How To Write a Book Podcast: Recent Episodes
Massiel Valenzuela-Castaneda
This podcast will teach you how to write the book on your heart with how-to tips, examples, and inspiration to get you to be the writer you were meant to be!
Summary
In this episode, Massiel Valenzuela-Castaneda interviews Edith Nazarian, a solo criminal and immigration lawyer who blends her legal expertise with her passion for creativity. They discuss Edith's journey from aspiring prosecutor to solo practitioner, the unique field of 'crimigration', and how creativity plays a vital role in her legal practice. The conversation explores the balance between structure and freedom in both law and creative writing, the importance of self-expression, and the impact of criticism on personal growth. Edith also shares her future plans, including her new podcast, 'The Client Connection', aimed at bridging the gap between attorneys and clients.
Takeaways
Edith transitioned from wanting to be a prosecutor to running her own practice. The term 'crimigration' reflects the intersection of criminal and immigration law. Creativity has always been central to Edith's identity and practice. Finding balance between structure and freedom is crucial for success. Legal writing differs significantly from creative writing, requiring clarity and precision. Edith uses music and performance as outlets for her creativity. Storytelling can explore complex moral dilemmas and provoke thought. Criticism in workshops helps build resilience and improve writing skills. Human connection is essential in both law and creative expression. Edith's new podcast aims to enhance communication between attorneys and clients.
Alt Titles
Navigating the World of Crimigration From Law School to Solo Practice: Edith's Journey
Sound Bites
"I really wanted to be a DA." "I think we are also multifaceted." "I needed those moments."
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Connection 01:51 Journey into Law and Creativity 04:10 The Concept of Crimmigration 06:11 Becoming a Solo Practitioner 08:25 Balancing Freedom and Structure 10:52 The Roots of Creativity 13:02 The Intersection of Law and Creative Writing 19:45 The Power of Storytelling 25:17 Exploring Moral Dilemmas in Storytelling 28:09 The Ripple Effect of Choices 28:40 Writing as a Reflection of Personal Choices 30:52 The Intersection of Creativity and Law 35:26 Balancing Creativity and Legal Pressure 38:00 Creativity in Legal Practice 40:37 The Importance of Human Connection 43:58 Embracing New Creative Ventures
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Guest Links:
https://enlawoffices.com/ https://www.instagram.com/enlawoffices/ ____________________________________________________________________________
Resources
www.howtowriteabookpodcast.com
www.instagram.com/massielwrites
massiel@blackheartedstudios.com
Free eBook:
https://howtowriteabookpodcast.com/how-tos
Keywords
law, creativity, crimigration, storytelling, solo practice, legal writing, podcast, personal growth, balance, self-expression
Summary
In this episode, Robert A. Lane discusses his journey as an audiobook coach and producer, emphasizing the importance of authors narrating their own audiobooks. He shares insights on the coaching process, the emotional connection in storytelling, and the unique brand that each author brings to their work. The conversation highlights the challenges authors face in the audiobook creation process and the supportive role of a coach in guiding them through it. In this conversation, Robert Lane discusses the importance of authentic narration in audiobooks, the impact of AI on the author brand, and the journey of writing and publishing a book. He emphasizes the significance of mindset, coaching, and support in the writing process, as well as the importance of hiring a professional team for editing and formatting. Robert shares practical tips for effective audiobook narration and encourages authors to embrace their unique voice and confidence.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Audiobook Coaching 04:34 The Journey to Coaching Authors 10:07 The Importance of Author Narration 12:41 Starting the Audiobook Process 18:30 The Coaching Program Structure 21:31 Surprising Outcomes from Audiobook Narration 23:56 The Power of Authentic Audiobook Narration 24:40 The Human Touch vs. AI in Audiobooks 26:43 The Journey of Writing and Publishing a Book 29:17 Mindset Shifts for Aspiring Authors 33:19 The Importance of Coaching and Support 35:00 Outlining, Drafting, and Editing Process 39:17 Finding the Right Editor for Your Book 41:35 Tips for Effective Audiobook Narration 44:50 Where to Find Robert Lane and Future Plans
Takeaways
- Robert A. Lane is an audiobook coach and producer.
- He helps nonfiction authors narrate their own audiobooks.
- The coaching program includes setting up a recording space and editing.
- Authors often hesitate to narrate due to self-doubt about their voice.
- Narrating one's own story adds authenticity and connection.
- The journey to coaching was influenced by industry changes.
- The coaching program is structured into three pillars: setup, narration, and marketing.
- Emotional connection is key in audiobook narration.
- Authors are surprised by their own storytelling abilities during the process.
- The program is flexible to accommodate authors' schedules. Authenticity in narration enhances the audiobook experience.
- AI cannot replicate the human touch in storytelling.
- Hiring a book coach can significantly improve the writing process.
- Authors should embrace their role as entrepreneurs.
- Mindset shifts are crucial for overcoming imposter syndrome.
- Constructive feedback from peers can help maintain motivation.
- A well-organized outline is essential for writing a book.
- Choosing the right editor is vital for preserving your voice.
- Hydration and a distraction-free environment are key for narration.
- Confidence in your voice is part of your author brand.
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Author Links:
https://www.robertlanecoaching.com/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKl-CMZrL2RvKdkoRIAZs-A
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Resources
www.howtowriteabookpodcast.com
www.instagram.com/massielwrites
massiel@blackheartedstudios.com
Free eBook: https://bit.ly/h2bebook
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Like, share, or leave a review on Apple Podcasts and subscribe to our YouTube channel (Blackhearted Studios)
255: Rewriting History: Jeanne Blasberg's Modern Biblical Tales
In this episode, Massiel interviews Jean Blasberg, a novelist known for her modern retellings of biblical stories. Jean discusses the insights and challenges involved in adapting ancient stories to contemporary settings, particularly focusing on her latest novel, 'Daughter of a Promise,' a modern retelling of the biblical love story of David and Bathsheba. She explains her creative process, including how she draws from her own experiences and visual storytelling techniques. Jean also elaborates on her journey from writing personal essays to fiction, emphasizing the importance of writing groups and feedback in developing her work.
Jean Blasberg, the author guest, talks about her writing journey, starting with her first novel published at the age of 50. She shares how her background, including her time as a case writer at Harvard Business School, influenced her writing style. Jean also delves into her experience with hybrid publishing through She Writes Press, highlighting the control and satisfaction it offers her. She reveals her fascination with small domestic dramas, her iterative writing process, and the inspiration she draws from her personal life and biblical stories.
Topics mentioned in this episode:
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Jean Blasberg's modern retellings of biblical stories
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The importance of feedback and writing groups
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Hybrid publishing and its benefits
02:57 Introduction and Greetings
03:11 Jeanne's Current Life and Farming
03:51 Discussing Jeanne's Books
09:01 Retelling the Story of David and Bathsheba
13:31 Jeanne's Writing Journey
20:36 Writing Process and Techniques
33:47 Publishing Journey with She Writes Press
41:24 Final Thoughts and Contact Information
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Author Links:
https://jeanneblasberg.com/
https://www.instagram.com/jeanneblasbergauthor/
https://www.facebook.com/jeanneblasbergauthor/
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Resources
Podcast site: www.howtowriteabookpodcast.com
Studios Website - www.blackheartedstudios.com
Free ebook link - https://bit.ly/h2bebook
Massiel's Email - massiel@blackheartedstudios.com
Massiel's Coach.Me site - https://www.coach.me/massielwrites
Instagram - www.instagram.com/massielwrites
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Are you feeling overwhelmed by your never-ending to-do list?
Check out Paula, the Ultimate VA! www.instagram.com/pearlz_va_services
Discover the ultimate solution for regaining control with Paula, your dedicated virtual assistant. She'll help you manage your calendar, handle email, conduct research, social media management, and even mix and stitch together your podcast episodes. Don't let your to-do list overwhelm you any longer. Get started today!
____________________________________________________________________________
Like, share, or leave a review on Apple Podcasts and subscribe to our YouTube channel (Blackhearted Studios)
Guest: Chris Donaldson
Episode Name: Chris Donaldson: Adventures and Memoirs from a Life on the Road
Episode Number: 254
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About the guest
After returning from South America, Chris Donaldson expanded his family’s furniture business in Belfast to London and Dublin. He became the UK Master Franchisor for a fitness company, developed a health and fitness franchise, and started a mobile app company in Dubai, where he lived on a 47ft yacht. An avid sailor and pilot, Chris built his airplane and continues to ride his Moto Guzzi Le Mans. His epic journey, which began in 1979, concluded in 2023 when he reached Australia on the same bike. Now residing in Belfast, Chris works with Jeff Arditti selling furniture and is the father of two daughters. His journey still influences his life, and rumors of him writing a book have even reached the afterlife.
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In this episode, Massiel chats with Chris Donaldson, an adventurer and author of the memoir "Going the Wrong Way." Chris shares his incredible journey of traveling around the world on a motorbike, a dream sparked by a magazine article he read as a teenager. From the tumultuous streets of 1970s Belfast to the vast expanses of Australia, Chris recounts his experiences and the challenges of self-publishing his book after numerous rejections from traditional publishers. The conversation delves into the emotional highs and lows of his travels, the writing process, and the personal growth he experienced over the 40 years it took to complete his memoir.
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Additional Resources
Website - www.blackheartedstudios.com
Freebie link - https://bit.ly/h2bebook
Massiel's Email - massiel@blackheartedstudios.com
Massiel's Coach.Me site - https://www.coach.me/massielwrites
Instagram - www.instagram.com/massielwrites
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/massiel-valenzuela-castaneda/
Facebook - www.facebook.com/howtowriteabookpodcast
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
Are you feeling overwhelmed by your never-ending to-do list?
Check out Paula, the Ultimate VA! www.instagram.com/pearlz_va_services
Discover the ultimate solution for regaining control with Paula, your dedicated virtual assistant. She'll help you manage your calendar, handle email, conduct research, social media management, and even mix and stitch together your podcast episodes. Don't let your to-do list overwhelm you any longer. Get started today!
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Follow Chris
Chris Donaldson's website - http://chrisdonaldson.world/
Chris Donaldson's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/goingthewrongway_book
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Like, share, or leave a review on Apple Podcasts and subscribe to our YouTube channel (Blackhearted Studios)
Guest: Guy Morris
Episode Name: From Homeless Runaway to Acclaimed Author: Guy Morris on Blending History, Technology, and Thrills in Writing
Episode Number: 253
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About the guest
Guy Morris, a retired executive with a 38-year career in Fortune 100 companies in software, high-tech, and global energy, has also been a published songwriter for Disney Records, a patented inventor, a Coast Guard charter captain, and an adventurer. Now a self-published author of thrillers, Guy draws from his diverse experiences—from cartel death threats in Latin America to shark diving in Moorea, and from homelessness to corporate jets—to write books that thrill, educate, and inspire. Since his 2021 debut, he has released three acclaimed thrillers inspired by true stories, earning accolades like BookTrib’s Best 25 Books of 2021 and Reader’s Favorite Gold and Silver Awards. His articles have been featured in SD Voyager and Mystery & Suspense magazines. In early 2022, he founded the Author Event Network, a non-profit association where local authors collaborate to engage readers and sell books at community events and festivals.
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In this episode, Massiel interviews Guy Morris, an accomplished author known for his intelligent action thrillers. Guy shares his remarkable journey from being a homeless runaway to a successful Fortune 500 executive and acclaimed writer. They discuss the depth and intrigue of his books, such as "The Curse of Cortez" and "SWARM," which blend real history, technology, and thrilling narratives. Guy emphasizes the importance of research in his writing process, creating compelling stories that captivate and educate readers, making them both entertaining and thought-provoking.
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Additional Resources
Website - www.blackheartedstudios.com
Freebie link - https://bit.ly/h2bebook
Massiel's Email - massiel@blackheartedstudios.com
Massiel's Coach.Me site - https://www.coach.me/massielwrites
Instagram - www.instagram.com/massielwrites
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/massiel-valenzuela-castaneda/
Facebook - www.facebook.com/howtowriteabookpodcast
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
Are you feeling overwhelmed by your never-ending to-do list?
Check out Paula, the Ultimate VA! https://pearlzconsulting11.wixsite.com/pearlz-va-services
Discover the ultimate solution for regaining control with Paula, your dedicated virtual assistant. She'll help you manage your calendar, handle email, conduct research, social media management, and even mix and stitch together your podcast episodes. Don't let your to-do list overwhelm you any longer. Get started today!
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Follow Guy
Guy Morris website - https://www.guymorrisbooks.com/
Guy Morris Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/authorguymorris/
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Like, share, or leave a review on Apple Podcasts and subscribe to our YouTube channel (Blackhearted Studios)
Guest: Kirsten Rudberg
Episode Name: From Seminary to Storytelling: Kirsten Rudberg's Creative Journey
Episode Number: 252
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About the guest
Kirsten Rudberg is an author and ordained clergy in the Church of Universal Interfaith, holding a Master's of Divinity. A panentheist with a diverse background, having lived in countries like Guyana and Pakistan, Kirsten's worldview is shaped by her global experiences and deep interest in how people create meaning through myths, fairy tales, and religious texts. She is the author of a socially conscious rewrite of the Peter Rabbit series, addressing issues such as environmental degradation and human trafficking. Kirsten's creative process is deeply spiritual, viewing herself as a vessel for higher creative energies.
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In this episode, Massiel's guest, Kirsten Rudberg, who holds a Master’s of Divinity and identifies as a panentheist, discussed her unique background living overseas and how it shaped her views on the world and her writing. She introduced her book series, a modern and socially conscious take on Beatrix Potter's tales, tackling issues like environmental degradation and human trafficking. Kirsten emphasized the importance of timing in the creative process and shared insights on how the pandemic provided her the space to bring these long-held ideas to fruition. She also touched on her unconventional yet deeply spiritual writing process, describing it as a partnership with a higher creative force.
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Additional Resources
Website - www.blackheartedstudios.com
Freebie link - https://bit.ly/h2bebook
Massiel's Email - massiel@blackheartedstudios.com
Massiel's Coach.Me site - https://www.coach.me/massielwrites
Instagram - www.instagram.com/massielwrites
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/massiel-valenzuela-castaneda/
Facebook - www.facebook.com/howtowriteabookpodcast
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
Are you feeling overwhelmed by your never-ending to-do list?
Check out Paula, the Ultimate VA! https://pearlzconsulting11.wixsite.com/pearlz-va-services
Discover the ultimate solution for regaining control with Paula, your dedicated virtual assistant. She'll help you manage your calendar, handle email, conduct research, social media management, and even mix and stitch together your podcast episodes. Don't let your to-do list overwhelm you any longer. Get started today!
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About Kirsten
Kirsten Rudberg's website - https://bytesizedblessings.com/
Kirsten Rudberg's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/bytesizedblessingspod
Kirsten Rudberg's Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/bytesizedblessings
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Like, share, or leave a review on Apple Podcasts and subscribe to our YouTube channel (Blackhearted Studios)
Guest: S.G. Blaise
Episode Name: S.G. Blaise on Awards, Inspiration, and Independent Publishing
Episode Number: 251
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About the guest
S.G. Blaise was born and raised in Europe, where she wrote her first short story at the age of ten, inspired by a nightmare. Although she didn’t initially see herself as a writer and wasn’t fond of reading, her passion for books ignited at thirteen when she finally read a book recommended by her father. In 2012, a transformative road trip across Europe sparked an idea for a story. Despite English not being her first language, Blaise was determined to write her first book. Encouraged by her husband, she dedicated herself to writing and refining her craft. After attending workshops and joining critique groups, she spent years perfecting her manuscript, resulting in the successful launch of her writing career.
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In this episode, Massiel interviews S.G. Blaise, an award-winning author of the Last Lumenian series. Blaise shares her journey from writing her first story in Hungarian to becoming a successful independent author in English. She discusses the challenges and rewards of self-publishing, the importance of finding your author voice, and the dedication required to maintain a writing and publishing schedule. Blaise also offers valuable insights into engaging with readers and navigating the indie publishing landscape.
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Additional Resources
Website - www.blackheartedstudios.com
Freebie link - https://bit.ly/h2bebook
Massiel's Email - massiel@blackheartedstudios.com
Massiel's Coach.Me site - https://www.coach.me/massielwrites
Instagram - www.instagram.com/massielwrites
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/massiel-valenzuela-castaneda/
Facebook - www.facebook.com/howtowriteabookpodcast
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
Are you feeling overwhelmed by your never-ending to-do list?
Check out Paula, the Ultimate VA! https://pearlzconsulting11.wixsite.com/pearlz-va-services
Discover the ultimate solution for regaining control with Paula, your dedicated virtual assistant. She'll help you manage your calendar, handle email, conduct research, social media management, and even mix and stitch together your podcast episodes. Don't let your to-do list overwhelm you any longer. Get started today!
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Follow S.G. Blaise
S.G. Blaise website - https://sgblaise.com/
S.G. Blaise Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sgblaiseofficial
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
Like, share, or leave a review on Apple Podcasts and subscribe to our YouTube channel (Blackhearted Studios)
Guest: Richard Lowe
Episode Name: Mastering the Business and Craft of Ghostwriting: An Interview with Richard Lowe
Episode Number: 250
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About the guest
After over 33 years in the computer and IT industry, Richard transitioned from his role as Director of Computer Operations at Trader Joe’s to become a professional writer and ghostwriter. Richard has authored numerous articles and ghostwritten books on diverse subjects such as memoirs, business, and computer security. He has also published his books, including Safe Computing is Like Safe Sex and Real World Survival Tips and Survival Guide. An avid photographer and adventurer, Richard has captured various events and festivals, including the Tournament of Roses parade. Currently, he is working on a series of short Kindle eBooks and a ten-volume science fiction series. Richard is passionate about human rights and aims to educate and inspire through his writing.
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In this insightful episode, Massiel interviews Richard Lowe, an experienced ghostwriter and freelancer. Lowe shares valuable advice on managing the business aspects of freelancing, such as handling taxes, acquiring necessary licenses, and considering incorporation for financial benefits. He emphasizes the importance of accurately capturing a client's voice through detailed interviews and recording conversations to avoid disputes and ensure proper compensation for revisions. Lowe also discusses the significance of maintaining project control and managing client relationships effectively. The episode concludes with Lowe's future plans, including writing a ghostwriting book and delivering a TED talk, offering inspiration and practical tips for aspiring writers.
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Additional Resources
Website - www.blackheartedstudios.com
Freebie link - https://bit.ly/h2bebook
Massiel's Email - massiel@blackheartedstudios.com
Massiel's Coach.Me site - https://www.coach.me/massielwrites
Instagram - www.instagram.com/massielwrites
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/massiel-valenzuela-castaneda/
Facebook - www.facebook.com/howtowriteabookpodcast
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
Are you feeling overwhelmed by your never-ending to-do list?
Check out Paula, the Ultimate VA! https://pearlzconsulting11.wixsite.com/pearlz-va-services
Discover the ultimate solution for regaining control with Paula, your dedicated virtual assistant. She'll help you manage your calendar, handle email, conduct research, social media management, and even mix and stitch together your podcast episodes. Don't let your to-do list overwhelm you any longer. Get started today!
________________________________________________________________________________________________
Follow Richard
Richard Lowe's website - https://thewritingking.com/
________________________________________________________________________________________________
Like, share, or leave a review on Apple Podcasts and subscribe to our YouTube channel (Blackhearted Studios)
Guest: Tyler Schwanke
Episode Name: Resilience and Innovation: Overcoming Challenges with Tyler Schwanke
Episode Number: 249
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About guest
Tyler Schwanke is a writer and a filmmaker. He holds an MFA from Hamline University, and his short stories have been widely published in online journals and literary magazines including CHAOTIC MERGE, HAVIK, and FICTION SOUTHEAST. He is also a graduate of the New York Film Academy and Minnesota State University Moorhead, where he was awarded a Minnesota Film and TV Grant. Several of his award-winning short films have played at festivals across the country. Tyler lives in Minneapolis with his wife and their dog. BREAKING IN is his debut novel.
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In this insightful podcast interview, Massiel delves into the inspiring journey of a visionary who transformed challenges into triumphs. The conversation highlights the guest's unique approach to overcoming obstacles, the importance of perseverance, and the pivotal moments that shaped their path to success. Through engaging anecdotes and practical advice, listeners are offered valuable lessons on resilience, innovation, and the power of a positive mindset. This episode is a must-listen for anyone seeking motivation and actionable strategies to navigate their own personal and professional hurdles.
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Additional Resources
Website - www.blackheartedstudios.com
Freebie link - https://bit.ly/h2bebook
Massiel's Email - massiel@blackheartedstudios.com
Massiel's Coach.Me site - https://www.coach.me/massielwrites
Instagram - www.instagram.com/massielwrites
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/massiel-valenzuela-castaneda/
Facebook - www.facebook.com/howtowriteabookpodcast
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
Are you feeling overwhelmed by your never-ending to-do list?
Check out Paula, the Ultimate VA! https://pearlzconsulting11.wixsite.com/pearlz-va-services
Discover the ultimate solution for regaining control with Paula, your dedicated virtual assistant. She'll help you manage your calendar, handle email, conduct research, social media management, and even mix and stitch together your podcast episodes. Don't let your to-do list overwhelm you any longer. Get started today!
________________________________________________________________________________________________
Follow Tyler
Tyler Schwanke's website - www.tylerschwanke.com
Tyler Schwanke's Instagram - www.instagram.com/tschwankes
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
Like, share, or leave a review on Apple Podcasts and subscribe to our YouTube channel (Blackhearted Studios)
Guest: Michelle Glogovac
Episode Name: Empowering Authors: Navigating Publishing Challenges and Podcast Pitching with Michelle Glogovac
Episode Number: 248
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About the guest
Michelle Glogovac (San Jose, California), aka THE Podcast Matchmaker™, is an award-winning podcast publicist and host of the My Simplified Life podcast. She matches her clients with the perfect podcast hosts and teaches them how to share their story, vision, and expertise in ways that generate new business opportunities. Michelle speaks on a variety of topics, including PR, entrepreneurship, and life lessons and has interviewed and worked with Emmy Award winners, international bestselling authors, advocates and activists, and many other individuals. She is the founder and CEO of The MLG Collective®, a podcast public relations agency.
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In this engaging podcast episode, Massiel interviews Michelle Glogovac, who shares her journey of prioritizing her life after a health scare at 41, leading her to focus on meaningful projects like getting her book published. Despite facing challenges such as the sudden shutdown of her publisher's business department, Michelle's determination and adaptability shine through. She discusses the importance of authors pitching themselves on podcasts, emphasizing the power of personal storytelling to connect with audiences. Michelle also highlights her podcast book tour service, which helps authors secure interviews to promote their books. Overall, the conversation underscores the transformative impact of sharing stories and the value of flexibility in pursuing one's goals.
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Additional Resources
Website - www.blackheartedstudios.com
Freebie link - https://bit.ly/h2bebook
Massiel's Email - massiel@blackheartedstudios.com
Massiel's Coach.Me site - https://www.coach.me/massielwrites
Instagram - www.instagram.com/massielwrites
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/massiel-valenzuela-castaneda/
Facebook - www.facebook.com/howtowriteabookpodcast
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
Are you feeling overwhelmed by your never-ending to-do list?
Check out Paula, the Ultimate VA! https://pearlzconsulting11.wixsite.com/pearlz-va-services
Discover the ultimate solution for regaining control with Paula, your dedicated virtual assistant. She'll help you manage your calendar, handle email, conduct research, social media management, and even mix and stitch together your podcast episodes. Don't let your to-do list overwhelm you any longer. Get started today!
________________________________________________________________________________________________
Follow Michelle
Michelle Glogovac's website - https://michelleglogovac.com/
Michelle Glogovac's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/michelleglogovac/
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
Like, share, or leave a review on Apple Podcasts and subscribe to our YouTube channel (Blackhearted Studios)
Guest: Joel David Bond
Episode Name: Crafting Memoirs with Joel David Bond: Overcoming Writer's Block and Embracing Creativity
Episode Number: 247
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About the guest
Joel David Bond is dedicated to helping people navigate their cultural world with mindful intention, fostering empathy and understanding across borders. With a profound belief in the power of travel to create a more empathic world, Joel brings a unique perspective to every journey, drawing from over 20 years of overseas living and cross-cultural experience, as well as a master's degree in education and a background as a global flight attendant.
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In this episode, Massiel interviews author Joel David Bond about his writing journey and book "As Large as Your Spirit: A Reverse Refugee Memoir." Joel discusses the challenges of sharing his story and battling writer's block, emphasizing the importance of discipline in the writing process. He shares insights into the positive reception of his book and his experiment with using AI tools to overcome creative blocks. Throughout the conversation, Joel offers motivational advice for aspiring writers, highlighting the need to prioritize consistency and perseverance.
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Additional Resources
Website - www.blackheartedstudios.com
Freebie link - https://bit.ly/h2bebook
Massiel's Email - massiel@blackheartedstudios.com
Massiel's Coach.Me site - https://www.coach.me/massielwrites
Instagram - www.instagram.com/massielwrites
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/massiel-valenzuela-castaneda/
Facebook - www.facebook.com/howtowriteabookpodcast
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Are you feeling overwhelmed by your never-ending to-do list?
Check out Paula, the Ultimate VA! https://pearlzconsulting11.wixsite.com/pearlz-va-services
Discover the ultimate solution for regaining control with Paula, your dedicated virtual assistant. She'll help you manage your calendar, handle email, conduct research, social media management, and even mix and stitch together your podcast episodes. Don't let your to-do list overwhelm you any longer. Get started today!
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Follow Joel
Joel David Bond's website - https://www.joeldavidbond.com/
Joel David Bond's Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/joeldavidbond
Joel David Bond's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/joeldavidbond/
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Like, share, or leave a review on Apple Podcasts and subscribe to our YouTube channel (Blackhearted Studios)
Guest: Michael Pickard
Episode Name: Creative Insights: A Conversation with Children's Author Michael Pickard
Episode Number: 246
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About the guest
Michael Pickard’s writing serves as the bridge between his professional work in technology and his passion for the creative arts. Dozens of Pickard's short stories have been published, including Hardwired, which won a Ray Bradbury Creative Writing Prize in 2005. Pickard’s extensive background working with cutting edge technology has proved helpful for imagining fictive universes and societies. Strong satire keeps readers grounded, thinking, and laughing.
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In this episode, Massiel interviews Michael Pickard, a children's book author, and discusses his writing process, inspiration, and upcoming projects. Michael shares how his grandson's request led to the creation of "The Boy Who Sneezed Money" and his involvement in the "Mid Knights" series. He explains his approach to organization, emphasizing control over his writing process, and shares insights into knowing when a book is complete. Michael also discusses his creative inspirations, including getting ideas during hot showers, and shares details about his upcoming books, such as "Creative Deductions" and "Aliens of Mediocre Intelligence." Throughout the interview, Massiel and Michael engage in a warm and insightful conversation about writing and creativity, providing listeners with valuable tips and inspiration.
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Additional Resources
Website - www.blackheartedstudios.com
Freebie link - https://bit.ly/h2bebook
Massiel's Email - massiel@blackheartedstudios.com
Massiel's Coach.Me site - https://www.coach.me/massielwrites
Instagram - www.instagram.com/massielwrites
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/massiel-valenzuela-castaneda/
Facebook - www.facebook.com/howtowriteabookpodcast
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Are you feeling overwhelmed by your never-ending to-do list?
Check out Paula, the Ultimate VA! https://pearlzconsulting11.wixsite.com/pearlz-va-services
Discover the ultimate solution for regaining control with Paula, your dedicated virtual assistant. She'll help you manage your calendar, handle email, conduct research, social media management, and even mix and stitch together your podcast episodes. Don't let your to-do list overwhelm you any longer. Get started today!
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Follow Michael
Michael Pickard's Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B000APFNIO
Michael Pickard's Goodreads - https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1836592.Michael_Pickard
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Like, share, or leave a review on Apple Podcasts and subscribe to our YouTube channel (Blackhearted Studios)
Guest: Pat Wetzel
Episode Name: Journey Through Empowering Stories with Pat Wetzel
Episode Number: 245
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About the guest
Endlessly curious about resilience amidst life's challenges, Pat Wetzel, a Wharton Business School graduate, once navigated the corporate world until a rare neurologic disease, myasthenia gravis, reshaped her life. Facing divorce, incurable cancer, and business betrayal, she found herself repeatedly reconstructing her identity. Through these trials, she cultivated resilience, leading her to explore others' journeys. Now, through her podcast and book series, she shares stories of courage, hope, and resilience, aiming to inspire others to create empowered and meaningful lives. With each narrative, she seeks to foster connection, understanding, and shared wisdom among listeners, highlighting the transformative power of storytelling.
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In this podcast episode, Massiel engages with guest, Pat Wetzel, in an insightful discussion where Pat shares her journey of writing and publishing her book "Bump in the Road: 15 Stories of Courage, Hope, and Resilience," highlighting the importance of structuring stories to uplift and empower readers. She reflects on the challenges and lessons learned from her first book, emphasizing the necessity of strong editing and taking control of one's publishing journey. Pat's experience with independent publishing sheds light on the evolving landscape of the industry, encouraging aspiring authors to persevere and enjoy the writing process. The episode concludes with an invitation to explore Pat's work on her website and anticipation for her future book releases. _______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Additional Resources
Website - www.blackheartedstudios.com
Freebie link - https://bit.ly/h2bebook
Massiel's Email - massiel@blackheartedstudios.com
Massiel's Coach.Me site - https://www.coach.me/massielwrites
Instagram - www.instagram.com/massielwrites
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/massiel-valenzuela-castaneda/
Facebook - www.facebook.com/howtowriteabookpodcast
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Are you feeling overwhelmed by your never-ending to-do list?
Check out Paula, the Ultimate VA! https://pearlzconsulting11.wixsite.com/pearlz-va-services
Discover the ultimate solution for regaining control with Paula, your dedicated virtual assistant. She'll help you manage your calendar, handle email, conduct research, social media management, and even mix and stitch together your podcast episodes. Don't let your to-do list overwhelm you any longer. Get started today!
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Follow Pat
Pat Wetzel's website - https://bumpintheroad.us/about/
Pat Wetzel's Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/BumpInTheRd/
Pat Wetzel's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/bumpintheroad.us/
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Like, share, or leave a review on Apple Podcasts and subscribe to our YouTube channel (Blackhearted Studios)
Guest: Jyotsna Ramachandran
Episode Name: Mastering Self-Doubt & Book Publishing with Jyotsna Ramachandran
Episode Number: 244
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About the guest
Jyotsna Ramachandran, known as the HomeEntrepreneur™, embarked on her journey towards freedom with a firm decision never to be an employee again. Experimenting with various ventures including a staff recruitment agency and a franchisee of a chocolate brand, she realized the limitations of traditional self-employment during her maternity break with the birth of her daughter, Advika. Recognizing the need for passive income streams, she transitioned to online businesses, founding a book publishing company and offering coaching services to empower others in converting their passions into successful online ventures. Through her books and blog, she shares invaluable tools and strategies that facilitated her transformation from an employee to a successful entrepreneur, inspiring others to do the same.
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In this podcast episode, Massiel engages in a captivating conversation with Jyotsna Ramachandran, author and CEO of Happy Self Publishing. They explore the journey of entrepreneurship, tackling self-doubt, and the power of purpose-driven writing. Jyotsna shares insights on overcoming self-doubt by focusing on impact and finding inspiration from fellow entrepreneurs. She discusses expanding her business opportunities, including speaking at TEDx events and launching podcasts. Together, they highlight common mistakes new writers make and introduce the concept of "Angel writers" to help authors capture their voice and perspective. Overall, the episode offers valuable advice for aspiring authors and entrepreneurs on navigating challenges and leveraging opportunities in the world of self-publishing and business.
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Additional Resources
Website - www.blackheartedstudios.com
Freebie link - https://bit.ly/h2bebook
Massiel's Email - massiel@blackheartedstudios.com
Massiel's Coach.Me site - https://www.coach.me/massielwrites
Instagram - www.instagram.com/massielwrites
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/massiel-valenzuela-castaneda/
Facebook - www.facebook.com/howtowriteabookpodcast
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Are you feeling overwhelmed by your never-ending to-do list?
Check out Paula, the Ultimate VA! https://pearlzconsulting11.wixsite.com/pearlz-va-services
Discover the ultimate solution for regaining control with Paula, your dedicated virtual assistant. She'll help you manage your calendar, handle email, conduct research, social media management, and even mix and stitch together your podcast episodes. Don't let your to-do list overwhelm you any longer. Get started today!
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Follow Jyotsna
Jyotsna Ramachandran's website - https://www.jyotsnaramachandran.com/about-me/
Jyotsna Ramachandran's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jyotsna.ramachandran/
Jyotsna Ramachandran's Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/jyotsna.entrepreneur
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Like, share, or leave a review on Apple Podcasts and subscribe to our YouTube channel (Blackhearted Studios)
Guest: Gary Simonds
Episode Name: Navigating the Writer's Path: Insights and Inspirations with Gary Simonds
Episode Number: 243
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About the guest
Gary is a distinguished neurosurgeon and former head of an academic neurosurgery program at Virginia Tech/Carilion Clinic. He currently serves as a Professor at the Virginia Tech School of Neuroscience and the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, where he shares his extensive knowledge with students. With a background in biochemistry from Dartmouth College and medical training from Rutgers, Walter Reed, and Dartmouth, Gary holds a master’s degree in Health Care Delivery Science. Beyond his medical expertise, Gary is a prolific writer and speaker on topics including neuroscience, medical ethics, burnout, and spirituality. He is known for his compassionate approach and engaging storytelling abilities, both in his fiction writing and his professional lectures.
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In this engaging conversation between Massiel and her guest, Gary Simonds, they explore various facets of the writing journey, from finding joy in the creative process to navigating the publishing industry. Gary shares his transition from writing nonfiction to novels, highlighting the liberating experience of storytelling. They discuss the importance of writing for oneself and seeking feedback from others. Gary reflects on his editing process and the benefits of working with a hybrid publisher. They delve into the dynamics of book clubs and the joy of engaging with readers. Throughout the conversation, Gary offers motivational insights for writers, emphasizing the value of authenticity and connection in the writing process. Overall, the discussion provides valuable perspectives on writing, publishing, and building connections with readers.
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Additional Resources
Website - www.blackheartedstudios.com
Freebie link - https://bit.ly/h2bebook
Massiel's Email - massiel@blackheartedstudios.com
Massiel's Coach.Me site - https://www.coach.me/massielwrites
Instagram - www.instagram.com/massielwrites
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/massiel-valenzuela-castaneda/
Facebook - www.facebook.com/howtowriteabookpodcast
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Are you feeling overwhelmed by your never-ending to-do list?
Check out Paula, the Ultimate VA! https://pearlzconsulting11.wixsite.com/pearlz-va-services
Discover the ultimate solution for regaining control with Paula, your dedicated virtual assistant. She'll help you manage your calendar, handle email, conduct research, social media management, and even mix and stitch together your podcast episodes. Don't let your to-do list overwhelm you any longer. Get started today!
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Follow Gary
Gary Simond's website - https://garyrsimonds.com/
Gary Simond's LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/gary-simonds-5b0225a
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Like, share, or leave a review on Apple Podcasts and subscribe to our YouTube channel (Blackhearted Studios)
Guest: Venchele Saint Dic
Episode Name: Conversations with Venchele Saint Dic: Insights for Writers
Episode Number: 242
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About the guest
Venchele Saint Dic (1990-Present) is a Boston-raised writer of Haitian descent, passionate about community service and global health. After earning a Bachelor of Arts in Public Health from Simmons College, she ventured to Granada, Spain, for further studies. Following her commitment to service, Venchele served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Senegal from 2012-2015, focusing on community health. She founded MESFAMI Care Inc., dedicated to empowering families in changing environments. Venchele's writing has been featured in various publications, including Peace Corps Press Release News, Thrive Global, and Medium, showcasing her commitment to sharing impactful stories and insights.
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In this insightful episode, Massiel engages in a candid conversation with Venchele Saint Dic, a seasoned book coach, to delve into the intricacies of the writing process. Venchele shares her expertise on custom-tailored coaching programs, addressing common challenges writers face, such as conflicting story arcs and writer's block. Emphasizing the importance of realistic timelines and self-care, Venchele highlights the psychological aspects of writing and encourages writers to focus on their journey rather than solely on the end product. With practical strategies and valuable insights, this episode offers guidance for writers at every stage, empowering them to navigate the writing process with clarity and confidence.
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Additional Resources
Website - www.blackheartedstudios.com
Freebie link - https://bit.ly/h2bebook
Massiel Email - massiel@blackheartedstudios.com
Massiel's Coach.Me site - https://www.coach.me/massielwrites
Instagram - www.instagram.com/massielwrites
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/massiel-valenzuela-castaneda/
Facebook - www.facebook.com/howtowriteabookpodcast
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Are you feeling overwhelmed by your never-ending to-do list?
Check out Paula, the Ultimate VA! https://pearlzconsulting11.wixsite.com/pearlz-va-services
Discover the ultimate solution for regaining control with Paula, your dedicated virtual assistant. She'll help you manage your calendar, handle email, conduct research, social media management, and even mix and stitch together your podcast episodes. Don't let your to-do list overwhelm you any longer. Get started today!
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Follow Venchele
Venchele Saint Dic LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/venchele-saint-dic-mph-candidate-70480811
Venchele Saint Dic Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/venchelesaintdic
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Like, share, or leave a review on Apple Podcasts and subscribe to our YouTube channel (Blackhearted Studios)
Guest: Katelynn Balcom
Episode Name: Dreams to Debut: Katelynn Balcom's Journey in Self-Publishing
Episode Number: 241
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About the guest
Katelynn Balcom is a teen author who was born and raised in the beautiful PNW. Although the East Coast is her home now, she'll take pretty trees and rainy days anytime. She is a dedicated and passionate writer/author who will continually be working towards publishing her next idea, story, or novel. She mainly writes romances and fantasy, but she has dabbled in other genres as well, including mystery, sci-fi, historical fiction, and Christian fiction. Katelynn can usually be found reading a book, writing, listening to music, watching Star Wars, or going on adventures with her family, wherever they are currently residing. ‘Koru, the Trainer I Used to Know’ is Katelynn’s second published work, but first work that she has shared with the world.
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In this episode, Massiel interviews Katelynn Balcom, an aspiring author who shares her journey of self-publishing her debut novel. Katelynn discusses the challenges she faced with formatting and printing, as well as the excitement of holding a physical copy of her book for the first time. She reflects on her promotional efforts, including recruiting book ambassadors and selling copies in person. Despite encountering obstacles, Katelynn remains determined and optimistic, sharing her plans for future projects, including a poetry anthology and a trilogy. Throughout the conversation, she emphasizes the importance of perseverance, investment in quality services, and starting promotional efforts early. Katelynn's story serves as an inspiration to aspiring writers, showcasing the rewards of creative pursuits and the power of resilience in overcoming challenges in the publishing industry.
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Additional Resources
Website - www.blackheartedstudios.com
Freebie link - https://bit.ly/h2bebook
Massiel's Email - massiel@blackheartedstudios.com
Massiel's Coach.Me site - https://www.coach.me/massielwrites
Instagram - www.instagram.com/massielwrites
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/massiel-valenzuela-castaneda/
Facebook - www.facebook.com/howtowriteabookpodcast
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Are you feeling overwhelmed by your never-ending to-do list?
Check out Paula, the Ultimate VA! https://pearlzconsulting11.wixsite.com/pearlz-va-services
Discover the ultimate solution for regaining control with Paula, your dedicated virtual assistant. She'll help you manage your calendar, handle email, conduct research, social media management, and even mix and stitch together your podcast episodes. Don't let your to-do list overwhelm you any longer. Get started today!
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Follow Katelynn
Katelynn Balcom's website - https://katelynnbalcom.com/
Katelynn Balcom's Goodreads - https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/128200209
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Like, share, or leave a review on Apple Podcasts and subscribe to our YouTube channel (Blackhearted Studios)
Guest: Steve Schlam
Episode Name: Breaking Chains and Nurturing Creativity: A Writer's Journey with Steve Schlam
Episode Number: 240
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About the guest
Steve Schlam first gained entry to the City of Words through the doors of the public library in Brooklyn, New York, where he was born and spent a good part of his childhood; and has maintained his residency ever since while living in cities and towns across the United States and in Mexico. An actor as well as an author, he has performed on stages in all the places he has called home, and earned a Master's Degree in Creative Writing and English under the tutelage of Joseph Heller, renowned author of "Catch-22." He lives currently in Southern California in a pretty little Craftsman bungalow with orange and lemon trees growing in the backyard, in the company of his wife, Liora. His first published novel, "The Harvesting of Haystacks Kane", is scheduled for release in March, 2024.
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In this insightful episode featuring author Steve Schlam, he shares his journey through writer's block, describing it as both an enemy and a healer. The conversation with Massiel explores the emotional nuances, touching on guilt, anguish, and the gradual process of overcoming creative obstacles. Steve reflects on the existential themes in his novel, "The Harvesting of Haystacks Cain," emphasizing the writer's desire to leave a lasting mark. The discussion delves into the challenges of releasing creative work into a crowded literary landscape and the importance of feedback. Listeners can look forward to the pre-launch period starting in mid-January, leading up to the official book launch in March.
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Additional Resources
Website - www.blackheartedstudios.com
Freebie link - https://bit.ly/h2bebook
Massiel Email - massiel@blackheartedstudios.com
Massiel's Coach.Me site - https://www.coach.me/massielwrites
Instagram - www.instagram.com/massielwrites
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/massiel-valenzuela-castaneda/
Facebook - www.facebook.com/howtowriteabookpodcast
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Are you feeling overwhelmed by your never-ending to-do list?
