The Delos Diaries

Are you an aspiring author navigating the exciting world of publishing and online presence? Join Paul Delos Santos in a captivating conversation with author and YouTuber Taylor Ann Wright as she shares her unique writing journey, from childhood stories to reinventing her published work.

Discover Taylor Ann's early love for reading and writing as an only child, fueling her imagination and developing her storytelling instincts. Learn how she adapted her eighth-grade book into her debut novel and why she's now undertaking the ambitious project of completely rewriting it for a second edition.

In this episode, Taylor Ann reveals:

• The invaluable lessons learned from her first publishing experience included the crucial role of editing, beta readers, and early feedback.
• Her evolved drafting process now includes multiple drafts and a unique color-coded highlighting system for revisions.
• The surprising joy and rediscovered passion that come from rewriting a familiar story with new skills and deeper understanding.
• Insights into the AuthorTube community, how it supports writers and her advice on being authentic while navigating the public eye.
• Her philosophy on balancing perfectionism with the need to hit "publish" and how to remind yourself that your work is "good enough."
• The challenge of writing with reader expectations in mind versus staying true to the story and characters.
• A glimpse into her future projects, including a romance novel that defies common tropes like the "third-act breakup" and other genre explorations.

Whether you're starting your first draft, considering self-publishing, or looking for motivation on your writing journey, Taylor Ann Wright offers candid advice and a refreshing perspective on the creative process.

Join Paul Delos Santos as he speaks with author Aaron Ryan, whose unique journey from childhood storytelling to acclaimed sci-fi sagas is packed with invaluable insights.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• How early influences like J.R.R. Tolkien shaped Aaron's passion for writing and grand narratives.
• His meticulous approach to world-building in his "Dissonance" series, ensuring "verisimilitude" by blending real-world locations with post-apocalyptic visions.
• The surprising benefits of being a "pantser," allowing characters and story to organically lead the narrative.
• Why thorough research is crucial even for fiction, helping to avoid "plot holes" and keep readers immersed.
• How to manage sprawling narratives and maintain consistency across multiple books and characters.
• Aaron's exciting new Christian post-apocalyptic saga, "The End," explores humanity's greatest conflicts amidst a global crisis.

Tune in for an insightful discussion that delves into the depths of creative writing, character development, and the art of constructing compelling fictional worlds.

Join Paul Delos Santos in a dynamic conversation with Lynn D. Jung, whose inspiring journey from childhood storyteller to agented author illuminates the evolving landscape of writing and publishing.

Episode Notes:

• Lynn D. shares her early start in writing, beginning in elementary school with stories about time-traveling kids and dinosaurs, reflecting a childhood fascination with imaginative worlds.
• She discusses her transition into the AuthorTube community, noting its evolution from a focus on writing craft to a more authentic documentation of the writer's journey and lifestyle.
• Lynn D. recounts her challenging experience with traditional publishing, including an initial agented YA project that "died on submission" due to the pandemic and potentially needing more work. She then pivoted to adult fantasy with her project Moth's Blood after realizing YA might not be her niche.
• She provides a detailed overview of the querying process, emphasizing the importance of a strong query letter, synopsis, polished sample pages, and meticulous agent research. She shares her success in receiving multiple offers of representation for Moth's Blood.
• Lynn D. discusses identifying publishing trends, such as dark academia and emerging gothic/cyberpunk fantasy, and the strategic timing required due to publishing's slow pace.
• She highlights what makes a great writing vlog: authenticity, showing both successes and struggles ("the good and the bad"), and self-reflection, which viewers highly respond to.
• Lynn D. emphasizes that overcoming the fear of publishing and critique comes from personal growth and finding community. She advises aspiring writers to "embrace the mindset that you are a writer" regardless of publication status.
• Her top advice for new writers is to "have fun with it!", pursuing ideas that bring joy, as this passion is crucial for developing craft and perseverance.
• Lynn D.'s debut novel, Moth'sblood, a dark academia fantasy, is set to be released in Fall 2026.

Learn More about Lynn here: https://linktr.ee/lynndjung

Follow her YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@lynndjung/

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Join Paul Delos Santos as he speaks with author and creative Eric Maynard, whose versatile background informed his approach to writing and leveraging technology. Discover his insightful journey into streamlining the creative process with AI and building a strong online author presence

Episode Notes:

• Eric shares how his natural inclination for creativity, from restaurant design to website building, led him to writing, often inspired by observations of small-town life.
• He discusses his writing journey, noting that his first book took "an ungodly amount of time" but subsequent books were quicker, thanks to developing consistent habits and leveraging tools.
• Eric highlights the role of AI tools like Grammarly in streamlining the editing process, particularly for grammar, allowing him to focus more on storytelling.
• He provides a nuanced view on AI in writing: seeing it as a powerful tool for research, ideation (e.g., image generation for fantasy worlds), and mundane tasks like summaries or outlines, but emphasizing that AI should not replace human creativity in fiction.
• A unique parallel is drawn between the intentional design of a restaurant kitchen (understanding flow, functionality, and purpose) and the structured creation of a book.
• Eric stresses the vital importance of an author's online presence, recommending a dedicated website (like WordPress) for control, direct sales, and audience connection, especially as social media platforms evolve.
• He advises authors to intentionally build their brand by aligning their content with their writing persona, acknowledging that one's brand can evolve over a career.
• Eric also discusses his other ventures, including a podcast for dads ("Call with Dads") and a learning community for homeschoolers ("HomeSor").

Join Paul Delos Santos as he speaks with author Bill McCormick, whose diverse life experiences shaped his award-winning thrillers and mysteries. Discover his fascinating journey from childhood ghost stories to crafting suspenseful narratives across global settings.

