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The Word Weaver Podcast

74 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 2 years ago - ★★★★★ - 5 ratings

The best podcast for writers! Learn how to write a book, listen to author interviews, and get tangible writing tips, advice, motivation and inspiration to achieve your dream of writing a book.

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Episodes

Ch. 73 | Three Things That Have Changed My Writing Life Lately

December 01, 2021 11:00 - 19.6 MB

On today’s chapter of the #WordWeaverPodcast I share three things that have changed my writing life for the better lately including: 1. Kanban Board 2. Setting not only a daily, but also weekly word count target for my WIP (and of course, stickers!) 3. Scrivener (desktop version for writers ~ not sponsored!) The Word Weaver Podcast is available on all podcast platforms and now on YouTube. Word Weaver Podcast Links Instagram: @wordweaverpodcast Website: louiseclairejohnson.com/podcast ...

Ch. 72 | Use the Rule of Three to Write Compelling Characters

November 24, 2021 11:00 - 12.7 MB

On today’s chapter of the #WordWeaverPodcast I share how using the rule of three in your writing to create compelling character arcs can help raise the stakes in your novel. The Word Weaver Podcast is available on all podcast platforms and now on YouTube. Word Weaver Podcast Links Instagram: @wordweaverpodcast Website: louiseclairejohnson.com/podcast #wordweaverpodcast NEW episodes weekly on Word Weaver Wednesdays. Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review and screenshot/share the Wo...

Ch. 71 | Defining Your Book's Premise, Logline, and Elevator Pitch

November 17, 2021 11:00 - 20.5 MB

Today’s chapter of the #WordWeaverPodcast is short and sweet, but imperative for a great story. Learning how to write a book premise, logline, and define your book’s elevator pitch is the first step to writing a book. The second step is structuring, outlining, and plotting — but first, you need to understand your book’s central idea/theme, what drives the plot. Typically, a premise needs to contain 3 things in a single sentence: A protagonist A goal (what does your protagonist want or ne...

Ch. 70 | Author Lindsay Zier-Vogel on Her Debut Novel LETTERS TO AMELIA

November 10, 2021 11:00 - 94.4 MB

On today’s chapter of the #WordWeaverPodcast I have the pleasure of chatting with author Lindsay Zier-Vogel about her debut novel, LETTERS TO AMELIA. In our conversation, we discuss (amongst many things): the transformative power of letter writing, what it’s like to launch your first book during a pandemic, the research process into the undocumented parts of Amelia Earhart’s life, dealing with devastating rejections, and how specificity is key to great writing. The Word Weaver Podcast is ...

Ch. 69 | How to Handle Constructive Criticism as a Writer

October 27, 2021 10:00 - 36 MB

On today’s chapter of the #WordWeaverPodcast I chat about ways to handle constructive criticism and negative feedback as a writer. Writing and publishing books requires a level of vulnerability that can make the harsh sting of criticism hurt on a personal level, but learning how to deal with criticism is crucial for a long-lasting career as an author. In this episode I talk about differentiating between constructive criticism you should ignore and helpful feedback that can enhance your writi...

Ch. 68 | Colby Sharma, Speaker and Author of The Curveball

October 20, 2021 18:34 - 50.5 MB

On today’s chapter of the #WordWeaverPodcast I chat with Colby Sharma, speaker and author of THE CURVEBALL: A Story of Grit, Adversity, and Winning the Game of Life. Colby discusses his debut book, the heroic vs. egoic self, and shares valuable insights on what it means to live a life of impact. We also discuss the importance of mentorship, failure, family support (his father is motivational speaker and bestselling author Robin Sharma), and using fear as fuel to overcome adversity on your pa...

Ch. 67 | 5 Tips on Writing Great Book Blurb Descriptions

October 07, 2021 10:00 - 22.3 MB

On today’s chapter of the #WordWeaverPodcast I share my top five tips on how to write a great book blurb. Your title and cover can grab a potential reader’s attention, but it’s your book description that does most of the heavy lifting in enticing a reader to buy your book. Think of your book description as a movie trailer in written form. It’s not a play-by-play summary, but in a few compelling paragraphs you should be able to accurately describe your novel, set up the main conflict and give...

