The Write It Scared Podcast

Today, I chat with romance author Roni Loren, a two-time Rita Award winner and Gallup® Certified Strengths Coach with the Better Faster Academy.

The discussion dives into the controversial advice about editing as you go and how each writer's process is unique.

Roni shares her journey, her struggles with self-doubt, and how she overcame burnout. With a focus on character-driven writing and leveraging personal strengths, Ronnie offers valuable insights for her fellow writers.

00:00 Introduction: Challenging Writing Norms
01:30 Meet Romance Author Roni Lauren
02:05 Roni's Writing Journey
04:36 Discussing 'The Ones Who Got Away' Series and writing Rom Drama
06:30 Exploring Romance and Character Development
16:29 The Challenges of Writing and Burnout
20:55 Self-Doubt and Imposter Syndrome
28:08 Current Projects and Final Thoughts

Guest Bio & Links
Roni wrote her first romance novel at age fifteen when she discovered writing about boys was way easier than actually talking to them. Since then, her flirting skills haven’t improved, but she likes to think her storytelling ability has. She holds a master’s degree in social work and spent years as a mental health counselor, but now she writes full-time from her cozy office in North Texas where she puts her characters on the therapy couch instead. She is a two-time RITA Award winner, a HOLT Medallion winner, and a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author. She is also a Gallup® Certified Strengths Coach with the Better Faster Academy.

Links:

Website: http://www.roniloren.com

Newsletter/Substack for readers: https://roniloren.substack.com/

The Nourished Writer (a newsletter/Substack for writers) https://thenourishedwriter.substack.com/

Instagram: @roniloren

Support the show

To become a supporter of the show, click here!

To get in touch with Stacy:

Email: [email protected]

https://www.writeitscared.co/

https://www.instagram.com/writeitscared/

Take advantage of these Free Resources From Write It Scared:

Download Your Free Novel Planning and Drafting Quick Start Guide

Download Your Free Guide to Remove Creative Blocks and Work Through Fears

In this episode, we dive deep into the concepts of suspense and tension in storytelling. 

We clarify the differences between these often-confused terms and explain how both are essential for a compelling narrative. 

Learn through examining popular works of fiction how long-term and short-term suspense work together to keep readers engaged.

This episode is packed with practical tips and tools for creating page-turning tension and suspense in your writing.

00:00 Understanding Suspense and Tension
01:38 Crafting Suspense and Tension in Your Novel
04:50 Long-term vs. Short-term Suspense
06:10 Dissecting The Hunger Games
10:10 Tools for Wielding Suspense and Tension
12:12 Practice and Resources
13:06 Conclusion and Next Steps

Support the show

To become a supporter of the show, click here!

To get in touch with Stacy:

Email: [email protected]

https://www.writeitscared.co/

https://www.instagram.com/writeitscared/

Take advantage of these Free Resources From Write It Scared:

Download Your Free Novel Planning and Drafting Quick Start Guide

Download Your Free Guide to Remove Creative Blocks and Work Through Fears

In this episode of the Write it Scared podcast, I chat with author and Story Grid CEO Tim Grahl. 

We discuss Tim's challenging yet rewarding journey from struggling writer to accomplished author, highlighting the importance of mastering scene writing and the rigorous learning process that led to his new novel, "The Shithead," dubbed as Faust meets Fleishman Is In Trouble.

Tim shares his beliefs about the significance of building fundamental writing skills first. This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to deepen their understanding of the writing craft and the internal narratives that shape their work.

00:22 Welcome to Write It Scared

01:24 Interview with Tim Grahl

04:13 Tim Grahl's Writing Journey

08:22 The Shithead: A Deep Dive

19:33 Writing Process and Techniques

27:32 The Importance of Learning to Write In Scenes

30:42 Final Thoughts and Farewell

Guest Bio: 

Tim Grahl is the C.E.O. of Story Grid, a university and publishing house dedicated to teaching and publishing complex stories. He is the author of the bestselling book marketing methodology and protocol, Your First Thousand Copies and The Book Launch Blueprint. His memoir Running Down a Dream, a warts and all confession of the trials and tribulations of a contemporary small business owner, drew accolades from Ryan Holiday, Barbara Corcoran, Daniel H. Pink, Derek Sivers, and Steven Pressfield, who described it as “Indispensable.” The writing of his first novel, a young adult science fiction coming-of-age action story, The Threshing, was the subject of the first three years of the Story Grid Podcast, a perennial chart-topper on multiple podcast bestseller lists.

