Hello Writers and Crafters! I'm Valerie Ihsan, And I'm Erick Mertz, and this is Episode 171 of the podcast and it's November 20, 2024 as we record this.  Main Topic:  PATREON: Thank you to new patron Elizabeth Amber from Anchorage, Alaska. THANKS! I appreciate you. Thank you to our existing patrons for believing in our work offline and here in the podcast.  Become a patron of the arts at Patreon.com/valerieihsan for books, writing instruction, coaching, and planning. Go to Patreon.com/strangeairstories for short stories in the paranormal mystery genre.   Segment 1 (Announcements/Author Updates): (Accidental Stranger Book 2 out) Print out NOW! On Amazon.  https://wordcrafters.org/unlock-the-heart-of-your-memoir/  (Valerie's teaching a class in Eugene, Oregon on Saturday, December 7, 2024; 10am-5pm.) EMBODY (fit and intuitive) on Patreon. (Valerie) writing new short stories from Ghost Story Weekend inspiration (Erick) (got feedback from the participants; all loved it.) tying up loose endings (finishing energy at the end of the year); clean slate for my birthday. (Erick) re-thinking Patreon (Erick) What are you reading? Valerie: Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman; The Year of the Puppy (Alexandra Horowitz); A Happy Pocketful of Money (David Cameron Gikandi) Erick: The October Country (Ray Bradbury)(Shout out to local bookstore: Parallel Worlds; NE Portland, OR);  Flight of Icarus (Stranger Things prequel book)(Caitlin Schneiderhan)     Segment 2 (Resources/Tips/Tidbits): Tidbit #1: Jane Friedman's newsletter The Hot Sheet, amazing information (fundamental) Tidbit #2:  Segment 3 (Mindset-Craft-Biz Check):  Segment 4 (Main Topic):   Start with a character, What's your story? (Valerie) archetypes intrigue/attrack me and do something different than before. (Erick)  theme early on (V);  why this character, why now (E); element of surprise makes it interesting (E); be open to surprise; fully plot out after the brainstorming. Create a structure and continue to pants through it. Invent a thing on the way to something else. Plotting isn't boring. Defy the plot points. If char reacts to a stale moments, it's because you are stale and bored. When stuck (process changes), a day-to-day thing: toss it out if you are rewriting it too much. What are the necessary elements? Straight-forward way. "The scene actually begins here." If it's content and not story, it has to go. Keep changing the container as you right. Know the beats before you sit down. (Erick)   Next episode:  Find Us:   Valerie's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/valerieihsan Erick's Linktree link: https://linktr.ee/erickmertzauthor Patreons:  https://patreon.com/valerieihsan    https://patreon.com/strangeairmysteries Tools: Passion Planner: https://passionplanner.rfrl.co/e86j8 (affiliate link) Discount Code: VALERIE184 ProWriting Aid: https://prowritingaid.com/?afid=9378 (affiliate link)

Thank you to our existing patrons for believing in our work offline and here in the podcast.  Become a patron of the arts at Patreon.com/valerieihsan for books, writing instruction, coaching, and planning. Go to Patreon.com/strangeairstories for short stories in the paranormal mystery genre.   Segment 1 (Announcements/Author Updates): (Accidental Stranger Book 2 out) Print out NOW! On Amazon.  Write in the Harbor (Erick teaching.) (Valerie will be at  Write in the Harbor in Gig Harbor, WA this year, too!  back from Ghost Story Weekend in Rainbow, OR. (Erick) https://wordcrafters.org/unlock-the-heart-of-your-memoir/  (Valerie's teaching a class in Eugene, Oregon on Saturday, December 7, 2024; 10am-5pm.) EMBODY (fit and intuitive) on Patreon. writing new short stories from Ghost Story Weekend inspiration (Erick) re-thinking Patreon (Erick) (Anne) first book published in April (She Writes Press); next book on September 2025; writing third book; social media IG went viral just from showing off apartment. Tip: do videos/reels.   What are you reading? Valerie: Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman; The Year of the Puppy (Alexandra Horowitz) Roland Rogers isn't Dead Yet (Samantha Allen); A Happy Pocketful of Money (David Cameron Gikandi) Erick: The October Country (Ray Bradbury) The Great When (Alan Moore) (Shout out to local bookstore: Parallel Worlds; NE Portland, OR); Safe Enough (Lee Child) Anne: The Wedding People (Alison Espach); I Hope This Finds You Well (Natalie Sue)   Segment 2 (Resources/Tips/Tidbits): Tidbit #1:  Tidbit #2:  Segment 3 (Mindset-Craft-Biz Check):  Segment 4 (Main Topic):   Anne Abel Anne Abel’s story about unwittingly rescuing an aggressive dog, Milo, won a Moth StorySLAM in New York City. She has won two additional Moth StorySLAMs in Chicago. Her credentials include an MFA from The New School for Social Research, an MBA from the University of Chicago, and a BS in chemical engineering from Tufts University. She has freelanced for Lilith; Philadelphia Daily News; The Jewish Exponent; Philadelphia Weekly, Main Line Life and Main Line Today, and formerly wrote a weekly column, “The Homefront,” for Main Line Welcomat. She also taught English and creative writing at the Community College of Philadelphia. Anne lives in New York City with her husband, Andy, and their three rescue dogs, Ryan, Megan, and Chase. She grew up outside Boston, MA. Suffered from depression and writers block, and start telling stories is what saved her. Following Bruce Springsteen's tour for the structure. Started writing stories through emails for hours a day. Storytelling open mic. Worked on seven minute story. 7 minute story framework. MOTH is 5 minutes. Don't question what comes out. Positive immediate feedback. Use story beats. Outline. Tell myself the story over and over. (Absolute key points.) (Tell them what they don't expect.) Everyone sees art in a different way. If Bruce Springsteen was saying, "How do we get through the day?" maybe I can do this. Australia changed the trajectory of my life. Blinded by the Light. (Movie about a British-Pakastani teen who discovers Bruce Springsteen's music.) A lot of courage and connection. The courage led to the connectivity. "I live outside my comfort zone." She tried and she tried and she tried. (For my tombstone.) "I don't let fear stop me."  "What's the worst? Just do it." anneabelauthor.com (Listen to a couple of Anne's stories from the MOTHSlam.)   Next episode:  Find Us:   Valerie's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/valerieihsan Erick's Linktree link: https://linktr.ee/erickmertzauthor Patreons:  https://patreon.com/valerieihsan    https://patreon.com/strangeairmysteries Tools: Passion Planner: https://passionplanner.rfrl.co/e86j8 (affiliate link) Discount Code: VALERIE184 ProWriting Aid: https://prowritingaid.com/?afid=9378 (affiliate link)

Main Topic: Writing as a Black Woman in the Speculative Fiction World (Main Topic starts at 28:00.) PATREON: Thank you to our existing patrons for believing in our work offline and here in the podcast.  Become a patron of the arts at Patreon.com/valerieihsan for books, writing instruction, coaching, and planning. Go to Patreon.com/strangeairstories for short stories in the paranormal mystery genre.   Segment 1 (Announcements/Author Updates): (Accidental Stranger Book 2 out) Print out NOW! On Amazon.  Write in the Harbor (Erick teaching.) (Valerie will be at  Write in the Harbor in Gig Harbor, WA this year, too!  back from Ghost Story Weekend in Rainbow, OR. (Erick) https://wordcrafters.org/unlock-the-heart-of-your-memoir/  (Valerie's teaching a class in Eugene, Oregon on Saturday, December 7, 2024; 10am-5pm.) EMBODY (fit and intuitive) on Patreon. Michele: teaching at NC Writers Network Conference "Bending Reality" (Keynotes: art and creativity unifies and grounds us; What is your Zone of Genius? Create a keynote talk from there.) Book rec: The Big Leap (Hendricks);  teaching "Afro-Futurism and the Black Imaginary" class     What are you reading? Valerie: Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman; The Year of the Puppy (Alexandra Horowitz) Roland Rogers isn't Dead Yet (Samantha Allen); A Happy Pocketful of Money (David Cameron Gikandi) Erick: The October Country (Ray Bradbury) The Great When (Alan Moore) (Shout out to local bookstore: Parallel Worlds; NE Portland, OR) Michele: Nalo Hopkinson (Jamaica Ginger and Other Concoctions); How to Be Old (Lyn Slater)  Segment 2 (Resources/Tips/Tidbits): Tidbit #1: Invite the Random into your Storytelling. (Roll the dice.) Tidbit #2: Eat fries before dinner. Segment 3 (Mindset-Craft-Biz Check):  Segment 4 (Main Topic):   Dr. Michele Tracy Berger is a professor, an award-winning writer, a creativity coach and a pug-lover. Her main love is writing speculative fiction, though she also is known to write poetry and creative nonfiction, too. 1. Spec fiction definition: ideas that are outside the regular laws of the universe; Margaret Atwood (feminist author used ); sci fi, fantasy, paranormal, horror. Toni Morrison's Beloved is a ghost story (literary). Horror is a feeling (also a genre) (elevated horror, social horror). In social horror, Creatives of Color now write systems of power as the monster in the basement.  2. What challenges do you face? Meet reader's expectations; gatekeepers have changed; a decade of rejections for Doll Seed story; understanding African American literary history (more space now, public ready now for more interesting characters); black women were absent or monstrous in horror media from the 70s and 80s, now there's interest in a rebalance, and an appetite for complex characters, indie pubbing lead the way for this. Trad pub catching up. "This May Hurt a Bit" (horror podcast) 3. Marketing through this lens: finding a press that resonates with you, being authentic and consistent, IG Live, learning as you go, embrace the work of marketer, watch documentary of Jackie Collins (Lady Boss: The Jackie Collins Story) and Harlan Ellison (Dreams with Sharp Teeth: A Film About a GrandMaster), writers have always had to think about how people find them.  Aunt Lute Press: mood board with intersection of empowered female characters, black readers of spec fiction, how to think about ideal reader ("If you like Octavia Butler, Kelly Link, AND Dean Koontz, you'll love Michele Tracy Berger").  Start with a character, then construct the story and follow the character through. Think about audience in the submission process.  4. Author services: Write affirmations. Neutral to positive self-talk for writers as a pattern interruptor. Coaching creatives for 15 years. The Creative Tickle. "Tickle your genius awake." Specialize in writers interested in mindset work. Online classes. Group coaching. "More Joy on the Path." "See the joy in the process."       Next episode:  Find Us:   Valerie's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/valerieihsan Erick's Linktree link: https://linktr.ee/erickmertzauthor Patreons:  https://patreon.com/valerieihsan    https://patreon.com/strangeairmysteries Tools: Passion Planner: https://passionplanner.rfrl.co/e86j8 (affiliate link) Discount Code: VALERIE184 ProWriting Aid: https://prowritingaid.com/?afid=9378 (affiliate link) Resources:  "How to write an eavesdropping scene" on Erick's blog Reading Critique Group for Writers FB Group (Jennie Komp's group) 3 Bird View FB page (Jennie Komp's business page) Author XP (marketing for authors) (bi-monthly promotions) Raven Publicity (publicity for authors) The Shades of Orange (Rachel, Book Blogger on YouTube) for book recommendations SF/Fantasy/Horror Contact Erick for business-starting advice or building a website. Contact Valerie for author coaching. Thomas Umstattd Jr, at Novel Marketing Podcast. Ep255: How to Create an Email Onboarding Drip Campaign Russell P. Nohelty and Monica Leonelle's book, Get Your Book Selling on Kickstarter. Balance meditation app. Story Rubric version 1.1 and podcast episode. Three Story Method worksheet   Book Recs for writing/creativity/business: Thinking in Pictures by John Sayles Take Off Your Pants: Outline Your Books for Faster, Better Writing by Libbie Hawker Story Hypothesis: A Writer's Guide to Crafting Resonating Stories by JP Rindfleisch IX Fast-Draft Your Memoir: Write Your Life Story in 45 Hours by Rachael Herron Three Story Method: Foundations in Fiction by J.Thorn and Zach Bohannon The Anatomy of a Best Seller by Sacha Black Slow Productivity by Cal Newport     

Segment 1 (Announcements/Author Updates): (Accidental Stranger Book 2 out) Print out NOW! On Amazon.  Write in the Harbor (Erick teaching.) (Valerie will be at  Write in the Harbor in Gig Harbor, WA this year, too!  Host of Ghost Story Weekend for Wordcrafters. (Erick) print books going forward. wrapping up writing projects, PB out on the 15th of Accidental Stranger (plus prequel), finishing another book in Melville series "Signal Shadow" (Erick) https://wordcrafters.org/unlock-the-heart-of-your-memoir/  (Valerie's teaching a class in Eugene, Oregon on Saturday, December 7, 2024; 10am-5pm.)   What are you reading? Valerie: Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman; The Year of the Puppy (Alexandra Horowitz) Erick: The October Country (Ray Bradbury) The Great When (Alan Moore) (Shout out to local bookstore: Parallel Worlds; NE Portland, OR)   Segment 2 (Resources/Tips/Tidbits): Tidbit #1: Knowing Your Boundaries in Your Work (Erick( Tidbit #2: Exercise Gives You Energy (Valerie) Segment 3 (Mindset-Craft-Biz Check):  Segment 4 (Main Topic):  Foster Curiosity: *moment of inspiration comes what do you do when you get the idea? don't memorialize the idea too fast (set in stone), instead, live with it. See how long I can tease it out. Practice keeping the idea flowing. Live in the possible for as long as I can. Gather the what ifs.  Then download the ideas. Lose some of the ideas, but learned to trust the leaves that fall off. Learn by playing. See yourself in the story and feel bigger. Usually happens when not at home.     Next episode: Guest Michelle Berger Tracy on Being a Black Woman in the Speculative Fiction Find Us:   Valerie's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/valerieihsan Erick's Linktree link: https://linktr.ee/erickmertzauthor Patreons:  https://patreon.com/valerieihsan    https://patreon.com/strangeairmysteries Tools: Passion Planner: https://passionplanner.rfrl.co/e86j8 (affiliate link) Discount Code: VALERIE184 ProWriting Aid: https://prowritingaid.com/?afid=9378 (affiliate link)

Segment 1 (Announcements/Author Updates): (Accidental Stranger Book 2 out) Print out NOW! On Amazon.  Write in the Harbor (Erick teaching.) (Valerie will be at  Write in the Harbor in Gig Harbor, WA this year, too!  Host of Ghost Story Weekend for Wordcrafters. (Erick) print books going forward. wrapping up writing projects, PB out on the 15th of Accidental Stranger (plus prequel), finishing another book in Melville series "Signal Shadow" (Erick) met my client deadline, squeezed in some self-care, worked an extra shift at the bookstore, a lot of social time with my son and various friends (catching up), used ChatGPT4yo to help with a workshop description I needed to turn in--their name is Echo, signed up for a 14-day trial Class Pass and signed up for something almost every day. I'm both excited and dreading it. (Valerie)   What are you reading? Valerie: Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman;  The Book of Witching (CJ Cooke) Erick: The October Country (Ray Bradbury) The Great When (Alan Moore)   Segment 2 (Resources/Tips/Tidbits): Tidbit #1: Squibler (AI for Writers); tool for outline ideas, for plot holes, idea generator, lets you save things in files. Tidbit #2: If you aren't an early adopter (I'm not?), then start using A.I. as you need it. We're all creative. We can find creative ways of using it in our business. Starting using it with Pro-Writing Aid (affiliate link in the show notes), or using the free version of ChatGPT to get copywriting done. Like book blurbs, ad copy, workshop descriptions, sometimes you can even get a book summary if it's an older book. Finding book comps. My A.I. Assistant is super nice.  Segment 3 (Mindset-Craft-Biz Check):  Segment 4 (Main Topic): Starts at 19:14 on the video.  Next episode:  Find Us:   Valerie's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/valerieihsan Erick's Linktree link: https://linktr.ee/erickmertzauthor Patreons:  https://patreon.com/valerieihsan    https://patreon.com/strangeairmysteries Tools: Passion Planner: https://passionplanner.rfrl.co/e86j8 (affiliate link) Discount Code: VALERIE184 ProWriting Aid: https://prowritingaid.com/?afid=9378 (affiliate link)

  Segment 1 (Announcements/Author Updates): (Accidental Stranger Book 2 out) Write in the Harbor (Erick teaching.) (Valerie will be at  Write in the Harbor in Gig Harbor, WA this year, too!  Host of Ghost Story Weekend for Wordcrafters. (Erick) wrapping up writing projects, PB out on the 15th of Accidental Stranger (plus prequel), finishing another book in Melville series "Signal Shadow" (Erick) client work (Valerie)   What are you reading? Valerie: Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman; The Life Impossible (Matt Haig) The Book of Witching (CJ Cooke) Erick: The Color of Magic (Terry Pratchett) The October Country (Ray Bradbury)   Segment 2 (Resources/Tips/Tidbits): Tidbit #1: Locus magazine (sci/fi and fantasy) FANTASTIC Tidbit #2: Query Manager (filtering, but not totally accurate--check the agent's website) Segment 3 (Mindset-Craft-Biz Check): A previous guest said Erick and I reminded her of being on a morning radio show. I brought up the sitcom "Community," with the "Troy and Abed in the morning" tagline, and CRICKETS. Ha! Here's what I mean: https://images.app.goo.gl/rG9fff2Xko9PSAQMA Segment 4 (Main Topic): Starts at 20:40 Can nudge an agent about submission after 6-8 weeks. Why are you going? Networking, learning something, building relationships, clients, creating community, make fans, building confidence, "If you plant bulbs today, you get flowers in May." Why don't they reach out? Conference Buddy Set Boundaries for yourself, and be aware of other's boundaries. Need for brevity in questions, pitches, and elevator pitches.   Next episode:  Find Us:   Valerie's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/valerieihsan Erick's Linktree link: https://linktr.ee/erickmertzauthor Patreons:  https://patreon.com/valerieihsan    https://patreon.com/strangeairmysteries Tools: Passion Planner: https://passionplanner.rfrl.co/e86j8 (affiliate link) Discount Code: VALERIE184 ProWriting Aid: https://prowritingaid.com/?afid=9378 (affiliate link)

