Alive & Writing

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Writers’ Got Skillz

Turns out that being a writer isn’t just about the writing. Okay, let’s back up a step. First, if you’re writing for yourself, then yes, writing is all you need. However, if you’re like us and want to sell your novels, then you’re going to need more skills than just whipping an awesome story.

If you’re selling your stories, then you’re a small business owner. And like many small business owners, you’re going to need more than just a single skill to be successful. In this episode, we discuss why we need skills beyond those of writing, what they are, and how to implement them.

Mentioned in the Episode

Project Management Institute

Agile Project Management: A complete beginner’s guide by Marcus Ries

11 Reasons Why Indie Authors Need Social Media

Digital Photography School

YNAB (You Need a Budget)

Free Image Sites We Like

* Pexels

* Unsplash

* Freepik

* Pixabay

Canva – a free image editing program

Taxes for Authors by Novel Marketing Podcast

All of Chapter 1 of Alive and Writing is now on YouTube. Go watch now!

Future Episodes:

What You Need To Know About the Differences in the Publishing Industry

What Is Project Management & Why You Should Care

Have you missed our last few podcasts? Check them out here:

Chapter 2 Episode 24 Improving “Fighting Fire” with Killer Critiques

Chapter 2 Episode 25 Why Making a Complete Mess Is Good for Mental Health

Chapter 2 Episode 26 What is Reader’s Block & What Can You Do About It

Note: links may be affiliate links that provide us with a small commission and doesn’t cost you anything extra.

Reader’s Block Is Real! 

Ever get to the point where you can’t, for the life of you, pick up a book and read? You, my friend, have encountered “reader’s block.” There are many causes, like boredom, overload, or exhaustion. Basically, we think reader’s block is a lot like writer’s block but eviler.

Okay, maybe not eviler, per se, but a problem that authors (or anyone for that matter) may encounter once in a while. After all, Stephen King says that if you’re not reading, you’re not writing. You can see how this may cause an issue for writers, no?

So, in this podcast episode, we chat about the various causes of reader’s block and offer a long list of how to overcome it so you can get back to writing!

Mentioned in the Episode

Books by Charlie Polsipher

Books by Barbara Cartland

Books by Louise Penny

I’d Rather by Reading by Anne Bogel

What Should I Read Next podcast by Anne Bogel

Our Childhood Favorites

* Black Beauty by Anna Sewell

* A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith

* The Redwall Series

Chapter 1 on YouTube

Future Episodes:

7 Valuable Skills You Need as an Author

What You Need To Know About the Differences in the Publishing Industry

What Is Project Management & Why You Should Care

Have you missed our last few podcasts? Check them out here:

Chapter 2 Episode 23 Exploring the 4 Stages of Magic in The Kingdom of Ruins

Chapter 2 Episode 24 Improving “Fighting Fire” with Killer Critiques

Chapter 2 Episode 25 Why Making a Complete Mess Is Good for Mental Health

Note: links may be affiliate links that provide us with a small commission and doesn’t cost you anything extra.

Making a Mess + Being Creative = Better Mental Health 

Did you know that being messy can help you be more creative? It’s true according to a study on the American Psychological Association website. Unfortunately, the same study says that to get things done, you need to clean up and have an organized space.

Interested to know how we at Alive and Writing feel about being messy (spoiler: we love it!)? Listen in as we discuss the connections between creativity, making a mess, and better mental health.

Mentioned in the Episode

A Messy Desk Encourages a Creative Mind, Study Finds

Splitcoast Stampers

Future Episodes:

What is Reader’s Block & What Can You Do about It

7 Valuable Skills You Need as an Author

What You Need To Know About the Differences in the Publishing Industry

Have you missed our last few podcasts? Check them out here:

Chapter 2 Episode 22 3 Ways Running an RPG Will Make You a Better Writer

Chapter 2 Episode 23 Exploring the 4 Stages of Magic in The Kingdom of Ruins

Chapter 2 Episode 24 Improving “Fighting Fire” with Killer Critiques

Note: links may be affiliate links that provide us with a small commission and doesn’t cost you anything extra.

How to Critique a Short Story…the Second Time Around

This week’s episode is a bit late. Why? Well it’s not only a long-form episode but we also had to re-record it. Apparently, the audio didn’t record correctly the first time, which is why you’ll hear us refer to the previous recording in this week’s episode. We apologize.

