I Should Be Writing – Détails, épisodes et analyse

S21 Ep2: Mental Health and Creativity

"Nothing is 100% original. It's what you do with it that counts." -Elaine M. Will

(This post went live for supporters on February 13, 2025. If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at Patreon or Substack!)

Ever-looming existential dread, but we keep going. Then there's the challenge of navigating creativity amidst mental health struggles. I also reflect on a fear of failure. I'm not proud. I'm human.

And then we welcome to the show Elaine M. Will, a writer and illustrator known for her graphic novels that tackle mental health themes. We discuss Elaine's latest work, The Last Band on Earth, and the intricate relationship between storytelling and visual art.

Whether you're a writer or an artist, we hope you'll get something out of this episode, and you remember that a creative journey is filled with ups and downs, and it's okay to take your time.

Transcript

Links

• Elaine M. Will on Ko-Fi
• The Artist's Way
• Toronto Comic Arts Festival
• Scott McCloud
• Lynda Barry
• Gene Day Award
• Cuckoo's Nest Press
• Citizen Sleeper 2

Evergreen Links

• See all books from Season 21
• Like the podcast? Get the book! I Should Be Writing.
• My newsletter, The Hot Mic, and the community of Fabulists over at Patreon. Supporting either of those will get you perks like access to the discord, exclusive content, and early, ad-free episodes.
• Socials: Bluesky, Instagram, YouTube, Focusmate
• Theme by John Anealio
• Savor I Should Be Writing tea blends
• Support local book stores! Station Eternity, Six Wakes, Solo: A Star Wars Story: Expanded Edition and more!
• OR Get signed books from my friendly local store, Flyleaf Books!

In case it wasn't clear: Mur and this podcast are fully supportive of LGBTQ+ folks, believe that Black Lives Matter, and trans rights are human rights, despite which direction the political winds blow. If you do not agree, then there are plenty of other places to go on the Internet.
—

"Mental Health and Creativity" is brought to you in large part by my supporters, the Fabulists, who received an early, expanded version of this episode. You can join our Fabulist community with a pledge on Patreon or Substack!

Some of the links above may be affiliate, allowing you to support the show at no extra cost to you. Also consider leaving a review for ISBW, please!

S21 Ep1: In Which Evil Mur Delivers a Message of Hope 

"It's time to just... quit." -Evil Mur

(Do not listen to Evil Mur)

Welcome to a new season of I Should Be Writing, where the notorious Evil Mur takes the reins to deliver a unique message of hope for the new year.

TL;DR, it's time to quit.

In this episode, we explore the idea of quitting writing and the liberation that can come with making a definitive choice. Evil Mur, the alter ego of Mur Lafferty, delves into the emotional rollercoaster of being a writer, the jealousy, the self-doubt, and the ultimate decision to either quit or persevere.

With what we hope is an eventual glimmer of hope amidst the chaos, Evil Mur sets you on a path for the new year. Whether you're contemplating quitting or seeking motivation to continue, this episode offers a fresh perspective on the writing journey.

Transcript

Links

• David Sedaris
• Grant Baciocco
• Jim Henson

Evergreen Links

• Like the podcast? Get the book! I Should Be Writing.
• My newsletter, The Hot Mic, and the community of Fabulists over at Patreon. Supporting either of those will get you perks like access to the discord, exclusive content, and early, ad-free episodes.
• Socials: Bluesky, Instagram, YouTube, Focusmate
• Theme by John Anealio
• Savor I Should Be Writing tea blends
• Support local book stores! Station Eternity, Six Wakes, Solo: A Star Wars Story: Expanded Edition and more!
• OR Get signed books from my friendly local store, Flyleaf Books!

In case it wasn't clear: Mur and this podcast are fully supportive of LGBTQ+ folks, believe that Black Lives Matter, and trans rights are human rights, despite which direction the political winds blow. If you do not agree, then there are plenty of other places to go on the Internet.
—

"The Art of Quitting, Evil Mur Style" is brought to you in large part by my supporters, the Fabulists, who received an early, expanded version of this episode. You can join our Fabulist community with a pledge on Patreon or Substack!

Some of the links above may be affiliate, allowing you to support the show at no extra cost to you. Also consider leaving a review for ISBW, please!

