The Writer's Mindset

Writing Ghost Stories (with The Indy Author's Matty Dalrymple and Activated Author's Daniel Willcocks)

Thu, 27 Apr 2023 18:35:45 +0000

We recently went live over on YouTube to talk all things ghost-story writing with Matty Dalrymple, from The Indy Author, and Daniel Willcocks, from Activated Authors. Here's the recording from the live.

If you'd prefer to watch it, you can find a recording of the stream here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ax5GPypvkyo

Self-care, energy levels, and looking ahead

Thu, 22 Dec 2022 07:00:00 +0000

It’s time for a very important announcement!

Productivity for Writers: https://amzn.to/3Yie2zq *

Writing Myths: https://amzn.to/3VXeSQG *

How to Write Believable Characters: https://amzn.to/3VTr2df *

Backstory course: www.writerscookbook.com/backstory

Merch: www.writerscookbook.com/merch

Chatter – Ethan Kross: https://amzn.to/3FrPxqX *

Kristina’s author website: www.kristinaadamsauthor.com

Kristina’s content marketing website: www.kristinaproffitt.com

Kristina’s blog: www.writerscookbook.com

Ellie’s Twitter: www.twitter.com/ebettswriter

*Affiliate link

Just 4 Mins of us Not Being Able to Speak, Read Our Own Scripts, or Get Zoom to Behave...

Thu, 15 Dec 2022 07:00:00 +0000

As you’ve probably noticed, we’re trying to make things easier for ourselves by using a pre-recorded intro/outro. Turns out that recording that was easier said than done. Here’s what happened behind the scenes…

Blunders, Bumbles, and Bloopers

Thu, 08 Dec 2022 07:20:00 +0000

Basically a compilation of all the times we couldn't speak or got interrupted while recording season 6.

Analytics for Authors (Full Interview with Gail Carriger)

Thu, 01 Dec 2022 07:00:00 +0000

Gail Carriger has multiple NYT bestsellers and over a million books in print in dozens of different languages. She writes comedies of manners mixed with urban fantasy (and sexy queer joy as G. L. Carriger). She is best known for the Parasol Protectorate and Finishing School series. She was once an archaeologist and is fond of shoes, octopuses, and tea.

In this episode, you'll learn:

Why analytics for authors are so important
What you should be tracking
Where to get your data from
How data helps you make better decision

Don't Forget Your Climax! How to Write Epic Endings

Thu, 24 Nov 2022 07:00:00 +0000

It's easy to lose momentum as you write, spending all your energy on your beginning and fizzling out as you push yourself to finish your book. But your climax is one of the most important parts of your book. Here's how to make sure your ending is epic.

In this episode, you'll learn:

How a bad (or no) climax can make your readers feel
Why your book doesn't have to have lots of twists to have a great ending
The importance of triggering an emotional reaction in your readers

How to Create a Large, Diverse Cast Your Readers Will Love

Thu, 17 Nov 2022 07:00:00 +0000

This week on The Writer's Mindset we share tips on how you can create a large, diverse cast of characters your readers will love just as much as you do.

In this episode, you'll learn:

Why it's important to have a diverse cast
Ways to bring your characters to life

How to Get to Know Your Characters Better

Mon, 14 Nov 2022 07:00:00 +0000

Visit www.writerscookbook.com/backstory today to grab your spot

Writing Habits and Accountability (with Clarissa Gosling)

Thu, 10 Nov 2022 07:00:00 +0000

Clarissa has always lived more in the world of daydream and fiction than in reality. In her writing she explores purpose and belonging across worlds. Having never found an actual portal to faeryland, she creates her own fantastical worlds where dragons, fae and other magical creatures rule.

She now lives in the Netherlands with her family, where she writes as much as they will let her. When not reading or writing, she drinks too much tea and has a burgeoning obsession with Bundt cakes.

Clarissa is the author of the "Dragons of Kaitstud" and "Lost Princess of Starlight" YA fantasy series, and the "Expat Life" series of non-fiction guides for families moving, and living, abroad.

She is an admin for the 365 Writing Challenge, an international group that supports people to build the habit of writing. And she is one of the co-hosts of the Reading Queens podcast, which discusses mainly young adult fantasy books and their major tropes.

In this episode, you'll learn:

Why accountability can be a great motivational tool
The downsides to NaNoWriMo
Ideas for flexible writing habits you could try

Links

Clarissa's website

Analytics for Authors Part 2 (with Gail Carriger)

Thu, 03 Nov 2022 07:00:00 +0000

Part two of our interview with Gail!

In this episode, you'll learn:

Why analytics for authors are so important
What you should be tracking
Where to get your data from
How data helps you make better decision

Links

Time stamps

00:00 – Intro
1:53 – Where to start
14:04 – Blog tours: are they worth it?
17:38 – Is it ever too late to start?
20:02 – Don’t carry stats in your head
30:51 – Which data source changed Gail’s life?
35:17 – Keep in touch

Analytics for Authors Part 1 (with Gail Carriger)

Thu, 27 Oct 2022 06:00:00 +0000

Part 2 coming next week!

Part one of our interview with Gail if you'd prefer to listen to it in two chunks :)

In this episode, you'll learn:

Why analytics for authors are so important
What you should be tracking
Where to get your data from
How data helps you make better decision

Links

Time stamps

0:00 – Intro
4:15 – Why Gail loves data
6:17 – What should authors be tracking and why?
13:06 – data sources
20:17 – Preorder launch tracking
21:52 – The minimum things you should be tracking
26:19 – Cosmo crashes the podcast
27:15 – How data informs career choices
30:34 – Tools to track
37:57 – Newsletter sign up tracking
46:06 – Social media tracking

Plotting Made Simple (with Shane Millar)

Thu, 20 Oct 2022 06:00:00 +0000

Shane Millar is a Fictionary Certified Story Coach and the author of the Write Better Fiction craft guides. He is also the author of the Myth & Magic urban fantasy thriller series (writing as S. W. Millar).

Shane holds a BA in journalism and is a member of The Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLi). He lives in Buckinghamshire, England.

He has taken too many writing courses to count and enjoys reading as much as possible. Shane is obsessed with five things: the writing craft, mythology, personal development, food, and martial arts movies.

In this episode, you'll learn:

How to use the 5 senses when plotting
Why your plot should be flexible
How much depth your plot really needs
Why every book is different

Links

Author Site: https://swmillar.com
Podcast: https://www.storytellersfaceoff.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/swmillarauthor
TikTok: https://https://www.tiktok.com/@swmillarauthor

Cancer, Writing, and Motivation (with Clare Stevens)

Thu, 13 Oct 2022 06:00:00 +0000

Clare grew up in Somerset but has lived most of her adult life in Nottingham, with brief sojourns in four other UK cities.

She began her career as a journalist with the Nottingham Post group before working as a press officer and communications manager in the Government Communications Network. She began writing her first novel, Blue Tide Rising, while studying for an MA in Creative Writing at Nottingham Trent University.

Blue Tide Rising was published in 2019 by independent publisher Inspired Quill. Clare’s second novel The Strawberry Girl is due out in May 2023.

Clare is also a creative writing tutor who runs workshops across Nottinghamshire. For six years She ran Writing for Wellbeing sessions at the Maggie’s Cancer Centre, Nottingham. She currently handles PR and media for Nottinghamshire Hospice.

Links:

Books mentioned:

* Affiliate link

How to Juggle Writing and a Full-Time Job (with J.W. Judge)

Thu, 06 Oct 2022 06:00:00 +0000

J. W. Judge is a lawyer by day and a novelist in the early morning hours before the sun wakes all the other creatures. His writing is fueled by vivid dreams and an overactive imagination. He is the author of the dark fantasy trilogy The Zauberi Chronicles and has most recently written a book for writers, Write Your Novel One Day at a Time: How to Write a Novel While Having a Career, a Family, and a Life.

Author Burnout (with Becca Syme)

Thu, 29 Sep 2022 06:00:00 +0000

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 5700+ 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.

In this episode, you'll learn:

What author burnout looks like
Why so many writers go through burnout more than once
How to avoid burning out - even if you're on the precipice
How long it takes to recover from burnout

Writing and Publishing Short Stories (with Matty Dalrymple)

Thu, 22 Sep 2022 06:00:00 +0000

Matty Dalrymple podcasts, writes, speaks, and consults on the writing craft and the publishing voyage as The Indy Author. She is the host of THE INDY AUTHOR PODCAST and the author of THE INDY AUTHOR’S GUIDE TO PODCASTING FOR AUTHORS. She is also the co-author, along with Mark Leslie Lefebvre, of TAKING THE SHORT TACK: CREATING INCOME AND CONNECTING WITH READERS USING SHORT FICTION.

Matty is also the author of the Lizzy Ballard Thrillers, beginning with ROCK PAPER SCISSORS; the Ann Kinnear Suspense Novels, beginning with THE SENSE OF DEATH; and the Ann Kinnear Suspense Shorts, including CLOSE THESE EYES. Matty is a member of International Thriller Writers and Sisters in Crime.

Matty lives with her husband, Wade Walton, and their dogs in Chester County, Pennsylvania.

In this episode, you'll learn:

How writing short fiction differs from writing novel length works
Ways to market short fiction
The business of short fiction

Links:

Matty's website

The Indy Author podcast

Stark Reflections on Publishing

Books discussed:

*Affiliate link

Managing Multiple Streams of Income (with L.L. MacRae)

Thu, 15 Sep 2022 06:00:00 +0000

Lauren is a fantasy author of character-driven stories and epic adventure. Her books usually contain dragons, bucket-loads of magic, and are typically fun and hopeful.

She lives in a tiny village in the English countryside, has a degree in Psychology, and was a professional copywriter before going full-time as an author—swapping corporate copy for magic and dragons!

In this episode, you'll learn:

How in-person events can benefit writers
The different ways to monetise your books
How to build a fanbase

Writing Dialogue-Centric First Drafts (with Jeff Elkins)

Thu, 08 Sep 2022 06:00:00 +0000

Jeff Elkins writes stories about outsiders who fight for outcasts, rejects, and the oppressed. He is the author of more than ten novels, a Certified Three Story Method Editor, and the host of the Dialogue Doctor podcast. During the day, he leads the writing team for a training company that simulates difficult conversations. He lives north of Baltimore, Maryland with his wife of twenty-years and his five kids.

In this episode, you'll learn:

The benefits of writing a dialogue-centric first draft
How to add more emotion into your writing
Why character interaction is so important
How to write a dialogue-centric first draft

Things You Should Know Before You Publish Your First Book

Thu, 01 Sep 2022 06:00:00 +0000

In our first episode of season six, we bring back past guests Elizabeth Spann Craig, Alexa Whitewolf, Matty Dalrymple, and Daniel Willcocks to ask them what they wish they'd known before they published their first book.

Interview Compilation - Characters and Theme

Thu, 25 Aug 2022 06:00:00 +0000

To tide you over during the summer, we've put together compilations of some of the best bits from previous interviews. This week, we share our guests' top tips on characters and theme.

Interview Compilation - Dealing with Overwhelm

Thu, 18 Aug 2022 06:00:00 +0000

To tide you over during the summer, we've put together compilations of some of the best bits from previous interviews. This week, we share our guests' top tips on dealing with overwhelm.

Interview Compilation - Plotting

Thu, 11 Aug 2022 06:00:00 +0000

To tide you over during the summer, we've put together compilations of some of the best bits from previous interviews. This week, we share our guests' top tips on plotting.

Season 5 Bloopers

Thu, 04 Aug 2022 06:00:00 +0000

More furry interrupts and times we just couldn't brain.

How Rest Helps You Get More Sh*t Done

Thu, 28 Jul 2022 06:00:00 +0000

While it may sound counterproductive, rest is an important part of being a productive writer. It can help us to concentrate and feel calmer. It can even help us to problem solve!

In this episode, you'll learn:

What rest ACTUALLY is (and why most people get it wrong)
How just a little bit of rest can help you get more done
Why rest is so important to our wellbeing
Different things you can try as a form of rest

How to Write a Successful Series (with Helen Scheuerer)

Thu, 21 Jul 2022 06:00:00 +0000

Helen Scheuerer is the YA fantasy author of the bestselling trilogy, The Oremere Chronicles and the Curse of the Cyren Queen quartet. Her work has been highly praised for its strong, flawed female characters and its action-packed plots. More recently, she has also delved into publishing advice for authors with her debut nonfiction book, 'How To Write A Successful Series'.

