Welcome to DIY MFA Radio, where I do a deep dive into the writing life as well as the craft and business of writing. Today’s episode continues our series: Ten Lessons from Ten Years of Podcasting. This is Lesson 8 – Track the Money Have you gotten the DIY MFA Starter Kit yet? This is a two week email series full of worksheets to help you DIY your MFA, so you can get the “knowledge without the college.” You’ll learn more about how to write with focus, read with purpose, and build your community. You’ll also receive Writer Fuel, our newsletter full of words of wisdom and resources to help you keep the momentum going in your writing. And you’ll be the first to hear about other fun goodies we only share via email. Best of all, it’s free to join! You can sign up with your email at diymfa.com/join.   In this episode I discuss: Why it’s so important for writers to talk about and track money. The two “magic numbers” of publishing, what they are and why they matter. Five essential questions to think strategically about IP.  The trifecta of success, and how to consider ROI (return on investment). For more info and show notes: diymfa.com/483

Welcome to DIY MFA Radio, where I do a deep dive into the writing life as well as the craft and business of writing. Today’s episode continues our series: Ten Lessons from Ten Years of Podcasting. This is Lesson 482 – Practice, Practice, Practice Have you gotten the DIY MFA Starter Kit yet? This is a two week email series full of worksheets to help you DIY your MFA, so you can get the “knowledge without the college.” You’ll learn more about how to write with focus, read with purpose, and build your community. You’ll also receive Writer Fuel, our newsletter full of words of wisdom and resources to help you keep the momentum going in your writing. And you’ll be the first to hear about other fun goodies we only share via email. Best of all, it’s free to join! You can sign up with your email at diymfa.com/join.   In this episode I discuss: The importance of a practice-based approach in writing. Different types of practice, and why “deliberate practice” is most effective. The four essential components of a writing practice and why they matter. Why it’s important to iterate on your practice to make sure it’s working for you. For more info and show notes: diymfa.com/482

Welcome to DIY MFA Radio, where I do a deep dive into the writing life as well as the craft and business of writing. Today’s episode continues our series: Ten Lessons from Ten Years of Podcasting. This is Lesson #6 – Balance is Fallacy. Have you gotten the DIY MFA Starter Kit yet? This is a two week email series full of worksheets to help you DIY your MFA, so you can get the “knowledge without the college.” You’ll learn more about how to write with focus, read with purpose, and build your community. You’ll also receive Writer Fuel, our newsletter full of words of wisdom and resources to help you keep the momentum going in your writing. And you’ll be the first to hear about other fun goodies we only share via email. Best of all, it’s free to join! You can sign up with your email at diymfa.com/join.   In this episode I discuss: How finding balance is not about rigidly compartmentalizing your life. What it means to “honor your reality” and how it relates to balance. Why we should be wary of blanket advice and shouldn’t follow any advice too rigidly. Why it’s so important for us to acknowledge and honor our real-life constraints. For more info and show notes: diymfa.com/481

Welcome to DIY MFA Radio, where I do a deep dive into the writing life as well as the craft and business of writing. Today’s episode continues our series: Ten Lessons from Ten Years of Podcasting. This is Lesson 5 – Choose Abundance Over Scarcity Have you gotten the DIY MFA Starter Kit yet? This is a two week email series full of worksheets to help you DIY your MFA, so you can get the “knowledge without the college.” You’ll learn more about how to write with focus, read with purpose, and build your community. You’ll also receive Writer Fuel, our newsletter full of words of wisdom and resources to help you keep the momentum going in your writing. And you’ll be the first to hear about other fun goodies we only share via email. Best of all, it’s free to join! You can sign up with your email at diymfa.com/join.   In this episode I discuss: Why so many people in publishing (and other fields) hold on to a scarcity mindset. How scarcity can serve as a safety net for writers who harbor self-doubt. The way an abundance mindset can set us up for writing success. The importance of equity in abundance, and making sure all writers can shine. For more info and show notes: diymfa.com/480

Welcome to DIY MFA Radio, where I do a deep dive into the writing life as well as the craft and business of writing. Today’s episode continues our series: Ten Lessons from Ten Years of Podcasting. This is Lesson 4 – Get Comfortable with Being Uncomfortable Have you gotten the DIY MFA Starter Kit yet? This is a two week email series full of worksheets to help you DIY your MFA, so you can get the “knowledge without the college.” You’ll learn more about how to write with focus, read with purpose, and build your community. You’ll also receive Writer Fuel, our newsletter full of words of wisdom and resources to help you keep the momentum going in your writing. And you’ll be the first to hear about other fun goodies we only share via email. Best of all, it’s free to join! You can sign up with your email at diymfa.com/join.   In this episode I discuss: Why complacency is the enemy of personal and professional growth. The growing pains that come from failing better and why failure is so hard. How I embraced failure for an entire year, and how it helped me grow DIY MFA. The malleable nature of comfort zones, and why we must keep challenging ourselves. For more info and show notes: diymfa.com/479

Welcome to DIY MFA Radio, where I do a deep dive into the writing life as well as the craft and business of writing. Today’s episode continues our series: Ten Lessons from Ten Years of Podcasting. This is Lesson 3 – Embrace the Power of Iteration Have you gotten the DIY MFA Starter Kit yet? This is a two week email series full of worksheets to help you DIY your MFA, so you can get the “knowledge without the college.” You’ll learn more about how to write with focus, read with purpose, and build your community. You’ll also receive Writer Fuel, our newsletter full of words of wisdom and resources to help you keep the momentum going in your writing. And you’ll be the first to hear about other fun goodies we only share via email. Best of all, it’s free to join! You can sign up with your email at diymfa.com/join.   In this episode I discuss: Two competing philosophies on failure from Yoda and Samuel Beckett. How these two highly-quotable figures are actually not all that different from each other. What it really means to make a commitment to the work and to your writing. Why it’s so important to embrace imperfection and accept potential failure. For more info and show notes: diymfa.com/478