But this episode is good. Really good. We critique a short story, Fighting Fire, by Clark. In this episode, we chat about what a critique is, how it differs from feedback, and how to structure critiques. We also delve into Clark’s short story and figure out what makes it less “broken.” Heads up…it’s not.

Mentioned in the Episode

Chapter 1 Episode 12 Feedback

ABC method of Critique (originally by Mary Kowal Robinette)

Writer’s of the Future

Future Episodes:

Why Making a Complete Mess Is Good for Mental Health

What is Reader’s Block & What Can You Do about It

7 Valuable Skills You Need as an Author

Have you missed our last few podcasts? Check them out here:

Chapter 2 Episode 21 How to Fight the Urge to Do “All the Things”

Chapter 2 Episode 22 3 Ways Running an RPG Will Make You a Better Writer

Chapter 2 Episode 23 Exploring the 4 Stages of Magic in The Kingdom of Ruins

Note: links may be affiliate links that provide us with a small commission and doesn’t cost you anything extra.

Build It and They Will Come…Sort of.

Hold on to your hats, ladies and gentlemen, it’s going to be a  hoot of a ride! In our first recorded interview, we’re blown away by DC Marino’s awesome magic system. So much so that we asked her to explain what she did in detail so Clark could learn from her.

Mentioned in the Episode

Writing Excuses Podcast

The Four Stages of Magic by C.R. Rowenson

Points Worth: A Kingdom of Ruins Novelette by D.C. Marino

A Kingdom of Ruins by D.C. Marino

Visit D.C. Marino at:

* Her Website

* Facebook

* Instagram

* Twitter

* Pinterest

Future Episodes:

Improving “Fighting Fire” with Killer Critiques

Why Making a Complete Mess Is Good for Mental Health

Have you missed our last few podcasts? Check them out here:

Chapter 2 Episode 20 5 Benefits of RPGs & How They Help You Cope

Chapter 2 Episode 21 How to Fight the Urge to Do “All the Things”

Chapter 2 Episode 22 3 Ways Running an RPG Will Make You a Better Writer

Note: links may be affiliate links that provide us with a small commission and doesn’t cost you anything extra.

You Are a Story Master, Harry! I’m…a what?! Harry, You’re a Story Master!*

Storymaster, game master, DM…whatever you call them, they’re the creatives who help tell the main storyline of an RPG. In this episode, the co-hosts continue their discussion of role-playing games from the story master side of the table. Okay, it was a lot of fun and we just didn’t want it to end. Enjoy!

Mentioned in the Episode

Mythcreants – Fantasy & Science Fiction for Storytellers

What is the role of the DM? at the Dungeon Masters Only forum – great discussion on defining this important role in RPG

Previous Episodes We Discussed:

* Chapter 2 Episode 20 5 Benefits of RPGs & How They Help You Cope

Future Episodes:

Exploring the 4 Stages of Magic in The Kingdom of Ruins

Improving “Fighting Fire” with Killer Critiques

Why Making a Complete Mess Is Good for Mental Health

*My apologies to the Wizarding community everywhere. I couldn’t help myself.

Have you missed our last few podcasts? Check them out here:

Chapter 2 Episode 19 Why the Best Writers Are Insatiable Readers

Chapter 2 Episode 20 5 Benefits of RPGs & How They Help You Cope

Chapter 2 Episode 21 How to Fight the Urge to Do “All the Things”

Note: links may be affiliate links that provide us with a small commission and doesn’t cost you anything extra.

Running Your Writing Business and Other Fun Stuff

Writing books is a business, whether its what you do for a living or something you do on the side. And,  like most business, there are many tasks that have to be done all the time to keep the business afloat. In this episode, the co-hosts chat about why you shouldn’t let the busyness of business get to you, how to know when you’re too busy, and a few tips and tricks to narrow down what you really need to get done (besides the writing!).

Mentioned in the Episode

Various Marketing courses offered by:

* Michael Hyatt

* Tim Grahl

* Kelly Holmes

* Jeff Goins

Tailwind App – for scheduling posts to different social media outlets

Are You a Swan?: How to Overcome Book Marketing Overwhelm by Joel Friedlander

Previous Episodes We Discussed:

* Chapter 2 Episode 6 do You Know Where Your Loyal Readers Are?

