Simply Write w/ Polly Campbell: Recent Episodes
Polly Cambell | Electracast
Have you always dreamed of writing? Of becoming a published author? Then you are in the right place, because in this podcast Simply Write, veteran magazine writer and author, Polly Campbell offers the kind of practical, behind-the-screens information and inspiration that will help you shape a writing career. We'll go deep into writing technique, mindset, markets, pitches, and the other details you'll need to publish your work and we will talk to bestselling authors about how they get their work done and published and how you can do it too. Join us every Monday when we talk about the craft of writing and the quirks of creating a writer's life. And consider joining the Simply Write community by becoming a subscriber at simplywrite.substack.com where you'll have access to exclusive material and bonus content.
Every time Polly hits "send" on a new piece, it's nerve-wracking, but especially when I'm going out cold, to the readers without editors or publishers to hone my work. Still, this regular practice of publishing on blogs or newsletters, even social media forums can elevate your writing, help you find your voice, and become better at taking a concept from your mind to the page for readers. Journaling, expressive writing, and morning pages are all important forms of writing. Heck, writing anything matters. But professional writers write for readers and the more often you do that, the better you'll become. So whether you have a big assignment in the works, or you are working top publish for the first time, this regular publishing practice will help. And, the What's in the Deak segment highlights a sweet notebook. Check it out here: https://papress.com/collections/journals-notebooks Get in touch: https://simplywrite.substack.com The Simply Write community is where I put this practice to the test. If you decide to take on this week's assignment leave a comment and let me know so I can be one of your readers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Study the Site to Become a Go-To Writer Livestrong.com Editor-in-Chief and Editorial Director Sarah Klein talks about the importance of collaboration between writers and editors. Writers who find success and publish repeatedly tend to be those who understand the site or publication they are pitching to and the needs of the readers. Klein suggests that writers study the publication they want to write for to get an idea of the audience, tone, and voice used and to avoid making assumptions on the page. She encourages her writers and editors to challenge assumptions and look for ways to make each piece and the information provided more accessible, applicable, and inclusive to all readers. "The writers I have the best relationships with are open to collaborating to fine-tune the voice and tone to fit the brand," Klein says. In the pitch form available at Livestrong.com Klein wants to know why the article you are pitching is ideal for Livestrong.com and why you are the one to write it. For more go to Livestrong.com or find Sarah Klein at Sarahklein.com
Connect with Polly and receive more writing tips, publishing insights, and author perspectives at Simply Write at https://simplywrite.substack.com https://pollycampbell.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Everyone talks about the Rules of Writing. The thing is many of them change depending on who you are talking to and the piece you are writing. Yet, this is a craft and we can become better writers by applying some basic techniques even while we learn about genre and figure out our process. No matter what you are writing, i think there are five things (and of course many more) that can instantly make your work better.
Avoid vague words.
Steer away from cliche and adverbs, at least some of the time. Not all of the time, though.
Vary your sentence length and structure to improve pacing and tone.
And the last two? Are all about the habits we need to avoid and the mindsets we have to adopt if we are going to get anything on the page. Listen to learn more. And let me know what techniques you use to instantly uplevel your writing. Join the Simply Write community at https://simplywrite.substack.com and drop a note or comment. And you can see how Ii apply some of the tips in my newest book You, Recharged. https://www.amazon.com/You-Recharged-Fatigue-Mostly-Usually/dp/1642504882/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1690564939&sr=1-1 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Quirky, interesting characters, a comfortable and familiar world, with plenty of clues and plot twists are the main things that keep readers coming back to a cozy mystery series, says Angela M. Sanders. She writes nonfiction pieces and is the author of multiple cozy mystery series, including the Witch Way Librarian Cozy Mysteries, beginning with Witch Upon a Star It's the continuity readers like and the safe, welcoming feel, Sanders says, but that poses unique challenges for the writer. You want to create a fictional world that is familiar and welcoming, yet interesting to old and new readers like and one that can accommodate the varied plot twists and turns throughout a long-running series. Sanders suggests cozy writers: Create a community or setting --with natural features and changing dynamics that would naturally attract new people -- characters-- so you have storylines for a long-running series. Drop in red herrings and clues for readers to follow throughout the book. And, don't forget to add some humor or funny, odd characters. You'll find these elements and others in Sander's books and these are the types of things she notices in real life too. "The world is a fascinating place and everyone has stories," Sanders says. In this far-reaching conversation Sanders shares her writing process, information about her advances and income, and how she creates a synopsis for each book for her publisher. Angela M. Sanders also coaches writers. For more about her coaching and books go to https://angelamsanders.com/ And, join the Simply Write community at https://simplywrite.substack.com for more about writing craft, and crafting a writing life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
