Writing Momentum: Recent Episodes

Christopher and Gena Maselli

Writing Momentum is the podcast all about writing, publishing, building your author brand, and selling your book.

With more than 50 years of combined experience, hosts Christopher and Gena Maselli tackle questions and answers about writing, independent publishing, self-publishing, traditional publishing, branding your author platform, marketing, and even the best apps to use to give your freelance writing career success.

Put yourself on the fast track to success when you get writing momentum today!

LINKS:

Liz Wilcox's Email Marketing Membership at http://wmdeal.com/liz
Get your FREE Move the Needle goal-setting for authors ebook at https://www.writingmomentum.com
Write with us! Join our writing membership and get your book DONE! https://www.writingmomentum.com/membership

In this episode of the Writing Momentum podcast, hosts Gena and Christopher Maselli discuss how to conduct a healthy brainstorming session. They are joined by Rene Gutteridge, who shares her approach to brainstorming for her books, stories, and screenplays. The conversation touches on techniques such as:

asking 'what if' questions,
the 'yes and' approach
the importance of creating a positive, collaborative environment.

They also explore how brainstorming can apply to both fiction and nonfiction writing and the value of feedback from diverse groups, including family members and writing communities.

00:00 Introduction and Hosts Introduction
00:27 Special Guest Introduction: Rene Gutteridge
01:01 Topic Introduction: Healthy Brainstorming Sessions
01:47 Brainstorming Techniques and Personal Insights
04:11 Collaborative Brainstorming in Writer's Rooms
07:12 Creating a Positive Brainstorming Environment
10:39 Brainstorming Beyond Professional Settings
15:59 Techniques for Effective Brainstorming
18:02 Creating Problems for Characters
21:54 Conclusion and Community Invitation

LINKS:

Liz Wilcox's Email Marketing Membership at http://wmdeal.com/liz
Get your FREE Move the Needle goal-setting for authors ebook at https://www.writingmomentum.com
Write with us! Join our writing membership and get your book DONE! https://wmdeal.com/wmmrene

In this episode, we tackle the common issue of getting stuck during the writing process. Joined by award-winning author Rene Gutteridge, we explore practical strategies to overcome creative roadblocks in both fiction and nonfiction writing. Rene shares her insights on managing emotional and logical aspects of writing, the importance of stepping back, and engaging with writing communities for support. Whether you're a seasoned writer or just starting out, this discussion offers valuable advice to help you maintain your writing momentum.

00:00 Introduction: Overcoming Writer's Block
00:13 Meet Rene Gutteridge: Award-Winning Author
00:42 The Struggles of Writing: Getting Stuck
02:31 Applying Logic Over Emotion
05:52 Practical Tips for Fiction Writers
16:26 The Importance of Community and Support
22:13 Conclusion: Keep Writing, Don't Doubt Yourself

LINKS:

Liz Wilcox's Email Marketing Membership at http://wmdeal.com/liz
Get your FREE Move the Needle goal-setting for authors ebook at https://www.writingmomentum.com
Write with us! Join our writing membership and get your book DONE! https://wmdeal.com/wmmrene

In this episode of the Writing Momentum podcast, Chris and Gena tackle one of the top questions they receive: How do I get people to buy my book? Chris and Gena discuss the importance of doing this early, even before you publish it. The topics include getting your newsletter audience invested, using social media and grassroots efforts to create buzz, and introducing yourself to others through various media outlets. Gena also shares a ton of “freebie” practical tips that will help you get ahead. Whether you're a seasoned author or just starting out, these strategies will help you build relationships and generate excitement for your upcoming book.

00:00 Introduction: Marketing Your Book Before It's Published
00:50 The Importance of Pre-Publication Marketing
04:03 Building Your Newsletter Audience
08:36 Engaging Your Audience Through Social Media
10:22 Networking and Media Outreach
13:59 Conclusion and Final Tips

LINKS:

Liz Wilcox's Email Marketing Membership at http://wmdeal.com/liz
Get your FREE Move the Needle goal-setting for authors ebook at https://www.writingmomentum.com
Write with us! Join our writing membership and get your book DONE! https://www.writingmomentum.com/membership

In this episode, we explore a pivotal shift in approaching editors, coaches, and critiquers for writing feedback. Instead of asking, 'What do you think?' transform your question to 'How can I make this better?' This subtle change encourages constructive criticism and positions both you and your editor in a mindset for improvement. Join us as we dive into the practical implications and benefits of this question, drawing from personal experiences and insights from experienced writers and editors. Don't miss out on tips to enhance your writing and get the most out of your feedback sessions.

00:00 The One Question to Ask Your Editor
00:20 A Personal Shift in Writing Approach
01:56 Changing the Feedback Question
03:36 Real-Life Application of the New Question
05:37 The Impact of Asking 'How Can I Make This Better?'
08:21 Continuous Learning in Writing
11:09 Join Our Writing Community
11:58 Conclusion and Call to Action

LINKS:

Liz Wilcox's Email Marketing Membership at http://wmdeal.com/liz
Get your FREE Move the Needle goal-setting for authors ebook at https://www.writingmomentum.com
Write with us! Join our writing membership and get your book DONE! https://www.writingmomentum.com/membership

Join Christopher Maselli and Gena Maselli in their latest Writing Momentum podcast episode featuring award-winning author Henry McLaughlin. Known for his acclaimed Riverbend series, Henry delves into the importance of manuscript critiques, offering valuable advice on giving and receiving feedback, and best practices for submitting your work. This episode is packed with insights on refining writing, the supportive nature of writing groups, handling critiques, and the benefits of community feedback. Perfect for writers aiming to polish their craft and navigate the world of self-publishing.

00:00 Welcome to the Writing Momentum Podcast
00:19 Introducing Henry McLaughlin: Our Resident Critiquer
01:32 The Value of Critiques in Writing
03:55 What Not to Do When Submitting for Critiques
07:39 The Importance of Submitting Your Best Work
09:00 The Value of Group Critiques
10:03 Writing as a Community Effort
11:33 Final Thoughts on Critiques
15:26 Join Our Writing Community

LINKS:

Write with us! Join our writing membership and get your book DONE! https://henrym--writingmomentum.thrivecart.com/membership/
Liz Wilcox's Email Marketing Membership at http://wmdeal.com/liz
Get your FREE Move the Needle goal-setting for authors ebook at https://www.writingmomentum.com

Christopher and Gena Maselli are joined by award-winning author Henry McLaughlin, known for his Riverbend series and 'Emily's Trials'. Together, they tackle the importance of first page critiques, essential tips for preparing and receiving manuscript feedback, and how to make your writing stand out from the very beginning. Gena, emphasizes the significance of engaging readers from the start, while Henry shares key strategies for captivating openings. The episode also introduces personal critique services by Henry for Writing Momentum members. Join us to enhance your manuscript with professional insights and take your writing to the next level.

00:00 Welcome to Writing Momentum
00:16 Introducing Henry McLaughlin
01:45 The Importance of the First Page
05:51 Adapting to Modern Readers
08:04 The Value of Critiques
11:21 The Importance of Following Submission Guidelines
12:16 Anonymous Submissions for Fair Critiques
13:02 Group Critiques: Learning from Others
14:42 The Value of Open-Mindedness in Receiving Feedback
17:34 Editing Before Submitting: A Crucial Step
19:02 Depersonalizing Critiques: Focus on the Story
20:42 The Power of Gratitude in Receiving Critiques
22:25 Join the Writing Momentum Membership

LINKS:

Get your work critiqued! Join our writing membership at https://www.writingmomentum.com/membership
Liz Wilcox's Email Marketing Membership at http://wmdeal.com/liz
Get your FREE Move the Needle goal-setting for authors ebook at https://www.writingmomentum.com

Welcome to Writing Momentum with Christopher and Gena Maselli! In this episode, we explore the process of finding your unique voice as an author. Discover what it means to develop your writing style, why authenticity matters, and how it helps build trust with your audience. Chris and Gena share their favorite authors and how their distinct styles have influenced their own writing. Learn practical tips on experimenting with different techniques and the importance of reading often to refine your voice. Tune in to unlock the key steps to discovering and embracing your authentic writing style. Don't forget to share this episode with fellow writers!

00:00 Introduction to Finding Your Voice
00:29 Understanding Your Unique Voice
2:57 The Importance of Authenticity
04:04 Examples of Distinct Writing Styles
0:04 Practical Tips for Finding Your Voice
15:35 Conclusion and Encouragement

LINKS:

Liz Wilcox's Email Marketing Membership at http://wmdeal.com/liz
Get your FREE Move the Needle goal-setting for authors ebook at https://www.writingmomentum.com
Write with us! Join our writing membership and get your book DONE! https://www.writingmomentum.com/membership

Hosts Christopher and Gena Maselli discuss the importance of not overlooking the 'small stuff' in writing. They explore how these minor tasks, from honing one’s craft to understanding publishing strategies and building an author brand, contribute significantly towards achieving long-term writing success. Christopher shares his recent experience of bouncing back from illness, emphasizing self-care. The hosts also delve into strategies for dialogue writing, understanding genres, managing copyright, and forming valuable writer connections. Additionally, they highlight the benefits of joining their Writing Momentum membership for ongoing support and community.

00:00 Introduction: Does the Small Stuff in Writing Matter?
02:40 The Importance of Craft in Writing
08:38 Building Your Author Brand
12:03 Understanding Publishing Strategies
16:11 The Power of Connections in Writing
18:06 Join the Writing Momentum Community
19:45 Conclusion and Call to Action

LINKS:

Liz Wilcox's Email Marketing Membership at http://wmdeal.com/liz
Get your FREE Move the Needle goal-setting for authors ebook at https://www.writingmomentum.com
Write with us! Join our writing membership and get your book DONE! https://www.writingmomentum.com/membership

In this episode hosts Christopher and Gena Maselli delve into the essential topic of finding your 'why' as a writer. They discuss the significance of understanding your motivation for writing, whether it's to share knowledge, offer hope, or explore themes dear to you. The duo explains how knowing your why can boost creativity, productivity, and help you push through writer's block. Additionally, they share personal anecdotes and practical tips on how to keep your why front and center, from using sticky notes to setting daily phone alarms. Perfect for writers of all genres, this episode is a must-listen for anyone aiming to deepen their connection to their writing projects.

00:00 Introduction to the Writing Momentum Podcast
00:10 Understanding Your Why as a Writer
01:18 The Importance of Knowing Your Why
03:55 Personal Stories and Examples
06:48 Finding Your Why in Fiction Writing
10:50 Practical Tips for Staying Motivated
11:38 Homework and Final Thoughts
13:33 Conclusion and Farewell

LINKS:

Liz Wilcox's Email Marketing Membership at http://wmdeal.com/liz
Get your FREE Move the Needle goal-setting for authors ebook at https://www.writingmomentum.com
Write with us! Join our writing membership and get your book DONE! https://www.writingmomentum.com/membership

In this episode, we delve into the importance of understanding your book's genre. Discover how identifying your genre can help you write more effectively and market your book successfully. Learn about the different genres for both fiction and non-fiction, and explore how sub-genres can add unique flavors to your writing. We also share valuable resources like '20 Master Plots' by Ronald Tobias and provide actionable tips to ensure your book meets reader expectations. Join us and gain the momentum to propel your writing journey forward!

00:00 Introduction to Writing Momentum
00:41 Understanding Genre: What Is It?
03:31 Genres in Fiction and Non-Fiction
04:45 Identifying Your Book's Genre
07:23 Genre Conventions and Writing Tips
12:47 Resources and Final Thoughts
15:19 Conclusion and Community Engagement

LINKS:

20 Master Plots by Ronald Tobias
Liz Wilcox's Email Marketing Membership at http://wmdeal.com/liz
Get your FREE Move the Needle goal-setting for authors ebook at https://www.writingmomentum.com
Write with us! Join our writing membership and get your book DONE! https://www.writingmomentum.com/membership

In this episode of the Writing Momentum Podcast, award-winning author Laurel Thomas joins the hosts to discuss the internal and hidden lives of characters in fiction writing. With insights from her experience as a writer and instructor, Laurel emphasizes the importance of understanding characters' goals, motivations, and hidden fears. The conversation delves into how these elements can be effectively incorporated to make characters more relatable and engaging. Drawing examples from 'The Hunger Games' and other notable works, Laurel provides valuable tips for writers looking to craft deeper and more nuanced characters. Additionally, the hosts highlight the benefits of joining the Writing Momentum membership, which offers extensive resources, live roundtables, and a supportive community for writers of all levels.

