The Career Author Podcast

Latest Episodes:

How Video Games Can Make You a Better Storyteller Apr 09, 2020

Show notes

How Video Games Can Make You a Better Storyteller

If you’ve been a listener of this podcast for any period of time, then you know it’s no secret that Zach loves video games. He grew up in arcades and with an NES controller in his hands. But are they just a way for him to pass the time, or have they actually helped him improve his craft?

In answering one of his most asked questions, Zach brings non-gamer J. Thorn along for an entire episode dedicated to how video games have influenced his storytelling in writing over more than two dozen novels.

The Career Author Podcast is a podcast where co-authors J. Thorn and Zach Bohannon share their struggles and successes as full-time authors, advice for improving your writing craft, and honest discussions of what it takes to build a successful career as an author.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

Why video games get a bad rap
How video games have changed over the years
How playing games can help you build better worlds
What types of games are best for writers
Why video games have some of the best stories and themes in all entertainment
How you can develop better Choices through gaming

Also in this episode, learn how you can easily jot notes down while brainstorming in the shower.

Send us your ways and hacks - https://thecareerauthor.com/waysandhacks/

Leave us a comment: Do video games influence your writing? If not, what medium most inspires your stories?

Thanks to our Patrons.

Podcast sponsored by Kobo Writing Life - https://writinglife.kobobooks.com

Get exclusive bonus content by supporting The Career Author Podcast on Patreon at www.patreon.com/thecareerauthor

Want to work with us? Get the details at https://thecareerauthor.com/services/

Links:

Aquanotes - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01AS5I0ZS/

The Career Author YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/thecareerauthor

Three Story Method - https://books2read.com/threestorymethod

Three Story Method Workbook - https://amzn.to/37SAR1a

Molten Universe Media - http://www.moltenuniversemedia.com

Events - https://thecareerauthor.com/events/

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

SPECIAL BONUS EPISODE! Live Q & A! Apr 06, 2020

Show notes

SPECIAL BONUS EPISODE! Live Q & A!

Recorded live on April 5, 2020 with Zoom.

Podcast sponsored by Kobo Writing Life - https://writinglife.kobobooks.com

Get exclusive bonus content by supporting The Career Author Podcast on Patreon at www.patreon.com/thecareerauthor

Want to work with us? Get the details at https://thecareerauthor.com/services/

Links:

The Career Author YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/thecareerauthor

Three Story Method - https://books2read.com/threestorymethod

Three Story Method Workbook - https://amzn.to/37SAR1a

Molten Universe Media - http://www.moltenuniversemedia.com

Events - https://thecareerauthor.com/events/

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

A Nonfiction Book Launch Wide: The First 30 Days Apr 02, 2020

Show notes

A Nonfiction Book Launch Wide: The First 30 Days

Launching a book wide is a new challenge for J. and Zach, especially a nonfiction book. With differences in strategy, pricing, format, and distribution, it can be difficult to decide what to do and what not to do.

After the first 30 days of “Three Story Method,” the guys discuss their plan, results and what they would do differently. They discuss the nuances of ebook, paperback, audio, and workbook as well as the ways in which promotion is different for nonfiction than fiction.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

What J. and Zach did during the first 30 days of the book launch
How those actions created (or didn’t) measurable results
What worked in order of impact
The things the guys might do differently next time

Also in this episode, learn how you can use nostalgia to create memorable characters.

Send us your ways and hacks - https://thecareerauthor.com/waysandhacks/

Leave us a comment: Have you or will you launch wide? If so, what’s one thing you plan on doing that you normally wouldn’t if launching into KU?

Thanks to our Patrons.

Podcast sponsored by Kobo Writing Life - https://writinglife.kobobooks.com

Get exclusive bonus content by supporting The Career Author Podcast on Patreon at www.patreon.com/thecareerauthor

Want to work with us? Get the details at https://thecareerauthor.com/services/

Links:

The Career Author YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/thecareerauthor

Three Story Method - https://books2read.com/threestorymethod

Three Story Method Workbook - https://amzn.to/37SAR1a

Molten Universe Media - http://www.moltenuniversemedia.com

Events - https://thecareerauthor.com/events/

WORKOUT AT HOME!

Join Sully for daily body-weight workouts you can do from home or in the yard, at the park or on the trail. Follow Sully on Instagram at @thomasjsullivant or on Twitter @TSullyfitness. Sully is a personal and group fitness trainer, retired Air Force vet, and Sci-fi/Post-apoc author. Donate at http://paypal.me/TSullyFitness #WODpocalypse

SPECIAL EPISODE!

