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/

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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/

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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.

It's one thing to make time for writing if doing so is your full-time job. But for most professionals, making time to write is a detraction from doing the very activities that generate immediate revenue. In this episode with Liz Repking, cyber safety consultant, she describes the difficulty of making time to write and finding the confidence to move forward with the project. Her story about completing the Boston Marathon will inspire you to keep moving from "water station to water station" in your book writing.

In this first episode, Dave and Melissa address one of the more muddy issues of writing book - developmental editing. Often developmental editing is confused with line editing or even proofing. If you're self-publishing a book, you need the function of a developmental editor to sharpen your book thesis, help you structure the book, and tell better stories.

You have a great idea and you’ve written a terrific book, but that’s only the first step in the book writing journey. How do you sell the book and use it to extend your thought-leadership platform and your business? Ryan Frederick, author of “Right Place, Right Time: The Ultimate Guide to Choosing a Home for the Second Half of Life,” shares how he leveraged his book after its publication. He provides insights into the development of an online assessment, workshops, and courses. More importantly, Ryan discusses the importance of keeping your idea relevant in the minds of your target audience.

Great Moments in the Episode

3:06 Learn about Ryan’s business.

5:23 How Ryan came to the ‘why’ of his book.

7:57 How Ryan found his ideal audience.

9:53 How Ryan structured his book to engage readers.

14:25 How Ryan used his book to extend his platform.

18:21 Differences between workshops and courses.

21:26 How to market courses.

25:27 Fitting your book idea into a cultural conversation.

27:36 Ryan’s publication journey.

33:22 Book marketing and how to reach your audience.

37:33: What Ryan learned from working with a PR firm.

39:22 What does success look like to you?

42:47 Ryan’s final words—make sure your work is substantive

Words of the Episode

Gloaming: a literary term synonymous with twilight and dusk, the darker part of twilight.

Chiaroscuro: the treatment of light and shade in drawing and painting.

Find Ryan

Check out Ryan’s Book: https://www.amazon.com/Right-Place-Time-Ultimate-Choosing/dp/1421442302 

Check out Ryan’s Assessment: https://www.here.life/assessment 

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When most writers think about the book journey, they’re focused on writing and then publishing. But what about book marketing? In this episode, Anne Janzer, a thought leader in the marketing industry, explores the ever-evolving book marketing landscape. Discover Anne's philosophy of “servant-authorship” and the power of building focused audiences. You’ll come away with practical strategies that make book marketing a joyful and successful endeavor. 

Great Moments in the Episode

4:19 – 6:24  Why book marketing is built on a trusting relationship with your reader.

6:25 – 8:25  How to frame your book writing and marketing as servant authorship.

8:26 – 10:10  Helpful metaphor of making a splash in a pond with your writing.

10:11 – 12:17  What servant authorship looks like in marketing, including creating a community.

12:18 – 14:19  How to create communities around your ideas.

14:20 – 16:48  How to identify where to focus your marketing efforts.

16:49 – 21:06  Three things you need for author marketing.

21:07 – 21:45  Why the best marketing for a book is the book itself.

21:46 – 23:46  How to sustain marketing when you’re discouraged.

23:47 – 25:21  How to do a discount book campaign.

25:22 – 28:29  What is BookBub and how to become a BookBub featured book.

28:30 – 30:41  How to make the most of IRL marketing.

30:42 – 34:00  What surprises first-time authors most about book marketing.

34:01 – 34:56  The value of gathering with fellow writers to brainstorm creative marketing ideas.

34:57 – 36:31  How to make marketing fun and not painful.

36:32 – 37:31  How to measure the success of your book marketing.

37:32 – 40:07  When it’s worth investing in a PR firm and what you can achieve without one.

40:08 – 41:32  The measure of a great book.

Words of the Episode

ether (N): the clear sky; the upper regions of air beyond the clouds.

scablands (N): flat elevated land deeply scarred by channels of glacial or fluvioglacial origin and with poor soil and little vegetation.

Anne’s Recent Book

The Writer’s Voice: https://www.amazon.com/Writers-Voice-Techniques-Tuning-Process-ebook/dp/B0C8BZZ3G3/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=Anne+Janzer&qid=1695914485&s=audible&sr=1-1-catcorr

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In this episode, Dave and Melissa are back together to tackle a pressing question: What's the optimal format for your ideas? Is it really a book? Or are there alternatives that are a better fit for you? Our world is ripe with content formats for you to package your ideas, from videos, blog posts, podcasts to eBooks, and even paid subscription newsletters. There are so many options.  The key is choosing the right format. By the end, we hope you discover the best format for your ideas.

Great Moments in the Episode

9:59 – 14:25    What has changed in podcasting since its early days and strategies for differentiating.