00:00 Introduction to Character's Internal Life
00:36 Meet Laurel Thomas: Award-Winning Author
01:09 Exploring Fiction Roundtables
02:12 Diving into Characterization
04:26 Understanding External, Internal, and Hidden Layers
06:28 Crafting Complex Characters
08:18 The Power of Hidden Motivators
12:54 Writing Antiheroes and Unreliable Narrators
14:22 Join the Writing Momentum Community
16:24 Final Thoughts and Invitation

Links

Laurel's Amazon Author's Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0BHRT3R42
Liz Wilcox's Email Marketing Membership at https://wmdeal.com/liz
Get your FREE Move the Needle goal-setting for authors ebook at https://www.writingmomentum.com
Write with us! Join our writing membership and get your book DONE! https://writewithlaurel--writingmomentum.thrivecart.com/membership

In this episode, Chris and Gena welcome award-winning author Laurel Thomas to discuss the concept of Writer's Fiction Roundtables. Laurel shares her journey from nonfiction to fiction writing, highlights from her novels, and her approach to developing compelling characters and themes. They delve into the structure and purpose of her roundtables, emphasizing their inclusivity and the benefits for both new and experienced writers. The episode also details how these roundtables fit into the Writing Momentum membership program, which supports writers with live events, recorded videos, and discussions.

00:00 Introduction to the Writer's Fiction Roundtable
00:38 Laurel Thomas: From Nonfiction to Fiction
02:24 Crafting Compelling Characters and Themes
04:24 The Art of World-Building in Fantasy
07:29 Introducing the Writing Momentum Membership
08:33 What is a Writer's Roundtable?
10:07 Creating Safe Spaces for Writers
12:11 Deep Dive into Characterization
16:47 Inclusivity in Writer's Roundtables
20:27 Nonfiction Writers and Storytelling Techniques
22:51 Join the Writing Momentum Membership
23:33 Conclusion: Writing Together for Momentum

LINKS:

Laurel's Amazon Author's Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0BHRT3R42
Liz Wilcox's Email Marketing Membership at http://wmdeal.com/liz
Get your FREE Move the Needle goal-setting for authors ebook at https://www.writingmomentum.com
Write with us! Join our writing membership and get your book DONE! https://writewithlaurel--writingmomentum.thrivecart.com/membership/

Join Christopher and Gena Maselli in this special episode of the Writing Momentum Podcast as they give you an exclusive sneak preview of the upcoming 2024 Children’s Book Mastery Summit. Discover what this five-day free online event, hosted by Karin Ferreira, has to offer – with 25 sessions featuring top authors, illustrators, and industry experts. Learn invaluable insights into the craft, publishing, marketing, and business of children's books. Don't miss out on tips for using AI in writing, mastering 'Show, Don't Tell,' and much more! Mark your calendars for July 22nd to 26th and find out how to get your free ticket and playbook today. Together, we have writing momentum!

00:00 Introduction to the 2024 Children's Book Mastery Summit
00:35 Overview of the Summit and Its Benefits
01:34 Details on Summit Sessions and Speakers
03:50 Special Features and Premium Packages
04:43 Spotlight on Karin Ferreira and Her Contributions
06:49 Deep Dive into Summit Sessions
17:50 Final Thoughts and How to Join the Summit
27:38 Conclusion and Farewell

LINKS:

Register today at https://wmdeal.com/2024cbm
Liz Wilcox's Email Marketing Membership at http://wmdeal.com/liz
Get your FREE Move the Needle goal-setting for authors ebook at https://www.writingmomentum.com
Write with us! Join our writing membership and get your book DONE! https://www.writingmomentum.com/membership

In this episode of the Writing Momentum Podcast, hosts Christopher and Gena Maselli discuss the best ways writers can invest in their careers. They emphasize the importance of investing time, energy, and money into quality training, coaching, and writing groups. They also highlight the limitations of relying solely on free online resources and the value of paid, structured learning programs. The Masellis share their personal experiences and encourage listeners to find ways to invest in their writing, whether through local writers' groups, conferences, or online courses.

00:00 Introduction

00:16 The Value of Investing in Your Writing Career

01:08 The Pitfalls of Free Online Resources

04:02 The Importance of Quality Training and Mentorship

11:14 Practical Ways to Invest in Your Writing

20:52 Encouragement and Final Thoughts

LINKS:

Liz Wilcox's Email Marketing Membership at http://wmdeal.com/liz
Get your FREE Move the Needle goal-setting for authors ebook at https://www.writingmomentum.com
Write with us! Join our writing membership and get your book DONE! https://www.writingmomentum.com/membership

In this episode, we delve into the critical importance of building an audience for your writing before your book is even published. Learn practical tips on how to connect with potential readers, identify your target audience, and engage with them through social media and online communities. Discover why having a few loyal followers is more valuable than a large number of disengaged ones. Whether you're a new author or an experienced writer, tune in to understand why building a solid foundation now can lead to greater success when your book hits the shelves. Don't forget to subscribe, ring the bell, and give us a thumbs up for more writing and marketing insights!

00:00 Introduction to Building Your Writing Audience
00:39 Why You Need an Audience Before Your Book is Published
02:09 The Myth of Needing a Huge Following
04:09 Identifying Your True Audience
06:44 Finding and Engaging with Your Audience
10:15 The Importance of Starting Early
12:15 Conclusion and Call to Action

LINKS:

Liz Wilcox's Email Marketing Membership at http://wmdeal.com/liz
Get your FREE Move the Needle goal-setting for authors ebook at https://www.writingmomentum.com
Write with us! Join our writing membership and get your book DONE! https://www.writingmomentum.com/membership

In this episode of the Writing Momentum Podcast, hosts Christopher and Gena Maselli discuss the importance of finding and creating safe spaces for writers. They share personal experiences and tips for recognizing safe environments that foster growth, creativity, and supportive feedback in one's writing journey. Join them as they explore key elements of a safe space, signs of an unsafe space, and introduce Writing Momentum's own community as a hub for aspiring and seasoned writers. Tune in for valuable insights and discover how a supportive environment can significantly impact your writing progress.

00:00 Welcome to the Writing Momentum Podcast
00:23 The Great Beard Debate
01:32 Importance of Safe Spaces for Writers
02:54 What to Expect from a Safe Space
07:55 Signs You're Not in a Safe Space
11:14 Join Our Writing Community
13:08 Conclusion and Call to Action

LINKS:

Liz Wilcox's Email Marketing Membership at http://wmdeal.com/liz
Get your FREE Move the Needle goal-setting for authors ebook at https://www.writingmomentum.com
Write with us! Join our writing membership and get your book DONE! https://www.writingmomentum.com/membership

In this solo episode of the Writing Momentum podcast, host Christopher Maselli discusses seven valuable bonuses that authors often overlook but should consider including in their books. These bonuses, which range from photos and graphics to pull quotes and real interactions, can significantly enhance the reader's experience and add value to the book. Christopher also highlights the importance of reflection questions and takeaways, especially for nonfiction works. Additionally, he introduces the Writing Momentum membership, offering extensive training and co-writing sessions to help authors stay focused and productive.

00:00 Introduction and Podcast Update
00:43 Exciting News: Writing Momentum Membership Launch
02:45 Seven Essential Book Bonuses Authors Often Miss
03:45 Bonus 1: Adding Photo Pages
05:01 Bonus 2: Enhancing with Graphics
06:51 Bonus 3: Utilizing Pull Quotes
08:04 Bonus 4: Sharing Insights
10:24 Bonus 5: Creating Real Interactions
12:51 Bonus 6: Including Reflection Questions
14:08 Bonus 7: Summarizing with Takeaways
15:19 Conclusion and Community Invitation

LINKS:

Liz Wilcox's Email Marketing Membership at http://wmdeal.com/liz
Get your FREE Move the Needle goal-setting for authors ebook at https://www.writingmomentum.com
Write with us! Join Chris, Gena, and Rene each Wednesday at noon Central and let's get our writing DONE! https://www.writingmoments.com

Join the Writing Momentum podcast with hosts Christopher and Gena Maselli as they discuss the importance of consistency and accountability in achieving writing goals. Discover how writing a little each day can lead to significant progress and learn about the powerful impact of having an accountability partner. They share intriguing statistics from the American Society of Training and Development, highlighting that sharing your writing goals with someone increases your chances of success to 65%, and having an accountability partner can boost it to 95%. Tune in to gain insights on how to finish your book and meet your writing goals by joining a supportive writing community, either locally or online.

00:00 Introduction to Writing Momentum
00:41 The Power of Consistency
02:13 The Impact of Accountability
06:36 Finding Your Writing Buddy
08:48 Co-Writing and Online Accountability
12:54 Conclusion and Next Steps

LINKS:

Liz Wilcox's Email Marketing Membership at http://wmdeal.com/liz
Get your FREE Move the Needle goal-setting for authors ebook at https://www.writingmomentum.com
Write with us! Join Chris, Gena, and Rene each Wednesday at noon Central and let's get our writing DONE! https://www.writingmoments.com

Join hosts Christopher and Gena Maselli of Writing Momentum as they kick off a new series dedicated to helping writers grow in their craft. In this episode, they emphasize the importance of continual learning in writing, highlighting techniques for improving quality through structured education. Discover how understanding story structure, keeping up with standards, and seeking continual professional development can give your writing the momentum it needs.

00:00 Introduction to Writing Momentum
01:14 The Importance of Continual Learning
02:48 Understanding Story Structure
06:30 Practical Tips for Writing Articles
09:59 Resources for Continued Learning
13:32 Conclusion and Encouragement

LINKS:

Liz Wilcox's Email Marketing Membership at http://wmdeal.com/liz
Get your FREE Move the Needle goal-setting for authors ebook at https://www.writingmomentum.com
Write with us! Join Chris, Gena, and Rene each Wednesday at noon Central and let's get our writing DONE! https://www.writingmoments.com

In this episode of the Writing Momentum Podcast, hosts Chris and Gena discuss the best time to seek feedback on your manuscript. They address a common pitfall writers face by sharing an email from a listener who received conflicting advice on their first draft. The episode emphasizes the importance of completing your manuscript before seeking critique and explores how different writing and critiquing styles can affect feedback. The hosts offer practical tips on how to choose the right person for feedback and encourage listeners to finish their first draft to avoid creative paralysis. Tune in for valuable insights to keep your writing momentum going!

00:00 Introduction: Who Should Give Feedback on Your Manuscript?
00:49 Reading the Listener's Email
01:51 The Importance of Finishing Your First Draft
03:17 When to Share Your Manuscript
06:53 Choosing the Right Critique Partner
09:40 Chris's Personal Experience with Feedback
11:08 Conclusion and Encouragement

LINKS:

Liz Wilcox's Email Marketing Membership at http://wmdeal.com/liz
Get your FREE Move the Needle goal-setting for authors ebook at https://www.writingmomentum.com
Write with us! Join Chris, Gena, and Rene each Wednesday at noon Central and let's get our writing DONE! https://www.writingmoments.com

In this episode of the Writing Momentum Podcast, hosts Christopher and Gena Maselli delve into the topic of perfectionism among writers. They share personal anecdotes and struggles with perfectionism, emphasizing the importance of pushing through the writing process despite the desire for everything to be perfect. The episode covers various aspects of perfectionism, such as the challenges in starting or finishing a project, the pitfalls of waiting for 'perfect' conditions, and practical tips for moving forward. They discuss tactics like time blocking, setting realistic writing goals, and allowing for flexibility in planning and execution. The goal of the episode is to help writers redefine perfectionism from getting it 'right' to getting it 'done' and to encourage them to maintain momentum in their writing projects by providing strategies to overcome perfectionism.

00:00 Welcome to the Writing Momentum Podcast!
00:13 Tackling Perfectionism: Personal Struggles and Insights
02:24 Types of Perfectionism and Strategies for Authors
06:32 Navigating Perfectionism in the Writing Process
10:26 Time Management and Overcoming Procrastination
12:24 Plotting vs. Pantsing: Finding Your Writing Direction
15:05 Redefining Perfectionism for Success
16:21 Join Our Writing Community and Wrap-Up

LINKS:

Liz Wilcox's Email Marketing Membership at http://wmdeal.com/liz
Get your FREE Move the Needle goal-setting for authors ebook at https://www.writingmomentum.com
Write with us! Join Chris, Gena, and Rene each Wednesday at noon Central and let's get our writing DONE! https://www.writingmoments.com

In this episode of the Writing Momentum Podcast, hosts Christopher and Gena Maselli explore the common question of whether a formal degree is necessary to become a successful writer. They discuss their personal experiences with formal education in writing, highlighting the pros and cons of pursuing a writing degree versus self-education through resources like writers' conferences and continual learning. They emphasize the importance of continuous education in writing, publishing, and marketing, regardless of one's educational background. The episode provides insight into the writing industry standards, the publishing process, and the critical role of marketing in a writer's career. Through their discussion, they reassure listeners that while formal education can be beneficial, it is not a prerequisite for success in writing, encouraging writers to focus on continuous learning and improvement.