* Chapter 2 Episode 7 How to Help an Author Find His Loyal Readers

* Chapter 2 Episode 9 3 Simple Stress-free Ways to Start Marketing as an Author

Future Episodes:

Exploring the 4 Stages of Magic in The Kingdom of Ruins

3 Ways Running an RPG Will Make You a Better Writer

Improving “Fighting Fire” with Killer Critiques

Have you missed our last few podcasts? Check them out here:

Chapter 2 Episode 18 Building Fabulous Technology and Wondrous Magic for April

Chapter 2 Episode 19 Why the Best Writers Are Insatiable Readers

Chapter 2 Episode 20 5 Benefits of RPGs & How They Help You Cope

Note: links may be affiliate links that provide us with a small commission and doesn’t cost you anything extra.

Beware the Basilisk! And other RPG monsters…

Tabletop gaming has been around for decades (and if you count chess, millennia) and it only gets better with time. For authors, it’s a cornucopia of character creation and storytelling that you just can’t find anywhere else. In this second episode of our How We Cope series, the Clark shares why he loves RPG games, how they’re helpful for authors, and why they’re good for everyone’s mental health.

Mentioned in the Episode

There were a bunch of games mentioned in this episode. Here are few you may want to check out:

* Pathfinder

* Alternity

* Earth Dawn

* Delta Green

* World of Darkness

Critical Role – voice actors play Dungeon & Dragons

Roll Tables for Character Creation

* donjon (a ton of character and other creators/generators)

* 1,000 NPC Traits

* Compilation of Random Character Creation Tables (Reddit)

* This Is Your Life

Online D&D Dice Roller

Future Episodes:

How to Fight the Urge to Do “All the Things”

Exploring the 4 Stages of Magic in The Kingdom of Ruins

Improving “Fighting Fire” with Killer Critiques

Have you missed our last few podcasts? Check them out here:

Chapter 2 Episode 17 What to Do When You Can’t Do What You Want to Do

Chapter 2 Episode 18 Building Fabulous Technology and Wondrous Magic for April

Chapter 2 Episode 19 Why the Best Writers Are Insatiable Readers

We’re building magic (and exciting technology) today with Clark.  See how using his process helped April create her western steampunk world and how it can help you with building your magic, too!

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So Many Books, So Little Time

Books, books everywhere and not a word to read. Wait, that’s not right. Anyway, we love books and we bet you do too. And we’re also willing to guess that it’s books that prompted your writing journey. In this podcast episode, the co-hosts discuss why we love to read, why we should read a lot, and which books influenced us to write.

Mentioned in the Episode

Alive and Writing Podcast’s curated list of books on Amazon, including the following:

Books we mentioned:

* A Song Unheard by Roseanne M. White

* Nancy Drew series

* Still Life by Louise Penny

* Boys Life by Rober McCammon

* On Writing by Stephen King

* Tuesday Next series by Jasper Fforde

* Any book ever written by Terry Pratchett

Bright (a movie on Netflix)

Future Episodes:

5 Benefits of RPGs & How They Help You Cope

How to Fight the Urge to Do “All the Things”

5 Ways Role-Playing Games Make You a Better Writer (How we Cope Series)

Have you missed our last few podcasts? Check them out here:

Chapter 2 Episode 16 Mental Health Doesn’t Need a Reason to Make You Miserable

Chapter 2 Episode 17 What to Do When You Can’t Do What You Want to Do

Chapter 2 Episode 18 Building Fabulous Technology and Wondrous Magic for April

Note: links may be affiliate links that provide us with a small commission and doesn’t cost you anything extra.

Building Marvelous Magic Systems!

In this longer than usual episode, the co-hosts chat about April’s serial Recovering the Relics of Jezebel Jones (out in July 2018!) and how she and Clark built the magic system using his four stages of magic building.

Mentioned in the Episode

Girl Genius

Sufficiently Analyzed Magic by TV Tropes

Willing Suspension of Disbelief by TV Tropes

Mohs Scale of Science Fiction Hardness by TV Tropes

A Town Called Mercy (an episode of Doctor Who in which the 11th Doctor ends up in the Old West)

Theo Jansen’s Strandbeests (the Walking Sculpture video)

A Christmas Story (DVD)

Alive and Writing Book Club (Facebook group)

Future Episodes:

Why the Best Writers Are Insatiable Readers

5 Benefits of RPGs & How They Help You Cope

How to Fight the Urge to Do “All the Things”

Have you missed our last few podcasts? Check them out here:

Chapter 2 Episode 15 Getting Lost in the Vortex of Fountain Pens

Chapter 2 Episode 16 Mental Health Doesn’t Need a Reason to Make You Miserable

Chapter 2 Episode 17 What to Do When You Can’t Do What You Want to Do