Notes in the Margin

This week, Vicky and Joe science the shit out of choosing your book topic! Vicky is doing a really cool programme called Ship 30 for 30, and realised it's a fabulous way of deciding on your book topic. So tune in and find out why we should be publishing lots of stuff all the time, how to bypass perfectionism, and how Twitter can be a golden source of ideas.

Key Takeaways:

[4:00] Project Dingle update!

[5:25] Is my idea the right idea for a book?

[8:00] Some books just start off just from a simple tweet.

[13:15 ] Is it disingenuous to write a book that you don't actually want to write?

[18:50] Vicky explains her process on how she creates a curated feed.

[19:40] Check the data. What are the trends happening right now?

[20:45] Start posting random topics in your niche now!

[21:50] Keep repeating the process!

[23:40] Remember, it's okay to fail in public!

[25:35] Should you write about your feelings? Vicky's got some thoughts. Tune in next week for it!

[25:35] Interested in writing your microbook? Now you can in March. Sign up!

Mentioned in This Episode:

Website

Book Breakthrough Jam

Podcast

Subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher, and Overcast

Email Vicky about 1:1 coaching at: [email protected]

Microbook Magic

The Drive by Tyler Keevil

Entangled Life by Merlin Sheldrake

Ship30for30.com

Friend of the podcast, Sharon Hurley Hall, is back to talk about her new book I'm Tired of Racism: True Stories of Existing While Black — and we had a blast! Come and join us and hear us go on a safari about how awesome How to Get Away with Murder is, and what it's like living in a bunch of different white majority countries when you're not white, and what we can all do, collectively, to the make the world a better place for everyone.

Sharon Hurley Hall is an anti-racism activist, educator, and in-demand speaker. Firmly committed to doing her part to eliminate racism, she is the Founder and Curator-in-Chief of Sharon's Anti-Racism Newsletter. Sharon is also a Co-Founder of Mission Equality and the author of I'm Tired of Racism and Exploring Shadeism.

In her newsletter, Sharon writes about existing while Black in majority-white spaces, and amplifies the voices of other anti-racism activists. Sharon is also an in-demand speaker about equality, anti-racism, and diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging.

Key Takeaways:

[3:00] A little bit about Sharon and why she wanted to write a book about racism.

[5:50] What is Sharon's hope for the book?

[6:40] One of Vicky's favorite chapters was, 'Not All Black People'.

[9:50] How can people widen their reading beyond non-fiction books?

[11:00] Black authors and in the various genres are everywhere if you choose to look for it.

[13:10] What is the biggest misconception people have about racism?

[17:00] Sharon details some of her more 'nuanced' experiences with how people have treated her. It doesn't have to be so blatant, but the subtle message is often loud and clear.

[21:15] What can you do to make it better for others of a different race?

[24:40] There is so much power in having conversations and allowing other people to be heard.

[29:00] There are always two sides of the story. We only hear from the victors. It's time to hear from those who were marginalized and brutalized, too.

[31:55] Why do so many black people have such unique names?

[35:25] All of our names mean something, it's just that we've forgotten the history behind it.

[38:00] Want more of Sharon? She has a premium newsletter for you to subscribe to!

Mentioned in This Episode:

Website

Book Breakthrough Jam

Podcast

Subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher, and Overcast

Email Vicky about 1:1 coaching at: [email protected]

Microbook Magic

Antiracismnewsletter.com

Missionequality.com

Books2read.com/tiredofracism

This week, Vicky and Joe talk mojo, the struggle to find people who can think, and breaking the rules. Finding yourself feeling a bit flat about your writing, your hobby, or life in general? That's okay, it happens. But how do we yank ourselves out of it? Dunno — but maybe this podcast episode will help. In it you'll find understanding, a random dog interlude, and a few strategies you could try to dig your mojo out of whatever hole it's crawled into.

Key Takeaways:

[1:25] Vicky is so close to having a proper bath in her home!

[7:50] What is mojo?

[9:20] Vicky has gotten herself into a funk.

[13:00] The moment Vicky let go of all the pressure she was putting on herself, life got better.

[19:00] Are you just bored? It's okay to walk away from it temporarily.

[19:55] There's not a lot of light out these days. Maybe that's why you're feeling a bit meh?

[22:30] NASA are finding it hard to find out-of-the-box thinkers.

[26:25] It's okay to play and break the rules. Get your creative juices flowing!

[28:55] Hope you enjoy your holiday weekend!!!

