Podcasts about dear writer

"The world is at least fifty percent terrible, and that's a conservative estimate, though I keep this from my children," writes Maggie Smith in her viral poem Good Bones. Today, Maggie joins Ryan to talk about what it means to shield children from the world's harsh realities while still acknowledging its beauty and potential. They discuss how parents can balance hope with realism, the importance of instilling strong values, and the courage it takes to remain earnest and sincere in a cynical world.In 2016, Maggie Smith's poem Good Bones became a viral sensation. It was named the “Official Poem of 2016” by the Public Radio International. Maggie Smith is the New York Times bestselling author of You Could Make This Place Beautiful; My Thoughts Have Wings, a picture book illustrated by SCBWI Portfolio grand prize winner Leanne Hatch; the national bestsellers Goldenrod and Keep Moving: Notes on Loss, Creativity, and Change; as well as Good Bones, named one of the Best Five Poetry Books of 2017 by the Washington Post and winner of the 2018 Independent Publisher Book Awards Gold Medal in Poetry.  Maggie's latest book, Dear Writer: Pep Talks & Practical Advice for the Creative Life just released! You can grab signed copies of Dear Writer at The Painted Porch in addition to her books You Could Make This Place Beautiful and Keep MovingFollow Maggie Smith on Instagram @ MaggieSmithPoet 

As we put the finishing touches to the Spring season of The Shift, I thought we'd raid the archives for a few of my favourite episodes. First up, "the other" Maggie Smith (as she says she will always be), who I first spoke to when her memoir, You Could Make This Place Beautiful was just creeping into the world. Little did we know back then that it would be the leading wave in a tsunami of divorce memoirs written by midlife women. Also look out for Maggie's new book, Dear Writer, a collection of "pep talks and practical advice for the creative life". Here are the original show notes: Like most of the rest of the world, I first discovered today's guest Maggie Smith (no, not the legendary British actress, the American poet) when her poem, Good Bones went viral on social media thrusting her into the news on both sides of the Atlantic, featured on primetime TV and was read at an event by Meryl Streep.  It's the kind of exposure people dream of, but in Maggie's own words “my marriage was never the same after that”. And I know that sentiment is something that will resonate with so many of you. Maggie's new book, her debut memoir, You Could Make This Place Beautiful is about the collapse of that marriage, but it's also about the start of something new, how in losing their shared history and knowledge of the future, she began to build a new story - her own.  Maggie joined me from Ohio to talk about putting herself back together after sudden success destroyed her marriage, being a service provider in your own home, how she got herself back after years of bargaining herself away and why we keep having the same conversation about women and ambition. We also compared our Strong First Daughter Energy and she introduced me to the concept of an emotional alchemist. * You can buy all the books mentioned in this podcast at The Shift bookshop on Bookshop.org, including You Can Make This Place Beautiful and Dear Writer and the book that inspired this podcast, The Shift: how I lost and found myself after 40 - and you can too, by me. * If you enjoyed this episode and you fancy buying me a coffee, pop over to my page on buymeacoffee.com. • And if you'd like to support the work that goes into making this podcast and get a weekly newsletter plus loads more content including exclusive transcripts of the podcast, why not join The Shift community, come and have a look around at www.theshiftwithsambaker.substack.com • The Shift (on life after 40) with Sam Baker is created and hosted by Sam Baker and edited by Juliette Nicholls at Pineapple Production. If you enjoyed this podcast, please rate/review/follow as it really does help other people find us. And let me know what you think on twitter @sambaker or instagram @theothersambaker Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Does telling your story mean revealing everything? Bestselling author and viral poet Maggie Smith returns for part two of her conversation with Ryan, discussing how writers decide what to share and what to keep sacred. They debunk the myth that memoirs must be exposés, talk about the role of empathy in both storytelling and activism, and explore the challenges of staying true to one's work while navigating success.In 2016, Maggie Smith's poem Good Bones became a viral sensation. It was named the “Official Poem of 2016” by the Public Radio International. Maggie Smith is the New York Times bestselling author of You Could Make This Place Beautiful; My Thoughts Have Wings, a picture book illustrated by SCBWI Portfolio grand prize winner Leanne Hatch; the national bestsellers Goldenrod and Keep Moving: Notes on Loss, Creativity, and Change; as well as Good Bones, named one of the Best Five Poetry Books of 2017 by the Washington Post and winner of the 2018 Independent Publisher Book Awards Gold Medal in Poetry.

With personal anecdotes, writing exercises and a deep-dive into the pillars of creativity, Dear Writer by Maggie Smith is a one-stop-shop for budding authors, poets and artists from a bestselling voice in literature. Maggie joins us to talk about craft books, quieting the inner critic, tenacity, vulnerability and more with cohost Jenna Seery. This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Jenna Seery and mixed by Harry Liang.                      New episodes land Tuesdays and Thursdays (with occasional Saturdays) here and on your favorite podcast app.  Featured Books (Episode): Dear Writer by Maggie Smith You Could Make This Place Beautiful by Maggie Smith On Writing by Stephen King Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott The Art of Memoir by Mary Karr Refuse to Be Done by Matt Bell Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert Why Poetry by Matthew Zapruder The Wonder Paradox by Jennifer Michael Hecht Featured Books (TBR Top Off): Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott Writing Down the Bones by Natalie Goldberg

The best writing, like the best life, thrives not on the absence of rules but on the right ones. In today's episode, Ryan sits down with viral poet and bestselling author Maggie Smith to explore the power of restraint, the fine line between hope and cynicism, and why caring deeply is a bold act of courage.In 2016, Maggie Smith's poem Good Bones became a viral sensation. It was named the “Official Poem of 2016” by the Public Radio International. Maggie Smith is the New York Times bestselling author of You Could Make This Place Beautiful; My Thoughts Have Wings, a picture book illustrated by SCBWI Portfolio grand prize winner Leanne Hatch; the national bestsellers Goldenrod and Keep Moving: Notes on Loss, Creativity, and Change; as well as Good Bones, named one of the Best Five Poetry Books of 2017 by the Washington Post and winner of the 2018 Independent Publisher Book Awards Gold Medal in Poetry. Maggie's latest book, Dear Writer: Pep Talks & Practical Advice for the Creative Life just released on April 1! You can grab signed copies of Dear Writer at The Painted Porch in addition to her books You Could Make This Place Beautiful and Keep Moving. Follow Maggie Smith on Instagram @MaggieSmithPoet

Maggie Smith returns to Let's Talk Memoir for a conversation about letting imposter syndrome go, fiercely guarding your interior life, getting back to the core place where creativity thrives, rewriting a book from scratch, how writing feels in the body, swerving out of your creative lane, battling the sophomore slump, what it feels like to be watched, when ego gets in the way, fears of paralyzing failure, playing the long game, the best advice she ever got, staying agile and awake in the creative process, and her new book Dear Writer: Pep Talks & Practical Advice for the Creative Life.   Ronit's first interview with Maggie Smith: https://ronitplank.com/2023/04/11/lets-talk-memoir-episode-38-ft-maggie-smith/   Also in this episode: -the inner critic -assembling a book freestyle -tenacity and grit     Books mentioned in this episode: Meander, Spiral, Explode by Jane Allison The Art of Memoir by Mary Karr Truth is the Arrow, Mercy is the Bow by Steve Almond Greywolf Press series “The Art of…” books   Maggie Smith is the New York Times bestselling author of eight books of poetry and prose, including You Could Make This Place Beautiful: A Memoir (One Signal/Atria, 2023); My Thoughts Have Wings, illustrated by Leanne Hatch (Balzer+Bray/Harperkids, 2024); Goldenrod: Poems (One Signal/Atria, 2021); Keep Moving: Notes on Loss, Creativity, and Change (One Signal/Atria, 2020); and Good Bones (Tupelo Press, 2017). Smith's next book is Dear Writer: Pep Talks & Practical Advice for the Creative Life, forthcoming from One Signal/Atria in April 2025. Her poems and essays have appeared in the New York Times, The New Yorker, Poetry, The Nation, The Best American Poetry, The Paris Review, The Atlantic, AGNI, Ploughshares, Image, the Washington Post, Virginia Quarterly Review, American Poetry Review, The Southern Review, and many other journals and anthologies. In 2016 her poem "Good Bones" went viral internationally; since then it has been translated into nearly a dozen languages and featured on the CBS primetime drama Madam Secretary. Smith has received fellowships and awards from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Academy of American Poets, the Ohio Arts Council, the Sustainable Arts Foundation, and the Virginia Center for the Creative Arts.   – Ronit's writing has appeared in The Atlantic, The Rumpus, The New York Times, Poets & Writers, The Iowa Review, Hippocampus, The Washington Post, Writer's Digest, American Literary Review, and elsewhere. Her memoir WHEN SHE COMES BACK about the loss of her mother to the guru Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh and their eventual reconciliation was named Finalist in the 2021 Housatonic Awards Awards, the 2021 Indie Excellence Awards, and was a 2021 Book Riot Best True Crime Book. Her short story collection HOME IS A MADE-UP PLACE won Hidden River Arts' 2020 Eludia Award and the 2023 Page Turner Awards for Short Stories.  She earned an MFA in Nonfiction Writing at Pacific University, is Creative Nonfiction Editor at The Citron Review, and teaches memoir through the University of Washington's Online Continuum Program and also independently. She launched Let's Talk Memoir in 2022, lives in Seattle with her family of people and dogs, and is at work on her next book. More about Ronit: https://ronitplank.com Subscribe to Ronit's Substack: https://substack.com/@ronitplank Follow Ronit: https://www.instagram.com/ronitplank/ https://www.facebook.com/RonitPlank https://bsky.app/profile/ronitplank.bsky.social   Background photo credit: Photo by Patrick Tomasso on Unsplash Headshot photo credit: Sarah Anne Photography Theme music: Isaac Joel, Dead Moll's Fingers

Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/41zuleZShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens! Now there's more! Subscribe to Moms Don't Have Time to Read Books on Acast+ and get ad-free episodes. https://plus.acast.com/s/moms-dont-have-time-to-read-books. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Learn more about Group Coaching with Write It Scared. Ready for a dive-deep conversation about the emotional rollercoaster of writing? In this episode, I'm chatting with Rachael Herron—a trad and indie author who knows her way around multiple genres and isn't shy about sharing less-than-stellar moments of her writing journey. We dig into story structure, the ups and downs of writing and revising, and the emotional twists that come with the territory of trying to write your first novel.Rachael opens up about her move to New Zealand, her battles with creative burnout, and how she handles imposter syndrome. Plus, we'll unpack some practical advice for handling self-doubt, writing shitty drafts, and learning to believe in yourself and your voice. Join us for insights that will help you navigate the emotional challenges of writing and remind you that you're not alone and that you are not doing it wrong!00:18 Introduction 01:22 Meet Rachel Heron04:08 Rachel's Writing Journey11:31 The Importance of Story Structure17:27 Rachel's Writing Process Today18:42 Refining the Draft: From Messy to Polished19:08 The Third Draft: Adding the Final Touches19:56 Reading and Reviewing: The Final Steps20:31 Teaching and Sharing the Process20:53 Creating 'Unstuck': A Unique Journey25:06 The Challenges of Writing and Creativity30:42 Overcoming Self-Doubt and Imposter Syndrome32:24 Final Thoughts and Advice for Writers34:26 Current Projects and Closing Remarks Guest Bio and LinksRachael Herron is the internationally bestselling author of more than two dozen books, including thrillers (under R.H. Herron), mainstream fiction, feminist romance, memoir, and nonfiction about writing. She received her MFA in writing from Mills College, Oakland, and she's taught writing extension workshops at both UC Berkeley and Stanford. A dual New Zealand and American citizen, she lives in Wellington, New Zealand with her banjo-playing wife and brick-eating dog.Books: Unstuck and Fast-Draft Your Memoir, both hereRachael Herron: Website | Newsletter | Bio | PatreonUnstuck: An Audacious Hunt for Home and Happiness, available here now! The Seven Miracles of Beatrix Holland, Coming Spring 2025, HachetteHave a comment or idea about the show? Send me a direct text! Love to hear from you.Support the show To become a supporter of the show, click here!To get in touch with Stacy: Email: Stacy@writeitscared.co https://www.writeitscared.co/ https://www.instagram.com/writeitscared/ Take advantage of these Free Resources From Write It Scared: Download Your Free Novel Planning and Drafting Quick Start Guide Download Your Free Guide to Remove Creative Blocks and Work Through Fears

Feeling stuck at a creative crossroads? You're not alone!In this episode of the Write It Scared podcast, I dive into that all-too-familiar struggle every writer faces when contemplating whether to push through or step back from a project. Drawing from insights in Seth Godin's The Dip, I unpack the tricky phase where doubt creeps in, and we're tempted to abandon our current work-in-progress for something newer and shinier.I'll share some thought-provoking questions and journaling prompts to help you figure out if you are dealing with Resistance or if it's genuinely time to listen to the creative muse and move on to something else. Plus, I'll point you toward some invaluable resources like Dear Writer, You Need to Quit by Becca Syme, The War of Art by Steven Pressfield, and How to Decide by Annie Duke.Join me for a deep dive into reflection, aligning your decisions with your values and long-term goals. Whether you choose to move forward with your current project or pivot, this episode will empower you to take the next steps with confidence00:00 Introduction to the Creative Crossroads00:42 Facing the Creative Crossroads01:15 Deciding Whether to Quit or Push Through02:08 Understanding the Creative Call03:59 Reflecting on Your Creative Path04:43 Applying Seth Godin's 'The Dip' to Writing05:33 The Phases of Writing a Novel06:43 Understanding the Dip07:37 Identifying If You're in the Dip08:34 Facing Resistance09:26 Journal Prompts for Decision-Making10:11 The Skill of Finishing11:03 Recommended Resources11:43 Final Thoughts and EncouragementLearn more about Small-Group Book Coaching With Write It Scared Have a comment or idea about the show? Send me a direct text! Love to hear from you.Support the show To become a supporter of the show, click here!To get in touch with Stacy: Email: Stacy@writeitscared.co https://www.writeitscared.co/ https://www.instagram.com/writeitscared/ Take advantage of these Free Resources From Write It Scared: Download Your Free Novel Planning and Drafting Quick Start Guide Download Your Free Guide to Remove Creative Blocks and Work Through Fears

This week is the final episode of Dear Writer. We talk about the journey we've had as podcasters and writers, and give you our plans for the future. Thanks for being an amazing podcast audience and happy writing!

This week, in our penultimate episode, we look back at some of the best tips, interviews, and exercises we've had on Dear Writer. We share some of our biggest takeaway and offer advice to those just starting on their writing journey and those who are interested in co-writing.

Show notes:Lani returns to the How Story Works mic to update everyone on her novels-in-progress and announce a new 10-month writing challenge designed to help writers get their drafts done, The Running of the WIPs!Learn more about the Running of the WIPsSubscribe to The Running of the WIPsVisit the new How Story Works websiteApply for the 2025 Year of Writing Magically workshopSubscribe to the Dear Writer SubstackSubscribe to the Dear Writer podcast RSS feedGet your copy of How Story Works!Support Chipperish on Patreon!Support Chipperish by shopping on Amazon using this link!How Story Works is a Chipperish Media production by Lani Diane Rich, and is released under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-Sharealike license. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Main Topic: Discovery Writing with KimBoo York PATREON: Thank you to our existing patrons for believing in our work offline and here in the podcast.  Become a patron of the arts at Patreon.com/valerieihsan for books, writing instruction, coaching, and planning. Go to Patreon.com/strangeairstories for short stories in the paranormal mystery genre. Announcements: PNW inspired horror caretakerpress@gmail.com; Submissions closed. Reading stories now. Garden Home Community Library Writers Series "Self Publishing Success" June 25 gardenhomelibrary.org 2024 Writer Craft Writing Retreat and Workshop registration open; https://valerieihsan.com/retreat (Day Passes $400) Three Story Method: Writing How-To Books out now. Focus and Finish: Goal-Setting and Strategic Planning for Writers (First in Series) Focus and Finish Group Coaching Cohort Black Springs Saga Book 1 out now (it's the prequel) 99 cents (Accidental Stranger Book 2 preorder this coming week)   Author Update: Erick: launched new book series (Black Springs Saga) June 21st, Importance of Telling Your Story. 90.7 FM KBOO Erick 9am-10am frustrated with the stories coming in (writers are not listening to submission requirements) Valerie: injured, humping along speaking Alaska Writers Guild conference in October Moose's Tooth Pizza (Erick recommends I eat there.) I'm reading: Thunder Song by Sasha taqŵšeblu LaPointe Erick: Cold Victory by Karl Marlantes KimBoo York is reading: Nirvana in Fire (English translation) (This is the graphic novel/manga version.)   Notes: Writing fan fiction helped [KimBoo] come into her own voice and writing process.  Discovery writing is a technique. Leaning into your curiosity.  Writing into the Dark (Dean Wesley Smith) Can intuitive writers use it? Dear Writer, Are you intuitive? Becca Syme. Instinct comes in. Study and practice = intuition Discovery writers lean on intuition heavily. New writers may have a hard time with discovery writing until they practice. After one million words, you will discover your writing style. Discovery writing as improve "Yes And" -- leaning on knowledge. Not free association writing. Writing into your curiosity (guard rails, not stream of consciousness). Going on the journey with the character.  Don't get stuck on what "should" happen. Just follow the curve as it goes around. Start small. Practice. Discovery writing before the page (Erick). Write out of order.  Reverse story beats, reverse outline. How can you use this in nonfiction or blog posts and essays? YES. A different process.  Nonfiction: Start with the introduction. Choose sentences to pull out as a section header. Move things around in manuscript for flow. Writing it out is what helps her (KimBoo) understand the organization.  First draft or second is not the finished product.  Do this with your marketing! Take two days to do it and stay curious. Stay curious until it's done. Purposely leave holes so readers will be curious and explore. Plug: houseofyork.info By the Seat of Your Pants: Secrets of Discovery Writing One Million Words Club on Discord (productivity, mindset) Find Us:   Valerie's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/valerieihsan Erick's Linktree link: https://linktr.ee/erickmertzauthor Writer Craft Facebook Group Valerie's Services: https://valerieihsan.com Valerie's Author Site: https://valerieihsanauthor.com Valerie's Facebook Page and Instagram account Erick's Services: https://erickmertzwriting.com Erick's free book on Ghostwriting: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/cexki4kp5n Erick's Author Site: https://erickmertzauthor.com Erick's Facebook Page and Instagram account Patreons:  https://patreon.com/valerieihsan    https://patreon.com/strangeairmysteries Tools: Passion Planner: https://passionplanner.rfrl.co/e86j8 (affiliate link) Discount Code: VALERIE150 ProWriting Aid: https://prowritingaid.com/?afid=9378 (affiliate link)   Resources:  "How to write an eavesdropping scene" on Erick's blog Reading Critique Group for Writers FB Group (Jennie Komp's group) 3 Bird View FB page (Jennie Komp's business page) Author XP (marketing for authors) (bi-monthly promotions) Raven Publicity (publicity for authors) The Shades of Orange (Rachel, Book Blogger on YouTube) for book recommendations SF/Fantasy/Horror Contact Erick for business-starting advice or building a website. Contact Valerie for author coaching. Thomas Umstattd Jr, at Novel Marketing Podcast. Ep255: How to Create an Email Onboarding Drip Campaign Russell P. Nohelty and Monica Leonelle's book, Get Your Book Selling on Kickstarter. Balance meditation app. Story Rubric version 1.1 and podcast episode. Three Story Method worksheet Book Recs for writing/creativity/business: Thinking in Pictures by John Sayles Take Off Your Pants: Outline Your Books for Faster, Better Writing by Libbie Hawker Story Hypothesis: A Writer's Guide to Crafting Resonating Stories by JP Rindfleisch IX Fast-Draft Your Memoir: Write Your Life Story in 45 Hours by Rachael Herron Three Story Method: Foundations in Fiction by J.Thorn and Zach Bohannon The Anatomy of a Best Seller by Sacha Black Slow Productivity by Cal Newport 

