Welcome to Crafted Creativity, where amazing things happen.
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Discussions with authors, songwriters, performers, and other creative people
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Stepping Off Now is a podcast about how to live your creative best life. I’m Kendra, a social scientist and writer. I spent decades feeling creatively unfulfilled while I pursued conventional life goals, culminating in severe burnout that took years to recover from. This podcast chronicles my journey in real time as I find my way home to my essential creative self. I discuss topics like harnessing the intuitive creative process, using creativity to manage mental health, and sorting through a ...
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Writer Spark is a biweekly broadcast about business, creativity, and the craft of writing fiction hosted by bestselling author, fiction writing teacher, and writing coach, Melissa Bourbon. It’s your go-to resource for all things writing! Featuring successful authors who share invaluable insights on various craft topics, each episode is designed to inspire and educate. Enjoy stand-alone episodes packed with essential writing tips, from plotting and character development to mastering the art o ...
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Identical twins Adam and David Moss perform as the Brother Brothers, and they’ll be in Columbus on January 10, 2024, with Six String Concerts. Their latest release is The January Album, so named because they recorded it in January 2021. Adam regards it as their “most collaborative effort yet,” with the brothers working closely throughout the record…
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Happy Hard-Boiled Holiday! Tod Goldberg’s Dark Hanukkah
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New York Times best-selling author Tod Goldberg has turned to editing for his latest work, Hanukkah Noir: Eight Very Bad Nights. The collection features 11 stories by critically acclaimed authors and explores the dark, noir side of Hanukkah. As Goldberg puts it: Hanukkah is the perfect holiday for a noir setup because it’s eight nights. By about t…
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Erika Engelhaupt says, Go to Hell (in a nice way)
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Science writer Erika Engelhaupt, author of one of my favorite recent books, Gory Details: Adventures From the Dark Side of Science, joins me to discuss her new book Go to Hell: A Traveler’s Guide to Earth’s Most Otherworldly Destinations. It’s a travel bucket list with over 50 destinations worldwide that are linked to various interpretations of hel…
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E158. Interview Episode! What Health Looks Like Through the Lens of Creative Practice
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In a twist on a classic interview episode, in this one friend of the pod Ann Wainscott returns to interview someone herself! Links from this episode: Switched on Pop's Madonna episode No.1, No.2, and No.3 Daniel Mason's novel North WoodsPar Kendra Patterson
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Darren C. Demaree: Making Writing Sweet
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Columbus poet Darren C. Demaree makes his returns to Craft to discuss his latest poetry collection, his 23rd: So Much More. He explores death, fatherhood, nature, and empathy, along with other topics. Demaree discusses his approach to poetry, emphasizing the importance of the writing process over the final product. Demaree’s productivity may be par…
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E157. Finding Psychological Safety in a Tumultuous World as a Sensitive Creative
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When you are a highly sensitive gentle soul, the chaos and cruelty of the world can feel unbearable at times. How are we to protect ourselves while still engaging? In this episode I discuss this in light of my own thoughts on the recent US election results. My sister's Instagram account (jillpattersoncycling) The poem Desiderata…
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David Nihill and the Shelf Help Tour
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What does is take to be a successful comedian, like David Nihill? Practice. And a desire to tell people interesting facts, like Columbus used to have the oldest captive gorilla and currently has the longest span, single tower S-shaped suspension bridge in the world. Irish author, comedian, speaker, and coach David Nihill will be in Columbus on Nove…
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Craft 2024 Halloween: “Hannah” by Rami Ungar
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Most scary Halloween stories work because evil creatures or people threaten the protagonist is threatened by. “Torture the women!” Hitchcock famously said. But this year’s halloween story considers the question of “Who’s the monster?” something worth considering at any time of year, but especially in the fall. Cast Students from Christopher Ray’s W…
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E156. How I Learned to Take Myself Less Seriously...and More Seriously
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Have you ever been told you take yourself too seriously? I heard this all the time growing up. And it was both right...and wrong. In this episode I discuss how I held myself back from reaching for my creative dreams both by taking myself too seriously and not seriously enough. Sound confusing? Well, give it a listen! Here is the Instagram reel that…
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E155. Why You Really Really REALLY Shouldn't Listen to Advice (*With Some Exceptions)
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I wasted years of my life following other people's advice about how I should be writing novels and developing my creative practice, and it mostly failed me. So finally I decided to chuck it all out the window, go against the grain, and listen to myself. In this episode I discuss why we mostly shouldn't listen to anyone else and instead expend time …
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The days are getting shorter, a chill is in the air, and pumpkins are attacked mercilessly by knife-wielding maniacs: it must be Halloween season. It’s also one of the favorite times of year of Maxwell I. Gold, a Columbus native, author, and executive director of the Horror Writers Association. We discussed his work in weird and cosmic fiction, inc…
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2024 Ohio Book Award Winner Sarah Lohman on the Eight Flavors of American Cuisine
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Blogger and food writer Sarah Lohman won not one but two 2024Ohio Book Awards: the Ohio Book Award in Nonfiction and the Reader’s Choice Award for her book Endangered Eating: America’s Vanishing Food. The Ohioana Library will present the Ohio Book Awards at the 83rd Annual Ohio Book Awards Celebration on October 29th, where you can meet the award w…
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E154. Does Structure Constrain or Free Us?
