Notes in the Margin

This week, Vicky and Joe about retelling the Greek myths from a female point of view, before moving onto the main event: should you imitate your favourite writers? The short answer: yes. The longer answer: listen to this episode to find out why, and how, and how imitating your favourite writers can help you to sound more like YOU.

Key Takeaways:

[1:00] Joe almost cut off his finger.

[7:15] Dingle update!

[8:30] Should you write like other writers?

[14:40] If someone's making a ton of money as a self-published author, would you really care if you're not traditionally published?

[18:55] Study what you like intentionally and be introspective about that writing style instead of copy or steal it.

[21:30] Pick a couple of different writing styles and see how difficult/easy it might be for you.

[23:15] Have you ever put a book on pause? Vicky understands your pain.

[24:00] Vicky has VIP day for all of your half written 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]

Stone Blind: Medusa's Story Book by Natalie Haynes

Song of Solomon Novel by Toni Morrison

Hyperbole and a Half: Unfortunate Situations, Flawed Coping Mechanisms, Mayhem, and Other Things That Happened Book by Allie Brosh

This week, Vicky and Joe consider what would happen if Vicky had got eaten by a bear in Canada, then wander onto the subject of how mean Joe is. Eventually, they get to the heart of things and dig into a really useful episode. If you've ever thought "I hate my book!" or "I hate my writing!" this is for you, because while all feelings are valid, they're not always useful if left at that. So listen in and find out how to dig into those feelings and turn them into something useful so you can get back to that book you want to write.

Key Takeaways:

[2:40] Joe's been mean to Vicky lately :(.

[12:00] Is it ethical to buy a human skull?

[16:25] Hate is a strong word, but it's sometimes a very necessary word.

[18:45] Why do some people just hate their book?

[22:45] If you really hate your book, then why do you want to write it? Why not just stop?

[25:00] if you don't want to do this anymore, then don't, but really walk away from that book for good. Don't leave it up to 'sometime later'.

[30:00] Writing a book is hard.

[34:45] Want to work with Vicky? She's got only two slots left.

Mentioned in This Episode:

Website

Book Breakthrough Jam

Podcast

Subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher, and Overcast

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

The Man Who Died Twice: A Thursday Murder Club Mystery Kindle Edition by Richard Osman

Selfie: How We Became So Self-Obsessed and What It's Doing to Us by Will Storr

Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

When's the last time you played? When were you last really silly? This week, Vicky and Joe are back and they're talking about nerding out with their mates: find out what they get up to every Sunday afternoon and why it's keeping them in tip top condition and ready for action. Plus get a bunch of ideas for how to incorporate play into your days (and nights).

Key Takeaways:

[1:40] A few minutes of play time can make a world difference.

[3:15] Joe has the flu. Oh no!

[10:15] Vicky is really enjoying the book The Elements of Eloquence right now!

[11:00] Today's topic is about playing games! When was the last time you played a game?

[13:15] How do you play Dungeons and Dragons (D&D)?

[15:30] We're taught that once we get older we have to get 'serious' about life. Boo! That's not true.

[17:25] You can't bore people into learning something new. It needs to be fun!

[21:15] Vicky has created some templates so you can write your book easily, and she's included some fun games in these templates!

Mentioned in This Episode:

Website

Creative Book Coaching

Join Vicky's Power Hour

Free Writing Prompt Calendar

Start Your Book Templates

Book Breakthrough Jam

Book checklist

Subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher, and Overcast

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

Me Talk Pretty One Day, by David Sedaris

His Only Wife, by Peace Adzo Medie

The Handmaid's Tale, by Margaret Atwood

The Elements of Eloquence, by Mark Forsyth

The Practice: Shipping Creative Work, by Seth Godin

Grab a cuppa and settle in while Vicky holds her very own TED Talk on why snobbery about self-publishing can get in the bin. Yep: riffing off an article in which someone wrote "self-publishing is an insult to the written word", Vicky and Joe present their case for why actually self-publishing is a shining beacon of awesomeness. Tune in for that, and the pros and cons of traditional publishing and self-publishing, so you can make an informed decision. Ciao!

Key Takeaways:

[1:15] Vicky and Joe are going to Canada! And they haven't packed.

[5:35] Project Dingle update!

[8:25] Let's talk about self-publishing and their snobbery.

[10:35] Traditional publishing is more exclusive, but it also excludes a wide range of diverse authors.

[11:00] Only traditionally published authors are good writers?

[12:10] Let's talk about Virginia Woolf; the self-published author.

[16:10] People of color are constantly being censored in the traditional publishing world.

[18:20] What are the pros of traditional publishing?

[20:45] What are the cons of traditional publishing?

[23:45] What are the pros of indie publishing?

[25:25] What are the cons of indie publishing?

[27:45] You have options!