19:06 – 25:17  Questions to ask to determine if you should write a book.

25:18 – 27:10  Substack as a format for your content.

27:11 – 30:20  Podcasting as a format for your content.     

30:21 – 34:52  Short-form video as a format for your content.

34:53 – 36:24 Long-form video as a format for your content.

36:25 – 37:59  eBook as a format for your content.

38.00 – 39:24 Online courses as a format for your content.

39:26 – 40:42  Audiobook as a format for your content.

41:30 – 43:01  Telling your family story through letters.

43:03 – 45:13  Curating your family story through audio/video interviews.

45:15 – 46:53  Telling your family story through an image driven book.

Words of the Episode

Orotund (adj): a formal word used as a synonym of sonorous to describe something—usually a voice—marked by fullness, strength, and clarity of sound. It can also be used disapprovingly to mean "pompous" or "bombastic."

Sedulously (adj): carefully and with a lot of effort and determination.

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If you have done research and want to know how to turn that research into a book, this podcast episode is for you. Author of The Myth of the Silver Spoon, Kristen Keffeler, discusses her journey turning her research into a nonfiction book that was picked up by a traditional publisher. Kristin explains the importance of narrowing your audience, sharpening your thesis, and creating a structure that pulls the reader through from beginning to end. Kristin also shares the highs and lows of marketing her nonfiction book.

Great Moments in the Episode

8:12 – 9:33      Packaging graduate studies research into a book. 

9:34 – 12:40    The evolution of a thesis as you sharpen your ideal audience.

12:42 – 14:36 How to speak to secondary and tertiary audiences beyond your ideal audience.

14:38 – 17:43  How to strengthen your nonfiction storytelling.

17:45 – 22:27  An example of a four-part structure that goes from general to specific.

22:28 – 25:29 Persevering even when your book isn’t picked up by a publisher.

25:31 – 28:59  How to get a publisher’s attention after your first proposal is rejected.

31:08 – 34:21  The difficulty of marketing a book and tips for using a book trailer to drive traffic.

34:22 – 36:20  How to host a successful virtual book launch on LinkedIn.

38:10 – 41:06 How to collaborate successfully on a book.

Words of the Episode

Toothsome (adj): temptingly tasty.

Dewclaw (n): a digit – vestigial in some animals – on the foot of many mammals, birds, and reptiles (including some extinct orders, like certain theropods).

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Find Kristin’s books here:

The Myth of the Silver Spoon

Wealth 3.0: The Future of Family Wealth Advising

You want a traditional book deal? First you need a stand-out book proposal. But for many first-time authors, creating a book proposal is a mystery. What do you include? What don’t you include? What are agents really looking for? In this episode author and book proposal coach Lisa Tener provides insider knowledge of what it takes to create a proposal that catches the eye of a literary agent and a publisher.

Great Moments in the Episode

6:50 – 8:16      The number one thing publishers and literary agents look for in a book proposal.

8:18 – 10:19    Lisa answers the question: What size platform do agents and publishers look for?

10:20 – 12:18  What to do when an agent likes your idea but you do not have a platform.

12:19 – 13:49 How to grow a basic platform.

13:50 – 16:01 Help for developing your book idea when it needs to be differentiated.

16:03 – 16:36 Signs your book is based on a crummy idea.

17:37 – 18:52  When you should pursue an independent publisher instead of a traditional publisher.

18:53 – 19:52  Signs your idea is suited for an article and not a book.

19:54 – 21:15 How to differentiate your book from comps.

21:16 – 22:15 How many comps and what types of comps to include in your book proposal.

22:16 – 25:54  How much of your book should be completed when you submit your proposal.

25:55 – 28:18  How much time a writer should devote to a book proposal.

28:20 – 30:23  Reasons why your literary agent might accept your book but a publisher won’t.

30:25 – 32:05  How your publishing on external digital platforms influences literary agents and publishing boards.

32:06 – 35:01  Missteps when writing a book proposal.

35:53 – 37:21 Managing expectations for first-time authors pitching a book.

Words of the Episode

ephemeron (n): an insect that lives only for a day or a few days.

lissome (adj): thin, supple, and graceful.

Follow Journey Sixty6

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Check Out Lisa

Lisa’s Website: https://www.lisatener.com/

Lisa’s book: https://www.amazon.com/Joy-Writing-Journal-Creativity-Minutes-dp-195581127X/dp/195581127X

In this podcast, Dave and Melissa interview Vikrant Shauruya, founder of Authors on a Mission, on how to market and sell your nonfiction book. Vikrant discusses what a “bestselling book” actually is, and why a successful book is built on a well-written book.

Great Moments in the Episode

05:15 – 07:57 Expectations for sales of first book.

8:04 – 09:41 Podcasting as a marketing strategy.

