Latest How to write a novel Podcast Episodes
Stop Rushing
Teaching Myself to Write Novels - December 06, 2020 00:00 - 22 minutesJust an update on where I'm at post-nano and a new word I invented. Sign up for book updates: eepurl.com/g1Zj6b Opening Music: Airport Lounge by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3347-airport-lounge License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
NaNo: Captain's Log
Teaching Myself to Write Novels - November 27, 2020 12:00 - 30 minutesWelp, that was interesting. Given the date of this episode, you can safely assume I did not complete NaNo. But I did not fail at it. Sign up for book updates: eepurl.com/g1Zj6b Opening Music: Airport Lounge by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3347-airport-lounge L...
Do Anything
Teaching Myself to Write Novels - November 15, 2020 12:00 - 21 minutesI have a backlog of episodes because of computer issues, so enjoy! I'm trying to be Tony Robbins in this episode & hardly talk about writing, but I think you'll get something out of it! Sign up for book updates: eepurl.com/g1Zj6b Opening Music: Airport Lounge by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://...
The Argument for a Cruddy Draft
Teaching Myself to Write Novels - November 12, 2020 21:00 - 14 minutesI have a backlog of episodes because of computer issues, so enjoy! I've decided to be a crazy work-a-holic (nothing new there) and try NaNoWriMo for the first draft of the next book I plan to write - while still completing and polishing my first book, Transitus. Sign up for book updates: eepurl...
How to Conceal a Surprise
Teaching Myself to Write Novels - November 06, 2020 12:00 - 18 minutesRecorded pre-US election: As I re-read the Harry Potter books, I found a pretty cool thing Rowling did to conceal a surprise in book 3. Somehow, I managed to imitate that structure. I blame it on my "muse" (ie, completely accidental) but hopefully telling you about it helps you in some way! Sig...
Writing Weaknesses
Teaching Myself to Write Novels - November 01, 2020 11:00 - 17 minutesComparing ourselves to other writers' journeys can be fun... until it's not. Sign up for book updates: eepurl.com/g1Zj6b Opening Music: Airport Lounge by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3347-airport-lounge License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Stuck? Rethink Story Structure
Teaching Myself to Write Novels - October 26, 2020 11:00 - 19 minutesSome audio issues mostly in the beginning - sorry! Tis' the life of a multitasker. Almost lost this morning's writing (but didn't! *phew*) Sign up for book updates: eepurl.com/g1Zj6b Opening Music: Airport Lounge by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3347-airport-loung...
Flashdrive Flashback
Teaching Myself to Write Novels - October 22, 2020 02:00 - 26 minutesMy mom sent me a flashdrive with my cruddy first (middle schooler) attempt at a book on it and it saved me from today's writers block. (Saved, as in, got me to procrastinate). Sign up for book updates: eepurl.com/g1Zj6b The class I mention in this episode can be found at: www.MargieLawson.com ...
I Am Not Ripping Off Avatar 2
Teaching Myself to Write Novels - October 11, 2020 11:00 - 26 minutesI am racing the release of James Cameron's Avatar 2. Thank you 2020 for delaying the long awaited movie once again. Sign up for book updates: eepurl.com/g1Zj6b The class I mention in this episode can be found at: www.MargieLawson.com Opening Music: Airport Lounge by Kevin MacLeod Link: http...
"The Craft"
Teaching Myself to Write Novels - October 06, 2020 18:00 - 29 minutesDoes anyone else hate every time someone says "the craft"? I do. But I keep saying it. And I'm probably not going to stop. What else am I supposed to say? Also - sorry about the audio in the second half of this one! I stopped for a video and then forgot to pic up the mic from my jacket. Oops. ...
Insert Title Here (Error)
Teaching Myself to Write Novels - September 23, 2020 00:00 - 30 minutesI was being lazy with the title. Honestly, I'm overworked and my creative energy has been expended. So really, it's the best title possible for this one. The struggle is real right now! Listen to me rant about stress and discuss the process of how I wrote a recent opening passage of mine. Sign ...
Is Editing Fun?
Teaching Myself to Write Novels - September 10, 2020 11:00 - 24 minutesApparently it is! And my life is a roller coaster. Sign up for book updates: eepurl.com/g1Zj6b The resources I mention in this episode can be found at: MargieLawson.com Opening Music: Airport Lounge by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3347-airport-lounge License: h...
Adjustment Period
Teaching Myself to Write Novels - September 03, 2020 11:00 - 19 minutesI hate everything. But I will get through this! Sign up for book updates: eepurl.com/g1Zj6b Opening Music: Airport Lounge by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3347-airport-lounge License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Failure Does Not Exist
Teaching Myself to Write Novels - August 28, 2020 11:00 - 24 minutesWinded, but (maybe a little too) inspired, I've been going on meditative walks & runs to help me with this editing phase. Oh, also: failure does not exist. Sign up for book updates: eepurl.com/g1Zj6b Opening Music: Airport Lounge by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/...
Editing Begins
Teaching Myself to Write Novels - August 19, 2020 16:00 - 48 minutesOpening up with a deep discussion on next steps with Lisa of Heart Ally Books (my lovely mother-in-law). She is also deeply involved with Margie Lawson's Writers Academy. Sign up for book updates: eepurl.com/g1Zj6b MLWA: https://www.margielawson.com/lawson-writers-academy Heary Ally Books: h...
