Writing is tough, being a writer is tougher. Here at Alive and Writing, we take a closer look at all the challenges you will face as an author including issues with mental health, time management, professionalism, and more.

 

What do whiteboards, mind maps, and three chatty hosts have in common? Brainstorming! That’s right, today’s episode is about brainstorming with other people (rather than just yourself). Brainstorming is one of the most powerful tools in a writer’s toolbox and we chat about how we brainstorm, why we brainstorm, and who we should brainstorm with. We also have a snazzy little worksheet for you, Five Questions to Get Your Brain Storming (PDF).

*Due to some technical difficulties, the worksheet will be posted later this week. Thank you for understanding and check back soon!

Links and Sites Mentioned in Episode 10

Links in this post may or may not be affiliate links and as a such, we receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.

* How to Brainstorm: Give Your Brain Free Rein by Cris Freese

* Brainstorming for Writers by Elizabeth King Humphrey

* Finding Writing Ideas in Two Easy Steps by Harvey Chapman

* 6 Ways to Brainstorm a Book by Lois Hoffman

* Writer Emergency Pack

Stay tuned for next weeks episode when we chat about Brainstorming with Clark.

 Future Episodes:

Comparison

Feedback

LTUE (or Clark’s trip there and back again)

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

Chapter 1 Episode 7 Motivation

Chapter 1 Episode 8 Introvert or Extrovert?

Chapter 1 Episode 9 Cheerleaders

Writing is tough, being an author is tougher. Here at Alive and Writing, we take a closer look at all the challenges you will face as an author including issues with mental health, time management, professionalism, and more.

 

No, we don’t mean cheerleaders as in pom-poms and mini skirts. We’re talking about that one (or more) person who’s always there for you, giving you the advice or guidance you need, and never letting you quit on yourself. You know, a cheerleader for writers. You can always tell which ones they are too because they have coffee or chocolate at the ready and a sympathetic ear but aren’t shy about giving you a quick boot in the rear.

Oh, wait. That’s just me.

Anyway, this week’s episode is about how to find your cheerleaders (or life anchors as Clark likes to call them),  what kinds of cheerleaders are out there (and, newsflash, they aren’t all good!), and why you need them in the first place. Oh, and don’t forget to download your !

Links and Sites Mentioned in Episode 9

Links in this post may or may not be affiliate links and as a such, we receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.

* Why Being a Writer’s Cheerleader Will Make or Break Your Writing Career

* Why Cheerleaders Rock the Writing World

* To My Writing Cheerleader

* Writing Cheerleaders

* Alive and Writing’s (PDF)

 

Stay tuned for next weeks episode when we chat about Brainstorming With Others.

 Future Episodes:

Brainstorming With Clark

Comparison

Feedback

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

Chapter 1 Episode 6 It’s NOT a Competition

Chapter 1 Episode 7 Motivation

Chapter 1 Episode 8 Introvert or Extrovert?

Writing is tough, being an author is tougher. Here at Alive and Writing, we take a closer look at all the challenges you will face as an author including issues with mental health, time management, professionalism, and more.

 

Introverts, extroverts, and ambiverts, oh my! Each of us reacts differently to the thought of interacting with other humans. Whether it’s face-to-face at a book signing or online for a book launch, you need to learn how to use your own unique personality to your advantage. In this episode of Alive and Writing, we discuss what the difference is between the “verts,” how to overcome those pesky social transactions, and why velociraptors with laser scopes aren’t allowed at parties.

Links and Sites Mentioned in Episode 8

Links in this post may or may not be affiliate links and as a such, we receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.

* Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking by Susan Cain

* The Power of Introverts (TED Talk)

* Myers-Brigg Test at 16 Personalities

* The Myers-Briggs Types of 101 Authors

* How to Improve Your Writing, by Myers-Briggs Type

Stay tuned for next weeks episode when we chat about Find Your Cheerleaders.

 Future Episodes:

Brainstorming With Others

Brainstorming With Clark

 

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

Chapter 1 Episode 5 Self-Care

Chapter 1 Episode 6 It’s NOT a Competition

Chapter 1 Episode 7 Motivation

 

Writing is tough, being an author is tougher. Here at Alive and Writing, we take a closer look at all the challenges you will face as an author including issues with mental health, time management, professionalism, and more.

 

Motivation comes in all shapes and sizes like fans and the realization of a life-long dream. It also comes in the in the form of cash, which you’ll learn more about in the podcast. Mostly, though, it’s a slippery little thing that we need to help us get writing when nothing else will.

Links and Sites Mentioned in Episode 7

Links in this post may or may not be affiliate links and as a such, we receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.

* Tim Ferris

* Stickk.com

* Jeff Goin’s Writer’s Manifesto

* Outlining Your Novel by K.M. Weiland

We also refer to Block and Flow from Episode 4 Procrastination.

