Ann Kroeker, Writing Coach

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Ann Kroeker, Writing Coach episodes

June 12, 2015 The Writing Life Podcast - Episode 11: Learn the Lingo
In this 4:16 podcast, I talk about importance of learning the vocabulary—the lingo—of the writing world. The following is not exactly a transcript, but gives an idea of what's recorded.
Every industry has its own lingo—insider words that leaves outsiders feeling ignorant when they simply haven’t learned the terms and acronyms and phrases associated with that particular business.
The publishing world is like that, too. Whether we’re talking about traditional publishing or the online writing world, lingo abounds. And writers are expected to navigate both arenas and understand the accompanying lingo.
A lot of the writers I work with as a writing coach feel frustrated because they’ve got writing talent, skills, and experience, they’re trying to sell a book or start a blog or submit to an online magazine and end up confused and frustrated, lost in the lingo.
Don’t be afraid.
Learn the lingo.
Type a new word into Google or Bing and read articles about it. Subscribe to relevant blogs. Watch YouTube tutorials to hear the word pronounced and see how experts explain it. Inform yourself.
Start saying the words out loud and asking friends who know more about them to explain how things work. As you learn one word, you’ll hear five more new unfamiliar words, so keep a list and work your way through.
If you do this work, I promise you that slowly, the unfamiliar will become more familiar, and you’ll have a base to build on. In time, you’ll learn the lingo and start to feel less like a foreigner and more like an insider. You’ll feel more comfortable and confident engaging in this online writing and publishing world. Before long, you’ll be tossing around those terms like an expert.
The more you understand what the lingo means, the more you’ll understand how things work. And then, the more confident you’ll feel diving into this world to do the writing you wanted to do all along.
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On Being a Writer
“This brand-new book is a must-have for career writers, whether seasoned or just starting out.”
— from “10 Great Books for a Writer’s Wish List” on Huffington Post
NOW AVAILABLE