Mentioned in This Episode:

Website

Creative Book Coaching

Join Vicky's Power Hour

Free Writing Prompt Calendar

Start Your Book Templates

Book Breakthrough Jam

Book checklist

Subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher, and Overcast

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

The Secret of Chimneys by Agatha Christie

The Strange Adventures of H by Sarah Burton

The Man Who Died Twice: A Thursday Murder Club Mystery Kindle Edition by Richard Osman

Selfie: How We Became So Self-Obsessed and What It's Doing to Us by Will Storr

After approximately 27 seconds of giggling, Vicky and Joe tell you all about their holiday to Barcelona, Harriet's beautiful wedding, and then finally launch into a quick "how to" to help you make your book look just as professional and wonderful as one that's come out of Penguin or another big publishing house. Check it out for the 5 most common layout mistakes and how to avoid them—and a few tips about covers and paper.

Key Takeaways:

[5:45] Vicky has no problem abandoning books she doesn't enjoy.

[9:15] Vicky and Joe just got back from Barcelona!

[13:15] Just because you're independent, doesn't mean your book needs to look like it too.

[13:50] A book, on the shelf, should look like it came from a traditional publishing house!

[14:25] The layout of the book.

[17:55] Huge layout mistake!!! Odd and even pages.

[21:25] Page numbers help readers navigate, but they don't need to be on every page.

[22:45] Let's talk about book covers.

[25:20] Book paper? Use the best paper stock you can afford.

[27:35] Fonts! What fonts should you use?

[29:45] Vicky has a checklist for clients to help them through this process.

[31:45] Pay attention to the details!

Mentioned in This Episode:

Website

Creative Book Coaching

Join Vicky's Power Hour

Free Writing Prompt Calendar

Start Your Book Templates

Book Breakthrough Jam

Book checklist

Subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher, and Overcast

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

The Secret of Chimneys by Agatha Christie

Hyperboleandahalf.blogspot.com

Join Vicky and Joe in the middle of a thunderstorm and find out why you need to stop trying to find your voice—and just use it instead! Tune in for thunder, lightning, Terry Pratchett, plumbing, and a few helpful writing exercises and techniques to get you comfortable and confident in your writing voice.

Key Takeaways:

[1:40] Project Dingle update!

[4:15] Vicky is excited to fully disconnect on her holiday with Joe.

[6:00] Find your voice? Vicky doesn't understand what this means.

[8:55] Some of the best stories have come from science fiction and fantasy.

[9:40] As you write, your voice and style will change.

[10:35] If you find the whole time writing for yourself, and no one sees it, you're going to be in for a shock if you want to publish a book.

[14:15] Read different fictional books and really try to dissect the meanings behind them.

[16:55] You can find inspiration everywhere! Vicky is always going down wormholes.

[19:10] David Sedaris loves to ask really weird questions.

[20:25] Copy other people's quotes! (However, don't forget to credit them properly).

[23:20] Write stuff! Get feedback, and don't give up!

Mentioned in This Episode:

Website

Creative Book Coaching

Join Vicky's Power Hour

Free Writing Prompt Calendar

Start Your Book Templates

Book Breakthrough Jam

Subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher, and Overcast

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

The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman

Other People's Clothes Novel by Calla Henkel

Terrypratchettbooks.com/

Davidsedarisbooks.com/

Join Vicky and Joe for possibly the most professional podcast episode they've ever made, and discover why your table of contents is like a sexy elbow. Seriously. You'll also discover why tables of contents are super useful, how to make them more fun, and what you can use them for as a writer. Enjoy!

Key Takeaways:

[4:15] Project Dingle update!

[8:15] It's time to make your table of contents sexy!

[10:25] When you create a table of contents early on, it helps you write out a nice roadmap to your book.

[13:30] When you have a table of contents, you don't need to start at the beginning. You can just start writing whatever chapter you want.

[15:40] Things to consider when writing a title and subtitle.

[18:00] How do you outline like a boss?

[18:30] If Vicky were to rewrite her chapter again, what would she do differently?

[20:10] Vicky has some templates to help you write a seductive table of contents!

[21:10] Want to write with Vicky? She's got four more people!

Mentioned in This Episode:

Website

Creative Book Coaching

Join Vicky's Power Hour

Free Writing Prompt Calendar

Start Your Book Templates

Book Breakthrough Jam

Subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher, and Overcast

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

The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman

Foxedquarterly.com

Join Vicky and Joe as they do a whirlwind trip through Vicky's favourite productivity tools, writing tools, and editing tools! There's a bunch of affiliate links for you, but don't worry—she's not a shill for big apps. This is only stuff she uses and loves. There are some tools in here that may surprise you because she has ADHD and some of the traditional advice is less than useful… so check this out instead. Enjoy!

Key Takeaways:

[4:35] Project Dingle update!