Check out Paula, the Ultimate VA! https://pearlzconsulting11.wixsite.com/pearlz-va-services
Discover the ultimate solution for regaining control with Paula, your dedicated virtual assistant. She'll help you manage your calendar, handle email, conduct research, social media management, and even mix and stitch together your podcast episodes. Don't let your to-do list overwhelm you any longer. Get started today!
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Follow Steve
Steve Schlam's website - https://www.steveschlam.com/
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Like, share, or leave a review on Apple Podcasts and subscribe to our YouTube channel (Blackhearted Studios)
Guest: Frank Zafiro
Episode Name: Mastering the Art of Writing: Insights from Frank Zafiro's Journey
Episode Number: 239
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About the guest
Frank Zafiro, a retired captain with a background in military intelligence, embarked on a prolific writing career specializing in gritty crime fiction from both law enforcement and criminal perspectives. Serving in the U.S. Army and later as a police officer in Spokane, Washington, Frank's experience is reflected in his acclaimed River City and SpoCompton series, featuring an ensemble cast of officers and criminals. After retiring in 2013, he dedicated himself to writing and teaching, earning accolades for his police procedurals and novella anthology series, "A Grifter's Song." With over forty novels, Frank Zafiro is a top-ranking author in police procedurals on Amazon, showcasing his versatility in mainstream fiction and fantasy under the names Frank Scalise and Frank Saverio. Currently residing in Redmond, Oregon, Frank remains an avid hockey fan, reader, movie lover, gamer, and a dedicated guitarist.
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In this insightful episode featuring author Frank Zafiro, he shares valuable advice for writers, particularly addressing common challenges faced by early writers. Zafiro emphasizes the need for writers to avoid rushing through scenes and instead provide detailed descriptions to allow readers to visualize the narrative. He delves into the crucial skill of accepting feedback, acknowledging writers' personal attachment to their work. Zafiro encourages writers to embrace the learning process through trial and error.
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Additional Resources
Website - www.blackheartedstudios.com
Freebie link - https://bit.ly/h2bebook
Massiel Email - massiel@blackheartedstudios.com
Massiel's Coach.Me site - https://www.coach.me/massielwrites
Instagram - www.instagram.com/massielwrites
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/massiel-valenzuela-castaneda/
Facebook - www.facebook.com/howtowriteabookpodcast
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Are you feeling overwhelmed by your never-ending to-do list?
Check out Paula, the Ultimate VA! https://pearlzconsulting11.wixsite.com/pearlz-va-services
Discover the ultimate solution for regaining control with Paula, your dedicated virtual assistant. She'll help you manage your calendar, handle email, conduct research, social media management, and even mix and stitch together your podcast episodes. Don't let your to-do list overwhelm you any longer. Get started today!
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Follow Frank
Frank Zafiro's website - https://www.frankzafiro.com/
Frank Zafiro's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/frankzafiro370/
Frank Zafiro's Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/FrankZafiroAuthor/
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Like, share, or leave a review on Apple Podcasts and subscribe to our YouTube channel (Blackhearted Studios)
Guest: Justin Louise-Jean
Episode Name: Unveiling Life's Seams: Psychology, Writing, and Beyond with Justin Louis-Jean
Episode Number: 238
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About the guest
Justin Louis-Jean, a Canadian-born individual with Haitian and Trinidadian roots, achieved graduation during the pandemic in 2020. Renowned for his award-winning book "Academic Revolution," he delves into his college experiences and aims to author a total of five books. Each of these works will traverse the realms of psychology, exploring diverse facets such as academia, sports, and relationships.
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In this episode, Justin Louise-Jean, co-author of "Academic Revolution: Life Through the Seams of Jeans," shares insights into his educational journey, emphasizing the importance of pursuing what you enjoy. He discusses his unique marketing strategies for the book, such as leveraging opportunities and using business cards. Justin also delves into the significance of trial and error in learning, illustrating with a humorous anecdote about a bus trip to New York for a book event. Throughout the conversation, he highlights his psychological approach to podcasting, exploring diverse topics with guests. He also spoke about his motivational perspective on writing and his engaging triple entendre podcast, "Just in Words."
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Additional Resources
Website - www.blackheartedstudios.com
Patreon Link - https://bit.ly/h2bpatreon
Freebie link - https://bit.ly/h2bebook
Massiel Email - massiel@blackheartedstudios.com
Massiel's Coach.Me site - https://www.coach.me/massielwrites
Instagram - www.instagram.com/massielwrites
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/massiel-valenzuela-castaneda/
Facebook - www.facebook.com/howtowriteabookpodcast
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Are you feeling overwhelmed by your never-ending to-do list?
Check out Paula, the Ultimate VA! https://pearlzconsulting11.wixsite.com/pearlz-va-services
Discover the ultimate solution for regaining control with Paula, your dedicated virtual assistant. She'll help you manage your calendar, handle email, conduct research, social media management, and even mix and stitch together your podcast episodes. Don't let your to-do list overwhelm you any longer. Get started today!
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Follow Justin
Justin Louis-Jean's website - https://justincyclopedia.weebly.com/
Justin Louis-Jean's Instagram - www.instagram.com/just_inwords_podcast
Justin Louis-Jean's Facebook - https://m.facebook.com/justin.louisjean/
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Like, share, or leave a review on Apple Podcasts and subscribe to our YouTube channel (Blackhearted Studios)
Guest: Larada Horner-Miller
Episode Name: Unlocking Narratives: The Audiobook Odyssey with Larada Horner-Miller
Episode Number: 237
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About the guest
Larada Horner-Miller is a poet, essayist and accomplished multi-genre author who holds a bachelor’s degree in English, with a minor in Spanish and a master of education degree in Integrating Technology into the Classroom. She is the accomplished author of six award-winning biographies, historical fiction, memoir, and poetry works plus three self-published cookbooks.
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The engaging topic that resonates throughout Larada Horner-Miller's conversation is the transformative power of audiobooks for authors. Larada delves into her journey, highlighting the importance of quality recording, the expansion of audience reach through audiobooks, and the unexpected nuances of narrating one's own work. This discussion serves as a valuable guide for authors considering audiobook ventures and unveils the dynamic relationship between storytelling, expression, and the evolving landscape of book consumption.
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Additional Resources
Website - www.blackheartedstudios.com
Patreon Link - https://bit.ly/h2bpatreon
Freebie link - https://bit.ly/h2bebook
Massiel Email - massiel@blackheartedstudios.com
Massiel's Coach.Me site - https://www.coach.me/massielwrites
Instagram - www.instagram.com/massielwrites
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/massiel-valenzuela-castaneda/
Facebook - www.facebook.com/howtowriteabookpodcast
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Are you feeling overwhelmed by your never-ending to-do list?
Check out Paula, the Ultimate VA! https://pearlzconsulting11.wixsite.com/pearlz-va-services
Discover the ultimate solution for regaining control with Paula, your dedicated virtual assistant. She'll help you manage your calendar, handle email, conduct research, and even mix and stitch together your podcast episodes. Don't let your to-do list overwhelm you any longer. Get started today!
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Follow Larada
Larada Horner-Miller's website - https://laradasbooks.com/
Larada Horner-Miller's LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/larada-horner-miller-4a313261/
Larada Horner-Miller's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/larada_hm/
Larada Horner-Miller's Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/Larada.author/
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Like, share, or leave a review on Apple Podcasts and subscribe to our YouTube channel (Blackhearted Studios)
Guest: Mark Steven Porro
Episode Name: Memoir Mastery with Mark Steven Porro: Tears, Laughter, and Marketing Adventures
Episode Number: 236
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About the guest
Mark Steven Porro, a New Jersey native with an Industrial Design degree from The Ohio State University, ventured from agency work to Hollywood, where he graced screens in numerous TV, film, and theatre productions. In his twenty-eight Hollywood years, he founded five unintentional non-profit companies. Now residing in the heart of French wine country, Mark is an award-winning designer, writer, and director. A Cup of Tea on the Commode, his poignant and humorous memoir, details his journey of bringing love, laughter, and joy to his mother's final years. Despite occasional stumbles, he emerged triumphant and lived to share the tale.
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In this episode, Mark Steven Porro, author of "A Cup of Tea on the Commode," shares insights into his memoir-writing journey. He discusses his process of collecting memories, struggles with structure, and experiences with publishers, emphasizing the challenges of being a foreign author living in France. Mark delves into his extensive marketing efforts, including teaser videos and personal invitations to friends on Facebook. He offers advice for aspiring memoir writers, suggesting resources and encouraging a study of the genre. Mark reflects on writing through emotional parts, acknowledging the importance of letting emotions flow.
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Additional Resources
Website - www.blackheartedstudios.com
Patreon Link - https://bit.ly/h2bpatreon
Freebie link - https://bit.ly/h2bebook
Massiel's Email - massiel@blackheartedstudios.com
Massiel's Coach.Me site - https://www.coach.me/massielwrites
Instagram - www.instagram.com/massielwrites
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/massiel-valenzuela-castaneda/
Facebook - www.facebook.com/howtowriteabookpodcast
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Are you feeling overwhelmed by your never-ending to-do list?
Check out Paula, the Ultimate VA! https://pearlzconsulting11.wixsite.com/pearlz-va-services
Discover the ultimate solution for regaining control with Paula, your dedicated virtual assistant. She'll help you manage your calendar, handle email, conduct research, and even mix and stitch together your podcast episodes. Don't let your to-do list overwhelm you any longer. Get started today!
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Follow Mark
Mark Steven Porro's website - www.acupofteaonthecommode.org
Mark Steven Porro's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/a_cup_of_tea_on_the_commode/
Mark Steven Porro's LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/markporro/
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Like, share, or leave a review on Apple Podcasts and subscribe to our YouTube channel (Blackhearted Studios)
Guest: Randi-Lee Bowslaugh
Episode Name: Memoirs, DIY Publishing, and Embracing Joyful Writing with Randi-Lee Bowslaugh
Episode Number: 235
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About the guest
Randi-Lee, hailing from Ontario, Canada, discovered her passion for aiding others early on. After graduating with honors from Niagara College's Community and Justice Services program, she excelled during her placement at a recovery house for addiction. After working in social services and pursuing psychology at university, Randi-Lee published her first book on mental health awareness in 2017, marking the beginning of her writing journey. Despite a cancer diagnosis during her second book's release (A Mother’s Truth), she expanded her portfolio to include nonfiction, children’s books, social stories, draw-your-own-story series, and more. An accomplished kickboxer, Randi-Lee became the Canadian National Champion in 2015, competing globally and coaching at the Ontario Winter Games in 2020. Now, while managing a chronic illness, she continues to share her candid experiences with mental health and parenthood, emphasizing the importance of connection and understanding.
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In this episode, Randi-Lee Bowslaugh shares insights into her memoir writing process, emphasizing the balance between personal stories and thorough research. Discussing her memoir "Goodbye Too Soon," Randi-Lee explores the emotional journey of addressing addiction and legislation. The conversation covers her revision process, the importance of a supportive editor, and the joy of taking control over formatting and cover design. Randi-Lee offers valuable tips for aspiring authors, encouraging them to find joy in the creative process and not wait for perfection. She also shares her experiences with self-publishing and working with a publicist, highlighting the opportunities that have emerged. The episode wraps up with Randi-Lee's motivational advice to follow what brings happiness and to embrace continuous learning.
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Additional Resources
Website - www.blackheartedstudios.com
Patreon Link - https://bit.ly/h2bpatreon
Freebie link - https://bit.ly/h2bebook
Massiel's Email - massiel@blackheartedstudios.com
Massiel's Coach.Me site - https://www.coach.me/massielwrites
Instagram - www.instagram.com/massielwrites
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/massiel-valenzuela-castaneda/
Facebook - www.facebook.com/howtowriteabookpodcast
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Are you feeling overwhelmed by your never-ending to-do list?
Check out Paula, the Ultimate VA! https://pearlzconsulting11.wixsite.com/pearlz-va-services
Discover the ultimate solution for regaining control with Paula, your dedicated virtual assistant. She'll help you manage your calendar, handle email, conduct research, and even mix and stitch together your podcast episodes. Don't let your to-do list overwhelm you any longer. Get started today!
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Follow Randi-Lee
Randi-Lee's website - https://www.rbwriting.ca/
Randi-Lee's LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/randileebowslaugh/
Randi-Lee's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/randileebowslaugh/
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Like, share, or leave a review on Apple Podcasts and subscribe to our YouTube channel (Blackhearted Studios)
Guest: Chidi Iwuchukwu
Episode Name: Empowering Writers: Mastering the Publishing Journey with Chidi Iwuchukwu
Episode Number: 234
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About the guest
Chidi, a resilient individual with a Master's in International Political Economy, has overcome homelessness, won a wrongful dismissal suit, survived a kidnapping, and triumphed over cancer. As the first in his family to attend college, he's become a community leader in Canada and a bestselling author of "Coming to Canada: The Ultimate Success Guide for New Immigrants and Travelers." Recognized with nominations for the Star of Alberta Award and the Alberta Newcomer Champion Award, Chidi is a featured speaker on major networks like Fox, NBC, CBS, and ABC. His empowering keynotes and trainings have inspired audiences globally, earning trust from organizations such as Canadian embassies.
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In this engaging podcast episode, Massiel interviews Chidi Iwuchukwu, author of "Coming to Canada: The Ultimate Success Guide for New Immigrants and Travelers." Chidi shares valuable insights into the book publishing process, emphasizing the importance of professional editing, legal advice, and collaboration with a publishing team. He discusses the impact of a visually appealing book cover and underscores the significance of community support during the writing and publishing journey. Chidi encourages writers not to fear the writing process and stresses the continuous enrichment of knowledge through reading. The episode concludes with a powerful message about the transformative power of books and the importance of investing in self-development.
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Additional Resources
Website - www.blackheartedstudios.com
Patreon Link - https://bit.ly/h2bpatreon
Freebie link - https://bit.ly/h2bebook
Massiel Email - massiel@blackheartedstudios.com
Massiel's Coach.Me site - https://www.coach.me/massielwrites
Instagram - www.instagram.com/massielwrites
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/massiel-valenzuela-castaneda/
Facebook - www.facebook.com/howtowriteabookpodcast
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Follow Chidi
Chidi Iwuchukwu's Website - https://chidispeaks.com/
Chidi Iwuchukwu's LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/chidi-iwuchukwu-ma-52859714/
Chidi Iwuchukwu's Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/cciwuchukwu
Chidi Iwuchukwu's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/chidiiwuchukwu/
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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Episode Name: Navigating the Aftermath: Unpacking Lessons and Charting the Next Steps After NaNoWriMo 2023 [NANOWRIMO Day 30]
Episode Number: 233
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In this episode, Massiel reflects on a marathon of interviews with authors and industry experts, emphasizing the diverse approaches to book writing. Massiel encourages listeners to view writing as an art and to overcome the fear of imperfection in order to finish their works. She also provides guidance for both those who have and haven't completed a draft, suggesting tools like book journals and beta readers. Post-NaNoWriMo. Massiel advises staying connected with the writing community and shares personal experiences, concluding with a message of encouragement and gratitude for the journey.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Additional Resources
Website - www.blackheartedstudios.com
Patreon Link - https://bit.ly/h2bpatreon
Freebie link - https://bit.ly/h2bebook
Massiel Email - massiel@blackheartedstudios.com
Massiel's Coach.Me site - https://www.coach.me/massielwrites
Instagram - www.instagram.com/massielwrites
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/massiel-valenzuela-castaneda/
Facebook - www.facebook.com/howtowriteabookpodcast
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Are you feeling overwhelmed by your never-ending to-do list?
Check out Paula, the Ultimate VA! https://pearlzconsulting11.wixsite.com/pearlz-va-services
Discover the ultimate solution for regaining control with Paula, your dedicated virtual assistant. She'll help you manage your calendar, handle email, conduct research, and even mix and stitch together your podcast episodes. Don't let your to-do list overwhelm you any longer. Get started today!
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Like, share, or leave a review on Apple Podcasts and subscribe to our YouTube channel (Blackhearted Studios)
Guest: Katherine Benfante
Episode Name: From Hybrid Publishing to Beta Readers with Katherine Benfante [NANOWRIMO Day 29]
Episode Number: 232
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About the guest
Katherine Benfante always felt destined to be an author, navigating various career aspirations in her youth before discovering her passion for storytelling. She holds a degree in mechanical engineering from McGill University in Montreal and worked proudly as an engineer for the Army and Navy. Despite a busy life raising two daughters and substitute teaching, Katherine continued to write, driven by a love for storytelling and a desire to inspire her children. Now based in New Jersey, she balances her roles as a mother, substitute teacher, and author, residing near a picturesque lake frequented by swans and Canadian geese.
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In this insightful episode, author Katherine Benfante discusses her experience with hybrid publishing, delving into the trade-offs, editing process, and collaborative cover design for her book "Scattered." She shares the positive impact of beta readers on her writing journey and reflects on post-publishing nerves, ultimately finding validation and confidence in reader feedback. Katherine also provides a glimpse into her upcoming science fiction novel set in 2180 and encourages listeners to explore her website for extras. The episode emphasizes the importance of supporting local bookshops and concludes with gratitude from both host and author for the engaging discussion on the writing and publishing process.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Additional Resources
Website - www.blackheartedstudios.com
Patreon Link - https://bit.ly/h2bpatreon
Freebie link - https://bit.ly/h2bebook
Massiel Email - massiel@blackheartedstudios.com
Massiel's Coach.Me site - https://www.coach.me/massielwrites
Instagram - www.instagram.com/massielwrites
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/massiel-valenzuela-castaneda/
Facebook - www.facebook.com/howtowriteabookpodcast
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Are you feeling overwhelmed by your never-ending to-do list?
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______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Follow Katherine
Katherine Benfante's website - https://katherinebenfante.com/
Katherine Benfante's Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/KatherineBenfanteAuthor/
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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WARNING! CONTAINS STRONG LANGUAGE
Guest: Mikaela Duffy
Episode Name: Crafting Worlds and Stories with Mikaela Duffy [NANOWRIMO Day 28]
Episode Number: 231
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About the guest
Mikaela Duffy is an award-winning Brooklyn-based author and playwright. She is ecstatic to bring art into the world through as many mediums as she can. Through meticulous efforts, she has found a passion in writing the stories that need to be told, creating characters that need to be seen, and giving voice to what needs to be heard.
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Listen to author Mikaela Duffy share her journey in crafting "The Mistport Guardians," a fantasy series born from a tabletop role-playing game. Mikaela discusses her organic writing process, the influence of choices made during gaming sessions, and the importance of serving the narrative in story decisions. She provides insights into her editing approach, emphasizing collaboration with beta readers and editor Melissa Rogers. Mikaela reflects on the collaborative nature of the creative process, drawing parallels to historical writer groups like J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis. Throughout, the episode underscores the significance of a supportive community in the writing journey, urging aspiring authors to embrace collaboration, connect with fellow writers, and celebrate the collective effort in bringing stories to life.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Additional Resources
Website - www.blackheartedstudios.com
Patreon Link - https://bit.ly/h2bpatreon
Freebie link - https://bit.ly/h2bebook
Massiel Email - massiel@blackheartedstudios.com
Massiel's Coach.Me site - https://www.coach.me/massielwrites
Instagram - www.instagram.com/massielwrites
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/massiel-valenzuela-castaneda/
Facebook - www.facebook.com/howtowriteabookpodcast
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Follow Mikaela
Mikaela Duffy's website - https://www.mikaeladuffy.com/
Mikaela Duffy's Instagram - www.instagram.com/mikaeladuffywrites
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Like, share, or leave a review on Apple Podcasts and subscribe to our YouTube channel (Blackhearted Studios)
Guest: Dee Bowden
Episode Name: Navigating the Authorial Journey and Business Triumphs with Dee Bowden [NANOWRIMO Day 27]
Episode Number: 230
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About the guest
Dee wrote Collect The Cash to teach small business owners to solve their cash flow issues. Dee has over 10 years of revenue recovery experience and wants to assist businesses to collect the cash and stop leaving money on the table. The Sale is not Complete Until The Money is in The Bank!
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In this conversation with Massiel, Dee Bowden, author of "Collect the Cash: The Sale Is Not Complete Until the Money Is in the Bank," shares her insights on the challenges and triumphs of the writing and publishing process. Emphasizing the importance of being teachable and coachable, Dee draws parallels between overcoming setbacks in writing and experiences in academics, sports, and music. She discusses her collaboration with a book coach, the personal development inherent in the authorial journey, and the significance of celebrating small victories. Dee details her book's unique concept, the "collection zone," inspired by sports psychology, offering a positive mindset for debt collection in business. She provides a glimpse into her publishing process, including classes and revisions, and invites readers to purchase personalized signed copies directly from her website. Overall, Dee's story is one of determination, resilience, and the transformative power of writing.
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Additional Resources
Website - www.blackheartedstudios.com
Patreon Link - https://bit.ly/h2bpatreon
Freebie link - https://bit.ly/h2bebook
Massiel Email - massiel@blackheartedstudios.com
Massiel's Coach.Me site - https://www.coach.me/massielwrites
Instagram - www.instagram.com/massielwrites
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/massiel-valenzuela-castaneda/
Facebook - www.facebook.com/howtowriteabookpodcast
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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Discover the ultimate solution for regaining control with Paula, your dedicated virtual assistant. She'll help you manage your calendar, handle email, conduct research, and even mix and stitch together your podcast episodes. Don't let your to-do list overwhelm you any longer. Get started today!
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Follow Dee
Dee Bowden's website - https://collectthecash.biz/
Dee Bowden's Instagram - www.instagram.com/deecollects
Dee Bowden's LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/deebowden/
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Like, share, or leave a review on Apple Podcasts and subscribe to our YouTube channel (Blackhearted Studios)
Guest: Dan Henk
Episode Name: Crafting Authentic Voices and Evolving Through Editing with Dan Henk [NANOWRIMO Day 26]
Episode Number: 229
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About the author
Dan Henk's artistic journey began by drawing political cartoons for Madcap Magazine and illustrating underground projects like Maximum Rock and Roll. After overcoming a car crash and a knife fight, he attended art school, gaining acclaim for his work. In 2000, he ventured into tattooing, weathering brain cancer in 2001 and later tragedy with the loss of his wife in 2007. Relocating to Austin, Texas, he continued his artistic pursuits, publishing his first novel, "The Black Seas of Infinity," in 2011, along with various illustrated works. Despite life's challenges, Henk's creative resilience shines through, as seen in his latest release, "The End of the World," and ongoing projects.
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In this insightful episode, Massiel engages in a compelling two-part conversation with Dan Henk, author of "Black Seas of Infinity" and editor/publisher of the anthology "Never Dead." Dan discusses his unique approach to editing, emphasizing the preservation of an author's voice and the challenges of dealing with editors who may rewrite based on personal preferences. The episode explores Dan's decision to reedit his debut novel, offering valuable insights into his editing process and the significance of self-reflection. Dan also shares details about his podcast, "Scope Sessions with Dan Henk," where he converses with authors and artists.
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Additional Resources
Website - www.blackheartedstudios.com
Patreon Link - https://bit.ly/h2bpatreon
Freebie link - https://bit.ly/h2bebook
Massiel Email - massiel@blackheartedstudios.com
Massiel's Coach.Me site - https://www.coach.me/massielwrites
Instagram - www.instagram.com/massielwrites
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/massiel-valenzuela-castaneda/
Facebook - www.facebook.com/howtowriteabookpodcast
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Are you feeling overwhelmed by your never-ending to-do list?
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Discover the ultimate solution for regaining control with Paula, your dedicated virtual assistant. She'll help you manage your calendar, handle email, conduct research, and even mix and stitch together your podcast episodes. Don't let your to-do list overwhelm you any longer. Get started today!
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Follow Dan
Dan Henk's website - https://danhenk.com/
Dan Henk's LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-henk-27775214/
Dan Henk's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/deadguyllc
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Like, share, or leave a review on Apple Podcasts and subscribe to our YouTube channel (Blackhearted Studios)
Guest: Nia Rainer
Episode Name: Rise: From Challenges to Triumph with Nia Rainer [NANOWRIMO Day 25]
Episode Number: 228
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About the guest
Nia Rainer is an entrepreneur who never learned how not to dream big. From the time she was a little girl planning to become an entrepreneur to the time she was named High Point University’s Extraordinary Leader, Nia has looked at the concept of limits and laughed. Too often she’s seen people limited by their fear of failure and stalled in the execution of their goals by inconsistency. She wrote Rise to teach people how to attain desirable goal outcomes that turn dreams into reality. When Nia’s not empowering those around her she’s trying to master the kind of pasta-making finesse that’ll land her a spot on Hell’s Kitchen.
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In this episode, Massiel welcomes Nia Rainer, author of "Rise," a self-development book on overcoming challenges. Nia shares her journey from being a first-generation college student and entrepreneur to publishing her book. "Rise" focuses on attaining desirable goals despite challenges, with a special emphasis on underrepresented individuals in the self-development space. Nia discusses her crowdfunding experience, the importance of representation, and the impact of her book. She also highlights her growth mindset, the challenges she faced, and her plans for the future, including potential audiobooks and a second book.
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Additional Resources
Website - www.blackheartedstudios.com
Patreon Link - https://bit.ly/h2bpatreon
Freebie link - https://bit.ly/h2bebook
Massiel Email - massiel@blackheartedstudios.com
Massiel's Coach.Me site - https://www.coach.me/massielwrites
Instagram - www.instagram.com/massielwrites
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/massiel-valenzuela-castaneda/
Facebook - www.facebook.com/howtowriteabookpodcast
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Are you feeling overwhelmed by your never-ending to-do list?
Check out Paula, the Ultimate VA! https://pearlzconsulting11.wixsite.com/pearlz-va-services
Discover the ultimate solution for regaining control with Paula, your dedicated virtual assistant. She'll help you manage your calendar, handle email, conduct research, and even mix and stitch together your podcast episodes. Don't let your to-do list overwhelm you any longer. Get started today!
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Follow Nia
Nia Rainer's website - https://www.niarainer.com/
Nia Rainer's Instagram - www.instagram.com/niamrainer
Nia Rainer's LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/niarainer/
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Like, share, or leave a review on Apple Podcasts and subscribe to our YouTube channel (Blackhearted Studios)
Guest: Miracle Sims
Episode Name: From Books to a Global Dream Team with Miracle Sims [NANOWRIMO Day 24]
Episode Number: 227
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About the author
Wife and Mother of one, Miracle Sims is a versatile talent. Since she received her Associate’s Degree in Theatre at Gordon College in 2006, she has been acting, writing, singing, and songwriting independently. She is currently the owner of several business endeavors.; Miracle Plays, Unwine: Self-Care, and Sips Spa. She is also host and creator of the podcast and talk show “God, Sex, and Love” and the author of “The Cultivation Period: A Single Christian’s Journey”.
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In this enlightening episode, guest Miracle Sims, shares her journey as a creative and author, detailing her projects, challenges in the publishing process, and the importance of authenticity in her work. Additionally, Miracle emphasizes the concept of a "dream team" and discusses the value of collaboration in creative endeavors, along with the challenges of receiving critiques. In part 3, Miracle delves into the evolution of "God, Sex, and Love," a platform she created to bridge the gap between faith-based and secular content on subjects like faith, relationships, and sexuality. The episode explores the success of the channel and the importance of positive representations of Kingdom marriages. Miracle invites listeners to connect with her online and expresses her readiness to return to discuss various faith and relationship-related topics.
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Additional Resources
Website - www.blackheartedstudios.com
Patreon Link - https://bit.ly/h2bpatreon
Freebie link - https://bit.ly/h2bebook
Massiel Email - massiel@blackheartedstudios.com
Massiel's Coach.Me site - https://www.coach.me/massielwrites
Instagram - www.instagram.com/massielwrites
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/massiel-valenzuela-castaneda/
Facebook - www.facebook.com/howtowriteabookpodcast
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Are you feeling overwhelmed by your never-ending to-do list?
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Discover the ultimate solution for regaining control with Paula, your dedicated virtual assistant. She'll help you manage your calendar, handle email, conduct research, and even mix and stitch together your podcast episodes. Don't let your to-do list overwhelm you any longer. Get started today!
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Follow Miracle
Miracle Sims' website - http://godsexandlove.com/
Miracle Sims' Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/shop/actressmiraclesims
Miracle Sims' Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ActressMiracleSims/
Miracle Sims' YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrnn7z41KcS2-pk62kXf6DQ
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Like, share, or leave a review on Apple Podcasts and subscribe to our YouTube channel (Blackhearted Studios)
Guest: Dr. Monica Henderson
Episode Name: Writing Beyond Boundaries: A Chat with Dr. Monica Henderson [NANOWRIMO Day 23]
Episode Number: 226
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About the guest
Dr. Monica Henderson is a military veteran that has also served in the Education field since 2005 as a teacher, tutor, and principal in the United States and China. Dr. Henderson earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of North Florida in 2004, an MBA degree in 2011, and a PhD in Educational Leadership from Keiser University in 2016. She founded Doctors for Global Education LLC in 2017. Dr. Henderson has since published seven children’s books and a 6th-8th grade career math curriculum.
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In this episode, host Massiel Valenzuela interviews Dr. Monica Henderson, author of seven children's books and the new sci-fi novel "Remanded." Dr. Henderson shares her unique background as a military veteran and educator, highlighting her diverse experiences that have influenced her writing. The conversation delves into the inspiration behind "Remanded," set in the year 2117, where the judicial system and forensic science have evolved significantly. The novel explores a futuristic world where criminals serve virtual sentences determined by a blind virtual jury. Dr. Henderson discusses her writing process, emphasizing the importance of creating purposeful chapters in adult fiction and conveying life lessons through her children's books. The podcast concludes with insights into Dr. Henderson's self-publishing journey, her dedication to producing high-quality work, and where listeners can find her books and podcast.
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Additional Resources
Website - www.blackheartedstudios.com
Patreon Link - https://bit.ly/h2bpatreon
Freebie link - https://bit.ly/h2bebook
Massiel Email - massiel@blackheartedstudios.com
Massiel's Coach.Me site - https://www.coach.me/massielwrites
Instagram - www.instagram.com/massielwrites
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/massiel-valenzuela-castaneda/
Facebook - www.facebook.com/howtowriteabookpodcast
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Are you feeling overwhelmed by your never-ending to-do list?
Check out Paula, the Ultimate VA! https://pearlzconsulting11.wixsite.com/pearlz-va-services
Discover the ultimate solution for regaining control with Paula, your dedicated virtual assistant. She'll help you manage your calendar, handle email, conduct research, and even mix and stitch together your podcast episodes. Don't let your to-do list overwhelm you any longer. Get started today!
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Follow Dr. M Henderson
Dr. M. Henderson Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0BB7DK9KD?ingress=0&visitId=6a86ae48-12a1-4aa0-bacd-c85fecd7736d&store_ref=ap_rdr&ref_=ap_rdr
Dr. M. Henderson LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-monica-henderson-ojo/
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Like, share, or leave a review on Apple Podcasts and subscribe to our YouTube channel (Blackhearted Studios)
Guest: Richard Christopher Carbajal
Episode Name: Crafting Collaborative Stories on the Tabletop with Richard Christopher Carbajal [NANOWRIMO Day 22]
Episode Number: 225
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About the guest
Richard Christopher Carbajal, known as Scragfist in the Warhammer community, is a seasoned storyteller and Game Master with over 15 years of experience in the tabletop gaming realm. As a dedicated Warhammer 40,000 player, he has cultivated a unique approach to storytelling by blending world-building, collaborative storytelling, and gameplay. Through his social media presence on TikTok and Instagram (@scragfist), he shares his passion for miniatures, painting, and the intricate narratives that unfold on the gaming table. Christopher embraces the philosophy that storytelling is about progress, not perfection, and he continues to inspire others to immerse themselves in the dynamic and ever-evolving stories woven within the Warhammer universe.
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In this episode, Richard Christopher Carbajal, a seasoned Warhammer player and storyteller, shares insights into the collaborative storytelling aspects of the Warhammer tabletop game. Detailing the progression of his character Ezra Ville and the unpredictability introduced by dice rolls, Richard emphasizes the importance of creating three-dimensional characters and incorporating challenges into narratives. The Warhammer universe's storytelling involves guiding a collective story while allowing players to influence its direction. Richard's approach centers on fostering enjoyment and fun in the storytelling process, prioritizing progress over perfection and highlighting the depth achievable even with a small squad's backstory. Overall, the conversation provides a unique perspective on tabletop gaming as a platform for dynamic and engaging storytelling.
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Additional Resources
Website - www.blackheartedstudios.com
Patreon Link - https://bit.ly/h2bpatreon
Freebie link - https://bit.ly/h2bebook
Massiel Email - massiel@blackheartedstudios.com
Massiel's Coach.Me site - https://www.coach.me/massielwrites
Instagram - www.instagram.com/massielwrites
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/massiel-valenzuela-castaneda/
Facebook - www.facebook.com/howtowriteabookpodcast
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Are you feeling overwhelmed by your never-ending to-do list?
Check out Paula, the Ultimate VA! https://pearlzconsulting11.wixsite.com/pearlz-va-services
Discover the ultimate solution for regaining control with Paula, your dedicated virtual assistant. She'll help you manage your calendar, handle email, conduct research, and even mix and stitch together your podcast episodes. Don't let your to-do list overwhelm you any longer. Get started today!
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Follow Richard
Richard Christopher Carbajal's LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/carbajalrc/
Richard Christopher Carbajal's Instagram - www.instagram.com/skragfist
Richard Christopher Carbajal's Facebook - www.facebook.com/richardchristophercarbajal
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Like, share, or leave a review on Apple Podcasts and subscribe to our YouTube channel (Blackhearted Studios)
Guest: Lya Badgley
Episode Name: Lya Badgley's Journey in Writing and Publishing [NANOWRIMO Day 21]
Episode Number: 224
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About the guest
Lya Badgley writes suspenseful international fiction featuring characters overcoming life-changing odds. Global conflict zones and insurgencies offer a vivid backdrop to her stories. She draws deeply from personal experience living in Europe and Southeast Asia. Her life is worthy of a movie – dabbling in the music industry, opening a restaurant in Myanmar, interviewing insurgents for Human Rights Watch, and microfilming documents for the Tuol Sleng Museum of Genocide in Cambodia. Her first novel, The Foreigner’s Confession, was released in February of 2022. Her second novel, The Worth of a Ruby, is set in Myanmar and will be released in the fall of 2023. She currently lives in Snohomish Washington and is busy writing her third novel.
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In this episode, Massiel Valenzuela hosts Lya Badgley, author of suspenseful international fiction with characters overcoming life-changing odds. Lya discusses her journey, starting with her first novel, "The Foreigner's Confession," released in February 2022, and her upcoming release, "The Worth of a Ruby," set for fall 2023. The conversation delves into Lya's background in visual arts, cover design, and her unique approach to storytelling, drawing inspiration from her diverse life experiences. Lya shares insights into her writing process, emphasizing her preference for discovery writing over outlining. She also reflects on the impact of personal experiences on her fiction, highlighting the themes of redemption and strong female leads in her works. The podcast touches on the challenges of seeking traditional publishing, leading Lya to explore self-publishing and hybrid publishing options. The discussion concludes with valuable tips for writers navigating cover design, encouraging them to compile a folder of inspiration and communicate effectively with designers.
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Additional Resources
Website - www.blackheartedstudios.com
Patreon Link - https://bit.ly/h2bpatreon
Freebie link - https://bit.ly/h2bebook
Massiel Email - massiel@blackheartedstudios.com
Massiel's Coach.Me site - https://www.coach.me/massielwrites
Instagram - www.instagram.com/massielwrites
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/massiel-valenzuela-castaneda/
Facebook - www.facebook.com/howtowriteabookpodcast
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Are you feeling overwhelmed by your never-ending to-do list?
Check out Paula, the Ultimate VA! https://pearlzconsulting11.wixsite.com/pearlz-va-services
Discover the ultimate solution for regaining control with Paula, your dedicated virtual assistant. She'll help you manage your calendar, handle email, conduct research, and even mix and stitch together your podcast episodes. Don't let your to-do list overwhelm you any longer. Get started today!
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Follow Lya
Lya Badgley's website - https://campsite.bio/lyabadgleyauthor
Lya Badgley's Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/lyabadgleyauthor
Lya Badgley's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/lyabadgleyauthor/
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Like, share, or leave a review on Apple Podcasts and subscribe to our YouTube channel (Blackhearted Studios)
Guest: Jeremy Stegall
Episode Name: Navigating Change Through Words: A Writer's Odyssey with Jeremy Stegall [NANOWRIMO Day 20]
Episode Number: 223
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About the guest
Jeremy is a Life Coach and Author with Where the Change Happens Coaching, LLC. As an author, coach, and speaker, Jeremy has used his education and professional experience to bring new creative energy to the workplace, encouraging entrepreneurs on their journey to improve client relationships in their businesses.
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In this episode, author Jeremy Stegall shares insights into his writing process, particularly the challenges and triumphs he faced while editing his second book. He emphasizes the significance of feedback and the polishing process to achieve satisfaction in his work. The conversation delves into common struggles authors encounter during editing, highlighting the relatable nature of making mistakes. Jeremy discusses his decision to hire a writing coach, detailing the coach's role in refining dialogue and providing invaluable support. He reveals a unique technique involving recording voice notes to enhance the natural flow of conversations. The author also touches on his writing schedule, balancing a full-time job with his commitment to daily writing. Overall, the podcast offers practical tips, relatable experiences, and a glimpse into the life of an author navigating the complexities of the writing journey.
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Additional Resources
Website - www.blackheartedstudios.com
Patreon Link - https://bit.ly/h2bpatreon
Freebie link - https://bit.ly/h2bebook
Massiel Email - massiel@blackheartedstudios.com
Massiel's Coach.Me site - https://www.coach.me/massielwrites
Instagram - www.instagram.com/massielwrites
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/massiel-valenzuela-castaneda/
Facebook - www.facebook.com/howtowriteabookpodcast
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Are you feeling overwhelmed by your never-ending to-do list?
Check out Paula, the Ultimate VA! https://pearlzconsulting11.wixsite.com/pearlz-va-services
Discover the ultimate solution for regaining control with Paula, your dedicated virtual assistant. She'll help you manage your calendar, handle email, conduct research, and even mix and stitch together your podcast episodes. Don't let your to-do list overwhelm you any longer. Get started today!
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Follow Jeremy
Jeremy Stegall's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/wherethechangehappenscoaching/
Jeremy Stegall's Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/stores/Jeremy-Stegall/author/B08NWBQSB9?ref=ap_rdr&store_ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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Guest: Sienna Zini
Episode Name: Love, Suspense, & Inked Journeys with Sienna Zini [NANOWRIMO Day 19]
Episode Number: 222
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About the guest
Sienna Zini's passion lies in writing, where she finds immense joy in inspiring love in the hearts of her readers through well-crafted narratives that immerse them in the depths of captivating romance. She chooses to write about love because she firmly believes it is the engine that moves the world. Join her in a swoon-worthy, suspenseful, and heartbreaking journey, peppered with a bit of spice.
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In this episode of the "How to Write a Book" podcast, host Massiel Valenzuela interviews prolific romance author Sienna Zini. Sienna shares her journey from working in a company to rediscovering her passion for writing during the COVID pandemic. The discussion touches on Sienna's writing process, including her preference for character-driven narratives and the organic development of her stories. Sienna talks about her books, including "Forever Illogical" and "Of Us," delving into themes of love, suspense, and heartbreaking journeys with a touch of mystery. The conversation also explores Sienna's upcoming book, "Inked," a mafia romance with a unique twist. Sienna discusses her approach to overcoming imposter syndrome, seeking feedback from trusted friends, and the emotional process of writing. The episode concludes with a special announcement of a giveaway, where listeners have the chance to win coupons for Sienna's books by tagging the hosts on Instagram.
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Additional Resources
Website - www.blackheartedstudios.com
Patreon Link - https://bit.ly/h2bpatreon
Freebie link - https://bit.ly/h2bebook
Massiel Email - massiel@blackheartedstudios.com
Massiel's Coach.Me site - https://www.coach.me/massielwrites
Instagram - www.instagram.com/massielwrites
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/massiel-valenzuela-castaneda/
Facebook - www.facebook.com/howtowriteabookpodcast
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Are you feeling overwhelmed by your never-ending to-do list?
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______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Follow Sienna
Sienna Zini's Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/stores/Sienna-Zini/author/B0BNQTV768?ref=ap_rdr&store_ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true
Sienna Zini's Goodreads - https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/23329451.Sienna_Zini
Sienna Zini's Linktree - https://linktr.ee/siennazini
Sienna Zini's FB - https://www.facebook.com/authorsiennazini
Sienna Zini's Instagram - https://instagram.com/authorsiennazini?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA==
Sienna Zini's TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@siennaziniauthor?_t=8gPsZRnF8Kn&_r=1
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Guest: Erykah Kimura
Episode Name: Navigating Life's Twists and Turns with Erykah Kimura [NANOWRIMO Day 18]
Episode Number: 221
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About the guest
Erykah Kimura is a passionate advocate for mental health and the host of the Take 30 Podcast. With a mission to destigmatize conversations around mental health, Erykah created her podcast as a platform to share personal stories, insights, and expert advice on navigating the complexities of mental well-being. Born out of a desire to break the silence surrounding mental health issues, Erykah openly discusses her own struggles with social anxiety and the transformative impact of seeking therapy. As the podcast evolved, Erykah expanded her focus to include diverse voices, inviting guests such as mental health experts, coaches, and individuals with unique perspectives to contribute to the ongoing dialogue. Erykah's dedication to fostering understanding and support shines through in her podcast, making it a valuable resource for anyone on a journey toward better mental health. Beyond her podcasting endeavors, Erykah is working on a book project, collaborating with her father to create an engaging narrative inspired by the adventures of her lively nephews. Through her work, Erykah Kimura is leaving a positive imprint on the mental health landscape, encouraging others to embrace vulnerability and prioritize their well-being.