There are plenty of times when the writing feels hard. When it's difficult to find flow, you are filled with self-doubt and everything you put down on the page seems to suck. Still, that's no reason to quit, and those difficult feelings don't have to keep you from writing. In fact, they shouldn't. And if you want to write to publish, they can't. Every profession has days where the work isn't fun or doesn't come easily. No excuses. No blocks. You've still got to do the work. But there are some tips we can use to push through and make the hard writing days feel a little easier. In this episode, Polly talks about the things that can make a writer believe they are blocked and how to manage them so you can get the writing done. And, she shares a confession. For more on writer's block, the writing craft, and crafting a writer's life join the Simply Write community at https://simplywrite.substack.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The writing process is personal, there is no one right way to do it, but no matter how you set your schedule up, you've got to find your way to get the writing done, to do the work whether you are publishing or not. For award-winning thriller author and essayist E.A. Aymar, his writing process starts at 4 a.m. before he gets his son ready for school and starts his day job. Aymar began writing daily in 1997 and persisted for nearly 20 years before selling his first book. So what kept him going despite years of rejection? Inspiration, a community of writers, and believing that he is a writer and writing is what he does so it wasn't a question of quitting. Though the slow-evolving success sometimes made him question his writing chops, he was always committed to the craft and now that's paid off big time. E. A. Aymar is the author of No Home For Killers, an Amazon bestseller. His Short Story Still Crazy After All These Years has been nominated for an Anthony Award and he's got a new novel coming out next year. On Simply Write w/Polly Aymar talks about his process, persistence, and identity in his writing, and explains how he, a man born in Panama accurately writes female characters. And what about the violence in Thrillers? Listen to hear Aymar's take on the issue. Connect with the author E.A. Aymar at https://www.eaymarwrites.com/ And sign up for his free Crime Fiction Newsletter here: https://www.eaymarwrites.com/ Check out his Anthony-Aware Nominated short story in the anthology Paranoia Blues For more on authors, the writing craft and crafting a writing life, and the occasional freebie, join Polly and the Simply Write community at SimplyWrite.substack.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Plan Ahead to Establish a Constant Revenue Stream It can take months to get paid for the essays, articles, or marketing pieces you're writing now. Sure, those delays can cause real stress. But with a savings account and a development calendar, a well-organized writer will not only have pieces ready to ship but also assignments on deck for the weeks and months ahead. Creating a developmental calendar and strategy can help you identify what's due when and what openings you have in your assignment schedule so you can direct pitches, Letters of Introduction, and cover letters to secure assignments all year round. It's never too soon to plan for the next job. In this episode, Polly talks about how she plans her future log to secure work year-round. To learn more about the writing craft and crafting a writer's life, join Polly and the Simply Write community at https://simplywrite.substack.com.
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Time To Get Up and Go Remember from your school days the fun of a field trip? It was always exciting to get out of the classroom for a day-long trip to the zoo or a museum or a Shakespeare play. It didn't matter what we did, it was good to have a break in the routine. Writers need to change up their routines too to rejuvenate and ignite inspiration. It's good for you and great for the work. Julia Cameron writes about the Artist's Date in her book The Artist's Way. Polly takes Field Trips where she can shake loosen the cobwebs in her mind, learn something new, be surrounded by inspiring people and works, and rejuvenate. Over the years her field trips have included one-hour trips to a bookstore, a walk in a park, a mixology class, ukulele lessons, and movie matinees, and other fun things. What will your next Writer's Field Trip be? It's fun to think about and fun to get out there. Makes coming back to the desk more satisfying too. Tour a museum, visit a gallery, take a cooking class, or visit a bookstore. It doesn't matter what you do, but it does matter whether you do it. To have interesting things to write about, writers must immerse themselves in the world, experience new things and chase their curiosities. That's also a fun excuse to get up from the keyboard and go exploring for an hour or two. Plan a field trip and let us know how it went. Join Polly and the Simply Write community at https://simplywrite.substack.com.
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In this episode, Polly Campbell talks about why she loves revising and the seven-step process she uses to stay on track.
Write the Quick Draft
Go toward the obvious. Cut out echoes. Make sure the focus is clear and the action tight. Cut vague language, add powerful verbs.
Go deep. Stay with it, working over every element.
Print it out.
Let it cool down.
Then, read it aloud. Seriously, do this!
And, revise on the page.
