In this week's episode, I give a reading recap of all 20 books I read in 2021!

1. The Girl on the Train
2. My Lovely Wife
3. The Wife Upstairs
4. Before We Were Strangers
5. In Five Years
6. The Silent Patient
7. Daisy Jones & The Six
8. 28 Summers
9. The Whisper Network
10. The Last Thing He Told Me
11. The Last Mrs. Parrish
12. People We Meet on Vacation
13. It Ends With Us
14. The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo
15. A Slow Fire Burning
16. The Ocean in Winter
17. Malibu Rising
18. The Four Winds
19. Sweet Girl
20. The Wish 

I created the Turn Write Podcast for beginning writers, indie authors, for people who are looking for their voice and who want to know how to use it. The idea for this bite-sized podcast came to me as I sat in endless traffic commuting an hour each way to and from my 9-5 job, wondering why do I write? Why do I rush home every day with the agonizing hope of trying to string together meaningless words to create a feeling deeper than I could dare hope to describe? Well, day after day I kept thinking and there was only one answer: I loved to write. I am on a journey to becoming a published author, and I want to help you get there too.

Read my novel The Sweep: https://www.amazon.com/Sweep-Kaitlin-Greco/dp/1702161706/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?keywords=the+sweep+kaitlin+greco&qid=1577982814&sr=8-1#mediaMatrix_secondary_view_div_1579103732446

Follow my Socials:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/KGrecoLIT
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCm9NohirDBeTym6K-70RDow

Blog: https://notkeepingupwithkait.wordpress.com/

Medium: https://medium.com/@kaitlinagreco

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In this episode, I discuss seven reasons why Harry Potter will be timeless. 


1) Good vs Evil
2) Strong male and female characters
3) Appeals to all ages
4) Hero's Journey
5) Has the format of a legend
6) Strong minor characters 
7) Hot take on a familiar concept 

I created the Turn Write Podcast for beginning writers, indie authors, for people who are looking for their voice and who want to know how to use it. The idea for this bite-sized podcast came to me as I sat in endless traffic commuting an hour each way to and from my 9-5 job, wondering why do I write? Why do I rush home every day with the agonizing hope of trying to string together meaningless words to create a feeling deeper than I could dare hope to describe? Well, day after day I kept thinking and there was only one answer: I loved to write. I am on a journey to becoming a published author, and I want to help you get there too.

Read my novel The Sweep: https://www.amazon.com/Sweep-Kaitlin-Greco/dp/1702161706/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?keywords=the+sweep+kaitlin+greco&qid=1577982814&sr=8-1#mediaMatrix_secondary_view_div_1579103732446

Follow my Socials:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/KGrecoLIT
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCm9NohirDBeTym6K-70RDow

Blog: https://notkeepingupwithkait.wordpress.com/

Medium: https://medium.com/@kaitlinagreco

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“Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new.” -Albert Einstein 

 As we move closer to recapping 2021, I wanted to create this episode to help me reflect on this year. In this episode, I discuss the mistakes I’ve made as a writer, what I've learned from them, and how you can avoid them.

 1)   Writing about things that are perceived as being controversial. I think the threshold for what is deemed controversial in our society is very low right now. I think it’s great to be aware of other people’s feelings, and of course, you do not want to offend anyone. But even seemingly inoffensive things can be perceived in the wrong light. As a new writer, I would advise you to evaluate every angle of a piece of work to determine if it would be perceived as controversial. If you don’t care about being traditionally published, then forget this advice. 

2)    Don’t be afraid to make your chapters shorter and to the point. Think The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt and TJR's Malibu Rising. 

3)    Develop minor characters’ arcs and weave them in. My minor characters were hella boring in my first novel The Sweep. 

4)    I will never be a plotter, so I am not forcing myself to outline. I am forcing myself to pause and reflect when I get stuck. 

5)    Don’t expect anything from querying. This might sound pessimistic, but querying is tough work if you don't have connections. Don't let this discourage you from trying, just be aware of this fact. 

6)    More metaphors and figurative language is not always better writing. 

7)    Waiting too far into the novel to reveal big twists. 

8)    Allowing my character to have long monologues of thinking without action. 

9)    Being more worried about hitting word count goals rather than doing quality writing. 