Welcome to DIY MFA Radio, where I do a deep dive into the writing life as well as the craft and business of writing. Today’s episode continues our series: Ten Lessons from Ten Years of Podcasting. This is Lesson 2 – Act “As If” Have you gotten the DIY MFA Starter Kit yet? This is a two week email series full of worksheets to help you DIY your MFA, so you can get the “knowledge without the college.” You’ll learn more about how to write with focus, read with purpose, and build your community. You’ll also receive Writer Fuel, our newsletter full of words of wisdom and resources to help you keep the momentum going in your writing. And you’ll be the first to hear about other fun goodies we only share via email. Best of all, it’s free to join! You can sign up with your email at diymfa.com/join   In this episode I discuss: How acting “as if” is not the same as “fake it ‘til you make it.” Ways in which acting “as if” helped me build DIY MFA and this podcast. Why it’s important to be completely truthful when you act “as if.” How when you step forward with confidence, eventually your mindset catches up. For more info and show notes: diymfa.com/477

Welcome to DIY MFA Radio, where I do a deep dive into the writing life as well as the craft and business of writing. Today’s episode kicks off our series: Ten Lessons from Ten Years of Podcasting. This is Lesson 1 – Jump First, Build After. Have you gotten the DIY MFA Starter Kit yet? This is a two week email series full of worksheets to help you DIY your MFA, so you can get the “knowledge without the college.” You’ll learn more about how to write with focus, read with purpose, and build your community. You’ll also receive Writer Fuel, our newsletter full of words of wisdom and resources to help you keep the momentum going in your writing. And you’ll be the first to hear about other fun goodies we only share via email. Best of all, it’s free to join! You can sign up with your email at diymfa.com/join.   In this episode I discuss: Why it’s important not just to build something, but build the right thing. How failure plays into innovation, and why we should accept it rather than avoid it. How originality is about the execution of the idea, rather than the idea itself. Why it’s crucial to embrace the concept of “good enough.” For more info and show notes: diymfa.com/476

Welcome, today is DIY MFA’s monthly Craft Jam. Once a month, Christa and I jam about the craft. In these episodes, we do a deep dive into various craft topics like character development, story structure, world building and more.  This month’s episode is a deep dive into how to craft the perfect book ending.   In this episode Christa and I discuss: The three major components of an ending Types of endings for your story My top tip when choosing the the right ending For more info and show notes: diymfa.com/475

Welcome, today is DIY MFA’s monthly Craft Jam. Once a month, Christa and I will be jamming about the craft. In these episodes, we’ll be doing a deep dive into various craft topics like character development, story structure, world building and more.  This month’s episode is a deep dive into how to Nail Your Narration.   In this episode Christa and I discuss: Why narration is so important in your writing What to keep in mind when choosing a point of view and narrative voice Gabriela’s top tip on how to nail your narration For more info and show notes: diymfa.com/474

Today’s episode is our monthly Craft Jam. This is a new feature at DIY MFA, where once a month, Christa and I will be jamming about the craft. In these episodes, we’ll be doing a deep dive into various craft topics like character development, story structure, world building, and more.   In this episode, Christa and I discuss: Key aspects and methods to focus on during the revision process. The importance of feedback from others during revision. A helpful type of mindset to keep throughout your progress. For more info and show notes: diymfa.com/473

Today’s episode is our monthly Craft Jam. This is a new feature at DIY MFA, where once a month, Christa and I will be jamming about the craft. In these episodes, we’ll be doing a deep dive into various craft topics like character development, story structure, world building and more. This month’s episode is a deep dive into Conferences.   In this episode Christa and I discuss: Should one attend a conference as a beginner writer? How to choose the right conference to attend. The nuts and bolts on how to prepare for a conference.  For more info and show notes: diymfa.com/472

Today, I have the pleasure of interviewing Kathy Reichs. We’ll be talking about her book The Bone Hacker and how to craft a bestselling thriller series. Kathy Reichs’ first novel Déjà Dead, published in 1997, won the Ellis Award for Best First Novel and was an international bestseller. To date, she has written twenty-two novels featuring forensic anthropologist Temperance Brennan. Kathy was also a producer of Fox Television’s longest running scripted drama, Bones, which was based on her work and her novels. One of very few forensic anthropologists certified by the American Board of Forensic Anthropology, Kathy divides her time between Charlotte, North Carolina, and Montreal, Québec. You can find her on her website or follow her on Twitter and Instagram.   In this episode Kathy Reichs and I discuss: How to write each book in a series with different aspects while keeping it entertaining.  Keeping the main character consistent but also allowing room for them to grow and change throughout a series.  Adapting a series to television, the differences and challenges of writing a television script vs. a novel.  Plus, Kathy’s #1 tip for writers. For more info and show notes: diymfa.com/471

Today’s episode is our monthly Craft Jam. This is a new feature at DIY MFA, where once a month, Lori and I will be jamming about the craft. In these episodes, we’ll be doing a deep dive into various craft topics like character development, story structure, world building, and more. This month’s episode is a deep dive into Draft Zero.   In this episode Lori and I discuss: What exactly Draft Zero is and what comes next. Finding a routine that works for you and how to keep it from getting stale. Why you need to practice finishing and what to do when you get stuck. Plus, our #1 reading recommendation on craft books. For more info and show notes: diymfa.com/470

We’re back for another episode of our monthly Craft Jam. This is a new feature at DIY MFA, where once a month, Lori and I will be jamming about the craft. In these episodes, we’ll be doing a deep dive into various craft topics like character development, story structure, world building and more. This month’s episode is a deep dive into how to weave your story’s world through world building.   In this episode Lori and I discuss: How character, plot, and world are all connected. Using the iceberg technique as your write. Creating a setting that can take on a life of its own. Plus, our #1 reading recommendation on how to weave your story’s world. For more info and show notes: diymfa.com/469

