Podcasts about diy mfa

In today's career transformation story, you'll meet Gabriela Pereira, who transitioned from her dream job as a toy designer to founding DIY MFA, an educational company for writers, after leaving her initial career due to health concerns, ultimately realizing she could fulfill her maker passion in a new field. Gabriela Pereira, is the founder of DIY MFA - an online education platform empowering writers to hone their craft outside the traditional MFA system. But Gabriela's journey began with an unexpected detour. After achieving her childhood dream of becoming a toy designer, a personal health crisis forced Gabriela to pivot from the corporate world. Through deep introspection, she realized her true callings were creating new offerings while constantly acquiring knowledge - the essence of her Primary Maker and Shadow Maven Sparketypes.  Host: Jonathan Fields, creator of Good Life Project podcast and the Sparketype® Assessment, More on Sparketypes:  Discover Your Sparketype | The Book | The Website Coaches & Leaders: Tap a Game-Changing Credential - The Certified Sparketype® Advisor Training.  Presented by LinkedIn.

Welcome to DIY MFA Radio, where I do a deep dive into the writing life as well as the craft and business of writing. Today's episode continues our series: Ten Lessons from Ten Years of Podcasting. This is Lesson 4 – Get Comfortable with Being Uncomfortable Have you gotten the DIY MFA Starter Kit yet? This is a two week email series full of worksheets to help you DIY your MFA, so you can get the “knowledge without the college.” You'll learn more about how to write with focus, read with purpose, and build your community. You'll also receive Writer Fuel, our newsletter full of words of wisdom and resources to help you keep the momentum going in your writing. And you'll be the first to hear about other fun goodies we only share via email. Best of all, it's free to join! You can sign up with your email at diymfa.com/join.   In this episode I discuss: Why complacency is the enemy of personal and professional growth. The growing pains that come from failing better and why failure is so hard. How I embraced failure for an entire year, and how it helped me grow DIY MFA. The malleable nature of comfort zones, and why we must keep challenging ourselves. For more info and show notes: diymfa.com/479

Not all writing advice fits every writer. In this episode, I chat with Gabriela Pereira, founder of DIY MFA, about how she carved out her unique writing journey. We dive into her inspiring story, from early struggles to launching a thriving community where authors learn to write with focus, read with purpose, and build lasting connections. If you've been feeling stuck or overwhelmed with managing your writing time and consistency, this episode will motivate you to take control of your writing life. Plus, get a sneak peek into the Writer Igniter Author Life Summit (September 13-15th), designed to boost your productivity and writing success! Writer Igniter Author Life Summit >> https://members.diymfa.com/writer-igniter-author-life-summit-daria-white-osah/ Get your FREE DIY MFA Starter Kit >> https://diymfa.com/join/

Welcome to DIY MFA Radio, where I do a deep dive into the writing life as well as the craft and business of writing. Today's episode continues our series: Ten Lessons from Ten Years of Podcasting. This is Lesson 2 – Act “As If” Have you gotten the DIY MFA Starter Kit yet? This is a two week email series full of worksheets to help you DIY your MFA, so you can get the “knowledge without the college.” You'll learn more about how to write with focus, read with purpose, and build your community. You'll also receive Writer Fuel, our newsletter full of words of wisdom and resources to help you keep the momentum going in your writing. And you'll be the first to hear about other fun goodies we only share via email. Best of all, it's free to join! You can sign up with your email at diymfa.com/join   In this episode I discuss: How acting “as if” is not the same as “fake it ‘til you make it.” Ways in which acting “as if” helped me build DIY MFA and this podcast. Why it's important to be completely truthful when you act “as if.” How when you step forward with confidence, eventually your mindset catches up. For more info and show notes: diymfa.com/477

“You, the writer, have a bigger sphere of knowledge. You know more things than the narrator necessarily knows.” - Gabriela PereiraIn today's episode, I ask Gabriela Pereira of DIY MFA for her thoughts on some of the most commonly asked questions I get about point of view and voice—and she shares some of her favorite tips and strategies for mastering POV and voice in your writing.  Here's a preview of what's included:[1:51] What's Gabriela's advice for writers trying to choose the "right" point of view for their book?[05:01] 3 Tips from Gabriela for mastering POV and voice in your writing.[15:27] Using an omniscient third-person narrator may feel easier than a limited third-person but this isn't necessarily true. We discuss how to utilize third-party omniscient without feeling dated.  [21:10] We talk about voice and Gabriela shares why she hates when people say "Find your voice".[38:20] The takeaway from this conversation is the importance of approaching the editing process systematically. For instance, beginning with the big picture before focusing on minor sentence-level adjustments, ultimately leads to a better editing process. It is valuable to also maintain consistency in voice and POV, making sure that the writer's voice shines through for clarity and coherence of the story.Links mentioned in this episode:Gabriela Pereira's WebsiteBook: DIY MFAEpisode #90 How to Choose the Best Point of View for Your StoryRead this episode's blog post here!Click here to get 15% off a 30+ page manuscript report from The Spun Yarn's beta readers! Use code SAVANNAHGILBO at checkout.Support the showIf you enjoyed this episode of the Fiction Writing Made Easy Podcast, please rate, review, and follow this show! Follow me on Instagram @savannah.gilbo

Welcome, today is DIY MFA's monthly Craft Jam. Once a month, Christa and I jam about the craft. In these episodes, we do a deep dive into various craft topics like character development, story structure, world building and more.  This month's episode is a deep dive into how to craft the perfect book ending.   In this episode Christa and I discuss: The three major components of an ending Types of endings for your story My top tip when choosing the the right ending For more info and show notes: diymfa.com/475

Gabriela Pereira is an author, speaker, and self-proclaimed word nerd who wants to challenge the status quo of higher education. Her mission is to empower writers to apply an entrepreneurial mindset to their professional growth. Find out more about DIYMFA by joining the newsletter here: https://diymfa.com/join/ and you'll be the first to know when The Hub opens for new members.Sign up for my writers' newsletter to learn more about the craft of writing, know when my workshops are and be the first to get exclusive information on my writing retreats. https://www.subscribepage.com/katcaldwellnewsletterWant more information on my books, author swaps, short stories and what I'm reading? Sign up for my readers' newsletter. https://katcaldwell.myflodesk.com/signupYou can always ask me writing questions on instagram @pencilsandlipstick or on Twitter @PencilLipstick

Welcome, today is DIY MFA's monthly Craft Jam. Once a month, Christa and I will be jamming about the craft. In these episodes, we'll be doing a deep dive into various craft topics like character development, story structure, world building and more.  This month's episode is a deep dive into how to Nail Your Narration.   In this episode Christa and I discuss: Why narration is so important in your writing What to keep in mind when choosing a point of view and narrative voice Gabriela's top tip on how to nail your narration For more info and show notes: diymfa.com/474

Today's episode is our monthly Craft Jam. This is a new feature at DIY MFA, where once a month, Christa and I will be jamming about the craft. In these episodes, we'll be doing a deep dive into various craft topics like character development, story structure, world building, and more.   In this episode, Christa and I discuss: Key aspects and methods to focus on during the revision process. The importance of feedback from others during revision. A helpful type of mindset to keep throughout your progress. For more info and show notes: diymfa.com/473

Today's episode is our monthly Craft Jam. This is a new feature at DIY MFA, where once a month, Christa and I will be jamming about the craft. In these episodes, we'll be doing a deep dive into various craft topics like character development, story structure, world building and more. This month's episode is a deep dive into Conferences.   In this episode Christa and I discuss: Should one attend a conference as a beginner writer? How to choose the right conference to attend. The nuts and bolts on how to prepare for a conference.  For more info and show notes: diymfa.com/472

Have you ever considered going back to school for a Masters in Creative Writing? This week's guest did, but she realized what a privileged position she was in. Not everyone can afford the time and money to go back to school. So she set out to create a program that brings together the best of the MFA experience while allowing students to complete the coursework on their own timeline for a fraction of the cost. Thus was born DIY MFA.Gabriela Pereira is an entrepreneur, TEDx speaker, and author of the book DIY MFA: Write with Focus, Read with Purpose, Build Your Community. As the instigator of DIYMFA.com, her mission is to challenge the status quo of higher education. She speaks at national conferences, industry events, and college campuses, and also hosts the podcast DIY MFA Radio.Question of the week:  What part of the DIY MFA program is the most exciting for you? Let's chat on the Facebook page @AuthorWheel.Follow Us! Gabriela Pereira:Website: https://DIYMFA.comCourses: https://diymfa.com/join/ (DIY MFA Starter Kit)Twitter & Instagram: @diymfaThe Author Wheel:Website: www.AuthorWheel.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorWheelGreta Boris:Website: www.GretaBoris.comFacebook: @GretaBorisAuthorInstagram: @GretaBorisMegan Haskell:Website: www.MeganHaskell.comFacebook & Instagram: @MeganHaskellAuthor Support the showFREE Mini Email CourseHave you ever struggled to explain to others exactly what you write? Or wondered which of the many fiction ideas running through your brain you should tackle? If so, The Author Wheel's new mini-course might be your solution. 7 Days to Clarity: Uncover Your Author Purpose will help you uncover your core writing motivations, avoid shiny-thing syndrome, and create clear marketing language. Each daily email will lead you step by step in defining your author brand, crafting a mission statement, and distilling that statement into a pithy tagline. And, best of all, it's free. Click here to learn more!