Main Topic: Jeanne Blasberg, Story Retellings (starts at 21:39 on video) PATREON: Thank you to our existing patrons for believing in our work offline and here in the podcast.  Become a patron of the arts at Patreon.com/valerieihsan for books, writing instruction, coaching, and planning. Go to Patreon.com/strangeairstories for short stories in the paranormal mystery genre.   Segment 1 (Announcements/Author Updates): (Accidental Stranger Book 2 out) SWWC and Write in the Harbor (Erick teaching.) (Valerie will be at  Write in the Harbor in Gig Harbor, WA this year, too! And also speaking at Alaska Writers Guild conference in Anchorage in October.) Host of Ghost Story Weekend for Wordcrafters. (Erick) writing, working on print version of Accidental Stranger, rewriting next Strange Air novel, client biz. (Erick) client work, getting ready for conference next weekend. (Valerie)   What are you reading? Valerie: Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman; The Horse (Willy Vlautin); We Should All Be Millionaires: A Woman's Guide to Earning More, Building Wealth, and Gaining Economic Power (Rachel Rodgers) Erick: The United States of Cryptids: A Tour of American Myths and Monsters  (J.W. Ocker) Jeanne Blasberg's reads: Land Rich, Cash Poor: My Family's Hope and the Untold History of the Disappearing American Farmer (Brian Reisinger) Entitlement (Rumaan Alam) Segment 2 (Resources/Tips/Tidbits): Tidbit #1: Six-Week Writing From Your Body workshop (author Anna Willman)--starts September 28 --  $40 per session or discounted rate for all six. They always work with individuals to make their workshops accessible to all. Focusinginternational.org Writing from your body FII workshop Tidbit #2: Squibler (new writing organizer); Knowing what your boundaries are is key. I get to say what I do.  Tidbit #3: Chris Frizzell (Frizz Lit) Book club of the classic, chapter by chapter, funny host Segment 3 (Mindset-Craft-Biz Check): Segment 4 (Main Topic): Jeanne Blasberg is an award-winning and bestselling author and essayist. Her novel The Nine (SWP 2019) was honored with the 2019 Foreword Indies Gold Award in Thriller & Suspense and the Gold Medal and Juror’s Choice in the 2019 National Indie Excellence Awards. Eden (SWP 2017), her debut, won the Benjamin Franklin Silver Award for Best New Voice in Fiction and was a finalist for the Sarton Women’s Book Award for Historical Fiction. Her forthcoming novel, Daughter of a Promise (SWP, April 2, 2024) is a modern retelling of the legend of David and Bathsheba, completing the thematic trilogy she began with Eden and The Nine. Jeanne cochairs the board of the Boston Book Festival and serves on the Executive Committee of GrubStreet, one of the country’s preeminent creative writing centers. Jeanne was named a Southampton Writer’s Conference BookEnds Fellow in April 2021. She reviews contemporary fiction for the New York Journal of Books, When not in New England, she splits her time between Park City, UT, and growing organic vegetables in Verona, Wisconsin.   Jeanne Blasberg Daughter of a Promise Retellings: def -- not side story (that's its own genre) -- have the events from the original tellings (same or parallel); reimagined in different setting; make things contemporary and relevant. Not a 'diss' on the original. Opportunity to retell is a fun journey for reader and author. Plots are familiar (off-beat romance, forbidden relationship, etc), can insert or end story at a different point. In conversation with other works.   Only so many plots, we process our lives with story. Not derivative. Our human struggle has really never changed. The setting has, but universal truths haven't. As a species, have we really made much progress?    Take plot, make modern day, explore the relationships.  Do the research of retellings (all) already written first. Find what hasn't been said. Why are you telling this version? What questions exist? Why are you driven to write about it?   Follow your why's? What story has you still thinking about it? Follow your curiosity. This is the ultimate fan fiction. What are you obsessed with? What are you wanting to say with this retelling? "Inspired by" -- have permission to make these stories our own. Insert our own thoughts and conversation with this art. Art evolves this way. Museums hold many variations of the Virgin Mary. For instance.  License to play with it. What about exposing yourself to the "scholars" and experts response? Interest and curiosity is the response. Tip: Don't feel like anything is out of bounds for you. Just do it well. You are allowed to do it. If it lights you up, I think you should do it. If you've triggered someone, clearly you've done it right. @jeanneblasbergauthor  Constantly Curating on Substack (writing and farming) Sonic Branding (link TBD)   Next episode:  Find Us:   Valerie's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/valerieihsan Erick's Linktree link: https://linktr.ee/erickmertzauthor Patreons:  https://patreon.com/valerieihsan    https://patreon.com/strangeairmysteries Tools: Passion Planner: https://passionplanner.rfrl.co/e86j8 (affiliate link) Discount Code: VALERIE184 ProWriting Aid: https://prowritingaid.com/?afid=9378 (affiliate link) Resources:  "How to write an eavesdropping scene" on Erick's blog Reading Critique Group for Writers FB Group (Jennie Komp's group) 3 Bird View FB page (Jennie Komp's business page) Author XP (marketing for authors) (bi-monthly promotions) Raven Publicity (publicity for authors) The Shades of Orange (Rachel, Book Blogger on YouTube) for book recommendations SF/Fantasy/Horror Contact Erick for business-starting advice or building a website. Contact Valerie for author coaching. Thomas Umstattd Jr, at Novel Marketing Podcast. Ep255: How to Create an Email Onboarding Drip Campaign Russell P. Nohelty and Monica Leonelle's book, Get Your Book Selling on Kickstarter. Balance meditation app. Story Rubric version 1.1 and podcast episode. Three Story Method worksheet   Book Recs for writing/creativity/business: Thinking in Pictures by John Sayles Take Off Your Pants: Outline Your Books for Faster, Better Writing by Libbie Hawker Story Hypothesis: A Writer's Guide to Crafting Resonating Stories by JP Rindfleisch IX Fast-Draft Your Memoir: Write Your Life Story in 45 Hours by Rachael Herron Three Story Method: Foundations in Fiction by J.Thorn and Zach Bohannon The Anatomy of a Best Seller by Sacha Black Slow Productivity by Cal Newport 

Main Topic: Welcome to Season 5 PATREON: Thank you to our existing patrons for believing in our work offline and here in the podcast.  Become a patron of the arts at Patreon.com/valerieihsan for books, writing instruction, coaching, and planning. Go to Patreon.com/strangeairstories for short stories in the paranormal mystery genre.   Segment 1 (Announcements/Author Updates): Three Story Method: Writing How-To Books out now. Focus and Finish: Goal-Setting and Strategic Planning for Writers (First in Series; out now.) Black Springs Saga Book 1 out now (it's the prequel) 99 cents (Accidental Stranger Book 2 preorder this coming week) SWWC and Write in the Harbor (Erick teaching.) (Valerie will be at  Write in the Harbor in Gig Harbor, WA this year, too! And also speaking at Alaska Writers Guild conference in Anchorage in October.) Host of Ghost Story Weekend for Wordcrafters. (Erick) submitting stories, client biz, new ad campaign. Working on next novel. (Erick) finishing 2024 retreat (Valerie) upcoming: courses, new novel (Valerie) What are you reading? Valerie: Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman; The Horse (Willy Vlautin) The Universe Has Your Back (Gabrielle Bernstein)  Erick: The Tusks of Extinction (Ray Nayler), The Glass Hotel (Emily St. John Mandel)   Segment 2 (Resources/Tips/Tidbits): Tidbit #1: Six-Week Writing From Your Body workshop (author Anna Willman)--starts September 28 --  $40 per session or discounted rate for all six. They always work with individuals to make their workshops accessible to all. Focusinginternational.org There is a free introductory workshop (one hour) on Saturday, September 14 at 7:00 a.m. pacific Writing from your body FII workshop Tidbit #2: Open rate and engagement rate on mailing list is more important than the size of the mailing list. Segment 3 (Mindset-Craft-Biz Check): Segment 4 (Main Topic):   Next episode: Jeanne Blasberg on Story Retellings Find Us:   Valerie's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/valerieihsan Erick's Linktree link: https://linktr.ee/erickmertzauthor Patreons:  https://patreon.com/valerieihsan    https://patreon.com/strangeairmysteries Tools: Passion Planner: https://passionplanner.rfrl.co/e86j8 (affiliate link) Discount Code: VALERIE184 ProWriting Aid: https://prowritingaid.com/?afid=9378 (affiliate link) Resources:  "How to write an eavesdropping scene" on Erick's blog Reading Critique Group for Writers FB Group (Jennie Komp's group) 3 Bird View FB page (Jennie Komp's business page) Author XP (marketing for authors) (bi-monthly promotions) Raven Publicity (publicity for authors) The Shades of Orange (Rachel, Book Blogger on YouTube) for book recommendations SF/Fantasy/Horror Contact Erick for business-starting advice or building a website. Contact Valerie for author coaching. Thomas Umstattd Jr, at Novel Marketing Podcast. Ep255: How to Create an Email Onboarding Drip Campaign Russell P. Nohelty and Monica Leonelle's book, Get Your Book Selling on Kickstarter. Balance meditation app. Story Rubric version 1.1 and podcast episode. Three Story Method worksheet   Book Recs for writing/creativity/business: Thinking in Pictures by John Sayles Take Off Your Pants: Outline Your Books for Faster, Better Writing by Libbie Hawker Story Hypothesis: A Writer's Guide to Crafting Resonating Stories by JP Rindfleisch IX Fast-Draft Your Memoir: Write Your Life Story in 45 Hours by Rachael Herron Three Story Method: Foundations in Fiction by J.Thorn and Zach Bohannon The Anatomy of a Best Seller by Sacha Black Slow Productivity by Cal Newport 

Announcements: 2024 Writer Craft Writing Retreat and Workshop registration open; https://valerieihsan.com/retreat (Day Passes $400) I've got four spaces left. I have decided that because of the Costa Rica move next year, I will NOT be having a retreat in 2025. So, if you've been on the fence, NOW is the time to make the decision to purchase a ticket for this month. Part of my Burnout Recovery Series on Patreon now includes the addition of The Artist's Way. I'll be hosting a "Creative Cluster" via Zoom, starting Aug 8, (tomorrow!) Thursday, 10am-noon Pacific. It's a 12 week program only for my patrons, so go over and pick out any of the tiers. You'd need to attend live for how the sharing and caring is done, and there will not be replays. Instead, for those that can't attend live, I'll be posting in the Patron Community about my growth and inviting you to share yours in the comments. What's your experience with The Artist's Way?   Three Story Method: Writing How-To Books out now. Focus and Finish: Goal-Setting and Strategic Planning for Writers (First in Series; out now.) Black Springs Saga Book 1 out now (it's the prequel) 99 cents (Accidental Stranger Book 2 preorder this coming week) SWWC and Write in the Harbor (Erick teaching.) (Valerie will be at  Write on the Sound in Gig Harbor, WA this year, too! And also speaking at Alaska Writers Guild conference in Anchorage in October.) Host of Ghost Story Weekend for Wordcrafters. (Erick)   Author Update: Erick:   Valerie: getting ready for the retreat Working with my Burnout Recovery plan; Updates through my Patreon page.   I'm reading: Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman and Welcome to the Hyunam-Dong Bookshop by Huang Bo-Reum. Just finished: A Certain Kind of Starlight by Heather Webber. Thunder Song by Sasha taqŵšeblu LaPointe The Entire Sky by Joe Wilkins Erick:   Becky is reading: Annie Ernaux's "A Woman's Story" and "A Man's Place" Notes: Main Topic starts at: 11:42 Becky Ellis is a Timberwolf Pup. The daughter of a highly decorated World War II combat sergeant, she is a veteran of a war fought at home. She earned a BA in English Literature at UC Berkeley and has over twenty years of experience in the publishing industry. She teaches writing in Portland, Oregon, where she lives, plays, and has raised three daughters. Little Avalanches is her debut memoir. https://instagram.com/beckyellisauthor Won Rubery Book Award 2024.   1. Did you yoga or write first? Yoga came first. Part of the process of getting into my body. Writers live in our heads. Yoga kept me body aware. Start feel yourself. Accesses to feel your feelings. Access internal world in more embodied way. Bad Acting = Facial Expressions. Get on the Body. Get off the face. Exercise: close eyes and feel everything. 2. How did writing impact your healing? Transformational impact as a person. Understanding my father, saw them separate from me. See myself for the first time. Writing from the child's perspective. A lot of inner-child work. Consciously explore my own reasons for doing what. Study of the self = memoir. Putting your characters IN the story. Concrete sensory details. Have access to that place.  3. Talk a little about the fears memoirists have around writing about their family. Any tips or guidelines? And how does that feed into breaking cycles of silence and secret-keeping? So important to get the stories on the page. Be a Just God on the page. Give everyone their reasons for doing what they did. Take a step back, and ask Why they did it. Shifts out of victimhood. People want to be seen and felt. Everyone was totally fine with it. Take time to figure out why they did it. 4. Your media kit mentions Trauma Bounce (bouncing back from the trauma). What should we be on the lookout for when writing and getting retriggered? Spent half the time crying. Strategies: therapy while writing, yoga, find safety where you can.   Exercise for memoirists: Highlight all the exposition. Get rid of all the the exposition and repetition. You can thread it back in afterwards.   5 How can wisdom come through action? Show it in the character arc, actions at end of story different than at the beginning.  So many objects in rough drafts. Use them for metaphor. Don't mine your life, mine your page.  Positive side to trauma. Try and try and try. "If you quit, you'll die." Train to survive. Feel so powerful in the end.  Writing to be in service to the reader. What are we in service to? The reader. What psychological practice can we share with the reader? Structure of book to manipulating reader's emotions.   Find Us:   Valerie's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/valerieihsan Erick's Linktree link: https://linktr.ee/erickmertzauthor

Announcements: 2024 Writer Craft Writing Retreat and Workshop registration open; https://valerieihsan.com/retreat (Day Passes $400) I've got four spaces left. Burnout Recovery Series on Patreon, and part of my recovery is the addition of The Artist's Way. I'll be hosting a creative cluster via Zoom, starting Aug 8, Thursday, 10am-noon Pacific. It's a 12 week program, AND a bonus cluster meeting next week on the 1st to go over the intro and basic tools. Only for my patrons, so go over and pick out a tier. You'd need to attend live for how the sharing and caring is done, and there will not be replays. Instead, for those that can't attend live, I'll be posting in the Patron Community about my growth and inviting you to share yours in the comments. What's your experience with The Artist's Way? I'm reading: Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman. And A Certain Kind of Starlight by Heather Webber. Thunder Song by Sasha taqŵšeblu LaPointe The Entire Sky by Joe Wilkins

PATREON: Thank you to our existing patrons for believing in our work offline and here in the podcast.  Become a patron of the arts at Patreon.com/valerieihsan for books, writing instruction, coaching, and planning. Go to Patreon.com/strangeairstories for short stories in the paranormal mystery genre. Announcements: 2024 Writer Craft Writing Retreat and Workshop registration open; https://valerieihsan.com/retreat (Day Passes $400) Three Story Method: Writing How-To Books out now. Focus and Finish: Goal-Setting and Strategic Planning for Writers (First in Series; out now.) Black Springs Saga Book 1 out now (it's the prequel) 99 cents (Accidental Stranger Book 2 preorder this coming week) SWWC and Write in the Harbor (Erick teaching.) (Valerie will be at Write in the Harbor this year, too!) Host of Ghost Story Weekend for Wordcrafters. (Erick)   Author Update: Erick:   Valerie: back much better (still stiff) and knee improving, but slow; seeing the need to focus on my health needs (physical and mental) speaking Alaska Writers Guild conference in Anchorage in October and Write on the Sound in Gig Harbor, WA in November. Working with my Burnout Recovery plan; Updates through my Patreon page.   I'm reading:  (Gina's Reads) "But Everyone Feels This Way" Paige Layle - memoir on autism diagnosis; "Quit" Annie Duke  Thunder Song by Sasha taqŵšeblu LaPointe The Entire Sky by Joe Wilkins Erick:   Notes: Main Topic starts at 17:25. https://ginasoldano.com/author-spotlight-valerie-ihsan/ (Valerie's Author Spotlight feature on Gina's blog) Getting to the Heart of Why We Write (Gina's podcast) The Curious Compassionate (marketing podcast for children's books) with currated booklist Nia's Rescue Box (50% of profits go to Colorado Food Rescue) Food Rescue U.S. (national) Noise cancelling headphones Writing short Organized folders in Google and date every document (DATETitle.docx) Type with thumbs. Know what project I'm working on. Think about it first (a lot). Leave the sentence open (notes for rest of scene). Prefer writing memoir or essays and middle-grade fantasy (faves), but picture books are easy right now for those stolen moments. Writing in multiple genres not a choice. Have stories and ideas in brain. Have to get them out. Direction of energy is career and curiosity led. Focusing on picture book and middle grade (rather than memoir and novels) right now. Would like to be more focused in my direction: querying and direct submissions. Drafting emails and query moments during the screaming moments. Admin on laptop at couch. Things that work for me: Grace. Bullet journaling. Lists on post-it notes, less stressful to move the list than rewriting the list on a new day. Daydreaming and stickers. The Practice by Seth Godin (Your work needs to rhyme with itself.) Ginasoldano.com Podcast, all the socials, IG @gina.soldano, Substack, (check out new Core Connected Marketing/Substack)   Find Us:   Valerie's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/valerieihsan Erick's Linktree link: https://linktr.ee/erickmertzauthor Patreons:  https://patreon.com/valerieihsan    https://patreon.com/strangeairmysteries Tools: Passion Planner: https://passionplanner.rfrl.co/e86j8 (affiliate link) Discount Code: VALERIE150 ProWriting Aid: https://prowritingaid.com/?afid=9378 (affiliate link) Resources:  "How to write an eavesdropping scene" on Erick's blog Reading Critique Group for Writers FB Group (Jennie Komp's group) 3 Bird View FB page (Jennie Komp's business page) Author XP (marketing for authors) (bi-monthly promotions) Raven Publicity (publicity for authors) The Shades of Orange (Rachel, Book Blogger on YouTube) for book recommendations SF/Fantasy/Horror Contact Erick for business-starting advice or building a website. Contact Valerie for author coaching. Thomas Umstattd Jr, at Novel Marketing Podcast. Ep255: How to Create an Email Onboarding Drip Campaign Russell P. Nohelty and Monica Leonelle's book, Get Your Book Selling on Kickstarter. Balance meditation app. Story Rubric version 1.1 and podcast episode. Three Story Method worksheet   Book Recs for writing/creativity/business: Thinking in Pictures by John Sayles Take Off Your Pants: Outline Your Books for Faster, Better Writing by Libbie Hawker Story Hypothesis: A Writer's Guide to Crafting Resonating Stories by JP Rindfleisch IX Fast-Draft Your Memoir: Write Your Life Story in 45 Hours by Rachael Herron Three Story Method: Foundations in Fiction by J.Thorn and Zach Bohannon The Anatomy of a Best Seller by Sacha Black Slow Productivity by Cal Newport 