NOTE: A mistake was made in the original posting of this episode; this is the correct audio file. My apologies!Lani talks about the progress she made--and didn't make--on her writing retreat to New York, shares the Year of Writing Magically writing schedule, and talks about the emotional work writers must do to prepare for a long-form fiction project.Show notes: Apply to be part of the Year of Writing Magically 2024 cohort Not ready to apply? Sign up for the Year of Writing Magically (very occasional) newsletter Read the Dear Writer about my childhood ghosts Subscribe to the Dear Writer newsletter Subscribe to the Dear Writer podcast Get your Year of Writing Magically full year writing schedule free Get your copy of How Story Works! Support Chipperish on Patreon! Support Chipperish by shopping on Amazon using this link! How Story Works is a Chipperish Media production by Lani Diane Rich, and is released under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-Sharealike license. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Lani talks about the progress she made--and didn't make--on her writing retreat to New York, shares the Year of Writing Magically writing schedule, and talks about the emotional work writers must do to prepare for a long-form fiction project.Show notes: Apply to be part of the Year of Writing Magically 2024 cohort Not ready to apply? Sign up for the Year of Writing Magically (very occasional) newsletter Read the Dear Writer about my childhood ghosts Subscribe to the Dear Writer newsletter Subscribe to the Dear Writer podcast Get your Year of Writing Magically full year writing schedule free Get your copy of How Story Works! Support Chipperish on Patreon! Support Chipperish by shopping on Amazon using this link! How Story Works is a Chipperish Media production by Lani Diane Rich, and is released under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-Sharealike license. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

This episode of Dear Writer, Sarah tackles the topic of the author's writing style and voice, with part one focussing primarily on the author style. With Ashley absent due to illness, Sarah flies solo and attempts to discuss what writing style is and why it is important, the development of our own personal styles, and tips to discover or hone your unique writing style.

Lani sits down with writer Melina Kantor to talk about how sometimes the problem with our writing isn't actually with our writing, but how we think about our writing.Show notes: Visit the new How Story Works website Apply for the 2024 Year of Writing Magically workshop Subscribe to the Dear Writer Substack Subscribe to the Dear Writer podcast RSS feed Get your copy of How Story Works! Support Chipperish on Patreon! Support Chipperish by shopping on Amazon using this link! How Story Works is a Chipperish Media production by Lani Diane Rich, and is released under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-Sharealike license. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Authors are so individualistic, and according to today's Author Revolution Podcast guest, our career success will be, too! On today's show, I'm chatting with Becca Syme about all things indie author success. We're diving into success archetypes, productivity, CliftonStrengths for authors and so much more! Have a listen! Be sure to check out the show notes by going to https://authorrevolution.org/198.

Lani gets quick and dirty with Mignon Fogarty, aka Grammar Girl, as they talk about the most powerful things people can do to improve their writing and how email is absolutely NOT obsolete. Check out Mignon Fogarty at Quick and Dirty Tips! Get the How Story Works ebook or paperback Get the How Story Works audiobook free with a new Audible subscription Get the Dear Writer newsletter! Support Chipperish on Patreon! Support Chipperish by shopping on Amazon using this link! How Story Works is a Chipperish Media production by Lani Diane Rich with Dr. Kelly Jones, and is released under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-Sharealike license. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

This fortnight on Dear Writer we were delighted to welcome Sue Tidwell. Sue is an award winning memoir author based in Idaho. Her book, Cries of the Savannah, is a passionate travel memoir about her adventure in Africa. The tagline of her book reads, An adventure. An awakening. A journey to understanding African Wildlife Preservation. When not at the keyboard, Sue can be found atop a paddleboard, enjoying the antics of her grandchildren, or engaged in the latest outdoor excursion with her husband.

Sometimes you get 70 pages into a book and just... stop. Author Cara Stevens, best known for children's picture books, joins Lani to talk about her struggle to get past the muddy middle and finally finish a complete full-length draft. Learn more about Cara Stevens and Picture Perfect! Get the How Story Works ebook or paperback Get the How Story Works audiobook free with a new Audible subscription Get the Dear Writer newsletter! Support Chipperish on Patreon! Support Chipperish by shopping on Amazon using this link! How Story Works is a Chipperish Media production by Lani Diane Rich with Dr. Kelly Jones, and is released under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-Sharealike license. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

How to stop building infrastructure around books that aren't selling. What is an organization growth curve? Continued conversation about sustainability in today's market. First aired on Youtube on Oct. 13,2022 as ep. 4.19 Join our Patreon for exclusive information https://www.patreon.com/beccasyme Follow us on Facebook for free monthly coaching and updates https://www.facebook.com/betterfasteracademy Download out Free Stuck list Checklist  https://dl.bookfunnel.com/hj4r15mgba

This week on Dear Writer we tried out an exercise that involved choosing a random object and writing from it's point of view. To hear how it all turned out and whether we thought this exercise was helpful for creativity, listen to the full episode.

Lani returns to talk about the drafting process, forgetting to do her homework, and what it's like to return to an active writing process after a long break. Get the How Story Works ebook or paperback Get the How Story Works audiobook free with a new Audible subscription Get the Dear Writer newsletter! Support Chipperish on Patreon! Support Chipperish by shopping on Amazon using this link! How Story Works is a Chipperish Media production by Lani Diane Rich with Dr. Kelly Jones, and is released under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-Sharealike license. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

This episode of Dear Writer featured another of our author spotlight interviews, and we were happy to welcome AJ Skelly. AJ Skelly is a YA author based in Ohio, with a passion for all things for all things fantasy, medieval, fairy-tale romance, and (most especially) werewolves. As an avid reader and former English teacher, AJ has always been interested in the written word. She lives with her husband and children, who share her love for books. AJ's goals are to provide positivity in the YA genre, and inspire young readers through unforgettable characters, leaving them with hope and the feeling of satisfaction in a book well-read. We very much enjoyed our chat with AJ, and as always took something new and fresh away from speaking with another writer.

This week on Dear Writer we tried out an exercise from imagine forest.com, which asked us to write a short paragraph about our scariest memory. The exercise sounded simple, but was fraught with challenges. Listen to the episode to hear our (lengthy) paragraphs and to see how it panned out.

This week on Dear Writer we welcomed Susan L Markloff on the show to talk about her books and writing journey. We greatly enjoyed talking to Susan about the highs and lows of the road so far, including everything from the success of seeing her book in print, and the challenges of marketing and finding a readership.

