Chris Kennedy, best known for his Four Horsemen Universe, returns to KSM to talk about a brand new universe Hit WorldHit W developed with William Alan Webb, the author of The Last Brigade series.

What makes a manuscript sing from the first page, and what sour notes turn the readers away? With more and more readers judging books based on the Look Inside sample, your first page is key to making sales.

DAW Editor Sheila Gilbert joins us to respond to six first pages submitted by Keystroke authors. We'll talk about what works and what doesn't, so that we can make our own WIPs even better.

***

Today’s spotlight is on Megastructures - Mohs 5.5 Anthology Edited by Yudhanjaya Wijeratne. Get your copy today: https://amzn.to/3bfM0P3

But wait! There's more! Pre-Order your copy of Mars - Mohs 5.5 Vol2 here: https://buy.bookfunnel.com/8qmmyj9dpy 

How sweet do you like your coffee. What kind of things do you put in to take the tang out of the taste? This can be the same with certain types of editors. Are their editors that can make your writing more sweet?

It's 2021 and with the new year brings new opportunities! Let's talk about them! Today's episode will focus on writing goals, motivation, and staying inspired! Join us!

Hosts: Josh Hayes, Scott Moon, C. Steven Manley

00:00 Opening remarks

-Discord server is up!

https://discord.com/invite/t96CVRD

-Keystroke Coffee is live!

https://keystrokemedium.com/product/keystroke-coffee/

09:00 Weekly update—I Only Exist in an Office Edition

Josh: Finished Tranquility #1! Focused on writing and goals. Started a short story for an anthology and started a writing journal. KeyStroWriMo has started! Email Josh to get in on tracking your yearly wordcount. Trying to also improve his writing process.

Scott: Truck shopping! Setting a goal of 3,000 words a day. Finished Orphan Wars #1 with JN Chaney, working on the fourth Invasion Day novel and trying to fix major plot holes, working on a super-secret project, made a new (NEW!) spreadsheet, tweaking some advertising and marketing and personal goals.

32:14 Sponsor: The First Collection by Sarah Lipto-Sidibeh

​ ​https://amzn.to/2X8UwXN

36:50 Main Event— LIVE! Writing in the New Year

-Josh is still listening to House to House: A Soldier's Memoir by Sgt. David Bellavia

https://amzn.to/3lQdNHn

-Scott recommends Mosul and argues SWAT is somewhat universal and the reaction to a mistake where a character was shot by accident.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9252468/

-Reminds Josh of accuracy that he saw in Den of Thieves

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1259528/

-Stumbling blocks from 2020 to overcome in 2021.

-Josh changing his workflow because of moving and such.

-Changing up his production; maybe stream writing or do a morning show.

-Segue that Scrivener 3 for Windows is still not released.

-Scott is changing some eating habits.

-Using finite energy to dedicate to writing.

-Continue to dedicate time to writing and not wait for motivation.

-Developing a habit over time, rather than sprinting large numbers (500 words over 10 days is better than 5,000 words in one day and nothing in other 9).

-Goals need to be incremental and gradual.

-Building social media presence.

-Discussing concepts like blogging your novel.

-Don’t wear pants when you outline!

1:07:44 Closing remarks

Coffee and Concepts

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRuoHj6opw0

Writer’s Journey

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydLaFFntB4Q

Storytelling

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYRzwuQeK9Q

Become a Medium today! https://keystrokemedium.com/mediums/

Don't forget to Like and Subscribe and get involved with the mayhem and shenanigans in the live chat! http://www.youtube.com/c/keystrokemedium

If you have any thoughts or ideas for show topics or if you have authors you'd like to see on the show, let us know. Visit our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/KeystrokeMedium

For all the latest and greatest KSM Gear, check out our store at: https://keystrokemedium.com/ksm-store/

Also, subscribe to Sci Fi Explorations for the best discounted and free books we come across through our contacts: http://www.scifiexplorations.com

Keystroke Medium Anthologies

     Kingdoms of Iron and Stone - https://amzn.to/2GjbE6I 

     Horizons Beyond - https://amzn.to/2SrJ6uX

     Farthest Reach – https://amzn.to/2UZINeo

The Writing Dream – and How to Make it to Happily Ever After – Keystroke Medium’s first non-fiction book. https://amzn.to/2UZINeo

If you enjoy this podcast, please leave us a review and rate the show on iTunes, Podbean, Stitcher, or wherever else you found us!

#ksm #keystrokemedium #coffee #writing #editing #author #books #plotting #pantsing #plantsing #militarysciencefiction #milSF #militarySci-Fi #IndieAuthor #SFF #audiobooks #authorwebsites #goals #writinggoals #2021resolutions

It's a brand new year for change and growth, a good time to look back on the past year and reflect on how we’d like to grow in the year to come. Because as writers, artists, and freelancers, we’re always striving to do better. Author and coach Roland Denzel joins us to discuss that very thing, setting your goals and accomplishing them. And, as we like to do on Keystroke Medium, we’re going to tackle those goals together.

You ready?

How was your 2020? Whether it was a slog or a success, hey, we can learn from it.

Today, we're chatting about three authors who had very different years. We'll talk about break-out successes after years of hard work, writing through difficult times, experimenting, and taking risks. Ever wanted to pack up your family and moving to Bali? We'll talk about that too, on this episode of The Writer's Journey.

Where do you start your coffee journey? Probably the same place you start your reading or writing journey.

2020 has been a crazy year. Josh, Scott, and Chuck reflect on what they've accomplished, challenges they've overcome, and even what they failed to achieve.

Join us for our 2020 Year-End Review

We're talking Camp Coffee... And weather proofing your gear!

Writing is hard enough, when it comes to managing your online presence, trust the experts. Rob McClellan joins the show to talk about author website design and best practices.