social media links on her website.

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=1929Thu, 21 Jun 2018 08:00:00 -070052:59falsefull079T – Who Are You Writing For?I've taken a page from the big online marketing gurus, and twisted it to work for me as a novelist. They want you to figure out your avatar, your one perfect customer, and create all your sales and marketing information focused on what that one person would love.

Well, it works great for staying focused in your story, too!

But instead of creating a fictional avatar - I'm already creating tons of fictional characters! - I think of the one person that I think would like this book more than anyone else I know. I write different genres, so I have a different "perfect reader" for each one.

For example, there's a reader named Donna who loved the first chapter excerpt/teaser for my Strays of Loon Lake series, so much so that she emailed me a couple times a year to ask me if it was done yet. :) When I write in that series now, Donna is the person I have in mind to entertain.

My Traverse City in Love series has a different flavor - chick lit rather than sweet romantic comedy - and my friend Rachel is the main person I'm writing for. She thinks I'm funny, so I'm always asking myself, "Would Rachel think this is funny? Would that make her laugh?"

On the other hand, I wrote my superhero books, Adventures of Lewis and Clarke, mostly to entertain myself! However, when my friend Stephanie told me how much she enjoyed them, I thought my writing focus might be tighter if I started using Stephanie as my reader avatar for that series.

I give a couple more examples in the episode, but the point is to help you figure out who your perfect reader is. Can you think of a real person you can write for? Can you imagine how that could help you stay more focused and not go off in every different direction as you're writing? I hope you think of someone and give this idea a try. :-D

]]>I've taken a page from the big online marketing gurus, and twisted it to work for me as a novelist. They want you to figure out your avatar, your one perfect customer, and create all your sales and marketing information focused on what that one person would love.

Well, it works great for staying focused in your story, too!

But instead of creating a fictional avatar - I'm already creating tons of fictional characters! - I think of the one person that I think would like this book more than anyone else I know. I write different genres, so I have a different "perfect reader" for each one.

For example, there's a reader named Donna who loved the first chapter excerpt/teaser for my Strays of Loon Lake series, so much so that she emailed me a couple times a year to ask me if it was done yet. :) When I write in that series now, Donna is the person I have in mind to entertain.

My Traverse City in Love series has a different flavor - chick lit rather than sweet romantic comedy - and my friend Rachel is the main person I'm writing for. She thinks I'm funny, so I'm always asking myself, "Would Rachel think this is funny? Would that make her laugh?"

On the other hand, I wrote my superhero books, Adventures of Lewis and Clarke, mostly to entertain myself! However, when my friend Stephanie told me how much she enjoyed them, I thought my writing focus might be tighter if I started using Stephanie as my reader avatar for that series.

I give a couple more examples in the episode, but the point is to help you figure out who your perfect reader is. Can you think of a real person you can write for? Can you imagine how that could help you stay more focused and not go off in every different direction as you're writing? I hope you think of someone and give this idea a try. :-D

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=1924Tue, 19 Jun 2018 08:00:00 -070015:11falsefull078E – Receiving in Order to GiveToday's encouraging words are a reminder that sometimes you need to learn to be a good receiver in order to learn to become a better giver.

The times in my life when I've been embarrassed at what someone wants to give me because I can't reciprocate have been many. But those times helped me to better understand what it's like to be on the receiving end, struggling with pride or wariness or embarrassment. They've helped me become a better giver by wording the offer in a way that makes the intended receiver feel more comfortable with saying "yes."

I give an example of how you can turn a no into a yes and turn the situation into a double-blessing, for both you and the other person. Look around and see what people are offering to give you that you've been saying "no" to. How can you turn it into a yes? And how can that help you become a better giver?

]]>Today's encouraging words are a reminder that sometimes you need to learn to be a good receiver in order to learn to become a better giver.

The times in my life when I've been embarrassed at what someone wants to give me because I can't reciprocate have been many. But those times helped me to better understand what it's like to be on the receiving end, struggling with pride or wariness or embarrassment. They've helped me become a better giver by wording the offer in a way that makes the intended receiver feel more comfortable with saying "yes."

I give an example of how you can turn a no into a yes and turn the situation into a double-blessing, for both you and the other person. Look around and see what people are offering to give you that you've been saying "no" to. How can you turn it into a yes? And how can that help you become a better giver?

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=1909Sun, 17 Jun 2018 08:00:00 -070010:21falsefull077I – Digging Deep to Find a Great Story: An Interview with Susan May WarrenMulti-award-winning author Susan May Warren offers us a fun and exciting look at how she built her current series, the action-packed Montana Rescue series. Storm Front, book 5 in the soon-to-be 6-book series, released on May 1, 2018, and we talked about those characters, subplots, settings, and more.

Susie May is a hybrid author, both traditionally published and indie published, so she gives us tips about how she juggles her writing commitments. She uses "writing blocks" to organize her time, and sets up smaller deadlines for herself - finish first draft by this time, edits by this time, etc.

She's more of a "plotser" (part plotter, part pantser), and she uses a system called Story Equation to build her story. Then she speaks out the whole story to herself in a tape recorder so she can see if there are any holes or problems. Despite this pre-planning, she prefers to write a fast, messy first draft that is completely uncensored. When the first draft is done, then she rewrites and polishes to create the best story for her audience.

We also discussed the "why" for writing - and how Susie May finds something different in each book that makes her want to write this story. This is a great discussion, and I hope you get inspired by listening to her.

In a few weeks, Susie May will be back to talk to us about the writing craft in more detail. Check out Learn How to Write a Novel and Novel Academy to see what we'll be talking about, and be ready to hear about a writing camp she runs - registration will have just opened for the October camp. Meanwhile, she's giving us all a look at her 2018 planner for writers by giving us a free download of the June pages.

]]>Multi-award-winning author Susan May Warren offers us a fun and exciting look at how she built her current series, the action-packed Montana Rescue series. Storm Front, book 5 in the soon-to-be 6-book series, released on May 1, 2018, and we talked about those characters, subplots, settings, and more.

Susie May is a hybrid author, both traditionally published and indie published, so she gives us tips about how she juggles her writing commitments. She uses "writing blocks" to organize her time, and sets up smaller deadlines for herself - finish first draft by this time, edits by this time, etc.

She's more of a "plotser" (part plotter, part pantser), and she uses a system called Story Equation to build her story. Then she speaks out the whole story to herself in a tape recorder so she can see if there are any holes or problems. Despite this pre-planning, she prefers to write a fast, messy first draft that is completely uncensored. When the first draft is done, then she rewrites and polishes to create the best story for her audience.

We also discussed the "why" for writing - and how Susie May finds something different in each book that makes her want to write this story. This is a great discussion, and I hope you get inspired by listening to her.

In a few weeks, Susie May will be back to talk to us about the writing craft in more detail. Check out Learn How to Write a Novel and Novel Academy to see what we'll be talking about, and be ready to hear about a writing camp she runs - registration will have just opened for the October camp. Meanwhile, she's giving us all a look at her 2018 planner for writers by giving us a free download of the June pages.

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=1899Thu, 14 Jun 2018 08:00:00 -070048:41falsefull076T – Burnout: Getting Through to the Other SideIn this deeply personal episode about my journey into burnout and my quest for a way out, I mention several articles and Bible verses which helped change my perspective and show me a path back to peace.

Among those is this article on Psychology Today, "The Telltale Symptoms of Burnout...Do You Have Them?" Definitely look it over if you wonder at all if you're beginning to burn out in work or life.

Thankfully, a link from that article lead to this one on "Overcoming Burnout."

Out of curiosity, I clicked on other links about burnout, including this Wikipedia article, "Occupational Burnout," that gives a little background at the beginning into who started studying burnout and what they found.

Because I want to know the spiritual side and what things I might be able to do or consider from a spiritual angle, I Googled "burnout in the Bible" and found this article, "What does the Bible say about burnout?"

After I wrote a blog post called "Follow the Cheerios" about discovering that I am probably suffering from burnout, and posting it on a writer's blog called A Slice of Orange as well as on my own website, I got a lot of immediate feedback and support. One friend wrote to me and said we need to talk because she'd gone through burnout twice - but now she knew how to overcome it and avoid it. I share Rachel's advice about 30 minutes into this episode.

I hope you find some helpful advice that you can apply in your own life - or help a friend in theirs - by listening to my story, and learning what I've been finding as I've researched burnout.

]]>In this deeply personal episode about my journey into burnout and my quest for a way out, I mention several articles and Bible verses which helped change my perspective and show me a path back to peace.

Among those is this article on Psychology Today, "The Telltale Symptoms of Burnout...Do You Have Them?" Definitely look it over if you wonder at all if you're beginning to burn out in work or life.

Thankfully, a link from that article lead to this one on "Overcoming Burnout."

Out of curiosity, I clicked on other links about burnout, including this Wikipedia article, "Occupational Burnout," that gives a little background at the beginning into who started studying burnout and what they found.

Because I want to know the spiritual side and what things I might be able to do or consider from a spiritual angle, I Googled "burnout in the Bible" and found this article, "What does the Bible say about burnout?"

After I wrote a blog post called "Follow the Cheerios" about discovering that I am probably suffering from burnout, and posting it on a writer's blog called A Slice of Orange as well as on my own website, I got a lot of immediate feedback and support. One friend wrote to me and said we need to talk because she'd gone through burnout twice - but now she knew how to overcome it and avoid it. I share Rachel's advice about 30 minutes into this episode.

I hope you find some helpful advice that you can apply in your own life - or help a friend in theirs - by listening to my story, and learning what I've been finding as I've researched burnout.

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=1892Tue, 12 Jun 2018 18:58:00 -070001:10:49falsefull075E – Follow the CheeriosAs I've been struggling to figure out where I'm going in life, a scene came to mind from the movie, Monsters, Inc.

Near the beginning, when Sully and Mike are hiding Boo and trying to figure out how to get her back to her own world without getting caught, they are all in Sully’s apartment with Boo coloring on the floor. She starts doing that toddler thing, rubbing her eyes, trying to stay awake, eyes drooping. And Sully gets her to follow him to his room by laying down a trail of Cheerios.

Apparently, Cheerios are the modern-day bread crumbs. ;)

This always makes me laugh! He treats her like a puppy, making a food trail for her to follow and then making a pile of newspapers in the corner for her to sleep on.

And Boo follows him, eating one Cheerio at a time on the path. All goes well until she sees Sully’s big, comfortable bed. Then she leaves the Cheerios trail and climbs up and under the covers.

Watching this scene again – I found it and embedded the video here – made me feel like that was something I could do right now. Follow the Cheerios path. One Cheerio at a time. At least until the trail gets to a place where I finally feel like I see something I want.

Right now, I honestly feel like I have no idea what I want or what I like, let alone what I love and want to do for the next ten or twenty years. Am I still a writer? Do I still love it? Or even like it? I don’t know. Apparently, this is how burnout feels. (We'll discuss that more in Tuesday's episode.)

I don’t have any answers to my problems and challenges yet, but at least I can laugh about the one thing I can do right now: look for Cheerios.

I found a Cheerio when one of my readers told me not to give up on my writing. I got another one when a friend repeated the sentiment. Another Cheerio came in the form of a new friend who loves my new chick lit series idea. Interesting how all the Cheerios I’ve found so far are leading me along the writing path. ;-)

What about you? What do you need direction on? Where can you look for Cheerios, for someone cheering you on in one direction or another? Or have you had a negative reaction to something – “Oh, I don’t like that” or “I definitely don’t want to do that”? Those could be Cheerios leading you away from the path that is not going to work for you right now. Only you can know, and it might take you some time and some contemplation. Take the time. It’s worth it.

Follow the Cheerios!

]]>As I've been struggling to figure out where I'm going in life, a scene came to mind from the movie, Monsters, Inc.

Near the beginning, when Sully and Mike are hiding Boo and trying to figure out how to get her back to her own world without getting caught, they are all in Sully’s apartment with Boo coloring on the floor. She starts doing that toddler thing, rubbing her eyes, trying to stay awake, eyes drooping. And Sully gets her to follow him to his room by laying down a trail of Cheerios.

Apparently, Cheerios are the modern-day bread crumbs. ;)

This always makes me laugh! He treats her like a puppy, making a food trail for her to follow and then making a pile of newspapers in the corner for her to sleep on.

And Boo follows him, eating one Cheerio at a time on the path. All goes well until she sees Sully’s big, comfortable bed. Then she leaves the Cheerios trail and climbs up and under the covers.

Watching this scene again – I found it and embedded the video here – made me feel like that was something I could do right now. Follow the Cheerios path. One Cheerio at a time. At least until the trail gets to a place where I finally feel like I see something I want.

Right now, I honestly feel like I have no idea what I want or what I like, let alone what I love and want to do for the next ten or twenty years. Am I still a writer? Do I still love it? Or even like it? I don’t know. Apparently, this is how burnout feels. (We'll discuss that more in Tuesday's episode.)

I don’t have any answers to my problems and challenges yet, but at least I can laugh about the one thing I can do right now: look for Cheerios.

I found a Cheerio when one of my readers told me not to give up on my writing. I got another one when a friend repeated the sentiment. Another Cheerio came in the form of a new friend who loves my new chick lit series idea. Interesting how all the Cheerios I’ve found so far are leading me along the writing path. ;-)

What about you? What do you need direction on? Where can you look for Cheerios, for someone cheering you on in one direction or another? Or have you had a negative reaction to something – “Oh, I don’t like that” or “I definitely don’t want to do that”? Those could be Cheerios leading you away from the path that is not going to work for you right now. Only you can know, and it might take you some time and some contemplation. Take the time. It’s worth it.

Follow the Cheerios!

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=1876Sun, 10 Jun 2018 08:00:00 -070011:32falsefull074I – Add a Little Murder: An Interview with Patricia BradleyInterviewing the lovely Patricia Bradley was an exercise in paradoxes. Hearing this sweet Christian woman pronounce in her soft, Southern drawl, "Oh, I love to talk about murder. It's just fun" was just the beginning of my mind bending to look at things differently. :-D But I should have expected nothing less after I read the tagline for her website: Where love and faith cross paths...with murder.

Patricia writes romantic suspense and says that murdering your characters is a great way to kill off your anxieties. (I think I'm going to try that! :-D ) What follows is a fun conversation about how she writes - an encouraging look at writing for pantsers!

My biggest takeaway was when I realized that Patricia writes the scenes with the murderer or psychopath's point of view without knowing who the bad guy is - so it's just "he or she" - and later she'll have an ah-ha moment about who that person is in her story. I can't wait to try this!

Patricia has a lot of great stuff on her blog, and she also suggests several other blogs/websites including:

Suspense Sisters: https://suspensesisters.blogspot.com/2018/06/hot-new-inspirational-suspense-and.html

Learn How to Write a Novel:

http://learnhowtowriteanovel.com/blog/2018/06/05/getting-into-your-characters-headwhen-the-character-is-a-psychopath/

Writers Police Academy: http://www.writerspoliceacademy.com/

Alicia Rasley's site: http://www.aliciarasley.com

Harlequin Heartwarming blog: http://heartwarmingauthors.blogspot.com/

The Crime Scene Writer Yahoo Group:

https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/crimescenewriter/info

She also loves to use James Scott Bell's book, Super Structure, as she writes.

You can follow Patricia Bradley on Goodreads, Facebook, and Twitter.

]]>Interviewing the lovely Patricia Bradley was an exercise in paradoxes. Hearing this sweet Christian woman pronounce in her soft, Southern drawl, "Oh, I love to talk about murder. It's just fun" was just the beginning of my mind bending to look at things differently. :-D But I should have expected nothing less after I read the tagline for her website: Where love and faith cross paths...with murder.

Patricia writes romantic suspense and says that murdering your characters is a great way to kill off your anxieties. (I think I'm going to try that! :-D ) What follows is a fun conversation about how she writes - an encouraging look at writing for pantsers!

My biggest takeaway was when I realized that Patricia writes the scenes with the murderer or psychopath's point of view without knowing who the bad guy is - so it's just "he or she" - and later she'll have an ah-ha moment about who that person is in her story. I can't wait to try this!

Patricia has a lot of great stuff on her blog, and she also suggests several other blogs/websites including:

Suspense Sisters: https://suspensesisters.blogspot.com/2018/06/hot-new-inspirational-suspense-and.html

Learn How to Write a Novel:

http://learnhowtowriteanovel.com/blog/2018/06/05/getting-into-your-characters-headwhen-the-character-is-a-psychopath/

Writers Police Academy: http://www.writerspoliceacademy.com/

Alicia Rasley's site: http://www.aliciarasley.com

Harlequin Heartwarming blog: http://heartwarmingauthors.blogspot.com/

The Crime Scene Writer Yahoo Group:

https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/crimescenewriter/info

She also loves to use James Scott Bell's book, Super Structure, as she writes.

You can follow Patricia Bradley on Goodreads, Facebook, and Twitter.

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=1873Thu, 07 Jun 2018 08:00:00 -070050:12falsefull073T – How to Track Sales for Sales TaxMost people don't consider taxes "fun" but I'd like to help you at least not think of them as "hard." The first step is helping you to organize your sales information so that you have the information you need when you need it.

The easiest way to do that is to create an Excel file. Find out the first month of the sales tax year for where you live and type the twelve months of the year in the columns across the top. Then list all the cities where you sold physical copies of books or other physical products in the rows on the left.

Now you only need to fill in how much you earned each month in each city. (See my example below.) I usually add a "comment" to each cell with additional information on each event, how many copies were sold, and any other helpful information like what "Receipt" this information is linked to in QuickBooks.

Double-check the tax rate for each city - taxes do go up! - and calculate the total tax you expect to pay. (Remember, this is money you already collected from your customer at the sale.) If you keep this information up-to-date each month, at the end of your tax year you'll have all the information you need to fill out your tax form!

]]>Most people don't consider taxes "fun" but I'd like to help you at least not think of them as "hard." The first step is helping you to organize your sales information so that you have the information you need when you need it.

The easiest way to do that is to create an Excel file. Find out the first month of the sales tax year for where you live and type the twelve months of the year in the columns across the top. Then list all the cities where you sold physical copies of books or other physical products in the rows on the left.

Now you only need to fill in how much you earned each month in each city. (See my example below.) I usually add a "comment" to each cell with additional information on each event, how many copies were sold, and any other helpful information like what "Receipt" this information is linked to in QuickBooks.

Double-check the tax rate for each city - taxes do go up! - and calculate the total tax you expect to pay. (Remember, this is money you already collected from your customer at the sale.) If you keep this information up-to-date each month, at the end of your tax year you'll have all the information you need to fill out your tax form!

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=1867Tue, 05 Jun 2018 08:00:00 -070021:51falsefull072E – How a Pretend Person Got Me Back Into WritingWhile talking with Kristin Billerbeck during the last episode, I was so excited to tell her that her new book, The Theory of Happily Ever After, really helped me during the difficult time I've been having in finding my joy again, finding out if writing is still part of what I'm meant to do with my life and my time.

I worry that I may be an over-sharer, but I really believe that helping other people know they are not alone in what they're going through or how they're feeling is worth any judgement on my sharing too much of my personal feelings.

That's why I share a little more about what I've been feeling, my hopes and fears about writing, and how I really related to the main character of Kristin's book who is going through something I felt was similar to my problems. Kristin's main character, Maggie, helped me think through my own fears and made me feel I wasn't alone in how I felt. And I wanted Kristin to know her book - a work of fiction about imaginary people - helped me in a difficult time.

Perhaps more than that, even, I wanted to let you know that your books could help someone else feel like they aren't alone. So don't give up on your writing!

]]>While talking with Kristin Billerbeck during the last episode, I was so excited to tell her that her new book, The Theory of Happily Ever After, really helped me during the difficult time I've been having in finding my joy again, finding out if writing is still part of what I'm meant to do with my life and my time.

I worry that I may be an over-sharer, but I really believe that helping other people know they are not alone in what they're going through or how they're feeling is worth any judgement on my sharing too much of my personal feelings.

That's why I share a little more about what I've been feeling, my hopes and fears about writing, and how I really related to the main character of Kristin's book who is going through something I felt was similar to my problems. Kristin's main character, Maggie, helped me think through my own fears and made me feel I wasn't alone in how I felt. And I wanted Kristin to know her book - a work of fiction about imaginary people - helped me in a difficult time.

Perhaps more than that, even, I wanted to let you know that your books could help someone else feel like they aren't alone. So don't give up on your writing!

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=1861Sun, 03 Jun 2018 08:00:00 -070010:12falsefull071I – Chick Lit Is Not Dead: An Interview with Kristin BillerbeckWhen Kristin Billerbeck, author of The Theory of Happily Ever After, proudly insisted during this interview, "I refuse to back away from the chick lit title" for her genre of books, my heart did a little happy dance! I love chick lit, and I love Kristin's books. :-D

She said that the first time she wrote a chapter of Christian chick lit, her friend and fellow author Colleen Coble told her, "Kristin, this is your voice, you have to do this." Kristin contends that there is definitely a difference between romantic comedy and chick lit, despite what we may hear publishers do or don't want want to call this type of storytelling. Readers know what they like, and they're happy to keep looking for it under the chick lit name.

What follows in this charming interview is Kristin's experience writing sweet romance versus chick lit, the backlash that followed her first (award-winning!) chick lit book (What a Girl Wants, book one of the Ashley Stockingdale series), and how her own life experiences have influenced her storytelling choices.

Listen and feel refreshed and inspired to get back to your own writing!

]]>When Kristin Billerbeck, author of The Theory of Happily Ever After, proudly insisted during this interview, "I refuse to back away from the chick lit title" for her genre of books, my heart did a little happy dance! I love chick lit, and I love Kristin's books. :-D

She said that the first time she wrote a chapter of Christian chick lit, her friend and fellow author Colleen Coble told her, "Kristin, this is your voice, you have to do this." Kristin contends that there is definitely a difference between romantic comedy and chick lit, despite what we may hear publishers do or don't want want to call this type of storytelling. Readers know what they like, and they're happy to keep looking for it under the chick lit name.