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In this episode of the "How to Write a Book" podcast, host Massiel Valenzuela welcomes special guest Erykah Kimura, the host of the "Take 30" podcast. Erykah shares her journey of starting the podcast, which focuses on mental health, breaking the taboo surrounding the topic. Massiel and Erykah discuss the intersection of mental health and writing, emphasizing the importance of addressing personal struggles before delving into creative pursuits. Erykah highlights the significance of journaling, meditation, and gratitude practices for maintaining mental well-being. The conversation also touches on Erykah's transition from solo episodes to featuring guest speakers, showcasing diverse stories related to mental health. Additionally, Erykah provides insights into her entrepreneurial journey, including lessons learned and the resourceful guests featured on her show. Towards the end, Erykah reveals her upcoming project – a self-published book inspired by her nephews' adventurous escapades. The episode concludes with Erykah expressing her gratitude for the conversation and the opportunity to share her experiences.
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Additional Resources
Website - www.blackheartedstudios.com
Patreon Link - https://bit.ly/h2bpatreon
Freebie link - https://bit.ly/h2bebook
Massiel Email - massiel@blackheartedstudios.com
Massiel's Coach.Me site - https://www.coach.me/massielwrites
Instagram - www.instagram.com/massielwrites
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/massiel-valenzuela-castaneda/
Facebook - www.facebook.com/howtowriteabookpodcast
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Are you feeling overwhelmed by your never-ending to-do list?
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Discover the ultimate solution for regaining control with Paula, your dedicated virtual assistant. She'll help you manage your calendar, handle email, conduct research, and even mix and stitch together your podcast episodes. Don't let your to-do list overwhelm you any longer. Get started today!
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Follow Erykah
Erykah Kimaru's YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@take30witherykah60/videos
Erykah Kimaru's Instagram - www.instagram.com/thetake30podcast
Erykah Kimaru's TikTok - www.tiktok.com/take.30.with.erykah
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Like, share, or leave a review on Apple Podcasts and subscribe to our YouTube channel (Blackhearted Studios)
Guest: Terece Hahn
Episode Name: Crafting Resilience: Author Terece Hahn's Writing Wisdom [NANOWRIMO Day 17]
Episode Number: 220
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About the guest
Terece Hahn, author of "Attached," hails from rural Washington and embarked on a transformative journey, transitioning from a non-writer to a published author. Her book, set in the 1800s Wild West, combines fiction with self-help, encouraging readers to embrace resilience and self-discovery. Terece shares her writing experiences and discusses her book's evolution, emphasizing the power of mentors and the emotional roller coaster of the writing process. Beyond her debut novel, Terece is currently crafting a fantasy game and contemplating a sequel.
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In this podcast episode, Massiel Valenzuela interviews author Terece Hahn. The discussion revolves around the journey of writing a book, highlighting the resilience required during the process. Terece shares her experience with the Creators Institute, a program supporting aspiring authors through personalized guidance. The conversation emphasizes the significance of mentors and coaches, drawing from Terece's own experiences with therapy and life coaching. Terece's book, set in the lawless Western style of the 1800s, is a fusion of fiction and self-help, aiming to explore survival and self-actualization. The episode concludes with insights into Terece's current project—a fantasy game for an app—and hints at a possible sequel to her book in the future.
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Additional Resources
Website - www.blackheartedstudios.com
Patreon Link - https://bit.ly/h2bpatreon
Freebie link - https://bit.ly/h2bebook
Massiel Email - massiel@blackheartedstudios.com
Massiel's Coach.Me site - https://www.coach.me/massielwrites
Instagram - www.instagram.com/massielwrites
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/massiel-valenzuela-castaneda/
Facebook - www.facebook.com/howtowriteabookpodcast
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Are you feeling overwhelmed by your never-ending to-do list?
Check out Paula, the Ultimate VA! https://pearlzconsulting11.wixsite.com/pearlz-va-services
Discover the ultimate solution for regaining control with Paula, your dedicated virtual assistant. She'll help you manage your calendar, handle email, conduct research, and even mix and stitch together your podcast episodes. Don't let your to-do list overwhelm you any longer. Get started today!
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Follow Terece
Terece Hahn's website - https://www.hahnllc.com/
Terece Hahn's Instagram - www.instagram.com/terecehahn_author
Terece Hahn's LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/terece-hahn-4b36451b0/
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Like, share, or leave a review on Apple Podcasts and subscribe to our YouTube channel (Blackhearted Studios)
Guest: Fritznel Octave
Episode Name: From Storytelling to Global Reach: Self-Publishing Insights with Fritznel Octave [NANOWRIMO Day 16]
Episode Number: 219
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About the guest
Fritznel D. Octave, a seasoned journalist hailing from Haiti and currently residing in the United States, is a dedicated storyteller committed to unveiling the often-overlooked history of Haiti. Armed with keen insights, extensive research, and a profound understanding of human psychology, Octave strives to bridge the understanding between cultures. His optimistic outlook and willingness to confront challenges serve as an inspiration, motivating and guiding Haitians to empower themselves and their communities. Octave's work aims to connect readers with the contemporary political, cultural, and socioeconomic landscape of Haiti while preserving the legacy of Haitian revolutionists who fought against oppression in 1804. With a career spanning from hosting radio programs in northwestern Haiti to contributing to various newspapers, news agencies, and magazines, Octave's educational background includes a degree in Communications and Journalism, ongoing pursuit of an MBA in International Business at Florida Atlantic University, and past studies at the State University of Haiti, the University of the West Indies, Jamaica, and the University of Oxford, England, UK.
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In this insightful interview with Fritznel Octave, the author of "Haiti between Pestilence and Hope," the discussion centers on the challenges and rewards of self-publishing a nonfiction book. Fritznel emphasizes the importance of a compelling story, well-written content, and the necessity of editing and proofreading. He shares his journey of creating a platform for the book, tackling stereotypes about Haiti, and highlighting the significance of understanding the publishing industry. Fritznel underscores the value of learning from the initial publishing experience and expresses his goals for scaling the book's reach globally. The conversation concludes with insights into achieving high ratings, stressing the need for authenticity in book blurbs. Fritznel's book is available worldwide, and he invites readers to explore his website for additional content and perks. The interview anticipates Fritznel's future projects, hinting at a forthcoming book focused on business.
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Additional Resources
Website - www.blackheartedstudios.com
Patreon Link - https://bit.ly/h2bpatreon
Freebie link - https://bit.ly/h2bebook
Massiel Email - massiel@blackheartedstudios.com
Massiel's Coach.Me site - https://www.coach.me/massielwrites
Instagram - www.instagram.com/massielwrites
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/massiel-valenzuela-castaneda/
Facebook - www.facebook.com/howtowriteabookpodcast
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Are you feeling overwhelmed by your never-ending to-do list?
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Discover the ultimate solution for regaining control with Paula, your dedicated virtual assistant. She'll help you manage your calendar, handle email, conduct research, and even mix and stitch together your podcast episodes. Don't let your to-do list overwhelm you any longer. Get started today!
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Follow Fritznel
Fritznel Octave's website - https://www.fritzneldoctave.com/
Fritznel Octave's Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/fritzneloctave/
Fritzel Octave's Twitter (X) - https://twitter.com/foctave1
Fritznel Octave's LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/fritzneloctave/
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Like, share, or leave a review on Apple Podcasts and subscribe to our YouTube channel (Blackhearted Studios)
Episode Name: Hitting & Overcoming the Muddy Middle of Your Draft [NANOWRIMO Day 15]
Episode Number: 218
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In this episode of the "How to Write a Book" podcast, Massiel Valenzuela shares her experiences and insights during the midpoint of National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo). Despite facing challenges such as a strained voice from a concert and adjusting to her night owl schedule, Massiel discusses her progress, reaching 26,000 words, and delves into the importance of overcoming the midway writing slump. She emphasizes the need to continue writing, even in the face of confusion about the plot or self-doubt, suggesting practical solutions like outlining and seeking inspiration. Massiel shares personal strategies, including using dictation and vocal coaching to preserve her voice during writing sessions. The episode concludes with motivational tips and examples of successful authors who have participated in NaNoWriMo, encouraging listeners to push through challenges and keep writing.
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Additional Resources
Website - www.blackheartedstudios.com
Patreon Link - https://bit.ly/h2bpatreon
Freebie link - https://bit.ly/h2bebook
Massiel Email - massiel@blackheartedstudios.com
Massiel's Coach.Me site - https://www.coach.me/massielwrites
Instagram - www.instagram.com/massielwrites
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/massiel-valenzuela-castaneda/
Facebook - www.facebook.com/howtowriteabookpodcast
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Are you feeling overwhelmed by your never-ending to-do list?
Check out Paula, the Ultimate VA! https://pearlzconsulting11.wixsite.com/pearlz-va-services
Discover the ultimate solution for regaining control with Paula, your dedicated virtual assistant. She'll help you manage your calendar, handle email, conduct research, and even mix and stitch together your podcast episodes. Don't let your to-do list overwhelm you any longer. Get started today!
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Like, share, or leave a review on Apple Podcasts and subscribe to our YouTube channel (Blackhearted Studios)
Guest: Susan Nicholas
Episode Name: Aligning Energies: Writing and Conscious Living with Susan Nicholas MD [NANOWRIMO Day 14]
Episode Number: 217
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About the guest
Susan Nicholas, MD MBA, a former physician and surgeon who, after a conscious awakening in 2012, transitioned her life into soul healing work. She is now recognized as a telepathic medical intuitive and energy healer, boasting three authored books and an international speaker on life transformation. Her signature talk, The Frequency of Money®, guides individuals in healing their relationship with money for worry-free, prosperous, and happy lives. As the founder of Human Consciousness Consortium Publishing, she authors conscious adult and children’s books, aiming to awaken humanity to consciousness. When not engaged in writing, speaking, or transformative coaching, Susan hosts the Be Conscious Podcast, inviting listeners to awaken their souls and experience inner healing.
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In this episode with host, Massiel Valenzuela and guest, Susan Nicholas, the conversation centers around the theme of alignment in writing and life. Susan Nicholas, an energy healer and author, emphasizes the significance of aligning thoughts, language, and feelings with one's true desires, illustrating this through personal experiences. The discussion touches on the obstacles writers face and the transformative power of self-love and worth. Susan directs listeners to her website and social channels for resources, offering insights into conscious living. Additionally, the conversation explores Susan's children's books, rooted in her energy healing practice, which aim to address the energetic and emotional aspects of childhood experiences. Overall, the podcast encourages listeners to explore their inner world, align energies, and embrace their innate power for positive transformation.
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Additional Resources
Website - www.blackheartedstudios.com
Patreon Link - https://bit.ly/h2bpatreon
Freebie link - https://bit.ly/h2bebook
Massiel Email - massiel@blackheartedstudios.com
Massiel's Coach.Me site - https://www.coach.me/massielwrites
Instagram - www.instagram.com/massielwrites
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/massiel-valenzuela-castaneda/
Facebook - www.facebook.com/howtowriteabookpodcast
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Are you feeling overwhelmed by your never-ending to-do list?
Check out Paula, the Ultimate VA! https://pearlzconsulting11.wixsite.com/pearlz-va-services
Discover the ultimate solution for regaining control with Paula, your dedicated virtual assistant. She'll help you manage your calendar, handle email, conduct research, and even mix and stitch together your podcast episodes. Don't let your to-do list overwhelm you any longer. Get started today!
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Follow Susan
Susan Nicholas MD's website - https://susannicholas.org/
Susan Nicholas MD's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/conscious.susan
Susan Nicholas MD's LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/susannicholasmd/
Susan Nicholas MD's Twitter (X) - https://twitter.com/SusanNicholasMD
Susan Nicholas MD's Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/susan.nicholas
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Like, share, or leave a review on Apple Podcasts and subscribe to our YouTube channel (Blackhearted Studios)
Guest: Chelsia McCoy
Episode Name: Navigating the Writing Journey with Chelsia McCoy [NANOWRIMO Day 13]
Episode Number: 216
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About the guest
Chelsia McCoy is a Southern California-born-then-turned-Houstonian, mother of three, and the owner and CEO of Your Writing Table (book-writing consultant, editor, ghostwriter & audio/video transcription services for established & aspiring female writers). She holds a M.A. in Communications. She is also a certified life coach/counselor. Her passion is writing, teaching, empowering, inspiring, motivating and being a catalyst to help women to tell their story their way, in their words.
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In this insightful episode with host, Massiel Valenzuela, Chelsia McCoy, a seasoned book coach, editor, and author, shares valuable wisdom on the writing and publishing journey. Chelsia delves into her background, her journey into book coaching, and the importance of understanding clients' visions. Chelsia shared her views on what aspiring authors should look for in a book coach and the nuances of ghostwriting. Chelsia emphasizes the significance of connection, budget considerations, and open communication with your chosen support. Chelsia spoke about her existing books, including collaborative works like "When the Soul Cries," which has been adapted into a documentary. She details her solo projects and upcoming releases, offering a glimpse into her diverse storytelling, from fiction to guides on effective communication. Chelsia invites listeners to connect with her through various platforms and encourages them to tune in to her podcast, "Women Winning at Writing." The episode concludes with gratitude from Massiel Valenzuela and an open invitation for Chelsia to return and share more about her future projects.
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Additional Resources
Website - www.blackheartedstudios.com
Patreon Link - https://bit.ly/h2bpatreon
Freebie link - https://bit.ly/h2bebook
Massiel Email - massiel@blackheartedstudios.com
Massiel's Coach.Me site - https://www.coach.me/massielwrites
Instagram - www.instagram.com/massielwrites
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/massiel-valenzuela-castaneda/
Facebook - www.facebook.com/howtowriteabookpodcast
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Are you feeling overwhelmed by your never-ending to-do list?
Check out Paula, the Ultimate VA! https://pearlzconsulting11.wixsite.com/pearlz-va-services
Discover the ultimate solution for regaining control with Paula, your dedicated virtual assistant. She'll help you manage your calendar, handle email, conduct research, and even mix and stitch together your podcast episodes. Don't let your to-do list overwhelm you any longer. Get started today!
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Follow Chelsia
Chelsia McCoy's website - https://www.yourwritingtable.com/
Chelsia McCoy's LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/coach-chelsia-mccoy-64425018a/
Chelsia McCoy's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/womenwinningatwritingpodcast/
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Like, share, or leave a review on Apple Podcasts and subscribe to our YouTube channel (Blackhearted Studios)
Guest: Dorajane Apuna-Grummer a.k.a. Joe Donahue
Episode Name: Crafting Stories with Joe Donahue [NANOWRIMO Day 12]
Episode Number: 215
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About the guest
Dorajane Apuna-Grummer is a new writer and learning as fast as she can. She published her first book under the Pen Name, Jo Donahue. It is an action-adventure Historical Western Romance. She is working on a series of Western books and has a Mystery planned for NaNoWriMo month. An active member of the Sacramento Romance Writers, she works full time as an expert witness for the courts on Catastrophic Injuries as a Nurse Life Care Planner. She loves to write, knit, and drink lots of hot tea.
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In this episode, Massiel Valenzuela welcomes her guest, Dorajane Apuna-Grummer, known as Joe Donahue. Dorajane, a registered nurse and expert witness, shares her writing routine and passion for historical westerns, detailing her book "Belle's Dilemma." She discusses upcoming projects, including a series on Pinkerton ladies and a suspenseful Kabul-set story. Dorajane emphasizes the importance of strong female characters, encourages writers to join sprint groups, and highlights the role of editors in refining the writing process.
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Additional Resources
Website - www.blackheartedstudios.com
Patreon Link - https://bit.ly/h2bpatreon
Freebie link - https://bit.ly/h2bebook
Massiel Email - massiel@blackheartedstudios.com
Massiel's Coach.Me site - https://www.coach.me/massielwrites
Instagram - www.instagram.com/massielwrites
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/massiel-valenzuela-castaneda/
Facebook - www.facebook.com/howtowriteabookpodcast
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Are you feeling overwhelmed by your never-ending to-do list?
Check out Paula, the Ultimate VA! https://pearlzconsulting11.wixsite.com/pearlz-va-services
Discover the ultimate solution for regaining control with Paula, your dedicated virtual assistant. She'll help you manage your calendar, handle email, conduct research, and even mix and stitch together your podcast episodes. Don't let your to-do list overwhelm you any longer. Get started today!
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Follow Dorajane ak.a. Joe Donahue
Dorajane Apuna's LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/dorajane-apuna-grummer-306a0a17/
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Like, share, or leave a review on Apple Podcasts and subscribe to our YouTube channel (Blackhearted Studios)
Guest: Liza Jacob
Episode Name: Unveiling the Art of Audiobook Narration with Liza Jacob [NANOWRIMO Day 11]
Episode Number: 214
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About the guest
Liza, an APA member, is a seasoned audiobook narrator with a professional home studio featuring top-notch equipment, including an AT2020 microphone, Focusrite Scarlett Solo Audio Interface, and a Rolls MP13 Pre-amp. Having recorded numerous audiobooks under her name and the pseudonym Clara Abbott, Liza has honed her skills through training with Elise Arsenault, completing the Great Audiobook Adventure course, and participating in the Deyan Audio Masterclass with P.J. Ochlan. With a diverse range of accents, including American Southern, New York/New Jersey, Baltimore, Estuary, Irish, Russian, Scottish, and French, she adds a captivating touch to her narrations. Originally from Maryland and now residing in New Jersey, Liza, a wife and mom, brings a wealth of life experiences, including a background in dance, studio art, art history, small boat sailing regattas, billiards, baking, and mushroom foraging. With a BFA in Illustration and an Associate Degree in Graphic Design, she seamlessly blends her passion for dynamic characters with her love of audiobooks, creating engaging and immersive experiences for listeners.
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In episode, audiobook narrator Liz Jacob shares invaluable insights into the world of audiobook creation. Covering topics from pay structures in narration to the art of mastering various accents, Liz delves into the intricate process of bringing written words to life through voice. She highlights the importance of open communication between authors and narrators, emphasizing the collaborative nature of audiobook production. The discussion also touches on the joy of exploring character backstories and the role of relationships in fostering successful audiobook projects. Liz invites authors to reach out, showcasing her warmth and enthusiasm for the collaborative and creative aspects of the audiobook industry.
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Additional Resources
Website - www.blackheartedstudios.com
Patreon Link - https://bit.ly/h2bpatreon
Freebie link - https://bit.ly/h2bebook
Massiel Email - massiel@blackheartedstudios.com
Massiel's Coach.Me site - https://www.coach.me/massielwrites
Instagram - www.instagram.com/massielwrites
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/massiel-valenzuela-castaneda/
Facebook - www.facebook.com/howtowriteabookpodcast
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Are you feeling overwhelmed by your never-ending to-do list?
Check out Paula, the Ultimate VA! https://pearlzconsulting11.wixsite.com/pearlz-va-services
Discover the ultimate solution for regaining control with Paula, your dedicated virtual assistant. She'll help you manage your calendar, handle email, conduct research, and even mix and stitch together your podcast episodes. Don't let your to-do list overwhelm you any longer. Get started today!
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Follow Liza
Liza Jacob's website - https://www.lizajacob.com/
Liza Jacob's TikTok - www.tiktok.com/lizajacobvo
Liza Jacob's Instagram - www.instagram.com/lizajacobvo
Liza Jacob's Facebook - www.facebook.com/Liza.Jacob.VO
Liza Jacob's LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/liza-jacob-a6522b74/
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Like, share, or leave a review on Apple Podcasts and subscribe to our YouTube channel (Blackhearted Studios)
Guest: Joy W.
Episode Name: W's Journey to Personal Growth [NANOWRIMO Day 10]
Episode Number: 213
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About the guest
Joy W. is a prolific author and life coach whose journey of self-discovery began with a simple act—turning off the TV. She found inspiration and insight within herself, leading her to create a series of books filled with powerful quotes and reflections. Joy's books are the result of her dedication to personal growth and her passion for helping others navigate their own paths to self-improvement. Through her work and coaching, she encourages people to embrace change, look within, and make the most of their lives. Joy W is a source of inspiration and wisdom for those seeking a positive transformation.
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In this episode, Joy W. shares her transformative journey towards self-discovery and personal growth. Her transformation began when she turned off the TV and spent more time reflecting on herself. Joy emphasizes the importance of tidiness and organization in one's living space as a reflection of one's inner state of mind. She also discusses her self-publishing process for her books and encourages others not to hold back from sharing their work with the world. Throughout the conversation, Joy shares meaningful quotes from her books, touching on themes of self-love, gratitude, the power of truth, and the beauty of a loving heart, inspiring listeners to embrace self-discovery and personal growth.
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Additional Resources
Website - www.blackheartedstudios.com
Patreon Link - https://bit.ly/h2bpatreon
Freebie link - https://bit.ly/h2bebook
Massiel Email - massiel@blackheartedstudios.com
Massiel's Coach.Me site - https://www.coach.me/massielwrites
Instagram - www.instagram.com/massielwrites
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/massiel-valenzuela-castaneda/
Facebook - www.facebook.com/howtowriteabookpodcast
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Are you feeling overwhelmed by your never-ending to-do list?
Check out Paula, the Ultimate VA! https://pearlzconsulting11.wixsite.com/pearlz-va-services
Discover the ultimate solution for regaining control with Paula, your dedicated virtual assistant. She'll help you manage your calendar, handle email, conduct research, and even mix and stitch together your podcast episodes. Don't let your to-do list overwhelm you any longer. Get started today!
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Follow Joy
Joy W's website - https://www.bethedifferencellc.com
Joy W's Instagram - www.instagram.com/btdllc
Joy W's Facebook - www.facebook.com/bethedifferenceclothing
Joy W's YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@btdllc
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Like, share, or leave a review on Apple Podcasts and subscribe to our YouTube channel (Blackhearted Studios)
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Guest: Marsha Jacobson
Episode Name: Marsha Jacobson's Memoir Journey: Exploring Calamities, Family, and Writing [NANOWRIMO Day 9]
Episode Number: 212
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About the guest
Having grown up in a small Midwest town, Marsha Jacobson attended college in Boston and discovered she is a city enthusiast. She currently resides in New York City and excels as an author, teacher, and writing coach. Her work has graced prestigious publications, including the New York Times, the Visible Ink anthology, and the flash fiction anthology, "For Sale: Baby Shoes, Never Worn." Her debut book, "The Wrong Calamity," offers a glimpse into her remarkable journey. In her prior professional life, she held executive roles in both corporations and nonprofits and served as a consultant to nonprofit organizations. Beyond her literary pursuits, you may find her indulging in her love for literature in a park or experimenting with unconventional recipes in her kitchen, all while harmonizing with a carefully curated playlist.
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In the interview with Marsha Jacobson, the author of "The Wrong Calamity: A Memoir," she discusses the origins of her book's title, which has both literal and metaphorical interpretations, exploring the theme of personal and familial calamities. Marsha shares her experience with beta readers, emphasizing her approach to writing about family members as undeveloped characters in her memoir. She also highlights the importance of refining her story over time and receiving feedback from fellow writers in workshops. Her memoir is now available, and readers can find it on various platforms, with Marsha Jacobson maintaining an online presence for those interested in her work.
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Additional Resources
Website - www.blackheartedstudios.com
Patreon Link - https://bit.ly/h2bpatreon
Freebie link - https://bit.ly/h2bebook
Massiel Email - massiel@blackheartedstudios.com
Massiel's Coach.Me site - https://www.coach.me/massielwrites
Instagram - www.instagram.com/massielwrites
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/massiel-valenzuela-castaneda/
Facebook - www.facebook.com/howtowriteabookpodcast
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Are you feeling overwhelmed by your never-ending to-do list?
Check out Paula, the Ultimate VA! https://pearlzconsulting11.wixsite.com/pearlz-va-services
Discover the ultimate solution for regaining control with Paula, your dedicated virtual assistant. She'll help you manage your calendar, handle email, conduct research, and even mix and stitch together your podcast episodes. Don't let your to-do list overwhelm you any longer. Get started today!
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Follow Marsha
Marsha Jacobson's website - https://marshajacobsonauthor.com
Marsha Jacobson's Instagram - www.instagram.com/marshajacobsonauthor
Marsha Jacobson's Links -
https://www.amazon.com//dp/1959096923 https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/marsha-jacobson/the-wrong-calamity/ https://booklife.com/project/the-wrong-calamity-87991 _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Like, share, or leave a review on Apple Podcasts and subscribe to our YouTube channel (Blackhearted Studios)
Guest: Patricia Crisafulli
Episode Name: Unlocking the Secrets of Rewriting: Patricia Crisafulli's Creative Journey [NANOWRIMO Day 8]
Episode Number: 211
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About the guest
Patricia Crisafulli is the proud founder and publisher of FaithHopeandFiction.com, an online literary magazine and vibrant community of readers and writers who relish stories that inspire and entertain. An award-winning and New York Times bestselling author, she recently launched her debut novel, The Secrets of Ohnita Harbor, the inaugural installment in the Ohnita Harbor Mystery series by Woodhall Press. Patricia's novel is rooted in her creative thesis, earning her the Distinguished Thesis Award from Northwestern University, where she obtained her Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degree. In 2019, she clinched the grand prize for fiction from TallGrass Writers Guild/Outrider Press and her work appeared in their anthology, Loon Magic and Other Night Sounds. Patricia is also the recipient of five Write Well Awards from the Silver Pen Association for her short stories, featured in various anthologies celebrating award-winning authors. Beyond fiction, she has authored several nonfiction books, including the well-received House of Dimon: How JPMorgan’s Jamie Dimon Rose to the Top of the Financial Industry (Wiley, 2009), a New York Times Extended Bestseller, and Rwanda, Inc.: How a Devastated Nation Became a Model for the Developing World (Palgrave Macmillan, 2012), co-authored with Andrea Redmond.
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In this podcast interview with Massiel Valenzuela, author Patricia Crisafulli shares valuable insights into the art of rewriting and the creative process. She emphasizes the importance of distinguishing personal value from critiques of one's work, highlighting that growth and learning are essential for writers. Patricia also introduces her new book, "The Secrets of Still Waters Chasm," and discusses her literary magazine, "Faith, Hope and Fiction," which offers a platform for emerging writers. Her inspiring perspective on rewriting and the deeper meaning behind her stories resonates with readers, urging them to explore and embrace the mysteries in their own lives. Patricia's encouraging words on rewriting and personal growth make this podcast interview a valuable resource for writers and creative minds.
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Additional Resources
Website - www.blackheartedstudios.com
Patreon Link - https://bit.ly/h2bpatreon
Freebie link - https://bit.ly/h2bebook
Massiel Email - massiel@blackheartedstudios.com
Massiel's Coach.Me site - https://www.coach.me/massielwrites
Instagram - www.instagram.com/massielwrites
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/massiel-valenzuela-castaneda/
Facebook - www.facebook.com/howtowriteabookpodcast
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Are you feeling overwhelmed by your never-ending to-do list?
Check out Paula, the Ultimate VA! https://pearlzconsulting11.wixsite.com/pearlz-va-services
Discover the ultimate solution for regaining control with Paula, your dedicated virtual assistant. She'll help you manage your calendar, handle email, conduct research, and even mix and stitch together your podcast episodes. Don't let your to-do list overwhelm you any longer. Get started today!
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Follow Patricia
Patricia Crisafulli's website - https://faithhopeandfiction.com
Patricia Crisafulli's Twitter - https://twitter.com/trishcrisafulli?lang=en
Patricia Crisafulli' Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/FaithHopeAndFiction/
Patricia Crisafulli's LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/patricia-crisafulli-930230
Patricia's Books
The Secrets of Ohnita Harbor (Woodhall Press, 2022):
(Amazon) https://www.amazon.com/Secrets-Ohnita-Harbor-Patricia-Crisafulli/dp/1954907486/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=
(Barnes & Noble) https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-secrets-of-ohnita-harbor-patricia-crisafulli/1140922978?ean=9781954907485
The Secrets of Still Waters Chasm (Woodhall Press, 2023):
(Amazon) https://www.amazon.com/Secrets-Still-Waters-Chasm-Mystery/dp/1954907648
(Barnes & Noble) https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-secrets-of-still-waters-chasm-patricia-crisafulli/1143087100?ean=9781954907645
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Like, share, or leave a review on Apple Podcasts and subscribe to our YouTube channel (Blackhearted Studios)
Guest: Katie Lee De Sousa
Episode Name: Unleashing Creativity with Visual Storyteller Katie Lee De Sousa [NANOWRIMO Day 7]
Episode Number: 210
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About the guest
Katie is a game developer and artist by day and a hobbyist creative writer by night. She has contributed her art and creative direction to games such as League of Legends and Fae Farm, as well as creating character designs used in Netflix shows like The Dragon Prince and Arcane. She loves building rich worlds and compelling emotional experiences for her audiences.
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In this conversation with Katie Lee De Sousa, a visual storyteller, she discusses her approach to storytelling in both games and novels. She highlights the importance of honesty and avoiding self-censorship in the early creative stages, allowing ideas to flow freely and embracing the creative process. Katie also shares her preference for limited social media use to maintain focus on creative work. The conversation underscores the significance of approaching writing with a sense of freedom and enthusiasm while maintaining a supportive writer community. Katie hints at future project announcements in the gaming industry.
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Additional Resources
Website - www.blackheartedstudios.com
Patreon Link - https://bit.ly/h2bpatreon
Freebie link - https://bit.ly/h2bebook
Massiel Email - massiel@blackheartedstudios.com
Massiel's Coach.Me site - https://www.coach.me/massielwrites
Instagram - www.instagram.com/massielwrites
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/massiel-valenzuela-castaneda/
Facebook - www.facebook.com/howtowriteabookpodcast
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Are you feeling overwhelmed by your never-ending to-do list?
Check out Paula, the Ultimate VA! https://pearlzconsulting11.wixsite.com/pearlz-va-services
Discover the ultimate solution for regaining control with Paula, your dedicated virtual assistant. She'll help you manage your calendar, handle email, conduct research, and even mix and stitch together your podcast episodes. Don't let your to-do list overwhelm you any longer. Get started today!
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Follow Katie
Katie Lee De Sousa's Twitter - www.twitter.com/katiedesousa
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Like, share, or leave a review on Apple Podcasts and subscribe to our YouTube channel (Blackhearted Studios)
Guest: Jaye Viner
Episode Name: Exploring Independent Publishing, Research, and Romance with Jaye Viner [NANOWRIMO Day 6]
Episode Number: 209
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About the guest
Jaye Viner lives on what used to be the plains of eastern Nebraska with two feline fur bombs and a very tall man. She knows just enough about a wide variety of things to embarrass herself at parties she never attends. She holds an MFA and MA from the University of Nebraska. Her writing has been published in Drabblecast, The Roanoke Review, Everyday Fiction, and is forthcoming in the Soul Jar anthology from Forest Avenue Press. Her first novel, Jane of Battery Park, is available everywhere books are sold. Her contemporary romance series, Elaborate Lives, is releasing in April, July, and December of 2023.
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In this episode, author Jaye Viner discusses her writing process, independent publishing journey, and research methods, shedding light on her contemporary romance novels, including "Elaborate Lives" and "Terrible Love," as well as the upcoming release "Casta Diva." Viner emphasizes her efficient writing approach, involving quick drafts followed by revisions and the invaluable role of beta readers. She highlights the significance of independent publishing as a means to share her work with readers without waiting for traditional publishers. Her research is a blend of reading on diverse topics, offering insights into worlds like psychiatry and Hollywood, while maintaining the importance of adhering to the secondary reality created by media in fiction.
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Additional Resources
Website - www.blackheartedstudios.com
Patreon Link - https://bit.ly/h2bpatreon
Freebie link - https://bit.ly/h2bebook
Massiel Email - massiel@blackheartedstudios.com
Massiel's Coach.Me site - https://www.coach.me/massielwrites
Instagram - www.instagram.com/massielwrites
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/massiel-valenzuela-castaneda/
Facebook - www.facebook.com/howtowriteabookpodcast
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Are you feeling overwhelmed by your never-ending to-do list?
Check out Paula, the Ultimate VA! https://pearlzconsulting11.wixsite.com/pearlz-va-services
Discover the ultimate solution for regaining control with Paula, your dedicated virtual assistant. She'll help you manage your calendar, handle email, conduct research, and even mix and stitch together your podcast episodes. Don't let your to-do list overwhelm you any longer. Get started today!
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Follow Jaye
Jaye Viner's website - https://jayeviner.com/
Jaye Viner's Instagram - www.instagram.com/jaye_viner
Jaye Viner's Twitter - https://twitter.com/JayeViner
Jaye Viner's TikTok - www.tiktok.com/jaye_viner
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Like, share, or leave a review on Apple Podcasts and subscribe to our YouTube channel (Blackhearted Studios)
Guest: Tiara J. Brown
Episode Name: Tiara J. Brown - Writing Your World [NANOWRIMO Day 5]
Episode Number: 208
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About the guest
Tiara J. Brown, hailing from a quaint Northeast Ohio town and an alumnus of Ohio University, embarked on her writing journey at the tender age of twelve. With the release of 'The Tales of Alexandria Stecklar: The Locket,' she introduces her debut novel to the literary world.
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In this exciting conversation between Massiel Valenzuela and Tiara J Brown, the author of "The Tale of Alexandra Steckler," Tiara shares her journey of self-publishing her debut novel and the creative process that brought her story to life. They discussed the importance of beta readers and the constructive feedback they provide, as well as Tiara's plans for the future, including getting her book into physical bookstores and working on Book Two. Tiara emphasizes the value of all feedback and teases a potential event about self-publishing. Through these discussions, Tiara's passion for storytelling and her commitment to continuous improvement as a writer shine through, making her an inspiring figure in the world of indie publishing.
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Additional Resources
Website - www.blackheartedstudios.com
Patreon Link - https://bit.ly/h2bpatreon
Freebie link - https://bit.ly/h2bebook
Massiel Email - massiel@blackheartedstudios.com
Massiel's Coach.Me site - https://www.coach.me/massielwrites
Instagram - www.instagram.com/massielwrites
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/massiel-valenzuela-castaneda/
Facebook - www.facebook.com/howtowriteabookpodcast
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Are you feeling overwhelmed by your never-ending to-do list?
Check out Paula, the Ultimate VA! https://pearlzconsulting11.wixsite.com/pearlz-va-services
Discover the ultimate solution for regaining control with Paula, your dedicated virtual assistant. She'll help you manage your calendar, handle email, conduct research, and even mix and stitch together your podcast episodes. Don't let your to-do list overwhelm you any longer. Get started today!
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Follow Tiara
Tiara J. Brown's website - https://www.tiarajbrown.com/
Tiara J. Brown's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/tiarajoybrown
Tiara J. Brown's Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/tiarajoybrown
Tiara J. Brown's LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tiarajbrown
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Like, share, or leave a review on Apple Podcasts and subscribe to our YouTube channel (Blackhearted Studios)
Guest: Alledria Hurt
Episode Name: Embrace Creativity, Overcome Fear, and Write with Alledria Hurt [NANOWRIMO Day 4]
Episode Number: 207
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About the guest
Alledria Hurt, an author hailing from Waynesboro, PA, has made Savannah, GA, her home for many years. With two degrees under her belt, she works for the post office by day and enjoys her side gig at Escape Savannah. Her passion for writing has driven her to create several novels, beginning with "Chains of Fate" and including "Dark King Rising" and "Wearing His Ring." She's published short stories like "October Sky" and explores the worlds she's created, with unfinished series on the horizon. In her spare time, she's delved into various creative ventures, from acting on stage and film to taking on the challenge of the 48 Hour Film Project and NaNoWriMo.
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In this podcast episode, Alledria Hurt shares her inspiring approach to writing and self-publishing. She discusses her series "The Fate Circle Saga" and "She Becomes Death" while emphasizing the importance of overcoming fear and embracing creativity. Alledria's editing process involves identifying her weak points and addressing them. She encourages writers to keep moving forward and offers advice on self-editing. Her journey in the world of self-publishing showcases determination and the belief that the only way to lose is by giving up. Finally, she shares her excitement about the "Warped Lens" horror anthology and her presence on social media and Substack.
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Additional Resources
Website - www.blackheartedstudios.com
Patreon Link - https://bit.ly/h2bpatreon
Freebie link - https://bit.ly/h2bebook
Massiel Email - massiel@blackheartedstudios.com
Massiel's Coach.Me site - https://www.coach.me/massielwrites
Instagram - www.instagram.com/massielwrites
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/massiel-valenzuela-castaneda/
Facebook - www.facebook.com/howtowriteabookpodcast
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Are you feeling overwhelmed by your never-ending to-do list?
Check out Paula, the Ultimate VA! https://pearlzconsulting11.wixsite.com/pearlz-va-services
Discover the ultimate solution for regaining control with Paula, your dedicated virtual assistant. She'll help you manage your calendar, handle email, conduct research, and even mix and stitch together your podcast episodes. Don't let your to-do list overwhelm you any longer. Get started today!
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Follow Alledria
Alledria Hurt's website - https://www.alledriahurt.com/
Alledria Hurt's Facebook - www.facebook.com/alledriaehurt
Alledria Hurt's Instagram - www.instagram.com/alledriaehurt
Alledria Hurt's Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com/midnightlotus82/
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Like, share, or leave a review on Apple Podcasts and subscribe to our YouTube channel (Blackhearted Studios)
Guest: Meiyoko Taylor
Episode Name: Defeating Writer's Block and Embracing Success with Meiyoko Taylor [NANOWRIMO Day 3]
Episode Number: 206
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About the guest
Meiyoko Taylor is an accomplished author, motivational speaker, and mindset coach. With a passion for personal development and a mission to inspire others, he has authored multiple books and founded the "Yes Is Back" movement, focusing on empowering individuals to overcome self-doubt and burnout. His unique approach emphasizes the importance of work-life alignment and personal fulfillment, challenging conventional notions of success. Miyoko's clear and empowering messages have made him a sought-after figure in the self-improvement sphere, helping people say "yes" to their own dreams and desires.
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In this insightful conversation with Massiel Valenzuela, author and motivational speaker, Meiyoko Taylor, discusses his writing journey and provides valuable insights into overcoming writer's block and achieving success. Taylor mentions that he has authored five books on his own and co-written three more, one of which was with a well-known motivational speaker. When discussing writer's block, he emphasizes that it often arises from overthinking and undervaluing one's knowledge and experiences, and he offers a simple yet powerful perspective on writing as a means of sharing personal experiences.
Taylor believes that the 30s are a significant phase when people feel societal pressure to meet certain life milestones, but he encourages individuals to focus on their unique journeys instead of comparing themselves to others. He identifies three main "success killers": overthinking, trying to please everyone, and fear, particularly the fear of success. He underscores the importance of prioritizing the mission and message over personal concerns.
The conversation also touches on Taylor's "Yes Is Back" movement, which encourages people to prioritize saying "yes" to themselves and their own desires. Taylor is passionate about work-life alignment and promoting harmony over the idea of work-life balance.
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Additional Resources
Website - www.blackheartedstudios.com
Patreon Link - https://bit.ly/h2bpatreon
Freebie link - https://bit.ly/h2bebook
Massiel's Coach.Me site - https://www.coach.me/massielwrites
Instagram - www.instagram.com/massielwrites
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/massiel-valenzuela-castaneda/
Facebook - www.facebook.com/howtowriteabookpodcast
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Are you feeling overwhelmed by your never-ending to-do list?
Check out Paula, the Ultimate VA! https://pearlzconsulting11.wixsite.com/pearlz-va-services
Discover the ultimate solution for regaining control with Paula, your dedicated virtual assistant. She'll help you manage your calendar, handle email, conduct research, and even mix and stitch together your podcast episodes. Don't let your to-do list overwhelm you any longer. Get started today!
______________________________________________________________________________________________
Follow Meiyoko:
Meiyoko Taylor's website - https://meiyokotaylor.com/
Meiyoko Taylor's Facebook - www.facebook.com/meiyokotaylor
Meiyoko Taylor's LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/meiyokotaylor/
Meiyoko Taylor's Instagram - www.instagram.com/meiyokotaylor
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Like, share, or leave a review on Apple Podcasts and subscribe to our YouTube channel (Blackhearted Studios)
Podcast Description:
Welcome to the "How To Write a Book Podcast" hosted by Massiel.
Join us as Massiel shares her evolving writing process, one that's been shaped by years of creative exploration and adaptation.
From the initial stages of brainstorming and organization to the essential role of dictation and transcription in maintaining productivity and health, Massiel takes you on a journey through her unique approach to crafting compelling stories.
But that's not all!
In November, we have a special treat for our listeners.
We're celebrating National Novel Writing Month with a daily dose of inspiration. Tune in every day to hear from different guest speakers and authors who will share their insights and tips to keep you motivated throughout this creative month.
Subscribe, rate, and review our podcast to stay updated on our exciting November series and to access more content that inspires and empowers your writing journey.
Happy writing!
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Additional Resources
Website: www.blackheartedstudios.com
Patreon Link: https://bit.ly/h2bpatreon
Freebie link: https://bit.ly/h2bebook
Massiel's Coach.Me site: https://www.coach.me/massielwrites
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
Check out Paula!
https://pearlzconsulting11.wixsite.com/pearlz-va-services
Feeling overwhelmed by your never-ending to-do list? Discover the ultimate solution for regaining control with Paula, your dedicated virtual assistant. She'll help you manage your calendar, handle email, conduct research, and even mix and stitch together your podcast episodes. Don't let your to-do list overwhelm you any longer. Get started today!
