Writing with Friends

Today we'll discuss the novelist starter pack: five essential tools for your figurative writer's knapsack as you make the journey from getting started with that novel to querying and hopefully publishing your work!Picks of the Week:BJ: Existence by David BrinH: The New Diary by Tristine RainerMentioned in the Episode:Brandon Sanderson's BYU Writing CourseSave the Cat! Writes a Novel by Jessica BrodyS1E10: The Revision SpreadsheetS4E3 Fireside Chat: How Should I Use the Revision Spreadsheet?S1E1: Writers Workshops and Text to Speech ToolsLondon Writers' Salon Query with Confidence Course

Today, we'll be gathering around our metaphorical fireplace for a fireside chat– an honest conversation about our own writing practices that we hope you'll find helpful for your writing life as well. In this episode, we'll be talking about our writing lives lately– what's going well, what's not, and what we're learning along the way.Picks of the Week:BJ: The Best Science Fiction of Isaac Asimov by Isaac AsimovH: The Service of the Dead by Candace RobbMentioned in the Episode:Sarah Ruhl Quote on Life Intruding on Writing

We'll be talking about the unique challenges of publishing a debut novel. Breaking into the literary world should be exciting and celebratory, and it definitely is! Still, there are a few considerations that debut authors should be aware of as they begin their publishing journeys, so we're going to cover them here today!Picks of the Week:  BJ: Star Wars: Thrawn by Timothy ZahnH: We Solve Murders by Richard OsmanMentioned in the Episode:Bonnie Garmus InterviewBonnie Garmus and Felicity Blunt InterviewS5E9 What's a Commercial Hook and How do I write one?S6E2 Pacing the First Five PagesBrandon Sanderson's BYU Writing Course

Today's episode is all about finding inspiration and support for your writing in places you might not expect. We're diving into the world of local bookstores and Bookshop.org!Picks of the Week:BJ: The Fifth Season by N. K. JemisinH: The Snowbirds by Christine ClancyMentioned in the Episode:New York City Mystery Bookstore: The Mysterious Bookshop

Welcome to a tool deep dive episode, where we highlight the features and the challenges of a tool we think you'll find helpful as a writer. Today, we're going to give you a rundown of what note taking tools we've actually found helpful as writers, and hopefully give you some ideas about what tools might work well for you too!Picks of the Week:BJ: Feng Shui Modern by Cliff TanH: Middlemarch by George EliotMentioned in the Episode:S1E4: Zettelkasten Notetaking Systems S1E9: Zotero S2E5: NotebooksS4Mini17: What's in My Bag Writing EditionGretchen Rubin: “Beautiful Tools Make Work a Joy!”Cal Newport: Single Subject Notebooks

Today, we'll be talking about deciding not to withhold a big reveal. Whether you're writing a novel, a screenplay, or even a short story, knowing when and how to reveal critical information to your audience can make or break your narrative. We'll be discussing the impact of timing, the balance between suspense and satisfaction, and how to make those big reveals resonate with your readers.Picks of the Week:BJ: My recommendation this week is a book of comics, not to be confused with traditional comic books. It's called Hi, Just a Quick Question: Queries, Advice, and Figuring It All Out by Beth EvansH: Amusing Ourselves to Death by Neil PostmanMentioned in the Episode:The Other Valley by Scott Alexander Howard

Today we'll be gathering around our metaphorical fireplace for a fireside chat– an honest conversation about how we're applying a craft topic or tool to our own writing practices, and how you might incorporate this topic or tool into your writing life as well. And the tool we'll be talking about today is…scheduling and protecting your writing time.Picks of the Week:BJ: Ancillary Justice by Ann LeckieH: Textbook by Amy Krouse RosenthalMentioned in the Episode:Gretchen Rubin Quote: “Don't Let the Perfect Be the Enemy of the Good”James Clear Quote: “It Only Takes Five Minutes”Cal Newport Video on Time Block PlanningS4E8: How Can Body Doubling Improve My Writing Practice?