You might want an MFA, but is attending an MFA program right for you? They aren't for everyone, and for some, programs aren't even accessible with barriers like location, cost, and regular life responsibilities getting in the way. But Gabriela Pereira has the solution. She's the founder of DIY MFA—born from her love of attending an MFA program herself and recognizing these barriers—the MFA for those who aren't served by the traditional MFA system. 

Today's episode is our monthly Craft Jam. This is a new feature at DIY MFA, where once a month, Lori and I will be jamming about the craft. In these episodes, we'll be doing a deep dive into various craft topics like character development, story structure, world building, and more. This month's episode is a deep dive into Draft Zero.   In this episode Lori and I discuss: What exactly Draft Zero is and what comes next. Finding a routine that works for you and how to keep it from getting stale. Why you need to practice finishing and what to do when you get stuck. Plus, our #1 reading recommendation on craft books. For more info and show notes: diymfa.com/470

Gabriela Pereira, my friend and the founder of DIY MFA, interviews me about creative flow. I share my strategies for building focus and reducing decision fatigue, and we do a major deep dive into one of my favorite topics: how to end the never-ending cycle of burnout and design a sustainable creative career. More from the episode Tips for transforming your creative practice into a habit you don't have to think about What are your “circles of control”? How can acknowledging them help ease your overwhelm and give you more agency? How hustle culture negatively impacts creatives and leads to cycles of burnout The number one thing you need to consider when designing a sustainable creative career We explore alternative paths to making a living as an author, and business models that harness your unique toolkit and experience About Gabriela Pereira Gabriela Pereira is a writer, teacher, and self-proclaimed word nerd who wants to challenge the status quo of higher education. As the founder and instigator of DIYMFA.com, her mission is to empower writers to take an entrepreneurial approach to their education and professional growth. Gabriela earned her MFA in creative writing from The New School and teaches at national conferences, local workshops, and online. She is also the host of DIY MFA Radio, a popular podcast where she interviews bestselling authors and offers short audio master classes. Her book DIY MFA: Write with Focus, Read with Purpose, Build Your Community is out now from Writer's Digest Books. Connect with Gabriela DIYMFA.com Additional Links Hustle Culture is a Scam. Here's How You Really Reach Creative Career Success.For full transcripts, show notes, and more episodes, head to https://jessicaabel.com/acpod/

We're back for another episode of our monthly Craft Jam. This is a new feature at DIY MFA, where once a month, Lori and I will be jamming about the craft. In these episodes, we'll be doing a deep dive into various craft topics like character development, story structure, world building and more. This month's episode is a deep dive into how to weave your story's world through world building.   In this episode Lori and I discuss: How character, plot, and world are all connected. Using the iceberg technique as your write. Creating a setting that can take on a life of its own. Plus, our #1 reading recommendation on how to weave your story's world. For more info and show notes: diymfa.com/469

Today we have another monthly Craft Jam. This is a new feature at DIY MFA, where once a month, Lori and I will be jamming about the craft. In these episodes, we'll be doing a deep dive into various craft topics like character development, story structure, world building and more. This month's episode is a deep dive into how to perfect your plot.   In this episode Lori and I discuss: Starting with plot versus starting with a character What an outline really is and how to use it Making sure your plot twist is actually a twist Plus, our #1 reading recommendation on books with great plots. For more info and show notes: diymfa.com/467

Today's episode is our monthly Craft Jam. This is a new feature at DIY MFA, where once a month, Lori and I will be jamming about the craft. In these episodes, we'll be doing a deep dive into various craft topics like character development, story structure, world building and more.  This month's episode is a deep dive into how to create compelling characters.   In this episode Lori and I discuss: Using method writing to get inside your characters' heads. How to create balanced scenes using the TADA! method. The different types of voice and how to use each. Plus, our #1 reading recommendation on compelling characters. For more info and show notes: diymfa.com/464

Today, Lori is interviewing Sorboni Banerjee and Dominique Richardson. They'll be talking about collaborating on their book, Red as Blood, and the sisterhood they found. Dominique Richardson and Sorboni Banerjee are the coauthors of THE EVERBEACH SERIES—a young adult, romantic suspense series pitched as "Riverdale" meets fairy tale. Full of forbidden romance, deadly twists, and scandalous secrets, this series is sure to keep you turning pages into the night. It's perfect for fans of INHERITANCE GAMES, CINDER, GOSSIP GIRL, and PRETTY LITTLE LIARS. The first book in the series, RED AS BLOOD, comes out February 28, 2023.    You can follow both Dominique and Sorboni on Tiktok.   Dominique Richardson was raised between Jamaica and the United States, and her biracial heritage finds a home in her books. She spends her free time passing on her love of unicorns to her twin boys, running in the Florida heat, and drinking all the coffee. Dominique is the Young Adult columnist for DIY MFA. She now lives in Tampa, Florida with her family. You can find Dominique on her website or follow her on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Goodreads, Tiktok.   Sorboni Banerjee is a Bengali-American author and Emmy Award winning television news anchor. With a dad from a small Indian village and mom from Maine, Sorboni's experiences growing up “mixed” shape her stories. Fueled by coffee and conversation, Sorboni loves the beach, boating and traveling the world with her husband and son. Other books by Sorboni include Hide With Me.   Passionate about all things books and giving back to the community, Sorboni and Dominique co-founded YA by the Bay, a nonprofit young adult reading and leadership festival, dedicated to inspiring teens to “be the author of your own life.” The first annual conference will be held in Tampa, FL on October 13th and 14th in 2023.  You can learn more at www.yabythebay.org, and you can follow Sorboni on Twitter, Instagram, and Tiktok.   In this episode Sorboni Banerjee, Dominique Richardson, and Lori discuss: The draw of fairy tales, even in contemporary times. How important it is to build community and support fellow writers. Diversifying traditional tales with contemporary values and angst.   Plus, their #1 tip for writers. For more info and show notes: diymfa.com/451

This Episode is sponsored by Skunk Brothers SpiritsWebsite: https://skunkbrothersspirits.com/About the author:Carol Van Den Hende is an award-winning author who pens stories of resilience and hope. Her novels "Orchid Blooming" and "Goodbye, Orchid" have been awarded more than 20 times, winning the 2020 American Fiction Award for urban fiction, 2020 Pinnacle Achievement Award for multicultural fiction, IAN Outstanding Fiction for Best New Novel, Best Book Finalist, Royal Dragonfly Award, Audiobook Reviewer Author of the Year. Plus, "Goodbye, Orchid" has been named one of the most anticipated fall reads by Buzzfeed, Parade, and Travel+Leisure, one of The Write Review's Top Books of 2020 and has been featured in Glamour, Bookstr, Frolic, Chicago Tribune, LA Times, DIYMFA, WABC Radio among others. The Pulpwood Queens selected Goodbye Orchid as a 2022 Bonus Book-of-the-Month.She's also a speaker, strategist, Board member and Climate Reality Leader. One secret to her good fortune? Her humorous husband, fun-loving twins, and rescue cat, who prove that love really does conquer all.Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Carol-Van-Den-Hende/e/B08FTLB271/ref=aufs_dp_fta_dskDiscount Code: DWA10Music by Jam HansleyFollow Us and Buy Our Books!Website: https://4horsemenpublications.com/All Social Media: @DrinkingWithAuthorsThis Episode is sponsored by Skunk Brothers SpiritsWebsite: https://skunkbrothersspirits.com/Discount Code: DWA10Skunk Brothers Spirits was started by a family of disabled veterans focused on locally-sourced, quality distilled spirits. The Washington-based team is building on their grandfather's prohibition-era moonshine recipe to bring small batch spirits to the Gorge and beyond!

