Chats and Chapters

It isn't about new year, new you. It's about being more of yourself and doing what you really want!

Do you have a writing goal for next year?

In this episode, I break down a fews ways you can approach your writing goal (or any goal really) and one crucial aspect most people overlook!

If you don't have a goal already, listen anyways and you might be inspired!

If you found this episode helpful, please share and follow. Your support means a lot!

Transform your manuscript into a polished masterpiece with professional book editing - where clarity meets creativity

https://www.chatsandchaptersllc.com

This week's episode is gold!

We dive into how Jenna organizes her massive series, surpasses her goals, and chases what she wants.

Check out the links below to order her book and follow her on social media.

Website:
www.jennaraineswrites.com

Signed Copies with Art Prints:
https://www.jennaraineswrites.com/product-page/the-measure-of-strength

Amazon – The Measure of Strength: Book One of the Temperforged Trilogy:
https://a.co/d/eTHZzR6

Surprise Christmas Special – Tangled in Tinsel: Three Knots Deep:
https://a.co/d/dFBd2r7

You can also find Jenna on social media:
TikTok: @jennaraines
Instagram: @jennaraineswrites
Threads: @jennaraineswrites

*** I know there is an echo, I AM SORRY! I tried to fix it in editing and technology can only do so much ***

xoxo Caitlyn

Whether you are planning to self-publish or explore the traditional route, this episode is for you!

Allison and I chat through her journey to becoming a book editor, how the trad publishing landscape is changing, best practices to do before reaching out to your editor, and sooooo much more! Buckle up and get ready to be entertained and learn a lot!

Find Allison on TikTok here!

Check out her website here!

Check out my website here!

Join the Revision Roadmap waitlist!

https://chatsandchapters.myflodesk.com/revisionroadmap

In this episode of Chats and Chapters, we dive into the essentials of self-editing your manuscript! Learn why self-editing makes you a better writer, how to read through your work without making any changes, and the importance of focusing on pacing, structure, and character development.

Discover tips on info distribution, scene transitions, and the vital role of themes in your story. Plus, get an overview of the full Revision Roadmap course, designed to help you save on professional edits and enhance your writing skills.

Join us to turn your manuscript into something readers can't put down!00:00 Introduction to Self-Editing

01:51 Why Self-Editing Matters

03:18 First Steps in Self-Editing

05:00 Pacing and Structure

06:14 Character Development

07:16 Info Distribution and Flashbacks

08:36 Scene Transitions

09:39 Themes and Final Thoughts

10:49 Course Details and Conclusion

Today's episode was 100% meant to be a YouTube video, but it was too good to not share on the pod as well!

Need editing? Let's chat!

00:00 Introduction and Purpose

00:36 The Myth of Balance

03:00 Harmony Over Balance

04:22 Personal Experiences and Sacrifices

06:23 Examples from Famous Authors

09:33 The Unique Value of Your Story

11:15 The Writing Process

15:05 Embrace the Imbalance

15:42 Conclusion

The Journey and Inspirations of Sasha Preston: From Childhood Scribbles to Women's Fiction Capers

In this episode of the Chats and Chapters podcast, host Caitlyn Howarth sits down with women's fiction author Sasha Preston. Sasha shares her fascinating origin story, from her childhood obsession with writing to rediscovering her passion for creative fiction in adulthood.

She discusses her books, 'The Sweetest Getaway' and 'A Sweet Scheme', which are crime capers aimed at giving women a sense of adventure, joy, and financial empowerment. The conversation delves into her writing process, the challenges of self-publishing, and her unique inspiration from her background in women's economic empowerment and microfinance. Sasha also reveals insights into her characters, the importance of creativity, and the evolving landscape of publishing. The episode ends with details on how to find Sasha's books and connect with her on social media.

00:00 Welcome to Chats and Chapters

00:12 Sasha Preston's Writing Journey

05:15 Balancing Writing with Life

06:46 Women's Economic Empowerment

09:34 Character Development and Inspirations

16:26 The Writing and Editing Process

19:34 Self-Publishing Insights

25:54 Book Summaries and Future Plans

30:06 Final Thoughts and Contact Information

Work with Caitlyn

Want to be a guest on the pod? Email me.