Ch. 66 | Bestselling Author Rachel McMillan

September 29, 2021 12:00 - 22.3 MB

On today’s chapter of the #WordWeaverPodcast I share my top five tips on how to write a great book blurb. Your title and cover can grab a potential reader’s attention, but it’s your book description that does most of the heavy lifting in enticing a reader to buy your book. Think of your book description as a movie trailer in written form. It’s not a play-by-play summary, but in a few compelling paragraphs you should be able to accurately describe your novel, set up the main conflict and give...

Ch. 66 | Bestselling Historical Romance Author Rachel McMillan

September 29, 2021 12:00 - 99.7 MB

On today’s chapter of the #WordWeaverPodcast I have the pleasure of chatting with bestselling historical romance (and mystery) author, Rachel McMillan. Rachel has published over 16 books and counting, including bestseller THE LONDON RESTORATION and THE MOZART CODE (available for pre-order, forthcoming in March 2022). She is also a literary agent, fierce author advocate, and a wealth of literary wisdom. Rachel shares so many great nuggets of advice for anyone trying to making it in the publis...

Ch. 65 | Why Internal Conflict is Key to Writing a Good Story

September 22, 2021 19:01 - 37.6 MB

On today’s chapter of the #WordWeaverPodcast I give a very brief (we are talking the briefest of brief) life update before I delve into why internal conflict is a necessary ingredient to any good story and how it drives character development. I touch on the different types of internal conflict including: religious, moral, societal, existential etc., the five (5) main triggers for a protagonist’s internal struggle including: desire, needs, duty, fear, and expectation, and some ways you can ad...

Ch. 64 | Liselle Sambury Author of Blood Like Magic

September 08, 2021 14:36 - 90.6 MB

On today’s chapter of the #WordWeaverPodcast I chat with Liselle Sambury, the Simon & Schuster debut novelist of BLOOD LIKE MAGIC, also an Indigo Staff Pick. Liselle is a wealth of knowledge on the traditional publishing industry and I loved hearing her thoughts on publishing in a pandemic, her writing and querying process (including why books take so long to hit shelves after a book deal), why your goal post is always moving as a writer, an author’s relationship with social media, and the b...

Ch. 63 | Why Taking Writing Breaks is Important

August 11, 2021 10:00 - 25.4 MB

Today’s chapter of the #WordWeaverPodcast is a short solo episode where I talk about why I’m currently taking a writing break and the importance of refilling your creative well. Available on all podcast platforms and now on YouTube. Word Weaver Podcast Links Instagram: @wordweaverpodcast Website: louiseclairejohnson.com/podcast #wordweaverpodcast NEW episodes weekly on Word Weaver Wednesdays. Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review and screenshot/share the Word Weaver Podcast on soc...

Ch. 62 | Liz Hauck Author of Home Made

August 05, 2021 16:36 - 116 MB

On today’s chapter of the #WordWeaverPodcast I reunite with a Harvard classmate, Liz Hauck, the author of HOME MADE: A Story of Grief, Groceries, Showing Up, And What We Make When We Make Dinner, published in June 2021 by Penguin RandomHouse. Reading HOME MADE brought me back to our nonfiction writing class six years ago, when I was lucky enough to read the burgeoning beginnings of what would become Hauck’s debut memoir. I loved getting the chance to catch-up and chat craft with Liz from her...

Ch. 61 | How to Motivate Yourself to Write (Even When You Don't Want To)

July 29, 2021 02:24 - 37.7 MB

On today’s chapter of the #WordWeaverPodcast I share a few tried and true tips 'n tricks on how to motivate yourself to write (even when you don’t want to). It’s summer and we’re slowly emerging from a long pandemic-induced season of hibernation, so it’s natural to feel unmotivated to sit at your desk and write. We all need a little kick in the pants sometimes and hopefully this episode inspires you to return to your writing roots (even if it’s in a few months from now). I know I’ll be retur...

