I Should Be Writing

S20 Ep23: In Which Mur and Waubgeshig Rice explore post-apocalyptic worlds.

It's like, ultimately, words are expendable. You just pick different ones. - Waubgeshig Rice

Transcript

(This post went live for supporters on August 21, 2024. If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at Patreon or Substack!)

In this episode. Mur chats with award-winning author and journalist Waubgeshig Rice about his latest book, Moon of the Turning Leaves. They delve into the challenges and rewards of transitioning from journalism to fiction, the intricacies of writing post-apocalyptic literature, and the importance of smaller presses for budding authors.

Waub also shares his inspirations, the impact of his indigenous heritage on his storytelling, and offers invaluable advice for aspiring writers. Tune in for an insightful discussion on the craft of writing and the resilience of communities in the face of global calamities.

And y'all, SO MANY good book recommendations! Check the shownotes at murverse.com.

Links

• Waub's Home Page and Instagram
• Moon of the Turning Leaves by Waubgeshig Rice
• Moon of the Crusted Snow by Waubgeshig Rice

Evergreen Links

• Like the podcast? Get the book! I Should Be Writing book.
• My newsletter, The Hot Mic, and my Patreon. Supporting either of those will get you perks like access to the discord, exclusive content, and early, ad-free episodes.
• Socials: Bluesky, Mastodon, TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, Focusmate.
• Theme by John Anealio
• Savor I Should Be Writing tea blends
• Support local book stores! Station Eternity, Six Wakes, Solo: A Star Wars Story: Expanded Edition and more!
• OR Get signed books from my friendly local store, Flyleaf Books!
• All books featured in Season 20

"Exploring the Post-Apocalyptic World with Waubgeshig Rice" is brought to you in large part by my supporters, the Fabulists, who received an early, expanded version of this episode. You can join our Fabulist community with a pledge on Patreon or Substack!

Some of the links above may be affiliate, allowing you to support the show at no extra cost to you. Also consider leaving a review for ISBW, please!

CREDITS Theme song by John Anealio, art by Numbers Ninja,and files hosted by Libsyn (affiliate link). Get archives of the show via Patreon. August 23, 2024 | Season 20 Ep 23 | murverse.com "Exploring the Post-Apocalyptic World with Waubgeshig Rice" by Mur Lafferty is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

S20 Ep22: In Which Mur Chats with MJ Wassmer and Discusses Debut Novels and the Writing Journey

"You can't think yourself into better actions, but you can act yourself into better thoughts."- MJ Wassmer

Transcript

Join Mur as she welcomes MJ Wassmer, author of Zero Stars Do Not Recommend, to discuss the ups and downs of debuting in the publishing world, writing speculative comedy, and the emotional rollercoaster that comes with finishing a book.

MJ shares his personal journey, from working in corporate America to becoming a published author, and offers insights into his writing process, dealing with rejections, and the importance of having a supportive spouse.

Links:

• MJ Wassmer

• Zero Stars Do Not Recommend

• MJ Wassmer on Instagram

• Doctor Who

• Rick Rubin

• Josh Ritter

• Inky

Evergreen Links

• Like the podcast? Get the book! I Should Be Writing book.

• My newsletter, The Hot Mic, and my Patreon. Supporting either of those will get you perks like access to the discord, exclusive content, and early, ad-free episodes.

• Socials: Bluesky, Mastodon, TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, Focusmate.

• Theme by John Anealio

• Savor I Should Be Writing tea blends

• Support local book stores! Station Eternity, Six Wakes, Solo: A Star Wars Story: Expanded Edition and more!

• OR Get signed books from my friendly local store, Flyleaf Books!

• All books featured in Season 20

"Debut Novels and the Writing Journey with MJ Wassmer" is brought to you in large part by by my supporters, who received an early, expanded version of this episode. You can join our Fabulist community with a pledge on Patreon or Substack!

Some of the links above may be affiliate, allowing you to support the show at no extra cost to you. Also consider leaving a review for ISBW, please!

CREDITS Theme song by John Anealio, art by Numbers Ninja,and files hosted by Libsyn (affiliate link). Get archives of the show via Patreon.

August 5, 2024 | Season 20 Ep 22 | murverse.com "Debut Novels and the Writing Journey with MJ Wassmer" by Mur Lafferty is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

S20 Ep21: In Which Mur and Mary Pascual Talk Writing and Mental Health

"I refuse to feel like or believe that [ADHD] is a detriment. Honestly, there are so many things about ADHD that I personally love."- Mary Pascual

Transcript

(This post went live for supporters on July 8, 2024. If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at Patreon or Substack!)

