Notes in the Margin

Oh HAI a well-thought-out podcast episode is waiting for you RIGHT HERE (I know, that's unusual). But first you have to wade through Joe's new haircut (courtesy of Vicky), vegetable gardens, and pond-water tea. After that, it's all good stuff: your hosts are talking about why "just be yourself" is the WORST advice masquerading as profundity, and why originality is wildly misunderstood. Enjoy!

Key Takeaways:

[1:50] Just be yourself! What does that even mean?

[5:25] Vicky cut Joe's hair. He looks like a fancy Sideshow Bob.

[5:55] Why is originality wildly misunderstood?

[7:35] How do you be yourself, like really?

[8:35] Do any of us truly know who we are?

[9:55] Do you compare yourself to others? Well, stop it!

[13:25] What is originality? Vicky shares her definition.

[16:00] Plagiarism is not cool.

[17:35] There are so many people who want to write a book, but they don't read! What!

[18:55] How do you define and write in your own voice?

[20:55] Take a step back and ask yourself 'why' you might agree or disagree with someone's body of work.

[22:55] Like this podcast? Let Vicky know and email her!

Mentioned in This Episode:

Website

Order Vicky's new book!

90-day Book Course

Creative Book Coaching

Join Vicky's Power Hour

Project Dingle

Join Vicky's Masterclass

Subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher, and Overcast

The Bastard of Istanbul Novel by Elif Shafak

The Magician's Assistant Book by Ann Patchett

Prisoners of Geography, by Tim Marshall

After a (very) brief rant about the state of the British gutter press—more to come on THAT front—Vicky and Joe open up Vicky's toolbox and have a rummage around. If you're after a magic button that'll write your book for you, you're shit out of luck. But if you want an insight into the stuff a writer uses to make it all a little easier, grab a cuppa and tune in. And click those affiliate links, mama needs new houseplants!

Key Takeaways:

[5:45] What's going on at Casa Dingle?

[8:00] Looking for a hack to write your book?

[9:35] Why does Vicky like the app Scrivener?

[11:00] Vicky shares some of her favorite writing tools.

[16:10] What are some of Vicky's favorite productivity tools?

[21:00] What tools does Vicky like to publish?

[23:15] Nothing replaces hard work, but you can get organized with it!

[23:25] What are your favorite tools? Let Vicky know!

Mentioned in This Episode:

Website

Order Vicky's new book!

90-day Book Course

Creative Book Coaching

Join Vicky's Power Hour

Project Dingle

Subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher, and Overcast

The Overstory by Richard Powers

Thief of Time, by Terry Pratchett

Prisoners of Geography, by Tim Marshall

Freedom app

Scrivener

RescueTime

Canva

Remarkable.com

750words.com

Prowritingaid.com

Join Vicky, Joe, and Joe's hair as they talk about why we lie to ourselves when we say we don't have time. No shade: tune in and find out what's really going on, and how to dig into the reasons that lie beneath that excuse. Also featured in this podcast: angry women, the status quo, and smashing the patriarchy. Enjoy!

Key Takeaways:

[4:30] Update on the dingle!

[7:00] Why do writers don't write? The biggest excuse is they don't have time!

[9:00] Everyone is busy but there is a deeper excuse underneath that.

[9:55] Feeling overwhelmed? Don't know where to start?

[11:35] Action causes motivation which causes inspiration and that causes more action and the cycle repeats in a good way!

[13:40] Just start by writing 200 crappy words a day! Anyone can do that!

[14:25] Vicky can't wait to run a writing retreat...in person!

[15:35] The world needs to be open and honest. The world needs to talk more about politics, religion, and money without having the family throw food at each other!

[17:15] The 'angry black woman' stereotype is horrible and disgusting.

[19:25] Why are Russians so blunt?

[23:25] Have you used any of those excuses before? Well, maybe it's time to start writing your book. Vicky gives you permission!

[25:40] More people spend time planning their holidays than they do their life! their life!

Mentioned in This Episode:

Website

Order Vicky's new book!

90-day Book Course

Creative Book Coaching

Join Vicky's Power Hour

Subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher, and Overcast

Thief of Time by Terry Pratchett

Prisoners of Geography by Tim Marshall

Vicky sits down with Jill Robinson of Organic Pilates and talks orgasms, incontinence, and testicles to spectacles. We wanted to find out all about Jill's new book -- why she wrote it, who it's for, and why this whole conversation is absolutely bloody crucial. We also say the word "vagina". (Get over it.)

Key Takeaways:

[3:40] Who is Jill and what does she do?

[7:00] Just because you're getting older, doesn't mean you have to have an old body or old mind.

[7:40] Why does Jill like to work with perimenopausal or menopausal women?

[10:00] Vicky was around 40 when she could finally comfortably say the word, 'period' out loud.

[11:10] Women should work in line with their cycles, and not feel guilty on the days where their bodies just feel 'meh'.

