Improbable Things
83 episodes - English - Latest episode: 9 days ago -"Science Fiction is the improbable made possible," Rod Serling said. As a sci-fi writer, sometimes I've believed as many as six improbable things before breakfast and I'd like to share them with you!
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Episodes
Back to Work, Telling Stories, and Reading Fast
April 11, 2024 11:10 - 15 minutes - 14.5 MBI'm back to both writing and podcasting after a long but helpful break, and I'm making exciting progress on my projects! I'm also telling stories to my kids, reading books in order, and learning one way reading so fast is a helpful tool.
Color-By-Number, The Little Liar, and What Makes Good Fiction
March 21, 2024 11:12 - 21 minutes - 20.1 MBContinuing to go over my latest work in progress and also trying some new things with audiobooks. My daughters love to read or "read" to me, and I've been doing some thinking on what makes me consider a book or movie a "great story."
Things to Fix, Tax Stuff, and Not Feeling Guilty
March 15, 2024 11:15 - 16 minutes - 15.5 MBI'm finding so many small-to-medium things I will need to fix as I go through my latest first draft, and I finally did a small thing that was a huge help for doing my taxes. I'm also trying go let go of reading aloud at the "perfect" time, and I'm slowly learning to not feel the guilt of "not doing enough."
Changes, The Time Traveler's Wife, and Filling the Gap
March 07, 2024 12:16 - 20 minutes - 18.6 MBIn the internet age, unfortunately, you have to be willing to try new things and sometimes let go of old ones when it comes to promoting books. I'm also reading a thought-provoking (but kinda awful) book, and I had a sweet reminder of why I started writing YA sci-fi in the first place.
Almost Done, Amusing Ourselves to Death, and Argylle
February 29, 2024 12:11 - 21 minutes - 20.3 MBI'm very close to finishing the first draft of my next book, and am overall happy with how it's been going! I'm also thinking ahead to next month and reading a very thought-provoking book. Also, my husband and I saw Argylle and had VERY different reactions. Why is that?
Cringey Old Work, Airplanes, and Reading Fast
February 19, 2024 12:10 - 18 minutes - 17.1 MBI had to rethink the last half of my current work-in-progress, but that's still not as painful as revisiting old work! Also, we are reading books about airplanes, I'm reading a surprisingly good thriller, and I might be reading a bit too fast--or am I?
Recommendations, Koalas, and Fitting Dreams Into Life
February 08, 2024 12:09 - 21 minutes - 20.1 MBIt looks like I'll be able to finish writing my next book this month, and I have a couple recommendations for learning how to outline a novel. Also, my daughter LOVES koalas, I'm reading Demon Copperhead, and I'm trying to be flexible when it comes to writing consistently with so many babies around!
Writing Schedule, Cuddles, and Motivation vs. Willpower
January 25, 2024 12:10 - 21 minutes - 19.9 MBI'm trying to step up my wordcount next month so I can get this book finished, and I'm thinking about my reading for the year. I also got a very sweet reminder of why I need to be flexible in my daily schedule. And which do you need more, motivation or willpower?
Exciting Scenes, Fight Night, and Eclectic Reading Tastes
January 18, 2024 11:59 - 16 minutes - 15 MBI got to one of those scenes in the Firmament series I've looked forward to writing for over a decade! I'm also not sure what I'll be bringing to my book club's "fight night," my daughter read me a whole book, and I've been thinking about how I'll read pretty much anything.
Chapter Length, Books for Christmas, and Progress vs. Pressure
January 11, 2024 12:03 - 15 minutes - 14.6 MBMy novella is about to release, I have an unusual method for writing chapters, and my two-year-old loves routine. Also, is there a way to be consistent in working towards your goals without putting pressure on yourself and your family?
New Goals, Prophet, and Planning Stories
January 04, 2024 12:00 - 15 minutes - 14.2 MBNew year, new reading and writing goals! I have several projects going, I'm finally reading a book I've meant to get to for years, and my daughter's interest in reading had exploded. Also, is it possible to be 100% planner when it comes to writing?