This Episode is sponsored by Skunk Brothers SpiritsWebsite: https://skunkbrothersspirits.com/About the author:Carol Van Den Hende is an award-winning author who pens stories of resilience and hope. Her novels "Orchid Blooming" and "Goodbye, Orchid" have been awarded more than 20 times, winning the 2020 American Fiction Award for urban fiction, 2020 Pinnacle Achievement Award for multicultural fiction, IAN Outstanding Fiction for Best New Novel, Best Book Finalist, Royal Dragonfly Award, Audiobook Reviewer Author of the Year. Plus, "Goodbye, Orchid" has been named one of the most anticipated fall reads by Buzzfeed, Parade, and Travel+Leisure, one of The Write Review's Top Books of 2020 and has been featured in Glamour, Bookstr, Frolic, Chicago Tribune, LA Times, DIYMFA, WABC Radio among others. The Pulpwood Queens selected Goodbye Orchid as a 2022 Bonus Book-of-the-Month.She's also a speaker, strategist, Board member and Climate Reality Leader. One secret to her good fortune? Her humorous husband, fun-loving twins, and rescue cat, who prove that love really does conquer all.Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Carol-Van-Den-Hende/e/B08FTLB271/ref=aufs_dp_fta_dskDiscount Code: DWA10Music by Jam HansleyFollow Us and Buy Our Books!Website: https://4horsemenpublications.com/All Social Media: @DrinkingWithAuthorsThis Episode is sponsored by Skunk Brothers SpiritsWebsite: https://skunkbrothersspirits.com/Discount Code: DWA10Skunk Brothers Spirits was started by a family of disabled veterans focused on locally-sourced, quality distilled spirits. The Washington-based team is building on their grandfather's prohibition-era moonshine recipe to bring small batch spirits to the Gorge and beyond!

Matty Dalrymple talks with Gabriela Pereira about WHAT WRITERS CAN LEARN FROM SHORT FICTION, including the importance of seeing the full story, matching the message to the medium, letting the reader fill in the details, asking why something works (as well as why it might not), and assessing your work for purpose. We also talk about her program, DIY MFA, and how one of the drivers behind that program was her belief that with traditional MFA programs, one size fits some. Do any of those topics pique your interest? Check out 2 MINUTES OF INDY https://bit.ly/2MinutesOfIndy, where over the week following the airing of the episode, you'll find brief video clips from the interview on each of those topics. You can also catch up on some highlights of previous episodes there. Show notes at https://bit.ly/TIAP164 Did you find the information in this video useful? Please consider supporting The Indy Author! https://www.patreon.com/theindyauthor https://www.buymeacoffee.com/mattydalrymple Gabriela Pereira is an author, speaker, and entrepreneur who wants to challenge the status quo of higher education. As the founder and instigator of DIYMFA.com, her mission is to empower writers, artists, and other creatives to take an entrepreneurial approach to their education and professional growth. Gabriela earned her MFA in writing from The New School and is the host of DIY MFA Radio, a popular podcast where she interviews bestselling authors and book industry professionals. She is also the author of the book DIY MFA: Write with Focus, Read with Purpose, Build Your Community.

Coming to our writer hangout? RSVP here! https://www.facebook.com/events/d41d8cd9/no-time-writer-hangouts/1449195338921169/ Don't forget to check out my two featured blogs posts! Shortcuts for Writers blog https://www.shortcutsforwriters.com/never-enough-time-to-write-5-ways-to-discover-your-writer-rhythm/ and diyMFA's blog https://diymfa.com/writing/10k-one-week-challenge --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/daria-white/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/daria-white/support

In today's episode of the Thriving Authors Podcast, I got to chat with my friend Carol van den Hende, author of the award-winning Goodbye, Orchid series and acclaimed public speaker. She has such wonderful advice for writers at all stages of our careers – whether it's with actually penning our books or marketing our books or spreading the word about them. We also talked about: The process of writing a prequel and how her second book came to be The key to managing self-expectations How to persevere through the tough parts of your writing project I know you will come away from this conversation with some wonderful gems from Carol! About Carol: Carol van den Hende is the award-winning author of the Goodbye, Orchid series, a public speaker, and MBA with 20+ years' experience in marketing, strategy and insights. Plus, she works in chocolate (there's no ‘sweeter' job!) Carol is passionate about simplifying marketing concepts into actionable steps for publishing success. She's keynoted and presented at conferences like Writer's Digest, IBPA, NJ-SCBWI, International Women's Writing Guild, Rutgers Writers' Conference, Sisters-in-Crime and Women Who Write. She's also a regular contributor to DIYMFA, where she pens the Author Marketing Toolkit column. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/dallas-woodburn/support

Gabriela Pereira is an author, speaker, and entrepreneur who wants to challenge the status quo of higher education. As the founder and instigator of DIYMFA.com, her mission is to empower writers, artists and other creatives to take an entrepreneurial approach to their education and professional growth. Gabriela earned her MFA in writing from The New School and speaks at college campuses and national conferences. She is also the host of DIY MFA Radio, a popular podcast where she interviews bestselling authors and book industry professionals and author of the book DIY MFA: Write with Focus, Read with Purpose, Build Your Community.

Today, I have the pleasure of interviewing Jeff Walker: Jeff is one of the world's most successful online entrepreneurs the creator of Product Launch Formula and the #1 NY Times bestselling author of the book Launch. He has spent the last 15 years helping people launch their online courses, memberships, coaching and books. His students and clients have done over a BILLION dollars in launches in hundreds of niches and markets… and in dozens of countries around the world. Jeff lives in Durango, Colorado and he loves to get outside for all kinds of adventures. On a more personal note, Jeff is someone I am honored to call a teacher and mentor. I've been following his work pretty much for as long as DIY MFA has existed and got the first edition of his book Launch when it came out in 2014. I read it cover to cover and still have that paperback edition with all my highlights and mark-ups, which I keep next to my desk. In 2017, I was finally ready to make the investment and do the Product Launch Formula (PLF) Coaching Program. My team and I relentlessly applied the techniques to our flagship DIY MFA 101 course (with epic results!) and since then, we have applied PLF techniques—with our own special word nerd flair—to launch all our DIY MFA programs. Today, we'll be talking about launching as it pertains to launching a book.   In this episode Jeff Walker and I discuss: Why his first launch was the most important and the role his email list played. How writers of fiction and memoir can apply his Product Launch Formula to their lists. Strategies for determining what your assets are and how to maximize them.   Plus, his #1 tip for writers. For more info and show notes: diymfa.com/401

Today, I have the esteemed pleasure of interviewing one of my absolute favorite people, Lori Walker. Lori wears a lot of hats at DIY MFA. Her official title is Operations Maven. However, she is also Podcast Producer, Launch Manager, Web Editor, a Book Coach, and our Resident Reader at DIY MFA. Lori is the writer behind the Book Nook column.  In her spare time, she loves yoga, cooking, traveling, smooth bourbons, strong cabernets, dirty martinis, watching baseball, and of course, reading. She is currently working on an essay collection and a novel. She lives outside of Tulsa with her husband and cat, Joan Didion.   In the 400th Episode Extravaganza, Lori and I: Give listeners a behind the scenes look at the inner workings of DIY MFA. Share what makes a successful podcast pitch and how to be a good guest. Discuss why I started the podcast in the first place and how it evolved over time. Talk about some of the fun things we have in the works for word nerds.   Plus, we share a huge announcement. For more info and show notes: diymfa.com/400

This week's interview is with Kris Clink (Goodbye, Lark Lovejoy, Spark Press, April 2021). You can tell by listening that this is an author who can't help adding a bit of humor to her narratives despite dealing with serious subjects like the death of a spouse and PTSD. We discuss how she finished her debut and immediately started querying, only to find it needed serious developmental work. After working with an editor for over a year, she eventually decided to go with a hybrid publisher when agents wanted to change her story from women's fiction to straight-up romance and advised her to jettison a sub-plot she considered the backbone to her story. Kris Clink is the author of Goodbye, Lark Lovejoy and Sissie Klein is Completely Normal, which have received praise from Bustle, Midwest Book Review, Kirkus, Women.com, Lone Star Literary, Brit + Co., Travel and Leisure Magazine, and Entertainment Weekly, among others.  Set in middle America, her novels are laced with love, heartbreak, and just enough snark to rock the boat for the relatable characters as they confront transformative challenges. She's a member of the Women's Fiction Writers Association and The Author's Guild.  Her work has been published in Moms Don't Have Time to Write on Medium, diyMFA, Authority Magazine, Thrive Global, Women Writers Women's Books. She is the host of Kris Clink's Writing Table, a podcast about books and writing. Calling Texas home for most of her life, Kris now lives in Kansas where she and her husband have filled their empty nest with two spoiled rotten pups.  To learn more about Kris, click here.    