Stay tuned for next weeks episode when we chat about Introvert or Extrovert.

 Future Episodes:

Find Your Cheerleaders

Brainstorming With Others

Brainstorming With Clark

Let us know how we’re doing. We’re anxious to explore all areas of a writer’s life. And let’s face it. As completely different as we all are from each other, we’re not going to think of everything.

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

Chapter 1 Episode 4 Procrastination

Chapter 1 Episode 5 Self-Care

Chapter 1 Episode 6 It’s NOT a Competition

 

Writing is tough, being an author is tougher. Here at Alive and Writing, we take a closer look at all the challenges you will face as an author including issues with mental health, time management, professionalism, and more.

Each of us is utterly flawless in our planning, writing, and execution, which is why none of us ever fall prey to self criticism.

Riiiight.

Is self-criticism good or bad? Can we even use it to our advantage? Most importantly, how are we supposed to handle it? Let’s get rambling talking and figure this nasty business out.

Links and Sites Mentioned

* Ditch Diggers

* Rogue One

* Writing Excuses on Self-Criticism

* Anne Lamott quote (Warning: it has a single swear word in it. That said, the quote is pretty accurate.)

* Embrace Your Inner Editor by K.M. Weiland

* Writing Excuses on Imposer Syndrome

* 7 Ways to Overcome Destructive Self-Criticism

Links in this post may or may not be affiliate links and as a such, we receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Stay tuned for next weeks episode when we chat about procrastinating.

Future Episodes:

Leaving Time for Yourself

It’s NOT a Competition

Motivation

And please, let us know how we’re doing. We’re anxious to explore all areas of a writer’s life. And let’s face it. As completely different as we all are from each other, we’re not going to think of everything.

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

Chapter 1 Episode 1 You Are Not Alone

Chapter 1 Episode 2 Preparing to Write

Chapter 1 Episode 4 Procrastination

Chapter 1 Episode 5 Self-Care

 

Writing is tough, being an author is tougher. Here at Alive and Writing, we take a closer look at all the challenges you will face as an author including issues with mental health, time management, professionalism, and more.

If you do something long enough, you start to build up habits. Some are good, some are bad, and some are just interesting. In today’s episode, we chat about our individual writing habits and what we do to prepare to write.

Links and Sites Mentioned

* The Write Mind Planner from Perry Elizabeth Designs. Use the code PODCAST for 10% off your first order! (Expires July 31, 2017 and cannot be combined with other offers or sales.)

* Helping Writer’s Become Authors

* Writing Rituals

* How a Writing Warm-up Routing Can Help You Write Better 

* Five Famous Authors And Their Strange Writing Rituals

* Writing habits and routines, filling the creative well and more tips on writing and productivity

* Evernote Editorial Calendar

* how to power social media productivity with Evernote

* 2017 Evernote Calendar Templates

Links in this post may or may not be affiliate links and as a such, we receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Stay tuned for next weeks episode when we chat about Self Criticism.

Future Episodes:

* Procrastination

* Leaving Time for Yourself

* It’s NOT a Competition

Did you miss a previous episode? Check them out here:

Chapter 1 Episode 1 You Are Not Alone

And please, let us know how we’re doing. We’re anxious to explore all areas of a writer’s life. And let’s face it. As completely different as we all are from each other, we’re not going to think of everything.

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

Chapter 1 Episode 1 You Are Not Alone

Chapter 1 Episode 3 Self-Criticism

Chapter 1 Episode 4 Procrastination

Chapter 1 Episode 5 Self-Care

 

Writing is tough, being an author is tougher. Here at Alive and Writing, we take a closer look at all the challenges we all face as authors, including issues with mental health, time management, professionalism, and more.

Today’s episode is all about a simple but powerful truth: you are not alone. It doesn’t matter if you’re dealing with depression, anxiety, confusion, book sales, or positive reviews. Good or bad, someone, somewhere has had or is having the same experience as you.

Let’s explore that together.

Links and Sites Mentioned

* Camp NaNo – Meet the project goal you set in 30 days. Available in April and July.

* NaNoWriMo – Write 50,000 words in 30 days, with support and pep talks. Meet other authors online and in person. Available in November.

* Writing Excuses – A podcast for writers, by writers. They try to keep it to 15 minutes but it varies.

Stay tuned for next week as we discuss “Preparing to Write.”

Links in this post may or may not be affiliate links and as a such, we receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Stay tuned for next weeks episode when we chat about Preparing To Write.

Future Episodes:

* Self Criticism

* Procrastination

* Leaving Time for Yourself

And please, let us know how we’re doing. We’re anxious to explore all areas of a writer’s life. And let’s face it. As completely different as we all are from each other, we’re not going to think of everything.