What follows in this charming interview is Kristin's experience writing sweet romance versus chick lit, the backlash that followed her first (award-winning!) chick lit book (What a Girl Wants, book one of the Ashley Stockingdale series), and how her own life experiences have influenced her storytelling choices.

Listen and feel refreshed and inspired to get back to your own writing!

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=1850Thu, 31 May 2018 08:00:00 -070051:22falsefull070T – Using Chris Fox’s Plot Gardening SystemChris Fox came on the show last week to talk about his new book, Plot Gardening. I've been reading the book and making notes as I go through it, and it occurred to me that I might be able to help you as you work through a new book or try to figure out what to do with one in progress.

In Chris's book, he talks about how to build the characters, the plot, the world, a step at a time. One question he asked was - how is your book different from others in your genre. As always, my first thought was, "I don't know. Uh-oh! It isn't!" :-D

But that's not necessarily true - our books can be quite unlike others, unique in their own fashion, but still within the tropes of our genre. How?

Just for the fun of it, Google "<your genre> tropes." I Googled "romance tropes," "horror tropes," "suspense tropes," and others, and found a long list of websites, PDFs, and YouTube videos explaining all the things readers have come to expect from those genres. They can give you ideas, or help you refine an idea you already have.

Don't worry, if you're a pantser you can just relax and fill your brain with all kinds of "useless information" as you Google to your heart's content. It will all become fodder for your subconscious as you start writing later. Of course, if you're a plotter you may find you're creating your story outline as you find more and more interesting tidbits through Google, Wikipedia, and more.

Remember, Chris has several different series of videos on his YouTube channel (ChrisFoxWrites) that may help you with various aspects of writing as well as marketing. He also has lots of information on his website, ChrisFoxWrites.

I hope this helped you with ideas on where to get more ideas! Happy Writing! :-D

]]>Chris Fox came on the show last week to talk about his new book, Plot Gardening. I've been reading the book and making notes as I go through it, and it occurred to me that I might be able to help you as you work through a new book or try to figure out what to do with one in progress.

In Chris's book, he talks about how to build the characters, the plot, the world, a step at a time. One question he asked was - how is your book different from others in your genre. As always, my first thought was, "I don't know. Uh-oh! It isn't!" :-D

But that's not necessarily true - our books can be quite unlike others, unique in their own fashion, but still within the tropes of our genre. How?

Just for the fun of it, Google "<your genre> tropes." I Googled "romance tropes," "horror tropes," "suspense tropes," and others, and found a long list of websites, PDFs, and YouTube videos explaining all the things readers have come to expect from those genres. They can give you ideas, or help you refine an idea you already have.

Don't worry, if you're a pantser you can just relax and fill your brain with all kinds of "useless information" as you Google to your heart's content. It will all become fodder for your subconscious as you start writing later. Of course, if you're a plotter you may find you're creating your story outline as you find more and more interesting tidbits through Google, Wikipedia, and more.

Remember, Chris has several different series of videos on his YouTube channel (ChrisFoxWrites) that may help you with various aspects of writing as well as marketing. He also has lots of information on his website, ChrisFoxWrites.

I hope this helped you with ideas on where to get more ideas! Happy Writing! :-D

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=1845Tue, 29 May 2018 14:49:00 -070020:50falsefull069E – Play, Work, and HealingI've been reminded these last couple of weeks of the importance in my life of play - and how incredibly underestimated its value has become in my life over the last seven or eight years.

I've been talking about the importance of the words we use - out loud and inside our heads, and how positive self-talk can help us be more joyful.

Hitting the Restart button is another mantra of mine. We can always stop and start again - stop a negative thought pattern and restart it with something positive, stop telling ourselves we aren't good enough and restart the thought by affirming that we're always still learning. We can't change our situations in an instant, or even a day, but I like to say that if we stay in Today's Box, we can work on the things we can change today.

How does all this apply to playing and working and healing? Play is an important part of our makeup as human beings. But as we become adults with more and more responsibilities, we push ourselves to work harder, leaving less and less time for play. We consider play and procrastination to be different words for the same thing.

But when I restarted a focus on playing over the last couple weeks, I made an amazing discovery. Not only was playing healing what ailed me in my heart and mind, but I became more productive during my work hours! I actually got more done, but without the anvil-lined cloud that previously hung over my head.

I hope this episode helps you think about the relationship between play and work in your life. And if necessary, I hope you also find answers that lead to healing.

]]>I've been reminded these last couple of weeks of the importance in my life of play - and how incredibly underestimated its value has become in my life over the last seven or eight years.

I've been talking about the importance of the words we use - out loud and inside our heads, and how positive self-talk can help us be more joyful.

Hitting the Restart button is another mantra of mine. We can always stop and start again - stop a negative thought pattern and restart it with something positive, stop telling ourselves we aren't good enough and restart the thought by affirming that we're always still learning. We can't change our situations in an instant, or even a day, but I like to say that if we stay in Today's Box, we can work on the things we can change today.

How does all this apply to playing and working and healing? Play is an important part of our makeup as human beings. But as we become adults with more and more responsibilities, we push ourselves to work harder, leaving less and less time for play. We consider play and procrastination to be different words for the same thing.

But when I restarted a focus on playing over the last couple weeks, I made an amazing discovery. Not only was playing healing what ailed me in my heart and mind, but I became more productive during my work hours! I actually got more done, but without the anvil-lined cloud that previously hung over my head.

I hope this episode helps you think about the relationship between play and work in your life. And if necessary, I hope you also find answers that lead to healing.

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=1839Sun, 27 May 2018 08:00:00 -070015:56falsefull068I – Plot Gardening: An Interview with Chris FoxChris Fox is the author of his newest book, Plot Gardening, as well as Write to Market, 5000 Words Per Hour, and his latest favorite series, the Magitech Chronicles. He has been a full-time indie author since 2016, and spends his free time hiking, and making stuff up.

In today's episode, Chris explains how his new book, Plot Gardening, will help you get started on a new book or series idea in a way that helps you dig deeper to write better stories. It works for both plotters and pantsers (those who write by the seat of their pants), and it can help writers think more creatively to come up with a signature series that really draws people in.

As with most writing books, you won't find it as helpful if you don't apply what you learn! Each chapter ends with exercises you can stop and do right away, or you can read through to the end of the book and find all of the exercises listed together so you can work your way through them.

Chris points out that plotters may find the techniques in his book will especially help them with world building and the kind of discovery writing at the beginning that helps them come up with better plots and characters. Pantsers may find that the book helps them better understand story structure so that when they make up the story as they write, they're unconsciously following a better structural pattern for the book.

If you're the kind of person who has more than one book idea in your head at a time, this technique can also help you get all your ideas down and help them grow in the back of your mind while you're working on your current book.

It's definitely a book worth reading! You can also listen to Chris's YouTube video series on Plot Gardening to hear more about it.

]]>Chris Fox is the author of his newest book, Plot Gardening, as well as Write to Market, 5000 Words Per Hour, and his latest favorite series, the Magitech Chronicles. He has been a full-time indie author since 2016, and spends his free time hiking, and making stuff up.

In today's episode, Chris explains how his new book, Plot Gardening, will help you get started on a new book or series idea in a way that helps you dig deeper to write better stories. It works for both plotters and pantsers (those who write by the seat of their pants), and it can help writers think more creatively to come up with a signature series that really draws people in.

As with most writing books, you won't find it as helpful if you don't apply what you learn! Each chapter ends with exercises you can stop and do right away, or you can read through to the end of the book and find all of the exercises listed together so you can work your way through them.

Chris points out that plotters may find the techniques in his book will especially help them with world building and the kind of discovery writing at the beginning that helps them come up with better plots and characters. Pantsers may find that the book helps them better understand story structure so that when they make up the story as they write, they're unconsciously following a better structural pattern for the book.

If you're the kind of person who has more than one book idea in your head at a time, this technique can also help you get all your ideas down and help them grow in the back of your mind while you're working on your current book.

It's definitely a book worth reading! You can also listen to Chris's YouTube video series on Plot Gardening to hear more about it.

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=1834Thu, 24 May 2018 08:00:00 -070036:46falsefull067T – Using Laura Drake’s Checklist for OpeningsLast Thursday, author Laura Drake spoke to us about how to improve the first five pages of your novel to grab an editor's or reader's attention. She very kindly offered listeners a copy of her Checklist for Openings, a document she created to remind herself how to make her book and chapter beginnings the best they can be.

Today I pulled a few items off the list and talked about how they work and why they're important. I discuss the Story/Style Promise, Power Words, Compelling Cadence, and Universal Need and how they help the reader get more involved in your story from the very beginning.

If you haven't listened to my interview with Laura yet, do it today and then contact her and ask for a copy of her checklist. Happy Writing!

]]>Last Thursday, author Laura Drake spoke to us about how to improve the first five pages of your novel to grab an editor's or reader's attention. She very kindly offered listeners a copy of her Checklist for Openings, a document she created to remind herself how to make her book and chapter beginnings the best they can be.

Today I pulled a few items off the list and talked about how they work and why they're important. I discuss the Story/Style Promise, Power Words, Compelling Cadence, and Universal Need and how they help the reader get more involved in your story from the very beginning.

If you haven't listened to my interview with Laura yet, do it today and then contact her and ask for a copy of her checklist. Happy Writing!

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=1828Tue, 22 May 2018 08:58:00 -070015:40falsefull066E – When Expectations Don’t Meet RealityI've been doing some work the last week or two on recovering my lost joy and regaining deep peace. I've found a lot of helpful references in my Bible and with my friends.

But a lot of introspection led me to think about the adage that frustration comes when expectations don't meet reality. That's so true, isn't it? And it certainly speaks to my life the last few years.

Knowing the root cause of my problem was a huge break-through in beginning to solve it! I share some things I've found to help me - like taking every thought captive and looking at it to see if it's really true or just feels true. I hope it gives you some food for thought, and encourages you to get more peace and joy in your life.

]]>I've been doing some work the last week or two on recovering my lost joy and regaining deep peace. I've found a lot of helpful references in my Bible and with my friends.

But a lot of introspection led me to think about the adage that frustration comes when expectations don't meet reality. That's so true, isn't it? And it certainly speaks to my life the last few years.

Knowing the root cause of my problem was a huge break-through in beginning to solve it! I share some things I've found to help me - like taking every thought captive and looking at it to see if it's really true or just feels true. I hope it gives you some food for thought, and encourages you to get more peace and joy in your life.

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=1775Sun, 20 May 2018 08:00:00 -070007:58falsefull065I – The First Five Pages: An Interview with Laura DrakeExplicit Warning for this episode

Award-winning author Laura Drake shares with us what she's learned about making the first five pages of your novel the absolute best they can be from her years working with an editor in traditional publishing. She's currently writing for Grand Central.

Among the tips she offers:

• People come to books for the characters
• Great plots without great characters might have remained unsold books
• Hint at the character's backstory just enough so it raises questions in the reader's mind
• Hint at the character himself so that readers begin to care right away - who is he, what does he want, and why should we care about what he cares about?
• Start the first chapter as late as you can into the story you're telling
• Opening lines are very important! Go read some of the best ones and learn from them (NOTE: Laura reads an opening line that includes the F-word several times; you may want to listen to this episode when small children aren't present)
• The key to backstory isn't mechanical; it's visceral

Laura has kindly offered to give listeners an "opening checklist" she created and uses herself. Please email her from her website at LauraDrakeBooks.com. You can also follow Laura on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google +, and Blogger by clicking on the buttons on her website.

]]>Explicit Warning for this episode

Award-winning author Laura Drake shares with us what she's learned about making the first five pages of your novel the absolute best they can be from her years working with an editor in traditional publishing. She's currently writing for Grand Central.

Among the tips she offers:

• People come to books for the characters
• Great plots without great characters might have remained unsold books
• Hint at the character's backstory just enough so it raises questions in the reader's mind
• Hint at the character himself so that readers begin to care right away - who is he, what does he want, and why should we care about what he cares about?
• Start the first chapter as late as you can into the story you're telling
• Opening lines are very important! Go read some of the best ones and learn from them (NOTE: Laura reads an opening line that includes the F-word several times; you may want to listen to this episode when small children aren't present)
• The key to backstory isn't mechanical; it's visceral

Laura has kindly offered to give listeners an "opening checklist" she created and uses herself. Please email her from her website at LauraDrakeBooks.com. You can also follow Laura on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google +, and Blogger by clicking on the buttons on her website.

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=1770Thu, 17 May 2018 08:30:00 -070036:07truefull064T – Need a Vacation?One of the most obvious reasons we start thinking about vacation is the approach of summer - which is the case in the Northern Hemisphere right now. Maybe you have plans to go someplace exciting, or visit family, or stay home and relax.

If you're in the Southern Hemisphere right now, you might have had an exciting, busy summer and now you need a vacation from your vacation! :-D Or maybe you are happy to be getting a break from being with your adorable but exhausting offspring 24/7.

Maybe you are about to start a new book, or your company is about to do a big push at work. You might be thinking that now is a good time to go fill your creative well, catch up on sleep, and otherwise get ready to work super hard for the next couple of months. Another great reason to take a vacation!

As for me, I just need a break. My life has been a whirlwind for the last few years and I haven't been able to take the time and do what I need to catch my breath and recover. I'm emotionally drained. I though a week or two of watching movies and reading books would bounce me back to my former self, but today I had a new thought.

You know how one of our storytelling techniques is to give the protagonist a goal of what he thinks he needs, but then we help him find what he actually needs? I think we need to apply that to ourselves every now and then.

I thought I needed to just sit quietly and relax and enjoy other story worlds. But I now believe that I really need to renew my emotional and spiritual foundations, spend some time talking to God and reading my Bible to re-find lost joy and missing peace.

What about you? What do you think you need? Now give it some more thought and ask yourself if that's what you really need.

]]>One of the most obvious reasons we start thinking about vacation is the approach of summer - which is the case in the Northern Hemisphere right now. Maybe you have plans to go someplace exciting, or visit family, or stay home and relax.

If you're in the Southern Hemisphere right now, you might have had an exciting, busy summer and now you need a vacation from your vacation! :-D Or maybe you are happy to be getting a break from being with your adorable but exhausting offspring 24/7.

Maybe you are about to start a new book, or your company is about to do a big push at work. You might be thinking that now is a good time to go fill your creative well, catch up on sleep, and otherwise get ready to work super hard for the next couple of months. Another great reason to take a vacation!

As for me, I just need a break. My life has been a whirlwind for the last few years and I haven't been able to take the time and do what I need to catch my breath and recover. I'm emotionally drained. I though a week or two of watching movies and reading books would bounce me back to my former self, but today I had a new thought.

You know how one of our storytelling techniques is to give the protagonist a goal of what he thinks he needs, but then we help him find what he actually needs? I think we need to apply that to ourselves every now and then.

I thought I needed to just sit quietly and relax and enjoy other story worlds. But I now believe that I really need to renew my emotional and spiritual foundations, spend some time talking to God and reading my Bible to re-find lost joy and missing peace.

What about you? What do you think you need? Now give it some more thought and ask yourself if that's what you really need.

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=1763Tue, 15 May 2018 08:00:00 -070018:47falsefull063E – Delight Leads to DisciplineHave you ever been so crazy tired that nothing appeals to you anymore and you can't remember why you used to love this, or what exactly about that used to delight you?

I kinda feel that way right now. I was telling my friend that I don't know if I even want to be a writer anymore because I'm too tired to see it as anything other than another weight on my shoulders, something that "should" be done.

As I talked over my thoughts on this, I started getting my own little ah-ha moments - and I hope you find yours as you listen!

Other podcast episodes I mention are this one with Graham Cooke talking about a guy who said it's not discipline that makes him the best in his field, it's the fact that he loves to do it! And this one on The Creative Penn Podcast where Joanna Penn interviews Charlie Hoehn about play.

]]>Have you ever been so crazy tired that nothing appeals to you anymore and you can't remember why you used to love this, or what exactly about that used to delight you?

I kinda feel that way right now. I was telling my friend that I don't know if I even want to be a writer anymore because I'm too tired to see it as anything other than another weight on my shoulders, something that "should" be done.

As I talked over my thoughts on this, I started getting my own little ah-ha moments - and I hope you find yours as you listen!

Other podcast episodes I mention are this one with Graham Cooke talking about a guy who said it's not discipline that makes him the best in his field, it's the fact that he loves to do it! And this one on The Creative Penn Podcast where Joanna Penn interviews Charlie Hoehn about play.

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=1758Sun, 13 May 2018 08:00:00 -070014:04falsefull062I – Screenwriting Tips From the Experts: An Interview with Lee and Janet Scott BatchlerLee Batchler and Janet Scott Batchler are the writers of POMPEII, SMOKE AND MIRRORS, and BATMAN FOREVER, among many other projects. They have recently moved into producing, with Executive Producer credits on a movie to be released in 2018. In addition, Janet is a writing professor at the University of Southern California's School of Cinematic Arts.

If you're interested in screenwriting, or even just another perspective on story, you'll love this interview! Among some of the tips they offer:

• When co-writing, you're looking for the third writer, creating a product that neither of you could have written on your own
• It's nice to map something out, but writing is also a process of discovery
• You have to have a story that's worth telling
• Writing a pilot for TV isn't about writing one great hour of television, it's about having such a great idea that you can write one hundred great hours of television
• Write something that is emotionally authentic
• Respect the nature of what you're writing - a screenplay isn't a novel in another form
• and so much more!

I hope you enjoy the episode! :-D

]]>Lee Batchler and Janet Scott Batchler are the writers of POMPEII, SMOKE AND MIRRORS, and BATMAN FOREVER, among many other projects. They have recently moved into producing, with Executive Producer credits on a movie to be released in 2018. In addition, Janet is a writing professor at the University of Southern California's School of Cinematic Arts.

If you're interested in screenwriting, or even just another perspective on story, you'll love this interview! Among some of the tips they offer:

• When co-writing, you're looking for the third writer, creating a product that neither of you could have written on your own
• It's nice to map something out, but writing is also a process of discovery
• You have to have a story that's worth telling
• Writing a pilot for TV isn't about writing one great hour of television, it's about having such a great idea that you can write one hundred great hours of television
• Write something that is emotionally authentic
• Respect the nature of what you're writing - a screenplay isn't a novel in another form
• and so much more!

I hope you enjoy the episode! :-D

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=1750Thu, 10 May 2018 08:00:00 -070041:55falsefull061T – Let’s Talk About the WeatherAs spring jumps into summer in the Northern Hemisphere, I've been thinking a lot about the weather. Where does the weather fit in our stories? How can we make it more interesting, not just a box we tick off our list of Everything That Goes Into a Scene?

One way is to use the weather to make a twist in the story. A bright and sunny kitchen makes most people think happy thoughts. But what if there is a bowl of fruit moldering on the table?

What do the words "It was a dark and stormy night" conjure in your mind? For most people, something scary or threatening. But what if it's just an excuse for a fire and hot cocoa and cuddling on the couch? A storm that knocks out the electricity is a trope in many a horror or suspense tale. But in my childhood, it meant a campout with flashlights and finger food and fun in the living room.

You don't want the weather to be another caricature in your story. You do want it to add emotion to your setting.

Remember, emotion - particularly curiosity - keeps readers reading!

 

]]>As spring jumps into summer in the Northern Hemisphere, I've been thinking a lot about the weather. Where does the weather fit in our stories? How can we make it more interesting, not just a box we tick off our list of Everything That Goes Into a Scene?

One way is to use the weather to make a twist in the story. A bright and sunny kitchen makes most people think happy thoughts. But what if there is a bowl of fruit moldering on the table?

What do the words "It was a dark and stormy night" conjure in your mind? For most people, something scary or threatening. But what if it's just an excuse for a fire and hot cocoa and cuddling on the couch? A storm that knocks out the electricity is a trope in many a horror or suspense tale. But in my childhood, it meant a campout with flashlights and finger food and fun in the living room.

You don't want the weather to be another caricature in your story. You do want it to add emotion to your setting.

Remember, emotion - particularly curiosity - keeps readers reading!

 

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=1745Tue, 08 May 2018 09:55:00 -070012:24falsefull060E – Planning for ChangesIn this episode, I share with you something I heard last Sunday at church - when I was supposed to be paying attention. Haha! But that's the thing. If someone is really interesting, I get caught up in the tangents in my head when they say something that gets me thinking!

Last week during the sermon, the preacher Michael told us that when he was a young man he piloted ships between Sweden and Denmark. He said they had to do passage planning from berth to berth for every trip. It sounded like this was the "map" of sorts that they used to get safely to where they were going.

But, he said, they would still have to watch and listen and be prepared to make course changes. Something could be in the way this time that they'd have to get around, or any number of other things might come up that would force a change to the passage planning they'd done.

This reminded me of the plans I make for my writing - weekly goals, deadlines, publishing goals, marketing timetables, etc. - and for my life in general. We need a well-thought-out, written plan in order to achieve our many goals and to accomplish them with excellence. We won't get nearly as far or do as well if we decide what we're going to do only when we wake up that morning.

But things happen - little things even more than big things - and they throw us off course. If we're not watching and listening and paying attention, like Michael said he had to as a ship's pilot, we can hit snares and roadblocks that throw us off course in a way that we aren't prepared for.

We hear this with some frequency - regular life can get in the way of our plans. But until we embrace it as a normal part of our day, the way a ship's captain daily understands that anything may alter his course to some degree, we tend to get upset by every little thing that comes up. Or we fall apart when the 77th detour makes us want to tear our hair out - or quit.

So have a plan. Write it down. And then watch and listen and pay attention to see when you need to make adjustments. Much better than throwing out the entire plan altogether!

]]>In this episode, I share with you something I heard last Sunday at church - when I was supposed to be paying attention. Haha! But that's the thing. If someone is really interesting, I get caught up in the tangents in my head when they say something that gets me thinking!

Last week during the sermon, the preacher Michael told us that when he was a young man he piloted ships between Sweden and Denmark. He said they had to do passage planning from berth to berth for every trip. It sounded like this was the "map" of sorts that they used to get safely to where they were going.