Welcome to a tool deep dive episode, where we highlight the features and the challenges of a tool we think you'll find helpful as a writer. And the tool we'll be talking about today is writing goals! Specifically, we'll cover when they hurt and when they help.Picks of the Week:H: The Other Valley by Scott Alexander HowardBJ: The Risen Empire by Scott WesterfeldMentioned in the Episode:SMART goals

We'll be talking about pacing the first five pages of your novel. For many writers, including us here at Writing with Friends, getting the first five pages of your novel writing can feel so daunting. After all, if you are seeking to traditionally publish your manuscript, making those five pages the best they can be is essential to piquing the interest of a potential agent, publishing house, and reader. That's a lot of pressure! So let's jump right and and think together about how to get the pacing of the beginning of your story just right.Picks of the Week:H: Be Ready When the Luck Happens by Ina GartenBJ: Foundryside by Robert Jackson BennettMentioned in the Episode:Opening Sequence of Indiana Jones and the Raider of the Lost ArkWriters Helping Writers Blogpost: "How to Nail the First Three Pages" by Lisa CronLisa Cron's Creative Live Course on How to Nail Your First Three Pages

Today we'll be talking to the authors of the newsletter This Black-Ass Life, Mitu and Jumoke. For the past several years, these two friends have been writing for the Black diaspora, especially Black women. They cover pop culture, history lessons, music, and more. This episode will be a great fit for anyone interested in starting a newsletter and learning how to connect with their audience. This episode contains some language that may not be appropriate for all audiences. If you're sensitive to strong language or listening with children, you may want to consider one of our other episodes instead.LinksNewsletter:https://thisblackasslife.substack.com/Selected Op-eds:https://www.huffpost.com/entry/only-black-person-work-racism_n_6319f016e4b082746bdcab18https://www.vulture.com/2022/12/the-best-black-christmas-movies-of-the-last-20-years.htmlhttps://www.teenvogue.com/story/francesca-amewudah-rivers-is-the-latest-black-woman-to-face-a-predictable-pattern-of-misogynoir-after-successhttps://www.thecut.com/2022/04/ketanji-brown-jackson-memes.html

We'll be talking about something that can really elevate your writing: the power of subtext in storytelling. It's one of those elements that, when done right, adds a whole new layer of meaning to your work! Picks of the Week: BJ: Skyward by Brandon Sanderson H: Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe Mentioned in the Episode: Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen Breaking Bad (TV Show)  Mad Men (TV Show)

Welcome to a tool deep dive episode, where we highlight the features and the challenges of a tool we think you'll find helpful as a writer. And the tool we'll be talking about today is Tarot! Are you curious about tarot? Using a tarot deck can be a fun way to infuse your writing life with inspiration and encouragement.  Picks of the Week: H: A First Time for Everything by Dan Santat BJ: A Descent into the Maelström by Edgar Allan Poe Mentioned in the Episode: This Might Hurt Tarot Deck Modern Witch Tarot Deck Good Karma Tarot Deck The Biddy Tarot Podcast Guided Tarot by Stefanie Caponi The Ultimate Guide to Tarot by Liz Dean Tarot for Writers by Corinne Kenner Tarot for the Fiction Writer by Paula Scardamalia Typewriter Tarot (Creative Coven)

We'll be gathering around our metaphorical fireplace for a fireside chat. We'll be talking about writing like an Olympian and accepting that it never gets easy… and that's okay. It's all about the endurance and dedication required to keep going, no matter how long you've been at it. Picks of the Week: BJ: Signal to Noise by Eric Nylund H: Bring Up The Bodies by Hilary Mantel If you have your own suggestions on how to write like an Olympian, let us know by writing to us at writingwithfriendspodcast@gmail.com.