From court reporter to novelist | Using real life to write novels

Today, I have the pleasure of interviewing someone very special. Aside from being an author of a hilarious romantic comedy, she is also a mainstay of the DIY MFA community. This person is, of course, Tammy Lough. Growing up, Tammy had dual-career goals, she wanted to be a nurse and a writer. When she was three she played nurse to her dolls when they got sick, fell off her bed, or broke their bones. She also began writing poems and stories and never stopped. In later years, when multiple sclerosis forced her to leave her career as an intensive care nurse-manager, she came back to her writing with the same passion and drive she brings to everything. This past year, Parallel Pathways published her first romantic comedy and debut novel, Lacey's Deception. Tammy is a mom of two sons and grandma to three adorable grandchildren. She writes a monthly column, “On the Back Page with Tammy,” for Saturday Writers, a Chapter of the Missouri Writers Guild, and is an active member of the Romance Writers of America and South West Writers. She is also the Romance Columnist for DIY MFA.   In this episode Tammy Lough and I discuss: How mistaken identities can be a vehicle for humor, especially in a rom-com. Why she thinks the middle can be the best part of the writing process.  What role the rule of three plays in building the tension and humor in her novel.   Plus, her #1 tip for writers. For more info and show notes: diymfa.com/386

Today, I have the pleasure of interviewing Amanda Polick. Amanda is a writer, book coach, and food writing columnist for DIY MFA. She began her career with acting and improv, she shifted focus to food writing which led to her being the first dedicated segment producer of Facebook Live for Time Inc. While in that role, she oversaw more than 300 live segments and created the company's Food Media Junket, bringing in James Beard award-winning and Michelin-Starred chefs for over a dozen food and lifestyle brands. These days, she helps food folks through the book writing process, helping them craft a story only they can tell.  Her work has been featured by Cooking Light, Time, Southern Living, Food & Wine, and more.. She lives in Nashville, but a piece of her heart will always belong in California.   In this episode Amanda Polick and I discuss: Why food writing can encompass so much more than just the “how-to” element. How to find your own voice and discover what is unique about you in your writing. The importance of challenging yourself as a writer and what you can learn in the process.   Plus, her #1 tip for writers. For more info and show notes: diymfa.com/385

This episode is part of the Happy Campers Interview series. Since April 2020, Nicole Rivera has been hosting an online writing community intensive called the Happy Campers Club. Now Nicole is writing the Stop Writing Alone book about all of her experience with writing community, and wanted to the perspective from the members in the club. This is one interview toward that end.   Tammy Breitweiser returns to the Stop Writing Alone podcast to discuss all things writing community — from her own PUSH Groups and courses she leads for writers, to the places and spaces she finds constant inspiration to write.    Mentioned in this episode:   Previous Episode with Tammy Breitweiser Episode 64: https://stopwritingalone.com/2020/04/02/episode-64-tammy-breitweiser-the-accidental-inspirationalist/  Tammy Breitweiser's PUSH group sign up https://mailchi.mp/7a65558c8526/push  website/blog https://tammysreadinglife.wordpress.com/  Newsletter https://mailchi.mp/f99ff5fdfc67/newsletter-sign-up  IG https://instagram.com/inspiretammyb?utm_medium=copy_link  Twitter https://twitter.com/tlbreit?s=21  Short story collection https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08C6WBQ34/ref=nodl_  The Wayhome Tarot https://shopeverydaymagic.com/products/the-wayhome-tarot  Secret Library Podcast https://www.secretlibrarypodcast.com  Sarah Selecky https://www.sarahselecky.com  Story A Day https://storyaday.org  Music for coffee break from freesound by lemoncreme https://freesound.org/people/Lemoncreme/sounds/186942/  https://www.facebook.com/groups/2205774733034348/ Stop Writing Alone Bookshop https://bookshop.org/shop/Stopwritingalone  NV Rivera YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpPlp1EVzQhDFPdGp5w2KoQ?view_as=subscriber  Stay connected to learn about all Stop Writing Alone stuff -- get on Nicole's email list: https://mailchi.mp/ff8df93e57dc/penpals  Buy Nicole a coffee (AKA support the podcast!) https://ko-fi.com/stopwritingalone   Places to connect to the STOP WRITING ALONE community and introduce yourself: Stop Writing Alone FB Page: https://www.facebook.com/stopwritingalone/ Join the Stop Writing Alone with Nicole Rivera FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2205774733034348/ Stop Writing Alone website: https://stopwritingalone.com/ Join the Stop Writing Alone email list: https://mailchi.mp/ff8df93e57dc/penpals  Stop Writing Alone Instagram account https://www.instagram.com/stopwritingalone/  Nicole's Twitter: https://twitter.com/nv_rivera  The Stop Writing Alone voice number (call to introduce yourself!): (646) 907-9607    When you find a group of people who lift you up on a daily basis, it is important to share their awesome. Here are links to the women in Nicole's Mastermind group (currently going by the name The Voxer Vixens!). Please support these women who do so much to support Nicole on a daily basis! Kim A. Flodin https://www.kelekilove.com/  Lisa Murray https://ihavedreamsdammit.com/ Claire Oldham West https://slimmingstories.podbean.com/ Johanna Jaquez-Peralta https://www.instagram.com/latina_livin_keto/ Emma Isaacs https://www.instagram.com/emmaisaacsdesign/ 

Today, I have the pleasure of interviewing Stephanie BwaBwa. Stephanie is a Jesus-centered, young adult and fantasy author, writing in the universe of Elledelle about black angels in magical worlds with impressive powers that mirror the human condition. She loves writing stories centered around feisty angels with complicated pasts, unexpected futures, learning to take up causes bigger than themselves, who may or may not fall in love along the way. Stephanie is a Canadian-born, Haitian-raised, Congolese descended, North American dweller who lived a colorful life in south Florida that cultivated a perspective on the world as unique as her background. As the author of The Seraphim Resistance Prequels and The Transcendents serial, Stephanie has built her own self-publishing empire. She is also an avid reader of fantasy and fiction, and columnist for DIY MFA.   In this episode Stephanie BwaBwa and I discuss: How comic books helped her develop the world in her YA fantasy universe. Her method for crafting a serial series and dealing with the unknowns. Why she loves world building and how she avoided sharing too many details at once.   Plus, her #1 tip for writers. For more info and show notes: diymfa.com/380

Hear all about the most recent interview with DIY MFA (episode 378) where Kiffer Brown reveals her tips and advice to authors surrounding Book Reviews and Promotion. Plus, how to get a little bit more Amazon love to your books' selling pages.

