Lesbians Who Write Podcast

Happy Pride!

To celebrate Pride, every day in June, TB will be posting a Sapphic Trailblazer on I Heart SapphFic. TB and Miranda published their first German Translation: Die Morning Show. Toot toot! IHS is now on Patreon and those who join will be able to follow TB & Miranda on their road trip to the Golden Crown Literary Society Conference.

Clare has been ticking along on two projects. One is at 50K and the other is at 30K. With her writing going well, she’s been smashing it on the exercise front. Is there a correlation? She just had her third three-day weekend in May. But that’s not the most exciting part. Clare is seeing Beyonce! TB is so jealous.

They crash on to the topic: What Should Writers Stop Worrying About? Being a creative can be nerve-racking and it’s easy to drive oneself insane stressing about all the things. Clare and TB go over a list of things that writers shouldn’t dwell on ranging from pirates, one-star reviews, and running out of ideas. Have a listen to learn what you should let go of to focus on what you can control: writing your story.

What other things should writers stop worrying about?

Head over to lesbianswhowrite.com and leave a comment on the episode.

Happy listening!

Clare and TB

Links:

Sapphic Trailblazers: https://iheartsapphfic.com/category/sapphics-trailblazers/

IHS Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/IHeartSapphFic

Die Morning Show: https://www.amazon.de/dp/B0C6B5HT2Z

Flight Plan is with the editor, and it was a close call. TB was at her desk at 4 in the morning the day it was due to make last minute tweaks. Now TB’s working on the cowrite with Adrian J. Smith and the first draft is almost done. TB’s also plotting the next paranormal with Miranda. Finally, TB’s putting the big IHS May sale together. Busy busy!

Clare is in a writing groove, bashing out 2-3,000 words a day. Hot Shot has a narrator and fingers crossed it comes out before the Women’s World Cup. Clare (and TB) is going to 20 Books to 50K in Las Vegas. The South Coast Sapphic Hang Out was epic and Clare got to rub elbows with many fab authors. In maybe fun news, Clare’s going to a Tottenham double header: the men and women have back-to-back games. Will Clare be sad on Monday?

They crash on to the topic: Top Tips from Screenwriting. One of TB’s 2023 goals is to read more writing craft books and she’s actually been doing that. TB takes the reins on this episode sharing the writing beats she learned from Save the Cat by Blake Snyder. The book outlines 15 beats that every story should have, and TB walks the listeners through them by using one of her books as an example.

What writing tips have you learned from screenwriting?

Head over to lesbianswhowrite.com and leave a comment on the episode.

Happy listening!

Clare and TB

Link: 

Save the Cat: https://www.amazon.com/Save-Cat-Last-Screenwriting-Youll-ebook/dp/B00340ESIS

TB is scattered, so everything’s normal in her world. TB & Miranda are frantically working on Flight Plan to make their editing deadline and TB’s feeling overwhelmed. Which is why she’s trying really hard to get ahead in other areas of her life. Can the perpetually last-minute finisher crack the code to being prepared? TB has started a cowrite with Adrian J. Smith. Very exciting!

Hotshot is doing well. Toot toot! Clare has been squeezing out words on a couple of projects. She realized something about one book: the stakes weren’t there in the beginning. This is a pro tip. Always make sure the stakes are in the opener. Clare is conquering Brazil with more translation contracts and she’s also smashing it in the podcast world by making an appearance on the Self Publishing Show.

They crash on to the topic: Top Ten Indie Publishing Tips. Clare drilled down tips that were shared at the London Book Fair. If you want to be a full-time author, get your pen out, take notes, and learn how to lift your publishing game.

What publishing tips do you have?

Head over to lesbianswhowrite.com and leave a comment on the episode.

Happy listening!

Clare and TB

Links:

What a Year It’s Been: https://iheartsapphfic.com/2023/04/24/what-a-year-its-been/

IHS May Sale Submission Form: https://forms.gle/YM7F95pktZRDA6xK9

Self Publishing Show Episode: https://selfpublishingformula.com/episode-381/

Hotshot: https://mybook.to/HotShotLydon

Midlife is the Cat’s Meow is out in the world! In bad news, TB has a nasty cold and is exhausted and scattered. In writing news, TB & Miranda have started their next cowrite, a contemporary romance. In award news, Take Two, is a Goldies finalist. While managing her cold, TB also had to wrangle her taxes.

After a successful presale, Hotshot is now available on Amazon. Hooray! Clare has been researching for London 9 by doing interviews. Most writers will be horrified by this. Talking to people in real life. Shudders. Clare spoke on two panels at the London Book Fair. She’s a big deal!

