Writer, Writer, Pants On Fire

Today’s guest is Anne O’Brien Carelli author of Skylark and Wallcreeper, a middle grade story that alternates between Brooklyn in 2012 and the German-occupied town of Brume in 1944. Anne joined me today to talk about writing for children, and the amount of research required to write historical fiction – no matter the age, as well as using incubation and your subconscious to think your way around the sticky spots in your manuscript.    Support the Podcast    Links for Anne: Website: https://www.anneobriencarelli.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/aobc IG: https://www.instagram.com/anne.o.carelli/   Ad Links:   Emily Martin Editorial Services: https://www.emilymartinedits.com/ Heroine by Mindy McGinnis amzn.to/2pjEWYh   

Today’s guest is Hilary L. Jastram owner of J. Hill Marketing, specializing in copywriting and book editing for entrepreneurs. She is an author and contributor to multiple media as well as the founder of Sick Biz, a non-profit supporting sick and disabled entrepreneurs. Hilary also hosts the podcast Sick Biz Buzz. Hilary joined me today to talk about her own diagnosis, moving past illness as an identity, and to share tips for dealing with anxiety and depression as well as managing your own self-care and dealing with chronic pain while still functioning as a professional.   Support the Podcast    Links for Hilary: Website: http://jhillmark.com Website: http://www.sickbiz.com FB: https://www.facebook.com/jhillmarkwriter/ LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hilarylauren/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/J_HillMark IG: https://www.instagram.com/j_hill_mark   Ad Links: A New Look On Books: https://anewlookonbooks.com/ Sleight by Jennifer Sommersby: https://amzn.to/2ysqF0x      

Today’s guest is Elizabeth Tammi, author of Outrun the Wind which released from Flux  in 2018, and the forthcoming The Weight of a Soul, coming in December of 2019. Elizabeth studies creative writing and journalism at Mercer University, where she works for her college’s newspaper and literary magazine. Elizabeth joined me today to talk about landing a publishing deal without an agent and achieving publication as a teenager, the enduring qualities of mythology, and how modern perspectives can open up old tales, as well as the different skills at work in both journalism and creative writing.   Support the Podcast    Links for Elizabeth:   Site: http://www.elizabethtammi.com Tumblr: http://annabethisterrified.tumblr.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/ElizabethTammi Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elizabeth_tammi/   Ad Links:   A New Look On Books   Sleight by Jennifer Sommersby    

Today’s guest is Anica Mrose Rissi the author of the Anna, Banana chapter-book series, the picture books Watch Out for Wolf! and The Teacher’s Pet, as well as a YA novel, Always Forever Maybe. Her essays have been published by The Writer and the New York Times, and she plays fiddle in and writes lyrics for the band Owen Lake and the Tragic Loves. Anica grew up in Maine and spent many years in New York City, where she worked as an executive editor in children’s book publishing.  Anica joined me today to talk about writing from a place of pain, and methods to redirect the endless feedback loop of anxiety towards something creative and productive, as well as how process can change from project to project and across age categories. Also covered: considering the performance of reading aloud versus the narrative that is meant to be read silently, writing for other writers, and how essays can both remind of your own authority on the subject, as well as open yourself up to vulnerability.   Support the Podcast on G

Today's guest is Sean Petrie, a founding member of the poetry group Typewriter Rodeo and co-author of Typewriter Rodeo: Real People, Real Stories, Custom Poems (Andrews McMeel Universal 2018). He has six short children's books coming out in 2019-20 for Fountas & Pinnell / Houghton Mifflin. Sean teaches poetry workshops, has an MFA in Writing for Children from Vermont College of Fine Arts, and types his poems on a 1928 Remington Portable typewriter. Sean joined me today to talk about writing poems on the spot, how slowing your process down can boost your creativity, the difficulty of making money as a poet, and the closeness of the children's lit community. Support the Podcast Ad Links: How She Died, How I Lived by Mary Crockett The Fade by Demitria Lunetta 

Capping off 2018 with 10 resolutions for writers in 2019... and 10 things NOT to do in 2019. Support the Podcast Ad Links: Sleight by Jennifer Sommersby How She Died, How I Lived by Mary Crockett

In this episode: How to know when you need to walk away from that draft, steps to take to make sure nothing you write is ever wasted, and some tips for getting unstuck. Also covered: approaches to editing, and when to hire a professional editor. 

Today's topics include inspiration - where does it come from and how does it work? Also, the pros of fan-fiction and how it helps build essential skills, plus how to make the leap from writing it to creating your own works.

Making yourself write - aren't you supposed to WANT to?  Also covered - Top 5 Mistakes When You're New To Querying and Submitting.