______________________________________________________________________________________________
Follow us
Instagram: www.instagram.com/massielwrites
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/massiel-valenzuela-castaneda/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/howtowriteabookpodcast
________________________________________________________________________________________
Like, share, or leave a review on Apple Podcasts and subscribe to our YouTube channel (Blackhearted Studios)
Title: November's Daily Ink - Daily Inspiration from Authors, Writers, and Speakers
Description:
Welcome to November at the How to Write a Book Podcasst, where we bring you daily episodes during the entire month of November, featuring a diverse lineup of authors, writers, and speakers who will provide you with your daily dose of writing inspiration.
Throughout November, we'll be sharing unique stories from the writing trenches, insights from seasoned authors, and practical advice to help you along your writing journey. Whether you're an aspiring writer, a dedicated author, or someone who simply enjoys a good story, there's something for everyone in each daily episode.
Our guests, hailing from various backgrounds, will share their experiences, offering valuable perspectives on the writing process. Be prepared to be inspired, motivated, and equipped with the tools you need to make the most of your November writing projects, whether you're taking on NaNoWriMo or working on your own creative endeavors.
Join us every day this November for fresh episodes that will keep your creative spark alive and guide you on your path to success. Subscribe now, and let's dive into the world of writing together!
Don't miss out on this daily source of inspiration. Your November writing journey begins here. Subscribe and tune in now!
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Additional Resources
Website: www.blackheartedstudios.com
Patreon Link: https://bit.ly/h2bpatreon
Freebie link: https://bit.ly/h2bebook
Massiel's Coach.Me site: https://www.coach.me/massielwrites
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
Check out Paula!
https://pearlzconsulting11.wixsite.com/pearlz-va-services
Feeling overwhelmed by your never-ending to-do list? Discover the ultimate solution for regaining control with Paula, your dedicated virtual assistant. She'll help you manage your calendar, handle email, conduct research, and even mix and stitch together your podcast episodes. Don't let your to-do list overwhelm you any longer. Get started today!
______________________________________________________________________________________________
Follow us
Instagram: www.instagram.com/massielwrites
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/massiel-valenzuela-castaneda/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/howtowriteabookpodcast
________________________________________________________________________________________
Like, share, or leave a review on Apple Podcasts and subscribe to our YouTube channel (Blackhearted Studios)
Title: "Nurturing the Writer Within: Enjoying NaNoWriMo Without the Pressure"
Description:
Step into the captivating world of writing as we delve into a special episode of How to Write a Book Podcast, exploring the essence of National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) without the overwhelming commitment.
Join us as we unravel five dynamic ways to immerse yourself in the creative energy of NaNoWriMo, whether or not you're ready to take on the writing challenge.
Tune in to this episode to uncover the secrets of enjoying the magic of NaNoWriMo without the pressure of writing a novel in 30 days.
With insightful tips and encouragement, this episode is a must-listen for all writing enthusiasts looking to nurture their creative spirit.
Don't miss out on this opportunity to celebrate the joy of storytelling and embrace the writer within.
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Additional Resources
Website - www.blackheartedstudios.com
Patreon Link - https://bit.ly/h2bpatreon
Freebie link - https://bit.ly/h2bebook
Massiel's Coach.Me site - https://www.coach.me/massielwrites
Check out Paula! https://pearlzconsulting11.wixsite.com/pearlz-va-services
Feeling overwhelmed by your never-ending to-do list? Discover the ultimate solution for regaining control with Paula, your dedicated virtual assistant. She'll help you manage your calendar, handle email, conduct research, and even mix and stitch together your podcast episodes. Don't let your to-do list overwhelm you any longer. Get started today!
______________________________________________________________________________________________
Follow us:
Instagram - www.instagram.com/massielwrites
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/massiel-valenzuela-castaneda/
Facebook - www.facebook.com/howtowriteabookpodcast
________________________________________________________________________________________
Like, share, or leave a review on Apple Podcasts and subscribe to our YouTube channel (Blackhearted Studios)
Title:
"Episode 200: Conquering NaNoWriMo: Your Ultimate Guide and Top 5 Tips for Success"
Description:
Join us for a milestone 200th episode of our podcast as we dive into the exhilarating world of National Novel Writing Month, or NaNoWriMo, with an in-depth guide that's perfect for both veterans and newcomers. In this special episode, we share the secrets to success and the top 5 tips that will ensure you achieve your writing goals during this challenging yet rewarding month.
Discover the strategies, motivation, and practical advice that will help you navigate the ups and downs of your writing journey, and find out how to make the most of your NaNoWriMo experience. Whether you're a seasoned writer or someone who's always wanted to pen that novel, this episode promises valuable insights and inspiration that can supercharge your creative process.
Tune in to Episode 200 for expert guidance and a roadmap to conquering NaNoWriMo, making this year's writing adventure one for the books. Whether you're gearing up for a month of literary triumph or just curious about the art of novel writing, this episode has something for everyone. Don't miss it!
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Additional Resources
Website - www.blackheartedstudios.com
Patreon Link - https://bit.ly/h2bpatreon
Freebie link - https://bit.ly/h2bebook
Massiel's Coach.Me site - https://www.coach.me/massielwrites
Check out Paula! https://pearlzconsulting11.wixsite.com/pearlz-va-services
Feeling overwhelmed by your never-ending to-do list? Discover the ultimate solution for regaining control with Paula, your dedicated virtual assistant. She'll help you manage your calendar, handle email, conduct research, and even mix and stitch together your podcast episodes. Don't let your to-do list overwhelm you any longer. Get started today!
______________________________________________________________________________________________
Follow us:
Instagram - www.instagram.com/massielwrites
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/massiel-valenzuela-castaneda/
Facebook - www.facebook.com/howtowriteabookpodcast
________________________________________________________________________________________
Like, share, or leave a review on Apple Podcasts and subscribe to our YouTube channel (Blackhearted Studios)
Podcast Title: How to Write a Book Podcast
Episode Title: Halloween, Writing, and NaNoWriMo
Description:
In this episode of the How to Write a Book Podcast, we unravel the enthralling relationship between Halloween and the world of writing. Journey through the historical origins of Halloween, dating back to Celtic festivals like Samhain, and how this age-old celebration has evolved into the modern, globally celebrated holiday we know today.
Uncover how Halloween's spooky allure has influenced storytelling, embracing elements of fear, darkness, and the unknown. We explore the eerie connection between Halloween and literary classics, delving into Edgar Allan Poe's iconic "The Tell-Tale Heart" and Washington Irving's legendary "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow."
Weaving in facts about Halloween's impact on the written word, we discuss the blurring of boundaries between the living and the dead during Samhain and how this inspired ghost stories and horror fiction. As we explore the thematic ties between Halloween and writing, you'll find inspiration to infuse your own stories with elements of the macabre and the mysterious.
Stay tuned for the upcoming NaNoWriMo-themed episodes as we embark on a month of literary inspiration and novel writing excitement.
Don't forget to subscribe, leave reviews, and share this episode with fellow writers. Happy Halloween and get ready for the novel-writing adventure ahead!
Host: Massiel Valenzuela - Castaneda
Episode Name: Unlocking NaNoWriMo Success: Preparing for the Writing Marathon in PrepTober
Episode Number: 201
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In this episode of the "How to Write A Book" podcast, host Massiel Valenzuela introduces "PrepTober," the month leading up to NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month). She emphasizes the importance of preparation for NaNoWriMo, offering practical tips.
Massiel encourages setting specific and realistic writing goals for the 50,000-word challenge, with a 25% higher success rate for those who do. She recommends outlining and plotting your novel, even for discovery writers, as it can reduce stress and boost productivity.
Lastly, she advises creating well-rounded characters before NaNoWriMo to propel your story forward. Massiel's podcast will provide daily support and motivation throughout the writing challenge in November.
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Additional Resources
Website - www.blackheartedstudios.com
Patreon Link - https://bit.ly/h2bpatreon
Freebie link - https://bit.ly/h2bebook
Massiel's Coach.Me site - https://www.coach.me/massielwrites
Check out Paula! https://pearlzconsulting11.wixsite.com/pearlz-va-services
Feeling overwhelmed by your never-ending to-do list? Discover the ultimate solution for regaining control with Paula, your dedicated virtual assistant. She'll help you manage your calendar, handle email, conduct research, and even mix and stitch together your podcast episodes. Don't let your to-do list overwhelm you any longer. Get started today!
______________________________________________________________________________________________
Follow us:
Instagram - www.instagram.com/massielwrites
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/massiel-valenzuela-castaneda/
Facebook - www.facebook.com/howtowriteabookpodcast
________________________________________________________________________________________
Like, share, or leave a review on Apple Podcasts and subscribe to our YouTube channel (Blackhearted Studios)
Guest name: Keeper Catran-Whitney
Episode Name: From Silence to Triumph: Keeper Catran-Whitney's Journey of Healing and Empowerment
Episode Number: 199
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In this powerful podcast episode, we delve into Keeper Catran-Whitney's transformative journey from a life of unspeakable trauma to becoming a beacon of hope and empowerment for survivors of child sexual abuse. Split into two parts, Keeper Catran-Whitney shares his harrowing experiences, profound insights, and the healing process that led him to become an advocate for change.
A Survivor's Revelation (00:00:00 - 00:19:45)
Keeper Catran-Whitney opens up about his initial encounter with his abusive stepfather, a man who shattered his childhood innocence. His gripping storytelling unveils the dark secrets he carried for 40 years and how his protective silence allowed the cycle of abuse to continue within his family. His journey toward healing begins with the decision to confront his past and rewrite his narrative.
Breaking the Silence (00:20:00 - 00:58:06)
Keeper Catran-Whitney takes us through the emotional turmoil of uncovering the truth about the abuse suffered by his sisters and himself. He discusses the profound impact of his writing process, highlighting the cathartic moment when his sister's unexpected phone call became a lifeline that helped him regain control of his life. He emphasizes the importance of breaking the silence surrounding child sexual abuse and encourages survivors to embrace their voices and stories to break the generational cycle of trauma.
This podcast episode serves as an inspiring testament to the strength of survivors and their ability to transform pain into empowerment. It's a call to action, urging society to acknowledge the pervasive issue of child sexual abuse and join the conversation for change.
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About the guest
As the lone voice speaking on the trauma brothers experience after learning their sisters have been sexually abused, Keeper is a highly sought-after speaker and advocate for brothers in the child sexual abuse/survivors space.
"Brother's trauma can no longer be treated as a taboo or an inconvenient truth. We cannot be shunted to the side as if our trauma does not matter. Our voices must be part of the conversation because, without our voices, our families never fully heal. Our mental and emotional pain, guilt, and shame must be treated. Otherwise, we never heal. We will forever carry our trauma in silence." – Keeper Catran-Whitney
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Additional Resources:
- Publishing a Memoir
- 1:1 Book Coaching
- Publishing a Romance
- Book 30 minutes and get your book strategy instantly!
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Follow us:
Keeper Catran-Whitney's Facebook: www.facebook.com/keepercatranwhitney
Keeper Catran-Whitney's website: https://keepercatranwhitney.com/
Website - www.blackheartedstudios.com
Instagram - www.instagram.com/massielwrites
LinkedIn - Massiel Valenzuela - Castaneda
Facebook - www.facebook.com/howtowriteabookpodcast
Guest Name: Minnette Meador
Episode Name: Unleashing Creativity: A Journey of Dedication and Dreams with Minnette Meador
Episode Number: 198
Episode Link: https://open.spotify.com/show/5coFY0t8f2LkHrK3yYux6r
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In this podcast episode, Massiel welcomes author Minnette Meador, a prolific writer of various genres including epic fantasy, historical romance, paranormal, urban fantasy, sci-fi, and children's books. Minnette shares her journey as a writer, starting in 2007 after taking a sabbatical from her job. She emphasizes the importance of never giving up on one's creative pursuits and shares how she rediscovered her passion for writing and published her first book. Minnette also discusses the challenges of balancing writing with other responsibilities, such as raising six children, and highlights the need for dedication, self-motivation, and continuous learning in the craft of writing. Despite not making a full-time living solely from writing, she remains committed to her creative endeavors and finds fulfillment in sharing her work with others. The episode ends with a discussion on the importance of nurturing creativity in oneself and others.
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About the guest:
Minnette Meador is a talented and versatile writer known for her works in various genres, including epic fantasy, historical romance, paranormal, urban fantasy, sci-fi, and children's books. With a passion for storytelling, Minnette's creativity knows no bounds as she fearlessly explores different genres and captivates readers with her imaginative narratives. In addition to her prolific writing career, she has a background in singing and acting, adding another layer of artistic expression to her life. Minnette is an advocate for never giving up on one's dreams and encourages others to pursue their creative passions with determination and dedication.
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Timestamps
00:01 Introduction
01:09 Minnette talks about her writing journey and career
03:27 Minnette shares her background in singing and community theater and also about her writing journey
08:50 Minnette discusses her dedication to writing and the importance of learning the craft
12:37 Minnette talks about her writing process with her first book
16:17 Editing process
21:07 Minnette spoke about her experience when she published her first book
24:34 Minnette talks about her writer's toolkit
30:52 Conclusion
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Additional Resources:
- Publishing a Memoir
- 1:1 Book Coaching
- Publishing a Romance
- Book 30 minutes and get your book strategy instantly!
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Follow us:
Minnette Meador's Instagram handle: @minnettemeador
Website - www.blackheartedstudios.com
Instagram - www.instagram.com/massielwrites
LinkedIn - Massiel Valenzuela - Castaneda
Facebook - www.facebook.com/howtowriteabookpodcast
Guest Name: Jessica Flory
Episode Name: Juggling Dreams: Parenting and Writing with Jessica Flory
Episode Number: 197
Episode Link: https://open.spotify.com/show/5coFY0t8f2LkHrK3yYux6r
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Join Massiel as she interviews author Jessica Flory about her journey as a parent and writer. In this episode, Jessica shares her experiences balancing motherhood and her passion for writing, while also discussing her upcoming book "Oceans of Sand." Discover the mindset and routines Jessica developed to make her dreams a reality and learn valuable insights on finding harmony between multiple roles. Get inspired by Jessica's story and gain practical tips for pursuing your own dreams amidst the chaos of daily life.
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About the guest:
Jessica Flory is a fantasy romance author known for her clean young adult novels. In addition to her writing career, she is a dedicated mother to her four children and finds balance as a fitness instructor and avid baker. Jessica's passion for writing began in her childhood, and she is thrilled to have fulfilled her dream of publishing books. Her debut novel, "Oceans of Sand," is a highly anticipated release, and she is currently working on its sequel, "Dunes of Water." With her relatable stories and commitment to providing clean content, Jessica Flory captivates readers of all ages.
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Timestamps
00:01 Massiel introduces author Jessica Flory and mentions her upcoming book launch party
01:07 Jessica confirms the release date of her book, "Oceans of Sand," as Tuesday, June 20th.
04:49 Discussion of the writing process and finding time to write despite a busy life.
06:04 The mindset of being both a writer and a parent.
07:19 Jessica shares her writing routine.
10:33 Discussion of the sequel to "Oceans of Sand" titled "Dunes of Water" (10:33)
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Additional Resources:
- Publishing a Memoir
- 1:1 Book Coaching
- Publishing a Romance
- Book 30 minutes and get your book strategy instantly!
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Follow us:
Jessica Flory's Instagram handle: @jessicafloryauthor
Jessica Flory’s Website and Blog: www.jessicaflory.com
Website - www.blackheartedstudios.com
Instagram - www.instagram.com/massielwrites
LinkedIn - Massiel Valenzuela - Castaneda
Facebook - www.facebook.com/howtowriteabookpodcast
Host: Massiel Valenzuela - Castaneda
Episode Name: Choosing the Right Publisher for Your Book
Episode Number: 196
Episode Link: https://open.spotify.com/show/5coFY0t8f2LkHrK3yYux6r
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Whether you're an aspiring writer or a seasoned author, understanding the intricacies of the publishing industry is essential to navigate the path to success. In today's episode, we'll explore the fundamental steps that will empower you to make informed decisions throughout your publishing journey. We'll cover a range of crucial topics, including understanding your publishing goals, researching potential publishers, evaluating reputation and track record, analyzing offerings and services, understanding contract terms and rights, seeking personal recommendations and networking, and finally, submitting query letters and manuscripts. Join us as we unravel the secrets of the publishing world and provide you with practical insights and tips to help you achieve your writing dreams.
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Timestamps
00:00 Introduction
00:25 Understanding Your Publishing Goals
03:25 Researching Potential Publishers
07:09 Evaluating Publisher Reputation and Track Record
08:50 Analyzing Publisher's Offerings and Services
09:51 Understanding Contract Terms and Rights
10:02 Seeking Personal Recommendations and Networking
10:51 Submitting Query Letters and Manuscripts
11:10 Conclusion
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Additional Resources:
- Publishing a Memoir
- 1:1 Book Coaching
- Publishing a Romance
- Book 30 minutes and get your book strategy instantly!
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________ Follow us: Website - www.blackheartedstudios.com
Instagram - www.instagram.com/massielwrites
LinkedIn - Massiel Valenzuela - Castaneda
Facebook - www.facebook.com/howtowriteabookpodcast
Guest Name: Monica Fernandi
Episode Name: Open Your Presence: Finding Calm in Chaos with Monica Fernandi
Episode Number: 195
Episode Link: https://open.spotify.com/show/5coFY0t8f2LkHrK3yYux6r
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In this podcast episode, Massiel Valenzuela interviews Monica Fernandi, author of "Open Your Presence: A Simple Method to Find Calm in Chaos." Monica discusses how her book came to be, starting with her inquiry into the methodology behind her fitness classes. This led to her developing a sacred number and method called the "108." She also shares her journey of writing the book, which took several years and became a trilogy that explores the pandemic, the methodology, and her life-changing experience climbing Mount Everest.
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About the guest:
Monica Fernandi is a renowned yoga teacher, life coach, and the creator of The Awakened Soulmate Coaching Program. Her expertise and passion for guiding others toward self-discovery have helped thousands of people unlock their unique gifts through her teachings and methods. Monica is deeply connected to spirituality, having studied A Course in Miracles for many years, and she incorporates this into her work, bringing spiritual fitness to her clients. In 2020, she published her FREE E-book, Healing After Heartache, which offers practical and transformative guidance to anyone seeking to heal and move forward from heartbreak. Monica's work is a testament to her unwavering commitment to helping others transform their lives and find their path to happiness and fulfillment.
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Timestamps
00:00 Introduction
01:25 Monica’s journey that led her to write her book
08:21 Approach taken when she was writing her book
10:54 How her words affected her life
19:02 Speaks about her experience with the editing of her book
22;51 Giving the audience some words of inspiration and encouragement
27:32 How to find her on social media
29:01 Conclusion
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Additional Resources
“Open Your Presence: A Simple Method To Find Calm In Chaos” by Monica Fernandi https://www.amazon.com/stores/monica-fernandi/author/B09WZL7XCM?ref=ap_rdr&store_ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true
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Follow Us:
Monica Fernandi Instagram handle: @awakenedsoulmate108
Monica Fernandi’s Fitness page: www.monicafernandi.com
Monica Fernandi’s coaching page: www.awakenedsoulmate.com
Website - www.blackheartedstudios.com
Instagram - www.instagram.com/massielwrites
LinkedIn - Massiel Valenzuela - Castaneda
Facebook - www.facebook.com/howtowriteabookpodcast
Do you have a brilliant idea for a book, but don't know how to turn your idea into a project? You're not alone. In this episode, we discuss how to map out the steps that will get you from an initial idea, to an outline, and eventually, to a finished book.
Links and Resources
www.blackheartedstudios.com
In this episode, we talk about the strategy that I’m using to approach writing and 2023. We also talk about why I am changing the way that I present myself online and what you will be expecting as far as writing tips in this podcast throughout the year, join me as I talk about my embarrassments and my goals, and how you can also move forward with me in this year.
Links and Resources
www.blackheartedstudios.com
In this episode, we discuss what our writing goals for 2023 are. Also, how to manifest your plans, act on them, and enjoy the results.
Links and Resources
www.blackheartedstudios.com
In this episode, we'll be looking back at the hallmark year that was 2022. We'll discuss why I have been delayed in releasing new episodes and why I'm declining invitations from certain guests.
Plus, I'll let you in on a few secrets about what to expect from the podcast in 2023!
Links and Resources
www.blackheartedstudios.com
In this episode, I talk about the major mistakes that I made when I first started ghostwriting. Some of the roadblocks that I hit deterred me right off the bat but I wish that I had stayed focused on the road ahead so that I could be further along in my ghostwriting career.
Find out what top mistakes I suggest you avoid making when you start ghostwriting.
Links and Resources
www.blackheartedstudios.com
In this episode, we dive into why should consider being a ghostwriter. If you enjoy writing and you want to pursue writing as a full-time job, then ghostwriting could be the job for you.
When I first started my professional writing career, I did not take this role seriously. And now, several years later, I regret taking action so late. Listening on why I would have started ghostwriting sooner and why it might be the perfect choice for you.
Links and Resources
www.blackheartedstudios.com
In this episode, we dive into the doubts that occur when you approach your writing. Especially during this time of year, as we lead into the end of December and towards January, a lot of writers can feel down when it comes to their writing. So instead of giving in to the doubt, I want you to embrace and encourage yourself with the helpful tips in this episode. We also talk about writers on the battlefield and a couple of tips to get you going and started and why the universe would want you to write.
Links and Resources
www.blackheartedstudios.com
If you have your own business or you are a coach, you need a book. It's super vital that you have something written down like a physical book or an e-book that can help you get more potential clients and generate better business. When you have a book, you opened up new pathways that allow people to find you, trust you, and believe in your authority in your space.
It's vital to have a book so that you can show others that you know what you're talking about, you're passionate about your industry, and you are creative and full of commitment. In this episode, find out three specific reasons why having a book leads to more business.
Links and Resources
www.blackheartedstudios.com
Join us in this episode as we talk about the busyness of the holiday season. The holidays are a time when we try to meet with family, friends, and loved ones and we don't seem to have a lot of time for writing. So instead of trying to cram everything into one season, I am going to give you four (4) tips on how to effectively use your time and manage it so you can get your writing in but also spend some quality time.
Links and Resources
www.blackheartedstudios.com
How long does it take to write a novel?
Writing a novel can feel like it can take a long time. Especially for people with little time, writing a novel can feel extensive. In this episode, we talked about the different things to consider when you are planning and scheduling your novel writing time and how that might affect how long it takes to write a novel.
Links and Resources
www.blackheartedstudios.com
How do you start writing a novel as a beginner?
Believe it or not, most writers feel like a beginner when they begin a new book. So in many ways, this question encompasses most writers. The way to begin writing a novel as a beginner is to begin with the right mindset. In this episode, we talked about the different ways that you can upstart your mindset and get yourself writing.
Links and Resources
www.blackheartedstudios.com
How to self-edit your novel?
In this episode, we dive into a few ways that you can edit your novel. We start with the simple first and then dive into the more nitty-gritty of how to tackle edits. It’s important to know how to edit your own novel.
Links and Resources
www.blackheartedstudios.com
How do you begin writing a novel?
This is a question with various answers! The short answer is, the way to write a novel is the way that gets you there. Find out in this episode how to start writing a novel and the different types of ways that you can try your journey. Sometimes, it's not as hard as you think it is!
How do I write a novel in 30 days?
This is an important question especially for November because it is National Novel Writing Month. Writing a novel in 30 days is actually quite feasible. And, it can be very fun! Join us in this episode as we talked about the tips and tricks that you can employ when you were trying to finish a novel in 30 days.
How do you discipline yourself to write a book?
Discipline is a key factor in writing a book. As many people know, most of the population wants to write a book but less than 5% actually finished a single book. You don't need to be in that percentage, you can obtain the discipline to get yourself writing and finishing your book. In this episode, we tackled the different ways that you can add discipline to your schedule and finish your book.
Links and Resources
www.blackheartedstudios.com
What is the structure for writing a novel?
In this episode, we cover the many ways to structure your novel. We dive into the most classical ways to structure a novel as well as some experimental ways that you can tackle that might help you to finish your book. As any writer knows, the answers might surprise you!
Links and Resources
www.blackheartedstudios.com
How many hours does it take to write a book?
Join us in this episode as we tackle the number of ways that you can calculate how many hours it takes you to write your book.
Each writer is different but in this episode, we talk about the different measurement techniques that you can use so that you can decide how many hours it will take you to right and finish your book.
Links and Resources
www.blackheartedstudios.com
How familiar should someone be with a genre before writing a mobile?
This is a special episode because it has various answers. In this episode, we talked about the different ways that you can approach writing a book even if you don't have much experience with the genre or if you have a vast amount of experience. We talked about the pros and cons of knowing the genre that you want right in and the different ways that you can go about it.
Links and Resources
www.blackheartedstudios.com
Have you written a book on how to write a book?
In this episode, we tackle the different types of books that I have written in my writing career and also what each book can do to help you on your writing Journey. Thank you for joining me in this episode as we tackle the resources available to you through my book coaching and podcast.
Links and Resources
www.blackheartedstudios.com
What can be used and how many times can transitions be used in novel writing scenes?
Transitions in novels can be an important tool. Knowing why you want to use transitions and how to use them can affect your reader in positive and negative ways. In this episode, we tackle the kinds of transitions you might want to use while you are writing your book and also how the different types of transitions can create different emotions for your reader.
Links and Resources
www.blackheartedstudios.com
If you wrote a book about your life, what would the title be?
This was a special episode in the podcast. Based on my own life experiences, I had a couple of different answers to this question. Depending on where you are with your life, you might find that the chapters are similar to my own. In this episode, we dive into what the book of my life will be called and why, and how you can use that to create your own story.
Links and Resources
www.blackheartedstudios.com
How do you maintain motivation when writing a novel?
Writing motivation can be a hard thing to maintain. However, in this episode, we talked about the numerous ways that you can find out what motivation techniques will work for you. There are lots of ways to keep up your motivation and to keep moving forward to finish your book.
Links and Resources
www.blackheartedstudios.com
How does it feel to write a book?
Writing a book is like climbing an enormous mountain. Once you have completed a novel, you can tell yourself that you are a person full of perseverance and commitment.
Writing a book can feel a lot like a marathon, where you have to spend extended periods of time with focus and without doubting yourself. In this episode, we talked about the ways that writing a book can positively affect you.
Links and Resources
www.blackheartedstudios.com
What are the best ways to start writing a novel and organizing a manuscript?
In this episode, we talk about the ways to organize your manuscript. There are plenty of ways that you can choose from to organize your manuscript. Especially because the writing process can be so daunting, it's important to be able to break your novel into chunks.
And this episode, we find out how we organize your manuscript in a step-by-step way and also a couple of meat tools that you can use to help you organize your book.
Links and Resources
www.blackheartedstudios.com
How do you make time to write?
Finding time to write a super important. Especially with our busy days and all the tasks that we have ahead, I can feel super easy to push writing to the back burner. But in this episode, we talk about a couple of ways to figure out how you can push writing back into your routine and win the day by knowing how to tackle your word count.
Links and Resources
www.blackheartedstudios.com
How do I cut down my novel if it's too long?
In this episode, we talk about what to do with a draft that has way too many words. Editing a book can be super helpful and fun, you just have to know how to do it.
In this episode, we talk about some of the major ways that you can cut down on your words by knowing what to look for when it comes to a high level and lower level of viewpoint when you approach your manuscript, find out how!
Links and Resources
www.blackheartedstudios.com
What are things to consider before starting to write your novel?
In this episode, we talk about the different things that you should consider before writing a book. One of the most important things about planning before you write a book is to consider your environment, your mental health, and so much more. In fact, a lot of the writing process is not about the actual writing but instead focuses on the preparedness for your writing routine. Find out how in this episode!
Links and Resources
www.blackheartedstudios.com
What are some ways to stay productive while writing a novel?
In this episode, we talk about how to stay productive in the writing process. There are many ways to stay productive when you are writing your book. In fact, there are plenty of techniques and tools out there that can help you push your word count faster so that you can get to the end of your book in a more efficient way.
In this episode, we talk about the different ways that you can increase your productivity and a couple of tips to push your word counts even higher.
Links and Resources
www.blackheartedstudios.com
Is it hard to write a book?
In this episode, we talk about the difficulties of writing a book. You might be someone who looks at the process of writing a book and (a) realizes that it can be an overwhelming task. But in this episode, we break down the difficulties that you will face when writing a book and also some tips and tricks to help you break down the mountain of the writing process.
Links and Resources
www.blackheartedstudios.com
How do you start writing a novel as a beginner?
Writing a book as a beginner can feel overwhelming! There are so many ways to tackle the writing process. In this episode, we chat about the many ways to prep yourself mentally before writing. It’s very important to get to know yourself as you write and of course, to start writing!
Links and Resources
www.blackheartedstudios.com
How to write a book (Steps) and publish it?
Writing a book can have a lot of steps. In fact, many people out there have entire courses, books, and more on the topic. It can be a huge task! But that said, don’t let the process overwhelm you. Writing a book can be direct and actually fun; so keep that in mind as we dive into today’s episode where we talk about where you should when writing and all the aspects you need to consider when writing a book.
Links and Resources
www.blackheartedstudios.com
Are there any good guidelines to decide how far in the future to set a science fiction book if you have an idea for a basic premise and are ready to start planning before you write?
When it comes to writing sci-fi, the world is your oyster! There are no right or wrong ways to tackle fiction…you will need to rely on what is inspiring to you. That said, there are some ways to help you figure out what is going to be the best approach when you hone in on what era/dynasty/millennium that will host your world.
Join us in this episode as we talk about some ways to navigate your way in the world…or worlds!
Links and Resources
www.blackheartedstudios.com
Is it possible to write too much in the first draft?
In this episode, we chat about the ups and downs of writing a draft with a high word count. Is it okay to write an intensely full draft? Does it hurt your writing? How could writing a big first draft help you instead? Dive in to find out why that question has a yes and no option.
Links and Resources
www.blackheartedstudios.com
What do writing a novel and gardens have in common?
In this episode, we talk about “gardening”, a common theme among some writers who do both plotting and discovery writing by writing. We talk about some of the resources you can find for gardening and what to expect when you are writing as if you are gardening.
Links and Resources
www.blackheartedstudios.
I never finish anything, I get stopped by fear, editing, or anything.
In this episode, we tackle one of the biggest writing obstacles, your own fear. In this short episode, we talk about the mental bricks that get created when you face certain writing stigmas or misconceptions that can hurt your writing.
We tackle how you should view this wall of fear and also a couple of steps to move past the fear of writing and conquer writer's block.
Links and Resources
www.blackheartedstudios.com
I'm writing a novel and have a very hard time staying focused while writing. What can I do?
In this episode, we talk about some mental and physical blocks that are preventing you from staying focused while you write.
In this episode, we tackle the number of ways that you can change your surroundings so that you can limit your distractions and also take note of what mental obstacles are happening so that you can be prepared and stay focused when you write.
Links and Resources
www.blackheartedstudios.com
How am I supposed to write a novel if I can't write flowery?
In this episode, we tackle how to add beautiful language to your writing. We talked about the steps that you can take by simply reading and doing more focused reading.
We also talked about how you can use other writers' work to upgrade your own work. We talk about how you can add certain language upgrades so that you can feel confident about your writing descriptions.
Links and Resources
www.blackheartedstudios.com
Where do you actually start when you sit down to write your book?
This is where I'm having trouble. I have ideas in my mind but I’m having trouble actually starting.
In this episode, we talk about the first things that you should tackle before starting your book. This includes how to prep your wishlist, what to write on your fear list, and how to approach your fixed list.
In this short episode, we cover the mental blocks that might be stopping you from approaching your book and why you have trouble actually.
Links and Resources
www.blackheartedstudios.com
Preptober or Prep in October is the month where you plan out your novel, getting ready for NATIONAL NOVEL WRITING MONTH otherwise known as NANOWRIMO.
Join us in this episode, as we tackle what you should have on your list for the month of October and the necessary mind shifts that you need to take in order for you to succeed in November, and for national novel writing month.
In this episode we dive into the top ways that we can overcome perfectionism and writing blocks so that you can have the best prep for 2022!
Don't forget, the signature six month book coaching program has launched and we only accept less than a handful of students to be part of the program. Every writer in the program is pushed to finish a clean and strong manuscript by the end of the six months, guaranteed. For more information go to https://blackheartedstudios.com/6-month-book-coach/
It's that time of year again!
It's time for us to kick-off NANOWRIMO and reach our goals of 50,000 words!
Welcome back to the show or welcome aboard!
We're excited to be back and this year's theme is "Question & Answer"!
We took your questions from IG (@massielwrites) and are going to drop knowledge each day in the month of November 2022!
Let's do this!
Welcome to episode 153! Thanks for joining dear writer! This is a special episode because we were fortunate enough to catch Shaunta Grimes, published author and writing community extraordinare, right before a BIG weekend... Saturday Feb 12, 2022 will be her workshop that you can join for FREE! In this episode, Shaunta and I talked about the following: Writing Archetypes Creating a Fantastic Writing Community How to use systems and processes to be a writer How being a writer is about the work Resources from Ninja Writers How to become a Plotter from a Panters Here are the resources mentioned in this episode: Ninja Writers Club: https://ninjawriters.org/p/a-novel-idea-subscription FRED (Free Digital Copy): https://ninjawriters.org/p/fred FRED Print Copy: https://www.amazon.com/FRED-Journal-Creating-Writing-Routine/dp/B09RV2L114/ref=sr_1_3?crid=2JDZZ96F8ST7L&keywords=FRED+the+write+a&qid=1644612989&sprefix=fred+the+write+a+%2Caps%2C99&sr=8-3 How to Test and Develop a Story Idea: https://ninjawriters.org/p/how-to-develop-test-a-story-idea The Plotting Workshop: https://ninjawriters.org/p/the-plotting-workshop-the-heros-journey Write Archetype Test: https://winter-meadow-7390.ck.page/a1ec276ba7 Enjoy this episode with Shaunta Grimes and catch her Ninja Writer's Community and FREE workshop BEFORE MONDAY, Feb 14, 2022 (at the time of this recording). Keep writing!
Welcome to the show!
Today, we're sharing a podcast that we actually recorded during the pandemic (!!!), how crazy is that! But, the info and our guest is so unbelievably awesome, it was about time we posted the interview!
This was such a fabulous show with Awkwardly Anna podcast host, Anna Barr.
Anna is one of the clients for my book coaching program and she's working on her children's book!
In this episode, Anna and Massiel dive deep into mom-entrepreneur life, working on children's stories, setting healthy boundaries, and working through the obstacles that occur when you work and create your first book.
Anna's positivity is boundless and she's such an uplifting spirit, that it's hard not to smile throughout the entire episode.
We hope you gather inspiration for your writing and also hints to the writing process so you can tackle your book too!
Catch Anna's podcast at https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/awkwardly-anna/id1548296622
Get Life and Goal coaching from Anna at https://awkwardlyanna.com/
If you need a life boost, she's your gal!
<3
Massiel
151 - End of the Year 2021, Notes, Fails, & Wins! What we talk about on the show: * Wins and Fails
- What we did this year
- How to celebrate your writing
- New client openings
- Free Library on www.blackheartedstudios.com
-------------------------------- Do you feel stuck when writing romance? Perhaps you feel like romance isn't "real literature"? Well, if you're looking for reasons WHY you should be writing romance, you've come to the right place! Follow me on IG where I share even MORE WRITING TIPS! https://www.instagram.com/massielwrites/ READY TO START WRITING? https://linktr.ee/massiel_valenzuela * PATREON ACCOUNTABILITY GROUP https://www.patreon.com/massielvalenz... * PS: New VIDEO Training to SELF-EDIT YOUR BOOK in Less than 12 Minutes! https://mailchi.mp/985948b68e0f/black... Check out the Podcast on iTunes or on your favorite podcast app* https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... !Follow us on Facebook and get all the goods! https://www.facebook.com/Blackhearted... Catch up on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/massielwrites/ RECOMMENDED WRITING TOOLS (I do receive a small portion of the sales from the following links at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support!) EDITING SOFTWARE Pro Writing Aid https://prowritingaid.com/?afid=8969 RECOMMENDED DICTATION TOOLS & SOFTWARE Dragon Professional Individual 15.0 Speech Dictation and Voice Recognition Software [PC Download] https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01... https://amzn.to/3txZtIu Andrea Communications NC-181VM USB On-Ear Monaural Computer Headset with Noise-canceling Microphone, in-line Volume/Mute Controls, and Built-in External Sound Card and USB Plug https://amzn.to/3q0ZXVu OM Digital Solutions Voice Recorder WS-852 with 4GB, Automatic Mic Adjustment, Simple Mode, SILVER (V415121SU000) https://amzn.to/2YREHWi
Welcome to the How To Write a Book Podcast.
It's November, National Novel Writing Month.
Today’s episode: Wrap
Links and Resources
www.nationalnovelwritingmonth.org
________________________________________________________________
Do you feel stuck when writing romance? Perhaps you feel like romance isn't "real literature"? Well, if you're looking for reasons WHY you should be writing romance, you've come to the right place! Follow me on IG where I share even MORE WRITING TIPS! https://www.instagram.com/massielwrites/ READY TO START WRITING? https://linktr.ee/massiel_valenzuela * PATREON ACCOUNTABILITY GROUP https://www.patreon.com/massielvalenz... * PS: New VIDEO Training to SELF-EDIT YOUR BOOK in Less than 12 Minutes! https://mailchi.mp/985948b68e0f/black... Check out the Podcast on iTunes or on your favorite podcast app* https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... !Follow us on Facebook and get all the goods! https://www.facebook.com/Blackhearted... Catch up on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/massielwrites/ RECOMMENDED WRITING TOOLS (I do receive a small portion of the sales from the following links at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support!)
Welcome to the How To Write a Book Podcast.
It's November, National Novel Writing Month.
Today’s episode: Editing All Out
Links and Resources
www.nationalnovelwritingmonth.org
_______________________________________________________________
Do you feel stuck when writing romance? Perhaps you feel like romance isn't "real literature"? Well, if you're looking for reasons WHY you should be writing romance, you've come to the right place! Follow me on IG where I share even MORE WRITING TIPS! https://www.instagram.com/massielwrites/ READY TO START WRITING? https://linktr.ee/massiel_valenzuela * PATREON ACCOUNTABILITY GROUP https://www.patreon.com/massielvalenz... * PS: New VIDEO Training to SELF-EDIT YOUR BOOK in Less than 12 Minutes! https://mailchi.mp/985948b68e0f/black... Check out the Podcast on iTunes or on your favorite podcast app* https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... !Follow us on Facebook and get all the goods! https://www.facebook.com/Blackhearted... Catch up on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/massielwrites/ RECOMMENDED WRITING TOOLS (I do receive a small portion of the sales from the following links at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support!)
Welcome to the How To Write a Book Podcast.
It's November, National Novel Writing Month.
Today’s episode: Editing Checklist
Links and Resources
www.nationalnovelwritingmonth.org
__________________________________________________________
Do you feel stuck when writing romance? Perhaps you feel like romance isn't "real literature"? Well, if you're looking for reasons WHY you should be writing romance, you've come to the right place! Follow me on IG where I share even MORE WRITING TIPS! https://www.instagram.com/massielwrites/ READY TO START WRITING? https://linktr.ee/massiel_valenzuela * PATREON ACCOUNTABILITY GROUP https://www.patreon.com/massielvalenz... * PS: New VIDEO Training to SELF-EDIT YOUR BOOK in Less than 12 Minutes! https://mailchi.mp/985948b68e0f/black... Check out the Podcast on iTunes or on your favorite podcast app* https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... !Follow us on Facebook and get all the goods! https://www.facebook.com/Blackhearted... Catch up on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/massielwrites/ RECOMMENDED WRITING TOOLS (I do receive a small portion of the sales from the following links at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support!)
Welcome to the How To Write a Book Podcast.
It's November, National Novel Writing Month.
Today’s episode: Editing Phases
Links and Resources
www.nationalnovelwritingmonth.org
____________________________________________________________________
Do you feel stuck when writing romance? Perhaps you feel like romance isn't "real literature"? Well, if you're looking for reasons WHY you should be writing romance, you've come to the right place! Follow me on IG where I share even MORE WRITING TIPS! https://www.instagram.com/massielwrites/ READY TO START WRITING? https://linktr.ee/massiel_valenzuela * PATREON ACCOUNTABILITY GROUP https://www.patreon.com/massielvalenz... * PS: New VIDEO Training to SELF-EDIT YOUR BOOK in Less than 12 Minutes! https://mailchi.mp/985948b68e0f/black... Check out the Podcast on iTunes or on your favorite podcast app* https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... !Follow us on Facebook and get all the goods! https://www.facebook.com/Blackhearted... Catch up on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/massielwrites/ RECOMMENDED WRITING TOOLS (I do receive a small portion of the sales from the following links at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support!)
Welcome to the How To Write a Book Podcast.
It's November, National Novel Writing Month.
Today’s episode: Crime Whodunit
Links and Resources
www.nationalnovelwritingmonth.org
_______________________________________________________________
Do you feel stuck when writing romance? Perhaps you feel like romance isn't "real literature"? Well, if you're looking for reasons WHY you should be writing romance, you've come to the right place! Follow me on IG where I share even MORE WRITING TIPS! https://www.instagram.com/massielwrites/ READY TO START WRITING? https://linktr.ee/massiel_valenzuela * PATREON ACCOUNTABILITY GROUP https://www.patreon.com/massielvalenz... * PS: New VIDEO Training to SELF-EDIT YOUR BOOK in Less than 12 Minutes! https://mailchi.mp/985948b68e0f/black... Check out the Podcast on iTunes or on your favorite podcast app* https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... !Follow us on Facebook and get all the goods! https://www.facebook.com/Blackhearted... Catch up on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/massielwrites/ RECOMMENDED WRITING TOOLS (I do receive a small portion of the sales from the following links at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support!)
