Explore every episode of the podcast The Word Weaver Podcast
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ch. 88 | Author Charlene Carr on Self vs. Traditional Publishing & How Her 10th Book Made it Big | 09 Oct 2024 | ||
Show Notes Join me for a candid chat with author Charlene Carr on self vs. traditional publishing, how her 10th book made it big, the mindset shift you need while querying literary agents, managing impostor syndrome, juggling motherhood and writing, maintaining your mental health while writing about deeply personal topics, and the shifting goalposts of success. connect with charlene Website: charlenecarr.com Instagram: @charlenecarrauthor Books: Word Weaver Podcast Links Show Notes: louiseclairejohnson.com/podcast Instagram: @wordweaverpodcast NEW episodes weekly every Word Weaver Wednesday. Available on all podcast platforms including Apple iTunes, Spotify, and now on YouTube. If you like what you hear, please subscribe, leave a review, and share the #WordWeaverPodcast with your friends, family, and social media, as it helps more people find out about it! I appreciate it so much. | |||
| Ch. 87 | How to Plan For a Successful Solo Writing Retreat | 02 Oct 2024 | ||
Show Notes In this episode, I dive into the essential steps for crafting your perfect solo writing retreat. Whether you're seeking solitude to brainstorm a new project or looking to complete a draft, I cover how to choose the right location, set achievable goals, and create a distraction-free environment. Join me as I share my tried and true tips on scheduling, packing essentials, and maximizing your writing time, ensuring you leave your retreat inspired and accomplished. Tune in for practical advice and motivational insights to help you make the most of your writing escape! Word Weaver Podcast Links Show Notes: louiseclairejohnson.com/podcast Instagram: @wordweaverpodcast NEW episodes weekly every Word Weaver Wednesday. Available on all podcast platforms including Apple iTunes, Spotify, and now on YouTube. If you like what you hear, please subscribe, leave a review, and share the #WordWeaverPodcast with your friends, family, and social media, as it helps more people find out about it! I appreciate it so much. | |||
| Ch. 78 | Can You Separate the Art from the Artist? On Alice Munro, Neil Gaiman, J.K. Rowling... | 31 Jul 2024 | ||
Show Notes In today's chapter of the Word Weaver podcast, I attempt to work through my own thoughts on the latest revelations that have rocked the literary landscape about Alice Munro following her daughter, Andrea Robin Skinner's, first person essay in the Toronto Star and allegations about Neil Gaiman in Rolling Stone. It's the age old debate of can you, and should you, separate the artist from their body of work? LINKS MENTIONED: A Secret in Alice Munro's House by Andrea Robin Skinner in The Toronto Star Brandon Taylor's Sweater Weather Substack “What I’m Doing About Alice Munro” Monsters: A Fan's Dilemma by Claire Dederer Word Weaver Podcast Links Instagram: @wordweaverpodcast Show Notes: louiseclairejohnson.com/podcast NEW episodes weekly every Word Weaver Wednesday. Available on all podcast platforms including Apple iTunes, Spotify, and now on YouTube. If you like what you hear, please subscribe, leave a review, and share the #WordWeaverPodcast with your friends, family, and social media, as it helps more people find out about it! I appreciate it so much. | |||
| Ch. 77 | How to Handle Criticism and Rejection Like the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders | 24 Jul 2024 | ||
Show Notes I’m sure you’re wondering what in the Dolly Parton do the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders have to do with writing? Well, if you tune into today’s episode I’ll tell y’all how binge-watching America’s Sweethearts on Netflix was a lesson in how to respond to criticism and rejection as a writer. Word Weaver Podcast Links Instagram: @wordweaverpodcast Show Notes: louiseclairejohnson.com/podcast NEW episodes weekly every Word Weaver Wednesday. Available on all podcast platforms including Apple iTunes, Spotify, and now on YouTube. If you like what you hear, please subscribe, leave a review, and share the #WordWeaverPodcast with your friends, family, and social media, as it helps more people find out about it! I appreciate it so much. | |||
| Ch. 76 | Sliding into Author DMs, the Brooklyn Literary Scene, Creativity & Motherhood with Lauryn Chamberlain | 17 Jul 2024 | ||
Show Notes Join me for a candid conversation with my friend, Northwestern grad and Brooklyn-based author of FRIENDS FROM HOME and WHO WE ARE NOW, Lauryn Chamberlain on how to build literary community by shooting your shot and sliding into author DMs, the literary scene in Brooklyn vs. Toronto, launching a debut during the pandemic, how to structure a book with multi-POV, third person limited, the process of coming up with catchy book titles and eye-catching covers, her writing routine as a pantser and what it looks like to lead a creative life with and without children...plus, the best way to order a martini. Links Mentioned R.O. Kwon on The Parents Who Regret Having Children (TIME Magazine) Cheryl Strayed on The Ghost Ship that Didn’t Carry Us (Dear Sugar Column) Lauryn’s Links Website: laurynchamberlain.com Instagram: @laurynjc Books: Word Weaver Podcast Links Instagram: @wordweaverpodcast Show Notes: louiseclairejohnson.com/podcast NEW episodes weekly every Word Weaver Wednesday. Available on all podcast platforms including Apple iTunes, Spotify, and now on YouTube. If you like what you hear, please subscribe, leave a review, and share the #WordWeaverPodcast with your friends, family, and social media, as it helps more people find out about it! I appreciate it so much. | |||
| Ch. 75 | Getting My Pink Back & How to Get Out of a Writing Slump | 10 Jul 2024 | ||
Show Notes Did you know that flamingos lose their pink colour while caring for their young, but as the children grow and mature they eventually get their pink back? In today's episode, I share how this (new to me) concept relates to my life lately and share my tips on how to get out of a writing slump, beat writer's block, and make writing a priority again after taking time away from your manuscript. Word Weaver Podcast Links Instagram: @wordweaverpodcast Show Notes: louiseclairejohnson.com/podcast NEW episodes weekly every Word Weaver Wednesday. Available on all podcast platforms including Apple iTunes, Spotify, and now on YouTube. If you like what you hear, please subscribe, leave a review, and share the #WordWeaverPodcast with your friends, family, and social media, as it helps more people find out about it! I appreciate it so much. | |||
| Ch. 74 | I Was Scared of Losing my Identity as a Writer When I Became a Mother | 03 Jul 2024 | ||
Welcome back to a brand new season of the Word Weaver Podcast! It's been a VERY hot minute since I last recorded an episode...and by hot minute, I mean it's been THREE YEARS since we last spoke. I'm excited to be joining the SickBird Productions roster, a female-founded Forbes 30 under 30 company with a mission to amplify female-centric voices and a focus on showcasing women-led content. My first solo episode back is a bit of a vulnerable one where I share my unfiltered thoughts about how I was scared of losing my identity as a writer when I became a mother. I'm still in the trenches so I don't have all of the answers but I want this podcast to be as honest and raw as possible about the realities of authorhood. I also discuss what you can expect moving forward with Word Weaver, my thoughts on video podcasting, contemplating deleting social media, antenatal anxiety, and my feelings on the hazy crazy days of early motherhood while struggling to maintain a creative sense of self. I'm so happy to be back and connecting with you all in this way again. The Word Weaver Podcast is available on all podcast platforms including iTunes, Spotify, and now on YouTube. Word Weaver Podcast Links Instagram: @wordweaverpodcast Website: louiseclairejohnson.com/podcast #wordweaverpodcast NEW episodes weekly every Word Weaver Wednesday. If you like what you hear, please subscribe, leave a review, and share the Word Weaver Podcast with your friends, family, and social media, as it helps more people find out about it! I appreciate it so much. | |||
| Ch. 73 | Three Things That Have Changed My Writing Life Lately | 01 Dec 2021 | ||
On today’s chapter of the #WordWeaverPodcast I share three things that have changed my writing life for the better lately including: 1. Kanban Board 2. Setting not only a daily, but also weekly word count target for my WIP (and of course, stickers!) 3. Scrivener (desktop version for writers ~ not sponsored!) The Word Weaver Podcast is available on all podcast platforms and now on YouTube.