10) Throwing in random scenes or characters in a later draft so things ‘made sense.’ 

I created the Turn Write Podcast for beginning writers, indie authors, for people who are looking for their voice and who want to know how to use it. The idea for this bite-sized podcast came to me as I sat in endless traffic commuting an hour each way to and from my 9-5 job, wondering why do I write? Why do I rush home every day with the agonizing hope of trying to string together meaningless words to create a feeling deeper than I could dare hope to describe? Well, day after day I kept thinking and there was only one answer: I loved to write. I am on a journey to becoming a published author, and I want to help you get there too.

Read my novel The Sweep: https://www.amazon.com/Sweep-Kaitlin-Greco/dp/1702161706/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?keywords=the+sweep+kaitlin+greco&qid=1577982814&sr=8-1#mediaMatrix_secondary_view_div_1579103732446

Follow my Socials:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/KGrecoLIT
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCm9NohirDBeTym6K-70RDow

Blog: https://notkeepingupwithkait.wordpress.com/

Medium: https://medium.com/@kaitlinagreco

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“I love my rejection slips. They show me I try.” -Sylvia Plath

This is a writing podcast, not a dating one, but here are 4 reasons why rejection from publishers and agents shouldn't scare you:

1) The act of writing is better than doing nothing. You are putting a product out into the world while others are complacent offering nothing additional beyond what is required of them. Be proud of your creativity and the guts it takes to write a novel. 

2) You are learning and growing. Completing a project and having the guts to query it, market it, and take it as far as you can is a learning process, and from that, you will grow as a writer. Maybe you’ll be lucky enough to get a personalized rejection and find out a reason why this piece wasn’t accepted. Even if not, you will get better at writing queries. You will have more to put on your writing resume. And your technique will get stronger. Finishing always gets you closer to your end goal. 

3) The field is fiercely competitive. I read on one agent’s website that she was only looking to acquire only ten new projects in 2021. That’s insane. When you think about the thousands of people submitting their queries in the same genre as you, that’s steep competition. So I’m trying not to take it personally when my work is rejected. It doesn’t mean that your work is bad. It just might mean there are a lot of really talented writers out there and agents are limited on funds and time to take on new projects.

4) If you are staying true to your dream and yourself, you shouldn’t have any regrets. I’ve discussed many times why I chose not to pursue a CPA or MBA and instead attempt to become a professional writer. The CPA is a damn hard test, but I don’t think it’s as hard as navigating this field. I honestly wish that weren’t the case. The CPA is not a dream that I’ve been thinking about since I was a little kid. Being a writer is. I love the act of writing—of creating characters and plot lines. And that’s why I write. 

I created the Turn Write Podcast for beginning writers, indie authors, for people who are looking for their voice and who want to know how to use it. The idea for this bite-sized podcast came to me as I sat in endless traffic commuting an hour each way to and from my 9-5 job, wondering why do I write? Why do I rush home every day with the agonizing hope of trying to string together meaningless words to create a feeling deeper than I could dare hope to describe? Well, day after day I kept thinking and there was only one answer: I loved to write. I am on a journey to becoming a published author, and I want to help you get there too.

Read my novel The Sweep: https://www.amazon.com/Sweep-Kaitlin-Greco/dp/1702161706/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?keywords=the+sweep+kaitlin+greco&qid=1577982814&sr=8-1#mediaMatrix_secondary_view_div_1579103732446

Follow my Socials:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/KGrecoLIT
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCm9NohirDBeTym6K-70RDow

Blog: https://notkeepingupwithkait.wordpress.com/

Medium: https://medium.com/@kaitlinagreco

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“The easiest way for readers to connect with characters and feel sympathy is to make the character entertaining, sympathetic, and likable.”

-Randa Abdel-Fattah

Why do you want your protagonist to be likable? In this episode, I discuss why that is important and 5 ways to execute it. 

