WRITE NOW! Workshop Podcast: Write a Book, Change the World with Kitty Bucholtz

Episode 292: In the return of Write Now Workshop Podcast after a too-long sabbatical, Kitty joins Podcasthon (https://www.podcasthon.org/) and over 1000 other podcasters around the world who are highlighting their favorite charity. Today we welcome back Bonnie DePue and CHUM Therapeutic Riding (https://www.chumtherapy.net/), Kitty's favorite charity!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.

Alessandra Torre is our guest today sharing her top 4 take-aways from just the marketing portion of the 2022 Inkers Con writers conference. (Not even her top 4 overall!) If you'd like to sign up for the conference, you can still access the digital version -- and Alessandra kindly gave us a $50 off coupon! Enter the code WNWPODCAST at Inkers Con to get your discount! Download the Author Assessment Worksheet today! A gift from Alessandra!

EPISODE 290TPodcast 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!

EPISODE 289Today'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/

EPISODE 288E 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?

EPISODE 287T Our guest today is award-winning author https://www.susanmaywarren.com/ (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. Check back in a few days to get the wonderful handout Susie May gave us! And be sure to check out https://www.amazon.com/Sunrise-Sky-King-Ranch-Book-ebook/dp/B09B2NBPXT/ (Sunrise), her latest book one in a series and one of the books we used for some of the examples, as well as https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09LWVBB5X (Sunburst) (June 7, 2022) and https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09V6XDK3S (Sundown) (Nov 1, 2022) to see how she puts a series together. (Also great books! I've read the first and preordered the others.)

EPISODE 286E 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!

EPISODE 285T 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 http://www.amandacabot.com/ (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 https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/381270 (Baker Book House) (https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/381270, where you can find discounted pricing on paperbacks). Learn more about Amanda and her books at http://www.amandacabot.com/ (her website) (http://www.amandacabot.com/).

EPISODE 284T 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 (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 (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!

EPISODE 283E 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: https://www.amazon.com/Switch-Your-Brain-Happiness-Thinking/dp/0801018390/ (Switch on Your Brain) by https://drleaf.com/ (Dr. Caroline Leaf) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10896634/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1 (Long Story Short) on Netflix https://daydreamer.ac-page.com/AuthorReadingRoom (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!

EPISODE 282E 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!

EPISODE 281I Today's guest is Olivia Bowser, founder and CEO of https://www.liberatestudio.com/ (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/ (https://www.liberatestudio.com/).

EPISODE 280I Today's guest is https://www.lynnbohart-author.com/ (Lynn Bohart), writing teacher and author of the cozy mystery series, https://amzn.to/3yBTmG5 (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 https://www.linkedin.com/in/lynn-bohart/ (LinkedIn), https://www.facebook.com/bohartink (Facebook), or wherever you like to connect.

EPISODE 279I Today's guest is https://sarahsantacroce.com/ (Sarah Santacroce), author of https://humane.marketing/book1 (Marketing Like We're Human) and https://humane.marketing/book2 (Selling Like We're Human), and host of the https://humane.marketing/humane-marketing-podcast/ (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 (https://humane.marketing/1page). Learn more about her at https://sarahsantacroce.com/ (https://sarahsantacroce.com/) and https://humane.marketing/ (https://humane.marketing/) https://humane.marketing/humane-marketing-podcast/ (https://humane.marketing/humane-marketing-podcast/) https://humane.marketing/book1 (https://humane.marketing/book1) https://humane.marketing/book2 (https://humane.marketing/book2)

EPISODE 278E 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.

EPISODE 277I Today's guest is mystery writer https://amyspeele.com/ (Amy S. Peele) talking to us about writing her medical murder mysteries, https://amzn.to/3IrSybz (Cut) and https://amzn.to/3y64AlT (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/ (https://amyspeele.com/). Follow her on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/amy.s.peele (https://www.facebook.com/amy.s.peele), Twitter https://twitter.com/amy_peele (https://twitter.com/amy_peele), Instagram https://www.instagram.com/amypeele/ (https://www.instagram.com/amypeele/), and LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-s-peele-b815801b/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-s-peele-b815801b/).

