The Writing Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

Imagine a tent with only one pole – it would collapse, right? The same principle applies to storytelling, where tentpole scenes provide the essential structure and support. This is true for fiction as well as memoirs and documentaries. In this episode, Cristen Iris discusses how tentpole scenes help you identify an intellectual and emotional arc for your story as well as the difference between creative nonfiction and memoirs.

Great Moments in the Episode

4:45 – 8:48  Disconnect between creativity and your environment, and the danger of time-blocking for some authors.

9:32 - 12:02  If you’re stuck in a project, here are questions that will help you determine whether you should move forward or pause.

12:22 – 17:10  Definition and examples of how to use tent pole scenes in memoirs.

17:11 – 21:18  How tentpole scenes help you organize supporting scenes in your memoir.

21:19 – 23:43  An explanation of the difference between an intellectual arc and an emotional arc.

23:44 – 26:05  How to think about a story arc in your memoir.

26:06 – 29:19  How to establish the status-quo of the protagonist at the beginning of your book so that readers can see themselves in the protagonist and emotionally connect to your character’s transformation.

29:21 – 33:42  How to impart wisdom through your memoir writing.

33:44 – 38:49  What it really takes to write a compelling and commercially viable memoir.

38:51 – 45:09  Difference between memoir and creative nonfiction, and how to determine what approach to take with your writing.

Words of the Episode 

Brown study (n): refers to a state of deep, melancholic absorption or meditation.

Titrate (v): to measure the volume or concentration of (a solution) by titration.

Connect with Cristen

Cristen's Website: https://cristeniris.com/

As a writer, you understand the effort needed to transform raw ideas into polished words. Feedback from beta readers, book coaches, or developmental editors can show that a seemingly complete work requires significant revisions. In today's episode, Lisa Tener, an acclaimed book writing and publishing expert, shares her experiences and insights on navigating feedback to bring your manuscript to fruition.

Great Moments in the Episode

2:29 – 6:30    Introduction to Lisa’s new book, Breathe Write Breathe, and how to focus your energy when you start writing.

6:31 -   10:21    How to integrate videos into your book using QR codes.

10:22 – 12:09    Tips for producing videos for your book.

12:10 – 15:48    How to deal with feedback that demands deleting entire passages and rewriting.

15:50 – 17:15    Why you need a book editor who champions for you early on in the book process.

17:19 – 18:09    What an editor looks like who is a “champion” of your work.

18:10 – 19:35    Tips for beta readers and the four questions you should ask them to help them provide valuable feedback.

19:39 – 20:47    How to find trustworthy beta readers.

20:48 – 25:10    Why you also need a ruthless developmental editor, and what that type of editor looks like.

25:27 – 27:41    Why you also need a line editor who helps you finesse your work, including looking at word choice, jargon, and connections between ideas.

27:48 – 32:08    Signals that an editor isn’t a good fit.

32:10 – 34:36    How to use discernment when evaluating feedback from readers and editors.

34:37 – 36:51    How to put yourself in the shoes of your reader when revising your work.

36:52 – 41:21    How to determine if you should self-publish or pursue traditional publishing.

41:22 – 42:50    Examples of when you should traditionally publish, even though there are many benefits to self-publishing.

42:52 – 45:45    How to know when your manuscript is ready to pitch a publisher and/or literary agent.

Words of the Episode

fecund (adj): producing or capable of producing an abundance of new growth; fertile.

apotheosis (noun): the highest point in the development of something; culmination or climax.

Connect with Lisa

Join Lisa's launch party on June 12 at noon for prizes, a fun writing exercise, and special guests! You can check out her launch party and book here: https://www.lisatener.com/breathe/

Lisa's website: https://www.lisatener.com/

What to Do with a Messy Manuscript: https://www.lisatener.com/2024/03/what-to-do-with-a-messy-manuscript-revision/

Tips for Recording Video and Audio: https://www.lisatener.com/2024/04/tips-for-recording-video-and-audio/

Follow Journey Sixty6

https://www.journeysixty6.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/journeysixty6/

https://www.youtube.com/@journeysixty6writingforpub

If you’re stuck in the book writing process, you’ll want to tune into this episode. Bestselling author, speaker, ghostwriter, and book coach Stacy Ennis offers practical systems for developing your voice, focusing your book idea, and how to land a coveted spot as a TEDx speaker.

Great Moments in the Episode

2:35 – 9:58   Strategies for packaging nonfiction principles as fiction.

12:00 – 13:43   A formula for writing a good article quickly.

13:45 – 15:39   Why you might be struggling with your book's big idea.

15:40 – 18:10   The elements of a great hook.

18:11 – 21:05   Defining voice and advice for developing your voice.

21:06 – 23:17   Strategies for developing the craft of writing.

23:45 - 26:42   What to expect when you work with a ghostwriter.

26:36 – 29:18   A system for organizing your book idea.

29:19 – 32:20   Where book writers get it wrong in the book writing process.

32:25 - 42:15   Strategies for landing and preparing for a TEDx talk.

42:16 – 44:35   A formula for writing a good talk.

Words of the Episode

align (v): place or arrange (things) in a straight line.                                                                                       

fustian (n): pompous or pretentious speech or writing.

Find Stacy

Check out Stacy's website here: https://stacyennis.com/

How to Get Selected for a TedX Talk: https://stacyennis.com/how-to-get-selected-for-a-tedx-talk/

Follow Journey Sixty6

https://www.journeysixty6.com/ 

https://www.youtube.com/@journeysixty6writingforpub 

https://www.facebook.com/journeysixty6 

https://www.linkedin.com/company/journeysixty6/ 

Is a writers retreat worth your time and money? Will you really make progress on your book? That depends on what you want from the retreat. In this episode, Melissa and Dave raise and answer five questions to help you determine whether you should go on a writers retreat.

If you want your book to sell, the hard work of promoting it must begin the moment you lay down your first sentence. Promotion is a mindset that may be difficult to embrace as a writer. In this episode, we identify the three phases of promoting your book. We also discuss some practical book promotion ideas to jump start your thinking.

This week is launch week. Sean Scherer is launching his book, “Kabinett & Kammer," which took ten years to write. Yes, ten years. In this episode Melissa Parks and Dave Goetz interview Sean about the book writing journey and what he is doing specifically during "launch week" to promote the book.

The journey from first sentence to printed book comprises a lot of moving parts. In this episode, Melissa and Dave provide an overview of the complete roadmap for publishing your book. This episode is for those who want to understand the big picture. Each element demands that the author pays attention to detail, especially near the end of the process.

Just because you're a dynamic speaker doesn't mean you can easily convert your PPT presentations into a book. Speaking isn't writing. Yet within all content that you've created for presentations may be an idea that is book worthy. In this episode, we pick apart the idea of tossing your presentations into chapters and churning out an instant book. Instead, we help you with identifying a strong book idea and coming up with research, stories, and observation to create a book that impacts the world.

The first chapter of your book is key to how your writing unfolds. And whether the reader will stay engaged for the rest of the book. The first chapter must champion the promise of your book. In this interview with HarperOne senior vice president Mickey Maudlin, he discusses the importance of your book "pitch" - and making sure you answer the question, "Why should I as a reader pay $19.95 for this book?"

Many professionals feel uneasy about hiring a ghostwriter: Is doing so an accepted practice? In this episode, Dave and Melissa allay the fears of those who may want to hire a ghostwriter - and offer some practical advice on how to stay engaged in the process - and come out the other end with a book that you feel proud to promote.