Ch. 60 | Marlowe Granados Author of Happy Hour

July 21, 2021 16:59 - 108 MB

On today’s chapter of the #WordWeaverPodcast I get the chance to chat with the beautiful and brilliant Marlowe Granados. She’s a writer, filmmaker, and author of the debut novel HAPPY HOUR. I loved getting to hear about her writing process, journey to publication, and the importance of trusting your creative vision (even when no one else does). Connect with Marlowe Website: marlowegranados.com Instagram: @marlowetatiana Buy Happy Hour! Word Weaver Podcast Links Instagram: @wordweaverp...

Ch. 59 | Life Lately Post Publication of my First Book

July 14, 2021 17:40 - 29.3 MB

Today’s chapter of the #WordWeaverPodcast is short, but sweet. I wanted to introduce the new updated podcast branding and design look ~ a little sleeker, chicer, simpler and give a general life update post publication of my first book. In a way, it feels like things are only just beginning! Word Weaver Podcast Links Instagram: @wordweaverpodcast Website: louiseclairejohnson.com/podcast #wordweaverpodcast NEW episodes weekly on Word Weaver Wednesdays. Don’t forget to subscribe, leave ...

Ch. 58 | BEHIND THE RED DOOR Book Launch Q&A

May 16, 2021 17:47 - 104 MB

On today's chapter of the #WordWeaverPodcast I’m fresh from the launch of my debut book, BEHIND THE RED DOOR, and giving you my raw, real, honest answers to your book launch Q&A. Thank you for asking such great questions — and for sharing & supporting BTRD. I love you all so much it hurts! Word Weaver Podcast Links Instagram: @wordweaverpodcast Website: louiseclairejohnson.com/podcast #wordweaverpodcast Intro Song: Late July by Shakey Graves Outro Song: Way With Words by Bahamas NE...

Ch. 57 | Why You Need a DONE LIST with your TO DO List to Recognize Small Wins

April 07, 2021 10:00 - 14.4 MB

On today's chapter of the #WordWeaverPodcast I explain why everyone needs a DONE LIST in their lives and how writing one has helped decrease my stress/overwhelm from my never-ending To Do List. My motivation and mood has been amplified by seeing the small wins in a neat list on a daily basis. It has also helped me wind down for the evening without looking at my To Do list and seeing what I haven’t gotten done, but instead focusing on what I have accomplished. Word Weaver Podcast Links Ins...

Ch. 56 | 5 Ways to Come Up With Book Ideas

March 31, 2021 11:00 - 23.5 MB

On today's chapter of the #WordWeaverPodcast I’m sharing five ways to come up with book ideas and what to do with them when inspiration strikes! Word Weaver Podcast Links Instagram: @wordweaverpodcast Website: louiseclairejohnson.com/podcast #wordweaverpodcast Intro Song: Late July by Shakey Graves Outro Song: Way With Words by Bahamas NEW episodes are posted weekly. Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review and screenshot/share the Word Weaver Podcast on social media as it helps mo...

Ch. 55 | How to Stop Self-Sabotaging Your Success

March 24, 2021 17:56 - 27.9 MB

On today's chapter of the #WordWeaverPodcast I’m giving a little author life update as I gear up for my book launch this spring. I also talk about why we self-sabotage right before we’re about to achieve a goal and how to stop getting in the way of our own success. Word Weaver Podcast Links Instagram: @wordweaverpodcast Website: louiseclairejohnson.com/podcast #wordweaverpodcast Intro Song: Late July by Shakey Graves Outro Song: Way With Words by Bahamas NEW episodes are posted weekly...

Ch. 54 | Avoiding Productive Procrastination and Moving the Needle to Achieve Your Writing Goals

January 27, 2021 12:00 - 29.6 MB

On today's chapter of the #WordWeaverPodcast I’m talking about how to stop procrastinating on writing your book and start prioritizing “To Do” tasks that move the needle closer to achieving your big goals. Preparing to write instead of actually writing can seem “productive,” but stems from fear of facing the blank page and ultimately preventing you from finishing your manuscript. Word Weaver Podcast Links Instagram: @wordweaverpodcast Website: louiseclairejohnson.com/podcast #wordweave...

