Authoring Onward: Recent Episodes
Connie B. Dowell
Publishing a book is a victory… but it’s not the end. After you sweep up the confetti and wash the champagne flutes, what’s next? Authoring Onward is the podcast about those steps after your first publication, going from published author to having a long-term writing career.
On this episode of Authoring Onward, I chat with Emily Jon Tobias about gesture in writing, her winding path to publication, and so much more! This is going to be one of the final episodes of Authoring Onward. We have had a great run, but as both Joy and I are moving on to new… Read More »Episode 160: Gesture in Writing with Emily Jon Tobias
This week, I chatted with Cynthia Newberry Marten about so many things: releasing books close together, writing characters at different ages and stages, and her 50-state book tour. Wow!
Have a listen.
About Cynthia
Cynthia Newberry Martin’s (she/her/hers) first novel, Tidal Flats, won the Gold Medal in Literary Fiction at the 2020 Independent Publisher Book Awards and the 14th Annual National Indie Excellence Award for Fiction. Her website features the How We Spend Our Days series, over a decade of essays by writers on their lives. She grew up in Atlanta and now lives in Columbus, Georgia, with her husband, and in Provincetown, Massachusetts, in a little house by the water. Her third novel, The Art of Her Life, will be published in June of 2023.
Cynthia’s website
Get in touch
My editing and coaching services
Joy’s editing and coaching services
This week, Joy and I had a great chat with Marjorie Hudson about writing southern fiction as a transplant to the south, finding a writing community, and so much more! Have a listen for a great chat and an excerpt of her work.
About Marjorie:
“I grew up in the North,” Marjorie says, “but I got here as fast as I could.”
Marjorie Hudson was born in a small town in Illinois and raised in Washington, D.C., where she graduated from American University with a degree in Journalism and Women’s Studies. After serving as features editor of National Parks Magazine, she moved to rural North Carolina, working as a freelance writer with a column interviewing nature photographers and publishing articles in Garden & Gun, American Land Forum, Wildlife in North Carolina, Our State Magazine, and North Carolina Literary Review. As copyediting chief for Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill, she encountered the work of contemporary Southern writers such as Jill McCorkle, Kaye Gibbons, and Clyde Edgerton for the first time. Inspired, she turned her hand to fiction writing, and her first story won a statewide award judged by Shannon Ravenel. She earned an MFA from Warren Wilson College. She lives with her husband, Sam, and feisty small terrier DJ, on a century farm in North Carolina, where she mentors writers and reads poetry to trees.
Marjorie’s website
Get in touch:
My editorial services
Joy’s editorial services
We’re back for Spring 2023! And for the first episode of the season, I chat with Cheryl King about her historical fiction, the way she finds inspiration by participating in writing contests, and so much more. Have a listen!
About Cheryl:
After 12 years in the newspaper business, I got the teaching bug and became a middle-school language arts teacher. I then got a master’s degree in literacy and served my district as a literacy coach. Now I am a licensed Dyslexia Therapist.
While I have a fulfilling day job, writing is in my blood, and it’s about time I get something published (I’m no spring chicken). When I’m not working, I’m either reading or typing away, trying to create the perfect fiction piece for #NYCMidnight and other writing contests. My debut novel, Sitting on Top of the World (young-adult historical fiction) was published on June 15, 2021, but my publisher closed three weeks later. I have republished my book with a brand-new cover by author and illustrator Jamie Hitt, and some updates inside.
Since republishing, my book was given the amazing honor of winning first place in the YA category in the Eric Hoffer Book Awards. It also won a First Horizon Award for debut authors and was shortlisted for the Grand Prize. I am now working on the sequel, Under the Pawpaw Trees, to be published in 2023.
Cheryl’s website
Wanna get in touch?My editorial and coaching services
Joy’s editorial and coaching services
This week, Joy and I chatted with my author buddy Michelle Nott about her new book, Teddy Let’s Go, writing quiet books, persistence, pivoting, and so much more! It was a great chat full of lessons for children’s and adult writers alike. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
Also, this is the last episode of our autumn season. See you in early 2023!
About Michelle:
Michelle Nott is an author, poet, and freelance editor with articles and stories published in numerous online and print publications. Michelle is a member of SCBWI and CBI. Prior to a family move to Belgium, where they lived over a decade, she worked for a French company in the US and France, at an art gallery in NYC, and taught French (PreK – 12 and university levels).
Besides reading and writing, Michelle enjoys spending time with her family cooking, traveling, visiting art museums, taking long walks through the Belgian countryside, hiking along the Cornish coast and snow-shoeing in the French Alps. She currently resides in North Carolina.
