Indie Author Lifestyle

How do you weave the human condition into your story? And how do you use personal experiences and flaws to create relatable characters? Listen in to fantasy author, Miri C. Golden as she shares about using the power of life experience to craft a bestselling novel. IN EPISODE TWENTY-ONE YOU WILL LEARN: Taking tragedy and […]

How do you weave the human condition into your story? And how do you use personal experiences and flaws to create relatable characters? Listen in to fantasy author, Miri C. Golden as she shares about using the power of life experience to craft a bestselling novel.

IN EPISODE TWENTY-ONE YOU WILL LEARN:

Taking tragedy and using it as a therapeutic way to heal.Using life experience (both good and bad) to make your characters relatable.Drawing from your own flaws to make your writing authentic. How to get into your character's heads by adding personal vernacular, keywords and identities. Should you regurgitate what someone else has done? Here are some tips on exploring magical systems, creating your own characters and building a world that readers fall in love with.How to balance writing what readers want to read versus what brings you joy.Why we should take time to give ourselves the tools we need to be successful.Understanding that art is subjective and why you should LOVE what you do.Traditional publishing versus indie author life - what you need to know.Behind the scenes of Miri's books and why you just might want to read them!A word of encouragement as you write your 1st or 10th draft.

ABOUT MIRI C. GOLDEN

Back when dinosaurs roamed the earth, Miri C. Golden grew up in the rural mountains of Southern Oregon, where cougars and deer outnumber people. Raised without TV, gaming systems, and central heating & air, she escaped real life through fantasy novels.

Not much has changed since then, save for the dinosaurs—they died off.

Currently, Miri resides in the Pacific Northwest with her oh-so sexy husband and their two little monsters. She continues to escape all of life’s disappointments through reading and writing, but when she stuck adulting and can’t immerse herself in magic, dragons, and one-true-loves, she toils her days away in the art industry.

In addition to banging words, Miri enjoys biking, cooking, reading, and exploring art in its many mediums, as well as stuffing her face, rolling her eyes, and liberally applying four-letter words and their conjugates to every situation.Oh! And Epstein didn’t k!ll himself.

CONNECT WITH Miri C. Golden

Website

Links mentioned in the show

Chicago Manual of StyleOwl PurdueThe Grammar Bible

HOSTS CORNER: A PEEK BEHIND THE SCENES OF WHAT WE’RE WORKING ON

Stephanie BwaBwa is working on the 2nd novella in the Seraphim Resistance series and waiting on an illustrated cover. Learn more here.

Angela J. Ford is dealing with creative lows and writing Fate - Night of the Dark Fae Book 2. Learn more about the novel here.

REGISTER FOR OUR MONTHLY WORKSHOPS

March Workshop: How to Craft En

Learn these top strategies for crafting real and relatable characters with Stephanie BwaBwa

Are you struggling with flat characters, showing character growth or crafting relatable characters? In this week's episode, Stephanie BwaBwa gives us top strategies for crafting real and relatable characters.

In episode twenty you will learn:

What is character development and tips for writers who struggle with making their characters come alive.Using your character's environment to shape who they are.Strategies to connect to your character that goes beyond physical appearance.How to highlight character flaws without making them annoying.Ways to show character growth so readers can see the difference between the character at the beginning of the book versus the end of the book.The #1 thing you need to know before writing your first character.

Host's Corner: A peek behind the scenes of what we're working on

Stephanie BwaBwa finished plotting her first novella in the Seraphim Resistance series and tweaked the episodic series she sends to her readers every week. working on Seraphim Falling. Learn more here.

Angela J. Ford is working on the 2nd book in her Night of the Dark Fae series. Learn more about the novel here.

REGISTER FOR AN UPCOMING WORKSHOP

March Workshop: How to Craft Engaging Emails – Register Now!April Workshop: How to Get Reviews on Amazon – Register Now!

The journey to becoming a full-time author on your own terms doesn’t have to be lonely or hard.

We have an awesome community where we chat daily, write together, and motivate each other.

Join the Indie Author Lifestyle Community by going to www.indieauthorlifestyle.com/innercircle.

Listen to Previous Episodes

How do you balance your indie career when you also run a small business? And when do you know if you should use a pen name? Listen in to USA Today bestselling fantasy author, Alisha Klapheke as she shares some of her secrets to success.

How do you balance your indie career when you also run a small business? And when do you know if you should use a pen name? Listen in to USA Today bestselling fantasy author, Alisha Klapheke as she shares some of her secrets to success.

