Notes in the Margin

Margo Aaron is a splendid writer and even more splendid human being, and Vicky managed to persuade her to come and yell on the podcast. Yay! Tune in to find out what working in mental health has to do with marketing, and what's got Margo (and Vicky) enraged, and what they're doing about it. You'll also get a sneak peek into Margo's upcoming book, which is going to be a must-read for business owners and entrepreneurs. Enjoy!

Key Takeaways:

[1:45] Margo started her career in mental health and accidentally fell into marketing.

[5:20] The people Margo wanted most to help were those who were struggling with self-doubt.

[8:15] Margo was overwhelmed with work that she wasn't passionate about doing, but it paid really well. How did she get out of this vicious cycle?

[10:45] Margo hates hustle culture. Never seeing your family and constantly 'grinding' isn't healthy.

[12:35] Margo is writing a book! What's it about?

[16:55] When writing a book, it's important to trust in the process. You can get worn down or overwhelmed if you think too much about the end-game.

[17:20] Will Margo go through a traditional or independent publisher?

[18:55] What is something about Margo that most people don't know about?

Mentioned in This Episode:

Website

Vicky on Medium

Order Vicky's new book!

Subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher, and Overcast

Margo Aaron, That Seems Important

Margo Aaron on Twitter

The Choice: Embrace the Possible, by Edith Eva Eger

Joe does a very passable impression of a Klingon and Vicky marvels at the fact they've been married for TEN YEARS without any frying pan incidents. This week, they go off on some impressive tangents while explaining why tangents are brilliant and you should be fascinated by everything. Including eavesdropping, Titivillus, philately, Japanese, and Dungeons & Dragons. Tune in to discover how you can never run out of things to write about again.

Key Takeaways:

[3:00] Joe recently finished The Fifth Season book.

[4:00] Vicky is currently reading Early Riser by Jasper Fforde.

[6:55] Overnight successes do not exist.

[8:35] Why should you be interested in absolutely everything?

[13:50] Read a lot! It will make you more interesting.

[16:20] Start a collection!

[18:45] Have a weird and nerdy hobby!

[21:00] Don't be afraid to travel alone.

[22:25] Never stop learning something new!

[24:45] Listen to other people's stories. Talk to people!

[27:35] Vicky loves people watching at airports.

[28:45] Ask yourself hypothetical questions.

[31:35] Let your mind switch off for a couple of days.

[36:35] Vicky's book is out! Order it on her website or on Amazon!

Mentioned in This Episode:

Website

Vicky on Medium

Order Vicky's new book!

Subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher, and Overcast

The Wheel of Time, by Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson

The Fifth Season, by N. K. Jemisin

Early Riser Novel, by Jasper Fforde

Atomic Habits by James Clear

A History of Western Philosophy, by Bertrand Russell

This week, Vicky is having such a bad hair day that she's wearing a bobble hat – but at least there's less spluttering. She and Joe talk about the books they're currently reading, then dive into why writing an outline isn't as miserable as your teachers made it seem, and how to do it in such a way that writing your book becomes a dream. Or, much easier and quicker, at least. Tune in to find out how you could cut your writing time by a third or more.

Key Takeaways:

[2:10] Joe is currently reading The Wheel of Time series.

[4:40] Vicky shares how she loves N. K. Jemisin's work.

[6:25] Do you get stuck before you get started?

[7:00] To help you through this, Vicky will be breaking down how to write a detailed outline for your book.

[9:40] Vicky wishes teachers would have explained the importance of writing an outline, and showed her this technique to make writing anything down a lot easier.

[9:55] First things first. Write a recap of why you're writing this book in the first place.

[10:30] By the way: Vicky's latest book is available for sale!!

[11:00] What is a book compass?

[12:00] Write down your ideal reader avatar.

[12:15] What is the problem you're trying to solve with this book?

[13:35] By the time you're done with this exercise you will have a clearer idea of why you're writing this book.

[14:00] Write a 'brain dump' of sorts to catch all of your ideas on paper that may or may not be related to your book.

[16:05] Write a rough outline of your chapter headings or the main topics you want to talk about. Don't worry, they might change in the future.

[17:55] With each chapter you've created, break down the 'details' of what will be in each chapter.

[21:20] Create a nice transition point or flow in your book by summarizing the next chapter.

[21:55] Vicky shares some examples of what this outline will look like.

[25:15] You can outline your entire book in less than a day!

[28:50] Don't just start by writing a book. You will get lost and frustrated. Write down your ideas, break it down into chunks, and then go from there!

Mentioned in This Episode:

Website

Vicky on Medium

Order Vicky's new book!

Subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher, and Overcast

The Wheel of Time, by Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson

The Fifth Season, by N. K. Jemisin

Deep Work, by Cal Newport

Vicky has the plague and Joe is left to steer the ship in this week's episode of the 1,000 Authors Show. Between bouts of coughing and spluttering, they explain why many would-be authors struggle to get started – and share the three questions that will get you unstuck. Also, they have an exciting new light which highlights the bags under their eyes. Tune in this week for germs, exploding foreheads, eye-bags, and three useful nuggets of information that'll help you write your book.

Key Takeaways:

[1:25] Vicky is currently sick. It's such a waste of time!

[3:15] When should you ask for help to write your book?

[5:50] Ask the right questions to help you get over any sort of blocks you might have about your book.

[6:50] Here are three questions that will help put you on the right path.

[7:25] Why do you want to write a book?

[8:50] By the way, Vicky's book will be officially released on November 19th.

[11:45] What makes you better than your competition?

[13:15] What do you want people to do when they finish reading your book?

[16:15] This podcast is going to be a bit short because Vicky is still sick with the flu.

Mentioned in This Episode:

Website

Vicky on Medium

Preorder Vicky's new book!

Subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher, and Overcast

Project Dingle

Vicky and Joe are surrounded by spooks and ghouls in this Hallowe'en edition of the 1000 Authors Show. Listen in, if you dare, to the four lurking horrors that will kill your book... unless you slay them first. There's also silly voices and a cautionary tale about why many high-street shops are failing. It's like they want a disaster...

Key Takeaways:

[2:35] Vicky shares a retail fail story. Some people can't be helped!

[7:55] What spooky things are lurking in the dark that will destroy your nicely-crafted book?

[13:15] Don't skimp on the book finishings! It will make your book look and feel cheap if you do.

[18:00] What should you invest in?

[20:15] Get beta readers to read through your book!

[23:15] You need a website for your book!

[25:00] The biggest demon of all is the one that lives inside your head.

[30:15] Pre-order Vicky's latest book!

Mentioned in This Episode:

Website

Vicky on Medium

Preorder Vicky's new book!

Subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher, and Overcast

Project Dingle

Mr B's Emporium

Look, your pencils could always be sharper, okay? Your hair could be shinier. Your long-jump could be longer. Vicky and Joe talk about your worst trait, and why it's keeping you paralysed. Vicky also gets over-enthusiastic about Brené Brown, who is a wise owl. If you struggle to get your best stuff out there, listen in to this episode, and listen good.

Key Takeaways:

[1:20] Vicky is in her brand new office!!!

[2:50] Vicky is looking to name her office. Do you have a name suggestion for her?

[5:10] Vicky recently had a crap experience with a provider and wants to share how you can avoid making the same mistakes.

[9:25] Do you suffer from perfectionism?

[13:00] How can perfectionism make you ill?

[19:20] Are you your mistakes or are you just someone who makes mistakes?

[20:00] Don't praise children for the end product, praise them for the work they did.

[21:40] Perfectionism keeps you outside of the action.

[25:20] Slowly work your way towards being 'good enough' instead of 'perfect enough'.

[28:00] Vicky is almost done writing her book! Preorder it now!

Mentioned in This Episode:

Website

Vicky on Medium

Preorder Vicky's new book!

Subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher, and Overcast

Project Dingle

Brene Brown

Vicky and Joe sip blackberry gin and explain why writer's block is a big fat myth that's stopping you from writing your book (or doing anything else useful). Before you get all huffy, grab yourself a cuppa and listen in, because when you understand why it's a myth, you'll also understand how to get more shit done. Also, they finally blather on about purple.

Key Takeaways:

[2:45] Let's talk about the color purple. It's a color that doesn't exist!

[7:25] Similar to the color purple, writer's block is a lie we tell ourselves.

[8:25] Writer's block implies that it's happening because of an external cause, but it's the opposite.

[9:40] Vicky read an interesting article from the New Yorker about writer's block.

[15:30] Is writer's block the same as general procrastination?

[17:40] There are fun exercises you can do to get your creative juices flowing, which is much more proactive than sitting around with 'writer's block'.

[22:15] How does Vicky find the time to do all of this hobby stuff?!

[23:25] The best way to beat writer's block is to be interested in as many things as you can.

[25:15] If you've ever trained for a marathon, it's really hard to get out of the front door.

[29:55] By the way, pre-order Vicky's book!!! It will be released in the beginning of November!

