Writers With Wrinkles

The One About Taylor Swift (and some other stuff, too)


Listen Later

Send us Fan Mail

Beth and Lisa react in real-time to Taylor Swift’s engagement, connecting it to creativity, storytelling, and the writing life. They also dive into lessons on “first pages,” share a cautionary tale from a tough SCBWI conference, and tease details of their upcoming Writers With Wrinkles retreat.

Guest Bio
No guest this week—this is an Ask Beth & Lisa episode featuring co-hosts Beth McMullen and Lisa Schmid.

Key Discussion Points

  • Taylor Swift’s Engagement: Beth and Lisa discuss the news, likening Taylor’s relationship to a rom-com and exploring how her songwriting may evolve now that she’s writing from happiness rather than heartbreak.
  • Creativity and Emotion: How emotional upheaval, trauma, and personal history often fuel strong storytelling—and the challenge of sustaining creativity as life stabilizes.
  • First Pages: Why first pages matter so much in grabbing readers, agents, and editors; common pitfalls like info-dumping; and how to balance polish without getting stuck rewriting forever.
  • SCBWI Conference Flashback: A harsh “first pages” critique session that traumatized attendees serves as a cautionary tale about feedback done without kindness or actionable advice.
  • Upcoming Retreat Plans: Beth and Lisa reveal they are scouting a wine-country location for the Writers With Wrinkles Workshop & Wine Retreat planned for Spring 2026. Expect fun, inspiration, and spider-free accommodations.
  • The Waiting Game in Publishing: Lisa shares her experience of being on submission with a new middle-grade novel, reminding writers that rejection and silence are part of the process—and that community helps ease the wait.

Conclusion
This episode blends pop culture joy with practical writing wisdom, offering listeners both lighthearted fun and thoughtful reflection on the writing journey. Beth and Lisa invite listeners to sign up for the newsletter, follow on socials, and prepare for upcoming episodes—including an interview with agent Shayla Knigge of Highline Literary Collective dropping September 15.

Mentioned Links

  • Writers With Wrinkles Website
  • Think your first page is wrinkle-free? Send us up to 350 words—anonymously, of course—and find out. [full details here]



Support the show

 Visit the Website

Writers with Wrinkles Link Tree for socials and more!


...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

Writers With WrinklesBy Beth McMullen and Lisa Schmid

  • 4.9
  • 4.9
  • 4.9
  • 4.9
  • 4.9

4.9

41 ratings


More shows like Writers With Wrinkles

View all
Lore by Aaron Mahnke

Lore

44,999 Listeners

The New Yorker: Poetry by The New Yorker

The New Yorker: Poetry

519 Listeners

Writing Excuses by Mary Robinette Kowal, DongWon Song, Erin Roberts, Dan Wells, and Howard Tayler

Writing Excuses

1,298 Listeners

The Creative Penn Podcast For Writers by Joanna Penn

The Creative Penn Podcast For Writers

630 Listeners

The Manuscript Academy by #MSWL

The Manuscript Academy

296 Listeners

Book Friends Forever Podcast by Alvina and Grace

Book Friends Forever Podcast

234 Listeners

You May Contribute A Verse by Josh Monken and Brenna Jeanneret

You May Contribute A Verse

33 Listeners

SCBWI Podcasts by SCBWI

SCBWI Podcasts

64 Listeners

Fiction Writing Made Easy | Top Creative Writing Podcast for Fiction Writers & Writing Tips by Savannah Gilbo

Fiction Writing Made Easy | Top Creative Writing Podcast for Fiction Writers & Writing Tips

1,477 Listeners

The Shit No One Tells You About Writing by Bianca Marais, Carly Watters and CeCe Lyra

The Shit No One Tells You About Writing

786 Listeners

Essential Guide to Writing a Novel by James Thayer

Essential Guide to Writing a Novel

430 Listeners

Way-Word Writers Podcast by Conquer Your Path

Way-Word Writers Podcast

17 Listeners

Middle Grade Matters by Shannon Balloon

Middle Grade Matters

35 Listeners

Literary Blend: A Publishing Podcast by Demi Michelle Schwartz

Literary Blend: A Publishing Podcast

13 Listeners

Kidlit Love: Conversations with Picture Book and Middle Grade Authors by Stephanie Affinito

Kidlit Love: Conversations with Picture Book and Middle Grade Authors

10 Listeners