In this episode, Mur Lafferty is joined by Mary Pascual, author of Walk the Web Lightly. They dive into the challenges of writing with ADHD, the importance of mental health for writers, and the unique creative processes that come with neurodivergence. Mur shares her recent experience of turning in her eighth book, Infinite Archive, and the duo explores the intricacies of balancing deadlines with self-care.

Mary discusses her latest book, its themes of time, art, and science, and the journey of her young protagonist, Nya. They also touch on the blurred lines between YA and middle grade fiction, and how personal experiences and mythological inspirations shape their storytelling. Tune in for an insightful conversation about the highs and lows of the writing life, and the shared struggles and triumphs of creative minds.

Links:

• Walk the Web Lightly by Mary Pascual
• ADHD for Smart Ass Women Podcast (and the book)
• Gregor the Overlander by Suzanne Collins
• Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
• 1984 by George Orwell
• SpaceValkyries Stream
• Escape Pod (Hugo finalist semi-prozine)

Evergreen Links

• Catch the show LIVE on Twitch Thursdays, 3pm, Eastern time!
• Like the podcast? Get the book! I Should Be Writing book.
• My newsletter, The Hot Mic, and my Patreon. Supporting either of those will get you perks like access to the discord, exclusive content, and early, ad-free episodes.
• Socials: Bluesky, Mastodon, TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, Focusmate.
• Theme by John Anealio
• Savor I Should Be Writing tea blends
• Support local book stores! Station Eternity, Six Wakes, Solo: A Star Wars Story: Expanded Edition and more!
• OR Get signed books from my friendly local store, Flyleaf Books!
• All books featured in Season 20

"Embracing ADHD and Crafting Timelines with Mary Pascual" is brought to you in large part by by my supporters, who received an early, expanded version of this episode. You can join our Fabulist community with a pledge on Patreon or Substack!

Some of the links above may be affiliate, allowing you to support the show at no extra cost to you. Also consider leaving a review for ISBW, please!

CREDITS Theme song by John Anealio, art by Numbers Ninja,and files hosted by Libsyn (affiliate link). Get archives of the show via Patreon. July 29, 2024 | Season 20 Ep 21 | murverse.com "Embracing ADHD and Crafting Timelines with Mary Pascual" by Mur Lafferty is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

S20 Ep20: In Which Mur and James L. Sutter Discuss Editing, Outlining, and Ghostly Romances

"I think that is the beating heart of any novel, is characters changing."- James L. Sutter

Transcript

Join Mur and guest James L. Sutter as they delve into the intricacies of the writing process, from the importance of meticulous outlining to the challenges of editing. They discuss James's new book, The Ghost of Us, a queer YA supernatural romance that combines ghost hunting with a heartfelt coming-of-age story. They also share valuable tips on maintaining consistency and dealing with feedback, all while keeping the creative spark alive.

Links:

• Pathfinder RPG
• Starfinder RPG
• The Ghost of Us
• Dark HeartsEmpire of the Vampire
• Leech
• Bitch: On the Female of the Species
• Compton Crook Award
• Scribe Award

Evergreen Links

• Catch the show LIVE on Twitch Thursdays, 3pm, Eastern time!
• Like the podcast? Get the book! I Should Be Writing book.
• My newsletter, The Hot Mic, and my Patreon. Supporting either of those will get you perks like access to the discord, exclusive content, and early, ad-free episodes.
• Socials: Bluesky, Mastodon, TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, Focusmate.
• Theme by John Anealio
• Savor I Should Be Writing tea blends
• Support local book stores! Station Eternity, Six Wakes, Solo: A Star Wars Story: Expanded Edition and more!
• OR Get signed books from my friendly local store, Flyleaf Books!
• All books featured in Season 20

"Spreadsheets, Ghosts, and the Art of Outlining with James L. Sutter" is brought to you in large part by by my supporters, who received an early, expanded version of this episode. You can join our Fabulist community with a pledge on Patreon or Substack!

Some of the links above may be affiliate, allowing you to support the show at no extra cost to you. Also consider leaving a review for ISBW, please!

