The duo is starting to go a bit stir-crazy, and both would like to go to a café to have a change of scenery. But they’re doing their part to save lives, which is much more important.

TB had some major work victories this week. She finished her summer short story for a lesfic anthology to be published in June. Also, after 12 hours, she’s finally caught up with her email. Woo-hoo!

Clare also has a major triumph that TB is still processing. After months and months of resistance, she finally set up a printer. That’s right, folks. Clare can now print and scan in her home office. It’s amazing to watch her grow in front of our very eyes—or ears.

Now for the question of the week: What do you turn to for entertainment in times of strife? On the TV front, TB is the darker of the two and has turned to shows that are intense and include wars, with bloody battle scenes. However, she switches to dark comedies before bed to avoid nightmares. Unlike TB, Clare is not a binge-watcher, and she’s slowly working her way through cooking shows, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, and other dark humor comedy programs. They both prefer snarky and clever humor, but they would fight over whether to binge or not.

On the book front, Clare is retreating into UK rom-coms and has challenged herself to read The Price of Salt during the lockdown, even if it is a classic. She has an aversion to classics. Although, she did conquer her printer resistance, so there may be hope for the book.

TB has drastically changed her reading preferences, leaning toward paranormal cozy mysteries and a Dick Van Dyke memoir. She thinks it’s because all of her days are pretty much the same and she’s craving something different.

What comfort reads and shows are getting you through these strange times? Head over to www.lesbianswhowrite.com, and leave a comment on the episode. Or you can email them at: [email protected].

Stop back next week for a lively discussion about how they decide what to write next?

Link to Clare's Book Recs: www.clarelydon.co.uk/clares-book-recommendations/

Happy listening!

Clare and TB

TB and Clare are working on the second draft of their cowrite, and they survived a three-and-a-half-hour phone call going over the entire book. It was draining but time well spent.

TB has slowly been getting caught up with emails and admin tasks. Clare has purchased a chair but isn’t sure about it yet. Maybe in two weeks she won’t be so frown-y about it. Also, Clare is in the beginning stages of getting new covers for her All I Want series.

Clare has been watching videos about cutting hair, while TB took cat trimmers to the back of her head and learned it’s hard to keep it even.

Now for the question of the week: What is resistance and how to overcome it? Resistance comes for you every single day and can manifest in many ways such as: cleaning, checking social media, online shopping, or trimming your toenails. What’s the basis of it? Fear, procrastination, arrogance, self-sabotage, and self-doubt. TB opens up about an epic battle with resistance two Januaries ago when she almost quit writing. It was a dark time for her. Clare shares about a recent episode of resistance and another time when she struggled (also during a January) and hired a life coach. The duo believes the way to beat resistance is to acknowledge it and to stick with habits, rituals, deadlines, and goals. Or as Clare says: learn to dance with it.

How do you battle resistance? Head over to www.lesbianswhowrite.com, and leave a comment on the episode. Or you can email them at: [email protected].

Stop back next week for a chat about what entertainment the two turn to during times of strife.

Happy listening!

Clare and TB

Links Mentioned in the Episode:

Project Laughter on I Heart Lesfic: iheartlesfic.com/project-laughter-contributions/

The War of Art: www.amazon.com/War-Art-Steven-Pressfield-ebook/dp/B007A4SDCG/

The Art of Asking: www.amazon.com/Art-Asking-Learned-Worrying-People-ebook/dp/B00IRISKD6/

Fast Draft Your Memoir: www.amazon.com/Fast-Draft-Your-Memoir-Write-Story-ebook/dp/B07945BD95/

TB has big news: she and Clare finished the first draft of their cowrite! The next step is to read it over Easter weekend to see what’s working and what isn’t. This is the exciting stage, when a story really takes shape. In bad news, TB forgot to renew her website domain for the second year in a row. It’s like she doesn’t learn.

Clare has exciting news, too. The audio version of A Taste of Love is out. Also, she ticked off making banana cake on her middle-class bingo card. Not only that, she’s been Zooming so much she needs to schedule Zoom-free nights. She claims she’s an introvert, but it’s hard to believe given her lockdown social calendar.

They move on to answering questions from listeners. The topics cover a wide spectrum from characters from Friends, sex scenes, audiobooks, outlines, inspiration, the myth of words flowing and flowing from magical writing inspiration, music playlists, and live book events. They both learn something they didn’t know about the other, and there’s lots of laughing and teasing, because that’s what friends do during difficult times.