Welcome to November and National Novel Writing Month. Today I'm talking about how a program like Nano can be motivating, and how to write from your gut and worry less about craft. Ad Links: Synchro Boy by Shannon McFerran Ten After Closing by Jessica Bayliss

A roundup of the guests and topics for the month of October, as well as considering a question from a listener about writing in English when it's not the author's native language.  Article Link: How Do Bilingual Authors Choose to Write Their Stories? by Katya de Becerra Ad Links: Unwritten by Tara Gilboy Paper Hearts Writer's Workbook by Beth Revis

Today’s guest is Tara Gilboy who holds a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from the University of British Columbia, where she specialized in writing for children and young adults. Her middle grade novel, Unwritten, was published by Jolly Fish Press just this month. She teaches creative writing in San Diego Community College’s Continuing Education Program and for the PEN Writers in Prisons Program.  Tara joined me today to talk about selling her book without an agent, and how to process criticism from critique partners. Also Covered: exercises to help you capture middle grade voice, and how to find critique partners both online and in real life. And, can writing be taught or is it intuitive?   Links for Tara: Site Twitter   Ad Links:  The Wood by Chelsea Bobulski  Sleight by Jennifer Sommersby

Today’s guest is S Gonzales who writes Young Adult contemporary books with twisty plots and a generous dose of romance, featuring witty yet vulnerable characters. She joined me today to talk about landing her agent, Twitter contests, and balancing time difference while living in Australia and interacting with her American audience and publishing contacts. Also covered: Why publish with an initial standing in for her first name? Writing about mental illnesses responsibly and rom coms for queer people.    Support the Podcast on Go Fund Me   Links for S Gonzales: Site Twitter    Ad Links: The Wood by Chelsea Bobulski  Pulp by Robin Talley 

Today’s guest is Sandra Gulland is an American-born Canadian novelist. She is the author of The Shadow Queen and Mistress of the Sun, novels set in the court of Louis XIV, The Sun King, and a trilogy of novels based on the life of Josephine Bonaparte: as well as The Game of Hope. A YA historical about Josephine’s daughter. Sandra joined me today to talk about how publishing has changed over time, the differences in the Canadian publishing world vs. the American, and researching for historical novels. Also covered: assigning personalities to people that actually existed, sexism in researching female historical characters, and how to know when to bend the facts in order to keep your fiction interesting. Support the Podcast on Go Fund Me Links for Sandra: Site Twitter Facebook Instagram   Ad Links: The Wood by Chelsea Bobulski  What they don’t know by Nicole Maggi 

Today’s guest is Katherine Locke, author of THE GIRL WITH THE RED BALLOON and the upcoming THE SPY WITH THE RED BALLOON.Katherine joined me today to talk about landing her agent, and how her process of drafting ignores the need to be perfect, putting that responsibility on the editing process. Also covered: data for writers – and why we might not want it anyway – and how Katherine approaches historical facts while working with fiction, plus her process of research while writing. Links for Katherine: Site Twitter Facebook Instagram   Ad Links: The Wood by Chelsea Bobulski  What They Don’t Know by Nicole Maggi 

A roundup of this month's guests and topics, as well as my advice on how to grit your teeth and get the first draft down. Unlock Agent & Editor Episodes on Patreon Support the Podcast on Go Fund Me  Ad Links: Sleight by Jennifer Sommersby It’s a Wonderful Death By Sarah J. Schmitt 

Today’s guest is Lauren Gibaldi author of THE NIGHT WE SAID YES, AUTO FOCUS and THIS TINY PERFECT WORLD. Lauren is a public librarian who’s been, among other things, a magazine editor, high school English teacher, bookseller, and circus aerialist (seriously). She has a BA in Literature and Master’s in Library and Information Studies.  Lauren joins host Mindy McGinnis to talk about landing her agent, and how her process of being a punster can occasionally backfire, but nothing is ever wasted. Also covered: how being a librarian has helped Lauren feel more connected to teens and benefited her writing career, as well as portraying artistic teens in fiction. Support the Podcast on Go Fund Me Links for Lauren: Site Twitter Facebook Instagram   Ad Links: Ten After Closing by Jessica Bayliss  Sleight by Jennifer Sommersby

Support the podcast through Patreon for weekly writing advice, query and first page critiques, as well as exclusive episodes featuring agent and editor interviews. Visit our Patreon to learn more. Today’s guest is Kelly DeVos author of FAT GIRL ON A PLANE. Kelly holds a B.A. in Creative Writing from Arizona State University. Her debut novel, FAT GIRL ON A PLANE is available now from Harlequin Teen. Her work has been featured in the New York Times as well as SheKnows and Bustle. Kelly joined me today to talk about landing her agent, and how her particular process of being a hardcore planner works to turn the spark of an idea into a novel. Also covered: the inspiration for FAT GIRL ON A PLANE, a discussion of the fashion world and body acceptance and how short stories can help you experiment with new ideas, characters, or methods.   Support the Podcast on Go Fund Me    Links for Kelly: Site Twitter Tumblr Instagram   Ad Links: Nothing But Sky by Amy Trueblood It’s a Wonderful Death By Sarah J. Schm

Today’s guest is Megan Shepherd, author of THE MADMAN’S DAUGHTER trilogy, THE CAGE Trilogy, THE SECRET HORSES OF BRIAR HILL and THE GRIM LOVELIES. Megan joined me to talk about her process, and how the spark of an idea can sometimes get lost during the execution. Also covered: writing trilogies versus standalones, and why dark stories appeal to us.  Links for Megan:  Site Twitter Facebook Instagram   Ad Links: Sleight by Jennifer Sommersby  Midnight by Jeanna Armas

A roundup of the guests and topics for the month, and Mindy's advice on writing unlikeable characters. Support the Podcast on Go Fund Me Become a Patron to Listen Ad-Free for Just $2.00 A Month   Ad Links: Sleight by Jennifer Sommersby  Midnight by Jeanna Armas