CREDITS Theme song by John Anealio, art by Numbers Ninja,and files hosted by Libsyn (affiliate link). Get archives of the show via Patreon. July 22, 2024 | Season 20 Ep 20 | murverse.com "Spreadsheets, Ghosts, and the Art of Outlining with James L. Sutter" by Mur Lafferty is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

S20 Ep19: In Which Mur Explores the Deck of Worlds and Story Engine

"You know, if you use the word 'modified,' you can get away with anything."- Mur

Transcript

(This post went live for supporters on July 1, 2024. If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at Patreon or Substack!)

Join Mur Lafferty as she dives into a live-streamed session of world-building using the Deck of Worlds and The Story Engine. Despite a challenging week, Mur's creativity shines as she crafts unique settings and characters, from a swamp with carnivorous plants to a compromised cyborg in a cyberpunk universe. This episode is a treasure trove for writers looking to spark their imagination and explore new storytelling tools.

Links:

• The Story Engine
• Deck of Worlds
• Madeleine L'Engle
• Martha Wells
• The Lost Room
• Locke & Key
• Unknown Armies

Evergreen Links

• Catch the show LIVE on Twitch Thursdays, 3pm, Eastern time!
• Like the podcast? Get the book! I Should Be Writing book.
• My newsletter, The Hot Mic, and my Patreon. Supporting either of those will get you perks like access to the discord, exclusive content, and early, ad-free episodes.
• Socials: Bluesky, Mastodon, TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, Focusmate.
• Theme by John Anealio
• Savor I Should Be Writing tea blends
• Support local book stores! Station Eternity, Six Wakes, Solo: A Star Wars Story: Expanded Edition and more!
• OR Get signed books from my friendly local store, Flyleaf Books!
• All books featured in Season 20

"Deck of Worlds: Unleashing Creativity in Fiction" is brought to you in large part by by my supporters, who received an early, expanded version of this episode. You can join our Fabulist community with a pledge on Patreon or Substack!

Some of the links above may be affiliate, allowing you to support the show at no extra cost to you. Also consider leaving a review for ISBW, please!

CREDITS Theme song by John Anealio, art by Numbers Ninja,and files hosted by Libsyn (affiliate link). Get archives of the show via Patreon. July 15, 2024 | Season 20 Ep 19 | murverse.com "Deck of Worlds: Unleashing Creativity in Fiction" by Mur Lafferty is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

S20 Ep18: In Which Mur Explores Tarot and Historical Fiction with Susan Wands

"Action is always better than no action. You can always fix what you've done. You can't fix not getting started."- Susan Wands

Transcript

(This post went live for supporters on June 27, 2024. If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at Patreon or Substack!)

In this episode, Mur chats with Susan Wands, the author of High Priestess and Empress. They delve into the fascinating world of Pamela Coleman Smith, the creator of the iconic Rider-Waite tarot deck, and discuss how historical fiction blends with magical realism in Susan's Arcana Oracle series. Susan shares her journey of rewriting her first book, dealing with genre expectations, and how tarot influences her creative process.

Links:

• Susan Wands
• High Priestess and Empress
• Pamela Colman Smith
• Golden Dawn
• Watkins Books
• Atlantis Books
• Acculture Berlin Festival
• Art and Fiction
• Kindred Spirits Magazine
• Irving Society Journal
• Spark Press
• Worldcon Glasgow
• The Rider-Waite Tarot Deck
• Alistair Crowley
• Thoth Tarot Deck
• Joseph Campbell
• Save the Cat
• Sisters in Crime

Evergreen Links

• Catch the show LIVE on Twitch Thursdays, 3pm, Eastern time!
• Like the podcast? Get the book! I Should Be Writing book.
• My newsletter, The Hot Mic, and my Patreon. Supporting either of those will get you perks like access to the discord, exclusive content, and early, ad-free episodes.
• Socials: Bluesky, Mastodon, TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, Focusmate.
• Theme by John Anealio
• Savor I Should Be Writing tea blends
• Support local book stores! Station Eternity, Six Wakes, Solo: A Star Wars Story: Expanded Edition and more!
• OR Get signed books from my friendly local store, Flyleaf Books!
• All books featured in Season 20

"Tarot Tales and Historical Hurdles with Susan Wands" is brought to you in large part by by my supporters, who received an early, expanded version of this episode. You can join our Fabulist community with a pledge on Patreon or Substack!

Some of the links above may be affiliate, allowing you to support the show at no extra cost to you. Also consider leaving a review for ISBW, please!