09:43 – 12:26 How to identify podcasts to pursue in order to maximize marketing.

12:27 – 14:19 How to pitch podcasts.

14:21 – 18:59 Explanation of the term “bestselling book”.    

19:01 – 21:30 What to do during launch to gain sales momentum.

21:31 – 24:01 Managing expectations of book sales.

24:02 – 25:14 Why you need a focused book idea and to identify the "why" of your writing.

25:15 – 28:01 The importance of following through with promoting your book.

28:03 –  31:15 The interconnection of a book, speaking engagements, and business growth.

31:16 – 35:10 The role of a well-written book in sales.

Words of the Episodes

Wabi-sabi: a Japanese aesthetic concept that finds beauty and serenity in objects, landscapes, designs, etc., that are simple, imperfect, and impermanent.

Pustule: a small elevation of the skin containing pus.

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Follow Vikrant Shauruya

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vikrantshaurya/

Website: https://bestsellingbook.com/vikrantshaurya/ 

Our interview with Josh Rutherford, author of The Fourpointe Chronicles, provides aspiring fantasy novelists valuable insights on how to create a believable fantasy world, how to develop characters over a series of books, and how to apply screenwriting techniques to novel writing. Josh also encourages new writers to get started, even when you don’t have it all figured out, and to find the right type of feedback during the writing journey. You won’t want to miss this episode.

Great Moments in the Episode

00:00 - 06:12 About Josh and his books.

06:12 – 07:34  How to balance point of view in fiction writing.

07:36 – 09:35  How to build a convincing fantasy world through character development.

09:36 – 11:47  Why you don’t need everything figured out to get started.

13:13 –15:02  When you’re lost in the middle, the value of cutting, and what to do with the cut material.

15:03 – 16:37  The wisdom of “Start late, end early” and how the principle creates suspense.

16:38 – 20:21 Principles of screenwriting applied to novel writing, specifically the importance of creating a sensory experience for the reader.

20:22 –  22:44 How to develop characters in a series, and the importance of not rushing character development.

22:45 – 24:49  How to get into a character’s head when you don’t have much in common with the character

25:20 –  27:23 Finding opportunities to write when writing isn’t your full-time job, and the power of forgiving yourself when you don’t show up.

27:53 – 29:59  How to find the right person to review your work, how to seek the right feedback, and how you use feedback in the revision process.

30:-00 - 35.05 The benefits of self-publishing your fiction, the power of beta reviews in promoting your book, and how to use Amazon ads.

Words of the Episodes

macabre (adj): disturbing and horrifying because of involvement with or depiction of death and injury.

esperance (n): the belief that what is wanted can be or that the events will turn out for the best.

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The best television shows and movies have memorable scenes. In those scenes, characters are forced to make choices that move the story forward. This is the essence of screenwriting. And, according to ghostwriter Cristen Iris, it’s also the essence of great memoirs and fiction. In this episode we chat with Cristen about how the basic principles of screenwriting can be applied to fiction and memoirs so your reader will read from beginning to end.

Great Moments in the Episode

Basic elements of a scene: 2:22 – 3:37

How to think of scenes in terms of moving the story forward: 3:38 – 6:53

How to roughly calculate scenes in your novel to create movement: 6:55 – 9:23

How to create flow between scenes: 9:25 – 12:04

How to use narrative commentary throughout your scenes, without boring your reader: 12:05 – 14:18

How to create pacing in your book: 16:54 – 18:10

How to use action to develop your characters, including in memoirs: 18:20 – 21:01

The dangers and difficulty of dialogue, exposition, and backstory and tips for creating dialogue that moves the story along: 21:38 – 28:15

How to move beyond writing paralysis: 28:16 – 32:01

Words of the Episode

Nudnik (n): a person who is a bore or nuisance.

modus vivendi (n): an arrangement or agreement allowing conflicting parties to coexist peacefully, either indefinitely or until a final settlement is reached.

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How do you keep your reader reading till the wee hours of the morning—because they have to figure out how the story ends? You must create a narrative arc that, scene by scene, plot point by plot point, keeps the reader questioning.

Paula Munier, author of Plot Perfect: Building Unforgettable Stories Scene by Scene, offers a plot-building strategy that works no matter the genre you’re writing in. 

Great Moments in the Episode

6:19-7:10: How people decide to buy a book.

7:10-8:52: The importance of the first page and “that feeling” you want readers to experience.

8:54-12:42: What is an inciting incident and why you need it immediately in your story.

13:02-16:01: Definition and examples of big story questions and small story questions—and how to use them to make your story different.

16:20-18:05: How to plant major and minor story questions to drive your story.

18:10-20:01: Why you must know your genre to know your obligatory story questions.

23:24-24:58: Using index cards to help you visually plot your story.