I want to thank you for listening and for subscribing to Faster Than Normal! I also want to tell you that if you're listening to this one, you probably listened to other episodes as well. Because of you all, we are the number one ADHD podcast on the internet!! And if you like us, you can sponsor an episode! Head over to https://rally.io/creator/SHANK/ It is a lot cheaper than you think. You'll reach... about 25k to 30,000 people in an episode and get your name out there, get your brand out there, your company out there, or just say thanks for all the interviews! We've brought you over 230 interviews of CEOs, celebrities, musicians, all kinds of rock stars all around the world from Tony Robbins, Seth Godin, Keith Krach from DocuSign, Danny Meyer, we've had Rachel Cotton, we've had  the band Shinedown, right? Tons and tons of interviews, and we keep bringing in new ones every week so head over to https://rally.io/creator/SHANK/ make it yours, we'd love to have you, thanks so much for listening!  Now to this week's episode, we hope you enjoy it! —— E. J. Wenstrom believes in complicated heroes, horrifying monsters, purple hair dye and standing to the right on escalators so the left side can walk. She writes dark speculative fiction for adults and teens, including the young adult dystopian novel Departures and the award-winning Chronicles of the Third Realm War series (start with Mud). When she isn't writing fiction, E. J. Wenstrom is a regular contributor to DIY MFA and BookRiot, and co-hosts the Fantasy+Girl Podcast. Start the Chronicles of the Third Realm War series for free with the prequel novella when you join E.J.'s newsletter. Today we learn the specific techniques with which she wields her ADHD superpowers, maintaining a career as a multi-genre creative author! This is awesome- enjoy! In this episode Peter and EJ Wenstrom discuss:   2:17 - Intro and welcome EJ!  Ref: Start “The Chronicles of The Third Realm War” for free with a link HERE 3:42 - Thank you Lori for introducing us! 4:00 - So you are ADHD yourself, when did you get diagnosed & what was life like before it? 6:56 - As a professional writer; how are you managing your deadlines, especially working on your own?  Ref: @5amWritersClub on Twitter 10:56 - So tell me about how you're getting your dopamine, especially when you get up at 5am and get pretty much straight to writing? 12:08 - How do you switch roles from say..writing for a PR firm, then for Fantasy Fiction. What's the switch in your brain's mindset? 13:56 - Tell us about your novel Departures! And what was/is your process!? 17:35 - How can people find you? https://www.ejwenstrom.com or at @EJWenstrom on Twitter  INSTA  Facebook and newly on TikTok And links to all of her books are here 19:00 - Thank you EJ Wenstrom!  Guys, as always, we are here for you and we love the responses and the notes that we get from you; so please continue to do that! Tell us who you want to hear on the podcast, anything at all; we'd love to know.  Leave us a review on any of the places you get your podcasts, and if you ever need our help I'm www.petershankman.com and you can reach out anytime via peter@shankman.com or @petershankman on all of the socials. You can also find us at @FasterNormal on all of the socials. It really helps when you drop us a review on iTunes and of course, subscribe to the podcast if you haven't already! As you know, the more reviews we get, the more people we can reach. Help us to show the world that ADHD is a gift, not a curse!  19:55 - Faster Than Normal Podcast info & credits — TRANSCRIPT:  — I want to thank you for listening and for subscribing to Faster Than Normal! I also want to tell you that if you're listening to this one, you probably listened to other episodes as well. Because of you all, we are the number one ADHD podcast on the internet!! And if you like us, you can sponsor an episode! Head over to https://rally.io/creator/SHANK/ It is a lot cheaper than you think. You'll reach... about 25k to 30,000 people in an episode and get your name out there, get your brand out there, your company out there, or just say thanks for all the interviews! We've brought you over 230 interviews of CEOs, celebrities, musicians, all kinds of rock stars all around the world from Tony Robbins, Seth Godin, Keith Krach from DocuSign, Danny Meyer, we've had Rachel Cotton, we've had  the band Shinedown, right? Tons and tons of interviews, and we keep bringing in new ones every week so head over to https://rally.io/creator/SHANK/ make it yours, we'd love to have you, thanks so much for listening!  Now to this week's episode, we hope you enjoy it! — Okay. Everybody, Zoom's little computer woman just told me that recording is in progress, which means that we are here for another episode of Faster Than Normal. Thank you so much for joining me. I am in a super hyped up mood today. Uh, what wound up me being like starting, just to take my daughter to school this morning, we somehow wound up walking the three miles to school, uh, with the dog, and then I dropped the dog off at doggy daycare.. or storage as I call it, and I walked back. So I'm six miles in this morning and a high as a kite from that. So enjoy this dopamine fueled episode of Faster Than Normal! We have an amazing guest today, I know I said it all the time but this person, this is really cool. EJ Wenstrom is here. She's an award winning author. Why is she an award winning Author? We'll we'll talk about that but Listen to this: “One, girl, one angel three, God's determined to keep them apart! A stormy and seductive novella that will draw you into an elaborate fantasy world.. and it's a series. This shit is awesome. Reviewers love her: “Mimicking the brutal and strange of ancient mythology alongside the high fantasy and gut wrenching actions”, says Reader's Lane, while Literary Hill says: “In the third realm, perils await, but anything is possible and readers who venture, there will find a rewarding escape into a very creative and fully imagined world.” EJ believes in complicated heroes, horrifying monsters, Purple hair dye and standing to the right on escalators so that the left side can walk. God bless you for that. Yes. She writes dark speculative fiction for adults and teens, including the young dystopian novel Departures where the lead character or one of the characters has ADHD. I think it just gave something away. And the award winning Chronicles, a third realm series, starting with Mud when she isn't writing fiction. Ed wants some, she's just regular contributor to DIY MFA and book riot. She co-hosts the fantasy girl podcast. Start “The Chronicles of The Third Realm War” for free with a link HERE:  We're going to put down below with her prequel novella, but holy cow, it is exciting to talk to you. EJ, welcome to Faster Than Normal!  Thanks so much. I'm excited to be here!  It was awesome- we got connected to our friend, our mutual friend, Laurie, who I've known for like 25 years has known me through the good and the bad of the last 25 years of my life, pre-diagnosis and post-diagnosis so I assume at some point she looked at you and said, holy shit, you're a female Peter! You guys should really meet. So it is wonderful to have you on the podcast. You are ADHD yourself. When did you get diagnosed and what was life like before it?  Yeah. Yeah. I was diagnosed in high school, which is pretty typical, I think, especially for girls because we… differently. Typical nowadays- when I was in HS it was called sit down you're disturbing the class disease.  Well, yeah, this was, this was late nineties, early two thousands. So, yeah. Yeah. But, um, but yeah, so before my diagnosis, I had gotten through most things perfectly fine because I was that quiet kid who was just not a problem. And, you know, To myself, in the corner. While other people were maybe going crazy over there. And, uh, so teachers loved that. You know, I got pretty good grades for the most part. Um, until about middle school when I switched, you know, where I was going to school and the format changed and everything else. And all of a sudden, some of the grades that I was getting in my best subjects, like Math, were just plummeting. They were just disastrous. And then around the same time I was getting like migraines. Cause you know, like your hormones are all changing. And so for a while there, we thought that the two were linked and it was kind of scary. Weird stuff going on, you get kicked around from doctor to doctor, to doctor. No one could quite figure it out until one person finally, the doctor said, have you gotten tested for any learning disorders? And it was a huge game changer. So that took place. I think it was my sophomore year of high school. And then all of a sudden we started looking at these symptoms for ADHD after my diagnosis. And it was like, uh, uh, like it was just, it was comforting honestly, to suddenly understand what was going on because the problem was never that I didn't know the material; the problem was.. turning in homework assignments and remembering what chapter I was supposed to read for class and just things like that. And, you know, look at my planner at the assignments were there was everything written out crystal clear, I just got mixed up somehow and did the wrong one. And it's, there was no explanation for it, but it just kept happening. And so it just made everything make so much more sense. Uh, we tried a few medications, which I stuck with through high school. And then since then I've actually gone without, and just found other ways to cope with my strengths and weaknesses and, uh, you know, kind of cover myself. But I, you know, I also did a little bit of ADHD coaching around that time. Did the whole section 508, all that, all that. And so, yeah, it's just. You know, crucial to understanding myself and then also a big part of my identity, honestly.  Now let's talk about. Okay, so you're ADHD and you, you, you found ways to manage it. You're also a writer. Okay. And when you're writing these books, you have deadlines. So let's just dive right into it. Tell our listeners who are dying to know this; How are you managing your deadlines especially working on your own?  Sure. You know, it's funny because with the Fiction I've actually lucked out so far in that my publishers have been very kind to me. I've not actually had to work on a hard deadline for a Fiction publisher, but, you know, I work in a public relations firm. I work, you know, I've done freelance writing before I've done all sorts of writing across the gamut, and yeah, stuff has deadlines and. You can't change those deadlines. You know, you've made commitments to clients. You've made commitments to, you know, people on your team, you can't change that. And, uh, you know, I think that really the, the ADHD and the way that my brain works with that has helped with deadlines or maybe the deadlines helped me and then, you know, having multiple plates spinning at once can be easier for me than just having one, uh, something about the pressure of it. As long as it's not too much, you know, there's always an edge to things, but having a little bit of pressure helps with the focus and it helps to be able to have a few things, to give attention to it once deadlines. Deadlines, themselves help. Because if you don't give me a deadline, I don't feel the same way. If you don't give me a deadline, I'll start working on whatever you want immediately until the next big thing comes along. And then that becomes the most important thing.  Yup. Yup. And sometimes it's easy if there's not a deadline to just keep going deeper and deeper and deeper and never reach an end point because you just get lost in the, you know, like the exploration itself. So I've been working on something since 1987, but yeah, sure.  Yeah. But, um, but the deadlines can really just help kind of lend that focus, but I've also learned a lot over the years about how to best use how my brain works. So I wake up at 5:00 AM in the morning, it's called 5:00 AM writer's club. You can check it out on Twitter.  