[13:25] Birth control pills were never actually tested on women.

[17:00] Jill shares why she felt it was time to write a book.

[18:45] How do you find your pelvic floor?

[24:10] There is a very strong connection between feet and the pelvic floor. Jill explains why.

[26:50] What are some easy ways you can get started on your health today?

Mentioned in This Episode:

Website

Order Vicky's new book!

90-day Book Course

Creative Book Coaching

Join Vicky's Power Hour

Subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher, and Overcast

Organicpilates.co.uk/shop/

Organicpilates.co.uk/podcast/

Vicky and Joe settle down to talk about plumbing, Joe's magnificently bouffant lockdown hair, and the bullshit of rugged individualism. Yep: we're talking about why you need to stop trying to be unique, and instead be uniquely valuable. It's not as naff as it sounds: tune in to find out why this idea of "uniqueness" may be holding you back from writing your book, and what you want to focus on instead.

Key Takeaways:

[5:45] Vicky and Joe have no hot water!

[8:45] Vicky hears a lot of excuses as to why people haven't written their book yet!

[12:20] There are very few idees out there that are truly 'unique'. What makes it unique is you!

[16:45] You don't have to be the best in order to write about your expertise.

[17:00] You also don't have to go about this journey alone!

[21:10] The bar to doing good work is so low because very few people actually do what they say they're going to do.

[23:05] When you bring value that makes you unique.

[24:15] Vicky shares some examples of how you can stand out.

[29:10] What should Vicky call her new coaching program? Send her a message!

Mentioned in This Episode:

Website

Order Vicky's new book!

90-day Book Course

Creative Book Coaching

Join Vicky's Power Hour

Subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher, and Overcast

Mythos, by Stephen Fry

Piranesi, by Susanna Clarke

The Truth, by Terry Pratchett

The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck, by Mark Manson

Vicky sits down with Nick Smith, the Financial Navigator, and talks helicopters, backwards cats called Clive, and why he wrote a book about wealth and financial sovereignty. In which we ask: what does financial sovereignty even MEAN? What is wealth, really? And what was it like to write a whole book?

Key Takeaways:

[1:45] A little bit about Nick and what he does.

[3:45] We have to overcome a lot of misconceptions about money.

[4:40] Why did Nick write his book?

[5:15] We are all facing information overload.

[6:55] What does your rich life look like?

[8:55] What did Nick used to do before he became a financial navigator?

[13:10] Why did Nick want to write a book?

[14:45] Nick shares his book writing experience and some of the challenges he faced.

[16:45] What has Nick learned about himself during this time?

[18:25] The hardest part in the writing process was trying to find a structure.

[20:10] Nick needed a second voice in his ear to encourage him and keep him going.

[22:15] How long did it take Nick to write his book?

[24:20] Nick shares his writing process.

[28:10] Nick talks about his cat, Clyde.

Mentioned in This Episode:

Website

Order Vicky's new book!

90-day Book Course

Join Vicky's Power Hour

Banish the Blank Page of Doom-Fast: Why Writer's Block is a Myth, and Other Stories by Vicky Fraser

Projectdingle.co.uk

Subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher, and Overcast

Big Book Idea Generator

Creative book coaching

Get Vicky's latest audio book: That's What She Said

Somersetwm.co.uk/free-book

Vicky and Joe talk lime plaster, wet TinySheep, and the joys of working with a book coach. Joe wonders what Vicky's coaching process looks like, and is surprised to learn that a finished draft is just one of the fantastic outcomes of working with a coach. Tune in to find out why book coaching is about so much more than the book, and how THIS book coach's process works.

Key Takeaways:

[2:25] Joe talks about punctuation and his thoughts on the book, Girl, Woman, Other.

[9:00] Vicky's write night went really well! Stay tuned for the next one.

[10:35] How does book coaching work?

[12:10] A book coach commitment can be around 6-9 months.

[13:35] Book writing gives you confidence!

[16:55] Vicky breaks down what to expect if you were to work with her.

[20:05] Who does Vicky like to work with?

[21:30] Your book coach should be as excited about your idea as you are!

[22:15] It's incredibly stressful to put a hard deadline on people.

[25:40] A book is hard work, but it should also be fun.

Mentioned in This Episode:

Website

Order Vicky's new book!

90-day Book Course

Join Vicky's Power Hour

Banish the Blank Page of Doom-Fast: Why Writer's Block is a Myth, and Other Stories by Vicky Fraser

Projectdingle.co.uk

Subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher, and Overcast

Big Book Idea Generator

Write Night

Get Vicky's latest audio book: That's What She Said

The Wise Man's Fear, by Patrick Rothfuss

Girl, Woman, Other by Bernardine Evaristo

Out on the Wire, by Jessica Abel

Mark Manson

A Darker Shade of Magic by V. E. Schwab

Behold the application of the word "divot" as insult! Joe, with exciting hair, talks to Vicky about book coaches. Specifically, why you might want to work with a book coach -- and if you do, how to choose one. Tune in for snow updates, real-life coaching stories, and some truths about writing a book.