  Listener comment: suggestion to timestamp if the video is about a specific thing (Main Topic starts at 24:58) Announcements: PNW inspired horror [email protected]; Submissions closed. Reading stories now. 2024 Writer Craft Writing Retreat and Workshop registration open; https://valerieihsan.com/retreat (Day Passes $400) Three Story Method: Writing How-To Books out now. Focus and Finish: Goal-Setting and Strategic Planning for Writers (First in Series; out now.) Black Springs Saga Book 1 out now (it's the prequel) 99 cents (Accidental Stranger Book 2 preorder this coming week) SWWC and Write in the Harbor (Erick teaching.) (Valerie will be at Write in the Harbor this year, too!) Host of Ghost Story Weekend for Wordcrafters. (Erick) featured on KBOO radio (link coming soon)   Author Update: Erick: launched new book series (Black Springs Saga) writing and client work list of short stories for the summer Valerie: back much better (still stiff) and knee improving, but slow (ultrasound tomorrow); seeing the need to focus on my health needs (physical and mental) speaking Alaska Writers Guild conference in Anchorage in October and Write on the Sound in Gig Harbor, WA in November. Working with my Burnout Recovery plan; Updates through my Patreon page. I'm reading: Thunder Song by Sasha taqŵšeblu LaPointe In a Dark, Dark Wood by Ruth Ware The Manor House Governess by C.A. Castle Erick: Cold Victory by Karl Marlantes You Like it Darker Stephen King Anders Fager "Grandma's Journey" Swedish Cults (HP Lovecraft on acid) Notes: Imagery can be intimidating if you think it has to be beautiful, flowery, lurid, prose. Think more realistic expectations. It's a tool. Imagery as tone setting. Character interacting with environment. Relevant to the action. More vivid images. Use concrete sensory images to "explain" feelings. Get unique with imagery. Use different senses besides visual. Layer senses. Work in reverse in heightened scenes (tactile first?). Maximize effect. Cinematic thing. Sound cue, reaction cue, visual cue.  Cliches come from not having a grasp of a moment or character when use simile. Remember to use character's POV, not yours. Metaphor is more powerful than simile, often. Imagery progresses from simile to metaphor (personal style choice), character development. Using the old comparisons to make sense of the new thing, but as they continue exploring the new, it becomes more metaphor than simile. The movie in my head will always be different than the reader's movie. Set up imagery so the reader is allowed to watch their own movie. Co-create with your reader.  Find the balance. Fresh but familiar.  Imagery can be (should be?) intentional. Happy accidents. ;-) What's new and unique? How can I riff on that?     Find Us:   Valerie's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/valerieihsan Erick's Linktree link: https://linktr.ee/erickmertzauthor

Main Topic: Discovery Writing with KimBoo York PATREON: Thank you to our existing patrons for believing in our work offline and here in the podcast.  Become a patron of the arts at Patreon.com/valerieihsan for books, writing instruction, coaching, and planning. Go to Patreon.com/strangeairstories for short stories in the paranormal mystery genre. Announcements: PNW inspired horror [email protected]; Submissions closed. Reading stories now. Garden Home Community Library Writers Series "Self Publishing Success" June 25 gardenhomelibrary.org 2024 Writer Craft Writing Retreat and Workshop registration open; https://valerieihsan.com/retreat (Day Passes $400) Three Story Method: Writing How-To Books out now. Focus and Finish: Goal-Setting and Strategic Planning for Writers (First in Series) Focus and Finish Group Coaching Cohort Black Springs Saga Book 1 out now (it's the prequel) 99 cents (Accidental Stranger Book 2 preorder this coming week)   Author Update: Erick: launched new book series (Black Springs Saga) June 21st, Importance of Telling Your Story. 90.7 FM KBOO Erick 9am-10am frustrated with the stories coming in (writers are not listening to submission requirements) Valerie: injured, humping along speaking Alaska Writers Guild conference in October Moose's Tooth Pizza (Erick recommends I eat there.) I'm reading: Thunder Song by Sasha taqŵšeblu LaPointe Erick: Cold Victory by Karl Marlantes KimBoo York is reading: Nirvana in Fire (English translation) (This is the graphic novel/manga version.)   Notes: Writing fan fiction helped [KimBoo] come into her own voice and writing process.  Discovery writing is a technique. Leaning into your curiosity.  Writing into the Dark (Dean Wesley Smith) Can intuitive writers use it? Dear Writer, Are you intuitive? Becca Syme. Instinct comes in. Study and practice = intuition Discovery writers lean on intuition heavily. New writers may have a hard time with discovery writing until they practice. After one million words, you will discover your writing style. Discovery writing as improve "Yes And" -- leaning on knowledge. Not free association writing. Writing into your curiosity (guard rails, not stream of consciousness). Going on the journey with the character.  Don't get stuck on what "should" happen. Just follow the curve as it goes around. Start small. Practice. Discovery writing before the page (Erick). Write out of order.  Reverse story beats, reverse outline. How can you use this in nonfiction or blog posts and essays? YES. A different process.  Nonfiction: Start with the introduction. Choose sentences to pull out as a section header. Move things around in manuscript for flow. Writing it out is what helps her (KimBoo) understand the organization.  First draft or second is not the finished product.  Do this with your marketing! Take two days to do it and stay curious. Stay curious until it's done. Purposely leave holes so readers will be curious and explore. Plug: houseofyork.info By the Seat of Your Pants: Secrets of Discovery Writing One Million Words Club on Discord (productivity, mindset) Find Us:   Valerie's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/valerieihsan Erick's Linktree link: https://linktr.ee/erickmertzauthor Writer Craft Facebook Group Valerie’s Services: https://valerieihsan.com Valerie’s Author Site: https://valerieihsanauthor.com Valerie’s Facebook Page and Instagram account Erick’s Services: https://erickmertzwriting.com Erick’s free book on Ghostwriting: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/cexki4kp5n Erick’s Author Site: https://erickmertzauthor.com Erick’s Facebook Page and Instagram account Patreons:  https://patreon.com/valerieihsan    https://patreon.com/strangeairmysteries Tools: Passion Planner: https://passionplanner.rfrl.co/e86j8 (affiliate link) Discount Code: VALERIE150 ProWriting Aid: https://prowritingaid.com/?afid=9378 (affiliate link)   Resources:  "How to write an eavesdropping scene" on Erick's blog Reading Critique Group for Writers FB Group (Jennie Komp's group) 3 Bird View FB page (Jennie Komp's business page) Author XP (marketing for authors) (bi-monthly promotions) Raven Publicity (publicity for authors) The Shades of Orange (Rachel, Book Blogger on YouTube) for book recommendations SF/Fantasy/Horror Contact Erick for business-starting advice or building a website. Contact Valerie for author coaching. Thomas Umstattd Jr, at Novel Marketing Podcast. Ep255: How to Create an Email Onboarding Drip Campaign Russell P. Nohelty and Monica Leonelle's book, Get Your Book Selling on Kickstarter. Balance meditation app. Story Rubric version 1.1 and podcast episode. Three Story Method worksheet Book Recs for writing/creativity/business: Thinking in Pictures by John Sayles Take Off Your Pants: Outline Your Books for Faster, Better Writing by Libbie Hawker Story Hypothesis: A Writer's Guide to Crafting Resonating Stories by JP Rindfleisch IX Fast-Draft Your Memoir: Write Your Life Story in 45 Hours by Rachael Herron Three Story Method: Foundations in Fiction by J.Thorn and Zach Bohannon The Anatomy of a Best Seller by Sacha Black Slow Productivity by Cal Newport 

Main Topic: Using Tropes to Avoid Writer's Block PATREON: Thank you to our existing patrons for believing in our work offline and here in the podcast.  Become a patron of the arts at Patreon.com/valerieihsan for books, writing instruction, coaching, and planning. Go to Patreon.com/strangeairstories for short stories in the paranormal mystery genre. Announcements: PNW inspired horror [email protected]; Submissions closed.  Garden Home Community Library Writers Series "Self Publishing Success" June 25 gardenhomelibrary.org 2024 Writer Craft Writing Retreat and Workshop registration open; https://valerieihsan.com/retreat Three Story Method: Writing How-To Books out now. Focus and Finish: Goal-Setting and Strategic Planning for Writers (First in Series) Exploring Imagery in Creative Nonfiction Black Springs Saga Book 1 out now (it's the prequel) 99 cents   Author Update: Erick: launched new book series (Black Springs Saga)   Valerie: new class good (planning on repurposing the content)   I'm reading: Crow Talk by Eileen Garvin Thunder Song by Sasha taqŵšeblu LaPointe   Erick:   The Manitou by Graham Masterton   Notes: Use the tropes to get started.  The obligatory scenes are already outlined for you. You can definitely make it your own. It's not cheating. Read in your genre. Understand the tropes in your genre. (Deconstruct books you love so you can learn to write that way. Read: The Anatomy of a Best Seller by Sacha Black. Make an Id List to discover your favorite tropes. Find Us:   Valerie's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/valerieihsan Erick's Linktree link: https://linktr.ee/erickmertzauthor Writer Craft Facebook Group Valerie’s Services: https://valerieihsan.com Valerie’s Author Site: https://valerieihsanauthor.com Valerie’s Facebook Page and Instagram account Erick’s Services: https://erickmertzwriting.com Erick’s free book on Ghostwriting: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/cexki4kp5n Erick’s Author Site: https://erickmertzauthor.com Erick’s Facebook Page and Instagram account Patreons:  https://patreon.com/valerieihsan    https://patreon.com/strangeairmysteries Tools: Passion Planner: https://passionplanner.rfrl.co/e86j8 (affiliate link) Discount Code: VALERIE150 ProWriting Aid: https://prowritingaid.com/?afid=9378 (affiliate link)   Resources:  "How to write an eavesdropping scene" on Erick's blog Reading Critique Group for Writers FB Group (Jennie Komp's group) 3 Bird View FB page (Jennie Komp's business page) Author XP (marketing for authors) (bi-monthly promotions) Raven Publicity (publicity for authors) The Shades of Orange (Rachel, Book Blogger on YouTube) for book recommendations SF/Fantasy/Horror Contact Erick for business-starting advice or building a website. Contact Valerie for author coaching. Thomas Umstattd Jr, at Novel Marketing Podcast. Ep255: How to Create an Email Onboarding Drip Campaign Russell P. Nohelty and Monica Leonelle's book, Get Your Book Selling on Kickstarter. Balance meditation app. Story Rubric version 1.1 and podcast episode. Three Story Method worksheet Book Recs for writing/creativity/business: Thinking in Pictures by John Sayles Take Off Your Pants: Outline Your Books for Faster, Better Writing by Libbie Hawker Story Hypothesis: A Writer's Guide to Crafting Resonating Stories by JP Rindfleisch IX Fast-Draft Your Memoir: Write Your Life Story in 45 Hours by Rachael Herron Three Story Method: Foundations in Fiction by J.Thorn and Zach Bohannon The Anatomy of a Best Seller by Sacha Black Slow Productivity by Cal Newport 

PATREON: Thank you to our existing patrons for believing in our work offline and here in the podcast.  Become a patron of the arts at Patreon.com/valerieihsan for books, writing instruction, coaching, and planning. Go to Patreon.com/strangeairstories for short stories in the paranormal mystery genre. Announcements: PNW inspired horror [email protected]; Submissions open until stories filled, or May 31st. 2024 Writer Craft Writing Retreat and Workshop registration open; https://valerieihsan.com/retreat Three Story Method: Writing How-To Books out now. Focus and Finish: Goal-Setting and Strategic Planning for Writers (First in Series) Exploring Imagery in Creative Nonfiction Submissions class June 25th in Portland area. Link TBA. (Taught by Erick.)   Patron comment:  Comments/email from listeners:  Questions from listeners:   Author Update: Erick: prepping for new class launched new book series (Black Springs Saga) went camping with son (Cub Scouts) writing new story (TV pilot) (using as a sample for ghostwriting website) Valerie: started teaching new class mastermind helping me make some decisions getting ready for LeslieSophia changing website to streamline and point to coach I'm reading: Crow Talk by Eileen Garvin Thunder Song by Sasha taqŵšeblu LaPointe   Erick: Werewolf anthology Ten Things I Learned from Bill Porter by Shelly Brady HT to Survive a Garden Gnome Attack by Chuck Sambuchino Homicide (GN based on The Wire)  by David Simon One Tough Mother by Gert Boyle   Notes: Single use content is labor intensive.  Blog --> YT video, marketing material on various sites, podcast talking points. Podcast episode --> YT video, social media, newsletter, public newsletter.  Think about the purpose of the work you do. Harmonious message. Expert in field. Different video lengths serve different scenarios for your audience. Takes more than one time before they click on your content and engage with you. Look at HOW to use it, and where.      Find Us:   Valerie's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/valerieihsan Erick's Linktree link: https://linktr.ee/erickmertzauthor Writer Craft Facebook Group Valerie’s Services: https://valerieihsan.com Valerie’s Author Site: https://valerieihsanauthor.com Valerie’s Facebook Page and Instagram account Erick’s Services: https://erickmertzwriting.com Erick’s free book on Ghostwriting: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/cexki4kp5n Erick’s Author Site: https://erickmertzauthor.com Erick’s Facebook Page and Instagram account Patreons:  https://patreon.com/valerieihsan    https://patreon.com/strangeairmysteries Tools: Passion Planner: https://passionplanner.rfrl.co/e86j8 (affiliate link) Discount Code: VALERIE150 ProWriting Aid: https://prowritingaid.com/?afid=9378 (affiliate link)   Resources:  "How to write an eavesdropping scene" on Erick's blog Reading Critique Group for Writers FB Group (Jennie Komp's group) 3 Bird View FB page (Jennie Komp's business page) Author XP (marketing for authors) (bi-monthly promotions) Raven Publicity (publicity for authors) The Shades of Orange (Rachel, Book Blogger on YouTube) for book recommendations SF/Fantasy/Horror Contact Erick for business-starting advice or building a website. Contact Valerie for author coaching. Thomas Umstattd Jr, at Novel Marketing Podcast. Ep255: How to Create an Email Onboarding Drip Campaign Russell P. Nohelty and Monica Leonelle's book, Get Your Book Selling on Kickstarter. Balance meditation app. Story Rubric version 1.1 and podcast episode. Three Story Method worksheet Book Recs for writing/creativity/business: Thinking in Pictures by John Sayles Take Off Your Pants: Outline Your Books for Faster, Better Writing by Libbie Hawker Story Hypothesis: A Writer's Guide to Crafting Resonating Stories by JP Rindfleisch IX Fast-Draft Your Memoir: Write Your Life Story in 45 Hours by Rachael Herron Three Story Method: Foundations in Fiction by J.Thorn and Zach Bohannon  

Main Topic: Author A.B. Herron on writing cross-genre with dyslexia Amanda is passionate about discussing the realities of being an indie author while being dyslexic, straddling the fantasy and romance genres, the importance of highlighting sex positivity in our society, and the impact her background in anatomy and zoology has on her magic systems and world building. PATREON: Thank you to our existing patrons for believing in our work offline and here in the podcast.  Become a patron of the arts at Patreon.com/valerieihsan for books, writing instruction, coaching, and planning. Go to Patreon.com/strangeairstories for short stories in the paranormal mystery genre. Announcements: PNW inspired horror [email protected]; Submissions open until stories filled. Starting to read May 1st. 2024 Writer Craft Writing Retreat and Workshop registration open; https://valerieihsan.com/retreat Three Story Method: Writing How-To Books out now. Focus and Finish: Goal-Setting and Strategic Planning for Writers (First in Series) Exploring Imagery in Creative Nonfiction   Patron comment:  Comments/email from listeners:  Questions from listeners:   Author Update: Erick:     Valerie: sick last week wrote lesson plans in bed   I'm reading: Crow Talk by Eileen Garvin Thunder Song by Sasha taqŵšeblu LaPointe Slow Productivity by Cal Newport  Amanda is reading comfort books right now: Arrows of the Queen series.  Scent of the Missing: Love and Partnership with a Search-and-Rescue Dog by Susannah Charleson Erick:   Notes: A.B. Heron is a dyslexic author residing in the Pacific Northwest. She works full time, writes in the cracks between responsibilities, and plays with dogs because she just can’t help herself. For more insights into what make her fantasy stories flourish, follow her on Instagram @a.b.herron or check out her website www.abherron.com Tip: If you have a Barnes and Noble near you, walk in and say you are a local indie author and ask if they are doing author signing.   Writes adult urban fantasy, romantasy, paranormal romance. Elemental World Series (two books now, third coming this year, 5 total in series).   Dyslexia was a barrier to being a writer only emotionally. Looked for strong technical editors. Spelling and word choice are struggles. Name recall is hard.    Showed original work to trusted people, started getting positive responses, showed little bits at a time. "I can write, just not spell. The distinction was powerful for me. I am smart." Not barriers; just work arounds. Used a small press that didn't keep the rights. They help you make a book. Luminare Press.   Vellum dyslexia font choice: 1 in 5 people with dyslexia, fonts don't make it easier to read for all people. Font doesn't slow Amanda down. Ask your readers if they want a paperback with a font designed for dyslexic readers.   Need magic systems to make sense with science background. Looking at the anatomy of humans and canines. Build physical laws into magic systems. How water or energy works, conservation of matter. HOW does it work?    Wished she'd maybe finished writing series before publishing. Learn as you go. IG book community very supportive. Tripped into publishing.   Abherron.com Instagram a.b.herron Books available at Amazon and Barnes and Noble  Coffee Fueled Stories Podcast, Ep with A.B. Herron Amanda is signing at Hot and Steamy Romance Writers in Portland '24 event.   Find Us:   Valerie's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/valerieihsan Erick's Linktree link: https://linktr.ee/erickmertzauthor