It's an amazing community of authors who are all up together writing before they do absolutely anything else in their day.  And so you're, you're you're .. you're writing before you say exercise and before you anything else??  Yeah. Yeah. I, I wake up, I walk my dog quickly and then I opened my computer and I start reading whatever manuscript I'm on. And I check in with my author buddies on Twitter. There's a little bit of support and accountability to that. Also very helpful. And then I just get to work and I, I write for about probably an hour and a half most mornings, um, around that time. And it's really nice because I know that my brain is a little bit slower when I've just woken up. So it's easier to have just one thing that I'm trying to do. And especially when it's something that's a really long tail goal, like writing a novel, uh, that tends to take me about a year, maybe year and a half to do so it's not like you get that instant hit of gratification of checking something off of your list. It's, it's a nice time to be able to just sink into something as opposed to jumping task to task like I do, you know, later in the day and it gets me thinking creatively before my brain is tired from having been at work all day or going for a run or whatever else it might be.  How are you getting? So tell me about how you're getting your dopamine when you're, when you're.. for me, if I'm writing, if I'm doing long periods, writing has to be in a confined space, like I'm on an airplane for 14 hours on my way to Asia, or I've just worked out, or I've just done a long run or a ride or whatever, and then, or a skydive. And then I have the dopamine in my system to, to, to go to town on writings, but you're doing it at 5:00 AM the second you wake up, that's amazing.  Uh, yeah. Yeah. And I definitely do things to manage my energy. Like I, I hear what you're saying with that, but I do it in the evening. So I'll usually go for my run at the end of the day when my brain's tapped out. But I'm starting to feel like physically a little fidgety, so I'll eat dinner and then I'll head out. And, you're able to get your. My thing is if I don't, if I wake up and have to think about working out, I'm going to come up with a reason not to. So I, you know, I sleep in my running shorts. I wake up I'm on the bike or I'm on the I'm on the train or whatever. So I don't have to think about it. So you actually have the ability to, to think about it all day. No, you have to do it and still manage to do it. That's actually pretty impressive.  I mean, I got to tell you, I don't even think about it until I shut my computer at the end of the Workday. And then. Yeah, and I mean, it's not perfect. It's not perfect, but it's so important to me to make writing the priority, to make sure that I do it every single day. You know, I used to run in the morning and decided I had to make a choice. And so that's the choice I made. Um, but yeah, I do a pretty good job with running all the same. So I usually get out the door and go for a run three to four days a week on, on weekdays and then once or twice more on the weekends. So it adds up to a pretty reliable routine.  Awesome. Tell me about switching roles. So, you know, at. during the day your at a PR firm or advertising, whatever and then you come home and you're writing Fantasy Fiction. How what's..[???] And then you go to PR [..ah, here is is..} What's the switch in the brain's mindset to go from one to the other? That's a good question. Um, you know, I think there's maybe a difference between like when I'm writing Fiction I'm letting my brain wander. So it kind of taps into a lot of what, you know, especially having Inattentive ADHD. It's what my brain wants to do anyway. Whereas when I'm at work, I think it taps into some similar creative things, you know, working in PR a lot of it really does come down to what's going to be a compelling story to tell, but it's a much faster turnaround. So I'm hopping from one thing to the next, the next to the next, you know, often, many times an hour even, and so. It hits. I think there's a way to tap into that ADHD thing- where you want to just jump on everything at once. And it works really well for what I do at a firm. Uh, basically everything is happening all the time at once anyway. And so it becomes a real strength to be able to exist in that and be comfortable with it. Um, and so that's kind of where I get that. I mean, you talked about dopamine before. That adrenaline hit almost of like checking multiple things off your list and then kind of jumping around and getting that fresh project to tackle, uh, every half hour or so.  Let's change topics. Tell me about Departures, because let me, I want to guys, I want to read you. I want to read you the, uh, the sort of, um, the, the blurb here for her for her novel Departures: “to get along in the directorate, just seek control, track your metrics and die when scheduled. That's where Evie went wrong”.   So, okay. Number one, I'm going to go out and get this immediately cause this looks really pretty good, but tell me about the book. Sure. So I, the books started with the idea of a girl who just as the description, sounds like she wakes up in the morning and she's in a total panic because she was not supposed to wake up again. This was her departure date, the day she was scheduled to die. And so many of my book ideas come from that initial seed. So it's either like a character voice or like this was kind of like that initial hook for the that you, uh, start out with and then everything else has to be built out from there. And so I kind of tackle that sort of project very slowly over time and then layer things in. So at first I thought that was going to be that opening scene where the book would go and then I started to slowly. I wrote that scene, figuring it out the best I could. So like a skeleton version of the scene. And then from there, it's, it's called like a zero draft where you kind of write out the beats, capture what you can, as you go. Cause you kind of hit that creative flow. So you might hit full sections of dialogue or description or something where you get really deep into it. And then other sections are still just like, I don't know, I'll come back and figure this out later, something happens here where they make this discovery and.. you kinda get what you can out on the page, because then it's out in front of you and your brain space starts to open up for more. And so through that sort of process, I started to get into this world where it wasn't just about death dates, but everything about it was very carefully optimized, very carefully structured, so that everyone lived their best possible life by this particular government's definition. And so for them, that meant removing all pain, you know, kind of putting optimal, optimal levels around, you know, when people sleep, what people eat, uh, how much stress they allow into their lives, providing everybody with a fitness routine that helps them optimize their lives. And so over time that started to create a system where people live extremely long lives. And everything is very, very carefully managed on their behalf. And I, so when something goes wrong within this world, it's catastrophic. Um, and Evie, even though this meant for her that she was now able to live a longer life. You know, one of the really interesting points that came up over and over again is I was sharing this manuscripts with different, uh, critique partners with different editors and agents, was that people were struggling because Evie at first was more panicked about being alive than she was relieved. But I it's something I examined over and over again. And he really came to the conclusion that when this is kind of the doctrine that's embedded within you, your entire life, I think that rings true. You know, everyone's relying on the system to work all of the time and be, have their best interests in mind. And so if that doesn't work out, then what's going to happen to everyone. Uh, and it, it made for a really fun world to create and an even more fun world to break.  It's very, very cool. Where can people find you and follow you? Cause this was, this is fascinating. I wanna have you back at some point, but we do keep the podcasts at 20 minutes, because you know, ADHD, um, so how do people find you?  EJWenstrom.com or @EJWenstrom on Twitter  INSTA  TikTok and you can sign up for the first novel of the Fantasy series Departures here!  So you can find me at.  [ https://www.ejwenstrom.com or at @EJWenstrom on Twitter  INSTA  Facebook and newly on TikTok] and links to all of her books are here Or at AEJ Wenstrom on Twitter, on Instagram. Uh, I've just started playing around with TikTOK. So you can find me there too. Uh, and yeah, you can sign up, like you mentioned at the beginning and get the, uh, the first novel in the fantasy series I wrote before Departures, you can also find a purchase in that whole other series on Amazon and, uh, other major books. Love love, love. We will throw the link into the show notes guys. This was.. God.. this is awesome. We do thank you so much. I'm totally going to.. EJ what's the age on the books? I feel like my daughter would love it, but she's only eight. Would she love it or should I wait a few years?  Uh, you know, you might, it's kind of a parental discretion thing. Uh, for Departures, it's definitely written for you, a young adult audience. There's maybe some romantic themes that are a little bit advanced for an eight year old, but she also may not pick up on it. That would be your judgment call to make, but I would say it's written for like a 12 to 16 year old audience.  Well, she came home yesterday and told me the three boys in the class asked to marry her so we're there!!  Awesome, guys. This was phenomenal. EJ, thank you so much EJ Wenstrom everyone on Faster Than Normal today. Great, great interview. Thank you so much for your time.  Guys, as always, we love that you're here. It means the world to me, we are close to 300 episodes and I can't even believe that that's almost as, as weird to me as thinking they haven't, I've almost had a dog for a year. So things get crazy up in this, up in this, uh, uh, pandemic bitch. It's just, it's been an insane year. We've had this podcast running since 2000… god since late 2016 or 2017, I think, so we are going on strong, our 300th episode is coming up. It's gonna be pretty amazing. Stick around for that. Thank you for listening. I'm at @petershankman on all the socials, the website, is FasterThanNormal.com the on Twitter and all the, all the socials there. Anything we can do for you. If you have any guests that you think were as cool as EJ Wenstrom or have the same color hair, let us know. We would love to have them on the podcast as well. We will see you next week with a new interview. My name is Peter Shankman. You've been listening to the Faster Than Normal, where we understand that ADHD is a gift, not a curse. I want you to understand that too. Talk to you guys soon. — Credits: You've been listening to the Faster Than Normal podcast. We're available on iTunes, Stitcher and Google play and of course at www.FasterThanNormal.com I'm your host, Peter Shankman and you can find me at petershankman.com and @petershankman on all of the socials. If you like what you've heard, why not head over to your favorite podcast platform of choice and leave us a review, come more people who leave positive reviews, the more the podcast has shown, and the more people we can help understand that ADHD is a gift, not a curse. Opening and closing themes were composed and produced by Steven Byrom who also produces this podcast, and the opening introduction was recorded by Bernie Wagenblast. Thank you so much for listening. We'll see you next week. 

