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Episodes
Pro-novelist mother and aspiring novelist daughter discuss writing fiction for love AND money -- and how to do it yourself.
Episodes
Tuesday May 14, 2019
Tuesday May 14, 2019
What does fighting space pirates have to do with connecting to your Muse? How about climbing on top of a car? And why would you even do that? How about "guilty pleasure" tv, films or music?
In today's episode, author and teacher Holly Lisle and I (host, Rebecca Galardo) talk about how we connect with our Muses, what kind of tools are in our different toolboxes and how everything above helps us create new stories, work out story twists, break past those places where we're 'stuck' in the writing and more. We talk about where ideas come from and how to make your own Muse happy.
At the end, if you want to see that picture I spoke of, check out the Show Notes for this episode on our website: alonewithinvisiblepeople.com
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.
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Tuesday May 07, 2019
Tuesday May 07, 2019
Writers want to make their endings powerful, meaningful, satisfying and yet leaving the reader wanting more and more of their works. But many times we're at a loss, especially if something is going wrong with the words on the page.
This week Holly and I (host, Rebecca Galardo) go over what differentiates weak endings from strong ones and how you can dissect your own. We provide examples as well as discuss previous works, using these as case studies.
If you want to get the ending that doesn't just scratch that itch but has your reader (maybe potential editors) screaming "YES!" listen in to this episode.
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.
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Tuesday Apr 30, 2019
Tuesday Apr 30, 2019
How to Write Middles for Fiction
If the beginning is the most intimidating the middle is the slog, the quicksand, the Wall that runners hit. What do I include is still in question. What happens with the conflicts? Where did my steam go? Why am I STUCK?
This week Holly and I (host, Rebecca Galardo) go over what differentiates weak middles from strong ones and how you can dissect your own. We provide from-scratch examples as well as discuss previous works, using these as case studies.
Most every writer on the planet has hit that Middle Mountain. Do you have a better name for it? Please share. Until then, have a look at what Holly has to say about not just fixing the problem, but getting excited and having fun diving into that middle!
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.
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Tuesday Apr 23, 2019
Tuesday Apr 23, 2019
How to start your book... Oh, jeez! Who doesn't lock up a bit from time to time thinking about the beginning? It can be intimidating thinking about the first page! What do I include? How do I show the world, engage the reader in the conflicts? What is the best way to introduce my characters and get the story rolling?
This week Holly and I (host, Rebecca Galardo) go over what differentiates weak beginnings from strong ones and how you can dissect your own. We provide from-scratch examples as well as discuss previous works, using these as case studies.
We also discuss briefly a few important topics at the beginning of the episode, especially questions that Holly has once again been getting from listeners regarding the level of education as a limitation on their future as career authors. I think you'll be encouraged.
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.
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Tuesday Apr 16, 2019
Tuesday Apr 16, 2019
Holly has them. I have them. You have them.
Everyone has them.
We've been in the middle of the zombie apocalypse for as long as there have been writers! The Undead live as ideas stumbling around in the dark corners of your hard drives, starving, searching for life-giving sustenance.
This week Holly and I (host, Rebecca Galardo) go over our own zombies, what to do with them, whether you should resurrect them or have mercy and kill them off (remember, the BRAIN!)... and we also have a challenge for you.
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.
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Tuesday Apr 09, 2019
Tuesday Apr 09, 2019
Holly gets asked all the time: "How do you consistently show up to work and get words on the page?" "How do you get to the 'butt in chair' mindset and do it enough to create so many finished works?" "How do you create a routine that gets you progress even on days when the last thing you want to do is write?"
This week Holly and I (host, Rebecca Galardo) go over our own writing systems and the processes we use to consistently create. Each step will show you how to find your own way of doing things. Holly breaks down what a writing system is into a clear, manageable sequence of tasks and ideals that will help you apply values and principles into your life to build your own writing system.
As you listen, write down your own preferences and ideas. What would make a better environment for you? What would help you stay consistent on an every day basis?
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.
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Tuesday Apr 02, 2019
Tuesday Apr 02, 2019
The much needed follow up on 'How to Write Surprises and Mysteries in Any Genre' is here! Holly takes on a Sci-Fi Romance while I (host Rebecca Galardo) take on a straight genre Romance. The first episode on this topic is pretty much required listening before taking on this one. The following is the basic premise of both of these episodes together:
"Have you ever read a book that kept surprising you with twists and turns you didn't see coming but once read you couldn't unsee the clues? How about the opposite - guessed the twist from the start? If you aspire to write great mysteries in your novels and avoid at all costs the obvious surprises, this episode could give you the tools to do just that.
I (host Rebecca Galardo) and Author/Teacher Holly Lisle discuss how to plan surprises and mysteries while leaving room for your muse to play. Without over-planning, spontaneous twists that even shock you as the author can come into play!
Get the free worksheet on our download page at AIARWIP.com/downloads (no email requested, no obligation whatsoever)."
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.
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Tuesday Mar 26, 2019
Tuesday Mar 26, 2019
Staring at the blank page can be scary, frustrating and it's easy to walk away from writing to do anything that seems easier. Dishes, video games, an entire spring cleaning, taking apart an engine... Who knows.
Brainstorming ideas can be fun, invigorating and inspiring! And you don't have to "wait for inspiration" or the "perfect mood" to hit. You can put yourself in that mood very easily.
So follow along with Holly and me as we go through 6 of 10 prompts, doing two ideas each from scratch for these prompts and always making sure to cover what Holly refers to as the Four P's. We'd love for you to join us in the forums and share some of your odd, fun, funky, beautiful, heartbreaking or cheerful story ideas!
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.
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Tuesday Mar 19, 2019
Tuesday Mar 19, 2019
Collaborations.
It's alien subject for many authors. Even the concept can be a bit foreign. Writing is a solo effort. You're in your mind, working with your characters in your world. Already they can be so hard to control! So what benefit comes from sharing a world, a page, and a cover with another writer?
It's not what you're thinking. It has nothing to do with snagging a duo with a bigger name author, gathering up thousands of new readers and the big bucks - in fact, those don't typically work out as expected.
Tune in as Holly and I discuss the many pros (and the many cons) of collaborations. It might be just what you needed to hear to convince to write with another person - or to keep your invisible people to yourself.
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!
Tuesday Mar 12, 2019
Tuesday Mar 12, 2019
From Rebecca: I believe this is a 'must listen to' episode if you are aspiring to write for a living. There are always exceptions to every rule - but the exceptions are few and far between.
In this episode we cover the difference between 'Writing to Market' and 'Selling Out' - and how it can vastly affect your writing career.
Holly reveals a mistake that she has been committing the entire 30+ years she has been writing professionally and has only just found - one that she believes is the answer to why the majority of her work has never sold as well as expected. She's about to make a big change to her future works and she wants to share this with our listeners in order to reach those with similar goals who might also be making this mistake.
If you're looking at dismal sales or piling up rejection slips no matter what you've tried, it could be as simple as what she has found. Could be. Maybe not.
As always, this podcast is 100% free. This episode is not an attempt to sell you a system, an ebook, a course, a counseling session, etc. There is no silver bullet, no guarantee - ever - and anyone promising those things is a salesman looking for a buck.
Rising tides lift all boats and if you're committing the same writing mistake as Holly, she wants to help.
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!