Helen’s love of writing and books led her to pursue a Bachelor of Creative Writing at the University of Wollongong and a Masters of Publishing at the University of Sydney. Now a full-time author, Helen lives amidst the mountains in Central Otago, New Zealand and is constantly dreaming up new stories.

In this episode, you'll learn:

How to get started with your series
The importance of a series bible
How to handle series fatigue
The benefits of outlining your series

How to Write Brilliant Beginnings (with Shane Millar)

Thu, 14 Jul 2022 06:00:00 +0000

Shane Millar is a Fictionary Certified Story Coach and the author of the Write Better Fiction craft guides. He is also the author of the Myth & Magic urban fantasy thriller series.

Shane holds a BA in journalism and is a member of The Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLi). He lives in Buckinghamshire, England.

In this episode, you'll learn:

The key ingredients every book beginning needs
Why it's important to hook your reader from the start
Where newbie - and experienced - writers go wrong with their beginnings

Reader Magnets and Cookies (with Tammi Labrecque)

Thu, 07 Jul 2022 06:00:00 +0000

Tammi Labrecque lives in Central Maine with three spoiled cats, two neurotic dogs, and dozens of fictional characters that keep her awake nights.

She writes under a few pen names across several genres, including urban fantasy, thriller, and LitRPG.

Under her own name, you can find her writing romance novels that no one reads or teaching at newsletterninja.net.

In this (mammoth) episode, you'll learn:

What a reader magnet is and why they matter
What types of stories are the most effective reader magnets
How to handle feeling completely overwhelmed by everything you have to do as an indie author
Email content idea generation tips

Links

Get your freebie from Tammi

Using History to Inspire Your Writing (with Gudrun Lauret)

Thu, 30 Jun 2022 06:00:00 +0000

Gudrun is a copywriter and content marketer who helps businesses to make the most of their best content. History is her real passion and she joined us to share some spooky stories, local tales, and content ideas.

In this episode, you'll learn:

How obsessed with history and ghost stories Kristina and Ellie are
Spooky stories and locations to inspire your fiction

Taking off Your Pants to Become a Plotter (with Libbie Hawker)

Thu, 23 Jun 2022 06:00:00 +0000

Libbie Hawker is a bestselling novelist who specializes in historical and literary fiction. She is also the author of the popular how-to guide Take Off Your Pants: Outline Your Books for Faster, Better Writing. She also publishes under the names Olivia Hawker and Libbie Grant, and she has been a finalist for the Washington State Book Award and the Willa Literary Award for Historical Fiction.

In this episode, you'll learn:

The benefits of having a plot/outline before you begin
Why you don't need to know every last detail before you start

Should You Redesign Your Book Covers? (with G.M.White)

Thu, 16 Jun 2022 06:00:00 +0000

G.M. White has always been an avid reader, a love of the written word instilled in him by his parents at an early age. This may or may not have something to do with the fact that he was a very talkative child and the only time he was quiet was when he had his head in a book. Anyway, we’ll give them the benefit of the doubt on that one.

He lives on St Martin’s, in the Isles of Scilly, with his wife and son. Like many people on the islands he wears a few different hats. Now a full time stay at home dad, he also works several part time jobs, is on the local Coastguard rescue team, sits on the committee for St Martin’s Island Hall and Reading Room, plays cricket (poorly) for St Martin’s Cricket Club, and somehow finds time to write.

In this episode, you'll learn:

Common book cover mistakes
Why genre research is important
How fantasy covers have changed over time

The Heroine's Journey and Reader Expectations (with Gail Carriger)

Thu, 09 Jun 2022 06:00:00 +0000

In this episode, you'll learn:

The differences between The Hero's Journey and The Heroine's Journey
Why The Heroine's Journey is often looked down on or forgotten
The importance of reader expectations

Find Gail

Website: https://gailcarriger.com/
Facebook: https://gailcarriger.com/FB
Instagram: https://instagram.com/gailcarriger/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/gailcarriger
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/gailcarriger

How to Build Your Audience and Make a Difference Doing it (with Miriam Laundry)

Thu, 02 Jun 2022 06:00:00 +0000

Miriam is a 5x bestselling children's book author and the CEO of ML Publishing. It's her absolute joy to work with other authors and watch their books empower children.

In this episode, you'll learn:

How Miriam achieved a Guinness World Record on her blog
Ways to grow your confidence to build your audience
The importance of knowing your why

(NB: The nutrition episode of HEALTHY HABITS will be out towards the end of this month)

12 Writing Resources to Change Your Writing Life

Thu, 26 May 2022 06:00:00 +0000

This week on The Writer's Mindset we share all the writing techniques, hacks, tips, resources, and more that have improved our craft over the last several years.

In this episode, you'll learn:

How breaking your book down into smaller chunks can help you get more done
The difference accountability can make
Why Scrivener and Plot Factory are better than Word or Google Docs for writing a book
Why we ate our words on worldbuilding

Listen to our new bonus series HEALTHY HABITS over at patreon.com/writersmindset.

Links

The Writer's Mindset Facebook group
Plot Factory *
Scrivener *
TickTick *

Books Mentioned

*Affiliate link. It won't cost you any extra to purchase through this link, but we will get a small commission.

Publishing Fiction via an App (with C.L. Peache)

Thu, 19 May 2022 06:00:00 +0000

C.L. Peache currently lives in Newark-On-Trent. In her spare time she enjoys reading, travelling, walking, kayaking, watching motorbike racing, socialising and drinking coffee.

She loves writing, but the characters decide which story she’s going tell and she doesn’t have much say in it! She writes many different genres including: chick-lit, fantasy, cosy fiction, horror, thrillers and travel books.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

How publishing through an app differs to other publishing methods
How reading on an app changes the readers’ experience
What C.L. Peache’s writing process is like

To join us for our new series, HEALTHY HABITS, become a patron today: Patreon.com/writersmindset

Publishing Wide for the Win (with Mark Leslie Lefebvre)

Thu, 12 May 2022 06:00:00 +0000

Mark Leslie Lefebvre is the Director of Business Development for Draft2Digital, a free and author-centric platform celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2022. Mark has worked in the book industry since 1992, the same year his first short story appeared in print. His past roles include President of the Canadian Booksellers Association, Chair of the Professional Advisory Committee for Sheridan College’s Honors Degree Program in Writing and Publishing, and Director of Self-Publishing and Author Relations for Rakuten Kobo, where he created and launched Kobo Writing Life. He is the host of the weekly Stark Reflections on Writing and Publishing Podcast; and writing mostly under the name Mark Leslie, has released more than 30 books that include fiction, urban fantasy, horror, true-story paranormal, and guide-books for authors.

In this episode, you'll learn:

What it means to publish wide
Wide marketing techniques
How long it takes to see success when you publish wide
The biggest challenges wide authors face

Visit Mark's website: www.markleslie.ca

How to Write Superbad Villains (with Sacha Black)

Thu, 05 May 2022 06:00:00 +0000

Sacha Black is a bestselling and competition winning author, rebel podcaster, speaker and casual rule breaker. She writes about people with magical powers, sapphic fiction for teens and other books about the art of writing.

In this episode, you'll learn:

Why we love a good villain
How to give your villains more depth
Why you shouldn't use mental health conditions as motivation for your villain
What soul scars are and how to use them

Join us for our new HEALTHY HABITS series over on Patreon: www.patreon.com/writersmindset

Mindset, Marketing, and More for Indie Authors (with Daniel Willcocks)

Thu, 28 Apr 2022 06:00:00 +0000

While we set up for season five, check out this bonus episode, taken from our interview with Daniel Willcocks. It's full of juicy tips to help you on your self-publishing journey, whether you're just starting out or you've been publishing for years.

Parenting, Writing, and Productivity (with Sacha Black)

Thu, 21 Apr 2022 06:00:00 +0000

While we set up for season five, check out this bonus episode, taken from our interview with Sacha Black. In it, she talks all about how she juggles writing and parenting.

HEALTHY HABITS: Intro

Tue, 19 Apr 2022 11:00:00 +0000

In our new bonus series, Kristina explores the techniques she uses to manage her chronic health issues while still writing, publishing, and podcasting. Find out more about this exclusive new series in our introductory episode.

To listen to the full series as it goes live, join us on Patreon over at https://www.patreon.com/writersmindset

The Link Between Horror and Comedy (with Jonathan Taylor)

Thu, 14 Apr 2022 06:00:00 +0000

While we set up for season five, check out this bonus episode, taken from our interview with Jonathan Taylor. Kristina just couldn't help talking about ghost stories with him, but it ended up leading them down an interesting path where they discuss the links between horror and comedy.

Fluff Ups, Four-Legged Interruptions, and Segues

Thu, 07 Apr 2022 06:00:00 +0000

All the times we couldn't speak, pets interrupted us, or we went on random segues during season four.

How to Worldbuild...When You Hate Worldbuilding

Thu, 31 Mar 2022 06:00:00 +0000

How do you get over your hatred of worldbuilding enough to publish a fantasy series? Kristina shares her tips in our latest episode!

In this episode, you'll learn:

Why Kristina hated worldbuilding so much
How planning and outlining can help

Show notes:

00.00 – Introductions
02.30 – Have you seen our awesome merch?!
03.50 – Our favourite fictional worlds.
06.15 – Kristina used to HATE writing fantasy.
09.50 – What was the biggest barrier between Kristina and writing a fantasy series.
11.30 – It all came to her in a dream…
12.20 – Then she had to start worldbuilding…
15.40 – Don’t forget about outlining!
16.50 – How does worldbuilding feel a couple of books in?
18.00 – Balancing worldbuilding and relationships.
21.15 – Where did the inspiration for Empath come from?
26.35 – Goals, goals, goals!
29.10 – How do you know when a book is ready?
29.45 – Incorporating concepts from other books.
31.10 – Why mummies, ghosts and necromancers?
32.50 – Need a coma? Add mummies.
34.40 – How to approach worldbuilding.
36.25 – Write. Stuff. Down.
38.00 – Separate different brain tasks.
40.30 – Which book changed Kristina’s life?

Writing Cosy Mysteries (with Debbie Young)

Thu, 17 Mar 2022 07:00:00 +0000

Debbie is the author of nine novels across two series, 7 in the Sophie Sayers Village Mysteries, and 2 in the Staffroom at St Bride's series, currently writing the third. She writes a blend of cosy mystery and romantic comedy and is a course tutor in self-publishing for Jericho Writers and a UK Ambassador for the Alliance of Independent Authors, for whom she has also written how-to books for authors. She runs the Hawkesbury Upton Literature Festival in the Cotswolds, which she founded in 2015. Two of her novels have been shortlisted for The Bookbrunch Selfies Awards, given for the best independently-published fiction in the UK (in 2020 and 2021).

In this episode, you'l learn:

How cosy mysteries differ from other crime genres
Ways to improve your writing craft
Book marketing methods that work for cosy mysteries

Show notes:

00.00 – Introductions
05.30 – Interview with Debbie Young
06.30 – What is a cosy mystery?
10.20 – Setting and worldbuilding in cosy mysteries.
13.35 – It all started with Holmes.
16.40 – Branching out to different genres.
18.20 – Writing different relationships.
23.20 – Surprising the reader, and the writer!
24.45 – How does Debbie feel about outlines?
27.40 – How long does it take to write her first drafts?
30.30 – Where do authors go wrong writing cosy mysteries?
38.20 – How do we develop our cosy mystery writing skills?
42.30 – Eavesdropping for your writing career.
44.20 – The good and the bad of marketing.
50.00 – Newsletters swaps.
51.30 – Facebook ads.
53.30 – Which book changed Debbie’s life?
55.50 – Where can we find out more about Debbie?

What Every Author Website Needs (with Kenny MacKay)

Thu, 10 Mar 2022 07:00:00 +0000

Kenny MacKay is the host of the Author Your Dream podcast, a show he launched in March of 2020. As an author himself, he knows what it's like to have no idea what you're doing, and aims to answer the questions many aspiring authors are asking. Kenny lives in the UK with his wife and three kids.