Mentioned in This Episode:

Website

Book Breakthrough Jam

Podcast

Subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher, and Overcast

Email Vicky about 1:1 coaching at: [email protected]

Microbook Magic

Mordew by Alex Pheby

The City We Became by N. K. Jemisin

Cassandra Speaks: When Women Are the Storytellers, the Human Story Changes by Elizabeth Lesser

Entangled Life Book by Merlin Sheldrake

Join us for a pre-festive Repod in which Vicky and Joe discuss: how long will it take? (To write a book, of course.) The short answer: that depends on you, your time, the type of book you're writing, and a bunch of other stuff. In other words: dunno. The long answer: well, listen in and find out!

Key Takeaways:

[6:25] Joe fell through the ceiling at the Dingle! Ouch!

[10:50] How long will it take to write a nonfiction book?

[13:00] If you write every day…well Vicky did some math calculations for you!

[17:15] Where do you start when it comes to writing your book?

[19:00] If you want to write the best possible book in the world, you need to be able to know what the opposition's points are.

[21:50] Sometimes writing involves just starting out at a window.

[23:40] Your book is now ready for editing! In an ideal world, it'll take about four months to get to this point.

[26:05] Remember to grab yourself a set of beta readers to help you refine your book!

[28:00] Vicky estimates it'll take about 29 weeks to get yourself your very own book!

[29:15] Grab Vicky's free advent calendar! Link in the show notes.

Mentioned in This Episode:

Website

Book Breakthrough Jam

Podcast

Subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher, and Overcast

Email Vicky about 1:1 coaching at: [email protected]

Microbook Magic

Thud! Novel by Terry Pratchett

The Art of Gathering by Priya Parker

Annals of the Western Shore by Ursula K. Le Guin

This week you're in for a treat — I invited my MicroBook Magic authors to come and join me live and read from the MicroBooks they've been writing during November. And now you can hear their creations on today's podcast! So grab a cuppa, settle in, and listen — and perhaps you'll be inspired to write your own MicroBook. Starting January 10, maybe? Maybe? Gwan!

Key Takeaways:

[1:00] Vicky created a program where you write a micro book in four weeks!

[2:00] Vicky is hosting another one on January the 10th!

[4:15] You hear from one of Vicky's attendees as she reads from the book she's just written!

[10:00] Vicky's next student is up next as she reads from her newly written microbook!

[19:10] You hear from Vicky's next student who procrastinated on her book all year. She finally got it finished!

[25:10] Vicky's next student wrote a memoir about letting go of dreams.

[30:55] Vicky gives a shoutout to hear students that weren't able to attend live. They worked so hard on their own books!

[31:10] Vicky gives a quick intro on some of the books that were written.

[35:10] Need an editor? Vicky's got you covered with Hannah!

[38:45] Design your writing space to be a place of joy.

[41:25] Are you excited to write your book? Vicky's got one for January the 10th! Go sign up!!

[44:10] Congrats on writing your book everybody! Vicky is so proud.

Mentioned in This Episode:

Website

Book Breakthrough Jam

Podcast

Subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher, and Overcast

Email Vicky about 1:1 coaching at: [email protected]

Microbook Magic

Join Vicky and Joe for a little rant about bad advice — and some profound deep thoughts about socks from Joe. In this episode, Vicky and Joe share three pieces of writing advice Vicky hates, and Joe shares a piece of general advice he hates, and they talk about how to make things simpler. And also profound socks. Don't miss it!

Key Takeaways:

[1:00] Joe is calling in from an undisclosed underpass!

[7:50] What advice has Joe received that he's absolutely hated?

[9:50] Should you write like you speak?

[13:00] It takes a lot of practice to 'write like you speak'.

[15:00] Would you like to read a 900 page technical manual?

[15:40] It's not a sin to use filler words! Just place them strategically.

[18:30] Should you eat the frog first?

[20:10] Do a fun thing first before you the hard thing.

[23:00] What's some common writing advice that you hate?

[23:50] Joe doesn't like the pomodoro technique. It doesn't work for him!

[27:45] DOn't believe every piece of advice that you read is for you!

Mentioned in This Episode:

Website

Book Breakthrough Jam

Podcast

Subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher, and Overcast

Email Vicky about 1:1 coaching at: [email protected]

Children of Time by Adrian Tchaikovsky

The City We Became by N. K. Jemisin

Levels of Life by Julian Barnes

This week, amidst Covid and wedding anniversaries, Vicky runs out of time and reissues an old podcast episode about writing in community. It's a good one, though. Listen in and discover why you don't have to be a lonely odd sock, why writing in a group can be so powerful, and a few ways you might want to increase your writing buddies.

Key Takeaways:

[3:35] Are all writers tortured and alone?

[5:30] How do you go about writing in community?

