Writer in the Making
380 episodes - English - Latest episode: 10 days ago - ★★★★★ - 4 ratingsWelcome to Writer in the Making, the ultimate podcast for aspiring authors who are ready to transform their writing habits. Join me as we explore practical time management strategies, consistent writing routines, and productivity hacks that can make all the difference. From my personal writing adventures to expert insights from guests like Kindlepreneur’s Dave Chesson, Shortcuts for Writers’ Stacy Juba, Plottr's Troy Lambert, and USA Today Best-Selling Author Rachael Bloome!
Author Info https://linktr.ee/dariawhite
No Time Writer https://linktr.ee/notimewriter
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Episodes
Stop Procrastinating
April 24, 2019 15:59 - 9 minutes - 7.62 MBYou’re sitting in front of the laptop, and you get nothing. Perhaps you have your phone on social media? Does life get in the way? How are you supposed to finish your story? Are you distracted without even knowing it? Or could it be... procrastination?
Camp NaNoWriMo Update
April 23, 2019 17:32 - 9 minutes - 6.34 MBAnother Camp NaNoWriMo update. How’s it going?
The Waiting Game
April 22, 2019 18:12 - 8 minutes - 8 MBFor all my authors wanting traditional publishing, this one’s for you! Though the majority of my work is self-published, I did query my most recent manuscript back in February. I hit the send button! So... what now? I’m waiting just like you. What do we do when we’re waiting. I’ll tell you what I’m doing.
Long or short book?
April 22, 2019 16:47 - 4 minutes - 3.75 MBIs a longer book better than a shorter one? Does it matter? Does it depend on the story? While my personal goal as a writer is to write a 100K novel, that doesn’t mean anything less is wrong. Have a listen.
Writing 13K in 4 days
April 18, 2019 21:43 - 5 minutes - 4.63 MBSo... yeah, 13,324 in four days. I’m currently at 26,456 in my work in progress. Is there a secret to this? Have a listen.
Pacing your story—part 1
April 18, 2019 17:06 - 9 minutes - 6.59 MBDon’t move too fast but don’t drag your story. What do you do? This is my personal opinion on how I write. Part 2 will cover more research.
WIP—Christmas Therapy
April 17, 2019 15:56 - 15 minutes - 12.6 MBChristmas Therapy, a new sweet romance coming soon! Meet the main characters! My own way of doing a behind the scenes/meet the cast. I used onestopforwriters.com to create character profiles.
My Writing Sprints
April 17, 2019 14:58 - 8 minutes - 7.92 MBSo I decided to experiment with the writing sprints this week. How have they worked so far? Have I made any progress? Should you try it as a last resort? How does a little over 9K in two days sound? Have a listen.
A Mailing List?
April 16, 2019 16:09 - 7 minutes - 5.63 MBNow that you’re gaining a following, how do you keep track of readers? How do they know new works are coming out? An email list? Though social media is important, nothing can replace a good old fashioned email. Have a listen. mailchimp.com is mentioned in this episode.
How many words per chapter?
April 16, 2019 15:59 - 7 minutes - 6.64 MBWhat’s a sufficient word count for your chapter? When is it over? Have a listen.
Should I Write in Sprints?
April 15, 2019 18:36 - 8 minutes - 7.11 MBWhat’s a writing sprint? Time set aside where you do nothing but write with no distractions. It can range from 30 minutes to 2 hours. For those of us that work outside jobs or have other responsibilities, is this helpful? Tune to hear the results of my trial with sprinting.
How I Write
April 15, 2019 15:38 - 10 minutes - 9.61 MBHere’s a typical writing session for me. Do I write so many words a day? Is there a deadline as an indie author? Music or silence? Outline or no outline? Listen in for my answers. Shout out to my listeners. I called everyone out except I forgot Canada. Thank you listeners in Canada!
Should I Fast Draft?
April 15, 2019 15:11 - 9 minutes - 7.86 MBHow fast do you write? Should it matter as an indie author? What steps need to be taken if you do? What if you don’t finish by the date you originally intended? Is it even worth it?
The Story behind Match-Made Christmas
April 13, 2019 00:20 - 13 minutes - 10.6 MBHow did my newest release, Match-Made Christmas, come to life? Well... though an indie author, I decided to query this story to a publisher that I thought was the perfect fit. Tune in to hear the rest of the story.
Sizing your Paperback
April 12, 2019 16:40 - 7 minutes - 5.78 MBTrim size and paper color. How do you pick for your paperback?
The Middle
April 12, 2019 16:39 - 9 minutes - 7.94 MBWe know how to open a book and that the climax brings our story to an end. What about the middle? It shouldn’t drag but don’t rush it either.
Just Don’t
April 12, 2019 02:48 - 42 seconds - 680 KBDedicated to the Writing Community. Just don’t.
Paperbacks? Ebooks? Both?
