#AmWriting

Latest Episodes:

Episode 261 Really #Funny, Real and Funny: Rom-Coms, plotting and finding characters with Mhairi McFarlane Apr 30, 2021

Show notes

Plotting and pantsing, loving your genre, voice, self-doubt… what didn’t we talk about with Mhairi McFarlane? And she has such a lovely Scottish accent to do it in, too. We know you’ll love this episode.

#AmReading

Mhairi: The Flatshare by Beth O’Leary (aka El Piso Para Dos in KJ’s Spanish version)

Sweet Sorrow by David Nicholls

Sarina: The Price You Pay for College by Ron Lieber (from episode Turning Data into #Narrative)

Re-reading Rock Chick by Kristen Ashley

KJ: Life’s Too Short by Abby Jimenez

Follow Mhairi on Twitter: @mhairimcf

In this episode we talked a lot about finding ideas, chasing them around and pinning them down. Jennie Nash from our sponsor, Author Accelerator, has a list of the idea process, in this case for non-fiction books:

* I had an idea, which came to me in the form of six words in a very specific order…

* and which stuck in my mind long enough to ping against a memory…

* which caused me to think about the connection between those two things (this new thought, this old memory)…

* which prompted me to land on the idea of a process…

* which suggests some sort of order or structure or shape…

* which led me to believe I had something to say…

* which prompted me to put a title on a blank page and start writing this blog post…

* which I already have a strong feeling is going to become a book.

In fiction, it goes somewhat differently—at least, I can’t see where “process” fits in—but the two things pinging against one another in your brain rings true for me for sure. Sign up for their free email Writing Challenge to help you plan what your book will be about, how to structure it, where it starts and ends, and who your target readers are and what they are looking for—and you’ll also be on the list to get emails from Jennie that somehow always manage to be just what I need when they arrive.

Have you checked out the Writing Class Radio podcast? Writing Class Radio is a podcast of a writing class. If you love stories and get inspired by hearing other people tell their stories and want to learn a little bit about how to write your own stories, then this podcast is for you. Check it out here or search for it in your pod-player.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit amwriting.substack.com/subscribe

Episode 260 #Writing Without Knowing Where You're Going with Kristin Van Ogtrop Apr 23, 2021

Show notes

Working on an essay collection? Dreaming of becoming a literary agent? We were all over the map with Kristin Van Ogtrop, agent at InkWell Management, author of the essay collection Did I Say That Out Loud: Midlife Indignities and How to Survive Them and former editor of Real Simple Magazine (which KJ mistakenly attributed to Conde Nast but is really part of the Time Inc. empire). Midlifers, essayists, job-hoppers—this is for you!

Mentioned on the pod

The Empty Glass by J.I. Baker

Nalini Singh, #AmWriting episode The Power of Writing as Play

The Neapolitan Quartet by Elena Ferrante

#AmReading

Kristin: American Baby: A Mother, a Child, and the Shadow History of Adoption by Gabrielle Glaser

Jess: Bombshells by Sarina Bowen

The Happy Ever After Playlist and Life’s Too Short by Abby Jimenez

KJ: Brood by Jackie Polzin

Find Kristin on Instagram and Twitter as @kvanogtrop

or at her website www.kristinvanogtrop.com

Your dream job is calling—can you hear it? Check out these success stories from Author Accelerator’s book coach certification program and start imagining what your life could look like this time next year.

And have you checked out the Writing Class Radio podcast? Writing Class Radio is a podcast of a writing class. If you love stories and get inspired by hearing other people tell their stories and want to learn a little bit about how to write your own stories, then this podcast is for you. Check it out here or search for it in your pod-player.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit amwriting.substack.com/subscribe

Episode 259: More Q, More A: Organizing research, handling would-be writer friends, finding great editors and writing classes and the kicker: How Do You Become Liz Gilbert? Apr 16, 2021

Show notes

We love answering your questions! If we missed yours, head over to the Facebook group or reply to this episode and we’ll try to get there next time.