Today, I have the pleasure of interviewing MT Anderson. We’ll be talking about his book, Elf Dog and Owl Head, and raising your story’s stakes. M. T. Anderson has written stories for adults, picture books for children, adventure novels for young readers, graphic novel adaptations of ancient French tales, and several books for older readers (both teens and adults). His satirical book Feed was a Finalist for the National Book Award and was the winner of the L.A. Times Book Prize. Both Time Magazine and National Public Radio have included it on their lists of the best 100 YA novels of all time. Another satirical science fiction novel, Landscape with Invisible Hand, has been turned into a movie starring Tiffany Haddish and Asante Blackk.  The first volume of Anderson’s Octavian Nothing saga, The Pox Party, won the National Book Award and the Boston Globe / Horn Book Prize. The second volume, The Kingdom on the Waves, was a New York Times best-seller. The Assassination of Brangwain Spurge, a tragicomic spy story for young goblins written with Newbery-Honor winner Eugene Yelchin, was a Finalist for the National Book Award in 2018.  Anderson’s nonfiction book Symphony for the City of the Dead: Dmitri Shostakovich and the Siege of Leningrad was long-listed for the National Book Award.  He has published stories for adults in literary journals like The Northwest Review, The Colorado Review, and Conjunctions. Several of his stories have appeared in the Year’s Best Fantasy and Horror collections. His nonfiction articles and reviews have been published in The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Boston Globe, Slate, and Salon.  He has curated concerts that bring together text and classical music all over New England.  You can find him on his website or follow him on Twitter.   In this episode MT Anderson and I discuss: Weaving events from your real life into a fantastical story Why you need to have rules for the magic you create in order for it to be fun. How to reverse engineer and perfect the opening of your novel. Plus, his #1 tip for writers. For more info and show notes: diymfa.com/468

Today we have another monthly Craft Jam. This is a new feature at DIY MFA, where once a month, Lori and I will be jamming about the craft. In these episodes, we’ll be doing a deep dive into various craft topics like character development, story structure, world building and more. This month’s episode is a deep dive into how to perfect your plot.   In this episode Lori and I discuss: Starting with plot versus starting with a character What an outline really is and how to use it Making sure your plot twist is actually a twist Plus, our #1 reading recommendation on books with great plots. For more info and show notes: diymfa.com/467

Today, I have the pleasure of interviewing Bianca Marais, CeCe Lyra, and Carly Watters. We’ll be taking an inside look at the publishing industry. Before diving in, I wanted to make a quick note. Our wonderful guests are the co-hosts of a fantastic podcast that has a particular word in its title. It would be impossible to talk about their show without saying this particular word, so consider this a heads up that there will be salty language in this episode. If you’re listening in public or have little ones around, now would be the time to put on some headphones. Bianca Marais is the author of the bestselling The Witches of Moonshyne Manor, as well as the beloved Hum If You Don't Know the Words and If You Want to Make God Laugh, and the Audible Original, The Prynne Viper. She taught at the University of Toronto's School of Continuing Studies where she was awarded an Excellence in Teaching Award for Creative Writing in 2021. She is the co-host of the popular podcast, The Shit No One Tells You About Writing, which is aimed at helping emerging writers become published. You can find her on her website or follow her on Instagram.   Cecilia (“CeCe”) Lyra is a literary agent at P.S. Literary Agency, representing adult fiction and non-fiction. A long-term strategic thinker, CeCe prioritizes the creative reach and sustainable longevity of her authors’ careers, and she is actively looking for clients with whom she can build fruitful, lasting relationships. As a mixed race Latinx immigrant, CeCe understands the power of seeing oneself reflected in books, hence her passion for championing under or misrepresented voices and narratives that contribute to a larger cultural conversation. The popular podcast The Shit No One Tells You About Writing, for which CeCe is a co-host, has over one million downloads.  You can find her on her website or follow her on Twitter and Instagram.   Carly Watters is a SVP and Senior Literary Agent at P.S. Literary and the sitting VP of PACLA, the Professional Association of Canadian Literary Agents. Carly Watters has a BA in English Literature from Queen’s University and a MA in Publishing Studies from City University London. Her masters thesis was on the social, political, and economic impact of literary prizes on trade publishing. She began her publishing career in London as an assistant at the Darley Anderson Literary, TV and Film Agency. Carly joined Toronto-based P.S. Literary Agency in 2010 and has sold over 100 books during her career. She represents award-winning and bestselling authors in the adult fiction and non-fiction categories, and select children’s books. She is known for her long-term vision for her authors and being an excellent collaborator with a nose for commercial success. She has close ties to publishers in the major markets, is a member of the AALA, and works directly with film agents to option film and TV rights to leading networks and production companies. Her clients’ books have been translated into 40 languages, optioned for TV and film, adapted into podcasts, and have been on every bestseller list from coast to coast, including the New York Times, USA Today, the LA Times, the Washington Post, the Toronto Star, and the Globe and Mail. Carly is also an annual judge for the Women’s Fiction Writing Association Rising Star Award. The popular writing podcast The Shit No One Tells You About Writing, for which Carly is the co-host, has over one million downloads.  You can find her on her website or follow her on Twitter and Instagram.   In this episode Bianca Marais, CeCe Lyra, Carly Watters, and I discuss: Common myths about writing and publishing and what’s actually true Writing groups, beta readers, and how to find them What happens after you sign on the dotted line Plus, their #1 tip for writers. For more info and show notes: diymfa.com/466

Today, Lori is interviewing Mary Pascual. They’ll be talking about her debut novel, The Byways, and creating multi-dimensional characters. Mary Pascual is a writer and artist who believes finding magic is only a matter of perspective. She loves stories about characters with heart and fantastical settings that are more than meets the eye. She grew up in California and enjoys reading, art, traveling, exploring outside, and building elaborate stage sets for Halloween. Writing has taken her on a number of unexpected adventures, including working in high tech, meeting psychics, interviewing rock bands, and even once attending a press conference for Bigfoot. She got hooked on reading adult science fiction and fantasy in the fifth grade—so in retrospect, much of her reading material was completely inappropriate (which probably explains a few things). She lives with her husband, son, and assorted demanding cats in San Jose, California.   In this episode, Mary Pascual and Lori discuss: Finding the inspiration for a retelling and adding a fresh spin. Why she used an urban setting to tell a grittier tale. The importance of avoiding labels and creating multi-dimensional characters. Plus, her #1 tip for writers. For more info and show notes: diymfa.com/465