Announcements: PNW inspired horror [email protected]; Submissions open until stories filled. Starting to read May 1st. 2024 Writer Craft Writing Retreat and Workshop registration open; https://valerieihsan.com/retreat Three Story Method: Writing How-To Books out now. Focus and Finish: Goal-Setting and Strategic Planning for Writers (First in Series) Author Update: Valerie: adopted a new dog "Buddy 'Keif' Nelson" Monthly Reflection tonight, or this weekend at the latest (if you are a patron and want to do it with me, let me know) just coming out of Q1+ funk and catching up on visiting with friends and self-care, so my tasks in the last week have been skewed towards personal/not business: haircut, birthday party, meditation, journaling, appointments with my life coach, yoga, introducing Usha to new doggy friend, fancy brunches, attending a new mastermind group I'm in, hot tub soaks, lunch out with a friend, and taking our new dog to the vet. And the next few days will be the same: catching up with friends, seeing my dad and step-mom, taking my son out to dinner, Chiro, yoga, the gym. starting work at the bookstore again part time starting next week. I'm reading: beta read manuscript The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman Thunder Song by Sasha taqŵšeblu LaPointe Notes: I read from the Foreward and Step One of new permafree book Focus and Finish: Goal-Setting and Strategic Planning for Writers. ** Foreward I’m a not-so-closet list-lover. Some of you may not like lists. Some of you might have tried list-making in the past and found it didn’t work for you. But even if you are not a list-lover, you will find usefulness and value from this book and the exercises and resources in it. I think we’ve all had the experience at one point in our lives where we’ve woken up and discovered that what we are doing is not what we want to do and, in fact, was someone else's idea all along. Maybe that was the job that your dad wanted you to have, or maybe it's the parenting style that your partner wants you to use, or maybe it's the vacation that your friend wants you to go on. Maybe none of those things held interest for you—or went against a core belief, even—yet you somehow made yourself believe you wanted them and you trapped yourself into doing them. For instance, if you have been saying out loud all your life that you wanted to be a lawyer, and you went to law school, and you took the bar exam, and you passed the bar, and now you’re working in a law firm, and you're doing the hours, and you say to yourself (and you say to everyone else), “I’ve always wanted to be a lawyer, and now I'm a lawyer. Isn't that great?” but underneath all that, you discovered at some point that, actually, you never really wanted to be a lawyer. What you wanted to be was a scuba dive instructor. If that is your passion and you can find a way to make a living doing scuba, then why are you a lawyer?  This book will help you identify your dreams and plan for a future of success doing the things that are truly important to you. Happy Planning! Valerie ** Step One The system I’m about to show you is one I do at least twice a year, because I know myself. And I know that I get caught up in the zeitgeist. I get caught up in the excitement that other people have about their businesses and I think, “I can do that, too!”  For instance, all my life, one of my dream jobs was to own a bookstore. And then, some years ago, I was offered the chance to buy, very inexpensively, a little bookstore. My breath quickened. My heart rate accelerated. Whoa. This was my dream. Here it was, handed right to me. It would be so easy to do—the way it was set up, the finances and the inventory and the space, and even the internship, basically.   I thought about it for weeks.  The reason she wanted to give up the bookstore was because she wanted to put more time into her own writing, which should've been a red flag from the very start, but I was still hooked into that old dream of owning my own bookstore. I sought the advice of my best friend. “If you were already making money as a published author, would you want to own a bookstore?" she asked. “No,” I said. I didn't even have to think about it. The word just blurted out all by itself. "Then there's your answer,” she said. "Oh."  And I didn't have to think about it anymore. Continually checking in with yourself and writing out your passions, writing out your dreams, is what's going to help you achieve them later on. Not just in the goal setting, in the strategizing and planning around it, but in acknowledging that this is your dream and you want to work towards it. Whatever it is—scuba diving, traveling, becoming a mailperson. Training dogs.  It can be anything. It can be work-related or can be personal. Maybe you just want to learn Russian because it's a gorgeous language. It would just be for fun. Do it. Dream it. Write a goal around it. And do it. Ideals change. Intentions change. It’s natural. So, twice a year, I use this system to make sure I’m living the life I want, reaching for the goals that will fulfill my dreams. * * * There are two ways to go about doing this process, arguably a third, and on first glance it’s going to be a big giant wishlist. But for you non-list-lovers, think of them as bullet points. Or mind-mapping. Option one is to go about these exercises wearing the Business Owner Hat. If you are a small-business owner, freelancer, or writer/teacher/artist, and you want to get a head start on your business plan, this could be a good option for you. You’ll be planning and goal-setting with only your business or art in mind. Option two is to mix it all up: personal, spiritual, business, home/yard. If you work at home, all these areas merge anyway—to some degree—and feed into one another.  Option three is great if you are a linear thinker or you like to think in categories. Option three is really option one, over and over again. (i.e. personal goals/wishes, then business goals/wishes, then home/yard goals/wishes.) Choose one and go with it. If you choose option one and you veer off in the middle of it, no worries. The exercises all work the same. It’s your mindset that can change as needed. Option two is my personal preference, but what usually happens for me is I do option two and then shift to option three. And what I mean by that is when I first start making my list of dreams, goals, and wishes, I dump everything in—reaching out to all aspects of my existence. My personal life, my spiritual life, my business life, my health projects, my gardening goals. And then at the end, when I feel like there's nothing left to put on the list, I reach back and look at the categories in my mind, starting with my business.  Is there anything in my business world that I’m leaving out? Is there anything that I haven't given myself permission to say out loud on the page? Is there anything that I'm too embarrassed, afraid, or irritated to mention on this list? And I write it down. And then I go to the next category. Is there anything that I'm forgetting about gardening that I want to put on this list? Et cetera. * * * Okay, let's get started.  Get yourself situated where you can be comfortable – and that could mean sprawling on the floor with markers, or at a bar stool with sharpened pencils, or lounging in a chair by the fire with a laptop. You need something to write with and something to write on, and probably a tasty beverage close by.  Once you're situated, think about whether you are going to focus on a specific area in your life right now, or let it fly and write down anything that comes to mind. If you decide that you just want to concentrate, for example, on your business goals, you could do that. Again, I prefer to lump it all in to one.  I find that one feeds into the other and, because I'm self-employed, sometimes it's hard to segregate anything out.    Step 1 Take as long as you need to write down anything and everything you want. This is the place to let go. No one will see this. Write down all the things. Think magic wand. Think No Barriers—financial, time, reality. This is the Dreaming Page. If you could do anything, if you could be anything, if you could have anything, what would it be? Maybe think of the Dreaming Page as your ideal life. What’s on the page? What’s in the dream life?   Your “bullet points” don't have to be huge grandiose things, like Go to China—although that could be one of them. It can also be Paint the Shelf in the Bathroom Turquoise.  Big dreams and little dreams. Write it all down. There may be a slight concern that, unleashed, this might turn into an eighty-two page To Do list. Don't worry too much about that, because if that's what ends up happening for you, I have another exercise at the end of Step Three that will fix it. So for right now, in any category in your life, or in every category in your life, write down the things that—if there were nothing standing in the way—you’d want to do, be, see, have, or experience. * * * Tips/Resources:  • For this exercise, you can use any kind of notebook, but since I’m a Passion Planner nerd, I like using the Passion Planner Road Map found in physical Passion Planners (or on passionplanner.com—affiliate link—under their downloads) as a template.  • I prefer to write on a notepad first and transfer the information over to my planner with better penmanship, and after I’m clearer about my goals. • If you need more structure, you can set a timer and brainstorm for a specified length of time. Find Us: Valerie's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/valerieihsan Erick's Linktree link: https://linktr.ee/erickmertzauthor Writer Craft Facebook Group Valerie’s Services: https://valerieihsan.com Valerie’s Author Site: https://valerieihsanauthor.com Valerie’s Facebook Page and Instagram account Erick’s Services: https://erickmertzwriting.com Erick’s free book on Ghostwriting: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/cexki4kp5n Erick’s Author Site: https://erickmertzauthor.com Erick’s Facebook Page and Instagram account Patreons:  https://patreon.com/valerieihsan    https://patreon.com/strangeairmysteries Tools: Passion Planner: https://passionplanner.rfrl.co/e86j8 (affiliate link) Discount Code: VALERIE150 ProWriting Aid: https://prowritingaid.com/?afid=9378 (affiliate link)   Resources:  "How to write an eavesdropping scene" on Erick's blog Reading Critique Group for Writers FB Group (Jennie Komp's group) 3 Bird View FB page (Jennie Komp's business page) Author XP (marketing for authors) (bi-monthly promotions) Raven Publicity (publicity for authors) The Shades of Orange (Rachel, Book Blogger on YouTube) for book recommendations SF/Fantasy/Horror Contact Erick for business-starting advice or building a website. Contact Valerie for author coaching. Thomas Umstattd Jr, at Novel Marketing Podcast. Ep255: How to Create an Email Onboarding Drip Campaign Russell P. Nohelty and Monica Leonelle's book, Get Your Book Selling on Kickstarter. Balance meditation app. Story Rubric version 1.1 and podcast episode. Three Story Method worksheet Book Recs for writing/creativity/business: Thinking in Pictures by John Sayles Take Off Your Pants: Outline Your Books for Faster, Better Writing by Libbie Hawker Story Hypothesis: A Writer's Guide to Crafting Resonating Stories by JP Rindfleisch IX Fast-Draft Your Memoir: Write Your Life Story in 45 Hours by Rachael Herron Three Story Method: Foundations in Fiction by J.Thorn and Zach Bohannon  

Announcements: PNW inspired horror [email protected]; Submissions open until stories filled. Starting to read May 1st. 2024 Writer Craft Writing Retreat and Workshop registration open; https://valerieihsan.com/retreat Three Story Method: Writing How-To Books out now. Focus and Finish: Goal-Setting and Strategic Planning for Writers (First in Series) Author Update: Erick: building landing pages for ads (for testing)  Dead Still presale price 99 cents Revision of Book Two in new series finished (this weekend) Pikes Peak Writing Conference in Colorado Springs, CO using content from conferences for social media clips     Valerie: new printer (printed out all the things) published a permafree book (first in series) Book two is half written from repurposed content   I'm reading: beta read manuscript Thunder Song by Sasha taqŵšeblu LaPointe   Erick: The Institute Stephen King   Notes: First Lines--book, chapters, scenes; sets the stage, POV, entice the reader away from other distractions, vary the opening lines within a book to prevent boredom; repetitive, stylistic elements only sometimes work.  Openings--protag's needs and wants Hooks-- into the story, seducing; narrative voice; themes; settings; odd or curious, "First lines are invitations." - Stephen King; what kind of party is your book? Find Us:   Valerie's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/valerieihsan Erick's Linktree link: https://linktr.ee/erickmertzauthor Writer Craft Facebook Group Valerie’s Services: https://valerieihsan.com Valerie’s Author Site: https://valerieihsanauthor.com Valerie’s Facebook Page and Instagram account Erick’s Services: https://erickmertzwriting.com Erick’s free book on Ghostwriting: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/cexki4kp5n Erick’s Author Site: https://erickmertzauthor.com Erick’s Facebook Page and Instagram account Patreons:  https://patreon.com/valerieihsan    https://patreon.com/strangeairmysteries Tools: Passion Planner: https://passionplanner.rfrl.co/e86j8 (affiliate link) Discount Code: VALERIE150 ProWriting Aid: https://prowritingaid.com/?afid=9378 (affiliate link)   Resources:  "How to write an eavesdropping scene" on Erick's blog Reading Critique Group for Writers FB Group (Jennie Komp's group) 3 Bird View FB page (Jennie Komp's business page) Author XP (marketing for authors) (bi-monthly promotions) Raven Publicity (publicity for authors) The Shades of Orange (Rachel, Book Blogger on YouTube) for book recommendations SF/Fantasy/Horror Contact Erick for business-starting advice or building a website. Contact Valerie for author coaching. Thomas Umstattd Jr, at Novel Marketing Podcast. Ep255: How to Create an Email Onboarding Drip Campaign Russell P. Nohelty and Monica Leonelle's book, Get Your Book Selling on Kickstarter. Balance meditation app. Story Rubric version 1.1 and podcast episode. Three Story Method worksheet Book Recs for writing/creativity/business: Thinking in Pictures by John Sayles Take Off Your Pants: Outline Your Books for Faster, Better Writing by Libbie Hawker Story Hypothesis: A Writer's Guide to Crafting Resonating Stories by JP Rindfleisch IX Fast-Draft Your Memoir: Write Your Life Story in 45 Hours by Rachael Herron Three Story Method: Foundations in Fiction by J.Thorn and Zach Bohannon  

Main Topic: Writing Through Chronic Illness, with guest Kathie Giorgio   KATHIE GIORGIO is the author of a total of fifteen books: eight novels, two story collections, an essay collection, and four poetry collections. She’s been nominated for the Pushcart Prize in fiction and poetry and awarded the Outstanding Achievement Award from the Wisconsin Library Association, the Silver Pen Award for Literary Excellence, the Pencraft Award for Literary Excellence, and the Eric Hoffer Award In Fiction. Her poem “Light” won runner-up in the 2021 Rosebud Magazine Poetry Prize, and her work has also been incorporated into many visual art and musical events.  Kathie is the director and founder of AllWriters’ Workplace & Workshop LLC, an international creative writing studio. She lives with her husband, mystery writer Michael Giorgio, their daughter Olivia, a cat named Oliver, and an eccentric dog named Ursula after Ursula Le Guin in Waukesha, Wisconsin. Three of her adult children, Christopher, Andy, and Olivia, live close by, along with her solo granddaughter, Maya Mae. One adult child has wandered off to Louisiana and lives among the mathematicians and alligators. PATREON: Thank you to our existing patrons for believing in our work offline and here in the podcast.  Become a patron of the arts at Patreon.com/valerieihsan for books, writing instruction, coaching, and planning. Go to Patreon.com/strangeairstories for short stories in the paranormal mystery genre. Announcements: PNW inspired horror [email protected]; Submissions open until stories filled. Starting to read May 1st. 2024 Writer Craft Writing Retreat and Workshop registration open; https://valerieihsan.com/retreat Three Story Method: Writing How-To Books out now. Author Update: Erick: Web design changes,  Dead Still ARCs out now Revision of Book Three in new series happening   Valerie: adopted a new dog (foster fail) got cover for new book yesterday, uploading this week, permafree ebook, first in series Focus and Finish: Goal-Setting and Strategic Planning for Writers   Valerie's reading: Worthy Dead Still ARC   Erick: The Institute Stephen King Kathie: How to Be Eaten (Maria Adelmann)   Show Notes: One moment of happiness a day on FB for a year. (Today's Moment of Happiness Despite the News) Throw away idea that writers write 8 hrs a day.; write for half hour day. Write when you can, use your time. Lean towards fiction. Put your situation on another character's shoulders; if the character gets through it, so can you. A path to follow. Writing is a life saver. Go through it, roll with the punches.  motivation (my students keep me accountable to write; walk my talk/role model; what if I die? Gotta finish the book) How to get inspired when super stressed: accept it's dry, (don't panic, remember your successes); hear something that captures attention; always listening; never give up playing, don't go for logic. KathieGiorgio.org, FB, IG Allwritersworkshop.com Self care for the caregiver: learning on the run. (piano lessons, writing is a passion but job so writing not self care, start back to the gym, Nintendo.) Find Us: Valerie's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/valerieihsan Erick's Linktree link: https://linktr.ee/erickmertzauthor Writer Craft Facebook Group Valerie’s Services: https://valerieihsan.com Valerie’s Author Site: https://valerieihsanauthor.com Valerie’s Facebook Page and Instagram account Erick’s Services: https://erickmertzwriting.com Erick’s free book on Ghostwriting: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/cexki4kp5n Erick’s Author Site: https://erickmertzauthor.com Erick’s Facebook Page and Instagram account Patreons:  https://patreon.com/valerieihsan    https://patreon.com/strangeairmysteries Tools: Passion Planner: https://passionplanner.rfrl.co/e86j8 (affiliate link) Discount Code: VALERIE150 ProWriting Aid: https://prowritingaid.com/?afid=9378 (affiliate link) Resources:  "How to write an eavesdropping scene" on Erick's blog Reading Critique Group for Writers FB Group (Jennie Komp's group) 3 Bird View FB page (Jennie Komp's business page) Author XP (marketing for authors) (bi-monthly promotions) Raven Publicity (publicity for authors) The Shades of Orange (Rachel, Book Blogger on YouTube) for book recommendations SF/Fantasy/Horror Contact Erick for business-starting advice or building a website. Contact Valerie for author coaching. Thomas Umstattd Jr, at Novel Marketing Podcast. Ep255: How to Create an Email Onboarding Drip Campaign Russell P. Nohelty and Monica Leonelle's book, Get Your Book Selling on Kickstarter. Balance meditation app. Story Rubric version 1.1 and podcast episode. Three Story Method worksheet Book Recs for writing/creativity/business: Thinking in Pictures by John Sayles Take Off Your Pants: Outline Your Books for Faster, Better Writing by Libbie Hawker Story Hypothesis: A Writer's Guide to Crafting Resonating Stories by JP Rindfleisch IX Fast-Draft Your Memoir: Write Your Life Story in 45 Hours by Rachael Herron Three Story Method: Foundations in Fiction by J.Thorn and Zach Bohannon  

Announcements:  Registration is open for the 2024 Writer Craft Writing Retreat and Workshop in Marcola, Oregon. At this point, there is only three private tickets left and three shared tickets. We'll likely sell out again. ValerieIhsan.com/retreat for more info.  New book out for writers: Three Story Method: Writing How-To Books by Valerie Ihsan, J. Thorn, and Miranda Weingartner Erick is publishing an anthology; call for submissions for Back in the Ground (horror inspired by PNW); https://caretakerpress.org   UPDATE:  Valerie:   goal: create workshops for retreat, create the lesson plans for upcoming class, create memoir checklist, finish taxes son's birthday have a couple more conferences to pitch Tax Start this week! (find time in between meetings, the gym, and my son)     Erick:   roadtrip gave me two short story ideas and wrote them • inspired by the anthology submissions   Just finished:  I'M READING: Worthy: How to Believe You Are Enough and Transform Your Life by Jamie Kern Lima     Up Next: The Creative Act by Rick Rubin  Erick's Reading:  Monica by Daniel Clowes (graphic novel)   Show Notes:  How do you explore, or understand, the world and your own values in the books and stories you write? "I love this weird stuff. How can I use this?" If you explore this, you'll engage yourself. The magic is I unconsciously know there is a lot to learn. Connect the dots of inciting incident to the relationship When the themes come up, now I know how to steer this (know where we are going). (Starts out unconsciously.) Engaging with the mystery. Making sense of relationships.  Stories that won't let me go are the ones that I learn from. No original stories but that's a propellent. Where you go with the trope is up to you. Open to the magic. "It doesn't start at the end."   Next Episode:  Kathy Giorgio (writing with a chronic illness) Find Us: Valerie's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/valerieihsan Erick's Linktree link: https://linktr.ee/erickmertzauthor Writer Craft Facebook Group Valerie’s Services: https://valerieihsan.com Valerie’s Author Site: https://valerieihsanauthor.com Valerie’s Facebook Page and Instagram account Erick’s Services: https://erickmertzwriting.com Erick’s free book on Ghostwriting: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/cexki4kp5n Erick’s Author Site: https://erickmertzauthor.com Erick’s Facebook Page and Instagram account Patreons:  https://patreon.com/valerieihsan    https://patreon.com/strangeairmysteries Tools: Passion Planner: https://passionplanner.rfrl.co/e86j8 (affiliate link) Discount Code: VALERIE150 ProWriting Aid: https://prowritingaid.com/?afid=9378 (affiliate link)   Resources:  "How to write an eavesdropping scene" on Erick's blog Reading Critique Group for Writers FB Group (Jennie Komp's group) 3 Bird View FB page (Jennie Komp's business page) Author XP (marketing for authors) (bi-monthly promotions) Raven Publicity (publicity for authors) The Shades of Orange (Rachel, Book Blogger on YouTube) for book recommendations SF/Fantasy/Horror Contact Erick for business-starting advice or building a website. Contact Valerie for author coaching. Thomas Umstattd Jr, at Novel Marketing Podcast. Ep255: How to Create an Email Onboarding Drip Campaign Russell P. Nohelty and Monica Leonelle's book, Get Your Book Selling on Kickstarter. Balance meditation app. Story Rubric version 1.1 and podcast episode. Three Story Method worksheet Book Recs for writing/creativity/business: Thinking in Pictures by John Sayles Take Off Your Pants: Outline Your Books for Faster, Better Writing by Libbie Hawker Story Hypothesis: A Writer's Guide to Crafting Resonating Stories by JP Rindfleisch IX Fast-Draft Your Memoir: Write Your Life Story in 45 Hours by Rachael Herron Three Story Method: Foundations in Fiction by J.Thorn and Zach Bohannon    

