Writer Rambles: Recent Episodes
Anna Velfman
Want to know what it’s like living the glamorous indie author life? Tune in to Writer Rambles.
My first romantic fantasy novel, Atheist's Angel IS OUT NOW FOR PREORDER WORLDWIDE
The delightful Bennett joins me on the show to talk multi POV fantasy, character development and comets in the slightly insane 90s.
Find Bennett's website here and on Instagram
How do you make sure your draft is as good as it can be? It's the finishing touches that make it sing.
Check out my website's resources page at annavelfman.com for a copy of the draft polishing checklist.
I also mention Overly Sarcastic Productions. Find them here
Listen to me put my third book out there into the world. This is how preorders are set up when you publish wide.
Avalanche is available for preorder! Head to my shiny new book page to take a look
Like what I do? You can support me on Patreon and help me keep this podcast going.
Recorded while I was in bed with covid attempting to edit. Join me as I get Avalanche ready for publication. I use pro writing aid and no, I have no sponsorship with them.
Reacting to unpopular writing opinions found on youtube. All opinions are expressed in a measured and constructive way with no personal bias. ahem
For more steaming hot spicy takes, check out-
Michelle Schusterman Kate Cavanaugh Alexa Donne You won't regret it! Don't forget my first book Snowblind is free to download on all platforms.
The manuscript was meant to be finished... but my body was not having it. So how do you manage to keep going when your health decides it does not want to cooperate? That's what I experienced this week.
Don't forget my first book Snowblind is free to download on all platforms.
You will find writing coach Chad Allen here
Angry Joe and AJS news you will find here
A new type of show!
Hear how I finish off the second edit of my third book- Avalanche. Also featuring- my dog, my cat and clips from Daniel Wallace and Jenna Moreci.
**Andrew Nehring comes on the show to talk about his book- David Massie and the Quantum Flux and to discuss the joys and difficulties of writing with dyslexia.**
You can find Andrew's work here
In this episode, I go over how I use scene cards and how they have got me out of plotting pickles.
Links-
Scene Cards download
My Website
Sacha Black podcast
Bookbub Ads David Gaughran
Heroine's Journey- Gail Carraiger
Fallen- C.N Crawford
Outlining Podcast
This week I share the podcast with two winners of the Open Novella Contest: Rainer Salt and Evelyn Hail. We talk about inspiration, process and what it takes to win a place in a competition on one of the largest writing platforms in the world.
Links-
Daniel Wallace (Style and Voice Summit)
Jeff Elkins (Dialogue Doctor)
Evelyn Hail
Rainer Salt
Hate is a strong word but some things I read really set my teeth on edge. A different kind of podcast this time, no instructions or lessons, just me telling the world what I don't like.
I had a rough week, the rant cheered me up. Oh as mention him this week you'll find Shad's youtube here
A reminder that my opinions are just that- my opinions. You don't have to agree with me, in fact, I encourage you not to- because reading is an individual experience for everyone.
(Some swearing in this show)
I welcome Kristi Elliot to the show. She is a Watty 2020 award winner with her horror-comedy Zombie Soap and she is about to publish her debut novel The Social Media Bride through a publisher that approached her after a Twitter pitch contest.
(Some swearing in this show)
Grab a blank character profile from my website and start building characters focused on storytelling.
Every main character should be a bundle of inner conflict, a push and pull between what they want and what they actually need. Characters with agency and authenticity require careful consideration and that is where profiling comes in.
Is this the only way to create characters? No. Is it the way I find best? Yes, so I'm sharing.
I have two books out, so how are my sales? I crack on with my self-publishing goals and start 2021 with a bang.
I am back home!
Improved sound quality and a round-up of my first year in self-publishing. The victories and the defeats. But ever onwards I go!
Bring it on 2021, I am ready for you!
Yes, the sound quality will still be poor as I am living most of the week away from home- but I wanted to get this out.
I am doing NaNo this year for my third novel and I am often asked how I plan my work- like most things I do, there is a system behind it so that is what I am sharing today.
I live! I have been off the grid for weeks but I kept writing in that time. I will tell you all about what has happened and what I am doing now I have finished Pler book two- Icedancer
I have invited fellow Roleplayer Hiedi onto the show to talk about how we approach character development and to highlight the benefits of this most gloriously nerdy form of collaborative storytelling.
I am deep in the editing trenches, a few writers on Facebook have asked how I edit. Well, here is my process (and you will probably wish you had never asked.)
I also go over how Bookbub changed my launch and how Amazon decided it wanted to change my prices.
So what does happen when you have pressed the publish button?
LOTS!
It's been busy days for me post-publication. Listen to find out why.
It's done, my first book Snowblind is out for a short preorder period at 99p. Still made some mistakes! Tune in to learn what to expect after you hit the publish button.
So close to getting my book out there! But a few more hurdles to jump before then. In this show, I go over my recent experiences with proofreading and formatting. Links in the show notes on my blog at https://www.annavelfman.com/post/proofreading-and-formatting
My book due for a November release is back from its Developmental Edit. Listen to find out about the feedback I got and if a developmental edit is right for you.
Also, writing at a time of global crisis. How I got through the emotional mess and came out the other side by giving myself permission to do nothing.
All links and samples in the show notes
I have news to share, I’m publishing double the books I intended to in 2020. Why? Well, I am conducting an experiment. I also tell you about the software I use in my writing process, the good and the bad of some of the most popular writing tools out there. Check out the show notes on my blog for links to everything I mention in the show.
In this show, I have big news about the cover for my upcoming book! I also talk about my latest WIP and my tips and sources of inspiration for worldbuilding.
As usual, I am not sponsored by any of the products I mention, it’s simply things I have found useful.
https://www.notebook.ai/ - the best thing I have found!
https://www.worldanvil.com/ - A close second but not for me.
Remember my blogs and show notes can be found at https://www.annavelfman.com/
Developmental editing and Exposition- in this show I go into why I have decided to undertake a developmental edit, what that means for my writing and how I went about finding a reputable editor.
Then I discuss my struggles with exposition and how I eventually understood how to slay the dreaded info dump.
Show notes and links on my website Annavelfman.com
Join me on my epic journey to publishing my first book that will kick off a dark and quirky paranormal romance series.
In this show, I talk about my five biggest mistakes so far and give you a peep at my current progress.
Huge shout out to small press good guys- Fox Spirit Books http://foxspirit.co.uk who gave me tough love when I needed it, and to Anya at http://www.thedisobedientwriter.com for her thought-provoking romance course.