Today’s episode is our monthly Craft Jam. This is a new feature at DIY MFA, where once a month, Lori and I will be jamming about the craft. In these episodes, we’ll be doing a deep dive into various craft topics like character development, story structure, world building and more.  This month’s episode is a deep dive into how to create compelling characters.   In this episode Lori and I discuss: Using method writing to get inside your characters’ heads. How to create balanced scenes using the TADA! method. The different types of voice and how to use each. Plus, our #1 reading recommendation on compelling characters. For more info and show notes: diymfa.com/464

Today, Lori is interviewing Daniel Weizmann. They’ll be talking about his neo-noir mystery, The Last Songbird. Daniel Weizmann got his start at 13 under the nom de plume Shredder, writing for the legendary Flipside Fanzine. He went on to write for the LA Weekly, LA Times, Billboard, the Guardian, and others. He contributed to several books, including Drinking with Bukowski, Hardcore California, Too Cool, Timothy Leary's last work, and DeeDee Ramone's autobio. He has also written volumes for Def Jam rappers, standup comics, Mad Libs, and more. The Last Songbird is his debut mystery. You can find him on his website or follow him on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.   In this episode Daniel Weizmann and Lori discuss: Why you should resist the urge to explain yourself in your writing. How to use the negative space to maximum effect. The role of music in his process and its impact in his novel. Plus, his #1 tip for writers. For more info and show notes: diymfa.com/463

Today, Lori is interviewing Jolene Mcilwain. They’ll be talking about Sidle Creek and centering a short story collection around a place. Jolene McIlwain’s fiction has been nominated for the Pushcart Prize and appears in West Branch, Florida Review, Cincinnati Review, New Orleans Review, Northern Appalachia Review, and 2019's Best Small Fictions Anthology. Her work was named finalist for 2018’s Best of the Net, Glimmer Train’s and River Styx’s contests, and semifinalist in Nimrod’s Katherine Anne Porter Prize and two American Short Fiction's contests. She’s received a Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council grant, the Georgia Court Chautauqua faculty scholarship, and Tinker Mountain’s merit scholarship. She taught literary theory/analysis at Duquesne and Chatham Universities and she worked as a radiologic technologist before attending college (BS English, minor in sculpture, MA Literature). She was born, raised, and currently lives in a small town in the Appalachian plateau of Western Pennsylvania. You can find her on her website or follow her on Twitter and Instagram.   In this episode Jolene Mcilwain and Lori discuss: Why the length of a story doesn’t equate its emotional impact. How to center a collection around a place and add enough grounding details. Taking on stereotypes and going deeper in your writing.   Plus, her #1 tip for writers. For more info and show notes: diymfa.com/462

Today, Lori is interviewing Ginny Kubitz Moyer. They’ll be talking about how she started writing her debut novel, The Seeing Garden, with the setting. Ginny Kubitz Moyer is a California native with a love of local history. A graduate of Pomona College and Stanford University, she’s an English instructor and avid weekend gardener.  Her articles have appeared in a variety of publications, including Bella Grace and America Magazine, and she is the author of several books on women's spirituality.  She lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband, two sons, and one adorable rescue dog. The Seeing Garden is her first novel.  You can find her on her website or follow her on Instagram.   In this episode Ginny Kubitz Moyer and Lori discuss: Why she prefers the term “discovery writer” instead of “pantser.” The importance of reading widely and re-reading books. How she picked up the tone of her novel, The Seeing Garden.   Plus, her #1 tip for writers. For more info and show notes: diymfa.com/461

Today, Lori is interviewing Neely Tubati Alexander. They’ll be talking about Love Buzz and the importance of listening to your intuition when crafting a novel. Neely Tubati Alexander is a first-generation Indian American mother of two. Originally from the Seattle area where Love Buzz, her debut novel, is largely set, she seeks to tell lighthearted, female-driven stories with diverse characters and strong women who pursue both love and careers. If she's not tucked away at the little desk in her bedroom writing, you can find her at some kiddo activity, drinking wine, or watching reality TV, usually the last two together. She lives in sunny Arizona with her family. You can find her on her website or follow her on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Goodreads.   In this episode Neely Tubati Alexander and Lori discuss: Pansing your way through drafts to gain a deeper understanding of your characters. How to tease out secrets and set pacing based on your intuition. Creating a rich cast to support your main character with purpose.   Plus, her #1 tip for writers. For more info and show notes: diymfa.com/460

Today, Lori is interviewing Anne Marie Wells. They’ll be talking about her poetry collection, Survived By: A Memoir in Verse, and using poetry as a method of dealing with heavy emotions. Anne Marie Wells (She | They) is an award-winning Queer poet, playwright, memoirist, and storyteller navigating the world with a chronic illness. She is a faculty member for The Community Literature Initiative through the Sims Library of Poetry and Strategic Partnership Fellow for The Poetry Lab. She earned the 2021 Peter K. Hixson Memorial Award in Poetry, the 2020 Wyoming Writers Milestone Award, and was a 2021 Wyoming Woman of Influence nominee in the arts for amplifying the voices of the LGBTQ and disabled communities with her writing. Her first full-length collection of poetry, Survived By: A Memoir in Verse + Other Poems, debuts with Curious Corvid Publishing on April 30, 2023.  You can find her on her website or follow her on Facebook and Instagram.   In this episode Anne Marie and Lori discuss: Choosing poems for a collection and deciding on their chronology. Using poetry as a way to deal with grief and its power to heal. The significance and symbolism behind white space.   Plus, her #1 tip for writers. For more info and show notes: diymfa.com/459