Missing Characters, Reading Fast, and Stories That Stick With You
December 14, 2023 12:12 - 16 minutes - 15.5 MBI'm wrapping up my writing projects for the year, but somehow I find I always miss my characters as soon as I'm not working with them! I'm also having to speed through my current read, which is unexpectedly fun. And what is it that makes some books impact you even if they aren't your favorites?
Wrapped, 2024 Plans, and Truly Madly Guilty
December 08, 2023 12:48 - 18 minutes - 16.9 MBI got to see my Wrapped podcasting stats and was encouraged! I'm also thinking ahead to what 2024 will look like for me as an author, and I'm reading a book I've meant to read for awhile. The book has me thinking--how do you balance letting tragedy happen in stories without taking it too far?
New Release, Lightbulb Moments, and How to Tell a Story
November 17, 2023 12:20 - 16 minutes - 15.5 MBMy newest book is OUT and I'm revealing the synopsis for the next book! I'm also fascinated by the sudden leaps of development and growth in my kids, and I just finished reading a book that has me thinking that the WAY you tell a story may matter more than the story itself...
Progenitor, True Art, and Feedback
November 06, 2023 13:13 - 15 minutes - 14.5 MBI've had to start work on the next Firmament book already, even as I race to get the current one published! I'm also trying hard to figure out Amazon ads, thinking about what art truly is, and I saw the new Agatha Christie movie and was very confused--but not in the way you might think.
Back Again, New Projects, and Valuing Reading
October 26, 2023 12:00 - 16 minutes - 15.7 MBI'm finally back after months of maternity leave! What have I been working on, besides caring for an adorable baby? I have news about upcoming releases as well as updates about my daughter learning to read. Also, is love of reading something that can be imparted to our children?
Series News, Children's Books, and Maternity Leave
June 10, 2023 23:12 - 19 minutes - 18.1 MBI have a whole bunch of updates on my series, and we have a whole bunch of new books around our house! Also, I was not impressed by my first foray into the works of Wilkie Collins, and I discuss the concept of "drifting into" maternity leave and what that means for me.
Making Letters, Cults, and Imperfections
May 18, 2023 10:41 - 19 minutes - 18.8 MBMy book will be released in two days, so I've been busy! Also, my daughter has found a creative way to express the alphabet, I'm learning a lot about cults, and I'm discovering how impossible it is to be perfectly consistent when writing a long series.
New Poetry, Closing Libraries, and Letting Go
May 04, 2023 11:07 - 20 minutes - 19.1 MBOne of my current projects is forcing me to write poetry for the first time in years, our library is closing, and I'm reading a book about an octopus. Also, is there a difference between letting things slide and intentionally letting things go?
3rd Edition, A Grief Observed, and Failure in Stories
April 20, 2023 11:17 - 21 minutes - 20.2 MBI have lots of news about my series, including the 3rd edition of book 1! Also, I'm reading an unusual book by C.S. Lewis, and watching Lost in Space has me thinking about how failure can be used for the good of a story.
Progress, Tweedle-Beetles, and Biographies
April 13, 2023 11:14 - 21 minutes - 20.5 MBI can see the light at the end of the tunnel of revisions on my series! Also, how exactly does one act like a Tweedle-Beetle? And what is the absolute BEST part about writing, reading, or watching a series?
Series Decisions, Noisy House, and Indie April
April 06, 2023 11:17 - 20 minutes - 19.4 MBWhich is better for interesting readers, a summary or a sample scene? How can one get good audio recordings in a loud home? And is indie publishing really a better path than self-publishing?
Old Writing, Imagination, and Year 33
March 31, 2023 10:13 - 26 minutes - 25.3 MBI got to look over some of my VERY old writing this week, which can be both fun and embarrassing, my kids are starting to use their imaginations, and I had a great opportunity this week to think back over the past year and how I've grown and all that I've accomplished.
Release Date, Getting Things Done, and Shazam
March 24, 2023 10:55 - 28 minutes - 27 MBI have a release date for my next book! I also have an idea for sharing about how I get so much done with little kids around. Meanwhile, what do Shazam: Fury of the Gods and Ted Lasso have in common?
