I Should Be Writing artwork

I Should Be Writing

437 episodes - English - Latest episode: 18 days ago - ★★★★ - 321 ratings

"I should be writing" is what people say, but they rarely do it. This podcast is designed to help you get past those blocks, whether it's what your teacher told you when you were a kid, to being totally sure you'll never be as good as (FAV AUTHOR) so you might as well quit.

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Episodes

ISBW #432: Is the editor mean, or right?

October 02, 2019 22:56 - 13.6 MB

Sometimes editors are right when they suggest edits. But sometimes you're left wondering if they're wrong, or if you just got your writer underwear into a bunch. They're often very smart, but not infallible.  And I was wrong about the name, but K. Tempest Bradford is doing an October warmup of writing prompts, only I don't think you can join anymore. Poop. But you can check her out and sign up for a future class! Copyright 2019, Mur Lafferty -- BY-NC-SA 3.5 License -- murverse.com

ISBW #431: Plotting as a Pantser

October 01, 2019 18:03 - 10.5 MB

Kevin asked how you can work out a more complex plot when you're used to discovery writing. So I talk antagonists' motivation and trusting yourself.  Copyright 2019, Mur Lafferty -- BY-NC-SA 3.5 License -- murverse.com

ISBW #430: How to keep going

September 28, 2019 03:48 - 11.7 MB

It's the question of how to keep going in the face of rejection.  Rejection sucks. That's the facts.  Copyright 2019, Mur Lafferty -- BY-NC-SA 3.5 License -- murverse.com

ISBW #429: NaNo Marathon Training

September 26, 2019 23:47 - 11.6 MB

I have a plan to train for NaNoWriMo! The goal is to start small but be in shape to write 1500+ words a day in November!   Copyright 2019, Mur Lafferty -- BY-NC-SA 3.5 License -- murverse.com

ISBW #428: Just write the stupid thing

September 24, 2019 20:32 - 11.7 MB

I talk about writing that really stupid idea you have, plus the role of agents if you decide to self publish something. Copyright 2019, Mur Lafferty -- BY-NC-SA 3.5 License -- murverse.com

ISBW #427: First paragraphs

September 23, 2019 19:02 - 17.9 MB

How do you open a book? I talk about Beginnings, Middles, and Ends by Nancy Kress and Velocity Weapon by Megan E. O'Keefe.   Copyright 2019, Mur Lafferty -- BY-NC-SA 3.5 License -- murverse.com

ISBW #426

September 19, 2019 21:26 - 11.9 MB

Do you need a different agent for different genres?   Copyright 2019, Mur Lafferty -- BY-NC-SA 3.5 License -- murverse.com

ISNW #425

September 18, 2019 14:36 - 13.3 MB

I talk about characters and conflict and tragedy and killing characters. It's super cheery!

ISBW #424

September 17, 2019 03:12 - 17.1 MB

I talk allll the opinions that you hear as a writer, and then I remind you not to run off and spend a six figure advance. I tried Freedom this weekend and it annoyed the crap out of me.

ISBW #423

September 13, 2019 22:43 - 9.01 MB

This one took me three tries, so it's a little shorter than I intended, but dangit, I had everything going against me today!

ISBW #422

September 13, 2019 01:25 - 9.27 MB

This one is short because the RNG productivity plan had mixed results today.

ISBW #421

September 11, 2019 19:51 - 8.33 MB

My new best friend is the Random Number Generator, since no other productivity program works. Let's try chaos!

ISBW #420

September 10, 2019 19:57 - 16.5 MB

links!  NaNoWriMo  4TheWords  Pacemaker     

ISBW #419

September 10, 2019 00:36 - 8.45 MB

We go to the twitters for questions today. 

ISBW #418

September 07, 2019 04:04 - 8.24 MB

I talk about the new book and how i'm approaching the first scene. It's short, but it's late. 

ISBW #417

September 06, 2019 03:21 - 14.1 MB

I had a terrible day with hurricane watching and migraine, and I still had to take a walk and record, so I decided to share my walk with you. It's windy. I'm sorry. But at least I still have my streak!

ISBW #416

September 04, 2019 18:52 - 7.45 MB

The concepts of success and failure are pretty subjective in the long term.

ISBW #415

September 04, 2019 03:05 - 12.4 MB

New arm brace and hot car recording! Only the best. 

ISBW #414

August 30, 2019 22:28 - 8.63 MB

We are talking agents and Instagram stuff! Happy Friday!

ISBW #413

August 30, 2019 00:48 - 12.5 MB

My new theory is writer's block is about losing the fun of writing. So if you can't think of what to write, then have some fun.

ISBW #412

August 28, 2019 20:03 - 10.6 MB

The Campbell Award is no more! and it's a good thing. Also, pushing through the hard days writing, and wanting to podcast more. 

ISBW #411

August 27, 2019 18:43 - 20.2 MB

More thoughts on WorldCon and I discuss what movie options mean, so far as I've experienced them, anyway. 

I Should Be Writing #410

August 26, 2019 23:00 - 9.08 MB

I'm back from hiatus and travel! And I decided something at WorldCon this year. Listen to find out what that is...   NOTE TO PATRONS- I lost my phone in Glasgow and I am a fan of two factor authentication, which is great until you lose your phone and don't have the ability to get any of your 2FA notices... so I can't log into Patreon to post early/exclusive content.