Instagram: @wordweaverpodcast Website: louiseclairejohnson.com/podcast #wordweaverpodcast NEW episodes weekly on Word Weaver Wednesdays. Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review and screenshot/share the Word Weaver Podcast on social media, as it helps more people find it! I appreciate it so much. Available on all podcast platforms including Apple iTunes and Stitcher. | |||
| Ch. 72 | Use the Rule of Three to Write Compelling Characters | 24 Nov 2021 | ||
On today’s chapter of the #WordWeaverPodcast I share how using the rule of three in your writing to create compelling character arcs can help raise the stakes in your novel. The Word Weaver Podcast is available on all podcast platforms and now on YouTube.
Instagram: @wordweaverpodcast Website: louiseclairejohnson.com/podcast #wordweaverpodcast NEW episodes weekly on Word Weaver Wednesdays. Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review and screenshot/share the Word Weaver Podcast on social media, as it helps more people find it! I appreciate it so much. Available on all podcast platforms including Apple iTunes and Stitcher. | |||
| Ch. 71 | Defining Your Book's Premise, Logline, and Elevator Pitch | 17 Nov 2021 | ||
Today’s chapter of the #WordWeaverPodcast is short and sweet, but imperative for a great story. Learning how to write a book premise, logline, and define your book’s elevator pitch is the first step to writing a book. The second step is structuring, outlining, and plotting — but first, you need to understand your book’s central idea/theme, what drives the plot. Typically, a premise needs to contain 3 things in a single sentence: A protagonist A goal (what does your protagonist want or need?) A situation or crisis (the protagonist is facing) You should be able to define what your story is about, why readers should care, and be able to complete this sentence: [Character] must [do something] to [story goal] or else [disaster/crisis situation/reason why the audience should care]. The Word Weaver Podcast is available on all podcast platforms and now on YouTube.
Instagram: @wordweaverpodcast Website: louiseclairejohnson.com/podcast #wordweaverpodcast NEW episodes weekly on Word Weaver Wednesdays. Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review and screenshot/share the Word Weaver Podcast on social media, as it helps more people find it! I appreciate it so much. Available on all podcast platforms including Apple iTunes and Stitcher. | |||
| Ch. 70 | Author Lindsay Zier-Vogel on Her Debut Novel LETTERS TO AMELIA | 10 Nov 2021 | ||
On today’s chapter of the #WordWeaverPodcast I have the pleasure of chatting with author Lindsay Zier-Vogel about her debut novel, LETTERS TO AMELIA. In our conversation, we discuss (amongst many things): the transformative power of letter writing, what it’s like to launch your first book during a pandemic, the research process into the undocumented parts of Amelia Earhart’s life, dealing with devastating rejections, and how specificity is key to great writing. The Word Weaver Podcast is available on all podcast platforms and now on YouTube. Lindsay’s Links Website: lindsayziervogel.com Instagram: @lindsay.ziervogel Twitter: @lindsayzv
Instagram: @wordweaverpodcast Website: louiseclairejohnson.com/podcast #wordweaverpodcast NEW episodes weekly on Word Weaver Wednesdays. Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review and screenshot/share the Word Weaver Podcast on social media, as it helps more people find it! I appreciate it so much. Available on all podcast platforms including Apple iTunes and Stitcher. | |||
| Ch. 69 | How to Handle Constructive Criticism as a Writer | 27 Oct 2021 | ||
On today’s chapter of the #WordWeaverPodcast I chat about ways to handle constructive criticism and negative feedback as a writer. Writing and publishing books requires a level of vulnerability that can make the harsh sting of criticism hurt on a personal level, but learning how to deal with criticism is crucial for a long-lasting career as an author. In this episode I talk about differentiating between constructive criticism you should ignore and helpful feedback that can enhance your writing, along with sharing some ways I manage self-criticism and literary criticism as a full-time writer. The Word Weaver Podcast is available on all podcast platforms and now on YouTube.