April 11, 2019 15:38 - 7 minutes - 5.85 MBThough ebooks have become popular, does that mean a good old fashioned paperback book has died? As an author, do you need both? viladesign.net is mentioned in this episode.
Launching your Book
April 10, 2019 15:57 - 10 minutes - 8.59 MBNow that the release date is in July, how will I be promoting Match-Made Christmas? Is there a formula for a successful book launch? While I can only share what I have learned so far, here’s a few things I’ve implemented over the years. Booksprout.co is mentioned in this episode and don’t forget to check out booksirens.com to find bloggers!
Christmas & Paperbacks in July!
April 09, 2019 16:30 - 3 minutes - 3.07 MBInstead of releasing Match-Made Christmas later this year, it’ll be available on July 6, 2019! Christmas in July! Not only that, you’ll have the choice between ebooks and paperbacks. Look for it on Amazon. Pre-order today!
Can I Do it Alone?
April 09, 2019 15:07 - 10 minutes - 8.46 MBIs the writing community important? Should I get involved? Hear from someone who thought she could do it alone as an indie author. It was me and it didn’t work. Hear how I was in the past. I thought no one paid attention, but it was all in my head due to self doubt. Break free today, because someone is paying attention.
Should I Be Exclusive?
April 08, 2019 15:53 - 6 minutes - 4.41 MBAmazon KDP or Amazon KDP Select? Learn the importance of building deep and wide with your books and not constricting yourself. Again, the final decision is up to you. This is what I do as an indie author, so listen and decide for yourself. This concept was discussed at SelfPubCon2019.
Sifting through Feedback
April 08, 2019 15:30 - 5 minutes - 4.46 MBYay! You got your feedback from critique partners, beta readers and your editor. Now... what? Which advise do you listen to, especially if it’s your first time working with them? Is all advise good? Listen in for my opinion, but ultimately then final decision is up to you.
Should I Do a Giveaway?
April 06, 2019 15:59 - 9 minutes - 6.33 MBARCs copies and giveaways? Are they worth it? How much is too much? Booksprout.co and booklikes.com are mentioned in this episode.
Camp NaNoWriMo
April 05, 2019 22:01 - 6 minutes - 5.21 MBSo I decided to participate in Camp NaNoWriMo for the month of April. I’m assigned to a virtual cabin with about ten other writers. Give all my cabin mates a follow if you’re not doing so already. So... how’s camp going? Have a listen campnanowrimo.org is mentioned in this episode. My cabin mates are on Instagram @s.f.barkley, @loridianni_writer, @miacarterauthorof, @danaterrystories, @authorpiperk, @rachaelbloome, @lazygirlreads, @wewhotellstories, @dianamariehall, & @melmcguire.1
Our First Guest!
April 05, 2019 18:01 - 17 minutes - 11.8 MBThis is what happens when you step outside the box. Fellow writers notice! Welcome our first guest, Sadie Chelsea, thehonestwriter.org you can also follow her on Twitter @sadiewriter and all other social media platforms. Can’t wait to share our interview swap with you all! Disclaimer: Internet issues cut us off the first time, so this is take 2. Some parts may still sound choppy, but we laugh anyway 😄 nobody’s perfect. Don’t miss out on her giveaway either. Tune in for the link!
Never give up
April 04, 2019 16:02 - 1 minute - 929 KBThe key with writing is to keep going. You can do it!
I’m Stuck Now What?
April 04, 2019 16:02 - 52 seconds - 616 KBSo you’re writing and you hit a mental block. What now?
Your Social Media Platform
April 04, 2019 15:57 - 8 minutes - 6.8 MBLet’s face it, everyone these days is mostly on social media. How do you approach it for your author platform? Listen in for my opinion. Don’t forget to protect yourself, especially when it comes to inappropriate behavior, bullies, and trolls.
Book Reviews
April 03, 2019 15:37 - 10 minutes - 8.68 MBBelieve it or not, book reviews are the lifeline of a book. They’re not for us the authors, but they are for readers to help them decide if they want to download or purchase your book. Do you want mostly 5 star reviews? Is it realistic to have a range from 1-5 stars? Have a listen so you can be better prepared. Booksprout.co and booksirens.com are mentioned in this episode.
First person vs third person narrative
April 02, 2019 16:11 - 9 minutes - 7.76 MBHow do you decide if your story should be in first person or third person narrative? What are the pros and cons? Does it matter to readers? I’ll share my opinion but the final decision is up to you. FYI, if you hear a boom in the background, there was a plant fire in Crosby, TX. 😳 My area’s not affected, but send prayers for those that were🙏🏾
The Normal World
April 02, 2019 15:44 - 8 minutes - 7.14 MBSetting up the normal world in your novel? How much time should be allotted before the inciting incident? Is there a word count minimum of setting up your main character’s normal world? I mention K.M. Weiland’s Structuring Your Novel in this episode.