25:00-27:04: How to use your genre tropes without becoming cliché.

30:27-35:48: Tips for writing a visually engaging setting that sets the tone and creates tension.

39:15-41:25: How to know if your writing is good before you pitch a literary agent.

Words of the Episode

Vermillion: A deep, brilliant red color.

Stelliferous: Having or abounding with stars.

Paula Munier’s Books to Check Out!

Plot Perfect

Home at Night

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In this episode, Amy Davies, a LinkedIn powerhouse, author of A Spark in the Dark, and CEO of First 30, shares actionable tips for turning your LinkedIn activity into new opportunities. Discover the best times to post, what content resonates with audiences, and how to boost engagement. If you're looking to elevate your LinkedIn strategy, this is your must-listen guide to success.

Great Moments in the Episode

3:10 – 6:30    How to get into a speaking bureau and the benefits of a speaking bureau.

6:45 – 9:02    How to harness inspiration and planning to create engaging LinkedIn content.

9:03 – 10:55    How to identify the optimal time to post on LinkedIn.

10:56 – 15:03    How to shape your tone and content to influence people on LinkedIn.

15:04 – 20:30    Tips for evaluating how much of your personal story to bring to a professional platform.

20:31 – 23:35    How much time to devote to LinkedIn and other social media platforms to make it work for you.

23:36 – 25:25    How to spend your time on LinkedIn.

25:26 – 26:28    The value of LinkedIn compared to a conference booth.

26:29 – 31:28    How to use LinkedIn to increase attendance of your webinars and move people from your email list through the sales cycle.

31:30 – 35:48    Biggest mistakes users make on LinkedIn.

35:50 – 40:04    What content LinkedIn prefers and rewards, and how to encourage engagement.

40:05 – 43:45    How to increase and measure engagement on LinkedIn—and which metrics really matter.

44:07 – 45:32    Why it’s important to take breaks and how to take breaks from LinkedIn.

45:40 – 46:33    Final remarks: Always be generous on LinkedIn.

Words of the Episode

peregrination (n): a journey, especially a long or meandering one.

torsional (adj): twisting or wrenching body by the exertion of forces tending to turn one end or part about a longitudinal axis while the other is held fast or turned in the opposite direction.

Connect with Amy

First30: https://first30ready.com/

A Spark in the Dark: https://www.amazon.com/Spark-Dark-Illuminating-brilliant-career/dp/1999085205

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A developmental edit for your book project is as essential as eating right and working out if you want to be fit. You always need a developmental edit, no matter your experience as a writer. The most sophisicated writers expect it. Developmental editing is not about tearing down your work or diminishing your voice as a writer. It's a collaborative effort between an expert and you. In this episode, Melissa and Dave define what a developmental edit is and identify some of the emotions when hearing the editor's recommendations and seeing her edits for the first time.

Great Moments in the Episode

(8:40) Who needs a developmental edit? Every writer, including veterans and newbies.

(10:20)What a developmental edit is NOT. Plus, the other kinds of editing services that you will need for your book project.

(17:25) What do to if your agent or publisher isn't engaging you in a developmental edit of your book.

(19:00) A developmental edit is, for starters, a meta edit.

(29:18) Why we resist someone giving us a developmental edit.

(39:49) The best writers crave developmental editing.

(41:53) Words of the Episode

Malaise: a general feeling of discomfort or unease or overall bodily weakness

Brigand: A thief with a weapon, especially one of a group living in the countryside, stealing from people who are traveling through the area.

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Lisa Cron is no fan of how the writing world teaches writers to craft stories. She has several beefs with the standard ways novel writing is taught, including starting your project with "plotting." In this episode, Lisa offers a fresh, practical perspective on the key to writing a compelling story. Lisa has written three books on story, including Wired for Story, Story Genius, and Story or Die. She has worked in publishing at W.W. Norton, as an agent at the Angela Rinaldi Literary Agency, as a producer on shows for Showtime and Court TV, and as a story analyst for Warner Brothers and the William Morris Agency.

Great Moments in the Episode

(5:06) The two things that the writing world has gotten wrong about writing stories.

(7:00) Page one of the novel is the first page of the second half of the novel.

(10:05) The biggest lie that the writing world tells you: "Use backstory sparingly and only when the reader needs to know something."

(14:25) What are "misbeliefs" and the importance of knowing the origin story of the misbeliefs of your main character.

(19:20) The art of writing is to take what is inchoate ... and put it into language.

(25:35) Story structure is a byproduct of a story well told. And the story polishes the prose, not the other way around.

(30:01) Story is story, whether you're writing nonfiction, a memoir, or fiction.

(39:03) The mark of a writer is being able to throw stuff away.

(43:08) Words of the Episode

Pluviophile -  someone who loves rain and rainy days - and the fresh smell of rain.