Instagram: @wordweaverpodcast Website: louiseclairejohnson.com/podcast #wordweaverpodcast NEW episodes weekly on Word Weaver Wednesdays. Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review and screenshot/share the Word Weaver Podcast on social media, as it helps more people find it! I appreciate it so much. Available on all podcast platforms including Apple iTunes and Stitcher. | |||
| Ch. 86 | Literary It Girls + Inside the Sally Rooney Intermezzo Launch Party with Sophia June | 26 Sep 2024 | ||
SOPHIA JUNE is a culture writer in NYC (formerly NYLON magazine and the New York Times) and the co-founder of Language Arts, a literary newsletter about the books you actually want to read. We chat about her viral article, The Makings of a Literary It Girl, the best advice Ottessa Moshfegh and Caroline Calloway gave her, and the process of finishing the first draft of her novel (it includes a convent with nuns upstate, treating writing sessions like clocking into a bar shift, and dirty gin martinis in the standard hotel lobby). She takes us inside the Belletrist book launch party for Intermezzo by Sally Rooney, sharing all the juicy details left out by VOGUE, like the tiny Shepherd’s Pies passed around on trays and arriving to Emma Roberts on a step-and-repeat. Sophia also doles out her best book recommendations, most anticipated reads, and the next literary trends on her radar. connect with sophia Instagram: @sophiajune Website: sophiajune.party/about Language Arts Substack: languagearts.substack.com/ “The Makings of a Literary It Girl” in NYLON: https://www.nylon.com/life/the-makings-of-a-literary-it-girl Word Weaver Podcast Links Show Notes: louiseclairejohnson.com/podcast Instagram: @wordweaverpodcast NEW episodes weekly every Word Weaver Wednesday. Available on all podcast platforms including Apple iTunes, Spotify, and now on YouTube. If you like what you hear, please subscribe, leave a review, and share the #WordWeaverPodcast with your friends, family, and social media, as it helps more people find out about it! I appreciate it so much. | |||
| Ch. 68 | Colby Sharma, Speaker and Author of The Curveball | 20 Oct 2021 | ||
On today’s chapter of the #WordWeaverPodcast I chat with Colby Sharma, speaker and author of THE CURVEBALL: A Story of Grit, Adversity, and Winning the Game of Life. Colby discusses his debut book, the heroic vs. egoic self, and shares valuable insights on what it means to live a life of impact. We also discuss the importance of mentorship, failure, family support (his father is motivational speaker and bestselling author Robin Sharma), and using fear as fuel to overcome adversity on your path to growth. The Word Weaver Podcast is available on all podcast platforms and now on YouTube. Connect with Colby: Website: colbysharma.com Instagram: @colbysharmaofficial Buy Colby’s Book: THE CURVEBALL Books Mentioned in the Podcast: Perennial Seller: The Art of Making and Marketing Work that Lasts by Ryan Holiday
Instagram: @wordweaverpodcast Website: louiseclairejohnson.com/podcast #wordweaverpodcast NEW episodes weekly on Word Weaver Wednesdays. Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review and screenshot/share the Word Weaver Podcast on social media, as it helps more people find it! I appreciate it so much. Available on all podcast platforms including Apple iTunes and Stitcher. | |||
| Ch. 67 | 5 Tips on Writing Great Book Blurb Descriptions | 07 Oct 2021 | ||
On today’s chapter of the #WordWeaverPodcast I share my top five tips on how to write a great book blurb. Your title and cover can grab a potential reader’s attention, but it’s your book description that does most of the heavy lifting in enticing a reader to buy your book. Think of your book description as a movie trailer in written form. It’s not a play-by-play summary, but in a few compelling paragraphs you should be able to accurately describe your novel, set up the main conflict and give the reader a reason to care about your protagonist without giving too much away. “Your book is a story, but your book description is an ad.” The Word Weaver Podcast is available on all podcast platforms and now on YouTube.
Instagram: @wordweaverpodcast Website: louiseclairejohnson.com/podcast #wordweaverpodcast NEW episodes weekly on Word Weaver Wednesdays. Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review and screenshot/share the Word Weaver Podcast on social media, as it helps more people find it! I appreciate it so much. Available on all podcast platforms including Apple iTunes and Stitcher. | |||
| Ch. 66 | Bestselling Historical Romance Author Rachel McMillan | 29 Sep 2021 | ||
On today’s chapter of the #WordWeaverPodcast I have the pleasure of chatting with bestselling historical romance (and mystery) author, Rachel McMillan. Rachel has published over 16 books and counting, including bestseller THE LONDON RESTORATION and THE MOZART CODE (available for pre-order, forthcoming in March 2022). She is also a literary agent, fierce author advocate, and a wealth of literary wisdom. Rachel shares so many great nuggets of advice for anyone trying to making it in the publishing industry. I so enjoyed our conversation and hope you do, too! The Word Weaver Podcast is available on all podcast platforms and now on YouTube. Rachel McMillan’s Links: Website: rachelmcmillan.net Instagram: @rachkmc Twitter: @rachkmc Facebook: /rachkmc1 *Don’t miss Rachel’s weekly Facebook Live conversations with authors/writers!
Instagram: @wordweaverpodcast Website: louiseclairejohnson.com/podcast #wordweaverpodcast NEW episodes weekly on Word Weaver Wednesdays. | |||
| Ch. 65 | Why Internal Conflict is Key to Writing a Good Story | 22 Sep 2021 | ||
On today’s chapter of the #WordWeaverPodcast I give a very brief (we are talking the briefest of brief) life update before I delve into why internal conflict is a necessary ingredient to any good story and how it drives character development. I touch on the different types of internal conflict including: religious, moral, societal, existential etc., the five (5) main triggers for a protagonist’s internal struggle including: desire, needs, duty, fear, and expectation, and some ways you can add internal conflict into your character profiles or WIP manuscript. The Word Weaver Podcast is available on all podcast platforms and now on YouTube.
Instagram: @wordweaverpodcast Website: louiseclairejohnson.com/podcast #wordweaverpodcast NEW episodes weekly on Word Weaver Wednesdays. Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review and screenshot/share the Word Weaver Podcast on social media, as it helps more people find it! I appreciate it so much. Available on all podcast platforms including Apple iTunes and Stitcher. | |||
| Ch. 64 | Liselle Sambury Author of Blood Like Magic | 08 Sep 2021 | ||
On today’s chapter of the #WordWeaverPodcast I chat with Liselle Sambury, the Simon & Schuster debut novelist of BLOOD LIKE MAGIC, also an Indigo Staff Pick. Liselle is a wealth of knowledge on the traditional publishing industry and I loved hearing her thoughts on publishing in a pandemic, her writing and querying process (including why books take so long to hit shelves after a book deal), why your goal post is always moving as a writer, an author’s relationship with social media, and the balance of having big dreams with realistic expectations. The Word Weaver Podcast is available on all podcast platforms and now on YouTube. Liselle’s Links Website: lisellesambury.ca YouTube: youtube.com/c/LiselleSambury Instagram: @lisellesambury
Instagram: @wordweaverpodcast Website: louiseclairejohnson.com/podcast #wordweaverpodcast NEW episodes weekly on Word Weaver Wednesdays. Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review and screenshot/share the Word Weaver Podcast on social media, as it helps more people find it! I appreciate it so much. Available on all podcast platforms including Apple iTunes and Stitcher. | |||
| Ch. 63 | Why Taking Writing Breaks is Important | 11 Aug 2021 | ||
Today’s chapter of the #WordWeaverPodcast is a short solo episode where I talk about why I’m currently taking a writing break and the importance of refilling your creative well. Available on all podcast platforms and now on YouTube.