This week on Dear Writer we attempted Haiku poetry, looking at both the contemporary and traditional forms. We shared our results and our experiences, discussing whether we thought writing Haikus were a good way to develop creativity. The exercise this week was taken from the following website: https://www.writingforward.com/writing_exercises/poetry-writing-exercises/creative-writing-exercises-haiku

Hey all! Today Sarina brings you a fun but tricky topic: how to write a novel in three months. Should you do it? Maybe. It depends on the book. Not every book can or should be written in 90 days. But if you're game to try, Sarina gives you: 4 things you need to know about the book before you start5 tips for writing scenes more quickly3 things to try when you're stuckLinks from the PodThe Astronaut and The Star, Jen Comfort2k to 10k: Writing Faster, Writing Better, and Writing More of What You Love, Rachel AaronOtter.aiBecca Syme's Quitcast and her book Dear Writer, You Need to Quit. If you love a good writing retreat—especially one that comes with good solid coaching and the chance to meet others who are working on similar projects—here's one to check out. This fall, three Author Accelerator certified book coaches are offering Mainely Memoir, a retreat for women writers in historic Biddeford, Maine, held over three days in the gorgeous Maine woods in September, with one-on-one coaching both before and after the retreat. It's the perfect opportunity to give yourself the gift of time and focus so that you can make real progress on your memoir this year. Find out more atIf you love #AmWriting, make sure you subscribe to get bonuses and appreciation.Calling all freelancers! On March 9 and 10, the Institute for Independent Journalists is offering an online freelance journalism conference with 12 information-packed interactive sessions on everything from pitching, negotiations, and contracts to podcasting and developing new revenue streams. Speakers include editors for The Atlantic, The Guardian, The New York Times, Wired, The Verge, The Emancipator, and more. Registration costs $69 for 12 live, interactive sessions, delivering 15 hours of learning. For more information and to register, see: theiij.com All sessions will be recorded and available to view for one month after the conference.The IIJ is a new organization whose mission is the financial and emotional sustainability of journalists of color. Everyone is welcome at the IIJ's public programs, like the conference, although some future opportunities will be limited to BIPOC freelancers. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit amwriting.substack.com/subscribe

This week on Dear Writer we tried out another creative exercise. This involved creating a scene between two characters, using only gestures to have a conversation. Listen in to find out how we found the exercise and how we think it could be useful for creativity and writing.

Statt Plot gibt's die die geballte Laberladung.

This week on Dear Writer we tried another creative exercise from the Reedsy blog, called 'Room'. The instructions were: using a character from your current WIP, describe the room you are currently located in. We tried out the exercise and discussed how we found the experience. If you are are interested in this exercise and would like further information, visit the reedsy blog here: https://blog.reedsy.com/writing-exercises/setting/room/

In the first solo HSW episode in years, Lani Diane Rich talks about the past and the future and the wonderful Alice Wu movie, "The Half of It." Get the How Story Works ebook or paperback Get the How Story Works audiobook free with a new Audible subscription Get the Dear Writer newsletter! Support Chipperish on Patreon! Support Chipperish by shopping on Amazon using this link! How Story Works is a Chipperish Media production by Lani Diane Rich with Dr. Kelly Jones, and is released under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-Sharealike license. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Learn more about Lani's Year of Writing Magically 2023 Workshop!This week, Lani and Kelly talk about basic three-act, seven-anchor-scene structure. It's not the only structure that will work, but it's the one that will help you understand how structure works. Bookmark this one! Get the How Story Works ebook or paperback Get the How Story Works audiobook free with a new Audible subscription Get the Dear Writer newsletter! Support Chipperish on Patreon! Support Chipperish by shopping on Amazon using this link! How Story Works is a Chipperish Media production by Lani Diane Rich with Dr. Kelly Jones, and is released under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-Sharealike license. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Learn more about Lani's Year of Writing Magically 2023 Workshop! Learn more about Percolated Media Get the How Story Works ebook or paperback Get the How Story Works audiobook free with a new Audible subscription Get the Dear Writer newsletter! Support Chipperish on Patreon! Support Chipperish by shopping on Amazon using this link! How Story Works is a Chipperish Media production by Lani Diane Rich with Dr. Kelly Jones, and is released under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-Sharealike license. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Learn more about Lani's Year of Writing Magically 2023 Workshop! Read the rest of Lani's “Orange” script Get the How Story Works ebook or paperback Get the How Story Works audiobook free with a new Audible subscription Get the Dear Writer newsletter! Support Chipperish on Patreon! Support Chipperish by shopping on Amazon using this link! How Story Works is a Chipperish Media production by Lani Diane Rich with Dr. Kelly Jones, and is released under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-Sharealike license. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

This week on Dear Writer, we tried out doing some personality quizzes as our characters. Our chosen quizzes were a Myers Briggs personality test from 16personalities.com, and Love Languages from 5lovelanguages.com. The results we got were unexpected and interesting. We discussed the way we thought this could be used to help write our novels and increase creativity.

Learn more about Lani's Year of Writing Magically 2023 Workshop!This week, Lani and Kelly talk about structure in narrative theory; why is it important, and how does it work? Get the How Story Works ebook or paperback Get the How Story Works audiobook free with a new Audible subscription Get the Dear Writer newsletter! Support Chipperish on Patreon! Support Chipperish by shopping on Amazon using this link! How Story Works is a Chipperish Media production by Lani Diane Rich with Dr. Kelly Jones, and is released under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-Sharealike license. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Buy How Story Works nowGet the How Story Works audiobook free with a new Audible subscription Get the How Story Works ebook or paperback Get the How Story Works audiobook free with a new Audible subscription Get the Dear Writer newsletter! Learn about the writing coaching services Lani provides! Support Chipperish on Patreon! Support Chipperish by shopping on Amazon using this link! How Story Works is a Chipperish Media production by Lani Diane Rich with Dr. Kelly Jones, and is released under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-Sharealike license. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

This week on Dear Writer we tried another creative exercise, called "eight" which Ashley found on the Reedsy blog. It involved using the 8th sentence from the 8th chapter of a random fiction book, and using it to create a poem eight lines long which relates to your current work in progress.

This time on Dear Writer we talked about writing short fiction. In part one, we discussed what short fiction is and some of the elements of short fiction that are important in creating an engaging story.

Today on Dear Writer, Sarah talked with Jennifer Chastain, a romance author from a small town in the state of New York, who now lives in North Carolina with her husband. We had a very engaging and inspiring conversation about Jennifer's journey so far, and her upcoming romantic suspense series.

This episode of Dear Writer, we were lucky enough to speak with Lee Murray about writing speculative fiction. Lee is a USA Today bestselling author and a four-time winner of the International Bram Stoker Awards. She writes speculative fiction in a number of different sub-genres, and resides in the beautiful Bay of Plenty district in New Zealand.

On this week's episode of Dear Writer, we continue our discussion about creating tension in fiction. We talk about some the common techniques for making tension and chat about some of our writing tips for enhancing tension in your novel.

After nearly two years of trying to get published and 178 rejections later, when Coleen Paratore's first book, "How Prudence Proovit Proved the Truth About Fairy Tales," was published by Simon & Schuster, in 2004, she had learned so much which she thought would be helpful to others. But with just one title to her name, she decided to wait awhile. Coleen's new book "Dear Writer" offers daily encouragement, seasoned advice, powerful prompts for catching creative sparks and drawing out material, short teachings on a range of topics, publishing world insider tips, and effective practices to move you toward your goals, from an award-winning, bestselling author, writing teacher, and popular book coach.

A special event on Monday was cause for time travel. I remember it like yesterday—the smell of cheap plastic mixed with sweat. I walked to the third one on the right in a row of 15 treadmills. My form was terrible. Bang - bang - bang as my feet tried to keep up with the never-ending black belt of torture. The red numbers glared at me, whispering, “you suck, you are too slow, and you will fail Vohs - again.”Then the beat dropped. The shady spaghetti-eating self-proclaimed rap god came at me hard. I put the track on repeat, jammed my finger on the per-minute mile button, and ran as fast as possible. I had one shot, or so I thought. I ran so hard I was willing to have life imitate art on that gym floor. It was the Spring of 2003, and I would head to basic training two months later. You better lose yourself in the music, the momentYou own it, you better never let it goYou only get one shot, do not miss your chance to blowThis opportunity comes once in a lifetimeEminem turned 50 on Monday. If that doesn't make you feel old, I don't know what will. He has been shipping music for decades with almost 400 songs, and he gets lots of airtime when the teenagers have aux in my life. Just a few days later, t-sway dropped another one. Whether you love or hate her, you must bow down to the execution and relentless discipline. She keeps showing up, fighting resistance, and making art. Flexing her PR prowess, she surprised us with an extra seven songs on this album. Make your way to the end of Midnights, and you will find track #20, Dear Reader. Here are a few lines, and I'd encourage you to give the entire piece a listen. Dear reader,Burn all the files, desert all your past livesAnd if you don't recognize yourselfThat means you did it rightMaybe a more fitting title for this track is Dear Writer. Take the plot somewhere new, or make what we have today even better. Remove the unnecessary while recognizing what is terrific about you and your life. Bring that forward, and don't burn all the files. There are too many lessons and moments to cherish. They are both advocating for growth and change. Don't let your past, or your wounds, hold you back. Clean your lens so you can see clearly and objectively. Keep working at it, and you will become what you should be. Be gentle with yourself. There is rarely just one shot. Nothing easy here - it takes discipline, courage, and love. Write bravely, friends. Credits This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit kellyvohs.substack.com

On the week's episode of Dear Writer, we continue our discussion about world building. We talk about the important elements of building a realistic world, how much detail you should give to your readers, and some of our hot tips for effective world building.

