DIY MFA Radio

Hey there word nerds!

Today I am so delighted to have Nancy Pearl on the show!

Nancy is a book world legend. From her more than three decades of experience as a librarian and a bookseller, to her worldwide speaking engagements on the importance of reading she has become the go-to person for all things literary.

Now with the publication of her debut novel, George and Lizzie, Nancy throws her own words onto the fiction bookshelf.

Listen in as we discuss how being a good reader makes you a good writer, and the sensation of moving from the person who recommends books to being the author of a book that is recommended.

In this episode Nancy and I discuss:

• How to nudge yourself to read outside your comfort zone, and why doing so can help your writing.
• The difference between reading for pleasure and reading with purpose and how to shift gears between the two.
• How to do know when to quit on a book, and why it aids you when you do.
• Letting your characters tell their story and drive your novel to the correct conclusion.
• The difference between ideas in your head and what actually gets written on the page, and why this distinction is so important.

Plus Nancy's #1 tip for writers.

For more info and show notes: DIYMFA.com/163

Hey there word nerds!

Today I am so delighted to have Nancy Pearl on the show!

Nancy is a book world legend. From her more than three decades of experience as a librarian and a bookseller, to her worldwide speaking engagements on the importance of reading she has become the go-to person for all things literary.

Now with the publication of her debut novel, George and Lizzie, Nancy throws her own words onto the fiction bookshelf.

Listen in as we discuss how being a good reader makes you a good writer, and the sensation of moving from the person who recommends books to being the author of a book that is recommended.

In this episode Nancy and I discuss:

• How to nudge yourself to read outside your comfort zone, and why doing so can help your writing.
• The difference between reading for pleasure and reading with purpose and how to shift gears between the two.
• How to do know when to quit on a book, and why it aids you when you do.
• Letting your characters tell their story and drive your novel to the correct conclusion.
• The difference between ideas in your head and what actually gets written on the page, and why this distinction is so important.

Plus Nancy's #1 tip for writers.

For more info and show notes: DIYMFA.com/163 

Hey there word nerds!

Today I am delighted to have Sebastien de Castell on the show!

Sebastien is the author of the four part Greatcoats series which includes Traitor's Blade, Knight's Shadow, Saint's Blood, and most recently Tyrant's Throne.

Before coming to writing Sebastien bounced around from careers as diverse as archaeologist and fight choreographer, and with the Greatcoats series completed can now add author of swashbuckling saga to his list.

Listen in as we discuss how to craft a series from beginning to end and how to use dramatic tension between characters to build a more entertaining world.

In this episode Sebastien and I discuss how to:

• Tap into your writing flow and find the method that works for you.
• Write a true "swashbuckling" story.
• Build a world that feels real and forms organically on the page.
• Craft a series by building on what's happened in previous books through dramatic tension between characters.
• Create plot twists that work, and how to know when they're not working.

Plus Sebastien's #1 tip for writers.

For more info and show notes: DIYMFA.com/162

Hey there word nerds!

Today I am delighted to have Sebastien de Castell on the show!

Sebastien is the author of the four part Greatcoats series which includes Traitor's Blade, Knight's Shadow, Saint's Blood, and most recently Tyrant's Throne.

Before coming to writing Sebastien bounced around from careers as diverse as archaeologist and fight choreographer, and with the Greatcoats series completed can now add author of swashbuckling saga to his list.

Listen in as we discuss how to craft a series from beginning to end and how to use dramatic tension between characters to build a more entertaining world.

In this episode Sebastien and I discuss how to:

• Tap into your writing flow and find the method that works for you.
• Write a true “swashbuckling” story.
• Build a world that feels real and forms organically on the page.
• Craft a series by building on what’s happened in previous books through dramatic tension between characters.
• Create plot twists that work, and how to know when they’re not working.

Plus Sebastien's #1 tip for writers.

For more info and show notes: DIYMFA.com/162

Hey there word nerds!

Today I have the pleasure of hosting Gina Cascone and Bryony Williams Sheppard on the show!

This mother-daughter powerhouse team has co-authored the picture book Around the World Right Now, a multicultural adventure through our world's 24 time zones.

Gina is the author of 30 books in several different genres, and Bryony is a teacher at heart and loves bringing stories to life for her students, making them the perfect duo to bring this story to life.

Listen in as we dissect the writing elements of Around the World Right Now and the exciting, often daunting, task of crafting a picture book.

In this episode Gina, Bryony, and I discuss:

• What the important things you must consider when writing a picture book.
• The delicate balance between not fixating too much on the images while also giving the illustrator something to work with.
• How to craft a good story that can also be a great learning tool.
• Why it is much more difficult to write for children than adults.
• How to craft a picture book that can engage and entertain children while not being flashy.