Michelle’s poem INIS MEAIN earned an Honorable Mention from Writer’s Digest in their 80th Annual Competition. Michelle has authored two Early Readers: FREDDY, HOPPIE AND THE EYEGLASSES and DRAGON AMY’S FLAMES. Her debut Picture Book, TEDDY LET’S GO!, is available for now (Enchanted Lion Books, Fall 2022).
Get Teddy Let’s Go!
Awesome Announcements from Joy and MeJoy has book coaching openings starting in late January.
I’ve got coaching and editing openings.
New Novella: Calamity at the Christmas Concert
Joy’s giveaway
New Writer Wellness Gift Pack on her site
Back Episodes on PlanningDoing some 2023 planning for your writing/publishing? Here are some episodes that may help!
This week we talked about writing your passion with Julie Carrick Dalton. Julie writes powerful stories that deal with climate issues. We talked about the value of writing your passion, creating characters readers connect with, and so much more!
About Julie:
Julie Carrick Dalton is the Boston-based author of The Last Beekeeper and Waiting for the Night Song, named a Most Anticipated 2021 novel by CNN, Newsweek, USA Today, Parade, and others, and an Amazon Editor’s pick for Best Books of the Month. A Bread Loaf, Tin House, and GrubStreet Novel Incubator alum, Julie is a frequent speaker on the topic of Fiction in the Age of Climate Crisis at universities, conferences, libraries, and museums. Her writing has appeared in Chicago Review of Books, Orion, Newsweek, The Boston Globe, Electric Literature, Lit Hub, and other publications. When she isn’t writing, you can usually find Julie digging in her garden, skiing, kayaking, or walking her dogs.
Awesome Announcements from Joy and MeJoy has book coaching openings starting in late January.
I’ve got coaching and editing openings.
New Novella: Calamity at the Christmas Concert
Joy’s giveaway
New Writer Wellness Gift Pack Coming Next Week
Hello and happy Thanksgiving! We’re back from break. We had a great chat with author Allen Klein. He shares about the therapeutic benefits of humor and many lessons learned from his long career in publishing.
Have a listen… and a laugh!
About Allen:
Allen’s Site
Allen’s TED talk
Ever hear of a “Jollytologist®”? Well meet the world’s one and only Allen Klein. Through his books and his presentations, Klein shows people worldwide how to deal with everything from traffic jams to tragedies.
Klein got into this unusual line of work after his wife died of a rare liver disease at the age of 34. He saw how humor helped her, and those around her, cope. He also saw how humor helped him get through that loss. He now teaches others how to find some in trying times. Those audiences include people in 48 states as well as Israel and Australia, and clients from IBM to the IRS.
Klein is an award-winning speaker and best-selling author. He is the recipient of a Toastmasters Communication and Leadership Award and a Certified Speaking Professional designation from the National Speakers Association. (Less than 800 of its 4,000 members have this honor.) Klein has authored, among other books, The Healing Power of Humor, Quotations to Cheer You Up, Up Words for Down Days, and The Courage to Laugh. The first book, The Healing Power of Humor, shows people how to use humor to deal with everyday trials and tribulations; the latter book, The Courage to Laugh, documents how people have used humor to triumph over tragedy.
Klein has a master’s degree in humor from St. Mary’s College in Minnesota (and that’s no joke!) And he is well suited to his subject. Years before becoming a “Jollytologist®”, Klein was nicknamed the “King of Whimsy” because he designed all the children shows at CBS television in New York City. Among those productions was one you probably remember the Captain Kangaroo show.
Although no longer working in the light-hearted world of children, Klein still believes that adults need to take a lesson from them and lighten up. To help adults do this, Klein is both the editor of The Mid-Month Mirth Memo e-zine, founder of International Mirth Month (every March), and past-president of the Association of Applied and Therapeutic Humor (www.aath.org).
Comedian Jerry Lewis has said that Klein is “a noble and vital force watching over the human condition.” And who would have thought that it would be a “Jollytologist®”?
Get in touch with us!