Ch. 53 | How to Become a New York Times Bestseller

January 20, 2021 11:00 - 24.3 MB

On today's chapter of the Word Weaver Podcast I’m diving headfirst into a highly Googled topic for most writers and aspiring authors, and that is how to land your book on the coveted New York Times bestseller list. For many of us, the credibility, ego boost, bragging rights, external validation and readership that come along with this prestigious credential after years of toiling away behind a keyboard = the equivalent of our Super Bowl ring or Olympic gold medal. Becoming a NYT bestselling...

Ch. 52 | Tatum Dooley on Her Writing Life, How to Pitch Editors, and Curating an Artful Existence

January 18, 2021 11:30 - 96.2 MB

On today's chapter of the Word Weaver Podcast I chat with Toronto-based writer and art curator, Tatum Dooley. Her writing has appeared in the Globe & Mail, Artforum, The Walrus, Vogue UK, Lenny Letter, TeenVogue and more. She is also the founder of Canadian Art Forecast, showcasing upcoming and mid-career Canadian artists. I loved getting to talk shop with Tatum! As we’re currently in another lockdown, conversations like these really fill me up and motivate me to keep going. We chat, amon...

Ch. 51 | How to Become a Bestselling Author in Canada

January 13, 2021 11:00 - 783 KB

On today's chapter of the Word Weaver Podcast I’m answering the burning questions every (Canadian) author asks themselves or types into Google: how many books do you have to sell to be a bestseller in Canada and how can you become a bestselling author? In next week’s episode I’ll do a deep dive into the crown jewel, the gold standard of bestseller lists, and share everything I know about how to get on the New York Times bestseller list, but for today’s episode I wanted to break it down spec...

Ch. 50 | Book Club Monogamy

January 12, 2021 02:33 - 69.9 MB

On today's chapter of the Word Weaver Podcast I’m sharing the second book club episode from The First Step Podcast where Calissa and I discuss the novel Monogamy by Sue Miller. We also discuss our favourite books from 2020. These book club episodes originally air on The First Step Podcast. Our next read is Off Script by Marci Ien! Word Weaver Podcast Links Instagram: @wordweaverpodcast Website: louiseclairejohnson.com/podcast #wordweaverpodcast Intro Song: Late July by Shakey Graves O...

Ch. 49 | Should You Use a Pen Name?

January 06, 2021 11:00 - 15.6 MB

On today's chapter of the Word Weaver Podcast I’m talking all about pen names, aka. nom de plumes, and whether or not you should publish under a pseudonym. Overall, it’s a personal choice and there really is no right or wrong answer, but in this episode we’ll dissect some reasons why a writer might want to use a pen name and things to think about if you choose to use a nom de plume in your publishing journey. Word Weaver Podcast Links Instagram: @wordweaverpodcast Website: louiseclairejo...

Ch. 48 | My Annual Review Process & How to Plan for a New Year

December 28, 2020 11:00 - 24.5 MB

On today's chapter of the Word Weaver Podcast I’m sharing my personal annual review process for reflecting on the past year and my planning process for how I set and achieve goals (hint: think quarterly, not annually!) Can you believe we are in the last week of December 2020?! This year will go down in history…and WOW, guys, we made it. Mentally, emotionally, physically, financially it was a true test on humanity, so take a moment to pat yourself on the back and give yourself a gold star f...

Ch. 47 | 6 Ways to Read More Books in a Busy World

December 23, 2020 11:00 - 17.6 MB

On today's chapter of the Word Weaver Podcast I’m sharing six ways you can read more with a busy life. It can be hard to get back into the habit of reading, especially with digital technologies like social media vying for our (vastly shortened) attention spans. We all only have 24 hours in a day and it can be hard to find pockets of time to justify reading a book when we have a million other tasks we’ve had to prioritize (props to all of the parents out there). I’ve gone through my fair shar...