Plus both of these ladies' #1 tip for writers.

For more info and show notes: DIYMFA.com/161

Hey there word nerds!

Today I have the pleasure of hosting Gina Cascone and Bryony Williams Sheppard on the show!

This mother-daughter powerhouse team has co-authored the picture book Around the World Right Now, a multicultural adventure through our world's 24 time zones.

Gina is the author of 30 books in several different genres, and Bryony is a teacher at heart and loves bringing stories to life for her students, making them the perfect duo to bring this story to life.

Listen in as we dissect the writing elements of Around the World Right Now and the exciting, often daunting, task of crafting a picture book.

In this episode Gina, Bryony, and I discuss:

• What the important things you must consider when writing a picture book.
• The delicate balance between not fixating too much on the images while also giving the illustrator something to work with.
• How to craft a good story that can also be a great learning tool.
• Why it is much more difficult to write for children than adults.
• How to craft a picture book that can engage and entertain children while not being flashy.

Plus both of these ladies' #1 tip for writers.

For more info and show notes: DIYMFA.com/161

Hey there word nerds!

Today I am delighted to have debut novelist Katherine Nouri Hughes on the show!

Katherine is publishing her debut, The Mapmaker's Daughter, at the age of 67. Her book is a remarkable feat not only in its scope, but in its depth.

Listen in as we discuss the different and largely unknown (in western culture) historical framework of Katherine's novel, and the craft of writing the truth in fiction through your own experiences.

In this episode Katherine and I discuss:

• How to piece together facts of an unknown person in history to create an exciting and believable novel.
• How to reveal the core truth of your story through showing instead of telling.
• How to keep the proportions of your story's narrative in check.
• Why learning to be calm and relaxed with your novel helps you write better.
• The challenges and advantages are of writing a novel later in life.

Plus, Katherine's #1 tip for writers.

For more info and show notes: DIYMFA.com/160

Hey there word nerds!

Today I am delighted to have debut novelist Katherine Nouri Hughes on the show!

Katherine is publishing her debut, The Mapmaker's Daughter, at the age of 67. Her book is a remarkable feat not only in its scope, but in its depth.

Listen in as we discuss the different and largely unknown (in western culture) historical framework of Katherine's novel, and the craft of writing the truth in fiction through your own experiences.

In this episode Katherine and I discuss:

• How to piece together facts of an unknown person in history to create an exciting and believable novel.
• How to reveal the core truth of your story through showing instead of telling.
• How to keep the proportions of your story's narrative in check.
• Why learning to be calm and relaxed with your novel helps you write better.
• The challenges and advantages are of writing a novel later in life.

Plus, Katherine's #1 tip for writers.

For more info and show notes: DIYMFA.com/160

Hey there word nerds!

Today I have the pleasure of having bestselling author Jane Green on the show!

Jane has written 17 New York Times bestsellers, and her books have sold more than 10 million copies worldwide. While her latest book The Sunshine Sisters might be pegged as a "beach read" there is a depth and richness to the relationships between the characters that makes it so much more.

Listen in as we discuss Jane's latest novel and the craft of writing intricate characters relationships.

In this episode Jane and I discuss:

• How to craft a story around a large issue, such as the right to die, without writing an issue driven book.
• How to craft characters with very different personalities all striving to find their "happiness" in a way readers will love, and the poem that inspired Jane to write about mother-daughter relationships.
• How to balance the tug-of-war between writing for the market and writing from your heart.
• Why you need to hear feedback, and how to know whether you need to listen to it.
• How using a unique POV framework can crystalize who the characters are, and keep things exciting for you as a writer.

Plus, Jane's #1 tip for writers.

For more info and show notes: DIYMFA.com/159

Hey there word nerds!

Today I have the pleasure of having bestselling author Jane Green on the show!

Jane has written 17 New York Times bestsellers, and her books have sold more than 10 million copies worldwide. While her latest book The Sunshine Sisters might be pegged as a "beach read" there is a depth and richness to the relationships between the characters that makes it so much more.

Listen in as we discuss Jane's latest novel and the craft of writing intricate characters relationships.

In this episode Jane and I discuss:

• How to craft a story around a large issue, such as the right to die, without writing an issue driven book.
• How to craft characters with very different personalities all striving to find their "happiness" in a way readers will love, and the poem that inspired Jane to write about mother-daughter relationships.
• How to balance the tug-of-war between writing for the market and writing from your heart.
• Why you need to hear feedback, and how to know whether you need to listen to it.
• How using a unique POV framework can crystalize who the characters are, and keep things exciting for you as a writer.

Plus, Jane's #1 tip for writers.

For more info and show notes: DIYMFA.com/159