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In this episode of Write Out Loud, hosts Matt and Christina explore the therapeutic benefits of writing as a means to process emotions, find closure, and achieve personal growth. They discuss how journaling, fiction writing, and memoirs can be tools for self-discovery and healing. Through touching anecdotes and real-life examples of individuals who have used writing to navigate life's challenges, the hosts illustrate how storytelling transcends mere entertainment, offering profound insights and resilience. 

Tune in to discover how putting pen to paper can be a powerful act of courage and creativity, with transformative impacts on both writers and readers.

00:00 Introduction and Hosts' Banter
01:17 The Healing Power of Writing
02:03 Personal Stories and Examples
03:19 Techniques for Therapeutic Writing
06:49 Impact of Writing on Readers
12:45 Fiction as a Healing Tool
20:10 Encouragement to Create
22:02 Conclusion and Call to Action

 Hey, thanks so much for listening to the podcast. We really hope that you're enjoying every bit of it, but we would love to hear your feedback.  Drop us an email either to [email protected] or [email protected]. We would love to hear your thoughts. What's working, what's not working. And what do you want to hear more of? Thanks so much. We really appreciate it.

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Please share this episode with someone you know who loves romance novels, Susanna Strom, or both!  Also, drop by and give us a rating and a review, would you please?

In this engaging episode of 'Write Out Loud,' hosts Matt and Christina explore the essential elements of crafting a captivating first chapter. Joined by romance author Susanna Strom, they discuss the importance of 'show vs. tell' and share practical tips for grabbing readers' attention from the opening sentence. 

Susanna highlights her experiences and techniques in creating suspenseful and immersive beginnings, including anecdotes from her own writing journey. The episode emphasizes the significance of the editing process and offers insights into different writing styles and strategies to hook readers right from the start.

00:00 Welcome and Introduction
01:42 Special Guest: Susan Strom
02:04 The Art of the First Chapter
03:46 Show vs. Tell: A Writing Journey
06:19 Editing: The Key to a Great Story
08:36 Writing Techniques and Tips
21:27 Susanna Strom's Writing Process
26:39 Conclusion and Farewell

 Hey, thanks so much for listening to the podcast. We really hope that you're enjoying every bit of it, but we would love to hear your feedback.  Drop us an email either to [email protected] or [email protected]. We would love to hear your thoughts. What's working, what's not working. And what do you want to hear more of? Thanks so much. We really appreciate it.

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Share the episode with someone you love!  Write a review of the podcast!  It all goes a long way towards other people discovering the show you love! 

In this episode of Write Out Loud, Matt & Christina delve into the concept of the mystery box, specifically referencing JJ Abrams' TED Talk, 'The Mystery Box.' They discuss its application in storytelling and how it can be used to captivate an audience, using examples from shows like 'Lost,' 'Heroes,' and 'Bridgerton.' The hosts emphasize the importance of keeping some elements of a story shrouded in mystery to maintain engagement, while also occasionally providing answers to keep the audience invested. 

Additionally, they highlight the versatile use of the mystery box across different genres, not just mystery and thriller. The episode concludes with a call to action for writers to consider incorporating this technique into their own work and encourages viewers to check out the show 'Paradise' on Hulu.

 Hey, thanks so much for listening to the podcast. We really hope that you're enjoying every bit of it, but we would love to hear your feedback.  Drop us an email either to [email protected] or [email protected]. We would love to hear your thoughts. What's working, what's not working. And what do you want to hear more of? Thanks so much. We really appreciate it.

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In this episode of 'Write Out Loud,' Matt and Christina discuss the keys to turning a book into a bestseller. Drawing on wisdom, experience, and insights from a Threads post by '@Editor.in.Chief.Writes,' they emphasize the importance of storytelling, emotional resonance, and creative marketing. They argue that while technical perfection isn't necessary, an emotionally gripping narrative is crucial. 

The discussion also highlights how viral moments and strategic marketing can catapult a book to success, using examples like Colleen Hoover and Brandon Sanderson. Finally, they stress the importance of authors believing in their work, being proactive in their marketing efforts, and willing to put in the labor to make their dreams come true.

Here's a link to the full text of the Threads post by @Editor.in.Chief.Writes.

 Hey, thanks so much for listening to the podcast. We really hope that you're enjoying every bit of it, but we would love to hear your feedback.  Drop us an email either to [email protected] or [email protected]. We would love to hear your thoughts. What's working, what's not working. And what do you want to hear more of? Thanks so much. We really appreciate it.

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Hey there!  Don't forget to leave us a rating and a review!  It would SO help us out!  You can do it quickly and easily right on our website by clicking here!

In this episode of 'Write Out Loud,' Matt & Christina reflect on the inspirational journey shared by author Kristen Ashley in the previous episode, highlighting her unwavering belief in herself and her passion for writing. They emphasize the importance of knowing and staying true to your own voice as a writer. 

The discussion transitions into the concept of 'resistance fiction,' exploring how fiction can either reinforce or rebel against the status quo. They introduce the book 'Parable of the Sower' by Octavia Butler as a hallmark of resistance fiction and invite listeners to read along and engage in a future discussion about the book's insights and its relevance to contemporary issues.