We'll be talking about commercial hooks! As writers, we often write for the love of story and for the joy of creative expression. It can be tempting to shy away from the idea of producing anything “commercial”. But for those of us who hope to publish traditionally or build a broad audience, understanding what a commercial hook is and how to write one can be the key to getting our books into the hands of real readers. Picks of the Week: H: Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo BJ: Awakening the Heroes Within by Carol S. Pearson Mentioned in the Episode:  Hook Examples: https://blog.reedsy.com/guide/book-hook/hook-examples/

Welcome to a tool deep dive episode, where we highlight the features and the challenges of a tool we think you'll find helpful as a writer. And the tool we'll be talking about today is writing retreats! These structured environments dedicated to focused writing can be used like a tool to offer writers significant benefits, but also unique challenges for authors of all levels. Picks of the Week: BJ: The Risen Empire by Scott Westerfeld H: Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo

Today, we'll be talking to writer and teacher Luke Burkbauer. She's an instructor with Duke's Thompson Writing program with a wealth of knowledge about writing of all kinds. We'll discuss academic and nonfiction writing in depth in this episode, exploring how to build confidence as an academic writer, how to develop your writerly identity, and how to use artificial intelligence ethically and creatively within academia. This episode will be a great fit for anyone currently studying or working in higher education, from a college freshman to professors grappling with how to teach writing skills, but any curious writer will benefit.  Mentioned in the Podcast: Luke's Scholars at Duke Profile Luke's Courses (page 21 and 29) Luke's Pick of the Week: Eye of the World (in the Wheel of Time series) by Robert Jordan, narrated by Rosamund Pike Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, narrated by Rosamund Pike Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen, narrated by Rosamund Pike Have any “sliding doors” or alternative life paths books, movies, poems, or other media that Luke could use for her course? Send us your suggestions at writingwithfriendspodcast@gmail.com.

We'll be talking about how to use time jumps to add an interesting twist to your writing project! A time jump is when you shift the story forward or backwards in time, often with little or no explanation for why this jump has occurred.  It can be as simple as skipping from one day to five years later, or jumping back in time to revisit an event that happened earlier on. Time jumps can be used to add a twist, create suspense, and even reveal new character information. But writing a great time jump can be tricky, so join us as we discuss the pros and cons of using time jump in your writing. Picks of the Week: BJ: Source Code (movie) directed by Duncan Jones H: Arrival (movie) directed by Denis Villeneuve and Interstellar (movie) directed by Christopher Nolan Mentioned in the Episode: Aeon Timeline

Welcome to a tool deep dive episode, where we highlight the features and the challenges of a tool we think you'll find helpful as a writer. And the mindset tool we'll be talking about today is increasing your luck surface area. Picks of the Week: BJ: Wherever You Go, There You Are by Jon Kabat-Zinn H: The Flatshare by Beth O' Leary  Mentioned in the Episode: Chelsea Mae Cullen Podcast Episode: How to Become The Hero of Your Own Story James Clear Quote on Luck Surface Area

We'll be gathering around our metaphorical fireplace for a fireside chat– an honest conversation about how we're applying a craft topic or tool to our own writing practices, and how you might incorporate this topic or tool into your writing life as well. And the craft topic we'll be discussing today is how to conquer the dreaded first draft. Picks of the Week: Bad Therapy by Abigail Shrier Awakening the Heroes Within: Twelve Archetypes to Help Us Find Ourselves and Transform Our World by Carol Pearson Mentioned in the Episode: S4MINI1: Why Rewrite?

We'll be talking about how to introduce characters effectively and with style! One reason why writing the first draft of a new manuscript can feel so daunting is because you have so many characters to introduce to your reader. How can you communicate to your reader who these characters are and what they care about without derailing the plot or boring them to tears? Our episode today can help! Picks of the Week: H: Lies and Weddings by Kevin Kwan BJ: Uglies by Scott Westerfeld Mentioned in the Episode: Writing and Selling Your Mystery Novel by Hallie Ephron The Sentence is Death by Anthony Horowitz

Welcome to a tool deep dive episode, where we highlight the features and the challenges of a tool we think you'll find helpful as a writer. And the tool we'll be talking about today is Grammarly. Grammarly is an AI-powered writing assistant that helps with grammar, spelling, punctuation, and even some style suggestions. It's like having a personal editor at your fingertips! But there are some downsides to using Grammarly, too. We'll discuss both the pros and cons of this tool for writers on today's episode. Picks of the Week: H:  The Word is Murder by Anthony Horowitz BJ: Jumper by Steven Gould Mentioned in the Episode: Grammarly