My editing and coaching services
Joy’s editing and coaching services
This week, Joy and I chat with Valerie Nieman about her books and the vivid setting she creates. Ever wondered how to deepen your own settings? Have a listen for Valerie’s tips and exercises to craft unforgettable settings. Reminder: We’ll be out next week for the holiday. Be back at you in two weeks! About… Read More »Episode 153: Writing vivid settings with Valerie Nieman
This week, Joy and I chatted with historical fiction author and book coach Susanne Dunlap. We had a great chat about research inspiration, mining one’s own family or local history for story ideas, and much more! About Susanne: Susanne Dunlap is the author of twelve works of historical fiction for adults and teens, as well… Read More »Episode 152: Historical Fiction and Inspiration with Susanne Dunlap
This week on the podcast we chatted with PJ McIlvaine about one of my favorite topics (because it’s something I am always trying to tweak and figure out myself) work/life balance for writers. Have a listen and learn from her wealth of experience. We also chatted about PBPitch, the Twitter pitch event for picture book… Read More »Episode 151: work/life balance with PJ McIlvaine
This week, we chatted with Liz Alterman about resilience, writing groups, and her path to publication. Have a listen to her great advice and inspiring story of persistence! About Liz: Liz Alterman lives in New Jersey with her husband and three sons. She spends most days repeatedly microwaving the same cup of coffee and looking up… Read More »Episode 150: Resilience in writing with LIz Alterman
This week on the show, I chatted with author, podcaster, and veteran of public radio Kitty Felde. We had a wonderful chat about her middle grade mysteries and her podcasts as well as podcasting for authors. Being a guest is a great way to dip your toes into podcasting if you’re curious about it or… Read More »Episode 149: Podcasting (and being a guest) for authors with Kitty Felde
This week, I’ve got Joy back on the show with me as we talk about her course, Create a Discussion Guide for Your Book. We’ve all seen lists of discussion questions in the back of books, but have you ever considered creating such a guide for your own book? Joy talks about why discussion guides… Read More »Episode 148: Creating a discussion guide for your Book with Joy E. Held
I’m back for the autumn season! You can look forward to weekly episodes of Authoring Onward until shortly before Christmas. And I’ve got some awesome announcements! First, former guest Joy E. Held is joining the podcast. She’s doing some work behind the scenes, but you’ll also hear her voice a bit more in future…including an… Read More »Episode 147: Q4 planning for writers
This week on Authoring Onward, I chat with Paul Attaway about finding that creative voice within, whether it’s finding the initial inspiration to write or breaking writer’s block as you go forward. Have a listen! About Paul: Paul was born and raised in the Atlanta, Georgia area. Paul and his wife, Lyn, met in college… Read More »Episode 146: Finding your creative voice with Paul Attaway
I’m so pleased to be editing, writing, and podcasting from an actual writing desk this week. It’s not in its final position, but behold! Sooo much better than the wobbly folding table where I’ve done most of my work for the past three years. What a glamorous author life, right? Today’s episode is about 7… Read More »Episode 145: 7 things that didn’t work for my author business
I’m back! After a bit over a month of kid activities, the whole family getting covid, then catching up after recovering from covid, I’m so glad to be podcasting again. And as we emerge from the busyness that is the end of spring, it’s a great time to think about how summer will change our… Read More »Episode 144: Summer Rescheduling for Writers
Today is a little different on the show. I got a bee in my bonnet about something and decided to do this episode as a response and to take the time to also script the show so that it could stand alone as a blog post below for greater accessibility. Authoring Onward is a show… Read More »Episode 143: Creativity in survival mode: A response to Care and Feeding
I hope you are all having a lovely spring (or fall in the other hemisphere). For today’s spring break episode, I’m talking about how understanding your why for writing helps you make choices in your author career. Understanding your why is just one of the things I cover in my brand new course: Stellar Self… Read More »Episode 142: Your Why
I talk a lot about ideals on this show, how to organize your time, how to manage your writing and author business, but life isn’t like that. So on today’s episode, I get real. This is the mess of my author and editor life. And in the case of housework, it is literal mess! Grab… Read More »Episode 141: The messy real life of an author and editor