But, he said, they would still have to watch and listen and be prepared to make course changes. Something could be in the way this time that they'd have to get around, or any number of other things might come up that would force a change to the passage planning they'd done.

This reminded me of the plans I make for my writing - weekly goals, deadlines, publishing goals, marketing timetables, etc. - and for my life in general. We need a well-thought-out, written plan in order to achieve our many goals and to accomplish them with excellence. We won't get nearly as far or do as well if we decide what we're going to do only when we wake up that morning.

But things happen - little things even more than big things - and they throw us off course. If we're not watching and listening and paying attention, like Michael said he had to as a ship's pilot, we can hit snares and roadblocks that throw us off course in a way that we aren't prepared for.

We hear this with some frequency - regular life can get in the way of our plans. But until we embrace it as a normal part of our day, the way a ship's captain daily understands that anything may alter his course to some degree, we tend to get upset by every little thing that comes up. Or we fall apart when the 77th detour makes us want to tear our hair out - or quit.

So have a plan. Write it down. And then watch and listen and pay attention to see when you need to make adjustments. Much better than throwing out the entire plan altogether!

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=1741Sun, 06 May 2018 08:00:00 -070009:04falsefull059I – Stretches and Exercises for Writers: An Interview with Bonnie DePueLast week's guest is back for an encore presentation to give us some stretches and exercises we can do to feel better and have better brain function while we sit and type!

Bonnie DePue is an Occupational Therapist, therapeutic riding instructor, and owner and founder of CHUM Therapeutic Riding in Dansville, Michigan, in the United States. As a therapist, Bonnie uses the horse's movement and environment as a treatment strategy for children and adults with disabilities; as an instructor, she uses the therapeutic nature of horseback riding to help individuals make physical, emotional, cognitive, and psycho/social changes in their lives while learning to ride. She also runs an integrated 4H club, does research and presentations, and enjoys riding and competing herself.

In this episode, Bonnie starts by reminding us all that these are ideas for you. You need to use your common sense and listen to your own medical professionals to decide what's best for you. That being said, any time you're doing any activity for a prolonged period of time, you need to schedule in stretch breaks.

You may be thinking - I don't have time, or I don't like to exercise, or I'm not in good enough shape to do big exercises. But Bonnie gives us ideas on how to do small, easy things that will help us with our physical - and therefore, cognitive - health.

In addition to everything she mentions in this episode, and in last week's episode, we've also created a handout for you. Download this free checklist of things to remember to be at your healthiest and keep your brain working long and strong.

]]>Last week's guest is back for an encore presentation to give us some stretches and exercises we can do to feel better and have better brain function while we sit and type!

Bonnie DePue is an Occupational Therapist, therapeutic riding instructor, and owner and founder of CHUM Therapeutic Riding in Dansville, Michigan, in the United States. As a therapist, Bonnie uses the horse's movement and environment as a treatment strategy for children and adults with disabilities; as an instructor, she uses the therapeutic nature of horseback riding to help individuals make physical, emotional, cognitive, and psycho/social changes in their lives while learning to ride. She also runs an integrated 4H club, does research and presentations, and enjoys riding and competing herself.

In this episode, Bonnie starts by reminding us all that these are ideas for you. You need to use your common sense and listen to your own medical professionals to decide what's best for you. That being said, any time you're doing any activity for a prolonged period of time, you need to schedule in stretch breaks.

You may be thinking - I don't have time, or I don't like to exercise, or I'm not in good enough shape to do big exercises. But Bonnie gives us ideas on how to do small, easy things that will help us with our physical - and therefore, cognitive - health.

In addition to everything she mentions in this episode, and in last week's episode, we've also created a handout for you. Download this free checklist of things to remember to be at your healthiest and keep your brain working long and strong.

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=1731Thu, 03 May 2018 10:54:00 -070052:01falsefull058T – New Goal: Write BetterWhen I published Love at the Fluff and Fold in August 2017, I realized it was the best book I've written so far and I entered it into the RWA Rita Awards. When it didn't final, I was disappointed and took some time to try to process my feelings. In the end, I came to a decision I could live with.

Create a new goal: write better.

Since I'm still living out of suitcases, my 3-point plan is pretty simple:

1. Read more nonfiction books on writing. I brought Lisa Cron's Wired for Story and Strunk & White's The Elements of Style with me in my suitcase. I also have several similar books on my Kindle. And the library is just down the street.
2. Read more fiction across genres. My birthday was last month and I got so many books as gifts! Over the next few months, I'll be reading fantasy, romance, science fiction, dystopian, thrillers, historical, suspense, and more.
3. Do more daydreaming. And write more notes about story ideas that flit through my head, whether on paper, in Scrivener, or using voice memos on my phone.

I go into more detail in the podcast about what exactly I'm going to try to achieve through all of this. I hope you find it helpful as you find more ways to improve your own writing.

]]>When I published Love at the Fluff and Fold in August 2017, I realized it was the best book I've written so far and I entered it into the RWA Rita Awards. When it didn't final, I was disappointed and took some time to try to process my feelings. In the end, I came to a decision I could live with.

Create a new goal: write better.

Since I'm still living out of suitcases, my 3-point plan is pretty simple:

1. Read more nonfiction books on writing. I brought Lisa Cron's Wired for Story and Strunk & White's The Elements of Style with me in my suitcase. I also have several similar books on my Kindle. And the library is just down the street.
2. Read more fiction across genres. My birthday was last month and I got so many books as gifts! Over the next few months, I'll be reading fantasy, romance, science fiction, dystopian, thrillers, historical, suspense, and more.
3. Do more daydreaming. And write more notes about story ideas that flit through my head, whether on paper, in Scrivener, or using voice memos on my phone.

I go into more detail in the podcast about what exactly I'm going to try to achieve through all of this. I hope you find it helpful as you find more ways to improve your own writing.

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=1725Tue, 01 May 2018 08:00:00 -070022:10falsefull057E – Fear: Protection or Snare?Sometimes fear protects us - like when we hear a rattle snake rattling a warning while we're hiking in the desert, or when we hear a car coming when we're about to cross the street. Other times it can be a snare for us - like when we fear that agents and editors have more control over our writing careers than we do.

We need to take the time to discern what exactly we feel (are we actually excited more than fearful?) and try to figure out if what we're feeling is good for us, protecting us from something, or if it's a snare that's going to tie us to unhealthy emotions or untrue thoughts.

I hope you find this episode to be encouraging to you this week and this year!

]]>Sometimes fear protects us - like when we hear a rattle snake rattling a warning while we're hiking in the desert, or when we hear a car coming when we're about to cross the street. Other times it can be a snare for us - like when we fear that agents and editors have more control over our writing careers than we do.

We need to take the time to discern what exactly we feel (are we actually excited more than fearful?) and try to figure out if what we're feeling is good for us, protecting us from something, or if it's a snare that's going to tie us to unhealthy emotions or untrue thoughts.

I hope you find this episode to be encouraging to you this week and this year!

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=1721Sun, 29 Apr 2018 08:00:00 -070015:19falsefull056I – Feeding Your Body and Your Mind: An Interview with Bonnie DePueBonnie DePue is an Occupational Therapist, therapeutic riding instructor, and owner and founder of CHUM Therapeutic Riding in Dansville, Michigan, in the United States. As a therapist, Bonnie uses the horse's movement and environment as a treatment strategy for children and adults with disabilities; as an instructor, she uses the therapeutic nature of horseback riding to help individuals make physical, emotional, cognitive, and psycho/social changes in their lives while learning to ride. She also runs an integrated 4H club, does research and presentations, and enjoys riding and competing herself.

In this interview - recorded right after my own riding lesson - we discuss how movement not only improves physical health, but also heightens cognitive function. Bonnie gives a lot of great examples of how different kinds of movement can help us. She also talks briefly about the importance of nutrition in cognitive function, and underscores our need to drink a healthy amount of water. (Something many of us don't do!)

Writers know we should move more, but how much and how often? Bonnie gives some great advice on how to know what is best for you, and how that can change from one day to the next. Remember, fresh air - going outside, no matter the weather - for even a few minutes will help us, too.

If you're interested in the aromatherapy brand Bonnie mentions in the interview, here is the link:

https://www.youngliving.com/en_US/products/c/essential-oil-products

Bonnie ends the interview by saying, "Creativity comes best when I step away from what I think I must do and go do what I enjoy. At those moments, I have to remind myself that I'm at my best when the passions that God has given me are filling my well. When my well is dry, I'm not any good to anybody and I'm not creative."

Download this free checklist of things to remember to be at your healthiest and keep your brain working long and strong.

]]>Bonnie DePue is an Occupational Therapist, therapeutic riding instructor, and owner and founder of CHUM Therapeutic Riding in Dansville, Michigan, in the United States. As a therapist, Bonnie uses the horse's movement and environment as a treatment strategy for children and adults with disabilities; as an instructor, she uses the therapeutic nature of horseback riding to help individuals make physical, emotional, cognitive, and psycho/social changes in their lives while learning to ride. She also runs an integrated 4H club, does research and presentations, and enjoys riding and competing herself.

In this interview - recorded right after my own riding lesson - we discuss how movement not only improves physical health, but also heightens cognitive function. Bonnie gives a lot of great examples of how different kinds of movement can help us. She also talks briefly about the importance of nutrition in cognitive function, and underscores our need to drink a healthy amount of water. (Something many of us don't do!)

Writers know we should move more, but how much and how often? Bonnie gives some great advice on how to know what is best for you, and how that can change from one day to the next. Remember, fresh air - going outside, no matter the weather - for even a few minutes will help us, too.

If you're interested in the aromatherapy brand Bonnie mentions in the interview, here is the link:

https://www.youngliving.com/en_US/products/c/essential-oil-products

Bonnie ends the interview by saying, "Creativity comes best when I step away from what I think I must do and go do what I enjoy. At those moments, I have to remind myself that I'm at my best when the passions that God has given me are filling my well. When my well is dry, I'm not any good to anybody and I'm not creative."

Download this free checklist of things to remember to be at your healthiest and keep your brain working long and strong.

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=1656Thu, 26 Apr 2018 08:00:00 -070039:42falsefull055T – 10 Things You Need to Know Before You Start Self-Publishing, Pt 2 of 2Last week, in Episode 52, I went through the first half of my list of ten things you should know to help you decide if self-publishing is a path you might want to take. Today I'm going through the second half of the list so that you know what questions you need to ask yourself, and so you can eventually come to an educated decision about whether this publishing path is for you.

Continuing from last week...

6. You'll need to learn to work with other creatives - cover designers, editors, etc.

7. Which distribution channels will you use?

8. Are you prepared for the business side of self-publishing?

9. You'll need to be willing to always be learning new things.

10. Can you keep to a writing schedule even as you get busier with the business side?

I hope this helps you as you try to decide if self-publishing is for you. If you have the personality for it, it can be an incredibly rewarding publishing journey. If you don't, it can be one of the most frustrating and unfulfilling things you can do with your time.

Be honest. That will lead you down the path that is truly best for you. Good luck!

]]>Last week, in Episode 52, I went through the first half of my list of ten things you should know to help you decide if self-publishing is a path you might want to take. Today I'm going through the second half of the list so that you know what questions you need to ask yourself, and so you can eventually come to an educated decision about whether this publishing path is for you.

Continuing from last week...

6. You'll need to learn to work with other creatives - cover designers, editors, etc.

7. Which distribution channels will you use?

8. Are you prepared for the business side of self-publishing?

9. You'll need to be willing to always be learning new things.

10. Can you keep to a writing schedule even as you get busier with the business side?

I hope this helps you as you try to decide if self-publishing is for you. If you have the personality for it, it can be an incredibly rewarding publishing journey. If you don't, it can be one of the most frustrating and unfulfilling things you can do with your time.

Be honest. That will lead you down the path that is truly best for you. Good luck!

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=1709Tue, 24 Apr 2018 08:00:00 -070030:35falsefull054E – Give Yourself a BreakWhen we work hard on a big project, we tend to be tired when it's completed. You know what's the best thing to do when you're finished?

Take a break.

Seriously. But how often do we do that? How often do we say, "I want to, but I don't have time"? On the other hand, when was the last time you fell asleep on the couch on a Sunday afternoon?

Both your body and your mind need time to recover after a big and/or long-term project. (Say, writing a book, or moving to Sweden!) Depending on how long you've been pushing yourself, you may only need a day, or maybe you need a week or longer.

What if you could believe that you could be even more productive if you took a little time off once in a while? That is not procrastination, at least not a "bad" kind. You may find that breaks - even small ones - will help increase not only your productivity, but your joy as well. When you're well-rested, you worry less. These in turn lead to believing in yourself more, improving and increasing your positive self-talk, and seeing more/bigger accomplishments in the future.

I hope this episode helps encourage you to take a break when you need one. I think you're going to find it's worth your time!

]]>When we work hard on a big project, we tend to be tired when it's completed. You know what's the best thing to do when you're finished?

Take a break.

Seriously. But how often do we do that? How often do we say, "I want to, but I don't have time"? On the other hand, when was the last time you fell asleep on the couch on a Sunday afternoon?

Both your body and your mind need time to recover after a big and/or long-term project. (Say, writing a book, or moving to Sweden!) Depending on how long you've been pushing yourself, you may only need a day, or maybe you need a week or longer.

What if you could believe that you could be even more productive if you took a little time off once in a while? That is not procrastination, at least not a "bad" kind. You may find that breaks - even small ones - will help increase not only your productivity, but your joy as well. When you're well-rested, you worry less. These in turn lead to believing in yourself more, improving and increasing your positive self-talk, and seeing more/bigger accomplishments in the future.

I hope this episode helps encourage you to take a break when you need one. I think you're going to find it's worth your time!

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=1704Sun, 22 Apr 2018 08:00:00 -070008:51falsefull053I – Writing Historicals Set in WWII: An Interview with Sarah SundinAuthor Sarah Sundin just published her tenth historical romance novel set in World War II. Why such a niche period? She's heard so many stories from family members that the period just seemed right for her.

With so many books in the same era, Sarah is known as a WWII author now. It's become her brand. She publishes a blog with "Today in WWII History" facts for every day of the war. She says she keeps getting more story ideas for WWII, and so long as she does she'll keep writing in that historical period.

When giving advice to other authors, Sarah suggests that - unless you have a consuming love for one period - try writing in a variety of time periods and be known as a "historical" author. Time periods come and go in popularity, so having a broader scope can help you be more adaptable to the market.

Sarah teaches classes about writing historical fiction at various writers conferences including Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference and American Christian Fiction Writers. You can follow her at her website and blog, on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.

Check out her newest book, The Sea Before Us, book one in her new Sunrise at Normandy series.

]]>Author Sarah Sundin just published her tenth historical romance novel set in World War II. Why such a niche period? She's heard so many stories from family members that the period just seemed right for her.

With so many books in the same era, Sarah is known as a WWII author now. It's become her brand. She publishes a blog with "Today in WWII History" facts for every day of the war. She says she keeps getting more story ideas for WWII, and so long as she does she'll keep writing in that historical period.

When giving advice to other authors, Sarah suggests that - unless you have a consuming love for one period - try writing in a variety of time periods and be known as a "historical" author. Time periods come and go in popularity, so having a broader scope can help you be more adaptable to the market.

Sarah teaches classes about writing historical fiction at various writers conferences including Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference and American Christian Fiction Writers. You can follow her at her website and blog, on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.

Check out her newest book, The Sea Before Us, book one in her new Sunrise at Normandy series.

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=1699Thu, 19 Apr 2018 08:00:00 -070040:30falsefull052T – 10 Things You Need to Know Before You Start Self-Publishing, Part 1Many people believe that you need to commit to your publishing path before you even fully understand your options. They want you to choose traditional publishing or self-publishing and then learn what is required. I want to help you understand self-publishing so you can think about it and make an informed decision when you're ready.

I've presented this workshop several times, and today I've broken the "10 Things" into two episodes, the second of which will air next Tuesday. The bullet points for today are:

1. You don't have to commit right now.
2. You need to organize the information you learn so you can find it all again.
3. Choose your software, and understand what is best for which stage of self-publishing.
4. You need to create a House Style Guide.
5. Create a formatting checklist so you can remember what has to be done in what order for each book.

Listen to the episode for more details, and check back next week for Part 2!

]]>Many people believe that you need to commit to your publishing path before you even fully understand your options. They want you to choose traditional publishing or self-publishing and then learn what is required. I want to help you understand self-publishing so you can think about it and make an informed decision when you're ready.

I've presented this workshop several times, and today I've broken the "10 Things" into two episodes, the second of which will air next Tuesday. The bullet points for today are:

1. You don't have to commit right now.
2. You need to organize the information you learn so you can find it all again.
3. Choose your software, and understand what is best for which stage of self-publishing.
4. You need to create a House Style Guide.
5. Create a formatting checklist so you can remember what has to be done in what order for each book.

Listen to the episode for more details, and check back next week for Part 2!

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=1696Tue, 17 Apr 2018 08:00:00 -070022:37falsefull051E – What’s Your Kryptonite?For several mornings in a row, I woke up with the song "Kryptonite" by 3 Doors Down playing in my head. It's a good song, I like it, and it's on my superhero writing playlist. But I have no idea why it was in my head for days.

It got me thinking, though. What is my kryptonite? What takes away my energy and saps my strength? What makes me feel like I absolutely can't go on?

How about you? Have you given this much thought? In today's episode, I talk about different kinds of kryptonite - in relationships, in writing, in just about anything, there is something that can make you feel like someone just pulled the rug out from under your feet.

If we think about it so we recognize our kryptonite, we may not be as blind-sided by it when it hits us. We can find work-arounds before it saps our strength. Give it some thought and see what you can do to build up your defenses, or even find some areas where you need to make improvements.

]]>For several mornings in a row, I woke up with the song "Kryptonite" by 3 Doors Down playing in my head. It's a good song, I like it, and it's on my superhero writing playlist. But I have no idea why it was in my head for days.

It got me thinking, though. What is my kryptonite? What takes away my energy and saps my strength? What makes me feel like I absolutely can't go on?

How about you? Have you given this much thought? In today's episode, I talk about different kinds of kryptonite - in relationships, in writing, in just about anything, there is something that can make you feel like someone just pulled the rug out from under your feet.

If we think about it so we recognize our kryptonite, we may not be as blind-sided by it when it hits us. We can find work-arounds before it saps our strength. Give it some thought and see what you can do to build up your defenses, or even find some areas where you need to make improvements.

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=1692Sun, 15 Apr 2018 08:00:00 -070013:21falsefull050I – Become a Story Genius: An Interview with Lisa CronIn addition to teaching writing in the UCLA Extension writing program, Lisa Cron is the author of both Wired for Story and Story Genius. She is an energetic and enthusiastic speaker who will reignite your fire and passion for writing!

Lisa says that her first book, Wired for Story, is more of an explanation of how it all works in the audience member's brain when they are reading or watching a story. Story Genius takes it a step further and explains how to make your stories amazing.

If you're a neuroscience geek like me, there's really interesting stuff to get your mind racing along those lines. But if you just want to know, Why do people love the stories they love?, Lisa and her books will help you better understand it.

This interview is so interesting on so many levels! I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

Learn more about Lisa's take on story at her CreativeLive workshop!

]]>In addition to teaching writing in the UCLA Extension writing program, Lisa Cron is the author of both Wired for Story and Story Genius. She is an energetic and enthusiastic speaker who will reignite your fire and passion for writing!

Lisa says that her first book, Wired for Story, is more of an explanation of how it all works in the audience member's brain when they are reading or watching a story. Story Genius takes it a step further and explains how to make your stories amazing.

If you're a neuroscience geek like me, there's really interesting stuff to get your mind racing along those lines. But if you just want to know, Why do people love the stories they love?, Lisa and her books will help you better understand it.

This interview is so interesting on so many levels! I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

Learn more about Lisa's take on story at her CreativeLive workshop!

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=1685Thu, 12 Apr 2018 08:00:00 -070055:18falsefull049T – Sticky Note OrganizationI love using sticky notes to get and stay organized in my writing. They work great for both fiction and nonfiction!

You can use a variety pack and color code your brainstorming or your plotting, or you can use the plain yellow ones. (The plain yellow can be cheaper.)

They work great for flat, non-textured surfaces like counters, mirrored doors, flat walls, white boards, etc. You can also move them to printer paper or index cards.

In nonfiction, you can start throwing all your thoughts at the wall and literally see what sticks. (Sorry, I couldn't resist!) You can just keep adding to various topics or chapters, or you can move all your ideas around until you find an orderly pattern of thought that builds to a conclusion.

In fiction, you can use sticky notes to brainstorm your story before you write or near the beginning, or you can figure out and solve problems when you get stuck later. They are great for helping you find the holes in your story logic or nonfiction logic.

Creating a sticky note for each scene (fiction) or thought (nonfiction) can help you see the big picture for your book. It will be much easier to see if there are holes or if you've repeated yourself.

Despite the possibility of using an entire mirrored closet door or a hallway wall, you can make this system portable just by moving the sticky notes to paper or index cards. You can keep the paper in a binder or folder, or you can keep the index cards in binder clips or a recipe box. Then you can take your work with you when you move or when you go on a writing trip!

]]>I love using sticky notes to get and stay organized in my writing. They work great for both fiction and nonfiction!

You can use a variety pack and color code your brainstorming or your plotting, or you can use the plain yellow ones. (The plain yellow can be cheaper.)

They work great for flat, non-textured surfaces like counters, mirrored doors, flat walls, white boards, etc. You can also move them to printer paper or index cards.

In nonfiction, you can start throwing all your thoughts at the wall and literally see what sticks. (Sorry, I couldn't resist!) You can just keep adding to various topics or chapters, or you can move all your ideas around until you find an orderly pattern of thought that builds to a conclusion.

In fiction, you can use sticky notes to brainstorm your story before you write or near the beginning, or you can figure out and solve problems when you get stuck later. They are great for helping you find the holes in your story logic or nonfiction logic.