Welcome to the How To Write a Book Podcast.
It's November, National Novel Writing Month.
Today’s episode: Crime Speed
Links and Resources
www.nationalnovelwritingmonth.org
_____________________________________________________________
Do you feel stuck when writing romance? Perhaps you feel like romance isn't "real literature"? Well, if you're looking for reasons WHY you should be writing romance, you've come to the right place! Follow me on IG where I share even MORE WRITING TIPS! https://www.instagram.com/massielwrites/ READY TO START WRITING? https://linktr.ee/massiel_valenzuela * PATREON ACCOUNTABILITY GROUP https://www.patreon.com/massielvalenz... * PS: New VIDEO Training to SELF-EDIT YOUR BOOK in Less than 12 Minutes! https://mailchi.mp/985948b68e0f/black... Check out the Podcast on iTunes or on your favorite podcast app* https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... !Follow us on Facebook and get all the goods! https://www.facebook.com/Blackhearted... Catch up on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/massielwrites/ RECOMMENDED WRITING TOOLS (I do receive a small portion of the sales from the following links at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support!)
Welcome to the How To Write a Book Podcast.
It's November, National Novel Writing Month.
Today’s episode: Crime Everyone
Links and Resources
www.nationalnovelwritingmonth.org
______________________________________________________________
Do you feel stuck when writing romance? Perhaps you feel like romance isn't "real literature"? Well, if you're looking for reasons WHY you should be writing romance, you've come to the right place! Follow me on IG where I share even MORE WRITING TIPS! https://www.instagram.com/massielwrites/ READY TO START WRITING? https://linktr.ee/massiel_valenzuela * PATREON ACCOUNTABILITY GROUP https://www.patreon.com/massielvalenz... * PS: New VIDEO Training to SELF-EDIT YOUR BOOK in Less than 12 Minutes! https://mailchi.mp/985948b68e0f/black... Check out the Podcast on iTunes or on your favorite podcast app* https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... !Follow us on Facebook and get all the goods! https://www.facebook.com/Blackhearted... Catch up on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/massielwrites/ RECOMMENDED WRITING TOOLS (I do receive a small portion of the sales from the following links at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support!)
Welcome to the How To Write a Book Podcast.
It's November, National Novel Writing Month.
Today’s episode: Sketch
Links and Resources
www.nationalnovelwritingmonth.org
_____________________________________________________________
Do you feel stuck when writing romance? Perhaps you feel like romance isn't "real literature"? Well, if you're looking for reasons WHY you should be writing romance, you've come to the right place! Follow me on IG where I share even MORE WRITING TIPS! https://www.instagram.com/massielwrites/ READY TO START WRITING? https://linktr.ee/massiel_valenzuela * PATREON ACCOUNTABILITY GROUP https://www.patreon.com/massielvalenz... * PS: New VIDEO Training to SELF-EDIT YOUR BOOK in Less than 12 Minutes! https://mailchi.mp/985948b68e0f/black... Check out the Podcast on iTunes or on your favorite podcast app* https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... !Follow us on Facebook and get all the goods! https://www.facebook.com/Blackhearted... Catch up on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/massielwrites/ RECOMMENDED WRITING TOOLS (I do receive a small portion of the sales from the following links at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support!)
Welcome to the How To Write a Book Podcast.
It's November, National Novel Writing Month.
Today’s episode: Think Visually
Links and Resources
www.nationalnovelwritingmonth.org
_______________________________________________________________
Do you feel stuck when writing romance? Perhaps you feel like romance isn't "real literature"? Well, if you're looking for reasons WHY you should be writing romance, you've come to the right place! Follow me on IG where I share even MORE WRITING TIPS! https://www.instagram.com/massielwrites/ READY TO START WRITING? https://linktr.ee/massiel_valenzuela * PATREON ACCOUNTABILITY GROUP https://www.patreon.com/massielvalenz... * PS: New VIDEO Training to SELF-EDIT YOUR BOOK in Less than 12 Minutes! https://mailchi.mp/985948b68e0f/black... Check out the Podcast on iTunes or on your favorite podcast app* https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... !Follow us on Facebook and get all the goods! https://www.facebook.com/Blackhearted... Catch up on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/massielwrites/ RECOMMENDED WRITING TOOLS (I do receive a small portion of the sales from the following links at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support!)
Welcome to the How To Write a Book Podcast.
It's November, National Novel Writing Month.
Today’s episode: Are You Illustrating?
Links and Resources
www.nationalnovelwritingmonth.org
_______________________________________________________________
Do you feel stuck when writing romance? Perhaps you feel like romance isn't "real literature"? Well, if you're looking for reasons WHY you should be writing romance, you've come to the right place! Follow me on IG where I share even MORE WRITING TIPS! https://www.instagram.com/massielwrites/ READY TO START WRITING? https://linktr.ee/massiel_valenzuela * PATREON ACCOUNTABILITY GROUP https://www.patreon.com/massielvalenz... * PS: New VIDEO Training to SELF-EDIT YOUR BOOK in Less than 12 Minutes! https://mailchi.mp/985948b68e0f/black... Check out the Podcast on iTunes or on your favorite podcast app* https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... !Follow us on Facebook and get all the goods! https://www.facebook.com/Blackhearted... Catch up on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/massielwrites/ RECOMMENDED WRITING TOOLS (I do receive a small portion of the sales from the following links at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support!)
Welcome to the How To Write a Book Podcast.
It's November, National Novel Writing Month.
Today’s episode: Selfhelp - One Bite At A Time
Links and Resources
www.nationalnovelwritingmonth.org
Do you feel stuck when writing romance? Perhaps you feel like romance isn't "real literature"? Well, if you're looking for reasons WHY you should be writing romance, you've come to the right place!
Follow me on IG where I share even MORE WRITING TIPS! https://www.instagram.com/massielwrites/ READY TO START WRITING? https://linktr.ee/massiel_valenzuela * PATREON ACCOUNTABILITY GROUP https://www.patreon.com/massielvalenz... * PS: New VIDEO Training to SELF-EDIT YOUR BOOK in Less than 12 Minutes! https://mailchi.mp/985948b68e0f/black... Check out the Podcast on iTunes or on your favorite podcast app* https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... !Follow us on Facebook and get all the goods! https://www.facebook.com/Blackhearted... Catch up on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/massielwrites/ RECOMMENDED WRITING TOOLS (I do receive a small portion of the sales from the following links at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support!)
Welcome to the How To Write a Book Podcast.
It's November, National Novel Writing Month.
Today’s episode: Selfhelp - How To
Links and Resources
www.nationalnovelwritingmonth.org
Do you feel stuck when writing romance? Perhaps you feel like romance isn't "real literature"? Well, if you're looking for reasons WHY you should be writing romance, you've come to the right place! Follow me on IG where I share even MORE WRITING TIPS! https://www.instagram.com/massielwrites/ READY TO START WRITING? https://linktr.ee/massiel_valenzuela * PATREON ACCOUNTABILITY GROUP https://www.patreon.com/massielvalenz... * PS: New VIDEO Training to SELF-EDIT YOUR BOOK in Less than 12 Minutes! https://mailchi.mp/985948b68e0f/black... Check out the Podcast on iTunes or on your favorite podcast app* https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... !Follow us on Facebook and get all the goods! https://www.facebook.com/Blackhearted... Catch up on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/massielwrites/ RECOMMENDED WRITING TOOLS (I do receive a small portion of the sales from the following links at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support!)
Welcome to the How To Write a Book Podcast.
It's November, National Novel Writing Month.
Today’s episode: Selfhelp - How-To
Links and Resources
www.nationalnovelwritingmonth.org
Do you feel stuck when writing romance? Perhaps you feel like romance isn't "real literature"? Well, if you're looking for reasons WHY you should be writing romance, you've come to the right place! Follow me on IG where I share even MORE WRITING TIPS! https://www.instagram.com/massielwrites/ READY TO START WRITING? https://linktr.ee/massiel_valenzuela * PATREON ACCOUNTABILITY GROUP https://www.patreon.com/massielvalenz... * PS: New VIDEO Training to SELF-EDIT YOUR BOOK in Less than 12 Minutes! https://mailchi.mp/985948b68e0f/black... Check out the Podcast on iTunes or on your favorite podcast app* https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... !Follow us on Facebook and get all the goods! https://www.facebook.com/Blackhearted... Catch up on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/massielwrites/ RECOMMENDED WRITING TOOLS (I do receive a small portion of the sales from the following links at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support!)
Welcome to the How To Write a Book Podcast.
It's November, National Novel Writing Month.
Today’s episode: Memoir Can Take Time
Links and Resources
www.nationalnovelwritingmonth.org
Do you feel stuck when writing romance? Perhaps you feel like romance isn't "real literature"? Well, if you're looking for reasons WHY you should be writing romance, you've come to the right place! Follow me on IG where I share even MORE WRITING TIPS! https://www.instagram.com/massielwrites/ READY TO START WRITING? https://linktr.ee/massiel_valenzuela * PATREON ACCOUNTABILITY GROUP https://www.patreon.com/massielvalenz... * PS: New VIDEO Training to SELF-EDIT YOUR BOOK in Less than 12 Minutes! https://mailchi.mp/985948b68e0f/black... Check out the Podcast on iTunes or on your favorite podcast app* https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... !Follow us on Facebook and get all the goods! https://www.facebook.com/Blackhearted... Catch up on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/massielwrites/ RECOMMENDED WRITING TOOLS (I do receive a small portion of the sales from the following links at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support!)
Welcome to the How To Write a Book Podcast.
It's November, National Novel Writing Month.
Today’s episode: Memoir Be Real First
Links and Resources
www.nationalnovelwritingmonth.org
Do you feel stuck when writing romance? Perhaps you feel like romance isn't "real literature"? Well, if you're looking for reasons WHY you should be writing romance, you've come to the right place! Follow me on IG where I share even MORE WRITING TIPS! https://www.instagram.com/massielwrites/ READY TO START WRITING? https://linktr.ee/massiel_valenzuela * PATREON ACCOUNTABILITY GROUP https://www.patreon.com/massielvalenz... * PS: New VIDEO Training to SELF-EDIT YOUR BOOK in Less than 12 Minutes! https://mailchi.mp/985948b68e0f/black... Check out the Podcast on iTunes or on your favorite podcast app* https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... !Follow us on Facebook and get all the goods! https://www.facebook.com/Blackhearted... Catch up on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/massielwrites/ RECOMMENDED WRITING TOOLS (I do receive a small portion of the sales from the following links at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support!)
Welcome to the How To Write a Book Podcast.
It's November, National Novel Writing Month.
Today’s episode: Memoir Bits of Life
Links and Resources
www.nationalnovelwritingmonth.org
Do you feel stuck when writing romance? Perhaps you feel like romance isn't "real literature"? Well, if you're looking for reasons WHY you should be writing romance, you've come to the right place! Follow me on IG where I share even MORE WRITING TIPS! https://www.instagram.com/massielwrites/ READY TO START WRITING? https://linktr.ee/massiel_valenzuela * PATREON ACCOUNTABILITY GROUP https://www.patreon.com/massielvalenz... * PS: New VIDEO Training to SELF-EDIT YOUR BOOK in Less than 12 Minutes! https://mailchi.mp/985948b68e0f/black... Check out the Podcast on iTunes or on your favorite podcast app* https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... !Follow us on Facebook and get all the goods! https://www.facebook.com/Blackhearted... Catch up on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/massielwrites/ RECOMMENDED WRITING TOOLS (I do receive a small portion of the sales from the following links at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support!)
Welcome to the How To Write a Book Podcast.
It's November, National Novel Writing Month.
Today’s episode: Fantasy Makes Sense
Links and Resources
www.nationalnovelwritingmonth.org
Do you feel stuck when writing romance? Perhaps you feel like romance isn't "real literature"? Well, if you're looking for reasons WHY you should be writing romance, you've come to the right place! Follow me on IG where I share even MORE WRITING TIPS! https://www.instagram.com/massielwrites/ READY TO START WRITING? https://linktr.ee/massiel_valenzuela * PATREON ACCOUNTABILITY GROUP https://www.patreon.com/massielvalenz... * PS: New VIDEO Training to SELF-EDIT YOUR BOOK in Less than 12 Minutes! https://mailchi.mp/985948b68e0f/black... Check out the Podcast on iTunes or on your favorite podcast app* https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... !Follow us on Facebook and get all the goods! https://www.facebook.com/Blackhearted... Catch up on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/massielwrites/ RECOMMENDED WRITING TOOLS (I do receive a small portion of the sales from the following links at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support!)
Welcome to the How To Write a Book Podcast.
It's November, National Novel Writing Month.
In today’s episode, Massiel speaks on Fantasy Unique Characters
Links and Resources
www.nationalnovelwritingmonth.org
Do you feel stuck when writing romance? Perhaps you feel like romance isn't "real literature"? Well, if you're looking for reasons WHY you should be writing romance, you've come to the right place! Follow me on IG where I share even MORE WRITING TIPS! https://www.instagram.com/massielwrites/ READY TO START WRITING? https://linktr.ee/massiel_valenzuela * PATREON ACCOUNTABILITY GROUP https://www.patreon.com/massielvalenz... * PS: New VIDEO Training to SELF-EDIT YOUR BOOK in Less than 12 Minutes! https://mailchi.mp/985948b68e0f/black... Check out the Podcast on iTunes or on your favorite podcast app* https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... !Follow us on Facebook and get all the goods! https://www.facebook.com/Blackhearted... Catch up on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/massielwrites/ RECOMMENDED WRITING TOOLS (I do receive a small portion of the sales from the following links at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support!)
Welcome to the How To Write a Book Podcast.
It's November, National Novel Writing Month.
In today’s episode, Massiel speaks on Fantasy World Building
Links and Resources
www.nationalnovelwritingmonth.org
Do you feel stuck when writing romance? Perhaps you feel like romance isn't "real literature"? Well, if you're looking for reasons WHY you should be writing romance, you've come to the right place! Follow me on IG where I share even MORE WRITING TIPS! https://www.instagram.com/massielwrites/ READY TO START WRITING? https://linktr.ee/massiel_valenzuela * PATREON ACCOUNTABILITY GROUP https://www.patreon.com/massielvalenz... * PS: New VIDEO Training to SELF-EDIT YOUR BOOK in Less than 12 Minutes! https://mailchi.mp/985948b68e0f/black... Check out the Podcast on iTunes or on your favorite podcast app* https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... !Follow us on Facebook and get all the goods! https://www.facebook.com/Blackhearted... Catch up on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/massielwrites/ RECOMMENDED WRITING TOOLS (I do receive a small portion of the sales from the following links at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support!)
Welcome to the How To Write a Book Podcast.
It's November, National Novel Writing Month.
Links and Resources
www.nationalnovelwritingmonth.org
Do you feel stuck when writing romance? Perhaps you feel like romance isn't "real literature"? Well, if you're looking for reasons WHY you should be writing romance, you've come to the right place! Follow me on IG where I share even MORE WRITING TIPS! https://www.instagram.com/massielwrites/ READY TO START WRITING? https://linktr.ee/massiel_valenzuela * PATREON ACCOUNTABILITY GROUP https://www.patreon.com/massielvalenz... * PS: New VIDEO Training to SELF-EDIT YOUR BOOK in Less than 12 Minutes! https://mailchi.mp/985948b68e0f/black... Check out the Podcast on iTunes or on your favorite podcast app* https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... !Follow us on Facebook and get all the goods! https://www.facebook.com/Blackhearted... Catch up on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/massielwrites/ RECOMMENDED WRITING TOOLS (I do receive a small portion of the sales from the following links at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support!)
Welcome to the How To Write a Book Podcast.
It's November, National Novel Writing Month.
Links and Resources
www.nationalnovelwritingmonth.org
Do you feel stuck when writing romance? Perhaps you feel like romance isn't "real literature"? Well, if you're looking for reasons WHY you should be writing romance, you've come to the right place! Follow me on IG where I share even MORE WRITING TIPS! https://www.instagram.com/massielwrites/ READY TO START WRITING? https://linktr.ee/massiel_valenzuela * PATREON ACCOUNTABILITY GROUP https://www.patreon.com/massielvalenz... * PS: New VIDEO Training to SELF-EDIT YOUR BOOK in Less than 12 Minutes! https://mailchi.mp/985948b68e0f/black... Check out the Podcast on iTunes or on your favorite podcast app* https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... !Follow us on Facebook and get all the goods! https://www.facebook.com/Blackhearted... Catch up on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/massielwrites/ RECOMMENDED WRITING TOOLS (I do receive a small portion of the sales from the following links at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support!)
Welcome to the How To Write a Book Podcast.
It's November, National Novel Writing Month.
Links and Resources
www.nationalnovelwritingmonth.org
Do you feel stuck when writing romance? Perhaps you feel like romance isn't "real literature"? Well, if you're looking for reasons WHY you should be writing romance, you've come to the right place! Follow me on IG where I share even MORE WRITING TIPS! https://www.instagram.com/massielwrites/ READY TO START WRITING? https://linktr.ee/massiel_valenzuela * PATREON ACCOUNTABILITY GROUP https://www.patreon.com/massielvalenz... * PS: New VIDEO Training to SELF-EDIT YOUR BOOK in Less than 12 Minutes! https://mailchi.mp/985948b68e0f/black... Check out the Podcast on iTunes or on your favorite podcast app* https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... !Follow us on Facebook and get all the goods! https://www.facebook.com/Blackhearted... Catch up on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/massielwrites/ RECOMMENDED WRITING TOOLS (I do receive a small portion of the sales from the following links at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support!)
Welcome to the How To Write a Book Podcast.
It's November, National Novel Writing Month.
Links and Resources
www.nationalnovelwritingmonth.org
Do you feel stuck when writing romance? Perhaps you feel like romance isn't "real literature"? Well, if you're looking for reasons WHY you should be writing romance, you've come to the right place! Follow me on IG where I share even MORE WRITING TIPS! https://www.instagram.com/massielwrites/ READY TO START WRITING? https://linktr.ee/massiel_valenzuela * PATREON ACCOUNTABILITY GROUP https://www.patreon.com/massielvalenz... * PS: New VIDEO Training to SELF-EDIT YOUR BOOK in Less than 12 Minutes! https://mailchi.mp/985948b68e0f/black... Check out the Podcast on iTunes or on your favorite podcast app* https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... !Follow us on Facebook and get all the goods! https://www.facebook.com/Blackhearted... Catch up on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/massielwrites/ RECOMMENDED WRITING TOOLS (I do receive a small portion of the sales from the following links at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support!)
Welcome to the How To Write a Book Podcast.
It's November, National Novel Writing Month. In today’s episode, Massiel shares Romance Tip 2 - Keep Trends in Mind
Links and Resources
www.nationalnovelwritingmonth.org
Do you feel stuck when writing romance? Perhaps you feel like romance isn't "real literature"? Well, if you're looking for reasons WHY you should be writing romance, you've come to the right place! Follow me on IG where I share even MORE WRITING TIPS! https://www.instagram.com/massielwrites/ READY TO START WRITING? https://linktr.ee/massiel_valenzuela * PATREON ACCOUNTABILITY GROUP https://www.patreon.com/massielvalenz... * PS: New VIDEO Training to SELF-EDIT YOUR BOOK in Less than 12 Minutes! https://mailchi.mp/985948b68e0f/black... Check out the Podcast on iTunes or on your favorite podcast app* https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... !Follow us on Facebook and get all the goods! https://www.facebook.com/Blackhearted... Catch up on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/massielwrites/ RECOMMENDED WRITING TOOLS (I do receive a small portion of the sales from the following links at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support!)
Welcome to the How To Write a Book Podcast.
It's November, National Novel Writing Month. In today’s episode, Massiel gives Romance tip 1: Knowing What You Want.
Links and Resources
www.nationalnovelwritingmonth.org
Do you feel stuck when writing romance? Perhaps you feel like romance isn't "real literature"? Well, if you're looking for reasons WHY you should be writing romance, you've come to the right place! Follow me on IG where I share even MORE WRITING TIPS! https://www.instagram.com/massielwrites/ READY TO START WRITING? https://linktr.ee/massiel_valenzuela * PATREON ACCOUNTABILITY GROUP https://www.patreon.com/massielvalenz... * PS: New VIDEO Training to SELF-EDIT YOUR BOOK in Less than 12 Minutes! https://mailchi.mp/985948b68e0f/black... Check out the Podcast on iTunes or on your favorite podcast app* https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... !Follow us on Facebook and get all the goods! https://www.facebook.com/Blackhearted... Catch up on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/massielwrites/ RECOMMENDED WRITING TOOLS (I do receive a small portion of the sales from the following links at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support!)
Welcome to the How To Write a Book Podcast.
It's November, National Novel Writing Month. In today’s episode:
- Massiel gave some pointers to her listeners on how to overcome feelings of not being good enough when you are on your writer’s journey.
Links and Resources
www.nationalnovelwritingmonth.org
Do you feel stuck when writing romance? Perhaps you feel like romance isn't "real literature"? Well, if you're looking for reasons WHY you should be writing romance, you've come to the right place! Follow me on IG where I share even MORE WRITING TIPS! https://www.instagram.com/massielwrites/ READY TO START WRITING? https://linktr.ee/massiel_valenzuela * PATREON ACCOUNTABILITY GROUP https://www.patreon.com/massielvalenz... * PS: New VIDEO Training to SELF-EDIT YOUR BOOK in Less than 12 Minutes! https://mailchi.mp/985948b68e0f/black... Check out the Podcast on iTunes or on your favorite podcast app* https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... !Follow us on Facebook and get all the goods! https://www.facebook.com/Blackhearted... Catch up on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/massielwrites/ RECOMMENDED WRITING TOOLS (I do receive a small portion of the sales from the following links at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support!)
Welcome to the How To Write a Book Podcast.
It's November, National Novel Writing Month. In today’s episode:
- Massiel discussed outlines and the different types.
Links and Resources
www.nationalnovelwritingmonth.org
Do you feel stuck when writing romance? Perhaps you feel like romance isn't "real literature"? Well, if you're looking for reasons WHY you should be writing romance, you've come to the right place! Follow me on IG where I share even MORE WRITING TIPS! https://www.instagram.com/massielwrites/ READY TO START WRITING? https://linktr.ee/massiel_valenzuela * PATREON ACCOUNTABILITY GROUP https://www.patreon.com/massielvalenz... * PS: New VIDEO Training to SELF-EDIT YOUR BOOK in Less than 12 Minutes! https://mailchi.mp/985948b68e0f/black... Check out the Podcast on iTunes or on your favorite podcast app* https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... !Follow us on Facebook and get all the goods! https://www.facebook.com/Blackhearted... Catch up on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/massielwrites/ RECOMMENDED WRITING TOOLS (I do receive a small portion of the sales from the following links at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support!)
Welcome to the How To Write a Book Podcast.
It's November, National Novel Writing Month. In today’s episode:
- Massiel shares some points on how to push through and give yourself that grace.
- Massiel delves into the different emotions that come through when you put words on paper.
- Massiel speaks about different types of writing methods and choosing the one that is best for you.
Links and Resources
www.nationalnovelwritingmonth.org
Do you feel stuck when writing romance? Perhaps you feel like romance isn't "real literature"? Well, if you're looking for reasons WHY you should be writing romance, you've come to the right place! Follow me on IG where I share even MORE WRITING TIPS! https://www.instagram.com/massielwrites/ READY TO START WRITING? https://linktr.ee/massiel_valenzuela * PATREON ACCOUNTABILITY GROUP https://www.patreon.com/massielvalenz... * PS: New VIDEO Training to SELF-EDIT YOUR BOOK in Less than 12 Minutes! https://mailchi.mp/985948b68e0f/black... Check out the Podcast on iTunes or on your favorite podcast app* https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... !Follow us on Facebook and get all the goods! https://www.facebook.com/Blackhearted... Catch up on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/massielwrites/ RECOMMENDED WRITING TOOLS (I do receive a small portion of the sales from the following links at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support!)
Welcome to the How To Write a Book Podcast.
It's November, National Novel Writing Month. In today’s episode:
- Massiel shares some points/steps on how to technically get ready for national novel writing month.
Links and Resources
www.nationalnovelwritingmonth.org
Do you feel stuck when writing romance? Perhaps you feel like romance isn't "real literature"? Well, if you're looking for reasons WHY you should be writing romance, you've come to the right place! Follow me on IG where I share even MORE WRITING TIPS! https://www.instagram.com/massielwrites/ READY TO START WRITING? https://linktr.ee/massiel_valenzuela * PATREON ACCOUNTABILITY GROUP https://www.patreon.com/massielvalenz... * PS: New VIDEO Training to SELF-EDIT YOUR BOOK in Less than 12 Minutes! https://mailchi.mp/985948b68e0f/black... Check out the Podcast on iTunes or on your favorite podcast app* https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... !Follow us on Facebook and get all the goods! https://www.facebook.com/Blackhearted... Catch up on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/massielwrites/ RECOMMENDED WRITING TOOLS (I do receive a small portion of the sales from the following links at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support!)
Welcome to the How To Write a Book Podcast.
It's November, National Novel Writing Month. In today’s episode:
- Massiel will tell you what to expect each day for the next 30 days.
- Massiel shares what NANOWRIMO is all about
- Massiel explains what is the true meaning of writing
Links and Resources
www.nationalnovelwritingmonth.org
Do you feel stuck when writing romance? Perhaps you feel like romance isn't "real literature"? Well, if you're looking for reasons WHY you should be writing romance, you've come to the right place! Follow me on IG where I share even MORE WRITING TIPS! https://www.instagram.com/massielwrites/ READY TO START WRITING? https://linktr.ee/massiel_valenzuela * PATREON ACCOUNTABILITY GROUP https://www.patreon.com/massielvalenz... * PS: New VIDEO Training to SELF-EDIT YOUR BOOK in Less than 12 Minutes! https://mailchi.mp/985948b68e0f/black... Check out the Podcast on iTunes or on your favorite podcast app* https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... !Follow us on Facebook and get all the goods! https://www.facebook.com/Blackhearted... Catch up on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/massielwrites/ RECOMMENDED WRITING TOOLS (I do receive a small portion of the sales from the following links at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support!)
In this episode, we talk about what it takes to launch a book.
Thanks so much for joining me on the show, I want to thank everyone who has been reaching out and also on letting me know how this podcast has been helping you. :-)
What we talk about in this episode is how I've been launching my clients book, which is Straighten Your Crown by Trish Blackwell that launches on September 10 of 2021.
What you learn in this episode is:
I'm things to consider when launching a book
Things you want to avoid
How to prepare for unforeseen events
And also on the things that you want to learn about organization-wise as your book launches.
As said on the podcast, feel free to reach out to me with questions or topics we'll talk about on the show: massiel@blackheartedstudios.com
________________________________________________________________
Do you feel stuck when writing romance? Perhaps you feel like romance isn't "real literature"? Well, if you're looking for reasons WHY you should be writing romance, you've come to the right place! Follow me on IG where I share even MORE WRITING TIPS! https://www.instagram.com/massielwrites/ READY TO START WRITING? https://linktr.ee/massiel_valenzuela * PATREON ACCOUNTABILITY GROUP https://www.patreon.com/massielvalenz... * PS: New VIDEO Training to SELF-EDIT YOUR BOOK in Less than 12 Minutes! https://mailchi.mp/985948b68e0f/black... Check out the Podcast on iTunes or on your favorite podcast app* https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... !Follow us on Facebook and get all the goods! https://www.facebook.com/Blackhearted... Catch up on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/massielwrites/ RECOMMENDED WRITING TOOLS (I do receive a small portion of the sales from the following links at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support!)
We're back!
Get updates from 2021 and where the empire is right now.
Catch me on Instagram @massielwrites
If you have any questions; email me massiel@blackheartedstudios.com
Book writing questions? I coach new women writers who want to write about hope in romance or memoir/self-help.
I'd love to chat with you about your dream book!
_______________________________________________________________
Do you feel stuck when writing romance? Perhaps you feel like romance isn't "real literature"? Well, if you're looking for reasons WHY you should be writing romance, you've come to the right place! Follow me on IG where I share even MORE WRITING TIPS! https://www.instagram.com/massielwrites/ READY TO START WRITING? https://linktr.ee/massiel_valenzuela * PATREON ACCOUNTABILITY GROUP https://www.patreon.com/massielvalenz... * PS: New VIDEO Training to SELF-EDIT YOUR BOOK in Less than 12 Minutes! https://mailchi.mp/985948b68e0f/black... Check out the Podcast on iTunes or on your favorite podcast app* https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... !Follow us on Facebook and get all the goods! https://www.facebook.com/Blackhearted... Catch up on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/massielwrites/ RECOMMENDED WRITING TOOLS (I do receive a small portion of the sales from the following links at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support!)
This is the final part of our interview with Max Ivey, also known as the Blind Blogger.
You can find him on Youtube here:
https://www.youtube.com/c/maxwellivey
Max's Twitter here: https://twitter.com/maxwellivey?lang=en
The Bling Blogger site: https://theblindblogger.net/
A fantastic and inspiring guest, Max has inspired us here at the How to Write a Book Podcast!
In this episode, we talk about the next steps for The Blind Blogger, how Max will be helping disabled people who want to pursue creative outlets and podcasts, as well as the team that has helped him write and publish his work.
Max's adventure is a must-listen, and if you have been wondering if you can write a book, Max will inspire you to do write it now!
_________________________________________________________________
Do you feel stuck when writing romance? Perhaps you feel like romance isn't "real literature"? Well, if you're looking for reasons WHY you should be writing romance, you've come to the right place! Follow me on IG where I share even MORE WRITING TIPS! https://www.instagram.com/massielwrites/ READY TO START WRITING? https://linktr.ee/massiel_valenzuela * PATREON ACCOUNTABILITY GROUP https://www.patreon.com/massielvalenz... * PS: New VIDEO Training to SELF-EDIT YOUR BOOK in Less than 12 Minutes! https://mailchi.mp/985948b68e0f/black... Check out the Podcast on iTunes or on your favorite podcast app* https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... !Follow us on Facebook and get all the goods! https://www.facebook.com/Blackhearted... Catch up on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/massielwrites/ RECOMMENDED WRITING TOOLS (I do receive a small portion of the sales from the following links at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support!)
[Part 2 of 3]
In this part we talk about:
- Max's book tour
- The big loss he faced
- Holding your book
- His writing and editing process
Born into a family of carnival owners in Texas, USA, Maxwell Ivey lost his sight at age 12. Having a natural gusto for life, Max graduated college and became heavily involved in the Eagle Scouts. He also worked in the family business alongside brothers until his father succumbed to lung cancer. Faced with his own mortality, Max made some life-altering changes. He underwent gastric surgery and lost over 250 pounds. He started his own business, buying and selling amusement rides, and learned how to blog using software for visually-impaired people. Overcoming many obstacles, Max made a name for himself online and now shares his experiences on The Blind Blogger.
Max’s favorite things entail teaching and helping others achieve their goals and so he began another business: personal coaching.
With the companionship of his crazy Dalmation-mix, Penny, Max now spends his days singing, reading, blogging, writing, creating videos, and coaching. He’d like to travel the world one day and meet in person his many online friends and clients . . . and a special lady to share his life with, but Penny might have something to say about that!
https://theblindblogger.net/
Max's Editor:
Lorraine Reguly
www.wordingwell.com
______________________________________________________________
Do you feel stuck when writing romance? Perhaps you feel like romance isn't "real literature"? Well, if you're looking for reasons WHY you should be writing romance, you've come to the right place! Follow me on IG where I share even MORE WRITING TIPS! https://www.instagram.com/massielwrites/ READY TO START WRITING? https://linktr.ee/massiel_valenzuela * PATREON ACCOUNTABILITY GROUP https://www.patreon.com/massielvalenz... * PS: New VIDEO Training to SELF-EDIT YOUR BOOK in Less than 12 Minutes! https://mailchi.mp/985948b68e0f/black... Check out the Podcast on iTunes or on your favorite podcast app* https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... !Follow us on Facebook and get all the goods! https://www.facebook.com/Blackhearted... Catch up on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/massielwrites/ RECOMMENDED WRITING TOOLS (I do receive a small portion of the sales from the following links at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support!)
[Part 1 of 3]
Born into a family of carnival owners in Texas, USA, Maxwell Ivey lost his sight at age 12. Having a natural gusto for life, Max graduated college and became heavily involved in the Eagle Scouts. He also worked in the family business alongside brothers until his father succumbed to lung cancer. Faced with his own mortality, Max made some life-altering changes. He underwent gastric surgery and lost over 250 pounds. He started his own business, buying and selling amusement rides, and learned how to blog using software for visually-impaired people. Overcoming many obstacles, Max made a name for himself online and now shares his experiences on The Blind Blogger.
Max’s favorite things entail teaching and helping others achieve their goals and so he began another business: personal coaching.
With the companionship of his crazy Dalmation-mix, Penny, Max now spends his days singing, reading, blogging, writing, creating videos, and coaching. He’d like to travel the world one day and meet in person his many online friends and clients . . . and a special lady to share his life with, but Penny might have something to say about that!
https://theblindblogger.net/
Max's Editor:
Lorraine Reguly
www.wordingwell.com
____________________________________________________________
Do you feel stuck when writing romance? Perhaps you feel like romance isn't "real literature"? Well, if you're looking for reasons WHY you should be writing romance, you've come to the right place! Follow me on IG where I share even MORE WRITING TIPS! https://www.instagram.com/massielwrites/ READY TO START WRITING? https://linktr.ee/massiel_valenzuela * PATREON ACCOUNTABILITY GROUP https://www.patreon.com/massielvalenz... * PS: New VIDEO Training to SELF-EDIT YOUR BOOK in Less than 12 Minutes! https://mailchi.mp/985948b68e0f/black... Check out the Podcast on iTunes or on your favorite podcast app* https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... !Follow us on Facebook and get all the goods! https://www.facebook.com/Blackhearted... Catch up on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/massielwrites/ RECOMMENDED WRITING TOOLS (I do receive a small portion of the sales from the following links at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support!)
In this show, we're talking about the Zero Draft.
You should try a Zero Draft if:
You're stuck in your writing process.
You're scared of the blank page.
You have a big world to tackle.
You have a series of books and don't know where to start.
Here's how the zero draft can help you and how I am using it. And why you shouldn't waste time judging your work.
___________________________________________________________________
Do you feel stuck when writing romance? Perhaps you feel like romance isn't "real literature"? Well, if you're looking for reasons WHY you should be writing romance, you've come to the right place! Follow me on IG where I share even MORE WRITING TIPS! https://www.instagram.com/massielwrites/ READY TO START WRITING? https://linktr.ee/massiel_valenzuela * PATREON ACCOUNTABILITY GROUP https://www.patreon.com/massielvalenz... * PS: New VIDEO Training to SELF-EDIT YOUR BOOK in Less than 12 Minutes! https://mailchi.mp/985948b68e0f/black... Check out the Podcast on iTunes or on your favorite podcast app* https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... !Follow us on Facebook and get all the goods! https://www.facebook.com/Blackhearted... Catch up on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/massielwrites/ RECOMMENDED WRITING TOOLS (I do receive a small portion of the sales from the following links at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support!)
I've been receiving kind emails from you listeners and it's been so heartwarming to hear all of your journies!
Recently, you've been sharing your struggles with me and I wanted to share my story in return, in hope of encouraging you to move forward no matter where you're at.
And don't forget, we have a live master class that is going to happen on Friday, February 26 at 12 PM Pacific standard Time. Even if you can't catch us live, be sure to sign up so that you can catch the replay.
JOIN THE WIN OVER WRITER'S BLOCK MASTERCLASS THIS FRIDAY FEB 26, 2021
https://massielvalenzuela.lpages.co/writers-block-masterclass/
Follow me on IG where I share even MORE WRITING TIPS!
https://www.instagram.com/massielwrites/
READY TO START WRITING? https://linktr.ee/massiel_valenzuela
**** PATREON ACCOUNTABILITY GROUP https://www.patreon.com/massielvalenz?fan_landing=true
PS: New VIDEO Training to SELF-EDIT YOUR BOOK in Less than 12 Minutes!* https://mailchi.mp/985948b68e0f/black-hearts-studios
Check out the Podcast on iTunes or on your favorite podcast app https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-to-write-a-book-podcast/id1476562705
!Follow us on Facebook and get all the goods! https://www.facebook.com/Blackhearted-Story-Studios-LLC-101335505283671
Catch up on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/massielwrites/
RECOMMENDED WRITING TOOLS (I do receive a small portion of the sales from the following links at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support!)
EDITING SOFTWARE Pro Writing Aid https://prowritingaid.com/?afid=8969
RECOMMENDED DICTATION TOOLS & SOFTWARE
Dragon Professional Individual 15.0 Speech Dictation and Voice Recognition Software [PC Download] https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01LXIGCQW/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B01LXIGCQW&linkCode=as2&tag=blackhearteds-20&linkId=4918f031d5e46f6f8a872bf0dd2911b8
https://amzn.to/3txZtIu
Andrea Communications NC-181VM USB On-Ear Monaural Computer Headset with Noise-canceling Microphone, in-line Volume/Mute Controls, and Built-in External Sound Card and USB Plug
https://amzn.to/3q0ZXVu
OM Digital Solutions Voice Recorder WS-852 with 4GB, Automatic Mic Adjustment, Simple Mode, SILVER (V415121SU000) https://amzn.to/2YREHWi
Writing dialogue can be tricky!
And there are quite a few things to keep in mind as you write dialogue for your novel, but is Talking Head Syndrome one of them?
Jump in to see if YOUR NOVEL is suffering from Talking Head Syndrome and how to dive in!
And don't forget, we have a live master class that is going to happen on Friday, February 26 at 12 PM Pacific standard Time. Even if you can't catch us live, be sure to sign up so that you can catch the replay.
JOIN THE WIN OVER WRITER'S BLOCK MASTERCLASS THIS FRIDAY FEB 26, 2021
https://massielvalenzuela.lpages.co/writers-block-masterclass/
Follow me on IG where I share even MORE WRITING TIPS!
https://www.instagram.com/massielwrites/
READY TO START WRITING? https://linktr.ee/massiel_valenzuela
**** PATREON ACCOUNTABILITY GROUP https://www.patreon.com/massielvalenz?fan_landing=true
PS: New VIDEO Training to SELF-EDIT YOUR BOOK in Less than 12 Minutes!* https://mailchi.mp/985948b68e0f/black-hearts-studios
Check out the Podcast on iTunes or on your favorite podcast app https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-to-write-a-book-podcast/id1476562705
!Follow us on Facebook and get all the goods! https://www.facebook.com/Blackhearted-Story-Studios-LLC-101335505283671
Catch up on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/massielwrites/
RECOMMENDED WRITING TOOLS (I do receive a small portion of the sales from the following links at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support!)
EDITING SOFTWARE Pro Writing Aid https://prowritingaid.com/?afid=8969
RECOMMENDED DICTATION TOOLS & SOFTWARE
Dragon Professional Individual 15.0 Speech Dictation and Voice Recognition Software [PC Download] https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01LXIGCQW/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B01LXIGCQW&linkCode=as2&tag=blackhearteds-20&linkId=4918f031d5e46f6f8a872bf0dd2911b8
https://amzn.to/3txZtIu
Andrea Communications NC-181VM USB On-Ear Monaural Computer Headset with Noise-canceling Microphone, in-line Volume/Mute Controls, and Built-in External Sound Card and USB Plug
https://amzn.to/3q0ZXVu
OM Digital Solutions Voice Recorder WS-852 with 4GB, Automatic Mic Adjustment, Simple Mode, SILVER (V415121SU000) https://amzn.to/2YREHWi
Do you have the right point of view for your novel?
Are you sure that it is the right message to get across for your readers?
If you've been wondering what point of view is and how to use it effectively, then jump into this podcast episode were we talk about the do's and don'ts of point of you for your novel.
And don't forget, we have a live master class that is going to happen on Friday, February 26 at 12 PM Pacific standard Time. Even if you can't catch us live, be sure to sign up so that you can catch the replay.
JOIN THE WIN OVER WRITER'S BLOCK MASTERCLASS THIS FRIDAY FEB 26, 2021
https://massielvalenzuela.lpages.co/writers-block-masterclass/
Follow me on IG where I share even MORE WRITING TIPS!
https://www.instagram.com/massielwrites/
READY TO START WRITING? https://linktr.ee/massiel_valenzuela
**** PATREON ACCOUNTABILITY GROUP https://www.patreon.com/massielvalenz?fan_landing=true
PS: New VIDEO Training to SELF-EDIT YOUR BOOK in Less than 12 Minutes!* https://mailchi.mp/985948b68e0f/black-hearts-studios
Check out the Podcast on iTunes or on your favorite podcast app https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-to-write-a-book-podcast/id1476562705
!Follow us on Facebook and get all the goods! https://www.facebook.com/Blackhearted-Story-Studios-LLC-101335505283671
Catch up on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/massielwrites/
RECOMMENDED WRITING TOOLS (I do receive a small portion of the sales from the following links at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support!)