Show Notes Today, we'll be talking to writer Dr. Alexandra Middleton. She's an Assistant Professor of medical anthropology at the University of Copenhagen, creative nonfiction writer and essayist, runner, swimmer, and more! Tune in to hear about her career as well as her advice for aspiring writers.  Mentioned in the Episode:  Alexandra's Work https://www.liminalliety.com/ (Alexandra's Website) https://therumpus.net/2023/04/11/terra-incognita/ Other Works Mentioned https://1000wordsofsummer.substack.com/about https://www.oprah.com/spirit/writing-every-day-writers-rules-aimee-bender/all https://www.accountabilityworkshops.com/ https://pod.link/1623390096 https://lidiayuknavitch.net/ https://www.melissafebos.com/ http://www.jordankisner.com/thresholds http://link.chtbl.com/tcahp Craft Books Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott Steering the Craft by Ursula K. LeGuin How to Write an Autobiographical Novel by Alexander Chee Essays and Books on Motherhood (from The Liminal Substack) “The Birth of My Daughter, The Death of My Marriage” by Leslie Jamison My Work by Olga Ravn “I Shock Myself” from The Ann Friedman Weekly newsletter

Today, we'll finish up our summer quote series. I'm excited to announce that this is the last episode of Season 4. BJ and I are cooking up a new season for you right now– with lots of craft tips, tool deep dives, fireside chats, and interviews with other writers. That season – Season 5 – will begin releasing every Monday starting September 16. We can't wait. Other mini episodes in our quote series:  S4E21 MINI: Standing on the Shoulders of Literary Giants S4E22 MINI: Paradox and Playfulness in the Writing Life S4E23 MINI: Why Middle Grade and Young Adult Novels Matter Mentioned in the Episode: Wired for Story:The Writer's Guide to Using Brain Science to Hook Readers from the Very First Sentence by Lisa Cron The Quest to Understand Consciousness – A TedTalk by Dr. Antonio Damasio Unmasking the Muse (blogpost by Lisa Cron)

Mentioned in Episode: Other mini episodes in our quote series S4E21 MINI: Standing on the Shoulders of Literary Giants S4E22 MINI: Paradox and Playfulness in the Writing Life Books by Madeleine L'Engle: Many Waters A Ring of Endless Light A Swiftly Tilting Planet And Both Were Young Newbery Award Acceptance Speech: The Expanding Universe (1963)

On today's mini episode, we're looking at another of my favorite quotes about the writing life. “Creativity is sacred, and it is not sacred. What we make matters enormously, and it doesn't matter at all. We toil alone, and we are accompanied by spirits. We are terrified, and we are brave. Art is a crushing chore and a wonderful privilege. Only when we are at our most playful can divinity finally get serious with us. Make space for all these paradoxes to be equally true inside your soul, and I promise—you can make anything. So please calm down now and get back to work, okay? The treasures that are hidden inside you are hoping you will say yes.” - Elizabeth Gilbert, Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear Let's discuss how this quote might speak to us about the lightness and playfulness required to creativity.  Mentioned in Episode: Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth GilbertThe Artist's Way by Julia Cameron The first episode in our quote series: S4E21 MINI: Standing on the Shoulders of (Literary) Giants

On today's episode, we'll begin a short series looking at some of my favorite quotes as they apply to writing. And today's quote is: "If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants." - Isaac Newton Let's think together about the tension between the ideal of the creative genius and the reality of the creative process. Mentioned in the Episode: The Marginalian: Standing on the Shoulders of Giants: The Story Behind Newton's Famous Metaphor for How Knowledge Progresses by Maria Popova Paper Lantern Writers: Standing on the Shoulders of Giants by Jonathan Posner Isaac Newton by Games Gleick

Our question for today's mini episode is... How and why should I write until failure? Today we'll talk about how to write to failure both in terms of honing your craft and in terms of sharing your work with an audience. Do you have thoughts on failure and the writing life? Do you have ways you push to failure that I didn't mention? We'd love to hear from you. Our email address writingwithfriendspodcast@gmail.com. Mentioned in the Episode Zone of Proximal Development by WestEd How Often Should You Take Your Sets to Fail? (StrengthLog Podcast)