CREDITS Theme song by John Anealio, art by Numbers Ninja,and files hosted by Libsyn (affiliate link). Get archives of the show via Patreon. July 8, 2024 | Season 20 Ep 18 | murverse.com "Tarot Tales and Historical Hurdles with Susan Wands" by Mur Lafferty is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

S20 Ep17: In Which Mur Reflects on Creativity and Ambition

"It's really easy. It's so relaxing to not be creative."- Mur

Transcript

This week, Mur shares her journey through book edits, the struggles of low energy, and the comforting realization that creation is often less comforting than consumption. Mur explores the myriad of creative opportunities available today—from writing novels to making music videos—and the emotional weight that comes with each creative endeavor.

She also touches on her admiration for hybrid creators like Ursula Vernon and the spontaneous creativity of the band, The Garages. Mur reflects on her past as a sports journalist and how it shaped her writing, offering insights into finding the right angle for storytelling. Whether you're struggling with a boring main character or the challenges of prequels, Mur provides thoughtful advice and personal anecdotes to help you navigate your creative journey.

Links:

• Ursula Vernon
• Kobo

Evergreen Links

• Catch the show LIVE on Twitch Thursdays, 3pm, Eastern time!
• Like the podcast? Get the book! I Should Be Writing book.
• My newsletter, The Hot Mic, and my Patreon. Supporting either of those will get you perks like access to the discord, exclusive content, and early, ad-free episodes.
• Socials: Bluesky, Mastodon, TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, Focusmate.
• Theme by John Anealio
• Savor I Should Be Writing tea blends
• Support local book stores! Station Eternity, Six Wakes, Solo: A Star Wars Story: Expanded Edition and more!
• OR Get signed books from my friendly local store, Flyleaf Books!
• All books featured in Season 20

"Navigating Novel Noodling and New Ideas" is brought to you in large part by by my supporters, who received an early, expanded version of this episode. You can join our Fabulist community with a pledge on Patreon or Substack!

Some of the links above may be affiliate, allowing you to support the show at no extra cost to you. Also consider leaving a review for ISBW, please!

CREDITS Theme song by John Anealio, art by Numbers Ninja,and files hosted by Libsyn (affiliate link). Get archives of the show via Patreon. July 1, 2024 | Season 20 Ep 17 | murverse.com "Navigating Novel Noodling and New Ideas" by Mur Lafferty is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

S20 Ep16: In Which Mur Tackles Short Fiction Submissions

"You're not gonna be Wiswell or Chambers. You're gonna be you."- Mur

In this episode, Mur delves into the intricacies of submitting short fiction, sharing invaluable tips and personal experiences. From the importance of understanding market guidelines to the emotional resilience required to handle rejections, this episode is packed with advice for both new and seasoned writers.

Mur also recounts her recent whirlwind trip to Buffalo, battling migraines, and the unexpected productivity boost from writing a Baldur's Gate fanfic for a friend. Plus, she answers listener questions on short story submissions, beta readers, and the pitfalls of "rejectomancy."

Links:

• Clarkesworld
• QueryTracker
• Duotrope
• Submission Grinder
• Escape Pod
• Baldur's Gate 3
• Neil Gaiman
• China Miéville
• Connie Willis
• John Scalzi
• Becky Chambers
• John Wiswell
• Ken Liu
• Hugo Awards
• GigaNotoSaurus
• Midsolar Murders
• Ditch Diggers

Evergreen Links

• Like the podcast? Get the book! I Should Be Writing book.
• My newsletter, The Hot Mic, and my Patreon. Supporting either of those will get you perks like access to the discord, exclusive content, and early, ad-free episodes.
• Socials: Bluesky, Mastodon, TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, Focusmate.
• Theme by John Anealio
• Savor I Should Be Writing tea blends
• Support local book stores! Station Eternity, Six Wakes, Solo: A Star Wars Story: Expanded Edition and more!
• OR Get signed books from my friendly local store, Flyleaf Books!
• All books featured in Season 20

"Navigating Short Fiction Submissions" is brought to you in large part by by my supporters, who received an early, expanded version of this episode. You can join our Fabulist community with a pledge on Patreon or Substack!

Some of the links above may be affiliate, allowing you to support the show at no extra cost to you. Also consider leaving a review for ISBW, please!