S20 Ep27: In Which Mur and Anamely Salgado Reyes Discuss Magical Realism and Writing Journeys

"I write about what I know, and what I know is family." - Anamely Salgado Reyes

In this episode, I chat with Anamely Salgado Reyes about her debut novel, My Mother Cursed My Name, and the intricacies of writing magical realism. We explore the differences between magical realism and fantasy, the significance of family stories, and the emotional journey of getting published.

Anamely shares her unique path to becoming a published author, from Googling how to publish a book to landing her dream agent. She also talks about her second novel, her writing process, and her love for family-centric stories.

Transcript

Links:

• Anamely Salgado Reyes on Instagram
• Electric Spec
• My Mother Cursed My Name
• So Far From God by Ana Castillo
• The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan
• One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
• Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel
• Shit No One Tells You About Writing Podcast

Evergreen Links

• Like the podcast? Get the book! I Should Be Writing book.
• My newsletter, The Hot Mic, and my Patreon. Supporting either of those will get you perks like access to the discord, exclusive content, and early, ad-free episodes.
• Socials: Bluesky, Mastodon, TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, Focusmate.
• Theme by John Anealio
• Savor I Should Be Writing tea blends
• Support local book stores! Station Eternity, Six Wakes, Solo: A Star Wars Story: Expanded Edition and more!
• OR Get signed books from my friendly local store, Flyleaf Books!
• All books featured in Season 20

"Writing Family Stories and Magical Realism with Anamely Salgado Reyes" is brought to you in large part by my supporters, the Fabulists, who received an early, expanded version of this episode. You can join our Fabulist community with a pledge on Patreon or Substack!

Some of the links above may be affiliate, allowing you to support the show at no extra cost to you. Also consider leaving a review for ISBW, please!

S20 Ep26: In Which Mur and S.B. Divya Discuss Worldcon, Accessibility, and Future Worlds

NOTE- I will be doing a giveaway for signed copies of Meru and Loka on October 31, 2024! Details on how to win are inside the podcast!

I'm delighted to welcome welcome my longtime friend, S.B. Divya, to discuss Divya’s new book, Loka. We dive into our experiences at Worldcon, the intricacies of accessibility at large conventions, and the unique challenges faced by those with disabilities. Divya shares her journey in creating a richly detailed future world for her books, explaining how she envisions life a thousand years from now and the process of worldbuilding that supports her stories.

We also explore the concept of burnout, particularly in the context of long Covid, and how Divya managed to balance her writing career with her health needs. The conversation highlights the importance of taking intentional breaks and the reality of being a writer with a disability.

We get insights into Divya’s creative process, her thoughts on genetic engineering, space exploration, and the sociopolitical landscapes of her speculative worlds. Plus, there's a special giveaway for US listeners to win signed copies of Meru and Loka!

Transcript

Links:

• S.B. Divya’s Website

• Loka by S.B. Divya

• Meru by S.B. Divya

• Greta Thunberg

• Clarkesworld Magazine

Evergreen Links

• Like the podcast? Get the book! I Should Be Writing book.

• My newsletter, The Hot Mic, and my Patreon. Supporting either of those will get you perks like access to the discord, exclusive content, and early, ad-free episodes.

• Socials: Bluesky, Mastodon, TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, Focusmate.

• Theme by John Anealio

• Savor I Should Be Writing tea blends

• Support local book stores! Station Eternity, Six Wakes, Solo: A Star Wars Story: Expanded Edition and more!

• OR Get signed books from my friendly local store, Flyleaf Books!

• All books featured in Season 20

"Navigating WorldCon and Writing Challenges with SB Divya" is brought to you in large part by my supporters, the Fabulists, who received an early, expanded version of this episode. You can join our Fabulist community with a pledge on Patreon or Substack!

Some of the links above may be affiliate, allowing you to support the show at no extra cost to you. Also consider leaving a review for ISBW, please!

CREDITS
Theme song by John Anealio, art by Numbers Ninja,and files hosted by Libsyn (affiliate link). Get archives of the show via Patreon.

October 7, 2024 | Season 20 Ep 26 | murverse.com
"Navigating WorldCon and Writing Challenges with SB Divya" by Mur Lafferty
is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

S20 Ep25: In Which Mur Interviews Wole Talabi and Sung-Il Kim at Worldcon

"Leave with more connections than you came with." - Wole Talabi

In this special episode, Mur Lafferty returns with interviews recorded at Worldcon, featuring Wole Talabi and Sung-Il Kim. Apologies for audio issues, but I really wanted to get these to you because interviews with these writers can’t be missed.