What Friends’ character are you most like? Head over to www.lesbianswhowrite.com, and leave a comment on the episode. Or you can email them at: [email protected].

Stop back next week for a chat about resistance, something they both know a thing or two about.

Happy listening!

Clare and TB

Book Link:

A Taste of Love audiobook: www.clarelydon.co.uk/books/a-taste-of-love/

TB is feeling better (hurrah!), but while convalescing, she’s been busy catching up on The L Word: Gen Q and Gentleman Jack. Her lesbian points have been topped up. But even though she’s been sick, she’s kept up with the cowrite she’s doing with Clare. So far, it’s going well, and they’re two-thirds of the way through. Also, TB gets math right! Amazing. Meanwhile, Clare was a guest on UKRomChat, and she had a great time answering their questions – check out her Twitter timeline to catch up. She also reveals a new source of library-related income.

Then it’s onto the topic at hand: blurbs. TB hates the word, but she agrees with Clare they’re one of the hardest things to do as an author. They’ve both outsourced them in their time, but what they learned was nobody knows your book as well as you do, and you can probably do it better. The key is to put dedicated time aside, and don’t settle on your first effort. Write it again and again. Make it enticing to readers, and don’t summarize your plot. Blurbs need to be short, snappy, sexy, & selly. Yes, that is a word.

What do you think about writing blurbs? Any tips we missed? Or just ask us a question about anything for next week’s episode. Head over to www.lesbianswhowrite.com, and leave a comment on the episode. Or you can email us at: [email protected].

Stop back next week for another insightful chat as we answer your questions.

Happy listening!

Clare and TB

Resources:

Adam Croft's Writing Killer Blurbs & Hooks: www.amazon.com/Writing-Killer-Blurbs-Author-Mindset-ebook/dp/B07VL2CW1G/

Bryan Cohen's How to Write A Sizzling Synopsis: www.amazon.com/Write-Sizzling-Synopsis-Step-Step-ebook/dp/B01HYBWOF6/

TB is clogged up and has no idea if it’s a cold (she’s prone to them) or the virus, but she requested to record early to ensure this episode gets out. She’s also launched A Woman Complete, the last book in the Lizzie series. And, she put together a Lizzie fan quiz including questions to all the books leading up to the final. There are prizes involved, the grand one being a $100 Amazon gift card.

Clare admits social distancing isn’t all that new for her. She’s doing her best to keep to her 2020 schedule. Even reconciling her February accounts. Exciting news for those who purchase books on Ylva’s platform. Many of Clare’s books are now available there. It seems Clare purchased her printer just in time, because the libraries in her area have closed, and she’ll need to print a draft of the cowrite soon. Now, she just needs to figure out how to hook it up. What could possibly go wrong?

The duo moves on to the topic: Cowriting, including how they set it up and how it’s going. They started to discuss the particulars of the project months ago, but they knew TB would be in the UK in March and held off with some of the details until after their research trip to Whitstable, where the cowrite is set. They’re each writing a chapter a day, and both agree it’s exciting to watch the story unfold. It’s the first time they’ve shared their first draft with the other, which brings up a valuable point. It’s important to know your cowriter well before beginning because there needs to be a level of trust due to the vulnerability and level of exposure. Even with everything going on, they still started the project on time and, so far (knock on wood), are on track to meet their first editing deadline.

Links mentioned in the podcast:

A Woman Complete: lesbianromancesbytbm.com/books/a-woman-lost-series/

Link to Lizzie Quiz: iheartlesfic.com/a-woman-lost-series-quiz/

Link to Clare’s Ylva Page: www.ylva-publishing.com/authors/clare-lydon/

Next week, the two will be answering questions from listeners, so head over to www.lesbianswhowrite.com, and leave a question you’d like answered. Or you can email them at: [email protected].

Stay safe, stay indoors, and keep writing.

Clare and TB

TB arrived safe and sound in the US and is now in self-quarantine. She thanks all the listeners who wished her well in her quest to get back home.

The duo starts in right away, sharing the highlights of their 10 days together in London, which included the Lesbians Who Write meetup, the Self Publishing Show and Dixie Queen cruise on the Thames, Clare’s book launch, and a weekend in Whitstable.

In big LWW news, TB surprised Clare. Since starting the podcast, Clare has been entering the Hamilton lottery but never won tickets. TB took her to see the show.

In book news, TB returned in the nick of time to launch A Woman Complete, the last book in the Lizzie series.