How is writing like a martial art or a Montesorri school? Find out in my interview with DIYMFA's Gabriela Pereira And stay tuned for my thoughts on Caroline Kim's prompt for the StoryADay Challenge   ::Links:: Caroline Kim's Writing Prompt: https://storyaday.org/2021-day-14/ Register for Gabriela's workshop: https://storyaday.org/diymfaworkshop/  

Gabriela Pereira of DIYMFA talks about her belief that you don't go to a workshop, you workshop writing and what that looks like in her DIYMFA community. ::LINKS:: Gabriela's free series: https://storyaday.org/diymfaworkshop Writing Prompt: https://storyaday.org/13-pereira/ The StoryADay 3-Day Workshop: https://storyaday.org/3dc  

Tori and Mabelle talk with playwright Steven Oberman about playing multiple roles as playwright/actor/director and producer in his one-man show, Blurred at the Edges, about the life of Dr. John Langdon Down.

Gabriela Pereira and DIY MFA:Website: https://diymfa.comTwitter: https://twitter.com/DIYMFA Good Story Company and Mary Kole:Website: https://www.goodstorycompany.comWriting Workshop: https://www.storymastermind.comPublishing News: https://www.pubdeets.comBlog: https://kidlit.comForum: https://critcollective.comFacebook: https://facebook.com/goodstorycoFacebook: https://facebook.com/marykoleeditorial/Twitter: https://twitter.com/goodstorycoTwitter: https://twitter.com/kid_litInstagram: https://instagram.com/goodstorycompanyYouTube: https://youtube.com/c/goodstorySubmission Course: https://bit.ly/kolesubCharacter Course: https://bit.ly/writingcharacterBook: http://bit.ly/kolekidlit

In today's Books with Hooks segment, Carly and CeCe discuss giving your characters the opportunity to react to big events; only including what's essential to intrigue an agent in the query letter; not giving away spoilers; and not counting on backstory and secrets to do the heavy lifting in dual timeline narratives. After which, Bianca chats with Anne Bogel (author, the creator of the blog Modern Mrs. Darcy, and host of What Should I Read Next? podcast) about what writers can learn about the craft through reading. 

My friend Dana lives in Charlottesville, Virginia and was greatly impacted by the events that took place there in 2017. I love this reflective, poignant essay she wrote for Tinhouse about her experience as a Jewish woman and mother during that time and I'm very grateful that she's allowed me to share it with you. Dana Mich is a Jewish mother and writer living in Charlottesville, Virginia. Her memoir-in-progress commemorates her life with her father, who she lost to suicide, and her grandfather who survived the Holocaust. Her writing has appeared in The Washington Post, The Times of Israel, Brevity's Nonfiction blog, The Manifest-Station, Folio Literary Journal, PsychCentral, and DIYMFA. Follow her @DanaMichWrites, and her memoir writers collective @movingforewords.  https://tinhouse.com/the-erosion-of-stone/ Special Thanks To Our Sponsors: Voyage et Cie: Voyage et Cie's curator Melanie Apple has cultivated a passion for notable moments using the sense of smell. Voyage et Cie is the ultimate luxury blend of travel, fragrance, and design. Each original fragrance is created by Melanie, 100% organic and natural which will transport you on a journey. Visit https://www.voyageetcie.com/ and enter the code: theonlyone to get your 10% off your purchase! Be sure not to miss our weekly full episodes on Tuesdays, Scott Talks on Wednesdays & Sunday Edition every Sunday by subscribing to the show wherever you listen to podcasts.  We love hearing from you in the comments on iTunes and while you're there don't forget to rate us, subscribe and share the show! All of us at The Only One In The Room wish you safety and wellness during this challenging time. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today, I have the pleasure of interviewing Rebecca Fish Ewan. Poet and cartoonist, Rebecca's passion is mingling text with visual art, primarily in ink and watercolor, to tell stories of place and memory. Her hybrid-form work has appeared in After the Art, Brevity, Crab Fat, Survivor Zine, Hip Mama, Mutha, TNB, Punctuate & Under the Gum Tree. Her illustrations and essay, “The Deepest Place on Earth,” were published in the Literary Kitchen anthology, Places Like Home. She was also a long-time DIY MFA columnist, writing about books with words and pictures, and she continues as part of our extended team as a contributor at large. Rebecca has an MFA in creative writing from ASU, where she has been a landscape design professor for 25+ years. She grew up in Berkeley, California, and lives with her family in Arizona. Her book-length work includes A Land Between, By the Forces of Gravity, Water Marks, and her new book, Doodling for Writers, which released October 2020.   In this episode Rebecca and I discuss: How writers can get out of their own way and reclaim their love of drawing. Why writers need to embrace searching as a part of the writing process. The importance of finding tools you love (and she shares her favorites!).   Plus, her #1 tip for writers. For more info and show notes: diymfa.com/356

Think poetry is relegated to dusty old library book shelves?  Well, poetry is alive and thriving, thanks to emerging poets like Amanda Gorman. Today, another young poet shares her passion for verse, and why it's not only relevant,  but essential. Sara Letourneau is a poet as well as the managing editor and writing coach at Heart of the Story Editorial & Coaching Services. In her editing work, she specializes in speculative fiction, literary fiction, YA fiction, memoir, and prescriptive nonfiction. Her poetry has been featured in or will soon appear in Aromatica Poetica, Constellations, Mass Poetry's Poem of the Moment, Soul-Lit, Amethyst Review, Boston Small Press and Poetry Scene, Golden Walkman Magazine, and The Aurorean, among others. She is also a former music journalist and tea reviewer, and her articles about writing have appeared in blogs such as DIY MFA, Writers Helping Writers, and Grub Street. She lives in Massachusetts and is known for always having a book, a journal, a pen, and a cup of tea handy.--  

Today, I have the pleasure of interviewing David Yoon. David is the author of the New York Times bestseller Frankly In Love, as well as the upcoming YA novel Super Fake Love Song and adult thriller Version Zero. He also drew the illustrations for his wife Nicola Yoon's #1 New York Times bestseller Everything, Everything. He and his wife are also heading up a new imprint of Random House Children’s Books called Joy Revolution. This imprint will debut in 2022 and will be devoted to publishing teen love stories by and about people of color.   In this episode David and I discuss: Why he decided to write a book for adults after success in the YA genre. Uncovering your central dramatic question and how to explore it in your writing. His process for “Marie Kondo-ing” his brain and what he does with the space.   Plus, his #1 tip for writers. For more info and show notes: DIYMFA.com/353

PubTalk Live is a publishing talk show, broadcasting live to YouTube every 2nd and 4th Saturday at 9pm Eastern. Host Sarah Nicolas is joined in each episode by a Guest Co-Host and at least one Special Guest. They talk about all aspects of the book publishing industry, including its intersections with other media and libraries. This episode of PubTalk Live features Guest Co-Host EJ Wenstrom and Special Guest Gabriela Pereira. →EJ Wenstrom https://www.ejwenstrom.com/ https://twitter.com/EJWenstrom https://www.facebook.com/ejwenstrom https://instagram.com/ejwenstrom https://amzn.to/3s7ea3v →Gabriela Pereira https://diymfa.com/ Free DIY MFA Starter Kit: http://diymfa.com/join DIY MFA Radio: http://diymfa.com/podcast https://twitter.com/DIYMFA https://amzn.to/3uHd9ka →Your Host, Sarah Nicolas: www.sarahnicolas.com | @sarah_nicolas on Twitter | @presidentSarah on Instagram →Become a PubTalk Live patron: https://www.patreon.com/pubtalklive →Merch: https://teespring.com/stores/sarahs-place →Subscribe via email: http://eepurl.com/gE3ahb →Originally streamed at: https://youtu.be/50TW8UIT528 →PubTalk Live Logo adapted from art from freepik.com. --News-- →Amanda Gorman, bestselling poet. https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/books/2021/04/07/amanda-gorman-the-hill-we-climb-tops-usa-today-bestseller-list/7122126002/ →Mike Pence book deal. https://www.thewrap.com/mike-pence-simon-and-schuster-book-deal/ (ooh related: https://newrepublic.com/article/161907/andrew-cuomo-got-4-million-book-deal-scandal) →Bologna Children’s Book Fair. https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/international/trade-shows/article/86051-bologna-children-s-book-fair-to-be-virtual-cancels-live-event.html →Publisher’s Weekly state of the industry. https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/publisher-news/article/86010-publishing-industry-insiders-share-insights-into-opportunities-challenges-ahead.html →Sarah: (content warning for transphobia) The Women’s Prize for Fiction & Torrey Peters. https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/books/story/2021-04-07/womens-prize-stands-by-nomination-of-trans-author-torrey-peters →Serial Box, now Realm. https://www.realm.fm/blog/serial-box-is-now-realm →Book awards! https://pen.org/press-release/2021-pen-america-literary-awards-given-to-top-literary-stars-of-the-year-lifelong-luminaries-of-literary-excellence/ https://www.gf.org/announcement-2021/ https://www.nypl.org/press/press-release/april-9-2021/new-york-public-library-announces-finalists-2021-young-lions --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Today, I have the pleasure of interviewing Sophfronia Scott. Sophfronia is a novelist and essayist whose work has appeared in Time, People, O: The Oprah Magazine, as well as many other outlets. Her first novel, All I Need to Get By, was nominated for best new author at the African American Literary Awards and Sophfronia was hailed by Henry Louis Gates Jr. as "one of the best writers of her generation." She is a prolific writer whose work spans both fiction and nonfiction, and her other books include Unforgivable Love, Love's Long Line, and This Child of Faith: Raising a Spiritual Child in a Secular World, which she co-wrote with her son Tain. Her essays “The Legs On Which I Move” and “Why I Didn’t Go to the Firehouse” are listed in the Best American Essays series. Her next book is The Seeker and the Monk: Everyday Conversations with Thomas Merton, and is out now from Broadleaf Books. The recipient of a 2020 Artist Fellowship Grant from the Connecticut Office of the Arts, Sophfronia holds degrees from Harvard and the Vermont College of Fine Arts. She is currently director of Alma College’s MFA in Creative Writing, which is a low-residency grad program based in Alma, Michigan. This interview is a little bit of a departure from our usual subject matter of authors talking about their latest books and instead Sophfronia and I will be doing a deep dive on MFA pedagogy. As you know, the DIY MFA philosophy is not anti-MFA, and we strive to complement what MFA programs are already doing quite well. And, of course, when I build new curriculum for DIY MFA, I draw from my own experiences as a MFA student, along with several other sources as well. I am beyond thrilled to have Sophfronia on the show to talk about writing, MFA programs, and a writer’s education. Embed Audio Here In this episode Sophfronia and I discuss: How her background in journalism, ghostwriting, and her desire to coach other writers inspired her to pursue an MFA.  What a low residency MFA program can prepare you for as a full time career writer and the logistics and benefits of attending one. Why reading and building community are imperative to the DIY MFA experience as well as a writer’s life and growth.   Plus, their #1 tip for writers. For more info and show notes: diymfa.com/351