Mentioned in This Episode:

Vicky Fraser

Vicky's Podcast

Vicky's Blog

Vicky on Medium

Join the Superheroes

Vicky's Business For Superheroes Book

The Inner Circle

Borrow My Brain

Vicky's Book Club

Preorder Vicky's new book! Write & Publish Your Book in 90 Days

Email Vicky

Subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher, and Overcast

Project Dingle

Blocked: Why do writers stop writing?, The New Yorker

Vicky and Joe talk about the twitching madness of insomnia, and how it's kind of like when you're suffering from chronic Blank Page Of Doomness. This episode contains the 7 – no, 8 – no, wait, NINE – questions you can ask your best customers to help you overcome the Blank Page Of Doom. Plus you'll get some splendid testimonials and maybe make some new friends.

Key Takeaways:

[1:55] Let's talk about strategies that will beat your writer's block!

[5:25] Don't try to force it. Sometimes you just need a little more research to beat that blank page.

[8:50] Talk to your clients! They are an excellent way to generate inspiration and topics.

[9:45] Vicky has 7 crucial questions you can ask your audience.

[12:05] What you think is people's main objection might not actually be the case. It's important to ask them!

[13:05] What specific service or feature did your client like the most about working with you?

[13:55] Ask your client the top three benefits they received when working with you!

[17:50] Give your client the option to add anything else that you might not have thought of or asked them yet.

[18:30] Most people don't feel comfortable asking for unsolicited advice, but when you ask for it specifically, people will open up!

[21:25] The very act of talking to your customers shows them that you value them.

[24:00] Know anybody who'd like this podcast? Please let them know about it!

Mentioned in This Episode:

Vicky Fraser

Vicky's Podcast

Vicky's Blog

Vicky on Medium

Join the Superheroes

Vicky's Business For Superheroes Book

The Inner Circle

Borrow My Brain

Vicky's Book Club

Preorder Vicky's new book! Write & Publish Your Book in 90 Days

Email Vicky

Subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher, and Overcast

Project Dingle

Vicky and Joe get excited about jam, and briefly consider starting a jam podcast. Then they pull themselves together and remember there's work to do. Tune in to find out why they're killing the podcast, what happens next, and how to make sure you keep passion alive in your business.

Key Takeaways:

[1:35] Quick Dingle update!!

[3:40] Vicky and Joe are not actually killing the podcast just yet.

[6:40] Vicky feels it's time for a change because after 150+ episodes, she wants to introduce new topics and themes that won't always be marketing related.

[8:35] The new podcast will be more for authors, but that still doesn't mean it won't be relevant for those who aren't writing a book.

[9:50] By the way, Vicky's new book is available to pre-order!!

[13:25] Do you know of anyone who is interested in writing a book?

[17:00] If you're not achieving/ enjoying your goals, ask yourself why and maybe it makes sense to focus on something else.

Mentioned in This Episode:

Vicky Fraser

Vicky's Podcast

Vicky's Blog

Vicky on Medium

Join the Superheroes

Vicky's Business For Superheroes Book

The Inner Circle

Borrow My Brain

Vicky's Book Club

Preorder Vicky's new book! Write & Publish Your Book in 90 Days

Email Vicky

Subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher, and Overcast

Project Dingle

In this episode, Vicky contemplates wrestling TinySheeps and makes jam. Both of which are in fact linked to this week's topic, which is how to beat the Blank Page Of Doom. Tune in for modernist poetry created on the fly, three fun writing exercises to get you moving if you're stuck – and a random safari into the world of plumbing. Keep listening right to the end for a secret outtake if you'd like to hear Joe completely mangle the English language.

Key Takeaways:

[1:60] Vicky doesn't believe in writer's block.

[3:15] Quick Project Dingle update!

[5:55] How can you beat writer's block?

[7:55] THe plotline and the story are two very different things.

[9:35] When you look at a simple blank page, you end up being paralyzed.

[10:15] How can you just start writing? Vicky has three exercises.

[15:00] Get yourself a timer and begin to write down Vicky's recommended three words.

[17:00] Don't fix your typos while you write!

[17:45] Vicky loves saving stories so that she can later use them in her daily newsletter.

[19:45] Your blank page of doom is never going to disappear for good. Even Vicky gets stuck.

[21:25] Next week, Vicky dives into why writer's block isn't a thing!

[22:30] Vicky's new book is out on preorder!!!

Mentioned in This Episode:

Vicky Fraser

Vicky's Podcast

Vicky's Blog

Vicky on Medium

Join the Superheroes

Vicky's Business For Superheroes Book

The Inner Circle

Borrow My Brain

Vicky's Book Club

Preorder Vicky's new book! Write & Publish Your Book in 90 Days

Email Vicky

Subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher, and Overcast

Project Dingle