Instagram: @wordweaverpodcast Website: louiseclairejohnson.com/podcast #wordweaverpodcast NEW episodes weekly on Word Weaver Wednesdays. Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review and screenshot/share the Word Weaver Podcast on social media, as it helps more people find it! I appreciate it so much. Available on all podcast platforms including Apple iTunes and Stitcher. | |||
| Ch. 62 | Liz Hauck Author of Home Made | 05 Aug 2021 | ||
On today’s chapter of the #WordWeaverPodcast I reunite with a Harvard classmate, Liz Hauck, the author of HOME MADE: A Story of Grief, Groceries, Showing Up, And What We Make When We Make Dinner, published in June 2021 by Penguin RandomHouse. Reading HOME MADE brought me back to our nonfiction writing class six years ago, when I was lucky enough to read the burgeoning beginnings of what would become Hauck’s debut memoir. I loved getting the chance to catch-up and chat craft with Liz from her home in Boston! You can listen to the podcast on your preferred platform or watch the full interview on YouTube. Connect with Liz Website: lizfranceshauck.com Instagram: @lizhauckwrites Twitter: @lizhauckwrites
Instagram: @wordweaverpodcast Website: louiseclairejohnson.com/podcast #wordweaverpodcast NEW episodes weekly on Word Weaver Wednesdays. Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review and screenshot/share the Word Weaver Podcast on social media, as it helps more people find it! I appreciate it so much. Available on all podcast platforms including Apple iTunes and Stitcher. | |||
| Ch. 61 | How to Motivate Yourself to Write (Even When You Don't Want To) | 29 Jul 2021 | ||
On today’s chapter of the #WordWeaverPodcast I share a few tried and true tips 'n tricks on how to motivate yourself to write (even when you don’t want to). It’s summer and we’re slowly emerging from a long pandemic-induced season of hibernation, so it’s natural to feel unmotivated to sit at your desk and write. We all need a little kick in the pants sometimes and hopefully this episode inspires you to return to your writing roots (even if it’s in a few months from now). I know I’ll be returning to these 10 tips on how to motivate myself to write come fall :) Word Weaver Podcast Links Instagram: @wordweaverpodcast Website: louiseclairejohnson.com/podcast #wordweaverpodcast NEW episodes weekly on Word Weaver Wednesdays. Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review and screenshot/share the Word Weaver Podcast on social media, as it helps more people find it! I appreciate it so much. Available on all podcast platforms including Apple iTunes and Stitcher. | |||
| Ch. 60 | Marlowe Granados Author of Happy Hour | 21 Jul 2021 | ||
On today’s chapter of the #WordWeaverPodcast I get the chance to chat with the beautiful and brilliant Marlowe Granados. She’s a writer, filmmaker, and author of the debut novel HAPPY HOUR. I loved getting to hear about her writing process, journey to publication, and the importance of trusting your creative vision (even when no one else does). Connect with Marlowe Website: marlowegranados.com Instagram: @marlowetatiana Word Weaver Podcast Links Instagram: @wordweaverpodcast Website: louiseclairejohnson.com/podcast #wordweaverpodcast NEW episodes weekly on Word Weaver Wednesdays. Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review and screenshot/share the Word Weaver Podcast on social media, as it helps more people find it! I appreciate it so much. Available on all podcast platforms including Apple iTunes and Stitcher. | |||
| Ch. 59 | Life Lately Post Publication of my First Book | 14 Jul 2021 | ||
Today’s chapter of the #WordWeaverPodcast is short, but sweet. I wanted to introduce the new updated podcast branding and design look ~ a little sleeker, chicer, simpler and give a general life update post publication of my first book. In a way, it feels like things are only just beginning! Word Weaver Podcast Links Instagram: @wordweaverpodcast Website: louiseclairejohnson.com/podcast #wordweaverpodcast NEW episodes weekly on Word Weaver Wednesdays. Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review and screenshot/share the Word Weaver Podcast on social media, as it helps more people find it! I appreciate it so much. Available on all podcast platforms including Apple iTunes and Stitcher. | |||
| Ch. 85 | Mindful (and Demure) Life Lessons I've Learned Lately on Savouring Simple Pleasures MY BIRTHDAY EPISODE | 21 Sep 2024 | ||
| Ch. 58 | BEHIND THE RED DOOR Book Launch Q&A | 16 May 2021 | ||
On today's chapter of the #WordWeaverPodcast I’m fresh from the launch of my debut book, BEHIND THE RED DOOR, and giving you my raw, real, honest answers to your book launch Q&A. Thank you for asking such great questions — and for sharing & supporting BTRD. I love you all so much it hurts! Word Weaver Podcast Links Instagram: @wordweaverpodcast Website: louiseclairejohnson.com/podcast #wordweaverpodcast Intro Song: Late July by Shakey Graves Outro Song: Way With Words by Bahamas NEW episodes are posted weekly. Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review and screenshot/share the Word Weaver Podcast on social media as it helps more people find it! I appreciate it so much. Available on all podcast platforms including Apple iTunes and Stitcher. | |||
| Ch. 57 | Why You Need a DONE LIST with your TO DO List to Recognize Small Wins | 07 Apr 2021 | ||
On today's chapter of the #WordWeaverPodcast I explain why everyone needs a DONE LIST in their lives and how writing one has helped decrease my stress/overwhelm from my never-ending To Do List. My motivation and mood has been amplified by seeing the small wins in a neat list on a daily basis. It has also helped me wind down for the evening without looking at my To Do list and seeing what I haven’t gotten done, but instead focusing on what I have accomplished. Word Weaver Podcast Links Instagram: @wordweaverpodcast Website: louiseclairejohnson.com/podcast #wordweaverpodcast Intro Song: Late July by Shakey Graves Outro Song: Way With Words by Bahamas NEW episodes are posted weekly. Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review and screenshot/share the Word Weaver Podcast on social media as it helps more people find it! I appreciate it so much. Available on all podcast platforms including Apple iTunes and Stitcher. | |||
| Ch. 56 | 5 Ways to Come Up With Book Ideas | 31 Mar 2021 | ||
On today's chapter of the #WordWeaverPodcast I’m sharing five ways to come up with book ideas and what to do with them when inspiration strikes! Word Weaver Podcast Links Instagram: @wordweaverpodcast Website: louiseclairejohnson.com/podcast #wordweaverpodcast Intro Song: Late July by Shakey Graves Outro Song: Way With Words by Bahamas NEW episodes are posted weekly. Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review and screenshot/share the Word Weaver Podcast on social media as it helps more people find it! I appreciate it so much. Available on all podcast platforms including Apple iTunes and Stitcher. | |||
| Ch. 55 | How to Stop Self-Sabotaging Your Success | 24 Mar 2021 | ||
On today's chapter of the #WordWeaverPodcast I’m giving a little author life update as I gear up for my book launch this spring. I also talk about why we self-sabotage right before we’re about to achieve a goal and how to stop getting in the way of our own success. Word Weaver Podcast Links Instagram: @wordweaverpodcast Website: louiseclairejohnson.com/podcast #wordweaverpodcast Intro Song: Late July by Shakey Graves Outro Song: Way With Words by Bahamas NEW episodes are posted weekly. Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review and screenshot/share the Word Weaver Podcast on social media as it helps more people find it! I appreciate it so much. Available on all podcast platforms including Apple iTunes and Stitcher. | |||