Creating a sticky note for each scene (fiction) or thought (nonfiction) can help you see the big picture for your book. It will be much easier to see if there are holes or if you've repeated yourself.

Despite the possibility of using an entire mirrored closet door or a hallway wall, you can make this system portable just by moving the sticky notes to paper or index cards. You can keep the paper in a binder or folder, or you can keep the index cards in binder clips or a recipe box. Then you can take your work with you when you move or when you go on a writing trip!

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=1678Tue, 10 Apr 2018 08:00:00 -070023:49falsefull048E – Commitment First: Choose to be True Despite ChallengesWe have a lot of freedom in life, no matter who we are. Arguably, our greatest freedom is choosing who will we be. No matter what circumstances or people put obstacles in our way, we get to choose how we react and what principles will guide us.

Choosing to be committed to those principles is a large part of what can bring peace into every day of our lives. I talk about an interesting challenge I heard - what if I committed to obey God and my guiding principles first, even before I knew what that would cost me?

We've all done it. We choose to commit to our wedding vows without having any idea what that future holds. We agree to obey our bosses, hoping they won't push the boundaries of our principles. So choosing to obey God and/or our principles before knowing what will be asked of us isn't such a huge leap.

But it can make a huge difference.

]]>We have a lot of freedom in life, no matter who we are. Arguably, our greatest freedom is choosing who will we be. No matter what circumstances or people put obstacles in our way, we get to choose how we react and what principles will guide us.

Choosing to be committed to those principles is a large part of what can bring peace into every day of our lives. I talk about an interesting challenge I heard - what if I committed to obey God and my guiding principles first, even before I knew what that would cost me?

We've all done it. We choose to commit to our wedding vows without having any idea what that future holds. We agree to obey our bosses, hoping they won't push the boundaries of our principles. So choosing to obey God and/or our principles before knowing what will be asked of us isn't such a huge leap.

But it can make a huge difference.

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=1672Sun, 08 Apr 2018 08:00:00 -070015:33falsefull047I – Why Writers Need Visual Content: An Interview with Elena DillonYA Author Elena Dillon is the queen of helping confused and terrified writers learn to do things they didn't think they could! Her website, Confused and Terrified Writer, is filled with helpful information about how to create excellent visual content for writers, as well as other helpful things, like a free how-to-use-Scrivener class.

In this incredibly helpful interview, Elena gives us a lot of information and tells us about websites we need to check out. Here are the links:

• Her video on How to Use Canva
• Her online class (which I'm in!) Visual Content Marketing for Authors - and you can get 30% off when you use the coupon code Author30
• Her free online class Scrivener Basics
• The Pinterest account for The Pink Duchess that Elena consulted on. "She rebranded it and it looks beautiful and well branded. I'm so proud! It is a lingerie site so lots of women in skimpy underwear, FYI!"
• Elena's Pinterest account
• Elena suggests looking at well-branded author Pinterest accounts for inspiration. Debra Kristi is a YA Fantasy Author. "Her Pinterest is very well branded to the genre she writes and is an amazing example of how to manage your account."
• Also look at Brenna Aubrey. "This Geek Girl Romance author's boards have her books and quotes from her books. She's done very well at keeping to just her brand even though there aren't a ton of boards; what she's got is good."
• Tailwind, an online app that will help you schedule posts, monitor and analyze information and more for your Pinterest and Instagram accounts

All this and more is in the interview, so check it out! And remember - use the coupon code Author30 to get 30% off Elena's excellent Visual Content Marketing for Authors class! I'll see you there! :-D

]]>YA Author Elena Dillon is the queen of helping confused and terrified writers learn to do things they didn't think they could! Her website, Confused and Terrified Writer, is filled with helpful information about how to create excellent visual content for writers, as well as other helpful things, like a free how-to-use-Scrivener class.

In this incredibly helpful interview, Elena gives us a lot of information and tells us about websites we need to check out. Here are the links:

• Her video on How to Use Canva
• Her online class (which I'm in!) Visual Content Marketing for Authors - and you can get 30% off when you use the coupon code Author30
• Her free online class Scrivener Basics
• The Pinterest account for The Pink Duchess that Elena consulted on. "She rebranded it and it looks beautiful and well branded. I'm so proud! It is a lingerie site so lots of women in skimpy underwear, FYI!"
• Elena's Pinterest account
• Elena suggests looking at well-branded author Pinterest accounts for inspiration. Debra Kristi is a YA Fantasy Author. "Her Pinterest is very well branded to the genre she writes and is an amazing example of how to manage your account."
• Also look at Brenna Aubrey. "This Geek Girl Romance author's boards have her books and quotes from her books. She's done very well at keeping to just her brand even though there aren't a ton of boards; what she's got is good."
• Tailwind, an online app that will help you schedule posts, monitor and analyze information and more for your Pinterest and Instagram accounts

All this and more is in the interview, so check it out! And remember - use the coupon code Author30 to get 30% off Elena's excellent Visual Content Marketing for Authors class! I'll see you there! :-D

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=1664Thu, 05 Apr 2018 08:00:00 -070039:54falsefull046T – Writing on a TripI've moved a lot over the last 25 years, and taken even more trips. Whether it's an overseas move or a weekend getaway, I've had to decide over and over what I can take with me to be able to keep working on my current project(s). The usual limits are space and weight, so taking your collection of history books or all of the color-coded binders you've created about your story world is often not possible.

Neuroscientists have found that there is a limit to how many decisions the brain can make in a day. So the more we can create systems, lists, and habits that keep us from having to make the same decision over and over, the easier it will be to decide what to pack for our trips.

I share some tips from my experiences, from having a separate toiletry bag already packed with all your usual products to using a similar thought process in packing up writing stuff.

]]>I've moved a lot over the last 25 years, and taken even more trips. Whether it's an overseas move or a weekend getaway, I've had to decide over and over what I can take with me to be able to keep working on my current project(s). The usual limits are space and weight, so taking your collection of history books or all of the color-coded binders you've created about your story world is often not possible.

Neuroscientists have found that there is a limit to how many decisions the brain can make in a day. So the more we can create systems, lists, and habits that keep us from having to make the same decision over and over, the easier it will be to decide what to pack for our trips.

I share some tips from my experiences, from having a separate toiletry bag already packed with all your usual products to using a similar thought process in packing up writing stuff.

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=1650Tue, 03 Apr 2018 08:00:00 -070020:11falsefull045E – What Writers Can Learn From the Easter StorySince this episode is coming out on Easter, I thought it would be fun to look at what the Easter Story - and the story of the entire Bible - can teach us about writing a great story!

I start with the end - writing a story where the reader is asking, "How can the hero possibly get out of this situation?" Writing an ending that makes sense is important for readers, but other elements of the story must also be excellent.

How can we use foreshadowing in a way that the reader can look back and say, oh, that makes sense, I get it now. You never want your reader to feel you cheated and created an ending that pops out of nowhere.

We know it's important to understand the goals, motivations, and conflicts of the hero, but also of the other characters, including the villain of the story. Not only that, but making the reader feel like they understand why the villain is doing what they're doing, making the reader feel almost-conflicted and a little sympathetic to the villain, that will increase the reader's connection to the story even more.

I talk more about all this and more - like having a character represent "evil" rather than a nameless evil or "big corporation" or "big government" as the evil, inter-family and other interpersonal conflict, political intrigue, paranormal and supernatural elements, an interesting setting and culture - all of these things make the story more fascinating from beginning to end.

The overall story from Genesis to Revelation is full of mixed genres and all kinds of great story elements. We can learn how to become masterful storytellers by studying this masterpiece story!

]]>Since this episode is coming out on Easter, I thought it would be fun to look at what the Easter Story - and the story of the entire Bible - can teach us about writing a great story!

I start with the end - writing a story where the reader is asking, "How can the hero possibly get out of this situation?" Writing an ending that makes sense is important for readers, but other elements of the story must also be excellent.

How can we use foreshadowing in a way that the reader can look back and say, oh, that makes sense, I get it now. You never want your reader to feel you cheated and created an ending that pops out of nowhere.

We know it's important to understand the goals, motivations, and conflicts of the hero, but also of the other characters, including the villain of the story. Not only that, but making the reader feel like they understand why the villain is doing what they're doing, making the reader feel almost-conflicted and a little sympathetic to the villain, that will increase the reader's connection to the story even more.

I talk more about all this and more - like having a character represent "evil" rather than a nameless evil or "big corporation" or "big government" as the evil, inter-family and other interpersonal conflict, political intrigue, paranormal and supernatural elements, an interesting setting and culture - all of these things make the story more fascinating from beginning to end.

The overall story from Genesis to Revelation is full of mixed genres and all kinds of great story elements. We can learn how to become masterful storytellers by studying this masterpiece story!

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=1646Sun, 01 Apr 2018 08:00:00 -070017:44falsefull044I – Return to Writing in a Kindle World: An Interview with Louella NelsonBestselling author Louella Nelson is a novelist, editor, and writing teacher. After the death of her mother, Louella found it difficult to write for nearly two decades. One day, she found inspiration for a new story, and things started coming together again for her.

Louella was already editing Debra Holland's books, so she was very familiar with the Montana Sky series. Again, one morning she woke up with a complete scene of a new story in her head, and she came downstairs and typed it up. She sent it to Debra, who was considering opening up the Montana Sky series as a Kindle World, and soon Rye's Reprieve became one of the first books in the new World.

In our fun interview, Louella tells us about her experience and how it helped her return to regular writing and publishing again. She recommends her mentor, Raymond Obstfeld, as an excellent writing teacher. (He's written Novelist's Essential Guide to Crafting Scenes, Fiction First Aid, and Careers for Your Characters, as well as fiction.) She also gives encouragement to anyone who's been away from writing for a long time and wants to get back into it.

Check out all of Louella's books on her Amazon Author page, Enjoy the show!

]]>Bestselling author Louella Nelson is a novelist, editor, and writing teacher. After the death of her mother, Louella found it difficult to write for nearly two decades. One day, she found inspiration for a new story, and things started coming together again for her.

Louella was already editing Debra Holland's books, so she was very familiar with the Montana Sky series. Again, one morning she woke up with a complete scene of a new story in her head, and she came downstairs and typed it up. She sent it to Debra, who was considering opening up the Montana Sky series as a Kindle World, and soon Rye's Reprieve became one of the first books in the new World.

In our fun interview, Louella tells us about her experience and how it helped her return to regular writing and publishing again. She recommends her mentor, Raymond Obstfeld, as an excellent writing teacher. (He's written Novelist's Essential Guide to Crafting Scenes, Fiction First Aid, and Careers for Your Characters, as well as fiction.) She also gives encouragement to anyone who's been away from writing for a long time and wants to get back into it.

Check out all of Louella's books on her Amazon Author page, Enjoy the show!

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=1641Thu, 29 Mar 2018 08:00:00 -070041:07falsefull043T – Creating a Music PlaylistLots of writers use a music playlist to either get them in the mood for the piece they're working on, or to actually have playing in the background as they pound out the words. I can't listen to music with lyrics when I'm writing. I either stop writing and sing along, or I get distracted by the other "story" I'm hearing in the lyrics.

Today I share how I created my first writing playlist, what songs are on it and why, and give you some ideas for how you can start one for your own writing. Remember that music and writing are both about telling a story in a certain mood, so if you write in different genres you'll need more than one playlist.

]]>Lots of writers use a music playlist to either get them in the mood for the piece they're working on, or to actually have playing in the background as they pound out the words. I can't listen to music with lyrics when I'm writing. I either stop writing and sing along, or I get distracted by the other "story" I'm hearing in the lyrics.

Today I share how I created my first writing playlist, what songs are on it and why, and give you some ideas for how you can start one for your own writing. Remember that music and writing are both about telling a story in a certain mood, so if you write in different genres you'll need more than one playlist.

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=1638Tue, 27 Mar 2018 08:00:00 -070020:56falsefull042E – Empathy Adds Flavor to LifeRecently, a friend said to me that she understands how much work it is to move often because she had a period in her life when she moved a lot. Her empathy - understanding because you've been there - almost undid me.

Sympathy - compassion for others despite not having been in their situation - is a great gift to give and receive. But when someone really knows what you're going through, it feels like you're not alone. That's why we humans create support groups!

So it's important to remember that we can give sympathy and empathy to the other writers around us and help them get through tough times. From a welcoming hello to a first-timer at a conference to supporting a friend through a rejection or bad review to helping someone who feels they can't write anymore, there are a myriad of ways to extend care for others.

I hope you're finding people with whom you can share both sympathy and empathy. Be willing to open up about the difficult things you're facing when you're in a safe environment. It may take time to find the right people, and some people will be good for sharing this situation but not that one. In the end, it will be worth it when you find people you can share with. :)

]]>Recently, a friend said to me that she understands how much work it is to move often because she had a period in her life when she moved a lot. Her empathy - understanding because you've been there - almost undid me.

Sympathy - compassion for others despite not having been in their situation - is a great gift to give and receive. But when someone really knows what you're going through, it feels like you're not alone. That's why we humans create support groups!

So it's important to remember that we can give sympathy and empathy to the other writers around us and help them get through tough times. From a welcoming hello to a first-timer at a conference to supporting a friend through a rejection or bad review to helping someone who feels they can't write anymore, there are a myriad of ways to extend care for others.

I hope you're finding people with whom you can share both sympathy and empathy. Be willing to open up about the difficult things you're facing when you're in a safe environment. It may take time to find the right people, and some people will be good for sharing this situation but not that one. In the end, it will be worth it when you find people you can share with. :)

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=1634Sun, 25 Mar 2018 08:00:00 -070012:31falsefull041I – A Kindle World First-Timer: An Interview with Kristy PhillipsKristy Phillips first started writing in Amazon's Kindle Worlds only a few months ago after a conversation with Debra Holland, author and creator of the Montana Sky series. When Debra heard Kristy writes gold rush stories, she asked her to consider writing in her Kindle World. Now Kristy has the first book out in her Copper Creek mini-series.

Kristy talks about the differences in publishing her own books through Kindle Direct Publishing versus having Amazon give her a contract and publish her books in a more traditional manner.

There are pros and cons to not having 100% control of your product, but a big pro is that there are dozens of other writers in the Kindle World that you can cross-promote with! The idea that a rising tide lifts all boats visibly works in marketing the Montana Sky series, so it is probably doing the same in other Kindle Worlds.

One of the other fun parts for Kristy in writing in the Montana Sky series is being able to bring in real people for cameo appearances - like Mark Twain!

She suggests reading and familiarizing yourself with a Kindle World you're interested in before you begin writing. Not just the books by the world's creator, but those of other authors in the world, too. It will help you develop the right feel for the series as you write.

Educate yourself and know what you're getting into, Kristy says, and you'll be able to develop a pros and cons list for you.

Find out more about Kristy and her books at her website, her blog, on her Amazon author page, and visit her The Prima Momma blog for fun peeks into her life.

]]>Kristy Phillips first started writing in Amazon's Kindle Worlds only a few months ago after a conversation with Debra Holland, author and creator of the Montana Sky series. When Debra heard Kristy writes gold rush stories, she asked her to consider writing in her Kindle World. Now Kristy has the first book out in her Copper Creek mini-series.

Kristy talks about the differences in publishing her own books through Kindle Direct Publishing versus having Amazon give her a contract and publish her books in a more traditional manner.

There are pros and cons to not having 100% control of your product, but a big pro is that there are dozens of other writers in the Kindle World that you can cross-promote with! The idea that a rising tide lifts all boats visibly works in marketing the Montana Sky series, so it is probably doing the same in other Kindle Worlds.

One of the other fun parts for Kristy in writing in the Montana Sky series is being able to bring in real people for cameo appearances - like Mark Twain!

She suggests reading and familiarizing yourself with a Kindle World you're interested in before you begin writing. Not just the books by the world's creator, but those of other authors in the world, too. It will help you develop the right feel for the series as you write.

Educate yourself and know what you're getting into, Kristy says, and you'll be able to develop a pros and cons list for you.

Find out more about Kristy and her books at her website, her blog, on her Amazon author page, and visit her The Prima Momma blog for fun peeks into her life.

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=1630Thu, 22 Mar 2018 09:00:00 -070037:45falsefull040T – Starting Your Story BibleIf you're writing a series, it won't take long to find you've forgotten some of the details from your earlier books. What car did she drive again? Did he rent an apartment or buy a condo? Did she have a political science degree or an economics degree?

Starting a story bible from the beginning - or at least starting it now - will help you remember what happened when, to whom, and whose cousin got in trouble for it.

I go over some of the basic things you should keep in your story bible as well as more detailed information. If you want more ideas on how to get started, one of my favorite articles on building a story bible is this old one from the Fantasy, Futuristic & Paranormal chapter of Romance Writers of America. I no longer use paper and binder (as this article suggested), but I do pretty much the same thing using subdocuments in a Scrivener file.

Here is another take on it from the same group. In fact, if you search for "series bible" or "book bible" or "story bible," you will find a lot of great advice from different perspectives. Good luck!

]]>If you're writing a series, it won't take long to find you've forgotten some of the details from your earlier books. What car did she drive again? Did he rent an apartment or buy a condo? Did she have a political science degree or an economics degree?

Starting a story bible from the beginning - or at least starting it now - will help you remember what happened when, to whom, and whose cousin got in trouble for it.

I go over some of the basic things you should keep in your story bible as well as more detailed information. If you want more ideas on how to get started, one of my favorite articles on building a story bible is this old one from the Fantasy, Futuristic & Paranormal chapter of Romance Writers of America. I no longer use paper and binder (as this article suggested), but I do pretty much the same thing using subdocuments in a Scrivener file.

Here is another take on it from the same group. In fact, if you search for "series bible" or "book bible" or "story bible," you will find a lot of great advice from different perspectives. Good luck!

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=1627Tue, 20 Mar 2018 09:00:00 -070026:00falsefull039E – What Writing Is – And Isn’tI love Stephen King's book, On Writing, and today I share a quote from it. I completely believe that our gifts and talents as writers are meant to be used to make the world a better place.

We are entertainers, teachers, encouragers, pioneers, and so much more! Your words need to be heard. People need you to encourage them - to hang in there, to keep going, to share a helping hand, to stand up, to relax, to think about more than what's for dinner and the weekend's plans.

Your voice is important. And when you use it to help and encourage other people, you are bound to enrich and improve your own life as well. Just like Stephen King says.

]]>I love Stephen King's book, On Writing, and today I share a quote from it. I completely believe that our gifts and talents as writers are meant to be used to make the world a better place.

We are entertainers, teachers, encouragers, pioneers, and so much more! Your words need to be heard. People need you to encourage them - to hang in there, to keep going, to share a helping hand, to stand up, to relax, to think about more than what's for dinner and the weekend's plans.

Your voice is important. And when you use it to help and encourage other people, you are bound to enrich and improve your own life as well. Just like Stephen King says.

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=1624Sun, 18 Mar 2018 09:00:00 -070011:29falsefull038I – Writing a Kindle World Mini-Series: An Interview with Linda Carroll-BraddLinda Carroll-Bradd writes heartwarming contemporary and historical romances with a touch of humor. She is the author of the Entertainers of the West mini-series within Debra Holland's Montana Sky Kindle World.

Linda talks with us about what it's like to write in someone else's world, and how she created her mini-series within the Montana Sky series as well as how she got involved in other kinds of book series with other authors.

She shares some of the research she has to do in order to make the books come alive and feel real to the reader. She suggests understanding the story world's canon or bible in order to write books that will be successful in that series. Also, look for ways to include real historical events and people in your story.

Look for Linda's books on Amazon, and follow her on her blog, Facebook, Goodreads, Twitter, and BookBub. If you're interested in Linda's book editing services, check out her website at Lustre Editing.

]]>Linda Carroll-Bradd writes heartwarming contemporary and historical romances with a touch of humor. She is the author of the Entertainers of the West mini-series within Debra Holland's Montana Sky Kindle World.

Linda talks with us about what it's like to write in someone else's world, and how she created her mini-series within the Montana Sky series as well as how she got involved in other kinds of book series with other authors.

She shares some of the research she has to do in order to make the books come alive and feel real to the reader. She suggests understanding the story world's canon or bible in order to write books that will be successful in that series. Also, look for ways to include real historical events and people in your story.

Look for Linda's books on Amazon, and follow her on her blog, Facebook, Goodreads, Twitter, and BookBub. If you're interested in Linda's book editing services, check out her website at Lustre Editing.

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=1618Thu, 15 Mar 2018 09:00:00 -070056:35falsefull037T – Write Down the Bad StuffAfter a bad day, I took a long walk and had a great idea! Today I share with you how to take the crappy things that happen in life and make our books and characters so much better.

If you can get through the rough and terrible things that happen in life, why should your characters get off any easier? After all, whether we want to learn and grow through the difficulties we face, the fact is we almost always come out the other side a better person. Or at least we have a shot at it.

So many of us writers don't want to be too mean to our characters. We like them, we might even love them, and we want happy, wonderful things to happen to them. But reading or watching stories like that is usually boring. Even the sweetest, lightest Hallmark movie has a person with a problem to solve.

So give them yours! You know how it feels, and emotion is one of the biggest things that get our readers to love our books. Create a file or a journal and write down the things that happen to you, how you felt about it, how long it took you to get through it physically, how long it took emotionally, the range of feelings during that time, what other people were saying to you (helpful and unhelpful), even the sights and sounds and smells you remember.

Then create a list of keywords under each bullet point entry so you can search your growing document in the future for the just the right kind of special torture to inflict on your characters next. You survived it - they will, too! And your readers will love it. :-D

]]>After a bad day, I took a long walk and had a great idea! Today I share with you how to take the crappy things that happen in life and make our books and characters so much better.

If you can get through the rough and terrible things that happen in life, why should your characters get off any easier? After all, whether we want to learn and grow through the difficulties we face, the fact is we almost always come out the other side a better person. Or at least we have a shot at it.

So many of us writers don't want to be too mean to our characters. We like them, we might even love them, and we want happy, wonderful things to happen to them. But reading or watching stories like that is usually boring. Even the sweetest, lightest Hallmark movie has a person with a problem to solve.