Our question for today's mini episode is... How do I keep up a writing practice when life gets busy? We'll discuss four strategies for staying engaged in your writing practice when other responsibilities loom large. Mentioned in the Episode: Tiny Habits by BJ Fogg Atomic Habits by James Clear The Revision Spreadsheet (WWF Episodes S4E3 and S1E10)

Our question for today's mini episode is... Why Do Plot Twists Matter? If you find crafting plot twists a little baffling, or you're unsure if your current story would even benefit from a plot twist, this episode's for you! We'll dive into a fantastic example of a plot twist and discuss the benefits of incorporating plot twists into storylines. What are the plot twists in your current project? Okay, maybe you don't want to give spoilers, but if you have more questions on this topic or tips of your own, write to us at writingwithfriendspodcast@gmail.com. We'd love to hear from you. Mentioned in the Episode S4E16: How Much should I plan and outline before writing?

Our question for today's mini episode is... What's the best gear to support your writing practice? Writing is a pretty minimalistic hobby, or it can be. Still, investing in great writing gear isn't silly or shallow. As writer Gretchen Rubin says “Beautiful tools make work a joy.” By investing in high quality writing tools, we can remind ourselves that our writing practice itself is valuable, and we can create a sense of ritual and reverence around our writing time. Mentioned in the Episode: - Moleskine Large Weekly Planner - A candle! Any kind.

Our question for today is: Is plotting vs. pantsing a helpful dichotomy? Mentioned in the Episode: The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin WWF S4E14 The best mindset shift for your writing

Hi! Hillary here with a new summer mini episode. We'll keep things casual and spend a few minutes chatting about a writing question that's been on my mind lately. And our question for today is: How do I keep the beta reading process from becoming overwhelming? Do you have your own beta reading tips? We'd love to hear from you. Our email address writingwithfriendspodcast@gmail.com. And until our next chat, keep up the writing! Mentioned in the Episode: S1E9 Beta Readers and Zotero S4E3 Fireside Chat: How should I use the revision spreadsheet? S1E10 Tool Deep Dive: The Revision Spreadsheet

Hillary here. We're on a summer break right now between seasons, but I'm still here some weekly mini-episodes. We'll keep things casual and spend a few minutes chatting about a writing question that's been on my mind lately. Hopefully I'll leave you with some takeaways for your own writing journey! Our question for today is: Why should you consider writing a craft rather than just and art, and what benefits will you see from this way of framing your writing practice? Mentioned in the Episode:  The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron The York Minster's Statue of Elizabeth II Writing Excuses Podcast's Close Reading Series WWF S4E12 Hillary's Ask Me Anything

Today, we'll be talking to writer Jaimie Woo. She's a Creative Producer, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Consultant, and Communications Expert. Tune in to hear about her career as well as her advice for aspiring writers. Mentioned in the Episode: Yes She Can: 10 Stories of Hope & Change from Young Female Staffers of the Obama White House  Jaimie's Website Are You There, Universe (Jaimie's Podcast) culture.house Media Jaimie's Picks: Underworld Shogun A Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez

It's time for an ASK ME ANYTHING! We'll be chatting with Hillary, getting a little more personal about her own writing practice, and learning more about what she's been thinking about and working on these days. Picks of the Week: H: “Of All Things” by Isabel Gallymore BJ: On Having No Head by Douglas E. Harding Mentioned in the Episode: Jessica Brody (Save the Cat! Writes a Novel) Lisa Cron (Story Genius and Wired for Story) Elizabeth Gilbert (Big Magic) Hillary Mantel (A Memoir of My Former Self: My Life in Writing and the Wolf Hall series) Harlen Coben (thriller writer, series on BBC Maestro) Cal Newport (Slow Productivity) The TV show Travel Man with Richard Ayoade If you have any other questions for either of us, let us know by writing to us at writingwithfriendspodcast@gmail.com. We'll have some more Ask Me Anything episodes in future seasons of Writing with Friends!