On this week's episode of Dear Writer, we talk about some of the exciting new changes happening on the podcast before jumping in to a discussion about world building. We cover topics ranging from how world building and setting differ, to why it is important to consider world building in your novel.

Becca Syme is a Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach and holds a Master's degree in Transformational Leadership. She is the host of the Quitcast for Writers and the teacher of the popular Write Better-Faster class. Becca has coached 5000+ authors using success alignment and predictive reasoning to help authors write and market better-faster. She lives in the mountains of Montana where it is always winter and never Christmas. Becca joined me to today to talk about Jennifer Crusie's hilarious rom-com “Bet Me,” and given that we both have a tendency to think hard about the bigger picture, we got serious very fast. We discussed why representation matters so much, what happens to our lives when our inner perception is wrong, how curvy girl romances have gotten so much more nuanced over the years, and, of course, the best way to make chicken marsala.   Follow the Best Book Ever Podcast on Instagram or on the Best Book Ever Website   Do you have a book you want to tell me about? Go HERE to apply to be a guest on the Best Book Ever Podcast.   Host: Julie Strauss Website/Instagram     Guest: Becca Syme Website/Facebook/Twitter/Instagram/Patreon/YouTube   Discussed in this episode: Bet Me by Jennifer Crusie   Writer books by Becca Syme: Dear Writer, Are You in Burnout? Dear Writer, You're Doing It Wrong Dear Writer, You're Doing It Right Dear Writer, You Need to Quit Dear Writer, Are You Intuitive?   Lucy Foley Clifton Strengths Finder Enneagram Jennifer Weiner Apples Never Fall by Liane Moriarty What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty Penance on the Prairies by R.L. Syme   (Note: Some of the above links are affiliate links, meaning I get a few bucks off your purchase at no extra expense to you. Anytime you shop for books, you can use my affiliate link on Bookshop, which also supports Indie Bookstores around the country. If you're shopping for everything else – clothes, office supplies, gluten-free pasta, couches – you can use my affiliate link for Amazon. Thank you for helping to keep the Best Book Ever Podcast in business!)

Welcome back to Alchemy for Authors! In this episode I chat with best-selling author and Gallup Strengths coach, Becca Syme. Becca shares how honing in on your strengths and trusting your intuition can better set you on your path for success in your author career. We discuss the five different types of intuition, how we can get better at trusting our intuition, why you won't find success following someone else's path, and why you should fail fast. This is an amazing episode that will have you re-thinking everything you think you know about intuition and how to be a successful Indie author. Resources mentioned in this episode: Dear Writer, Are You Intuitive? By Becca Symes  The Quitcast Podcast  The Better-Faster Academy  Gallup Strengths Find out more about INDIEpendence Month here. If you enjoyed this episode, please be sure to subscribe, rate, review, and share with a friend. You can follow me on Instagram and Facebook: @jobuerauthor Join the Alchemy for Authors Facebook Group here. Join my newsletter and get your FREE copy of Manifestation for Authors here. Visit my website for the full transcript of this episode: https://jobuer.com/alchemy-for-authors/

Having Becca Syme on our podcast as our very first guest ever was an amazing honor.  Now, she's coming back, ready to present for us the idea that we as writers may be what is known as, “Intuitive.” She joins us live to discuss her book, “Dear Writer, Are You Intuitive?” and to answer questions in our Live Q&A chat. Becca's book, Dear Writer, Are You Intuitive? https://www.amazon.com/Dear-Writer-Intuitive-QuitBooks-Writers-ebook/dp/B09WJ9V3JQ30 Days of Writing Sprint Prompts: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08MGR7431Our new Facebook Group! https://www.facebook.com/groups/liste...Visit our website: https://christianindiewriters.net/Learn more about the hosts...Jenifer: https://jenifercarlltong.com/Jamie: https://writingshorts.net/Tina: https://christinacattane.com/Rhonda: http://ddbouman.com/

On this craft episode of Dear Writer, we discussed the importance of story structure when writing your novel, and explored some of the common elements found in different types of narrative structure.

We asked Robert Reich to share his advice on learning to use his writing and drawing skills to illustrate his Substack. Read on for Robert’s advice, or listen to him read it aloud above.This is the fifth in a recurring series of longform writer advice, following Alicia Kennedy’s advise on learning to listen, Embedded’s Kate Lindsay’s advice on creating trust with your readers, Lance’s Anna Codrea-Rado’s advice on learning to celebrate just how far you’ve come, and Mason Currey’s advice on creative growth.Could you use some advice or inspiration from a fellow writer about creativity, motivation, and the writing life? Submit your question for consideration for a future advice column by leaving it in the comments below. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit on.substack.com

We asked Robert Reich to share his advice on learning to use his writing and drawing skills to illustrate his Substack. Read on for Robert's advice, or listen to him read it aloud above.This is the fifth in a recurring series of longform writer advice, following Alicia Kennedy's advise on learning to listen, Embedded's Kate Lindsay's advice on creating trust with your readers, Lance's Anna Codrea-Rado's advice on learning to celebrate just how far you've come, and Mason Currey's advice on creative growth.Could you use some advice or inspiration from a fellow writer about creativity, motivation, and the writing life? Submit your question for consideration for a future advice column by leaving it in the comments below. Thank you for subscribing. Share this episode.

We asked Helena Fitzgerald to share her advice on navigating isolation as a writer. Helena writes Griefbacon—a newsletter on the weirdness of relationships for “the last people at the party after everyone else has gone home.” Listen on for her experience of solitude in writing, or listen to her read it aloud above.Dear writer, how does isolation play into your writing experience? When do you crave it, and at what point do you seek support, collaboration, or edits? How do you come up for air when the loneliness of writing becomes too much? *This is the fifth in a recurring series of longform writer advice, following Alicia Kennedy’s advice on learning to listen, Embedded’s Kate Lindsay’s advice on creating trust with your readers, Lance’s Anna Codrea-Rado’s advice on learning to celebrate just how far you’ve come, and Mason Currey’s advice on creative growth.Could you use some advice or inspiration from a fellow writer about creativity, motivation, and the writing life? Submit your question for consideration for a future advice column by leaving it in the comments on Substack. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit on.substack.com

We asked Helena Fitzgerald to share her advice on navigating isolation as a writer. Helena writes Griefbacon—a newsletter on the weirdness of relationships for “the last people at the party after everyone else has gone home.” Listen on for her experience of solitude in writing, or listen to her read it aloud above.Dear writer, how does isolation play into your writing experience? When do you crave it, and at what point do you seek support, collaboration, or edits? How do you come up for air when the loneliness of writing becomes too much? *This is the fifth in a recurring series of longform writer advice, following Alicia Kennedy's advice on learning to listen, Embedded's Kate Lindsay's advice on creating trust with your readers, Lance's Anna Codrea-Rado's advice on learning to celebrate just how far you've come, and Mason Currey's advice on creative growth.Could you use some advice or inspiration from a fellow writer about creativity, motivation, and the writing life? Submit your question for consideration for a future advice column by leaving it in the comments on Substack. Thank you for subscribing. Share this episode.

Episode Show Notes In this episode we cover:  Overview of the genre and subgenres What makes a good erotica novel Terminology and language How to write a good sex scene Common mistakes to avoid This week's question is: Tell me about something you're proud of. Recommendation of the week is: Dear Writer, Are You Intuitive? by Becca Syme Apple Kobo Amazon UK Amazon USA ***this show uses affiliate links Links I mentioned are: Competition Quitcast Superbad Villains on The Writer's Mindset The Merry Writer Podcast Find out more about Golden Angel at: Author Website   Rebel of the Week is: Bair  If you'd like to be a Rebel of the week please do send in your story, it can be any kind of rebellion. You can email your rebel story to rebelauthorpodcast@gmail.com 2 new patrons this week, welcome and thank you to Karla Hailer and Vanessa Wells. A big thank you to my existing patrons as well. If you'd like to support the show, and get early access to all the episodes as well as bonus content you can from as little as $2 a month by visiting: www.patreon.com/sachablack  

On respecting your energy needs so creativity can thrive, from Emma Gannon of The Hyphen. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit on.substack.com

On this craft episode of Dear Writer, we discussed how to weave backstory into your novel, and why it is important, especially when it comes to the craft of character and relating to your readers.