Ch. 46 | Big Friendship Book Review (in Conversation with The First Step Book Club)

December 21, 2020 11:00 - 77.5 MB

On today's chapter of the Word Weaver Podcast I’m sharing my candid discussion with Calissa, the founder and host of The First Step Podcast (previously aired on that podcast!) For the first book club pick, we discussed Big Friendship: How We Keep Each Other Close by Aminatou Sow and Ann Friedman. It’s the story of two friends (also hosts of the Call Your Girlfriend podcast), Aminatou and Ann, on the art of friendship maintenance and how these relationships ebb and flow over time. In this e...

Ch. 45 | Chekhov's Gun: What is it and How to Use it in Your Writing

December 16, 2020 11:00 - 19.7 MB

On today's chapter of the Word Weaver Podcast I’m talking about Chekhov’s Gun — firstly, what the hell is it? Secondly, how can you employ it in your writing? I took this concept WAY TOO LITERALLY for a long time, but have come to love the setup and payoff it brings to add dramatic significance to my plot. Word Weaver Podcast Links Instagram: @wordweaverpodcast Website: louiseclairejohnson.com/podcast #wordweaverpodcast

Ch. 44 | Learn to Fall in Love with Boredom

December 14, 2020 11:00 - 18.1 MB

On today's chapter of the Word Weaver Podcast I share a lesson that took me a long time to fully grasp and is one of the key's to success in any field, but especially when it comes to writing a book and becoming a published author. Word Weaver Podcast Links Instagram: @wordweaverpodcast Website: louiseclairejohnson.com/podcast #wordweaverpodcast

Ch. 43 | How to Plot a Thriller by Story Beat (Part 2)

December 13, 2020 00:36 - 38.7 MB

Today’s chapter of the Word Weaver Podcast is part 2 (of 2) where I go into more detail about how to plot a thriller and outline a mystery/suspense novel with 27 different story beats using the 3 Act Structure. There’s a lot of information in here, so you might want to grab a notebook and pen beforehand, but hopefully it provides a semblance of structure when you’re outlining or hit writer’s block in your plot. Word Weaver Podcast Links Instagram: @wordweaverpodcast Website: louiseclaire...

Ch. 42 | How to Plot a Thriller Backwards (Part 1)

November 24, 2020 21:45 - 31 MB

Today’s chapter of the Word Weaver Podcast is part 1 of 2 where I share my findings on how to plot a thriller / murder mystery / suspense novel — and it starts by working backwards! The plotting principles could also be useful for writers of all genres to think about when outlining their current or future book projects. Hope everyone’s #NaNoWriMo is going well! Happy Writing :) Word Weaver Podcast Links Instagram: @wordweaverpodcast Website: louiseclairejohnson.com/podcast #wordweaverpo...

Ch. 41 | Travel Memoir Writer Travis King on Following an Alternative Life Blueprint

October 29, 2020 18:49 - 56.3 MB

On today’s chapter of the Word Weaver Podcast I chat with Travis King (who joins me from Mexico City) on his new travel memoir, Not That Anyone Asked: A Travel Memoir about Sex, Drugs, Love and Finding Purpose. After finishing his Master’s Degree at the age of 28, Travis couldn’t bring himself to follow the traditional American blueprint laid out for success, so he took off to South America. That first flight was the start of an adventure around the world—an adventure that his friends didn’...

Ch. 40 | How to Become Published Panel at The University of Toronto (Audio From My Speech)

October 14, 2020 11:00 - 24.7 MB

On today’s chapter of the Word Weaver Podcast I’m sharing my recent speech for the University of Toronto’s “How to Become Published” panel to journalism and creative writing students. Word Weaver Podcast Links Instagram: @wordweaverpodcast Website: louiseclairejohnson.com/podcast #wordweaverpodcast Intro Song: Late July by Shakey Graves Outro Song: Way With Words by Bahamas NEW episodes are posted weekly. Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review and screenshot/share the Word Weaver ...

Ch. 39 | 13-Year-Old Bestselling Author Kristina Naydonova

October 07, 2020 11:00 - 37.5 MB

On today’s chapter of the Word Weaver Podcast I have the honour of speaking with 13-year-old bestselling thriller author and mental health writer for Arianna Huffington’s Thrive Global, Kristina Naydonova. Wise beyond her years, it was a treat getting to chat with Kristina about her debut thriller, The Black Sisterhood Files, her writing process, how she balances school and authorhood, her thoughts on social media, advice for writers of all ages, her dreams for the future and how she came t...

