SPA Girls Podcast

Want to hear how a world-wide bestselling author got to where he is today? 

Join us as we talk to UK crime novelist Adam Croft about his writing career, including how he generates his ideas, how he writes, and how he creates those amazing hooks that he’s so well known for. (No, really, would you murder your wife to save your daughter? And what would happen if you were married to a serial killer?) 

He also discusses the mindset shift he had to have before he could become a bestselling author and why he believes the best way to be successful as an Indie is by having a long term, organic, business-minded view of publishing. 

We loved talking to him for his sensible, rational view of publishing, and also for his smooth British accent…and you will too! 

You can find him at: https://www.adamcroft.net/

Has your sparkle gone soggy? 

Are you wondering why you’re not happier? 

Have you lost your creativity? 

Then this is the episode for you!

We talk to fellow Kiwi author, Julie Schooler, about how to find your sparkle, and wake up happier! 

Many of us have lost the ability to dream big. We’re dealing with problems at every turn. It’s actually harder to be happy than it is to be sad. So in this episode, Julie gives us a whole bunch of really cool ways to actively be happy and turn our lives around. 

In fact, she gave us so many great ideas on how to tap into our creativity and imagination by becoming happier, that our minds were blown. 

In the kindest way possible, we hope yours are too!

You can find Julie at: https://julieschooler.com/

Are you struggling to write? 

Wondering why you can’t just sit down and do it, when it’s your passion? 

This week we talk to Kelly McClymer about “Hacking Your Muse”, or how to convince yourself to sit down and write when you don’t seem to be able to do it… 

We all give ourselves excuses for why we can’t write, and Kelly breaks down the thoughts we have around writing, and how to change them so we can more easily get into the chair and write. 

She talks through why she used to sabotage herself, and how she learned how to change that around, and get more words. 

If you’re someone who struggles to write, despite loving it when you do, this is the episode for you! 

Kelly can be found at her website here.

Brooke Castillo – The Model on her website. 

Brooke Castillo’s The Model on You Tube.

Kelly McClymer’s Hack Your Muse facebook page.

Terrified of public speaking? 

Don’t know what to say on Facebook Live? 

Wondering how to keep your cool in that podcast interview?

This is the episode for you! 

Public speaking for authors is about more than just talking in front of fans at your local bookstore. These days we’re also expected to do online speaking such as Facebook Live events, videos for our newsletters, podcast interviews, and YouTube discussions. 

Our guest today has ALL THE TIPS for any kind of public speaking you may have to do as an author! Alena Van Arendonk is an actor, speaker, writer, costumer, and expert cosplayer who was a guest at Geysercon in Rotorua this year. She’s been public speaking since she was a teenager doing debates in school, and has a whole range of advice for authors who are wondering about public speaking, but are terrified of it!

Turns out it’s more than just learning not to be scared. It’s about posture, preparation, and practice! Listen to the episode to find out more about how you can dial up your next speaking engagement to rockstar level…

We all want a magic wand to be waved over us, or to swallow a pill and instantly be amazing authors. 

But that’s just not possible. 

Learning to write takes time and hard work. There’s no way around it.

This week’s guest, fantasy author Laura Van Arendonk-Baugh, talks about our expectations as authors, and why we think we’re going to be amazing right from the moment we first pick up a pen (or put fingers to the keyboard). 

And she should know. She’s a behavioural scientist who works with problem animals and she loves to break down and assess the how and why of our behaviour. 

She talks about why we expect so much of ourselves, how society views talent versus skill, and gives some mind-blowing tips on how to trick your brain into doing exactly what you want, i.e. get the writing done! 

She also talks about how to deal with things like fear of failure, our writing not being as good as we want it to be, and how to keep going despite the barriers we put up. 

You can find her at: https://lauravanarendonkbaugh.com/