On Sunday, April 5, 2020 at 8pm EST, join us for a live Q & A episode that we’ll publish as a bonus episode for all. Details here: https://thecareerauthor.com/liveqa/

See acast.com/pr

How to Efficiently Work From Home Mar 26, 2020

Show notes

How to Efficiently Work From Home

With many people forced to stay indoors as we fight through the COVID-19 pandemic, many writers are finding themselves with more time to write. Some are even getting to write full-time as their day jobs temporarily shut down.

Writing full-time and working at home possesses many challenges that people don’t think about. Today, Zach and J. talk about some of those challenges and give tips on how you can avoid the pitfalls of time mismanagement and distraction.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

Why a dedicated space is important
What rituals Zach and J. find sacred for productivity
How the right music can fuel creativity
Why scheduling tasks is crucial
How to avoid procrastination and distraction
Why communication is key

Also in this episode, learn a few ways you can work out from home with little to no equipment.

Send us your ways and hacks - https://thecareerauthor.com/waysandhacks/

Leave us a comment: With the changes in our daily lives due to Coronavirus, how are you handling your writing career?

Thanks to our Patrons.

Podcast sponsored by Kobo Writing Life - https://writinglife.kobobooks.com

Get exclusive bonus content by supporting The Career Author Podcast on Patreon at www.patreon.com/thecareerauthor

Want to work with us? Get the details at https://thecareerauthor.com/services/

Links:

The Career Author YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/thecareerauthor

Three Story Method - https://books2read.com/threestorymethod

Three Story Method Workbook - https://amzn.to/37SAR1a

Molten Universe Media - http://www.moltenuniversemedia.com

Events - https://thecareerauthor.com/events/

SPECIAL EPISODES!

Make sure you tune in to our 2 special episodes coming up:

On Sunday, March 29, 2020 at 8pm EST, join us for a Netflix Watch party for one of our favorite “The Office” episodes - “Dinner Party” (episode 13 of season 4).
You’ll need a Netflix account (you can get a free 30-day trial if you don’t have one), as well as the free Netflix Party Chrome extension that you can find here: https://www.netflixparty.com/
Install Netflix Party and then visit https://thecareerauthor.com/netflixparty where we will post the join link. Once you click on the link at 8pm EST, you’ll click on the red “NP” icon now on your Chrome browser and you’ll be watching in sync with us PLUS we can talk to

Digital Minimalism: A Year Later Mar 19, 2020

Show notes

Digital Minimalism: A Year Later

Last year, Zach and J. recorded an episode discussing Digital Minimalism inspired by the bestselling book of the same name by Cal Newport. After reading that book, both Zach and J. greatly reduced the time they spend on devices. Zach even completely left social media, a move controversial to many authors.

How have the guys fared over the past year as full-time creatives with little to no social media presence, and how has it impacted their day-to-day lives?

In this episode, you’ll discover:

How being off social media has impacted Zach and J.’s author careers
How a minimal digital life has impacted their personal lives
Why you should consider deleting apps and turning off notifications
How to live in the moment and be more present
Why cultivating silence and being bored is crucial for creativity
How you might be delivering or experiencing FOMO without realizing it

Also in this episode, Zach shares a listener tip for those who like to write outside of the house.

Send us your ways and hacks - https://thecareerauthor.com/waysandhacks/

Leave us a comment: Have you considered a break from or even quitting social media?

Thanks to our newest Patrons, Matty Dalrymple, Jeannette Bedard, Dean Watts.

Podcast sponsored by Kobo Writing Life - https://writinglife.kobobooks.com

Get exclusive bonus content by supporting The Career Author Podcast on Patreon at www.patreon.com/thecareerauthor

Want to work with us? Get the details at https://thecareerauthor.com/services/

Links:

Digital Minimalism by Cal Newport - https://books2read.com/u/ba27x6

Panera Coffee Subscription - https://www.panerabread.com/en-us/mypanera/mypanera-coffee-subscription.html

The Career Author YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/thecareerauthor

Three Story Method - https://books2read.com/threestorymethod

Three Story Method Workbook - https://amzn.to/37SAR1a

Molten Universe Media - http://www.moltenuniversemedia.com

Events - https://thecareerauthor.com/events/

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Special Guest J.D. Barker Mar 12, 2020

Show notes

Special Guest J.D. Barker

In this special episode, Zach and J. welcome international bestselling author J.D. Barker! J.D. co-hosts the Writers, Ink Podcast with J. but he does so much more. Barker has cowritten with one of Bram Stoker’s descendants as well as with James Patterson. He is a master of horror and suspense and we get to know him better in this conversation.