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I am using my current project, novel #2, to master plot, my weakest area as a writer. In the past, I've been ambivalent and even felt antipathy toward applying commercial and Western-style plot structures to my novels, because I felt they constrained my art. So what's changed? In this episode I discuss my evolving views on structure in life and art…
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E153. Preliminary Thoughts on Being a Neurodivergent Creative
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In this episode I discuss my recent diagnosis of being neurodivergent, including why I pursued a formal diagnosis, what it entails, and its relationship to creativity and my art.Par Kendra Patterson
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Singer-songwriter Ruth Moody will be in Columbus on September 27 with Six String Concerts. We discussed her new solo album “Wanderer,” her first in a decade, which reflects on motherhood, grief, and love. The album, recorded in Nashville, is deeply personal and resonates with her audience through its emotional vulnerability. She details the challen…
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E152. Are the Things We Suck At Actually Special Talents in Disguise?
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With novel #1 winding its way toward publication (hopefully), I have officially begun work on novel #2...and I've realized I will have to approach writing it in an entirely different way. Not only that, I'm going to have to use a technique I have utterly failed at in the past: preplanning the plot. Simply put, I suck at plot. It was the last thing …
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E151. When All You Have Is a Drum... Play
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I'm not really sure how to summarize this episode, y'all...but you'll want to listen! Contact mePar Kendra Patterson
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Poet George Bilgere, aka, Our Man in Berlin, drops by to discuss his latest, Cheap Motels of My Youth, which began at a café in Berlin and won the Rattle Magazine chapbook contest. We talk about his writing process, family, and approach to poetry in the digital age. He reads several of his poems, providing a fascinating glimpse into his creative li…
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E150. The OG Society Thought Experiment: Why and How We Share Our Art
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Sometimes it can be difficult to see how our own societies and cultures influence us. I have this trick I use to help reveal some of those hidden influences that I call the OG Society Thought Experiment. I imagine how a small pre-capitalist "original society" would have functioned and compare that to my modern capitalist society. Today I use this t…
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How to Build a Killer Writing Routine
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Episode 50 Welcome to The WriterSpark Podcast! I'm your host, Melissa Bourbon, a bestselling author, podcaster, teacher, and book cover designer. In this episode, we're diving into the essentials of building a killer writing routine that promotes consistency and productivity. Whether you're struggling to find time to write or looking for ways to st…
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E149. Are Big Dreams Bad for Us? Learning to Not Miss the Stars
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In this episode I take stock of where I am in my creative journey as I contemplate what lies beyond the dreams we hold for ourselves. Are dreams holding us back? Do they ultimately make our lives less happy and satisfying? W.H. Auden's poem, The More Loving One Contact mePar Kendra Patterson
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Using Setting as a Character in Fiction Writing
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Episode 49 Delve into the idea of using setting as a character in fiction writing. This week, I'm thrilled to welcome my special guest Marjorie McCown, author of the Hollywood Mystery series, who expertly uses the Hollywood movie set and Los Angeles as 'characters' in her books. In this episode, Marjorie and I explore how a well-crafted setting can…
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E148. Looking for Your Lights in the Dark
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Notice: The Kishōtenketsu Workshop I am doing with Andy Mort is coming up next week! You can find more info and sign up a this link. In this episode I discuss two women I've learned about recently who are lights in the dark for me. They inspire me to keep going through tough times, and to not lose hope. Table tennis phenom Zhiying Zeng, who is maki…
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From Fiction to Fact: The Intersection of True Crime and Fiction Writing
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Episode 48 Have you ever thought about the parallels between writing True Crime and Fiction Writing? That is what this episode is all about. I had the opportunity to talk with investigative journalist and true crime writer Doug Kari to explore the similarities in writing these two genres and dig into his investigative process as he researched and w…
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E147. In Search of Continuities in Our Artistic Identity
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I recently discovered a notebook filled with poetry I wrote thirty (!) years ago, and in one fell swoop it reconfigured my understanding of myself as an artist. In this episode I contemplate the threads that define who we are as artists that weave their way through our lifelong body of work (creative or otherwise). And I read one of those thirty-ye…
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E146. In Which I Read My Short Story "The Trash House"
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In summer I like to mix it up on this podcast, so I decided to share some of my short stories. "The Trash House" is a women-centered retooling of the Japanese Kitsune (fox) folklore. Enjoy!Par Kendra Patterson