Links from the pod: early episodes on How to Get an Agent, Planning your work, Keeping Organized, and Getting Unstuck

Semikolon sticky notes

Evernote

Best online writing classes: Rachael Herron, Better Faster Academy, Grub Street, New School, Writers Digest University, Gotham Writers, Writers Studio, UPOD Academy, Sue Shapiro

#AmReading

Jess: Last Call by Elon Green

KJ: Super Host by Kate Russo

And—love us, love our sponsors! If you’ve been dreaming of a book coaching career, you know you want the guidance of Jennie Nash and the crew at AuthorAccelerator. You’ll find everything you need at bookcoaches.com/amwriting.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit amwriting.substack.com/subscribe

Episode 258 Writing While #Broken: Talking Depression, Anxiety and Writer's Block with Jenny Lawson Apr 09, 2021

Show notes

Writing is hard. In this episode, we talk imposter syndrome, editing, the right headspace for reading your own stuff, why you might need a “nice” agent, reading your work aloud to friends, recording audiobooks in the closet, being years late on a deadline, sending your editor proof of life and the deep inner conviction that people only buy your book because they feel sorry for you. #ohyeah.

#AmReading

Jess: Win by Harlan Coben

Jenny: Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro

Hour of the Witch by Chris Bohjalian

Note: Bookriot Podcast

KJ: The Fifth Petal by Brunonia Barry

Jenny’s Bookshop: The Nowhere Bookshop, San Antonio, TX

The Fantastic Strangelings Book Club books:

Professional Troublemaker by Luvvie Ajayi Jones

Swallowed Man by Edward Carey

Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

Catherine House by Elisabeth Thomas

The Did Bad Things by Lauren A. Forry

Wow, No Thank You by Samantha Irby

Find Jenny at The Bloggess!

Need a new gig in the writing world? Have you considered becoming a book coach, but never known how to get started or been able to envision what that might look like for YOU? Author Accelerator can help. Sign up at bookcoaches.com to get a free mini course on what book coaching is, who makes a good book coach, and how you can make money helping writers soar.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit amwriting.substack.com/subscribe

Episode 257 Become a #Better Faster Stronger Writer with Becca Syme Apr 02, 2021

Show notes

Who wouldn’t want to write better and faster? I can’t even imagine. Our guest this week is Becca Syme, creator of the Better Faster Academy, author of Dear Writer You Need to Quit as well as other books in the Quit series and the author of the MatchBaker series of cozy mysteries (with such glorious titles as “Vangie Vale and the Murdered Macaron”). Her superpower is helping writers find what they do best—their strengths—and do more of that instead of worrying about trying to “fix” the things we aren’t naturally good at.

Links from the pod

The Clifton Strengths Test

The Ted Lasso blog post

Better Faster Academy

The Quitcast on YouTube

#AmReading

Becca:

Mandy M. Roth

Yasmine Galenorn

Rajani LaRocca

DEVS (TV show)

Sarina: Unguarded by Jay Hogan (part of Sarina’s World of True North)

KJ: The S**t No One Tells You About Writing (podcast)

Have y’all heard about the Writing Class Radio podcast? Writing Class Radio is a podcast of a writing class. If you love stories and get inspired by hearing other people tell their stories and want to learn a little bit about how to write your own stories, then this podcast is for you. Check it out here or search for it in your pod-player.

KJ here, popping in to tell y’all about what happened for me with Author Accelerator two weeks ago. I needed a fresh “cold read” of a book that everyone close to me has now read about twelve times, so Author Accelerator set me up with a brand new coach. For $2k (yes, you have to pay for expertise) she read my 320 page manuscript in a weekend and answered all my questions (I had some very specific things I needed help with). I’m wrapping up a revision for my new editor now and I couldn’t be happier. I love that they could do that for me—and I still love the thought that maybe I could become that coach for someone else. If that turns you on, too, head to bookcoaches.com to learn more—or if you’re looking for editorial eyes, check in at authoraccelerator.com. (And reply to this email if you’d like to know more about my coach, who was great!)