[9:45] Vicky loves Sunday evenings because it gives her the opportunity to connect with her friends.

[15:10] Vicky has a writing power hour within her community and it's been amazing on how much work you actually get done during that 60 minute session.

[15:55] Find yourself a writing buddy to help keep you accountable!

[19:00] The quickest way to get to your writing goal is by having a group of writers you can work with and that will cheer you on.

[21:35] Vicky shares some of her writers' successes after joining the Moxie Power Hour group calls.

Mentioned in This Episode:

Website

Book Breakthrough Jam

Podcast

Subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher, and Overcast

Email Vicky about 1:1 coaching at: [email protected]

Terrypratchettbooks.com/

Microbook magic

Stone Blind: Medusa's Story Book by Natalie Haynes

Detransition, Baby by Torrey Peters

Join the plague house as Vicky and Joe discuss Covid (she has it), retelling the Greek myths from a woman's point of view, and 10 wonderful pieces of writing advice from Vicky's favourite ever author, Terry Pratchett. You'll also get a short side-quest on whirlpools, near-death experiences, and George Orwell, which is relevant. Honest.

Key Takeaways:

[1:30] Vicky has COVID and it's a lot of frowny faces in the Dingle right now.

[3:15] Vicky is a terrible sick person. She hates just loafing about on the couch.

[10:15] It's so important to read diverse books because you get a better understanding of your fellow humans.

[12:00] Terry Pratchett is one of Vicky's favorite authors.

[15:45] It might be difficult, but there are a lot of benefits to listening to someone who has an opposing opinion than you.

[19:45] Read everything that you think is going to be interesting.

[22:10] Don't be afraid to submit your writing online!

[25:00] Stand for something and do it out loud.

[29:20] Debate is a very important part of learning about the other person's side.

[32:45] You should definitely go off and read some Terry Pratchett books!

Mentioned in This Episode:

Website

Book Breakthrough Jam

Podcast

Subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher, and Overcast

Email Vicky about 1:1 coaching at: [email protected]

Terrypratchettbooks.com/

Microbook magic

Stone Blind: Medusa's Story Book by Natalie Haynes

Detransition, Baby by Torrey Peters

How often do you think about what your body's doing while you write? Do you find yourself twisted up like a shrimp (prawn for brits) by the end of the day? Writing space not inspiring you to greatness? Then listen up because Hannah de Keijzer is an ex professional dancer and she is a magician when it comes to writing spaces that make you feel good, as well as boost creativity. Come and join us as we talk about shrimps and trolls, little touches that can make all the difference, and Cilantro Pig. Enjoy!

Key Takeaways:

[2:50] A little bit about Hannah and the work that she does.

[4:30] Why are you feeling stuck? Why are you feeling uninspired?

[7:30] Hannah worked with someone recently who was feeling really uncomfortable in her space.

[9:40] There's a hidden cost to not working with your body.

[12:00] Hannah shares an example of how you can be inspired in your workplace. For her, she loves her cilantro pig.

[15:40] Vicky shares what she loves about her mini work space.

[17:50] Hannah has a special offer for Vicky's listeners!

[20:20] By the way, Vicky has an opening for her micro book writing session!

Mentioned in This Episode:

Website

Book Breakthrough Jam

Podcast

Subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher, and Overcast

Email Vicky about 1:1 coaching at: [email protected]

Hannahdk.com

Hannah on LinkedIn

Join Vicky and Joe as they discuss: does size matter? Joe is zooming in from a glamorous Tesco car park, but that doesn't hamper their efforts at talking about how long books should be. Who decides what size they should be? And does it even matter anyway? Tune in and find out — and discover how you can write a legit, fantastic book before Christmas (no BS promises here).

Key Takeaways:

[1:20] Joe and Vicky had to stop some major leaks at the Dingle.

[4:10] Did you know there are micro books out there?

[6:00] Why do certain books have a certain word count?

[8:50] If your book is going to be in a book shop, you want to be able to read the spine.

[11:20] Vicky wishes certain business books were microbooks.

[14:35] Want to write and publish your book before Christmas? Vicky's got a writing session for you!

[18:45] Have something written and in your hands by Christmas! Don't wait till next year!

Mentioned in This Episode:

Website

Book Breakthrough Jam

Podcast

Subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher, and Overcast

Email Vicky about 1:1 coaching at: [email protected]

We Are All Weird by Seth Godin

Anything You Want: 40 Lessons for a New Kind of Entrepreneur by Derek Sivers

Politics and the English Language by George Orwell

The Go-Giver by Bob Burg

Who Moved My Cheese? by Spencer Johns

Profit First by Mike Michalowicz