They crash on to the topic: fresh starts. They both just published a book and are starting a new chapter. Add on to that, it’s also springtime in the northern hemisphere. It’s like fate played a hand coming up with today’s episode. Have a listen and get inspired for your own fresh start.

Do you like fresh starts?

Head over to lesbianswhowrite.com and leave a comment on the episode.

Happy listening!

Clare and TB

Links:

Midlife is the Cat’s Meow: https://mybook.to/MidlifeCatsMeowIHSAd1

Take Two: https://mybook.to/TakeTwoMacLeod

Hotshot: https://mybook.to/HotShotLydon

TB and Miranda are prepping Midlife is the Cat’s Meow for launch and TB loves the cover. TB wonders how many hours she wastes whining, but how would she track it? Better yet, how would she nip it in the bud since it’s a big part of her personality? In torture news, TB had her mammogram. Boo!

Clare’s book Hotshot is being prepared for showtime! Despite saying she’d never have an American in a book again, there’s one in Hotshot and the US and UK English is driving Clare bonkers. While in France she worked every day, keeping London 9 ticking along. More importantly, she had a lovely time with her wife.

They crash on to the topic: quarter one review. They haven’t quite mastered the Druid calendar yet, but they managed to remember the first quarter came to a close on March 31. Have a listen to find out how their quarters went including writing, translations, networking, business, and personal goals.

How did your first quarter go?

Head over to lesbianswhowrite.com and leave a comment on the episode.

Happy listening!

Clare and TB

Links:

IHS Favorites Anthology: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/r8wa7z41jd

Midlife is the Cat’s Meow: https://mybook.to/MidlifeCatsMeowIHSAd1

Hotshot on Clare’s Webstore: https://payhip.com/b/uC6yl

What’s Been Going On With The Writing Duo

The Golden Crown Literary Society event in New Jersey was a smashing success! TB was on the indie publishing panel. She loved catching up with author friends and meeting readers. Sadly, her first day back at work after being away was dreadful.

Clare is doing her final read of Hotshot, her footie book. She read the first half after a restful sleep and thought the book was brilliant. By the end of the day, she was tired, and her opinion soured. The emotional rollercoaster for creatives is exhausting, but it’s a good reminder that we all go through it, and how your mood can have an impact.

They Crash On To The Topic: Ask Us Anything

The duo answer questions ranging from character development, newsletters, editing, relaunching a book, and more. Find out what they have to say, even though TB isn’t quite sure how she became an adult that people listen to. It’s a very odd feeling!

Let us know what you think about any of our answers to the questions.

Head over to lesbianswhowrite.com and leave a comment on the episode.

Happy listening!

Clare and TB

Link:

Show, Don’t Tell: https://www.amazon.com/Show-Dont-Tell-descriptions-characters-ebook/dp/B01LXFJ0AC

During the catch-up section, TB share’s all her news, and there’s a lot, but the biggest takeaway is the latest Lizzie is out in the world. Toot toot! In Clare’s world, the football book is back with the editor. In better news, the title is Hotshot. Clare has set an ambitious word count goal for her next London romance. Send her good writing juju!

They crash on to the topic: Inspirational Women. In celebration of Women’s History Month, the duo shares who have and continue to inspire them. They admire any woman who’s been able to beat the odds by becoming successful in a world stacked against women. There are many women in the world who are truly inspirational, and we see and appreciate you.

Which women have inspired you?

The duo is planning an ask us anything episode so let them know your questions.

Head over to lesbianswhowrite.com, and leave a comment on the episode.

Happy listening!

Clare and TB

Links:

A Woman in Hiding: https://mybook.to/WomanInHidingLWW

The Freelancer’s Survival Guide: https://www.amazon.com/Freelancers-Survival-Guide-Kristine-Kathryn-ebook/dp/B004A156PY

During the catch-up section, TB share’s she forgot to request a Lizzie book cover, so there’s a slight delay in the launch. Whoops! Also, doing book research on different ways to kill people has resulted with some interesting internet responses. Clare’s in a different spot when it comes to covers. She has two for the football book. Will she share one with TB? Clare’s laser focused on her 2023 goal and has attended a handful of football games.

They crash on to the topic: business and marketing books. TB, being the history nut, shares books that helped guide her early on in her career. Clare isn’t much of a nonfiction reader, but she has suggestions and bravo to the authors who kept her attention. Showing once again they come at questions differently, TB’s book recs are the how-to type and Clare focused on mindset.

What books do you recommend on business, marketing, and mindset?

The duo is planning an ask us anything episode so let them know your questions.

Head over to lesbianswhowrite.com and leave a comment on the episode.

Happy listening!