On learning to listen, from Alicia Kennedy of From the Desk of Alicia Kennedy Podcast. Subscribe at on.substack.com

We asked Alicia Kennedy to share her advice on interviewing. She calls From the Desk of Alicia Kennedy Podcast, her weekly podcast that's part of her food newsletter, “a curated conversation series.” She recently wrote about her belief in unscripted, unedited interviews here. Read on for her advice, or listen to her read it aloud above.Dear writer and podcaster, what's the secret to a good interview? My podcast always begins with the same question: “Can you tell me about where you grew up and what you ate?” This establishes the conversation in some straightforward biography, while also grounding it in the flavors and food philosophies that have shaped the guest's life. From there, the audience and I will get to go deeper, but the guest sets the terms of the conversation by choosing what and how much to share. Do they become wistful and nostalgic, or do these memories seem painful? Are they tinged by grief and loss, or by joy and whimsy? The question sets the tone and tenor of the rest of the conversation.   To me, a good interview is governed by the same thing as good nonfiction writing: curiosity. I've made mistakes before by doing interviews with people whose work I, frankly, was not curious about, and that means I'm just going through the motions. But what makes an interview good for the audience—whether a listener or reader—is that the people having the conversation are actively engaged with each other, and ideally with each other's work. As an interviewer, I want the people listening to feel like they're overhearing a natural conversation, something that would happen spontaneously after the plates are cleared away from the dinner table and all that's left is some wine and cake.There also needs to be a spirit of generosity on the part of the person being interviewed. When people come on who've never bothered to listen to a past episode and don't respond generously to good-faith questions, it can feel like pulling teeth. I've learned for myself, whether I'm the host or the guest, that I shouldn't show up unless I can get locked into having a generous conversation. This means being curious and being engaged, of course, but also believing that every question is a good question, a worthwhile question, and if I think perhaps it hasn't been phrased well, that I can reframe it in my response. I want the people listening to feel like they're overhearing a natural conversation, something that would happen spontaneously after the plates are cleared away from the dinner table and all that's left is some wine and cake.In order to facilitate better conversations, I send my guests the questions a week ahead of time. This provides not too much time to overprepare and thus kill spontaneity, but it does allow them to get a sense of the trajectory of the conversation and tell me whether they'd prefer to go in another direction. I want guests to be comfortable and know that it will be a safe space for anything they wish to talk about, and I like to establish their boundaries ahead of time. I try to ask big, open questions, too, so that the guest feels free to take their response in any direction. Specific questions, I've found, lend themselves too easily to simple answers. The worst feeling is to receive a “yes” or “no” in response. Though sometimes one can want to flex just how deep they've researched in their questions, I find it better to be looser and to let the guest guide the conversation a bit, because their spontaneity will also be more compelling to the listener. In writing these bigger, more open questions, I dive into all the person's work and also try to listen to or read past interviews. I want to honor the subjects that drive the guest's life while also bringing something different to it, something less anticipated. My questions that I ask to everyone are very important for this reason, such as in how I begin, but also in how I finish, which is with the same two questions. Each guest responds to the same questions in new ways.I want to honor the subjects that drive the guest's life while also bringing something different to it, something less anticipated. I used to ask just, “For you, is cooking a political act?” but I change it up based on whether the guest has told me they like to cook or not. If they don't, I ask about writing or bartending or whatever it is they put all their soul into. I've begun to add the question “How do you define abundance?” because the concept of “abundance” keeps working its way into my own writing—how we define it, yes, as well as how to cultivate it and how to reframe it in a world that tries to tell us abundance looks one way, means one thing.My podcast is, in this way, an extension of my writing, a way to engage with its themes with folks who've done different kinds of work in food and culture, who can bring new perspectives to themes I work with consistently. We all eat and engage with food differently, and I want to honor that diversity through generous, curious conversation.Sincerely, AliciaThis is the fourth in a recurring series of longform writer advice, following Embedded's Kate Lindsay's advice on creating trust with your readers, Lance's Anna Codrea-Rado's advice on learning to celebrate just how far you've come, and Mason Currey's advice on creative growth.Could you use some advice or inspiration from a fellow writer about creativity, motivation, and the writing life? Submit your question for consideration for a future advice column by leaving it in the comments below. Thank you for subscribing. Share this episode.

On this craft episode of Dear Writer, we talk about how to craft the perfect villain, and the many reasons why the villain is so central to the plot of your novel.

We asked Kate Lindsay, co-author of Embedded, to share some writer-to-writer advice about creating trust with your readers.  Subscribe at on.substack.com

As we kick off the Substack category tour, we asked Kate Lindsay, co-author of Embedded, to share some writer-to-writer advice about creating trust with your readers. Co-founded with Nick Catucci, Embedded is a twice-weekly guide to new internet creators including trends and weekly interviews with “very online” people. Read on for her advice, or listen to her read it aloud above.​Dear writer,How do you approach reading, as a writer? How does the lens of your own audience impact how and what you read?Dear writer,I'll admit, there was a period of time when I was too jaded from working in the digital media industry to read any online content. At my first writing job, I wrote seven stories a day, sometimes waking up as early as 6 a.m. to fit it all in. By the time I'd worked at a few different publications, I could tell when an article was actually an SEO grab masquerading as a legitimate piece of writing, or a piece of clickbait meant to make people mad, and I wasn't interested in feeding the machine with my own reading habits.While I'd like to think this particular era of digital media is on its way out, you still see shades of it when the latest viral moment prompts every outlet to scramble for its own unique take. So many websites are writing the same thing. This can be helpful: When Yellowjackets was airing, I was so deep in the show and its fan theories that I read every perspective I could find in hopes of getting all the crumbs. But this strategy doesn't work universally. For instance, I similarly consumed Covid-19 content in the first year of the pandemic, but I realized that this wasn't actually reading—it was anxiety-spiraling.All this is to say, I'm somewhat precious with what I consume, and definitely read a lot less than perhaps you'd think for someone who calls themselves “chronically online.” I like pieces that work to clarify a moment with reason rather than drum up anxiety for clicks, and I have a natural aversion to reading whatever piece has my Twitter timeline in an uproar—because it was probably designed to do just that. “I like pieces that work to clarify a moment with reason rather than drum up anxiety for clicks.”This was one of the first things I noticed about writing Embedded: I no longer have to cater to SEO, or try to get someone's attention on a timeline. We're writing for readers who, by nature of signing up, already want to read us. So our coverage can be more thoughtfully catered to them in a way that feels helpful, not exploitative. Our best-performing pieces for Embedded are often the ones that seek to make the reader feel understood. Our newsletter is about the internet, but rather than highlight what's dystopian about this time, I always try to focus on the things about it that are uniquely human, or voice something we all experience that hasn't been formally put to paper. Similarly, the pieces I love and share with others aren't ones that are particularly spicy or that make me want to get up and go do something, but that reflect back to me a thought or experience that makes me feel seen.This isn't to say you need to try to broadly appeal to your readers. Curating our My Internet series has taught me that the internet may be getting bigger, but people still find and occupy their own particular corners of it. The 2020 National Book Award nominee Rumaan Alam follows Mary-Kate and Ashley fan accounts. Former New York Times columnist Ben Smith is on Geocaching reddit. Writer Taylor Lorenz loves bird TikTok. Investing in a niche may not reach the most readers, but the people you are writing for will be real and engaged and appreciative, which is, ostensibly, why we all started doing this. “Investing in a niche may not reach the most readers, but the people you are writing for will be real and engaged and appreciative, which is, ostensibly, why we all started doing this.” I've also learned that people will pay for writing, and we should continue to normalize that. For My Internet, we always ask people what they pay for online, and some have named publications from the New York Times to Insider to Study Hall to, of course, their favorite Substacks. But when you step back and look at social media as a whole, everyday people in the replies and comments are routinely astonished when something is paywalled. Sure, running into a paywall is annoying, but the fact that you're annoyed you can't read something is the reason to pay for it! If you want to read good stuff, then you have to free writers from the advertising model that forces quantity over quality, and that means people with the means to give their money, doing so. If all else fails, I'll leave you with these two pieces of advice: Trust recommendations from humans, not algorithms, and treat your clicks like currency—give them to the kind of content you want to see more of, not less. Sincerely,KateThis is the third in a recurring series of longform writer-to-writer advice, following Mason Currey's advice column on creative growth and Anna Codrea-Rado of Lance on learning to celebrate just how far you've come.Could you use some advice or inspiration from a fellow writer about creativity, motivation, and the writing life? Submit your question for consideration for a future advice column by leaving it in the comments below, or entering it (with the option to remain anonymous) using this form.Bonus: Reading RoomReading Room is a new mini series with writers like Anne Helen Petersen sharing their favorite publications to read on Substack. Kate is a thoughtful reader and researcher, both of her peers and of the online spaces that she covers. We asked Kate to share what she is reading.Kate Lindsay's recommended reads:Substack I'm most excited to open ASAP: Today in Tabs—it breaks down the exact discourse I recommend against reading, but now I can still know what people are talking about. Substack most likely to make me think: ¡Hola Papi!—I keep rereading this post about stepping back from social media. I'm like, did I black out and send this letter? First Substack I subscribed to: That's gotta be Garbage Day, and I still open every single one! I recently cited this one, about how social media is digesting the crisis in Ukraine, in my own writing. Substack I subscribed to most recently: After School—one of the only places to report on Gen Z that isn't patronizing. I think this Gen Z gift guide is a perfect example of how hard its author, Casey Lewis, works to be accurate and comprehensive. Substack I recommend to friends most often: Rachel Karten's Link in Bio is essential for understanding the professional social media space. I love this one about the personal social media accounts of people who run brand accounts. Visit Kate's profile page to see more from her current reading list. Subscribe to Kate and Nick's publication on Substack, Embedded, and you can also find them on Twitter here and here. Thank you for subscribing. Share this episode.