Announcements:  Registration is open for the 2024 Writer Craft Writing Retreat and Workshop in Marcola, Oregon. At this point, there is only three private tickets left and three shared tickets. We'll likely sell out again. ValerieIhsan.com/retreat for more info.  New book out for writers: Three Story Method: Writing How-To Books by Valerie Ihsan, J. Thorn, and Miranda Weingartner Erick is publishing an anthology; call for submissions for Back in the Ground (horror inspired by PNW); https://caretakerpress.org   UPDATE:  Valerie:   started re-reading Goal-Setting and Strategic Planning for Writers (Focus and Finish series, Book 1), need to make some decisions (ebook and a workbook, audio book)(free audio book?) = Loss Leader/permafree bought the cover from 100covers.com but need to order the service now have a couple more conferences to pitch Tax Start this week! (find time in between meetings, the gym, and my son)     Erick:   week off with the family meeting with a digital marketer today to promote the author services part of his business (have pla launching a new series (Season in the Bush); first book Dead Still going to betas soon. Just finished:  I'M READING: Worthy: How to Believe You Are Enough and Transform Your Life by Jamie Kern Lima     Up Next: The Creative Act by Rick Rubin  Erick's Reading:  Study for Obedience by Sarah Bernstein The Bachman Books (Stephen King) Ring Shout P Djèlí Clark   Valerie's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/valerieihsan Erick's Linktree link: https://linktr.ee/erickmertzauthor Writer Craft Facebook Group Valerie’s Services: https://valerieihsan.com Valerie’s Author Site: https://valerieihsanauthor.com Valerie’s Facebook Page and Instagram account Erick’s Services: https://erickmertzwriting.com Erick’s free book on Ghostwriting: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/cexki4kp5n Erick’s Author Site: https://erickmertzauthor.com Erick’s Facebook Page and Instagram account Patreons:  https://patreon.com/valerieihsan    https://patreon.com/strangeairmysteries Tools: Passion Planner: https://passionplanner.rfrl.co/e86j8 (affiliate link) Discount Code: VALERIE150 ProWriting Aid: https://prowritingaid.com/?afid=9378 (affiliate link)   Resources:  "How to write an eavesdropping scene" on Erick's blog Reading Critique Group for Writers FB Group (Jennie Komp's group) 3 Bird View FB page (Jennie Komp's business page) Author XP (marketing for authors) (bi-monthly promotions) Raven Publicity (publicity for authors) The Shades of Orange (Rachel, Book Blogger on YouTube) for book recommendations SF/Fantasy/Horror Contact Erick for business-starting advice or building a website. Contact Valerie for author coaching. Thomas Umstattd Jr, at Novel Marketing Podcast. Ep255: How to Create an Email Onboarding Drip Campaign Russell P. Nohelty and Monica Leonelle's book, Get Your Book Selling on Kickstarter. Balance meditation app. Story Rubric version 1.1 and podcast episode. Three Story Method worksheet Book Recs for writing/creativity/business: Thinking in Pictures by John Sayles Take Off Your Pants: Outline Your Books for Faster, Better Writing by Libbie Hawker Story Hypothesis: A Writer's Guide to Crafting Resonating Stories by JP Rindfleisch IX Fast-Draft Your Memoir: Write Your Life Story in 45 Hours by Rachael Herron Three Story Method: Foundations in Fiction by J.Thorn and Zach Bohannon    

Announcements:  Registration is open for the 2024 Writer Craft Writing Retreat and Workshop in Marcola, Oregon. At this point, there is only four private tickets left and three shared tickets. We'll likely sell out again. ValerieIhsan.com/retreat for more info.  Erick is publishing an anthology; call for submissions (horror inspired by PNW); https://caretakerpress.org   UPDATE:  Valerie:   50th birthday Calendly vs Acuity (I have both!) ;-( New book out for writers: Three Story Method: Writing How-To Books by Valerie Ihsan, J. Thorn, and Miranda Weingartner started re-reading Goal-Setting and Strategic Planning for Writers (Focus and Finish series, Book 1), need to make some decisions (ebook and a workbook, audio book)(free audio book?) = Loss Leader/permafree hire out workbook formatting (scrivener not the best with this; please prove me wrong) bought the cover from 100covers.com but need to order the service now have a couple more conferences to pitch Tax Start this week! (find time in between meetings, the gym, and my son)     Erick:     Just finished: The Book Keeper by Sarah Painter I'M READING: Worthy: How to Believe You Are Enough and Transform Your Life by Jamie Kern Lima       Up Next: The Creative Act by Rick Rubin  Erick's Reading:  The Bachman Books (Stephen King) Ring Shout P Djèlí Clark Show Notes:  Rec Book List for creative writing: Take Off Your Pants: Outline Your Books for Faster, Better Writing by Libbie Hawker Story Hypothesis: A Writer's Guide to Crafting Resonating Stories by JP Rindfleisch IX Fast-Draft Your Memoir: Write Your Life Story in 45 Hours by Rachael Herron Three Story Method: Foundations in Fiction by J.Thorn and Zach Bohannon Other mentions: Story Rubric version 1.1 and podcast episode. Three Story Method worksheet Next Episode:  Erick will be back Find Us: Valerie's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/valerieihsan Erick's Linktree link: https://linktr.ee/erickmertzauthor Writer Craft Facebook Group Valerie’s Services: https://valerieihsan.com Valerie’s Author Site: https://valerieihsanauthor.com Valerie’s Facebook Page and Instagram account Erick’s Services: https://erickmertzwriting.com Erick’s free book on Ghostwriting: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/cexki4kp5n Erick’s Author Site: https://erickmertzauthor.com Erick’s Facebook Page and Instagram account Patreons:  https://patreon.com/valerieihsan    https://patreon.com/strangeairmysteries Tools: Passion Planner: https://passionplanner.rfrl.co/e86j8 (affiliate link) Discount Code: VALERIE150 ProWriting Aid: https://prowritingaid.com/?afid=9378 (affiliate link)   Resources:  "How to write an eavesdropping scene" on Erick's blog Reading Critique Group for Writers FB Group (Jennie Komp's group) 3 Bird View FB page (Jennie Komp's business page) Author XP (marketing for authors) (bi-monthly promotions) Raven Publicity (publicity for authors) The Shades of Orange (Rachel, Book Blogger on YouTube) for book recommendations SF/Fantasy/Horror Contact Erick for business-starting advice or building a website. Contact Valerie for author coaching. Thomas Umstattd Jr, at Novel Marketing Podcast. Ep255: How to Create an Email Onboarding Drip Campaign Russell P. Nohelty and Monica Leonelle's book, Get Your Book Selling on Kickstarter. Balance meditation app.   Book Recs for writing/creativity/business: Thinking in Pictures by John Sayles  

Announcements:  Registration is open for the 2024 Writer Craft Writing Retreat and Workshop in Marcola, Oregon. At this point, there is only four private tickets left and three shared tickets. We'll likely sell out again. ValerieIhsan.com/retreat for more info.  Erick is publishing an anthology; call for submissions (horror inspired by PNW); https://caretakerpress.org   UPDATE:  Valerie:   New book out for writers: Three Story Method: Writing How-To Books by Valerie Ihsan, J. Thorn, and Miranda Weingartner     Erick:   working with marketer (digital); an analysis of web presence has a LOT of tasks to do (do this when you've been in the market--author services--for a while and have some idea of where you lack before hiring the analysis.)   Just finished: The Ward Witch by Sarah Painter I'M READING:    The Book Keeper by Sarah Painter   Up Next: The Creative Act by Rick Rubin  Erick's Reading:  The Bachman Books (Stephen King) Ring Shout P Djèlí Clark Show Notes:  KDP is always changing. In marketing main series, put lead magnet as permafree on Amazon (instead of using Book Funnel to get people on mailing lists).  1. New cover 2. 99 cents on amazon 3. Barnes and Noble free 4. Let amazon know for the price match 5. No marketing to it. But naturally 100 downloads from organic reach. Led to sell through to rest of series. A+. Plus led to multiple reviews to all the books. Permafree method still works.  Next step: running ads to permafree and amping up the sell-through. Virtual Voice on Amazon/KDP (in KDP profile opt in to Beta testing). Ease of use is great. Have an audio book at a click of button. Cost of narrator and editor (local guy) = ~$2200 Two different versions of the audio book? Narrated by Virtual Voice vs Narrated by the author. Can we proof the audio files? Am I "locked in" to this audio? We do outgrow things. We can pivot. Next Episode:  solo show "Bringing Your Manuscript from Boring to BadAss." Find Us: Valerie's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/valerieihsan Erick's Linktree link: https://linktr.ee/erickmertzauthor Writer Craft Facebook Group Valerie’s Services: https://valerieihsan.com Valerie’s Author Site: https://valerieihsanauthor.com Valerie’s Facebook Page and Instagram account Erick’s Services: https://erickmertzwriting.com Erick’s free book on Ghostwriting: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/cexki4kp5n Erick’s Author Site: https://erickmertzauthor.com Erick’s Facebook Page and Instagram account Patreons:  https://patreon.com/valerieihsan    https://patreon.com/strangeairmysteries Tools: Passion Planner: https://passionplanner.rfrl.co/e86j8 (affiliate link) Discount Code: VALERIE150 ProWriting Aid: https://prowritingaid.com/?afid=9378 (affiliate link)   Resources:  "How to write an eavesdropping scene" on Erick's blog Reading Critique Group for Writers FB Group (Jennie Komp's group) 3 Bird View FB page (Jennie Komp's business page) Author XP (marketing for authors) (bi-monthly promotions) Raven Publicity (publicity for authors) The Shades of Orange (Rachel, Book Blogger on YouTube) for book recommendations SF/Fantasy/Horror Contact Erick for business-starting advice or building a website. Contact Valerie for author coaching. Thomas Umstattd Jr, at Novel Marketing Podcast. Ep255: How to Create an Email Onboarding Drip Campaign Russell P. Nohelty and Monica Leonelle's book, Get Your Book Selling on Kickstarter. Balance meditation app.   Book Recs for writing/creativity/business: Thinking in Pictures by John Sayles

Announcements:  Registration is open for the 2024 Writer Craft Writing Retreat and Workshop in Marcola, Oregon. At this point, there is only four private tickets left and three shared tickets. We'll likely sell out again. ValerieIhsan.com/retreat for more info.    UPDATE:  Valerie:   affirmations 15 mins/day of writing to my audience (new affirmation: This is how I create joy and change people's lives.)   Erick:   Book 1 in new series coming out this month new anthology out with co-producer (caretaker.org)   Just finished: Eat Smarter by Shawn Stevenson I'M READING:    The Ward Witch by Sarah Painter    Spill Simmer Falter Wither by Sara Baume What's a Poor Girl to Do?: Prostitution in Mid-Nineteenth Century America by Elizabeth A. Topping          Up Next: The Creative Act by Rick Rubin  Erick's Reading:  Lost Places by Sarah Pinsker Full Dark No Stars by Stephen King (novellas) Ring Shout P Djèlí Clark Show Notes:  Who do you know?  Look for listings to submit. Google search calls for submissions for topics/genres. Anthologies vs journal Doing is a great way of attracting readers and colleagues. What you like and don't in the genre (you'll get a wide variety within the genre) -- pick a sub-genre. What formats do you want? What's in and What's out? Best case scenario process. Budget See the stages.  Get the cover to promote the call of submissions. (Add names later; have an agreement with cover designer) Send out call. Start reading once enough stories in the hopper; don't have to accept all these. Marketing: IG lives to promote Accept simultaneous submissions; accept as they go. Caretaker Press (caretakerpress.org) Next Episode:  Writing During Prolonged Illness with author Kathie Giorgio (business without loans)   Find Us: Valerie's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/valerieihsan Erick's Linktree link: https://linktr.ee/erickmertzauthor Writer Craft Facebook Group Valerie’s Services: https://valerieihsan.com Valerie’s Author Site: https://valerieihsanauthor.com Valerie’s Facebook Page and Instagram account Erick’s Services: https://erickmertzwriting.com Erick’s free book on Ghostwriting: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/cexki4kp5n Erick’s Author Site: https://erickmertzauthor.com Erick’s Facebook Page and Instagram account Patreons:  https://patreon.com/valerieihsan    https://patreon.com/strangeairmysteries Tools: Passion Planner: https://passionplanner.rfrl.co/e86j8 (affiliate link) Discount Code: VALERIE150 ProWriting Aid: https://prowritingaid.com/?afid=9378 (affiliate link)   Resources:  "How to write an eavesdropping scene" on Erick's blog Reading Critique Group for Writers FB Group (Jennie Komp's group) 3 Bird View FB page (Jennie Komp's business page) Author XP (marketing for authors) (bi-monthly promotions) Raven Publicity (publicity for authors) The Shades of Orange (Rachel, Book Blogger on YouTube) for book recommendations SF/Fantasy/Horror Contact Erick for business-starting advice or building a website. Contact Valerie for author coaching. Thomas Umstattd Jr, at Novel Marketing Podcast. Ep255: How to Create an Email Onboarding Drip Campaign Russell P. Nohelty and Monica Leonelle's book, Get Your Book Selling on Kickstarter. Balance meditation app.

Hello Writers and Crafters! I'm Valerie Ihsan, And I'm Erick Mertz, and this is Episode 147 of the podcast and it's March 6, 2024 as we record this.  Main Topic: Reset Buttons and Pivoting for Authors PATREON: Thank you to our existing patrons for believing in our work offline and here in the podcast.  Become a patron of the arts at Patreon.com/valerieihsan for books, writing instruction, coaching, and planning. Go to Patreon.com/strangeairstories for short stories in the paranormal mystery genre Patron comment:  Comments/email from listeners:  Questions from listeners: Announcements:  Registration is open for the 2024 Writer Craft Writing Retreat and Workshop in Marcola, Oregon. At this point, there is only four private tickets left and three shared tickets. We'll likely sell out again. ValerieIhsan.com/retreat for more info.    UPDATE:  Valerie:       Erick:     Just finished:  I'M READING:  Spill Simmer Falter Wither by Sara Baume What's a Poor Girl to Do?: Prostitution in Mid-Nineteenth Century America by Elizabeth A. Topping    The Book of Awakening by Mark Nepo     Up Next: The Creative Act by Rick Rubin  Erick's Reading:  Lost Places by Sarah Pinsker     Show Notes:  You can't always take both paths. Choosing becomes more important as we age. "There's a different way to do this." (Message from the universe) How do I pivot from this to this? Identification of other way (journey begins) Take time to process. You aren't cheating or doing a disservice to the readers. Acknowledging limiting beliefs. How do I take the next growth step? Asking What if? often helps to challenge the limiting belief. (QTP. Question the Premise. Becca Syme.) Getting past the what if is the next step. (Yes, I can do this.) Research next step.  Forgive yourself for not knowing. "I've never tried this. Please help me." (Try it for 6-9 months) We have permission to explore. Reflection. Remembering by adding, you aren't removing. It's not all or nothing.   Next Episode:     Find Us: Valerie's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/valerieihsan Erick's Linktree link: https://linktr.ee/erickmertzauthor

Hello Writers and Crafters! I'm Valerie Ihsan, And I'm Erick Mertz, and this is Episode 146 of the podcast and it's February 14, 2024 as we record this. Happy Valentine's Day! Main Topic: How to Maintain Your Business During Crisis PATREON: Thank you to our existing patrons for believing in our work offline and here in the podcast.  This podcast is sponsored by our patrons at Patreon.com/valerieihsan. Become a patron of the arts at Patreon.com/valerieihsan.  Patreon.com/strangeairstories for short stories in the paranormal mystery genre   Comments/email from listeners:  Questions from listeners:   Announcements:  Go to valerieihsan.com/retreat for info on this year's writing retreat in August. Reading in Eugene, OR on March 8th (Friday). I'm in a new anthology by Tsunami Press with my essay "Eye Contact." • Stay tuned for new series stuff from Erick. UPDATE:  Valerie:   in Turkey; mother-in-law in ICU for the last week; no change for the last two days Sound Effect https://wordcrafters.org/nonfiction-imagery/ class on Wednesdays starting in May 15th for six weeks "Exploring Imagery Through the Senses in Creative Nonfiction" hybrid class (virtual and in person)       Erick:   finishing up new series stuff while rewriting novel in Strange Air period piece (30s and 40s), paranormal baseball season -- releasing short pieces based on baseball season calendar; baseball scout is main protagonist     Just finished:  Glucose Revolution by Jessie Inchauspé  Jane and the Man of the Cloth by Stephanie Barron I'M READING:      Up Next:    The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton Erick's Reading:  The Devil Himself Dollar Sign on the Muscle Show Notes:   Grief and brain fog are exhausting. Do what you can to stay inspired and maintain motivation, but above all: Be kind to yourself and be self-aware.       Next Episode:  Resources:  Thinking in Pictures by John Sayles "How to write an eavesdropping scene" on Erick's blog Reading Critique Group for Writers FB Group (Jennie Komp's group) 3 Bird View FB page (Jennie Kemp's business page) Author XP (marketing for authors) (bi-monthly promotions) Raven Publicity (publicity for authors) The Shades of Orange (Rachel, Book Blogger on YouTube) for book recommendations SF/Fantasy/Horror Contact Erick for business-starting advice or building a website. Contact Valerie for author coaching.   Other Resources: Thomas Umstattd Jr, at Novel Marketing Podcast. Ep255: How to Create an Email Onboarding Drip Campaign Russell P. Nohelty and Monica Leonelle's book, Get Your Book Selling on Kickstarter. Valerie's new day book for the year 2023 is: Meditations from the Mat: Daily Reflections on the Path of Yoga by Rolf Gates. I've published our 2022 Book List on the website: valerieihsan.com/podcast-news   The Author Life Community Passion Planner: https://passionplanner.rfrl.co/e86j8 (affiliate link) Discount Code: VALERIE407 ProWriting Aid: https://prowritingaid.com/?afid=9378 (affiliate link)   Find Us: Valerie's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/valerieihsan Erick's Linktree link: https://linktr.ee/erickmertzauthor   Writer Craft Facebook Group Valerie’s Services: https://valerieihsan.com Valerie’s Author Site: https://valerieihsanauthor.com Valerie’s Facebook Page and Instagram account   Erick’s Services: https://erickmertzwriting.com Erick’s free book on Ghostwriting: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/cexki4kp5n Erick’s Author Site: https://erickmertzauthor.com Erick’s Facebook Page and Instagram account    Patreons:  https://patreon.com/valerieihsan    https://patreon.com/strangeairmysteries