 Hey, thanks so much for listening to the podcast. We really hope that you're enjoying every bit of it, but we would love to hear your feedback.  Drop us an email either to [email protected] or [email protected]. We would love to hear your thoughts. What's working, what's not working. And what do you want to hear more of? Thanks so much. We really appreciate it.

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In this episode of 'Write Out Loud,' Matt and Christina welcome bestselling author Kristen Ashley to discuss her prolific writing career. Listeners learn about Kristen's journey from continuous rejections by traditional publishers to achieving enormous success through self-publishing, with over 90 romance novels translated into 14 languages and more than 5 million copies sold worldwide. 

The conversation delves into her creative process, the importance of maintaining her unique voice, and the strategic choices behind her distinctive book covers. Kristen also shares insights on writing first-person perspectives, handling rejection, and the emotional complexities of writing characters and their stories, including her recent release, 'Smooth Sailing.'

You can find more Kristen Ashley on her website and all of her socials below! 

🌏 kristenashley.net
Instagram
Facebook
TikTok
Pinterest
Goodreads
Amazon Author Page
BookBub

 Hey, thanks so much for listening to the podcast. We really hope that you're enjoying every bit of it, but we would love to hear your feedback.  Drop us an email either to [email protected] or [email protected]. We would love to hear your thoughts. What's working, what's not working. And what do you want to hear more of? Thanks so much. We really appreciate it.

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This week, we bring you a replay of a previous episode from a previous season because we had a slight hiccup this week which meant we weren't able to record a new episode.  Here are the show notes from the episode which aired on October 2, 2023.

"It's another week, and this week we're discussing some of the small, easily-missed details you might have spotted if you're eagle-eyed enough to catch them!  These are the little things that add so much to the story but stay out of the way of the story itself.

This week's episode was based on a number of details discussed in Tessa Fahey's Buzzfeed article titled "33 Tiny Heartstopper Details."   So thank you, Tessa, for the assist this week!  Additionally, we have another challenge this week for the writers in the listening audience with regards to just that type of thing...the little details in your story that make all the difference.

Take a moment to share your favorite parts of the episode with us on social media where you'll find us listed as @Writeoutloudpod wherever you do your social media thang!" 

 Hey, thanks so much for listening to the podcast. We really hope that you're enjoying every bit of it, but we would love to hear your feedback.  Drop us an email either to [email protected] or [email protected]. We would love to hear your thoughts. What's working, what's not working. And what do you want to hear more of? Thanks so much. We really appreciate it.

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In this episode of Write Out Loud, Matt & Christina discuss dealing with imposter syndrome now that we know how it manifests. They explore strategies to combat this debilitating mindset and emphasize the importance of recognizing one's worth and the value of unique voices in storytelling. They highlight interviews with notable creatives like Britt Marling, Zal Batmanglij, and Malcolm Gladwell, and the importance of focusing on constructive feedback. 

The conversation also touches on dealing with external and internal criticism, stressing the importance of continuing one's creative endeavors despite negative opinions. The episode concludes with motivational insights for aspiring authors and creators to unleash their potential and share their unique stories without fear of detractors.

 Hey, thanks so much for listening to the podcast. We really hope that you're enjoying every bit of it, but we would love to hear your feedback.  Drop us an email either to [email protected] or [email protected]. We would love to hear your thoughts. What's working, what's not working. And what do you want to hear more of? Thanks so much. We really appreciate it.

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In this episode of 'Write Out Loud,' join hosts, Matt and Christina, as they lay the groundwork for understanding imposter syndrome and its manifestations. Sharing real-life examples, they discuss how feelings of inadequacy can hinder creativity, especially in writing. Emphasizing that recognizing these feelings is a sign of readiness to grow, they highlight the importance of dealing with imposter syndrome. 

This episode sets the stage for practical tools and strategies, promising deeper insights in part two to help listeners level up their writing and creative pursuits.

 Hey, thanks so much for listening to the podcast. We really hope that you're enjoying every bit of it, but we would love to hear your feedback.  Drop us an email either to [email protected] or [email protected]. We would love to hear your thoughts. What's working, what's not working. And what do you want to hear more of? Thanks so much. We really appreciate it.

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Season 4 Kickoff!

In the season four premiere of 'Write Out Loud,' hosts Christina and Matt return with excitement for the season ahead. They preview the upcoming focus on storytelling, writing, and authoring, discussing various topics such as breaking down 'The Last of Us' screenplay, exploring resistance fiction with Octavia Butler's 'Parable of the Sower,' analyzing character development in 'The Bear,' and tackling imposter syndrome. With guest appearances and new perspectives, they promise an engaging and insightful season. The hosts also encourage listener participation and interactions through their website and social media platforms.

 Hey, thanks so much for listening to the podcast. We really hope that you're enjoying every bit of it, but we would love to hear your feedback.  Drop us an email either to [email protected] or [email protected]. We would love to hear your thoughts. What's working, what's not working. And what do you want to hear more of? Thanks so much. We really appreciate it.

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