Connect with Tim Grahl and read the Shithead here. 

Story Grid

Story Grid’s  YouTube Channel

Support the show

To become a supporter of the show, click here!

To get in touch with Stacy:

Email: [email protected]

https://www.writeitscared.co/

https://www.instagram.com/writeitscared/

Take advantage of these Free Resources From Write It Scared:

Download Your Free Novel Planning and Drafting Quick Start Guide

Download Your Free Guide to Remove Creative Blocks and Work Through Fears

Today, we celebrate a podcasting milestone and discuss how knowing who you're writing for can help calm your inner critic so you can push past the fear and anxiety of the work not being good enough.

In this episode, we delve into the story of E.B. White, a celebrated American author who also struggled with fear and anxiety, to draw inspiration and lessons. I also discuss my writing fears and how I've learned to embrace them. 

Whether you're just starting or feeling stuck, join me in learning to write for yourself, embrace what scares you, and take actionable steps toward your writing goals. 

Remember, confidence comes through doing, and it's okay to write it scared!

00:57 Celebrating a Podcasting Milestone
01:49 The Importance of Knowing Your First Reader---YOU.
02:50 Story of E.B. White
03:34 Overcoming Writing Fears
05:58 Embracing the Madness of Writing
08:26 Three Practical Tips to Write Despite Anxiety and Fear
10:00 Conclusion and Contact Information

Support the show

To become a supporter of the show, click here!

To get in touch with Stacy:

Email: [email protected]

https://www.writeitscared.co/

https://www.instagram.com/writeitscared/

Take advantage of these Free Resources From Write It Scared:

Download Your Free Novel Planning and Drafting Quick Start Guide

Download Your Free Guide to Remove Creative Blocks and Work Through Fears

In this episode, I’m joined by the delightful Kid-Lit author Cynthia Platt. 

We talk about the process of writing her debut intergenerational, dual-timeline YA novel, Postcards For Summer, which I adored reading. 

Cynthia shares what she’s learned about finding a rhythm as a writer, granting herself permission to explore varied interests, and giving herself grace when life interrupts. 

She discusses her journey from editor to author and how she had to get out of her own way to begin a writing practice. 

Her love of reading and the magic of writing for young audiences is simply infectious. 

We also discuss the challenges of writing dual timelines and drop some great tips on how to keep track of information and plotlines. We also dig into the personal challenges of crafting a novel as a neurodivergent human.

Cynthia was such a lovely guest. I hope you enjoy this episode and soak up all the inspiration and magic this author has to share with the world! 

00:00 Finding Your Writing Rhythm

01:31 The Magic of Writing for Young Audiences 

03:09 Cynthia Platt's Writing Journey

08:00 Exploring the YA Genre

13:59 The Challenge of Dual Timelines

23:07 Navigating Life's Interruptions

27:47 Current Projects and Final Thoughts

Guest Bio: Cynthia Platt is the author of the YA novel Postcards from Summer, the middle-grade novel Parker Bell & the Science of Friendship, and picture books including Grow, Easter Starring Egg, Panda-Monium, and A Little Bit of Love. She's also written numerous Curious George books, stories, and early readers for the Khan Academy Kids learning app. Her latest board book, Happy Halloween, Teal Pumpkin!, published in July 2024.

When not writing, she teaches at Lesley University’s MFA in Creative Writing program and formerly worked as a children’s book editor at Houghton Mifflin Harcourt and Candlewick Press.

Connect with Cynthia

cynthiaplattbooks.com

Instagram: @cynthiaplattbooks

Blue Sky: @cynthiaplatt

Support the show

To become a supporter of the show, click here!