So give them yours! You know how it feels, and emotion is one of the biggest things that get our readers to love our books. Create a file or a journal and write down the things that happen to you, how you felt about it, how long it took you to get through it physically, how long it took emotionally, the range of feelings during that time, what other people were saying to you (helpful and unhelpful), even the sights and sounds and smells you remember.

Then create a list of keywords under each bullet point entry so you can search your growing document in the future for the just the right kind of special torture to inflict on your characters next. You survived it - they will, too! And your readers will love it. :-D

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=1614Tue, 13 Mar 2018 09:00:00 -070020:11falsefull036E – Beating OverwhelmOne of the easiest ways to encourage you is to share what's going on in my life, including the hard things, and tell you how I've learned to deal with them or ideas I'm trying to make life easier.

On the day I recorded this episode, I was so overwhelmed with the amount of work that had to be done to get us ready to move to another country, and the roadblocks I kept running into, I was literally lying on the floor, paralyzed with overwhelm.

But lying there, taking a deep breath for the first time in hours, I thought, "I just need some coping techniques to get through this." Then I remembered - I have some! So I decided to share my experience with you and remind you of things you can do to keep from getting overwhelmed by the things going on in your life, or just in your writing life.

]]>One of the easiest ways to encourage you is to share what's going on in my life, including the hard things, and tell you how I've learned to deal with them or ideas I'm trying to make life easier.

On the day I recorded this episode, I was so overwhelmed with the amount of work that had to be done to get us ready to move to another country, and the roadblocks I kept running into, I was literally lying on the floor, paralyzed with overwhelm.

But lying there, taking a deep breath for the first time in hours, I thought, "I just need some coping techniques to get through this." Then I remembered - I have some! So I decided to share my experience with you and remind you of things you can do to keep from getting overwhelmed by the things going on in your life, or just in your writing life.

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=1611Sat, 10 Mar 2018 10:00:00 -070013:56falsefull035I – Writing in a Kindle World: An Interview with Debra HollandDebra Holland is the creator and original author of the Montana Sky series of books, which became a Kindle World on Amazon. That means other authors can choose to write in the fictional world she created. Debra explains how Kindle Worlds work, and how they are different from each other in terms of how the creators work with the other authors.

She also discusses how the contracts and royalties work, how authors in her private group work together to cross-promote all the books together, things you need to understand about writing in a world that readers already have expectations about, and things she's learned along the way.

One more suggestion from Debra, even if you're not writing in a Kindle World - if you're going to write a series, start a book bible from the very beginning! It's difficult to begin one 18 books into the series. ;)

If you're interested in writing in a Kindle World, check out the list of them here.

]]>Debra Holland is the creator and original author of the Montana Sky series of books, which became a Kindle World on Amazon. That means other authors can choose to write in the fictional world she created. Debra explains how Kindle Worlds work, and how they are different from each other in terms of how the creators work with the other authors.

She also discusses how the contracts and royalties work, how authors in her private group work together to cross-promote all the books together, things you need to understand about writing in a world that readers already have expectations about, and things she's learned along the way.

One more suggestion from Debra, even if you're not writing in a Kindle World - if you're going to write a series, start a book bible from the very beginning! It's difficult to begin one 18 books into the series. ;)

If you're interested in writing in a Kindle World, check out the list of them here.

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=1606Thu, 08 Mar 2018 10:00:00 -070038:35falsefull034T – The Power of the N WordNetworking. A word that has the power to strike fear into the hearts of introverts everywhere!

But it doesn't have to be that way. Perhaps the easiest way to get started in overcoming your fears is to begin by finding someone else in the room who looks as uncomfortable as you, ask them some questions about themselves, and listen. It takes all the pressure off you, and other people like it. :-)

I talk about a few places to get started, a few not-so-scary places to make a few contacts or even new friends.

• Libraries - writer groups, reader events
• Community calendars with a list of events
• Community centers, senior centers, etc.
• Conferences - readers events or writers conferences
• National and international organizations - like Romance Writers of America, International Thriller Writers, Mystery Writers of America, and many more
• Online-only writing groups, or online-only chapters of larger organizations
• In-person or online critique groups or a single critique partner
• Volunteer at one of these events and meet people

If this still sounds a intimidating because no one really knows you're a writer yet, just put Your Name, Writer as your signature line in your email. Sometimes people reach out because they read your signature line and want to know more or share information.

]]>Networking. A word that has the power to strike fear into the hearts of introverts everywhere!

But it doesn't have to be that way. Perhaps the easiest way to get started in overcoming your fears is to begin by finding someone else in the room who looks as uncomfortable as you, ask them some questions about themselves, and listen. It takes all the pressure off you, and other people like it. :-)

I talk about a few places to get started, a few not-so-scary places to make a few contacts or even new friends.

• Libraries - writer groups, reader events
• Community calendars with a list of events
• Community centers, senior centers, etc.
• Conferences - readers events or writers conferences
• National and international organizations - like Romance Writers of America, International Thriller Writers, Mystery Writers of America, and many more
• Online-only writing groups, or online-only chapters of larger organizations
• In-person or online critique groups or a single critique partner
• Volunteer at one of these events and meet people

If this still sounds a intimidating because no one really knows you're a writer yet, just put Your Name, Writer as your signature line in your email. Sometimes people reach out because they read your signature line and want to know more or share information.

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=1602Tue, 06 Mar 2018 10:00:00 -070024:57falsefull033E – Find Your PeopleSeth Godin wrote a book called Tribes: We Need You to Lead Us nearly ten years ago. Since then, "tribe" has become a common part of our lexicon, especially among writers, entrepreneurs, and online business people.

It is so exciting the first time you meet up with people who get you, your people, your tribe! You finally feel like you're not odd or on the outside. No one thinks you're weird!

When you find your tribe, you can find encouragement in your interests that other people don't understand. And you can encourage others as well. I encourage you - go find your people, if you haven't!

And stay tuned for Tuesday's episode when I give you several ideas on where and how to find your tribe. :-)

]]>Seth Godin wrote a book called Tribes: We Need You to Lead Us nearly ten years ago. Since then, "tribe" has become a common part of our lexicon, especially among writers, entrepreneurs, and online business people.

It is so exciting the first time you meet up with people who get you, your people, your tribe! You finally feel like you're not odd or on the outside. No one thinks you're weird!

When you find your tribe, you can find encouragement in your interests that other people don't understand. And you can encourage others as well. I encourage you - go find your people, if you haven't!

And stay tuned for Tuesday's episode when I give you several ideas on where and how to find your tribe. :-)

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=1596Sun, 04 Mar 2018 10:00:00 -070008:50falsefull032I – Creating Characters Readers Adore: An Interview with Lauraine SnellingAward-winning and bestselling author Lauraine Snelling has over 80 books published. She writes inspirational adult novels about real issues centered on themes like forgiveness, loss, domestic violence, and cancer in both contemporary and historical genres. Today, she's talking to us about creating amazing characters, one of her favorite topics.

Two of her favorite books as she got started writing were by Robert Newton Peck - Fiction Is Folks and The Secrets of Successful Fiction. She shows us an example of how she teaches writing classes using one of Peck's ideas.

Lauraine believes all stories are character-driven, even "plot-driven" stories need a character we can root for to keep us engaged. Listen in as she shares years of experience in how to create characters readers will adore.

You can follow her on Facebook at Lauraine Snelling Author, and check out her website to see where she's going to be speaking and to see a list of all of her books. A Breath of Hope, book 2 of the new Under Northern Skies series, will be out on April 4, 2018. You can find it at ChristianBook.com, Amazon, and wherever books are sold.

]]>Award-winning and bestselling author Lauraine Snelling has over 80 books published. She writes inspirational adult novels about real issues centered on themes like forgiveness, loss, domestic violence, and cancer in both contemporary and historical genres. Today, she's talking to us about creating amazing characters, one of her favorite topics.

Two of her favorite books as she got started writing were by Robert Newton Peck - Fiction Is Folks and The Secrets of Successful Fiction. She shows us an example of how she teaches writing classes using one of Peck's ideas.

Lauraine believes all stories are character-driven, even "plot-driven" stories need a character we can root for to keep us engaged. Listen in as she shares years of experience in how to create characters readers will adore.

You can follow her on Facebook at Lauraine Snelling Author, and check out her website to see where she's going to be speaking and to see a list of all of her books. A Breath of Hope, book 2 of the new Under Northern Skies series, will be out on April 4, 2018. You can find it at ChristianBook.com, Amazon, and wherever books are sold.

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=1590Thu, 01 Mar 2018 10:00:00 -070045:40falsefull031T – Tis the Season…for TaxesAs I was emailing my accountant this week, it occurred to me that it is a good time to talk about taxes for writers. Today I offer a few tips to help you get started or to remind you of things to remember.

• Always get a receipt, keep them together so you don't lose them, make sure you've clearly marked the business receipts as "business," and when meeting for a drink or a meal, write the name(s) of the people you met with and the reason for the meeting.
• If you mix business and personal when shopping or during a trip, like a conference, be sure to separate the elements that are personal from those that are business expenses.
• When purchasing books or other physical items for resale, find out if you need to have a sales tax license in your city/county/state/province/country. And if you get a sales tax license, you can get a reseller's certificate so that you don't have to pay sales tax on items you'll resell.
• When purchasing books or other physical items for resale, if you give any away as gifts (not review copies, but gifts) and you did not pay sales tax on them, you are responsible for paying the tax when you file your sales tax form.
• Put a note on your calendar - this year and next - about tax filing deadlines (income tax, sales tax, etc.). Add another note a month or two before as a reminder to get started on preparing the numbers.
• Save yourself time at tax filing time by choosing one day each week or each month to update all your income, expense, and tax information. Whether you use accounting software like Quicken, QuickBooks, Mind Your Own Business, etc., or a spreadsheet like Excel, or a notebook, write down all of these every month. It will make tax time so much quicker and easier for you!

I hope these tips are helpful! Good luck!

]]>As I was emailing my accountant this week, it occurred to me that it is a good time to talk about taxes for writers. Today I offer a few tips to help you get started or to remind you of things to remember.

• Always get a receipt, keep them together so you don't lose them, make sure you've clearly marked the business receipts as "business," and when meeting for a drink or a meal, write the name(s) of the people you met with and the reason for the meeting.
• If you mix business and personal when shopping or during a trip, like a conference, be sure to separate the elements that are personal from those that are business expenses.
• When purchasing books or other physical items for resale, find out if you need to have a sales tax license in your city/county/state/province/country. And if you get a sales tax license, you can get a reseller's certificate so that you don't have to pay sales tax on items you'll resell.
• When purchasing books or other physical items for resale, if you give any away as gifts (not review copies, but gifts) and you did not pay sales tax on them, you are responsible for paying the tax when you file your sales tax form.
• Put a note on your calendar - this year and next - about tax filing deadlines (income tax, sales tax, etc.). Add another note a month or two before as a reminder to get started on preparing the numbers.
• Save yourself time at tax filing time by choosing one day each week or each month to update all your income, expense, and tax information. Whether you use accounting software like Quicken, QuickBooks, Mind Your Own Business, etc., or a spreadsheet like Excel, or a notebook, write down all of these every month. It will make tax time so much quicker and easier for you!

I hope these tips are helpful! Good luck!

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=1584Tue, 27 Feb 2018 10:00:00 -070021:35falsefull030E – Life Is SweetToday I share the big news that's been building for months! :-) I even picked up a Krispy Kreme hat to wear while I share my thoughts on why life is sweet! (You can see my ridiculous self on my YouTube channel.)

If you're going through tough times, hang in there - better times are surely on their way. If you're going through good times - celebrate! Focus on all the things you're grateful for. And keep working hard. It's true that the harder you work, the luckier you get. ;-)

]]>Today I share the big news that's been building for months! :-) I even picked up a Krispy Kreme hat to wear while I share my thoughts on why life is sweet! (You can see my ridiculous self on my YouTube channel.)

If you're going through tough times, hang in there - better times are surely on their way. If you're going through good times - celebrate! Focus on all the things you're grateful for. And keep working hard. It's true that the harder you work, the luckier you get. ;-)

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=1580Sun, 25 Feb 2018 10:00:00 -070007:36falsefull029I – Writing Law Enforcement Characters: An Interview with Janice CantoreA retired California police officer, Janice Cantore writes suspense novels designed to keep readers engrossed and leave them inspired. When writing, she draws from her 22 years of experience to make her books feel realistic.

There's not a lot of difference, Janice says, when writing about police officers in one state versus another. (Some of her books are set in California, some are set in Oregon.) Police face a lot of the same challenges, and the basic foundation of police training is officer safety, so no matter where the story is set, a lot of the "how" is going to be the same. If you aren't extremely specific, that can be enough to make your novel believable.

The kinds of things that throw readers out of a story are things like calling it a police station when it should be a precinct, or not knowing an area has constables, etc. Be sure to look up these sorts of details.

In general, the state police or state highway patrol would have jurisdiction over the entire state. The sheriff's departments are responsible for each separate county. City police or municipal agencies are in charge of specific cities. In smaller populations, the county coroner would be under the the jurisdiction of the sheriff.

Janice shares a lot of great information, and helps us know when to look things up, and what errors to avoid. You can write it to make it more interesting than real life without making it unbelievable to a reader who knows the reality of how it really works.

A lot of law enforcement agencies have community academies that you can go to in order to learn more about what they do. Many agencies will allow you to do a ride-along to experience the work first-hand. You can also attend the Writers' Police Academy conference. (The 2018 conference features bestselling author Jeffrey Deaver as this year's Guest of Honor.)

A&E has a program on their channel right now called Live PD. That's exactly what it is, following real police officers on the job, and Janice says it's a good resource to see what really happens.

Janice kindly offered to answer questions if people want to contact her through her website! She also suggested you look up author Jordyn Redwood, a pediatric ER nurse who writes Redwood's Medical Edge blog to help authors write medically accurate fiction.

Follow Janice through her website, and on Facebook where she does giveaways (Janice Cantore Books).

]]>A retired California police officer, Janice Cantore writes suspense novels designed to keep readers engrossed and leave them inspired. When writing, she draws from her 22 years of experience to make her books feel realistic.

There's not a lot of difference, Janice says, when writing about police officers in one state versus another. (Some of her books are set in California, some are set in Oregon.) Police face a lot of the same challenges, and the basic foundation of police training is officer safety, so no matter where the story is set, a lot of the "how" is going to be the same. If you aren't extremely specific, that can be enough to make your novel believable.

The kinds of things that throw readers out of a story are things like calling it a police station when it should be a precinct, or not knowing an area has constables, etc. Be sure to look up these sorts of details.

In general, the state police or state highway patrol would have jurisdiction over the entire state. The sheriff's departments are responsible for each separate county. City police or municipal agencies are in charge of specific cities. In smaller populations, the county coroner would be under the the jurisdiction of the sheriff.

Janice shares a lot of great information, and helps us know when to look things up, and what errors to avoid. You can write it to make it more interesting than real life without making it unbelievable to a reader who knows the reality of how it really works.

A lot of law enforcement agencies have community academies that you can go to in order to learn more about what they do. Many agencies will allow you to do a ride-along to experience the work first-hand. You can also attend the Writers' Police Academy conference. (The 2018 conference features bestselling author Jeffrey Deaver as this year's Guest of Honor.)

A&E has a program on their channel right now called Live PD. That's exactly what it is, following real police officers on the job, and Janice says it's a good resource to see what really happens.

Janice kindly offered to answer questions if people want to contact her through her website! She also suggested you look up author Jordyn Redwood, a pediatric ER nurse who writes Redwood's Medical Edge blog to help authors write medically accurate fiction.

Follow Janice through her website, and on Facebook where she does giveaways (Janice Cantore Books).

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=1575Thu, 22 Feb 2018 10:00:00 -070036:16falsefull028T – The First Draft Is Only the BeginningTwo of the things writers seem to need most are accountability and encouragement. That's probably true of almost anyone who is working on something really important to them.

Sometimes when we're at the start of a new project, we get caught up in thinking we want this book to be our best yet, or to win a big award, but those thoughts can make the blinking cursor on the page feel daunting. If we can focus on the fun story in our heads, and not what we hope to accomplish with it, we'll write a better first draft.

Now some people do so much editing as they write that by the time they reach "The End" for the first time, they have a first draft that may be the equivalent to another writer's second or fifth draft. If that's your modus operandi, great!

Many of us, however, do better to get the first draft down first, then come back and fix it. We get frustrated when we're starting something new because we can picture bits of the story in our heads, but we can't find the right words. However, letting your editor-brain get involved in that first draft will actually make things worse.

Remember last week when Robert G Lee was on the show, he talked about M. Night Shyamalan and how many drafts it took to get The Sixth Sense to the brilliant story it became. It wasn't until after the fifth draft that he realized the story would work so much better if the main character was dead. Yup, the idea that made the movie a cultural phenomenon was not part of the first - or even fifth - draft! (Read more about that here.)

Imagine if you relaxed and took more time to come up with better, and even better, and maybe fabulous new ideas to make your story rock! So play with the first draft, but be willing to work on it in second or third or more drafts to see if you can create the magic that makes even you amazed with your book!

If you're looking for more encouragement on how to write even better books, I just heard Lisa Cron speak and she's so inspiring! I bought both of her books, Wired for Story and Story Genius, and I hope to have her on the show later this year.

]]>Two of the things writers seem to need most are accountability and encouragement. That's probably true of almost anyone who is working on something really important to them.

Sometimes when we're at the start of a new project, we get caught up in thinking we want this book to be our best yet, or to win a big award, but those thoughts can make the blinking cursor on the page feel daunting. If we can focus on the fun story in our heads, and not what we hope to accomplish with it, we'll write a better first draft.

Now some people do so much editing as they write that by the time they reach "The End" for the first time, they have a first draft that may be the equivalent to another writer's second or fifth draft. If that's your modus operandi, great!

Many of us, however, do better to get the first draft down first, then come back and fix it. We get frustrated when we're starting something new because we can picture bits of the story in our heads, but we can't find the right words. However, letting your editor-brain get involved in that first draft will actually make things worse.

Remember last week when Robert G Lee was on the show, he talked about M. Night Shyamalan and how many drafts it took to get The Sixth Sense to the brilliant story it became. It wasn't until after the fifth draft that he realized the story would work so much better if the main character was dead. Yup, the idea that made the movie a cultural phenomenon was not part of the first - or even fifth - draft! (Read more about that here.)

Imagine if you relaxed and took more time to come up with better, and even better, and maybe fabulous new ideas to make your story rock! So play with the first draft, but be willing to work on it in second or third or more drafts to see if you can create the magic that makes even you amazed with your book!

If you're looking for more encouragement on how to write even better books, I just heard Lisa Cron speak and she's so inspiring! I bought both of her books, Wired for Story and Story Genius, and I hope to have her on the show later this year.

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=1568Tue, 20 Feb 2018 10:00:00 -070014:06falsefull027E – Hope Saved My LifeHope is such a big part of our lives - and a lack of hope makes a huge difference. For instance, at the time this episode airs, I will be visiting Europe for the first time - exciting! I have so many hopes for how this trip will turn out!

Yet only a couple years ago, my husband and I hit a real low and felt almost entirely hopeless.

What does this mean to us as writers? I think that part of our job - no matter what we write - is to share hope with others. Perhaps we're giving someone encouragement about life having a happy ending, or belief in good triumphing over evil, or hope that they can learn a new skill to improve their life.

There's a movie on Netflix (at least the U.S. version) called Unconditional that I love. (If that link doesn't work where you live, you can see what the movie is about on IMDB.) Lynn Collins and Michael Ealy star in a story about a woman whose husband was murdered and how it almost destroys her - until an old friend helps bring hope back into her life.

It's a fabulous story, and one of the best parts is the super great song over the ending credits called "Hope Saved My Life." This song is so peppy and full of life - and hope! - that I made it the ringtone on my phone's alarm for waking up in the morning. :-D

How do we find strength in hope? Some of my favorite places include some Bible verses that I share. When we can find a firm place to stand in hope, that hope can give us strength for what comes next - and we can share that hope with others. Sow generously and reap generously!

Remember, you could write a book and change the world!

]]>Hope is such a big part of our lives - and a lack of hope makes a huge difference. For instance, at the time this episode airs, I will be visiting Europe for the first time - exciting! I have so many hopes for how this trip will turn out!

Yet only a couple years ago, my husband and I hit a real low and felt almost entirely hopeless.

What does this mean to us as writers? I think that part of our job - no matter what we write - is to share hope with others. Perhaps we're giving someone encouragement about life having a happy ending, or belief in good triumphing over evil, or hope that they can learn a new skill to improve their life.

There's a movie on Netflix (at least the U.S. version) called Unconditional that I love. (If that link doesn't work where you live, you can see what the movie is about on IMDB.) Lynn Collins and Michael Ealy star in a story about a woman whose husband was murdered and how it almost destroys her - until an old friend helps bring hope back into her life.

It's a fabulous story, and one of the best parts is the super great song over the ending credits called "Hope Saved My Life." This song is so peppy and full of life - and hope! - that I made it the ringtone on my phone's alarm for waking up in the morning. :-D

How do we find strength in hope? Some of my favorite places include some Bible verses that I share. When we can find a firm place to stand in hope, that hope can give us strength for what comes next - and we can share that hope with others. Sow generously and reap generously!

Remember, you could write a book and change the world!

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=1562Sun, 18 Feb 2018 10:00:00 -070021:06falsefull026I – Serious Advice on Writing Funny: An Interview with Robert G LeeComedian Robert G Lee is well-known as Hollywood's top warm-up comic on such shows as The New Adventures of Old Christine, Just Shoot Me, Becker, and The Drew Carey Show. He just released his latest comedy project, Wisenheimer, and recently finished Can I Get a Witness Protection?, a faith-based screwball comedy feature film he wrote and directed.