In this episode, you'll learn:

Where Kristina's been for the last two weeks - and what it taught her
Why having a website is important for every author
How to choose a domain name and website host
The pages every author website needs
What to avoid on your website

Show notes:

00.00 – Introductions
01.15 – Kristina lets her blog rant out.
02.42 – Ellie breaks the rules and have 2 things that make her feel productive.
04.10 – Kristina it now THAT person.
12.00 – Interview with Kenny MacKay.
12.30 – Finding the right people to connect with.
15.00 – Remembering what people don’t know.
16.50 – Why do authors even need websites?
19.30 – What does every author page need?
22.20 – What kind of domain extension should you go for?
25.10 – Don’t waste your time on sliders!
28.40 – Keep everything three clicks away.
29.40 – Kristina drops the B-word.
33.20 – What even is a website host?
37.50 – Which host would Kenny recommend?
39.30 – But I can get all of this for free, can’t I?
42.00 – Obnoxious coffee all the way.
42.50 – Website priorities when you’re on a budget.
47.50 – Which design features should we be using?
52.00 – How do we feel about backgrounds?
55.20 – How to create a great author website in 3 tips.
57.25 – Which book changed Kenny’s life?
59.10 – Where can we go to find out more about Kenny?

Check out Kristina's interview on Kenny's podcast here: https://authoryourdream.com/episode/writing-myths/

How to Write and Publish on the Side of Your Day Job (with Lori Vajda and Nola Boea)

Thu, 03 Mar 2022 07:00:00 +0000

Lori Vajda, MSW, Founder and CEO of GB Brand Partners, and co-founder of Sticky Brand Lab. She'd describe herself as a multi-hyphenated, multi-faceted individual as she believes each of us is, even if we don't always think of ourselves that way. Just like you, the whole of who she is, is made up of all her life, career, and personal experiences. Gratefully, those experiences have guided her to where she is today.

For more than a decade she's have been infusing her background as a therapist, dating coach, and content entrepreneur into all her career interests and pursuits including her current role as a podcaster. Now she shares her knowledge and experience with professional, multifaceted individuals to inspire, empower, support, and help guide their career diversification so they can create multiple streams of income through entrepreneurship.

Nola Boea is president and podcast co-host with CEO Lori Vajda, of Sticky Brand Lab, where her love of entrepreneurship and her MBA combine to help people start side businesses and diversify their income.

For the last 15 years, she’s also worked full time with a nonprofit humanitarian organization. She has traveled to 16 developing countries, primarily as a staff writer and grant administrator, with the lofty goal to alleviate worldwide poverty. Currently, she fills an operational role focused on strategy development and change management.

Throughout her career, Nola has almost always held a side business (or two), such as developing websites, freelance copywriting, and business consulting. The common thread: she enjoys helping people help people.

Born in Alaska, Nola currently works and podcasts remotely, surrounded by trees in the deep rural south.

In this episode, you'll learn:

How to spot the signs of burnout
How much time you should commit each day
Ways to build resilience

Show notes

00.00 – Introduction
03.25 – Interview with Lori and Nola.
03.50 – Who are Lori and Nola?
05.00 – Nola’s box of notes.
05.30 – Why do people set up side businesses?
11.35 – What are common pitfalls of balancing multiple sources of income?
14.10 – How long does it take for a side business to feel worthwhile?
25.00 – What is the biggest issue people face when it comes to setting up a side business?
27.40 – Balancing your expertise.
29.00 – Creating for yourself can feel more rewarding, but…
32.00 – Keep taking those little steps.
33.20 – Where am I giving away my time?
37.00 – Follow your energy, follow your creativity.
41.30 – How much time should you set aside per day to start your side business?
44.00 – Making Millie steps.
45.24 – How do you know if you’ve taken on too much?
47.40 – Recognising the signs of burnout, and reducing the effects.
51.30 – Rest is about breaking the routine.
54.15 – Manage your expectations.
57.00 – Work with your brain type.
1.00.50 – Give yourself extra time.
1.01.00 – Which book changed Nola’s life?
1.01.00 – Which book changed Lori’s life?
1.08.00 – Where can you find out more about Lori and Nola?

Links

How to Self-Publish and Market Children's Fiction (with Darcy Pattison)

Thu, 24 Feb 2022 07:00:00 +0000

Children’s book author and indie publisher Darcy Pattison writes award-winning fiction and non-fiction books for children. Her works have received starred PW, Kirkus, and BCCB reviews. Awards include the Irma Black Honor award, five NSTA Outstanding Science Trade Books, Eureka! Nonfiction Honor book, two Junior Library Guild selections, two NCTE Notable Children’s Book in Language Arts, and a 2021 Notable Social Studies Trade Books. She’s the 2007 recipient of the Arkansas Governor’s Arts Award for Individual Artist for her work in children’s literature.

In this episode, you'll learn:

How to market a self-published children's book
Whether you should write for children, teachers, or parents/guardians
How to grow your children's fiction-writing skills

Show notes:

00.00 – Introduction
01.50 – Come and join the gang!
02.30 – Interview with Darcy Pattison.
03.20 – Why go Indie as a children’s author?
04.30 – What has changed in the indie publishing industry in the last 8 years?
06.10 – Does being a teacher help?
07.25 – Mindset is the most important factor in learning to build your writing business.
08.10 – Getting to know your audience.
10.15 – Why focus on recent publications?
11.10 – Working with short attention spans.
13.50 – Do children’s books get marketed towards the readers or their parents/teachers?
16.00 – Why is that adult reader this story in particular?
17.45 – How do you market children’s books?
22.00 – Trying different marketing methods.
23.50 – Which book changed Darcy’s life?
27.20 – Where can you find out more about Darcy?

Links:

What Book Reviews Can Teach Us About Writing (with Gina Jackson)

Thu, 17 Feb 2022 07:00:00 +0000

Gina Jackson is a content writer, copywriter and sometime proofreader. She also reviews books and wants to create a podcast for them.

In this episode, you'll learn:

The most common mistake authors make
Why we need more diversity in fiction
How NOT to write female characters
How to become a book blogger

Show notes:

00.00 – Introductions
02.00 – Take off Your Pants.
04.30 – 13 Steps to Evil!
08.00 – Interview with Gina Jackson.
09.10 – How to review books.
10.35 – What should you include in the book review?
12.00 – Should you include your opinion in reviews?
14.00 – Fiction writing is a transferable skill.
15.45 – How long should book reviews be?
18.30 – How will you improve if everyone is lying to you?
23.00 – Men can’t write women.
26.20 – Bring in more boring jobs!
28.50 – Books set examples and expectations.
34.30 – Stories are about transformation.
39.20 – Reading when not all the books are out…
41.20 – The psychology behind criminals.
43.30 – Where should you post book reviews?
44.50 – How to get started as a book reviewer.
46.40 – One reason we need more diversity.
57.55 – Which book changed Gina’s life?
1.01.15 – Where can you find out more about Gina?

Books mentioned:

13 Steps to Evil - Sacha Black

Amazon UK *
Amazon US *

Take Off Your Pants! - Libbie Hawker

Amazon UK *
Amazon US *

The Ghost's Call - K.C. Adams

Amazon UK *
Amazon US *

The Mummy's Curse - K.C. Adams

Amazon UK *
Amazon US *

Stephanie Laurens's books

Amazon UK *
Amazon US *

The Devil You Know - Dr Gwen Adshead and Eileen Horne

Amazon UK *
Amazon US *

Gifted - Savannah Kade

Amazon UK *
Amazon US *

Clairvoyants - Brady Moore

Amazon UK *
Amazon US *

The Christmasaurus - Tom Fletcher

Amazon UK *
Amazon US *

Connect with Gina

*Affiliate link. It won’t cost you any extra to purchase through one of our links, but we will get a small commission for every purchase.

Learning to Love Book Research (with Savannah Kade)

Thu, 10 Feb 2022 07:00:00 +0000

Check out Wondrium*: https://www.writerscookbook.com/wondrium

Savannah wrote her first romance at age eight—even then it was clear she was looking for a story about a breakthrough. Though that particular book shall never again see the light of day (please, don’t even ask) it set the stage for everything after. Savannah writes steamy series in Contemporary Romance, Paranormal Romance, and Romantic Suspense and is a Maggie Award winner. There are romances you read when you want the fantasy, when you want to escape, these are what you read when you want to believe.

In this episode, you'll learn:

Why book research doesn't have to be boring
How to go super in-depth on your book research
When you need to start researching for your next book
The most fun types of research

Show notes:

00.00 – Introductions.
01.20 – What do you mean FUN research?
02.00 – Ellie’s magic goals.
03.20 – Kristina has Mummy issues.
06.15 – The wonders of Wondrium!
07.45 – Interview with Savannah Kade
08.30 – Characters pushing the plot.
11.30 – Why do we even need to research?
15.00 – Are we just being lazy?
17.00 – The power of aggressive support, hoebag.
18.30 – When should we be researching?
21.00 – How do you go about approaching experts?
25.10 – You don’t know who you don’t know.
28.30 – No outlines?!
29.50 – Does research vary between genres?
37.30 – Push it up a grade, don’t fix everything.
41.00 – Should we just invent our own towns?
43.50 – What is Savannah’s favourite research topic?
47.10 – Embracing the research.
48.50 – Accidentally falling into research.
50.45 – Be careful of your sources!
51.40 – Rolling snowballs around and clogging New York streets.
1.01.00 – Which book changed Savannah’s life?
1.05.50 – Where can we find out more about Savannah?

Download the book that changed Savannah's life:

Amazon UK *
Amazon US *

*Affiliate link. It won't cost you any extra to purchase through one of our links, but we will get a small commission for every purchase.

Should You Do a Creative Writing Degree? (with Jonathan Taylor)

Thu, 03 Feb 2022 07:00:00 +0000

Jonathan Taylor is an author, editor, lecturer and critic. His books include the novel Melissa (Salt, 2015), the poetry collections Cassandra Complex (Shoestring, 2018) and Musicolepsy (Shoestring, 2013), and the memoir Take Me Home (Granta, 2007). He directs the MA in Creative Writing at the University of Leicester. Originally from Stoke-on-Trent, he now lives in Leicestershire with his wife, the poet Maria Taylor, and their twin daughters, Miranda and Rosalind.

In this episode, you'll learn:

Who can benefit from a creative writing degree
What you could learn studying creative writing
How to be a more self-aware writer
Why poetry is everywhere, and we should embrace that

Show notes:

00.00 – Introductions
01.35 – What did her creative writing degrees teach Kristina?
03.00 – Ellie struggled to get to the end…
04.35 – Hollywood Heartbreak is out now!
05.00 – Interview with Jonathan Taylor.
06.10 – Creative writing is Frankenstein’s Monster.
09.00 – So is it just sitting around and writing stories all day?
11.00 – It doesn’t just pour out of you.
16.00 – Witches are fashionable, darling.
17.30 – We all right the same thing over and over.
21.00 – The psychology is what gets you.
24.00 – What is the most common pitfall that writers fall into?
27.00 – How do you learn how to tell a story again?
30.00 – The competitiveness just isn’t worth it.
32.45 – Should you do a writing degree?
34.50 – There’s a critical element?!
41.00 – Do you have to do public speaking?
43.20 – How do you get better at your reading skills?
53.30 – Which book changed Jonathan’s life?
1.00.00 – Where can you go to find out more about Jonathan?

Contact Jonathan:

Lessons Learned From Publishing 16 Books in 6 Years

Thu, 27 Jan 2022 07:00:00 +0000

This week, we're talking to our very own Kristina Adams all about how her writing process has changed over the last six years and sixteen books.

You'll learn:

What it's like to write a book to write a spin-off series that overlaps with your very first book
How to write and publish more efficiently
Why writing is an ongoing journey - and that's a good thing!
Why Kristina's latest book, Hollywood Heartbreak, feels like it took so much longer to write (even though it didn't)

Show note

00.00 – Introductions
01.50 – Pet Ownership Room 101
04.00 – A poem about poo.
05.40 – Interview with Kristina Adams
05.55 – How does Kristina feel having finally finished Hollywood Heartbreak?
09.40 – Overlapping woes…
14.00 – It made Kristina cry!
16.00 – The pains of going through your own work.
19.30 – Kristina couldn’t even be bothered to watch Castle…
20.35 – Outlining became double important for this book.
24.30 – Even Ellie outlines now!
26.30 – Who needs friends?
30.00 – What made us want to retry outlining?
31.40 – How Kristina outlined her latest fantasy book.
35.00 – The ongoing journey of writing.
36.50 – Why did Kristina change the opening of Hollywood Heartbreak so many times?
39.20 – Answer questions and add suffering.
43.20 – When can you buy Hollywood Heartbreak?