EPISODE 276I Bestselling author https://www.susanmaywarren.com/ (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 https://www.mybrilliantwritingplanner.com/ (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/ (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/ (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/ (https://www.susanmaywarren.com/). Follow her on social media including Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

EPISODE 275I Author https://www.nataliewalterswriter.com/ (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, https://amzn.to/3nNpsuO (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/ (https://www.nataliewalterswriter.com/) and follow her on Facebook and Instagram (https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100041917969557 (https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100041917969557) and https://www.instagram.com/nataliewalters_writer/ (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.

EPISODE 274I Today's guest is Dr Sunil Raheja, author of https://amzn.to/3Ft0G9i (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/ (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/ (https://www.writenowworkshop.com/writingcoach/)

EPISODE 273I Today's guest is attorney Kathryn Goldman, founder of https://creativelawcenter.com/ (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/ (https://creativelawcenter.com/fair-use-guidelines/)), a chart on Cornell University's site about determining public domain works (https://copyright.cornell.edu/publicdomain (https://copyright.cornell.edu/publicdomain)), an article about museums who give away images of public domain works (https://creativelawcenter.com/museums-open-access-images/ (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/ (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/ (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 https://creativelawcenter.com/ (Creative Law Center) (https://creativelawcenter.com/ (https://creativelawcenter.com/)). There you'll find https://creativelawcenter.com/workshops/ (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/ (https://creativelawcenter.com/register/membership-signup/)).

EPISODE 272E 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 https://nanowrimo.org/ (NaNoWriMo.org) website. I also mention Rachel Aaron's fabulous book for writing faster, https://amzn.to/3bFrdDl (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).

EPISODE 272E Today's guest is https://betsystamant.com/ (Betsy St. Amant), the funny author of the new romantic comedy, https://amzn.to/3bGFIXE (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/ (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.

EPISODE 270 Today's guest is https://jamesrhannibal.com/ (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 -- https://lightraiders.com/ (LightRaiders) -- but also decided to write a book series around it. https://amzn.to/3EqZmmY (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/.

EPISODE 269E 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.

EPISODE 268I Today's guest is Certified Executor Advisor, https://www.davidedey.com/ (David E Edey), talking to us about his new book, https://www.davidedey.com/ (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 https://www.davidedey.com/resources.html (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/

EPISODE 267I 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.

EPISODE 266I The lovely https://www.rachelhauck.com/ (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/ (https://www.rachelhauck.com/), and follow her on social media.

EPISODE 265I Bestselling author https://diannmills.com/ (DiAnn Mills) returns to share with us tips from her new book, https://amzn.to/3zZjQRM (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/ (https://diannmills.com/). https://amzn.to/3liffUy (Exploring the Art of Character), her brand new romantic suspense novel, https://amzn.to/3nkn2E9 (Trace of Doubt), and all of her other books are available wherever books are sold.

EPISODE 264E 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.

EPISODE 263I Bestselling authors http://amandacabot.com/ (Amanda Cabot) and https://leighduncan.com/ (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/ (http://amandacabot.com/). Her novella collection, https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0993YPQ7X/ (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/ (https://leighduncan.com/). Her new https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08WYMRT7C? (Sugar Sand Beach) series is available through Kindle Unlimited or for purchase on Amazon. Follow her at leighduncanbooks on Facebook and Instagram.

EPISODE 262I 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 (https://go.oncehub.com/DrTayo). You can follow her on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/tayodee (https://www.facebook.com/tayodee), and she also has a private group for women at https://www.facebook.com/groups/midlifedivas/ (www.facebook.com/groups/midlifedivas/) where she shares valuable information on health in the second half of life.

EPISODE 261I Today's guest is https://www.markasquith.com/ (Mark Asquith), serial entrepreneur, podcast expert, and CEO and co-founder of podcast hosting, analytics, and monetization platform https://www.captivate.fm/ (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/ (https://www.markasquith.com/).

EPISODE 260I Author http://shawnsmucker.com/ (Shawn Smucker) returns to the show to talk about his brand new book, https://amzn.to/3yD4Ok4 (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/ (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/ (https://www.thestoriesbetweenus.com/).

EPISODE 259I Author https://www.lizjohnsonbooks.com/ (Liz Johnson) is back with us to talk about her brand new book, https://amzn.to/3lfOhyr (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/ (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.

EPISODE 258E 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!

