How to be an Author

By Karena Akhavein

Want to write a book? How to be an Author is your secret weapon. Let professional writing coach Karena Akhavein inspire and motivate you as she teaches you the principles of good storytelling, using e... more

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FAQs about How to be an Author:

How many episodes does How to be an Author have?

The podcast currently has 102 episodes available.

How to be an Author episodes:

June 21, 2022 Authors: your friends and family are not your reader
As a professional writing coach, one of the big mindset issues I frequently deal with is getting authors over the idea that their friends and family somehow owe them attention and support. This one expectation holds so many writers back in so many ways.

In this eye-opening episode, we'll talk about the often hurtful things people say to writers and about their writing and what they really mean, the negative effects of worrying about what friends and family think, why friends and family are not your book's audience, and why that's a good thing.

http://www.creativeandwritingcoach.com

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27min
June 14, 2022 Writing a book: Where do you start?
Writing a book can be daunting. Often, you set yourself up for success or failure before you even start the real writing part. In this week's episode of the How to be an Author podcast we'll be going over the small, manageable steps you can do before writing your book to set yourself up for success. A few of these steps might surprise you.
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20min
June 07, 2022 It's a genre: Why you need to know your novel's genre
Many writers start with story, not with genre. They know which story they want to tell, and they have an instinctual idea of how they want to write it. But sometimes, it’s not so clear.
Genre is how readers and agents categorize your book. If you're unclear about your novel's genre, it is harder to pitch it to agents or have it found by readers.

Even if you think you know everything about genre, I believe you will find some value in this episode. And if you are not sure about your genre or want to branch out, this episode should really provide you with a lot of inspiration.

We'll be going over what genre is, what genre conventions are for the most popular genres, and whether you can subvert genre. We'll also be talking about trending subgenres and aesthetics.
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44min
May 31, 2022 Craft a story that sells: the story spine
A writer can write a whole book and never have a compelling story. A story is more than just writing. It has a purpose. It has an effect on your reader. It goes places. It has a plot that results in character growth. These things don't just happen. They are the result of planning on the author's part. In this episode of the How to be an Author podcast, we'll be talking about the Story Spine, an improv technique based on the universal story archetype and used by successful storytellers including Pixar studios to craft stories that move, and books that sell.
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28min
May 24, 2022 Top things writers shouldn't worry about
Worrying is a normal part of author life. In fact, creatives tend to worry more than non-creatives. After all, all thta imagination has got to go somewhere, right? But when worrying about normal parts of the experience of writing a book turns into future-tripping and making excuses that prevent you from finishing said book? Well, that's when we have a problem. No guilting or ridicule in this episode- we've all been there- but a gentle reminder that there are plenty of things to worry about when it comes to the writing process without worrying about the unrealistic things, like selling out or being too famous.
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33min
May 17, 2022 What are literary agents looking for in a book?
Want your book to be successful? Whether you are thinking of self publishing your novel or you are hoping to go the conventional publishing route and hence looking for representation by a literay agent, you're probably wondering what readers and agents want. What are they looking for in a book? Which things about your story or your plot will hook an agent or a reader, and which things might make them stop reading? This episide of the How to be an Author podcast will be precious for anyone who is getting serious about their writing career.
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24min
May 10, 2022 Novel in trouble? Try Save the Cat!
If you're like me, you sometimes get super confused as to how your story should go. For me, that’s where Save the Cat comes in and saves my *ss. In this episode, you'll learn what Save the Cat is, the pros and cons of using this popular storytelling cheat sheet, and how to use it to bust through writer's block or to better structure your novel's plot.
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29min
May 03, 2022 Outlining is your secret novel writing weapon- but what if you hate outlines?
Outlines. Writers either love them or hate them. But here's what I've learned in my years as an author and writing coach: not having an outline is what gets a lot of you stuck, and having an outline makes it so much easier to keep on track of your story and write a synopsis when it's time to query or publish. Therefore, here's the guide to outlining your book, by and for people who hate outlines.
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16min
April 26, 2022 From idea to story: How to go from premise to plot
When you're a writer, you probably often catch yourself wondering whether your story idea is even any good. But seasoned authors know that the idea is just the initial spark. In this episode of the How to be an Author podcast, we'll be talking about: -What makes a good book idea?
-How do you develop your premise into a plot?

-How do you use the story spine to craft an irresistible elevator pitch for your book, even if it's still only at the idea stage?

-How do you choose and commit to a story idea?

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34min
April 19, 2022 What to do before you write that book: mindset and motivation
If you've been thinking of writing a book, whether you are a new writer or a seasoned author, there is always that moment where you wonder whether you can and should actually do this. In this episode of the How To Be An Author podcast, we'll be talki
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30min

FAQs about How to be an Author:

How many episodes does How to be an Author have?

The podcast currently has 102 episodes available.

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