Today’s episode is a joint one with Let’s Start Writing, so if you also subscribe to LSW, no need to listen to both–they are the same! Today’s tips episode is about what to do when you’re writing along on one project and a shiny new story idea comes up, tempting you to cheat on your… Read More »Episode 140: When inspiration distracts
This week, I chatted with author Edward Di Gangi about his book, his book launch, what went well and what he’d do differently. It’s a whole book launch analysis. If you’re getting ready for a launch or looking ahead to one, this is a great episode to help you in decision making. About Edward: Edward… Read More »Episode 139: Analyzing a book launch with Edward Di Gangi
Thousands of writers write a book in a month during National Novel Writing Month, but what about writing so fast that you’re publishing a book each month for two years! That’s what cozy mystery author ACF Bookens has done. Of course, she’s not writing them the same month they are published–there’s editing, formatting, etc. to… Read More »Episode 138: Rapid release with ACF Bookens
It’s our second critique episode! This time, I talk to horror author Ghost Lady. We go over the sales page for one book and the first page of a manuscript for a work in progress. Hopefully you all learn a little something about creating a compelling first page and about crafting a sales page that… Read More »137: Sales page and First Page Critique
This week, I’ve got something a little different on the show, the first book sales page critique. Author Sean kindly volunteered to go first. I go over his book’s sales page from cover to description to categories. I hope you all learn a little something about presenting and selling books. If this is a format… Read More »Episode 136: Sales Page Critique #1
They say truth is stranger than fiction, so is it any wonder that history can inspire great fictional stories? In this episode, I chat with fellow mystery writer and podcaster Landis Wade about his historically inspired mystery, and about researching and writing fiction with a historical bent. Have a listen! Landis Wade is a recovering… Read More »Episode 135: Writing historically inspired fiction with Landis Wade
I’m so glad to be back this week. Last week the podcast took a short break because of Covid-related school closures (thank goodness my family all okay, though). Today I’m chatting about one of the rookie mistakes I see newer authors make, which is modeling themselves on household name authors or making choices they’ve been… Read More »Episode 134: Don’t model your author biz on household names
This week’s solo episode explores the ways fear holds us back in our writing and book promotion. What are some common ways we get held back? And what can we do about it? The good news is that this is normal. It happens to all of us. It’s also something we can chip away at… Read More »Episode 133: Is fear holding you back?
It’s character time! Just as I’m getting ready to start a new mystery for the upcoming Mysteries, Midsummer Sun, and Murders anthology, I had the chance to interview Carrie Knowles about creating and developing characters. We had a wonderful chat about the importance of character development, finding inspiration for characters, creating nonhuman characters, and so… Read More »Episode 132: Knowing Your characters with Carrie Knowles
This week, I honored my commitment to working more sustainably in 2022 and did something I’ve never done before. I took a mental health day. So I thought this week would be a great time to talk about writer burnout and how to avoid it. I’m joined by artist and writer e’Layne Kelley to talk… Read More »Episode 131: Burnout and how to avoid it with e’Layne Kelley
It’s a shiny, new year, and you probably have some new writing and personal goals to go with it. Yay! Jump into those goals, but remember to do so in a sustainable way. In fact, sustainable is my word of 2022. (Yes, I did the cheesy thing and picked a word of the year.) If… Read More »Episode 130: Word of the year and critiques
Sometimes in writing and podcasting, you just have to roll with the punches… so there won’t be another episode for December. But I’m excited for what 2022 has in store. Authoring Onward will be back in your podcast player the first week of January! Happy holidays! Connie
What do I love as much as Christmas trees, tinsel, and eggnog? Planning, of course! And a shiny, new planner. Drum roll, please… … It’s here! The Messy Author Planner 2022 is here in paperback and (sadly delayed) hardcover (as well as a paperback undated version)! I’m so delighted. Wanna look inside? And in its… Read More »Episode 129: Planning and making 2022 goals
The holiday season is upon us, and it can be a time as stressful as it is joyous. Huh. Kind of like the writing life. So, while the weather gets chilly, let’s chill out from all the anxieties authors can have. Take my free Find Your Writing Time Course and join the weekly newsletter!