In the opening, the guys discuss the global situation right now including tornados and pandemics.

About J.D. Barker:

J.D. Barker is the international best-selling author of numerous novels, including DRACUL and THE FOURTH MONKEY. He is currently collaborating with James Patterson. His novels have been translated into two dozen languages and optioned for both film and television. Barker resides in coastal New Hampshire with his wife, Dayna, and their daughter, Ember.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

Why podcasting with J. was one of J.D.’s lifelong dreams
What’s it like to cowrite with James Patterson
How a pantser (J.D.) and a plotter (James Patterson) can work together
What Dean Koontz taught J.D. about drafting
The definition of a hybrid writer
How J.D. gets his books in front of as many readers as possible
Common mistakes authors make when pursuing traditional publishing

Also in this episode, J. shares his new Pinterest strategy.

Send us your ways and hacks - https://thecareerauthor.com/waysandhacks/

Leave us a comment: How do you get your books in front of as many readers as possible?

Thanks to all of our Patrons.

Podcast sponsored by Kobo Writing Life - https://writinglife.kobobooks.com

Get exclusive bonus content by supporting The Career Author Podcast on Patreon at www.patreon.com/thecareerauthor

Want to work with us? Get the details at https://thecareerauthor.com/services/

Links:

J.D. Barker - https://jdbarker.com/

She Has A Broken Thing Where Her Heart Should Be by J.D. Barker - https://amzn.to/2TSQ4dt

Writers, Ink Podcast - https://writersinkpodcast.com/

J.’s new Pinterest profile - https://www.pinterest.com/theauthorlife/

The Career Author YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/thecareerauthor

Three Story Method - https://books2read.com/threestorymethod

Three Story Method Workbook - https://amzn.to/37SAR1a

Molten Universe Media - http://www.moltenuniversemedia.com

Events - https://thecareerauthor.com/events/

See acast.com/p

The Three Story Method Mar 05, 2020

Show notes

The Three Story Method

The Three Story Method is available now! Zach and J. go deep on their methodology in this episode, discussing how it evolved and why now is the right time to share it with other authors.

In addition, the two career authors discuss the primary objections to using any story framework or methodology, the rule of three, the six elements, and the core concept of the Three Story Method.

Three Story Method has been published wide, on all major platforms for both ebook and paperback markets. The audiobook version is currently in review at Findaway where it will also be distributed wide to multiple, global platforms.

Early feedback on the official Three Story Method Workbook is positive.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

Why J. and Zach agree with James Patterson in that 99.9% of all writers benefit from planning
Myths about the complexity of storytelling
The magic of the number 3
Why Aristotle is (still) the man
How the order of pre-production can affect the final story
What’s next for Three Story Method

Send us your ways and hacks - https://thecareerauthor.com/waysandhacks/

Leave us a comment: What questions do you have about Three Story Method?

Thanks to all of our Patrons.

Podcast sponsored by Kobo Writing Life - https://writinglife.kobobooks.com

Get exclusive bonus content by supporting The Career Author Podcast on Patreon at www.patreon.com/thecareerauthor

Want to work with us? Get the details at https://thecareerauthor.com/services/

Links:

Writers, Ink interview with Chuck Palahniuk - https://writersinkpodcast.com/tapping-into-your-readers-emotions-with-chuck-palahniuk/

The Career Author YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/thecareerauthor

Three Story Method - https://books2read.com/threestorymethod

Three Story Method Workbook - https://amzn.to/37SAR1a

Molten Universe Media - http://www.moltenuniversemedia.com

Events - https://thecareerauthor.com/events/

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The Three Story Method Influencer Series: Story Feb 27, 2020

Show notes

The Three Story Method Influencer Series: Story

In the fourth of this special 5-part series, Zach and J. examine Story by Robert McKee. They discuss how his ideas changed the way Hollywood approached modern storytelling. In addition, Zach asks J. how he incorporated elements of Story in Three Story Method and the ways they impact novel writing.

Although not strictly a methodology like the Hero’s Journey or Virgin’s Promise, McKee’s seminal work explores critical elements of storytelling such as plot vs. character, the importance of choice, and theme.