To get in touch with Stacy:

Email: [email protected]

https://www.writeitscared.co/

https://www.instagram.com/writeitscared/

Take advantage of these Free Resources From Write It Scared:

Download Your Free Novel Planning and Drafting Quick Start Guide

Download Your Free Guide to Remove Creative Blocks and Work Through Fears

In this episode of the Write it Scared podcast, we explore the art of crafting seamless flashbacks in fiction writing.

I break down how and when to use a flashback effectively and the seven key elements every flashback needs to feel seamless and move the story forward.

We talk about the pros and cons of flashbacks and how to place them for maximum impact on readers.

I also walk you through an analysis of a flashback from The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins to demonstrate those seven elements in action. 

Lastly, I discuss practical tips for managing tense changes and highlight common pitfalls to avoid. 

This episode is packed with actionable insights to help you incorporate flashbacks smoothly into your narratives. Hope you enjoy! 

00:00 Introduction to Flashbacks in Fiction

01:24 Episode Overview and Previous Discussions

02:44 The Pros and Cons of Flashbacks

03:17 Defining Flashbacks and Their Purpose

07:38 Guidelines for Writing Effective Flashbacks

11:37 Analyzing a Flashback from The Hunger Games

24:36 Craft Tips for Handling Tense Changes

26:30 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Mentioned: 

Ep 19: How to Develop Your Backstory

Ep 21: How to Convey Backstory Through Context and Memory

Support the show

To become a supporter of the show, click here!

To get in touch with Stacy:

Email: [email protected]

https://www.writeitscared.co/

https://www.instagram.com/writeitscared/

Take advantage of these Free Resources From Write It Scared:

Download Your Free Novel Planning and Drafting Quick Start Guide

Download Your Free Guide to Remove Creative Blocks and Work Through Fears

This week, we're tackling the daunting task of editing your manuscript.

Savannah Gilbo, a certified developmental editor and book coach, and I walk you through how to break down the self-editing process into manageable phases. 

From taking essential breaks to detailed step-by-step strategies, we cover how to transform your messy first draft into a polished gem. 

Tune in to learn all about the different phases of self-editing, common pitfalls to avoid, and tips on when and how to seek outside feedback. 

Let's dive in and make your editing journey smoother and more effective!

00:00 Introduction to Self-Editing Challenges

01:35 How to Self-Edit Your Manuscript

02:51 Mindset and Best Practices

05:22 The Importance of Self-Editing

07:23 Phases of the Self-Editing Process

10:22 Taking a Break Before Self-Editing

12:50 Big Picture Developmental Edit

18:46 Navigating the Messy Middle of Revisions

19:44 Diving Deeper: Scene-Level Edits

24:50 Fine-Tuning Your Pages

28:37 The Final Polish: Grammar and Spelling

31:54 Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them

37:30 Embracing Feedback and Staying Open

39:05 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Editing Resources

Revision Clarity Workbook and Resource Guide

Self-Edit Check List

Guest Bio: Savannah Gilbo is a certified developmental editor and book coach who helps fiction authors write, edit, and publish stories that work. She’s also the host of the top-rated Fiction Writing Made Easy Podcast, where she delivers weekly episodes full of simple, actionable, and step-by-step strategies that you can implement in your writing right away. 

Website: https://www.savannahgilbo.com

Podcast: https://www.savannahgilbo.com/podcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/savannah.gilbo

Support the show

To become a supporter of the show, click here!

To get in touch with Stacy:

Email: [email protected]

https://www.writeitscared.co/

https://www.instagram.com/writeitscared/

Take advantage of these Free Resources From Write It Scared:

Download Your Free Novel Planning and Drafting Quick Start Guide

Download Your Free Guide to Remove Creative Blocks and Work Through Fears

Techniques to Convey Backstory Without Bogging Down the Narrative: Context & Memory

Today, we dig into the topic of backstory, specifically focusing on how to effectively deliver it without bogging down your narrative by using context and memory to weave backstory seamlessly into your story. 

Using examples from Rebecca Yarrow's  Fourth Wing and VE Schwab's The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, I break down how these elements can deepen the reader’s understanding of the characters and their motivations and move the story forward.

Tune in to gain valuable insights and practical exercises to enhance your writing craft. 

Don't forget to follow and leave a review!