Copyediting for Authors (with Kristin N. Spencer)

Thu, 20 Jan 2022 07:00:00 +0000

Kristin N. Spencer spends part of each day imagining up new worlds and beings when she isn’t busy with her three children, two dogs, and husband. When she's not writing, editing, or mothering, you can find her sewing cosplay costumes, watching geekesque movies, or reading voraciously. Her purpose in life is to help people tell awesome stories, and her favourite shape is a hexagon.

In this episode, you'll learn:

Why copy editing is so important
What the differences between copy editing and proofreading are
How to work with a copy editor
Why Microsoft Word is a magical editing tool

Show notes:

00.00 – Introductions
01.45 – Every story?!
03.41 – Just write it!
06.00 – Interview with Kristin Spencer
08.20 – What even is copy editing?
11.20 – What is nesh?
11.50 – What’s the difference between proofreading and copyediting?
15.15 – Common copyediting mistakes that writers make.
21.00 – Proofreading cannot happen until copyediting has happened.
22.30 – Are adverbs a dirty word?
26.00 – The 6 story killers!
28.30 – Gotta get the hook.
31.30 – The perils of over describing.
34.00 – Don’t try and sound fancy for no reason.
37.00 – Stick in the right head!
43.20 – What to do with those scenes you need to get rid of.
45.00 – Tense, tense, tense some more!
48.10 – Stick to formatting standards.
50.55 – Tell tale signs that you skipped the copyediting…
57.00 – When do you even start copy editing?
1.03.00 – How do you choose a copyeditor?
1.05.30 – Which one book changed Kristin’s life?
1.08.25 – A gift for all of our listeners!
1.10.00 – Where can you find out more about Kristin? (and find a copyeditor!)

Read the book that changed Kristin's life

Amazon UK *
Amazon US *

*Affiliate link. It won’t cost you any extra to purchase through one of our links, but we will get a small commission for every purchase.

Video Marketing Mindset for Authors (with Jenna Moreci)

Thu, 13 Jan 2022 07:00:00 +0000

Jenna Moreci is a bestselling author of dark fantasy and science fiction, as well as a YouTube sensation with hundreds of thousands of subscribers. The Savior’s Champion, her first novel in The Savior’s Series, was voted one of the Best Books of All Time by Book Depository.

Born and raised in Silicon Valley, Jenna spends her free time laughing until her face hurts with her goofball fiancé and snuggling with her tiny dog.

In this episode, you'll learn:

How to get over your fear of being on video
When to start building your author platform
The types of content your audience wants to see
How long it takes to put together a video

Show notes:

00.00 – Introductions
01.25 – Writing process Room 101.
03.10 – Ellie’s first car analogy…
04.00 – Kristina hates reading her own work.
06.00 – Interview with Jenna Moreci.
07.50 – Why did Jenna start a YouTube channel, despite never wanting to?
10.20 – The benefit of embracing who you are.
14.40 – Dealing with the douches.
17.40 – Time is the biggest challenge.
19.55 – The best part of running a YouTube channel.
22.20 – The stresses of creating content.
24.50 – Top tips for starting your own channel.
27.50 – The beauty of not beating around the bush.
29.00 – Is it harder to be so straight talking as a woman?
29.50 – Generating ideas for content.
31.40 – Tube Buddy?
32.40 – Creating the perfect titles to grab attention on YouTube.
35.30 – Getting comfortable in front of the camera.
40.00 – Do we all need a corporate background?
46.15 – You’re gonna suck at first, but you can get past it.
51.45 – The silver lining of your first book.
53.50 – Embracing costumes.
55.45 – Don’t take it so seriously.
59.00 – Mummy paint?
1.02.50 – Which book changed Jenna’s life?
1.05.50 – Where can you find more of Jenna Moreci?

Download the book that changed Jenna's life - Ella Enchanted

Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3mFlmUC *
Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3HnhyPP *
Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/us/book/ella-enchanted/id553174334?itsct=books_box_link&itscg=30200&ls=1&at=1000l335I *

*Affliate link.

Book Launch Tips for 2022

Thu, 06 Jan 2022 07:00:00 +0000

To kick off season four—and 2022—we've got a juicy one for you! We invited back previous interviewees and asked them what their top launch tip for the year ahead is.

Featuring:

Sacha Black
Daniel Willcocks
Tim Lewis
Terra Kelly
Matty Dalrymple
Elizabeth Spann Craig

Show notes:

00.00 – Introductions
01.25 – Daniel Willcocks and the perils of putting all your eggs into your first book.
05.30 – Tim Lewis and building a community for your book.
07.40 – Terra Kelly and creating a conversation.
09.25 – Elizabeth Spann Craig and getting into ads.
10.30 – Matty Dalrymple and accommodating your own needs.
13.30 – Sacha Black and doing your launch your way.
16.40 – Kristina’s top secret top tip.

Bloopers!

Thu, 30 Dec 2021 07:00:00 +0000

Check out some of the bloopers from the first year of The Writer's Mindset podcast!

REVISITED: Perfectionism in First Drafts

Thu, 23 Dec 2021 07:00:00 +0000

What has Ellie learned since recording our season two episode 'Perfectionism in first drafts'? How will it impact her writing process going forwards? And what could you learn from her mistakes? Find out in our latest revisited episode...

REVISITED: Setting Writing Goals You Can ACTUALLY Stick to

Thu, 16 Dec 2021 07:00:00 +0000

Do you struggle to set writing goals you can stick to?

Ellie's about to revisit one of our early episodes and share some tips that have helped her since then.

REVISTED: 9 Reasons You Can't Finish Your Work in Progress

Thu, 09 Dec 2021 07:00:00 +0000

In this episode, to tide you over until season 4 starts in January, Ellie revisits our very first episode: 9 reasons you can't finish your work in progress!

Show notes:

00.00 – Introduction
02.10 – Ellie didn’t nail her tension.
04.15 – Audience expectations weren’t explored enough.
06.50 – Ellie’s original plan was way too complicated (and boring!)
09.15 – Learning to be confident in yourself.
12.40 – Introductions
13.20 – Have you done enough research?
14.40 – Getting to know your characters.
17.55 – You’ve gotta know where you’re going.
20.00 – Getting tense.
23.30 – Do you know what your audience are expecting?
28.10 – Stop overthinking!
30.40 – Writing chronologically is overrated.
32.00 – Stop confusing your brain with multitasking.
34.40 – You have permission to make your first draft as terrible as possible.
36.55 – Keep things simple.
39.00 – No one else is going to prioritise your writing for you.
42.40 – Believe in yourself.
44.40 – Proving to yourself that you can do it.

How Our Writing and Podcasting Has Changed in a Year

Thu, 02 Dec 2021 07:00:00 +0000

Phew, what a year! In our final episode of 2021, we reflect on what we've learned about writing, podcasting, and ourselves. Expect some surprising truths and thought-provoking revelations.

In this episode, you'll learn:

Why it's OK to not achieve your goals (no, really)
What made us fall in love with outlining (when thinking about it used to make Kristina feel ill)
The importance of feeling supported
What Ellie's creative writing MA taught her
And much more!

Show notes:

00.00 – Introduction
01.35 – Did Ellie achieve her 2021 writing goals?
02.10 – Kristina didn’t come close!
04.10 – Kristina fell out of love with writing this summer.
06.30 – The universe delivered.
08.30 – Ellie hated a certain project this year…
11.40 – The first book is a given?
13.00 – Ellie realised all over again that she loves writing.
13.40 – Kristina dived into fantasy and worldbuilding.
16.00 – Kristina can see how much she’s grown.
17.00 – Don’t talk about YOU in your marketing.
17.40 – The Victorians ate WHAT?
18.30 – Ellie’s super into outlining now.
20.00 – Ellie’s on a writing roll!
22.00 – The power of removing the thinking.
23.50 – What’s Ellie changing going forwards?
24.50 – All of the learning comes from finishing your first book.
25.20 – Kristina embraces morning writing.
28.45 – Outlines need to be super specific.
30.30 – Kristina is a Australophile.
31.20 – What is Kristina working on going forwards?
32.25 – Podcasting was a learning curve for both of us.
35.30 – Quick tips on YouTube.
36.40 – What is the hardest part of podcasting?
40.30 – Ellie learned to be vulnerable.
42.15 – Kristina has high standards.
45.10 – Learning to lean into the authentic you.
50.15 – Lessons from our interviewees.
51.00 – Email marketing, email marketing, email marketing.
52.00 – If you lean into who you are, you’re going to find people who like you for you.
54.20 – You’ve got to know the rules before you can break the rules.
55.45 – Thank you for all your support!

Creating FOMO for Your Books (with May King Tsang)

Thu, 25 Nov 2021 07:00:00 +0000

May King Tsang – first name is May King – calls herself the UK’s #1, and the original, FOMO Creator.

The crux of her work is to create content: real, raw, and right now. Creating the buzz across your socials gets the lurkers excited where they may buy into your product, service, digital challenge or your next event and that’s what she can help you do for your next launch, challenge festival, or conference.

In this episode, you'll learn:

Why FOMO matters for authors
How to get over your fear of social media
Ways to create a community around you and your writing
Social media book launch strategies

Show notes:

00.00 – Introductions
02.50 – Ellie has a surprise for listeners in December.
06.30 – Ellie has been doing lots of planning.
08.50 – Kristina is ahead of schedule!
14.35 – Interview with May King Tsang
15.15 – But what is FOMO?
16.00 – Is FOMO just for book launches?
17.25 – Can we just wing it when it comes to generating FOMO?
19.10 – Do we have to use social media?
20.30 – What’s the best social media platform to start with?
22.20 – Do authors have to create audio or video to create FOMO?
25.30 – It’s just not about you.
29.00 – No one’s going to buy from you if they don’t know who you are.
31.10 – The more the better when it comes to posting on social media.
34.10 – Tried and tested techniques for authors generating FOMO.
36.40 – What are you doing this weekend?
39.00 – Go where your audience is. And stalk your local journalist.
41.40 – How do you know if it’s even working?
44.00 – The importance of showing the good and the bad.
49.00 – The author community is very supportive.
52.40 – What is one book that changed her life?
53.30 – Where can you go to find more about May King?

How to Communicate with Confidence (with Liz Solar)

Thu, 18 Nov 2021 07:00:00 +0000

Liz Solar, a Boston-based voice actor and host of the Embark podcast, believes we could all use a little more conversation.

Her mission is to share stories -- that are both personal and universal -- to promote understanding, empathy and kindness.

Liz coaches reluctant speakers to communicate with more confidence, power and grace. Her signature talks include ‘No is Not a Four-Letter Word’. She founded and contributes to the writer’s blog Acts of Revision and just completed her first novel. She lives in greater Boston with her husband, and Goldendoodle studio manager, Jessie.

In this episode, you'll learn:

How to have difficult conversations (even if you're conflict averse)
Why practice is so important for writers
How to get over writer's block
Ways to deal with imposter syndrome

Show notes:

00.00 – Introduction
01.50 – Ellie has ABANDONED Kristina for the week, Kristina struggles to stay sane.
02.20 – Interview with Liz Solar
04.40 – Most people would literally rather die than speak in public.
04.50 – Self judgement hinders your public speaking.
06.25 – Writing difficult topics allows for reflection.
08.15 – Should you change how you speak depending on audience?
10.00 – How to address difficult topics in a diplomatic way.
14.30 – The importance of airing your emotions.
16.30 – Trying to not take it personally.
19.30 – Tips for writing difficult subjects.
21.00 – Expressive writing to get the emotions out.
25.00 – Why do so many writers suffer from imposter syndrome, and how to avoid it.
29.00 – The ups and downs of deadlines.
33.00 – The benefits of writing first thing in the morning.
34.25 – Does accountability help?
36.10 – How to build your confidence in your voice and have the difficult conversations.
42.30 – Which book changed Liz’s life?
48.10 – Where can you find out more about Liz?

Creating Conflict in Fiction (with Janice Hardy)

Thu, 11 Nov 2021 07:00:00 +0000

Janice Hardy is the award-winning author and founder of the popular writing site Fiction University, where she helps writers improve their craft and navigate the crazy world of publishing.

She teaches writing workshops across the country, and her blog has been recognized as a Top Writing Blog by Writer’s Digest.

She also spins tales of adventure for both teens and adults, and firmly believes that doing terrible things to her characters makes them more interesting (in a good way).

She loves talking with writers and readers, and encourages questions of all types—even the weird ones.