| Ch. 54 | Avoiding Productive Procrastination and Moving the Needle to Achieve Your Writing Goals | 27 Jan 2021 | ||
On today's chapter of the #WordWeaverPodcast I’m talking about how to stop procrastinating on writing your book and start prioritizing “To Do” tasks that move the needle closer to achieving your big goals. Preparing to write instead of actually writing can seem “productive,” but stems from fear of facing the blank page and ultimately preventing you from finishing your manuscript. Word Weaver Podcast Links Instagram: @wordweaverpodcast Website: louiseclairejohnson.com/podcast #wordweaverpodcast Intro Song: Late July by Shakey Graves Outro Song: Way With Words by Bahamas NEW episodes are posted weekly. Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review and screenshot/share the Word Weaver Podcast on social media as it helps more people find it! I appreciate it so much. Available on all podcast platforms including Apple iTunes and Stitcher. | |||
| Ch. 53 | How to Become a New York Times Bestseller | 20 Jan 2021 | ||
On today's chapter of the Word Weaver Podcast I’m diving headfirst into a highly Googled topic for most writers and aspiring authors, and that is how to land your book on the coveted New York Times bestseller list. For many of us, the credibility, ego boost, bragging rights, external validation and readership that come along with this prestigious credential after years of toiling away behind a keyboard = the equivalent of our Super Bowl ring or Olympic gold medal. Becoming a NYT bestselling author is traditionally seen as the holy grail for an author in the publishing world. However, it’s important to note that the NYT bestseller list is not a true measure of bestselling status, which accounts for total actual sales. It’s largely controversial, as the list is subjective and a lot of the criteria is reportedly a “trade secret,” meaning a lot of it is arbitrary and has been subject to curated elitism. That being said, if you, like many writers, have your heart set on becoming a New York Times bestselling author, I chat about what it takes to get on the list including: Understanding what the NYT is looking for exactly Obtaining fast sales, captured within a week, not cumulatively (Think: 10,000 min copies in 7 days, again this is relative/can vary, but in case you really are just looking for a ballpark number) Diversity of sales across multiple retailers throughout the country Establish a large author platform Have a pre-order email list before you launch I also discuss the importance of pre-order sales (probably your best bet for having a shot of getting onto a bestseller list)! Word Weaver Podcast Links Instagram: @wordweaverpodcast Website: louiseclairejohnson.com/podcast #wordweaverpodcast Intro Song: Late July by Shakey Graves Outro Song: Way With Words by Bahamas NEW episodes are posted weekly. Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review and screenshot/share the Word Weaver Podcast on social media as it helps more people find it! I appreciate it so much. Available on all podcast platforms including Apple iTunes and Stitcher. | |||
| Ch. 52 | Tatum Dooley on Her Writing Life, How to Pitch Editors, and Curating an Artful Existence | 18 Jan 2021 | ||
On today's chapter of the Word Weaver Podcast I chat with Toronto-based writer and art curator, Tatum Dooley. Her writing has appeared in the Globe & Mail, Artforum, The Walrus, Vogue UK, Lenny Letter, TeenVogue and more. She is also the founder of Canadian Art Forecast, showcasing upcoming and mid-career Canadian artists. I loved getting to talk shop with Tatum! As we’re currently in another lockdown, conversations like these really fill me up and motivate me to keep going. We chat, amongst other things, about: The current media landscape (click quota culture & quality journalism) Cultivating a creative community as an introvert Lockdown writing routines/rituals If working in a bookstore is as romantic as it sounds How to pitch freelance articles to editors (she’s a pro!) Canadian Art Forecast and why art is needed now more than ever What it was like working for TeenVogue What she’s reading, watching and listening to these days! Substack newsletters Connect with Tatum Instagram: @tatum_dooley Canadian Art Forecast: @cdnartforecast Word Weaver Podcast Links Instagram: @wordweaverpodcast Website: louiseclairejohnson.com/podcast #wordweaverpodcast Intro Song: Late July by Shakey Graves Outro Song: Way With Words by Bahamas NEW episodes are posted weekly. Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review and screenshot/share the Word Weaver Podcast on social media as it helps more people find it! I appreciate it so much. Available on all podcast platforms including Apple iTunes and Stitcher. | |||
| Ch. 51 | How to Become a Bestselling Author in Canada | 13 Jan 2021 | ||
On today's chapter of the Word Weaver Podcast I’m answering the burning questions every (Canadian) author asks themselves or types into Google: how many books do you have to sell to be a bestseller in Canada and how can you become a bestselling author? In next week’s episode I’ll do a deep dive into the crown jewel, the gold standard of bestseller lists, and share everything I know about how to get on the New York Times bestseller list, but for today’s episode I wanted to break it down specifically for how to be a Canadian bestseller. Today, I’ll do my best to answer these questions: How do you measure what qualifies as a bestseller? How many copies do you need to sell to be on the bestseller list? Which books are eligible to appear on a bestseller list in Canada? What sales count toward becoming a bestseller? When can you label yourself as a “National Bestseller,” vs. “International Bestseller,” vs. “#1 Bestseller,” vs. “Globe & Mail #1 Bestseller,” etc. Word Weaver Podcast Links Instagram: @wordweaverpodcast Website: louiseclairejohnson.com/podcast #wordweaverpodcast Intro Song: Late July by Shakey Graves Outro Song: Way With Words by Bahamas NEW episodes are posted weekly. Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review and screenshot/share the Word Weaver Podcast on social media as it helps more people find it! I appreciate it so much. Available on all podcast platforms including Apple iTunes and Stitcher. | |||
| Ch. 50 | Book Club Monogamy | 12 Jan 2021 | ||
On today's chapter of the Word Weaver Podcast I’m sharing the second book club episode from The First Step Podcast where Calissa and I discuss the novel Monogamy by Sue Miller. We also discuss our favourite books from 2020. These book club episodes originally air on The First Step Podcast. Our next read is Off Script by Marci Ien! Word Weaver Podcast Links Instagram: @wordweaverpodcast Website: louiseclairejohnson.com/podcast #wordweaverpodcast Intro Song: Late July by Shakey Graves Outro Song: Way With Words by Bahamas NEW episodes are posted weekly. Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review and screenshot/share the Word Weaver Podcast on social media as it helps more people find it! I appreciate it so much. Available on all podcast platforms including Apple iTunes and Stitcher. | |||
| Ch. 49 | Should You Use a Pen Name? | 06 Jan 2021 | ||