Today, Lori is interviewing Donnaldson Brown. They’ll be talking about Because I Loved You, and about how her background in screenwriting has influenced her prose. Donnaldson 's debut novel, Because I Loved You, is due out in April 2023 with She Writes Press. An attorney and former screenwriter, she worked with Robert Redford’s film development company for several years. Her spoken word pieces have been featured in The Deep Listening Institute’s Writers in Performance and Women & Identity Festivals, and in the Made in the Berkshires Theatre Festival in Stockbridge, Massachusetts. She’s been awarded several residencies. A longtime resident of both Brooklyn, New York and western Massachusetts, Ms. Brown grew up riding horses on a family ranch in East Texas as well as in her native Connecticut. She is a facilitator and trainer with The Equus Effect, offering somatic based experiential learning with horses for veterans, first responders and others struggling with ptsd, and is also certified to teach meditation and several forms of yoga.  She is a proud mother, and loves to sing, cycle, and hike with her dogs.  You can find her on her website or follow her on Facebook and Instagram.   In this episode Donnaldson and Lori discuss: The impact of secrets on multiple generations. Starting a project with an image and painting it into prose. Directing a reader’s imagination through clues and cues.   Plus, her #1 tip for writers. For more info and show notes: diymfa.com/458

Today, Lori is interviewing Leslie Karst. They’ll be talking about weaving past experiences into your writing and her new book Justice is Served.  The daughter of a law professor and a potter, Leslie Karst waited tables and sang in a new wave rock band before deciding she was ready for a “real” job and ending up at Stanford Law School. It was during her career as a research and appellate attorney in Santa Cruz, California, that she rediscovered her youthful passion for food and cooking, at which point she once again returned to school—this time to earn a degree in culinary arts. Now retired from the law, Leslie spends her days penning the Sally Solari culinary mystery series, as well as cooking, gardening, cycling, and singing alto in her local community chorus. She and her wife and their Jack Russell mix split their time between Santa Cruz and Hilo, Hawai’i. You can find her on her website or follow her on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.   In this episode Leslie Karst and Lori discuss: Letting go of ego in order to follow your dreams. The importance of perseverance How the writing mindset for memoir is different from that of mystery.   Plus, her #1 tip for writers. For more info and show notes: diymfa.com/457

Today, Lori is interviewing Danielle Mitchell. They’ll be talking about the methodology of writing and reading poetry. Danielle Mitchell (she/her) is an intersectional feminist, poet, and teaching artist. She is the Founding Director of The Poetry Lab, an online learning platform that rallies in service of working-class writers around the globe. Danielle is the author of Makes the Daughter-in-Law Cry, winner of the Clockwise Chapbook Prize (Tebot Bach, 2017). Her poems have appeared in Hayden’s Ferry Review, Vinyl, Four Way Review, Transom, New Orleans Review, Nailed Magazine and others. Danielle has received scholarships to travel to Patmos Island, Greece to study poetry, as well as grants from Poets & Writers and the Ashaki M. Jackson No Barriers Grant from the Women Who Submit. She is the inaugural winner of the Editor’s Prize from Mary Magazine and the Editor’s Choice Award from The Mas Tequila Review. She has performed on stages all over Southern California including the Segerstrom Center for the Arts. Danielle holds bachelor’s degrees in Women’s and Gender Studies and Creative Writing from the University of Redlands and is an alumna of the Community of Writers. She is currently working on a manuscript of poems about misogyny and the Internet. You can find her on her website or follow her on Instagram, Tiktok, and LinkedIn. Also, check out The Poetry Lab website or follow The Poetry Lab Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Goodreads.   In this episode Danielle Mitchell and Lori discuss: Adding emotional stakes to poems to transform the ordinary into the extraordinary. The magic of tapping into things you don’t understand. Her annotative document process. Plus, her #1 tip for writers. For more info and show notes: diymfa.com/456

Today, Lori is interviewing Patricia Leavy. They’ll be talking about her book, Hollyland, and the science behind the art of writing. Patricia Leavy, PhD, is an award-winning, best-selling author. She was formerly Associate Professor of Sociology, Chairperson of Sociology & Criminology, and Founding Director of Gender Studies at Stonehill College. She has published more than forty books; her work has been translated into many languages, and she has received more than forty book honors. She has also received career awards from the New England Sociological Association, the American Creativity Association, the American Educational Research Association, the International Congress of Qualitative Inquiry, and the National Art Education Association. In 2018, she was honored by the National Women’s Hall of Fame and SUNY-New Paltz established the “Patricia Leavy Award for Art and Social Justice.” You can find her on her website and follow her on Facebook and Instagram.   In this episode Patricia Leavy and Lori discuss: The neuroscience behind reader engagement. How her sociology background influences the way she develops characters. Exploring the beauty of writing by muscle memory as opposed to convention.   Plus, her #1 tip for writers. For more info and show notes: diymfa.com/455

Today, Lori is interviewing Jinwoo Chong. They’ll be talking about themes of loss and disconnection and how they relate to his book Flux. Jinwoo Chong is the author of the novel Flux, coming March 21, 2023 from Melville House. His work has appeared in The Southern Review, Chicago Quarterly Review, The Florida Review, CRAFT, and Salamander. He received the Oran Robert Perry Burke Award for Fiction from The Southern Review and a special mention in the 2022 Pushcart Prize anthology, as well as recognition from The Sewanee Review, Tin House and Zoetrope: All-Story. He received an MFA from Columbia University and is an editorial assistant at One Story. You can find him on his website or follow him on Twitter and Instagram.   In this episode Jinwoo Chong and Lori discuss: Immigration as synthesis. What it means to blend speculative fiction and neo-noir genres How the immigrant experience helped to shape his book.   Plus, his #1 tip for writers. For more info and show notes: diymfa.com/454

Today, Lori is interviewing Laurie Buchanan. They’ll be talking about Impervious and the mechanics of writing a series. Laurie writes the Sean McPherson novels—fast-paced thrillers set in the Pacific Northwest featuring a trifecta of malice and the pursuit and cost of justice. As a photographer and avid reader, she carries a laptop, book, and camera with her wherever she goes. Growing up, she wanted to be a magician, international spy, and mad scientist. There’s still time! She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her pilot-husband, Len, where she enjoys yoga, bicycling, and camping. She loves to travel and take walks—long walks! She walked across Scotland, a 211-mile journey from the North Sea to the Atlantic Ocean. At the mid-point, she climbed Ben Nevis, the highest point in the British Isles. You can find her on her website or follow her on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.   In this episode Laurie Buchanan and Lori discuss: The nuances of writing respectfully outside of your own experience. Pantsing through an eight book series. Maintaining a character’s story arc across multiple manuscripts.   Plus, her #1 tip for writers. For more info and show notes: diymfa.com/453