In this episode, you'll learn:

The difference between conflict and tension
Why internal and external conflict are equally important
If all characters MUST arc
Why Die Hard and Downton Abbey are great examples of conflict

Show notes:

00.00 – Introduction.
02.55 – Kristina injured her knee HOW?!
08.20 – Interview with Janice Hardy.
10.00 – Why is conflict so important?
12.00 – Conflict doesn’t mean tension.
15.40 – Using internal and external problems.
18.10 – The tension in Downton Abbey.
22.20 – Difference between internal and external conflict.
25.50 – And are both essential?
29.00 – The impact of great characters.
31.40 – An if/then statement
35.45 – What doesn’t kill characters makes them more interesting.
36.10 – Where to start with all the planning, plottin, and character arcs.
39.00 – If a process isn’t working for you, try a different one.
43.00 – Writing past self doubt.
46.00 – Which book changed Janice’s life?
49.00 – Where can you find out more about Janice?

Writing Contemporary Romance (with Terra Kelly)

Thu, 04 Nov 2021 07:00:00 +0000

Terra Kelly is an author who’s been publishing for almost seven years. She writes contemporary romance and romantic suspense. She’s also an author coach and helps aspiring writers to move past their barriers so that they can finally share their story. She does that through a course, membership, one-on-one training, and more.

In this episode, you'll learn:

If imposter syndrome ever goes away
The importance of HEAs and HFNs in romance
Why rapid releasing can lead to burnout
How to overcome what's holding you back from writing more

Show notes:

00.00 – Introduction
01.42 – Ellie is building her future every day.
05.21 – Kristina wrangles her subplots.
08.40 – Subplots are side quests!
10.00 – The Mummy’s Curse is now available to buy!
14.50 – There’ll always be bumps in the road.
15.30 – Shutting out the imposter syndrome.
17.15 – Interview with Terra Kelly.
19.20 – The dream that changed Terra’s path.
20:40 – How to face the doubt.
22.20 – Don’t compare your start to other people’s middles.
24.40 – The power of the Harlequin Romance.
26.20 – Does loving multiple genres affect your writing?
28.30 – Learning the pros of plotting.
30.45 – Why is the happily ever after so important?
33.50 – Can we drop the F bomb in romance?
35.45 – How do audience expectations differ between genres?
40.30 – Do people look down on romance?
42.25 – The power of a supportive community.
47.40 – How can you get your books to stand out?
50.30 – Why go permafree?
53.04 – How to build a community around your book.
59.20 – How has the romance industry changed since Terra started publishing?
1.02.40 – How did readers react to changing to and from rapid release?
1.03.45 – But did it help her improve as a writer?
1.06.00 – How does Terra support other writers?
1.08.20 – What holds people back from sharing their stories?
1.11.00 – Is NaNoWriMo a good motivator?
1.15.45 – Which book changed Terra’s life?
1.17.45 – Where can you find out more about Terra?

Why Worldbuilding Matters for More Than Just Fantasy and Sci-fi (with Alexa Whitewolf)

Thu, 28 Oct 2021 06:00:00 +0000

Alexa Whitewolf provides editing services through Luna Imprints Author Services (which is often shortened to LIAS) to new and established authors. Her mission is to help indies achieve their dreams of self-publishing their books by helping them fine-tune their novels to publishing quality.

Alexa is also a dog-loving, caffeine-addicted, all-around traveling enthusiast. Author of fantasy, paranormal and young adult books, she spends her nights dreaming up new stories and her days fighting reality. She lives in Ottawa, Canada, with her husband and two mischievous furballs, Zeus and Achilles.

In this episode, you'll learn:

The importance of worldbuilding in genres like romance
How culture can show what your world is like
The difference between worldbuilding in first and third person
Common worldbuilding mistakes

Show notes:

00.00 – Introduction
01.35 – Kristina hates worldbuilding?!
04.22 – Kristina has had an epiphany.
05.50 – Interview with Alexa Whitewolf.
06.55 – Do you just need worldbuilding for sci-fi and fantasy?
09.10 – Is worldbuilding harder in the real world?
11.20 – Kristina almost gave up because of worldbuilding.
12.20 – When should you start worldbuilding for a piece?
14.20 – Adding in more magic as you go.
15.30 – Using the five senses to make magic.
18.10 – How much worldbuilding should be included in a story?
19.50 – Don’t break the pace!
22.45 – We all love Downton Abbey (and not just for Maggie Smith)
24.00 – What do your audience actually need to know?
27.45 – Worldbuilding in Vampire Academy is amazing.
29.45 – A big worldbuilding mistake…
32.30 – Don’t neglect the culture.
36.30 – What are the rules and restrictions?
42.00 – Breaking the norms.
46.00 – Do you build the world differently in first person?
50.00 – Stop head hopping and focus on the reader.
52.40 – What book changed Alexa’s life?
56.10 – Where can you find out more about Alexa?

What You Need to Publish Six-Figure Paranormal Romance (with Lee Savino)

Thu, 21 Oct 2021 06:00:00 +0000

Lee Savino is a USA today bestselling author. Her books have sold millions of copies and have been translated into five languages. She teaches and coaches other authors and you can find her in the Millionaire Author Mastermind group on Facebook.

In this episode, you'll learn:

If a creative writing degree can help you with your publishing career
Why you need to focus on the books that sell, but still write the ones that don't
Ways to help with physical and mental roadblocks that are holding you back
How to embrace your writing style

Show notes:

00.00 – Introduction
01.40 – Public speaking and Kristina’s storytelling skills
05.00 – Ellie is dissertation free and loving writing again.
06.50 – Overlaps are causing problems for Kristina…
12.35 – Interview with Lee Savino
15.00 – Are Creative Writing degrees really all that?
17.00 – Hiding away to read erotica.
17.40 – Is erotica harder to market?
18.50 – Tess of the d'Urbervilles doesn’t get a happy ending.
19.30 – Who decides the heat level?
20.35 – Moving to menage e troi and playing to your strengths.
23.45 – Push your work horses!
25.25 – The best book marketing tactic.
27.15 – Choosing the marketing angle.
28.30 – Are tropes in genre fiction important?
32.10 – Digging deeper into your character emotions.
34.00 – The most successful tropes for paranormal romance.
36.40 – Readers remember the toilet snakes.
41.40 – What’s Lee’s favourite trope to write?
44.45 – Learning from romance novels, even if it’s not your normal genre.
47.30 – People really like office romances.
48.50 – Tips for writers who are trying to find their voice.
53.50 – Don’t lose your voice’s beating heart.
54.45 – There’s such a thing as too polished.
58.40 – Listen to your body!
1.02.00 – Writing while walking…
1.05.00 – The power of going back to the basics.
1.05.50 – What is one book that changed Lee’s life?

Join the Millionaire Author Mastermind Facebook group.

Getting Started Freelance Writing (with Gudrun Lauret)

Thu, 14 Oct 2021 06:00:00 +0000

Gudrun had her first piece of work published in a national magazine 24 years ago and she’s been writing on and off ever since. She’s worked with a range of clients providing copywriting, content marketing, and repurposing, including IT & personal finance experts, digital marketers, personal trainers, coaches and consultants, but she’s now niching into history and heritage.

In this episode, you'll learn:

Why networking is key for freelancers
How niching can help you build your business
The importance of charging what you're worth
How to get your first writing gigs

Show notes

00.00 – Introduction
02.00 – Reluctant heroes and belated magical powers.
05.20 – Interview with Gudrun Lauret.
07.35 – Content marketing vs copywriting .
09.30 – How did Gudrun get into freelance writing.
12.40 – What’s the best way to get into freelance writing?
15.90 – How to get into copywriting.
17.50 – So is journaling the same?
19.30 – How to hook some experts to draw on.
22.50 – Networking by the coffee table.
27.45 – Newbie networking is invaluable.
29.50 – Time to write for pennies?
30.30 – Falling prey to low paying, picky clients.
37.25 – Tips for taking levelling up your writing experience.
42.35 – Which book changed her life?
47.25 – Where to find out more about Gudrun.

The books that changed Gudrun's life

*Affiliate link. It won't cost you any extra to purchase through one of our links, but we will get a small commission for every purchase.

Social Media Branding for Authors (with Christine Gritmon)

Thu, 07 Oct 2021 06:00:00 +0000

Christine Gritmon empowers small business owners and solopreneurs to tell their own stories on social media. You CAN do it – she’ll teach you how! She’s spoken on stages worldwide and is a frequent expert guest on podcasts, live streams, Twitter chats, and blog posts, as well as hosting her own weekly Twitter chat, #ChatAboutBrand, and live interview show, Let’s Talk About Brand.

In this episode, you'll learn:

Why branding isn't what you think it is
The pros and cons of having an author brand
Where you should build your author brand

Show notes:

00.00 – Introduction
02.00 – Ellie finally finished a big project!
09.30 – Kristina eats her words when it comes to outlining.
12.50 – Interview with Christine Gritmon.
14.00 – Do authors need to worry about branding?
16.00 – Is it worth improving your brand, even though it’s scary?
21.20 – Success is all about human connection.
24.00 – How to safely put yourself out there when you’re scared to do it.
27.00 – Methods for building branding that you might not have thought of.
31.00 – How you can use your own imperfections to create relatable content.
35.22 – The three essentials for a new author brand.
38.17 – The importance of a website and an email list.
40.10 – The pitfalls of relying on social media.
42.35 – Should you be using Facebook groups?
47.10 – How to use content from Facebook groups to get engagement elsewhere.
52.26 – Is authenticity in branding even authentic anymore?
55.40 – How to be authentically authentic.
1.03.00 – Is social media important for branding?
1.03.50 – What is the best social media platform for authors to focus on?
1.06.10 – The impact of pen names on branding.
01.11.45 – Which book changed Christine’s life?
01.14.19 – Where to find more about Christine.

How to Avoid Second Book Syndrome

Thu, 30 Sep 2021 06:00:00 +0000

Second book syndrome. The sophomore slump. Call it what you like; all writers will face it at some point. It can strike whether it's your second book, the second book in a series, or the second book of a new pen name.

In this episode, Kristina talks about how she faced second book syndrome with her What Happens in... series, and avoided it for her next two series.

You'll learn:

What the sophomore slump is
How to not get stuck on your work in progress
The importance of research---and where to do it

Show notes:

0.00 – What is second book syndrome?

02.05 – Did Kristina suffer with second book syndrome?

02.30 – Kristina’s writing process for The Mummy’s Curse.

05.00 – Using Egyptian mummies for comas!

06.50 – Drawing on documentaries and more for research.

12.50 – How to avoid the sophomore slump.

17.00 – Support us on Patreon.

Kristina's books

The Mummy's Curse

What Happens in New York

What Happens in London

Hollywood Gossip

Hollywood Parents

Books mentioned

Other things mentioned

*Affiliate link. It won't cost you any extra, but we'll get a small commission for each sale.

How to Edit Your Fiction (with Kristina Stanley from Fictionary)

Thu, 23 Sep 2021 06:00:00 +0000

To get your Fictionary discount, use the code KADAMS at checkout.

Combining her degree in computer mathematics with her success as a bestselling, award-winning author and fiction editor, Kristina Stanley is the creator and CEO of Fictionary - creative editing software for fiction writers and editors. She is a Fictionary Certified Story Coach. Her novels include The Stone Mountain mystery series and Look the Other Way. She’s the author of The Author’s Guide to Selling Book to Non-Bookstores. She’s a passionate guide-dog trainer and hiker.

In this episode, you'll learn:

How a lack of story structure affects your reader
How to develop your self-editing technique
Ways Fictionary can make life more organised for writers and editors

Show notes

00.00 – Introduction
02.00 – Personal updates
09.10 – Interview with Kristina Stanley
11.00 – Why is story structure so important?
12.35 – The difference between form and formula.
13.40 – The best story structures for you to follow.
14.45 – The key plot points and why are they so important
18.40 – Does every scene need a purpose?
22.40 – Why do people struggle with editing?
25.40 – How can you improve your self-editing skills?
27.50 – Should you head hop in your story?
32.35 – How does Fictionary help you write your book?
35.50 – Why did Kristina start Fictionary?
38.25 – How does Fictionary’s editor compare to a real life editor?
42.55 – Which feature of Fictionary could Kristina not live without?
45.00 – Do you need to outline to use Fictionary?
46.45 – The book that changed Kristina’s life.
49.35 – Where to find out more about Kristina and Fictionary.

Visit the Fictionary website.

