The Word Weaver Podcast

On today’s chapter of The Word Weaver Podcast I talk about the five habits that have allowed me to prioritize writing and fiercely protect that precious time. It’s easy to let writing drop to the bottom of your To Do list when there are a million other things pulling at your attention and demanding your time.

To accomplish any big goal, whether it’s writing a book or running a marathon, you have to prioritize them in your life. Between work and sleep, we have so few spare hours to dedicate to our dreams that we easily justify pushing them off until “later.” When we don’t dedicate time daily and schedule big goals into our calendars, they’re unlikely to ever come to fruition.

The easy option is to not do something and remain comfortable in the status quo. The more challenging yet rewarding option is to push ourselves out of our comfort zones and accomplish those things we’ve always dreamed of.

The first step is to start, then find the motivation to keep going until the end.

From the Eisenhower Matrix to learning how to say no nicely, these are the five things that have allowed me to prioritize and protect my writing time.

Let me know in the comments below, on the Word Weaver Instagram or in a review on iTunes how YOU make time for writing in your life and any tips and tricks that you’ve found helpful!

WORD WEAVER LINKS:

Instagram: @wordweaverpodcast

Shownotes: louiseclairejohnson.com/podcast

On this chapter of The Word Weaver Podcast, we chat with historical fiction writer Bryn Turnbull.

After receiving her BA in English Literature and History from McGill University in Montreal and her Master's in Professional Communications in Ryerson University in Toronto, Bryn was accepted into the historic and prestigious prose program at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland where she completed her Master's in Creative Writing.

It was during her time at St. Andrews (dubbed "Hogwarts by the sea") where Bryn established her writing routine, found her writing tribe, and workshopped the beginnings of her first book. Bryn also shares insights from her professor, the renowned Scottish writer, John Burnside, who gave her the best piece of writing advice she's ever received.

We talk about how the idea for People Like Us (the working title of her debut novel) was sparked by the Madonna-directed movie, W.E, how important a supportive network of family and friends are in overcoming self-doubt, and how the publishing process is like online dating.

BRYN'S LINKS:

Website: brynturnbull.com

Instagram: @brynturnbull

WORD WEAVER LINKS:

Instagram: @wordweaverpodcast

Shownotes: louiseclairejohnson.com/podcast

Today's chapter of The Word Weaver Podcast is all about the querying process: how to write a query letter and a book proposal (for non-fiction writers).

A query letter (which really should be called a query e-mail since everything is electronic these days) has one very important purpose: to hook a literary agent into requesting your full manuscript (and eventually an offer of representation). Literary agents are the gatekeepers to the publishers so you want (and need) them to love your book as much as you do.

I used to think that after you wrote a book, you sent off your full manuscript (a neat stack of printed computer paper) directly to a publishing house where a man white a white beard smoking a tobacco pipe would decide whether or not they'd print it and put it on shelf.

In reality, traditional publishers no longer accept unsolicited manuscripts. The process after you've written your book can be slow and cumbersome. The first step is sending a query letter (and a book proposal if your book is non-fiction) to literary agents. This can take months, but if they like your query letter or book proposal, the next step is that they will ask to read your full manuscript. After another few months, they might come back with a (kind) rejection, an R&R (revise and re-submit), or if you're REALLY lucky an offer of representation.

Querying is part of the publishing process where you have to switch from your "writer hat" to your "business hat." It's where you have to start thinking about your work as a product. Your proposal is the marketing/business plan for your book.

Today's podcast chapter breaks down the 5 main elements of a query letter, the do's and don'ts, what to include in your non-fiction book proposal, resources of how to find a literary agent and sample query letters, as well as how to create an Agent Submission Tracker in excel.

LINKS MENTIONED:

The Writer's Market 2019: The Most Trusted Guide to Getting Published

Agent Query

Writer's Market

Publisher's Marketplace

WORD WEAVER LINKS:

Instagram: @wordweaverpodcast

Shownotes: louiseclairejohnson.com/podcast

On today's chapter of The Word Weaver Podcast I had the honour of interviewing Bestselling Author, Writing Coach, YouTuber, and Creative Entrepreneur Kristen Martin on how she built her successful literary empire.

Kristen Martin is the International Amazon Bestselling Author of six books including The Alpha Drive trilogy (YA Sci-Fi/Dystopian), The Shadow Crown series (YA Dark Fantasy), and Be Your Own #Goals (Personal Development).

She is also a writing coach, a YouTuber with over 30,000 subscribers on "AuthorTube", host of That Smart Hustle Podcast, and a creative entrepreneur. She lives in Texas and prides herself on helping aspiring authors reach their dreams of publication through her coaching programs, Valiance and Conquering NaNoWriMo.

I left our conversation feeling motivated, inspired, and as though I had just chatted with an old friend. Kristen is the ultimate girl boss and authorpreneur. Grab a pen because this is one you'll want to take MULTIPLE notes on as she shares ALL of the words of wisdom!

KRISTEN MARTIN'S LINKS:

Website: kristenmartinbooks.com

YouTube: youtube.com/authorkristenmartinbooks

Instagram: @authorkristenmartin

Twitter: @authorkristenm

Facebook: facebook.com/authorkristenmartin

Valiance Writing Coaching Program

Conquering NaNoWriMo Program

That Smart Hustle Podcast on iTunes

WORD WEAVER LINKS:

Instagram: @wordweaverpodcast

Shownotes: louiseclairejohnson.com/podcast