Ch. 38 | The 8 Most Popular Book Title Trends

October 01, 2020 01:38 - 28.6 MB

Today’s chapter of the Word Weaver Podcast was inspired by a trend I noticed a couple years ago that still seems to prevail—and that is the use of the word GIRL in book titles! Gone Girl, Girl on a Train, THe Girl Who Kicked The Hornet’s Nest…you’ve probably noticed and wondered about it too! I’ve also typed into google such questions as: “What are the most popular book titles?” and “What are bestselling book titles?” — I was curious to see if the most popular and bestselling novels out the...

Ch. 37 | How Visualization Can Help Achieve Your Book Dreams Faster

September 21, 2020 14:22 - 31.5 MB

On today’s chapter of the Word Weaver Podcast I’m talking about visualization and how you can use it as a transformational tool for achieving your wildest writing goals. Visualization, on its own, is picturing in your mind the outcome of something BEFORE it has happened. By utilizing all five senses to vividly imagine your idealized outcome, it brings your desired goal into the realm of possibility. Our thoughts are energy, they are so powerful! Your amygdala, the part of our brain respons...

Ch. 36 | A Trip Down Typography Lane Exploring The Best Book Fonts

September 09, 2020 10:00 - 29.8 MB

On today’s chapter of the Word Weaver Podcast I’m taking you on a trip down typography lane and chatting about the best fonts for books. Did you know, on average, a bookstore browser spends 8 seconds looking at the front cover, 15 seconds reading the back cover and about 5 seconds flipping through a book? Not only are people judging a book by the imagery on the cover, they’re also subconsciously judging the typography! I found myself down a research rabbit hole looking up the best fonts to...

Ch. 35 | Louise Johnson Tackles Dating, Divorce and Mental Health in Her Self-Reflective New Memoir: Lou Who?

September 04, 2020 16:03 - 60 MB

On today’s chapter of the Word Weaver Podcast I have the surreal experience of speaking with ANOTHER author named Louise Johnson on the launch day of her debut memoir, Lou Who? I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to speak with my literary doppelgänger and I hope you enjoy our conversation as much as I did! Louise moved from Scotland to Vancouver following a traumatic divorce and turned her transformative six-year period into a self-reflective memoir: detailing her discovery of selfhood, per...

Ch. 34 | Planning a Productive Solo Writing Retreat - 7 Tips to Maximize Your Experience

September 04, 2020 00:14 - 34.7 MB

On today’s chapter of the Word Weaver Podcast I’m talking about how to plan a productive solo writing retreat and sharing my 7 tips to maximize your experience. I’m going on a solo writing retreat in a few weeks to Cape Breton, Nova Scotia ( SO excited) and wanted to share how I prepare, so you can smash your word count goals and leave feeling accomplished and motivated. Word Weaver Podcast Links Instagram: @wordweaverpodcast Website: louiseclairejohnson.com/podcast #wordweaverpodcast ...

Ch. 33 | The Woman Before Wallis Author Bryn Turnbull on Her Bestselling Debut

September 02, 2020 14:23 - 96.4 MB

On today’s chapter of the Word Weaver Podcast I speak with my dear friend Bryn Turnbull in the midst of launching her debut historical fiction novel, The Woman Before Wallis. If you’ve ever dreamed of writing and traditionally publishing a book (with a big 5 publisher to boot), Bryn gives us a real-time glimpse into the emotions and behind-the-scenes happenings of not only what it takes to write a book, but what it’s like to market and launch that book into the world! RIGHT before we recor...

Ch. 32 | The Holy Shit List - Ultimate Milestone Checklist for Writers

September 01, 2020 14:50 - 17.2 MB

On today’s chapter of the Word Weaver Podcast I introduce you to my HOLY SHIT LIST, my ultimate milestone checklist (or bucket list) for writers, to celebrate checkpoints throughout the writing/publishing process that make you go “holy shit! I did it!” Writing can be a lonely business and since everyone’s journey to publishing a book varies, it’s important to be your own biggest cheerleader and celebrate your wins, both big and small, along the way! You can download my exact Holy Shit List...