On this culturing creativity episode of Dear Writer we tried out and discussed a writing exercise called, "Exploding A Moment". This wonderful exercise helps with developing detailed description in your creative writing. You can find instructions on how to do this exercise here: https://wr.english.fsu.edu/College-Composition/The-Inkwell/Details-and-Descriptions#Exploding%20a%20Moment:%20Developing%20Details

On this craft episode of Dear Writer, we talked about how to create realistic relationships between characters, and why this aspect of character creation is important.

As the year draws to a close, we asked Anna Codrea-Rado to share a piece of writer-to-writer advice about taking stock of one’s creative accomplishments. Anna writes Lance, a publication all about building a freelance career without burning out. Read on for her advice, or listen to her read it aloud above.Dear writer,How do you stop to recognize what you've accomplished? And how do you refocus and refresh when starting a new chapter?Dear writer,On the eve of a breakup, a past boyfriend said to me that I’d never be happy because I’m always looking for something else.Over a decade later and the memory of that remark still stings. Not because I regret dumping him, but because he’d touched on something that I was (and still am) prone to doing: ambitiously going after something but not stopping to appreciate its fruits. I share this relic from my relationship graveyard to confess that I too struggle to recognize my accomplishments. And before I can attempt to answer what you can do about that, first I want to ask: why can’t you recognize what you’ve accomplished? Earlier this year, I wrote my first book and while I knew it was a huge milestone, I couldn’t feel it. So much so, that I felt uncomfortable whenever other people told me how proud I must be of myself. I started calling this inability to see my own success "productivity dysmorphia.” The pursuit of productivity spurs us to do more while at the same time robbing us of the ability to savor any success we might encounter along the way. As for why it happens, personally, I think the biggest culprit is our toxic work culture which not only moves the goal posts, but then tells us that if we miss, that’s our personal failing. The pursuit of productivity spurs us to do more while at the same time robbing us of the ability to savor any success we might encounter along the way.There’s a badly wrapped gift to be had here: This stuff isn’t your fault! This partly explains why I’ve only ever had mixed results in my attempts to do something about it. Because believe me, I’ve tried all the hacks for recognizing my achievements. The big one is writing down your wins at the end of each day. Seems like a no-brainer for a writer, right? Make yourself feel better about your writing by writing about it? And indeed, scribbling “Wrote 1,000 words today” in my bullet journal does make me feel smug. When I’m fretting about my newsletter, a game I like to play is zooming in and out of the graph in the “Subscriber” tab. There, I can see my growth over the last 30 days, 90 days, and all time. My 30-day chart looks like a rollercoaster; a rickety track of dizzying climbs preceded by stomach-flipping descents. Then I toggle to the 90-day view and things look a little gentler. At the “all-time” setting, all the bumps are smoothed out into a healthy line that clearly points upwards. At that distance, I have an uninterrupted view of how much further along I am now from my starting position. These tactics (or maybe it’s better to call them reflections) have definitely helped me better appreciate my achievements, but only ever after the fact. It’s a bit like how I experience the benefits of exercise, not so much in the moment of doing it, but only after a period of inactivity when I feel terrible for its absence. As the French political theorist, Germaine de Staël wrote, “The human mind always makes progress, but it is a progress in spirals”. And so, I don’t think the move is to throw out these acts of reflection, but rather to accept their limitations. “The human mind always makes progress, but it is a progress in spirals” ~ Germaine de StaëlThen the question becomes, how can we recognize our accomplishments in the moment? For me, the answer lies in getting back to why I write in the first place. I believe that the writing subjects we’re drawn to aren’t random. Richard Bach, the American writer said, “We teach best what we most need to learn.” And I think the same is true for writing—I write best about the things I need to work out for myself. I find this to be particularly important to remember at the close of one chapter and the beginning of another. And if you too are at a similar crossroads right now and struggling with which direction to take next, try asking yourself the following question: Even if no one read me, what would I write about? It’s easy to lose sight of why you’re even writing in the first place, so recentring can be a powerful way to help you get unstuck. Asking yourself this simple question will help you reconnect with your writing and remind you why you’re even doing it in the first place. You’ll be surprised how clearly the answer will come to you. And remember, the sheer act of even asking these kinds of questions is a celebration of how just far you’ve come.Sincerely,AnnaThis is the second in a recurring series of longform writer-to-writer advice, following Mason Currey’s advice column on creative growth. Could you use some advice or inspiration from a fellow writer about creativity, motivation, and the writing life? Submit your question for consideration for a future advice column by leaving it in the comments below, or entering it (with the option to remain anonymous) using this form. Subscribe at on.substack.com

As the year draws to a close, we asked Anna Codrea-Rado to share a piece of writer-to-writer advice about taking stock of one's creative accomplishments. Anna writes Lance, a publication all about building a freelance career without burning out. Read on for her advice, or listen to her read it aloud above.Dear writer,How do you stop to recognize what you've accomplished? And how do you refocus and refresh when starting a new chapter?Dear writer,On the eve of a breakup, a past boyfriend said to me that I'd never be happy because I'm always looking for something else.Over a decade later and the memory of that remark still stings. Not because I regret dumping him, but because he'd touched on something that I was (and still am) prone to doing: ambitiously going after something but not stopping to appreciate its fruits. I share this relic from my relationship graveyard to confess that I too struggle to recognize my accomplishments. And before I can attempt to answer what you can do about that, first I want to ask: why can't you recognize what you've accomplished? Earlier this year, I wrote my first book and while I knew it was a huge milestone, I couldn't feel it. So much so, that I felt uncomfortable whenever other people told me how proud I must be of myself. I started calling this inability to see my own success "productivity dysmorphia.” The pursuit of productivity spurs us to do more while at the same time robbing us of the ability to savor any success we might encounter along the way. As for why it happens, personally, I think the biggest culprit is our toxic work culture which not only moves the goal posts, but then tells us that if we miss, that's our personal failing. The pursuit of productivity spurs us to do more while at the same time robbing us of the ability to savor any success we might encounter along the way.There's a badly wrapped gift to be had here: This stuff isn't your fault! This partly explains why I've only ever had mixed results in my attempts to do something about it. Because believe me, I've tried all the hacks for recognizing my achievements. The big one is writing down your wins at the end of each day. Seems like a no-brainer for a writer, right? Make yourself feel better about your writing by writing about it? And indeed, scribbling “Wrote 1,000 words today” in my bullet journal does make me feel smug. When I'm fretting about my newsletter, a game I like to play is zooming in and out of the graph in the “Subscriber” tab. There, I can see my growth over the last 30 days, 90 days, and all time. My 30-day chart looks like a rollercoaster; a rickety track of dizzying climbs preceded by stomach-flipping descents. Then I toggle to the 90-day view and things look a little gentler. At the “all-time” setting, all the bumps are smoothed out into a healthy line that clearly points upwards. At that distance, I have an uninterrupted view of how much further along I am now from my starting position. These tactics (or maybe it's better to call them reflections) have definitely helped me better appreciate my achievements, but only ever after the fact. It's a bit like how I experience the benefits of exercise, not so much in the moment of doing it, but only after a period of inactivity when I feel terrible for its absence. As the French political theorist, Germaine de Staël wrote, “The human mind always makes progress, but it is a progress in spirals”. And so, I don't think the move is to throw out these acts of reflection, but rather to accept their limitations. “The human mind always makes progress, but it is a progress in spirals” ~ Germaine de StaëlThen the question becomes, how can we recognize our accomplishments in the moment? For me, the answer lies in getting back to why I write in the first place. I believe that the writing subjects we're drawn to aren't random. Richard Bach, the American writer said, “We teach best what we most need to learn.” And I think the same is true for writing—I write best about the things I need to work out for myself. I find this to be particularly important to remember at the close of one chapter and the beginning of another. And if you too are at a similar crossroads right now and struggling with which direction to take next, try asking yourself the following question: Even if no one read me, what would I write about? It's easy to lose sight of why you're even writing in the first place, so recentring can be a powerful way to help you get unstuck. Asking yourself this simple question will help you reconnect with your writing and remind you why you're even doing it in the first place. You'll be surprised how clearly the answer will come to you. And remember, the sheer act of even asking these kinds of questions is a celebration of how just far you've come.Sincerely,AnnaThis is the second in a recurring series of longform writer-to-writer advice, following Mason Currey's advice column on creative growth. Could you use some advice or inspiration from a fellow writer about creativity, motivation, and the writing life? Submit your question for consideration for a future advice column by leaving it in the comments below, or entering it (with the option to remain anonymous) using this form. Thank you for subscribing. Share this episode.