EDITING SOFTWARE Pro Writing Aid https://prowritingaid.com/?afid=8969
RECOMMENDED DICTATION TOOLS & SOFTWARE
Dragon Professional Individual 15.0 Speech Dictation and Voice Recognition Software [PC Download] https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01LXIGCQW/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B01LXIGCQW&linkCode=as2&tag=blackhearteds-20&linkId=4918f031d5e46f6f8a872bf0dd2911b8
https://amzn.to/3txZtIu
Andrea Communications NC-181VM USB On-Ear Monaural Computer Headset with Noise-canceling Microphone, in-line Volume/Mute Controls, and Built-in External Sound Card and USB Plug
https://amzn.to/3q0ZXVu
OM Digital Solutions Voice Recorder WS-852 with 4GB, Automatic Mic Adjustment, Simple Mode, SILVER (V415121SU000) https://amzn.to/2YREHWi
Do you feel stuck when writing romance? Perhaps you feel like romance isn't "real literature"? Well, if you're looking for reasons WHY you should be writing romance, you've come to the right place!
Follow me on IG where I share even MORE WRITING TIPS!
https://www.instagram.com/massielwrites/
READY TO START WRITING? https://linktr.ee/massiel_valenzuela
**** PATREON ACCOUNTABILITY GROUP https://www.patreon.com/massielvalenz?fan_landing=true
PS: New VIDEO Training to SELF-EDIT YOUR BOOK in Less than 12 Minutes!* https://mailchi.mp/985948b68e0f/black-hearts-studios
Check out the Podcast on iTunes or on your favorite podcast app https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-to-write-a-book-podcast/id1476562705
!Follow us on Facebook and get all the goods! https://www.facebook.com/Blackhearted-Story-Studios-LLC-101335505283671
Catch up on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/massielwrites/
RECOMMENDED WRITING TOOLS (I do receive a small portion of the sales from the following links at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support!)
EDITING SOFTWARE Pro Writing Aid https://prowritingaid.com/?afid=8969
RECOMMENDED DICTATION TOOLS & SOFTWARE
Dragon Professional Individual 15.0 Speech Dictation and Voice Recognition Software [PC Download] https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01LXIGCQW/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B01LXIGCQW&linkCode=as2&tag=blackhearteds-20&linkId=4918f031d5e46f6f8a872bf0dd2911b8
https://amzn.to/3txZtIu
Andrea Communications NC-181VM USB On-Ear Monaural Computer Headset with Noise-canceling Microphone, in-line Volume/Mute Controls, and Built-in External Sound Card and USB Plug
https://amzn.to/3q0ZXVu
OM Digital Solutions Voice Recorder WS-852 with 4GB, Automatic Mic Adjustment, Simple Mode, SILVER (V415121SU000) https://amzn.to/2YREHWi
Accountability is everything.
Right?
That's what they say. But what they don't tell you is that accountability can mean something different than what we've all been taught.
In this video, we'll talk about types of accountability and what totally DID NOT work for me.
MASTERCLASS SIGN UP
https://mailchi.mp/6dd48c2dbf8e/masterclass
PATREON ACCOUNTABILITY GROUP
https://www.patreon.com/massielvalenz?fan_landing=true
PS: New VIDEO Training to SELF-EDIT YOUR BOOK in Less than 12 Minutes!*
https://mailchi.mp/985948b68e0f/black-hearts-studios
Check out the Podcast on iTunes or on your favorite podcast app
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-to-write-a-book-podcast/id1476562705
READY TO START WRITING?
https://linktr.ee/massiel_valenzuela
!Follow us on Facebook and get all the goods!
https://www.facebook.com/Blackhearted-Story-Studios-LLC-101335505283671
Catch up on Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/massielwrites/
RECOMMENDED WRITING TOOLS
(I do receive a small portion of the sales from the following links at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support!)
EDITING SOFTWARE
Pro Writing Aid
https://prowritingaid.com/?afid=8969
RECOMMENDED DICTATION TOOLS & SOFTWARE
Dragon Professional Individual 15.0 Speech Dictation and Voice Recognition Software [PC Download]
https://amzn.to/3txZtIu
Andrea Communications NC-181VM USB On-Ear Monaural Computer Headset with Noise-canceling Microphone, in-line Volume/Mute Controls, and Built-in External Sound Card and USB Plug
https://amzn.to/3q0ZXVu
OM Digital Solutions Voice Recorder WS-852 with 4GB, Automatic Mic Adjustment, Simple Mode, SILVER (V415121SU000)
https://amzn.to/2YREHWi
Feeling down? This time of year can feel like it's all sunshine and goals, until...writer's block hits.
You think it's not the right time to start again. Well, think again! Let's dive into 4 reasons why you should write your book now.
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Tips and Tricks for Your Next Book with Author and CEO Leah Berdysz Leah is on a "mission to empower and educate girls on how to be beautiful from the inside out through discovery of social, mental, and physical components." After graduating from John Carroll University with her Bachelor of Arts in Exercise Science and Entrepreneurship in 2017, Leah founded Empowered & Poised LLC. She is currently working towards her Master of Science in Social Administration (MSW equivalent) with a focus on School Social Work at Case Western Reserve University. She is slated to publish her very first book: Conscious Empowerment: A Guide to Helping Girls Build Self-esteem & Confidence in 2021.
Support the book, Conscious Empowerment: A Guide to Helping Girls Build Self-esteem & Confidence NOW! The goodies deadline is fast approaching! TRANSCRIPT Massiel: Welcome to the How To Write a Book Podcast. Leah, thank you so much for joining us.
Leah: Thank you so much for having me. I'm so excited to be here.
Massiel: Us too. I cannot wait to tell my listeners about your journey, about your book. Oh my gosh. So I'm excited. We're so excited. So let me just go ahead and dive into a little bit about, Leah, and then I'll have you take over from there.
Leah: Yeah.
Massiel: Awesome. Perfect. Leah is on a mission to empower and educate girls on how to be beautiful from the inside out through the discovery of social, mental, and physical components. After graduating from John Carroll University, with her Bachelor of Arts in exercise science and entrepreneurship in 2017, she founded Empowered and Poised LLC. She's currently working towards her Master's of science in social ministration with a focus on school social work at Case Western Reserve University and slated to publish your very first book, 'Conscious Empowerment: A Guide to Helping Girls Build Self-esteem and Confidence’, which is going to be published in 2021
Leah: Whoo-ooh! Thank you so much for that lovely introduction.
Massiel: Gosh, thank you. I mean, just reading that and you're like go girl. Yes, yes. That is amazing. I mean, reading your background, reading your organization, it is so beautiful to touch base with someone who wants to empower girls, who is striving to do that and you are doing it, your LLC Empowered and Poised is doing just that. And before we dive more into like your book and your organization, your background includes anxiety and body image issues as well as 10 years of working with youth. So do tell us, what did I miss out here in your background? Tell us how did you get here?
Leah: Yeah. So that's a great question. It's hard to say that there's really one thing that led me here because quite frankly, this is not where I thought I would be if you would have asked me, you know, five, 10 years ago. But I think everything has its way of working out, right? Like I taught Phys. Ed for four years and I never thought I would be in the field of education. I started a business, never thinking I was going to be a business owner. I went to grad school, never thinking I would be in grad school and here I am writing a book, never having thought I was going to write a book.
I think it's been very serendipitous and I'm really grateful that I've been provided with so many opportunities. And it was kind of like, you know, when somebody knocks at your door, you open it up and you walk in, it was kind of like that with me; certain opportunities would just kind of come about obviously, not just on their own, but with hard work, connecting with people, being serious about my education, all of those types of things. But when these opportunities arose, like this wonderful opportunity to talk to you, I really had to step into my own courage and share my story and share my passions and I think that's a lot of what has led me to where I am today.
Massiel: That is amazing. And especially because you're talking about being brave, stepping into things that kind of jump out in front of you, and that is something that we talk about on the podcast, which is believing in a message. And even if you don't know where it's going to go, the opportunities will rise and that's exactly what you're doing here. I mean, you've created this beautiful LLC, right? And you're talking with these people; just touching briefly on the interviews that you have included in your book, I mean, that is just so inspiring. And I'm going to say this again and again, thank you. Thank you because you're showing up, you have this calling and that's something that we always try to do within the How To Write a Book Podcast is saying like, you know, it can be scary, but show up
Leah: It can be scary. It definitely can. I will not deny that. And I think that's where that courage comes into play. It's like having the courage that even when it's scary to still give it a try and to realize that if you fall down, you can get back up and keep going.
Massiel: Oh my gosh! Yes. And that is actually so timely because we just released an episode on what if you get rejected or what if it just doesn't work out and it's like, you're going to keep trying and moving forward.
Leah: Absolutely.
Massiel: I totally agree. Now before we dive more into your book and your book writing process, I would love to talk about your organization. So tell us a little bit about Empowered and Poised. I mean, this sounds like just such a game-changer for teaching girls how to believe in themselves. Can you tell us more about that?
Leah: Yeah. I would love to; if there are any specific questions that you have for me about it, let me know. I know that you definitely hit on the mission, which is to empower and educate girls on how to be beautiful from the inside out. So we're looking at the whole person, so helping young girls to develop socially, mentally, physically, becoming well-rounded individuals. Teaching those skills to ultimately help a young girl to be confident in her own abilities. And we do this through a variety of different programming and just different platforms that we have. So for example, individuals of any age can share their story on our blog, which shares about what makes an individual empowered and poised in his or her own right. And so, we have been really fortunate that we've built a community where over 150 individuals have shared their stories about all of the amazing things that they're doing and the challenges and obstacles that they've overcome. So we're so grateful for everybody who's contributed to that.
And then in our programming, we've done after school programs, One-Time workshops, partnered with different school districts basically to help young girls, as we had mentioned before, become more confident in their selves and their abilities. And we do that through a lot of different hands-on activities. You know, a lot of people don't like to be talked at, even as adults, we don't like to be talked at, right? So we like to find a way to engage our students when we're working with them to spread the word. And now there's this book, which is to help the parents and educators and mental health professionals who are working with young girls to look at the different principles of how we can help a young girl, but keeping in mind that a one size fits all approach just doesn't work when we're empowering young women that we have to think about and look at their unique background and where they come from, their race, their culture, their socioeconomic status, experiences they've had in the past. So we're really excited and empowered and poised to just continue to spread the word about all of this that we're doing and to continue to promote positivity for young women.
Massiel: That is awesome. Oh my gosh! Literally just talking with you and I feel like this blossom of hope because I mean, a program like this, I know that it's a game-changer. I'm almost like, Oh, I wish I was like, you know, 10 years ago, let's do it. I love it. But still, I mean, we'll dive in now as well, but it is so awesome how you're showing up. And I would love to kind of talk a little bit about you're talking about this one size fits all approach that we have for girls right now. Can you tell us more? What is that? Cause when I read that, I was like, what is this approach? I would like to help in recognizing what this one size fits all is.
Leah: Yeah. So, I think that it's just, you know, when I was doing reading and research, it feels like sometimes people say like, okay, if you say this to your daughter or to the girl that you're working with, or if you do this or you do that, then automatically, she's just going to become confident. But it's like, you can't just do that for everybody. I mean, affirmations might work for one girl, but for another girl, it's going to be the importance of giving her opportunities and experiences. Granted, I would argue that really, it's both of those things but when you are talking to a young girl and you're affirming her, it needs to be specific to who she is. Not just general, not something that she's not going to believe about herself. Because just these blanket statements, unfortunately, the research says that, you know, they're not working the way that we think that they are, that they need to believe that in themselves too, that is something that they can do.
And so, you know, finding different role models who look like the girls that they're trying to empower and continuing to expand representation media and the different people who are helping our young women. So again, it's just that idea that when your working with a young girl, you need to really think about who she is as an individual and how you can help her based on what her interests are, what her experience is, the family that she's come from; just her general overall background.
Massiel: That is such a good point because I mean, as we dive into girls, their mentality, it can be a lot like, actually being a doctor in the sense of everyone's prescription is different, everybody has to be approached differently. And that is awesome. And that is awesome that you have found that not only is that true, that's the case, but you're working with girls and you're creating these outcomes. And speaking of the outcomes, I noticed in your program, you have four learning outcomes. And so, you touch on self-awareness and positive self-image, leadership skills, and creative thinking strategies. And there was one that stood out to me that I would love to touch on, which is your outcome is girls will become critical consumers of information related to overall wellness. So like, what's that one about?
Leah: Absolutely. So this one is explored a little bit more deeply in the book, if anybody wants to check that out where it really dives in. But just to give you an overall understanding, a great example would be about social media, right? Because unfortunately, on social media and just media in general, girls are depicted in such a way that it's not always what the reality is. They're photo-shopped, filters are used and so, it's helping a young girl to realize when she sees that picture, that it's not all true, it's not all reality so that she doesn't go and compare herself to something that's really unrealistic; which unfortunately is something that I have done for myself in the past that got me into a lot of trouble. I know I've shared this story before, but you haven't heard it so let me share it with you if that's okay.
Massiel: Yeah.
Leah: So when I was in my undergrad career, I thought that I wanted to be a personal trainer for a little while. And so, I'm not that far removed from the social media age and technology where I was like, Oh my gosh, how is anybody going to take me seriously? Like if I don't look like these personal trainers on Instagram, AKA people who are filtered, maybe who are on some sort of, you know, are using some sort of substance, just really is not something that like my body is necessarily made out to be. And so, I had a friend who at the time was a nutritionist - still is - create me a meal plan, which it was all healthy foods so that was great, right? Because I was feeding my body, the fuel that it needed to be healthy.
However, what happened was I started weighing my food similar to how a bodybuilder would, but I wasn't competing. So in all reality, this was not healthy, you know, and thankfully it didn't turn into an eating disorder, but had I not had the knowledge and had I not had the support that I did to be like, Oh my gosh, something's not right about what I'm doing right now. And I'm not happy inside even though physically, I love great, you know, mentally I wasn't in a really great place. And so, I think that's why this particular objective is so important is because I've gone through it on my own, realizing that the impact that the media can have on a young girl, you know, as she's developing and trying to figure out who she is. And I just think that it's really, really important that we have these conversations starting at a very young age with girls about the way that, you know, the media portrays women and how we can fight against that and realize that that's not who we have to be. And that being our authentic self is really, truly what is going to help us, you know, to move forward in life as individuals.
Massiel: Wow. Yes. Yes. I mean, that is just powerful and you're so right. And I love that you're doing that. So it really is training girls to look at this critically and to understand that what's out there is not reflective of what you should be, you know, things like that. And trying to deconstruct that and loving yourself as you are, because we're all beautiful, you know, as we are right now.
Leah: Absolutely. And I think this is too right. It's more than just what we see, but it's what we hear like in songs. So like if a song comes on the radio and it's talking about degrading women and your daughter hears it, you know, having that conversation with her to say, what are your thoughts on this? Do you think that this is okay? You know, how could this be changed? You know, so really, just engaging these conversations with students and the young women that we live and work with.
Massiel: Wow. Yeah, totally, totally. And I agree with that, just consuming all of that and trying to understand how to filter it and better see the perspective and those conversations, you know? And so now, I mean, yeah, let's dive into the book. I mean, just that message alone, having that in the book is amazing. So the book itself, you know, I mean just the title, it is The Conscious Empowerment, and it's a guide to helping girls build self-esteem and confidence. So let's start with just the idea of this. So was the LLC and the book kind of hand-in-hand or how did the idea of the book come about?
Leah: Yeah, so they kind of went hand in hand. So as you had mentioned, I'm in grad school. And so why not take on one more thing while I'm in grad school and decide to write a book. Like naturally that would be the only thing that we could do. I was really fortunate that I had actually a friend go through this program because I'm writing my book in a unique way. It's actually through the Creator Institute. And so, they take you through essentially a course that helps to teach you how to write a book, because the reality was, I didn't know how to do this on my own and I needed some assistance, which is why I decided to enroll in this program. And at the time a fellowship was going on so I decided to join this fellowship which started this past, I think it was either late spring or the summer of this year so 2020.
And we started this journey and I think that I always had some inkling of like, I think this would be me to write a book, but I think what really propelled me was like, Hey, this is a really great opportunity over the summer. I don't have as many classes as I do, now, I have time to actually begin writing this. Let's just do it because, you know, no time is going to be a great time. And this sounds awesome because it's a fellowship and I'm going to have the support of other authors and editors and kind of a framework to build this book from. And so, I thought like this would be a really great opportunity to expand Empowered and Poised, to help get the message out more, and to connect with even more great individuals that I could interview for the book. So I got really excited about it and here I am.
Massiel: Yeah, that was so awesome. I saw your trailer right on Indiegogo for the book. And just like you said, like you're interviewing like these awesome go-getters as well. The CEO of Girls Inc; Stephanie Hall, Dr. Gillian Lambert, Lee Paiva, who's a founder of No Means No Worldwide. And then Julia Lambert is a chief strategy officer for the Emily Program, which I actually wasn't aware of this program. So it's a national leader in eating disorder awareness treatment and lifetime recovery and that is awesome just having those resources. So, I mean, so all the interviews and the way that you structure your book because you have the different sections of your book and then you have these interviews, was that already laid out for you within this course or that's from your idea generation?
Leah: Yeah. So that's where my idea generation, we were able to lay it out however we wanted. So usually like when you start writing a book, it's not going to probably end up the way that you think it is in the end. That's what they always tell you, like where you start is not necessarily where you finished. But what I decided to do was really use this opportunity, like I said, to connect with different individuals. I don't want to say just women because there were also, you know, a couple of really amazing men that I interviewed who are key. So like, for example, Lou Birkholz, who is the author of Vital Connections, which talks all about how to connect with young people, which I highly recommend that book, Vital Connections, it really is fabulous. And so mostly though, you know, it was a lot of different women who are experts in this field of working with girls that we interviewed.
And what I ended up noticing was that there were some different principles that stood out among many of these interviews. So that's how I decided to pool the six principles that are now in this book was what are those kinds of trending topics, right? When we say trending, it's like the things that we see over and over again, and it also relates to young girls because obviously, they're very, you know, intertwined in the world of social media, so kind of a fun play on pop culture. And so those six trending topics have become the chapters of the book. So it goes into those. And then from there, we kind of discuss a little bit of how-to, so how do you implement this principle in a way that, you know, you can use it with whatever girl you live and work with and make it unique to her and helping her. So really tangible steps on how to apply these principles or what comes after what the main principles are. And I'm happy to share with you if you're interested in what some of these principles are.
Massiel: Definitely. Actually, that was my next question. So let's dive in.
Leah: Yes. So I'm not going to give you too much, but I will give you a little teaser here. And that is to be that adult, which is basically being the person, the role model that a girl needs in her life, being there, being her champion. Exposure, which is exposing her to different activities, events, and things so that she can learn more about who she is, who she wants to become, and what she enjoys in life. Representation; so this is kind of what we were already talking about, making sure that there's representation in the classrooms, in the media of girls who are from different backgrounds who look different, who speak differently, who are just diverse.
We have affirmations, which we spoke a little bit about and the chapter does a much better job than even I just explained about how to actually use affirmations in a way that science backs and that it actually works. Being seen; so this is the idea that to be seen, it's not about wearing the most glamorous dress. It's about exactly what you said to me here today is showing up, being who you are, being brave to speak your truth. And then finally, we have a chapter all about sports and fitness. Because like I said, with the wellness triangle, it's social, mental and physical wellbeing, and there's a lot of science out there that sports, fitness, exercise, you know, physical activity, that those things can also help to improve a young girl and her self-esteem and confidence.
So those are the principles that are explained in the book and hopefully, people take the opportunity to check them out. I would really appreciate your support, you know, in picking up a copy and reading the book and then giving us feedback on what your thoughts are.
Massiel: Yeah. And that's so cool, like right now that you have the book on Indiegogo. And you say on there that as part of the tears, when you pledge in, you can give feedback and be part of the author community. So how did you come up with that idea and to create that community there?
Leah: Yeah. So actually I'm grateful to be able to work with the publisher. So New Degree Press has helped along the way and coming up with some of these ideas, because they've had a great number of authors that have come before me to kind of figure out like what works. Now, outside of that, community is just super important to me. I think that it is so vital, especially in this COVID-19 world, that we continue to connect with one another to build community. And that's the whole premise of Empowered and Poised is like joining this community, join us.
Join the community to help empower and inspire young women. Now, I am very excited like you said because people joining the author community, means that they get the opportunity that if they hop into this presale campaign that we have going here just for this month, they can help to pick the cover of the book, help give feedback and being beta readers. So some really exciting things to be really a pivotal part of this journey of launching this book, which is I think super exciting. I'm excited to see what everybody has to say and which book covers they might like the best and feel like, you know, what speak to the audience the most.
Massiel: Yeah. Oh, that is so exciting. And totally not going to lie, I purchased your book cause I was like, I love all this.
Leah: Yeah!! Thank you! I appreciate it and I'm excited for your feedback too.
Massiel: Oh my gosh. Yes. I was just reading the intro, your principles that you broke down in the chapters on there, the interviews you had, and then you were also being really transparent about your editing process on there as well. And I was like, I mean, as a writer, first of all, you're just laying it all out there, which is awesome. It's empowering. And I think it really ties into this idea of, you know, how as girls, we have these myths that we need to deconstruct, but then also as writers, we have these myths that we need to just kind of break down. So I was like, I'm going to support that as well, but then also your message.
Leah: I appreciate it.
Massiel: Definitely. I'm so excited for where your book is going and, you know, speaking of, I mean, it's such a great and powerful message. At any time did you feel like when you decided like, okay, let's just like tack on the book as well, did you feel overwhelmed? What were your mental obstacles when you first started?
Leah: Oh yeah. I definitely felt overwhelmed. I still feel a little overwhelmed if I'm just being honest. I would be lying to say that this was an easy process, that's not the truth of it. There were definitely times where I hit creative blocks and walls, times where I wasn't as interested in writing, maybe, on one day or the people that I was reaching out to interview, you know, I'd have people who wouldn't get back to me or, you know, right now, as I'm trying to reach this huge goal for fundraising, for the book and it's not going maybe as quickly as, as I hope for it to. But I think at the end of the day, it's everything that we're talking about right now is you just have to continue to be patient, continue to, you know, do your best, work hard, and know that you have a good message.
And that's something I needed to remind myself as like, this is really important work that's happening, you know, and it's not going to be an easy process because for as cliche as it is, if it was an easy process, everybody would be doing it. So I think through this process, what I want to say is just thank you to all of the other writers out there, to all the other authors out there, because I definitely, through my own journey of writing a book, have found a new respect for authors and the challenge that it is to really come up with a kick-butt book that, you know, it takes a lot of time. It takes a lot of effort. It takes a lot of research. I just want to say, thank you to everybody else out there who is writing books to inspire people, to educate people, and to also just entertain people because it's not a super easy process.
Massiel: Yeah, I totally agree. I mean, that is something that we talk about on the podcast, which is thanking the authors who have inspired us, who have shown up to write. And even when you're staring at the blank page and you're like, I don't know what I'm doing here and that doubt creeps in, but still showing up and believing in that message. And so you actually just touched on something that's you said that you had to remind yourself about that message. Was there anything specific you're doing? Cause you talk about affirmations in your books, so I'm curious, are there some principles that you're also using that are mentioned in your book that you use to write your book?
Leah: Yeah, that's a great idea. You know, I think a lot of times we're inspired to write the things that are personal to us. And so, I think that, you know, if I'm just being completely transparent, that for as much as this book is for everybody else, I think it was still a part of like my journey for myself and seeking and helping myself to understand some of the parts of me that I still continue to be uncovering. And so I think I just needed to go back and really listen to some of the advice that the different interviewees gave me along the way and the inspiration that I was feeling every time that I got to talk to such a wonderful individual who was passionate about the same things that I'm passionate about and, you know, their advice, how to help other girls has in return, helped me. So in addition to thanking all the authors, I think that it would only make sense for me to also thank, once again, all of the interviewees who helped contribute to this book, because just as you were helping all of these other young women, I want you to know that, you know, you've also helped me too. So thank you for that.
Massiel: Oh, that's a beautiful message. And yes, thank you. Thank you to everyone who contributed to this book and everyone who continues to put out powerful and inspiring messages. And it's exactly, as you said, I mean, actually that is how this podcast was born, which was trying to understand what my own writing process was and trying to show up because you have maybe this doubt or this the struggle. And so, we write this in other words for ourselves, but you know, there are people struggling with this as you have encountered and we're helping them by also showing up. So that was awesome. Thank you. So I would love to talk about your interviewing process because I know some of our listeners, they want to write memoirs that might take other people into account or might be doing research nonfiction. So what was your interview process like? How did you choose, you know, who you were going to ask, and go from there?
Leah: Yeah, absolutely. That's a great question. So I think this is one of the most fun parts, I think for me of the book writing process was kind of discovering such amazing individuals. Some of whom I did not know about before I started writing this book and it was really through just a lot of research; Googling like experts in girls, experts in girls confidence, all those kinds of keywords, buzzwords that hit the book. And that's when I just started reaching out to people and it was kind of just like, Hey, I've got this project, you know, it seems you have a similar passion to me. I would really love to take 30 minutes to an hour to interview you for it, to hear your expertise on this topic. And I think you would be surprised by how many people are willing to help and said yes.
And then from there, it was a snowball effect. Because when I would talk to one person at the end, I'd say, you know, and if you have anybody else that you think I should talk to as I'm writing this book, I would really appreciate if you could connect me and a lot of them did. And so, that's how I started meeting and learning about all of these other really wonderful people and growing my network, and growing the interviews for the book. So it was really just a super exciting process that was just simply asking and that was kind of it.
Massiel: I love that. Yeah. Because exactly you said the snowball, what's gonna start getting that traction. You start trying to be like, okay, I'm rolling, I'm rolling. I love that. So I'm wondering how many interviews did you do, I mean, you started this summer, right?
Leah: Yeah. So in the end the bulk has incorporated roughly, I'd say like 35 or so interviews. So the majority of them did make it into the book. Unfortunately, not every single one did, but I would say, Oh, probably a good 90% did. And these also, the other thing too, is we were instructed by NDP - New Degree Press - to really bring in stories. And I'm so grateful that I did that because I think it makes it that much more enriching. And quite frankly, it's like in this book, you're not going to find these stories anywhere else, because some of them are from everyday individuals or from the experiences of the leaders of these young women and the things that they've seen. So it's not something that you could go pick another book up off the shelf and read about, because like we said, stories are unique to who you are. So I'm really excited and really grateful that people were brave enough to share their stories and allow them to then go public. And so yeah, about 35 individuals, in the end, were interviewed for this.
Massiel: Wow. That is fantastic. I mean, especially because it's letting us know that there are so many resources out there and that is amazing because sometimes you jump into a topic and you're really not sure where to begin, but you have like consolidated all of that and given us an opportunity to search for and find these new enriching places where we can get that information, and that is awesome.
Leah: Yeah. And I think that's where authors can like really tap into the wonderful resources that we have in this virtual world. Even though there's a lot of negativity around it, there's also a lot of really amazing things that have come from it. And so it could be as small as like searching up a hashtag and like finding somebody who's kind of in that same genre community as you are, you know, I've recently been trying to connect with some books-to-grammars, you know, which is something kind of new that I just found out about. Are you familiar with that bookstagram?
Massiel: Yeah. So Instagram, it's the authors and the books of bookstagram. So hashtag bookstagram. Or like hashtag writers of Instagram. Yeah. I'm actually pretty new to this as well, but I'm like, once I find it, I'm like, well, here I go. I love it.
Leah: Oh my gosh. I know it's so easy to dive right in. And that's the same thing that I did when I was looking for different individuals to interview is I just dove right in. And I also should give the credit to, you know, some of my interns as well, who has been a major part of this process and supporting me along the way. So shout out to all my amazing Empowered and Poised interns. I appreciate you all as I tell you all on a daily basis, but I'm really so grateful to have a team supporting me through this. Because just as I always say with entrepreneurship being a lonely road, I think that writing a book can also sometimes be a lonely road. So really connect with other authors in the community, whether it be through social media or through your own network, going out and meeting people on LinkedIn, whatever you have to do because having people who also understand what it's like to write a book can definitely help to continue to push you forward when things get challenging, in my opinion.
Massiel: Yes, totally. I agree with you. And especially, I was just going to take a moment to say thank you for being so transparent as well. Because I think that that is something that we strive to do here on the podcast, which is letting people know that every writing process can be different. Every personality is different when it comes to writing. And sometimes we, you know, want to strive to be a certain image of writing. But when we struggle, it's totally normal. It's totally okay. It doesn't mean that, Oh, you're doing anything wrong; you just keep showing up. So thank you again for being transparent on the process. And also that, yeah, writing can feel lonely. But there are like bookstagram and things like that we can start connecting. And maybe this is just me, but I love all those beautiful photos of books piled up on Bookstagram.
Leah: Oh my gosh. I love them too. My photography skills really probably aren't that good.
Massiel: Mine too. I'm just like I'll just stare with them. Seriously. I'm like, if I could just get big posters of all these, it would be fantastic. But I totally get what you mean. So I mean, the journey can be up and down, but just based on what you're saying, always worth it showing up. So after all your interviews, I'm sure we would love to know. So you've done all this interview process and you're talking with your publisher about maybe the organization, what happened from there? How do you go from interviews to actually writing?
Leah: Yeah, so, you know, I kind of did it along the way. So as I would there's actually a really great, and I think your audience would love to know about this, it's called Otter AI, and it's an app. And Otter AI helps to transcribe the different interviews that you're doing, which is really great because even though it's not a hundred percent accurate all the time, you can go back and look up keywords in that interview. And so for me, it was like, I remember, I don't know, like Stephanie Hall saying this really amazing thing about the importance of making sure that this book fits all girls and that we realize that confidence doesn't look the same for everybody. So a girl can be shy and still be confident. So maybe I would look up on Otter, AI shy the word shy because then it will ping it and you can find that part and relisten to her and it even types it out for you so you can go back.
And then what I did is I would kind of listen to these interviews again or start typing up. I would type notes out too, as I would interview, and then that's how I would come up with the stories. So the stories were really based on these individuals, and having this Otter AI technology was super helpful because, for me, it was really, really important that I'm not speaking for the women who I interviewed, but that it's really their voices that are coming through and being heard. Especially because I interviewed you know, many different individuals from various backgrounds that weren't similar to mine so I never want to act like I'm the expert of a different group that I'm not a part of. So being able to use this technology was really helpful and then developing the stories. Then once I had the stories is kind of when I would pair them and say like, okay, these are both about sports and fitness, so I'd put them in the same chapter.
And then from there I would go and add in my own experiences, my own suggestions from the years that I've had working with young women. And then, finally, I would take and beef it up with some research to make sure that the information that we're giving is actually, like I said, backed by research. And then, that's kind of the way that the chapters were built. And then, from there, just figuring out how to piece everything together to make one coherent book; figuring out what's the history that we need to add in the beginning of the book to help set the scene so that people understand the difference between self-esteem and confidence because that's not very well understood, you know what is this word, intersectionality? What does that mean? And then it kind of flows into those principles and how-to, and wraps it all together in a nice little book.
Massiel: That is so awesome. And I love what you're saying. So, as you were researching, you were building, so the book was being built as it was going. I love that.
Leah: Yes. Yes. I think for me, it would have been very, very overwhelming to not have done it that way and to have done all of the interviews and research and then have to write it all after. So I really enjoy doing it along the way, especially because immediately upon listening to the interviewee or speaking with them, that's when I was most inspired. Because I just got off the phone and I'm like, this is awesome, people need to hear this, people need to know this. So to be able to write right then and I would also if you don't mind me sharing another tip that I have for all of your listeners and that's to not get too stuck in the way you've always used to do things but be open to a different process. So what I mean by that is I thought that I was going to be the type of writer where I would set a block of time aside, you know, like every Monday at five o'clock, I'm going to write for an hour and then I'm going to write again on Wednesday or whatever because I like to have checklists of things that I accomplished.
That's just the way that I kind of work. I'm a little type A, but what I realized was in creative writing, that didn't work as well for me. I actually needed to write when I was feeling inspired, as opposed to when I thought I could just get the work done. And I think that that definitely probably helped to make this an even better book is because that passion was really jumping outside of me as I was writing the words on the pages.
Massiel: Yes, yes, totally. That is literally, what we talk about on the podcast. It's getting to know yourself as a writer and knowing that it's okay if you need to change and transform and do things a little bit differently; totally. You hit the nail on the head and especially because like you said, like if you thought you might be in one way, and I find that I'm one way when I write nonfiction, but I'm different when I write fiction.
Leah: Yes. Yes. Well, that's what I found from like my academic papers that I've been writing academia, you know, for my grad school is very different than what I have been writing for this book. Even though there's research in it, it's much more creative and it was a very different process, and writing up these stories too, which was like, it was kind of a challenge, an exciting challenge though but it was definitely different for me. So I totally understand what you're saying. That it was different for you fiction versus non-fiction writing. I totally get that.
Massiel: Yeah. Right. Exactly. So for all the listeners out there, you know, just like Leah's talking about, it's okay if you find that you actually need to go this way, you need to go that way, you need to pivot and change. It's totally normal. Totally okay; embrace that and jump into it. You said you were enjoying the process and that's something that we like to hit upon is like, it's like enjoy the process cause it's fun. It is fun.
Leah: It really is. I really did have fun writing the book. I'm not even going to lie. I'm not just saying that, it was exciting.
Massiel: That's awesome. Was it surprising to you, like before that, were you thinking like, Oh, I'm not sure how I'm gonna feel about this?
Leah: Yeah, I think honestly, I thought it was going to feel more like work that did, and I'm not saying, like I said, it was hard work and it definitely wasn't necessarily wouldn't it call it easy, but I don't think I've realized I would enjoy it as much as I did. I think it was more like, this is a really good idea. I have a message. It needs to get out there. I would love to do more speaking and I'd love to be able to speak, you know, about the things that I'm sharing in my book. But I don't think I realized how much I would enjoy the process of writing. And so I'm really grateful that I tried something new because who knows, maybe there'll be another book in the future now that I never would have thought.
Massiel: I love that! Yes. I love that because I'm always telling everyone and my listeners know, I'm like, you know, you write your first book, but you probably have another book in you so just keep going.
Leah: And I think I'd like to do something very different. Like I would maybe like to write for the young women that I work with or maybe do a children's book. Like, I don't know. I mean, there's so many opportunities and possibilities, you know, like I said, nothing else in the past, I really thought I would be doing so I'm not going to say no, I'm not going to say never. And who knows what might come next.
Massiel: Exactly. Exactly. No, I love exactly how you've recapped you know, where you started, your interview process, and then your writing process, which is so beautiful. It really just speaks to the creativity and how much fun you were having. And one thing that you also mentioned inside your Indiegogo page for the book is next year editing process. So how is that going? Cause what are the updates on that and how did you decide how you're going to approach your editing?
Leah: Yes. So as I had mentioned through this program, we are also given an editing team and I'm very grateful for that because that is also a huge process. So we originally had our developmental editor, which helped us to kind of just get our ideas out, you know, find any holes maybe that we would have, make sure that the flow of the book is working nicely. And now I'm in the stage where an acquiring editor is looking through the book. So they're going through and looking for things that are a little bit more detailed, but after they look at it, then everybody who is in my pre-sale who has purchased a copy in the presale campaign, they also will have the opportunity if they so choose to be beta readers. So before the book actually launches and goes live, they can help to give me feedback.
And I'm also gonna recruit some individuals who are in my network, who I really trust, who are good editors, excellent readers, things like that to make sure that it really is in tip-top shape. And then from there, it goes on to another editor. I'm no expert in the editing process and how all of it works. Through this program, they've really offered support to help us figure out the editing process and how that all works. But I know that that is going to be after this pre-sale is going to be the next big thing is really sitting down with the book and taking time to kind of rewrite it. You know, I was recently told that the editing portion is just as hard if not harder than the writing portion, so I'm putting on my belt and getting ready for it.
Massiel: Yes, totally. Actually that was going to lead me to my next question. So the editing process, it can totally feel like a different beast, you know? And something that we also talk about is like, sometimes if you need help, it's totally cool. Right? You have that editor friend that you said, like you have a circle of people you trust also the editors that are available to you. That is awesome. And just like you said, you said you're going to put on your seatbelt. And I love that because sometimes we have to prepare. We're like, okay, how am I going to do this? So like, what are you doing to prepare them? What's your seatbelt? Are you doing like affirmations or are you telling yourself, okay, I'm just going to like buckle down and listen and jump into this? How are you bracing yourself for the editing?
Leah: Yeah, I think that's a great question too. So right now, I'm trying to stay a little more present. Because right now this presale launch is kind of the main goal right now is to focus on this. And there's a lot that goes into it, I think a lot more than people can ever imagine, a lot more than I thought that there was; sharing with your network, reaching out individually to people, sending texts, DMS, putting it on social media, sending out newsletters. I mean, it's a big job to just share about the launch, presale launch of the book. So that's where I'm really focused right now because I don't want to get too far ahead of myself, kind of one step at a time in order so that I don't get overwhelmed.
As far as getting ready for the editing process, I'm kind of a little bit at a standstill at this point because my acquiring editor is still looking through things. So I'm just being patient and waiting until I get that feedback back. And then once I get that feedback is when I'm really planning on diving in kind of taking that jump, which is why I need my seatbelt on is to make sure that I can stay grounded during that time so that I can get the work done that needs to be done because I'm sure that there'll be plenty of feedback that I then need to adjust. And also just thinking about like who's in my network that are really good writers that might be interested in this book, that might be interested in helping me so that I then have a support team along the way? Because I'm always of the belief that no matter how good of a writer you are, we still miss things. Like we're not perfect people and no one should expect anybody to be perfect. So the more eyes that can get on to the book before it actually published onto Amazon and into the bookstores and the libraries and all of those types of things. It's just thinking about who in my network might be willing to support and help me edit along the way.
Massiel: Yes. And that really, I think, is going to resonate really well with the listeners, which is like you said, so editing is down the road. So right now, focusing on what's going on right now and for a lot of listeners, it's writing the book or simply doing their research. So I think that's going to be really helpful. So instead of looking at that mountain far away, you're just trekking on this one. That is, yes, totally beautiful. I love that.
Leah: Yeah, because, you know, I think otherwise, I mean, I don't know, I don't want to speak for everybody, but for me, especially when I first started this process, it seemed really big and daunting. So I think breaking up, you know, writing your book into steps, into small measurable, achievable goals so that you can feel and find that progress along the way that can continue to propel you forward. Because I think if you would try to do everything all at once, it's much easier to get stuck, feel defeated, and maybe just not finish at all. So when you can find little achievements along the way, I think that it makes it much more realistic and doable to actually getting to the end goal, which is publishing the book.
Massiel: Yeah. Yeah. And I agree, and that's exactly what we tell our listeners. It's like, you know, just a little bit at a time and checking a little bit at a time and you know, actually, this leads me to a question before we wrap up. You said here that you're helping Girls Inc. So the book is helping Girls Inc. Now how is it doing that exactly?
Leah: Yeah, that's a great question. So a portion of the profits from the presale campaign is going to go to support Girls Inc. And the reason that I decided to partner with Girls Inc, is because I strongly believe in their mission. It's very similar to that of Empowered and Poised and to everything that's being shared in the book. And considering we had Stephanie Hall interviewed, who is the CEO, as you had mentioned earlier, of Girls Inc, we felt that it only made sense to partner with them and give a portion of the proceeds back to a charity that's doing such good for the community and helping underserved young women who might not otherwise have the chance to experience some of the things that are mentioned in the book. And it's organizations like Girls Inc that really give them the opportunity to learn more about themselves, to expand their horizons, and to be able to grow into confident young women. So we're really excited about this partnership, and we hope that we can raise more than enough so that we can give back to the community of Girls Inc.
Massiel: That is awesome. And it's such a great mission, such a great organization because they've done a lot. I know some of my listeners would love to set up proceeds for an organization or charity. So I mean, how on that technical level, how does that work? Does it do like an automatic type of like split so that they can know like, this is how I want to contribute once my book is published?
Leah: Yeah. So actually, again, just being transparent, the way that it's working with them is once we raise our complete funds, then anything after, you have the opportunity to kind of put that in your pocket or give that to a charity. And so we've decided to get 50% to Girls Inc. once our goal is raised. And then also the other 50% is likely going to go to Empowered and Poised to help with that mission, which is not public but since it's my organization, I have a feeling that's probably what we'll end up doing so that we could then serve more girls in that way and that can help to reduce the cost for the girls and pay for some of the art supplies and different things that we need for our programming.
So I guess on the backend, a lot of it is reaching out to the organization that you'd be interested in partnering with to make sure that they're open to it, that they're okay with it, that you're following any of the guidelines that they offer to you about engaging with their platforms. Obviously, it's a partnership, so you want to be respectful of that. Now, logistically, on the backend the publisher is helping 50:20speechfreeze] coping with all of, necessarily speak to that in this circumstance. But I know that there definitely are ways that you can do that through websites where you raise donations or through other fundraising sites as well, similar to Indiegogo where if you wanted to raise funds to then give back to the community that you could certainly do it in that way. I don't know, did that answer your question well enough on how people can kind of go about partnering with an organization?
Massiel: Yeah, absolutely. I think cause sometimes we will look at an organization and we might feel exactly as we're talking about overwhelming, how do I contribute? But you laid it out. It's really straightforward, you know, to start the communication. And I love that because I think that a lot of listeners will be like, okay, like that's a step forward that they can take to writing their books, finishing them, and then also donating their proceeds to an organization or a charity just like you're doing, and also going back into your LLC, I mean, which is fantastic because you guys are doing so many great things. That is awesome.
Leah: Thank you. Yeah. And I mean, I think it was also important too that we highlighted this organization in the book. So that's part of the reason why we decided to partner with them, was not only because of the interview from Stephanie, but we also spoke about a young woman who went through the program and then her confidence was kind of increased because of the opportunities that she was granted, which I believe that that's in the exposure chapter. And then we also had a Girls Inc Alum speak about her experience working with the organization. So there were multiple different individuals within this book who highlighted the importance of Girls Inc.