Mercurial - subject to sudden or unpredictable changes of mood or mind.

Visit Lisa's Website

Wired for Story Website

Lisa's Books

Wired for Story: The Writer's Guide to Using Brain Science to Hook Readers from the Very First Sentence Story Genius: How to Use Brain Science to Go Beyond Outlining and Write a Riveting Novel (Before You Waste Three Years Writing 327 Pages That Go Nowhere) Story or Die: How to Use Brain Science to Engage, Persuade, and Change Minds in Business and in Life

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Ultimately, your memoir is not about you. It's about the reader. And what the reader takes away from spending hours, even days reading your book. In this practical episode, Cristen Iris gives memoir writers a clear path to writing a memoir that gets read. Cristen is an award-winning ghostwriter, developmental editor, and publishing consultant who specializes in working with high achievers on commercially viable nonfiction and upmarket fiction projects.

Great Moments in the Episode

(6:04) The importance of focusing on why you want to write a memoir

(9:05) The challenge of writing survival memoirs - cancer and divorce

(18:27) How you know that you have enough material for a memoir and the importance of vulnerability

(23:45) How to think about which structure will work for your memoir

(31:24) The two types of writers and how each approaches writing a memoir

(35:51) The difference between creating suspense and pacing - and how to use both in your writing

(37:28) What a "scene" is and why creating scenes are so important

(41:36) The difference between backstory and exposition and how to write better dialogue

(45:20) A memoir is not really about you, it's about the reader

(46:17) Words of the Episode

Jetsam -  the part of a ship's cargo or equipment that is thrown overboard to lighten the load in a storm

Prorogue - to discontinue a legislative session without dissolving it entirely

Visit Cristen's Website

https://cristeniris.com/

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Most writers simply want to write and publish. And not have to deal with the hassle of social media and selling their book. In this episode with book marketing coach Emily Enger, she introduces the concept of "good enough" book marketing. She says that writers should focus on the writing first and foremost, putting "your perfectionism marbles in that corner."

Great Moments in the Episode

(4:18) How marketing a fiction book is different from marketing a nonfiction book.

(6:54) The essence of good enough book marketing.

(7:13) Emily defines what marketing is.

(9:20) How authors must create a personal brand.

(14:07) What is the "awkward newsletter" and how not to create one.

(20:37) A short history of publishing and the emergence of the "indie" author.

(24:59) Emily sets expectations on how many copies a book will sell.

(26:35) Some powerful sales strategies for fiction and creative writers who have some resources to spend.

(34:39) How to select some early or beta readers for your book.

(37:40) How minimalist marketing can create natural momentum if the writing is exceptional.

(49:28) Words of the Episode

Raconteur -  a person who excels in telling anecdotes, a spinner of yarns

Sobriquet - a person's nickname

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Visit Emily's Website

https://emilyenger.com/

Visit Emily on Substack

https://goodenoughbookmarketing.substack.com/

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The word sacred is not too lofty of a word to describe your time set aside to write. In this episode, Melissa and Dave co-opt a religious term and apply it to the time set apart to write.

Great Moments in the Episode

(1:49) Dave's progress: his daughter is picking up the sport of lacrosse in high school.

(4:39) Melissa's progress: she launched her website for Megillicutti, something she has wanted to do for years.

(8:03) How the idea for this episode came up in our research for a workshop on writing rituals.

(10:35) Some may use the word sacred to describe the kind of writing, but we use it to describe the act of writing itself.

(13:52) Sacred is the opposite of secular. The secular in in our lives is the grind, the daily parts of life - making dinner for the kids, attending sporting events, attending meetings - and everything that we do to make our way in this world.

(17:45) So much of our lives flows towards utility - exchanging time for money or for survival.

(22:37) Your sacred time for writing may not look like actual writing. It might be a long meditative walk or a visit to a museum.

(26:23) No one is coming to save you; no one will help you set aside sacred time to write. It's on you.

(29:12) The role of rituals in creating sacred space for you to write.

(36:46) Words of the Episode

Apricity - the warmth of the sun in winter

cynosure - a person or thing that is the center of attention or admiration

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In this extensive interview, Rosanne Bane helps writer's unlock their resistance to write. Author of "Around the Writer's Block," she explains the science behind our procrastination and excuses, and provides practical tips to get back on track.

Great Moments in the Episode

(3.30) The story of a woman in France in 1906 with a brain injury and how her response to pain illustrates conscious and unconscious memory.

(8:08) Rosanne discusses how, traditionally, the brain is thought to be made up of three main areas.

(11:06) Rosanne says that we don't need to know the why of writer's block to overcome it.

(13:41) How writing rituals put you in the right state of mind to write.

(15:40) The different cues that you may use for your writing ritual.