00:00 Introduction to the Writing Momentum Podcast
00:15 The Big Question: Do You Need a Degree to Write?
01:55 Personal Experiences and Insights on Formal Education
04:37 The Continuous Journey of Learning in Writing
07:22 Understanding Publishing, Marketing, and Industry Standards
13:13 The Importance of Continuous Self-Education
16:10 Conclusion: Your Path to Writing Success

LINKS:

Liz Wilcox's Email Marketing Membership at http://wmdeal.com/liz
Get your FREE Move the Needle goal-setting for authors ebook at https://www.writingmomentum.com
Write with us! Join Chris, Gena, and Rene each Wednesday at noon Central and let's get our writing DONE! https://www.writingmoments.com

In this episode of the Writing Momentum Podcast, hosts Gena and Christopher Maselli discuss the importance of staying engaged in the 'writing world' for both emerging and experienced writers. They explore what constitutes the writing world, including the processes of writing, publishing, and marketing. The Maselli's emphasize the ease of distraction in today’s world and the necessity of keeping writing goals top of mind. They suggest various methods for staying focused, such as listening to podcasts, reading or listening to books on writing, and participating in writing groups or conferences. The hosts also share personal challenges with maintaining momentum and offer solutions like setting appointments to write and seeking encouragement and advice from fellow writers. Furthermore, they discuss the benefits of attending writers' conferences to stay abreast of the latest industry trends and technologies. The episode concludes by inviting listeners to join their online writing group and encourages writers to form connections with others in the writing community to share successes, challenges, and to learn from each other.

00:00 Welcome to the Writing Momentum Podcast
00:14 Exploring the Writing World: Staying Focused and Motivated
03:10 Practical Tips to Stay Engaged in Writing
05:48 Leveraging Community and Resources for Writing Success
08:53 The Value of Writing Conferences and Networking
16:10 Closing Thoughts: Join the Writing World for Success

LINKS:

Liz Wilcox's Email Marketing Membership at http://wmdeal.com/liz
Get your FREE Move the Needle goal-setting for authors ebook at https://www.writingmomentum.com
Write with us! Join Chris, Gena, and Rene each Wednesday at noon Central and let's get our writing DONE! https://www.writingmoments.com

Gena and Christopher Maselli host the Writing Momentum Podcast, targeting emerging writers aspiring to write a book. They emphasize that the writing journey is not competitive and there's space for everyone. The podcast provides practical tips, including choosing a genre, understanding genre specifics, and the importance of knowing the rules before breaking them. They recommend reading extensively within one's genre, outlining other works, and learning about story structures with resources like Ronald Tobias's '20 Master Plots'. The hosts also stress the importance of joining the writing community for support and growth, encouraging listeners to engage with groups, conferences, and online platforms like Writing Momentum. They urge listeners to write daily, read in their genre, and join writing courses or communities. The podcast underscores that identifying as a writer is crucial, encouraging a mindset shift to embrace the writer's identity confidently.

00:00 Welcome to the Writing Momentum Podcast!
01:04 Embracing the Journey: Tips for New Writers
01:45 Choosing Your Genre: The First Step to Writing a Book
02:09 Understanding Genre Rules and Why They Matter
05:58 The Importance of Reading and Analyzing Your Chosen Genre
10:01 Navigating the Writing World: Conferences, Groups, and Resources
14:57 Embracing Your Identity as a Writer
16:36 Practical Writing Tips and Encouragement
18:32 Join Us on Your Writing Journey
19:01 Conclusion and Invitation to Subscribe

LINKS:

20 Master Plots by Ronald Tobias on Amazon: https://a.co/d/dsYvqOl
Liz Wilcox's Email Marketing Membership at http://wmdeal.com/liz
Get your FREE Move the Needle goal-setting for authors ebook at https://www.writingmomentum.com
Write with us! Join Chris, Gena, and Rene each Wednesday at noon Central and let's get our writing DONE! https://www.writingmoments.com

In this episode of the Writing Momentum podcast, hosts Christopher and Gena Maselli discuss strategies for finishing first drafts, acknowledging it as a significant challenge for many writers. They emphasize the importance of completing a draft regardless of its initial quality and suggest focusing on editing afterward to improve it. The hosts share personal experiences, tips for maintaining momentum, including setting writing goals and knowing the direction of your story, whether you're more of a plotter or a pantser. Additionally, they introduce their Wednesday Writing Moments, an online group writing session for accountability and progress. The discussion aims to encourage writers to keep working towards completing their first drafts by providing practical advice and shared experiences.

00:00 Kickstarting Your First Draft: Overcoming the Pain Points

02:50 The Simple, Yet Profound Solution to Finishing Your Draft

03:20 Editing vs. Writing: The Easier Path to a Finished Book

07:04 Setting Goals: The Key to Maintaining Writing Momentum

08:53 Plotting vs. Pantsing: Finding Your Writing Style

13:18 The Power of Writing Together: Accountability and Progress

15:36 Closing Thoughts: Just Write It

LINKS:

Liz Wilcox's Email Marketing Membership at http://wmdeal.com/liz
Get your FREE Move the Needle goal-setting for authors ebook at https://www.writingmomentum.com
Write with us! Join Chris, Gena, and Rene each Wednesday at noon Central and let's get our writing DONE! https://www.writingmoments.com

In this episode of the Writing Momentum podcast, hosts Gena and Christopher Maselli explore the final habit in their series that can significantly hinder a writer's productivity: excessive, mindless screen time. They discuss how spending too much time on devices like televisions, computers, mobile phones, and video game screens without purpose can detract from valuable writing time. The Masellis share personal experiences and strategies to reduce mindless screen time, emphasizing the importance of being intentional with how one spends their screen time. They encourage listeners to engage in activities that contribute to their writing goals and suggest ways to reduce mindless screen time to improve focus, creativity, and ultimately, writing output.

00:00 Welcome to the Writing Momentum Podcast!

00:28 Recap: Habits That Can Tank Your Writing - Parts 1 & 2

02:36 The Final Habit: Mindless Screen Time

03:14 The Shocking Reality of Screen Time

04:45 Calculating the Impact of Screen Time on Your Life

09:37 Reallocating Screen Time to Boost Writing Productivity

15:02 Practical Steps to Reduce Mindless Screen Time

18:26 Conclusion: The Power of Intentional Time Management

LINKS:

Liz Wilcox's Email Marketing Membership at http://wmdeal.com/liz
Get your FREE Move the Needle goal-setting for authors ebook at https://www.writingmomentum.com
Write with us! Join Chris, Gena, and Rene each Wednesday at noon Central and let's get our writing DONE! https://www.writingmoments.com

In this episode of the Writing Momentum Podcast, hosts Gena and Christopher Maselli discuss everyday habits that can negatively impact your writing progress. They address the dangers of comparison and disengagement from the writing community, emphasizing the importance of staying connected and involved. The conversation highlights how distractions and perfectionism can halt a writer's momentum, offering practical solutions like using focus modes on devices and understanding the creative versus technical aspects of writing and editing. Additionally, they talk about the fallacy of the solitary writing venture and advocate for collaboration and networking within the writing community, including the benefits of joining writing groups and attending conferences. The Masellis stress the importance of making small, manageable changes to overcome these detrimental habits and invite listeners to subscribe for more insights.

00:00 Introduction: Everyday Habits That Tank Your Writing
00:26 Recap of Previous Episode: Comparison and Disengagement
03:06 The Importance of Staying Engaged in the Writing World
03:35 The Power of Community in Writing
07:41 The Dangers of Distraction and Perfectionism
12:18 The Role of Perfectionism in Writing and Marketing
20:01 Taking Small Steps Towards Improvement
21:00 Conclusion: Subscribe and Stay Tuned for More

LINKS:

Liz Wilcox's Email Marketing Membership at http://wmdeal.com/liz
Get your FREE Move the Needle goal-setting for authors ebook at https://www.writingmomentum.com
Write with us! Join Chris, Gena, and Rene each Wednesday at noon Central and let's get our writing DONE! https://www.writingmoments.com

In this episode of the Writing Momentum podcast, Chris and Gena discuss common habits that can impede a writer’s progress or productivity. They share insights about the traps of comparison and the need to stay engaged with the writing community. The episode encourages writers to embrace their unique voice, style and journey, and stresses the importance of continuous reading and learning within the genre they are writing. The hosts also talk about maintaining a strong presence and active participation in the 'writing world,' including online forums, writer’s conferences and book clubs, to keep the creative juices flowing and to stay on top of market trends.

00:00 Introduction: The Biggest Danger to Your Writing Time
00:31 Everyday Habits That Can Tank Your Writing
02:23 The Dangers of Comparison in Writing
11:14 The Importance of Staying in the Writing World
16:15 The Power of Reading and Learning from Your Craft
18:59 Conclusion: Overcoming Writing Challenges

LINKS:

Liz Wilcox's Email Marketing Membership at http://wmdeal.com/liz
Get your FREE Move the Needle goal-setting for authors ebook at https://www.writingmomentum.com
Write with us! Join Chris, Gena, and Rene each Wednesday at noon Central and let's get our writing DONE! https://www.writingmoments.com

In this episode of the Writing Momentum podcast, hosts Gena and Christopher Maselli explore different ways to stay motivated in writing. They discuss tracking your writing successes, identifying your 'why', immersing oneself in the writing world through books, podcasts, and conferences, and the benefits of co-writing and surrounding yourself with writing friends. Chris also describes the benefits of maintaining a 'to done' list. The hosts invite audiences to join their writing group, Writing Moments, to further promote a supportive writing community. The episode is designed to help writers find the motivation they need to stay committed to their craft.

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

00:25 The Challenge of Staying Motivated

01:48 Tracking Your Successes

02:57 The Power of a 'To Done' List

07:17 Finding Your 'Why'

09:03 Keeping Your Head in the Writing World

10:06 The Benefits of Co-Writing

12:44 Surrounding Yourself with Writing Friends

15:27 Summary and Conclusion

LINKS:

Liz Wilcox's Email Marketing Membership at http://wmdeal.com/liz
Get your FREE Move the Needle goal-setting for authors ebook at https://www.writingmomentum.com
Write with us! Join Chris, Gena, and Rene each Wednesday at noon Central and let's get our writing DONE! https://www.writingmoments.com

In the Writing Momentum Podcast, Christopher Maselli and his wife, Gena, share practical tips for finding time to write in a busy world. With over 30 years of writing experience, they tackle the challenge many writers face - finding time to pursue their passion amid various life commitments. They suggest keeping a reminder of your writing vision in front of you, scheduling your writing time, employing the Pomodoro technique, using deadlines, and adopting habit stacking where writing is added to an existing routine. They elaborate that consistency is key and even short bursts of writing can lead to a complete manuscript over time. They also encourage listeners to share and subscribe to their podcast for more insightful content.

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and the Topic
00:14 The Challenge of Finding Time to Write
02:47 The Importance of Keeping the Vision
05:57 The Power of Deadlines
08:45 The Strategy of Time Blocking
11:05 The Pomodoro Technique
12:44 Habit Stacking for Writing
15:17 Recap and Conclusion

LINKS:

Liz Wilcox's Email Marketing Membership at http://wmdeal.com/liz
Get your FREE Move the Needle goal-setting for authors ebook at https://www.writingmomentum.com
Write with us! Join Chris, Gena, and Rene each Wednesday at noon Central and let's get our writing DONE! https://www.writingmoments.com

In this podcast transcript, hosts Chris and Gena highlight common mistakes that writers make when crafting content for nonprofit organizations. They discuss the importance of focusing on the benefits to the reader, creating clear calls to action, telling impactful stories of individual beneficiaries, and maintaining consistent branding across all communication channels. The hosts emphasize that these principles can also prove beneficial in other forms of writing, providing examples from their own experiences and from the realm of political speechmaking.