Today, I have the pleasure of interviewing Steven James. We’ll be talking about his multifaceted storytelling framework, and his book The Art of the Tale. Steven James is the bestselling, critically acclaimed author of eighteen novels that have won or been shortlisted for more than a dozen national and international awards. His thrillers have been praised by Suspense Magazine, Booklist, and the New York Journal of Books and received starred reviews from both Library Journal and Publishers Weekly, who called his work “thought-provoking” and “riveting.” He has also written two award-winning books on the craft of writing, Story Trumps Structure and Troubleshooting Your Novel. When he’s not writing, he teaches storytelling at events around the globe and hosts the weekly podcast, The Story Blender. You can find him on his website or follow him on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.   In this episode Steven James and I discuss: The importance of what is, not what appears to be. Giving readers what they don’t know they want. How plot isn’t about events, but about the collision of desires.   Plus, his #1 tip for writers. For more info and show notes: diymfa.com/452

Today, Lori is interviewing Sorboni Banerjee and Dominique Richardson. They’ll be talking about collaborating on their book, Red as Blood, and the sisterhood they found. Dominique Richardson and Sorboni Banerjee are the coauthors of THE EVERBEACH SERIES—a young adult, romantic suspense series pitched as "Riverdale" meets fairy tale. Full of forbidden romance, deadly twists, and scandalous secrets, this series is sure to keep you turning pages into the night. It's perfect for fans of INHERITANCE GAMES, CINDER, GOSSIP GIRL, and PRETTY LITTLE LIARS. The first book in the series, RED AS BLOOD, comes out February 28, 2023.    You can follow both Dominique and Sorboni on Tiktok.   Dominique Richardson was raised between Jamaica and the United States, and her biracial heritage finds a home in her books. She spends her free time passing on her love of unicorns to her twin boys, running in the Florida heat, and drinking all the coffee. Dominique is the Young Adult columnist for DIY MFA. She now lives in Tampa, Florida with her family. You can find Dominique on her website or follow her on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Goodreads, Tiktok.   Sorboni Banerjee is a Bengali-American author and Emmy Award winning television news anchor. With a dad from a small Indian village and mom from Maine, Sorboni’s experiences growing up “mixed” shape her stories. Fueled by coffee and conversation, Sorboni loves the beach, boating and traveling the world with her husband and son. Other books by Sorboni include Hide With Me.   Passionate about all things books and giving back to the community, Sorboni and Dominique co-founded YA by the Bay, a nonprofit young adult reading and leadership festival, dedicated to inspiring teens to “be the author of your own life.” The first annual conference will be held in Tampa, FL on October 13th and 14th in 2023.  You can learn more at www.yabythebay.org, and you can follow Sorboni on Twitter, Instagram, and Tiktok.   In this episode Sorboni Banerjee, Dominique Richardson, and Lori discuss: The draw of fairy tales, even in contemporary times. How important it is to build community and support fellow writers. Diversifying traditional tales with contemporary values and angst.   Plus, their #1 tip for writers. For more info and show notes: diymfa.com/451

Today, Lori is interviewing Thien-Kim Lam. They’ll be talking about writing romance with depth and spice. Thien-Kim Lam writes stories about Vietnamese characters who smash stereotypes and find their happy endings. A recovering Type-Asian, she guzzles cà phê sữa đá, makes art, and bakes her feelings to stay sane. Her books Happy Endings and Full Exposure are steamy romances that will make you hungry.Thien-Kim is also the founder of Bawdy Bookworms, a subscription box that pairs sexy romances with erotic toys. She’s been featured on Jezebel, NPR, BBC America, and Glamour.  You can find her on her personal website or follow her on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, and here is the link to her book coaching site. She can also be found on Bawdy Bookworms’s Instagram.   In this episode Thien-Kim Lam and Lori discuss: Balancing a love story with conflict. Sex education and sexuality as empowerment. Creating banter that isn’t forced.   Plus, her #1 tip for writers. For more info and show notes: diymfa.com/450    

Today, Lori is interviewing Courtney Maum. They’ll be talking about honesty in memoir and her book The Year of the Horses. Author of five books, including the game changing publishing guide Before and After the Book Deal and the memoir, The Year of the Horses, (chosen by The Today Show as the best read for mental health awareness), Courtney is a writer and book coach hellbent on preserving the joy of art-making in a culture obsessed with turning artists into brands.  A nominee for the Joyce Carol Oates prize and the host of the monthly “Beyond Fiction” conversation series at Edith Wharton’s The Mount, Courtney’s essays and articles on creativity have been widely published in outlets like The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and The Guardian, and her short story This is Not Your Fault was recently turned into an Audible Original.  A frequent interviewer of high-profile writers such as Anne Perry, Ottessa Moshfegh, and Edouard Louis, Courtney is also the founder of the learning collaborative, The Cabins. You can sign up for her publishing newsletter and enroll in her online writing classes at CourtneyMaum.com, or follow her on Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, and Substack. She’s happy to be here.   In this episode Courtney Maum and Lori discuss: The challenges of getting to the absolute truth in nonfiction. How her copy editing career affects her creative endeavors. Using frustration as her muse.   Plus, her #1 tip for writers. For more info and show notes: diymfa.com/449

Today, Lori is interviewing Jenna Miller. They’ll be talking about her publishing experience as a debut writer with her book Out of Character. Jenna Miller writes Young Adult books about fat, queer, nerdy girls who deserve to be seen and have their voices heard. When she’s not obsessing over words, she can be found making charcuterie boards, befriending people online, cross stitching, or adventuring in the Minneapolis area.  You can find her on her website or follow her on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok.   In this episode Jenna Miller and Lori discuss: The complexities of writing a parent / teen dynamic that resonates with today’s YA audience.  How NanoWriMo positively influenced her authorial career. Transcending the traditional love triangle trope with nuance.   Plus, her #1 tip for writers. For more info and show notes: diymfa.com/448