And you know, I really think when we talk about community, this is a collective effort. How can we all work together to support the same mission? So I think that some people might see like, Oh, doesn't your organization kind of do something very similar to them? Why would you not just give all the money to your organization, if it's basically the same goal? And it's like, well, they're on a much larger scale than we are now cause we're still kind of in that startup phase. So they have the connections and the opportunity to be able to immediately impact young women. And so, yes, and... it's a yes, and; yes, we can support Empowered and Poised and support somebody else. Because at the end of the day, there are so many young women out there that could utilize these services and need this support and I can't do that all alone, they can't do that all alone. So like let's work together, right?
Massiel: Yes, totally. Totally. Just like we're doing here, right? Like, I mean, showing up and doing the podcast or doing YouTube and sharing each other's message. I mean, it's about growing together. We grow exponentially when it's done together so I think you hit the nail on the head. That is amazing. Thank you so much.
Leah: Thank you.
Massiel: I mean, all day I'll be like, thank you so much cause I'm so excited for your book. And so, for the listeners who are listening, where can they find you, Empowered and Poised, and also your book? Where can they go to find more information to keep up and also to donate, to contribute to your goal as well?
Leah: Yes. Thank you. Thank you for asking that question. So if they want to follow me on my personal pages, it's @itsLeahbee. And that's on all social platforms. Feel free to connect on LinkedIn as well. And then for Empowered and Poised, the handle is Empowered Poised; there's no 'and' in between because it's too long of a handle to be Empowered and Poised. So just Empowered Poised or you can check it out at www.empoweredandpoised.com and there's information about the book on most of these platforms. So definitely check it out on Indiegogo to be able to support and thank you, everybody, who's taking the time to listen to this podcast. Hopefully, you have some great tips that you can use in developing your own book. And thank you again for your support with Conscious Empowerment and Empowered and Poised.
Massiel: That is awesome. Thank you so much, Leah. That is 'Conscious Empowerment: A Guide to Helping Girls Build Self-esteem and Confidence.' Everyone who's listening less than 21 days to reach that first goal. So everyone, jump on in there and support this message. Thank you, Leah, for joining us and we're wishing you luck and we're looking forward to seeing the launch of the book.
Leah: Thank you so much. I truly appreciate it.
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Overcoming Dyslexia and Other Writing Obstacles with Author and Editor Josh Kelley He's been a pastor, bartender, and adjunct Biblical Studies professor. Josh is also a traditionally published author (“Radically Normal,” Harvest House), novelist, writing coach, developmental editor and ghostwriter.
After writing his own books, he now helps others write theirs. Josh offers free consultations on my website. https://www.joshkelley.ink/
It isn’t a sales call—you can tell him about your book idea and he'll give feedback. Based on past experience, you can be confident that you will walk away with something useful. TRANSCRIPT Massiel: All right, everyone, welcome to How to Write a Book Podcast. I am so excited to meet with author, writer, development editor, ghostwriter, book coach, Josh Kelly. Josh, welcome to the show.
Josh: Thank you so much. I'm really happy to be here.
Massiel: Me too. Me too. You know, just reading your bio, going over your book, your message is inspirational and especially kind of like your interesting story and your background. I mean, a little bit of everything. So before we kinda dive into your writing your process and everything about you, I'll give a little bit about you for our listeners in case they don't know who you are yet. So, Josh Kelly is a pastor, bartender, husband, and adjunct biblical studies professor. You are a traditionally published author of radically normal harvest house, a novelist writing coach, developmental editor, and ghostwriter. And you love communicating life-changing truths in an engaging way in helping others do the same, which is something that we do on the podcast. And even more about you is that you've been married for over 20 years. You have two teenage daughters and you've spent eight months driving around the country in a minivan; saw 40 States, two provinces and Tijuana. Wow. Oh my gosh.
Josh: Yeah, that was quite a trip. So the story behind that is, you know, I was a pastor for about 15 years. And then we had to close my church, which sometimes it happens; it shrunk down to where this just didn't make any sense to continue. And, you know, so like many people we'd always like joked about driving around the country; at that point, it's like, you know what, what do we have to lose? So a little more to it than that, but we kind of packed up our girls in the minivan and drove around. At that point, my first book, Radically Normal, just come out and, you know, you think that if you get a traditional publisher, like all your dreams are gonna come true and it's all gonna be awesome. And so I, you know, it was very like... and go do kind of a book tour and speak at churches and do signings or whatever. And there was a little bit of that, but more than anything that trip ended up being more of a sabbatical for me.
After 15 years at being a pastor, I was really ready for that. But it was an amazing thing. I mean, it's hard to comprehend how big and how diverse this country is, you know, so I'm in the Northwest and you're in So Cal, right?
Massiel: Yeah.
Josh: Actually, you're not terribly far from Montebello, right?
Massiel: Yeah.
Josh: That's where my great grandparents...what's that?
Massiel: Oh, you're just a couple of minutes, not minutes, but a couple of hours. I mean, right.
Josh: So yeah, I actually did my undergrad down that area. My family's kind of from that area and my great grandparents lived in Montebello, down there, I think just yeah, kind of in that area. And so that to say, you know, traveling the country is really cool. It's a great perspective. I came back from that and just really didn't want to be a pastor anymore. I mean, being a pastor, I enjoyed it, but it's not the sort of job you do because for the money. There's plenty of jobs if you're just out there and need to earn a check, that's great, nothing wrong with that, but you don't want a counselor, you don't want a pastor, you don't want some of these politicians to be doing it for the money.
And so, at that point, what I really realized, I love to write and that's what I wanted to do. And as a pastor, I do a lot of writing as well, as well as having my book published. So I became a bartender instead and which was a lot of fun. I really did enjoy bartending. And during that time, that five years I wrote my novel, which I've got finished. I've been trying to shop around. Haven't had great luck with it, you know, it happens a lot. But then COVID came along and that kind of changed everything pretty substantially for a lot of us, well, just for the entire country, but, you know, over the past 7 months I've used that to kind of pivot away from the service industry into now being full-time freelance, ghostwriter developmental editor. And we can talk later, you know, if people want to know kind of with the different types of editing are and I'm starting to make a living at it. You know, certainly being a freelancer, it's a little scary but I've got some great contracts. And so I've been able to work with a couple of great people. And yeah, so that's kind of, I guess, the short bio
Massiel: That is awesome. That is awesome. And you know what, you probably know more about LA than I do because I'm actually from North Cal so then I just recently moved.
Josh: Where in North Cal?
Massiel: So close to San Jose. So like Hollister; we're like known for like the greatest biker rally, well, before COVID times, that used to be a thing. So in that area, so I've just recently moved down to LA just a couple, like literally weeks ago. So, you know, the map way more than I do.
Josh: I wont ask you any trick questions then about in and out burger and, you know, on which locations and all that.
Massiel: Right. You're right. Or people were already asking me like, Oh, like, so is it the I-5 or just I-5? And I'm like, Oh gosh, where am I going? Because the So Cal slang and the Nor Cal slang, and I'm like,
Josh: When I did my undergrad down there, I know this is so irrelevant, but the thing that's so weird for me is up here, every freeway is simply known by its number. You have a I-5, 405, 520, that's all you call it by and back in this day...so this is about 25 years ago, I went to college in Southern California, they never called any freeway by the number, ever. I'm now seeing where you're starting to hear it called by that but at the time you listened to the traffic report as well, Okay, traffic's heavy on the golden state freeway. You may want to take the, I can't remember the name, but you have to actually know the names of all these freeways. And they have names like from here to here would be this name. Then once you got past this point, change the name and then it drove me crazy.
Massiel: You never know. Yeah. There might be a writer out there who needs to know what highways were called a couple of years ago versus now. So it's like, all right,
Josh: Which kind of that's an interesting thing. So the novel that I wrote takes place in roughly 1982 Southern California Azusa actually, it's not terribly far from where my college was. And so I knew the area and I don't know why, but that's why I placed it. But it involved the frame of research for me to find out which freeways are still where, even that amount of time ago. And you know, when it comes to research for novels, because my theory is that you're never looking for a hundred percent accuracy. The goal is not accuracy. It's I can never pronounce this word, verisimilitude something like that. You want it to feel real. And so that's always my goal. So there's some things I know aren't accurate, but in general, just doing those... that my book felt accurate and included things like yeah, whether they call freeways by names, numbers, that's just a useful, sometimes you have to visit a place or else call someone from there and kind of just chat.
Massiel: Yeah. You know, and that is awesome. That's actually one of the questions I was going to ask you was research. And I do want to get back to talking about radically normal, but let's just, while we're on this topic, research and you as a development editor, when we go to into research, sometimes it could feel like a rabbit hole and sometimes it can feel like it's not enough. And just like you said verisimilitude, where's like the line in that like, well, how do you know if you're in the sweet spot?
Josh: You know, there's a certain extent to which for me now, of course every person is very different. And so the way I'm wired, ADHD, dyslexia, I'm great at taking a ton of information. That's what makes me a good developmental editor as I can very quickly read a lot of stuff and keep it all in my head and then kind of help organize it. But I suck with detail. So you'd never want me to proof...I could proofread your book, but it's going to be painful for me and I'm going to miss a lot of stuff. But I'm also naturally curious person. And so there's an extent to where I just kind of follow my fancy. The trick is, I think, I understand what mode I'm in.
When I come in solid writing time, you know, we all know how hard it is to get to that spot where your words are flying and you're in the groove. The worst thing you can do is to be in a groove and interrupted to research something. So in my mind is I have a couple different, you know, mode, so to speak, you know, writing editing research. And at my best, I'll come to something and instead of like, Oh, I need to look that up. I won't...when I'm behaving, I'll just jot a note and just put like a, you know, research here, note in my manuscript and then in the afternoon. So mornings are when I write best. So I'm always going to do any interviews, anything like that in the afternoons.
So what I did, I would then come back where I'm in kind of unproductive time, where I'm more likely kind of click my way around the internet and just kind of let it go. And sometimes I'll find out some detail. This was like, well, I'll be darned, I never thought of that. And so again, that's why I say about in terms of letting your fancy, I just follow my fancy and just take notes. And I don't know if I'm going to use it, I may or may not. This is something from years of being a pastor. You know, for me, it'd be common for me to skim when I'm getting ready to write a sermon - about a hundred pages worth of material commentaries, biblical studies, other sermons, and then kind of choose the best 10 pages worth of those notes, and then go write my own with all that in my head. But you have to kind of know almost sometimes it's giving yourself a time limit, you know, it's going to vary for each person but the trick is, I think, is to make sure you schedule your time. So you're not giving yourself unending research time. Does that answer the question? I'm not sure, I kind of went a lot of places.
Massiel: yeah, it did. Actually, I think that ties in a lot to a theme that we have going on this month within the podcast, which is kind of following your muse, or like you said, your fancy and kind of knowing like where you're strong at and what times of days that you're actually like really on versus off. So totally, I think that was going to really resonate well with writers, especially because I think that right now we have this kind of interesting stigma that our writers should be a certain way. And we're trying to like, develop like, Hey, you know, you can be this kind of writer or this kind of writer or this kind of writer, and every writer is different and just kind of like exploring and trying to find that.
Josh: And it really is a big thing of know thyself. You know, you have to really be a student of yourself and to know how you work. So for me, I write from a coffee shop. I'm in a coffee shop right now, and they know me very well here. And so, for me, if I don't have a certain level of distraction, I'd get distracted. Home is typically the worst place for me to write that's me. And my best times are writing in the morning. When my daughters went to bed earlier, I could write in the evenings a little better but now by the time they're finally in bed, it's kind of late and I'm not going to be productive. You know, you have to know yourself and work with that. There's no good beating up yourself like, Oh, so-and-so does this, you know, Stephen King writes every single day, except for, well, no, every single day. Well, that's not you, that's okay. You don't have to do it someone else's way, you have to figure out how you work.
Massiel: Yeah. Yeah, totally. I totally get that and I understand that. I think that's super great that you said that because that's literally what we're talking about in this podcast. So based between the two books, cause you have the Christian book, then you have the non-Christian book, did you find what you were working differently or because you kind of know yourself, maybe you had similar patterns of writing; what did you discover?
Josh: Well, the second book, the novel, because it was a novel that did make it a very, very different thing. And I had to kind of teach myself how to write fiction. It's actually, I was reading one agent who said that in his experience, very few non-fiction writers transition well into fiction because there's such different things. The purpose of nonfiction is typically to tell, the purpose of fiction is typically to show, you know, show don't tell. And I took that quote of his and paste on the top of my document and so, I always kept on coming back to it. So it's more than, you know, Christian versus non-Christian. It was more just the type of stuff I was writing. You're going to change your language based upon your audience. If you know that the people you're talking to are writers, you are going to talk a certain way.
And actually, with my first client, I made things unnecessarily complicated cause I talked to her as if she were a writer and she's not. But when you're talking to other writers, you talk a certain way. If I know my audience is largely gonna be Christian, I'm gonna make statements that I expect a Christian is gonna understand. When I wrote my novel, one of my beta readers was an atheist with a PhD in psychology and I loved her perspective. Because there's times where within whatever your tribe is, it doesn't matter if you're talking 4H or, you know, Muslim, Christian you know, writer versus, you know, meat packer. I don't care. You have phrasiology, you have things that you just assume everyone else knows. And so like, she'd keep on saying things like, wait, Josh, wait, what's the difference between a evangelical and a fundamentalist again? I always think they're the same thing. Well, no, they're not; here is why. And I realized, okay, I need to clarify this in my book because a lot of people aren't gonna understand this stuff. Again, I'm not sure if I answered your question or not.
Massiel: No, totally. And so, first the mindsets were different because of novel versus nonfiction and, you know, it's so interesting that your mindset shift had to change, especially with what the editor was saying. And I'm curious, so were there specific things that maybe you did differently? So like say right now, like you're in the coffee shop do those like small habits change between the two books?
Josh: First of all, when I write nonfiction, I'm still using a lot of stories because stories work, I don't need to try and sell you on that. Just stories work for communicating truth or communicating information. So even like with my nonfiction, I remember at one point once I got through a certain level, like my third draft or whatever it is, I would just like do a red line or wall along in the margins, wherever there was a story. And I would just flip through and say, oh, wait, this red line is too long. It's time for a story. So let's say storytelling is already, I get it's power but being a novelist, you definitely have to be more playful. You have to really pursue much more of a what if and I think John Cleese did this really great thing about creativity, and I know he is borrowing someone else's research, but basically you're talking about these modes of editing versus creativity; open and closed basically.
And when you're in that open mindset, you're just letting everything run and then close it when you're okay, you've got your ideas; now you're dealing with them and you're implementing them. Fiction writing is going to involve a lot of that open what if, what if, what if, and just allowing things to play. I think what comes to developing fiction, that's something that's so different from person to person so for me, I'm not, you know, use the term outliner versus pantser or, you know, outliner versus organic writer. I'm definitely organic. I remember, you know, on Facebook writing one day that today I'm writing the scene where my female protagonist meets up with her black sheep, little sister, and I can't wait to write it so I can find out what happens. I walked through it that day; no clue. I knew they're going to meet up at... Burger on Grand Avenue. That's all I knew. And I just couldn't wait to find out. But that's how I function. But I do think that when it comes to novel writing, you just have to have a playfulness.
Massiel: I totally agree with you. And I might be biased because I am also a pantser. So I'm like, Oh yeah, let's just find out what's going to happen. And I love it. It's fun.
Josh: It is. You end up miswriting a lot of stuff because you don't always know where to go.
Massiel: Exactly. You know, you're like, Oh, that one dark cave that I went down; never mentioned it again. I'm just going to have to do something else with it or throw it away or something. Yeah. That's amazing. And that's such a great answer to that question because we do get a lot of questions on the podcast that people are just struggling again, like with this idea of, they have to write a certain way, they have to show up a certain way and if they don't do it that way, then they're messing up and then quote unquote, messing up. And I love what you've said here, which is, you know, not only are you getting to know yourself and that has its own nuances, but also between your two different, you know, books, that took two different types of thinking and approaches and that's totally normal.
Josh: Yeah. And it's always changing. You have to really give yourself permission that early on, you're figuring out how to do things. And yeah, you really have to have a lot of grace with yourself. I think back to some of the earlier stuff I wrote and I read it and like, Oh man, that's so bad, man. There's exhibition all over the place and I'm telling, not showing and all this stuff, but you know, that's where I started. And of course, this is where it comes in. You know, then you get into this later stuff about, you know, having beta readers, editing, killing your darlings and all that stuff. That's absolutely vital, but you never want to start there. You have all of Anne Lamott's shitty first draft, how important that is. If you can't write crap, if you can't just give yourself permission to go wander wherever, you're never gonna have anything that's any good.
Massiel: Right. And for those listeners who don't know Anne Lamott's book, Bird by Bird. That one talks about that first draft and just having at it and giving yourself, like you said, that grace of saying, you know, you have to work with something. So no matter how terrible it sounds at first, you know, at least you have something.
Josh: Yeah. I think it's in that book she said, but it's not unusual to end up writing something, and the thing that even inspired you to write in the first place ends up getting cut. And that's what happened with my novel, of my whole opening; the whole place the things started, the conversation that started it, one day, I just realized I had to cut it. Okay, there it goes. But you don't do that until later in the process during, you know, you have to, again, just playful versus work, you kind of go back and forth.
Massiel: What was your initial inspiration? And then at the end of your book, you know, how did that inspiration change or morph into what the end result was?
Josh: Basically for so many authors and this isn't all by any means, but you hear several authors who say that a book starts with a novel, starts with a picture, some sort of mental image. For CS Lewis, it was seeing a lonely lamp in a smooth forest and a font. That's a language in the order of started. When you have these different people say, this is the story, this is the picture. For me, it's a picture of a washed up or a disgraced pastor working as a bartender. And that's how it started. Now, at that point, you know, I was working as a former pastor working as a bartender, but I hadn't had an affair. I hadn't done any of the bad things that my character had done, but it's just an interesting, Hmm. What would this look like? And then just from there, it really wasn't playfulness. I didn't have any story. I just had this image of this guy. And then I say, well, what if the son he didn't know he has walks into his bar? Would that be interesting? Let's write that, let's see what happens. And then I just kept on trying things and the concept's all still there, but the nature of the story changed quite a bit.
Massiel: Wow. That's awesome and this is the book that you're currently still pitching out there, right?
Josh: Yeah, exactly.
Massiel: That is awesome.
Josh: In terms of like, and I don't know how helpful this is, but I guess this has to do with the kind of openness you need to have. It started as one book, you had this opening scene with the pastor, realizes that this kid is a son and just drop some expletives and kind of takes off. And then I ended up coming back to like 32 years earlier where he first meets the girl that becomes his wife and then the more I wrote, the more I started writing, I was doing third person POV because that's just what works for me, but close to third person POV, then I realized as I started to interact with this girl who had become his wife, Leah, I realized I really liked this gal. In fact, I think I like her better than I like Dave and so I made her become a POV character too. So now I have two POV's and so I'm writing their story and initially I just going to try and get through this the earlier part of the relationship fairly quickly, then move on to where it started. Then the book turned into two books because I realized there's too much of a story to be told, and that turned into three books and it stopped there.
But basically realizing that I have a good story to tell, but I knew what the story was and it just kept on evolving, but eventually I've kind of went on this first book is going to take from basically from when they meet to when they get married or shortly after they get married because I haven't had my final conflict and then the second book would deal with basically when things go South and then the third book would deal with he's been off running away from her all this time later. So I mean it's a fun process, it really is and at the points where I didn't feel pressure, I really enjoyed it.
There was the other part of me, it's like, well here, I'm making my family, I have this bartending job, it's not necessarily the best for family life that certainly it's a struggle and so the pressure to perform both worked for and against me in that I was driven, I am very driven. I think that sort of comes from ADHD, there's a lot of things with ADHD, especially feeling like you're never accomplishing anything and so you feel like you have to work all the harder to get it done. That works for me in times because I am incredibly driven, but also works against me relationally because it's very hard on my wife and we've had to really figure out a lot of that stuff out. But also sometimes I didn't enjoy the fun of it may be as much as I should have
Massiel: And that's a really a good point, I think we were talking about this and in an earlier episode, which is that sometimes you do find these places, you have a lot of joy in the process and then there are these places where you're like, oh, this is really tough, I kind of don't want to sit down and do this. So how did you push yourself to finish it? Because you're talking about your drive, in those moments, what were you thinking? What were you doing to say I'm going to get it done?
Josh: I treated it as a job. So I would actually say that I'm going to write, I'm going to work now. So I would have from this time to this time on certain days I would go and write for three hours and then I would go bartend and come home and it was my job. If you're going to be a successful writer, you have to treat your writing as a job. Because there is always going to be something to pull you away, always. Whether it's a well-meaning family or a leaky gutter or whatever it is, you have to treat it like you're punching the clock. So initially for a while, I actually kept track of how many hours I wrote and so I was treating it as a clock. Now, again, there were some levels of unhealth in there, that this ambition that was not entirely healthy, but it got me to the place where I developed the habits and once that habits formed, then it becomes more natural. So that's what worked for me; here's one of my big theories about so many things, but writing, especially is why are you doing it? What's your purpose? Why does this matter to you? And that's one of my first question is when I'm working with authors is why are you doing this? Why does this matter? Because if you don't have a strong reason, you need a strong reason to carry you through the resistance.
Now, if your reason is you just want to kind of have fun writing and that you enjoy doing that, that's awesome, there's nothing wrong with that. Then you can just kind of puddle along and that's fine. So for me, I don't think of myself as a creative first and that sounds kind of weird to say, I think myself as a communicator, I use creativity to communicate. Because of that I can be ruthless with my own editing because it's not about my creativity, it's about saying something, about telling a story that means a lot to me. So I'm ruthless with that because I know how much it needs to be. My life purpose is to communicate things, things think are important. Number one, I'm a father, a husband, my family, my relationship with God, those are like the center of my life, although a lot of times I get unhealthy and kind of walked away from that. But professionally communication is why I'm here and it's that drive. So an author needs to know again, why they're writing and if it's that important to them, that will keep your button on the seat to keep on writing and you have to keep that that in front of you.
Massiel: Yeah. And I think that that is so important because on those downtimes, that's going to spark you and help push you forward and so I'm curious, so regarding your clients, since you do developmental editing and you do ghost writing, what are some of the most common reasons, the why's that you find?
Josh: The why's why people write?
Massiel: Yeah.
Josh: Yeah, I don't know; I would say for some it's a business, like having.... So like a buddy of mine, he has a small publishing group and he and I are co-writing a book on writing, writing a book, publishing and promoting it and he's the guy who knows how to get things out there. He wrote a book on public speaking, he's actually the one turn me on to to Pod Match but this book he wrote it by himself, he self-published it, wrote it in like three months and all these things... whatever. I mean, the material it's solid stuff, it's not one of these for the ages type books. It's not like a, How to Win Friends and Influence People or An Element of Style but he sold more copies than I did of my traditionally published book, he's made more money than I have. So he's really good at that approach and also again promoting stuff. So he and I, that book we wrote for business purposes and...for writing for business purposes.
One of my clients, he's a pastor, he wants to teach people how to lead a church, specifically if you have a church that's been around for a while, how can you help kind of light a fire underneath it rather than still letting it stagnate. So he's writing to first of all, pass on these principles, but also because he has a consulting thing that he does. So he wants to kind of build the reputation for that. Another one of my clients, she had a really awesome life and she did some really cool stuff and founded churches and all this and she wants to be able to teach people about faith and money for her is not an issue, she's doing just fine for herself. So a lot of people though, the message is important to them. There's something that they're wanting to say that they feel it needs to be said and so that is the most common thing I hear.
Massiel: Yeah and that's awesome and that's something that we talk about in the podcast is what is the message? And just like you said, it's going back to the why, why you want to do this. Speaking of messages, so I just want to talk about also your book Radically Normal, so Radically Normal you don't have to live crazy to follow Jesus and it has an amazing amount of stars, some great reviews. So for our audience, can you tell us about this book, it just sounds awesome.
Josh: So I grew up, I'm reluctant to use the term evangelical because it's been so tainted lately, but in short, an evangelical is kind of in the midway in between like a fundamentalist who is like super conservative and a more liberal Christian who's like anything goes. I mean, that's really speaking very broadly but basically tried to take the Bible seriously, really loves Jesus and trying to do the right thing, tend to be more on the conservative side politically, but not always. But anyways I'm writing within that world, that evangelical world that people take their faith seriously, they really love Jesus, but what happens so often among Christians is that you get this mindset that if you're not like a full-time missionary in China, you're not really a good Christian. If you just have like a day-to-day job, that's okay, follow the 10 commandments, tithe to your church, do all this stuff, love your neighbor, but you're not really doing what you're supposed to be doing. And so that's a lot, what I'm trying to do is talk about how you can be a fully committed Christian within an everyday life and this story, this book was written while I was a bi-vocational pastor, which meant I was being a pastor who also had a job, in this case in Starbucks.
So I told a lot of stories about Starbucks and the struggles that I had being a pastor, now having a regular job and things like that. But the purpose is to help people realize, help Christians to realize how they can love Jesus without being crazy, but kind of the theme of it is, it's like, so I grew up, again, in a good church and in youth group, they would always talk about things like; the image you're given is like there's this path of life that you're walking down and on the side, there's this cliff and this cliff is things like sleeping with your girlfriend, listening to bad music, smoking, drinking and you have to really avoid this cliff. And I did that, I was really good at avoiding that cliff. I was the good kid in church let me tell you, there are really no skeletons in my closet and it's embarrassing, frankly. They didn't tell me, because I don't think anyone really understood that on the other side of the path is another cliff of self-righteousness of being judgmental, of thinking that you're better than other people. That's the cliff that I was cannonballing off of.
Massiel: Oh, wow.
Josh: And so what I really tried to do in this book is try to present this balancing picture of on one hand don't do all the dumb stuff, I believe in Christian moral..., if you've ever selfish, if you're unforgiving, if you're sleeping around, all these things are bad for our soul, they're bad for our life, avoid those things by all means. But also being self-righteous thinking that you're better than everyone else, that's also really bad for your soul. And one of the stories that Jesus tells, the parable of the prodigal son, which is most people have heard that term, but in that story, you have the prodigal son who is going off and doing all the bad stuff and by the end of the story, he's starving and he's feeding pig slop and wishing he could eat the pig slop and he comes back home to his father and his father forgives him.
Well, he has an older brother who definitely is much more of this the legalist self-righteous side who was like, you shouldn't forgive my brother because he was so evil and Jesus is really telling the story, not to the prodigal sons, but to the older brother. Just speaking in terms of story craft, this is something you and your podcasters will understand, the story ends with the father saying something to the older brother, basically why don't you come in and celebrate your younger brother returning home, but that's where the story ends. So we all know if you end a story early, you're really driving a point home and you're basically saying when the older son is given that question, but it doesn't answer it, you as the reader, as a listener are being asked the question.
So his listeners were the Pharisees and he was asking them all these other people they're coming into the kingdom of God, but you're not approving that because of all the bad stuff they did. Why aren't you coming in and rejoicing and being part of the family? Which is all another way of saying that the prodigal son when he was starving, he knew his life was messed up. If you have someone who's losing their teeth because of crack cocaine or meth, they know the life's messed up. You have the old lady at church who never smoked, never swears, but is just self-righteous, she thinks she's fine, but biblically speaking, her soul is in just as much danger, but she doesn't know it. So that's a long ramble, but that's basically, I tried to find ways to help Christians walk between that medium path. It's funny as one of my friends, he and his wife they're post PhD people doing work with lasers and MRIs and all this stuff in Atlanta and she's a Christian, but he's not. He's kind of like agnostic, Buddhist, but super cool guy. He said reading your book, it made sense to me, it's the stuff we got along semi track with, but it really made sense to me of avoiding these two extremes. So that's kind of the short version, I guess, as short as I can get it.
Massiel: Yeah. That is awesome. I mean, just based also on the reviews and I mean, getting almost like five stars on Amazon, because that stuff, as all people might come to understand, it can be difficult, but it speaks to the message. And I'm curious, so then at what point were you like, I need to write this book?
Josh: It's one of these things that I had this idea kind of fermenting in my head. So now I said that like my novel started with this picture, Radically Normal started just with the title. I like that term Radically Normal and you kind of knowing that I had the sense that we need to find kind of this middle way and then now being a pastor, that means I preach a lot and so some of these ideas are coming out in my sermons, but basically a lot of us have been at this place where we keep on saying we have something in our head and we keep on joking it out, I'll write a book about that someday, I'll write a book about that someday. For me, the transition was when I read Stephen King's book on writing, which probably most of your listeners have read; it's one of the best out there. What he did for me was basically he didn't make writing sound easy, far from it. When he talks about his mail with all the rejection slips on it, but he made it sound possible, that basically writers aren't this special breed that are hand-selected, writers are people who just go and finally get off their butt and do it and that's where I kind of challenged myself to get off my butt and do it.
I don't want brag about this, but for me initially, I would go to Starbucks and I would spent a little extra on a coffee drink, so I was kind of treating myself and I started to write and when you first start writing there, it's that whole thing that it sounded so good in my head but when I try to get it on paper, it sounds like crap. And so I do that for about half an hour maybe, and then scroll around on Facebook and then finally give up. I did that a handful of times and then I would also try to write back at home in the evenings, after my family was in bed, because my wife goes to bed relatively early, at this point, my girls were fairly young and I had a big old bottle of Jim beam and I would drink a double or triple of that and as I sipped on that, it quieted the voices that said, this is stupid, you can't write, what are you doing? What made you think you can write a book? And I just start writing without really caring and then what happened is I come back to it and I just had fun. There's a power to routines by the way, sometimes how your routines just going to kind of get you in a mood.
So I had a playlist I always used and Little Lion Man by Mumford and Sons, my playlist always started with that song. So that song, when I heard the starting of that song, it said it is time to get to work and then I'd drink my whiskey and I'd write away and then I'd go and edit the next day and a lot of it was terrible, but there was enough of it that was good that I kind of built off of. I'm not advocating alcohol is a necessary tool for writing, the necessary tool is getting the voices to shut up and just write and again, that shitty first draft principle, you just have to get writing and so that's what I did. I did that enough, you kind of hit a place where it feels like critical mass, you feel like you're halfway done and so man might as well continue. In reality, it's actually closer to 10% done, but I thought it was halfway done and so at that point, once you get certain enough through project or kind of invested that that kind of provides momentum, it's when you're getting started with any project, that's the hardest. Did I answer your question there?
Massiel: Oh yeah, totally, totally and going back to Stephen King's, On Writing, the nail with all the rejection slips, I'm like, wow, that is brave because I know I don't have the guts to look at that pile just going up and up and up. I'll be like, no, let's just put it away, that's what I would have done. So, I mean, you're so right about him just showing up consistently and creating that habit, as you said and then of course quieting that inner editor which I think is huge and you're right and there are different ways to do it, but really just trying to get words onto the page, which you did and that's awesome. So I like to talk about also, because you're a developmental editor, were you your own developmental editor for your books or did you go seeking out others and how was that process?
Josh: So I did it all myself when, well, I use a lot of definitely beta readers, that's huge, but when it came to developing the material I did it all myself. It is again, we all have different strengths and weaknesses and [Inaudible19:58] dyslexia and all that and basically in short version, I'm really good at the big picture, just the way my brain is wired, I can see the really big picture, really well, find details I miss. I mean, to this day, if you show me a B or D just by itself, out of context, I'll have to think for a second to know which one it is, the fine details just are super tough. So between that and that whole process, I talked about Ryan Sermons of going through all that information. I just developed the ability to kind of find order in things, that's just the way I'm wired and unfortunately, there's a good book on being a developmental editor that I'm reading right now, I wish I could remember the name of it, but basically called how to be a developmental editor that can be very helpful, but as I read it, I realized most of the stuff that talked about I'm innately doing. But I'm a little weird in that most people become developmental editors start as proof-readers and copy editors and work their way to being a development editor, I did the other way exactly.
So more that I realized that this is something I'm capable of doing is holding a ton of information in my head and then being able to organize it. So one of my current projects, this guy this pastor, he paid someone 15 grand to ghost write his book and on a sentence level, the writing was fine, but on the paragraph level, it was a mess, it was all over the place. Things would be repeated, he'd have stuff that really should be in this chapter is in that chapter and I was trying to land the clients, so I basically said, hey give me three days on new book on oh, it's way too long. So the pastor knew that the book was way too long and it just didn't feel right and so I said give me three days and I will cut the content by 25%, because after skimming through, I knew I could do that. So that's what I did, which I don't really advocate working for free, but in this situation, I thought I had, it seemed like a good idea and also I had the time at that point. So by doing that, I was able to cut all that and kind of rearrange it and that's where he could really see the value of hiring me.
Unfortunately I didn't get nearly the amount that he hired the original guy for but I was able to go in there and just kind of go through and figure out, wait, this goes with this, this goes with this and again, you have to know whether or not that's, this is more of a writing non-fiction, but you have to have a sense for whether or not you are the one who can kind of make sense of it, or you could ask someone else. When it comes to story, developmental editors, they have the old mental editors for fiction as well, but that's a different thing. That's going to be more, just a sense of whether or not a story works, knowing arcs and things like that and that's good for me, that's going to be more by feel and less by any sort of structure, just like, yeah, this story just doesn't work and I think this is why.
Massiel: Yeah, yeah. That is awesome that you're talking about the different types of maybe like mind, not mind-sets, but some people are more attuned to proofreading, some people are more attuned to developmental editing and it's talking to your strengths and actually, so one thing that I hadn't mentioned, but you have been touching on it is your dyslexia and ADHD. Now I know some of our listeners, they are going through some other things like similar to that or really similar to that, can you talk about that? When did you find that out and also how has that played into your writing? Because it also sounds like it's as if you're using it as like, hey, I'm going to use it as a strength and pop up this way.
Josh: Yeah, exactly. So when it came to ADHD that I figured out, gosh, I'd say about 10, 15 years ago, I was probably 35. So about a little over 10 years ago, which was kind of weird to learn that so late in life because this is what I do, this seems normal. I mean, isn't everyone this way, doesn't everyone panic when they have to put their shoes on because literally getting my shoes on can send me into panic because I get really flustered about which shoe and do I do this first and all these thoughts are going through my brain. But I joked about it enough and I basically got my leadership team, I'd have them give me annual reviews because I really believe in learning and growing. And they gave me some stuff that I finally said, you know what, I'm going to stop joking about this and just find out. So I talked to my doctor and he said I can ask you questions, but there's no like medical blood tests to see if you're ADHD, tell you what I'll give you a subscription, I'll give you some Ritalin and if it calms you down, then you have it. If it sends you a higher than a kite, then you don't and I'll never forget that.
First time I took it and driving on the street, realizing I wasn't having to look at every person that walked past me and I went to this church and there was this marriage video thing and about halfway through the day as the Ritalin started to wear off realizing, wait, I don't know what this room looks like. Because typically when I walk into a room, I check everything out and wait, I'm feeling the chair on my fingertips again, these are always things I normally do, I normally feel all these things, see all these things and so that's been a challenge just trying to learn how to work with my waves of the hyper-focus that comes with ADHD. If I can get on a wave, man, I can ride that thing; at the same time, it has huge relational issues, ADHD can be a huge cause of divorce, quite frankly and without people realizing it. Because my focus is so much on everything that I have a hard time paying attention. So the number of things my wife tells me that I just simply don't hear is huge.
It sounds funny, it makes for some good jokes, but the reality is if you felt like your spouse was never listening to you, it's actually not that much fun. So that's on a personal level I've been working with that, but then in terms of a writer, just trying to know my cycles, I have to, again, write in the morning, knowing what works for me. The dyslexia is a much more recent thing, this was gosh, less than a year ago, six, seven, eight, nine months ago, my daughter, my youngest daughter comes up to me and says, dad, I think I have dyslexia. And I'm like, oh, okay. So I did some research like crap, I think I have it and it's actually massively hereditary. And because I always had dyslexia defined to me as like words moving around on a page, that doesn't happen to me. So I just never even dawned on me to even ask the question and because I'm a good reader, I thought, again, didn't even enter the question. Well, I'm actually not really a good reader, I'm a great skimmer. When I read a book, any book, whether reading Harry Potter or Elements of Style or whatever. I'm probably only reading roughly a third of the words and picking up about two-thirds of the content and being quite happy to miss that other third, I don't care about it.
So that does mean, again, it's the ability to take in a lot of information, but miss a lot of fine details. So I've learned to work with it. I've learned tools, one of my most important tools is Microsoft Word products have a read aloud feature and I have a short cut on all my programs and so when I write an email, if it's a mean email, then it's sort of significance like, when I wrote to you or a potential client, after I write it, I will listen to it because it seemed much easier to pick things up listening to it than reading it. And the number of errors I could either feel really stupid for the stuff that I miss and I fight with that sometimes because I mean, just the errors that I make are like, good Lord, you look like a ignoramus, but the reality is that's the way my brain works, it's going to miss stuff. So mostly, I'm good with laughing at it, there it is. That's become one of my most important tools is using that read aloud feature and there are some websites that do that without having to actually have office three 65 because there's a lot of stuff there. Did that capture most of what you're asking?
Massiel: Yeah and even this in itself, I could see this being a whole other interview because you're talking about your strengths and you're talking about the obstacles that you have really like faced or didn't even know were going on and yet you still used that to say, okay, maybe this is not super strong, but this is strong and I'm going to go ahead and help people and use that to see the bigger picture, like you said, and get them organized and just really have that as a huge strength. I mean, that's fantastic, especially because some of our writers they do feel like, oh, well, if I have this or I don't have that, then might as well not be writing and that's not the case.
Josh: There's such a thing to come to just appreciate, it's definitely a biblical value and that is grace which is basically recognizing roughly God loves you no matter what, and that your value doesn't come from what you do, but from who you are, that you're a child of God. And so from that, on my best days, I can see my weaknesses and just be fine with it, try and improve where I can, but this is who I am, God still loves me, my wife and my kids still love me and I'm just going to do my best and I'm going to, this is the other really important thing, find people who can shore up what I can't do. That's just so crucial that you can be asking for people to make up what you're not good in. You just have to be able to do that and for that, you need to know you're not good in, and you have to be honest enough and that takes a certain level of humility, but also it takes a great deal of strength to say, yeah, I suck at this. Can you help me?
And if you can't do that, gosh, I know writers who don't want anyone to read their stuff before, the things you are going to submit to an agent, huh? No, everything I write goes through other people for multiple reasons, you have to bring other people in and that takes humility and like, again, just back to the main point. Don't freak out about it, find people who can help you there, it works great. And that now is a lot of what ghost writing is, I've spent 15 years honing my ability to write, between sermon writing, book writing, all these things, I've spent all this time and I can research the crap out of anything. I mean, my bookshelf has so many books about anything that whatever happens to be of interest to me. So I spend a lot of time developing this. Now you take someone like a pastor who spent all these years of being a pastor or a politician or athlete, an actor who has spent all this time honing that craft. Well, they have a story to tell or they maybe have some great business principles, whatever it is, but they're not great writers. So there's nothing wrong with that, there can be like the sense, well, you should write your own books.
Well, now I've spent a lot of time honing this craft and it's kind of silly for someone else to think that they can just pick up a pen or sit down on a computer and do what I do because I spent all this time doing it. So at best, ghost writing is a great partnership where it's like, you have the skills, you have the experience, you've lived this life, you have these principles, but now I have this ability to write and I also know how to interview, how to pull things out of you, I know how to craft stories, I know where to use stories and which stories work best to illustrate which things, so let's work together. And so that's kind of the ideal ghost writing situation.
Massiel: Yeah. That is beautifully said and it's beautifully said because you're talking about your value is outside of that, like you're a child of God, you are valuable and then saying, okay, now that you know that, go ahead and you can have the humility to say and the vulnerability to say I need help with this and that is fantastic. And it sounds like you, as a developmental editor and ghost writer, you are taking care of the story, you will have that love of story, you can totally tell that you're like, let me take this person's quote unquote baby and I'm going to take care of it and help you tell us the best way that we can.
Josh: I want make people shine. I mean, that really is what it is.
Massiel: Amazing. And I can totally tell, I could totally tell. Oh my gosh, this has been amazing and to be honest, I'm going to tell you, look, I had a list of notes that we hardly touched. So hopefully we can meet together again soon because I think this was fantastic. And so for listeners, you know, go ahead and tell us, where can they find you? Where can they find your services too?
Josh: Absolutely. So my website is Josh Kelley, and that's J O S H K E L L E Y. There's a second E on the end, that's what always messes people up, joshkelley.ink, I N K, like the stuff you write with. If you dot com, you'll get Josh Kelly, the musician, I don't play any instruments, you don't want me be on that. But so joshkelley.ink, again I N K and if you go there, you will find out a little bit more about me and something that I enjoy doing that offers like a free coaching session, because I've discovered this ability to very quickly be able to ascertain what people are doing and basically give them some really good content, add some value very quickly and if I'm able to help them just like half an hour, 45 minutes and give them something good to go with and that's it fine, I'm great with that. But also that may uncover some ways where like, we can work together. Like if you're needing a developmental editor, like you have all this information but you just know it's not fitting together and I do everything from like a full editing where it's like a per word charge and I go through the whole thing or do coaching, like hire me at just kind of on a shop rate basis, like, okay, let's do X amount of hours a month, I'll kind of work with you and I'll coach you through some stuff, I'll give you some assignments, you bring it back to me.
I'm a line editor as well which means I do very good at crafting words. So I might be able to show you some tricks, like, hey, you keep on start with having this phrase at the beginning of statements, get rid of that or all these things that you write enough and you just get used to doing it. So there's a lot of ways I can help people kind of a lot of variety of price points, but if nothing else there is that free coaching session and seriously, no obligation, but I will let you know, hey, here's how I might be able to help you. But if nothing else, you might gain something new from it. So that's joshkelley.ink, that's going to be the best way to get ahold of me.