(24:01) "If you want to write well, you have got to be willing to write crap."

(24:58) The difference between process writing and product writing.

(34:04) The six stages of the writing process.

(46:17) The importance of separating writing from publishing.

(51:38) Words of the Episode

Jebel

Equipoise

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Follow Rosanne Bane

Blog: https://baneofyourresistance.com/

Book: https://baneofyourresistance.com/around-the-writers-block-book/

Bryan Cohen is Da Guru when it comes to selling your book with Amazon ads. In this practical interview, Bryan gives us the inside scoop on how self-published authors can use Amazon ads to promote their books and other products and services. Bryan, the founder of "Author Ad School," is a USA Today bestselling author. He is also CEO of "Best Page Forward" and the author of many fiction and nonfiction books.

Great Moments in the Episode

(4.10) How Bryan used fictionalized characters to engage the reader on an emotional level with his nonfiction books

(6:20) Bryan's writing rituals

(9:15) Bryan explains what an Amazon ad is and how it works

(14:00) How Amazon is unique in that if you set a low enough bid, Amazon won't spend all your budget

(19:19) How specific targeting helps you find the right audience for your book, including book titles, author names, and key words

(22:34) How writing a fiction series can benefit you with Amazon ads

(24:34) How nonfiction authors can promote courses and services with Amazon ads

(26:59) The importance of growing your email list

(29:30) Using a QR code in your nonfiction book to get people to visit your website

(30:08) How Bryan thinks about social media as it relates to his publishing strategy

(33:59) Where to go to create your first Amazon ad

(35:50) Managing your expectations with your first Amazon ads

(41:08) Words of the Episode

Obdurate

Ineffable

90 Day Cohort Coaching Intensives

Be sure to check out our 90 day cohort coaching intensives for writers who want professional editorial expertise to complete their writing project.

Visit https://www.journeysixty6.com/cohort-coaching-intensives for more information.

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About Bryan Cohen

Podcast: https://www.sellmorebooksshow.com/

How to Get Started with Amazon ads: https://www.authorsadvertise.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bryancohenblurbs/

Website: https://bryancohen.com/

In this interview with youth fantasy fiction and non-fiction writer Jaimie Engle, she describes her journey to become a RomCom screenplay writer.

Great Moments in this Episode

(4:30) How Jaime made a surprise connection to an attorney in the film industry during what she calls the Apocalypse (the first couple years of Covid)

(6:00) Her decision to take a Zoom class on "How to write the Christmas RomCom"

(8:20) The moment Jaime heard the news that she had landed a contract for her first screen play

(9:25) What Jaime learned from the screenwriting class that she applied to her writing

(11:40) The importance of cliffhangers in any kind of writing

(16:35) What inspired the idea for the RomCom

(17:54) The definition of a logline in screenwriting

(19:24) How to write dialogue for a screenplay

( 21:32) The hardest thing to remember when writing a screenplay

(36:38) Words of the Episode: freudenfreude and preternatural

Visit Jaimie Engle's website

https://thewriteengle.com/

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At one point in writing her debut novel, The Road between Two Skies, Linda Fifer lost the entire manuscript. Her husband had misplaced it, and there was no digital copy. In our interview with Linda, she discusses how she reconstructed her story and how she persisted for years before she was able to complete and then self-publish the novel. The story is about how an abduction upends a woman’s life. The main character loses her memory after the kidnapping and finds herself on a journey to remember who she was while discovering who she is. New writers will come away inspired from Linda's story of persistence and creativity.

It's a big expense to publish your book. And most likely the sales from it won't cover the publishing costs. At least for most writers. We all have fantasies about landing a big publisher and selling millions, but the super majority of books sell around 250 copies. At least that's what Google says. If that's true, there's no way to recoup the costs to publish your ideas. At least not from book sales only. So why write? In this episode, Melissa and Dave get real about the true costs of publishing a book. You'll come away with more clarity on what you can expect while also feeling more inspired to get back to your project.

Writing a memoir likely will dredge up some difficult memories. For some writers, the pain of these memories might slow down the process of writing, like it did for Cheryl Landes, author of The Best I Can Do. It took Cheryl nearly two decades to complete her memoir. In this episode, Cheryl offers advice for structuring a memoir after years of being stuck. She also shares strategies for relieving tension and writing complex characters that the reader will cheer for.

Great Moments in the Episode

4:57 –   9:37    How painful memories lead to procrastination, and how to push through.

10:05 – 13:30    Creating a scene list to develop a structure for a memoir.

12:40 – 14:44    Identifying scenes that capture a reader’s imagination.

14:45 – 16:18    How to write a memoir in which readers will root for the protagonist (you).

16:47 – 18:22    Creating an invisible character in a memoir to create tension.