Today, I have the pleasure of interviewing Monte Schultz. We’ll be talking about his book Metropolis, and the intricacies of writing alternative history. Monte Schulz received his M.A. in American Studies from University of California, Santa Barbara. He published his first novel, Down by the River, in 1990, and spent the next twelve years writing a novel about the Jazz Age. Monte is also a composer, songwriter, and producer whose most recent album is titled “Seraphonium.” In 2010, he became the owner of the Santa Barbara Writers Conference. Monte is endlessly curious and well versed in world history and theology. He is fascinated by the style and use of innovative language, and can be caught engaging in provocative, philosophical conversations about big, far-reaching, imaginative ideas and worldly perspectives. His father is the late cartoonist Charles M. Schulz. He lives in Santa Barbara, CA. You can find him on his website or follow him on Facebook and Twitter.   In this episode Monte Schultz and I discuss: How real world events seeded his fictional world. The effects of history’s weight: heavy topics creating ennui in a society and applying that to backstory. That reading widely, from both commercial and literary works, are key, along with a list of suggested authors. Plus, his #1 tip for writers. For more info and show notes: diymfa.com/447

Today, Lori is interviewing Jumata Emill. They’ll be talking about exploring social justice through multi-cultural experiences and his book The Black Queen. Jumata is a journalist who has covered crime and local politics in Mississippi and parts of Louisiana. He earned his B.A. in mass communications from Southern University and A&M College. He’s a Pitch Wars alum and member of the Crime Writers of Color. When he’s not writing about murderous teens, he’s watching and obsessively tweeting about every franchise of the Real Housewives. Jumata lives in Baton Rouge, La. You can find him on his website or follow him on Twitter and Instagram.   In this episode Jumata Emill and Lori discuss: The importance and long-term effects of character representation in YA novels. Making social justice a relatable topic for young people through engaging and thought provoking prose. How the influence of real life experiences and conversations have woven together to create inclusivity in his work.   Plus, his #1 tip for writers. For more info and show notes: diymfa.com/446

Today, Lori is interviewing Kendare Blake. They’ll be talking about her new book One Girl in All the World and writing a reboot series. Kendare Blake is the #1 New York Times best-selling author of the Three Dark Crowns series, the Anna Dressed in Blood duet, All These Bodies, and others. She lives and writes in Gig Harbor, Washington, from under a pile of dogs and cats. You can find her on her website or follow her on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.   In this episode Kendare Blake and Lori discuss: The pros and cons of writing fan fiction, and how it can up your authorial game. Dealing with the drama that comes with writing a reboot for a beloved series. Orienting new readers into an existing world without bogging things down. Plus, her #1 tip for writers. For more info and show notes: diymfa.com/445

Today, Lori is interviewing Iris Yamashita. They’ll be talking about how her experience as a screenwriter helped her create tension in a closed setting. Iris Yamashita is an Academy Award–nominated screenwriter for the movie Letters from Iwo Jima. She has been working in Hollywood for fifteen years developing material for both film and streaming, has taught screenwriting at UCLA, and is an advocate of women and diversity in the entertainment industry. She has also been a judge and mentor for various film and writing programs, and lives in California. You can find her on her website or follow her on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.   In this episode Iris Yamashita and Lori discuss: How culture has affected the trajectory of her career as a screenwriter and novelist. The way her screenwriting background informed her process for maintaining tension and keeping readers on the edge of their seat. Using a multiple voice format to make a shifting, close third POV work across characters with very distinct personalities. Plus, her #1 tip for writers. For more info and show notes: diymfa.com/444

Today, I have the pleasure of interviewing Mary Robinette Kowal. We’ll be talking about challenging your default assumption about the world and her latest book The Spare Man. Mary Robinette Kowal is the four-time Hugo, Locus, and Nebula Award-winning author of The Glamourist Histories series, Ghost Talkers, the Lady Astronaut Universe, and The Spare Man. She is a cast member of the award-winning podcast Writing Excuses and has received the Astounding Award for Best New Writer. Her stories appear in Asimov’s, Uncanny, and Year’s Best anthologies. Mary Robinette is a professional puppeteer, and she also performs as a voice actor (SAG/AFTRA), recording fiction for authors including Seanan McGuire, Cory Doctorow, and John Scalzi. She lives in Nashville with her husband Rob and over a dozen manual typewriters. You can find her on her website or follow her on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, and Goodreads.   In this episode Mary Robinette Kowal and I discuss: How she wrote a mash-up of old Hollywood glamour and a futuristic space setting. Why it was important to use fluid pronouns in this novel and what she learned writing it.  What she has learned over the course of writing ten books and how to reset. Plus, her #1 tip for writers. For more info and show notes: diymfa.com/443

Today, Lori is interviewing Amy Christine Parker. They’ll be talking about coming up with unsettling ideas and Amy’s book, Flight 171. Amy Christine Parker is the author of the critically acclaimed young adult thriller novels: Gated, Astray, Smash & Grab, and most recently the horror novel, Flight 171. When she is not busy dreaming up unsettling stories, Amy loves to read, go to the movies, and travel around the world in search of story inspiration. She lives and works in Tampa, Florida along with her husband, their two daughters, and two very high-maintenance cats. You can find her on her website or follow her on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, and Goodreads.   In this episode Amy Christine Parker and Lori discuss: Where she comes up with unsettling ideas and how she deals with fears on the page. The importance of the first line and why the opening chapters are the hardest to write. How she developed the characterization for the ensemble cast in Flight 171. Plus, her #1 tip for writers. For more info and show notes: diymfa.com/442