Welcome to a tool deep dive episode, where we highlight the features and the challenges of a tool we think you'll find helpful as a writer. And the tool we'll be talking about today is movie trailers! Picks of the Week: BJ: Making Sense: Conversations on Consciousness, Morality, and the Future of Humanity by Sam Harris H:Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone by Benjamin Stevenson Mentioned in the Episode: WWF Season 2 Episode 4: Three-Act Structure Email us your pick of the week at writingwithfriendspodcast@gmail.com. We would love to hear from you.

We'll be talking about editing your own work. Okay, so you've written a first draft of your novel and you know things need to change. But how? And what? Our editing tips today can help! Picks of the Week: H: Happy Place by Emily Henry BJ: “Twelfth Night: Or What You Will” by William Shakespeare Mentioned in the Episode: Order—Method: Trollope Learns to Write by Susan L. Humphreys Mythbusters Video about polishing a turd Season 4 MINI2: Why should I let my manuscript rest? If you try out these editing tips, let us know which one was your favorite by writing to us at writingwithfriendspodcast@gmail.com.

We'll be gathering around our metaphorical fireplace for a fireside chat– an honest conversation about how we're applying a craft topic or tool to our own writing practices, and how you might incorporate this topic or tool into your writing life as well. The tool we'll be talking about today is our favorite piece of writing software, Scrivener. We'll focus on the pros and cons of the software. Picks of the Week: H: Cars and Trucks and Things That Go by Richard Scarry BJ: Apples Never Fall by Liane Moriarity Mentioned in the Episode: Organizing your manuscript  in Scrivener's Binder System Scrivener's Corkboard Feature Scrivener's Composition Mode Adding notes in Scrivener Organizing research in Scrivener Split-screen mode in Scrivener If you try out one of the options from this strategy menu in your own writing practice or if you have your own suggestions about how to best use Scrivener, let us know by writing to us at writingwithfriendspodcast@gmail.com!

Welcome to a tool deep dive episode, where we highlight the features and the challenges of a tool we think you'll find helpful as a writer. And the tool we'll be talking about today is body doubling! Do you find it hard to stay on task and focus when you've sat down for a writing session? Body doubling can help! Picks of the Week: H: Slow Productivity by Cal Newport BJ: Existence by David Brin    Mentioned in the Episode: “What is body doubling for ADHD?” in Medical News Today London Writers' Hour Study with Merve Study with Celine If you try out body doubling, let us know how you liked it by writing to us at writingwithfriendspodcast@gmail.com.

We'll be talking about why subplots are the secret ingredients to add depth and complexity to any story. Picks of the Week: H: Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt BJ: A Descent into the Maelström by Edgar Allen Poe Mentioned in the Episode: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling If you've been developing subplots in your writing project, let us know all about them by writing to us at writingwithfriendspodcast@gmail.com. 

It's time for an Ask Me Anything! We'll be chatting with BJ and getting a little more personal about his own writing practice and what BJ's thinking about and working on these days! Picks of the Week: H: The Duchess of Bloomsbury Street by Helene Hanff BJ: Qualityland by Marc-Uwe Kling Mentioned in the Episode: Mage Knight: The Board Game The Mad Titan's Shadow expansion for Marvel Champions Unreliable Wizard  Board Game If you have any other questions for BJ, let us know by writing to us at writingwithfriendspodcast@gmail.com.  And we'll also do an Ask Me Anything episode for Hillary later this season, so send your questions our way for that one too!

Welcome to a tool deep dive episode, where we highlight the features and the challenges of a tool we think you'll find helpful as a writer. And the tool we'll be talking about today is scene cards. Do you ever sit down to write a scene and feel a bit at a loss of how to structure a scene? What should a scene actually include? What makes a scene work or not work? Scene cards can help! Picks of the Week: H: Crying in Hmart by Michelle Zauner BJ: Love in Color: Mythical Tales from Around the World, Retold by Bolu Babalola Mentioned in the Episode: Story Genius by Lisa Cron (Lisa Cron is the creator of this tool!) Blog post on Scene Cards from Life Gone Write by Jessica Grace Kelley If you try out scene cards, let us know how you liked this tool by writing to us at writingwithfriendspodcast@gmail.com.