Revising is an essential part of the writing process and a must-do if you want to publish and continue your writing career. But revision becomes easier when you have a process--even a checklist -- so you can optimize your time, remember to dot our i's and cross our t's, and create the best piece possible. In this episode, Polly shares her revision process and more to help you get the job done. And be sure to join Polly and the Simply Write community for more on craft and creating a writer's life, https://simplywrite.substack.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
What is Your Book About? Can you tell me in one compelling sentence what your book is about? Author and media strategist Paula Rizzo says it's even hard for her to do, but that's why she develops and practices her pitch long before she ever starts promoting it and she gives some great tips for other writers to use when promoting their work. The nonfiction author of Listful Living: A List-Making Journey to a Less-Stressed You comes from the world of television writing and producing, and now she coaches authors and entrepreneurs on how to effectively communicate their messages during interviews, even while she's working on a novel herself. Paula also talks about how her writing process, how an accountability buddy 3,000 miles away helped her stay on track, and the challenges of moving between nonfiction and a novel. Freebie: Get the Ten Questions Every Author Needs to Answer From Rizzo here https://paularizzo.com/10q/ And check out her book Listful Living, https://listproducer.com/listful-living-book/ Polly has been working through the book and has found it helpful when it comes to motivation and thinking about the why behind our work so we can set up an effective writing process and protect the time to write. Join Polly and the Simply Write community at https:simplywrite.substack.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In 1978 two psychologists came up with a term that describes an experience many of us have had and it is called Imposter Syndrome. If you are a striving writer who is also wracked by self-doubt and feelings of inadequacy and have a hard time saying that you are a writer, then congratulations you, like Neil Gaiman, Maya Angelou, Brene Brown, and so many other bestselling writers have felt it too. Imposter syndrome is not uncommon but it can keep us from writing and publishing. In this show, author Polly Campbell explains what imposter syndrome is and the practical ways we can manage it right now so we can craft a writing career.
Connect with Polly and receive more writing tips, publishing insights, and author perspectives at Simply Write at https://simplywrite.substack.com https://pollycampbell.com
Want to learn more about Imposter Syndrome? https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/imposter-syndrome Join the Simply Write community at https://simplywrite.substack.com Psychologist Dr. Pauline Clance, https://www.paulineroseclance.com/impostor_phenomenon.html Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
She was flat on her back in the hospital room and started working on the idea that became her first published picture book Every Other Christmas. Author Katie Otey talks about her process, juggling projects, and why it's important to tell your story.
Jjoin the Simply Write community for more from Katie Otey about why she created a publishing company and the first point of entry for picture books. https://simplywrite.substack.com/ Find Katie at www.katieoteywrites.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Writers have no shortage of ideas, but how do you decide which idea to develop into a publishable piece? It's not enough to follow your curiosity, you must also consider form, timeliness, focus, and other elements before you ever start writing. This episode covers the things to consider before you ever start writing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Agatha-award-winning author Lori Rader-Days shares her writing process, explains when she knew it was time to quit her office job (bad boss), and how she deals with self-doubt (craft books), and much more. If you love to talk writing and aspire to write a novel, this show with authors Polly Campbell and Lori-Rader day is for you. Check out Death at Greenway (loved it) and her other books here: www.Loriraderday.com Get bonus material, other writing info, and discounted access to upcoming writer's workshops by becoming a paid subscriber at www.simplywrite.substack.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Life can get chaotic but one thing a writer does is write. Rituals and routines can make it easier to get the work done every day. Polly Campbell talks about how she primes her brain for work and why a writing routine is the difference in moving a project forward. Learn more at www.simplywrite.substack.com https://cms.megaphone.fm/channel/simplywrite?selected=ECM6237431525 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Her debut Deep End of the Ocean became Oprah's first book club pick, now 22 books later, Jacquelyn Mitchard talks about dedication, commitment to writing, and creating emotionally complex characters on Simply Write w/Polly Campbell. Pick up Jaquelyn Mitchard's newest The Good Son and be sure to sign up for The Gasp. for behind-the-scenes details and a deep dive into the craft and quirks of living a writer's life, join our subscriber community here: www.simplywrite.substack.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Pro-writer Polly Campbell shares her origin story and offers tips on how to create your own writing business to do the work you love and love the work you do. Polly created a life plan to create both a writing business and a lifestyle she wanted to live. She shares how she did it and some of the things you can do that may help you create an income from your writing. Assignment #1: Determine your why. Write down the specific reasons you want to write and publish your writing. Know why you want to earn an income from your writing. Want some bonus tips, insights, Q&As from bestselling authors, access to the mailbag, and even feedback on your assignments? Join our subscriber community of serious writers at www.simplywrite@substack.com