First, I chat with Wole Talabi, the author of Shigidi and the Brass Head of Obalufon and the short story collection Convergence Problems. Wole shares his experiences attending Worldcon, the importance of community building at conventions, and the collaborative process behind the Mothersound: The Sauútiverse Anthology.

Next, I talk to Sung-Il Kim, whose debut English novel Blood of the Old Kings is set to release in this month. Sung-Il discusses his journey from role-playing game development to fiction writing, the translation process, and the importance of starting your story with a compelling hook.

NOTE- Thanks to Tor, I will be doing a giveaway for Blood of the Old Kings on October 15, 2024! Details on how to win are inside the podcast!

Transcript

Links and references:

• Wole Talabi

• Sung-Il Kim

• Worldcon

• Bubonicon

• Infinite Archive

• The Ophelia Network

• Shigidi and the Brass Head of Obalufon

• Convergence Problems

• Mothersound: The Sauútiverse Anthology

• Blood of the Old Kings

• Author PD James

• Translator Anton Hur 

• Subterranean Press

• MIT Press

• Twelve Tomorrows Anthology

Evergreen Links

• Like the podcast? Get the book! I Should Be Writing book.

• My newsletter, The Hot Mic, and my Patreon. Supporting either of those will get you perks like access to the discord, exclusive content, and early, ad-free episodes.

• Socials: Bluesky, Mastodon, TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, Focusmate.

• Theme by John Anealio

• Savor I Should Be Writing tea blends

• Support local book stores! Station Eternity, The Ophelia Network, Six Wakes, Solo: A Star Wars Story: Expanded Edition and more!

• OR Get signed books from my friendly local store, Flyleaf Books!

• All books featured in Season 20

Some of the links above may be affiliate, allowing you to support the show at no extra cost to you. Also consider leaving a review for ISBW, please!

CREDITS
Theme song by John Anealio, art by Numbers Ninja,and files hosted by Libsyn. Get archives of the show via Patreon.

October 1, 2024 | Season 20 Ep 25 | murverse.com
“Exploring Shared Worlds and Translation Challenges with Wole Talabi and Sung-Il Kim” by Mur Lafferty is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

[Please note that this podcast is explicit with a few swear words and CW- parental death discussed.]

S20 Ep24: In Which Mur and Tanya DePass Discuss Fanfic, Diversity Consulting, and Creative Journeys

Recorded ON ISBW's birthday, in Glasgow, y'all. Nineteen years. I'd drop the mic, but it seems I'm committed now.

I think people who turn up their nose at Fanfic are really A: missing out and B: being snobs. - Tanya DePass

Transcript

(This post went live for supporters on August 23, 2024. If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at Patreon or Substack!)

Join Mur as she celebrates the 19th anniversary of "I Should Be Writing" with special guest Tanya DePass, aka cypheroftyr. Tanya is a prolific writer, streamer, and game developer, known for her work in promoting diversity and inclusion in the gaming industry. In this episode, they delve into Tanya’s multifaceted career, from founding "I Need Diverse Games" to working on the upcoming Wonder Woman game.

Tanya shares her journey with fanfiction, discussing how it has evolved over the years and how it helps her hone her writing skills. They also touch on the importance of diversity consulting in creative works, offering advice on when and how to seek out consultants to ensure authentic representation.

They explore the emotional challenges of creative careers, the value of finding opportunities, and the importance of community support. Tanya’s insights into streaming, game development, and balancing multiple roles provide a comprehensive look at the modern creative landscape.

Links

• I Need Diverse Games
• Tanya on Twitch
• Wonder Woman game
• Into the Motherlands
• Green Ronin Publishing
• RPG
• Rivals of Waterdeep
• Black Dice Society
• Baldur's Gate 3
• Dragon Age
• Mafia III
• AO3 (Archive of Our Own)
• Fanfiction.net
• Bioware
• Marvel's Black Panther

Evergreen Links

• Like the podcast? Get the book! I Should Be Writing book.
• My newsletter, The Hot Mic, and my Patreon. Supporting either of those will get you perks like access to the discord, exclusive content, and early, ad-free episodes.
• Socials: Bluesky, Mastodon, TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, Focusmate.
• Theme by John Anealio
• Savor I Should Be Writing tea blends
• Support local book stores! Station Eternity, Six Wakes, Solo: A Star Wars Story: Expanded Edition and more!
• OR Get signed books from my friendly local store, Flyleaf Books!
• All books featured in Season 20

"Celebrating ISBW's 19th Bday Live at WorldCon with Writer and Gamer, Tanya Depass!" is brought to you in large part by my supporters, the Fabulists, who received an early, expanded version of this episode. You can join our Fabulist community with a pledge on Patreon or Substack!

