My Imaginary Friends Podcast

An overview of my first week plotting book 4 in my fantasy series.

This week’s best thing: Plotting! Perhaps my favorite part of the writing process.

Mentions:

• Michael Hauge character development – This article is what started it all for me in terms of understanding this method for creating inner conflict: http://blog.janicehardy.com/2012/08/the-inner-struggle-guides-for-using.html
• Plot vs. Character by Jeff Gerke – https://amzn.to/2JMZTX0
• Creating Character Arcs by KM Weiland – https://amzn.to/2LVOp6t
• The Negative Trait Thesaurus – with Reverse Character Backstory tool – https://amzn.to/2YJmyIj
• Dan Wells 7 Point Plot Structure – https://hunterswritings.com/2016/09/16/7-point-story-structure-resources/
• Save the Cat Beat Sheet – https://jamigold.com/2012/02/how-to-use-the-save-the-cat-beat-sheet/
• The Fifth Season by NK Jemisin – https://amzn.to/2EuRDrx

Starting a brand new book… no, I’m not scared at all.

This week’s best thing: Soot and Slipper by Kate Stradling

Links:

• Namesake by Kate Stradling
• Project Management Software
  • Smartsheet
  • Trello
  • Notion
• Calendar templates 
• Write, Better, Faster course
• George RR Martin on endings
• Story Genius by Lisa Cron
• Creating Character Arcs by K.M. Weiland
  • positive, negative & flat character arcs!
• Save the Cat by Blake Snyder

I have turned in my manuscript (let us all rejoice!) and muse on my ongoing struggle with perfectionism.

This week’s best thing: Publishers Weekly starred review of Whispers of Shadow & Flame

Links:

• Awario.com and Mention.com – for tracking online mentions
• AppSumo – deals on techies things
• VONA/Voices workshop for writers of color
• The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman
• The Shadow Warrior by Ann Aguirre
• Heinlein’s rules for writing success
• Save the Cat Writes a Novel by Jessica Brody

Thoughts on publishing paths: indie and traditional. Also, inspiring honesty in writing and life.

This week’s best thing: Avengers: Endgame

Mentions:

• Angelina Lopez blog post – Fight to Win: Inspiration for Writers at the Washington Romance Writers Retreat
• Indie Author Central (IAC) on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/letztalkbooks/

This week I have a special guest: actor Paul James (aka my brother). Known for Greek, The Last Ship, and The Path, Paul shares his perspective on creating characters by bringing a writer’s words to life.

This week’s best thing: my birthday! + Game of Thrones!

Links:

• The Hot Sheet – https://hotsheetpub.com/
• Ran Walker, 2019 Winner Indie Author of the Year – https://indieauthorproject.com/2019-indie-author-of-the-year-award/
• Kboards – https://www.kboards.com/
• The Passive Voice – https://www.thepassivevoice.com/
• The Sell More Books Show – http://sellmorebooksshow.com
• Paul James on IMDB
• GMC: Goal, Motivation and Conflict by Deb Dixon

How novel revision and software development are basically the same thing. This week I enter the last(ish) stage of my revision, discuss the many uses of index cards, character verbs, and try not to let thoughts of piracy derail me.

This week’s best thing: I finished the final proofing of WHISPERS OF SHADOW & FLAME!

Mentions:
– Verbalize by Damon Suede – https://amzn.to/2ORE0qa
– The Story Grid by Shawn Coyne – https://amzn.to/2Um01DB
– Write Your Novel From the Middle by James Scott Bell – https://amzn.to/2I3ndQd
– Creating Character Arcs by K.M. Weiland – https://amzn.to/2UkBv5u
– Author Rachel Caine on piracy

 

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“The function, the very serious function of racism, is distraction. It keeps you from doing your work.” — Toni Morrison

Writing updates, quarterly planning, and my thoughts on recent events in the romance writing world.

This Week’s Best Thing: WHISPERS OF SHADOW & FLAME Advanced Reader Copies are here!!

Other Mentions:

• Robin Covington, romance author
• Mindlogr – private video diaries

On managing decision fatigue and why high output (writing all the things!) requires high input (aka my excuse for binge reading).

This Week’s Best Thing: The Ravenels by Lisa Kleypas

Also Mentioned:

• Never Seduce a Scot by Maya Banks
• Robin LaFevers IG Post on Decision Fatigue – https://www.instagram.com/p/BvKP68fHj8w/
  – Check out her books! http://www.robinlafevers.com/
• Neil Gaiman on Neil Armstrong and Imposter Syndrome

This week on the podcast, I talk writerly intuition and research to come up with character names.

This week’s best thing: Trailers Galore!

• Aladdin trailer
• Avengers:Endgame
• Bel-Air

The Writer’s Well podcast: http://thewriterswell.org

Article on the Sami Concept of Time: http://www.laits.utexas.edu/sami/dieda/anthro/concept-time.htm

Cold-Hearted Rake by Lisa Kleypas