The Writer's Nook Podcast

Productivity and organization has been a recurring theme on The Writer's Nook Podcast. Ahead of 2020 NaNoWrimo and as a general rule of thumb: how do you stay organized, measure productivity, and find a home for those stray ideas you always come up with? Hannah and Leah discuss their opposite-but-effective ways of staying organized and on track.Follow us on iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts. And if you enjoy the show, please leave us a review! This helps others find the show. Want to write to us or request a topic? Email us at podcast@btleditorial.com. Visit us on social media at @writersnookpod! You can also find Hannah at @btleditorial, and Leah at @lc_chiasson.

Though the ends of scenes and chapters may line up, how can you play with the structure of your novel to keep readers turning the page? Hannah and Leah discuss the difference between scenes and chapters and how you can use this knowledge to your advantage.Follow us on iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts. And if you enjoy the show, please leave us a review! This helps others find the show. Want to write to us or request a topic? Email us at podcast@btleditorial.com. Visit us on social media at @writersnookpod! You can also find Hannah at @btleditorial, and Leah at @lc_chiasson.

Simply put, your writing voice is your writing style and what makes your work unique to you. But how do you find your voice, and once you do, how do you refine it?Follow us on iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts. And if you enjoy the show, please leave us a review! This helps others find the show. Want to write to us or request a topic? Email us at podcast@btleditorial.com. Visit us on social media at @writersnookpod! You can also find Hannah at @btleditorial, and Leah at @lc_chiasson.

Hannah and Leah discuss how you can balance multiple writing projects at once. Life and inspiration sometimes mean balancing a few different ideas and manuscripts at once. If you want or need to tackle them at the same time, how do you achieve that balance?  Follow us on iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts. And if you enjoy the show, please leave us a review! This helps others find the show. Want to write to us or request a topic? Email us at podcast@btleditorial.com. Visit us on social media at @writersnookpod! You can also find Hannah at @btleditorial, and Leah at @lc_chiasson.

Hannah and Leah discuss managing your time as a creative writer. Remember: there is no right or wrong way to approach your work and schedule. It's about trying different strategies until you find the combination that works for you.Follow us on iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts. And if you enjoy the show, please leave us a review! This helps others find the show. Want to write to us or request a topic? Email us at podcast@btleditorial.com. Visit us on social media at @writersnookpod! You can also find Hannah at @btleditorial, and Leah at @lc_chiasson.

In the Season 3 opener, Hannah and Leah discuss self-care for writers and why you might not be writing consistently. Just as Season 2 ended, COVID-19 surged, the world shut down, social movements grew, and things haven't been what most of us expected for 2020. Many writers have been struggling to create, and that goes back to one common factor: stress.We are not mental health professionals. For mental health help and resources, check out the following links:For budget-friendly therapy options in the USA and Canada: https://openpathcollective.org/To find therapists and psychologists near you: https://www.psychologytoday.comFour questions to ask yourself about self-care: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/click-here-happiness/201901/self-care-in-busy-world-4-questions-ask-yourselfSamantha Heuwagen, previous podcast guest and licensed therapist: https://samanthaheuwagen.com/Follow us on iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts. And if you enjoy the show, please leave us a review! This helps others find the show. Want to write to us or request a topic? Email us at podcast@btleditorial.com. Visit us on social media at @writersnookpod! You can also find Hannah at @btleditorial, and Leah at @lc_chiasson.

What do you do once you finish your novel? Send it out to agents? Hire an editor? Actually, you might want to work with a critique partner and a few beta readers if you haven't already! In this episode, Hannah and Leah discuss the differences between critique partners and beta readers, what each role is, and how to find some helpful teammates.For a beta reader questionnaire, visit: https://btleditorial.com/2020/03/18/working-with-critique-partners-and-beta-readers/ Be sure to follow us on iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts. And if you enjoy the show, please leave us a review! This helps others find the show. Want to write to us or request a topic? Email us at podcast@btleditorial.com. Visit us on social media at @writersnookpod! You can also find Hannah at @btleditorial, and Leah at @lc_chiasson.  