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit amwriting.substack.com/subscribe

Episode 256 Your Q's, A'd: Stealing ideas, asking for blurbs and the elusive "platform" Mar 26, 2021

Show notes

It’s part one of… who knows? As we answer questions from our email and our Facebook group (if you’re not part of that, jump in HERE). We answered questions about working with experts, talking about WIPS (nonfiction and fiction, both), sucking up to influencers, being told your platform sucks, Goodreads etiquette and the always popular can you make a living writing (yes, but not quickly or easily).

If your questions is still unanswered, no worries—we’ve got more in the queue for upcoming episodes. And feel free to ask us anything, via Facebook, by replying to this if you’ve received it as an email or by emailing TKPOD EMAIL LINK.

#AmReading

Jess: Yellow Bird by Sierra Crane Murdoch

KJ: A Cup of Silver Linings by Karen Hawkins

Jess here, to rave about all I continue to learn at The Great Courses Plus. I’ve been on a Jamestown kick, a Victoria kick, a great women in writing jag, and even traveled to Ireland recently in a travel video and again through a course on paganism in Europe. Who knows what I will be learning next week. Sometimes I listen to random classes just to see if I like the topic, and if not, who cares! Try another! You can get a month free if you use the link thegreatcoursesplus.com/amwriting. Go forth and learn something!

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit amwriting.substack.com/subscribe

Episode 255 The Power of Writing as Play with Nalini Singh Mar 19, 2021

Show notes

Nalini Singh is a romance writer. Or, she was a romance writer until she decided she wanted to write a thriller. Jess and Sarina had so much fun talking about genre hopping and writing the books that speak to you. There’s no requirement that we stay in our lanes, Nalini reminded us. We also took some time to lament our dearly missed in-person writers conferences and Nalini gushed about the joy of afternoon teas with her superfans.

Sarina often points to Nalini’s email newsletter as one of the best she’s read, so we are linking to it here and you should absolutely sign up. She offers bonus content and glances behind the scenes of her life as a writer in New Zealand.

Finally, Nalini reminds of the power of play in writing. She wrote her thrillers as exercises in play, something with no deadlines attached, and offers this sage advice:

“Don’t be afraid to write the book that wants to be different from all the rest.”

With that, go forth and play with your words, but go visit Nalini Singh’s website first.

#AmReading

Nalini: The entire J.D. Robb backlist

Sarina: Darkroom by Kate Willoughby (part of Sarina’s World of True North)

Jess: Simon v. The Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli

KJ here, popping in to tell y’all about what happened for me with Author Accelerator this week. I needed a fresh “cold read” of a book that everyone close to me has now read about twelve times, so Author Accelerator set me up with a brand new coach. For $2k (yes, you have to pay for expertise) she read my 320 page manuscript in a weekend and answered all my questions (I had some very specific things I needed help with). I’m wrapping up a revision for my new editor now and I couldn’t be happier. I love that they could do that for me—and I still love the thought that maybe I could become that coach for someone else. If that turns you on, too, head to bookcoaches.com to learn more—or if you’re looking for editorial eyes, check in at authoraccelerator.com.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit amwriting.substack.com/subscribe

Episode 254 How to Prep a NonFiction Launch the Jess Way Mar 12, 2021

Show notes

Jess’s new book, The Addiction Inoculation, launches April 6th, and we talk about all the things she’s done to set herself up for feeling like she’s done everything in her power to make this launch a good one. We discuss the differences between launching fiction and non-fiction, first book vs. second book, non-covid v. covid, when to hire a publicist, turning a book into a speaking career and (as always) more.

#AmReading

Sarina: Spoiler Alert by Olivia Dade

Jess: 1619 by James Horn (watching: Jamestown on Amazon Prime)

KJ: You’ll Never Believe What Happened to Lacey by Amber Ruffin and Lacey Lamar

Spring is coming (slowly here in New England) and we’re excited about the whole idea of change and new beginnings and birds and grass and—stuff like that. What does that have to do with #AmWriting? Maybe it’s time for a new beginning for you as a book coach? Just imagine enrolling in the classes, meeting a cohort, learning all the ways coaches are editorial and emotional support for writers and then starting to line up your first clients. Students working with Author Accelerator say they begin to book authors before they’re even done with the course, and often end up being booked months in advance. Sound like fun? AGREED. Go to bookcoaches.com to learn more.