On today's chapter of the Word Weaver Podcast I’m talking all about pen names, aka. nom de plumes, and whether or not you should publish under a pseudonym. Overall, it’s a personal choice and there really is no right or wrong answer, but in this episode we’ll dissect some reasons why a writer might want to use a pen name and things to think about if you choose to use a nom de plume in your publishing journey. Word Weaver Podcast Links Instagram: @wordweaverpodcast Website: louiseclairejohnson.com/podcast #wordweaverpodcast Intro Song: Late July by Shakey Graves Outro Song: Way With Words by Bahamas NEW episodes are posted weekly. Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review and screenshot/share the Word Weaver Podcast on social media as it helps more people find it! I appreciate it so much. Available on all podcast platforms including Apple iTunes and Stitcher. | |||
| Ch. 84 | #1 NYT Bestselling Author Carley Fortune is Taking the Literary World by Storm | 11 Sep 2024 | ||
New York Times Bestselling Author Carley Fortune is our generation's Taylor Swift of the literary world. She's taken the romance genre by storm with over 2 million books sold worldwide and 4 books in 4 years (plus, she rocks a red lip like nobody's business). Fresh off of her global book tour where readers ("The Fortunates") exchanged friendship bracelets, I caught up with Carley in-between home renovations in her new writing office on the heels of announcing her next romance novel (a return to Barry's Bay with One Golden Summer!). We dish on everything from postpartum anxiety, to social media as an author, to Fortune's formula for success (hint: audience & authenticity are paramount). Smart, savvy, and sweet as summer, I hope you love this convo with Carley as much as I did. Carley Fortune’s Books: Every Summer After Meet Me at the Lake This Summer Will be Different One Golden Summer Carley Fortune’s Links: Website: carleyfortune.com Instagram: @carleyfortune Word Weaver Podcast Links Show Notes: louiseclairejohnson.com/podcast Instagram: @wordweaverpodcast NEW episodes weekly every Word Weaver Wednesday. Available on all podcast platforms including Apple iTunes, Spotify, and now on YouTube. If you like what you hear, please subscribe, leave a review, and share the #WordWeaverPodcast with your friends, family, and social media, as it helps more people find out about it! I appreciate it so much. | |||
| Ch. 48 | My Annual Review Process & How to Plan for a New Year | 28 Dec 2020 | ||
On today's chapter of the Word Weaver Podcast I’m sharing my personal annual review process for reflecting on the past year and my planning process for how I set and achieve goals (hint: think quarterly, not annually!) Can you believe we are in the last week of December 2020?! This year will go down in history…and WOW, guys, we made it. Mentally, emotionally, physically, financially it was a true test on humanity, so take a moment to pat yourself on the back and give yourself a gold star for getting to this point. You did it! Every December, I love to do an annual audit to see how much I actually DID accomplish, even if they were small wins like changing from one sweatsuit into another. It’s easy to diminish our accomplishments, or forget about them entirely in a year like 2020, but I promise you that once you write it down in a journal and look back on your wins, you’ll be astonished at how much you’ve done and how far you’ve come. Let me know if you enjoy this episode and how you review and plan to achieve your dream life! Word Weaver Podcast Links Instagram: @wordweaverpodcast Website: louiseclairejohnson.com/podcast #wordweaverpodcast Intro Song: Late July by Shakey Graves Outro Song: Way With Words by Bahamas NEW episodes are posted weekly. Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review and screenshot/share the Word Weaver Podcast on social media as it helps more people find it! I appreciate it so much. Available on all podcast platforms including Apple iTunes and Stitcher. | |||
| Ch. 47 | 6 Ways to Read More Books in a Busy World | 23 Dec 2020 | ||
On today's chapter of the Word Weaver Podcast I’m sharing six ways you can read more with a busy life. It can be hard to get back into the habit of reading, especially with digital technologies like social media vying for our (vastly shortened) attention spans. We all only have 24 hours in a day and it can be hard to find pockets of time to justify reading a book when we have a million other tasks we’ve had to prioritize (props to all of the parents out there). I’ve gone through my fair share of reading slumps, but these are my tried-and-true tips on how to read more. In this episode, I’ll explain in more detail the following 6 methods: Audiobooks The 2-Minute Rule Habit Tracker / Star Stickers Sticky Note Method Pick a topic or genre you actually enjoy, NOT what’s popular Re-visit an old faithful Word Weaver Podcast Links Instagram: @wordweaverpodcast Website: louiseclairejohnson.com/podcast #wordweaverpodcast Intro Song: Late July by Shakey Graves Outro Song: Way With Words by Bahamas NEW episodes are posted weekly. Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review and screenshot/share the Word Weaver Podcast on social media as it helps more people find it! I appreciate it so much. Available on all podcast platforms including Apple iTunes and Stitcher. | |||
| Ch. 46 | Big Friendship Book Review (in Conversation with The First Step Book Club) | 21 Dec 2020 | ||
On today's chapter of the Word Weaver Podcast I’m sharing my candid discussion with Calissa, the founder and host of The First Step Podcast (previously aired on that podcast!) For the first book club pick, we discussed Big Friendship: How We Keep Each Other Close by Aminatou Sow and Ann Friedman. It’s the story of two friends (also hosts of the Call Your Girlfriend podcast), Aminatou and Ann, on the art of friendship maintenance and how these relationships ebb and flow over time. In this episode, we recap the book, give our reviews and go deep into how the book’s themes, from shine theory to stretching for your friendships have affected our own lives. We’ll be doing a book club review every month until April 2020! Our next book club pick is Monogamy by Sue Miller, so grab a copy and read along with us! Word Weaver Podcast Links Instagram: @wordweaverpodcast Website: louiseclairejohnson.com/podcast #wordweaverpodcast Intro Song: Late July by Shakey Graves Outro Song: Way With Words by Bahamas NEW episodes are posted weekly. Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review and screenshot/share the Word Weaver Podcast on social media as it helps more people find it! I appreciate it so much. Available on all podcast platforms including Apple iTunes and Stitcher. Word Weaver Podcast Links Instagram: @wordweaverpodcast Website: louiseclairejohnson.com/podcast #wordweaverpodcast | |||
| Ch. 45 | Chekhov's Gun: What is it and How to Use it in Your Writing | 16 Dec 2020 | ||
On today's chapter of the Word Weaver Podcast I’m talking about Chekhov’s Gun — firstly, what the hell is it? Secondly, how can you employ it in your writing? I took this concept WAY TOO LITERALLY for a long time, but have come to love the setup and payoff it brings to add dramatic significance to my plot. Word Weaver Podcast Links Instagram: @wordweaverpodcast Website: louiseclairejohnson.com/podcast #wordweaverpodcast | |||
| Ch. 44 | Learn to Fall in Love with Boredom | 14 Dec 2020 | ||
On today's chapter of the Word Weaver Podcast I share a lesson that took me a long time to fully grasp and is one of the key's to success in any field, but especially when it comes to writing a book and becoming a published author. Word Weaver Podcast Links Instagram: @wordweaverpodcast Website: louiseclairejohnson.com/podcast #wordweaverpodcast | |||
| Ch. 43 | How to Plot a Thriller by Story Beat (Part 2) | 13 Dec 2020 | ||