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Tips for Writing Books with Magical Elements
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Episode 47 Tips for Writing Books with Magical Elements Welcome to The WriterSpark Podcast, the podcast that ignites your creativity and fuels your passion for storytelling. I'm your host, Melissa Bourbon, and today I have an enchanting episode you won't want to miss. I am thrilled to be joined by the bestselling author Barbara Davis, who is a true…
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E145. Re-Envisioning the Creative Journey through the Kishotenketsu Lens
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Last episode I discussed the "conflict free" Japanese Kishotenketsu storytelling framework as a gentler alternative to the Western-style Hero's Journey. In this one I contrast the two as lenses through which we can interpret our creative lives. The Hero's Journey, though it may make for compelling entertainment, can be toxic when used as a way of u…
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Harness the Benefits of Process Writing to Unlock Creativity
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Episode 46 Story structure is at the heart of storytelling. Many writers use the Hero's Journey, the Three-Act Structure, the Snowflake Method, or Save the Cat, but there is another way to write a novel; Unlock your creativity with process writing and you'll harness amazing benefits. In this episode, Boo Trundle and I talk about process writing, it…
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E144. Special Release: The Calming Effects of Kishotenketsu Narrative Structure
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I'm dealing with some personal life stuff right now and so dug into my Patreon archive for an episode for you all today! In this one I discuss the Japanese (and more broadly Asian) narrative structure called Kishotenketsu. This is generally seen as being a low-conflict or even conflict-free form of narrative, and it's a balm to the soul for those o…
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E143: The Writing Conference and Live Pitching Experience
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Last week I made the trek down to Tampa to attend a writer's conference and live pitch my novel to two agents! This type of experience can be overwhelming for creatives who are highly sensitive or have other types of sensory processing conditions--or for those who struggle with anxiety and/or mental health challenges. In this episode I discuss all …
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Get a Glimpse Behind the Publishing Curtain
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Episode 45 Get a glimpse behind the publishing curtain from Shawn Reilly Simmons, co-founder of Level Best Books, a woman-owned and -operated boutique publisher. Whether you are a published or aspiring author, whether you are indie, traditional, or hybrid (published or not), learn from an expert in the industry. Learn more about Level Best Books ➤ …
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E142. Handling Rejection Sensitivity for Neurodiverse and Highly Sensitive Creatives
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Rejection sensitivity is one of the primary challenges neurodiverse and highly sensitive creatives face in reaching for their dreams. It can cause us to isolate, not seek out opportunities to share or showcase our work, or even keep us from doing creative work in the first place. If we do put ourselves out there, we risk severe mental health conseq…
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The Fundamentals of Marketing for Writers
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Episode 44 Every author has two jobs, one as an author, and the other as a marketer. It's a necessary part of the writing life if you are in it to earn money. Nicolette Lemmon is an industry expert with experience in marketing. This episode taps into marketing fundamentals to help writers succeed in this part of the writing process. Books and Other…
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E141. Following What's Alive in Your Creative Work
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This episode begins with an update on my preparations for the writers' conference I'm attending in Tampa on April 12. You can skip ahead to the 10:36 mark for the topical discussion. We're often counseled to follow our own vision or intuition in our creative work, but what does that actually look like in practice? How do you do it? In this episode …
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E140. Update Episode! Plans for Pitching My Novel
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At loooooooong last, I am (nearly! almost!) ready to start querying my novel to agents, so I decided it was the right time to do an update episode on where things stand and my plans going forward. I touch on topics such as what it feels like to be done, preparing for querying, and finding opportunities for professionalization as a prospective autho…
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How to Tap into M.A.G.I.C. in your Writing
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Episode 43 We can all use a little MAGIC in our writing lives. In this case, I'm talking about the MAGIC from "Organisational Consultant and workplace mediator Sharon Darmody". In our conversation, we talked about how to apply her MAGIC framework to the writing life. Books and Other Resources Mentioned in this episode: * Work Your Magic* https://ww…
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E139. Ordinary vs. Extraordinary Times in the Creative Process
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Most timelines of the creative process depict it as linear and progressive, an "up and to the right" trajectory (like on a graph). But what I am finding in the final stretch of writing my novel, though, that this phase is entirely different from every part of the process that came before. Nothing about how I'm working as I struggle toward that fini…