Not everyone has the means to enroll in a Master of Fine Arts program. The good news? Gabriela Pereira is challenging the status quo of higher education with DIY MFA, which encourages writers to write with focus, read with purpose, and build their community—all on their own time and from the comfort of their own home.

Do you really need an MFA? No, but you do need a framework for making progress. DIY MFA is a book and community created by author, speaker, and entrepreneur Gabriela Pereira. We chat about the key pillars—write with focus, read with purpose, and build your community—and tackle topics like self-doubt, guilt, and how to survive conferences as an introvert. Gabriela Pereira is an author, speaker, and entrepreneur who wants to challenge the status quo of higher education. As the founder and instigator of DIYMFA.com, her mission is to empower writers, artists and other creatives to take an entrepreneurial approach to their education and professional growth. Gabriela earned her MFA in writing from The New School and speaks at college campuses and national conferences. She is also the host of DIY MFA Radio, a popular podcast where she interviews bestselling authors and book industry professionals and author of the book DIY MFA: Write with Focus, Read with Purpose, Build Your Community. Connect: Read: DIY MFA Listen: DIY MFA Podcast Instagram Twitter Pinterest Facebook EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS Why necessity inspired Gabriela to start DIY MFA How to use an “Angst Jar” to help overcome with The difference between reading for pleasure and reading for purpose How to build a writing community (and why you should) The 10% rule for creating achievable writing goals Why you need a personalized reading plan (and how to create one) How to survive conferences and events as an introvert Why she plans tomorrow today LINKABLE MENTIONS Books mentioned on the show: The Book of Three by Lloyd Alexander, The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron, Travels With Charlie, On the Road, The Alter Ego Effect by Todd Herman The 10% rule, inspired by Guy Kawasaki and James Scott Bell The psychological phenomenon of Parkinson's Law North Carolina Writers' Network

Gabriela Pereira is the founder of DIYMFA.com, the do-it-yourself alternative to a master's degree in writing. She teaches at conferences and online, and she's helped hundreds of writers get the MFA experience without having to go to an expensive school. In this fantastic interview, we talk about the value of an MFA degree, but we […] The post 155: How to Read to Become a Better Writer with Gabriela Pereira appeared first on TCK Publishing.

Gabriela Pereira: Instigator and Creative Director Gabriela Pereira earned her MFA from The New School, in New York. While undercover as a graduate student, she learned the inside scoop on MFA programs, invented a slew of writing tools all her own, and developed a new, more effective way for writers to learn their craft. Now she wants to share this discovery and help writers around the world get the "knowledge without the college." In a past life, Gabriela worked in the toy industry, creating educational activities and games for toddlers, pre-schoolers, and tweens. After that, she taught several writing courses in New York City at organizations like: 826NYC, Everybody Wins, EHTP, and a local writing workshop she built from the ground up. While Gabriela now teaches exclusively at DIY MFA, she continues to speak and lead workshops at national and international writing conferences, both online and off. Her favorite thing to do is come up with new dastardly plans and innovative resources for DIY MFA. When she's not working on DIY MFA, Gabriela loves to write middle grade and teen fiction, with short stories for "grown-ups" thrown in for good measure. Gabriela is represented by Jeff Kleinman at Folio Literary Management and her book about DIY MFA is scheduled for release in Spring 2016 from Writer's Digest Books.

As a kid, I was obsessed with Monty Python's The Holy Grail. So much so that the obsession grew from clanking together coconuts as a teenager with my buddy Alan to studying Arthurian legend in my college studies. Even my professor thought I was a bit ridiculous. “You're that kid in high school who would clank coconuts together, right?” she once asked.  And she was right. On a random cycling trip to Barcelona, I discovered that one of our routes outside Barcelona took us through the mountains where the grail is now thought to be buried. Did I look for The Holy Grail then? You betcha. And I seriously thought I found it when I came upon a tiny little 10th century chapel in the Pyrenees. But Alas, there was no grail to be found. I am one of many intrigued by the grail, however. The Holy Grail has been an obsession for questers throughout all of history. The Knights Templar searched high and low for The Holy Grail during The Crusades and Cistercian Monks rifled through ancient texts to search for clues, as well.   Heck, one man — the 12th Century French poet Chretien De Troyes — ended his story of The Holy Grail mid-sentence (yes, really) while writing the Arthurian legend of Perceval, the legendary knight who saw The Holy Grail while dining with The Fisher King. Legend has it, Chretien De Troyes died while writing because he was about to share a secret too powerful to share with the world. Seriously, I can't make this stuff up. What is “The Holy Grail”? Most literalists say a cup — the cup used by Jesus Christ at The Last Supper — while others say a well like the fountain of youth. Unfortunately, no cup (or well or fountain) has ever been found. The evil Heinrich Himmler, Hitler's right-hand henchman, thought he came close to finding it after funneling an absurd amount of Nazi money to search the grail during World War II. Yes, this is a true fact. No, no grail was ever found. Even Indiana Jones, whose story came out of these real-world events, never resurrected the miraculous cup. So, I pose the question: What if they are all wrong? What if The Holy Grail is not some chalice or well or any destination, but rather metaphor for our own internal quest for meaning? The quest that begins with the sublime question we begin asking at some point in our lives….Why am I here? ….and then spawns a miraculous journey on purpose. To begin, splash a bit of honesty on your face and mix it with the dots in your life. But don't take it from me. Take a look at the journey of just a few of the incredible people I've had the honor to meet over the past couple of years:   On the other side of the pond in the UK, Bhavani Esapathi created The Invisible Health Data Project. The project amplifies the many voices that make up the invisible chronic illnesses thousands suffer with each and every day. There are so many illnesses that go unnoticed in the world today and Bhavani helps make sure these people get their voice out to receive the attention they deserve. NYC native Gabriela Pereira is the instigator and purveyor of purpose behind the DIY MFA. When the rest of the world obsesses over science and tech, Gabriela shows creative writers how they can turn their art into a profitable and philanthropic tool to elevate all of humanity. Physical therapist turned entrepreneur, when Ashley Jacob learned of her mother's diagnosis, she took her pain and anguish and turned it into her quest to find answers. Her questions morphed into the beautiful long-form podcast, Tsuris, which features interviews from the many vantage points that make up a serious health prognosis. And lastly, after high school, a starry eyed teen named Tyson Adams went out to vagabond around the world. Little did he know that his travel would lead to a cathartic and philanthropic journey. His work now creates schools and wells in Laos for children in need through selling coffee and coconut oil to adults in need. _______________________________ The Holy Grail, I believe, is not a cup or chalice at all. Rather, it is one's personal soul-shaping quest that goes beyond the self and transcends to benefit others. It's truly a beautiful journey, a hero's journey, that I invite you to join me on. What about you? What is your “Holy Grail”?