How to Write Fiction: Alone in A Room With Invisible People TM: How to Write Fiction

Mini Episode: What if I Don't Have Time to Write?

This week I, (host Rebecca Galardo), discuss another much asked question with Author and Teacher Holly Lisle.  If you're looking for one of the most cited reasons that people use for not writing, it's time.

Time is a precious commodity, one of the few things in life that truly cannot be replaced.  There is no getting it back and so many people want to take it up.  Carving out space for our passions can be difficult when it comes to daily obligations.  Holly covers how to find the time in your life, but just as important, how to find the why in your life. 

Mini Episode: Writing Skills - Show, Don't Tell

This week we head back into the vault of Writing Skill Questions.

I, (host Rebecca Galardo) and Author/Teacher Holly Lisle discuss the advice often heard - and not so often explained - "Show, Don't Tell."

Holly walks us through the topic with examples and points out the important things to keep in mind, including her most important tip of all.

Questions or comments after the episode? Join us in the Podcast forum at hollyswritingclasses.com

Going Full Time as a Writer - Insanity Helps

A question Holly gets often is a variation of: "How did you go pro as a writer?"

I, (host Rebecca Galardo) and Author/Teacher Holly Lisle discuss her advice for other writers looking to earn a living as an author.  This plan lays out steps built from writing for over 35 years and being professionally published for almost 30 of those years.

Holly and Rebecca get personal and deep with examples of how Holly's life has effected her people, her career - and and how her career has had it's own effects.  An important listen for anyone wanting to make a living writing fiction.

Questions or comments after the episode? Join us in the Podcast forum at hollyswritingclasses.com

The Writing Career - What if You had to do it ALL Over Again?

The Writing Career - What if You had to do it ALL Over Again?

I, (host Rebecca Galardo) and Author/Teacher Holly Lisle went a different route this episode.  Holly was struck by a question in her personal Patreon.  "What if you had to do it all over again?" 

What would you do differently?

 

Holly takes this question on from two perspectives: starting over in her own already set life's timeline, or starting as a writer might be starting now, in the world of Indie and Trad pub options.

A complex question with a myriad of answers, there is something for any aspiring writer to learn in this episode, most of which is: all you have is right now.

16 Bad Habits Writers Have

I, (host Rebecca Galardo) and Author/Teacher Holly Lisle took to asking a question of our listeners in the AIARWIP forums at HollysWritingClasses:

"What is/are your worst bad habit/s?"

Bad habits differ greatly but the common denominator is that they all lead to results that are not ideal for writing: mostly leading to NOT writing.  

For all 16 of the mentioned bad habits - ranging from listening to your Muse's every idea to never finishing, to not being firm about a writing habit - Holly and I provide our experiences and tips for getting past the habit and back to the writing.

(If you have a bad habit that was not covered, join the free forums at hollyswritingclasses.com and let us know on the post in the forum for this episode.)

Mini Episode: What if I Don't Have Talent?

I, (host Rebecca Galardo) and Author/Teacher Holly Lisle answer one of the most common questions that creatives ask over and over. It's the fear many of us have: What if I don't have the talent to pursue my dreams?  Society tells us that creatives are born not made.  Well, we disagree.  Holly and I cover the following:

Does talent matter?

Why having none gives you the advantage.

And what you can do if you're starting from scratch with zero skills.

This is a very important topic.  As you grow your skills and people begin to look at your work and compare their lower-level stuff to it, you'll hear the same thing: "I just have no talent."  

And then you can help a future author out too.

How Not to Get Eaten by Research

This week I, (host Rebecca Galardo), discuss research with Author and Teacher Holly Lisle. This was a highly requested topic from our listeners.  We discuss the temptations of research, when it can be avoided - at least temporarily - how to define and deal with research that MUST be done to continue writing, what time-shifting is, what Spies are, how to 'Feast then Fast' and more.

Research is every writer's best friend... and worst enemy!  Learn how we as writers can take control and learn to tame the beast.

What Motivates You to Write Fiction - and How to Find it

How to Write Fiction: What motivates you with your fiction?  If you don't know, how can you find it?

This week I, (host Rebecca Galardo), discuss motivation with Author and Teacher Holly Lisle.  In 'What Motivates You to Write Fiction' we get very personal. We covered this most important topic because all of us struggle with motivation and plaguing questions about what to write.  We discuss passions, vulnerabilities and putting YOU on the page.  

This episode can help you find the power inside of you to stick through the tough times - in life and writing - and keep creating. Holly provides a very clear set of questions for yourself and actions that can help guide you through figuring out what it is that motivates YOU and how to keep that drive to get your butt in the chair and get those words.

Join us in this week’s episode and if you have a question for us join us in the forums at HollysWritingClasses.com and get to typing!

After the episode: Have something to say? A question to ask? Jump into the FREE forums at HollysWritingClasses.com (no purchase or ownership of courses necessary) and share with us.

Share, rate and subscribe for weekly episodes! Good reviews help us find more writers like us!

Halloween Special: Listener Edition

How to Write Fiction: Listener's Stories!

We invite you to cozy on up to your listening devices for this spoooooooky, extra special episode!  Ghosts, ghouls, vampires, werewolves and more!  Oh my!

Writers and listeners of the podcast have given us some wonderful and entertaining stories to behold!  Using Holly's Free 'How to Write Flash Fiction that Doesn't Suck' course, they've submitted their Halloween-themed stories.

Just under 30 tales of the macabre, scary, goofy, quirky, sad and funny!! There is a story for everyone in this batch.  All in bite size, delectable chunks, just like your favorite pieces of Halloween candy! So carve out sometime on All Hallow's Eve to feast on candy & these stories!

Join us in this week’s episode and if you have a question for us join us in the forums at HollysWritingClasses.com and get to typing!

After the episode: Have something to say? A question to ask? Jump into the FREE forums at HollysWritingClasses.com (no purchase or ownership of courses necessary) and share with us.

Share, rate and subscribe for weekly episodes! Good reviews help us find more writers like us!

Writing Better Description

How to Write Fiction: What to Write When it Comes to Descriptions

Have your eyes ever started glazing over when reading a description of a place?  Have you ever rolled your eyes at a person when they're describing themselves?  

When writing, has the written representation of something in your fiction felt more like a report?  Information dumping can put readers to sleep.  That's not why you want your book on their nightstand!

This week I, (host Rebecca Galardo), discuss the topic of Writing Better Description with Author and Teacher Holly Lisle. We cover the issues many writers face with this topic, such as description that is: boring, too long, too detailed, unnecessary, etc.  We also discuss the most common questions,  "What do I need to include?" and "How do I know when I have the right amount of description?"

Holly provides a very clear set of questions for yourself and actions that can help guide you through writing better description by knowing what is integral in each scene.

Join us in this week’s episode and if you have a question for us join us in the forums at HollysWritingClasses.com and get to typing!

After the episode: Have something to say? A question to ask? Jump into the FREE forums at HollysWritingClasses.com (no purchase or ownership of courses necessary) and share with us.

Share, rate and subscribe for weekly episodes! Good reviews help us find more writers like us!