Bob shares his journey from stand-up comic to award-winning feature film writer. He reminds writers that no matter what media you're writing for, everything has an opening, a middle, and a closing. Stand-up comedy just truncates it into a short joke. Comedy is about misdirection, about leading the audience one way and then flipping it over. It can also use a lot of simile - this is like that.

You have to find something that's universal, that everyone can relate to, but special enough that they haven't heard it a thousand times. Use your life experiences. Then use exaggeration. Use setup and payoff. It's like being a magician in that you're always misdirecting the audience.

That's the foundation. Once you learn how to do that, you have to move into story. A series of gags will only go so far.

A few years ago, Bob met a guy named Sean Gaffney who is writing a book called The Theology of Story - and it opened his eyes. Bob thought Joseph Campbell's The Hero With a Thousand Faces was great except that it dismissed the spiritual aspect of life. Sean teaches that really every good story mimics the Bible - the character starts in a perfect world, then a problem occurs, etc. all the way through to the crisis/death scene and the new world.

Now Bob tries to focus on creating a story as he entertains. The gags are tools he uses for effect, but the story is what keeps the audience listening. You also have to know your audience - remember, it's all about them, not you.

As we chat, Bob also mentions Frederick Beuchner's Telling the Truth, Bruce Almighty, Liar, Liar, Steve Martin's MasterClass on comedy, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, and M. Night Shyamalan's The Sixth Sense (see article about it).

]]>Comedian Robert G Lee is well-known as Hollywood's top warm-up comic on such shows as The New Adventures of Old Christine, Just Shoot Me, Becker, and The Drew Carey Show. He just released his latest comedy project, Wisenheimer, and recently finished Can I Get a Witness Protection?, a faith-based screwball comedy feature film he wrote and directed.

Bob shares his journey from stand-up comic to award-winning feature film writer. He reminds writers that no matter what media you're writing for, everything has an opening, a middle, and a closing. Stand-up comedy just truncates it into a short joke. Comedy is about misdirection, about leading the audience one way and then flipping it over. It can also use a lot of simile - this is like that.

You have to find something that's universal, that everyone can relate to, but special enough that they haven't heard it a thousand times. Use your life experiences. Then use exaggeration. Use setup and payoff. It's like being a magician in that you're always misdirecting the audience.

That's the foundation. Once you learn how to do that, you have to move into story. A series of gags will only go so far.

A few years ago, Bob met a guy named Sean Gaffney who is writing a book called The Theology of Story - and it opened his eyes. Bob thought Joseph Campbell's The Hero With a Thousand Faces was great except that it dismissed the spiritual aspect of life. Sean teaches that really every good story mimics the Bible - the character starts in a perfect world, then a problem occurs, etc. all the way through to the crisis/death scene and the new world.

Now Bob tries to focus on creating a story as he entertains. The gags are tools he uses for effect, but the story is what keeps the audience listening. You also have to know your audience - remember, it's all about them, not you.

As we chat, Bob also mentions Frederick Beuchner's Telling the Truth, Bruce Almighty, Liar, Liar, Steve Martin's MasterClass on comedy, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, and M. Night Shyamalan's The Sixth Sense (see article about it).

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=1548Thu, 15 Feb 2018 10:00:00 -070048:48falsefull025T – Loving Your Readers Via Personal ContactIn this second of two parts, I talk about ways to show your readers some love - because it's near Valentine's Day! :-D You can:

• Ask their opinion, create a survey
• Offer a free autographed book to a random winner of those who answered the survey
• Ask if readers want to be on your beta readers team and/or your ARC team
• Create a private Facebook group or a separate email list for those teams
• Create a private Facebook group linked to your Facebook author page
• Talk to your readers! Reply to emails, shout-out in your newsletter
• Consider inviting local readers to coffee at a cafe near you
• Do a Facebook Live video, or a recorded video for your readers

I also answer some podcast listener questions near the beginning of the show.

]]>In this second of two parts, I talk about ways to show your readers some love - because it's near Valentine's Day! :-D You can:

• Ask their opinion, create a survey
• Offer a free autographed book to a random winner of those who answered the survey
• Ask if readers want to be on your beta readers team and/or your ARC team
• Create a private Facebook group or a separate email list for those teams
• Create a private Facebook group linked to your Facebook author page
• Talk to your readers! Reply to emails, shout-out in your newsletter
• Consider inviting local readers to coffee at a cafe near you
• Do a Facebook Live video, or a recorded video for your readers

I also answer some podcast listener questions near the beginning of the show.

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=1539Tue, 13 Feb 2018 10:00:00 -070028:36falsefull024E – The Waiting GameUnfortunately, we're all too familiar with waiting. Whether we're waiting in the longest grocery line ever, or waiting to hear from an agent, or waiting to see what the reviews will be like on our newest release, waiting is rarely easy.

But when we choose active waiting over passive waiting, we can change how we feel during the waiting - and maybe even help someone else! Can we "wait on" something - doing something for someone else as we're waiting? Or we can "wait with" someone so we're supporting each other during the wait. It may make the waiting seem less tedious.

Even as I share my experiences with you, the waiting is easier because I hope I'm encouraging you in your journey as well. Maybe you can encourage someone else today and help them in whatever they're waiting for. Have a great day!

]]>Unfortunately, we're all too familiar with waiting. Whether we're waiting in the longest grocery line ever, or waiting to hear from an agent, or waiting to see what the reviews will be like on our newest release, waiting is rarely easy.

But when we choose active waiting over passive waiting, we can change how we feel during the waiting - and maybe even help someone else! Can we "wait on" something - doing something for someone else as we're waiting? Or we can "wait with" someone so we're supporting each other during the wait. It may make the waiting seem less tedious.

Even as I share my experiences with you, the waiting is easier because I hope I'm encouraging you in your journey as well. Maybe you can encourage someone else today and help them in whatever they're waiting for. Have a great day!

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=1535Sun, 11 Feb 2018 10:00:00 -070006:24falsefull023I – Writing Point of View: An Interview with Jacqueline DiamondOur guest today is Jacqueline Diamond, author of over 100 novels as well as How to Write a Novel in One (Not-So-Easy) Lesson, a book of lessons and helpful tips to help writers create better stories.

A former Associated Press reporter and TV columnist, Jacqueline Diamond has won a Career Achievement Award from Romantic Times magazine, has finaled twice for RWA’s prestigious Rita Award, and has hit bestseller lists including Waldenbooks and USA Today. She has written in genres from romantic suspense, romantic comedy, and Regency romance to mainstream mystery, fantasy, and science fiction. She offers monthly specials for your Kindle on her website, jacquelinediamond.com, and her Facebook page, JacquelineDiamondAuthor. You can also find her on Twitter at @JacqueDiamond, and follow her on Amazon.

Jackie begins by explaining point of view, the different types, and when they are most likely to be used. She warns to be careful not to engage in "head hopping." Among other things, you lose the ability to surprise or to set up one character's expectations against another's.

You can introduce setting and background in little bits by showing them through this character's point of view. This helps you avoid the dreaded "info dump." The story world may appear slightly different when other scenes are told through another character's POV.

There is also the author's point of view, and you have to be aware of when to allow that in. If you're writing about someone very different from yourself, you'll need to be sure not to confuse the character's view of the world with the author's. For instance, writing someone of the opposite sex, or someone very tall if you're very short, etc.

Don't be too hard on yourself. Be willing to experiment...and fail. Don't stop working on it. But also, challenge yourself. Don't stay in your comfort zone. Keep learning!

If you'd like to engage a little more, come on over to the WRITE NOW! Workshop and Podcast Facebook group and say hello. :-D And remember to check out the blog for interesting articles related to writing and the writing business.

]]>Our guest today is Jacqueline Diamond, author of over 100 novels as well as How to Write a Novel in One (Not-So-Easy) Lesson, a book of lessons and helpful tips to help writers create better stories.

A former Associated Press reporter and TV columnist, Jacqueline Diamond has won a Career Achievement Award from Romantic Times magazine, has finaled twice for RWA’s prestigious Rita Award, and has hit bestseller lists including Waldenbooks and USA Today. She has written in genres from romantic suspense, romantic comedy, and Regency romance to mainstream mystery, fantasy, and science fiction. She offers monthly specials for your Kindle on her website, jacquelinediamond.com, and her Facebook page, JacquelineDiamondAuthor. You can also find her on Twitter at @JacqueDiamond, and follow her on Amazon.

Jackie begins by explaining point of view, the different types, and when they are most likely to be used. She warns to be careful not to engage in "head hopping." Among other things, you lose the ability to surprise or to set up one character's expectations against another's.

You can introduce setting and background in little bits by showing them through this character's point of view. This helps you avoid the dreaded "info dump." The story world may appear slightly different when other scenes are told through another character's POV.

There is also the author's point of view, and you have to be aware of when to allow that in. If you're writing about someone very different from yourself, you'll need to be sure not to confuse the character's view of the world with the author's. For instance, writing someone of the opposite sex, or someone very tall if you're very short, etc.

Don't be too hard on yourself. Be willing to experiment...and fail. Don't stop working on it. But also, challenge yourself. Don't stay in your comfort zone. Keep learning!

If you'd like to engage a little more, come on over to the WRITE NOW! Workshop and Podcast Facebook group and say hello. :-D And remember to check out the blog for interesting articles related to writing and the writing business.

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=1527Thu, 08 Feb 2018 10:00:00 -070039:12falsefull022T – Loving Your Readers Via a NewsletterSince it's nearly Valentine's Day, I thought it would be fun to talk about how to show the love to your readers over the next two weeks. I always suggest creating and consistently sending out a newsletter, but many people struggle with what to say.

Here are a few ideas:

• Offer a free ebook or short story to everyone on your newsletter list. You can easily send it using BookFunnel.
• Offer a free ebook or paperback book to one person on your list. It could be one of your books or an author you think your readers would like.
• Put a book on sale and tell your newsletter subscribers first on the first day of the sale.
• Play a game - post a funny meme in your newsletter where readers create a new name (superhero, fairy, etc.), or a "Finish this sentence" game, or ask them to share their best or worst story on a topic, like Valentine's Day.
• Ask them what they're reading! Readers love to talk about the book they're reading now.

You could use the last two items to get people over to your Facebook page or group. Give them the link with a "Click here to play" or "Click here to share" note.

When you think of fun ideas that you would enjoy as a reader, your readers will have more fun with your newsletters, too. And you'll be more memorable!

]]>Since it's nearly Valentine's Day, I thought it would be fun to talk about how to show the love to your readers over the next two weeks. I always suggest creating and consistently sending out a newsletter, but many people struggle with what to say.

Here are a few ideas:

• Offer a free ebook or short story to everyone on your newsletter list. You can easily send it using BookFunnel.
• Offer a free ebook or paperback book to one person on your list. It could be one of your books or an author you think your readers would like.
• Put a book on sale and tell your newsletter subscribers first on the first day of the sale.
• Play a game - post a funny meme in your newsletter where readers create a new name (superhero, fairy, etc.), or a "Finish this sentence" game, or ask them to share their best or worst story on a topic, like Valentine's Day.
• Ask them what they're reading! Readers love to talk about the book they're reading now.

You could use the last two items to get people over to your Facebook page or group. Give them the link with a "Click here to play" or "Click here to share" note.

When you think of fun ideas that you would enjoy as a reader, your readers will have more fun with your newsletters, too. And you'll be more memorable!

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=1524Tue, 06 Feb 2018 10:00:00 -070016:52falsefull021E – Fighting InsecuritySome days you just aren't feeling like interacting with other people, but depending on your job, you may have to. You might have to be "on" whether you feel like it or not.

And sometimes those days will make it easier for our insecurities to surface. We don't feel like we look good enough, act nice enough, or are as funny as someone else. What can we do to get out of the funk?

One thing I do is find positive quotes or thoughts to focus on. I did a Google search this week on "insecurity in the Bible" :) and found several great verses reminding me of tools to get through tough days. I read them aloud and commented on them in the episode.

Forcing our thoughts into positive, upbeat topics will do a lot to improve our outlook. And, as I found while recording this episode, helping others will almost always make us feel better!

]]>Some days you just aren't feeling like interacting with other people, but depending on your job, you may have to. You might have to be "on" whether you feel like it or not.

And sometimes those days will make it easier for our insecurities to surface. We don't feel like we look good enough, act nice enough, or are as funny as someone else. What can we do to get out of the funk?

One thing I do is find positive quotes or thoughts to focus on. I did a Google search this week on "insecurity in the Bible" :) and found several great verses reminding me of tools to get through tough days. I read them aloud and commented on them in the episode.

Forcing our thoughts into positive, upbeat topics will do a lot to improve our outlook. And, as I found while recording this episode, helping others will almost always make us feel better!

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=1520Sun, 04 Feb 2018 10:00:00 -070015:19falsefull020I – Narrating Your Own Audiobooks: An Interview with Mary CastilloParanormal mystery author Mary Castillo wanted to get her books into audio, but the cost of hiring a narrator was prohibitive. So she did some research and decided to try it herself. She recorded one chapter a week of Lost in the Light and posted each chapter as a podcast episode. To her surprise and delight, listeners loved it!

Today, Mary shares with us the tools she uses and gives us tips for recording. She bought a Neewer microphone and lined a box with an old pillow and some acoustic foam. She records and edits on Audacity (it's free). Originally, she purchased hosting on SoundCloud, but now she knows she can put the files on her WordPress site.

The most important thing, she says, is to read ahead in the book so you're once again intimately familiar with the story and the characters. You also need to learn to do a proper warmup for your voice before each day's narration session. Mary found voice-over warmups on YouTube specifically for narrators as well as YouTube videos to help her use a British accent for her main character.

She also suggests not reading from paper. Use your ereader or tablet and make the font really large so it's easy to read. When you turn the page, it won't produce any sound that you need to try to edit out later.

Beta listeners are also one of Mary's biggest recommendations. They'll catch repeats, mistakes, and background noise that you didn't notice. Bonus - many of them will post reviews. You can also build an email list by starting with beta listeners.

ACX, the author portal for uploading to Audible, was great to work with, she says, very helpful. She enjoyed working with them - they have real human beings to answer your questions.

Mary's latest recording adventure is to record each chapter of her new book, Lost in Whispers, live on Facebook Live. You can watch and listen every Tuesday at 11am Pacific, starting January 30, 2018, on her Facebook page.

You can follow Mary on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, BookBub, Goodreads, and Amazon.

NOTE: At one point, Mary and I laugh about making her Facebook Live look like story time, and how she'll come in and change her shoes and sweater. Then I say I have to go see if any of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood is on YouTube. Then I found out - they announced this week that they're making a movie about him starring Tom Hanks! Read more about it here. I can't wait! :-D

]]>Paranormal mystery author Mary Castillo wanted to get her books into audio, but the cost of hiring a narrator was prohibitive. So she did some research and decided to try it herself. She recorded one chapter a week of Lost in the Light and posted each chapter as a podcast episode. To her surprise and delight, listeners loved it!

Today, Mary shares with us the tools she uses and gives us tips for recording. She bought a Neewer microphone and lined a box with an old pillow and some acoustic foam. She records and edits on Audacity (it's free). Originally, she purchased hosting on SoundCloud, but now she knows she can put the files on her WordPress site.

The most important thing, she says, is to read ahead in the book so you're once again intimately familiar with the story and the characters. You also need to learn to do a proper warmup for your voice before each day's narration session. Mary found voice-over warmups on YouTube specifically for narrators as well as YouTube videos to help her use a British accent for her main character.

She also suggests not reading from paper. Use your ereader or tablet and make the font really large so it's easy to read. When you turn the page, it won't produce any sound that you need to try to edit out later.

Beta listeners are also one of Mary's biggest recommendations. They'll catch repeats, mistakes, and background noise that you didn't notice. Bonus - many of them will post reviews. You can also build an email list by starting with beta listeners.

ACX, the author portal for uploading to Audible, was great to work with, she says, very helpful. She enjoyed working with them - they have real human beings to answer your questions.

Mary's latest recording adventure is to record each chapter of her new book, Lost in Whispers, live on Facebook Live. You can watch and listen every Tuesday at 11am Pacific, starting January 30, 2018, on her Facebook page.

You can follow Mary on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, BookBub, Goodreads, and Amazon.

NOTE: At one point, Mary and I laugh about making her Facebook Live look like story time, and how she'll come in and change her shoes and sweater. Then I say I have to go see if any of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood is on YouTube. Then I found out - they announced this week that they're making a movie about him starring Tom Hanks! Read more about it here. I can't wait! :-D

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=1511Thu, 01 Feb 2018 10:00:00 -070059:01falsefull019T – How Long Will It Take to Write?One thing we really need to know when planning any kind of production schedule is - how long will it take us to write the next book?

If you've written and finished one or more books, you can probably figure out a good estimate on how long the next one will take. If you haven't finished a book yet or you're like me and trying something new (I'm going to try to dictate - technically, transcribe - my first drafts this year), then you'll have to use some guesstimating as well.

If you haven't read it, try Rachel Aaron's 2K to 10K book on how to get your brain to compose your story faster. I love this book!

If you're interesting in learning more about dictating your writing, check out Scott Baker's books on the topic as well as his online course. Fool Proof Dictation by Christopher Downing is also super helpful.

In this episode, I explain how to break down your book into chunks in such a way that you can estimate how long it will take you to start and finish your book.

]]>One thing we really need to know when planning any kind of production schedule is - how long will it take us to write the next book?

If you've written and finished one or more books, you can probably figure out a good estimate on how long the next one will take. If you haven't finished a book yet or you're like me and trying something new (I'm going to try to dictate - technically, transcribe - my first drafts this year), then you'll have to use some guesstimating as well.

If you haven't read it, try Rachel Aaron's 2K to 10K book on how to get your brain to compose your story faster. I love this book!

If you're interesting in learning more about dictating your writing, check out Scott Baker's books on the topic as well as his online course. Fool Proof Dictation by Christopher Downing is also super helpful.

In this episode, I explain how to break down your book into chunks in such a way that you can estimate how long it will take you to start and finish your book.

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=1502Tue, 30 Jan 2018 10:00:00 -070023:03falsefull018E Ebb and FlowThinking back over the difficult times I've gone through, and how it has affected my writing, and then thinking about the good times, I started thinking about how life is an ebb and flow. Of course, that would explain why my writing good times and hard times also have an ebb and flow.

Knowing that life has a cyclical nature helps us to keep going during a tough time because it's almost certain that the tide will change at some point.

Maybe we should consider what we can do with our writing that is similar to how we save up money during good times to have something to live on during tough times. Maybe we should be kinder to ourselves when we're not accomplishing as much knowing that things will turn around and we'll get a lot done in the next phase.

Food for thought. :)

]]>Thinking back over the difficult times I've gone through, and how it has affected my writing, and then thinking about the good times, I started thinking about how life is an ebb and flow. Of course, that would explain why my writing good times and hard times also have an ebb and flow.

Knowing that life has a cyclical nature helps us to keep going during a tough time because it's almost certain that the tide will change at some point.

Maybe we should consider what we can do with our writing that is similar to how we save up money during good times to have something to live on during tough times. Maybe we should be kinder to ourselves when we're not accomplishing as much knowing that things will turn around and we'll get a lot done in the next phase.

Food for thought. :)

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=1498Sun, 28 Jan 2018 10:00:00 -070013:10falsefull017I – How Toastmasters Helped My Writing: An Interview with Stephanie ShackelfordFantasy writer Stephanie Shackelford is our guest today explaining how Toastmasters helped her become a better writer. She realized one day that what she learned about making better speeches was spilling over into her writing.

While Stephanie has found that it's in the rewrite process that she's seen these improvements, I was listening to her and thinking about changes I could make in my plotting before or while writing the first draft.

An even more obvious choice is to see how your nonfiction might improve when you learn these speechwriting lessons. Join us and see what you think!

Stephanie can be found at both her personal blog and at SaRose Design where she designs book covers and other graphic design projects. If you'd like to contact Stephanie, you can reach her at Stephanie.Sarose@gmail.com.

]]>Fantasy writer Stephanie Shackelford is our guest today explaining how Toastmasters helped her become a better writer. She realized one day that what she learned about making better speeches was spilling over into her writing.

While Stephanie has found that it's in the rewrite process that she's seen these improvements, I was listening to her and thinking about changes I could make in my plotting before or while writing the first draft.

An even more obvious choice is to see how your nonfiction might improve when you learn these speechwriting lessons. Join us and see what you think!

Stephanie can be found at both her personal blog and at SaRose Design where she designs book covers and other graphic design projects. If you'd like to contact Stephanie, you can reach her at Stephanie.Sarose@gmail.com.

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=1492Thu, 25 Jan 2018 10:00:00 -070033:31falsefull016T – 52 Stories in 52 WeeksWhen thinking of the short list of well-known science fiction writers of our time, when thinking about some of the most prolific writers of our time, Ray Bradbury's name is bound to come up. I saw a presentation he did in 2001 in this YouTube video and he presented an exciting challenge to writers.

Write 52 short stories in 52 weeks.

Wow! At first, it boggles the mind. But Ray gives so many examples of topics you could write about that soon you begin to believe you might be able to do it.

Last week, I suggested four ways you might choose which story to write next. This week, I suggest taking Ray Bradbury's writing challenge to generate more ideas - and more creative ideas - for you to choose from. The ideas might be all fiction, or all nonfiction, or all poetry, or any combination of whatever you feel like writing.

Try making this challenge work for you and see what happens!

]]>When thinking of the short list of well-known science fiction writers of our time, when thinking about some of the most prolific writers of our time, Ray Bradbury's name is bound to come up. I saw a presentation he did in 2001 in this YouTube video and he presented an exciting challenge to writers.

Write 52 short stories in 52 weeks.

Wow! At first, it boggles the mind. But Ray gives so many examples of topics you could write about that soon you begin to believe you might be able to do it.

Last week, I suggested four ways you might choose which story to write next. This week, I suggest taking Ray Bradbury's writing challenge to generate more ideas - and more creative ideas - for you to choose from. The ideas might be all fiction, or all nonfiction, or all poetry, or any combination of whatever you feel like writing.