And at the beginning of the episode, we listened to Jess talk about all the things she loves about The Great Courses – and we think you’ll like it too! Whether you want to learn ASL, deep dive into Russian literature, or study more about the history of getting to where we, as humans, are today; The Great Courses Plus has a topic for you. You can find out more by visiting https://www.thegreatcoursesplus.com/amwriting.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit amwriting.substack.com/subscribe

Ep 253 From Breakout Article to Book: Writing about #Nothing and Everything with Olga Mecking Mar 05, 2021

Show notes

Today's guest, Olga Mecking, is a freelance journalist who’s enjoyed exactly the version of success many freelancers dream about. She went from publishing her own work on her blog to pitching outside publications, gradually reaching bigger and bigger audiences until her article The Case for Doing Nothing in the New York Times became a breakout success and led to a book contract for her new book Niksen: Embracing the Dutch Art of Doing Nothing.

I know you’ll enjoy this interview—we go deep into building a freelance career and the nuts and bolts of making that happen. We’re shaking things up a little this week, and I interviewed Olga solo, which made a nice break for me from the novel revisions I’m working on, or at least staring at, this week. One thing Olga and I talk about is what it was like to go from writing articles to writing an entire book—and part of the answer was, painful! But it’s still the dream for many writers. If you’ve got a book in you and you’re struggling to bring it out, you should absolutely check in with our sponsor, Author Accelerator, where they can match you up with a book coach who suits your work no matter where you are in the process. And if it’s the book coaching part of that that intrigues you, Author Accelerator also trains its book coaches in everything that goes into working with writers and running a book coaching business. You can find out more about that at bookcoaches.com/amwriting.

Links from the Podcast

Olga’s freelance portfolio

Olga’s original piece in Woolly Magazine is no longer available online.

Susan Maccarelli’s Beyond Your Blog podcast is also no longer available.

Olga’s original article in the NYT: The Case for Doing Nothing

Olga’s piece in Well Family: In the Country of Motherhood, Finding My Own Path

Some great advice from Olga on freelancing at Forbes.com.

Olga’s grandfather’s memoir of surviving the Holocaust, translated by Olga.

#AmReading

Olga:The Confession by Jessie Burton

Oxford Key Mysteries by Lynn Morrison

KJ:The Cuban Girl’s Guide to Tea and Tomorrow by Laura Taylor Namey

Follow Olga on Facebook, by joining her Facebook Group The Nikseneers or at her website: www.olgamecking.com

We hope you’ve heard Jess waxing rhapsodic about learning all the things over at The Great Courses Plus. Goodness knows what she’s learning about today….small business accounting? The Pacific Theater in WWII? Anything’s possible, because…Jess. If you’d like to learn something new today, you can get a free month of The Great Courses Plus at thegreatcoursesplus.com/amwriting.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit amwriting.substack.com/subscribe

Episode 252 How to Write a Post-Covid Romance with Alisha Rai Feb 26, 2021

Show notes

Alisha Rai writes fun, joyful contemporary romances about smart, mature people who still struggle to find love. And by mature, we don’t mean old—I mean, these characters make good choices and try to understand themselves and other people, but it’s still not easy.

We talk about those character choices, but before we dig in, we discuss Alisha’s decision to set her current book, First Comes Like, in a post-Covid world with special attention to what it’s going to be like as we emerge from a period of loneliness and loss—and still write a funny, entertaining, diverting romance.

#AmReading

KJ: First Comes Like by Alisha Rai

Sarina: Sweetheart by Sarah Mayberry

Alisha: Big Bad Wolf by Suleikha Snyder

Second First Impressions by Sally Thorne

Love at First by Kate Clayborn

Find Alisha:

On Twitter: @AlishaRai

On Instagram: @AlishaRaiWrites

On TikTok: @TheRealAlishaRai

Wish you had someone to discuss settings and characters and possible post-Covid worlds with as you work on your current project? Or do you wish you could be that sounding board for other writers? Our sponsor, Author Accelerator, can help you find a book coach or become one. Find out more at authoraccelerator.com and bookcoaches.com/amwriting.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit amwriting.substack.com/subscribe

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