00:00 Introduction and Podcast Setup

00:46 Defining Non-Profits and Their Writing Needs

02:57 Common Mistakes in Non-Profit Writing: Part 1

04:05 Common Mistakes in Non-Profit Writing: Part 2

07:02 Common Mistakes in Non-Profit Writing: Part 3

10:22 The Power of Storytelling in Non-Profit Writing

12:58 Consistency Across All Channels

14:00 Recap and Conclusion

LINKS:

Liz Wilcox's Email Marketing Membership at http://wmdeal.com/liz
Get your FREE Move the Needle goal-setting for authors ebook at https://www.writingmomentum.com
Write with us! Join Chris, Gena, and Rene each Wednesday at noon Central and let's get our writing DONE! https://www.writingmoments.com

After 30 years of working with nonprofits, hosts Gena and Chris discuss three common mistakes that writers often make when writing for non-profit organizations. These include the excessive focus on asking for help without celebrating the wins, constantly changing branding messages, and overuse of organization-specific jargon. Insights are also shared on how to execute effective communication strategies for non-profit organizations. This video is beneficial for anyone aiming to optimize their written communication for non-profit fundraising and awareness campaigns.

00:00 Introduction to Non-Profit Writing Mistakes

02:28 Mistake 1: Overemphasis on the Ask

06:14 Mistake 2: Inconsistent Branding Message

09:45 Mistake 3: Overuse of Jargon

12:08 Recap and Preview of Next Episode

13:29 Conclusion and Sign Off

LINKS:

Liz Wilcox's Email Marketing Membership at http://wmdeal.com/liz
Get your FREE Move the Needle goal-setting for authors ebook at https://www.writingmomentum.com
Write with us! Join Chris, Gena, and Rene each Wednesday at noon Central and let's get our writing DONE! https://www.writingmoments.com

Self-publishing on Amazon's Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) is accessible and easy. Professional editing and formatting are essential. Use PDF and EPUB formats for both print and ebook versions. Consider specialized software or hiring a professional formatter. Design an eye-catching book cover. Create a KDP account and connect your bank account. Write a compelling book description, choose relevant categories, select keywords, and set a competitive price. Develop a marketing strategy. Join a writing community for support. Your book will go through a review process before being published on Amazon.

LINKS:

Liz Wilcox's Email Marketing Membership at http://wmdeal.com/liz
Get your FREE Move the Needle goal-setting for authors ebook at https://www.writingmomentum.com
Write with us! Join Chris, Gena, and Rene each Wednesday at noon Central and let's get our writing DONE! https://www.writingmoments.com

Join us in this episode as we delve into the fascinating world of pen names. We discuss the definition of pen names and explore the various reasons why authors choose to use them, such as protecting their identity, exploring different genres, and maintaining privacy. We also highlight how pen names can help separate writing styles and target specific audiences, while overcoming bias and stereotypes. Tune in to hear the intriguing story of Stephen King's pen name, Richard Bachman, and be inspired to share your thoughts and funny pen names with us. Don't forget to rate, review, subscribe, and share this podcast!

LINKS:

Liz Wilcox's Email Marketing Membership at http://wmdeal.com/liz
Get your FREE Move the Needle goal-setting for authors ebook at https://www.writingmomentum.com
Write with us! Join Chris, Gena, and Rene each Wednesday at noon Central and let's get our writing DONE! https://www.writingmoments.com

Henry McLaughlin shares his research process for historical fiction novels, focusing on his latest book, "Emily's Trials." He emphasizes the significance of thorough research to create an accurate and authentic historical setting. McLaughlin's writing process involves "pantsing" and allowing the characters to shape the story. He encourages writers to revise and rewrite their work fearlessly. McLaughlin believes in the importance of supporting local bookstores and highlights the relevance of his stories of hope and reconciliation in today's world.

LINKS:

Buy Emily’s Trials by Henry McLaughlin on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3uaL5e5
Liz Wilcox's Email Marketing Membership at http://wmdeal.com/liz
Get your FREE Move the Needle goal-setting for authors ebook at https://www.writingmomentum.com

Hosts Christopher and Gena reveal their words for 2024, "extreme" and "flow," while writer friends and newsletter subscribers also share their chosen words. These words can be categorized into commitment, appreciation, and strength. Examples of commitment words include "commitment," "get her done," and "structure," while appreciation words include "mindfulness," "enjoy," and "magic." Strength words encompass "resurgence," "abide," and "brave." Listeners are encouraged to share their own words for 2024.

LINKS:

Liz Wilcox's Email Marketing Membership at http://wmdeal.com/liz
Get your FREE Move the Needle goal-setting for authors ebook at https://www.writingmomentum.com
Write with us! Join Chris, Gena, and Rene each Wednesday at noon Central and let's get our writing DONE! https://www.writingmoments.com

Has it really been 100 episodes?! Yes!!

In this episode of the Writing Momentum podcast, Chris and Gena celebrate their podcast's third year and 100th episode by taking a look back at their top five most listened to episodes. They discuss the importance of avoiding cliches in writing, explore the wide range of materials that can be written for children, highlight the benefits of using an email newsletter for marketing, delve into the different types of editing needed for a manuscript, and provide a step-by-step guide on self-publishing on Amazon's Kindle Direct Publishing. They also give an honorable mention to an episode on making time to write based on listener feedback. Listeners are encouraged to subscribe, review, and share the podcast, and are provided with a goal-setting planner and information on an upcoming membership site.

Episodes we talk about:

62: https://www.writingmomentum.com/writing/avoid-this-writing-trap-like-the-plague/
80: https://www.writingmomentum.com/podcast/all-you-can-write-for-children/
60: https://www.writingmomentum.com/marketing/our-best-kept-email-marketing-secret-2/
75: https://www.writingmomentum.com/podcast/why-your-manuscript-needs-editing-four-times/
4: https://www.writingmomentum.com/publishing/what-you-need-to-self-publish-on-amazons-kindle-direct-publishing-kdp/
9: https://www.writingmomentum.com/writing/how-to-make-time-to-write-your-answers/

Links:

Join Liz Wilcox's Email Marketing Membership at https://wmdeal.com/liz
Get your FREE Move the Needle goal-setting for authors ebook at https://www.writingmomentum.com
Write with us! Join Chris, Gena, and Rene each Wednesday at noon Central and let's get our writing DONE! https://www.writingmoments.com

Prefer to watch it on YouTube? Visit https://www.youtube.com/@writingmomentum

Bank Novo is the perfect banking solution for freelance writers and authors. With no minimum balance requirement, no monthly fees, and free transfers, it offers a hassle-free banking experience. The mobile app allows you to easily scan checks and check your balance. You can also create and send professional invoices with its invoicing capabilities. Bank Novo even has an automatic allocation feature for setting aside funds for taxes, savings, and other categories. It integrates seamlessly with popular services like Stripe, Square, and Shopify. With its simplicity, reliability, and helpful customer support, Bank Novo is highly recommended for all your business banking needs.

LINKS:

https://writing.fyi/novo
Liz Wilcox's Email Marketing Membership at http://wmdeal.com/liz
Get your FREE Move the Needle goal-setting for authors ebook at https://www.writingmomentum.com
Write with us! Join Chris, Gena, and Rene each Wednesday at noon Central and let's get our writing DONE! https://www.writingmoments.com

Liz Wilcox, an email strategist and creator of the Email Marketing Membership, helps small businesses, including authors, build online relationships and effective emails. With her own successful business ventures, Liz aims to write a screenplay and have the freedom to write what she wants. She takes a step-by-step approach, focusing on one thing at a time, and believes in building a long-term strategy as an author. Liz's Email Marketing Membership offers weekly newsletter templates and guidance for authors to improve their email marketing, priced at $9 per month. Her ultimate goal is to help 10,000 people achieve their goals through her expertise.

Links:

Liz Wilcox email marketing membership

wmdeal.com/liz

wmdeal.com/lizannual

Get your FREE Move the Needle goal-setting for authors ebook at https://www.writingmomentum.com

Write with us! Join Chris, Gena, and Rene each Wednesday at noon Central and let's get our writing DONE! https://www.writingmoments.com

Kevin Tumlinson is a prolific author who has self-published over 70 books. He developed a 30-day author formula to write a book a month and has written most of his books between 2014-2020. Tumlinson writes in various genres and experiments with different writing speeds, with his fastest record being a 60,000-word book in a day. He emphasizes discipline, daily word count goals, and recommends breaks between books to avoid burnout. Tumlinson incorporates marketing through social media, email newsletters, and personal interactions, and believes the book itself is the best marketing tool. He follows a daily routine, starting with journaling before writing, and uses a looping method to edit and write simultaneously.

LINKS:

kevintumlinson.com
Liz Wilcox's Email Marketing Membership at http://wmdeal.com/liz
Get your FREE Move the Needle goal-setting for authors ebook at https://www.writingmomentum.com
Write with us! Join Chris, Gena, and Rene each Wednesday at noon Central and let's get our writing DONE! https://www.writingmoments.com

The first chapter of any book is crucial for capturing the reader's interest and keeping them engaged throughout the book. It is important to establish a clear premise, answer basic questions, set the tone and mood, and use storytelling techniques effectively. By doing so, the author can engage the reader, establish credibility, and deliver on the promise of the book's title.

LINKS:

melaniehemry@gmail.com
Liz Wilcox's Email Marketing Membership at http://wmdeal.com/liz
Get your FREE Move the Needle goal-setting for authors ebook at https://www.writingmomentum.com
Write with us! Join Chris, Gena, and Rene each Wednesday at noon Central and let's get our writing DONE! https://www.writingmoments.com

Tune into the latest episode of the Writing Momentum podcast with Chris and Gena, featuring the knowledgeable Lara Bernhardt, where they delve deep into the complex world of Amazon categories. Lara shares invaluable insight into the significance of accurately categorizing books on Amazon, giving examples of how misidentification can lead to reader frustration. She also reveals the recent changes Amazon has made to the categories and offers practical tips for authors to effectively narrow down the right categories out of the staggering 16,000 available options. With enlightening discussions, real-life examples, and deeper insights into book publishing on Amazon, this episode is a must-listen for authors looking to maximize the discoverability and success of their books.

Links:

Lara’s book, Red Rain: https://amzn.to/3KhfzjX
Liz Wilcox's Email Marketing Membership at http://wmdeal.com/liz
Get your FREE Move the Needle goal-setting for authors ebook at https://www.writingmomentum.com
Write with us! Join Chris, Gena, and Rene each Wednesday at noon Central and let's get our writing DONE! https://www.writingmoments.com

None

Tune in to the latest episode of the Writing Momentum podcast with Chris and Gena, where they delve into the five must-have Black Friday deals for writers. Focusing on securing the best value for authors, their essential deals range from email marketing with ConvertKit's exclusive annual plan to the revolutionary email templates and trainings offered by Liz Wilcox, along with the time-saving social media management solution provided by SocialBee. Listen to uncover two lifetime deals: ProWritingAid for comprehensive grammar and spell checking and Sessions, a feature-packed video conferencing tool, both available at unbeatable rates. If you're looking to take your writing and marketing strategies to the next level, don't miss this insightful episode packed with exclusive deals!

BLACK FRIDAY DEALS

ConvertKit 30% off Annual - https://wmdeal.com/convertkit
Liz Wilcox's Email Marketing Membership (Annual Version) - https://wmdeal.com/lizannual
ProWritindAid 50% off Lifetime Deal - https://wmdeal.com/prowritingaid
SocialBee 20% off forever - https://wmdeal.com/socialbee - Use coupon MOMENTUM20
Sessions - Lifetime Deal - https://wmdeal.com/sessions

LINKS:

Liz Wilcox's Email Marketing Membership at https://wmdeal.com/liz
Get your FREE Move the Needle goal-setting for authors ebook at https://www.writingmomentum.com
Write with us! Join Chris, Gena, and Rene each Wednesday at noon Central and let's get our writing DONE! https://www.writingmoments.com

In this episode of the Writing Momentum Podcast, Christopher Maselli interviews author Henry McLaughlin as they discuss his latest book launch for "Emily's Trials," a compelling historical fiction set in the 1880s. Henry talks about his decision to hire a launch team and highlights the importance of having an effective coordinator, who managed the recruiting, organization, and daily operations of the launch team. They delve into the role of authors in marketing their books and the increasing expectation for authors to lead the marketing initiatives. Henry also provides insights into the plot and themes of "Emily's Trials," sharing the challenges faced by the protagonist and the intricacies of the book's storyline.