18:25 – 19:58    How simple scenes can become pivotal, profound scenes.

21:05 – 23:58    How to provide relief in an emotionally heavy memoir.

23:59 – 25:33    How to weave in flashbacks in a memoir.

25:34 – 28:18    How to honestly portray characters in your memoir without villainizing them.

28:19 – 30:33    How writing a book can change you and your perspective on the world.

30:34 – 34:09    Advice for writers who are stuck in the memoir writing process.

Words of the Episode

dolce far niente: (n) The 'sweetness of doing nothing'; pleasant relaxation in carefree idleness

inure: (v) to become accustom to something, especially something unpleasant.

Connect with Cheryl

Website: https://tabbycatco.com/about-cheryl-technical-writer/

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Until you know the "why" of your book, you may struggle to structure it. So believes Donna Freitas, Brooklyn-based author of fiction and nonfiction. Her writing has been published in The New York Times, The Washington Post, and The LA Times, among other places. She is currently on faculty at Fairleigh Dickinson University’s MFA in Creative Writing. In this delightful episode, Donna discusses the "hooking and holding" approach to writing chapters. She says that your first draft is for you. You get to be selfish when writing your first draft, and it's important that you learn not to be afraid to sit down and write for you.

"Show, don't tell" - that is the most basic advice given at every writer's workshop or conference. As a writer, you must show what is happening, not merely tell what happened. Writers do not have the luxury of sound to assist with narrating the story. Nor do writers have video or motion graphics. Or even images to illustrate their stories. Writers have only words. In this episode, Melissa and Dave offer six strategies for making sure you are "showing, not telling" in your novels, memoirs, and narrative nonfiction. Showing is how you evoke emotion in readers and sustain their interest.

Novelist and memoirist Ann Hood prefers the phrase "glorious mess" when referring to the first draft of a writing project. Ann recently published "Fly Girl: A Memoir," about her career as a life attendant in the late 1970s and 1980s. She has written 14 novels and four memoirs. In this episode, Ann discusses the revision process, quoting another writer who said that revising your work isn't cleaning up after the party, it is the party. She gives us insight into her revision process, how she prints out her manuscript and reads aloud to catch errors in flow, character development, and plot. She even explains her method for mapping out the narrative arc for her writing projects. Listeners will come away with practical ways to improve how they revise their work.

Your readers need you to be clear. Jennifer Bisbing, book editor and author of the mystery “Under the Pines," says that if an author writes with clarity about his or her theme, readers will have greater insight and appreciation. In this interview with Jennifer, she discusses how she researched her novel, which is told through the eyes of an eight-year-old. She also describes her experience in a writer's group and its value for an aspiring author. Jennifer is a professional editor, providing editorial services for authors who plan to self-publish. She says that copy editing and proofing are critical to a finished product, but even more important is specific feedback on the story itself and whether it makes sense to the readers.

Most every family story includes heroes and scoundrels, and lovable as well as colorful characters. If you've ever considered writing your family history, you've probably asked, "Where do I begin the story?" In this episode, Melissa and Dave offer seven tips to begin writing your family story. One is to select a purpose early on for the writing project: "Why am I writing this?" That will help you decide what to include in your writing - and what to leave on the cutting room floor.

Promoting your book should begin the day you decide to write a book. That may seem like an overstatement, but the earlier you begin to think about your audience, the more success you'll have if later you decide hire a book publicist like Julia Drake, president and co-founder of Wildbound PR. In this episode, Julia identifies the three keys to book promotion (media, social media, and events).  She explains how authors can make their books stand out, even in a crowded, noisy marketplace. Julia offers tips for self-published authors as well as helping all authors understand the value and purpose of book PR.

The word platform is a synonym for "audience." To build your writing platform means to build your audience. Many new writers groan at the idea of building their audience while also trying to write a book. It seems overwhelming. In this episode, Stephanie Chandler gives writers a simple roadmap for getting started in building an audience. CEO of NonfictionAuthorsAssociation.com, Stephanie is also the author of numerous books for writers, including The Nonfiction Book Publishing Plan and The Nonfiction Book Marketing Plan. Writers will come away from this episode with the building blocks for attracting an engaged audience for their writing projects.

Even if they are not actively soliciting new ideas, most literary agents still long for the thrill of discovering a new writer who speaks to them. In this interview with Soumeya Bendimerad Roberts, she identifies the three elements that she looks for in a manuscript - style, structure, and setting. A literary agent with HG Literary, Soumeya represents literary novels and collections, upmarket fiction, and non-fiction, both narrative and prescriptive. Aspiring writers will come away from this episode with specific guidance on how to persist in the querying process.