Try making this challenge work for you and see what happens!

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=1488Tue, 23 Jan 2018 10:00:00 -070009:59falsefull015E – Believe It!Sometimes we are so busy trying to be polite, trying not to get too full of our own achievements, that we miss out on the simple joy of accepting a well-meant compliment. Or we're worried about having offended or irritated someone and we can't seem to accept it when they say they're not offended or irritated.

This is a particular problem when we writers refuse to accept that a friend or a relative or our editor likes our book. They give us compliments and we dismiss them verbally right to the person's face. Sometimes we're masking our own insecurities with misplaced modesty. Sometimes we're thinking on the inside, you're just saying that to be nice.

Maybe it's time to tell ourselves - and tell the people around us - that we're going to take people's words at face value. If you say you like my book, I choose to believe it. And I'll say thank you, I'm glad you like it! If you dismiss people's genuine compliments, you dismiss their kindness and enthusiasm as irrelevant to you. Think of how you feel when you give someone a compliment and they brush it off. It's not a good feeling.

So let's decide today - if someone gives us a compliment or says something kind or says they're not upset, we'll choose to believe them. We'll begin to grow more contentment in our lives this way.

]]>Sometimes we are so busy trying to be polite, trying not to get too full of our own achievements, that we miss out on the simple joy of accepting a well-meant compliment. Or we're worried about having offended or irritated someone and we can't seem to accept it when they say they're not offended or irritated.

This is a particular problem when we writers refuse to accept that a friend or a relative or our editor likes our book. They give us compliments and we dismiss them verbally right to the person's face. Sometimes we're masking our own insecurities with misplaced modesty. Sometimes we're thinking on the inside, you're just saying that to be nice.

Maybe it's time to tell ourselves - and tell the people around us - that we're going to take people's words at face value. If you say you like my book, I choose to believe it. And I'll say thank you, I'm glad you like it! If you dismiss people's genuine compliments, you dismiss their kindness and enthusiasm as irrelevant to you. Think of how you feel when you give someone a compliment and they brush it off. It's not a good feeling.

So let's decide today - if someone gives us a compliment or says something kind or says they're not upset, we'll choose to believe them. We'll begin to grow more contentment in our lives this way.

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=1484Sun, 21 Jan 2018 10:00:00 -070006:49falsefull014I – Writing From the Middle: An Interview with James Scott BellJames Scott Bell is a Christy Award-winning and International Thriller Writers Award-winning author in several fiction genres, and a beloved and sought-after writing teacher. He has written many nonfiction titles on the craft of writing, including several for Writer's Digest Books.

In today's episode, Jim talks about how he got the idea for his craft book, Writing From the Middle. He wanted to write a book that would have helped him earlier in his career. So he went to his favorite books and movies to find out why they work so well. And more to the point for this book, he looked at the midpoints of each story, trying to figure out exactly what happens there.

Jim discovered "a moment" that these stories have in common, regardless of genre. Join us for this fascinating discussion!

Follow James Scott Bell on Facebook and Twitter, and join him and other writers as they discuss the craft at Kill Zone Blog.

]]>James Scott Bell is a Christy Award-winning and International Thriller Writers Award-winning author in several fiction genres, and a beloved and sought-after writing teacher. He has written many nonfiction titles on the craft of writing, including several for Writer's Digest Books.

In today's episode, Jim talks about how he got the idea for his craft book, Writing From the Middle. He wanted to write a book that would have helped him earlier in his career. So he went to his favorite books and movies to find out why they work so well. And more to the point for this book, he looked at the midpoints of each story, trying to figure out exactly what happens there.

Jim discovered "a moment" that these stories have in common, regardless of genre. Join us for this fascinating discussion!

Follow James Scott Bell on Facebook and Twitter, and join him and other writers as they discuss the craft at Kill Zone Blog.

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=1477Thu, 18 Jan 2018 10:00:00 -070034:44falsefull1414013T – What Are We Going to Write Next?Whether you're first starting out, or you've published several books, choosing which story idea to work on next can be difficult. We're creative and we've generally got a lot of ideas!

Since I started writing when traditional publishing was pretty much the only way to go (unless you wanted to fill your garage with boxes of books and try to sell them yourself), I followed the traditional advice: don't write a series until you sell book one. So I had three "book one" books on my computer when I started self-publishing. Not helpful in generating optimum sales.

This year, I did my first ever reader survey to find out what my readers most wanted to read in 2018. The results were surprising! There is an almost even split among the three series with the superhero series topping the list.

Since the results weren't overwhelmingly in favor of a single series, I still have to do some real thinking about what I'm going to write this year in order to create the most useful production schedule.

There are four main considerations when choosing what we will write next.

1. Have you finished a book yet?
2. Are you passionate about a particular story more than the others?
3. Do you have a particular new interest?
4. Do you want to write and finish a series (at least 3 or more books)?

The great thing about a series is readers might love book one so much that they buy all the rest of the books in the series at once when they finish book one. I felt this way about Rachel Aaron's Heartstrikers urban fantasy series, which begins with Nice Dragons Finish Last.

If you still can't decide which book to write next, which one will take you the least amount of time? Which one requires the least amount of research? Or if you have more time now than you will later this year, maybe you should work on the book that requires more research while you have time.

If you're like me, you want to write all your story ideas at the same time! But we can't do that. :-D We have to choose. Good luck!

Note: My annual class, Going the Distance: Time and Project Management for Writers, is open for registration now. Class starts on Monday, January 15, 2018, and there is a live online workshop on Saturday, January 20. I'm leaving registration open through Friday, January 19, so check it out!

]]>Whether you're first starting out, or you've published several books, choosing which story idea to work on next can be difficult. We're creative and we've generally got a lot of ideas!

Since I started writing when traditional publishing was pretty much the only way to go (unless you wanted to fill your garage with boxes of books and try to sell them yourself), I followed the traditional advice: don't write a series until you sell book one. So I had three "book one" books on my computer when I started self-publishing. Not helpful in generating optimum sales.

This year, I did my first ever reader survey to find out what my readers most wanted to read in 2018. The results were surprising! There is an almost even split among the three series with the superhero series topping the list.

Since the results weren't overwhelmingly in favor of a single series, I still have to do some real thinking about what I'm going to write this year in order to create the most useful production schedule.

There are four main considerations when choosing what we will write next.

1. Have you finished a book yet?
2. Are you passionate about a particular story more than the others?
3. Do you have a particular new interest?
4. Do you want to write and finish a series (at least 3 or more books)?

The great thing about a series is readers might love book one so much that they buy all the rest of the books in the series at once when they finish book one. I felt this way about Rachel Aaron's Heartstrikers urban fantasy series, which begins with Nice Dragons Finish Last.

If you still can't decide which book to write next, which one will take you the least amount of time? Which one requires the least amount of research? Or if you have more time now than you will later this year, maybe you should work on the book that requires more research while you have time.

If you're like me, you want to write all your story ideas at the same time! But we can't do that. :-D We have to choose. Good luck!

Note: My annual class, Going the Distance: Time and Project Management for Writers, is open for registration now. Class starts on Monday, January 15, 2018, and there is a live online workshop on Saturday, January 20. I'm leaving registration open through Friday, January 19, so check it out!

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=1472Tue, 16 Jan 2018 10:00:00 -070024:28falsefull012E – Does Your Creator Brain Get Nervous?Sometimes my creator brain gets nervous. It doesn't want to come out and play in public. Maybe it's nervous that someone won't like what it created. What do we do when that happens?

The first step is to recognize the signs - are you putting off your writing or other creative endeavor, finding so many other things that "must" be done first?

That happened to me this weekend, and it took a while for me to stop and ask myself if there was some reason I didn't want to do my creative work. Finally, I decided to write about how I seemed to be putting off my writing and podcasting! Haha!

I just fixed up my WRITE NOW! Workshop Facebook page, so my first post was on this topic. I suggested that if anyone else was feeling the same way, we should just jump in and do it together! Together, we have more creative energy, we get more done, and we give each other courage.

Writing about it gave me creative energy and I decided to make this podcast on the same subject. Are you feeling nervous about your creative projects? Let's just do it - together! This is going to be a good year. :-D

]]>Sometimes my creator brain gets nervous. It doesn't want to come out and play in public. Maybe it's nervous that someone won't like what it created. What do we do when that happens?

The first step is to recognize the signs - are you putting off your writing or other creative endeavor, finding so many other things that "must" be done first?

That happened to me this weekend, and it took a while for me to stop and ask myself if there was some reason I didn't want to do my creative work. Finally, I decided to write about how I seemed to be putting off my writing and podcasting! Haha!

I just fixed up my WRITE NOW! Workshop Facebook page, so my first post was on this topic. I suggested that if anyone else was feeling the same way, we should just jump in and do it together! Together, we have more creative energy, we get more done, and we give each other courage.

Writing about it gave me creative energy and I decided to make this podcast on the same subject. Are you feeling nervous about your creative projects? Let's just do it - together! This is going to be a good year. :-D

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=1468Sun, 14 Jan 2018 10:00:00 -070008:20falsefull011I – 12 Titles in 12 Months: An Interview with Tracy ReedIn 2016, author Tracy Reed decided to try to write and publish 12 titles in 12 months. She managed 13. This is her story.

Tracy published her first novel in December 2014, then two more shorter titles in 2015. After a conversation with me and another writer friend, she decided that if other writers could publish a dozen or more titles a year, so could she!

Each month found Tracy writing one book (a novelette, a novella, or a novel), editing another, and creating a cover for a third. It was a tight schedule for a pantser without a plan, and some months were rougher than others. When one story just wouldn't work, she had to write another in three days in order to make her deadline!

Tracy takes us through her journey, talking about what worked and what didn't, and what she'll do differently next time. That 13-book year left her exhausted and she didn't do nearly as much writing in 2017, focusing more on marketing. In 2018, she's going to try to balance writing and marketing, and this time she has a plan going in so the work is less stressful.

Listen in and get inspired. This might be your year to write more titles than ever!

]]>In 2016, author Tracy Reed decided to try to write and publish 12 titles in 12 months. She managed 13. This is her story.

Tracy published her first novel in December 2014, then two more shorter titles in 2015. After a conversation with me and another writer friend, she decided that if other writers could publish a dozen or more titles a year, so could she!

Each month found Tracy writing one book (a novelette, a novella, or a novel), editing another, and creating a cover for a third. It was a tight schedule for a pantser without a plan, and some months were rougher than others. When one story just wouldn't work, she had to write another in three days in order to make her deadline!

Tracy takes us through her journey, talking about what worked and what didn't, and what she'll do differently next time. That 13-book year left her exhausted and she didn't do nearly as much writing in 2017, focusing more on marketing. In 2018, she's going to try to balance writing and marketing, and this time she has a plan going in so the work is less stressful.

Listen in and get inspired. This might be your year to write more titles than ever!

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=1449Thu, 11 Jan 2018 10:00:00 -070054:09falsefull010T – Your Recipe for a New YearComing down off the holidays, I'm saying I'm going to eat better, but I still have some Christmas pecans I need to make. Standing in the kitchen, I'm thinking of recipes and how they work for any part of life, not just baking or cooking.

For instance, the brownies I'm famous for came from a recipe my sister made years ago that I really liked. Over several years, I kept tweaking the recipe to make it exactly the way I wanted, but it still contained the same foundational elements. And it was so much easier to get to my amazing brownie recipe having started with a foundation than to muddle around trying to figure out how much sugar, how much cocoa, how much flour, etc. was the right amount.

This idea of a foundational recipe can work for goal setting or time management or project management or even writing a book! Looking at your plans for the year as a recipe or a foundation may help give you a change in perspective and some ah-ha moments.

You can try a few different people's plan for marketing or writing a book or time management, or you can just find one, follow it, tweak it, and be done. Following too many people can lead to confusion and overwhelm and defeat the purpose of looking for help. But forcing yourself to keep doing something a certain way after you've seen that it doesn't work for you, well, that doesn't help you much either.

If you'd like to try my foundational recipe for time and project management, my class Going the Distance: Time and Project Management for Writers starts again on Monday, January 15, 2018. Registration will stay open through Wednesday, January 17. And on Saturday, January 20, I'll be adding a new element to the class. We'll have a live online 4-hour class where we'll work together to decide on our goals, break them down into smaller pieces, and plan them out on our calendars.

Listen to Mark Dawson's Self Publishing Formula Podcast, episode 100, from Friday, January 5, 2018, and download the free PDF tip sheet to get a $50 off coupon for my class.

]]>Coming down off the holidays, I'm saying I'm going to eat better, but I still have some Christmas pecans I need to make. Standing in the kitchen, I'm thinking of recipes and how they work for any part of life, not just baking or cooking.

For instance, the brownies I'm famous for came from a recipe my sister made years ago that I really liked. Over several years, I kept tweaking the recipe to make it exactly the way I wanted, but it still contained the same foundational elements. And it was so much easier to get to my amazing brownie recipe having started with a foundation than to muddle around trying to figure out how much sugar, how much cocoa, how much flour, etc. was the right amount.

This idea of a foundational recipe can work for goal setting or time management or project management or even writing a book! Looking at your plans for the year as a recipe or a foundation may help give you a change in perspective and some ah-ha moments.

You can try a few different people's plan for marketing or writing a book or time management, or you can just find one, follow it, tweak it, and be done. Following too many people can lead to confusion and overwhelm and defeat the purpose of looking for help. But forcing yourself to keep doing something a certain way after you've seen that it doesn't work for you, well, that doesn't help you much either.

If you'd like to try my foundational recipe for time and project management, my class Going the Distance: Time and Project Management for Writers starts again on Monday, January 15, 2018. Registration will stay open through Wednesday, January 17. And on Saturday, January 20, I'll be adding a new element to the class. We'll have a live online 4-hour class where we'll work together to decide on our goals, break them down into smaller pieces, and plan them out on our calendars.

Listen to Mark Dawson's Self Publishing Formula Podcast, episode 100, from Friday, January 5, 2018, and download the free PDF tip sheet to get a $50 off coupon for my class.

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=1439Tue, 09 Jan 2018 10:00:00 -070014:57falsefull009E – Start with a SeedI love new beginnings, and I'm a big fan of hitting the Restart button at any time. But sometimes we wonder if what we're doing right now is good enough. Is it the right idea or should we be working on something else?

Then I'm reminded of the mustard seed, a tiny seed that can grow large enough that birds of the air nest in its branches. That's encouraging! Until I think about how seeds have to be buried alone in the dark, damp ground, and how the seeds are destroyed by the earth. Not encouraging - if you look at only that moment in time.

But our lives are not a series of moments in time; all of those moments are making up a bigger whole. Sure, a seed gets destroyed - that is, loses its original form - in order for a plant to grow, but in the big picture that's the whole point!

Similarly, our lives and our writing have these seed-moments. We start with a first draft, and then we start editing it, taking it apart, adding and deleting. It's not destroying the first draft so much as it's creating something new and better.

So don't be afraid to start with a new seed of an idea. Work with it and let it grow - and see what amazing things might happen!

]]>I love new beginnings, and I'm a big fan of hitting the Restart button at any time. But sometimes we wonder if what we're doing right now is good enough. Is it the right idea or should we be working on something else?

Then I'm reminded of the mustard seed, a tiny seed that can grow large enough that birds of the air nest in its branches. That's encouraging! Until I think about how seeds have to be buried alone in the dark, damp ground, and how the seeds are destroyed by the earth. Not encouraging - if you look at only that moment in time.

But our lives are not a series of moments in time; all of those moments are making up a bigger whole. Sure, a seed gets destroyed - that is, loses its original form - in order for a plant to grow, but in the big picture that's the whole point!

Similarly, our lives and our writing have these seed-moments. We start with a first draft, and then we start editing it, taking it apart, adding and deleting. It's not destroying the first draft so much as it's creating something new and better.

So don't be afraid to start with a new seed of an idea. Work with it and let it grow - and see what amazing things might happen!

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=1434Sun, 07 Jan 2018 10:00:00 -070009:45falsefull008I – Creating a Great Setting: An Interview with Marcy WeydemullerMarcy Weydemuller is an editor, writing teacher, and author of books for kids and adults. Today she is talking to us about setting. In many genres, setting is practically a character in the book. But a silent setting can also have quite an impact. It can be a mirror or a shadow of the character, the tone, or the atmosphere of any novel in any genre.

Marcy shares a few examples of different kinds of settings from her book, Eight Strategies for Writing Innovative Settings. Think of setting as being part of the main character's journey. You can practice finding what to add to this setting-journey by walking down your own street and noticing all the details, thinking about how those details affect the characters/people living there.

One book Marcy mentions as making great use of setting is Merrie Destefano's Afterlife: The Resurrection Chronicles.

Setting can tie into theme, myth, metaphor and so much more. Marcy gives us so many ideas of how to integrate setting into our stories to make them richer and fuller!

]]>Marcy Weydemuller is an editor, writing teacher, and author of books for kids and adults. Today she is talking to us about setting. In many genres, setting is practically a character in the book. But a silent setting can also have quite an impact. It can be a mirror or a shadow of the character, the tone, or the atmosphere of any novel in any genre.

Marcy shares a few examples of different kinds of settings from her book, Eight Strategies for Writing Innovative Settings. Think of setting as being part of the main character's journey. You can practice finding what to add to this setting-journey by walking down your own street and noticing all the details, thinking about how those details affect the characters/people living there.

One book Marcy mentions as making great use of setting is Merrie Destefano's Afterlife: The Resurrection Chronicles.

Setting can tie into theme, myth, metaphor and so much more. Marcy gives us so many ideas of how to integrate setting into our stories to make them richer and fuller!

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=1428Thu, 04 Jan 2018 10:00:00 -070040:07falsefull007T – Everybody Gets What They WantI've been teaching a class called Going the Distance: Time and Project Management for Writers nearly every year for over a decade. I love it because I love helping people find a way to get what they truly want out of life. But how do you get what you want without sacrificing the wants and needs of your family?

Sometimes you need to do what you like to do together, regardless of what other people think. Many writers say they've given up television, which is great for them. For my husband and me, we love movies and TV as well as books so this is something we do together for fun and relaxation. Of course, sometimes you have to say, no, I'm sorry but I have to work tonight or this weekend.

Consider opportunity cost - I could get in 2 extra hours of writing a week if we only watched TV together 6 nights instead of 7. And a form of compromise might be - let's only watch TV together 5 or 6 nights a week so you get extra video game time and I get extra writing or reading time.

If you have other people with schedules you have to work around, consider having a family meeting and asking what's most important to each person. Maybe Suzie wants you to go to all of her ballet practices as well as recitals, and Johnny wants you to come to every single sporting event. Can you help little Suzie understand that you have to write in a corner during the practices, but you'll watch every move during recitals? Is Johnny okay with you coming to only the home games, or only the games he cares most about?

Can you and your spouse find ways to compromise and barter? Say, two Saturdays a month you get four hours of focused writing time, and two Saturdays a month your spouse gets four hours for their hobby or favorite activity. The possibilities are only limited to the creativity all of you bring to the table!

One of my students came to the realization that while she didn't like the idea of how much money her husband could spend golfing, they could compromise on how often he went and it was like "buying" writing time for her. Suddenly, the expense seemed worth it.

For more help and ideas with organizing your time and planning out your writing for the year, join me for my next annual class, Going the Distance: Time and Project Management for Writers. The class starts January 15, 2018, and includes lifetime membership to the class and the private Facebook group, as well as live video sessions where we work together to get you organized.

Additionally, I'll be a guest on Mark Dawson's Self Publishing Formula Podcast on January 5, 2018, giving you even more time management tips. Check it out! (The link will work starting January 5.)

]]>I've been teaching a class called Going the Distance: Time and Project Management for Writers nearly every year for over a decade. I love it because I love helping people find a way to get what they truly want out of life. But how do you get what you want without sacrificing the wants and needs of your family?

Sometimes you need to do what you like to do together, regardless of what other people think. Many writers say they've given up television, which is great for them. For my husband and me, we love movies and TV as well as books so this is something we do together for fun and relaxation. Of course, sometimes you have to say, no, I'm sorry but I have to work tonight or this weekend.

Consider opportunity cost - I could get in 2 extra hours of writing a week if we only watched TV together 6 nights instead of 7. And a form of compromise might be - let's only watch TV together 5 or 6 nights a week so you get extra video game time and I get extra writing or reading time.

If you have other people with schedules you have to work around, consider having a family meeting and asking what's most important to each person. Maybe Suzie wants you to go to all of her ballet practices as well as recitals, and Johnny wants you to come to every single sporting event. Can you help little Suzie understand that you have to write in a corner during the practices, but you'll watch every move during recitals? Is Johnny okay with you coming to only the home games, or only the games he cares most about?

Can you and your spouse find ways to compromise and barter? Say, two Saturdays a month you get four hours of focused writing time, and two Saturdays a month your spouse gets four hours for their hobby or favorite activity. The possibilities are only limited to the creativity all of you bring to the table!

One of my students came to the realization that while she didn't like the idea of how much money her husband could spend golfing, they could compromise on how often he went and it was like "buying" writing time for her. Suddenly, the expense seemed worth it.

For more help and ideas with organizing your time and planning out your writing for the year, join me for my next annual class, Going the Distance: Time and Project Management for Writers. The class starts January 15, 2018, and includes lifetime membership to the class and the private Facebook group, as well as live video sessions where we work together to get you organized.

Additionally, I'll be a guest on Mark Dawson's Self Publishing Formula Podcast on January 5, 2018, giving you even more time management tips. Check it out! (The link will work starting January 5.)

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=1415Tue, 02 Jan 2018 09:00:00 -070021:19falsefull006E – More JoyI recently listened to a keynote address by Ray Bradbury given in 2001 at The Sixth Annual Writer's Symposium by the Sea at Point Loma Nazarene University. In his presentation, Ray says that writing shouldn't feel like work, he wants people to envy him his joy. Writing should be fun!