00:00 Introduction to Backstory in Writing

01:14 Episode Overview

01:35 Importance of Backstory

02:52 Three Methods to Deliver Backstory

04:06 Using Context and Example from 'Fourth Wing'

07:55 Exercise for Identifying Backstory

08:45 Using Memory to Deliver Backstory

10:45 Example from 'The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue'

14:46 Takeaways and Conclusion

For more on how to craft a compelling backstory, listen to episode 19

See the article on the Write It Scared Blog for the full breakdown of each of the passages discussed on the podcast:

Support the show

To become a supporter of the show, click here!

To get in touch with Stacy:

Email: [email protected]

https://www.writeitscared.co/

https://www.instagram.com/writeitscared/

Take advantage of these Free Resources From Write It Scared:

Download Your Free Novel Planning and Drafting Quick Start Guide

Download Your Free Guide to Remove Creative Blocks and Work Through Fears

Today, we're diving into the world of book cover design. 

I'm thrilled to be joined by Katia from Miblart, a team of professional book cover designers who create marketable book covers for indie authors and publishers. 

We explore the importance of having a finalized manuscript before commissioning a cover, the types of book covers available, and when you should start thinking about your cover design.

 

Katia also shares insider tips on effectively collaborating with designers, managing costs, and avoiding common pitfalls. 

Whether you're writing your first novel or first series, this episode equips you with the knowledge to create a compelling cover that reflects your story and captures readers' attention. 

Join us as we uncover the secrets behind powerful book covers. 

Tune in and stay unstoppable!

00:17 Welcome to Write It Scared

01:18 Introduction to Book Cover Design

02:04 Interview with Katia from Miblart

03:41 Understanding Miblart's Services

06:25 When to Start Thinking About Book Cover Design

08:10 DIY vs. Professional Book Covers

10:36 Cost and Time Commitment for Book Covers

12:43 Target Research for Book Covers

15:44 Designing Covers for Book Series

17:39 Common Pitfalls in Book Cover Design

22:47 Myths About Book Cover Design

24:03 Conclusion and Contact Information

Miblart is a team of professional book cover designers that creates marketable book covers for indie authors and publishers. Katia handles outreach, consults with authors, assists designers, and works in promotion. 

https://linktr.ee/katia.bookcoverdesign

Support the show

To become a supporter of the show, click here!

To get in touch with Stacy:

Email: [email protected]

https://www.writeitscared.co/

https://www.instagram.com/writeitscared/

Take advantage of these Free Resources From Write It Scared:

Download Your Free Novel Planning and Drafting Quick Start Guide

Download Your Free Guide to Remove Creative Blocks and Work Through Fears

How to Craft Relevant Backstory for Complex Characters, Conflicts, Plots, and Worlds

If you’ve ever been stuck while drafting your manuscript and don’t know what comes next, consider looking at your backstory for the answers! 

Tune in to Episode 19 of The Write It Scared Podcast with host book coach and writer Stacy Frazer to learn how to craft a relevant and compelling backstory for your characters. 

Crafting a relevant backstory will create realistic characters with relatable motivations and help prevent plot holes and writer's block. 

Gain insights on what constitutes a backstory, why it matters, and how to effectively integrate it into your narrative to enhance the overall story. 

Learn practical tools for keeping track of backstory elements.

Harness the power of backstory to bring depth and authenticity to your fiction writing.

00:00 Introduction to Crafting Compelling Backstories

01:28 Diving into Micro Elements of Fiction

02:17 Understanding Backstory and Its Importance

07:00 Components of Backstory and Tips for Crafting Relevant Backstory

12:16 Managing Backstory

15:25 Final Thoughts and Takeaways

Check out episode 5 for more on the macro elements of story: Plot, Character, Conflict, World, Setting, and Narrative Design! 

Support the show

To become a supporter of the show, click here!

To get in touch with Stacy:

Email: [email protected]

https://www.writeitscared.co/

https://www.instagram.com/writeitscared/

Take advantage of these Free Resources From Write It Scared:

Download Your Free Novel Planning and Drafting Quick Start Guide

Download Your Free Guide to Remove Creative Blocks and Work Through Fears