This week, Amber Henry came back on the show to go more in-depth about how she organizes pop-up shops where she sells her books and which benefit many local entrepreneurs in her community. We had a great chat. We referenced a few prior episodes that you might want to go back and listen to after… Read More »Episode 127: Organizing pop-up shops with Amber Henry
This week, I chatted with author Amber Henry about the different ways she gives back to her community. We talked about school visits, giving while protecting your boundaries, looking for the need where you already have connections, and more! I hope our chat can give you ideas of ways you can contribute to your own… Read More »Episode 126: Giving back through school visits and more with Amber Henry
It’s November! And this month’s theme is giving thanks and giving back. Today I run down some ways I’ve volunteered in the past and ways I plan to give back this year. What have you done to give back to the writing community or your community at large? Comment below, so we can all get… Read More »Episode 125: Giving back as an author
This week, I have returning guest Danielle Metcalfe-Chenail (see her previous episode here). We talk about all things writing scary stuff, creating ghostly characters, our own childhood fears, and more! Snuggle up with a warm apple cider and a cozy blanket for our spooky chat! About Danielle: I’m an author, connector and storyteller who is… Read More »Episode 124: Writing scary stories with Danielle Metcalfe-Chenail
It’s a mini-episode today! Welcome, October is such a busy month. I’ve got a soon-to-be-launched anthology coming up, my son’s fall festival is tomorrow, requiring me to locate and fix the Halloween costumes that have already been strewn around our house, and my daughter is starting Nutcracker rehearsal already! So today is a quick episode,… Read More »Episode 123: Feel the Spookiness
Last week, I did a deep dive into the results from my recent KU free days promotion, and I promised to keep y’all updated. As of now, I’ve almost earned back my ad spend on this series. Only $38 to break even. Now, I’ve noticed the money trickling down day by day as I get… Read More »Episode 122: 4 common fears that spook Writers
Today, I’m doing a deep analysis of my recent KU free days promotion, what I did, and how it went. So, though it is October and therefore Spooky Season, our theme of the spooky side of publishing is going to start next week, because I have a feeling this postmortem may go a little long.… Read More »Episode 121: Promotion postmortem
October, my favorite month is almost here, and with it I have a free ebook promotion scheduled. So today’s episode is about the freshening up I like to do to get ready for a promotion. It’s a mild stretch out of my comfort zone, more of a getting things done I’ve been putting off, but… Read More »Episode 120: Prepping for a Promotion
I am so glad to be writing and illustrating much more this week (working on a Halloween story!) along with celebrating. My son just turned six, and now our living room is littered with large model trains, including one that is too big to run indoors! We’ll be setting up an outdoor railroad this weekend… Read More »Episode 119: If you can’t find it, make it.
Since September’s theme is stretching out of our comfort zones, today’s episode is about the advice you’d give to another writer that you aren’t doing yourself. Think about it for a bit. I bet there’s something. It’s probably something you know would help you but looks like a bit of work. Something you’ve meant to… Read More »Episode 118: Author, take your own advice
Reader reviews. Asking for them and looking at them… that certainly stretches a lot of authors out of their comfort zone, myself included. But reviews are an important part of getting your book in front of a wider audience and demonstrating that people are actually reading and enjoying it. So, today’s episode is about how… Read More »Episode 117: Getting Reviews from Readers
September’s theme is learning new things and stretching gently out of your comfort zone. This episode is the interview for September with Clare Marshall about selling books at craft shows and comic conventions, a topic that does push a lot of introverted authors out of their comfort zones, but it’s an experience you can learn… Read More »Episode 116: Bookselling at shows and mindset shifts with Clare C. Marshall
The Book Echoes podcast is now Authoring Onward! Same great content but new name and more descriptive branding. And lest you think I’m leaving newbie writers out, just wait for my new podcast, Let’s Start Writing, launching hopefully next week! Have a listen to see what exciting topics are coming up in the next couple… Read More »Episode 115: Announcing Authoring Onward
We’re getting closer to back-to-school time, so how about picking up a kids’ book?
We’re living in a golden age of children’s books. Even if you don’t have kids or write for kids, there’s a lot everyone (and especially writers can learn from reading children’s and young adult books. Have a listen!
The Guardian article on the value of children’s books for adults
The books I mention in this podcast episode (affiliate links, so purchases help keep the show going):
The Sinister Sweetness of Splendid Academy by Nikki Lofton
Frindle by Andrew Clements
We Don’t Eat Our Classmates by Ryan T. Higgins
Eva Evergreen: Semi-Magical Witch by Julia Abe
The Light at the Bottom of the World by London Shah
And if you’re looking for an edit for your children’s or adult book, I’d love to help!
Going through summer slump while you wait for fall to start? Me too!
Last night, I simply had to bake some pumpkin muffins to pretend it was autumn for a minute. Yum.
It’s easy to feel like August is just a waiting month, with all the exciting things starting in September, but it’s also a great time to plan for a busy season ahead, so today’s episode is all about planning for multiple projects and events ahead. Have a listen.
And I’d love to know what’s on your autumn writer to-do list.
If you’d like a little extra help planning, try my free Find Your Writing Time mini course.
Got editing your book or getting some coaching help on your autumn list? I’d love to work with you!
I’m back from vacation and so excited to share with you this interview with Sacha Black about her new book 8 Steps to Side Characters. (It has a workbook, too!)
Your protagonist is the star of the show, but side characters bring the world alive. Now that I’m back in town, I can’t wait to dive into this book and make my side characters really shine.
Sacha and I had a great chat. It was a real deep dive. Have a listen!