Hello Writers and Crafters! I'm Valerie Ihsan, And I'm Erick Mertz, and this is Episode 145 of the podcast and it's January 31, 2024 as we record this.  Main Topic: Using Your Local Library as an Author Resource PATREON: Thank you to our existing patrons for believing in our work offline and here in the podcast.  Become a patron of the arts at Patreon.com/valerieihsan for books, writing instruction, coaching, and planning. Go to Patreon.com/strangeairstories for short stories in the paranormal mystery genre Patron comment:  Comments/email from listeners:  Questions from listeners: Announcements:  Registration is open for the 2024 Writer Craft Writing Retreat and Workshop in Marcola, Oregon. At this point, there is only four private tickets left and three shared tickets. We'll likely sell out again. ValerieIhsan.com/retreat for more info.    UPDATE:  Valerie:   getting ready for Turkey trip updating website slowly pitch conferences from Turkey new name for my coaching program for authors: Aligned Author (haven't decided whether to do it as a 12 week program for $1499, or just list it as $500/mo (tell me which you'd like, email)   Erick:   writing a lot (40K goal - blew past that) recovering reader magnet relaunching author marketing ideas (ads? New covers?) Analysis: cost, versatility, marketing, immediate ROI not likely, transparent with what they are doing   Just finished:  I'M READING:  Spill Simmer Falter Wither by Sara Baume What's a Poor Girl to Do?: Prostitution in Mid-Nineteenth Century America by Elizabeth A. Topping    The Book of Awakening by Mark Nepo     Up Next: The Creative Act by Rick Rubin Redefine Life for Yourself: How to Stop Chasing Money and Finally Live Your Life's Purpose by Patrice Washington Erick's Reading:  A Prayer for the Crown Shy   Killing Floor by Lee Child Show Notes:  Saves us money. Only place (one of few) to go where there is no expectation of spending money. Places to sit. Free wifi. Work away from home. Quiet  space. Hub for education. Free talks. (To give or receive.) Writers groups/book clubs. Utilize the research department. Local historical info available. Research what books *look* like (read first chapter of ten books in your genre). If you want your books in libraries, ISBN and Ingram Spark, Book Vault, not just Amazon. People watching space (people are reading!) Writer residency  Ask them to get local authors' books in. Pay your library fines.   Next Episode:  solo episodes or a two week break -- come back and see! ;-)   Find Us: Valerie's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/valerieihsan Erick's Linktree link: https://linktr.ee/erickmertzauthor Writer Craft Facebook Group Valerie’s Services: https://valerieihsan.com Valerie’s Author Site: https://valerieihsanauthor.com Valerie’s Facebook Page and Instagram account Erick’s Services: https://erickmertzwriting.com Erick’s free book on Ghostwriting: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/cexki4kp5n Erick’s Author Site: https://erickmertzauthor.com Erick’s Facebook Page and Instagram account Patreons:  https://patreon.com/valerieihsan    https://patreon.com/strangeairmysteries Tools: Passion Planner: https://passionplanner.rfrl.co/e86j8 (affiliate link) Discount Code: VALERIE150 ProWriting Aid: https://prowritingaid.com/?afid=9378 (affiliate link)

Announcements:  Registration is open for the 2024 Writer Craft Writing Retreat and Workshop in Marcola, Oregon. At this point, there is only four private tickets left and three shared tickets. We'll likely sell out again. ValerieIhsan.com/retreat for more info.    UPDATE:  Valerie:   meditation: Balance app updating website slowly pitch conferences (Accountability for Authors)(What could I teach?)   Erick:   ice storm cabin fever novella in Strange Air series on 2nd draft still developing second series; plotting from beginning to end Happy Birthday! (48)   Just finished: Ma and Me by Putsata Reang I'M READING:   What's a Poor Girl to Do?: Prostitution in Mid-Nineteenth Century America by Elizabeth A. Topping  Praying with Jane Eyre by Vanessa Zoltan The Book of Awakening by Mark Nepo     Up Next: The Creative Act by Rick Rubin Erick's Reading:  A Prayer for the Crown Shy   Anna's reading:  Dortmuder novels (Donald Westlake) Show Notes:  Bio: Anna Willman has been a certified Focusing Trainer since 1982. She has a Master’s degree in International Studies from Claremont Graduate School and a Master’s in Comparative Politics from Columbia University. She was a Fulbright Scholar in Zagreb, Yugoslavia, in 1971 and 1972. She retired in 2008 after fourteen years as director of the Confidence Clinic, a Focusing-oriented community wellness program for women. Since retirement she has written extensively about the program’s history, its philosophy and practice, and its outcomes. She has also written and published six novels and a humorous short story about disappointed expectations. Our bodies hold our experiences in its cells.  You feel your emotions in your body. (Pain, etc.) It starts like meditation, but with focusing you create an inner space and listen to Self and garner wisdom from it.  Shift = noticing how to carry my experience of past trauma TODAY. It's always healing. The shift that happens is a big sigh of relief. Because now you know. A Knowing. A Clarity. A way to heal and understand yourself better. Your characters also (as they become more and more real) have past experiences that they feel in their bodies. Select a character (problem, won't do what I want, motivation issues, or discomfort with the character).  Slow down and relax, feel your chair, your feet, aware of body, notice rhythm of your breathing, ... Bring your character into your body, see if you can sense your character's discomfort in a situation. Can you feel your character's body? Do they notice what they are feeling? Any physical discomfort?  Sit with the experience. How is your character physically feeling it? Where is it? What is the quality of the sensation--lethargic, energetic, restless? Does it have a color? Soft, hard, loose, tight? What words can you use to describe it?  When you have a strong sense of it, how does your character respond to it? If it is painful, how do they escape it? Hide from it? Run away? Whimper? What is their normal response? Do they have to respond out of their ordinary? Is this a normal response to them or brand new? Given nature of your plot, pause and write down the words about how character is feeling, etc. How aware are they showing their feeling? Show not tell. Write what they do. Is there an awakening for them? How do they act afterwards?  Sit with your char, let your body feel your char's body, write down everything (even if it doesn't make sense), ask "What else?" Listen with compassion and curiosity. You want to understand. Not judging. If you do, your character will clam up on you. If I let characters do what they want to do, instead of plotting it, they get where I want them to be regardless, usually. (Anna) Use when you have limited actionable responses for characters. Deepen the char, improve the writing, character's interact with each other is more Real. Use this to develop metaphors.  Loose Ends (novel Anna wrote with the serial killer character) Kaleidoscope (novel Anna wrote about focusing and D.I.D.) (Whole Body Focusing.)  Anna's Amazon page with all her titles. Focusing Initiatives International: webinars (check for any workshops Anna does).   Next Episode:  How to Use Your Local Library as an Author Resource   Find Us: Valerie's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/valerieihsan Erick's Linktree link: https://linktr.ee/erickmertzauthor Writer Craft Facebook Group Valerie’s Services: https://valerieihsan.com Valerie’s Author Site: https://valerieihsanauthor.com Valerie’s Facebook Page and Instagram account Erick’s Services: https://erickmertzwriting.com Erick’s free book on Ghostwriting: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/cexki4kp5n Erick’s Author Site: https://erickmertzauthor.com Erick’s Facebook Page and Instagram account Patreons:  https://patreon.com/valerieihsan    https://patreon.com/strangeairmysteries Tools: Passion Planner: https://passionplanner.rfrl.co/e86j8 (affiliate link) Discount Code: VALERIE150 ProWriting Aid: https://prowritingaid.com/?afid=9378 (affiliate link)   Resources:  "How to write an eavesdropping scene" on Erick's blog Reading Critique Group for Writers FB Group (Jennie Komp's group) 3 Bird View FB page (Jennie Kemp's business page) Author XP (marketing for authors) (bi-monthly promotions) Raven Publicity (publicity for authors) The Shades of Orange (Rachel, Book Blogger on YouTube) for book recommendations SF/Fantasy/Horror Contact Erick for business-starting advice or building a website. Contact Valerie for author coaching. Thomas Umstattd Jr, at Novel Marketing Podcast. Ep255: How to Create an Email Onboarding Drip Campaign Russell P. Nohelty and Monica Leonelle's book, Get Your Book Selling on Kickstarter. Balance meditation app.   Book Recs for writing/creativity/business: Thinking in Pictures by John Sayles   Some of the Books We've Read This Year: Nejishiki Yoshiharu  (Erick) Ma and Me by Putsana Reang (Valerie) The Weird and Eerie Children of Ruin    

Thank you to our existing patrons for believing in our work offline and here in the podcast.  Become a patron of the arts at Patreon.com/valerieihsan for books, writing instruction, coaching, and planning. Go to Patreon.com/strangeairstories for short stories in the paranormal mystery genre. Announcements:  Registration is open for the 2024 Writer Craft Writing Retreat and Workshop in Marcola, Oregon. At this point, there is only four private tickets left and three shared tickets. We'll likely sell out again. ValerieIhsan.com/retreat for more info. I'll be doing a reading this Saturday at Tsunami Books in Eugene Oregon at 5 p.m. for the new anthology, and there will be a wine reception afterward, hosted by Tsunami Press.  Order wherever books are sold.  My new Focus and Finish Group Coaching cohort starts next week. We'll meet most Tuesdays through March at 4 p.m. Pacific. It's discounted to $333 this week. You can go to ValerieIhsan.com/shopping to purchase. Season of the Shadow up now! (Erick's new title.)    UPDATE:  Valerie:   meeting with co-writers next week follow the feeling; Aligned Action are my 2024 buzz words. updating website slowly   Erick:   new series work: mapped out first three books  have cover for print book now I'M READING:  What's a Poor Girl to Do?: Prostitution in Mid-Nineteenth Century America by Elizabeth A. Topping and Ma and Me by Putsana Reang Praying with Jane Eyre by Vanessa Zoltan   Erick's Reading:  The Weird and Eerie Children of Ruin Find Us: Valerie's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/valerieihsan Erick's Linktree link: https://linktr.ee/erickmertzauthor Writer Craft Facebook Group Valerie’s Services: https://valerieihsan.com Valerie’s Author Site: https://valerieihsanauthor.com Valerie’s Facebook Page and Instagram account Erick’s Services: https://erickmertzwriting.com Erick’s free book on Ghostwriting: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/cexki4kp5n Erick’s Author Site: https://erickmertzauthor.com Erick’s Facebook Page and Instagram account Resources:  Thinking in Pictures by John Sayles "How to write an eavesdropping scene" on Erick's blog Reading Critique Group for Writers FB Group (Jennie Komp's group) 3 Bird View FB page (Jennie Kemp's business page) Author XP (marketing for authors) (bi-monthly promotions) Raven Publicity (publicity for authors) The Shades of Orange (Rachel, Book Blogger on YouTube) for book recommendations SF/Fantasy/Horror Contact Erick for business-starting advice or building a website. Contact Valerie for author coaching.   Other Resources: Thomas Umstattd Jr, at Novel Marketing Podcast. Ep255: How to Create an Email Onboarding Drip Campaign Russell P. Nohelty and Monica Leonelle's book, Get Your Book Selling on Kickstarter.   Passion Planner: https://passionplanner.rfrl.co/e86j8 (affiliate link) Discount Code: VALERIE150 ProWriting Aid: https://prowritingaid.com/?afid=9378 (affiliate link)  

Announcements:  Early Bird registration is open for the 2024 Writer Craft Writing Retreat. At this point, there is only four private tickets left and three shared tickets. We'll likely sell out again. ValerieIhsan.com/retreat for more info. I'm in a new anthology by Tsunami Press with my essay "Eye Contact." It's in stores now;  order wherever books are sold.  Season of the Shadow up now! (Erick's new title.)    UPDATE:  Valerie:   meeting with co-writers in Jan follow the feeling; Aligned Action are my 2024 buzz words. reflection     Erick:   new series work: mapped out first three books  written reader magnet for new series   Just finished:  I'M READING:  What's a Poor Girl to Do?: Prostitution in Mid-Nineteenth Century America by Elizabeth A. Topping and Ma and Me by Putsana Reang Praying with Jane Eyre by Vanessa Zoltan The Book of Awakening by Mark Nepo   Up Next: Soiled Doves: Prostitution in the the Early West by Anne Seagraves Frog Music by Emma Donoghue   Harness: A Systemic Approach: Guaranteed to Revolutionize Your Coaching by Tess Cope   Erick's Reading:    Nejishiki Yoshiharu      Find Us: Valerie's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/valerieihsan Erick's Linktree link: https://linktr.ee/erickmertzauthor Writer Craft Facebook Group Valerie’s Services: https://valerieihsan.com Valerie’s Author Site: https://valerieihsanauthor.com Valerie’s Facebook Page and Instagram account Erick’s Services: https://erickmertzwriting.com Erick’s free book on Ghostwriting: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/cexki4kp5n Erick’s Author Site: https://erickmertzauthor.com Erick’s Facebook Page and Instagram account

Thank you to our existing patrons for believing in our work offline and here in the podcast.  Become a patron of the arts at Patreon.com/valerieihsan for books, writing instruction, coaching, and planning. Go to Patreon.com/strangeairstories for short stories in the paranormal mystery genre Announcements:  Early Bird registration is open for the 2024 Writer Craft Writing Retreat. At this point, there is only four private tickets left and three shared tickets. We'll likely sell out again. ValerieIhsan.com/retreat for more info. EARLY BIRD $899 0r $128.45/mo for seven months. (Early Bird Registration is open from November 1-December 31, 2023. Monthly payment option ends December 31, 2023.) I'm in a new anthology by Tsunami Press with my essay "Eye Contact." It's in stores now;  order wherever books are sold. Season of the Shadow up now! (Erick's new title.)    UPDATE:  Valerie:   meeting with co-writers in Jan follow the feeling; Aligned Action are my 2024 buzz words.     Erick:   new series work written reader magnet for new series day planner arrived!   Just finished:  I'M READING:  What's a Poor Girl to Do?: Prostitution in Mid-Nineteenth Century America by Elizabeth A. Topping and Ma and Me by Putsana Reang Catching the Big Fish by David Lynch Up Next: Soiled Doves: Prostitution in the the Early West by Anne Seagraves Frog Music by Emma Donoghue Harness: A Systemic Approach: Guaranteed to Revolutionize Your Coaching by Tess Cope   Erick's Reading:  Widowmaker by Paul Doiron The Last Ronin (TMNT) How to Sell a Haunted House The Ultimate Werewolf Collection   The Lover by Rebecca Sacks (Lynne's read)   Show Notes:  Lynne Golodner writes emotional novels with compelling Jewish characters who are determined to fill their lives with passion, purpose and love. Her first novel, Woman of Valor, joins a body of work that includes two poetry collections and six nonfiction books, including Hide and Seek: Jewish Women and Hair Covering and The Flavors of Faith: Holy Breads. Lynne is a writing coach, marketing entrepreneur and host of the Make Meaning Podcast, and her creative nonfiction has been published around the world. With a BA from University of Michigan and an MFA from Goddard College, Lynne is the mother of four and lives in Huntington Woods, Michigan, with her husband, Dan. Writes nonfiction to make sense of life. Fiction is imagination; some pulled from lived experience, but not intended. In future, addressing world events in fiction. Always thinking about something, what it means to me, where will this take me?  Do research for the creative essays. Write essays for self, show to critique partners, then submit. 2022 = 12 essays published 2023 = publishing and marketing Woman of Valor Explore a topic, process old past events, idea file (lists of where I've been, who did I know, how was this formative?) Read a bunch, make lists of experiences with extreme emotions, places you've been; research elevates the pieces. Author brand: strong jewish women (risky), narrowing focus strengthens the brand. Promote: lead writers retreats (sept mackinaw island, no cars) (2024 in Redwoods in Cali) writing in am and activities in pm. More info at lynnegolodner.com https://www.yourtango.com/self/climbing-dog-mountain-after-divorce-grueling-hike-easiest-thing-could-do (Dog Mountain essay) Next Episode: 2023 Review Find Us: Valerie's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/valerieihsan Erick's Linktree link: https://linktr.ee/erickmertzauthor Writer Craft Facebook Group Valerie’s Services: https://valerieihsan.com Valerie’s Author Site: https://valerieihsanauthor.com Valerie’s Facebook Page and Instagram account Erick’s Services: https://erickmertzwriting.com Erick’s free book on Ghostwriting: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/cexki4kp5n Erick’s Author Site: https://erickmertzauthor.com Erick’s Facebook Page and Instagram account