“A genial marriage of practice and theory. For writers new and seasoned. This book is a winner.”
—Philip Gulley, author of Front Porch Tales
“Ann Kroeker and Charity Singleton Craig show—wisely and winsomely—how the habits of writing are inextricably connected to the habits of being.”
—Karen Swallow Prior, author of Booked: Literature in the Soul of Me
~~~
5 min
June 12, 2015 The Writing Life Podcast – Episode 11: Learn the Lingo
In this 4:16 podcast, I talk about importance of learning the vocabulary—the lingo—of the writing world. The following is not exactly a transcript, but gives an idea of what’s recorded. Every industry has its own lingo—insider words that leaves outsiders feeling ignorant when they simply haven’t learned the terms and acronyms and phrases associated with […]
The post The Writing Life Podcast – Episode 11: Learn the Lingo appeared first on Ann Kroeker, Writing Coach.
5 min
May 08, 2015 #10: Food for Thought
A writer—well, just about anyone—needs a focused, alert mind operating at its highest cognitive potential. Writers need to tap into their memory to make connections as they work. Writers need maximum brainpower.
Listen for more about brain food for writers.
5 min
May 08, 2015 #10: Food for Thought
A writer—well, just about anyone—needs a focused, alert mind operating at its highest cognitive potential. Writers need to tap into their memory to make connections as they work. Writers need maximum brainpower.
Listen for more about brain food for writers.
The post #10: Food for Thought appeared first on Ann Kroeker, Writing Coach.
5 min
April 09, 2015 #9: Start Where You Are
It's been a while since my last Writing Life podcast.
Day after day I kept looking at that item on my to-do list and finally resolved, even in the midst of life's complications, to start up again.
Because I've learned that no matter how far you fall behind, you can get back in the game.
Simply start where you are.
* * *
On Being a Writer
“a must-have for career writers, whether seasoned or just starting out.”
— from “10 Great Books for a Writer’s Wish List” on Huffington Post
PURCHASE TODAY
“A genial marriage of practice and theory. For writers new and seasoned. This book is a winner.”
—Philip Gulley, author of Front Porch Tales
4 min
April 09, 2015 #9: Start Where You Are
It’s been a while since my last Writing Life podcast. Day after day I kept looking at that item on my to-do list and finally resolved, even in the midst of life’s complications, to start up again. Because I’ve learned that no matter how far you fall behind, you can get back in the game. Simply […]
The post #9: Start Where You Are appeared first on Ann Kroeker, Writing Coach.
4 min
February 11, 2015 The Writing Life – Episode 8: Keep Calm and Carry On
In this week’s podcast (3:36) I explain the impact of my dad's health crisis on my writing life, and how I adjusted my work. It looked like I’d have to give up on my writing life. And I did have to step back from some responsibilities for a while until we figured out what this was going to look like.
I stayed flexible and worked late and was able to continue with several commitments as we rode the roller coaster of my dad’s crisis. Eventually, it appeared I’d be able to continue with most of my existing work if I learned to stay calm and get creative.
We never know what a day will bring, so keep calm and, as much as possible, carry on.
Learn more: A Prison of His Own Fears and Rediscovering Community: With a Little Help from My Friends
Keep Calm image by Stefany via Flickr through Creative Commons Attribution License 2.0.
* * *
Online Workshop
On Being a Writer: 12 Simple Habits for a Writing Life That Lasts
March 2 - May 22, 2015
8 Weeks or 12 Weeks
Limit 10 participants
Are you waiting for your writing life to begin? Have you wondered when you’ll discover the magic formula for getting inspired, improving your skills, getting published, and being part of a real writing community?
The On Being a Writer workshop is for you.
Whoever you are, wherever you live, whatever it is you are doing, you can begin now.
MORE INFO/ REGISTRATION REQUIRED
4 min
January 21, 2015 Ep 7: Search and Destroy
In this week’s podcast (3:25) I share insight from a speaker who encouraged me to eliminate filler words from formal talks I give as well as from everyday conversation. I'm encouraging writers to do the same with their written work: search and destroy the filler words that distract from the meat of the message.
Examples of filler words that show up in our speaking:
um and uh
like
you know
so…
Examples of filler words in our writing:
but
and
so
and so
very
really
that
In the podcast, I mention the "search" function in Word or Google docs, which is more accurately the "find" feature. Learn more about how this works in Word and Google docs.
* * *
On Being a Writer
"This brand-new book is a must-have for career writers, whether seasoned or just starting out."
— from "10 Great Books for a Writer's Wish List" on Huffington Post
NOW AVAILABLE
“A genial marriage of practice and theory. For writers new and seasoned. This book is a winner.”
—Philip Gulley, author of Front Porch Tales
4 min
January 16, 2015 The Writing Life – Episode 6: What’s the Next Action
(If you’re a subscriber reading this in email, please click to the website to use the audio player.)
In this week’s four-ish minute podcast, you'll learn how I use one tip from the GTD productivity approach to break big writing projects into manageable chunks, prioritizing and ordering them as I go.

Resources mentioned in the podcast:
Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life by Anne Lamott (story told in the podcast found on pages 18-19 in the Anchor Books, Doubleday, edition)
Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity by David Allen
* * *
On Being a Writer
"This brand-new book is a must-have for career writers, whether seasoned or just starting out."
— from "10 Great Books for a Writer's Wish List" on Huffington Post
NOW AVAILABLE
“A genial marriage of practice and theory. For writers new and seasoned. This book is a winner.”
—Philip Gulley, author of Front Porch Tales
5 min
January 05, 2015 The Writing Life – Episode 5: A Writing Space with a Door
(If you’re a subscriber reading this in email, please click to website to use the audio player.)
In this week’s three-and-a-half minute podcast, you'll hear about the conditions and circumstances under which E. B. White wrote—and those under which Glynn Young and Ann Kroeker continue to write.
I allude to a passage from Stephen King's memoir On Writing that I read years ago. It awoke in me a jealous and obsessive craving for an office door:
The [writing] space can be humble (probably should be, as I think I have already suggested), and it really needs only one thing: a door which you are willing to shut. The closed door is your way of telling the world and yourself that you mean business; you have made a serious commitment to write and intend to walk the walk as well as talk the talk. (King 151, Pocket Books - a div. of Simon & Schuster, NY, copyright 2000, personal copy)
I longed for a door. A door, I thought, would help me become a productive, efficient writer. I had a writing space. I just needed a door. Yes, a door ... to shut.
If only I had a door, I could write.
Websites and resources mentioned in the podcast:
"The Daily Routines of Famous Writers" (Maria Popova, Brain Pickings) with E. B. White's reflections on imperfect conditions.
"On Being a Writer: Writing" (Glynn Young, Faith, Fiction, Friends)
On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft (Stephen King)
Note: Amazon link does not match personal copy from which I quote, so pagination may be different
* * *
On Being a Writer
"This brand-new book is a must-have for career writers, whether seasoned or just starting out."
— from "10 Great Books for a Writer's Wish List" on Huffington Post
NOW AVAILABLE
“A genial marriage of practice and theory. For writers new and seasoned. This book is a winner.”
—Philip Gulley, author of Front Porch Tales
4 min

About Ann Kroeker, Writing Coach

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With Ann Kroeker, Writing Coach, you'll gain clarity and overcome hurdles to become a better writer, pursue publishing, and reach your writing goals. Ann provides practical tips and motivation for…