The book that changed Kristina’s life

Moonlight Becomes You – Mary Higgins Clark

Amazon UK *
Amazon US *

Books mentioned

Beowulf

Amazon UK *
Amazon US *

Gone Girl – Gillian Flynn

Amazon UK *
Amazon US *

Twilight – Stephenie Meyer

Amazon UK *
Amazon US *

*Affiliate link. It won’t cost you any extra to purchase through one of our links, but we will get a small commission for every purchase.

Podcasting for Authors (with Matty Dalrymple)

Thu, 16 Sep 2021 06:00:00 +0000

Matty Dalrymple is a thriller and suspense author who lives with her husband and their dogs in Chester County, Pennsylvania, and enjoys vacationing on Mount Desert Island, Maine, and Sedona, Arizona, and these locations provide the settings for her work. Matty is a member of Sisters in Crime and the Brandywine Valley Writers Group.

Show notes:

00.00 – Introductions
01.30 – Personal update
03.10 – Interview with Matty Dalrymple
05.25 – Why did Matty start a podcast?
07.50 – What is the hardest part about podcasting?
18.20 – What is the most surprising thing about podcasting?
23.20 – The A, the B, and the three C’s of indie publishing.
25.45 – How to come up with podcast and interview topics.
31.00 – What types of writers benefit the most from podcasting?
32.40 – What has podcasting taught Matty about herself and her writing?
40.50 – Should you write first thing in the morning?
45.45 – Does podcasting have an impact on writing?
48.45 – Which book changed Matty’s life?
50.35 – Where can you go to find out more about Matty?

Mentions

Screenwriting Mindset (with Kevin Wilde)

Thu, 09 Sep 2021 06:00:00 +0000

Kevin Wilde is an award-winning, American screenwriter. His horror/thriller screenplay 'Murdock' is currently signed to a shopping agreement with Four Thieves Productions, and his co-written LGBTQ romantic comedy 'Get the Girl' is signed to a shopping agreement with Disrupting Influence. Kevin has a passion for writing compelling character-driven stories that often represent the LGBTQ+ community.

In this episode, you'll learn:

Why you're never too old to start writing
How to get into the screenwriting industry
The importance of feedback from your peers

Show notes

00.00 – Introduction
02.22 – Writing themed Room 101!
05.20 – Interview with Kevin Wilde
07.15 – What made him commit to writing?
09.20 – How did Murdock come about?
11.22 – Should you use a screenwriting formula?
13.45 – What’s Kevin’s writing process?
21.25 – Does living in the middle of no where stop you from being a writer?
23.50 – Is networking important for success as a writer?
28.30 – What is so surprising about the screenwriting community?
30.48 – What is the best trait to learn for a writer?
33.05 – How to build patience as a writer?
35.26 – Are you ever too old to write?
37.05 – Which book changed Kevin’s life?
38.34 – Where can you find out more about Kevin?

Misery – Stephen King

Resources mentioned

*Affiliate link. It won’t cost you any extra to purchase through one of our links, but we will get a small commission for every purchase.

Self-Publishing 101 and the Horror Genre (with Daniel Willcocks)

Thu, 02 Sep 2021 06:00:00 +0000

Daniel Willcocks is an international bestselling author and award-nominated podcaster of dark fiction. He is an author coach; one fifth of digital story studio, Hawk & Cleaver; co-founder of iTunes-busting fiction podcast, ‘The Other Stories‘;’ CEO of horror imprint, Devil’s Rock Publishing; and the co-host of the ‘Next Level Authors’ podcast.

In this episode, you'll learn:

The BIG mistakes indie authors make
Why it's important to remember publishing is a long-term game
How horror reflects the human psyche
Why some people look down on genres like horror and romance

Show notes:

00.00 – Introduction
04.30 – Podcast update
06.25 – Personal updates
09.28 – Interview with Daniel Wilcocks
10.25 – What are the biggest mistakes that indie authors make?
15.25 – What should you do if you’re terrified of anyone reading your first book?
19.48 – What are the first steps to launching a book?
23.32 – What are the biggest mindset issues writers face?
28.40 – Why is it so important to show up for yourself?
32.10 – Why is it important to see through the bullshit?
38.14 – How does Daniel get focused during his writing sessions?
43.00 – Who is Deathbed Dan?
49.58 – What’s appeal of horror?
1.03.15 – Is there a benefit to writing shorter projects?
1.06.52 – Some horror books for anyone looking to get into the genre.
1.09.28 – Which book changed Daniel’s life?
1.10.53 – Where can you find out more about Daniel?

Daniel Willcocks’s books

Self-Publishing 101

Visit Daniel's website.

*Affiliate link. It won’t cost you any extra to purchase through one of our links, but we will get a small commission for every purchase.

How to Market a Book in 2021 (with Nicholas Erik)

Thu, 26 Aug 2021 06:00:00 +0000

Nicholas Erik is a sci-fi and fantasy novelist who has written over 20 books.

For fellow indie authors, he writes comprehensive guides on how to sell more books, build your fanbase, and be more productive.

We sat down with him to talk about the trifecta of indie success: craft, productivity, and marketing.

In this episode, you'll learn:

The best way to market a single book
Why mailing lists are so important
How to find a writing routine that works for you
Which type of paid advertising will get you the highest ROI

Show notes:

00.00 – Introductions
02.23 – Personal updates
6.12 – Interview with Nick Erik
7.30 – What is the trifecta of success, and why is it so important for indies to get right?
9.00 – Why should indies use the 80/20 rule?
18.00 – Quick wins with minimal budget
21.50 – Do regular promos devalue your writing?
25.28 – What's the best way to promote your first book?
37.55 – What if you have no idea what you’re doing?
41.20 – Can you sell yourself too much?
45.25 – How to deal with bad reviews.
55.30 – Why do people put money into the books that don't sell?
1.00.00 – What's the biggest book marketing myth?
1.06.00 – How to be in it for the long term
1.22.00 – How do you cope when it’s hard to write?
1.29.25 – Which book changed Nicholas Erik’s life?
1.33.24 – Where can you find out more about Nicholas Erik?

Nicholas Erik's books

The Ultimate Guide to Book Marketing

Books discussed

The Da Vinci Code - Dan Brown

What I learned Losing a Million Dollars - Jim Paul and Brendan Moynihan

*Affiliate link. It won't cost you any extra to purchase through one of our links, but we will get a small commission for every purchase.

Traditional vs Indie Publishing (with Elizabeth Spann Craig)

Thu, 19 Aug 2021 06:00:00 +0000

Cosy mystery author Elizabeth Spann Craig is a library-loving, avid mystery reader. A pet-owning Southerner, her four series are full of cats, corgis, and cheese grits. The mother of two, she lives with her husband, a fun-loving corgi, and a shy fluffball of a cat.

We spoke with Elizabeth about her history as a traditionally published author with Penguin, her transition to indie publishing, and her writing process.

You'll learn:

The differences (and similarities) between traditional and independent publishing
About traditional publishing marketing models
How much traditionally published authors make
The reasons Elizabeth switched to indie publishing
Why it's important to work with the right team, regardless of how you publish
What it's like to write multiple long-running series

Show notes:

00.24 - Introductions
03.30 - Personal Updates
12.40 - Interview with Elizabeth Spann Craig
13.31 - Why go from traditional publishing to indie publishing?
18.30 - What would you say to someone who can’t decide whether to go indie or trad?
21.45 - What are the biggest changes when moving to indie publishing?
25.15 - How does the marketing process differ between traditional publishing compared to indie publishing?
29.35 - What are the pros and cons of traditional publishing?
34.22 - How has Elizabeth’s writing changed over time?
41.15 - What’s it like writing a really long series?
47.55 - Why publish some books under a pen name?
56.00 - Is it worth creating an author blog?
1.00.40 - Which book changed Elizabeth’s life?
1.02.45 - Where can we find out more about Elizabeth?

Read Elizabeth's Myrtle Clover Mysteries:

Read the Memphis Barbecue series:

Read Elizabeth's zombie book, Race to Refuge:

Download What Happens in New York:

Read Agatha Christie's And Then There Were None:

Amazon US *
Amazon UK *

About Agatha Christie's disappearance on BuzzFeed Unsolved.

*Affiliate link. It won't cost you any extra to purchase through one of our links, but we will get a small commission for every purchase.

Social Media Networking for Authors (with Tim Lewis)

Thu, 12 Aug 2021 06:00:00 +0000

Tim Lewis is a former IT manager in a financial markets company who, after the death of his wife, decided to try and become an author, writing time travel and then later fantasy books. In his efforts to try and work out how to sell books online, he became fascinated by using social media for business and to improve your life.

His latest book Social Media Networking he explores how to use social media to build connections to get ahead in your career, personal life and business. He has spoken at Cambridge Social Day and most recently at Agorapulse's What's Up Social event about the future of social media.

He's a host of the Oh No! Not Another Live Show! - a topical live show on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube and runs the #indieAuthorChat Twitter chat for the Alliance of Independent Authors. Recently he has started to concentrate on author and social media productivity and is creating courses on this for the SmallBusiness.live training site.

Would you like to improve your networking skills, particularly when it comes to social media? Tim Lewis is the author of Social Media Networking, and we picked his brain about all things writers are doing right - and wrong - with social media.

You'll learn:

The pros and cons of focusing on one platform instead of trying to be everywhere
The benefits of using social media for authors
Why automatically sharing posts between platforms is a bad idea

Show notes:

3.15 - Personal updates
7.07 - About Tim Lewis
9.55 - Why is networking important for writers?
12.10 - Should we be networking with readers or writers?
20.15 - How do you deal with networking and marketing as an introvert?
26.40 - Do writers need to be on social media to network?
29.10 - What mistakes do writers make on social media?
34.50 - Where to start with networking
39.55 - Is LinkedIn as useful for fiction authors as it can be for non-fiction?
45.30 - Social media DON’TS.
48.17 - Should we be using social media scheduling tools?
49.45 - If someone wants to stop cross posting, what should they do to change that?
53.50 - Which book changed Tim’s life
56.00 - Where can you find out more about Tim?

Writing Side Characters (with Sacha Black)

Thu, 05 Aug 2021 06:00:00 +0000

Sacha Black is a bestselling author, host of The Rebel Author Podcast and Next Level Authors, and a professional speaker. She writes amazing educational nonfiction books for writers, and fantasy for Young Adult and adult audiences. She lives in Cambridgeshire with her wife and son.

In this episode, you'll discover:

Why side characters drive your plot forwards
Why your story needs a theme
Juggling a writing (and podcasting!) schedule with raising small people
How to use time blocks effectively
The benefits of a morning writing routine (and how much of a different it's made to Kristina's writing in a week!)

Show notes:

3.30 – Patreon shoutout
4.04 – Personal updates
11.50 – About Sacha Black
12.50 – Why are side characters so important?
14.50 – How side characters can be used to represent the theme of your story
17.30 – Do different genres require different characters and different characterisation?
21.45 – Is it time to cut that side character?
28.00 – The two types of character deaths
40.00 – Stop fridging your characters!
33.15 – How literal and metaphorical deaths affect your characters
48.50 – How to juggle writing books, raising a child, and everything else
55.05 – Setting an example for the next generation
59.10 – Time management when you’ve got too much to do
1.08.15 – The two books that changed Sacha’s life
1.11.25 – Where to find Sacha online

Preorder 8 Steps to Side Characters by Sacha Black:

Preorder the 8 Steps to Side Characters Workbook by Sacha Black:

Sacha's most inspiring books:

The Day of the Triffids by John Wyndham:

Divergent series box set by Veronica Roth:

Other books discussed:

Lifelong Writing Habits by Chris Fox:

The Heroine's Journey by Gail Carriger

*Affiliate link. It won't cost you any extra to purchase through one of our links, but we will get a small commission for every purchase.

The Writer's Mindset season 3 trailer

Fri, 30 Jul 2021 06:00:00 +0000

Get a taste of what's coming up in season 3 of The Writer's Mindset - starting 5 August 2021!

Coming up, we've got:

Sacha Black on writing side characters - 5 August

Tim Lewis on social media networking for authors - 12 August

Elizabeth Spann Craig on indie vs traditional publishing - 19 August

Nicholas Erik on book marketing - 26 August

Daniel Willcocks on self publishing 101 and the horror genre - 2 September

Kevin Wilde on life as a Hollywood screenwriter - 9 September

Matty Dalrymple on podcasting for authors - 16 September

Kristina Stanley from Fictionary on editing with AI - 23 August

And that's just for starters ;)

Get access to early episodes, bonus content, and more over on Patreon for less than a coffee a month: https://www.patreon.com/writersmindset

Quick Tip: How Rest (or a Lack of It) Impacts Our Writing

Thu, 29 Jul 2021 06:00:00 +0000

In this final quick tip before the start of season three, we're talking all about rest. Do you get enough of it? Do you feel recharged?