Clare and TB

Links:

How to Market a Book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071NPVK28

Let’s Get Digital: https://www.amazon.com/Lets-Get-Digital-Self-Publish-Publishing-ebook/dp/B08BTS57PC

Atomic Habits: https://www.amazon.com/Atomic-Habits-Proven-Build-Break-ebook/dp/B07D23CFGR

The Magic of Thinking Big: https://www.amazon.com/Magic-Thinking-Big-David-Schwartz-ebook/dp/B00NGZIR92

Write. Publish. Repeat.: https://www.amazon.com/Publish-Repeat-No-Luck-Required-Self-Publishing-Success-ebook/dp/B00H26IFJS

Dear Writer Series: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B081QCQ5KH

Newsletter Ninja: https://www.amazon.com/Newsletter-Ninja-Become-Author-Mailing-ebook/dp/B07C6J8HP9

7 FIGURE FICTION: https://www.amazon.com/FIGURE-FICTION-Universal-Fantasy-ANYONE-ebook/dp/B09FGZQV4D

How to Write a Sizzling Synopsis: https://www.amazon.com/Write-Sizzling-Synopsis-Step-Step-ebook/dp/B01HYBWOF6

Get Rich, Lucky Bitch: https://www.amazon.com/Get-Rich-Lucky-Bitch-First-Class-ebook/dp/B078HW6H7K

What I Wish I’d Known: https://www.amazon.com/What-Wish-Id-Known-Writers-ebook/dp/B0BRWXTP2F

Clare’s Valentine’s Day Blog: https://www.clarelydon.co.uk/2023/02/sapphic-books-to-make-you-swoon/

In a rare instance, TB is the calmer of the two, even though she’s been busy with publishing a box set and the next Lizzie story is with the editor! Clare shares the story of why she’s so frazzled. Who knew saying thanks could be so hard? She brilliantly sums up the life of a writer: plot, write, plot, write. Find out what Clare plans to fondle in real life…

They move on to the topic: Craft Books. Have we liked them? Have we learned anything from them? Clare finds craft books really dull, but she’s the type who learns by doing. They share book titles, but TB cautions the listener to know themselves and to cobble together advice from all different sources to put a system in place that works for you.

What craft books do you recommend?

Head over to lesbianswhowrite.com to leave a comment on the episode.

Happy listening!

Clare and TB

Links:

The Emotion Thesaurus: https://www.amazon.com/Emotion-Thesaurus-Writers-Character-Expression/dp/0999296345

On Writing: https://www.amazon.com/Writing-Memoir-Craft-Stephen-King-ebook/dp/B000FC0SIM

Romancing the Beat: https://www.amazon.com/Romancing-Beat-Structure-Romance-Kissing-ebook/dp/B01DSJSURY

My Story Can Beat Up Your Story: https://www.amazon.com/Story-Can-Beat-Your-Screenplay/dp/1932907939

Wild Mind: https://www.amazon.com/Wild-Mind-Living-Writers-Life-ebook/dp/B005E834RE

Take Off Your Pants!: https://www.amazon.com/Take-Off-Your-Pants-Outline-ebook/dp/B00UKC0GHA

How to Write a Dirty Story: https://www.amazon.com/How-Write-Dirty-Story-Publishing-ebook/dp/B000FC0PY4

Story: https://www.amazon.com/Story-Structure-Substance-Principles-Screenwriting-ebook/dp/B0042FZVOY

Wired for Story: https://www.amazon.com/Wired-Story-Writers-Science-Sentence-ebook/dp/B005X0JTGI

They start the episode brilliantly by Clare freezing during the intro, making TB chuckle. TB has a lot going on, including an upcoming in-person GCLS event in New Jersey that she’s looking forward to. Clare had a fab time in Whitstable, where she accomplished a lot of plotting. As usual, the duo exchange barbs, support each other, and Clare reveals some fantastic and unexpected perks of doing this podcast.

They crash on to the topic: making habits that stick. TB excels at bad habits but wants to get into the swing of forming good habits, so this episode is just what she needs. Starting off can be easy but making a habit stick can be a struggle. The duo shares their own experiences, tips, and honesty. Also, find out what Clare is learning from the Druids, and now they both want to become Druids. Although neither of them knows if Druids were good or bad in history.

Have you tried making new habits this year? How are they going?

Head over to lesbianswhowrite.com and leave a comment on the episode.

Happy listening!

Clare and TB

Links:

GCLS New Jersey Event: https://www.goldencrownliterarysociety.org/2023-njregional-event

Clare’s Event at The Hive: http://www.thehiveworcester.org/Clare_Lydon/Clare_Lydon.html

Favorite Scene Submission Deets: https://iheartsapphfic.com/writerlywednesday/join-the-favorite-scenes-anthology/