I Should Be Writing

[ISBW] Tango with the Tenacles, DESPAIR


Listen Later

"Despair is the overprotective parent going, 'oh, it's okay that you lost that game. We'll protect you by never letting you play again.'" -Mur Lafferty

In this episode, we talk about Bully #4, Despair. Despair wants to hug you and join you when it's raining. It's nice to feel sorry for yourself for a moment, but you can't listen to it.

Mur is candid about feeling overwhelmed and the challenges of maintaining a connection to the outside world amidst creative struggles and personal challenges.

We explore some ways to combat despair, including the helpful practice of listing accomplishments and breaking down projects into manageable steps. And get a little fussy.

(This post went live for supporters on June 11, 2025. If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at Patreon!)

Transcript

  • Joco Cruise
  • Escape Pod
  • Brindlewood Bay
  • Mari Naomi
  • John Hodgman

Evergreen Links

  • See all books from Season 21
  • Like the podcast? Get the book! I Should Be Writing.
  • Socials: Bluesky, InstagramYouTubeFocusmate
  • 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!

"Tango with the Tentacles, DESPAIR" 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!

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 18, 2025 | Season 21 Ep 11 | murverse.com "Tango with the Tentacles, DESPAIR" by Mur Lafferty is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

In case it wasn't clear: Mur and this podcast are fully supportive of LGBTQ+ folks, believe that Black Lives Matter, and trans rights are human rights, despite which direction the political winds blow. If you do not agree, then there are plenty of other places to go on the Internet.

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

I Should Be WritingBy Mur Lafferty

  • 4.3
  • 4.3
  • 4.3
  • 4.3
  • 4.3

4.3

324 ratings


More shows like I Should Be Writing

View all
The Creative Penn Podcast For Writers by Joanna Penn

The Creative Penn Podcast For Writers

613 Listeners

Helping Writers Become Authors by K.M. Weiland

Helping Writers Become Authors

961 Listeners

StarTalk Radio by Neil deGrasse Tyson

StarTalk Radio

14,102 Listeners

Ditch Diggers by Mur Lafferty and Matt Wallace

Ditch Diggers

52 Listeners

The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience by Kelton Reid

The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience

214 Listeners

Writing Excuses by Mary Robinette Kowal, DongWon Song, Erin Roberts, Dan Wells, and Howard Tayler

Writing Excuses

1,297 Listeners

Writer's Routine by Dan Simpson

Writer's Routine

300 Listeners

The Daily Stoic by Daily Stoic | Backyard Ventures

The Daily Stoic

4,750 Listeners

Fiction Writing Made Easy | Top Creative Writing Podcast for Fiction Writers & Writing Tips by Savannah Gilbo

Fiction Writing Made Easy | Top Creative Writing Podcast for Fiction Writers & Writing Tips

1,431 Listeners

Who Did What Now by Katie Charlwood

Who Did What Now

763 Listeners

The Shit No One Tells You About Writing by Bianca Marais, Carly Watters and CeCe Lyra

The Shit No One Tells You About Writing

753 Listeners

The Atlas Obscura Podcast by SiriusXM and Atlas Obscura

The Atlas Obscura Podcast

1,658 Listeners

Essential Guide to Writing a Novel by James Thayer

Essential Guide to Writing a Novel

355 Listeners

Writers on Writing by Barbara DeMarco-Barrett and Marrie Stone

Writers on Writing

75 Listeners

No Write Way with V. E. Schwab by V. E. Schwab (Author)

No Write Way with V. E. Schwab

67 Listeners