DIY MFA Radio

Hey there word nerds!

Today I am delighted to have Joseph Finder on the show!

Joseph is The New York Times bestselling author of thirteen previous novels, including the international bestseller Killer Instinct, which won ITW's Thriller Award for Best Novel in 2006, and two novels- Paranoia and High Crimes- which became major motion pictures.

Listen in as we talk about his new book, The Switch, in which a simple mix-up at airport security throws an innocent man into the crosshairs of sinister government secrets, and the craft elements behind creating a realistic suspense novel and a likeable antagonist.

In this episode Joseph and I discuss:

• What to include when writing a mistaken identity story.
• How to craft an unlikeable character that is relatable to readers.
• How to keep a story gripping when the audience knows more than the character.
• How to use dual point of view to craft a sympathetic antagonist and protagonist.
• How to create a sense of reality in a suspense novel.

Plus, Joseph's #1 tip for writers.

For more info and show notes: DIYMFA.com/158

Hey there word nerds!

Today I am delighted to have Joseph Finder on the show!

Joseph is The New York Times bestselling author of thirteen previous novels, including the international bestseller Killer Instinct, which won ITW's Thriller Award for Best Novel in 2006, and two novels- Paranoia and High Crimes- which became major motion pictures.

Listen in as we talk about his new book, The Switch, in which a simple mix-up at airport security throws an innocent man into the crosshairs of sinister government secrets, and the craft elements behind creating a realistic suspense novel and a likeable antagonist.

In this episode Joseph and I discuss:

• What to include when writing a mistaken identity story.
• How to craft an unlikeable character that is relatable to readers.
• How to keep a story gripping when the audience knows more than the character.
• How to use dual point of view to craft a sympathetic antagonist and protagonist.
• How to create a sense of reality in a suspense novel.

Plus, Joseph's #1 tip for writers.

For more info and show notes: DIYMFA.com/158

Hey there word nerds!

In today's episode I bring you live to ThrillerFest 2017 where I have assembled a panel of five, that's right five, debut authors. Not only are all these fabulous authors debuts, they are also all women and represent different sub-genres in the broad category of thriller.

I am so excited to be speaking with Jennifer Soosar, Christina Kovac, Lili Wright, Shelia Sobel, and Alexia Gordon, and sharing our panel discussion on the show!

Listen in as we discuss the life of a debut author and take away some nuggets of wisdom for your own debut experience.

In this episode Jennifer, Christina, Lili, Shelia, Alexia, and I discuss:

• What sub-genre they each tackle in the broad scope of the thriller genre.
• What the best and worst parts of being a debut author are.
• How to use writing conferences to your best advantage to network and find your publisher.
• How to navigate both the expected and unexpected hurdles of first time publication.
• How to tackle marketing and self-promotion as a debut.

Plus, the #1 tip for writers from each of these talented ladies.

For more info and show notes: DIYMFA.com/157

Hey there word nerds!

In today's episode I bring you live to ThrillerFest 2017 where I have assembled a panel of five, that's right five, debut authors. Not only are all these fabulous authors debuts, they are also all women and represent different sub-genres in the broad category of thriller.

I am so excited to be speaking with Jennifer Soosar, Christina Kovac, Lili Wright, Shelia Sobel, and Alexia Gordon, and sharing our panel discussion on the show!

Listen in as we discuss the life of a debut author and take away some nuggets of wisdom for your own debut experience.

In this episode Jennifer, Christina, Lili, Shelia, Alexia, and I discuss:

• What sub-genre they each tackle in the broad scope of the thriller genre.
• What the best and worst parts of being a debut author are.
• How to use writing conferences to your best advantage to network and find your publisher.
• How to navigate both the expected and unexpected hurdles of first time publication.
• How to tackle marketing and self-promotion as a debut.

Plus, the #1 tip for writers from each of these talented ladies.

For more info and show notes: DIYMFA.com/157

Hey there word nerds!

Today I am so excited to have Courtney Maum on the show!

Courtney is the author of I Am Having So Much Fun Here Without You, and pieces of short fiction an essays that have appeared in places such as New York Times. Her latest novel, Touch, is the satirical story of Sloane Jacobson a trend forecaster who sees a move against electronics and toward in-person interaction ahead.

Listen in as we discuss the strange yet believable world of Touch, an dhow limiting our electronic usage can be beneficial to our creativity.

In this episode Courtney and I discuss:

• Why a huge emphasis on electronics is damaging to your writer's intuition and creativity.
• How to craft a "blind spot" for a character who's job it is to know everything, thus giving readers a reason to read on.
• How to best research and craft a story of speculative fiction.
• Why it is important to find friends outside the writing community.
• How learning to write copy can help you in other writing endeavors.