Massiel: That is excellent and for all our listeners go and take advantage of this because to have a professional writer share their knowledge, share their expertise and not just that, but to come from where you're coming from as a developmental editor and the ghost writer, I mean, that's a unique perspective. So everybody who's listening, jump in there, so that's joshkelley.ink, you will find him there and Josh, this has been amazing. Thank you so much joining us. We'll close out here.
Josh: It's a lot of fun for me to talk about the stuff, I really appreciate the opportunity.
Massiel: Excellent. Excellent. All right, everyone, thank you so much for joining us. Josh, thanks again and hopefully we're going to see you again really soon, so thanks.
Don't forget to get your FREE consultation with Josh Kelley at https://www.joshkelley.ink/
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NANOWRIMO DAY 30
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NANOWRIMO DAY 29
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NANOWRIMO DAY 28
WRITER’S BLOCK:
What if my book doesn't make money?
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NANOWRIMO DAY 27
WRITER’S BLOCK:
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Beating myself up is normal.
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NANOWRIMO DAY 26
WRITER’S BLOCK:
THANK YOU, WRITER.
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For more information, go to www.nanowrimo.org.
Need writing help? Get your 3 Free Writer’s toolkits at www.blackheartedstudios.com and click Resources for Writers (http://blackheartedstudios.com/resources/)
Email us at massiel@blackheartedstudios.com.
NANOWRIMO DAY
WRITER’S BLOCK:
I don't have time to write my book.
For more information, go to www.nanowrimo.org.
Need writing help? Get your 3 Free Writer’s toolkits at www.blackheartedstudios.com and click Resources for Writers (http://blackheartedstudios.com/resources/)
Email us at massiel@blackheartedstudios.com.
NANOWRIMO DAY
WRITER’S BLOCK:
I don't have the right credentials.
For more information, go to www.nanowrimo.org.
Need writing help? Get your 3 Free Writer’s toolkits at www.blackheartedstudios.com and click Resources for Writers (http://blackheartedstudios.com/resources/)
Email us at massiel@blackheartedstudios.com.
NANOWRIMO DAY 23
WRITER’S BLOCK:
What if I get rejected or get a bad critique?
For more information, go to www.nanowrimo.org.
Need writing help? Get your 3 Free Writer’s toolkits at www.blackheartedstudios.com and click Resources for Writers (http://blackheartedstudios.com/resources/)
Email us at massiel@blackheartedstudios.com.
NANOWRIMO DAY 22
WRITER’S BLOCK:
No one is going to care about my writing
For more information, go to www.nanowrimo.org.
Need writing help? Get your 3 Free Writer’s toolkits at www.blackheartedstudios.com and click Resources for Writers (http://blackheartedstudios.com/resources/)
Email us at massiel@blackheartedstudios.com.
NANOWRIMO DAY 21
WRITER’S BLOCK:
I DON'T WRITE LIKE OTHER WRITERS
For more information, go to www.nanowrimo.org.
Need writing help? Get your 3 Free Writer’s toolkits at www.blackheartedstudios.com and click Resources for Writers (http://blackheartedstudios.com/resources/)
Email us at massiel@blackheartedstudios.com.
NANOWRIMO DAY 22
WRITER’S BLOCK:
I LOST MY MOTIVATION
For more information, go to www.nanowrimo.org.
Need writing help? Get your 3 Free Writer’s toolkits at www.blackheartedstudios.com and click Resources for Writers (http://blackheartedstudios.com/resources/)
Email us at massiel@blackheartedstudios.com.
NANOWRIMO DAY 19 (Again?) PART 2
WRITER’S BLOCK:
FACING YOUR MISTAKES AND LEARNING FROM THEM
For more information, go to www.nanowrimo.org.
Need writing help? Get your 3 Free Writer’s toolkits at www.blackheartedstudios.com and click Resources for Writers
Email us at massiel@blackheartedstudios.com.
NANOWRIMO DAY 19
WRITER’S BLOCK:
I won't be able to edit all of this, it's a mess
For more information, go to www.nanowrimo.org.
Need writing help? Get your 3 Free Writer’s toolkits at www.blackheartedstudios.com and click Resources for Writers
Email us at massiel@blackheartedstudios.com.
NANOWRIMO DAY 18
WRITER’S BLOCK:
What if I am losing track of what I wrote?
For more information, go to www.nanowrimo.org.
Need writing help? Get your 3 Free Writer’s toolkits at www.blackheartedstudios.com and click Resources for Writers
Email us at massiel@blackheartedstudios.com.
NANOWRIMO DAY 17
WRITER’S BLOCK:
I'm bogging down, does this mean it sucks?
For more information, go to www.nanowrimo.org.
Need writing help? Get your 3 Free Writer’s toolkits at www.blackheartedstudios.com and click Resources for Writers
Email us at massiel@blackheartedstudios.com.
NANOWRIMO DAY 16
WRITER’S BLOCK:
I think I hit the third or 60% mark and I'm stuck
For more information, go to www.nanowrimo.org.
Need writing help? Get your 3 Free Writer’s toolkits at www.blackheartedstudios.com and click Resources for Writers
Email us at massiel@blackheartedstudios.com.
NANOWRIMO DAY 15
WRITER’S BLOCK:
Halfway through and I realize that I still have halfway to go
For more information, go to www.nanowrimo.org.
Need writing help? Get your 3 Free Writer’s toolkits at www.blackheartedstudios.com and click Resources for Writers
Email us at massiel@blackheartedstudios.com.
NANOWRIMO DAY 14
WRITER’S BLOCK:
Does having fun mean that I am doing this wrong?
For more information, go to www.nanowrimo.org.
Need writing help? Get your 3 Free Writer’s toolkits at www.blackheartedstudios.com and click Resources for Writers
Email us at massiel@blackheartedstudios.com.
NANOWRIMO DAY 13
WRITER’S BLOCK:
I feel like all I’m writing is terrible - "Anything worth doing is worth doing badly."
For more information, go to www.nanowrimo.org.
Need writing help? Get your 3 Free Writer’s toolkits at www.blackheartedstudios.com and click Resources for Writers
Email us at massiel@blackheartedstudios.com.
NANOWRIMO DAY 12
WRITER’S BLOCK:
Can I enjoy this process?
For more information, go to www.nanowrimo.org.
Need writing help? Get your 3 Free Writer’s toolkits at www.blackheartedstudios.com and click Resources for Writers
Email us at massiel@blackheartedstudios.com.
Can I enjoy this process?
This is a really interesting question because it kind of ties back to this myth that writing and art should be painful.
There's a reason why artists pursue their art, is because it brings them joy.
So when something brings you joy, we have this weird stigma that it's only worth it for society if it comes out of blood, sweat, or tears.
Now, I've been through a lot of crazy or intense events in my life, that included blood, sweat, or tears – and I would not want to wish that on anyone.
So what I'm trying to say is that if you feel joy from your art then that's okay because your life should not be lived with constant stress or worry or pain.
In fact, if writing brings you joy, I encourage you to pursue it with all of the joy that you have in your heart because your life is meant to be lived beautifully and happily.
And if there's someone along the road who told you that your writing should be painful or give you the impression that you're not doing it right because you're having fun, then forget them. Forget that they said that – because unless they're showing up to writing as you are, then they have no place inside your creative mind.
One of the things that I heard that sticks with me to this day is "do not take criticism from someone you would not take advice from."
And I think that that is very true for all aspects of her life. If you would not go to this person to ask for advice and to help yourself get better, then don't take criticism from them.
So if you feel hesitation because you feel you shouldn't be enjoying this so much, I want you to think back and all those people who have showed up for the work and they didn't do it because it was painful – they did it because there was joy and they wanted to pursue that joy. Sometimes there are parts of any creative process that might not be super pleasant, but the overall project gives you joy and that's what matters.
NANOWRIMO DAY 11
WRITER’S BLOCK:
My novel isn't going in the right direction or I'm behind
For more information, go to www.nanowrimo.org.
Need writing help? Get your 3 Free Writer’s toolkits at www.blackheartedstudios.com and click Resources for Writers
Email us at massiel@blackheartedstudios.com.
Episode 51
It's been almost 2 weeks and I'm not where I wanted to be.
It's been almost 2 weeks and you're not in the place we wanted to be, it could be that you are feeling one of two things.
Either your book has gone into a very different direction or you are behind on your word count.
Line perhaps you feel as if your book is all over the place or maybe even worse than that, you feel as if there are tons of misspellings and the words simply don't make any sense.
This can feel overwhelming, and it can make you feel afraid to go back and to review or edit.
But just know, that you are not the first writer to feel this way.
Often times, especially if this is your first novel, it's most important to simply run the race.
So for example, if you have never run a marathon before, but you tell yourself that you want to win first place – that can feel overwhelming.
One of the best thing that you can do is to first run the race and then change your goals afterwards. Then, run for first place.
If you're behind on your word count, there are several days ahead for you to catch up.
Falling behind on deadlines is simply part of the working professional world and you can catch up as well.
National writing month has double up days where you can sit down and write with the rest of the community and have a chance to catch up.
In addition, those days are really fun for you to buckle down and create more words while your muse has tons of more hours to play with. These are the most fun days for me.
So instead of letting these realities get you down, use them as flags that you are moving in the right direction and you are finishing your book this month.
Episode number 50
This writer's block is a tricky one.
Sometimes we feel like the novel isn't going in the right direction. And many times we feel as if the you novel is taking too many turns and it simply doesn't make sense.
However, this could actually be a sign that your muse is, in fact, working very well.
As artists, sometimes it's hard to rely on our creativity.
But, national novel writing month is all about letting go of the critical editor and simply trusting your muse.
If you are struggling, and you feel like as if your novel isn't going in the right direction, consider the following:
- your novel is in parts, and you're the type of writer who writes in pieces until it all comes together.
- There's much more to your story, and you are barely chipping off of the iceberg.
- You haven't completely let yourself run free, the second-guessing is holding you down and so the pieces don't look like they belong, but recently need to keep going in order to see them get pieced together.
- Your muse is a funny creature, and your muse wants to have fun and this is a way that it has fun.
NANOWRIMO DAY 50
WRITER’S BLOCK:
My novel isn't going in the right direction
For more information, go to www.nanowrimo.org.
Need writing help? Get your 3 Free Writer’s toolkits at www.blackheartedstudios.com and click Resources for Writers
Email us at massiel@blackheartedstudios.com.
NANOWRIMO DAY 9
WRITER’S BLOCK:
My writing sucks, it sounds bad
For more information, go to www.nanowrimo.org.
Need writing help? Get your 3 Free Writer’s toolkits at www.blackheartedstudios.com and click Resources for Writers
Email us at massiel@blackheartedstudios.com.
NANOWRIMO DAY 8
WRITER’S BLOCK:
What if I find that it is not working this way?
For more information, go to www.nanowrimo.org.
Need writing help? Get your 3 Free Writer’s toolkits at www.blackheartedstudios.com and click Resources for Writers
Email us at massiel@blackheartedstudios.com.
NANOWRIMO DAY 7
WRITER’S BLOCK:
It’s been a week, what if I fell off or I am about to?
For more information, go to www.nanowrimo.org.
Need writing help? Get your 3 Free Writer’s toolkits at www.blackheartedstudios.com and click Resources for Writers
Email us at massiel@blackheartedstudios.com.
Dictation is the next best thing!
As you know, we love dictation here at THE HOW TO WRITE A BOOK PODCAST and we recently have been going through some new dictation processes and it has been game-changing!
Check out the episode!
For more information on NANOWRIMO this month, go to www.nanowrimo.org.
Need writing help? Get your 3 Free Writer’s toolkits at www.blackheartedstudios.com and click Resources for Writers
Email us at massiel@blackheartedstudios.com.
NANOWRIMO DAY 6
WRITER’S BLOCK:
Am I doing this the right way?
For more information, go to www.nanowrimo.org.
Need writing help? Get your 3 Free Writer’s toolkits at www.blackheartedstudios.com and click Resources for Writers
Email us at massiel@blackheartedstudios.com.
NANOWRIMO DAY 5
WRITER’S BLOCK:
What if it is just all kinds of mess?
For more information, go to www.nanowrimo.org.
Need writing help? Get your 3 Free Writer’s toolkits at www.blackheartedstudios.com and click Resources for Writers
Email us at massiel@blackheartedstudios.com.
NANOWRIMO DAY 4
WRITER’S BLOCK:
What if I lose my confidence in my writing?
For more information, go to www.nanowrimo.org.
Need writing help? Get your 3 Free Writer’s toolkits at www.blackheartedstudios.com and click Resources for Writers
Email us at massiel@blackheartedstudios.com.
NANOWRIMO DAY 3
WRITER’S BLOCK:
I don't think I can do this whole thing in a month.
For more information, go to www.nanowrimo.org.
Need writing help? Get your 3 Free Writer’s toolkits at www.blackheartedstudios.com and click Resources for Writers
Email us at massiel@blackheartedstudios.com.
NANOWRIMO DAY 2
WRITER’S BLOCK: What did I just sign up for?
For more information, go to www.nanowrimo.org.
Need writing help?
Email us at massiel@blackheartedstudios.com.
Got your writer’s tool kit? Go to www.blackheartedstudios.com
https://mailchi.mp/bf0b85c78bf0/howtowriteabookpodcast
Welcome back to Season 2!
In this episode, we talk about www.nanowrimo.org and how to get started. And, how the How to Write a Book Podcast will help you along the way!
www.blackheartedstudios.com
In this episode, we talk about:
What we've been up to since ending Season One.
What to expect in Season 2!
The new coaching programs and how to sign up!
How to get ready for NANOWRIMO (www.nanowrimo.org).
In this episode:
We talk about my biggest writing regret and how I am now facing it and tackling it.
We're closing this season and gearing up for Season 2 in November.
If you have any questions or want to jump into the beta book coaching program, email me at massiel@blackheartedstudios.com.
Show Notes:
Tips for Facing your Fears and Caring about your Book
- That sometimes fear knocks us down, but that doesn't mean we have to give up
- Focusing and caring are good things, even when rejection hurts
- Creating something you care about deserves love and attention
Today's Sponsor:
This episode is brought to you by The How to Write a Book podcast Coaching Program!
We are launching this in the next month! If you want to catch the trial price in the beta program, email me at massiel@blackheartedstudios.com.
Creating a book can be simple! All you need is:
A writer's mindset,
A writing schedule,
And a writer's toolkit
Get yours NOW!
Hey Writer!
I’m Massiel and I’m a women’s book coach.
I’m in the process of developing a program that can better serve busy women just like you overcome time management and writer’s block so they can finally tackle their book.
I used to be in the exact same position, and found a way to write over 2 dozen books in just five years. I now am on a mission to help people like you do the same!
That said, by filling out this survey, it will help me tremendously to learn more about busy writers who are struggling with confidence and time management and want to get writing with a plan and with confidence.
In exchange for 15 minutes of your time to fill out my survey, I will be selecting 5 lucky people to hop on a FREE 30 minute Book Game Plan with me so I can help you solve your problem, absolutely no charge!
Here is the link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScEcqAsMsYUhVkrEU8wzUBJBejvwLzi4uPRk1xeZEprHHiw_Q/viewform?usp=sf_link
Thank you so much!
Creating a book can be simple! All you need is:
A writer's mindset,
A writing schedule,
And a writer's toolkit
Get yours NOW!
Hey Writer!
I’m Massiel and I’m a women’s book coach.
I’m in the process of developing a program that can better serve busy women just like you overcome time management and writer’s block so they can finally tackle their book.
I used to be in the exact same position, and found a way to write over 2 dozen books in just five years. I now am on a mission to help people like you do the same!
That said, by filling out this survey, it will help me tremendously to learn more about busy writers who are struggling with confidence and time management and want to get writing with a plan and with confidence.
In exchange for 15 minutes of your time to fill out my survey, I will be selecting 5 lucky people to hop on a FREE 30 minute Book Game Plan with me so I can help you solve your problem, absolutely no charge!
Here is the link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScEcqAsMsYUhVkrEU8wzUBJBejvwLzi4uPRk1xeZEprHHiw_Q/viewform?usp=sf_link
Thank you so much!
Motivation
"Tell the readers a story! Because without a story, you are merely using words to prove you can string them together in logical sentences."
- Anne McCaffrey
Prompt
After joining an adult swim league, you realize that your coach is irresistibly cute. ( www.writtenwordmedia.com )
Book a 30 Minute Book Clarity Call: https://calendly.com/howtowriteabookpodcast
5 Tips for Make Your Story Better
Need to contact me?
massiel@blackheartedstudios.com
- Know your story, characters, plot (or garden), and theme.
- Embrace the unknown
- Read your story out loud
- Compare the writing to your faves but don’t let it get you down
- What bugs you?
- We often talk about diving in
Article mentioned 7 Simple Ways to Make a Good Story Great
by Elizabeth Sims
https://www.writersdigest.com/whats-new/7-simple-ways-to-make-a-good-story-great
Creating a book can be simple! All you need is:
A writer's mindset,
A writing schedule,
And a writer's toolkit
Get yours NOW!
Hey Writer!
I’m Massiel and I’m a women’s book coach.
I’m in the process of developing a program that can better serve busy women just like you overcome time management and writer’s block so they can finally tackle their book.
I used to be in the exact same position, and found a way to write over 2 dozen books in just five years. I now am on a mission to help people like you do the same!
That said, by filling out this survey, it will help me tremendously to learn more about busy writers who are struggling with confidence and time management and want to get writing with a plan and with confidence.
In exchange for 15 minutes of your time to fill out my survey, I will be selecting 5 lucky people to hop on a FREE 30 minute Book Game Plan with me so I can help you solve your problem, absolutely no charge!
Here is the link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScEcqAsMsYUhVkrEU8wzUBJBejvwLzi4uPRk1xeZEprHHiw_Q/viewform?usp=sf_link
Thank you so much!
Creating a book can be simple! All you need is:
A writer's mindset,
A writing schedule,
And a writer's toolkit
Get yours NOW!
I’m Massiel and I’m an author and the host for The How to Write a Book Podcast.
I’m in the process of developing a program that can better serve female writers push through their fears so they can write the fiction books they’ve dreamed of.
I used to be in the exact same position and found a way to publish almost 20 books and write books for others.
I am now on a mission to help people like you do the same!
That said, by filling out this survey, it will help me tremendously to learn more about female writers who are struggling with facing the blank page and want to get their book finally into their hands.
In exchange for 15 minutes of your time to fill out my survey, I will select 5 lucky people to hop on a FREE 30 minute Story Breakthrough Audit with me so I can help you solve your problem, absolutely no charge! Here is the link to the Google form:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScEcqAsMsYUhVkrEU8wzUBJBejvwLzi4uPRk1xeZEprHHiw_Q/viewform
Thank you so much!
Massiel
Author
Host of the How to Write a Book Podcast
In this episode, we are talking about total publishing costs
Things to consider:
- Beta readers
- Writing
- Editing
- Proofreading and copy editing
- Formatting
- Book covers
- Marketing
- Shipping if physical
You can contact me at massiel@blackheartedstudios.com
Huge thanks to Podcorn for sponsoring this episode. Explore sponsorship opportunities and start monetizing your podcast by signing up here: https://podcorn.com/podcasters/
Creating a book can be simple! All you need is:
A writer's mindset,
A writing schedule,
And a writer's toolkit
Get yours NOW!
Hey Writer!
I’m Massiel and I’m a women’s book coach.
I’m in the process of developing a program that can better serve busy women just like you overcome time management and writer’s block so they can finally tackle their book.
I used to be in the exact same position, and found a way to write over 2 dozen books in just five years. I now am on a mission to help people like you do the same!
That said, by filling out this survey, it will help me tremendously to learn more about busy writers who are struggling with confidence and time management and want to get writing with a plan and with confidence.
In exchange for 15 minutes of your time to fill out my survey, I will be selecting 5 lucky people to hop on a FREE 30 minute Book Game Plan with me so I can help you solve your problem, absolutely no charge!
Here is the link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScEcqAsMsYUhVkrEU8wzUBJBejvwLzi4uPRk1xeZEprHHiw_Q/viewform?usp=sf_link
Thank you so much!
To submit your questions, simply do the following:
-Share a screen shot and tag me on Instagram or Facebook.
Instagram @massielwritees
Facebook @howtowriteabookpodcast
See you July 31, 2020. Noon PST on Facebook Live.
<3
Massiel
Creating a book can be simple! All you need is:
A writer's mindset,
A writing schedule,
And a writer's toolkit
Get yours NOW!
Hey Writer!
I’m Massiel and I’m a women’s book coach.
I’m in the process of developing a program that can better serve busy women just like you overcome time management and writer’s block so they can finally tackle their book.
I used to be in the exact same position, and found a way to write over 2 dozen books in just five years. I now am on a mission to help people like you do the same!
That said, by filling out this survey, it will help me tremendously to learn more about busy writers who are struggling with confidence and time management and want to get writing with a plan and with confidence.
In exchange for 15 minutes of your time to fill out my survey, I will be selecting 5 lucky people to hop on a FREE 30 minute Book Game Plan with me so I can help you solve your problem, absolutely no charge!
Here is the link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScEcqAsMsYUhVkrEU8wzUBJBejvwLzi4uPRk1xeZEprHHiw_Q/viewform?usp=sf_link
Thank you so much!
Writing Cosmic Horror
====================================================================
In today's episode, we're talking about cosmic horror.
What is it?
It is a sub genre of horror fiction that really emphasizes the unknown or the unknowable.
It's the cosmic horror of elements outside of us, outside of our humanity.
It makes us question our humanity, existential dread the fragility of our own humanity.
It's essentially like we're facing a monster. That's pretty much incomprehensible.
Cosmic horror is also known as Lovecraftian horror. So if you're familiar with HP Lovecraft, his type of writing is the cosmic horror type of writing.
Can I write good cosmic horror?
Remember that it doesn't have to be, quote/unquote good.
It has to be entertaining.
Don't pressure yourself with a thought of it needing to be good.
It's taking a step back and trying to describe something that's not describable.
So keep that in mind.
Recently we had “Bird Box” with Sandra Bullock. That was a really good example of cosmic horror. And why is that? Because we never actually see what this thing is.
4 Tips for Writing Cosmic Horror
- Not to describe the entity
Have it in your mind, it could totally be like really fleshed out in your head, but try not to actually go into the depths of writing , Like the detailed limbs hair, et cetera. It's totally cool if you have that picture, but for your reader, keep it a mystery and describe them in a way that's challenging so that you're leaving them hanging.
- Tangible Monster
This is a real thing. It might be abstract but there is something that the main character is facing. The bigger question is something outside of humanity, but meanwhile, there is a very real monster for your protag to face.
- Use the senses
Write out that first draft of what you think it looks like, but then start taking out the actual details and use your senses instead. So rely on what the thing smells like, what it sounds like, what it feels like if a character actually gets a chance to feel the thing, maybe it's sleeping or something.So use your senses instead of painting pictures. That is going to really heighten the sense for the reader. And that's really important .Remember that when we paint the picture, we can't really relate to it. So keep that in mind.
- Consider the main character wisely
So we have a great advantage as authors to choose what point of view you're going to have and who is going to be our protagonist. You can have multiple points of view. You can have switching points of view. Totally cool!. But when you're getting into the scary, the nitty gritty, like vital points of story, conflict or information, use your characters as tools because it can look different. So when you actually dive into your work and after you write your first draft or during your first draft, if you feel like, this is going to be really terrifying from this specific person's point of view, then use it.
So I hope that helps . Remember that some of these tips also can work in other genres.So you all keep that in mind and we are so excited for your writing!
Another thing that I found out recently is that you can enter small writing contests in the reedsy.com website ( https://reedsy.com/ ). I'm not affiliated with them in any way but I came across the resource and if you guys want some more motivation, this can work great. I guess they hold sporadic writing contests. So if you want to check that out, I’d tell you it's a pretty cool resource for you guys.
I'm looking forward to hearing what you write. Remember that your work, and even if it's scary or it's romantic, it's still your work and it deserves to be out in the world.
Book your one hour writing breakthrough today! Your book deserves to be told!
https://calendly.com/howtowriteabookpodcast/coach
Creating a book can be simple! All you need is:
A writer's mindset,
A writing schedule,
And a writer's toolkit
Get yours NOW!
Hey Writer!
I’m Massiel and I’m a women’s book coach.
I’m in the process of developing a program that can better serve busy women just like you overcome time management and writer’s block so they can finally tackle their book.
I used to be in the exact same position, and found a way to write over 2 dozen books in just five years. I now am on a mission to help people like you do the same!
That said, by filling out this survey, it will help me tremendously to learn more about busy writers who are struggling with confidence and time management and want to get writing with a plan and with confidence.
In exchange for 15 minutes of your time to fill out my survey, I will be selecting 5 lucky people to hop on a FREE 30 minute Book Game Plan with me so I can help you solve your problem, absolutely no charge!
Here is the link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScEcqAsMsYUhVkrEU8wzUBJBejvwLzi4uPRk1xeZEprHHiw_Q/viewform?usp=sf_link
Thank you so much!
Join our live QA on July 31.
To submit your question, screenshot any podcast episode and share on Instagram or Facebook.
Tag me
@massielwrites on Instagram
@howtowriteabookpodcast on Facebook
And that's it!
See you July 31!
Creating a book can be simple! All you need is:
A writer's mindset,
A writing schedule,
And a writer's toolkit
Get yours NOW!
Hey Writer!
I’m Massiel and I’m a women’s book coach.
I’m in the process of developing a program that can better serve busy women just like you overcome time management and writer’s block so they can finally tackle their book.
I used to be in the exact same position, and found a way to write over 2 dozen books in just five years. I now am on a mission to help people like you do the same!
That said, by filling out this survey, it will help me tremendously to learn more about busy writers who are struggling with confidence and time management and want to get writing with a plan and with confidence.
In exchange for 15 minutes of your time to fill out my survey, I will be selecting 5 lucky people to hop on a FREE 30 minute Book Game Plan with me so I can help you solve your problem, absolutely no charge!
Here is the link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScEcqAsMsYUhVkrEU8wzUBJBejvwLzi4uPRk1xeZEprHHiw_Q/viewform?usp=sf_link
Thank you so much!
Today we cover the top tools I use for writing!
https://calendly.com/howtowriteabookpodcast/coach
Creating a book can be simple! All you need is:
A writer's mindset,
A writing schedule,
And a writer's toolkit
Get yours NOW!
Hey Writer!
I’m Massiel and I’m a women’s book coach.
I’m in the process of developing a program that can better serve busy women just like you overcome time management and writer’s block so they can finally tackle their book.
I used to be in the exact same position, and found a way to write over 2 dozen books in just five years. I now am on a mission to help people like you do the same!
That said, by filling out this survey, it will help me tremendously to learn more about busy writers who are struggling with confidence and time management and want to get writing with a plan and with confidence.
In exchange for 15 minutes of your time to fill out my survey, I will be selecting 5 lucky people to hop on a FREE 30 minute Book Game Plan with me so I can help you solve your problem, absolutely no charge!
Here is the link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScEcqAsMsYUhVkrEU8wzUBJBejvwLzi4uPRk1xeZEprHHiw_Q/viewform?usp=sf_link
Thank you so much!
In this topic,
we talk about how to restart writing your book in 2020. It's not over yet!
Creating a book can be simple! All you need is:
A writer's mindset,
A writing schedule,
And a writer's toolkit
Get yours NOW!
Hey Writer!
I’m Massiel and I’m a women’s book coach.
I’m in the process of developing a program that can better serve busy women just like you overcome time management and writer’s block so they can finally tackle their book.
I used to be in the exact same position, and found a way to write over 2 dozen books in just five years. I now am on a mission to help people like you do the same!
That said, by filling out this survey, it will help me tremendously to learn more about busy writers who are struggling with confidence and time management and want to get writing with a plan and with confidence.
In exchange for 15 minutes of your time to fill out my survey, I will be selecting 5 lucky people to hop on a FREE 30 minute Book Game Plan with me so I can help you solve your problem, absolutely no charge!
Here is the link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScEcqAsMsYUhVkrEU8wzUBJBejvwLzi4uPRk1xeZEprHHiw_Q/viewform?usp=sf_link
Thank you so much!
In this episode, we cover 7 RESEARCHING TIPS FOR WRITERS.
Creating a book can be simple! All you need is:
A writer's mindset,
A writing schedule,
And a writer's toolkit
Get yours NOW!
Hey Writer!
I’m Massiel and I’m a women’s book coach.
I’m in the process of developing a program that can better serve busy women just like you overcome time management and writer’s block so they can finally tackle their book.
I used to be in the exact same position, and found a way to write over 2 dozen books in just five years. I now am on a mission to help people like you do the same!
That said, by filling out this survey, it will help me tremendously to learn more about busy writers who are struggling with confidence and time management and want to get writing with a plan and with confidence.
In exchange for 15 minutes of your time to fill out my survey, I will be selecting 5 lucky people to hop on a FREE 30 minute Book Game Plan with me so I can help you solve your problem, absolutely no charge!
Here is the link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScEcqAsMsYUhVkrEU8wzUBJBejvwLzi4uPRk1xeZEprHHiw_Q/viewform?usp=sf_link
Thank you so much!
In this episode, we tackle how to write about yourself as an author.
When do we need to write about ourselves and how to get over the terror that builds inside us.
Creating a book can be simple! All you need is:
A writer's mindset,
A writing schedule,
And a writer's toolkit
Get yours NOW!
Hey Writer!
I’m Massiel and I’m a women’s book coach.
I’m in the process of developing a program that can better serve busy women just like you overcome time management and writer’s block so they can finally tackle their book.
I used to be in the exact same position, and found a way to write over 2 dozen books in just five years. I now am on a mission to help people like you do the same!
That said, by filling out this survey, it will help me tremendously to learn more about busy writers who are struggling with confidence and time management and want to get writing with a plan and with confidence.
In exchange for 15 minutes of your time to fill out my survey, I will be selecting 5 lucky people to hop on a FREE 30 minute Book Game Plan with me so I can help you solve your problem, absolutely no charge!
Here is the link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScEcqAsMsYUhVkrEU8wzUBJBejvwLzi4uPRk1xeZEprHHiw_Q/viewform?usp=sf_link
Thank you so much!
Buy me a Beer! If you like the show, leave a review or cheers with me!
Buy me a Beer :) Cheers!
Topic: Episode 31 - World-building
Creating a book can be simple! All you need is:
A writer's mindset,
A writing schedule,
And a writer's toolkit
Get yours NOW!
Hey Writer!
I’m Massiel and I’m a women’s book coach.
I’m in the process of developing a program that can better serve busy women just like you overcome time management and writer’s block so they can finally tackle their book.
I used to be in the exact same position, and found a way to write over 2 dozen books in just five years. I now am on a mission to help people like you do the same!
That said, by filling out this survey, it will help me tremendously to learn more about busy writers who are struggling with confidence and time management and want to get writing with a plan and with confidence.
In exchange for 15 minutes of your time to fill out my survey, I will be selecting 5 lucky people to hop on a FREE 30 minute Book Game Plan with me so I can help you solve your problem, absolutely no charge!
Here is the link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScEcqAsMsYUhVkrEU8wzUBJBejvwLzi4uPRk1xeZEprHHiw_Q/viewform?usp=sf_link
Thank you so much!
Topic: Episode 30 - Writing Well
Creating a book can be simple! All you need is:
A writer's mindset,
A writing schedule,
And a writer's toolkit
Get yours NOW!
Hey Writer!
I’m Massiel and I’m a women’s book coach.
I’m in the process of developing a program that can better serve busy women just like you overcome time management and writer’s block so they can finally tackle their book.
I used to be in the exact same position, and found a way to write over 2 dozen books in just five years. I now am on a mission to help people like you do the same!
That said, by filling out this survey, it will help me tremendously to learn more about busy writers who are struggling with confidence and time management and want to get writing with a plan and with confidence.
In exchange for 15 minutes of your time to fill out my survey, I will be selecting 5 lucky people to hop on a FREE 30 minute Book Game Plan with me so I can help you solve your problem, absolutely no charge!
Here is the link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScEcqAsMsYUhVkrEU8wzUBJBejvwLzi4uPRk1xeZEprHHiw_Q/viewform?usp=sf_link
Thank you so much!
In today's episode, we're talking about:
Critical voice.
What is critical voice and what does it to you?
Ways to overcome critical voice and why you should not always listen to it.
Tips and tricks to navigate around critical voice.
What Dean Wesley Smith says about critical voice and how to use that for your writing.
Don't be like the 80% who want to but never write their book. Book a coaching session now. Go to www.themassiel.com
Creating a book can be simple! All you need is:
A writer's mindset,
A writing schedule,
And a writer's toolkit
Get yours NOW!
Hey Writer!
I’m Massiel and I’m a women’s book coach.
I’m in the process of developing a program that can better serve busy women just like you overcome time management and writer’s block so they can finally tackle their book.
I used to be in the exact same position, and found a way to write over 2 dozen books in just five years. I now am on a mission to help people like you do the same!
That said, by filling out this survey, it will help me tremendously to learn more about busy writers who are struggling with confidence and time management and want to get writing with a plan and with confidence.
In exchange for 15 minutes of your time to fill out my survey, I will be selecting 5 lucky people to hop on a FREE 30 minute Book Game Plan with me so I can help you solve your problem, absolutely no charge!
Here is the link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScEcqAsMsYUhVkrEU8wzUBJBejvwLzi4uPRk1xeZEprHHiw_Q/viewform?usp=sf_link
Thank you so much!
In this episode, we talk about CHARACTERS:
- What is a Mary Sue character?
- Using your antagonist to make your protagonist?
- Standing without gender
Creating a book can be simple! All you need is:
A writer's mindset,
A writing schedule,
And a writer's toolkit
Get yours NOW!
Hey Writer!
I’m Massiel and I’m a women’s book coach.
I’m in the process of developing a program that can better serve busy women just like you overcome time management and writer’s block so they can finally tackle their book.
I used to be in the exact same position, and found a way to write over 2 dozen books in just five years. I now am on a mission to help people like you do the same!
That said, by filling out this survey, it will help me tremendously to learn more about busy writers who are struggling with confidence and time management and want to get writing with a plan and with confidence.
In exchange for 15 minutes of your time to fill out my survey, I will be selecting 5 lucky people to hop on a FREE 30 minute Book Game Plan with me so I can help you solve your problem, absolutely no charge!
Here is the link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScEcqAsMsYUhVkrEU8wzUBJBejvwLzi4uPRk1xeZEprHHiw_Q/viewform?usp=sf_link
Thank you so much!
www.themassiel.com
Get your free hour today!
www.themassiel.com/freehour
Topics in this episode:
Prompt: You go into the future 50 years and see something you thought impossible. Return in time to tell yourself all about it.
Motivation: Brought to you by my dear friend, Trish Blackwell. A leap of faith requires a gap. It wouldn't be faith if there wasn't a gap.
3 TIPS TO GET STARTED WRITING TODAY
- You must believe and visualize.
- Decide. Making the decision will open you to possibilities.
- Schedule it into your calendar. Use time blocks, not expectations.
https://zapier.com/blog/daily-schedules-for-productivity/
I want you to have success! You need to write this book. You deserve to have your words out in the world and others deserve to hear it. Grab a free coaching session with me for a full hour to tackle your toughest problems and get you writing today!
www.themassiel.com/freehour
Creating a book can be simple! All you need is:
A writer's mindset,
A writing schedule,
And a writer's toolkit
Get yours NOW!
Hey Writer!
I’m Massiel and I’m a women’s book coach.
I’m in the process of developing a program that can better serve busy women just like you overcome time management and writer’s block so they can finally tackle their book.
I used to be in the exact same position, and found a way to write over 2 dozen books in just five years. I now am on a mission to help people like you do the same!
That said, by filling out this survey, it will help me tremendously to learn more about busy writers who are struggling with confidence and time management and want to get writing with a plan and with confidence.
In exchange for 15 minutes of your time to fill out my survey, I will be selecting 5 lucky people to hop on a FREE 30 minute Book Game Plan with me so I can help you solve your problem, absolutely no charge!
Here is the link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScEcqAsMsYUhVkrEU8wzUBJBejvwLzi4uPRk1xeZEprHHiw_Q/viewform?usp=sf_link
Thank you so much!
Creating a book can be simple! All you need is:
A writer's mindset,
A writing schedule,
And a writer's toolkit
Get yours NOW!
Upgrading my dictation
Prompt for the week: You wake up in the middle of a dream. But, you can control every aspect of this dream and you start with a cup of wine in your hand. What happens next?
Motivation: “Art is anything you can get away with.” – Andy Warhol
- I want to talk about tech startups when doing dictation.
- First you might start off with some free apps. This might include a Google Docs, voice apps on your phone, some transcription services that might be inexpensive.
- You might jump into what I did next. Which includes getting a recording device and headphones.
- And lastly, my latest improvement. This includes the microphone that I have on my desk, which is primarily used for podcasting but I have been training my Dragon on this for a while.
- This makes this the ideal microphone for dictation and I am also using Audacity
- My results I would say it’s probably about 97 to 98% correct now.
Hey Writer!
I’m Massiel and I’m a women’s book coach.
I’m in the process of developing a program that can better serve busy women just like you overcome time management and writer’s block so they can finally tackle their book.
I used to be in the exact same position, and found a way to write over 2 dozen books in just five years. I now am on a mission to help people like you do the same!
That said, by filling out this survey, it will help me tremendously to learn more about busy writers who are struggling with confidence and time management and want to get writing with a plan and with confidence.
In exchange for 15 minutes of your time to fill out my survey, I will be selecting 5 lucky people to hop on a FREE 30 minute Book Game Plan with me so I can help you solve your problem, absolutely no charge!
Here is the link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScEcqAsMsYUhVkrEU8wzUBJBejvwLzi4uPRk1xeZEprHHiw_Q/viewform?usp=sf_link
Thank you so much!
Creating a book can be simple! All you need is:
A writer's mindset,
A writing schedule,
And a writer's toolkit
Get yours NOW!
Topics in this podcast:
- Importance of help to finding clarity and focus
- Use resources and find people you like
- Remember they should not shame or bring you down
- Books, library cards, podcasts, YouTube
- Getting advice from authors you admire
- Conferences like the Smarter Artist Summit and 20Booksto50K
- Accountability
GET A FREE 30 MIN BOOK CONSULTING FROM MASSIEL
https://calendly.com/massiel-valenzuela/30min
Hey Writer!
I’m Massiel and I’m a women’s book coach.
I’m in the process of developing a program that can better serve busy women just like you overcome time management and writer’s block so they can finally tackle their book.
I used to be in the exact same position, and found a way to write over 2 dozen books in just five years. I now am on a mission to help people like you do the same!
That said, by filling out this survey, it will help me tremendously to learn more about busy writers who are struggling with confidence and time management and want to get writing with a plan and with confidence.
In exchange for 15 minutes of your time to fill out my survey, I will be selecting 5 lucky people to hop on a FREE 30 minute Book Game Plan with me so I can help you solve your problem, absolutely no charge!
Here is the link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScEcqAsMsYUhVkrEU8wzUBJBejvwLzi4uPRk1xeZEprHHiw_Q/viewform?usp=sf_link
Thank you so much!
Creating a book can be simple! All you need is:
A writer's mindset,
A writing schedule,
And a writer's toolkit
Get yours NOW!
Topics covered in this episode:
- Consider blogging as writing
- Start your site, free or not but you can use it as accountability
- Getting into the practice of writing
- Learning your voice
- Creating a routine
- Sharing your voice and getting comfortable with criticism
- DON'T CHANGE YOUR VOICE
- Learning how to publish and let go
- WORKBOOK (www.themassiel.com/workbook)
Hey Writer!
I’m Massiel and I’m a women’s book coach.
I’m in the process of developing a program that can better serve busy women just like you overcome time management and writer’s block so they can finally tackle their book.
I used to be in the exact same position, and found a way to write over 2 dozen books in just five years. I now am on a mission to help people like you do the same!
That said, by filling out this survey, it will help me tremendously to learn more about busy writers who are struggling with confidence and time management and want to get writing with a plan and with confidence.
In exchange for 15 minutes of your time to fill out my survey, I will be selecting 5 lucky people to hop on a FREE 30 minute Book Game Plan with me so I can help you solve your problem, absolutely no charge!
Here is the link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScEcqAsMsYUhVkrEU8wzUBJBejvwLzi4uPRk1xeZEprHHiw_Q/viewform?usp=sf_link
Thank you so much!
Creating a book can be simple! All you need is:
A writer's mindset,
A writing schedule,
And a writer's toolkit
Get yours NOW!
Hey Writer!
I’m Massiel and I’m a women’s book coach.
I’m in the process of developing a program that can better serve busy women just like you overcome time management and writer’s block so they can finally tackle their book.
I used to be in the exact same position, and found a way to write over 2 dozen books in just five years. I now am on a mission to help people like you do the same!
That said, by filling out this survey, it will help me tremendously to learn more about busy writers who are struggling with confidence and time management and want to get writing with a plan and with confidence.
In exchange for 15 minutes of your time to fill out my survey, I will be selecting 5 lucky people to hop on a FREE 30 minute Book Game Plan with me so I can help you solve your problem, absolutely no charge!
Here is the link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScEcqAsMsYUhVkrEU8wzUBJBejvwLzi4uPRk1xeZEprHHiw_Q/viewform?usp=sf_link
Thank you so much!
Topics in this episode:
The importance of finishing.
Short stories build confidence.
Setting benchmarks.
Using "Parts" to finish your story.
The Quarantine.
@massielwrites
massiel@blackheartedstudios.com