The Writer's Mindset

Join us as we discover Beatrix Potter's backstory. Featuring bats, mushrooms, sheep, and self-publishing.

Check out Millie's westitude over on Instagram: http://instagram.com/westhighlandmillie

Sources:

Beatrix Potter: The Extraordinary Life of a Victorian Genius - Linda Lear

https://www.theguardian.com/books/booksblog/2013/dec/17/beatrix-potter-peter-rabbit-self-publishing

https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/639716/mental-floss-store-reopening?utm_content=infinitescroll1

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beatrix_Potter

Character arcs can be a huge part of what makes your character feel more relatable and realistic. In this episode, we'll take a look at what they are, why they matter, and how you can include them in plot-driven stories.

(Apologies for dodgy sound in places - Kristina's laptop was misbehaving!)

What you'll learn:

• What character arcs are
• Why you need to be mindful of reader expectations when crafting your character arc
• How to create a character arc in three easy steps

Watch the replay of workshop on How to Write Character Arcs - Whatever Your Genre here: www.writerscookbook.com/arcsworkshop

This week we're asking 'what makes a good character?' Is it about making them likeable, or are some traits more important?

What you'll learn:

• Why referring to your characters as 'heroes' or 'villains' is damaging to your writing process (and what to call them instead)
• Why your main character needs universal traits
• The #1 thing you need to understand to write well-rounded characters

Books, films, and TV shows referenced:

• Eat Pray Love - Elizabeth Gilbert
• Big Magic - Elizabeth Gilbert
• Gilmore Girls
• Charmed
• Spice Girls
• Twilight - Stephenie Meyer
• 50 Shades of Grey - E.L.James
• Mamma Mia!
• You
• The Hobbit - J.R.R.Tolkein
• This is Us
• The Dresden Files - Jim Butcher
• Gone Girl - Gillian Flynn
• Bad Feminist - Roxanne Gay
• American Psycho - Brett Easton Ellis
• Mindhunter - John Douglas
• Difficult Mothers - Terri Apter

Find out about our first inspiring Woman Writer, Charlotte Perkins Gilman. Her short story, The Yellow Wallpaper, helped to change the way post-natal depression (sometimes called post-partum depression) was treated forever.

Want to get more focused with your writing? Surpass even your wildest writing dreams? Learn how in our episode all about setting better goals.

What you’ll learn:

• Why writing goals are key to the success of your writing career
• How to set goals you’ll actually stick to
• Why most people fail (and how to make sure you don't)

Ah, the plot hole. So easy to fall into one, but not so easy to dig yourself out of. In this episode, we take a look at some techniques you can try to find your way out of a plot hole.

What you’ll learn:

• What really causes you to get stuck in a plot hole (it isn’t what you think)
• How plotting makes you more productive
• 3 techniques to dig yourself out of a plot hole

Stuck on your work in progress? Can't figure out why? Discover the 9 surprising reasons you can't finish your work in progress!

What you’ll learn:

• How to spot when you’re overthinking your work in progress
• Why editing as you write damages your confidence – and slows down your progress!
• The importance of making not finding time to write
• When do research (and when not to)

Show notes:

• 00.00 – Introductions
• 00.40 – Have you done enough research?
• 02.00 – Getting to know your characters.
• 05.15 – You’ve gotta know where you’re going.
• 07.20 – Getting tense.
• 10.50 – Do you know what your audience are expecting?
• 15.30 – Stop overthinking!
• 18.00 – Writing chronologically is overrated.
• 19.20 – Stop confusing your brain with multitasking.
• 22.00 – You have permission to make your first draft as terrible as possible.
• 24.15 – Keep things simple.
• 26.20 – No one else is going to prioritise your writing for you.
• 30.00 – Believe in yourself.
• 32.00 – Proving to yourself that you can do it. 

Welcome to The Writer's Cookbook podcast, serving you with your weekly slice of writing advice from January 2021! We'll talk about how to bring your characters to life, make your plots pop, and build a mindset that's sure to help you achieve success.