What's in this episode:

Elysia Nates has been working on her novel for over 25 years, on and off. It’s been a passion of hers for the majority of her life and she’s now taken the plunge and put it out into the world. 

When she was a teenager, Elysia Nates went through ovarian cancer. Forced, at such a young age, to confront her own mortality was the starting point for her book, Written & Directed By Me, Mackenzie. 

She shares openly how she used fiction as an escape mechanism from the fear of her illness and how her family was responding to her health. 

Unusually for an indie-author, Elysia Nates has opted to publish a paperback first. She explains her reasons and talks about her experiences with Ingram Spark. 

Elysia Nates shares how she fits in her writing around being a single parent, managing a busy household and working part time. 

‘If you want to do it, you find time to do it’ says Elysia, ‘even if it’s at ten o’clock at night.’ 

She shares the method by which she writes and edits her first draft, which involves reading it from the beginning every day so that her voice stays consistent. 

We recorded the conversation in October and discussed the impact of lockdown on Elysia’s writing routine. As an introvert, she didn’t find it hard and was able to carry on almost as normal. 

Elysia Nates is clear about her future and knows she has at least 5 Young Adult books in her future. She’s started writing her second novel, giving her daughter the final say on which of the 5 she would work on next! 

We discuss writing series versus writing standalone and how Elysia needs to let go of her characters and meet new ones, and what influenced her new story. 

As a debut novelist, Elysia Nates is growing her online presence and learning how social media can help her find new readers.

Links mentioned:

• Written & Directed By Me, Mackenzie, Elysia Nates
• Loving April, Melvin Burgess
• The After Series, Anna Todd
• Ingram Spark
• The Creative Penn
• Normal People, Sally Rooney
• Shelly Mack children's stories

Associated Blog Post:

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What's this episode about:

Diversity is a hot and scary topic for many people.

Diversity it not just about race, it's about gender, sexuality, disability, neuro-divergence and all the other ways human beings differ from one another. It's acknowledging others come from a different background and life experience to yours.

Bethany Tucker talks about her own experiences meeting a diverse mix of people at college and gives us a framework for what 'diverse' is.

Bethany brings the conversation back to literature, highlighting that you write what the 'norm' is within your culture.

We then dive into personal bias and how, as writers, you can increase awareness of your own bias, in both your fiction and your real life. Bethany suggests you start with two questions:

1. Who do you trust?
2. who do you not trust?

Bethany Tucker explains that ingroup/outgroup behaviour is when you change your behaviour to fit in with a group, so you're not seen as 'other'.

To break down your biases, Bethany encourages you to get to know those who are 'other' to you. Read about them or watch movies with those people in them, so in time they stop being 'other' and become human. Find the commonalities.

Should majority writers write about others? Yes, says Bethany Tucker, because literature is one of the ways we create community and who we align with in society.

You have, as writers, the power to change the way society perceives itself. Britain, for example, is no longer a purely English speaking, Caucasian society, and that needs to be reflected in story.

The topic of gender/sexuality is another hot potato, and we discuss how language changes over time and how one term may be right for one person, yet trigger another.

We delve into the world of sensitivity readers and where you can find one. Start with your real-life and virtual community, says Bethany, and work out from there.

Bethany Tucker talks, too, about her upcoming podcast with Mariëlle Smith, which will focus on the many aspects of writing diversity, and how to do it right!

You can find out more by contacting Bethany HERE.

A book will follow later next year.

If you have questions around diversity you'd like to see discussed, let Bethany know HERE.

You can find out about Bethany's own fiction HERE.

You can learn more about Bethany Tucker's editing service here on her website, The Art and Science of Words – Editing; Education; Author Support

Links mentioned in the episode:

• Mexican Dirt, Jeanine Cummins
• Salt & Sage - Sensitivity readers
• Salt & Sage - How to write black characters
• Mariëlle Smith - Author, podcaster, editor
• Adelaide And The Dragon Castle (Adelaide Series Book 1), Mustang Rabbit
• www.reedsy.com

Associate Blog Post:

• https://emmadhesi.com/blog-post/diversity

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What's in this episode:

Science Fiction writer Steve Exten shares his experience of world building. He explains how he mixes his love of history and mythology with future possibilities.

Steve explains what a Reader Magnet is and how it fits into his plans to build his readership. He sites Mark Dawson's Self Publishing 101 as a place of learning and has big plans for his AtomSphere Legacy series.

Steve Exten also shares how he writes in bursts of creativity, rather than having a daily word count.


Links mentioned in the episode:

• Club 5 Eight Zero 6, Steve Exten
• Steve Esten’s mailing list
• Steve Exten - The AtomSphere Legacy Facebook Page
• Self Publishing Formula
• Bernard Cornwell books
• Terry Pratchett books

Associated Blog Post:

• https://emmadhesi.com/blog-post/steve-exten/

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What's in this episode:

Dom Brightmon hosts the podcast Going North! He is a motivational speaker and writer who was first drawn to the world of books when he wanted to make a change in his life. He found himself in the leadership section of the library. Everything changed after that.

He is a passionate advocate for libraries and believes there are as relevant now as they ever were, especially in 2020 with Covid-19 putting a lot of people out of work.

Dom wants to share the benefits of a positive mindset, a skill essential to a successful author career. He uses the RAVE method:

Read good material
Audio emersion
Virtual Stimulation
Encouragement

Dom Brightmon has words of encouragement, especially for Millennials who want to reach their potential.

He shares his productivity strategy and tips for getting started if you've ever thought about starting a podcast.

Find out more about Dom HERE.

You'll find Dom on Facebook, Twitter, IG and YouTube.