EPISODE 257I Author https://susiefinkbeiner.com/ (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, https://amzn.to/2WBn0fN (The Nature of Small Birds), about a family involved in Operation Babylift after the Vietnam War. You can find the book at https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/260806 (Baker Book House), https://amzn.to/2WBn0fN (Amazon), and your favorite book seller. You can learn more about Susie and her books at her website, https://susiefinkbeiner.com/ (https://susiefinkbeiner.com/), and on https://www.instagram.com/susie_finkbeiner/ (Instagram).

Ep 256E 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!

EPISODE 255I Today's guest is https://kindlepreneur.com/ (Dave Chesson from Kindlepreneur) talking about a brand new piece of writing software, https://www.atticus.io/ (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/ (https://www.atticus.io/). Learn more about Dave and Kindlepreneur, an amazing resource for writers, at https://kindlepreneur.com/ (https://kindlepreneur.com/) and check out the YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-s3Pb8uIBm0QN8MVaulJKA (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-s3Pb8uIBm0QN8MVaulJKA).

EPISODE 254I https://gwenhernandez.com/ (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/ (https://gwenhernandez.com/) and https://scrivenerclasses.com/ (https://scrivenerclasses.com/). Follow her on https://www.instagram.com/gwenhernandezauthor/ (Instagram), https://www.facebook.com/GwenHernandezAuthor/ (Facebook), and https://twitter.com/gwen_hernandez (Twitter).

EPISODE 253I Today's guest is http://www.myauthorconcierge.com/ (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 https://amzn.to/2SNVxG9 (Self-Publishing Checklist Series) of short books, and talks briefly about her book https://amzn.to/2SdRClB (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/ (https://www.booktrakr.com/), Book Report (Amazon sales only) https://www.getbookreport.com/ (https://www.getbookreport.com/), and Tracker Box (multiple platforms) http://www.storyboxsoftware.com/tdownload.htm (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/ (http://www.myauthorconcierge.com/), on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/MyAuthorConcierge (https://www.facebook.com/MyAuthorConcierge), and on Twitter https://twitter.com/AuthorConcierge (https://twitter.com/AuthorConcierge).

EPISODE 252I Today's guest is autistic biohacker, http://thrivewithautism.ca/ (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/ (http://thrivewithautism.ca/), on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/Thrive.With.Autism (https://www.facebook.com/Thrive.With.Autism), and at her Quora profile, https://www.quora.com/profile/Jackie-McMillan (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/ (https://www.amazon.com/Educators-Questions-Reducing-Challenges-Classroom-ebook/dp/B00MYC98HI/).

EPISODE 251E 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.

EPISODE 250I Welcome to the 250th episode of the show! Today's guest is https://jodyhedlund.com/ (Jody Hedlund), author of the new https://amzn.to/3cebKLi (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/ (https://jodyhedlund.com/).

EPISODE 249I Today's guest is https://annkroeker.com/ (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/ (https://annkroeker.com/) and get all the links you need at her Everything page, http://annkroeker.com/everything/ (http://annkroeker.com/everything/).

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

EPISODE 247I Today's guest is literary agent Cynthia Ruchti of https://www.booksandsuch.com/ (Books & Such Literary Management). You may remember Cynthia from https://podcast.writenowworkshop.com/episodes/reaching-out-with-deep-emotion-an-interview-with-cynthia-ruchti/ (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/ (https://www.booksandsuch.com/).

EPISODE 246I Today's guest is former stealth pilot and award-winning novelist, https://jamesrhannibal.com/ (James R Hannibal). His latest novel, https://amzn.to/2Sv48gl (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/ (https://jamesrhannibal.com/). Read his blog post about escaping the research bog here: https://www.blueridgeconference.com/research-escaping-the-research-bog-part-three/ (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/ (https://lightraiders.com/). And read https://amzn.to/2Sv48gl (The Paris Betrayal), out now.

EPISODE 245E 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.

EPISODE 244I Today's guest is Dr Debra Holland, https://debraholland.com/ (award-winning romance author) as well as https://drdebraholland.com/ (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/ (https://debraholland.com/), and you can learn more about her counseling work at https://drdebraholland.com/ (https://drdebraholland.com/).

EPISODE 243E 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!

EPISODE 242I Today's guest is best-selling and award-winning author https://www.irenehannon.com/ (Irene Hannon). We're talking about the latest book in her Hope Harbor series, https://amzn.to/2OaOKE6 (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/ (https://www.irenehannon.com/), and follow her on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Irene-Hannon-426433004084567 (https://www.facebook.com/Irene-Hannon-426433004084567).