Buy Emily’s Trials by Henry McLaughlin on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3uaL5e5
Liz Wilcox's Email Marketing Membership at http://wmdeal.com/liz
Get your FREE Move the Needle goal-setting for authors ebook at https://www.writingmomentum.com
Write with us! Join Chris, Gena, and Rene each Wednesday at noon Central and let's get our writing DONE! https://www.writingmoments.com

None

In this episode of the Writing Momentum podcast, Chris and Gena are joined by bestselling author William Bernhardt to discuss the pros and cons of traditional versus independent publishing, also known as self-publishing. They explore the evolution of the publishing industry and how the internet has created more opportunities for authors to reach their audience. Bernhardt shares his insights on the stigma that once surrounded self-publishing and how it has changed over time. He also discusses the importance of book quality and promotion, regardless of the publishing path you choose.

Links:

The Florentine Poet by William Bernhardt - https://amzn.to/475K1ak
WriterCon - Labor Day Weekend - https://www.writercon.com
Liz Wilcox's Email Marketing Membership at http://wmdeal.com/liz
Get your FREE Move the Needle goal-setting for authors ebook at https://www.writingmomentum.com
Write with us! Join Chris, Gena, and Rene each Wednesday at noon Central and let's get our writing DONE! https://www.writingmoments.com

In this episode of the Writing Momentum podcast, hosts Chris and Gena chat with Kevin Tumlinson, the voice of indie publishing and the former Director of Marketing for Draft2Digital. They discuss the benefits of self-publishing versus traditional publishing, the changing landscape of the industry, and the best self-publishing options available today. Kevin shares his expertise and insights on reaching readers, marketing strategies, and the power of networking at conferences. He also reveals his exciting new role as CEO of BookSweeps, an author promotions and platform building company. Listeners will gain valuable advice on navigating the publishing world and finding success as an author.

LINKS:

https://www.kevintumlinson.com/
https://www.booksweeps.com/
https://draft2digital.com/
Liz Wilcox's Email Marketing Membership at http://wmdeal.com/liz
Get your FREE Move the Needle goal-setting for authors ebook at https://www.writingmomentum.com
Write with us! Join Chris, Gena, and Rene each Wednesday at noon Central and let's get our writing DONE! https://www.writingmoments.com

In this episode of the Writing Momentum podcast, Chris and Gena are joined by Marisa Corvisiero, the founder and CEO of Corvisiero Literary Agency. They discuss the concept of trends in the writing market, including what defines a trend and how it affects writers. Marisa explains that trends are what is hot and being published or read at a particular time, but cautions against blindly following trends because they can change quickly. They also discuss the influence of other media on book trends and the importance of staying informed. The episode concludes with a discussion about Marisa's upcoming Authorpreneur workshop, where writers will have the opportunity to learn from industry professionals and gain the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed as an author.

Discount Codes:

WRITINGMOMENTUM24 = 15% Off
Students and Faculty to register with an .edu email address gets 20% off. Scholarships are also available!

Links:

https://www.corvisieroagency.com/
https://www.corvisieroagency.com/writers-workshop.html
Liz Wilcox's Email Marketing Membership at http://wmdeal.com/liz
Get your FREE Move the Needle goal-setting for authors ebook at https://www.writingmomentum.com
Write with us! Join Chris, Gena, and Rene each Wednesday at noon Central and let's get our writing DONE! https://www.writingmoments.com

In this episode of the Writing Momentum podcast, Chris and Gena are joined by author Laurel Thomas to discuss incorporating spiritual themes into fiction. They explore how to find and craft a theme, the benefits of adding depth to a story, and the importance of emotional impact. Laurel shares her process of starting with open-ended questions and weaving spiritual themes into her fantasy novels. She also addresses the possibility of adding themes into a manuscript that has already been started. The episode encourages writers to explore universal themes that resonate with readers, regardless of their religious beliefs.

Write with Laurel https://www.writewithlaurel.com
Liz Wilcox's Email Marketing Membership at http://wmdeal.com/liz
Get your FREE Move the Needle goal-setting for authors ebook at https://www.writingmomentum.com
Write with us! Join Chris, Gena, and Rene each Wednesday at noon Central and let's get our writing DONE! https://www.writingmoments.com

In this episode of the Writing Momentum podcast, hosts Chris and Gena address the frustrations of writer Bridget, who is struggling with email marketing. They offer several solutions, including using a lead magnet in books to collect email addresses, simplifying email service providers like MailerLite or ConvertKit, and paring down email lists. They emphasize the importance of starting with what is easy and building from there. Throughout the episode, they provide practical tips and resources to help writers simplify their email marketing efforts and connect with their audience effectively.

Links:

https://wmdeal.com/convertkit
https://wmdeal.com/mailerlite
Liz Wilcox's Email Marketing Membership: https://wmdeal.com/liz and https://wmdeal.com/lizannual
Get your FREE Move the Needle goal-setting for authors ebook at https://www.writingmomentum.com
Write with us! Join Chris, Gena, and Rene each Wednesday at noon Central and let's get our writing DONE! https://www.writingmoments.com

In this episode, Chris and Gena interview Liz Wilcox, an email strategist who helps small businesses and authors build online relationships with their audience. Liz shares her journey into email marketing and why authors should have a newsletter. She explains that a newsletter allows authors to stay connected with their readers, build hype for book releases, and own their platform. Liz also provides tips for creating engaging newsletters, offers a framework for writing them, and discusses her email marketing membership where she provides templates and trainings to help authors market their books effectively.

Links:

Liz Wilcox email marketing membership
wmdeal.com/liz
wmdeal.com/lizannual
Get your FREE Move the Needle goal-setting for authors ebook at https://www.writingmomentum.com
Write with us! Join Chris, Gena, and Rene each Wednesday at noon Central and let's get our writing DONE! https://www.writingmoments.com

In this episode, Chris and Gena interview Marisa Corvisiero, founder and CEO of the Corvisiero Literary Agency. Marisa shares her journey from being a writer to becoming an agent and talks about the changing landscape of publishing. She emphasizes the importance of authors embracing the role of an entrepreneur and the need to understand the business side of publishing. Marisa also discusses the annual Authorpreneur Workshop, an intensive event that helps authors navigate their publishing options and gain the necessary knowledge and skills to succeed. She is offering a special discount for Writing Momentum listeners that can be used on Early Bird Pricing.

Discount Codes:

WRITINGMOMENTUM24 = 15% Off
Students and Faculty to register with an .edu email address gets 20% off. Scholarships are also available!

Links:

https://www.corvisieroagency.com/
https://www.corvisieroagency.com/writers-workshop.html
Liz Wilcox's Email Marketing Membership at https://writing.fyi/liz
Get your FREE Move the Needle goal-setting for authors ebook at https://www.writingmomentum.com
Write with us! Join Chris, Gena, and Rene each Wednesday at noon Central and let's get our writing DONE! https://www.writingmoments.com

Join hosts Chris and Gena in this thought-provoking episode as they engage in a lively discussion about the best style guide for writing. They look at MLA, Chicago, AP, APA formats and more, shedding light on their respective applications in different disciplines. Tune in to this episode to gain a deeper understanding of these formats and discover which style guide might be the best fit for your own writing endeavors. Who will win? YOU if you listen!

LINKS:

Liz Wilcox's Email Marketing Membership at https://writing.fyi/liz
Get your FREE Move the Needle goal-setting for authors ebook at https://www.writingmomentum.com
Write with us! Join Chris, Gena, and Rene each Wednesday at noon Central and let's get our writing DONE! https://www.writingmoments.com

In this dynamic episode, hosts Chris and Gena dive into the world of writer's conferences, sharing invaluable insights on how to make the most of these transformative events. Drawing from their own experiences and expertise, they discuss how to harness the power of writer's conferences and take your craft to the next level. Tune in to this episode and unlock the secrets to making your writer's conference experience truly impactful and rewarding.

LINKS:

WriterCon: https://www.writercon.com (Save $50 with coupon code WEAREWRITERS)
WriterCon Prep Guide: https://writingmomentum.com
Liz Wilcox's Email Marketing Membership at https://writing.fyi/liz
Get your FREE Move the Needle goal-setting for authors ebook at https://www.writingmomentum.com
Write with us! Join Chris, Gena, and Rene each Wednesday at noon Central and let's get our writing DONE! https://www.writingmoments.com

In this episode, we’re talking with Melanie Hemry, an award-winning nonfiction writer who specializes in telling real stories of real people in a captivating way. Today, she’ll teach us the techniques she uses in her interviews, how she coaxes her subjects to speak about often personal, and often difficult journeys, and how she identifies the heart of each person’s story.

LINKS:

MelanieHemry.com
Watch a FREE webinar from Chris, Gena, and Rene to see how to best prep for your next writers’ conference at https://www.writingmomentum.com
Receive your conference prep checklist AND an exclusive coupon code for this year’s WRITERCON at https://www.writingmomentum.com
Liz Wilcox's Email Marketing Membership at https://writing.fyi/liz
Get your FREE Move the Needle goal-setting for authors ebook at https://www.writingmomentum.com
Write with us! Join Chris, Gena, and Rene each Wednesday at noon Central and let's get our writing DONE! https://www.writingmoments.com

In this episode of the Writing Momentum podcast, Chris and Gena dive into the topic of securing speaking engagements at writers' conferences. Drawing from their own experiences and industry insights, they provide guidance on how to effectively pitch yourself as a speaker, network, and showcase your expertise to conference organizers. Whether you're a seasoned writer or just starting out, this episode offers invaluable advice for writers aspiring to share their knowledge and make a lasting impact on the conference circuit.

LINKS:

Watch a FREE webinar from Chris, Gena, and Rene to see how to best prep for your next writers’ conference at https://www.writingmomentum.com
Receive your conference prep checklist AND an exclusive coupon code for this year’s WRITERCON at https://www.writingmomentum.com
Liz Wilcox's Email Marketing Membership at https://writing.fyi/liz
Get your FREE Move the Needle goal-setting for authors ebook at https://www.writingmomentum.com
Write with us! Join Chris, Gena, and Rene each Wednesday at noon Central and let's get our writing DONE! https://www.writingmoments.com

In this episode, we’re talking with Laurel Thomas, an award-winning novelist and the founder of Write Your Heart Out. Laurel began her Write Your Heart Out journey in the midst of COVID. She’s now helping emerging writers and today, she shares what she’s discovered about overcoming insecurity herself but also what she’s learned as she helps new writers on their journeys.

Links:

Write with Laurel - https://www.writewithlaurel.com
Liz Wilcox's Email Marketing Membership at https://writing.fyi/liz
Get your FREE Move the Needle goal-setting for authors ebook at https://www.writingmomentum.com
Write with us! Join Chris, Gena, and Rene each Wednesday at noon Central and let's get our writing DONE! https://www.writingmoments.com

In this episode, we’re talking with Lara Bernhardt, a novelist and publisher and co-host of WriterCon writers' conference in Oklahoma City. This year’s WriterCon has a special event—ReaderCon on September 4. We learn what it is and why every reader and author in the Oklahoma City area should want to be there.

LINKS:

ReaderCon: https://www.writercon.com
Lara’s book, Red Rain: https://amzn.to/3KhfzjX
Liz Wilcox's Email Marketing Membership at https://writing.fyi/liz
Get your FREE Move the Needle goal-setting for authors ebook at https://www.writingmomentum.com
Write with us! Join Chris, Gena, and Rene each Wednesday at noon Central and let's get our writing DONE! https://www.writingmoments.com

In this episode, we’re talking with William Bernhardt, a novelist with more than 60 books and co-host of WriterCon writers' conference in Oklahoma City over Labor Day weekend (Sept. 1-4, 2023). We’ll hear what’s planned for this year’s conference and why you want to be there!

WriterCon - Labor Day Weekend - https://www.writercon.com (Save $50 with coupon code WEAREWRITERS)
Liz Wilcox's Email Marketing Membership at https://writing.fyi/liz
Get your FREE Move the Needle goal-setting for authors ebook at https://www.writingmomentum.com
Write with us! Join Chris, Gena, and Rene each Wednesday at noon Central and let's get our writing DONE! https://www.writingmoments.com

There are SO MANY things you can write for children! From board books to picture books, from chapter books, to middle grade and Young Adult books, there is so much opportunity! On today’s Writing Momentum podcast, Chris and Gena talk about the opportunities available to you…today!