Today, I have the pleasure of interviewing Terena Elizabeth Bell. We’ll be talking about experimental fiction and her book of short stories, Tell Me What You See. Terena Elizabeth Bell is a fiction writer. Her debut short story collection, Tell Me What You See (Whiskey Tit), publishes Holiday 2022. Short stories, poetry, and journalism work have appeared in The Atlantic, Playboy, MysteryTribune, Santa Monica Review, Saturday Evening Post, and more than 100 similar publications throughout the US, the UK, Ireland, and Spain. Short fiction has won grants from the Kentucky Foundation for Women, Kentucky Governor’s School for the Arts, and the New York Foundation for the Arts.   She is a 2021 NYFA City Artists Corps winner, a 2018 Arlene Eisenberg Award winner, a 2018 Azbee Award of Excellence winner, and Centre College’s 2014 Distinguished Young Alumna of the Year. Lead editor of the Writing Through the Classics series of books on fiction craft, she has taught creative writing independently and through the New York Society Library, Woodlawn Children’s Home, and Bowling Green State University.   From 2005 to 2015, Bell served as CEO of an international translation company and, in 2012, was appointed to President Barack Obama’s White House Business Council by US Representative John Yarmuth. She holds a BA in English from Centre College and an MA in French from the University of Louisville. Originally from Sinking Fork, Kentucky, she lives in Manhattan, where her landlord once was Philip Roth. You can find her on her website or follow her on Twitter, TikTok, buymeacoffee.com, and medium.com.   In this episode Terena Elizabeth Bell and I discuss: How she merged images and text and other ways she experimented in her stories. Her advice for managing your mental health when writing about difficult topics. What it means to write what you see and how she applied it to her writing. Plus, her #1 tip for writers. For more info and show notes: diymfa.com/441

Today, I have the pleasure of interviewing Heloisa Prieto. We’ll be talking about all of the puzzle pieces in her book, The Musician. Dr. Heloisa Prieto is one of Brazil's most celebrated children and YA authors. She has sold over two million books in her native country. Her Mano series of YA novels inspired the Time Warner movie The Best Things in the World. She recently published 1,002 Ghosts, and her book Viajantes do Vento was selected for the PNLD Public Book-Purchasing Programme, the biggest of its kind in the world. She has spent a lifetime researching myths and legends-both ancient and modern-and organizing and curating collections of cross-cultural interest. She has created and organized numerous creative writing workshops for children, teenagers, and adults. Heloisa also has a PhD in French literature from the University of São Paulo, and a master's degree in semiotics from the Catholic University of São Paulo. You can find her on her website or follow her on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.   In this episode Heloisa Prieto and I discuss: The different points of view that she used and why she included journal excerpts. How she incorporated her love of fairy tales, mythology, and magic in The Musician. Her process for keeping her story organized as she pieced it together. Plus, her #1 tip for writers. For more info and show notes: diymfa.com/440

Today, Lori is interviewing Deeba Zargarpur. They’ll be talking about family trauma and her book House of Yesterday. Deeba Zargarpur is an Afghan-Uzbek American. She credits her love of literature across various languages to her immigrant parents, whose eerie tales haunted her well into the night.  If given the choice, Deeba would spend her days getting lost in spooky towns with nothing but a notebook and eye for adventure to guide her. House of Yesterday is her debut novel. You can find her on her website or follow her on Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, and Goodreads.   In this episode Deeba Zargarpur and Lori discuss: How to write a creepy book your audience will have to read with the lights on. Why she focuses on the grandparent and grandchild relationship in her book. When to edge the supernatural elements of your story toward the chilling.   Plus, her #1 tip for writers. For more info and show notes: diymfa.com/439

Today, Lori is interviewing Fran Hawthorne. They’ll be talking about her new book I Meant To Tell You and Broad Topic. Fran Hawthorne has been writing novels since she was four years old, although she was sidetracked for several decades by journalism. During that award-winning career, she wrote eight nonfiction books, mainly about consumer activism, the drug industry, and the financial world.  Ethical Chic (Beacon Press) was named one of the best business books of 2012 by Library Journal, and Pension Dumping (Bloomberg Press) was a Foreword magazine 2008 Book of the Year. She's also been an editor or regular contributor for The New York Times, Business Week, Fortune, and many other publications.  But Fran never abandoned her true love: With the publication of her debut novel, The Heirs, in 2018 and now I Meant To Tell You, Fran is firmly committed to fiction. She’s at work on her next novel and also writes book reviews for the New York Journal of Books. She lives in Brooklyn, New York. You can find her on her website or follow her on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Goodreads.   In this episode Fran Hawthorne and Lori discuss: How to use minor details to show your readers exactly who your characters are Why to shift perspective and how to decide when that shift should happen When to provide release and when to build tension in a story   Plus, her #1 tip for writers. For more info and show notes: diymfa.com/404

Today, Lori is interviewing Carolyn Hays. They’ll be talking about the freedom that can be found in a pen name and her new book A Girlhood: Letter to my Transgender Daughter. Carolyn Hays is an award-winning, critically acclaimed, bestselling author who has chosen to publish A Girlhood: Letter to My Transgender Daughter under a pen name to protect the privacy of her family.  Her novels have been published by Hachette, Simon and Schuster, and HarperCollins; her books are also widely translated. A Girlhood will have four overseas editions, including those by Picador UK and Flammarion in France.  Her past books have been listed as New York Times Notable Books of the Year and Kirkus’s Best Fiction of the Year, and she’s written for National Public Radio and the Washington Post. You can find her on her website or follow her publishers on Twitter at @PressShopPR and @BlairPublisher.   In this episode Carolyn Hays and Lori discuss: Why writing in second person is perfect when writing about gender. How to recognize a scene while you’re living through it. When to write out a scene in your memoir and when to summarize it. Plus, her #1 tip for writers. For more info and show notes: diymfa.com/437

Today, Lori is interviewing Amanda Jayatissa. They’ll be talking about secrets and hidden motivation in her new thriller You’re Invited. Amanda Jayatissa grew up in Sri Lanka, completed her undergrad at Mills College, CA, and lived in the UK before moving back to her sunny little island. She works as a corporate trainer, owns a chain of cookie stores, and is a proud dog-mum to her two spoiled huskies. You can find her on her website or follow her on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.   In this episode Amanda Jayatissa and Lori discuss: How to develop your character’s inner life and voice through journaling What to do when the ending you planned for your book changes How to manage misdirection while still keeping your story fair for your reader   Plus, her #1 tip for writers. For more info and show notes: diymfa.com/436