Necessity or Splurge?
April 01, 2019 15:17 - 18 minutes - 15 MBIndie authors, ever wonder what you need as opposed to what you want in order to publish your book? Is it a need or is it a splurge? This is my opinion on what I needed and didn’t need to make my book a success. Have I arrived yet? No, but I’ll share with you what I’ve learned so far. Note: mail chimp subscribers stop at 2K under the free account. Choosing a paid account has unlimited followers.
Dealing with Writer’s Block
March 29, 2019 17:18 - 7 minutes - 5.67 MBWriter’s block? I hate it as much as any other author. What do you do to solve it?
Just Get it Written
March 28, 2019 22:00 - 7 minutes - 5.76 MBSometimes we think too much and we end up stifling our own creative writing process. Here’s some motivation fellow writers. Just get it written!
Do I need both?
March 28, 2019 18:56 - 8 minutes - 6.83 MBCritique partners and beta readers. Do I really need both? Well...
Still looking for beta readers?
March 27, 2019 14:40 - 9 minutes - 7.53 MBWhat’s the best way to find beta readers? While there are multiple sources, I mention CP matchmaking, critiquematch.com, and betareader.io in this episode. Here’s what I’ve discovered on my journey.
How do you know?
March 26, 2019 19:08 - 9 minutes - 7.76 MBIs my book a good idea? Should I go ahead and write it or keep it to myself? Where’s the defining line?
Story Map
March 26, 2019 16:01 - 10 minutes - 8.07 MBThis episode is a follow on my tutorial on onestopforwriters.com particularly dealing with mapping out your story. How to go from your setup to the aftermath of your manuscript. How do you organize it?
If I knew then what I know now
March 25, 2019 21:08 - 9 minutes - 6.77 MBEver wish you could talk to your former writing self? What advice would you give? What pitfalls would you have avoided?
When is my book over?
March 25, 2019 20:44 - 9 minutes - 7.37 MBHow long should my book be? Depending on your genre, the word count can have various ranges. Since I’m in the romance genre, it can range from 50K to 90K. I’ve even seen 100K! You might think, how am I supposed to write 100K? When is my book over?
Booksprout update!
March 22, 2019 14:57 - 6 minutes - 5.02 MBHere I’m giving an update on my experience so far with booksprout.co. I’ve already received a 4 star review for my upcoming release, Match-Made Christmas! Yes it’s only one review, but it’s better than zero.
Booksprout?
March 21, 2019 15:52 - 10 minutes - 8.17 MBARCs? These are advanced readers copies of books that an author chooses to give away in exchange for a review. This comes in handy right before your official release date. It builds excitement and publicity for your book! So... how do you get them? Here’s one way! Booksprout.co is mentioned in this episode. Follow @booksproutapp
Critique Match??
March 20, 2019 15:04 - 10 minutes - 8.03 MBBecause I’m scoping for beta readers, I’m exploring all possibilities. I’ve recently discovered critiquematch.com and I’ve already found a beta reader! Listen to see how this site works.
Imposter Syndrome
March 19, 2019 16:03 - 9 minutes - 7.97 MBAm I really a writer? Should I even be doing this? I’m not the best so why bother? Am I a fraud? Is this journey even worth it?
No Head-Hopping
March 18, 2019 23:11 - 8 minutes - 6.71 MBHead-hopping? What is that? It confuses readers and overall it’s not good. Here I’ll share on how to avoid this in your books and how you can makes the changes if you’re doing this. Head-Hopping Gives Readers Whiplash by Beth Hill, fiction editor and novel editor Ellen Brock are mentioned in this episode.
SelfPubCon2019
March 18, 2019 14:44 - 13 minutes - 11 MBI participated in ALLi’s self publishing conference this past weekend. What did I take away? Have a listen and find out.
What makes a great book?
March 15, 2019 14:55 - 4 minutes - 3.78 MBWhat truly makes a great book? Is it the outlining? The plotting? Is it the polished grammar or inciting incident? What about the climax and the denouement? Perhaps it’s the conflict and tension that’s added to keep readers on their toes. Then again, what if it’s none of those things? Could it be that what makes a great book is... the author?
Revising, Revising, Revising
March 14, 2019 17:09 - 9 minutes - 7.94 MBRevising your manuscript. Some of us love it, and the rest of us hate it with a passion. Which one am I? Have a listen.
Breakup with Backstory
March 13, 2019 17:49 - 10 minutes - 8.39 MBI’m seeing a lot of backstory as I work with my critique partners. I’m still dealing with it myself. What am I learning about it and what’s the best way to handle it? How can you tell if you’re using too much backstory? Are you “info dumping” unnecessarily? How can we break up with it? This is a follow up to the previous episode “Backstory.” I refer to Sandra Gerth’s book Show, Don’t Tell, K.M. Weiland, and Ellen Brock in this episode.