CREDITS Theme song by John Anealio, art by Numbers Ninja,and files hosted by Libsyn (affiliate link). Get archives of the show via Patreon. June 24, 2024 | Season 20 Ep 16 | murverse.com "Navigating Short Fiction Submissions" by Mur Lafferty is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

S20 Ep15: In Which Mur Muses on AI and the Writer's Journey

"I'm exaggerating a little bit, but if you look at the last 20 years, that's pretty much how I work."- Mur

Transcript

In this podcast we dive into the depths of editing my novel, Infinite Archive, and how I'm navigating the murky waters of murder mystery tweaks. We also explore the increasingly complex landscape of AI in writing and its implications for creatives.

Links:

• Infinite Archive
• Valerie Valdez
• Premee Mohammed
• Savage Mill Geek Fest
• NASFiC in Buffalo
• Glasgow WorldCon
• World Fantasy Con
• Query Shark
• Writer Beware
• Preditors and Editors
• Stranger Things: Suspicious Minds (Gwenda Bond's book)

Evergreen Links

• Like the podcast? Get the book! I Should Be Writing book.
• My newsletter, The Hot Mic, and my Patreon. Supporting either of those will get you perks like access to the discord, exclusive content, and early, ad-free episodes.
• Socials: Bluesky, Mastodon, TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, Focusmate.
• Theme by John Anealio
• Savor I Should Be Writing tea blends
• Support local book stores! Station Eternity, Six Wakes, Solo: A Star Wars Story: Expanded Edition and more!
• OR Get signed books from my friendly local store, Flyleaf Books!
• All books featured in Season 20

"Murder Mystery Meltdown and the AI Assistant" is brought to you in large part by by my supporters, who received an early, expanded version of this episode. You can join our Fabulist community with a pledge on Patreon or Substack!

Some of the links above may be affiliate, allowing you to support the show at no extra cost to you. Also consider leaving a review for ISBW, please!

CREDITS Theme song by John Anealio, art by Numbers Ninja,and files hosted by Libsyn (affiliate link). Get archives of the show via Patreon. May 2, 2024 | Season 20 Ep 15 | murverse.com "Murder Mystery Meltdown and the AI Assistant" by Mur Lafferty is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

S20 Ep14: In Which Mur Dives into Conventions and Confidence

"You can't stop caring about something... You stop what you do about it, but you can't really just turn that switch off." - Mur

From the thrill of networking to the trepidation of tax season, Mur navigates the maze of a writer's life with humor and honesty. In this episode, she shares her experiences and insights on convention attendance, from choosing the right ones to the art of mingling without the cringe. Plus, she tackles the ever-present concern of COVID safety in crowded spaces.

Whether you're a cosplayer or a casual attendee, Mur advises on how to present yourself professionally, connect with industry pros, and enjoy the con experience while staying true to your comfort level. And for those not ready to dive back into the physical con scene, she discusses the merits of virtual conventions and how they can be a great alternative.

Links:

• Escape Pod
• Omnihedral (game store)
• Boskone
• Worldcon
• Wiscon
• World Fantasy Con
• ConFusion
• Bubonicon
• FenCon
• ArmadilloCon
• San Antonio Book Festival
• John Scalzi
• Kameron Hurley
• Tobias Buckell
• Patreon
• Substack
• John Anealio (theme music)
• Numbersninja (art)
• Libsyn (podcast hosting)
• Valerie Valdes

Evergreen Links

• Like the podcast? Get the book! I Should Be Writing book.
• My newsletter, The Hot Mic, and my Patreon. Supporting either of those will get you perks like access to the discord, exclusive content, and early, ad-free episodes.
• Socials: Bluesky, Mastodon, TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, Focusmate.
• Theme by John Anealio
• Savor I Should Be Writing tea blends
• Support local book stores! Station Eternity, Six Wakes, Solo: A Star Wars Story: Expanded Edition and more!
• OR Get signed books from my friendly local store, Flyleaf Books!
• All books featured in Season 20

"Conquering Conventions and Crafting Confidence" is brought to you in large part by by my supporters, who received an early, expanded version of this episode. You can join our Fabulist community with a pledge on Patreon or Substack!

Some of the links above may be affiliate, allowing you to support the show at no extra cost to you. Also consider leaving a review for ISBW, please!

CREDITS Theme song by John Anealio, art by Numbers Ninja,and files hosted by Libsyn (affiliate link). Get archives of the show via Patreon. April 24, 2024 | Season 20 Ep 14 | murverse.com "Conquering Conventions and Crafting Confidence" by Mur Lafferty is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0