Writer's Group, Charlotte's Web, and Books vs. Movies
March 16, 2023 11:23 - 24 minutes - 23.2 MBWork on my second editions is going slow but steady, and I finally attended a group I've intended to visit for the past 7 years! I'm also watching Charlotte's Web and reading a LOT of books, including The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. And I have thoughts.
Writing Style, Impact, and Feelings
March 09, 2023 12:21 - 28 minutes - 26.5 MBGoing back and revising my books for new editions is like taking a tour over the development of my writing style, for better or worse. I'm also teaching my daughter to read and immersing myself in Jane Austen. And how do I stay motivated when feelings and mental health fluctuate?
Bad Writing, Jane Austen, and Motivation
February 23, 2023 12:15 - 20 minutes - 18.9 MBRevising my old works is making me see that my writing was really, really bad back then. I'm also deciding what to prioritize in my series, and of course reading more Jane Austen. And how can I use the approaching end of a project to motivate myself?
Revisions, Superbowl Parties, and Commitment
February 16, 2023 16:29 - 18 minutes - 17.7 MBStill working on revising the early books in my series and it's been very revealing. Can word choice show a fear of commitment? Also, how do little bookworms behave at a Superbowl party? And why is C.S. Lewis's writing just SO good?
Revisiting, Math, and Limitations
February 09, 2023 11:14 - 22 minutes - 20.5 MBRevisiting and revising the early books in my series has been more bittersweet than I expected. I also always forget how much I dislike math until I have to do it, and I've been thinking a lot about how my writing can fit well into my life as a mom.
Planners, Questions, and Spending Money
February 02, 2023 12:46 - 19 minutes - 18.6 MBNew month means time to break out the planner and keep track of those goals! Also, there are people in my life who ask questions during movies, I'm reading Jane Austen, and it turns out you do have to spend money to make money.
Giveaway, Reading Skills, and Timelines
January 27, 2023 11:31 - 20 minutes - 19.2 MBI've got a new story on Kindle Vella, new bookmarks, and news of a really awesome giveaway! Also, I'm learning HOW to read (I thought I already knew how) and am debating making a big change to my series.
Sneak Peeks, Bookmarks, and Taking Risks
January 12, 2023 12:32 - 20 minutes - 18.7 MBMy book is FINISHED and off with my editor, and podcast listeners get the first sneak peek of the synopsis! Also, I got my kids a CD player, I'm reading all the Jane Austen, and if I want to grow my business that means I need to change how I do things -- right?
Planners, Persuasion, and Passion
January 06, 2023 13:50 - 19 minutes - 18.7 MBWelcome to 2023! I'm making great progress on my work in progress, making plans for the new year, and making decisions about what projects to focus on. How does one find balance between personal passion and the business side of things, anyway?
Fun Facts, Allegories, and New Year Goals
December 19, 2022 12:44 - 21 minutes - 20.1 MBI'm rewriting chapters, publishing a Christmas story, and gathering bookish fun facts. Also, I discovered this week what a difference your perspective makes when reading, and I'm thinking about my goals and hopes for 2023.
Periphery, Chocolates, and Pregnancy
December 09, 2022 13:22 - 18 minutes - 17.5 MBEditing is finally speeding up a little! I'm also still publishing short stories on Vella, and I posted my first TikTok. Plus, now that news of my pregnancy is out, I can share how that's been affecting my writing journey.
Lifetime Earnings, TikTok, and the Future of the Podcast
December 03, 2022 12:57 - 18 minutes - 17.2 MBI checked what my lifetime sales and earnings for all my books are and it was fascinating! I'm also trying TikTok, against my better judgment, and am getting to beta-read the next book in a series I love. Also, what is the purpose of this podcast? What should it look like going forward?
Kindle Unlimited, The Introvert Advantage, and Anne of Green Gables
November 23, 2022 11:30 - 16 minutes - 16 MBEditing is going slowly but steadily, and I got a peek into one reader's journey through my series! I also got new bookshelves, plan to teach my daughter to read, and have been thinking about what an oasis of purity and joy a good story can be.
One Year, Playing Ball, and Aphantasia
October 27, 2022 13:48 - 18 minutes - 17.3 MBIt's been a year since I started this podcast! I've written and published a lot since then, plus we now have our own back yard -- though I'm using it a bit differently than I intended. Also, how does my inability to visualize things impact my writing?