Ch. 31 | The Law of Attraction for Authors: How to Manifest Your Book

May 13, 2020 12:00 - 33.2 MB

Today’s Word Weaver podcast chapter is all about the law of attraction and using the power of manifestation to achieve your wildest writing dreams, from finishing your manuscript to getting a book deal. I used to think it was a bit “woo-woo,” but I truly believe you attract what you think. If you’re always focused on the negative, it’s almost like a self-fulfilling prophecy where the worst case scenario will happen. Like attracts like and positive thoughts attract positive outcomes. I share...

Ch. 30 | 7 Things Nobody Tells You About Being a Writer

May 06, 2020 12:00 - 29.7 MB

In today's chapter of the Word Weaver Podcast, I'm sharing seven things nobody tells you about being a writer! There are a million more things you’ll discover as you go along through this bookish journey, but these are a few I’ve experienced. Happy listening! Word Weaver Podcast Links: Instagram: @wordweaverpodcast Website: louiseclairejohnson.com/podcast #WordWeaverPodcast

Ch. 29 | What To Do When You Get An Offer From A Literary Agent

April 29, 2020 12:00 - 28.1 MB

In today's chapter, I'm sharing my advice on what to do when you get an offer of representation from a literary agent. A friend of mine recently got her first offer after being in the querying trenches for nearly a year and had a few questions for me! It reminded me of my experience along this crazy publishing journey and how I really wished I'd had someone to ask all of these burning questions to. From making sure you take the time celebrate this huge milestone (pop that champagne!! This i...

Ch. 28 | From Idea to Outline: How to Plan Your Book

April 22, 2020 12:00 - 33.3 MB

In today's chapter, I'm sharing how to take your amazing book idea and create an outline. It’s one thing to have a starting point, it’s something else entirely getting to the finish line. Whether you're a plotter, a pantser or a hybrid of both, an outline will act as your daily roadmap with the milestones you want to hit (the big scenes) and the highways/roads in-between en route to the final destination (when you can type "The End"). I use good old fashioned pen and paper as well as digit...

Ch. 27 | A Magical Conversation with Children's Fantasy Author Maram Taibah

April 17, 2020 12:00 - 38.1 MB

On this chapter of the Word Weaver Podcast, I chat with children's fantasy author, Maram Taibah, about her magical world building, the differences between writing children’s books vs. screenplays, and the importance of filling up your creative juice tank. She also introduces me to a new genre: steampunk. Don't miss the rapid fire Q&A at the end! MARAM’S LINKS: Instagram: @maram.taibah.author Website: maramtaibah.com WORD WEAVER LINKS Website: louiseclairejohnson.com/podcast Instagram: ...

Ch. 26 | How to Create a Writing Routine that Really Works

April 15, 2020 12:00 - 37.1 MB

The Word Weaver Podcast is BACK! In today's chapter, I'm sharing my 6 tips on creating a productive writing routine at home when life feels uncertain and disrupted. Writers are built for working from home (this is our Super Bowl!) but managing stress, fear and anxiety is a very real thing right now during these difficult times. It’s easy to get distracted (especially if you’re working from home with a partner or little kids), but it’s important to create a daily habit to help alleviate some...

Ch. 25 | Bookstagram 101 with Yeldah Yousfi (@beautiful.bibliophile)

February 20, 2019 13:00 - 35.1 MB

On today’s chapter of the Word Weaver Podcast, I chat with Yeldah Yousfi, one of Canada’s first and most beloved bookstagrammers (55k followers), better known on Instagram as The Beautiful Bibliophile (@beautiful.bibliophile). Yeldah gives us a behind-the-scenes look at how, in two short years, she transformed her side hobby into a business and became one of the biggest bookstagrammers in the country. Before the word even existed, Yeldah began what she called a “literary and lifestyle” Inst...

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