We'll be talking about why you should use your good ideas now instead of saving them for later. We propose in this episode that good ideas are not a finite resource and there may never be a perfect time to explore them. Picks of the Week: BJ: The Maze Runner Files by James Dashner H: The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas If you use your good ideas now instead of saving them for later, let us know about your favorite example by writing to us at writingwithfriendspodcast@gmail.com!

We'll be gathering around our metaphorical fireplace for a fireside chat– an honest conversation about how we're applying a craft topic or tool to our own writing practices, and how you might incorporate this topic or tool into your writing life as well. The tool we'll be talking about today is the revision spreadsheet! Picks of the Week: H: The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell BJ: Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert T Kiyosaki Mentioned in the Episode: Revision Spreadsheet Template S1E10 Tool Deep Dive: The Revision Spreadsheet S2E13 Navigating the Midpoint Beat S3E5 The Stasis=Death Beat If you try out one of the options from this strategy menu in your own writing practice, or if you have your own suggestions about what to include on a revision spreadsheet, let us know by writing to us at writingwithfriendspodcast@gmail.com!

Show Notes: Welcome to a tool deep dive episode, where we highlight the features and the challenges of a tool we think you'll find helpful as a writer. And the tool we'll be talking about today is Goodreads! Picks of the Week: H: Acedia & Me by Kathleen Norris BJ: Golden Son by Pierce Brown Mentioned in the Episode: The Goodreads Author Program

Ever find yourself in the middle of one writing project and itching to start another, then second guessing if that's even a good idea? We're tackling the pros and cons of this dilemma to help you figure out what the right strategy is for your writing life! Picks of the Week H: Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel BJ: The Puzzle Master by Danielle Trussoni Mentioned in the Episode: Brandon Sanderson on his workflow Anthony Trollope writing routine

We're kicking off Season 4 with some mini-episodes. We'll keep things casual and spend a few minutes chatting about a writing topic that's been on my mind lately. Hopefully I'll leave you with some helpful takeaways for your own writing journey. On this episode, we'll tackle why and when you should let your manuscript rest, and what you can do in the meantime!

We're kicking off Season 4 with some mini-episodes. We'll keep things casual and spend 3-5 minutes chatting about a writing topic that's been on my mind lately and hopefully I'll leave you with some helpful takeaways for your own writing journey. On this episode, we'll tackle two questions: Why rewrite? And how much rewriting is too much? Mentioned in the episode: Michaela Coel's profile by E. Alex Jung in Vulture

We're diving into the thrilling world of NaNoWriMo. But first, congratulations to everyone who completed NaNoWriMo for November 2023! That's an amazing accomplishment and we want to go over ideas of what to do post NaNoWriMo. P.S. This is our final episode of Season 3. We look forward to being back in your podcast feeds in 2024. Happy New Year! Picks of the Week: BJ: The Kaiju Preservation Society by John Scalzi H: The Likeness by Tana French Mentioned in the Episode: NaNoWriMo Forums NaNoWriMo The "Now What?" Months

We'll be talking about writing routines! For many of us, the hardest part of writing is actually sitting down to write! So how can we ease the path into a fruitful and satisfying writing session? Routines can help! Picks of the Week: BJ: The Forgetting Moon by Brian Lee Durfee H: I Love School by Philemon Sturges Mentioned in the Episode: NaNoWriMo Wired for Story by Lisa Cron (scene matrix technique)

Show Notes: Welcome to a tool deep dive episode, where we highlight the features and the challenges of a tool we think you'll find helpful as a writer. And the tool we'll be talking about today is focus timers– a way to easily silence those distractions to give yourself quiet time to focus on your writing! Picks of the Week: BJ: Seveneves by Neal Stephenson  H: Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert Mentioned in the Episode: Microsoft Focus Timer iPhone/Mac Focus Mode MacOS Clock App Flora Timer App