LINKS:

Children’s Book Mastery Summit https://writing.fyi/cbm
Liz Wilcox's Email Marketing Membership at https://writing.fyi/liz
Get your FREE Move the Needle goal-setting for authors ebook at https://www.writingmomentum.com
Write with us! Join Chris, Gena, and Rene each Wednesday at noon Central and let's get our writing DONE! https://www.writingmoments.com

It’s that time of year--one of our favorite online summits, the Children’s Book Mastery Summit is coming July 17 - 23, 2023. Karen Ferreria is back on the podcast and we’re talking to her about this summit, the sessions you can expect, how to sign up, and even how to get it for whatever you want to pay! Don’t miss out on this special summit JUST for children’s book writers. Give your Writing Momentum today!

LINKS:

https://writing.fyi/cbm - Children’s Book Mastery Summit
Liz Wilcox's Email Marketing Membership at https://writing.fyi/liz
Get your FREE Move the Needle goal-setting for authors ebook at https://www.writingmomentum.com
Write with us! Join Chris, Gena, and Rene each Wednesday at noon Central and let's get our writing DONE! https://www.writingmoments.com

If you’re writing a book, don’t try to do it all alone! When you employ just a few people to help, you’ll find it will communicate better, be more attractive and (hopefully!) get more sales. In this episode of the Writing Momentum podcast, Chris and Gena talk about why you absolutely need an editor, a formatter and a cover designer for your book.

LINKS:

Get your FREE Move the Needle goal-setting for authors ebook at https://www.writingmomentum.com
Write with us! Join Chris, Gena, and Rene each Wednesday at noon Central and let's get our writing DONE! https://www.writingmoments.com

WriterCon 2023 in Oklahoma City is fast approaching--it’s the best writer’s conference in the Midwest!--and we have a first look at the location, who’s speaking, what you’ll learn, info about contests and pitching…and so much more! Join Chris, Gena, and Rene Gutteridge for an insider’s look at this wonderful conference.

LINKS:

WriterCon (Use code WEAREWRITERS for $50 off) - https://www.writercon.org
Liz Wilcox's Email Marketing Membership at https://writing.fyi/liz
Get your FREE Move the Needle goal-setting for authors ebook at https://www.writingmomentum.com
Write with us! Join Chris, Gena, and Rene each Wednesday at noon Central and let's get our writing DONE! https://www.writingmoments.com

Writing a picture book can be hard enough…but now you have to get it illustrated! Thankfully, our friend Karen Ferreria has created what may be the BEST children’s picture book illustration service on the planet: GetYourBookIllustrations.com. On this episode of the Writing Momentum podcast, Chris and Gena talk with Karen about why she created this service, how it works, how affordable it is, and why you want your picture book PROFESSIONALLY illustrated. If you’re a picture book writer, you don’t want to miss this!

LINKS:

GetYourBookIllustrations.com
Liz Wilcox's Email Marketing Membership at https://writing.fyi/liz
Get your FREE Move the Needle goal-setting for authors ebook at https://www.writingmomentum.com
Write with us! Join Chris, Gena, and Rene each Wednesday at noon Central and let's get our writing DONE! https://www.writingmoments.com

When you write your manuscript, that’s only the start! In this episode of the Writing Momentum podcast, Chris and Gena talk about the FOUR stages of editing your manuscript may go through, including content editing, technical editing, subject editing and proofreading… And how each one makes your manuscript that much better!

LINKS:

Liz Wilcox's Email Marketing Membership: Email Marketing Membership
Get your FREE Move the Needle goal-setting for authors ebook at https://www.writingmomentum.com
Write with us! Join Chris, Gena, and Rene each Wednesday at noon Central and let's get our writing DONE! https://www.writingmoments.com

This week, Chris and Gena offer proven strategies to conquer 3 more fears and unleash your creative potential! Overcome loss of motivation, loss of originality, and failure to launch with these tips on the Writing Momentum podcast today! Transform your writing journey and emerge victorious.

LINKS:

Liz Wilcox's Email Marketing Membership: Email Marketing Membership
Get your FREE Move the Needle goal-setting for authors ebook at https://www.writingmomentum.com
Write with us! Join Chris, Gena, and Rene each Wednesday at noon Central and let's get our writing DONE! https://www.writingmoments.com

As writers, we face quite a few common fears. But we can outsmart them…and WIN! In this episode of the Writing Momentum podcast, Chris and Gena talk about three more fears writers face: Criticism, Success, and Time Management. Join us and discover how to overcome these fears and get your writing done!

LINKS:

Liz Wilcox's Email Marketing Membership: Email Marketing Membership
Get your FREE Move the Needle goal-setting for authors ebook at https://www.writingmomentum.com
Write with us! Join Chris, Gena, and Rene each Wednesday at noon Central and let's get our writing DONE! https://www.writingmoments.com

It’s us as writers versus FEAR…but we can conquer those inner demons! In this episode of the Writing Momentum podcast, Chris and Gena talk about three more fears writers face: Self-doubt, Vulnerability, and Running Out of Ideas. Join us and discover how to overcome these fears and get your writing done!

LINKS:

Liz Wilcox's Email Marketing Membership: Email Marketing Membership
Get your FREE Move the Needle goal-setting for authors ebook at https://www.writingmomentum.com
Write with us! Join Chris, Gena, and Rene each Wednesday at noon Central and let's get our writing DONE! https://www.writingmoments.com

There’s a dark side to writing: Fears that we all face as authors, writers and creators. In this episode of the Writing Momentum podcast, Chris and Gena talk about the first three fears writers face: Writer’s Block, Rejection, and Failure. Join us and discover how to overcome these fears and get your writing done!

LINKS:

Liz Wilcox's Email Marketing Membership: Email Marketing Membership
Get your FREE Move the Needle goal-setting for authors ebook at https://www.writingmomentum.com
Write with us! Join Chris, Gena, and Rene each Wednesday at noon Central and let's get our writing DONE! https://www.writingmoments.com

You can make your editor’s day! In this episode of the Writing Momentum podcast, Chris and Gena discuss their favorite 5 ways to stand out and make your editor happy. Whether you're a new writer looking to break into the industry or an experienced writer wanting to take your skills to the next level, this podcast will provide you with practical insights and strategies to help you WOW your editor and succeed as a writer!

LINKS:

Liz Wilcox's Email Marketing Membership: Email Marketing Membership
Get your FREE Move the Needle goal-setting for authors ebook at https://www.writingmomentum.com
Write with us! Join Chris, Gena, and Rene each Wednesday at noon Central and let's get our writing DONE! https://www.writingmoments.com

Public speaking can be SCARY! But as a modern day author, it’s also a near-necessity. In this podcast from Writing Momentum, Chris and Gena share some of their best tips and tricks about how to speak with confidence--and make your audience fall in love with you. Listen now!

LINKS:

Liz Wilcox's Email Marketing Membership: Email Marketing Membership
Get your FREE Move the Needle goal-setting for authors ebook at https://www.writingmomentum.com
Write with us! Join Chris, Gena, and Rene each Wednesday at noon Central and let's get our writing DONE! https://www.writingmoments.com

You’re a writer. An author. But do you ALSO have to be a public speaker? In this podcast from Writing Momentum, Chris and Gena make the case for why today’s writer also needs to be a speaker--and exactly what you can speak about that will establish yourself as an authority on your topic. Join us!

LINKS:

Liz Wilcox's Email Marketing Membership: Email Marketing Membership
Get your FREE Move the Needle goal-setting for authors ebook at https://www.writingmomentum.com
Write with us! Join Chris, Gena, and Rene each Wednesday at noon Central and let's get our writing DONE! https://www.writingmoments.com

WE UPLOAD NEW EPISODES EVERY WEDNESDAY!

ABOUT US:

Hi! We’re Christopher and Gena Maselli and we LOVE helping writers write, publish their books, build their author platform, and get sales. With decades of experience, we hope that we can help you have writing momentum. (Seriously!)

FREE STUFF:

FREE PDF on How to Get Noticed by Agents, Editors and Readers: https://www.writingmomentum.com/getnoticed
FREE PDF poster on 7 Strategies to Get Your Writing DONE: 7 Proven Strategies to Getting Your Writing DONE | Writing Momentum
Lots more stuff on our website at writingmomentum.com

AUTHORS: Having trouble managing your social media? Use our favorite tool SOCIALBEE at Social Media Management Tools, Training and Teams | SocialBee Put in coupon MOMENTUM20 for 20% off for LIFE!

FOR EVERYTHING WRITING MOMENTUM…

BLOG = https://www.writingmomentum.com
FACEBOOK = Writing Momentum with Christopher & Gena Maselli
TWITTER = Chris & Gena Maselli at Writing Momentum (@writingmomentum) / Twitter
INSTAGRAM = https://www.instagram.com/writingmomentum
PINTEREST = https://www.pinterest.com/writingmomentum

Questions or comments? We try to respond to every one. Just post below.

We all want to become better writers, but sometimes it can feel like the path to becoming a better writer is a long and hard road. Not so! In this episode of the Writing Momentum podcast, Chris and Gena discuss three key points they've learned over the years that can make your writing better--overnight!

LINKS:

Liz Wilcox's Email Marketing Membership: Email Marketing Membership
Get your FREE Move the Needle goal-setting for authors ebook at https://www.writingmomentum.com
Write with us! Join Chris, Gena, and Rene each Wednesday at noon Central and let's get our writing DONE! https://www.writingmoments.com

WE UPLOAD NEW EPISODES EVERY WEDNESDAY!

ABOUT US:

Hi! We’re Christopher and Gena Maselli and we LOVE helping writers write, publish their books, build their author platform, and get sales. With decades of experience, we hope that we can help you have writing momentum. (Seriously!)

FREE STUFF:

FREE PDF on How to Get Noticed by Agents, Editors and Readers: https://www.writingmomentum.com/getnoticed
FREE PDF poster on 7 Strategies to Get Your Writing DONE: 7 Proven Strategies to Getting Your Writing DONE | Writing Momentum
Lots more stuff on our website at writingmomentum.com

AUTHORS: Having trouble managing your social media? Use our favorite tool SOCIALBEE at Social Media Management Tools, Training and Teams | SocialBee Put in coupon MOMENTUM20 for 20% off for LIFE!

FOR EVERYTHING WRITING MOMENTUM…

BLOG = https://www.writingmomentum.com
FACEBOOK = Writing Momentum with Christopher & Gena Maselli
TWITTER = Chris & Gena Maselli at Writing Momentum (@writingmomentum) / Twitter
INSTAGRAM = https://www.instagram.com/writingmomentum
PINTEREST = https://www.pinterest.com/writingmomentum

Questions or comments? We try to respond to every one. Just post below.

Podcasts have taken the world by storm! But what exactly are podcasts and how can find a good one? In this episode of the Writing Momentum podcast, Chris and Gena discuss the in-and-outs of podcasts and why YOU should be listening regularly to give your writing momentum!

LINKS:

Liz Wilcox's Email Marketing Membership: Email Marketing Membership
Get your FREE Move the Needle goal-setting for authors ebook at https://www.writingmomentum.com
Write with us! Join Chris, Gena, and Rene each Wednesday at noon Central and let's get our writing DONE! https://www.writingmoments.com

WE UPLOAD NEW EPISODES EVERY WEDNESDAY!

ABOUT US:

Hi! We’re Christopher and Gena Maselli and we LOVE helping writers write, publish their books, build their author platform, and get sales. With decades of experience, we hope that we can help you have writing momentum. (Seriously!)

FREE STUFF:

FREE PDF on How to Get Noticed by Agents, Editors and Readers: https://www.writingmomentum.com/getnoticed
FREE PDF poster on 7 Strategies to Get Your Writing DONE: https://www.writingmomentum.com/getitdone
Lots more stuff on our website at writingmomentum.com

AUTHORS: Having trouble managing your social media? Use our favorite tool SOCIALBEE at https://writing.fyi/socialbee Put in coupon MOMENTUM20 for 20% off for LIFE!

FOR EVERYTHING WRITING MOMENTUM…

BLOG = https://www.writingmomentum.com
FACEBOOK = http://www.facebook.com/writingmomentum
TWITTER = https://www.twitter.com/writingmomentum
INSTAGRAM = https://www.instagram.com/writingmomentum
PINTEREST = https://www.pinterest.com/writingmomentum

Join our online writing group that meets Wednesdays at 12p CT! https://www.writingmoments.com

Questions or comments? We try to respond to every one. Just post below.

