WriterSpark: Business, Creativity, and the Craft of Writing

Episode 44

 

Every author has two jobs, one as an author, and the other as a marketer. It's a necessary part of the writing life if you are in it to earn money. Nicolette Lemmon is an industry expert with experience in marketing. This episode taps into marketing fundamentals to help writers succeed in this part of the writing process.

 

Books and Other Resources ...

Episode 43

 

We can all use a little MAGIC in our writing lives. In this case, I'm talking about the MAGIC from "Organisational Consultant and workplace mediator Sharon Darmody". In our conversation, we talked about how to apply her MAGIC framework to the writing life.

 

Books and Other Resources Mentioned in this episode:

 

* Work Your Magic*

https://www.amazon.com.au/Work-Your-Magic-Business-Community/dp/1647425336

* Sharon Dar...

Episode 42

 

In this episode, Melissa talks with Lynne Golodner, author of Woman of Valor and prolific creative nonfiction writer, about mining your life for stories. This is such a great topic and applicable to people who write (or want to write) memoirs, creative nonfiction, and fiction.

 

Enjoy!

 

Books and Other Resources Mentioned...

Episode 41

 

In this episode, Melissa talks with Michael Griffo, who also writes at JD Griffo and Michael Falco. The topic is All About Agents: Do you need them? What to look for... But it ended up being so much more.

Enjoy!

 

Resources mentioned in this episode:

 

Books and Other Resources Mentioned in this episode:

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Episode 40

 

Every writer needs an editor, but do you know why and what they do for you?

Do you know what editors do and what different types of edits mean? Developmental. Substantive. Line. Copy. They each have their own purposes.

As well as being an author, writing coach and instructor, and cover art designer, I am also a freelance editor. Today I'm talking wit...

Episode 39

 

Every writer gets stuck now and then. It's part of the journey. Getting stuck doesn't mean you need to stop, though, and it isn't just about pushing through. I have 8 strategies to help get you past 'Writer's Block' so you can move forward with your writing. 

 

(Read along on the WriterSpark blog)

 

✨ 📝  Get updates on business, creativity, and the craft of writing by following this podcast...

Episode 38

 

National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) is HERE, and writers all over have jumped into this exciting challenge. Whether you're an aspiring novelist or a seasoned writer, National Novel Writing Month may be just the special (not-so-secret) sauce you need to get motivated. If you are taking this writing challenge, you're in for a whirlwind of creativity, inspiration, and, yes, probably a little bit (or maybe even a lot)...

Episode 37

 

George Cramer spent years as a PI and Police Officer (turned writer), and many hours interviewing (not interrogating!) victims, suspects, and witnesses during investigations. Join me for this interesting conversation with George where he shares anecdotes, techniques, and tips for fiction writers.

 

✨ 📝  Get updates on business, creativity, and the c...

Episode 36

Join me for a captivating podcast interview with Eryk Pruitt, the author of Something Bad Wrong, a gripping novel inspired by an unsolved true crime case from the 1970s in North Carolina. We talked about the fusion of fact and fiction in this great interview. Get ready for an insightful and intriguing conversation! 📖🕵️‍♂️

 

Learn more about WriterSpark's Writing a Novel Online Course ➤https:...

Episode 35

 

Marjory McCown Final Cut Signed Copy Giveaway! If you’d like to enter for a chance to win, go HERE:

https://forms.gle/8PkJnGUYtRqZQfu97

 

How do you use your real-life as an influence in your writing? Marjorie McCown did just that in her book, Final Cut. She was a costume designer in Hollywood for 30 years and she used experiences from ...

Episode 34

 

If you've ever thought about writing a cozy mystery, this WriterSpark Podcast episode is for you! The mystery genre is huge, and cozy mysteries are a pretty special part of it. In this episode, I'm sharing 10 reasons to read and write cozy mysteries. What makes them so popular? Listen to find out!

 

Learn more about how to write a cozy mystery with WriterSpark's self-paced online course ➤https://bit.ly/FieldGuideCozy

 

...

Episode 33

 

Have you ever wondered what audiobook production and narration entails for an author? If you haven't, this episode of The WriterSpark Podcast is for you! Audiobooks can be a huge asset to an author's bottom line. There is a lot to learn, and that's what we're talking about in today with author and audiobook narrator Mary Castillo. She has great tips and resources about the audiobook arm of the publishing industry.

 

Episode 32

 

Books. Movies. TV shows. Most of them are structured using at least some, if not all, of the elements of The Hero's Journey. That includes Extraordinary Attorney Woo, the Netflix original South Korean show.

 

This is one of my favorite things to watch on television. It's smart, heartwarming, poignant, interesting, romantic, and I love it! From the ratings and success, I'm definitely not the only one who thinks so.

 

Th...

Episode 31

 

Whether you call it writer's block or simply getting stuck, the feeling of not being able to keep writing is very real. Certain strategies and tactics can help you get past the wall that sometimes appears and interferes with your forward progress. 

 

Today I'm in conversation with author Anne Louise Bannon, author of the Operation Quickline, the Old Los Angeles series and the brand new Running from Boston techno-thrill...

Episode 30

 

Everyone has a story to tell. Robin Schepper turned her story and the search for her biological father into her book: Finding My Way, A Memoir of Family, Identity, & Political Ambition. In this episode, we talk about writing a memoir with tips and processes to tell your story. We talk about Robin's writing process, delving into the past, developing themes in a braided memoi...

Episode 29

 

In this craft topic episode, I'm talking about different ways to begin your book, scene, or chapter: 'In media res' or with a wide-lens view. 

Have you ever thought about the opening scenes of movies? If you pay attention, you will start to notice how they often begin with a sort of wide-angle view of the world in which the story takes place.

 

A QUICK LOOK AT MOVIES, BOOKS, an...

Episode 28

 

Seeing things from a new perspective can really give you a new way of seeing and internalizing things. That’s how I felt after reading Bill Birchard’s new book Writing for Impact: 8 Secrets from Science to Fire Up Your Readers’ Brain.

 

This book really hit home for me on so many levels. There are a ton of craft books out there, but this one is different. It’s science-based, fo...

Episode 27

 

Love it or hate it, revision is an essential part of the writing process. Today, I'm sharing my four steps for revising your manuscript like a boss! After 32 books, I've distilled how I revise into this process. Wherever you stand on the revision, I hope today's episode gives you something to add to your process.

 

 DISCUSSED IN THIS EPISODE:

• Big Magic when you're writing
• Four steps for revising your manuscript

Episode 26

 

Figuring out how to introduce your protagonist (and sleuth) can be a real challenge. In today's episode, Melissa discusses this craft topic with author Zara Altair.

 

 DISCUSSED IN THIS EPISODE:

• The protagonist in the ordinary world
• Not getting hung up on the beginning
• Diving in with action

  A QUICK LOOK AT THE BOOK MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

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