[email protected]

Check out The Sweetest Getaway here.

In this special episode of the Chats and Chapters podcast, Caitlyn Howarth celebrates the one-year anniversary of Chats and Chapters, reflects on her journey from various jobs to becoming a professional book editor. Caitlyn shares her personal story of experiencing multiple career changes, and finally finding her passion in editing. She discusses the challenges she faced, the lessons she learned, and offers advice for aspiring editors. Caitlyn also extends her support to new authors and editors, providing a glimpse into her life and work over the past year.

00:00 Introduction and Podcast Anniversary

01:13 Journey to Becoming an Editor

02:17 Early Career Struggles

03:59 Exploring Various Jobs

05:14 Transition from Coaching to Corporate Life

09:14 Discovering a Passion for Editing

14:13 Starting Chats and Chapters

15:46 Reflections and Lessons Learned

19:51 Conclusion and Contact Information

Apply to work with Caitlyn HERE

Welcome back for another author interview!

In this episode of the Chats and Chapters podcast, Caitlyn reconnects with a returning author who is pursuing writing and publishing full-time. The conversation covers updates on the author's life, and insights into her writing process. They discuss the challenges of handling feedback and reviews, the themes and progression of the author's book series, and the evolving landscape of the publishing world. The episode also hints at upcoming projects and reflects on the continuous journey of personal and creative growth.

Transform your manuscript into a polished masterpiece with professional book editing HERE

Order Darkness Folding HERE

00:00 Introduction and Catching Up

00:40 Life Updates and Career Changes

01:57 The Leap of Faith

03:54 Educational Pursuits and Writing Passion

06:17 Book Launch Reflections

11:47 Character Resonance and Reader Feedback

13:50 Navigating Reviews and Reader Expectations

15:27 The Etiquette of Tagging Authors

15:48 Dealing with Criticism as an Author

17:33 Writing for Yourself vs. Writing for Fame

18:35 Incorporating Political Themes in Fiction

19:36 Introducing the Third Book

21:18 The Healing Power of Writing

24:40 Shifts in the Publishing World

28:36 Expanding Genres and Audience

29:46 Wrapping Up and Future Plans

Understanding Plot Structure: A Fresh Approach

In this episode of the Chats and Chapters, Caitlyn introduces a different way to think about plot structure. She discusses classic story structures like the hero's journey, Save the Cat, and the three-act structure, and provides a detailed explanation of the universal story structure.

Using Harry Potter as an example, Caitlyn breaks down the key components: exposition, inciting incident, rising action, climax, and resolution.

She emphasizes the importance of mini arcs within the larger story structure to make plotting more manageable, especially for new authors.

Caitlyn also touches on the benefits of her Editing for Authors course. You can sign up for the waitlist here

Inquiry about editing here

00:00 Introduction and Host Welcome00:39 Overview of Classic Story Structures01:11 Exposition: Setting the Stage02:19 Inciting Incident: The Catalyst03:23 Rising Action: Building the Story04:07 Climax: The Turning Point04:40 Falling Action and Resolution06:08 Mini Arcs: Breaking Down the Story07:21 Practical Examples from Harry Potter09:34 Tips for New Authors11:20 Conclusion and Course Information

Five Reasons I Might Not Be the Editor for You

In this introductory episode of the revamped Chats and Chapters Podcast, host Caitlyn Howarth discusses five key reasons she might not be the right editor for certain writers.

She emphasizes the importance of finding an editor who aligns well with your needs and style. Caitlyn outlines that good editing takes time, requires openness to feedback, should be a collaborative process, may involve a higher cost, and benefits from a strong editor-author relationship.

She also shares her dedication to immersing herself deeply in her clients’ stories, ensuring the best possible outcome for their manuscripts.

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast

00:30 The Importance of Finding the Right Editor

00:51 Understanding Subjectivity in Editing

01:37 What Professional Editors Look For

03:12 Reason 1

07:56 Reason 2

11:21 Reason 3

13:34 Reason 4

15:56 Reason 5

18:03 Conclusion and Contact Information

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Work with Caitlyn

Thank you for listening!