Key Takeaways:

[1:50] Vicky is a book coach, but she can't coach everyone in the world and wants you to find someone who can help you.

[3:45] Vicky loves Girl, Woman, Other!

[6:15] Why does someone need a book coach?

[7:15] Good book coaches are not cheap!

[8:25] It's a scary process writing your book alone!

[9:40] Find a book coach in your genre.

[10:40] Look for a book coach that's flexible and can coach you through the process.

[13:25] Does it seem too good to be true?

[15:05] A book coach needs to be honest and should be able to set the right expectations.

[18:00] Vicky offers suggestions on how to best vet your book coach and see if they're the real deal.

[20:40] Vicky likes to ask her clients a series of questions like what have been some of their challenges thus far.

[21:30] Is your coach excited about your book idea?

[23:35] Get recommendations from your book coach.

[25:30] Stay tuned to next week to find out Vicky's coaching process!

Mentioned in This Episode:

Website

Order Vicky's new book!

90-day Book Course

Join Vicky's Power Hour

Banish the Blank Page of Doom-Fast: Why Writer's Block is a Myth, and Other Stories by Vicky Fraser

Projectdingle.co.uk

Subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher, and Overcast

Big Book Idea Generator

Write Night

Get Vicky's latest audio book: That's What She Said

The Wise Man's Fear, by Patrick Rothfuss

Girl, Woman, Other by Bernardine Evaristo

Out on the Wire, by Jessica Abel

Markmanson.net

Tardigrades, fleas, and ants -- oh my! This week, tune in to hear Vicky and Joe discussing the power of tiny things. And marvel at the silky smooth segue into how you ACTUALLY get amazing results (hint: it's not by following those bloody 10X your business overnight bro-hustle-marketer-twats). In this episode, you'll get a simple formula for reaching the end of a year (or even a month) having made more gains than you ever thought possible on your book. Enjoy!

Key Takeaways:

[0:50] Project Dingle update!

[5:05] Vicky got trolled by a Trump supporter!

[7:35] Let's talk about the power of timing.

[10:50] Just like ants and fleas, habits are tiny, they're powerful, and they're consistent.

[12:55] Vicky can't wait to host another writing retreat.

[14:15] Vicky and Joe try to (badly!) explain compounding interest.

[18:40] You don't notice the little differences you make everyday, but if you go back on your progress a year ago, you'll be surprised by how much you've done.

[21:45] Part of being a writer is that you write really bad stuff.

[22:45] What are Vicky's goals and how does she work on them?

[25:15] Keep planting seeds every day.

[25:55] Vicky is hosting a write night! Join her this Tuesday the 26th!

Mentioned in This Episode:

Website

Order Vicky's new book!

90-day Book Course

Join Vicky's Power Hour

Banish the Blank Page of Doom-Fast: Why Writer's Block is a Myth, and Other Stories by Vicky Fraser

Projectdingle.co.uk

Subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher, and Overcast

Big Book Idea Generator

Write Night

Get Vicky's latest audio book: That's What She Said

The Name of the Wind, by Patrick Rothfuss

The Wise Man's Fear, by Patrick Rothfuss

Out on the Wire, by Jessica Abel

Vicky and Joe open with a serious message about the absolute shit-show that 2021 week 1 has been so far: learn to spot how the media reports certain things. Listen for it. Look for it. And call it out. Then crack on with writing your truth. In this episode, you'll hear all about inertia and how to defeat it, the power of habits and momentum, and the wonders of a group of people who help you grow.

Key Takeaways:

[5:10] Vicky and Joe give you a project Dingle update!

[6:50] Happy 2021! Welcome to the third lockdown! And the collapse of America....?

[10:55] Vicky is frustrated by how Black Lives Matter protestors were treated (shoot at) vs. what happened on Capitol Hill.

[12:15] Inertia is a powerful thing. You can capitalize on this power.

[15:55] It's really overwhelming if you have to take on a big goal. This is why you have to break it down into smaller pieces.

[18:20] Remember. We are the sum of the people we spend the most time with.

[20:00] Vicky has a writing event going on! Save the date Tuesday the 26th!

[23:25] Vicky does an author shoutout!

Mentioned in This Episode:

Website

Order Vicky's new book!

90-day Book Course

Join Vicky's Power Hour

Banish the Blank Page of Doom-Fast: Why Writer's Block is a Myth, and Other Stories by Vicky Fraser

Projectdingle.co.uk

Subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher, and Overcast

Big Book Idea Generator

Write Night

Get Vicky's latest audio book: That's What She Said

The Name of the Wind, by Patrick Rothfuss

The Wise Man's Fear, by Patrick Rothfuss

Out on the Wire, by Jessica Abel