Diving into Writing

During this episode, Lucinda and Mariëlle talk about how embracing your weird is a good thing and how to incorporate it into your writing. Here are some of the topics that came up: How writing to market can seriously limit your inner weirdo from shining through That staying true to yourself is an incredibly hard … Continue reading "Episode 99 – Embracing your Inner Weirdo"

Mariëlle explains the potential use of tarot cards in writing. She describes how to use tarots to identify and deal with blocks to the writing process, as well as, how to use the cards to plot a novel or develop characters. We asked the cards the following questions: What do we need to consider about … Continue reading "Episode 98 – Using Tarot in Writing"

During this episode, Lucinda asks Mariëlle all about her upcoming Kickstarter campaign. Here are some of the topics that came up: What Kickstarter is and how it can work for writers (fiction and non-fiction) For whom Kickstarter is, potentially, a great platform to sell books and find a new audience The risks involved in using … Continue reading "Episode 94 – Kickstart Your Writing"

In this episode Mariëlle and Lucinda talk about the Fear of Missing Out FOMO. The decision to attend a writing conference is not always as easy as it seems. Mariëlle  and Lucinda share their experiences  and challenges of whether or not to attend conferences.

In this episode Mariëlle and Lucinda talk about what qualities makes writing meaningful.

In this episode, Lucinda and Mariëlle talk about: How Mariëlle figured out what kept her back from plotting her next writing project. How both Lucinda's and Mariëlle's creativity shuts down when they start telling themselves ‘This is how it SHOULD be done.' Making the two parts of your brain cooperate and tricking your fear into … Continue reading "Episode 90 – Overcoming Writing Struggles"

This episode is all about a struggle the hosts share. What happens when you fail to do well at the one thing you have a reputation for being good at? Consider the stories we tell ourselves and no matter how positive and uplifting, what are the dangers? How can the story  be manipulated to produce  … Continue reading "Episode 89 – When you fail to do well at what you are normally good at."

Anxiety and depression are all too common. Mariëlle and Lucinda talk about their own difficulties, and the challenges that brings to their writing.

In this episode, Mariëlle and Lucinda continue the theme of self-sabotage as they share their experience of writing through distractions.

In this episode, Mariëlle and  Lucinda reveal what judgements they  personally  fear.

The most powerful writing comes from the subconscious part of the brain we access when we shut down the inner critic and just let the words come. Fear of judgement will shut that part down, and we must learn to let it go. How? With lots of self-awareness and work, of course. Grab your journal … Continue reading "Episode 85 – Writing with the Inner Critic"

“I think  new writers are too worried that it  has all been said  before. Sure it has. But not by you.” Asha Dornfest Do you continue to write a  book if someone has already written something similar? In this episode Mariëlle and Lucinda talk about what is unique about their writing. Think of a story … Continue reading "Episode 81 – It's all been said before, but that's okay"

During this episode, Mariëlle and Lucinda discuss what came up for them during the third part of the exercise. What better beliefs have they created? And can they improve on them together?  “I deserve to achieve financial success and respect for my writing.”  Lucinda Pebre.

During this episode, Mariëlle and Lucinda discuss what came up for them during the second part of the exercise. They ask: Where do our limiting beliefs come from? How have they served us? Who would you be without these beliefs? Step 3 –  Creating new beliefs about writing Of all the beliefs about writing you … Continue reading "Episode 78 – Understanding our Limiting Beliefs"

Episode 76 introduces a series about self-sabotage, which appears to plague most humans. It has many faces, and Mariëlle and Lucinda share theirs in the following episodes. First, they take a closer look at their limiting beliefs. What do they mean to the individual? How do they impact writing lives?  “Our deepest fear is not … Continue reading "Episode 76 – Introduction to Self-Sabotage"

In this episode, Mariëlle and Lucinda talk about establishing boundaries that allow them to write regularly. Boundaries are not fixed and need to adapt and change, sometimes becoming the new normal. Boundaries are more membrane-like than a drawbridge where aspects of life can pass through while others need keeping out. Only you can decide what … Continue reading "Episode 73 – The Importance of Boundaries for Writers"

In this episode, Mariëlle and Lucinda talk about fitting writing into their lives. They identify areas that they have consciously and unconsciously given up to write fiction. There might be obvious areas. Perhaps you spend too much time on social media or watching TV, but sometimes it's about spending less time with family and friends. … Continue reading "Episode 72 – Sacrifice and the Writing Life"

Virginia Woolf noted, many people who write want to do nothing else.  What are the most disagreeable aspects of being a writer for you? Are you passionate enough to endure these in the long term? Imagine dedication as a gauge. If you are honest with yourself, how do you score? What would dedication to your … Continue reading "Episode 71 – Are you as dedicated to writing as you think you are?"