Nothing is more frustrating that losing your hard work to computer errors! In this episode of the Writing Momentum podcast, Chris and Gena show you how you can backup your documents AUTOMATICALLY in triplicate. If you've ever lost your work, we feel your pain! Listen to this episode to discover how easy it is to save EVERYTHING.

Links:

pCloud https://www.writing.fyi/pcloud
Seagate Backup Drives https://amzn.to/415VIdi
Liz Wilcox's Email Marketing Membership: Email Marketing Membership
Get your FREE Move the Needle goal-setting for authors ebook at https://www.writingmomentum.com
Write with us! Join Chris, Gena, and Rene each Wednesday at noon Central and let's get our writing DONE! https://www.writingmoments.com

There are a LOT of great books out there...but which ones resonate with you so much that you want to take what you're "learning" on the pages and put it into your own manuscript? In this episode of the Writing Momentum podcast, Chris, Gena are joined by Rene Gutteridge to talk about their favorite fiction and non-fiction books--and what you can learn from them as an author.

Links:

Liz Wilcox's Email Marketing Membership: https://writing.fyi/liz
Get your FREE Move the Needle goal-setting for authors ebook at https://www.writingmomentum.com
Write with us! Join Chris, Gena, and Rene each Wednesday at noon Central and let's get our writing DONE! https://www.writingmoments.com

There are a LOT of great movies out there...but which ones resonate with you so much that you want to take what you're "learning" on screen and put it into your own manuscript? In this episode of the Writing Momentum podcast, Chris, Gena are joined by Rene Gutteridge to talk about their favorite movies--and what you can learn from them as an author.

Links:

Liz Wilcox's Email Marketing Membership: https://writing.fyi/liz
Get your FREE Move the Needle goal-setting for authors ebook at https://www.writingmomentum.com
Write with us! Join Chris, Gena, and Rene each Wednesday at noon Central and let's get our writing DONE! https://www.writingmoments.com

In this episode of the Writing Momentum podcast, Chris and Gena talk about three traps writers often fall into when writing--and how to avoid them like the plague. Make your good writing GREAT when you put these tips into practice.

Links:

Liz Wilcox's Email Marketing Membership: https://writing.fyi/liz
Get your FREE Move the Needle goal-setting for authors ebook at https://www.writingmomentum.com
Write with us! Join Chris, Gena, and Rene each Wednesday at noon Central and let's get our writing DONE! https://www.writingmoments.com

This week on the Writing Momentum podcast, we're playing our recent live Q&A on Finding Your Writing Community. It's so good! Looking for a way to find writing friends or build a reading audience? We cover all that and more!

Q’s include:

How do I get back in the writing game when I’ve been away from it for a while?
How do I build an audience for my book?
What’s the best writing investment you’ve made?
How do you network when it comes to publishing?

Links:

Liz Wilcox's Email Marketing Membership: https://writing.fyi/liz
Mailerlite: https://writing.fyi/mailerlite
Get your FREE Move the Needle goal-setting for authors ebook at https://www.writingmomentum.com
Write with us! Join Chris, Gena, and Rene each Wednesday at noon Central and let's get our writing DONE! https://www.writingmoments.com

This is it! Early on we discovered we can't do this marketing thing alone. It's TOGETHER that we have Writing Momentum! In this episode of the Writing Momentum podcast, Chris and Gena share their best kept secret when it comes to email marketing...and tell you how you can have it, too.

Links:

Liz Wilcox's Email Marketing Membership: https://writing.fyi/liz
Mailerlite: https://writing.fyi/mailerlite
ConvertKit: https://writing.fyi/convertkit
Get your FREE Move the Needle goal-setting for authors ebook at https://www.writingmomentum.com
Post to social media FAST with our favorite social media scheduler, SocialBee, and get 20% off for LIFE with coupon code MOMENTUM20 : https://writing.fyi/socialbee
Write with us! Join Chris, Gena, and Rene each Wednesday at noon Central and let's get our writing DONE! https://www.writingmoments.com

We've discovered how important it is to have an email list as an author...but that doesn't mean it's easy to have one! In this episode of the Writing Momentum podcast, Chris and Gena share their BIGGEST email fails on their road to success. Learn from us so your path doesn't have to be so rocky!

Links:

Mailerlite: https://writing.fyi/mailerlite
ConvertKit: https://writing.fyi/convertkit
Get your FREE Move the Needle goal-setting for authors ebook at https://www.writingmomentum.com
Post to social media FAST with our favorite social media scheduler, SocialBee, and get 20% off for LIFE with coupon code MOMENTUM20 : https://writing.fyi/socialbee
Write with us! Join Chris, Gena, and Rene each Wednesday at noon Central and let's get our writing DONE! https://www.writingmoments.com

"Email Automation" is when you create a series of emails that automatically go out, based on something that triggers them to send. In this episode of the Writing Momentum podcast, Chris and Gena discuss three different email automation series you MUST have to take your author business to the next level!

Links:

Mailerlite: https://writing.fyi/mailerlite
ConvertKit: https://writing.fyi/convertkit
Get your FREE Move the Needle goal-setting for authors ebook at https://www.writingmomentum.com
Post to social media FAST with our favorite social media scheduler, SocialBee, and get 20% off for LIFE with coupon code MOMENTUM20 : https://writing.fyi/socialbee
Write with us! Join Chris, Gena, and Rene each Wednesday at noon Central and let's get our writing DONE! https://www.writingmoments.com

When it comes to an email marketing service for authors, there are SO MANY choices out there! In this episode of the Writing Momentum podcast, Chris and Gena discuss what an ideal email service should provide for you out of the box....and if it doesn't, keep moving!

Links:

Mailerlite: https://writing.fyi/mailerlite
ConvertKit: https://writing.fyi/convertkit
Get your FREE Move the Needle goal-setting for authors ebook at https://www.writingmomentum.com
Post to social media FAST with our favorite social media scheduler, SocialBee, and get 20% off for LIFE with coupon code MOMENTUM20 : https://writing.fyi/socialbee
Write with us! Join Chris, Gena, and Rene each Wednesday at noon Central and let's get our writing DONE! https://www.writingmoments.com

To give your writing momentum, the best thing you can do is START your day right. In this episode of the Writing Momentum podcast, Chris and Gena discuss their favorite strategies for setting up a productive day from the moment they wake.

Links:

Post to social media FAST with our favorite social media scheduler, SocialBee, and get 20% off for LIFE with coupon code MOMENTUM20 : https://writing.fyi/socialbee
Write with us! Join Chris, Gena, and Rene each Wednesday at noon Central and let's get our writing DONE! https://www.writingmoments.com

We love DEALS! In this episode of the Writing Momentum podcast, Chris and Gena discuss some of the BEST Black Friday deals to look for, tailor-made for authors and writers. If you're ready to give your writing life a big step forward, get ready to get some great deals that'll help you along the way.

Links:

Post to social media FAST with our favorite social media scheduler, SocialBee, and get 20% off for LIFE with coupon code MOMENTUM20 : https://writing.fyi/socialbee
Write with us! Join Chris, Gena, and Rene each Wednesday at noon Central and let's get our writing DONE! https://www.writingmoments.com

Writing isn't a solo venture...especially if you're co-authoring a book, writing a screenplay, working with an editor, or working with an agent. In this episode, Chris, Gena, and friend-of-the-show Rene Gutteridge share their favorite collaborating tips when working with others on your manuscript.

Links:

Post to social media FAST with our favorite social media scheduler, SocialBee, and get 20% off for LIFE with coupon code MOMENTUM20 : https://writing.fyi/socialbee
Write with us! Join Chris, Gena, and Rene each Wednesday at noon Central and let's get our writing DONE! https://www.writingmoments.com

You've heard about "Point of View" and know it's important when writing fiction, but what is it? And why should you care? In this episode of Writing Momentum, Chris, Gena and friend-of-the-show Rene Gutteridge, talk about POV, the different kinds (first person, second person, third person, universal) and how YOU can make sure your novel has the strongest Point of View possible.

Links:

Post to social media FAST with our favorite social media scheduler, SocialBee, and get 20% off for LIFE with coupon code MOMENTUM20 : https://writing.fyi/socialbee
Write with us! Join Chris, Gena, and Rene each Wednesday at noon Central and let's get our writing DONE! https://www.writingmoments.com

A couple weeks ago, Chris and Gena ran a podcast series on authors and social media, and shared how many of the social media channels catered to young people. But what if your audience is older? Today, they discuss good news for reaching older audiences on social media.

Links:

SeniorTechClub article: https://www.seniortechclub.com/tech-recipe/social-media-for-seniors/
Post to social media FAST with our favorite social media scheduler, SocialBee, and get 20% off for LIFE with coupon code MOMENTUM20 : https://writing.fyi/socialbee
Write with us! Join Chris, Gena, and Rene each Wednesday at noon Central and let's get our writing DONE! https://www.writingmoments.com

Every day Chris helps authors get published through Amazon. In doing so, he's seen that there is one key page most writers FORGET to put in their books! In this episode of the Writing Momentum podcast, Chris goes over the essential sections books have--and why there's a one you should include FOR SURE.

Links:

Post to social media FAST with our favorite social media scheduler, SocialBee, and get 20% off for LIFE with coupon code MOMENTUM20 : https://writing.fyi/socialbee
Write with us! Join Chris, Gena, and Rene each Wednesday at noon Central and let's get our writing DONE! https://www.writingmoments.com

As authors, we need to build a relationship with our audience to succeed. Marketing, after all, is about relationships! In this episode of the Writing Momentum podcast, Chris and Gena talk about WHY you'd want to use social media...or avoid it completely. Whether you're looking at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, Pinterest or YouTube, there's a social media platform in your future!

Links:

Post to social media FAST with our favorite social media scheduler, SocialBee, and get 20% off for LIFE with coupon code MOMENTUM20 : https://writing.fyi/socialbee
Write with us! Join Chris, Gena, and Rene each Wednesday at noon Central and let's get our writing DONE! https://www.writingmoments.com
Statusbrew article: https://statusbrew.com/insights/social-media-statistics/#social-media-usage-statistics

As authors, we need to build a relationship with our audience to succeed. Marketing, after all, is about relationships! In this episode of the Writing Momentum podcast, Chris and Gena talk about how to pick the BEST social media network for your interactions with your audience. Whether you're looking at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, Pinterest or YouTube, there's a social media platform in your future!

Links:

Post to social media FAST with our favorite social media scheduler, SocialBee, and get 20% off for LIFE with coupon code MOMENTUM20 : https://writing.fyi/socialbee
Write with us! Join Chris, Gena, and Rene each Wednesday at noon Central and let's get our writing DONE! https://www.writingmoments.com
Statusbrew Infographic: https://statusbrew.com/insights/social-media-statistics/#social-media-usage-statistics

As authors, we need to build a relationship with our audience to succeed. Marketing, after all, is about relationships! In this episode of the Writing Momentum podcast, Chris and Gena share some amazing social media stats and talk about WHY you'd want to use social media...or avoid it completely. Whether you're looking at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, Pinterest or YouTube, there's a social media platform in your future!

Links:

Post to social media FAST with our favorite social media scheduler, SocialBee, and get 20% off for LIFE with coupon code MOMENTUM20 : https://writing.fyi/socialbee
Write with us! Join Chris, Gena, and Rene each Wednesday at noon Central and let's get our writing DONE! https://www.writingmoments.com
Statusbrew article: https://statusbrew.com/insights/social-media-statistics/#social-media-usage-statistics

Many authors look at publishing traditionally because they don't know how to market their book...but the truth is, even traditional publishers require you to be the number one marketer of your work. On this Writing Momentum podcast, Chris and Gena talk about book marketing for traditional and self-publishers, talking about who's responsible for doing what...and what you can expect.

Links:

Writing Moments - Write with us and give your writing momentum!

Publishers and agents receive THOUSANDS of manuscripts every year...yet only a handful of submissions are published. How can you beat out your competition and get into the top 3% of manuscripts they receive? On this week's Writing Momentum podcast, Chris and Gena discuss what they've learned over the years about getting OUT of the slush pile FAST.

Links:

Writing Moments - Write with us and give your writing momentum!

We just returned from the 2022 WriterCon Writer's Conference. It was soooo good! In this Writing Momentum podcast, Chris and Gena share their key takeaways.

Links:

- Writing Moments - Write with us and give your writing momentum!