1)    Not self-important (humble) - Nina Riva in Malibu Rising 

2)    Quirky - Poppy in People We Meet on Vacation 

3)    Not all good and not all bad

4)    It feels like they’re talking to you - Aza Holmes in Turtles All the Way Down

5)    They’re not overly emotional - Katniss Everdeen in The Hunger Games

I created the Turn Write Podcast for beginning writers, indie authors, for people who are looking for their voice and who want to know how to use it. The idea for this bite-sized podcast came to me as I sat in endless traffic commuting an hour each way to and from my 9-5 job, wondering why do I write? Why do I rush home every day with the agonizing hope of trying to string together meaningless words to create a feeling deeper than I could dare hope to describe? Well, day after day I kept thinking and there was only one answer: I loved to write. I am on a journey to becoming a published author, and I want to help you get there too.

Read my novel The Sweep: https://www.amazon.com/Sweep-Kaitlin-Greco/dp/1702161706/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?keywords=the+sweep+kaitlin+greco&qid=1577982814&sr=8-1#mediaMatrix_secondary_view_div_1579103732446

Follow my Socials:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/KGrecoLIT
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCm9NohirDBeTym6K-70RDow

Blog: https://notkeepingupwithkait.wordpress.com/

Medium: https://medium.com/@kaitlinagreco

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How to be innovative on the oldest medium in the world. 

1) Tell your own perspective. What does nobody else have? Your voice and your unique point of view. 
2) Use social media to grow your brand. Innovate the delivery of your content to be marketable on Tik Tok and Twitter. 
3) The possibilities in science fiction are endless. Innovation can always be found in this ever-changing realm. 
4) Write about a current event. There is less competition; therefore, there is more room to stand out. 
5) Have vulnerable characters. People are craving vulnerability in our fast-paced, fake world. Vulnerability is not the norm.  
6) Have a niche. Specialize like Taylor Jenkins Reid and write in one genre with similar characters and themes. This sets you apart from the "Jack of all Trades." 

I created the Turn Write Podcast for beginning writers, indie authors, for people who are looking for their voice and who want to know how to use it. The idea for this bite-sized podcast came to me as I sat in endless traffic commuting an hour each way to and from my 9-5 job, wondering why do I write? Why do I rush home every day with the agonizing hope of trying to string together meaningless words to create a feeling deeper than I could dare hope to describe? Well, day after day I kept thinking and there was only one answer: I loved to write. I am on a journey to becoming a published author, and I want to help you get there too.

Read my novel The Sweep: https://www.amazon.com/Sweep-Kaitlin-Greco/dp/1702161706/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?keywords=the+sweep+kaitlin+greco&qid=1577982814&sr=8-1#mediaMatrix_secondary_view_div_1579103732446

Follow my Socials:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/KGrecoLIT
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCm9NohirDBeTym6K-70RDow

Blog: https://notkeepingupwithkait.wordpress.com/

Medium: https://medium.com/@kaitlinagreco

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In this episode, I discuss 5 ways to make it a great writing month even if you aren't participating in National Novel Writing Month.

1) Keep making consistent progress towards your end goal of whatever you’re working on at the current moment. Don’t give up. You are so close. Recognize you may need a few more months into the next year to complete your work. 

2) Reflect on everything that you’ve accomplished so far this year. Gratitude fuels growth.

3) You can’t do it all. Stick to your writing schedule. It’s going to get hard to stick to your writing schedule around this time of year, but it will be worth it. Schedule time for rest. It’s okay to have an off-day or a couple of off days. 

4) Start dreaming of next year’s writing goals. I find that it can be really motivating to dream of the future to accomplish the work in the present. 

5) Use this month to evaluate if your WIP is going somewhere. If not, change it up. Do you need a break from it? Do you need to work harder on it? Are there other ideas that can be accomplished in a way that is more fulfilling to you?

*Bonus tip: try journaling. You might get some really great story ideas. 

“Write for your reader self, not your writer self. Write your book like you’re the person who’s going to read it. Remember the fun bits, the juicy bits, the stuff you linger over in other books. The good stuff.” -Holly Black 

I created the Turn Write Podcast for beginning writers, indie authors, for people who are looking for their voice and who want to know how to use it. The idea for this bite-sized podcast came to me as I sat in endless traffic commuting an hour each way to and from my 9-5 job, wondering why do I write? Why do I rush home every day with the agonizing hope of trying to string together meaningless words to create a feeling deeper than I could dare hope to describe? Well, day after day I kept thinking and there was only one answer: I loved to write. I am on a journey to becoming a published author, and I want to help you get there too.