Thank you to new patrons Lily Fouts and Leslie Hall and Meyari McFarland. Welcome! Also, the winner of the Goody Bag drawing is Kathleen Kendricks. Congratulations! You've already been contacted. And to the patrons who signed up in November, I'll be sending out the stickers and calendars, your postcards, and the Goody Bag contents this month. I need to wait for the printing of the wall calendars first. I'll make an announcement on the Patreon page to let you know when they ship out. Thank you so much for making my first Patreon campaign so much fun. I think I might do this every year. :-)   Thank you to our existing patrons for believing in our work offline and here in the podcast.  This podcast is sponsored by our patrons at Patreon.com/valerieihsan.    Become a patron of the arts at Patreon.com/valerieihsan for books, writing instruction, coaching, and planning. Go to Patreon.com/strangeairstories for short stories in the paranormal mystery genre Patron comment:  Comments/email from listeners:  Questions from listeners:   Announcements:  Early Bird registration is open for the 2024 Writer Craft Writing Retreat. At this point, there is only four private tickets left and three shared tickets. We'll likely sell out again. I'm in a new anthology by Tsunami Press with my essay "Eye Contact." It's in stores now. You can order at http://www.tsunamibooks.org/shop/pre-order-tsunami-press-first-anthology with free shipping in the U.S. or order wherever books are sold. Season of the Shadow up now! (Erick's new title.)  UPDATE:  Valerie:   finishing up  life coaching training  Thinking about my next campaign for new clients, and the bonus material I'll put together for that.     Erick:   48.484K words in Nanowrimo book, taking some unexpected turns; been a great experience.  wrote a Nano book (now a new series!); working on Book 3 of NEW series print edition of new book newsletter hygiene cover designs   Just finished:  I'M READING:  What's a Poor Girl to Do?: Prostitution in Mid-Nineteenth Century America by Elizabeth A. Topping and Ma and Me by Putsana Reang   Catching the Big Fish by David Lynch     Up Next: Soiled Doves: Prostitution in the the Early West by Anne Seagraves Frog Music by Emma Donoghue   Harness: A Systemic Approach: Guaranteed to Revolutionize Your Coaching by Tess Cope   Erick's Reading:  Widowmaker by Paul Doiron The Last Ronin (TMNT)   Show Notes:  Erick surprises me with a question that I have to answer on the spot! Next Episode: Lynne Golodner on Mining Life for Story Find Us: Valerie's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/valerieihsan Erick's Linktree link: https://linktr.ee/erickmertzauthor Writer Craft Facebook Group Valerie’s Services: https://valerieihsan.com Valerie’s Author Site: https://valerieihsanauthor.com Valerie’s Facebook Page and Instagram account Erick’s Services: https://erickmertzwriting.com Erick’s free book on Ghostwriting: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/cexki4kp5n Erick’s Author Site: https://erickmertzauthor.com Erick’s Facebook Page and Instagram account

Thank you to new patron Kathleen Kendrick. Welcome! She will get the limited edition sticker and entry to the drawing for the Goody bag that includes a 2024 Passion Planner and coaching with me, along with a couple of other fun things. PLUS, a wall calendar I designed. Thank you to our existing patrons for believing in our work offline and here in the podcast.  This podcast is sponsored by our patrons at Patreon.com/valerieihsan.  Become a patron of the arts at Patreon.com/valerieihsan for books, writing instruction, coaching, and planning. Go to Patreon.com/strangeairstories for short stories in the paranormal mystery genre   Announcements:  Early Bird registration is open for the 2024 Writer Craft Writing Retreat. At this point, there is only four private tickets left and three shared tickets. We'll likely sell out again. I'm in a new anthology by Tsunami Press with my essay "Eye Contact." It's in stores now. You can order at http://www.tsunamibooks.org/shop/pre-order-tsunami-press-first-anthology with free shipping in the U.S. or order wherever books are sold. Season of the Shadow up now! (Erick's new title.)  UPDATES: Valerie:   doing more life coaching training  Thinking about my next campaign for new clients, and the bonus material I'll put together for that. finishing up a course I bought in the summer Show the Fuck Up (on branding).   Erick:   48.484K words in Nanowrimo book, taking some unexpected turns; been a great experience.    I'M READING: Just finished: Quit Like a Millionaire: No Gimmicks, Luck, or Trust Fund Required by Kristy Shen and Bryce Leung   Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware Catching the Big Fish by David Lynch Starling House by Alix E. Harrow   Up Next:  Ma and Me by Putsana Reang Harness: A Systemic Approach: Guaranteed to Revolutionize Your Coaching by Tess Cope   Erick's Reading:  All the Sinners Bleed by S.A. Cosby   Show Notes:  Limiting beliefs limits the action steps to success. Perhaps we use our ideals to create them. When you name them, it gives them power. "I'm not good at basketball." "I'm not a morning person." "I can't write short."Add a "yet" to help turn it around. Train your brain to believe whatever. Reframe What's the goal?

Thank you to new patron Chad Boyer. Welcome! He will get the limited edition sticker and entry to the drawing for the Goody bag that includes a 2024 Passion Planner and coaching with me, along with a couple of other fun things. PLUS, a wall calendar I designed. Thank you to our existing patrons for believing in our work offline and here in the podcast.  This podcast is sponsored by our patrons at Patreon.com/valerieihsan. Become a patron of the arts at Patreon.com/valerieihsan.  Patreon.com/strangeairstories for short stories in the paranormal mystery genre Patron comment: I figured it was time to put my money where my ears were since I listen to you and Erick each week. Announcements:  Early Bird registration is now for the 2024 Writer Craft Writing Retreat, at this point, there is only four private tickets left and three shared tickets. We'll likely sell out again. I'm in a new anthology by Tsunami Press with my essay "Eye Contact." It's in stores now. You can order at http://www.tsunamibooks.org/shop/pre-order-tsunami-press-first-anthology with free shipping in the U.S. or order wherever books are sold. Preorder of Season of the Shadow up now. (Erick's new title.) Nov 30th. I'm really excited about the new tiers. I've added some really special things to the benefits. And if you sign up for a patron tier, you get a limited edition large vinyl sticker with the quote: As well as a 2024 wall calendar I designed with photos I've taken in my travels this year and of my dogs ('cuz who doesn't love a cute doggy picture), and entry into a drawing for a Goody Bag with a 2024 Passion Planner (red Year of the Dragon, weekly, Monday start), some stickers and pens, and 30 minutes of life or business coaching from me. UPDATE:  Valerie:   doing more life coaching training  Thinking about my next campaign for new clients, and the bonus material I'll put together for that. finishing up a course I bought in the summer Show the Fuck Up (on branding). woodcrafters.org class tomorrow. cleaning up the back end of Patreon. Nanowrimo in November is becoming more of a RebalWriMo for me. going to an Altin Gün concert in Portland on Friday--staying with our friend Josh   Erick:   24,800K words in Nanowrimo book, taking some unexpected turns I'M READING:  Whiskey in a Teacup: What Growing Up in the South Taught Me About Life, Love, and Baking Biscuits by Reece Witherspoon Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware Catching the Big Fish by David Lynch Starling House by Alix E. Harrow   Erick's Reading:  Fiends in the Furrow (anthology) The Singer's Gun by Emily St. John Mandel https://www.oldgodsofappalachia.com podcast Show Notes:  Use the Writer Beware services! If you've been approached, that's a red flag. And companies asking for money, that's a red flag. Making relationships may help you. Talk with the contractor whom you are hiring. Know the parts and why they are important, research different prices, make a choice, learn what you need to learn, shop, hire.

Thanks to current patrons Leah Joy Espinoza and Michelle Coleman who have edited their memberships to one of the new tiers. They will both get the limited edition sticker and entry to the drawing for the Goody bag that includes a 2024 Passion Planner and coaching with me, along with a couple of other fun things. Thank you to our existing patrons for believing in our work offline and here in the podcast.  This podcast is sponsored by our patrons at Patreon.com/valerieihsan. Become a patron of the arts at Patreon.com/valerieihsan.  Patreon.com/strangeairstories for short stories in the paranormal mystery genre Patron comment: Both were great sessions! Thank you!!! Announcements:  Early Bird registration is now for the 2024 Writer Craft Writing Retreat, at this point, there is only five private tickets left and three shared tickets. We'll likely sell out again. I'm in a new anthology by Tsunami Press with my essay "Eye Contact." It's in stores now. You can order at http://www.tsunamibooks.org/shop/pre-order-tsunami-press-first-anthology with free shipping in the U.S. or order wherever books are sold. Preorder of Season of the Shadow up now. (Erick's new title.) Nov 30th.   I'M READING:  Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware Catching the Big Fish by David Lynch Starling House by Alix E. Harrow Harness: A Systemic Approach: Guaranteed to Revolutionize Your Coaching by Tess Cope Up Next: What's a Poor Girl to Do?: Prostitution in Mid-Nineteenth Century America by Elizabeth A. Topping Soiled Doves: Prostitution in the the Early West by Anne Seagraves Frog Music by Emma Donoghue Ma and Me by Putsana Reang Erick's Reading:  Hidden Pictures by Jason Rekulak The Singer's Gun by Emily St. John Mandel https://www.oldgodsofappalachia.com podcast KimBoo is reading:  History of the Book (nonfiction), Master and Commander (audiobook), Family Secrets (podcast) SHOW NOTES: Find KimBoo on Ream and her website,  House of York.  1000-2000 words per episode/installment (but doesn't matter) post one a week or every two weeks 5000-10000 once a month up to six months Find a rhythm. Hard things about serial writing (beware list): don't forget the long story arc (at least lurking in the background) Process: release in installments (as a consumer it's exciting) Go back the long arc in revision. What part does this season meet in the long arc? Story beats  Serial expectations Commitment: you can wrap it up and rush the ending if you need to--as long as know the long arc. (Maybe even within 2-5 episodes) novel=season The Wandering Inn (longest(?) running serial) Spreadsheet breaks down long arcs and season arcs. Link: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1E6I6Z4TwKgVtUTaid28J2ng_tSxU0HjauV9OievkcTE/edit?usp=sharing Name of book coming out: By the Seat of Your Pants: Using the Discovery Writing Technique (in January 2024) Unstoppable Storyteller (current nonfiction available from KimBoo York) Tip: Character Motivation (ask the bigger question, what's the critical thing that drives the story's long arc) What makes a story exciting? Analyzing what makes a good long writing series (television, multiple seasons with structure, story arcs are nested = key) long story arc (hero's journey), season arc nested and have own structure (three act structure) when season ends, the long story is not resolved. Installment arcs (like a chapter in a book); cliff hangers are not necessary if you've done a good job with the long arc. When one ends, marry it up with a long arc beat. Lord of the Rings classic (side quests) Transmigrated Teri on Ream (but some on Substack). The Queen's Eiry is being serialized right now. (On Wattpad, romance) A serial story designed to be very long and complex. A different format. Different consumers of art: little bit vs big chunks Hit multiple markets. Serial fiction prior to Vella? LiveJournal, Archive of our Own, (for fan fiction) Options now: Radish, Ream, Patreon, Vella, etc.  

Thanks to new patron Leah Joy Espinoza! Thank you to our existing patrons for believing in our work offline and here in the podcast.  This podcast is sponsored by our patrons at Patreon.com/valerieihsan. Become a patron of the arts at Patreon.com/valerieihsan.  Patreon.com/strangeairstories for short stories in the paranormal mystery genre Patron comment: Both were great sessions! Thank you!!! Announcements:  Early Bird registration is now for the 2024 Writer Craft Writing Retreat, at this point, there is only five private tickets left and three shared tickets. We'll likely sell out again. I'm in a new anthology by Tsunami Press with my essay "Eye Contact." It's coming out next week. I'm told the books will be in the store November 9th. You can preorder at http://www.tsunamibooks.org/shop/pre-order-tsunami-press-first-anthology  Preorder of Season of the Shadow up now. (Erick's new title.) Nov 30th. New patronage tiers are out TODAY at Patreon.com/valerieihsan. I'm really excited about the new tiers. I've added some really special things to the benefits. And if you sign up for a patron tier, you get a limited edition large vinyl sticker with the quote: Patron announcement:  UPDATE:  Valerie:   getting ready for the conference, launched the new Patreon tiers and released the summer retreat tickets today woodcrafters.org class on November 16th. (Need one more person to sign up for that. It's in-person and also online   Nanowrimo in November (Erick is too!)   Erick:   prepping to send out ARCS house closed on Monday   Just finished: The Stranger Upstairs by Lisa M. Matlin I'M READING:  Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware Catching the Big Fish by David Lynch Indelible by Laurie Buchanan Harness: A Systemic Approach: Guaranteed to Revolutionize Your Coaching by Tess Cope   Up Next: What's a Poor Girl to Do?: Prostitution in Mid-Nineteenth Century America by Elizabeth A. Topping Soiled Doves: Prostitution in the the Early West by Anne Seagraves Frog Music by Emma Donoghue   Erick's Reading:  Hidden Pictures by Jason Rekulak

Announcements:  EARLY access to the Early Bird registration is now, so if want early access for sold out tickets, become a patron this month. I'm in a new anthology by Tsunami Press with my essay "Eye Contact." You can preorder at http://www.tsunamibooks.org/shop/pre-order-tsunami-press-first-anthology Due out the beginning of October 2023. Preorder of Season of the Shadow up now. (Erick's new title.) Nov 16th. Erick speaking at Pike's Peak Writing Conference in Colorado Springs in April 2024. Patron announcement:  UPDATE:  Valerie:   home from Florida yesterday: saw my mom and my sister and bro-in-law and all the nieces and nephews. speaking at another conference in a week: Write in the Harbor. woodcrafters.org class on November 16th.   Nanowrimo in November (Erick is too!)   Erick:   prepping to send out ARCS finish the closing of the house sale going to Florida tomorrow to see family     Just finished: The Stranger Upstairs by Lisa M. Matlin I'M READING: beta read and client work, plus: Catching the Big Fish by David Lynch Indelible by Laurie Buchanan Harness: A Systemic Approach: Guaranteed to Revolutionize Your Coaching by Tess Cope   Up Next: What's a Poor Girl to Do?: Prostitution in Mid-Nineteenth Century America by Elizabeth A. Topping Soiled Doves: Prostitution in the the Early West by Anne Seagraves Frog Music by Emma Donoghue   The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman Erick's Reading:  Jo Nesbo's The Night House S.A. Cosby's All the Sinners Bleed (Blacktop Wasteland) The Singer's Gun Emily St John Mandel Children of Ruin Adrian Tchaikovsky Show Notes:   Making decisions in your business all day long, every day. High level: how to spend my ad budget, what should I write next? Lower level: when to think about things, what to wear to a conference, when to check emails How to make decisions:  Is there even a "problem" here? (What problem does this impulse suppposedly address?) Identify the goal first. Shut it off or put it in the queue. Hierarchy of steps, assigning decisions. Separate questions from ones I answer and ones I ask someone else. Minimize trouble. Three columns: I know how to do this and I'm not going to pay for, don't have skill for this and I'm going to pay for it, I'm okay with this but could someone else do it better? (Am I going to hire, or learn, how am I going to handle this?)   Obstacles to making decisions: overwhelm, FOMO, paralysis analysis, not having enough info, tired, thinking time, biological needs, over-emphasizing the things we enjoy and am good at (as opposed to the other stuff), distraction, perfectionism. Failure is not trying. Having a clear objective. What is most important thing here? (Because we outgrow goals eventually.)  

I'M READING: beta read and client work, plus: Catching the Big Fish by David Lynch Indelible by Laurie Buchanan Harness: A Systemic Approach: Guaranteed to Revolutionize Your Coaching by Tess Cope   Up Next: What's a Poor Girl to Do?: Prostitution in Mid-Nineteenth Century America by Elizabeth A. Topping Soiled Doves: Prostitution in the the Early West by Anne Seagraves Frog Music by Emma Donoghue Erick's Reading:  Ultimate Werewolf Collection The Singer's Gun Emily St John Mandel Children of Ruin Adrian Tchaikovsky Show Notes:   Part of a tradition; spoken broadcast Content marketing; you have to enjoy; you have to choose Becomes a Backlist Erick's Regular Listens: sound opinions, novel marketing podcast, locked on blazers, baseball today, elder sign, skeptoid, strange studies of strange stories, the rusty quill, white vault, BBC Lovecraft Listen while cooking, cleaning, walking, driving, working out. If the topic is interesting or the guest is interesting, listen. Mark it as played, if not. Completist mentality not relevant today. Have somewhat replaced craft books. Want to be: Relevant, useful, entertaining.  