Some of the links above may be affiliate, allowing you to support the show at no extra cost to you. Also consider leaving a review for ISBW, please!

S20 Ep23: In Which Mur and Waubgeshig Rice explore post-apocalyptic worlds.

It's like, ultimately, words are expendable. You just pick different ones. - Waubgeshig Rice

Transcript

(This post went live for supporters on August 21, 2024. If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at Patreon or Substack!)

In this episode. Mur chats with award-winning author and journalist Waubgeshig Rice about his latest book, Moon of the Turning Leaves. They delve into the challenges and rewards of transitioning from journalism to fiction, the intricacies of writing post-apocalyptic literature, and the importance of smaller presses for budding authors.

Waub also shares his inspirations, the impact of his indigenous heritage on his storytelling, and offers invaluable advice for aspiring writers. Tune in for an insightful discussion on the craft of writing and the resilience of communities in the face of global calamities.

And y'all, SO MANY good book recommendations! Check the shownotes at murverse.com.

Links

• Waub’s Home Page and Instagram
• Moon of the Turning Leaves by Waubgeshig Rice
• Moon of the Crusted Snow by Waubgeshig Rice

Evergreen Links

• Like the podcast? Get the book! I Should Be Writing book.
• My newsletter, The Hot Mic, and my Patreon. Supporting either of those will get you perks like access to the discord, exclusive content, and early, ad-free episodes.
• Socials: Bluesky, Mastodon, TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, Focusmate.
• Theme by John Anealio
• Savor I Should Be Writing tea blends
• Support local book stores! Station Eternity, Six Wakes, Solo: A Star Wars Story: Expanded Edition and more!
• OR Get signed books from my friendly local store, Flyleaf Books!
• All books featured in Season 20

"Exploring the Post-Apocalyptic World with Waubgeshig Rice" is brought to you in large part by my supporters, the Fabulists, who received an early, expanded version of this episode. You can join our Fabulist community with a pledge on Patreon or Substack!

Some of the links above may be affiliate, allowing you to support the show at no extra cost to you. Also consider leaving a review for ISBW, please!

S20 Ep22: In Which Mur Chats with MJ Wassmer and Discusses Debut Novels and the Writing Journey

"You can't think yourself into better actions, but you can act yourself into better thoughts."- MJ Wassmer

Transcript

Join Mur as she welcomes MJ Wassmer, author of Zero Stars Do Not Recommend, to discuss the ups and downs of debuting in the publishing world, writing speculative comedy, and the emotional rollercoaster that comes with finishing a book.

MJ shares his personal journey, from working in corporate America to becoming a published author, and offers insights into his writing process, dealing with rejections, and the importance of having a supportive spouse.

Links:

• MJ Wassmer

• Zero Stars Do Not Recommend

• MJ Wassmer on Instagram

• Doctor Who

• Rick Rubin

• Josh Ritter

• Inky

Evergreen Links

• Like the podcast? Get the book! I Should Be Writing book.

• My newsletter, The Hot Mic, and my Patreon. Supporting either of those will get you perks like access to the discord, exclusive content, and early, ad-free episodes.

• Socials: Bluesky, Mastodon, TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, Focusmate.

• Theme by John Anealio

• Savor I Should Be Writing tea blends

• Support local book stores! Station Eternity, Six Wakes, Solo: A Star Wars Story: Expanded Edition and more!

• OR Get signed books from my friendly local store, Flyleaf Books!

• All books featured in Season 20

"Debut Novels and the Writing Journey with MJ Wassmer" is brought to you in large part by by my supporters, who received an early, expanded version of this episode. You can join our Fabulist community with a pledge on Patreon or Substack!

Some of the links above may be affiliate, allowing you to support the show at no extra cost to you. Also consider leaving a review for ISBW, please!