Heavily influenced by many of the ideas in Story, J. and Zach take a deep dive into some of the more abstract concepts and explain how they relate to long-form storytelling.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

Why the debate over plot-driven vs. character-driven stories is irrelevant
How McKee explains the importance of choice and consequence
What makes a solid and compelling theme
Why setting matters
How J. modeled elements of Three Story Method after concepts in Story

Send us your ways and hacks - https://thecareerauthor.com/waysandhacks/

Leave us a comment: What questions do you have about Story and Three Story Method?

Thanks to all of our Patrons.

Podcast sponsored by Kobo Writing Life - https://writinglife.kobobooks.com

Get exclusive bonus content by supporting The Career Author Podcast on Patreon at www.patreon.com/thecareerauthor

Want to work with us? Get the details at https://thecareerauthor.com/services/

Links:

Story: Style, Structure, Substance, and the Principles of Screenwriting by Robert McKee - https://amzn.to/2T7TgSt

The Golden Theme: How to Make Your Writing Appeal to the Highest Common Denominator by Brian McDonald - https://amzn.to/2SRTE8u

Episode 78 (talking high concept) - https://thecareerauthor.com/ep078/

The Career Author YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/thecareerauthor

Three Story Method - http://threestorymethod.com

Molten Universe Media - http://www.moltenuniversemedia.com

Events - https://thecareerauthor.com/events/

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The Three Story Method Influencer Series: The Virgin’s Promise Feb 20, 2020

Show notes

The Three Story Method Influencer Series: The Virgin’s Promise

In the third of this special 5-part series, Zach and J. examine the Virgin’s Promise developed by Kim Hudson. They discuss how these ideas will change modern storytelling. In addition, Zach asks J. how he incorporated the Virgin’s Promise in Three Story Method and the ways they impact novel writing.

The Virgin’s Promise provides an alternative to the monomyth, a non-linear story archetype that accentuates the duality of feminine and masculine energy.

Being open to new ideas and techniques can yield great results and add tools to the novelists toolbox.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

How the Virgin’s Promise is like the Hero’s Journey
How the Virgin’s Promise is different than the Hero’s Journey
Why Hudson believes in the duality of existence
How the 13 Beats of the Virgin’s Promise can be applied to Star Wars: The Force Awakens
Why an internal story arc is so important in modern storytelling
How J. modeled elements of Three Story Method after the Virgin’s Promise

Send us your ways and hacks - https://thecareerauthor.com/waysandhacks/

Leave us a comment: What questions do you have about the Virgin’s Promise and Three Story Method?

Thanks to all of our Patrons.

Podcast sponsored by Kobo Writing Life - https://writinglife.kobobooks.com

Get exclusive bonus content by supporting The Career Author Podcast on Patreon at www.patreon.com/thecareerauthor

Want to work with us? Get the details at https://thecareerauthor.com/services/

Links:

Google Play Publisher Account - http://g.co/play/publish

The Virgin’s Promise - https://amzn.to/2vx3nI4

The Career Author YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/thecareerauthor

Three Story Method - http://threestorymethod.com

Molten Universe Media - http://www.moltenuniversemedia.com

Events - https://thecareerauthor.com/events/

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The Three Story Method Influencer Series: The Hero’s Journey Feb 13, 2020

Show notes

The Three Story Method Influencer Series: The Hero’s Journey

In the second of this special 5-part series, Zach and J. examine the Hero’s Journey as created by Joseph Cambpell and recreated by Christopher Vogler. They discuss how these ideas have influenced modern storytelling. In addition, Zach asks J. how he incorporated the Hero’s Journey in Three Story Method and the ways they impact novel writing.

While some may believe that we’re transitioning out of the monomyth era, it’s still important to recognize the underlying story architecture that has become second nature for most of us.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

The way Campbell approached the Hero’s Journey
How Vogler refined Campbell’s theory
The difference between Campbell and Vogler
How the 12 Stages of the Hero’s Journey can be applied to Star Wars: A New Hope
Why the Hero’s Journey story archetype is so prevalent in modern storytelling
How J. modeled elements of Three Story Method after the Hero’s Journey

Send us your ways and hacks - https://thecareerauthor.com/waysandhacks/

Leave us a comment: What questions do you have about the Hero’s Journey and Three Story Method?

Thanks to all of our Patrons.

Podcast sponsored by Kobo Writing Life - https://writinglife.kobobooks.com

Get exclusive bonus content by supporting The Career Author Podcast on Patreon at www.patreon.com/thecareerauthor

Want to work with us? Get the details at https://thecareerauthor.com/services/