"Publishing is a business." That statement is as true for those who self publish as it is for those who plan to pitch a traditional publisher. Who will purchase your book? And how do you reach them? Years ago, a popular writer named Michael Hyatt coined the phrase "platform building." It's the idea that if you want to publish, you need to simultaneously create followers who will purchase your book. In this episode, we identify the five main ways that writers can build their following.

New York literary agent Miriam Altshuler looks for specific elements in a query letter. For starters, the query should not be longer than three paragraphs. In this delightful interview with Miriam on the wonder of books, she also offers some practical advice for first-time authors. If you're writing a memoir, for example, you need to complete the entire book before you pitch it to an agent. Publishing is a business, she says, and it's critical that you understand how to pitch your book - and pitch yourself.

If you want to write a book that influences the world, you need to start with a creative idea. Great ideas form the essence of great books. And yet idea development is one of the biggest struggles of writers. In this episode, Dave and Melissa talk about what an idea really is, how to sharpen your idea, and how to develop an idea, so that readers read your book from beginning to end.

Great Moments in the Episode

7:37 – 12:19    What an idea is and examples of how to narrow an idea.

12:20 – 15:06    How to use research effectively to narrow your idea.

15:07 – 17:59    Why having a narrow idea is better than a general idea.

18:00 – 22:14    How to use quotes and interpret other ideas to support your idea.            

22:15 – 22:53    The three things you can do with an idea.

22:54 – 27:26    What explaining an idea looks like in writing, and why it’s important.

27:27 – 29:48    How to prove your idea with examples of what proving look like.

29:49 – 32:18    How to use reasoning to prove an idea.

32:19 – 33:13    Using stories and counterarguments to develop an idea.

33:14 – 35:47    How to apply an idea.

35:48 – 39:06    How to develop an idea in a book through structure.

39:07 – 40:27    How to arrest the attention of your reader with each chapter.

40:28 – 41:56    How to thread your thesis—or idea—throughout the entire book.

41:57 – 43:05    How to use transition paragraphs to thread your ideas throughout the book.

43:06 – 47:18    When an idea is not big enough for a traditional book.

Words of the Episode

elysian (adj): blissful, delightful

limn (v): depict or describe in painting or words; or, suffuse or highlight something with a bright color or light

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They say to write what you know. It’s no wonder there has been a surge in memoir writing. You know nothing better than yourself. As The Art of Memoir author, Mary Karr, said, “Anyone who’s lived can write one.” But to write a memoir that people want to read requires "craft, voice, and concept." In this episode, we interview Rob Lewis, a writer and editor with Journey Sixty6 who recently ghostwrote a memoir for an orthodox Jewish businessman. Rob walks us through the process of structuring the memoir and how he stayed focused on the larger concept for the story.

Every writer who has ever stared at a blank screen (or page) has eventually had to lay down a first sentence. And then revise that sentence. Again and again. First drafts are just that - the first of many drafts to come. In this episode, Melissa and Dave identify seven self-editing questions to help you revise your manuscript. One question has to do with the passive voice: Do I use the passive voice too much? Of course, it's okay to use the passive voice occasionally, but it needs to be strategic. You'll come away from this episode with practical ways to make sure your writing is fresh and polished.

The countdown begins, after you sign a contract with a publisher. There is a deadline. And, suddenly, there is an urgency to putting a period to your writing, if you haven't yet completed the manuscript. The process shifts from creative to production. In this interview with Dr. Jamie Weiner, he discusses the process of working with a traditional publisher. His book, The Quest for Legitimacy: How children of prominent families find their unique place in the world, releases in early summer. He helps authors manage their expectations during the pre-publishing phase.

Every book that is published starts out as a raw, unformed idea in the mind of a writer. A companion of that initial idea is often an emotion: fear. Is my idea really good enough for an entire book? In this episode, Melissa and Dave identify seven questions to help writers evaluate whether their idea is book worthy. One question pertains to passion: Am I passionate enough about this idea to sustain my energy and focus to write 60,000 words? Aspiring writers will come away with some practical ideas to take the next step in their book writing journey.

"Book coach" is a category that for the most part didn't exist several decades ago. There was a literary agent.  And the acquisitions editor at the publishing house. Between the two of them, writers found various kinds of help with their manuscript. Today, book coaches help writers with everything from goal setting to developmental editing to building their social media platforms and promoting their books. In this episode, we discuss the duties of an effective book coach and how to set and manage your expectations if you decide to hire one.

Art, color, and design - these three elements define the brand of Natalie Papier, interior designer and Instagram influencer (@home_ec_op). In this wide-ranging interview, Natalie discusses the role of authenticity in her brand and how she began working on a book project. Through connections on a different project, Natalie found a book proposal editor, who is helping Natalie tease out her ideas for the framework of the book. Natalie makes the trenchant point about timing for one's writing project and how taking on new opportunities can lead to important connections.