CREDITS
Theme song by John Anealio, art by Numbers Ninja,and files hosted by Libsyn (affiliate link). Get archives of the show via Patreon.

August 5, 2024 | Season 20 Ep 22 | murverse.com
"Debut Novels and the Writing Journey with MJ Wassmer" by Mur Lafferty
is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

S20 Ep21: In Which Mur and Mary Pascual Talk Writing and Mental Health

"I refuse to feel like or believe that [ADHD] is a detriment. Honestly, there are so many things about ADHD that I personally love."- Mary Pascual

 Transcript

(This post went live for supporters on July 8, 2024. If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at Patreon or Substack!)

In this episode, Mur Lafferty is joined by Mary Pascual, author of Walk the Web Lightly. They dive into the challenges of writing with ADHD, the importance of mental health for writers, and the unique creative processes that come with neurodivergence. Mur shares her recent experience of turning in her eighth book, Infinite Archive, and the duo explores the intricacies of balancing deadlines with self-care.

Mary discusses her latest book, its themes of time, art, and science, and the journey of her young protagonist, Nya. They also touch on the blurred lines between YA and middle grade fiction, and how personal experiences and mythological inspirations shape their storytelling. Tune in for an insightful conversation about the highs and lows of the writing life, and the shared struggles and triumphs of creative minds.

Links:

• Walk the Web Lightly by Mary Pascual
• ADHD for Smart Ass Women Podcast (and the book)
• Gregor the Overlander by Suzanne Collins
• Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
• 1984 by George Orwell
• SpaceValkyries Stream
• Escape Pod (Hugo finalist semi-prozine)

Evergreen Links

• Catch the show LIVE on Twitch Thursdays, 3pm, Eastern time!
• Like the podcast? Get the book! I Should Be Writing book.
• My newsletter, The Hot Mic, and my Patreon. Supporting either of those will get you perks like access to the discord, exclusive content, and early, ad-free episodes.
• Socials: Bluesky, Mastodon, TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, Focusmate.
• Theme by John Anealio
• Savor I Should Be Writing tea blends
• Support local book stores! Station Eternity, Six Wakes, Solo: A Star Wars Story: Expanded Edition and more!
• OR Get signed books from my friendly local store, Flyleaf Books!
• All books featured in Season 20

"Embracing ADHD and Crafting Timelines with Mary Pascual" is brought to you in large part by by my supporters, who received an early, expanded version of this episode. You can join our Fabulist community with a pledge on Patreon or Substack!

Some of the links above may be affiliate, allowing you to support the show at no extra cost to you. Also consider leaving a review for ISBW, please!

S20 Ep20: In Which Mur and James L. Sutter Discuss Editing, Outlining, and Ghostly Romances

"I think that is the beating heart of any novel, is characters changing."- James L. Sutter

Transcript

Join Mur and guest James L. Sutter as they delve into the intricacies of the writing process, from the importance of meticulous outlining to the challenges of editing. They discuss James’s new book, The Ghost of Us, a queer YA supernatural romance that combines ghost hunting with a heartfelt coming-of-age story. They also share valuable tips on maintaining consistency and dealing with feedback, all while keeping the creative spark alive.

Links:

• Pathfinder RPG
• Starfinder RPG
• The Ghost of Us
• Dark HeartsEmpire of the Vampire
• Leech
• Bitch: On the Female of the Species
• Compton Crook Award
• Scribe Award

Evergreen Links

• Catch the show LIVE on Twitch Thursdays, 3pm, Eastern time!
• Like the podcast? Get the book! I Should Be Writing book.
• My newsletter, The Hot Mic, and my Patreon. Supporting either of those will get you perks like access to the discord, exclusive content, and early, ad-free episodes.
• Socials: Bluesky, Mastodon, TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, Focusmate.
• Theme by John Anealio
• Savor I Should Be Writing tea blends
• Support local book stores! Station Eternity, Six Wakes, Solo: A Star Wars Story: Expanded Edition and more!
• OR Get signed books from my friendly local store, Flyleaf Books!
• All books featured in Season 20

"Spreadsheets, Ghosts, and the Art of Outlining with James L. Sutter" is brought to you in large part by by my supporters, who received an early, expanded version of this episode. You can join our Fabulist community with a pledge on Patreon or Substack!

Some of the links above may be affiliate, allowing you to support the show at no extra cost to you. Also consider leaving a review for ISBW, please!