On this week's Writing Momentum podcast, Chris and Gena talk about one of the most essential elements for an author's website: The Lead Magnet. In this episode they talk about what a lead magnet is, why you need one, what a lead magnet is NOT, examples of lead magnets and how to deploy one. It's a lead magnet fiesta!

Links:

Writing Moments - Write with us and give your writing momentum!

Don't forget this special deal for authors!

SocialBee - Social Media Content Management for Writers

Special Rare coupon for SocialBee: MOMENTUM20 - Lock in 20% off for LIFE!

On this week's Writing Momentum podcast, Chris and Gena discuss one of their favorite apps for writers: SocialBee. Chris explains how they set it up, how they use it, and how it's like having an entire social media team at your disposal. If you want to use social media like Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, LinkedIn and Instagram to promote your book sales and build a relationship with your audience, see how a content management app like SocialBee can work double-time for you.

Links:

Writing Moments - Write with us and give your writing momentum!
SocialBee - Social Media Content Management for Writers
Special Rare coupon for SocialBee: MOMENTUM20 - Lock in 20% off for LIFE!

Frank Ball is a master storyteller. The director of the North Texas Christian Writers Conference and founder of Story Help Groups, Frank has an extensive career as a ghostwriter, copy editor, graphic designer, and self-publisher. Today, Chris and Gena talk to Frank about his creative approach to storytelling – the SCOOP method, and how you, yes YOU, have a story to tell!

Links:

Writing Moments - Write with us and give your writing momentum!
Frank Ball

When it comes to writing for the inspirational market, no one knows it better than Frank Ball. The director of the North Texas Christian Writers Conference and founder of Story Help Groups, Frank has an extensive career as a ghostwriter, copy editor, graphic designer, and self-publisher.

Today, Chris and Gena welcome Frank to give us insights into why you might want to write for the Inspirational market, and how to navigate your way successfully.

Links:

Writing Moments - Write with us and give your writing momentum!
Frank Ball

Your writing can have MASSIVE influence in other people's lives! Creating compelling writing that challenges people is a challenge in itself – but you can do it with the right preparation. In this episode of the Writing Momentum podcast, Chris and Gena talk the three components every writer must consider when writing an article or book designed to persuade.

Links:

Writing Moments - Write with us and give your writing momentum!

"In a Zendesk survey, 87% of consumers said consistent branding across all online and traditional platforms was important." - Oberlo

People expect your tone and voice across your website and all channels to be CONSISTENT. In this episode of the Writing Momentum podcast, Chris and Gena talk about how branding can take you and your books to the next level.

Links:

Writing Moments - Write with us and give your writing momentum!

Twitter is a great source of questions and answers for writers. In this episode, Chris, Gena, and Rene answer more questions from Twitter including:

How complete should picture book illustrations be?
Do you start brainstorming a new script idea from plot or character
How long is too long for an epic novel?

Links:

Writing Moments - Write with us and give your writing momentum!
twitter.com/writingmomentum

When it’s time to submit your book to an editor or agent, the best place to start is with a query letter. A query letter is what you send out to gauge interest in a specific book idea. And in this episode, Chris, Gena, and Rene answer questions about Query letters from Twitter including:

What should you put in a query letter?
Should you query only one genre at a time?

Links:

Writing Moments - Write with us and give your writing momentum!
twitter.com/writingmomentum

Your writing space is important. It's where you practice your craft and bring your message and story to life. You should feel comfortable and motivated to get your writing done when you're there. In this episode, Chris and Gena discuss how to create a comfortable writing space that keeps you motivated to write.

Links:

Writing Moments - Write with us and give your writing momentum!

How does the Internet view your newsletter? Is it marked as spam or quality content? While some of that depends on your email provider, some is based on your newsletter's format and content. In this episode, Chris and Gena list the three elements that will quickly get your newsletter marked as spam.

Links:

Episode 5 - How We TRIPLED Our Email Open Rates
Writing Moments - Write with us and give your writing momentum!

Every author can have their very own author page on Amazon. It's as easy as going to https://author.amazon.com and logging in. But making your page effective is more challenging. In this episode, Chris and Gena talk about how you can maximize your Amazon author page so it's helpful, SEO-friendly, and propped to not only sell books, but also get people into your sales funnel.

Links:

Writing Moments - Be the first to give your writing momentum!

Many people feel "insufficient" to create courses, but the truth is, YOU are an expert! This week, Chris talks about how to set yourself up as an expert in your field, no matter what it is you want to teach. A special "crossover episode" with the Course Wizards podcast.

Links:

Writing Moments - Be the first to give your writing momentum!

Sometimes it's hard to "get in the flow" when it comes to writing. One of the best ways to enter the flow is to set clear intention about what you're going to do when you sit down to write. In this episode of the Writing Momentum podcast, Chris and Gena discuss the power of writing with INTENTION.

Links:

Writing Moments - Be the first to give your writing momentum!

One of our favorite techniques for time management in our writing time is using the Pomodoro Technique. In this episode of the Writing Momentum podcast, Chris and Gena discuss how to deal with distractions and how to put the Pomodoro Technique into practice as an author and writer.

Links:

Writing Moments - Be the first to give your writing momentum!

Chris, Gena and Rene Gutteridge discuss why accountability is so important for writers. We each share what accountability looks like in our careers, how we found it, and the difference it's made.

Links:

Writing Moments - Be the first to give your writing momentum!

Rene Gutteridge joins Chris and Gena to discuss ideas for how writers can find time to write. As busy full-time writers (usually for others), we know how hard it can be to carve out time to write our own work. We discuss strategies that help us succeed in our writing goals, mindset shifts we've learned along the way, and tips that we know have worked for others. If you want to finish your book, blog, article or [fill in the blank here], come hear how you too can find time to write!

Links:

Writing Moments - Be the first to give your writing momentum!

It's our first interview on the podcast! Rene Gutteridge is a professional writer with 24 novels published traditionally, one of was turned into a Hallmark movie, and multiple screenplays, including her latest, Family Camp, which is in theaters now. Join us for a conversation about writing, accountability and an introduction to Writing Moments.

Links:

Writing Moments - Be the first to give your writing momentum!

A question from Twitter asked us if we had any tips about writing articles, and we deliver! This week on the Writing Momentum podcast, Chris and Gena share 7 tips for writing an article for the first time.

Links:

Get Noticed by Agents, Editors and Readers FREE PDF

Writer's conferences are perhaps the successful writer's best kept secret! They are well worth the cost and can give you a leap forward in your writing career. This week on the Writing Momentum podcast, Chris and Gena talk about writer's conferences and why there should be one in your future.

Links:

Get Noticed by Agents, Editors and Readers FREE PDF

Sometimes all you need to write a strong fiction book is a good idea. But what if you could make that good idea GREAT? In this episode of the Writing Momentum podcast, Chris and Gena talk about how to find the "golden thread" in a web of ideas that make your book really stand out from the crowd.

Links:

Get Noticed by Agents, Editors and Readers FREE PDF

Pinterest is a search engine platform people go to when they're looking for solutions--and that includes your books! In this Writing Momentum podcast episode, Chris and Gena talk about the draw of Pinterest and why it may be a good support for your writing career.

Links:

Get Noticed by Agents, Editors and Readers FREE PDF
Canva

Last week, Chris and Gena talked about the importance of building a simple newsletter for your audience. This week, they discuss five things you should always include in your email newsletter for maximum effect. If you're not sure where to start, this is the place!

Links:

Get Noticed by Agents, Editors and Readers FREE PDF
Mailerlite
ConvertKit
GetGist

Building an email list may be the most powerful tool in any writer's arsenal – especially independent authors. In this episode of the Writing Momentum podcast, Chris and Gena discuss how you can create a newsletter, why a "simple" newsletter is often preferable, and tricks they've learned to improve its success.

Links:

Get Noticed by Agents, Editors and Readers FREE PDF
Mailerlite
ConvertKit
GetGist

Joining a Mastermind for writers, for small businesses, or for entrepreneurs may be just the "secret sauce" you need to finish writing your book, get published, establish your branding, or jumpstart your sales. In this episode of the Writing Momentum podcast, Chris and Gena discuss how joining masterminds impacted their writing and publishing lives, and why it may be life-changing for you, too.

Links:

Get Noticed by Agents, Editors and Readers FREE PDF

When it comes to charging for your writing, many authors don't know where to start. How much do you charge per hour? Per project? How much is too little? How much is too much? In this episode, Chris and Gena talk about that and recommend a formula they've used for years.

Links:

Get Noticed by Agents, Editors and Readers FREE PDF

Do you need an ISBN? How about a UPC code? And what's an ASIN? On this episode, Chris and Gena talk about the pros and cons of getting an ISBN when you're self-publishing.

Links:

Get Noticed by Agents, Editors and Readers FREE PDF
Kindle Direct Publishing
MyIdentifiers.com

Recently, we asked listeners to share how they make time to write ... and the feedback was very interesting! On this podcast, Chris and Gena talk about their favorite answers on how YOU make sure you write on a regular basis – no matter what.

Links:

Get Noticed by Agents, Editors and Readers FREE PDF

Today on the podcast, Chris and Gena answer questions from listeners and writers on Twitter including:

What should a self-published author include on their website?
Is it OK to begin sentences with "And" or "Because"?
Will agents reject a submission based on word count?

...and more!

Links:

Get Noticed by Agents, Editors and Readers FREE PDF

For many people 2021 was a difficult year. For Chris and Gena as writers and entrepreneurs, it held several lessons they've grown from – and that you will find insightful when it comes to branding for authors.

Links:

Get Noticed by Agents, Editors and Readers FREE PDF

We all need to grow as writers, so what are the best ways? In this episode, Chris and Gena talk about one of Gena's favorites: by teaching writing to others. When you have to explain techniques and break down concepts, you can't help but grow as a writer. You become more aware of those techniques as you write/edit.

Links:

Get Noticed by Agents, Editors and Readers FREE PDF
NewZenler Course Platform

Getting your emails opened is SO important. If no one's opening your emails, no one's reading them! In this episode, Chris and Gena talk about how they TRIPLED their email open rates quick and easy.

Links:

Get Noticed by Agents, Editors and Readers FREE PDF
GetGist
Mailerlite
Convertkit
ActiveCampaign
NewZenler Teaching Platform

Are you ready to self-publish your book on Amazon's Kindle Direct Publishing platform? It's easier than you think. In this episode, Chris and Gena talk about everything you need for your book...so you can get published today.

Links:

Get Noticed by Agents, Editors and Readers FREE PDF
Amazon's KDP Dashboard
ISBN and Barcodes
Vellum Formatting Software for Mac

Every author website needs key components to make it effective, not only for readers, but also for Google to find and index properly. In this episode, Chris and Gena talk about the 5 most important items for YOUR website.

Links:

Get Noticed by Agents, Editors and Readers FREE PDF

Writer's block can plague writers, keeping them from writing their books or building their freelance careers. In this episode, Chris and Gena talk about writer's block and how to DESTROY it like the wimpy villain it is.

Links:

* Free How to Get Noticed by Agents, Editors, and Readers PDF

If you want to become a full-time writer, or even just author a book in your spare time, you need to know the four pillars of a writing career: Writing, Publishing, Branding, and Selling.

In this episode, Chris and Gena talk about each one and how you can launch your career or book with these pillars.

Links:

* Free How to Get Noticed by Agents, Editors, and Readers PDF

Christopher and Gena Maselli love helping others with writing, publishing, building their author brand, and selling books.

They each have authored several award-winning books. They’ve also helped individuals and organizations as ghostwriters, editors, direct mail writers, curriculum program authors, magazine writers, and much, much more.

Visit their website at https://www.writingmomentum.com and get their FREE PDF on How to Get Noticed by Agents, Editors and Readers.

The Writing Momentum podcast posts weekly. Please help others find the podcast by rating it, reviewing it, and sharing it with other writers!

Writing Momentum has a podcast! In this introductory episode, Chris and Gena introduce themselves and share why they believe they can help give your writing momentum.

Links:

Free How to Get Noticed by Agents, Editors, and Readers PDF

Christopher and Gena Maselli love helping others with writing, publishing, building their author brand, and selling books.

They each have authored several award-winning books. They’ve also helped individuals and organizations as ghostwriters, editors, direct mail writers, curriculum program authors, magazine writers, and much, much more.

Visit their website at https://www.writingmomentum.com and get their FREE PDF on How to Get Noticed by Agents, Editors and Readers.

The Writing Momentum podcast posts weekly. Please help others find the podcast by rating it, reviewing it, and sharing it with other writers!