About Sasha
www.lastmanphotography.com Sacha Black is an author, rebel podcaster, and professional speaker.
She has five obsessions; words, expensive shoes, conspiracy theories, self-improvement, and breaking the rules.
Sacha writes books about people with magical powers and other books about the art of writing.
When she’s not writing, she can be found laughing inappropriately loud, sniffing musty old books, fangirling film and TV soundtracks, or thinking up new ways to break the rules.
She lives in Cambridgeshire, England, with her wife and genius, giant of a son.
Instagram: @sachablackauthor
And don’t forget to fill out the Book Echoes listener survey! Your answers help me make the podcast even better.
Looking for an editor? I’ve got openings!
*Links to books are affiliate links, so I get a small portion of the proceeds at no extra cost to you. This helps support the podcast.
Authors are often puzzled the first time they need to hire a freelance editor: What kind of editing do I need? Where do I find an editor? What should my manuscript look like?
In a rare video episode of Book Echoes: A Podcast for Writers, I’m diving deep into the levels of editing, hiring, and how to get your manuscript in tip-top shape before you look for an editor. You can listen via the podcast player above or view the video below to see all the slides.
Reminder: Next week will be a vacation for the podcast! I’ll be back in your earbuds (or speakers or headphones) in August.
Book your spot for editing here! Take my free course on Finding Your Writing Time, because don’t we all need more of that? Writing craft books mentioned in this episode include:
Wired for Story by Lisa Cron
Anything by K.M. Weiland
Save the Cat by Blake Snyder
One of the aspects of having a beginner’s mind is knowing that you don’t know everything, but how do you know what you don’t know?
Well, you probably know more of your gaps than you think. You just haven’t brought these issue to top of mind in a while.
So, today I’m going over the fundamentals for writers, because sometimes we all need a reminder. Are any of these on your “to work on” list? Have you been working on those gaps?
Identifying gaps and making a plan to fill them is a big part of Author Success Coaching. If you’d like a pro’s guidance. I still have a few spots left in July and plenty in August.
Also in fun announcements:
My free Find Your Writing Time mini course is now live! If finding time and setting appropriate deadlines is one of your gaps in knowledge, this is for you!
Mal and Jill Cooper of The Writing Wives are putting on a masterclass on book launches, July 24th. These ladies really know their stuff, so download their brains for a bit. If you sign up, use the referral code Book Echoes, and I’ll get a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Hi, folks! Happy July! Today, we continue in a beginner’s mind with an episode on fundamentals of genre and category. This is a great episode for newer writers still struggling with these concepts, but it’s also an episode for more experienced writers looking to change genres or categories. I will be focusing the episode primarily on a North American English-speaking market, and largely on fiction. Hope you enjoy!
Reminder: A Flock of an Alibi is out now in ebook! Ten flamingo-themed short stories from ten cozy mystery authors.
Courses coming soon to this website!
And, if you’re struggling with genre or another part of story craft or marketing your books, author success coaching can help! I still have some open spots left before I go on vacation, so get them before they’re gone. A one hour session can get you on track with a solid plan of action!
Also, I have a few editing spots open for shorter projects in July and longer projects in August.
Hello! It’s nearly halfway through the year! I can’t believe 2021 has gone by so quickly. Mid-year is a great time for reflection and planning. It’s also a great time to mentally take yourself back to a beginner’s mind.
Today’s episode is all about having a beginner’s mind, even as we progress through our writing careers. Have a listen and try to get in touch with your inner beginner!
If you’d like to try out an Audible subscription and listen for free to the audiobook that got me thinking about all this, click on the link: Beginner’s Mind by Yo Yo Ma.
Also, after I finished recording this episode, the cozy mystery anthology I took part in, A Flock of an Alibi, finally released on Kindle, paperback to come! Enjoy flamingo-themed stories from 10 cozy authors.
And, I do still have a little bit of time left for one more editing client in July, plus a few coaching clients. Need direction in your story or your business, book a quick, affordable call to get clarity!
*Links to books/audiobooks are affiliate links, so I get a small portion of the sale, which helps support this podcast (though you are never charged any extra).
When you’re starting a brand new series or standalone book, there’s a lot to consider. It can be both exciting and a little daunting to create a whole new world and new characters. Have a listen for four core areas you need to think about when diving into writing a new story world.
Links I mentioned in the episode:
Character Interview from K.M. Weiland
TV Tropes Character Dynamics:
Freudian Trio
Five-Man Band
Four-Temperament Ensemble
P.S. I have openings for editing and coaching clients for July! Book now.