We recently went live over on YouTube to talk all things ghost-story writing with Matty Dalrymple, from The Indy Author, and Daniel Willcocks, from Activated Authors. Here's the recording from the live.

If you'd prefer to watch it, you can find a recording of the stream here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ax5GPypvkyo

It’s time for a very important announcement!

Productivity for Writers: https://amzn.to/3Yie2zq *

Writing Myths: https://amzn.to/3VXeSQG *

How to Write Believable Characters: https://amzn.to/3VTr2df *

Backstory course: www.writerscookbook.com/backstory

Merch: www.writerscookbook.com/merch

Chatter – Ethan Kross: https://amzn.to/3FrPxqX *

Kristina’s author website: www.kristinaadamsauthor.com

Kristina’s content marketing website: www.kristinaproffitt.com

Kristina’s blog: www.writerscookbook.com

Ellie’s Twitter: www.twitter.com/ebettswriter

*Affiliate link

As you’ve probably noticed, we’re trying to make things easier for ourselves by using a pre-recorded intro/outro. Turns out that recording that was easier said than done. Here’s what happened behind the scenes…

Basically a compilation of all the times we couldn't speak or got interrupted while recording season 6.

Gail Carriger has multiple NYT bestsellers and over a million books in print in dozens of different languages. She writes comedies of manners mixed with urban fantasy (and sexy queer joy as G. L. Carriger). She is best known for the Parasol Protectorate and Finishing School series. She was once an archaeologist and is fond of shoes, octopuses, and tea.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Why analytics for authors are so important
• What you should be tracking
• Where to get your data from
• How data helps you make better decision

• Gail Carriger's website
• Gail's redirection post

It's easy to lose momentum as you write, spending all your energy on your beginning and fizzling out as you push yourself to finish your book. But your climax is one of the most important parts of your book. Here's how to make sure your ending is epic.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• How a bad (or no) climax can make your readers feel
• Why your book doesn't have to have lots of twists to have a great ending
• The importance of triggering an emotional reaction in your readers

This week on The Writer's Mindset we share tips on how you can create a large, diverse cast of characters your readers will love just as much as you do.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Why it's important to have a diverse cast
• Ways to bring your characters to life

Visit www.writerscookbook.com/backstory today to grab your spot

Clarissa has always lived more in the world of daydream and fiction than in reality. In her writing she explores purpose and belonging across worlds. Having never found an actual portal to faeryland, she creates her own fantastical worlds where dragons, fae and other magical creatures rule.

She now lives in the Netherlands with her family, where she writes as much as they will let her. When not reading or writing, she drinks too much tea and has a burgeoning obsession with Bundt cakes.

Clarissa is the author of the "Dragons of Kaitstud" and "Lost Princess of Starlight" YA fantasy series, and the "Expat Life" series of non-fiction guides for families moving, and living, abroad.

She is an admin for the 365 Writing Challenge, an international group that supports people to build the habit of writing. And she is one of the co-hosts of the Reading Queens podcast, which discusses mainly young adult fantasy books and their major tropes.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Why accountability can be a great motivational tool
• The downsides to NaNoWriMo
• Ideas for flexible writing habits you could try

Links

• Clarissa's website

Part two of our interview with Gail!

Gail Carriger has multiple NYT bestsellers and over a million books in print in dozens of different languages. She writes comedies of manners mixed with urban fantasy (and sexy queer joy as G. L. Carriger). She is best known for the Parasol Protectorate and Finishing School series. She was once an archaeologist and is fond of shoes, octopuses, and tea.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Why analytics for authors are so important
• What you should be tracking
• Where to get your data from
• How data helps you make better decision

Links

• Gail Carriger's website
• Gail's redirection post

Time stamps

• 00:00 – Intro
• 1:53 – Where to start
• 14:04 – Blog tours: are they worth it?
• 17:38 – Is it ever too late to start?
• 20:02 – Don’t carry stats in your head
• 30:51 – Which data source changed Gail’s life?
• 35:17 – Keep in touch