[5:50] What are some of Vicky's favorite tools to use when writing a book?

[6:10] Do you need a child lock for all your distracting apps? Vicky does.

[8:15] Vicky is so grateful for her Bose headphones to block out noise and distractions.

[11:40] Vicky has a second screen to help her with her book writing tasks.

[15:40] Vicky is also very fussy about what types of pens she likes to create with.

[19:45] Notion is a godsend! It can be integrated into your own content calendars as well as Canva.

[24:10] Do you struggle with starting and/or finishing stuff? Vicky has the 'thing' for you.

[25:15] Vicky has her writing group, which has been very helpful for a lot of people in getting their writing projects underway.

[26:30] Let's talk about editing tools.

[31:10] Joe loves a good old fashioned white board and a pen.

[33:15] There are free writing groups out there. The accountability really helps you get stuff done!

Mentioned in This Episode:

Website

Creative Book Coaching

Join Vicky's Power Hour

Free Writing Prompt Calendar

Start Your Book Templates

Book Breakthrough Jam

Subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher, and Overcast

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

Around India in 80 Trains Book by Monisha Rajesh

Good Pop, Bad Pop Book by Jarvis Cocker

Priestdaddy by Patricia Lockwood

CapCut app

Freedom.to

Notion.so

Scribbletogether.com

750words.com

Remarkable.com

Grammarly.com

Prowriter.co

Join Vicky and Joe as they not so much announce with fanfare but blurt out the podcast name change—and then pay close attention because Vicky's super-excited about Jarvis Cocker's new memoir. Which leads on a little side-quest about the difference between memoir and biography, but it's worth it. Then onwards to the main event: writers you should check out because they're full of ideas you can steal and adapt—meandering to a close with David Sedaris's not-so-secret weapon for always having something interesting to write about.

Key Takeaways:

[2:35] Vicky is officially changing the podcast name!

[5:35] India is a massive place!

[7:45] Vicky loves the concept that Jarvis Cocker did for his book - writing about the memories and things he's found in his attic.

[11:50] Project Dingle update!

[13:45] Let's talk about Nick Cave!

[16:20] Nick has lost two children.

[17:30] Shoutout to Ann Handley!

[19:40] Why is David Sedaris such a great storyteller?

[24:15] Joe explains how entertaining spinning porridge is.

[29:05] Vicky has 5 book coaching openings if you're interested in getting a breakthrough!

Mentioned in This Episode:

Website

Creative Book Coaching

Join Vicky's Power Hour

Free Writing Prompt Calendar

Start Your Book Templates

Book Breakthrough Jam

Subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher, and Overcast

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

Around India in 80 Trains Book by Monisha Rajesh

The Thursday Murder Club: A Novel by Richard Osman

Good Pop, Bad Pop Book by Jarvis Cocker

James Pogson (poetry, writing, LI)

Ann Handley (Total Annarchy newsletter)

Authors + essayists: Joan Didion, David Sedaris, Roxane Gay, Chimamanda Ngozie Adichie, Octavia Butler, NK Jemisin

Atlas Obscura

Slightly Foxed magazine + podcast

The Atlantic + New Yorker

The Idler

Nick Cave: The Red Hand Files

Ever wondered what to do if you're asked to speak about your book in public? Wonder no more—for this week, Vicky is joined by the delightful Mike Ganino, who is a brilliant public speaking coach. He works with a lot of authors and helps them to craft their message—and tell it in a compelling, entertaining, and moving manner on stage or on video. Listen in and find out all about: the 5 stage languages, the difference between writing your story and telling it with your mouth, how to avoid death by PowerPoint (and is PowerPoint even a bad thing?)—and much more!

Key Takeaways:

[2:15] A little bit about Mike and what he does.

[3:55] What's the difference between writing on paper vs. speaking it in person?

[5:15] You have to write in a way that's natural to your speaking voice. It sounds so rigid if you say your speech off of 'formal' writing.

[8:45] When on a stage, people need to feel the words that you're saying.

[10:30] It's kind of boring to listen to an author read from their book. So how do you make it engaging?

[12:10] There are a lot of vocal nuances you need to think about when speaking.

[14:35] Sometimes you need to hold your 'move' for a little longer than you think you should. This pause can feel weird without practice.

[16:05] Should you 'act' bigger when you're on stage?

[20:15] How can authors make their books sound more engaging in social media?

[25:00] How do speakers avoid death by powerpoint?

[27:00] How do you memorize your talk?

[31:25] Vicky does a lightning round session!

Mentioned in This Episode:

Website

Creative Book Coaching

Join Vicky's Power Hour

Free Writing Prompt Calendar

Start Your book Templates

Book Breakthrough Jam

Subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher, and Overcast

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

Mikeganino.com/free-masterclass

Mikeganino.com/apply