Download The Ghost's Call: http://books2read.com/the-ghosts-call

Support us on Patreon: www.patreon.com/writersmindset

Quick Tip: How to Get Super Focused During Writing Sessions

Thu, 22 Jul 2021 06:00:00 +0000

Sitting down to write all day when you're not used to it isn't a great way to hit your word count. If you're not used to writing in long bursts, your brain won't be able to focus for that long. Here's what you should be doing instead.

In this quick tip to tide you over until season three, it's time to focus on focus.

Download The Ghost's Call: http://books2read.com/the-ghosts-call

Support us on Patreon: www.patreon.com/writersmindset

Quick Tip: Why You Need to Stop Seeking Perfection in Your Writing

Thu, 15 Jul 2021 06:00:00 +0000

Are you a perfectionist?

How much writing does that allow you to get done?

Here's what you should be focusing on instead.

In this quick tip to tide you over until season three, we're going to look at how perfectionism holds you back in your writing career.

Download The Ghost's Call: http://books2read.com/the-ghosts-call

Support us on Patreon: www.patreon.com/writersmindset

Quick Tip: The Benefits of the RIGHT Plan

Thu, 08 Jul 2021 06:00:00 +0000

In this quick tip to tide you over until season three, we look not just what you're planning, or why you're planning, but HOW to plan in an effective way.

Download The Ghost's Call: http://books2read.com/the-ghosts-call

Support us on Patreon: www.patreon.com/writersmindset

Quick Tip: How Supportive is Your Network?

Thu, 01 Jul 2021 06:00:00 +0000

In this quick tip to tide you over until season three, we look at the impact surrounding yourself with the right (or wrong) people can make to your writing and publishing career.

Support us on Patreon: www.patreon.com/writersmindset

Download The Ghost's Call: http://books2read.com/the-ghosts-call

How to Write Any Kind of Relationship With Accuracy and Honesty

Thu, 24 Jun 2021 06:00:00 +0000

A book without any relationships would be seriously lacking in conflict. Which means you don't have much of a story.

It doesn't matter what genre you write, the relationships between your characters will drive the plot forwards, add depth to other characters, and create conflict.

In this episode, you'll learn:

Why all relationships have consequences
How to write LGBTQ+ relationships
Mistakes writers make when writing relationships
How to make sure relationships feel three-dimensional to readers

Become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/writersmindset

Download The Ghost's Call: https://books2read.com/the-ghosts-call

Preorder The Mummy's Curse on Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/366VurQ*

Preorder The Mummy's Curse on Amazon US: https://amzn.to/368785X*

Preorder The Mummy's Curse on Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/us/book/the-mummys-curse/id1572098462?itsct=books_box_link&itscg=30200&at=1000l335I&ct=books_the_mummy%27s_curse&ls=1*

Download Robyn Peterman's Good to the Last Death series on Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3xcFEbh*

Download Robyn Peterman's Good to the Last Death series on Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3xcFEbh*

*Denotes an affiliate link. We'll get a small commission for every sale made through an affiliate link, but it won't cost you any extra :)

When You Should (and Shouldn't) Use a Pen Name

Thu, 17 Jun 2021 06:00:00 +0000

Soooo we accidentally uploaded the wrong file for this when we first published it. Sorry about that! The right file on when you should (and shouldn't) use a pen name, is now live.

Whether or not to use a pen name is a common predicament for new and experienced writers.

In this episode, you'll learn:

The most common reasons authors use pen names
When you SHOULDN'T use a pen name
The downside to names readers can't spell

Become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/writersmindset

Download The Ghost's Call - https://books2read.com/the-ghosts-call

5 Newbie Writer Mistakes to Avoid

Thu, 10 Jun 2021 06:00:00 +0000

Are you making these common newbie writer mistakes?

Even if you're not new to writing, you could still be making one of these mistakes (did we mention thinking you know everything is one of them?).

In this episode, you'll learn:

Why there's no such thing as a magical writing muse
The reasons why calling yourself a 'newbie' or 'amateur' writer is detrimental to your writing
The importance of using beta readers

Become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/writersmindset

Book of the Week - The Storyteller by Jodi Picoult

Download on Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3jBfXNr*

Download on Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3jzIJ19*

Download on Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/us/book/the-storyteller/id543378872?itsct=books_box_link&itscg=30200&at=1000l335I&ct=books_the_storyteller&ls=1*

*Denotes an affiliate link. We'll get a small commission for every download made through the link, but it won't cost you any extra.

What is Emotional Distance (and Why Does it Matter)?

Thu, 03 Jun 2021 06:00:00 +0000

Emotional distance is the key to building your editing skills and becoming a better writer.

You'll learn:

Why you need emotional distance from your writing
How to build emotional distance
How to improve your self-editing skills

Become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/writersmindset

Book of the Week - Novel Shortcuts by Laura Whitcomb

Download on Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3huICB7*

Download on Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/2TkLwk9*

*Affiliate link. It won't cost you any extra, but we'll get a small commission if you purchase via one of our links :)

Can You Reprogramme Your Brain For Success?

Thu, 27 May 2021 06:00:00 +0000

This week, we're talking all about if changing your perspective can change your life.

You'll learn:

Why the language you use matters - to yourself and those around you
Ways to change your inner narrative
How to read more (without feeling like you're reading more)

Become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/writersmindset

Book of the week - Depression and Other Magic Tricks – Sabrina Benaim

Download on Amazon US: https://amzn.to/366X7FY*

Download on Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3xeScPs*

Download on Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/gb/book/depression-other-magic-tricks/id1274912118?itsct=books_box_link&itscg=30200&at=1000l335I&ct=books_depression_%26_other_magic_tricks&ls=1*

*Affiliate link. It won't cost you any extra, but we'll get a small commission if you purchase via one of our links :)

What Nobody Tells You About Being a Full-Time Writer

Thu, 20 May 2021 06:00:00 +0000

Many of us dream of becoming full-time writers, but what's life actually like when writing is your only source of income?

We'll cover:

Getting motivated
Working towards long-term goals
The importance of multiple streams of income

Become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/writersmindset

Nonfiction book sale (ends 23/05/21)

Check out ATOMIC's Success Predictor*

Book of the week - Black Box Thinking by Matthew Syed

Download on Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3jAZIQx*

Download on Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3jzKZWb*

Download on Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/us/book/black-box-thinking/id960043991?itsct=books_box_link&itscg=30200&at=1000l335I&ct=books_black_box_thinking&ls=1*

*Affiliate link. It won't cost you any extra, but we'll get a small commission if you purchase via one of our links :)

Overcoming Perfectionism in First Drafts

Thu, 13 May 2021 06:00:00 +0000

Do you ever feel like you'll never finish anything because perfectionism is eating away at you? In this episode, we're going to talk about how perfectionism impacts our writing, and how we can combat it.

We'll cover:

Why perfectionism is detrimental to writing first drafts
What your first draft really needs
How to escape a negative point of view
The importance of rewards for retraining your brain

Become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/writersmindset

Book of the week - The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

Download on Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3hagUKZ*

Download on Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/369sIa8*

Download on Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/us/book/the-perks-of-being-a-wallflower/id381483779?itsct=books_box_link&itscg=30200&at=1000l335I&ct=books_the_perks_of_being_a_wallflower&ls=1*

Listener pick - To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

Download on Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3jwwtOW*

Download on Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3dDFeTv*

Download on Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/us/book/to-kill-a-mockingbird/id871961347?itsct=books_box_link&itscg=30200&at=1000l335I&ct=books_to_kill_a_mockingbird&ls=1*

How to Write Believable Characters - Kristina Adams

Download on Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3dxiEMn*

Download on Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/2TxtFGu*

Download on Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/us/book/how-to-write-believable-characters/id1535854825?itsct=books_box_link&itscg=30200&at=1000l335I&ct=books_how_to_write_believable_characters&ls=1*

10 Steps to Hero - Sacha Black

Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3jG1Pmb*

Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3AwUITg*

Apple: https://books.apple.com/us/book/10-steps-to-hero-how-to-craft-a-kickass-protagonist/id1443343525?itsct=books_box_link&itscg=30200&at=1000l335I&ct=books_10_steps_to_hero_how_to_craft_a_ki&ls=1*

The Anatomy of Prose - Sacha Black

Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3ylHsip*

Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/2TrG9iU*

Apple: https://books.apple.com/us/book/the-anatomy-of-prose/id1505510135?itsct=books_box_link&itscg=30200&at=1000l335I&ct=books_the_anatomy_of_prose&ls=1*

13 Steps to Evil - Sacha Black

Amazon US: https://amzn.to/2UjzuHI*

Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3jDoWxM*

Apple: https://books.apple.com/us/book/13-steps-to-evil-how-to-craft-a-superbad-villain/id1322028135?itsct=books_box_link&itscg=30200&at=1000l335I&ct=books_13_steps_to_evil___how_to_craft_a&ls=1*

*Affiliate link. It won't cost you any extra, but we'll get a small commission if you purchase via one of our links :)

Lessons From Writing 5,000 Words a Day

Thu, 06 May 2021 06:00:00 +0000

In January 2021, Kristina Adams set herself the challenge to write 5,000 words per day until she had a finished draft of her next book. In this episode, we're talking about what she's learnt - and what you can learn from her.

We'll cover:

The most effective way to grow as a writer
Why most people SHOULDN'T write 5,000 words per day
Understanding genre expectations

Book of the week - Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden

Read on Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3h2Mmve*

Read on Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3nQYaCh*

Read on Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/gb/book/memoirs-of-a-geisha/id436353454?itsct=books_box_link&itscg=30200&at=1000l335I&ct=books_memoirs_of_a_geisha&ls=1*

Writing programs we love

Become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/writersmindset

*Affiliate link. It won't cost you any extra, but we'll get a small commission if you purchase via one of our links :)

7 and 1/2 Lesser-Known Mistakes Indie Authors Make

Thu, 29 Apr 2021 06:00:00 +0000

It doesn't matter how long we've been publishing, sometimes there are gaps in our knowledge. In this episode, we're going to look at:

Why you need a business mindset to succeed as an indie author
How preorders work on different platforms
The benefits of defining success
Why you need a body of work, not one book, to make a living

Book of the week - Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

Amazon US: https://amzn.to/2TlttKH*

Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3hqHgaN*

Apple: https://books.apple.com/us/book/vampire-academy/id357991657?itsct=books_box_link&itscg=30200&at=1000l335I&ct=books_vampire_academy&ls=1*

Listener pick (Alexa Whitewolf) - The Entrepreneur’s Guide to Getting Your Shit Together by John Carlton

Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3w7WYwB*

Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3dBHfj6*

Become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/writersmindset

*Affiliate link. It won't cost you any extra, but we'll get a small commission if you purchase via one of our links :)

Why You Need to Stop Calling Yourself a Plotter or a Pantser

Thu, 22 Apr 2021 06:00:00 +0000

It's common for writers to label themselves as 'plotters', 'pantsers', or even 'plantsers', but in this week's episode, we're asking if it really matters?

In this episode, you'll learn:

- Why it isn't about the writer, it's about the book

- How you know when you've planned too much

- Why labelling yourself as a plotter or a pantser digs you into a hole

- The importance of writing down your ideas

Book of the week - Lifelong Writing Habit by Chris Fox

Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3jCG4Uy*

Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3jCG4Uy*

Become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/writersmindset

*Affiliate link. It won't cost you any extra, but we'll get a small commission if you purchase via one of our links :)

The Myth of Quality vs Quantity in Publishing

Thu, 15 Apr 2021 06:00:00 +0000

Writers often pitch quality and quantity against each other. But what if it isn't an either/or thing?

What if you could publish great quality books – at a quantity that allows you to pay the bills?

In this episode, you’ll learn:

The fastest ways to grow your writing craft
Why endlessly tweaking the same work in progress is bad for your writing – and mental health
Why rapid releasing your books is effective, but when you SHOULDN’T do it

Book of the week - I Would Leave Me If I Could by Halsey

Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3qHIRwT*

Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3hcg8gN*

Apple: https://books.apple.com/us/book/i-would-leave-me-if-i-could/id1460614957?itsct=books_box_link&itscg=30200&at=1000l335I&ct=books_i_would_leave_me_if_i_could.&ls=1*

*Affiliate link. It won't cost you any extra, but we'll get a small commission if you purchase via one of our links :)

You can support us by visiting patreon.com/writersmindset

Writing Through Depression

Thu, 08 Apr 2021 06:00:00 +0000

It's time to talk frankly about depression and mental health, and how it can impact our writing.