This week on Dear Writer, we shared some more resources that we've found useful. Sarah discussed 'Save the Cat Writes a Novel' by Jessica Brody, a version of Blake Snyder's original 'Save the Cat' series for screenwriters which Jessica Brody adapted for novelists. Ashley reviewed an article called 'The Rise of Strong Female Characters in YA Fantasy' by Lidia Elsdon in theJournal YA Hotline, 2020, Issue #112, Feminism and Fantasy. You can find the full article here: https://ojs.library.dal.ca/YAHS/article/view/10294

This week for our main episode on Dear Writer, we explored beginnings. We focused on the first sentence, the first paragraph, the first chapter, the introduction of your protagonist, and even went as far to talk about how you might plan to write the first book of a series.

Find your local comic shop & call to ask them to pre-order G.I.L.T!Learn more about Dear Writer.★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Learn more about Dear Writer.★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Learn more about Dear Writer.★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Written by Becca Syme, 'Dear Writer, You Need To Quit' isn't specifically written for childrens authors, but is definitely still applicable. This book is part of a whole "Dear Writer' series which is a very cool premise. This one has 15 chapters on things you should QUIT, and those are bookended by 'The Bad news' at the beginning and 'The Good News' at the end!Have a look at her other books on her site BetterFasterAcademy.com and have a listen to her podcast, The Quitcast.Want the notes, and more? Join the weekly newsletter at BeyondTheBookMarketing.com/Becca!

On our 40th episode of Dear Writer, we take a look at the process of self-publishing, and explain what that's looked like for us so far. We discuss the pros and cons of self publishing, and our experience as newcomers to the trade.

This episode of Dear Writer, we begin a three part series on the journey so far, beginning with our attempts to be traditionally published. We discussed the reasons why traditional publishing can be attractive, and our personal reasons for pursuing this pathway.

This week on Dear Writer we had Kaitlyn Legaspi in the author spotlight. Kaitlyn writes young adult fantasy and has published four books, three as part of her 'Dark Irregular' Trilogy, and the first of her 'Cardholder' series. It was great to chat with Kaitlyn about her experience and her process, and we enjoyed learning all about her books.

In this culturing creativity episode of Dear Writer, we discussed the benefits of music in creating inspiration. This included both inspiration for plot events and character development within your book, but also in encouraging the muse to roll up his or her sleeves and get down to business!

We experimented with freefall (aka free writing) on Dear Writer this week, which proved an interesting and useful tool for developing creativity. Listen in to see how it went.

To celebrate the 20th episode of Dear Writer, this week we have a... um... treat? We're sharing with you all some absolutely terrible poetry which hopefully you will enjoy at our expense. If you have never heard someone die laughing in the middle of a poetry slam, this episode is for you.

This week on Dear Writer we explored several writing resources, and we both chose other podcasts to review and discuss. Sarah talked about The Creative Penn Podcast, hosted by Joanna Penn, while Ashley's choice for the month was also a podcast, The Career Author Podcast, hosted by Zach Bohannon and J. Thorn.

S01 Episode 4: In this episode, we chat with Sam Topley, agency producer and founder of Dear Writer, a small publisher with a focus on producing guided journals that promote writing as a form of self-care. Sam shares his own personal experiences with addiction, anxiety, and trauma as we explore his journey through advertising and how he found recovery in writing. Relevant links: www.dearwriter.co.uk www.nabs.org.uk www.mind.org.uk www.talktofrank.com

Sam Topley - founder of Dear Writer journals - explains why he likes to ring a friend rather than send a text.

Episode Show Notes In this episode we cover:  How to make your prose more professional  Common presentation mistakes  Common punctuation errors Tricks and strategies to improve presentation This week's question is: what do you care about most in a book? Story, characters, presentation, something else? Recommendation of the week is: Dear Writer, Are You In Writer's Block? By Becca Syme Kobo  Apple Amazon UK Amazon USA **This podcast uses affiliate links Links I mentioned are:  Sacha's Shop Discount Code: Rebel15 The Senses Course Discount Code: Rebel15  Becca Syme Courses Story Bundle Find out more about Mike Reeves-McMillan on: C-Side Media Website   Listener Rebel of the Week is: Cari Buziak If you'd like to be a Rebel of the week please do send in your story, it can be any kind of rebellion. You can email your rebel story to rebelauthorpodcast@gmail.com or tweet me @rebelauthorpod If you'd like to support the show, and get early access to all the episodes as well as bonus content you can from as little as $2 a month by visiting: www.patreon.com/sachablack  

The seventh episode of Dear Writer explores some misconceptions about both medicine and science, and how not to annoy your readers! We talk about the types and timings of injuries, and how to avoid common pitfalls. If you're of the squeamish variety, we do (lightly) gloss the surface of anatomy and physiology, and we recognize that to some people, this topic might be stomach turning! But, don't worry, we let you know when to click the fast forward, and here's the timestamp for the 'it's all safe now' point: 34:12

Knowing what to quit doing can be just as important as knowing what to do. Sean and Johnny first encountered Becca Syme through her book, Dear Writer, You need to […]

On the second episode of Dear Writer, we explore the question, 'Do you truly need life experience to write well?' The approach we took to this was primarily geared towards young writers vs older writers. We delve into our memories of writing as teens, making comparisons and applying knowledge we've learned on the way to answer the question. And stay tuned to listen to our 'mistakes of the month,' where we divulge some of our weird and wonderful mistakes to listeners.

In this episode Chris interviews author and copywriting expert Brian Meeks. Brian, best known for expertise on Amazon ads, has a new book on how to write winning copy. The episode starts with an update on Amazon's new lockscreen ads that have many authors befuddled. Show Notes & Links: -Are the new lockscreen ads (Amazon) the old product display ads? -The the goal in copywriting is not the same as in writing a book. -The difference between structure in ad copy and prose writing. -Why using a summary of your book as a description to sell your book is a bad choice. -Why authors hate copywriting and Brian's solution. -What is a hook and why every piece of copywriting needs one. -Should you put your social proof (Amazon bestseller, USA Today bestseller) in your book description? Links: click 'em, they're live: Check out Brian's new book, Mastering Amazon Descriptions, here Brian's Facebook group page on Masterin Amazon Descriptions here Becca Syme's new podcast, The Quitcast Becca's new book, Dear Writer, You Need To Quit  

In this week's episode of the Smarty Pants Book Marketing Podcast, Chris gives three good reasons why a lead magnet (or reader magnet) might not be enough.  Show Notes & Links: -Why tactics are an incomplete marketing strategy A lead magnet is not enough: 1. Because it's a tactic! Where's the why? The Seinfeld-ism: You know how to hook the reader, you just don't know how to keep the reader.  2. If you have only one or two books published. Match your lead magnet strategy with your publishing strategy. [Sell through definition: the percentage of readers who buy book two after book one, and then book three and so on...Each book has its own sell-through rate.] 3. If you are leaving readers high and dry with nowhere to go or nowhere to connect.  The perma-free book needs to be a doorway for readers to enter your publishing platform or business. It's not just a standalone book.  Links - click 'em, they're live: -Link to Becca Syme's new video podcast: The Quitcast. -Link to Becca's new book, Dear Writer, You Need To Quit -Link to the Better Faster Academy -Link to Chris' free email strategy class on Teachable -Sara Rosett's podcast on how to sell more books with Pinterest    

In this week's show Chris analyzes data on how social media helps word-of-mouth and increases sales. Also, why most authors only need one primary social media channel for their platform. Show Notes: -Know the why behind the power of social media. -Updated social media stats. -Updated research on why social media increases sales. -70% of people over 13 years old are on at least one social media channel to connect (88% of 18-29 age group). -Facebook and YouTube have the highest numbers and best age spread. -Only 10% of people over 65 are on Instagram. -A primary social media channel is the place where you connect with fans. You only need one in most cases. -Why getting good at content is the key to your success. Links: Link to Hubspot research article Link to Pew Internet research Link to Becca's new book, Dear Writer, You Need To Quit Link to Chris' book, The Authors Guide to Sell More Books With Less Marketing.