The Art of Storytelling
Teaching Myself to Write Novels - August 12, 2020 11:00 - 26 minutesSome things I keep in mind when as plotting out my novels (and what I've learned from Story Grid). Sign up for book updates: eepurl.com/g1Zj6b Opening Music: Airport Lounge by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3347-airport-lounge License: http://creativecommons.org/l...
How to Write A Book Series
Teaching Myself to Write Novels - August 02, 2020 19:00 - 23 minutesToday I talk about my lull before I begin the editing process on my first ever novel. I've been spending time working on my book series I plan to write next! (There’s a spoiler) Sign up for book updates: eepurl.com/g1Zj6b Opening Music: Airport Lounge by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompete...
Transitus Checkpoint
Teaching Myself to Write Novels - July 29, 2020 11:00 - 25 minutesDraft "Zero" is complete! Where am I going next? Here's what's new (and old) on this journey of mine. Sign up for book updates: eepurl.com/g1Zj6b Opening Music: Airport Lounge by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3347-airport-lounge License: http://creativecommons.or...
Social Media Anonymous
Teaching Myself to Write Novels - July 24, 2020 11:00 - 21 minutesHow to kick social media (ahem Facebook) in the butt. Sign up for book updates: eepurl.com/g1Zj6b Opening Music: Airport Lounge by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3347-airport-lounge License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
How to Become An Overnight Success
Teaching Myself to Write Novels - July 18, 2020 00:00 - 24 minutesSpoiler alert: you might not like the answer. Sign up for book updates: eepurl.com/g1Zj6b Opening Music: Airport Lounge by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3347-airport-lounge License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
How Inclusive Is Your Novel?
Teaching Myself to Write Novels - July 10, 2020 11:00 - 19 minutesTalking more here about representation since it's all I can think about these days. The test I mention is called the Latif Test but there are a couple others as well. Let's make sure our writing is fully inclusive! Sign up for book updates: eepurl.com/g1Zj6b Opening Music: Airport Lounge by K...
Why I Love Cartoons
Teaching Myself to Write Novels - July 07, 2020 04:00 - 28 minutesGet ready for an Avatar the airbender episode & go start watching if you've never seen the series before! *There are spoilers!* I also talk about representation & tokenism in the media. Sign up for book updates: eepurl.com/g1Zj6b Opening Music: Airport Lounge by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://in...
Is The Second Draft Near?
Teaching Myself to Write Novels - July 03, 2020 11:00 - 26 minutesToday I talk about podcasting, free books for self-promotion, and the "light at the end of the first draft tunnel." Sign up for book updates: eepurl.com/g1Zj6b Opening Music: Airport Lounge by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3347-airport-lounge License: http://creat...
Literary Finesse
Teaching Myself to Write Novels - June 30, 2020 11:00 - 30 minutesToday I dive into the specificity of the writing craft, discuss suggestions on leveling up, and ways to draw your reader into your character perspectives. Sign up for book updates: eepurl.com/g1Zj6b Opening Music: Airport Lounge by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/334...
Scene Session w Randy Surles
Teaching Myself to Write Novels - June 26, 2020 11:00 - 38 minutesThis episode is my session with the Story Grid editor, Randy Surles! I had to cut a lot out so it’s a little disjointed but I hope you get the gist of how helpful he was! Sign up for book updates: eepurl.com/g1Zj6b Opening Music: Airport Lounge by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmm...
Bigger Picture (Zoom Out)
Teaching Myself to Write Novels - June 23, 2020 11:00 - 17 minutesScene-session episodes to come soon! Here I talk about how zooming out helps me understand the arcs and structure of my novels. Sign up for book updates: eepurl.com/g1Zj6b Opening Music: Airport Lounge by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3347-airport-lounge License: h...
Finding My New Normal
Teaching Myself to Write Novels - June 18, 2020 18:00 - 21 minutesFinding my way back to my own "new normal," I decided to book a scene-breakdown session with a Story-Grid editor, Randy Surles. My next episode(s) will show how it went! Sign up for book updates: eepurl.com/g1Zj6b Opening Music: Airport Lounge by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmu...
We're Living History
Teaching Myself to Write Novels - June 10, 2020 01:00 - 35 minutesI had to take a break from writing and podcasting but I'm back. I talk a bit about how world events have affected me and I also get into world building on a second project of mine. Sign up for book updates: eepurl.com/g1Zj6b Opening Music: Airport Lounge by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incomp...
Villain Complex & Character
Teaching Myself to Write Novels - May 29, 2020 11:00 - 20 minutesToday I try to work out how to make my wimpy protagonist as cool as my villainous, conflicted secondary character. Sign up for book updates: eepurl.com/g1Zj6b Opening Music: Airport Lounge by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3347-airport-lounge License: http://creati...
Give Yourself Credit! (For not "writing")
Teaching Myself to Write Novels - May 25, 2020 21:00 - 22 minutesSlogging in the middle of my story, today I talk about giving yourself credit for all the things that add up to your novel (not just word count). I have a 6-minute bonus about using dialogue as a crutch at the end. Sign up for book updates: eepurl.com/g1Zj6b Opening Music: Airport Lounge by K...
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