In this episode, Mariëlle and Lucinda talk about dedicating themselves to writing. Many people struggle to find the time and commitment to write a novel but knowing where you are and where you are going improves your chances. It is vital to discover what is realistically achievable so you don't constantly feel you are failing. … Continue reading "Episode 70 – How Dedicated Do You Want to Be in Your Writing?"

Dedicating yourself to writing or a writing career starts with goals. Those goals might include publishing a novel, entering competition or just finishing a piece of work. In order to move forward, you will probably experience a mindset shift. It might be moving from writing as a hobby to writing as a career or perhaps … Continue reading "Episode 69 – From Goal Setter to Dedicated Writer"

“Research shows that perfectionism hampers success” (Brene Brown). Perfectionism can show up in many aspects of your life. It can stop a writer from getting past the first page or prevent them from pressing publish. In this episode, Mariëlle and I talk about overcoming our tendencies to lean towards perfectionism. In striving to be perfect, … Continue reading "Episode 68 – Perfectionism and Goal Setting"

In this episode, we continue our theme of setting effective goals to turn you into a successful author. There are times when it is natural to compare ourselves to others. Having a role model who inspires us can help us to identify what we want to achieve. Comparisonitis can be dangerous because it is about … Continue reading "Episode 67 – How Comparisonitis Affects Goals"

In this episode, we continue the theme of effective goal setting to help you become a successful author. Have your writing plans ever gone off track because of a significant life event? What did you do? Mariëlle and I talk about our experience and what helped. We consider strategies, but first, it's essential to recognise … Continue reading "Episode 66 – Achieving Goals when the Sh*t Hits the Fan"

Lucinda and Mariëlle record their experience of setting writing-related goals. They examine their own goals, which they set at the beginning of the year and discuss why goals need to be individual and flexible. Goal setting should be different for everyone. One person can feel motivated by attempting to achieve the unattainable or ‘stretch' goals, … Continue reading "Episode 62 – Realistic Goal Setting"

Setting goals is complicated. There are different types of goals and different types of people, each needing an individual strategy that works for them. In this episode, we introduce our next series of podcasts where we examine goal setting in depth. Achieving goals can be like life. Unexpected obstacles can trip us, leading us to … Continue reading "Episode 61 – Goal Setting for Writers"

In the last few episodes of Diving into Writing, we focus on the overarching theme of imposter syndrome. One of the many ways imposter syndrome can impact you is that it can make you reluctant to claim the title of writer or author. Mariëlle and I talk about our experience of claiming the title of … Continue reading "Episode 60 – When is it time to call yourself a writer?"

‘As I interpret the Course, “our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us.” We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You … Continue reading "Episode 58 – The Fear of Success"

Do you know what is holding you back from a successful writing career? It could be something as simple as your deep-rooted beliefs about success formed in childhood or as a result of life experiences that have convinced you that it’s safer to pass through life unnoticed and unrecognised. There are three stages to addressing … Continue reading "Episode 56 – The Effect of Limiting Beliefs on Writing"

People who struggle with imposter syndrome believe that they are undeserving of their achievements. They feel that they aren’t as competent or intelligent as others, and someone will discover the truth about them. It’s that nagging feeling that you aren’t good enough or that you fall short compared to those around you. People in the … Continue reading "Episode 55 – How Does Imposter Syndrome Affect Your Writing?"

How to get more book reviews Book reviews are important for all books, but especially so for self-published books because most sales are online. Whether you are a new or an established author, one of the hardest things to do is to get readers to leave a review of your book. After all, it takes time … Continue reading "Episode 54 – Get More Book Reviews"

What are beta readers? Beta readers review finished manuscripts before they’re published and provide the author with feedback from a reader’s point of view. They can answer author questions, such as, which characters are interesting and since beta readers highlight issues writers become blind to during the countless revisions. They can identify where a reader … Continue reading "Episode 53 – The Wonders of Beta Readers"

WHEN WRITING BECOMES ALL BUSINESSWhen should your hobby, writing fact or fiction become a business? This is something that Mariëlle and I explore in this episode.

Every author needs a mailing list, which means sending out regular newsletters but how do you decide what to include? Does your audience want personal facts or an insight into your daily living or should you keep things professional? This is something Marielle and I discuss in episode 51.

In this episode, Mariëlle and I talk about the ways in which we keep writing day after day.  We would love to know what works for you.

Lily Boo