In this episode, you'll learn:

How to channel your mental health issues into your writing
The benefits of channeling depression into your writing
How Kristina used her depression and grief to fuel her writing
Why publishing a book can feel like such an anticlimax

Book of the week - Queenie by Candice Carty-Williams

Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3yjQnk6*

Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3h9JXi0*

Apple: https://books.apple.com/us/book/queenie/id1432052416?itsct=books_box_link&itscg=30200&at=1000l335I&ct=books_queenie&ls=1*

Become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/writersmindset

*Affiliate link. It won't cost you any extra, but we'll get a small commission if you purchase via one of our links :)

Why We're Changing Our Podcast Name

Thu, 01 Apr 2021 06:00:00 +0000

We've got a BIG announcement – we're changing our podcast name. Here's why, and what you can expect coming up.

Dialogue vs Description: Which is More Important?

Thu, 04 Mar 2021 07:00:00 +0000

The ultimate writing royale: which is more important? Great dialogue or great description?

What you'll learn:

Are you using too much dialogue? How to balance it out with description
How – and when – to use purple prose (or, as Kristina calls it, frilly knicker writing)
When to use dialogue (and when not to)
How to deepen your connection with your readers

Women Writers: Maya Angelou – Inspiring Woman

Thu, 25 Feb 2021 07:00:00 +0000

Trigger warning: this episode includes brief discussions of child abuse. Listener discretion is advised.

Many of us remember Maya Angelou as a poet, but she didn't publish her first poetry collection until she was in her 40s. What did she do before then? And what can we learn from her? Let's find out...

Consequences and Limitations in Fantasy Writing and Beyond

Thu, 18 Feb 2021 07:00:00 +0000

Real life has consequences and limitations, so why shouldn't our characters' actions if we want them to be realistic?

In this episode, we explore why consequences and limitations matter, and some ways they're used in TV and books.

What you’ll learn:

The importance of increasing the stakes in your story
Why consequences and limitations aren’t just for fantasy writers
Why we need to write about health more – even in fiction
What happens when your characters’ actions DON’T have consequences

How to Add More Emotion into Your Writing

Thu, 11 Feb 2021 07:00:00 +0000

Do you need more emotion in your story? Probably. You can never have too much of the very thing that deepens your reader's connection with your characters!

In this episode, we look at how you can add more emotion to your writing by working on your own emotional awareness.

Warning: things get a little emotional!

What you’ll learn:

The secret technique to writing more emotive scenes
Ways to build your self-awareness
Why bottling up your emotions is bad for your characters
The difference using the right – or wrong – language can make to readers’ interpretations
How to overcome your emotional barriers (it's not what you think, but it works)

Shoutout to: Mary Beth Bretzlauf, Cassie Kelly, Geoff White, Techdojo, and Bessie Clarke!

Do You Need a Daily Writing Habit?

Thu, 04 Feb 2021 07:00:00 +0000

Ah, the ultimate question for writers: should you write every day? What difference does it really make? Is there something you should aim for instead?

What you’ll learn:

The #1 thing that’s more important than writing every day
Why a daily writing habit changes your perspective
What to do on bad days (no, it isn’t soldier through)
Why some people go too easy on themselves (and how to spot the signs you are, too)
How fast you could write – if you concentrated on just writing

Women Writers: Beatrix Potter - Children's Fiction, Self-Publishing, and Conservationism

Thu, 28 Jan 2021 07:00:00 +0000

Join us as we discover Beatrix Potter's backstory. Featuring bats, mushrooms, sheep, and self-publishing.

Check out Millie's westitude over on Instagram: http://instagram.com/westhighlandmillie

Sources:

Beatrix Potter: The Extraordinary Life of a Victorian Genius - Linda Lear

https://www.theguardian.com/books/booksblog/2013/dec/17/beatrix-potter-peter-rabbit-self-publishing

https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/639716/mental-floss-store-reopening?utm_content=infinitescroll1

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beatrix_Potter

Character Arcs: What They Are and How to Write Them

Thu, 21 Jan 2021 07:00:00 +0000

Character arcs can be a huge part of what makes your character feel more relatable and realistic. In this episode, we'll take a look at what they are, why they matter, and how you can include them in plot-driven stories.

(Apologies for dodgy sound in places - Kristina's laptop was misbehaving!)

What you'll learn:

What character arcs are
Why you need to be mindful of reader expectations when crafting your character arc
How to create a character arc in three easy steps

Watch the replay of workshop on How to Write Character Arcs - Whatever Your Genre here: www.writerscookbook.com/arcsworkshop

What Makes a Good Character?

Thu, 14 Jan 2021 07:00:00 +0000

This week we're asking 'what makes a good character?' Is it about making them likeable, or are some traits more important?

What you'll learn:

Why referring to your characters as 'heroes' or 'villains' is damaging to your writing process (and what to call them instead)
Why your main character needs universal traits
The #1 thing you need to understand to write well-rounded characters

Books, films, and TV shows referenced:

Eat Pray Love - Elizabeth Gilbert
Big Magic - Elizabeth Gilbert
Gilmore Girls
Charmed
Spice Girls
Twilight - Stephenie Meyer
50 Shades of Grey - E.L.James
Mamma Mia!
You
The Hobbit - J.R.R.Tolkein
This is Us
The Dresden Files - Jim Butcher
Gone Girl - Gillian Flynn
Bad Feminist - Roxanne Gay
American Psycho - Brett Easton Ellis
Mindhunter - John Douglas
Difficult Mothers - Terri Apter

Women Writers: Charlotte Perkins Gilman - Writing, Depression, and Feminism

Thu, 07 Jan 2021 07:15:00 +0000

Find out about our first inspiring Woman Writer, Charlotte Perkins Gilman. Her short story, The Yellow Wallpaper, helped to change the way post-natal depression (sometimes called post-partum depression) was treated forever.

Setting Writing Goals You Can Actually Stick to

Thu, 07 Jan 2021 07:10:00 +0000

Want to get more focused with your writing? Surpass even your wildest writing dreams? Learn how in our episode all about setting better goals.

What you’ll learn:

Why writing goals are key to the success of your writing career
How to set goals you’ll actually stick to
Why most people fail (and how to make sure you don't)

How to Dig Yourself Out of a Plot Hole

Thu, 07 Jan 2021 07:05:00 +0000

Ah, the plot hole. So easy to fall into one, but not so easy to dig yourself out of. In this episode, we take a look at some techniques you can try to find your way out of a plot hole.

What you’ll learn:

What really causes you to get stuck in a plot hole (it isn’t what you think)
How plotting makes you more productive
3 techniques to dig yourself out of a plot hole

9 Surprising Reasons You Can't Finish Your Work in Progress

Thu, 07 Jan 2021 07:00:00 +0000

Stuck on your work in progress? Can't figure out why? Discover the 9 surprising reasons you can't finish your work in progress!

What you’ll learn:

How to spot when you’re overthinking your work in progress
Why editing as you write damages your confidence – and slows down your progress!
The importance of making not finding time to write
When do research (and when not to)

Show notes:

00.00 – Introductions
00.40 – Have you done enough research?
02.00 – Getting to know your characters.
05.15 – You’ve gotta know where you’re going.
07.20 – Getting tense.
10.50 – Do you know what your audience are expecting?
15.30 – Stop overthinking!
18.00 – Writing chronologically is overrated.
19.20 – Stop confusing your brain with multitasking.
22.00 – You have permission to make your first draft as terrible as possible.
24.15 – Keep things simple.
26.20 – No one else is going to prioritise your writing for you.
30.00 – Believe in yourself.
32.00 – Proving to yourself that you can do it.

The Writer's Cookbook Podcast Trailer

Mon, 28 Dec 2020 18:30:20 +0000

Welcome to The Writer's Cookbook podcast, serving you with your weekly slice of writing advice from January 2021! We'll talk about how to bring your characters to life, make your plots pop, and build a mindset that's sure to help you achieve success.

The Writer's Mindset

Writing Ghost Stories (with The Indy Author's Matty Dalrymple and Activated Author's Daniel Willcocks)

Self-care, energy levels, and looking ahead

Just 4 Mins of us Not Being Able to Speak, Read Our Own Scripts, or Get Zoom to Behave...

Blunders, Bumbles, and Bloopers

Analytics for Authors (Full Interview with Gail Carriger)

Links

Don't Forget Your Climax! How to Write Epic Endings

How to Create a Large, Diverse Cast Your Readers Will Love

How to Get to Know Your Characters Better

Writing Habits and Accountability (with Clarissa Gosling)

Analytics for Authors Part 2 (with Gail Carriger)

Analytics for Authors Part 1 (with Gail Carriger)

Plotting Made Simple (with Shane Millar)

Cancer, Writing, and Motivation (with Clare Stevens)

How to Juggle Writing and a Full-Time Job (with J.W. Judge)

Author Burnout (with Becca Syme)

Writing and Publishing Short Stories (with Matty Dalrymple)

Managing Multiple Streams of Income (with L.L. MacRae)

Writing Dialogue-Centric First Drafts (with Jeff Elkins)

Things You Should Know Before You Publish Your First Book

Interview Compilation - Characters and Theme

Interview Compilation - Dealing with Overwhelm

Interview Compilation - Plotting

Season 5 Bloopers

How Rest Helps You Get More Sh*t Done

How to Write a Successful Series (with Helen Scheuerer)

How to Write Brilliant Beginnings (with Shane Millar)

Reader Magnets and Cookies (with Tammi Labrecque)

Using History to Inspire Your Writing (with Gudrun Lauret)

Taking off Your Pants to Become a Plotter (with Libbie Hawker)

Should You Redesign Your Book Covers? (with G.M.White)

The Heroine's Journey and Reader Expectations (with Gail Carriger)

How to Build Your Audience and Make a Difference Doing it (with Miriam Laundry)

12 Writing Resources to Change Your Writing Life

Publishing Fiction via an App (with C.L. Peache)

Publishing Wide for the Win (with Mark Leslie Lefebvre)

How to Write Superbad Villains (with Sacha Black)

Mindset, Marketing, and More for Indie Authors (with Daniel Willcocks)

Parenting, Writing, and Productivity (with Sacha Black)

HEALTHY HABITS: Intro

The Link Between Horror and Comedy (with Jonathan Taylor)

Fluff Ups, Four-Legged Interruptions, and Segues

How to Worldbuild...When You Hate Worldbuilding

Links

Writing Cosy Mysteries (with Debbie Young)

What Every Author Website Needs (with Kenny MacKay)

How to Write and Publish on the Side of Your Day Job (with Lori Vajda and Nola Boea)

How to Self-Publish and Market Children's Fiction (with Darcy Pattison)

What Book Reviews Can Teach Us About Writing (with Gina Jackson)

Learning to Love Book Research (with Savannah Kade)

Should You Do a Creative Writing Degree? (with Jonathan Taylor)

Lessons Learned From Publishing 16 Books in 6 Years

Copyediting for Authors (with Kristin N. Spencer)

Video Marketing Mindset for Authors (with Jenna Moreci)

Book Launch Tips for 2022

Bloopers!

REVISITED: Perfectionism in First Drafts

REVISITED: Setting Writing Goals You Can ACTUALLY Stick to

REVISTED: 9 Reasons You Can't Finish Your Work in Progress

How Our Writing and Podcasting Has Changed in a Year

Creating FOMO for Your Books (with May King Tsang)

How to Communicate with Confidence (with Liz Solar)

Creating Conflict in Fiction (with Janice Hardy)

Writing Contemporary Romance (with Terra Kelly)

Why Worldbuilding Matters for More Than Just Fantasy and Sci-fi (with Alexa Whitewolf)

What You Need to Publish Six-Figure Paranormal Romance (with Lee Savino)

Getting Started Freelance Writing (with Gudrun Lauret)

The books that changed Gudrun's life

The Well-Fed Writer - Peter Bowerman

The 4-Hour Workweek - Timothy Ferris

Northern Lights (The Golden Compass) - Philip Pullman

A Tale of Time City - Diana Wynne Jones

Social Media Branding for Authors (with Christine Gritmon)

How to Avoid Second Book Syndrome

How to Edit Your Fiction (with Kristina Stanley from Fictionary)

The book that changed Kristina’s life

Moonlight Becomes You – Mary Higgins Clark

Books mentioned

Beowulf