Today’s chapter of the Word Weaver Podcast is part 2 (of 2) where I go into more detail about how to plot a thriller and outline a mystery/suspense novel with 27 different story beats using the 3 Act Structure. There’s a lot of information in here, so you might want to grab a notebook and pen beforehand, but hopefully it provides a semblance of structure when you’re outlining or hit writer’s block in your plot. Word Weaver Podcast Links Instagram: @wordweaverpodcast Website: louiseclairejohnson.com/podcast #wordweaverpodcast | |||
| Ch. 42 | How to Plot a Thriller Backwards (Part 1) | 24 Nov 2020 | ||
Today’s chapter of the Word Weaver Podcast is part 1 of 2 where I share my findings on how to plot a thriller / murder mystery / suspense novel — and it starts by working backwards! The plotting principles could also be useful for writers of all genres to think about when outlining their current or future book projects. Hope everyone’s #NaNoWriMo is going well! Happy Writing :) Word Weaver Podcast Links Instagram: @wordweaverpodcast Website: louiseclairejohnson.com/podcast #wordweaverpodcast Intro Song: Late July by Shakey Graves Outro Song: Way With Words by Bahamas NEW episodes are posted weekly. Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review and screenshot/share the Word Weaver Podcast on social media as it helps more people find it! I appreciate it so much. | |||
| Ch. 41 | Travel Memoir Writer Travis King on Following an Alternative Life Blueprint | 29 Oct 2020 | ||
On today’s chapter of the Word Weaver Podcast I chat with Travis King (who joins me from Mexico City) on his new travel memoir, Not That Anyone Asked: A Travel Memoir about Sex, Drugs, Love and Finding Purpose. After finishing his Master’s Degree at the age of 28, Travis couldn’t bring himself to follow the traditional American blueprint laid out for success, so he took off to South America. That first flight was the start of an adventure around the world—an adventure that his friends didn’t understand and of which his father openly disapproved. Travis shares how his father feels about the release of his raw and revealing book, how he learned to create his own version of success and the importance of following through on the promises we make to ourselves. Word Weaver Podcast Links Instagram: @wordweaverpodcast Website: louiseclairejohnson.com/podcast #wordweaverpodcast Intro Song: Late July by Shakey Graves Outro Song: Way With Words by Bahamas NEW episodes are posted weekly. Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review and screenshot/share the Word Weaver Podcast on social media as it helps more people find it! I appreciate it so much. | |||
| Ch. 40 | How to Become Published Panel at The University of Toronto (Audio From My Speech) | 14 Oct 2020 | ||
On today’s chapter of the Word Weaver Podcast I’m sharing my recent speech for the University of Toronto’s “How to Become Published” panel to journalism and creative writing students. Word Weaver Podcast Links Instagram: @wordweaverpodcast Website: louiseclairejohnson.com/podcast #wordweaverpodcast Intro Song: Late July by Shakey Graves Outro Song: Way With Words by Bahamas NEW episodes are posted weekly. Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review and screenshot/share the Word Weaver Podcast on social media as it helps more people find it! I appreciate it so much. | |||
| Ch. 39 | 13-Year-Old Bestselling Author Kristina Naydonova | 07 Oct 2020 | ||
On today’s chapter of the Word Weaver Podcast I have the honour of speaking with 13-year-old bestselling thriller author and mental health writer for Arianna Huffington’s Thrive Global, Kristina Naydonova. Wise beyond her years, it was a treat getting to chat with Kristina about her debut thriller, The Black Sisterhood Files, her writing process, how she balances school and authorhood, her thoughts on social media, advice for writers of all ages, her dreams for the future and how she came to be such a prolific writer and speaker. Word Weaver Podcast Links Instagram: @wordweaverpodcast Website: louiseclairejohnson.com/podcast #wordweaverpodcast Intro Song: Late July by Shakey Graves Outro Song: Way With Words by Bahamas NEW episodes are posted weekly. Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review and screenshot/share the Word Weaver Podcast on social media as it helps more people find it! I appreciate it so much. | |||
| Ch. 83 | VIRGO SEASON! What's in my Tote Bag? Writing Stationary & Back to School Supplies | 04 Sep 2024 | ||
It's Virgo Season! Happy September! The Fall Equinox isn't until September 22, so still time to enjoy the last gasps of summer, but to kick off my favourite month/season, I thought it'd be fun to do a "what's in my tote bag" edition of the podcast. In this episode, I share all of my favourite writing stationary essentials with a heavy dose of back to school supply nostalgia. LINKS MENTIONED (not sponsored, just generally sharing what I use): My Literary Line (Bookish Merch): https://louiseclairejohnson.com/thebo... Reading Material Tote Bags: https://louiseclairejohnson.com/thebo... Bookshop Bucket List Passport: https://www.bookshopbucketlist.com/sh... Owala Water Bottle (24oz "Shy Marshmallow"): https://amzn.to/3z8z5Nb Simple Modern (50z "Sea Glass Sage"): https://amzn.to/4dVKCyy Organika Electrolytes (Pink Lemonade): https://amzn.to/4cYuSt5 Organika Electrolytes (Classic Lemonade): https://amzn.to/3MBrgCG Burt's Bees Pomegranate Lip Balm: https://amzn.to/3zdaPcC Rosebud Salve: https://amzn.to/3TnV21L Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream: https://amzn.to/3AZ53Mr Mini Post-Its: https://amzn.to/4eeVxmH Blue Calculator (couldn't find my exact one so this is similar): https://amzn.to/3ZBiHjd Japanese Premium Black Gel Pens 0.5mm: https://amzn.to/3z9X1je BIC Brite Line Grip Pastel Highlighters: https://amzn.to/3ZcnN58 HB 2 Pencils: https://amzn.to/3ZcnN58 Moleskine Classic Notebook (XL Hardcover): https://amzn.to/3Zi6mjJ Moleskine Clasic Notebook (L Hardcover): https://amzn.to/3Zi6mjJ Leuchturm1917 Hardcover Notebooks: https://amzn.to/4e1zJve Floral Habit Tracker Calendar Planner: https://amzn.to/3Toy8qZ Olympus E-PL3 Camera (Black): https://amzn.to/3ZjyUcG Fujifilm Instax Mini Polaroid Camera ("Blush Pink"): https://amzn.to/3MA6uU6 Fujifilm Disposable Camera: https://amzn.to/3MELcoj Paddywax Edgar Allan Poe Library Collection Soy Wax Candle: https://amzn.to/3MBHID9 Word Weaver Podcast Links Instagram: @wordweaverpodcast Show Notes: louiseclairejohnson.com/podcast NEW episodes weekly every Word Weaver Wednesday. Available on all podcast platforms including Apple iTunes, Spotify, and now on YouTube. If you like what you hear, please subscribe, leave a review, and share the #WordWeaverPodcast with your friends, family, and social media, as it helps more people find out about it! I appreciate it so much. | |||
| Ch. 38 | The 8 Most Popular Book Title Trends | 01 Oct 2020 | ||
Today’s chapter of the Word Weaver Podcast was inspired by a trend I noticed a couple years ago that still seems to prevail—and that is the use of the word GIRL in book titles! Gone Girl, Girl on a Train, THe Girl Who Kicked The Hornet’s Nest…you’ve probably noticed and wondered about it too! I’ve also typed into google such questions as: “What are the most popular book titles?” and “What are bestselling book titles?” — I was curious to see if the most popular and bestselling novels out there fit a particular pattern, and lo and behold, yes they do! Many use repetitive, cliché words and often fall into a mold based on genre. Selecting a book title is a great opportunity to indicate plot, character and the overall aura or atmosphere. Readers like to know what they’re getting into and a book title is a key way to capture their attention. I discovered eight (8) general trends that the most common book titles *usually* possess. In today’s chapter, I discuss in more detail the following: Female Names Male Names The Weighty Words The (followed by a) Noun The Noun Sandwich The Fragmented Sentence The Run-On Sentence The Biblical Reference I also touch on specific popular WORDS (i.e. “Girl” “Woman” “Life” “House”) that are trending in each genre. Word Weaver Podcast Links Instagram: @wordweaverpodcast Website: louiseclairejohnson.com/podcast #wordweaverpodcast Intro Song: Late July by Shakey Graves Outro Song: Way With Words by Bahamas NEW episodes are posted weekly. Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review and screenshot/share the Word Weaver Podcast on social media as it helps more people find it! I appreciate it so much. | |||