Links mentioned in the episode:

• Going North! podcast
• John C. Maxwell books
• Marc Guberti
• Dan Blanchard

Associated blog post:

• https://emmadhesi.com/blog-post/Dom-Brightmon/

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What's in this episode:

Romance writer Cadence Keys explains to me what steamy romance is, and tells me about her LA Wolves series, about American Football's hottest quarterback!

Cadence is rapid releasing the series and explains her strategy.

When we recorded our conversation Cadence was prepping for NaNoWriMo and completing an online course with Mary Buckham.

She talks about how writing sprints have transformed her writing life and productivity and wants you to discover them too!

Cadence also talks to me about her marketing strategy, which I took notes on!

Cadence Keys is a powerhouse of a writer and has so much to teach you in this episode.

Links mentioned in the episode:

• Plottr
• NaNoWriMo
• Mary Buckham
• Alessandra Torre
• Twitter
• Facebook Group - Wide For The Win
• Cadence Keys' website
• Laurelin Paige
• Megan Quinn
• Amy Dodds
• Bet Me, Jennifer Cruise
• Black Tangled Heart, Samantha Young

Find Cadence Keys on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

Associated Blog Post:

• https://emmadhesi.com/blog-post/CadenceKeys

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What's in this episode:

Tasha Hunter is a social worker who works with those who have experienced childhood trauma and women who are experiencing infertility.

Tasha was inspired by Toni Morrison to write her memoir because she didn't see anything on the shelves that reflect, in an honest way, the impact of childhood trauma in adulthood.

She believes pain can be purposeful, that everything we experience in our lives can be used to a higher purpose. If we make that decision.

She shares with you her childhood experiences, her relationship with God and why, 20 years later, she was compelled to write her story in order to help others going through what she did.

This is a must-listen for anyone who has experienced childhood trauma but feels scared to share aspects of their history. Tasha Hunter will give you the courage to tell your story.

If you want to connect with Tasha Hunter you can email her at [email protected].


Links mentioned in the episode:

• What Children Remember, Tasha Hunter
• Tasha Hunter's private practice

Associated blog post:

• https://emmadhesi.com/blog-post/TashaHunter

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What's this episode about:

Eric talks openly about how the biggest and hardest step is pressing 'publish'. He calls it Button Fear!

We discuss how everybody starts with their first book, their first review, and it's a matter of building on those first steps.

Eric shares his secrets to planning and outlining a series. Secrets that will help you figure out how and when to introduce characters later in the series.

Learn how he invents names and terms used within his Traceverse.

Eric doesn't work to word count goals, but to time goals. Flexibility, especially in a pandemic, is critical to his success.

Links mentioned in the episode:

• First Draft Software
• Eric's books on Amazon
• Eric's website
• Save The Cat Writes A Novel, Jessica Brody

Associated blog post:

• https://emmadhesi.com/blog-post/eric-swanson

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What this episode is about:

Wendy May's Regenerative Purpose is a new way of approaching your writing purpose.

Wendy sees purpose as having 4 core elements to it. Purpose is Dynamic, Relational, Experiential and Receptive.

Purpose is Dynamic, it's fluid and changes all the time depending on how you relate to the world around you.

Purpose is Relational and evolves as you move forward in your purpose.

Purpose is Experiential, and rather than being reactive to your world, it's important to be responsive. There's a subtle difference, which Wendy explains.

Purpose is Receptive. Be open to appreciativeness and being valued. Notice those synchronistic connections you make and that align with your purpose.

Wendy illustrates how you can use Regenerative Purpose in your writing life, as well as sharing how she used Kickstarter to fund the publication of her book. You can do the same.

Links mentioned in the episode:

• Kickstarter
• www.regenerativepurpose.com
• www.heywendymay.com

Associated Blog Post

• https://emmadhesi.com/blog-post/wendy-may

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What's this episode about?

Andrea Fink is a 2nd grade teacher, and it was a pupil who encouraged her to pursue her dreams.

Her debut novel, Mask, has been growing and morphing over the past ten years. It was time to put the story down on paper.

She has big plans for the series, including short stories and a spin-off series.

To make room for her writing, Andrea dropped to part-time hours, but with the impact of COVID-19, her plans for 2020 changed. Find out how she pivoted to make the most of her time in quarantine.

Andrea shares how she uses beta-readers as she writes to get feedback as she goes along, and talks to me about her book launch. Because of lockdown, she again had to pivot from a live launch to a virtual one.

Find out how she did it, and what an AMA is.

Links mentioned in the episode:

• Mask, Andrea Fink
• Connect with Andrea Fink on Instagram
• Connect with Andrea Fink on Goodreads

Associated Blog Post:

• https://emmadhesi.com/blog-post/Andrea-Fink

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What's this episode about:

Stewart Gatsi talks about his global travels and why he decided to write his travel memoir. He explains that people can go to the same place and see the same things but experience them in a totally different way. He wanted to share his experience. 

We talk about his influences, how he wrote his memoir and the role journalling played, where he finds his beta readers and his musical career. 

Stewart’s book, Rough Guide To Planet Earth, chronicles his adventures and misadventures starting out in Zimbabwe, then subsequently migrating to the U.S, Cyprus, Dubai, and ultimately a return to Zimbabwe after almost a decade of living abroad. Ensuing events eventually lead to him travelling yet again, with experiences taking him through South Africa, Vietnam, Singapore, Cambodia, Hong Kong and Malaysia.

Links mentioned in the episode:

• Chiluba Musonda
• Rough Guide To Planet Earth

Associate Blog Post:

• https://emmadhesi.com/blog-post/stewart-gatsi/

 

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