Plus Courtney's #1 tip for writers.

For more info and show notes: DIYMFA.com/156

Hey there word nerds!

Today I am so excited to have Courtney Maum on the show!

Courtney is the author of I Am Having So Much Fun Here Without You, and pieces of short fiction an essays that have appeared in places such as New York Times. Her latest novel, Touch, is the satirical story of Sloane Jacobson a trend forecaster who sees a move against electronics and toward in-person interaction ahead.

Listen in as we discuss the strange yet believable world of Touch, an dhow limiting our electronic usage can be beneficial to our creativity.

In this episode Courtney and I discuss:

• Why a huge emphasis on electronics is damaging to your writer's intuition and creativity.
• How to craft a "blind spot" for a character who's job it is to know everything, thus giving readers a reason to read on.
• How to best research and craft a story of speculative fiction.
• Why it is important to find friends outside the writing community.
• How learning to write copy can help you in other writing endeavors.

Plus Courtney's #1 tip for writers.

For more info and show notes: DIYMFA.com/156

Hey there word nerds!

Today I have the pleasure of welcoming Ann Kidd Taylor to the show!

Ann first broke on to the literary scene in 2009 with the New York Times bestselling memoir Traveling with Pomegranates, co-written with her mother Sue Monk Kidd. She returns this summer with her debut novel, The Shark Club, which has received glowing early praise and is available in bookstores now!

Listen in as Ann and I tease apart The Shark Club and discuss both its unique characters and setting.

In this episode Ann and I discuss

• How to write a character driven novel with a plot that will keep readers turning pages.
• Why writing an abnormal protagonist not only makes a story unique but adds tension.
• How to craft multisensory scenes that bring to life a setting, such as underwater, which differs so much from your own experience.
• How to write realistic animal characters without inferring human qualities on to them.
• How to prepare yourself to write something outside your area of expertise.

Plus, Ann's #1 tip for writers.

For more info and show notes: DIYMFA.com/155

Hey there word nerds!

Today I have the pleasure of welcoming Ann Kidd Taylor to the show!

Ann first broke on to the literary scene in 2009 with the New York Times bestselling memoir Traveling with Pomegranates, co-written with her mother Sue Monk Kidd. She returns this summer with her debut novel, The Shark Club, which has received glowing early praise and is available in bookstores now! 

Listen in as Ann and I tease apart The Shark Club and discuss both its unique characters and setting.

In this episode Ann and I discuss

• How to write a character driven novel with a plot that will keep readers turning pages.
• Why writing an abnormal protagonist not only makes a story unique but adds tension.
• How to craft multisensory scenes that bring to life a setting, such as underwater, which differs so much from your own experience.
• How to write realistic animal characters without inferring human qualities on to them.
• How to prepare yourself to write something outside your area of expertise.

Plus, Ann's #1 tip for writers.

For more info and show notes: DIYMFA.com/155

Hey there word nerds!

Today I am so excited to have bestselling author of contemporary YA, Sarah Dessen on the show!

Sarah has twelve previous novels to her name, and discusses with us here her latest teen read, Once And For All.

Listen in as we chat about the ins and outs of Sarah's writing process, and how she keeps her momentum going to create characters and stories that resonate with teens.

In this episode Sarah and I discuss:

• How to craft a story with a balance of light and dark scenes.
• What challenges arise after you've published multiple books, and why some books are more challenging to write than others.
• How to use a "skeleton" of your story to draft a manuscript, and how this technique can let you know a book is not working.
• How to craft realistic and engaging stories that keep teens coming back for more.
• How to push through the bad writing times and forge ahead.

Plus Sarah's #1 tip for writers.

For more info and show notes: DIYMFA.com/154

Hey there word nerds!

Today I am so excited to have bestselling author of contemporary YA, Sarah Dessen on the show!

Sarah has twelve previous novels to her name, and discusses with us here her latest teen read, Once And For All.

Listen in as we chat about the ins and outs of Sarah's writing process, and how she keeps her momentum going to create characters and stories that resonate with teens.

In this episode Sarah and I discuss:

• How to craft a story with a balance of light and dark scenes.
• What challenges arise after you've published multiple books, and why some books are more challenging to write than others.
• How to use a "skeleton" of your story to draft a manuscript, and how this technique can let you know a book is not working.
• How to craft realistic and engaging stories that keep teens coming back for more.
• How to push through the bad writing times and forge ahead.

Plus Sarah's #1 tip for writers.

For more info and show notes: DIYMFA.com/154