Episode Notes:

• The Genesis of a Storyteller: How early interests in the unknown and spooky led Bill to become a thriller and mystery writer.
• Crafting the Perfect Mystery: Bill explains the importance of keeping readers engaged, "playing fair" with clues, and the unique "how-catch-them" subgenre.
• Global Settings, Authentic Stories: Discover how his extensive travels and residencies in Eastern Europe (Latvia, Ukraine, Russia, Estonia) provide rich, realistic backdrops for his fictional worlds and why using an "outsider" protagonist can be a powerful narrative device.
• The Pantser's Approach: Bill details his writing method of knowing the beginning and end, then allowing his characters to drive the plot organically.
• Overcoming Procrastination: Practical advice on establishing a daily writing routine and finding a dedicated space to write.
• The Power of Short Stories: Why writing short fiction is an excellent way to hone your craft, gain early successes, and improve your novel-writing skills.
• The Value of Feedback: Bill emphasizes the crucial role of writer's groups and constructive criticism for tightening your writing and staying motivated.

Whether you're struggling to start your first short story or looking to add more thrills to your novel, Bill McCormick offers invaluable insights.

Join Paul Delos Santos as he speaks with author Barbara Wheeler, whose unique path led to the creation of her semi-autobiographical spiritual book, "God's Brew." Discover her inspiring journey of self-reflection, persistence, and the power of writing.

Episode Notes:

• Barbara discusses her entry into writing, driven by a deep love for books and words, starting later in life with personal research.
• The inspiration for her book's title, "Coffee with God" (later "God's Brew"), came from her morning routine of spiritual conversation.
• Her writing process for the book spanned 11 years, involving extensive research, spiritual classes, and observing life around her.
• Barbara recounts the initial rejection of her first book, which led to a discouraging year-long break, but she ultimately persevered with encouragement from her publisher.
• She highlights the deeply therapeutic nature of writing, explaining how it helped her process personal feelings, practice self-forgiveness, and foster a more open heart.
• "God's Brew" aims to appeal to a broad spiritual audience by focusing on universal themes like love, kindness, joy, and forgiveness, drawing from her personal experiences rather than pinpointing a specific religion.
• Barbara offers advice for aspiring authors, stressing the importance of reading extensively, conducting thorough research, utilizing free classes, and recognizing that writing requires significant work and perseverance through rejection.
• She is currently working on her second book, which has been an ongoing project for 12-13 years, and is in the process of revamping her website, barbarascoffeecups.com, to include a new blogging page.

Host Paul Delos Santos interviews author Jen McGee about her background in academic writing and her transition to publishing a book on professional wrestling.

Episode Notes:

• Jen discusses how her research skills were crucial in documenting the long, unfolding history of wrestling characters.
• The conversation highlights the unique storytelling challenges of pro wrestling, including its real-time, evolving narratives and the role of audience and performer input.
• Jen shares insights into balancing descriptive detail with avoiding jargon for a broader audience.
• She recounts the process of working with her publisher and gaining access to primary sources, including a special anecdote about Kevin Owens.
• The episode touches on the "luck" involved in getting published and the importance of putting your work out there.
• A discussion about the distinct storytelling styles of American, Japanese, and Mexican wrestling, and the balance between reality and myth in the sport.

Paul Delos Santos interviews Monica Macansantos about her writing and the themes in her essay collection.

• Monica discusses the impact of her father, a poet, and her experiences growing up as a Filipino.

• The essays explore themes of grief, loss, the search for home, and navigating cultural identity.

• Monica shares her insights on the challenges and rewards of writing creative nonfiction.

• The importance of community and support for writers is highlighted.

• Monica's writing process involves a balance of planning and allowing the story to unfold organically.

• Her book, "Return to Your Father's Kitchen," is discussed.

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In this episode of the Delos Diaries, host Paul Delos Santos speaks with Rella B. Books, a children's book author who delves into her inspirations, creative processes, and the intricate details of writing engaging stories for young audiences. Rella discusses how her books tackle essential themes such as fear, jealousy, and social-emotional learning, and shares insights from her experiences as an educator. The conversation explores her methods for crafting relatable characters, collaborating with illustrators, and using diverse media formats to captivate and educate children. Also highlighted are her initiatives engaging children via podcasts and YouTube, emphasizing the importance of interactive and varied media consumption. The episode provides valuable advice for aspiring children's book authors and underscores the vital role of authenticity in storytelling.

00:00 Introduction to The Delos Diaries

00:31 Meet the Guest: Rella B. Books

00:40 The Inspiration Behind Writing

01:51 Writing Children's Books: Challenges and Techniques

04:00 Collaborating with Illustrators

05:47 Vetting and Working with Illustrators

12:24 Character Design and Diversity

18:59 Handling Criticism and Sensitive Topics

24:27 Teaching Life Lessons Through Fiction

24:56 Engaging Kids with Social Emotional Learning

25:46 Interactive Presentations and Demonstrations

26:53 The Importance of Diverse Media Consumption

28:12 Creating Relatable Characters with Shapes

30:00 The Ecosystem of Rella B Books

31:45 Incorporating Multiple Forms of Media

35:30 The Role of an Educator in Media Literacy

42:38 Advice for Aspiring Children's Book Authors

45:51 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

What's the balance between planning and "making it up" in writing? In this episode, author Ben Parris joins the podcast to discuss his evolving approach to the craft. Ben shares insights on developing ideas, creating compelling characters, and structuring stories, drawing from his experiences in various writing forms. Ben's advice on overcoming obstacles and finding what works for you is invaluable for writers like Sarah, who are looking to refine their process and gain practical tools.

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