The duo moves on to the topic: how are they coping during these scary times? TB, the bulk-buying American, always has a fully stocked pantry, while Clare prefers to shop daily for food. This worried TB, although Clare has plenty of wine and beer. Clare caved and bought frozen chopped onions, which she didn’t even know existed. Life changing!

Both admit it’s difficult to block out all the distressing news, but they feel lucky to have their jobs. They agree they need to continue writing because people need stories right now.

A Woman Complete: lesbianromancesbytbm.com/books/a-woman-lost-series

Please share how you’re coping during these times. Clare and TB are here to listen. Head over to www.lesbianswhowrite.com, and leave a comment on the episode. Or you can email them at: [email protected].

Stop back next week for a chat about their Whitstable cowrite.

Stay safe, stay home, and keep writing.

Clare and TB

TB has a fear of marching bands, and Clare needs to find a new American diner in London.

TB has been busy prepping everything before her trip to London, including the launch of her upcoming release: A Woman Complete. Also, she finished the first draft of the cowrite with Miranda MacLeod. In shocking news, she purchased an item she’s needed for years.

Clare launched her book: Before You Say I Do. Exciting times! And, it’s number one on the charts. She had to postpone recording because of a downpour in London. It was a grim day. Grim! She has stocked up on cream crackers so she’s all set for anything that comes her way.

The duo moves on to the topic: which writers they’d invite to their ideal dinner party. Like normal, they came at the question differently, and TB didn’t understand that she’d have to provide food and drinks for party guests, even imaginary ones. Clare on the other hand, is a pro when it comes to this. TB, the historian, does have some dead writers, which Clare is excited about because she can drink their wine. Priorities. Both of them didn't include certain guests because they knew the other would invite them. They know each other that well after podcasting together for a year. While they came at the question differently, Clare hopes these dinner parties actually happen in the future, so if you can help spread the word, that’d be fab. TB is keen on meeting her dead guests, because she’s weird like that. 

Clare’s Book: Before You Say I Do: www.clarelydon.co.uk/books/before-you-say-i-do/

What guests would you invite? Let them know. Head over to www.lesbianswhowrite.com, and leave a comment on the episode. Or you can email them at: [email protected].

Stop back next week for another entertaining chat.

Happy listening!

Clare and TB

TB messes up numbers. Again.

TB is scrambling to get caught up with work before her trip to London to visit the one and only Clare Lydon. TB had two triumphs this week, including sending two episodes of Girl Love Happens to the editor and cranking through the first draft of the cowrite with Miranda MacLeod. The fear of a deadline is urging TB on.

Clare is back from her holiday, feeling refresh. A good thing, because she’s prepping Before You Say I Do for a March 10th release. The first ARC members have given the book an enthusiastic thumbs-up. Clare is being very calm about the launch and keeps saying, “What will be will be.” TB should learn from this. Clare has also made progress on her Christmas romance, and her editing deadline isn’t until October. She’s totally got this one.

The duo moves on to the topic: can you make a full-time living from writing lesbian fiction? They break down the stages of their careers, and surprisingly, almost the same amount of time elapsed from the start to when they realized they could support themselves by writing full-time. Both of them have had ups and downs, and neither started out of the gate knowing everything, which is nearly impossible when founding a new business. Over the years they’ve been in the lesbian fiction business, they’ve learned what it takes to make a living, which includes being consistent, adding to your backlist, locating different income funnels (audiobooks, paperbacks, ebooks, translations, merchandize, Patreon, etc.) learning advertising, connecting with readers, and being nice just to name some of the keys to success. Also, it’s important to keep learning, and when you hit a rough patch, just keep going.

Clare’s Book: Before You Say I Do: www.clarelydon.co.uk/books/before-you-say-i-do

Link to podcast episode mentioned: www.selfpublishingauthorspodcast.com/spa-girls-podcast-ep-227-elana-johnson-part-one-productivity

Patreon: www.patreon.com

Do you have aspirations of writing full-time? Let them know. Head over to www.lesbianswhowrite.com, and leave a comment on the episode. Or you can email them at: [email protected].

Stop back next week for another hilarious conversation about what authors Clare and TB would have at their dream dinner party.

Happy listening!

Clare and TB

This was a difficult episode for TB since she had the flu and could barely get out of bed, which incidentally was her one accomplishment for the week.

Clare, on the other hand, has been busy, busy, busy getting ready for her week away. She’s had a packed January and February, and she’s looking forward to having some time off so she can return refreshed to launch Before You Say I Do. The book will be released on March 10th.

