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 MBSometimes 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 MBKevin 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 MBIt'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 MBI 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 MBI 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 MBHow 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 MBDo 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 MBI talk about characters and conflict and tragedy and killing characters. It's super cheery!
ISBW #424
September 17, 2019 03:12 - 17.1 MBI 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 MBThis 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 MBThis one is short because the RNG productivity plan had mixed results today.
ISBW #421
September 11, 2019 19:51 - 8.33 MBMy new best friend is the Random Number Generator, since no other productivity program works. Let's try chaos!
ISBW #418
September 07, 2019 04:04 - 8.24 MBI 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 MBI 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 MBThe concepts of success and failure are pretty subjective in the long term.
ISBW #413
August 30, 2019 00:48 - 12.5 MBMy 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 MBThe 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 MBMore 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 MBI'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 MBI 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 14:51I 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 #405
March 29, 2019 16:00State 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 17:00Recorded from my hotel room at Boskone, I discuss how I'm approaching my new novel.
ISBW #403
February 04, 2019 14:47I 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 21:00I 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 19:00It'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 16:00Episode 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 #397
May 17, 2018 19:00And I talk about one of the epiphanies I've had after... sixteen years of writing. It's embarrassing.
ISBW #396
April 25, 2018 22:11I have been struggling inside my own head lately, but am trying to get back.
ISBW #395
March 28, 2018 12:00Lordy, 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 13:00In 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 13:00When 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 16:00it's time for the yearly discussion on conventions and etiquette and advice. And then we delve into feedback.
ISBW #391
February 07, 2018 20:00I 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 15:57Should 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 21:33I 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 22:53I 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 18:47Why is it OK to suck? Specifically, why does stinky writing matter?
ISBW #386
October 30, 2017 17:43Almost November! Are you ready? Maybe this will help. http://www.NaNoWriMo.org http://www.grantfaulkner.com/
ISBW #385
October 12, 2017 15:46NaNoWriMo 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 #383: Point of View // Beth Cato Interview
September 14, 2017 15:21I 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.