That really got me thinking about how I can emulate Ray's joy. For one thing, I can focus on the things that worked out instead of the things that didn't. I can focus on the great reviews my books have received instead of the number of books I sold. I can focus on how much fun I think my stories are and what a great time I have writing them instead of being worried that other people don't like them.

If there's anything I wish for you in the next year, it's more joy! :-D

]]>I recently listened to a keynote address by Ray Bradbury given in 2001 at The Sixth Annual Writer's Symposium by the Sea at Point Loma Nazarene University. In his presentation, Ray says that writing shouldn't feel like work, he wants people to envy him his joy. Writing should be fun!

That really got me thinking about how I can emulate Ray's joy. For one thing, I can focus on the things that worked out instead of the things that didn't. I can focus on the great reviews my books have received instead of the number of books I sold. I can focus on how much fun I think my stories are and what a great time I have writing them instead of being worried that other people don't like them.

If there's anything I wish for you in the next year, it's more joy! :-D

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=1411Sun, 31 Dec 2017 09:00:00 -070010:25falsefull005I – Making Research Fun: An Interview with Kathleen Damp WrightToday's guest, Kathleen Damp Wright, shares her stories about how doing in-person research for her novels is more fun and yields more interesting results. It also leads to more focused online research later.

Kathleen Damp Wright is the co-author, along with Lauraine Snelling, of The S.A.V.E. Squad series for middle grade readers (Dog Daze, The Great Cat Caper, Secondhand Horses, and No Ordinary Owl), and Waiting for Sparks, a Harlequin Heartwarming series title. She also enjoys her online adjunct position teaching refresher business writing. You can find her on Twitter at @Kathy_Damp and on Instagram at @KathyDamp.

While Kathleen and Lauraine knew a lot about dogs for their first book together - both adopt rescue dogs - neither of them had owned cats. When Kathleen first started researching feral cats, she learned that they are now called community cats. Important thing to know in case her readers know that!

She asked friends, former students, and Facebook friends when she needed to know who owned cats or knew someone with a miniature horse. She learned that different breeds of the same animal have different personalities, and much is said the way a cat moves its ears or whiskers or tail, or in the many sounds a horse makes.

When she went to a wild bird rescue, she saw a girl about the same age as her main character volunteering, and Kathleen watched what she did. Online research just wouldn't have the same emotional power as when you hear real people tell their stories.

A lot of times, research is about learning the vocabulary, she says. Once you know the right words, you can start digging around online. Where you've lived or vacationed can also provide research details, though Kathleen suggests waiting until the second or third draft to add the details you still need to look up. Otherwise, if you enjoy learning all these new things, you may never finish the book!

 

 

]]>Today's guest, Kathleen Damp Wright, shares her stories about how doing in-person research for her novels is more fun and yields more interesting results. It also leads to more focused online research later.

Kathleen Damp Wright is the co-author, along with Lauraine Snelling, of The S.A.V.E. Squad series for middle grade readers (Dog Daze, The Great Cat Caper, Secondhand Horses, and No Ordinary Owl), and Waiting for Sparks, a Harlequin Heartwarming series title. She also enjoys her online adjunct position teaching refresher business writing. You can find her on Twitter at @Kathy_Damp and on Instagram at @KathyDamp.

While Kathleen and Lauraine knew a lot about dogs for their first book together - both adopt rescue dogs - neither of them had owned cats. When Kathleen first started researching feral cats, she learned that they are now called community cats. Important thing to know in case her readers know that!

She asked friends, former students, and Facebook friends when she needed to know who owned cats or knew someone with a miniature horse. She learned that different breeds of the same animal have different personalities, and much is said the way a cat moves its ears or whiskers or tail, or in the many sounds a horse makes.

When she went to a wild bird rescue, she saw a girl about the same age as her main character volunteering, and Kathleen watched what she did. Online research just wouldn't have the same emotional power as when you hear real people tell their stories.

A lot of times, research is about learning the vocabulary, she says. Once you know the right words, you can start digging around online. Where you've lived or vacationed can also provide research details, though Kathleen suggests waiting until the second or third draft to add the details you still need to look up. Otherwise, if you enjoy learning all these new things, you may never finish the book!

 

 

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=1393Thu, 28 Dec 2017 10:00:00 -070039:23falsefull004T Planning for SuccessThe difference between dreams and New Year's resolutions and goals is all in your head. How much do you believe in the dream? How committed are you to the resolution? A goal requires belief, commitment, and planning in order to achieve it.

Although I recorded this episode in late December 2017, I want you to remember that you can always hit the Restart button, no matter what time of the year - or day - it is. Are you all tangled up in the multiple goals you had planned? Stop, and Restart.

To begin, create a Master Goals List for the next year. Put everything on it - all the writing, the conferences, everything related to your writing business. Now add in all of your personal goals and events - school events, school holidays, family vacations, conferences, business trips, birthday/anniversary celebrations, everything.

Now mark up your list, prioritizing what is the most important (and/or unavoidable) for this year, and putting a different mark next to things that may have to wait until next year. (This list isn't written in stone! You can change things later, if necessary. Restart! ;) )

Looking at each item on your Master Goals List, break it down into smaller pieces that can be done in a calendar quarter, in a month, in a week, even into daily pieces if you like to plan to that kind of detail. So for each book you want to publish, you'll break it down into how long it takes to write the first draft, send it to your editor, get it back and make revisions, write a final draft, get it proofread, get a cover made, write a book description, get the story formatted for ebook and/or print, and figure out your marketing plans for the book launch. On a smaller scale, if you want to read 24 novels in the next year, you'll plan to read about two each month.

Remember, this isn't about getting crazy about planning, it's about making time for the things that are most important to you! The idea is to keep from being overwhelmed with trying to get the important things done in the midst of everything else that goes on in your life.

I suggest people have a physical calendar - paper or laminated - so that they can use colored sticky notes instead of ink pens to write all the pieces of each goal on each week and month. Three reasons - it's easier to make changes to your schedule as things come up. Maybe this book was harder or easier to write and you need to change your deadline.

Second, having scratched out items permanently on my calendar in ink may be an unwelcome reminder that I didn't make goals, which leads to feeling bad about myself. I don't need anything extra making me feel bad.

Third, using different colored sticky notes for each kind of task will help you see at a glance what's going on in your month.

Track your accomplishments! (See last week's episode about creating a Done Journal.) How much did you get done compared to how much you planned to do?

Last, but not least, plan your rewards. Positive reinforcement helps your brain to know what you want more of, and your brain will try to give it to you. Find a cheerleader, get a high-five for daily goals, maybe a favorite drink for bigger goals in the month, and bigger rewards for bigger goals like finishing and publishing a book.

A little bit of planning will go a long way toward making your dreams/goals/resolutions a reality.

 

 

 

 

 

]]>The difference between dreams and New Year's resolutions and goals is all in your head. How much do you believe in the dream? How committed are you to the resolution? A goal requires belief, commitment, and planning in order to achieve it.

Although I recorded this episode in late December 2017, I want you to remember that you can always hit the Restart button, no matter what time of the year - or day - it is. Are you all tangled up in the multiple goals you had planned? Stop, and Restart.

To begin, create a Master Goals List for the next year. Put everything on it - all the writing, the conferences, everything related to your writing business. Now add in all of your personal goals and events - school events, school holidays, family vacations, conferences, business trips, birthday/anniversary celebrations, everything.

Now mark up your list, prioritizing what is the most important (and/or unavoidable) for this year, and putting a different mark next to things that may have to wait until next year. (This list isn't written in stone! You can change things later, if necessary. Restart! ;) )

Looking at each item on your Master Goals List, break it down into smaller pieces that can be done in a calendar quarter, in a month, in a week, even into daily pieces if you like to plan to that kind of detail. So for each book you want to publish, you'll break it down into how long it takes to write the first draft, send it to your editor, get it back and make revisions, write a final draft, get it proofread, get a cover made, write a book description, get the story formatted for ebook and/or print, and figure out your marketing plans for the book launch. On a smaller scale, if you want to read 24 novels in the next year, you'll plan to read about two each month.

Remember, this isn't about getting crazy about planning, it's about making time for the things that are most important to you! The idea is to keep from being overwhelmed with trying to get the important things done in the midst of everything else that goes on in your life.

I suggest people have a physical calendar - paper or laminated - so that they can use colored sticky notes instead of ink pens to write all the pieces of each goal on each week and month. Three reasons - it's easier to make changes to your schedule as things come up. Maybe this book was harder or easier to write and you need to change your deadline.

Second, having scratched out items permanently on my calendar in ink may be an unwelcome reminder that I didn't make goals, which leads to feeling bad about myself. I don't need anything extra making me feel bad.

Third, using different colored sticky notes for each kind of task will help you see at a glance what's going on in your month.

Track your accomplishments! (See last week's episode about creating a Done Journal.) How much did you get done compared to how much you planned to do?

Last, but not least, plan your rewards. Positive reinforcement helps your brain to know what you want more of, and your brain will try to give it to you. Find a cheerleader, get a high-five for daily goals, maybe a favorite drink for bigger goals in the month, and bigger rewards for bigger goals like finishing and publishing a book.

A little bit of planning will go a long way toward making your dreams/goals/resolutions a reality.

 

 

 

 

 

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=1383Tue, 26 Dec 2017 12:00:00 -070021:10falsefull003E Today’s BoxIn this first Encouraging Words episode, I encourage you not to let yourself get overwhelmed by kids and parents and finances and (un)employment and health and everything else in your life. I can't write when I'm stressed out and scared, but I'm a total planner. So how do I keep a balance?

At some point in the last few stressful years, my husband said, "Let's just try to stay in today's box." His point was for us to work on and plan for what we could plan for and work on today, but we had to let tomorrow's problems and potential disasters wait for us tomorrow.

It turns out it was an idea that changed the way we live our lives!

Additionally, there is a section in the Bible where Jesus is talking about not worrying. In Matthew 6, He says we shouldn't worry about what we're going to eat or drink or wear because God knows what we need. Instead, we should seek first His kingdom, and all those things will be given to us as well. This reminded me of how John and I had started trying to live in today's box - not worrying about tomorrow.

In my writing life, this may translate into focusing on the book I'm working on and not worrying about the next trilogy I want to write "soon." It might mean doing today's work today and not getting lost and overwhelmed in the details of everything else that's going to have to get done to publish this book. And so on.

I've found both John's and Jesus' advice to be really helpful in life and in writing. :) I hope you do, too!

 

 

 

]]>In this first Encouraging Words episode, I encourage you not to let yourself get overwhelmed by kids and parents and finances and (un)employment and health and everything else in your life. I can't write when I'm stressed out and scared, but I'm a total planner. So how do I keep a balance?

At some point in the last few stressful years, my husband said, "Let's just try to stay in today's box." His point was for us to work on and plan for what we could plan for and work on today, but we had to let tomorrow's problems and potential disasters wait for us tomorrow.

It turns out it was an idea that changed the way we live our lives!

Additionally, there is a section in the Bible where Jesus is talking about not worrying. In Matthew 6, He says we shouldn't worry about what we're going to eat or drink or wear because God knows what we need. Instead, we should seek first His kingdom, and all those things will be given to us as well. This reminded me of how John and I had started trying to live in today's box - not worrying about tomorrow.

In my writing life, this may translate into focusing on the book I'm working on and not worrying about the next trilogy I want to write "soon." It might mean doing today's work today and not getting lost and overwhelmed in the details of everything else that's going to have to get done to publish this book. And so on.

I've found both John's and Jesus' advice to be really helpful in life and in writing. :) I hope you do, too!

 

 

 

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=1378Sun, 24 Dec 2017 08:00:00 -070008:47falsefull002I – Start With Characters: An Interview with Jacqueline DiamondOur guest today is Jacqueline Diamond, author of over 100 novels as well as How to Write a Novel in One (Not-So-Easy) Lesson, a book of lessons and helpful tips to help writers create better stories.

A former Associated Press reporter and TV columnist, Jacqueline Diamond has won a Career Achievement Award from Romantic Times magazine, has finaled twice for RWA’s prestigious Rita Award, and has hit bestseller lists including Waldenbooks and USA Today. She has written in genres from romantic suspense, romantic comedy, and Regency romance to mainstream mystery, fantasy, and science fiction. She offers monthly specials for your Kindle on her website, jacquelinediamond.com, and her Facebook page, JacquelineDiamondAuthor. You can also find her on Twitter at @JacqueDiamond, and follow her on Amazon.

The first thing you need to know about characters, Jacqueline says, is that they are the lynchpin of your book. They make people care about reading your story. Writers tend to start with characters like themselves, writing about their own adventures - but most of us are not that interesting. We don't develop over a short period of time like our characters must. So we need to think about who these people are, what their backgrounds are, what their motives are. Try to get to know them as real people.

Jacqueline has a checklist she uses as she develops her characters.

• What was their childhood like?
• What are their scars?
• What are their fears?
• What do they not know about themselves that they're going to discover over the course of the book?
• When you get to a point where you don't know how the character is going to act, ask yourself what issues you haven't brought up yet?
• What's their self-image? How do they picture themselves?
• What's at stake for them in their story?
• What mistaken beliefs do they have about themselves and others?
• What is their greatest strength, even if they're not aware of it?
• What is their greatest weakness, even if they're not aware of it?
• How do they lie to themselves?

You don't have to overdo it. But as you develop as a writer, you'll learn to create deeper characters. You can create a character sketch as you develop the character, then go back and review it, maybe even make changes to make the story better. You'll make discoveries as you write - go with those! Don't force yourself to stick to your initial outline.

You can avoid being too predictable by having the character occasionally behave in a way that's unexpected, even unreasonable, maybe acting out of emotion. Or you might have a secondary character who always says or behaves unexpectedly.

Tension in a story doesn't have to be open conflict. Characters don't have to have opposite opinions, but they can come at it from different viewpoints or with different emotions.

You as the writer have to dig down past your comfort zone to write with real emotion. Take a chance. Sometimes it hurts.

The Case of the Desperate Doctor, the third book in the Safe Harbor Medical Mysteries series will be out in early 2018.

See the beautiful sculpture by Jacqueline's mother, Sylvia Hyman, if you watch this episode on YouTube. Sylvia has two pieces of art in the Smithsonian American Art Museum in Washington, D.C.

]]>Our guest today is Jacqueline Diamond, author of over 100 novels as well as How to Write a Novel in One (Not-So-Easy) Lesson, a book of lessons and helpful tips to help writers create better stories.

A former Associated Press reporter and TV columnist, Jacqueline Diamond has won a Career Achievement Award from Romantic Times magazine, has finaled twice for RWA’s prestigious Rita Award, and has hit bestseller lists including Waldenbooks and USA Today. She has written in genres from romantic suspense, romantic comedy, and Regency romance to mainstream mystery, fantasy, and science fiction. She offers monthly specials for your Kindle on her website, jacquelinediamond.com, and her Facebook page, JacquelineDiamondAuthor. You can also find her on Twitter at @JacqueDiamond, and follow her on Amazon.

The first thing you need to know about characters, Jacqueline says, is that they are the lynchpin of your book. They make people care about reading your story. Writers tend to start with characters like themselves, writing about their own adventures - but most of us are not that interesting. We don't develop over a short period of time like our characters must. So we need to think about who these people are, what their backgrounds are, what their motives are. Try to get to know them as real people.

Jacqueline has a checklist she uses as she develops her characters.

• What was their childhood like?
• What are their scars?
• What are their fears?
• What do they not know about themselves that they're going to discover over the course of the book?
• When you get to a point where you don't know how the character is going to act, ask yourself what issues you haven't brought up yet?
• What's their self-image? How do they picture themselves?
• What's at stake for them in their story?
• What mistaken beliefs do they have about themselves and others?
• What is their greatest strength, even if they're not aware of it?
• What is their greatest weakness, even if they're not aware of it?
• How do they lie to themselves?

You don't have to overdo it. But as you develop as a writer, you'll learn to create deeper characters. You can create a character sketch as you develop the character, then go back and review it, maybe even make changes to make the story better. You'll make discoveries as you write - go with those! Don't force yourself to stick to your initial outline.

You can avoid being too predictable by having the character occasionally behave in a way that's unexpected, even unreasonable, maybe acting out of emotion. Or you might have a secondary character who always says or behaves unexpectedly.

Tension in a story doesn't have to be open conflict. Characters don't have to have opposite opinions, but they can come at it from different viewpoints or with different emotions.

You as the writer have to dig down past your comfort zone to write with real emotion. Take a chance. Sometimes it hurts.

The Case of the Desperate Doctor, the third book in the Safe Harbor Medical Mysteries series will be out in early 2018.

See the beautiful sculpture by Jacqueline's mother, Sylvia Hyman, if you watch this episode on YouTube. Sylvia has two pieces of art in the Smithsonian American Art Museum in Washington, D.C.

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=1371Fri, 22 Dec 2017 17:03:00 -070023:17falsefull001T – Your Done Journal: 4 Reasons Why Writing Down Your Accomplishments Is ImportantChances are you own at least one blank journal. People have probably been giving them to you as gifts for years. Now you finally have a use for one of them! :-)

There are at least four reasons why creating a Done Journal will help you in your writing career. For one, it shows the IRS or other taxing authority that you are not a hobbyist. You are actively pursuing a writing career and are officially in business.

But on a more personal level, recording everything you get done every day in your writing business will help you feel you actually achieved something - especially as you approach the end of the year each year. You can scan back over the entries and notice how much you got done! Good on you!

What you write can also help you plan for the future. What you've done and how long it took in the past will give you a basis for estimating how long things will take in the future. How long does it take you to write your average first draft? How long to get to a final, publishable draft? How long does it take your editor to get back to you, and for you to incorporate changes? How long does it take your cover artist to get you a final cover? Even things like how long it takes you to get ready to go away to a conference and how much time you need when you get back before you're up and running at 100% again will help you create more accurate planning calendars.

And not least of all - you need to celebrate your successes! You shouldn't wait a year, or seven or ten years, to celebrate finishing your first book. Or your next book. You need to at least have someone who will give you a high-five that you met your 2000-word writing goal today. And it does your neural pathways good to get positive reinforcement about the things you're excited to have accomplished. Your brain will try harder to do more of what you reward it for doing. :)

So go find a cool blank book or lined journal, write My Done Journal inside the front cover, then write today's date and the things you accomplished writing-wise today. At the very least, you can write down "Listened to writing podcast and started new Done Journal" on the first line!

]]>Chances are you own at least one blank journal. People have probably been giving them to you as gifts for years. Now you finally have a use for one of them! :-)

There are at least four reasons why creating a Done Journal will help you in your writing career. For one, it shows the IRS or other taxing authority that you are not a hobbyist. You are actively pursuing a writing career and are officially in business.

But on a more personal level, recording everything you get done every day in your writing business will help you feel you actually achieved something - especially as you approach the end of the year each year. You can scan back over the entries and notice how much you got done! Good on you!

What you write can also help you plan for the future. What you've done and how long it took in the past will give you a basis for estimating how long things will take in the future. How long does it take you to write your average first draft? How long to get to a final, publishable draft? How long does it take your editor to get back to you, and for you to incorporate changes? How long does it take your cover artist to get you a final cover? Even things like how long it takes you to get ready to go away to a conference and how much time you need when you get back before you're up and running at 100% again will help you create more accurate planning calendars.

And not least of all - you need to celebrate your successes! You shouldn't wait a year, or seven or ten years, to celebrate finishing your first book. Or your next book. You need to at least have someone who will give you a high-five that you met your 2000-word writing goal today. And it does your neural pathways good to get positive reinforcement about the things you're excited to have accomplished. Your brain will try harder to do more of what you reward it for doing. :)

So go find a cool blank book or lined journal, write My Done Journal inside the front cover, then write today's date and the things you accomplished writing-wise today. At the very least, you can write down "Listened to writing podcast and started new Done Journal" on the first line!

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=1359Fri, 22 Dec 2017 04:00:00 -070026:26falsefull000 – About the ShowWelcome to the WRITE NOW! Workshop Podcast! I'm your host, Kitty Bucholtz, and I want to encourage you to believe that you can write a book and change the world.

In addition to writing, I also love teaching, and helping writers is one of my favorite things to do. On this podcast, I want to help you improve your writing and move your writing career forward.

Each week, there will be three short episodes - because you may not have time to sit and listen for an hour straight. So on Tuesdays, I'll bring you a teaching episode, something you can apply to your writing right away. On Thursdays, I'll interview a writer or editor or someone else in the publishing industry who has valuable information to share. And Sundays will offer you an Encouraging Words episode. Writing can be a difficult and often lonely business, and we all need the occasional boost to keep us moving forward.

In addition to the audio episodes, I'll often add video portions of the show to my YouTube Channel, Kitty Bucholtz. Not everyone wants to be interviewed on video, but I'll share with you as many as I can.

We can get to know each other better on the WRITE NOW! Workshop Facebook group, so pop on over and say hello. Tell me what you're writing and what you're struggling with.

Meanwhile, subscribe to the show - and enjoy!

]]>Welcome to the WRITE NOW! Workshop Podcast! I'm your host, Kitty Bucholtz, and I want to encourage you to believe that you can write a book and change the world.

In addition to writing, I also love teaching, and helping writers is one of my favorite things to do. On this podcast, I want to help you improve your writing and move your writing career forward.

Each week, there will be three short episodes - because you may not have time to sit and listen for an hour straight. So on Tuesdays, I'll bring you a teaching episode, something you can apply to your writing right away. On Thursdays, I'll interview a writer or editor or someone else in the publishing industry who has valuable information to share. And Sundays will offer you an Encouraging Words episode. Writing can be a difficult and often lonely business, and we all need the occasional boost to keep us moving forward.

In addition to the audio episodes, I'll often add video portions of the show to my YouTube Channel, Kitty Bucholtz. Not everyone wants to be interviewed on video, but I'll share with you as many as I can.

We can get to know each other better on the WRITE NOW! Workshop Facebook group, so pop on over and say hello. Tell me what you're writing and what you're struggling with.

Meanwhile, subscribe to the show - and enjoy!

]]>https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/?p=1353Mon, 18 Dec 2017 23:06:00 -070003:42falsefull