Announcements:  EARLY access to the Early Bird registration is now, so if want early access for sold out tickets, become a patron this month. I'm in a new anthology by Tsunami Press with my essay "Eye Contact." You can preorder at http://www.tsunamibooks.org/shop/pre-order-tsunami-press-first-anthology Due out the beginning of October 2023. Preorder of Season of the Shadow up now. (Erick's new title.) Nov 16th. Erick speaking at Pike's Peak Writing Conference in Colorado Springs in April 2024. UPDATE:  Valerie:   speaking at another conference next month Becca Syme's 30 for 30 this month Nanowrimo in November (Erick is too!)   Erick:   working on little things; short stories, etc I'M READING: beta read Slammerkin by Emma Donoghue Harness: A Systemic Approach: Guaranteed to Revolutionize Your Coaching by Tess Cope Up Next: What's a Poor Girl to Do?: Prostitution in Mid-Nineteenth Century America by Elizabeth A. Topping Soiled Doves: Prostitution in the the Early West by Anne Seagraves Frog Music by Emma Donoghue Erick's Reading:  The Most Expensive Mistress in Jefferson County by James Misko Show Notes:   Backlist are books previously published, still in print, for at least a year. Helps with discoverability. Not running on new releases all the time, but backlist props that all up. Promote backlist books when not publishing. Keeps people interested while they are waiting for the next book. Keeps those titles alive, so when talking to fans about the books, you still know the sizzle of those books. In it for the long haul; tap into the love of the backlist.   In book launch mode: use amazon free days for promo Book 1 and 2 before 3 comes out. To move them into the series after reading free book 0. Talk about elements of older books (if you liked those, you'll love the new book). Use backlist as a conversation starter. Even with stand alone. If you liked xx, I've also written yyy. Use old books to talk about the new books.   Opportunity to develop new story elements (looking at older books to see what else you can explore).   Fan service. Expanding on backlist. Going wider as well as longer. Instead of marketing with ads, fan service to grow your audience. All books equally important, no barrier to purchase. Finding fans, less about marketing to the world and more marketing to your tribe.   Manufacture your own promo and free days, if you are wide.   Audiobooks, Large Print edition, Workbook ... incrementally or all at once.   It's your process. Own it. Use it the way makes sense  

PATREON: Thanks to Jo Bartlett for increasing their patronage tier. We so appreciate you. And they've chosen the benefits tier that includes retreat tickets and monthly coaching, so WELCOME. We'll have so much fun. ALSO, Welcome to new patrons Nora Coutis Hanson, Michelle Coleman, and Mason Tufts. And Thank you to our existing patrons for believing in our work offline and here in the podcast.  This podcast is sponsored by our patrons at Patreon.com/valerieihsan. For as low as a $1/mo, you can get a postcard from me, a shout out on the podcast, and we can make announcements for you on air. At other tiers, the benefits increase--free books, accountability Zoom calls, scene analysis, mastermind calls, and even free Writer Craft retreat tickets. Become a patron of the arts at Patreon.com/valerieihsan.  Patreon.com/strangeairstories for short stories in the paranormal mystery genre   Comments/email from listeners: Great episode! :) Exactly what I needed. (From Jo Bartlett, a patron, re: Ep128: Accountability Buddies and Masterminds.) Questions from listeners:   Announcements:  EARLY access to the Early Bird registration is now, so if want early access for sold out tickets, become a patron this month. I'm in a new anthology by Tsunami Press with my essay "Eye Contact." You can preorder at http://www.tsunamibooks.org/shop/pre-order-tsunami-press-first-anthology Due out the beginning of October 2023. Preorder of Season of the Shadow up now. (Erick's new title.) Nov 16th. Patron announcement:  UPDATE:  Valerie:   speaking at conference this weekend Becca Syme's 30 for 30 this month Nanowrimo in November (Erick is too!)   Erick:   working on little things; short stories, etc mostly moved in; need to unpack now   Just finished:  I'M READING: beta read Slammerkin by Emma Donoghue Harness: A Systemic Approach: Guaranteed to Revolutionize Your Coaching by Tess Cope   Up Next: What's a Poor Girl to Do?: Prostitution in Mid-Nineteenth Century America by Elizabeth A. Topping Soiled Doves: Prostitution in the the Early West by Anne Seagraves Frog Music by Emma Donoghue Erick's Reading:  BearTown by Fredrick Backman Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles graphic novels series Tom Lake by Ann Patchett (brilliant with characterization, story within a story, three sisters) Show Notes:   Mary Carroll Moore is a bestselling and award-winning author of 14 books in 3 genres, including thePEN/Faulkner-and Lambda Literary Awards nominated young adult novel, Qualities of Light, the prequel to A Woman's Guide to Search & Rescue. She received her MFA from Goddard College and has taught throughout the US and abroad at various writing schools and universities since 1998. Her writing-craft book, Your Book Starts Here, won the New Hampshire Literary Awards “Reader’s Choice” award. Before moving into fiction, she worked as a chef, a cooking-school owner, a cookbook author, and a syndicated columnist for the Los Angeles Times. Her first cookbook won a JuliaChild/IACP award. Over two hundred of her essays, stories, and articles have appeared in magazines and literary journals. She lives in New Hampshire with her family.   Storyboarding for Novelists idea.  Snippets = islands; Work on islands for 30K words, then create structure map, W method (Joseph Campbell)   Warm up is first four chapters (Mary)   Title exercise: find fifteen titles on the internet that you like, and why you like them, and then make your own list of fifteen titles.    Kirkus Review is paid promotion. Independent Book Review Publisher's Weekly Book List Newsletter on Substack.  IG Blogger tour. (Bookstagrammer) Google Bookstagram Tour Guide Cover Reveal. Everything is online now. Podcast and social media.   Preorder October 24th; audio book out now. Literary Thriller.   Go-to meal: curry, Thai food, Indian food, southeast Asian   Julia Cameron's Walking in This World   Marycarrollmoore.com #1000wordsofsummer (Jami Attenberg)       Next Episode: How to Use Your Backlist

Announcements:  Early registration for the 2024 retreat opens November 1 for the public, but EARLY access to the Early Bird registration is Oct 1 (next month) so if want early access for sold out tickets, become a patron this month. I'm in a new anthology by Tsunami Press with my essay "Eye Contact." You can preorder at http://www.tsunamibooks.org/shop/pre-order-tsunami-press-first-anthology Due out the beginning of October 2023. Preorder of Season of the Shadow up now. (Erick's new title.) I'M READING: beta read   The Essex Serpent by Sarah Perry   Harness: A Systemic Approach: Guaranteed to Revolutionize Your Coaching by Tess Cope   Up Next: Slammerkin by Emma Donoghue Erick's Reading:  BearTown by Fredrick Backman   Show Notes:     A hook grabs attention and pulls a reader in. It can also be the premise or setting. Should be on the first page--third page at the maximum. It's the story promise, and causes a curiosity to know more and turn the pages.   First chapter should have many questions raised, but answer only one (or two?) at end of the first chapter. (Tex Thompson)   First lines vs hook: (The 1st line could be considered the beginning of the hook.) Write one true sentence and then another... (Hemingway)   Start with the best line. What does my book have? How quickly, succinctly, mysteriously can I start my novel?   Film writing: Why now? Why this scene now?   What are the elements of the story that are different? Know what's unique about your story.   First line file [put in brackets]  Hook file (story ideas) What If? = premise Know the tropes of your genre so that you can subvert it and put a unique spin on it.   Either have to be first, different, or best. (In business.) As a writer, there are plenty of options to be different. Titles: either first idea or the 50th.     Next Episode: How to Use Your Backlist

Announcements:  Early registration for the 2024 retreat opens November 1 for the public, but EARLY access to the Early Bird registration is Oct 1 (next month) so if want early access for sold out tickets, become a patron this month. I'm in a new anthology by Tsunami Press with my essay "Eye Contact." You can preorder at http://www.tsunamibooks.org/shop/pre-order-tsunami-press-first-anthology Due out the beginning of October 2023. Preorder of Season of the Shadow up now. (Erick's new title.) Patron announcement:  UPDATE:  Valerie:   floors and bee-sting.    Erick:   rewrite is done mostly moved in; need to unpack now   Just finished:  I'M READING: beta read   The Essex Serpent by Sarah Perry   Harness: A Systemic Approach: Guaranteed to Revolutionize Your Coaching by Tess Cope   Erick's Reading:  In the Woods by Tana French   Show Notes:   Writing conference-- Networking, meeting new author friends Education Conference Cycle In person = accidental knowledge Volunteering at conferences, see things behind the scene (the business of conferences/writing industry)    "Easy" to pitch to: Cedar Mills Writers Group (Conference) Beaverton, Oregon;  North Woods Writers Conference, Minnesota   Strategy: pick a region, go state by state in Google Search + writing conference; make a spreadsheet. Find the conference director: contact with query letter; ask them for help getting into the circuit=email exchange. Even a no is okay. "What does your audience need?" Conferences gain momentum: idea to date on calendar to push through to the end.   Pitch in January for late summer conferences;  Three month hangover after conferences; They might call you back after speaking once.   Payment: from none (line item on resume), to honorarium, to travel and lodging. Tax deductible trip. Conference attendance thrown in.    After awhile, start weighing which ones are more lucrative and only pitch to them.   Every conference wants the info a different way: if using Submittable, you can copy and paste your answers in; "If you need a panel seat filled, I'll fill it."

Announcements:  Group Coaching Sept 12-  $500 for 3-months (works out to $165/mo and my 1:1 weekly coaching is $500, so you can see the price difference there) Go to valerieihsan.com/shopping DISCOUNT: podcast (10% off) Early registration for the 2024 retreat opens November 1 for the public, but EARLY access to the Early Bird registration is Oct 1 (next month) so if want early access for sold out tickets, become a patron this month. I'm in a new anthology by Tsunami Press with my essay "Eye Contact." You can preorder at http://www.tsunamibooks.org/shop/pre-order-tsunami-press-first-anthology Due out the beginning of October 2023. Preorder of Season of the Shadow up now. (Erick's new title.)   I'M READING: The Essex Serpent by Sarah Perry Harness: A Systemic Approach: Guaranteed to Revolutionize Your Coaching by Tess Cope Erick's Reading:  In the Woods by Tana French Parable of the Sower (Zach Jeffries) Show Notes:   Zachary Jeffries hails from the southeastern United Sates where his first jobs were lawn mower, pizza cook, and stable hand. His overactive imagination and love for reading led to to various routes of storytelling through improv, screenwriting, and the Chicago theatre scene. After working under a myriad of names, Jeffries now writes contemporary Young Adult fantasy brimming with tropes, humor, and action. Along with The Unseen Curse and Angel of Fate, Jeffries also publishes middle grade books under the pen name Z Jeffries. You can read books from either pseudonym by signing up at ZJeffries.com.   Romantasy: high fantasy with romantic story  K-letics says paranormal romance trending down; fantasy romance trending up Host TikTok Live every week, Mondays @JeffriesBooks 9:30 p.m. Eastern The Raven Cycle by Maggie Stiefvater Holly Black books  Writers group started every meeting with a ten minute writing prompt. Didn't like it. Didn't want to put words into something else besides WIP. Caused self-doubt. Moved. Started new group. New prompts: seed for current WIP--fits any projects. Look at your WIP with new lens. Started giving Nanowrimo talks with writing prompts. #Zprompt (TikTok) neurodivergent folks appreciate these prompts because of hyper focus engaging in a traditional writing prompt.   Zach's newsletters have writing prompts at the end. Book is based on prompts per story elements. Can use the book prompts for drafting or editing. Sometimes you don't have writing momentum. Strategy: step back and focus on something different (character relationships; plot on auto-pilot) How the character hides a secret, for instance. Visual media's focus of the camera is interesting.    Someone asked for THE BOOK.   Boredom is good.  Think about one aspect that is different from the movie you just watched. (CopLand fave movie.)   Neuro-divergent writer as a long-time critique partner, gives great feedback. Used autistic and ADHD beta readers for this book.  Re-organizing the ebook with hyper-links in order to make the prompts accessible throughout the book, in multiple elements. (Making it easier to jump around the book.)   Found the audience for something in an organic way.    Catching the Big Fish by David Lynch (follow the idea)    Can you use this prompting to decide if a story idea has legs? If you love the story, the story prompts can help. Story development exercise at back of book. Help with outlining.   More books are coming.   Book on preorder now. (Wide.) Break Through to "The End": Practical Writing Prompts to Elevate Your Work-in-Progress Scene-by-Scene by Zach Jeffries ZJeffries.com Urban fantasy with sweet romance: The Unseen Curse Angel of God's End by Zachary Jeffries (preorder)  

  Announcements:  Group Coaching Sept 12-  $500 for 3-months (works out to $165/mo and my 1:1 weekly coaching is $500, so you can see the price difference there) Go to valerieihsan.com/shopping DISCOUNT: podcast (10% off) Early registration for the 2024 retreat opens November 1 for the public, but EARLY access to the Early Bird registration is Oct 1 (next month) so if want early access for sold out tickets, become a patron this month. I'm in a new anthology by Tsunami Press with my essay "Eye Contact." You can preorder at http://www.tsunamibooks.org/shop/pre-order-tsunami-press-first-anthology Due out the beginning of October 2023. I'M READING: The Essex Serpent by Sarah Perry Erick's Reading:  Asimov's Science Fiction Magazine, July-August 2023 "Bridges"   Show Notes: Mastermind groups, accountability groups, networking groups all benefit you because you have community, camaraderie, hive mind--plus the added drive to finish your projects because you have to report back to the people in your group.   Creative thinking about my (Erick's) business: The minute you know what you are doing, you've stopped growing, talking with other people keeps you curious   Next Episode: Writing Prompts for Neurodivergent People (interview)   Zachary Jeffries hails from the southeastern United Sates where his first jobs were lawn mower, pizza cook, and stable hand. His overactive imagination and love for reading led to to various routes of storytelling through improv, screenwriting, and the Chicago theatre scene. After working under a myriad of names, Jeffries now writes contemporary Young Adult fantasy brimming with tropes, humor, and action. Along with The Unseen Curse and Angel of Fate, Jeffries also publishes middle grade books under the pen name Z Jeffries. You can read books from either pseudonym by signing up at ZJeffries.com.

PATREON: Welcome back, Jo Bartlett! And Thank you to our existing patrons for believing in us and in the podcast.  This podcast is sponsored by our patrons at Patreon.com/valerieihsan. For as low as a $1/mo, you can get a postcard from me, a shout out on the podcast, and we can make announcements for you on air. At other tiers, the benefits increase--free books, accountability Zoom calls, scene analysis, mastermind calls, and even free Writer Craft retreat tickets. Become a patron of the arts at Patreon.com/valerieihsan.  Patreon.com/strangeairstories for short stories in the paranormal mystery genre   Announcements:  Group Coaching Sept 12-  $500 for 3-months (works out to $165/mo and my 1:1 weekly coaching is $500, so you can see the price difference there) Go to valerieihsan.com/shopping DISCOUNT: podcast (10% off) UPDATE:  Valerie:  master class at Southwest Washington Writers Conference next week,  reflooring/packing in the next two weeks retreat was AWESOME; good feedback on the workshops; new novel idea! Erick:  moving, finishing re-write with next novel, working raw (new scenes)--chaos is inspirational; Sept/Oct launch, finish short stories, write outside series, master class teaching in Alaska next month, next pitch Pike's Peak Writing Conference I'M READING: Lucky Red by Claudia Cravens Erick's Reading:  Never Split the Difference by Chris Voss (technique of hostage negotiation and how to process conflict verbally); Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel; Camp Slaughter by Sergio Gomez  Show Notes:   Anchors: Taking a walk with my dog and exploring the neighborhood, Introverted morning time; Permission to write the idea down (Erick); reading a book on the couch under a blanket with a hot cup of something. (Valerie) If running a business, go ahead and check emails (Erick); Valerie only looks for fires or new clients with questions. What's the first thing you do when you come back from chaos? journaling; low expectations (soft landings), little things that take no brain power; look at the new situation to find the joy in it. Knowing energy level. Don't do hard stuff at 50% capacity. Soft landing the week upon reentry. Sunday to set up the week (evening time: post weekly blog and plan for the week, and then every Thursday to check-in to make a new plan to finish the work before the weekend.  

Announcements:  Shared Lodging ticket [AND a private ticket] just opened up for the retreat for a woman-identified person wanting to share a tipi with two twin beds. $650 for all food and lodging, coaching, instruction, and retreat time. Group Coaching Sept 12- Dec 12 $500 for 3-months (works out to $165/mo and my 1:1 weekly coaching is $500, so you can see the price difference there) Go to valerieihsan.com/shopping Books: Just finished:  Rich as Fuck by Amanda Frances, A Most Agreeable Murder by Julia Seales, and  Eliza Starts a Rumor by Jane Rosen   I'M READING: Wildwood Magic by Willa Reece, I Will Teach You to Be Rich by Ramit Sethi, and At the Coffee Shop of Curiosities by Heather Webber. Erick's Reading:  Roni Stinger's Fuzzy (Rewind or Die series) The Birnam Wood by Eleanor Catton On Fire Island by Jane Rosen Duma Key by Stephen King The Ophelia Killer by Valerie Geary Rick Rubin The Creative Act: A Way of Being Stella Maris by Cormac McCarthy Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket Show Notes: Content: books, posts, podcast, blog, videos (inspiration, tutorials), website copy, ad copy This is where marketing is going.  Personal videos. We buy from people we know. Anything you can do is a viable option to connection with authors, everything requires time, effort, promoting. Be authentic. The time to start is now. Get past the awkwardness. Your audience doesn't know that you are learning in public. Honesty is disarming. Use empathy and understanding in business.  People want to help. That connects you to your audience. Holding out the hand of perfection. Dear World, Here's Me. Write to Someone. (Everyone is not your core audience.) It's not dead unless it's dead to you.  

Announcements:  Shared Lodging ticket [AND a private ticket] just opened up for the retreat for a woman-identified person wanting to share a tipi with two twin beds. $650 for all food and lodging, coaching, instruction, and retreat time. Group Coaching Sept 12- Dec 12 $500 for 3-months (works out to $165/mo and my 1:1 weekly coaching is $500, so you can see the price difference there) Go to valerieihsan.com/shopping BOOKS: I'M READING: Just finished:  Rich as Fuck by Amanda Frances, A Most Agreeable Murder by Julia Seales, and Eliza Starts a Rumor by Jane Rosen Wildwood Magic by Willa Reece and I Will Teach You to Be Rich by Ramit Sethi and At the Coffee Shop of Curiosities by Heather Webber Erick's Reading:  Roni Stinger's Fuzzy (Rewind or Die series) The Birnam Wood by Eleanor Catton On Fire Island by Jane Rosen Duma Key by Stephen King The Ophelia Killer by Valerie Geary Rick Rubin The Creative Act: A Way of Being Stella Maris by Cormac McCarthy Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket Show Notes: Know what your ROI is. Do the math. Are you breaking even? Are you making any money on the ad?  Book 1: loss leader, Book 2-4 can run ads Lose money on purpose for mailing list growth. Ads are like gambling. Only use $ you can lose.  Ads for services. Google Ads for business. (Organic traffic as well as new ad traffic.) Cost per click (long term ads) based on criteria. 30 cents may be the norm, depending. Erick does $10/day. Looking for a lower click rate. Give google keywords. Target the right audience and decide when to run the ads. Drive down the cost per click (goal) by finding the sweet spot with the keywords--like with your books on Amazon.  Niche keywords can cross over with bigger keywords. Can start with $5/day or $2/day for a week, see how they perform and then add a keyword or change the interest, etc. Eventually they plateau.  3 or 4 hours/week at first; 3 ads just running, check every morning to see organic vs paid traffic; paying to have someone run, tweak, and report on the ads Ask established authors. Don't hire a big firm. Find Us: Valerie's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/valerieihsan Erick's Linktree link: https://linktr.ee/erickmertzauthor Writer Craft Facebook Group

Show Notes: Jane's local bookstore: McNally Jackson, Seaport location  May release: On Fire Island On Fire Island Spotify playlist Her first book was translated in ten languages Sold first screenplay (optioned three times; never made the film) Fired from own idea (reworked it 10 times) Eliza Starts A Rumor optioned by NBC (someone else is writing T.V. show) Nine Women One Dress (novels get made into movies faster than screenplays do); has been optioned twice. On Fire Island was a script first and then novel. "Novice" = when you write a screenplay and add descriptions of place and characters; that's some else's job.   Phoebe Cates (Kevin Kline's wife) is first reader     Wants to try write stage play. One book a year, so it'll have to wait. Writing books is best thing to do during a writer's strike. "Chat GPT didn't go to fat camp." (Favorite picket sign.)   Crafting the perfect sentence feels really good. It's fun to write a metaphor.  It's my own, as opposed to the screenplay which isn't yours anymore.   Chaos creates a distraction lets me think. Write first rough with noise. Editing needs quiet. (For the polish.)   Start early morning (no minutia) can do for hours. Use the clear mind. Map out the story on notecards but then don't look at them again. Woman's life falls apart trope (Seven Summer Weekends takes place back on Fire Island.)   Map out the story on notecards but then don't look at them again. Woman's life falls apart trope (Seven Summer Weekends takes place back on Fire Island.)