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E138. Recognizing and Recovering from a Creativity Injury
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My sister is a competitive cyclist, and we enjoy discussing the similarities between athletic practice and creative practice. The other day she was telling me about how she and the cyclists she coaches recognize, treat, and recover from physical injuries. It made me wonder: can creatives and artists suffer from injuries, too? If so, how do we recog…
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Mining Your Life for Stories
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Episode 42 In this episode, Melissa talks with Lynne Golodner, author of Woman of Valor and prolific creative nonfiction writer, about mining your life for stories. This is such a great topic and applicable to people who write (or want to write) memoirs, creative nonfiction, and fiction. Enjoy! Books and Other Resources Mentioned in this episode: W…
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E137. Good vs. Bad Discomfort in Creative Practice and Life
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I credit my creative practice with helping me recover from my life-altering burnout at the end of my PhD. I've maintained from the beginning (and often talked about in this podcast) that creative work should feel good most of the time. For many years I've been gentle and compassionate with myself in both my creative practice and life, never pushing…
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E136. Crafting Your Artist Origin Story
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Have you ever noticed that successful artists' backstories often sound like destined paths or hero's journeys? Learning how to tell your own mythologized origin story is an essential tool for any artist. Listen to this episode to find out why and how to do it. I am indebted to the podcast episode Infamous: Taylor Swift Before She Was Famous Part I …
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E135. Magical Thinking in the Creative Life: Use and Misuse
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I am a lifelong magical thinker, but in recent years have rejected it in favor of a more realistic (read: pessimistic/cynical haha) perspective. This holiday season, though, I have decided that I will once again let myself believe in magic. But am I ready to indulge in magical thinking in a responsible way? To find out, I compare my magical thinkin…
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Literary Agents: What to think about and look for, and so much more!
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Episode 41 In this episode, Melissa talks with Michael Griffo, who also writes at JD Griffo and Michael Falco. The topic is All About Agents: Do you need them? What to look for... But it ended up being so much more. Enjoy! Resources mentioned in this episode: Books and Other Resources Mentioned in this episode: Michael Griffo's Website: https://mic…
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E134. Celebrating Not Accomplishing Goals
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There's no question that setting and achieving goals is beneficial...right? But what about when it's not? Creativity requires us to become adept at allowing ourselves to be swept off course. In this episode I discuss why we struggle so much to deviate from plan, why this can harm our creative process, and why we may want to consider taking radical …
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E133. Connecting With Your Greater Purpose for Your Art
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In these final difficult months of getting my novel ready for agent submissions, thinking about my art's greater purpose is serving as an important motivator. In this episode I discuss why I think it's best to save contemplating your art's greater purpose for the later stages of creation, how to know if you even need a greater purpose for your art,…
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Reasons Why Every Author Needs an Editor
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Episode 40 Every writer needs an editor, but do you know why and what they do for you? Do you know what editors do and what different types of edits mean? Developmental. Substantive. Line. Copy. They each have their own purposes. As well as being an author, writing coach and instructor, and cover art designer, I am also a freelance editor. Today I'…
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Episode 39 Every writer gets stuck now and then. It's part of the journey. Getting stuck doesn't mean you need to stop, though, and it isn't just about pushing through. I have 8 strategies to help get you past 'Writer's Block' so you can move forward with your writing. (Read along on the WriterSpark blog) ✨ 📝 Get updates on business, creativity, an…
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E132. Maintaining a Creative Practice Under Conditions of High Stress
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When life gets messy, it's tempting to put our creative work aside until we have the space and energy for inspiration again. But this is no good if you are trying to finish a project or if you are dedicated to maintaining a serious creative practice as an artist or a mental health practice. In this episode I talk about what I learned from a recent …
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You NEED these 11 Tips to CRUSH NaNoWriMo
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Episode 38 National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) is HERE, and writers all over have jumped into this exciting challenge. Whether you're an aspiring novelist or a seasoned writer, National Novel Writing Month may be just the special (not-so-secret) sauce you need to get motivated. If you are taking this writing challenge, you're in for a whirlwin…
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