| Ch. 37 | How Visualization Can Help Achieve Your Book Dreams Faster | 21 Sep 2020 | ||
On today’s chapter of the Word Weaver Podcast I’m talking about visualization and how you can use it as a transformational tool for achieving your wildest writing goals. Visualization, on its own, is picturing in your mind the outcome of something BEFORE it has happened. By utilizing all five senses to vividly imagine your idealized outcome, it brings your desired goal into the realm of possibility. Our thoughts are energy, they are so powerful! Your amygdala, the part of our brain responsible for the fight or flight response (our survival instinct), has trouble distinguishing between something that is being seen in your mind during a visualization and something that is actually happening in real time. Simply by visualizing it, you are bringing it into your reality. When you consistently practice visualization, you’re engaging the familiarity effect, where your wildest writing dreams suddenly seem less scary or impossible and more tangible! Olympic athletes, like Michael Phelps, have leveraged the powers of visualization (often up to two hours a day) in psychological preparation for big competitions and events. Michael would see himself winning, feel the weight of a gold medal around his neck, smell the chlorine in the pool, taste the water on his lips, hear the sound of the gun going off and the crowds cheering. As writers, we can employ the same techniques in order to be mentally fit for the marathon of writing and publishing a book. That could be envisioning yourself typing “THE END” on your first draft, getting a phone call from your agent with a book deal, walking into your favourite bookstore and seeing your novel on the Hot New Releases table or opening up the newspaper and seeing your name in print on the bestseller list. Along with helping to manifest your book goals faster, 8 other benefits of visualization are: Improved performance (incl. word count output) Increased focus Decreased levels of stress and anxiety Insomnia relief Boosted immunity Alleviate migraines and chronic pain Decreased depression Boosted confidence Visualization through meditation, or simply by sitting cross-legged with your eyes closed for five minutes, can start off feeling silly and as though nothing is happening (we are so used to instant gratification) — but through consistent practice, I have noticed the benefits only in hindsight, they happened almost invisibly over time. If you can BELIEVE IT, you can ACHIEVE IT! Word Weaver Podcast Links Instagram: @wordweaverpodcast Website: louiseclairejohnson.com/podcast #wordweaverpodcast Intro Song: Late July by Shakey Graves Outro Song: Way With Words by Bahamas NEW episodes are posted weekly. Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review and screenshot/share the Word Weaver Podcast on social media as it helps more people find it! I appreciate it so much. | |||
| Ch. 36 | A Trip Down Typography Lane Exploring The Best Book Fonts | 09 Sep 2020 | ||
On today’s chapter of the Word Weaver Podcast I’m taking you on a trip down typography lane and chatting about the best fonts for books. Did you know, on average, a bookstore browser spends 8 seconds looking at the front cover, 15 seconds reading the back cover and about 5 seconds flipping through a book? Not only are people judging a book by the imagery on the cover, they’re also subconsciously judging the typography! I found myself down a research rabbit hole looking up the best fonts to use for my manuscript (if you take nothing else away from this episode, always use Times New Roman 12pt font for your manuscript!) — then I got curious about the typography of my favourite books. In this episode, I discuss the history of typefaces produced just after the invention of the printing press, the five (5) most popular fonts by genre for the interior body of a book, fun fonts for book covers and the difference between a serif and sans serif font. After listening, you likely won’t be able to pick up a book without investigating the typesetting, as hopefully you find the psychology as fascinating as I do! Book fonts are important for two (2) main reasons: Readability — the font has to be easy on the eyes for the reader to absorb for a long period of time (includes the spacing between letters, the height and thickness and the size of the serifs) Elicit emotion — the typesetting of a book can drastically change how a reader receives your words. When choosing font for your own finished book, ask yourself what message is your book trying to send and what do you want readers to feel? The Most Popular Five (5) Fonts for a Book By Genre: Literary Fiction: Baskerville Romance Novels: Sabon Thillers and Airport Page-Turners: Garamond Academic Non-Fiction: Caslon General Interest: Utopia Word Weaver Podcast Links Instagram: @wordweaverpodcast Website: louiseclairejohnson.com/podcast #wordweaverpodcast Intro Song: Late July by Shakey Graves Outro Song: Way With Words by Bahamas NEW episodes are posted weekly. Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review and screenshot/share the Word Weaver Podcast on social media as it helps more people find it! I appreciate it so much. | |||
| Ch. 35 | Louise Johnson Tackles Dating, Divorce and Mental Health in Her Self-Reflective New Memoir: Lou Who? | 04 Sep 2020 | ||
On today’s chapter of the Word Weaver Podcast I have the surreal experience of speaking with ANOTHER author named Louise Johnson on the launch day of her debut memoir, Lou Who? I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to speak with my literary doppelgänger and I hope you enjoy our conversation as much as I did! Louise moved from Scotland to Vancouver following a traumatic divorce and turned her transformative six-year period into a self-reflective memoir: detailing her discovery of selfhood, personal health, sexuality and ultimately her gratitude for this land she now calls home, which has returned her to the essence of herself. Her writing style is unabashed and her stories are anything but sugarcoated. As a writer, Louise believes in conveying her experiences using a mixture of stark reality and dark humour; and as a woman, she’s not afraid to tell the truth, especially if that truth is hard. If you’re considering self-publishing vs. traditional publishing, Louise has some great insight on her positive experience with The Self Publishing Agency. Happy listening! Connect With Louise Website: louisejohnsonauthor.com Instagram: @_louise_johnson_ Facebook: /louisejohnsonauthor Word Weaver Podcast Links Instagram: @wordweaverpodcast Website: louiseclairejohnson.com/podcast #wordweaverpodcast Intro Song: Late July by Shakey Graves Outro Song: Way With Words by Bahamas NEW episodes are posted weekly. Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review and screenshot/share the Word Weaver Podcast on social media as it helps more people find it! I appreciate it so much. | |||