The Write Approach

In Episode 35, we talk with author and podcaster Kristina Adams about the physical, mental, and emotional toll that writing can have on a person. But we don't just identify problems. Adams also talks about things authors can do to better take care of themselves and improve their well-being.

And ghosts. We also talk about ghosts.

If you enjoy this topic on mindfulness and self-care, check out our past episode with Claire Parsons (Ep. 21).

The Writer's Mindset Podcast: https://www.writerscookbook.com/podcast/

Kristina Adams' website: https://www.kristinaadamsauthor.com/

Barbara Hinske's website: https://barbarahinske.com/

J. W. Judge's author website: https://jwjudge.com/

J. W. Judge and Barbara Hinske discuss the value of consistently showing up to do your creative work regardless of your perceived progress. Consistency drives you toward hitting inflection points and give you the opportunity to success that you otherwise wouldn't have if you didn't persevere. 

In our conversation with NYT bestseller Alessandra Torre, we talk about launching into indie publishing in 2012 as a romance author and how her early success enabled her to quit her job to write full time. As a hybrid author, Torre has had huge success in both the indie and traditional publishing spaces. But more recently, she has made strategic business decisions about the kinds of novels she wants to write and who she wants to publish through, to attempt to amplify her success and reach new levels. In addition to her writing, Torre is the founder of Inkers Con, so we talk about why this project and connect with other authors has been important enough to take time away from writing.

If you want to listen to other hugely successful suspense authors, check out our past interviews with Robert Dugoni (Ep. 18), Georgina Cross (Ep. 14), and Robert Bailey (Ep. 27).

Alessandra Torre's website: https://www.alessandratorre.com
Inkers Con Author Conference website: https://www.inkerscon.com/
Barbara Hinske's website: https://barbarahinske.com/
J. W. Judge's author website: https://jwjudge.com/

Many authors have the idea that working with a publicist can change the trajectory for commercial success or failure of their book. Frequently, their expectations are unreasonable or not aligned with the budget. Kathleen Schmidt is our guest for Episode 32 of The Write Approach to talk about what it's like to work with a publicist, what it is that publicists do, and how authors can have an effective relationship with the person doing the publicity work for their books.

You can find Kathleen on Twitter and subscribe to her Substack newsletter, Publishing Confidential, where she sheds light on the inner workings of the publishing and publicity industries.

One of the keys for a successful writing career marketing yourself and networking with other writers. It can take a while to figure out what sorts of marketing and networking are sustainable for you and your personality type. But like many other aspects of your writing career this is worth experimenting with and stepping out of your comfort zone.

For Jessie Kwak, science fiction writer and author of Big Idea to Book: Create a Writing Practice That Brings You Joy, stepping out of her comfort zone includes launching her own conference, Author Alchemy Summit, for February 2024.

Jessie Kwak's website: https://www.jessiekwak.com/
Barbara Hinske's website: https://barbarahinske.com/
J. W. Judge's author website: https://jwjudge.com/

Author, lawyer, and entrepreneur Lisa M. Lilly knows what it's like to have ambitions of becoming a writer, setting that aside for a time, and coming back to fiction writing as a second career. In Episode 30, we talk with Lilly about practical measures that busy professionals can take to pursue writing as a second career. 

For a deeper dive into the topic, pick up Lisa M. Lilly's newest non-fiction book, Fiction Writing as Your Second Career. J. W. Judge's own book, Write Your Novel One Day at a Time, explores a similar topic and includes a separate interview with Lilly.

Lisa M. Lilly's website: https://lisalilly.com/ (including the podcast, Buffy and the Art of Story)
Lilly's Writing As a Second Career website: https://www.writingasasecondcareer.com/
Barbara Hinske's website: https://barbarahinske.com/
J. W. Judge's author website: https://jwjudge.com/

As a certified Story Grid editor and the co-host of the Story Nerd Podcast, Valerie Francis knows so much more about the art of story than we could have ever hoped to discuss in one episode. So in Episode 29 of The Write Approach, we keep the interview to a high-level discuss about how authors can study and apply story theory without getting lost or overwhelmed.

Valerie Francis' website: https://valeriefrancis.ca/
Barbara Hinske's website: https://barbarahinske.com/
J. W. Judge's author website: https://jwjudge.com/

 An author's decision about whether to pursue traditional or indie publishing, or a hybrid model that incorporates both, is a deeply personal one. It should be an educated decision that is made on the basis of (among other things) what business model the author is most comfortable with. In Episode 28 of The Write Approach we aim to help inform that decision. We discuss why we've each chosen traditional or indie publishing at various times, any why one of us is opening up our options.

 Barbara Hinske's website: https://barbarahinske.com/
J. W. Judge's author website: https://jwjudge.com/

In Episode 27, we talk with best-selling legal thriller author Robert Bailey about his rise through the ranks of the genre. His early novel-writing career hit a snag when his publisher closed shop, but fortune shined on him when he caught the attention of Thomas & Mercer, who he's been working with ever since. We discuss how Bailey used writing to contend with turmoil and tragedy in his life, and how he launched his writing career while practicing law full time.

Bailey is also friends and neighbors with past podcast guest, Georgina Cross (Episode 14).

Robert Bailey's author website: https://robertbaileybooks.com/
Barbara Hinske's website: https://barbarahinske.com/
J. W. Judge's author website: https://jwjudge.com/
The Write Approach's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@thewriteapproach/

In Episode 26, we talk with Michael La Ronn about what authors need to do to protect the legacy of the intellectual property they create, even after they've shuffled off their mortal coils. Creating an author estate is an essential act of empathy and kindness that you can do now that will benefit your heirs for years after you're gone.

We highly recommend Michael La Ronn's books, The Author Estate Handbook and The Author Heir Handbook.

Michael La Ronn's author website: https://authorlevelup.com/
Michael La Ronn's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@AuthorLevelUp
Barbara Hinske's website: https://barbarahinske.com/
J. W. Judge's author website: https://jwjudge.com/
The Write Approach's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@thewriteapproach/