Writing the middle of your story is the hardest party. It's where you start to lose focus, encounter writer's block, and feel like moving on to a shiny, new idea. In this episode of The Writer's Nook Podcast, Hannah and Leah discuss the 'messy middle' of novel writing and how to push through so you can finish your draft.Find The Writer's Nook Podcast online @writersnookpod or email us at podcast@btleditorial.com. Find Hannah online @btleditorial and Leah at @lc_chiasson.

Romance is not only one of the most popular genre among readers, but it makes for engaging subplots in other genres, too. Leah and Hannah discuss how to create tension in fictional romances, popular romance tropes, and some pitfalls you should try to avoid.Find The Writer's Nook Podcast online @writersnookpod or email us at podcast@btleditorial.com. Find Hannah online @btleditorial and Leah at @lc_chiasson.

Readers want to be captivated from the start of your novel. This may shock you, but prologues aren't always the best way to do that. How do you start in media res to gain readers' attention, and how do you incorporate a prologue if you want one? Join Hannah and Leah in this episode of The Writer's Nook Podcast to find out.Find The Writer's Nook Podcast online @writersnookpod or email us at podcast@btleditorial.com. Find Hannah online @btleditorial and Leah at @lc_chiasson.

To kick off the second half of Season 2, Hannah and Leah discuss their 2020 writing goals and their own writing projects. Find The Writer's Nook Podcast online @writersnookpod or email us at podcast@btleditorial.com

Self-editing can feel daunting, especially after completing a challenge like NaNoWriMo. Hannah and Leah share their insight and best tips for managing the self-editing and revision process, applicable on anything from a novel to a short story.To read more about self-editing, visit https://www.btleditorial.com/blog/To connect with Hannah and Leah, visit https://www.btleditorial.com/the-writers-nook-podcast, email them at podcast@btleditorial.com, or find them online at @writersnookpod. You can also find Hannah at @btleditorial and Leah at @leahdavisauthor anywhere on social media.

Often, we feel we need to deliver all of our carefully crafted worldbuilding in big chunks. We want the reader to know everything because we're excited and we know each piece of information plays a role in the story. But... that can overwhelm readers in what's called an 'info dump.' So, how do you balance sharing details of your world without overwhelming readers? Hannah and Leah discuss how to balance worldbuilding with narrative in fiction.To connect with Hannah and Leah, visit https://www.btleditorial.com/the-writers-nook-podcast, email them at podcast@btleditorial.com, or find them online at @writersnookpod. You can also find Hannah at @btleditorial and Leah at @leahdavisauthor anywhere on social media.

Every writer must read to grow their craft, but other media can help, too! In this episode, Hannah and Leah continue their discussion, this time focusing on movie and TV shows and how the storytelling in these forms of media can actually help you write a novel.To connect with Hannah and Leah, visit https://www.btleditorial.com/the-writers-nook-podcast, email them at podcast@btleditorial.com, or find them online at @writersnookpod. You can also find Hannah at @btleditorial and Leah at @leahdavisauthor anywhere on social media.

We didn't plan on our Halloween episode being #13, but here we are. In this episode, we're tackling suspension, tension, and pacing in the horror genre. Don't write horror? That's okay! These tips are applicable to all genres.To connect with Hannah and Leah, visit https://www.btleditorial.com/the-writers-nook-podcast, email them at podcast@btleditorial.com, or find them online at @writersnookpod. You can also find Hannah at @btleditorial and Leah at @leahdavisauthor anywhere on social media.

Every writer must read to grow their craft, but other media can help, too! In this episode, Hannah and Leah discuss anime and video games and how the storytelling in these forms of media can actually help you write a novel.To connect with Hannah and Leah, visit https://www.btleditorial.com/the-writers-nook-podcast, email them at podcast@btleditorial.com, or find them online at @writersnookpod. You can also find Hannah at @btleditorial and Leah at @leahdavisauthor anywhere on social media.