ISBW #409

May 27, 2019 16:00 - 12.1 MB

I am currently struggling with the structure of the book, so I talk about that, plus A Song of Ice and Fire spoilers (the book series specifically, not the latest TV season). And I'm not sponsored by Scrivener.      Copyright 2019, Mur Lafferty -- BY-NC-SA 3.5 License -- murverse.com

ISBW #408

May 20, 2019 14:51

I haven't been playing too many games and thinking about character. Not me.   Copyright 2019, Mur Lafferty -- BY-NC-SA 3.5 License -- murverse.com

ISBW #407

April 26, 2019 16:00

A quick recording for you in an attempt to be more consistent. 

ISBW #406

April 19, 2019 16:00

I talk novel writing and roadblocks and the Hugo ballot. 

ISBW #405

March 29, 2019 16:00

State of me, state of the show, and much needed feedback.     Copyright 2019, Mur Lafferty -- BY-NC-SA 3.5 License -- murverse.com

ISBW #404: NOVEL WRITING I

February 27, 2019 17:00

Recorded from my hotel room at Boskone, I discuss how I'm approaching my new novel. 

ISBW #403

February 04, 2019 14:47

I talk about some changes coming to the podcast, and then I interview Sherrilyn Kenyon. Remember to email me if you want to win a copy of her book! US only please.    murverse.com | BY NC SA Creative Commons

ISBW #402

November 15, 2018 21:00

I talk about Save the Cat Writes a Novel, and how useful I find the beat sheet from the system.   murverse.com | BY NC SA Creative Commons

ISBW #401

October 25, 2018 19:00

It's time for NaNoWriMo, what are you doing to prepare? Here's what I'm up to.  https://nanowrimo.org/participants/mightymur

ISBW #400

September 20, 2018 16:00

Episode 400, really! It's not a Very Special Episode (TM) but I do think it's important.    murverse.com | BY NC SA Creative Commons

ISBW #399

July 20, 2018 14:39

Almost to 400, and I still feel like I'm a beginner! Wow.

ISBW #398

June 26, 2018 13:00

Back and rambling and OMG I am writing the SOLO novelization!

ISBW #397

May 17, 2018 19:00

And I talk about one of the epiphanies I've had after... sixteen years of writing. It's embarrassing.  

ISBW #396

April 25, 2018 22:11

I have been struggling inside my own head lately, but am trying to get back.

ISBW #395

March 28, 2018 12:00

Lordy, I'm behind on feedback! I catch up here. I'll do a Twitter feedback show in the future. I would love some ideas as to what you want to see in episode 400 of I Should Be Writing. Send me your thoughts! ISBW is sponsored by Serial Box! Yes, my publisher for Bookburners, one of my favorite projects I've worked on in the past few years! Get a discount on a whole season of content with the code WRITING18.

I Should Be Writing #395

March 22, 2018 13:00

In reading a book on luck, I had an epiphany not on luck, but on procrastination. I explore the reason why we may avoid writing, and then I talk to G. S. Denning, author of the Warlock Holmes series. 

ISBW #393

March 13, 2018 13:00

When your supporting characters' response to personally tragic things in their life is "how will this affect this other person?" then you have a problem. Are you a WorldCon member? Don't forget to vote for the Hugos, AND remember you have the power to go to the business meeting! ISBW is sponsored by Serial Box! Yes, my publisher for Bookburners, one of my favorite projects I've worked on in the past few years! Get a discount on a whole season of content with the code WRITING18.

ISBW #392

February 08, 2018 16:00

it's time for the yearly discussion on conventions and etiquette and advice. And then we delve into feedback.

ISBW #391

February 07, 2018 20:00

I got some News. I wish I could tell, but I can't even share with you, my lovely supporters. But the news has made my brain and schedule all higgledy piggeldy. So I talk about that. ISBW is sponsored by Serial Box! Yes, my publisher for Bookburners, one of my favorite projects I've worked on in the past few years! Get a discount on a whole season of content with the code WRITING18. HEY- did you know I'm offering transcriptions of both ISBW and Ditch Diggers? They will go up as soon as I ge...

ISBW #390

January 26, 2018 15:57

Should you find a publisher before the book is done? Should you worry about your pen name before you find an agent? What order should things be done in, anyway?  Brought to you by Serial Box, the "HBO for ebooks." Get a discount on a whole season of content with the code WRITER18.

ISBW #389

January 17, 2018 21:33

I have one resolution this year, and that's to get bored more often. Also, I talk fears, and NBC's The Good Place. I was supposed to have an interview but I just discovered it's crap and I have to re-record. Sorry about that.

ISBW #388

December 21, 2017 22:53

I pontificate about Patreon, transcribing the podcasts, and Star Wars (no spoilers). If you want to support on Patreon, by the way, you can do so here. Happy Holidays!

ISBW 387: Learning how to strike-out

November 21, 2017 18:47

Why is it OK to suck? Specifically, why does stinky writing matter?

ISBW #386

October 30, 2017 17:43

Almost November! Are you ready? Maybe this will help. http://www.NaNoWriMo.org http://www.grantfaulkner.com/

ISBW #385

October 12, 2017 15:46

NaNoWriMo is in less than a month! AUGH! So we talk prep, and we talk to Nicky Drayden, author of The Prey of Gods (which was a NaNo book!)

ISBW #384: The black dog doesn't care

September 28, 2017 18:16

When mild depression hits.

ISBW #383: Point of View // Beth Cato Interview

September 14, 2017 15:21

I discuss the power of point of view and how it makes us sympathize with characters, what the different words (protagonist, antagonist) means, and reference a bunch of books and movies. Then I talk to Beth Cato. AND GUESS WHAT? You can WIN Beth Cato's books! All you have to do is email me and I'll do a random drawing on the next ISBW, but I'd really appreciate it if you spread the word on social media too.

Guests

Alasdair Stuart
1 Episode

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