Read my novel The Sweep: https://www.amazon.com/Sweep-Kaitlin-Greco/dp/1702161706/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?keywords=the+sweep+kaitlin+greco&qid=1577982814&sr=8-1#mediaMatrix_secondary_view_div_1579103732446

Follow my Socials:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/KGrecoLIT
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCm9NohirDBeTym6K-70RDow

Blog: https://notkeepingupwithkait.wordpress.com/

Medium: https://medium.com/@kaitlinagreco

#writing #writingtips #writingpodcast

In this episode, I discuss 7 tropes I enjoy reading and 5 tropes that I despise. Let me know your thoughts by sounding off in the comments! 

I created the Turn Write Podcast for beginning writers, indie authors, for people who are looking for their voice and who want to know how to use it. The idea for this bite-sized podcast came to me as I sat in endless traffic commuting an hour each way to and from my 9-5 job, wondering why do I write? Why do I rush home every day with the agonizing hope of trying to string together meaningless words to create a feeling deeper than I could dare hope to describe? Well, day after day I kept thinking and there was only one answer: I loved to write. I am on a journey to becoming a published author, and I want to help you get there too.

Read my novel The Sweep: https://www.amazon.com/Sweep-Kaitlin-Greco/dp/1702161706/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?keywords=the+sweep+kaitlin+greco&qid=1577982814&sr=8-1#mediaMatrix_secondary_view_div_1579103732446

Follow my Socials:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/KGrecoLIT
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCm9NohirDBeTym6K-70RDow

Blog: https://notkeepingupwithkait.wordpress.com/

Medium: https://medium.com/@kaitlinagreco

#writing #writingtips #writingpodcast

Happy Spooky Season! In this episode, I discuss 4 ways to create suspense in your novel.


1) Unravel the plot slowly
2) Red herrings
3) Switch perspectives
4) Empathetic characters

I created the Turn Write Podcast for beginning writers, for indie authors, for people who are looking for their voice and who want to know how to use it. The idea for this bite-sized podcast came to me as I sat in endless traffic commuting an hour each way to and from my 9-5 job, wondering why do I write? Why do I rush home every day with the agonizing hope of trying to string together meaningless words to create a feeling deeper than I could dare hope to describe? Well, day after day I kept thinking and there was only one answer: I loved to write. I am on a journey to becoming a published author, and I want to help you get there too.

Read my novel The Sweep: https://www.amazon.com/Sweep-Kaitlin-Greco/dp/1702161706/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?keywords=the+sweep+kaitlin+greco&qid=1577982814&sr=8-1#mediaMatrix_secondary_view_div_1579103732446

Follow my Socials:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/KGrecoLIT
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCm9NohirDBeTym6K-70RDow

Blog: https://notkeepingupwithkait.wordpress.com/

Medium: https://medium.com/@kaitlinagreco

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In this episode, I review the books that I read in Q3 2021. I highlight takeaways for writing and give my opinion on each story.  Let me know if you've read any of these books by sounding off in the comments! I also provide an update on my writing journey.

1) People We Meet On Vacation by Emily Henry
2) It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover
3) The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
4) A Slow Fire Burning by Paula Hawkins

I created the Turn Write Podcast for beginning writers, indie authors, for people who are looking for their voice and who want to know how to use it. The idea for this bite-sized podcast came to me as I sat in endless traffic commuting an hour each way to and from my 9-5 job, wondering why do I write? Why do I rush home every day with the agonizing hope of trying to string together meaningless words to create a feeling deeper than I could dare hope to describe? Well, day after day I kept thinking and there was only one answer: I loved to write. I am on a journey to becoming a published author, and I want to help you get there too.

Read my novel The Sweep: https://www.amazon.com/Sweep-Kaitlin-Greco/dp/1702161706/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?keywords=the+sweep+kaitlin+greco&qid=1577982814&sr=8-1#mediaMatrix_secondary_view_div_1579103732446

Follow my Socials:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/KGrecoLIT
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCm9NohirDBeTym6K-70RDow

Blog: https://notkeepingupwithkait.wordpress.com/

Medium: https://medium.com/@kaitlinagreco

#writing #writingtips #writingpodcast