A great story isn't made up of a single linear plot. The best stories weave in subplots, secrets, and twists to keep readers guessing and wanting more. But what are subplots, how do you incorporate them, and why do storyline secrets matter?To connect with Hannah and Leah, visit https://www.btleditorial.com/the-writers-nook-podcast, email them at podcast@btleditorial.com, or find them online at @writersnookpod. You can also find Hannah at @btleditorial and Leah at @leahdavisauthor anywhere on social media.

Everybody's writing process is different, and that's okay! Our rituals and processes are very different, and finding yours through a series of trial and errors will help you write more efficiently. To connect with Hannah and Leah, visit https://www.btleditorial.com/the-writers-nook-podcast, email them at podcast@btleditorial.com, or find them online at @writersnookpod. You can also find Hannah at @btleditorial and Leah at @leahdavisauthor anywhere on social media.

In the Season 2 opener of The Writer's Nook Podcast, Hannah and Leah introduce the season's writing advice topics as well as talk more about themselves and their backgrounds. Find The Writer's Nook Podcast online @writersnookpod or email us at podcast@btleditorial.com

In this last episode of season 1, Hannah provides four quick productivity tips for creative writers to take them through Camp NaNoWriMo and beyond. Hannah and Leah will both return for season 2 at the end of the summer. To connect with them in the meantime, visit https://www.btleditorial.com/the-writers-nook-podcast, email them at podcast@btleditorial.com, or find them online at @writersnookpod. You can also find Hannah at @btleditorial and Leah at @leahdavisauthor anywhere on social media.Thank you to Purple Planet Music for our intro and outro music.

How do you conquer your word count without burning out? In this episode, Hannah and Leah discuss time management tips, the myth of the "hustle," and how to balance self-care with writing. Follow The Writer's Nook Podcast on social media @writersnookpod or online at www.btleditorial.com/podcast. Follow Hannah on social media at @btleditorial and Leah at @lcdavisauthor.

How do you take your novel's first draft through the revisions process? Hannah and Leah discuss the makeup of a first draft, how to get started on your editing, and how to keep your revisions organized. Don't forget to follow The Writer's Nook Podcast on social media @writersnookpod or online at www.btleditorial.com/podcast.

You've probably heard of plotting and pantsing by now, but did you know that you can be both? Your creative writing process doesn't have to fit into one box. Find out more about how you can create a flexible plot that even the staunchest of plotters and hardline pantsers would be able to work with. Don't forget to follow The Writer's Nook Podcast on social media @writersnookpod or online at www.btleditorial.com/podcast.

Author and therapist Samantha Heuwagen joins Hannah and Leah to discuss portrayals of mental health in fiction and her upcoming science-fiction book, Fading Starlight. Topics of discussion include the use of warnings/ratings in fiction, how to show mental illness and emotional health in fiction, and how to be inclusive in your story. You can find more about Samantha on her website, www.samanthaheuwagen.com, or on social media. Twitter: sheuwagen | Instagram: samantha_heuwagen.

How do you turn your story idea into a full concept with robust details and plot? Getting your idea to a concept adds the spark your story needs to come alive.

What's in a story idea? Hannah and Leah are breaking down the basic parts of your fiction story, including the stage, the characters, and the conflict. These three things will make a seed that will grow to become your story. Without a balanced idea, you will find your story struggling.

How you can overcome your fear of the blank page? Think of today as a pep talk rather than a full-length podcast episode. We're here to cheer you on and get you motivated to start writing before we dive into the intricacies of the craft. If you have any questions or want to chat, find us on social media at @writersnookpod or email us at podcast@btleditorial.com.

Welcome to The Writer's Nook podcast with Hannah Bauman and Leah Davis! We're both publishing professionals here to share our best tips, tricks, and insight to guide you from your initial story idea to a completed manuscript. We'll officially launch in February 2019 but wanted to introduce ourselves before we get started.