TB bets that Clare will return from a week in the sun with no tan whatsoever.

The duo tackles the question: what writing quirks drive their editors mad? Clare shares what she learned in her early days about filter words and dialogue tags. TB admits she’s been having a crisis lately about dialogue tags due to listening to many audiobooks that weigh down every piece of dialogue with too many he said/she saids. Both of them overuse certain words, and they don’t add descriptions of clothing, rooms, or the setting until the second or third drafts. Clare has a fondness for French words, but can’t spell them correctly. As with every part of the business, eradicating certain quirks takes time and patience, and it’s important to never stop learning.

Two Announcements:

1. The LWW Meetup in London is scheduled for March 8 at The Somers Town Coffee House around 3ish. Please let them know if you’re planning on attending. Either email them ([email protected]) or message them on the socials. They need to reserve enough space.

The Somers Town Coffee House: www.yummypubs.co.uk/the-somers-town-coffee-house-home

2. Blubrry, their podcast host, is asking for listeners to nominate their favorite female podcasters. Clare and TB would appreciate it if you would nominate them because the prize, if they win, is a free year of podcast hosting, an interview on Podcast Insider, social media buzz, and a swag bag. You can nominate them here: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdZD4P-lt-SBfGtVP6sIbPKmgLmGwUReGuq6bFrG1acTQJjfA/viewform

Resources and links:

Article on Filter Words: writeitsideways.com/are-these-filter-words-weakening-your-fiction/

South Coast Lesfic Hang-Out: sclho.wordpress.com/

Please let them know if you have any questions about writing quirks, and TB is curious how many people can actually wink. Head over to www.lesbianswhowrite.com, and leave a comment on the episode. Or you can email them at: [email protected].

Stop back next week for another hilarious conversation.

Happy listening!

Clare and TB

Clare loves the word moist, and TB just doesn’t get why.

TB is relieved to be working on season 3 of Girl Love Happens because the previous season ended with a cliffhanger, and she’s been feeling so guilty about not tackling it sooner. Being TB, though, she’s freaking out that after waiting for 2 years, readers will be disappointed. TB likes to have her freak-out moments during every possible stage of a project, and it’s amazing she hasn’t had a total breakdown yet. Also, she can’t quit the TV show Poldark, even though the series is tormenting her.

After getting a failing grade for her work setup, Clare has taken the time to purchase items to hopefully receive a passing grade. She even purchased a piece of office equipment that has TB stunned!

Clare has sent off Before You Say I Do to bloggers and magazines, and by the time this episode airs, her ARC team will have it in hand. It’s becoming super real, and Clare thinks it’s her best work yet. Remember launch day is March 10th.

The duo turns to part two of their mailing list discussion. They break down the criteria to consider when shopping for a mailing list provider, including: price, ease of use, available tutorials, and delivery success rate, because you don’t want an email provider who can’t seem to send out emails. Clare does a deep dive into her autoresponder sequence, and TB, who loves to study mailing lists, learns a few things and will probably tweak her system soon. While getting one set up will take time, once you do, it runs in the background, freeing up your time to do other things like write, which is important for authors. Or, in TB’s case, to sit on the couch and sob during Poldark.

Two Announcements:

1. The LWW Meetup in London is scheduled for March 8 at The Somers Town Coffee House around 3ish. Please let them know if you’re planning on attending. Either email them ([email protected]) or message them on the socials. They need to reserve enough space.

The Somers Town Coffee House: www.yummypubs.co.uk/the-somers-town-coffee-house-home

2. Blubrry, their podcast host, is asking for listeners to nominate their favorite female podcasters. Clare and TB would appreciate it if you would nominate them because the prize, if they win, is a free year of podcast hosting, an interview on Podcast Insider, social media buzz, and a swag bag. You can nominate them here: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdZD4P-lt-SBfGtVP6sIbPKmgLmGwUReGuq6bFrG1acTQJjfA/viewform

Resources and links:

Join Clare’s Mailing List: www.clarelydon.co.uk/books/free-stuff/

Join TB’s Mailing List: lesbianromancesbytbm.com/join-tbms-mailing-list/

Please let them know if you have any questions about mailing lists. Head over to www.lesbianswhowrite.com, and leave a comment on the episode. Or you can email them at: [email protected].

Stop back next week for a lively conversation about their writing ticks that drive their editors mad.

Happy listening!

Clare and TB