IN EPISODE NINETEEN YOU WILL LEARN:

Taking the hobby of writing and turning it into a career.Using a book launch party to kick off your author career.Taking inspiration from history and using museums to spark ideas.The pros and cons of using a pen name and what you should consider before you start one.How to get pre-orders when you need to build your audience from scratch.Why you should make friends with other authors and the benefits of knowing authors in your genre.How to show appreciation to your email list and strategies for creating engaging emails.Alisha's process for shaping characters and how they vary from draft to draft. Why using a critique partner is helpful for motivation.Pro tip: Figure out what's draining your energy and give that job to someone else. (Read this book)

ABOUT ALISHA KLAPHEKE

USA Today bestselling author Alisha Klapheke wants to infuse readers’ lives with unique magic, far-flung fantasy settings, and romance. Her inspiration springs from an obsession with history, years of world travel, and the fantasy she grew up reading when she was supposed to be doing her math homework. 

When she's not writing, Alisha teaches Muay Thai kickboxing, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and Krav Maga to kids, adults, and the occasional country music star at her school just south of Nashville. That may be why writing fight scenes is her favorite.

CONNECT WITH ALISHA KLAPHEKE

WebsiteFacebookInstagramMeet Eve A. Hunt

HOSTS CORNER: A PEEK BEHIND THE SCENES OF WHAT WE’RE WORKING ON

Stephanie BwaBwa just released Seraphim Falling. Learn more about the short story here.

Angela J. Ford just released Pawn. Learn more about the novel here.

Register for an upcoming workshop

March Workshop: How to Craft Engaging Emails - Register Now!April Workshop: How to Get Reviews on Amazon - Register Now!

Are you ready to record your first audiobook? Here's what you need to know before you begin.

Are you ready to record your first audiobook? Here's what you need to know before you begin.

In episode eighteen you will learn:

What is an audiobook and where you can get them. Plus check out these 5 audiobook services.Why an audiobook is a different experience from reading a book.The benefits of having an audiobook for your book series.How to find a narrator who can characterize your stories just the way you envision.Determining whether you should read your own audiobook or hire a narrator. Need more? Read this.Understanding what PFH and other audiobook terminology means.Creating a relationship with a narrator so you can work with them for future books and understanding what your expectations are for voices.What to do if you want to record your own audiobook and what tools you need. The future of audiobooks and whether you should create audiobooks for your backlist.

Links Mentioned in the Show:

Recording microphoneAudacityACXRecord your own audiobook

Host's Corner: A peek behind the scenes of what we're working on

Stephanie BwaBwa is working on Seraphim Falling. Learn more about the short story here.

Angela J. Ford is marketing for the release of Pawn. Learn more about the novel here.

The journey to becoming a full-time author on your own terms doesn’t have to be lonely or hard.

We have an awesome community where we chat daily, write together, and motivate each other.

Join the Indie Author Lifestyle Community by going to www.indieauthorlifestyle.com/innercircle.

Listen to Previous Episodes

017: An Entrepreneurial Path to Multiple Stream of Income with Melissa Frey016: A Candid Conversation on Taking Risks and Dreaming Big015: Staying True to your Creativity & Writing with JA Andrews014: How to Build and Engage your Email List

Entrepreneur and Author, Melissa Frey, shares her tips on running a Kickstarter, starting a YouTube channel and reaching your audience on Instagram. Listen in!

Entrepreneur and Author, Melissa Frey, shares her tips on running a Kickstarter, starting a YouTube channel and reaching your audience on Instagram.

In episode seventeen you will learn:

How to find your author voice and finish your first draft.Why it doesn't matter how long it takes as long as you finish.Learning from your mistakes and determining if and when you should re-release your book.Using Kickstarter as a way for friends and family to support you and offset your publishing costs.Inexpensive incentives to use for your Kickstarter.Using YouTube as another medium to connect with your audience. Tips for making your words easier to read and who to hire to edit your next book (hint: hire Melissa!).Using Instagram as an author and learning the ins and outs to make it fun and rewarding.Why it's important to know your branding and how to use your unique personality to connect with readers using Instagram.Three tips to help kickstart your engagement on Instagram.

About Melissa Frey

Melissa Frey (pronounced "fry") is an Indie Author, Book Editor, AuthorTuber, Instagrammer, and Course Creator. Her debut novel, The Secret of the Codex, was relaunched on November 12, 2019, with a new cover and new content. The second book in the series, The Prophecy of the Codex, is scheduled for release later this year. The series follows a group of four archaeological professors and students on their quest to uncover an ancient secret and keep the power of that secret safe from those who want to steal it for themselves. It's a great read for people who love action, adventure, superpowers, mystery, suspense, and a little romance!Melissa recently released the Instagram for Authors Course where she helps authors navigate the sometimes confusing world of Instagram. She designed it for authors new to the platform as well as those who have a presence there but are looking to level up. Please use code INDIE10 to get $10 off the course!

She's also a Book Editor. She loves to help other authors polish their work until it shines! Melissa takes great pride in cultivating a professional, collaborative, and stress-free environment so the author can realize their dream of perfecting and publishing their book with confidence.

Connect with Melissa Frey

WebsiteThe Secret of the Codex on AmazonInstagram for Authors CourseEditing ServicesInstagram