Paperbacks, Undermining Characters, and Writing in Heaven
October 20, 2022 11:43 - 16 minutes - 15.9 MBI finally received my copies of my latest book and I'm so pleased with them! I also voice my discomfort with the "everything you thought you knew about this character is a lie" trope, and I contemplate whether we will write in Heaven. If so, will we write fiction? What would perfect fiction look like?
Big News, Buying Books, and Killing Your Darlings
October 13, 2022 12:52 - 15 minutes - 14.9 MBI have major updates on all three of the stories I've been working on! I also bought a bunch of books over the weekend because one can never have enough, I'm reading quite a hefty book currently, and I have been pondering how to "kill your darlings" without losing what you love about your story.
Much Progress, Babies Reading Books, and Harnessing Procrastination
October 06, 2022 12:27 - 19 minutes - 18.8 MBBig things are afoot for the next three books in my series! I also have a cute story to tell about my baby, I love reading entertaining grammar books, and I'm learning to use procrastination as fuel for productivity.
Reworking, Military Stories, and Quantity vs. Quality
September 30, 2022 12:06 - 20 minutes - 19.6 MBI've had to completely rethink huge chunks of both stories I'm currently working on, I have a new project I'm releasing, and I'm wondering why I struggle with reading military and action-based stories. Also, which is more valuable when it comes to art -- quantity or quality?
First Drafts, Book Girl, and the Joy of Habits
September 22, 2022 12:53 - 16 minutes - 15.5 MBI'm more than halfway finished with my work in progress, but I'm struggling with it. I'm also back to reviewing my 2021 reads, and I have a recommendation from my 2022 list as well! And can faithfulness in building habits actually bring, not only momentum, but joy?
Newsletter, Sign Language, and Lack of Inspiration
September 15, 2022 12:12 - 18 minutes - 17.1 MBI give updates on my works in progress, talk about my struggles with my newsletter, and explain why and how I'm thinking about learning sign language. Also, I finished Project Hail Mary, and it's kind of amazing how much I love writing and yet hate... well, writing.
Higher Shelves, Exposition, and Narrative Lensing
September 08, 2022 11:44 - 22 minutes - 21.7 MBI have exciting writing updates to share, plus I finally finished a show I've been watching off and on for half a decade! Also, do you know what narrative lensing is? I didn't, but now that I've learned about it I think it's going to help my writing a lot.
Openings, Silly Stories, and Theme vs. Point
September 01, 2022 12:49 - 18 minutes - 17.1 MBOne story is publishing, I'm about to start editing the next, and I've started writing another! In the midst of all that, I have some thoughts about a children's book we enjoyed, a grown-up book I'm not enjoying so much, and how theme and point affect your protagonist.
Websites, Letter Sounds, and Self-Limitations
August 26, 2022 12:09 - 22 minutes - 21 MBNews about writing, publishing, and my website! Also, my daughter is learning how she can use letter sounds to figure out words, I'm re-reading an old favorite, and I'm doing lots of thinking about the word "can't."
Victories, Rankings, and Exploring Topics
August 18, 2022 12:44 - 22 minutes - 21.5 MBI reached an important writing goal yesterday, and other good writing-related things are happening lately, too! Also, I hot to see firsthand how kids can be influenced in small ways by stories, and I ponder gratuitous content in books and how you can explore complex topics in unusual ways.
Promotion, Previewing, and Punctuation
August 11, 2022 12:31 - 19 minutes - 18.7 MBI'm staying busy publishing, writing, and promoting, and still finding time to take my kids to the library! I'm also reading a lot, which gives me thoughts about grammar and punctuation, why they matter, and what it communicates if you don't use them.
Easy Readers, Brave New World, and Fear
August 04, 2022 12:45 - 18 minutes - 17.2 MBProgress on the Firmament series marches on slowly but surely, including wrapping up the first draft of the next book. Meanwhile, we found a better section of library books, I'm continuing my journey through classic dystopias, and I am forced to face the real reason I don't actively market my books.