Writer Craft Podcast

Main Topic: Crowdfunding Your Book: Why Kickstarter Might Be the Perfect Launchpad, with guest J.P. Rindfleisch IX

PATREON:

Thank you to our existing patrons for believing in our work offline and here in the podcast.

Become a patron of the arts at Patreon.com/valerieihsan for books, writing instruction, coaching, and planning. Also, the Planner Plays and Monthly Reflections are always free for all members on my Patreon page. But I don't list them as Public", so click correct tier for updated links, dates, and cancellations.

Go to Patreon.com/strangeairstories for short stories in the paranormal mystery genre.

Magic Mind Mental Performance Shot and Sleep Shot.

Up to 48% off your first subscription or 20% off one time purchases with code

VALERIE20 at checkout

You can claim it at: https://magicmind.com/VALERIE20

Segment 1 (Announcements/Author Updates):

• (Valerie): creating content for marketing, preparing to warm up my ice cold email list by writing three personal stories in letter format to explain my absence and reengage with them, planning a three-part podcast series called The Book You Were Born to Write, so look for that coming up next week.
• Trying to show up on IG every day. (Biz coach recs)
• • Aligned Author: A bespoke book coaching journey for soul-led experts, creatives, and writers ready to channel their life's work into a living, breathing legacy.) I created Aligned Author to provide a sacred space for authors to truly understand what has been holding them back, to learn how to merge the soul with the ego, to live and create in that duality, and to discover their own superpowers.
• JP: 3 months FT author, TikTok shop main stream of income; The Alchemist Baker of Rosen--

• (Erick):
• What are you reading?
• JP: House of Frank (Kay Synclaire)

• Valerie: Just finished: One of Us Knows (Alyssa Cole)
• Your Human Design (Shayna and Dana; DayLuna); The Five-Star Weekend (Elin Hilderbrand)
• (Not ready to give up on them, but struggling to finish them:) Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman; The Year of the Puppy (Alexandra Horowitz) ; The Teller of Small Fortunes Julie Leong
• Erick:
• Segment 2 (Resources/Tips/Tidbits):

• Tidbit #1: • Tidbit #2:

Segment 3 (Main Topic): Talking with guest JP Rindfleisch IX

ABOUT

Hi, I'm JP Rindfleisch IX—author of cozy, queer fantasy and strange fiction where whimsy meets the weird.

My stories often explore grief, transformation, and queer joy, wrapped in a little magic, a dash of mischief, and a whole lot of heart. I'm the author of Mandrake Manor and Mosswood Apothecary. I also co-write NRDS: National Recently Deceased Services, a paranormal comedy series, and the Leah Ackerman Dark Paranormal Academy Series.

I call Rockford, Illinois home, where I founded Rockford Area Writers, a growing community of 80+ local authors and creatives who support each other's craft. When I'm not writing, you can usually find me wandering forest trails, stirring vegan kitchen witchery (potatoes-as-nacho-cheese is a specialty), or hosting writing sprints and cozy chaos over on Twitch as CheshirePope.

I live with a very opinionated husky and an even more talkative African grey parrot. Both have strong opinions about storytelling.

Thanks for stopping by. Make yourself at home—browse the shop, grab a tale (or two), and if you sit still long enough, I just might tell you a story.

Notes:

Let's talk about Kickstarters. Last month you had 338 backers pledge $18,040 for your first kickstarter.

All stretch goals met, funded in seven minutes ($1000)

Why crowdfunding? good feedback and engagement with Tapas (and Kindle Vella). Kickstarter backer himself.

Researched kickstarter by interviewing authors that had done it. Watch the kickstarters and how they interacted.

Sacha Black helped him with good advice. (Find her as author Ruby Roe.)

Campaign planning: tiers need to be financially responsible; stretch goals; What makes it special HERE on KS.

Steps to a Kickstarter (KS):

1. Set up "Notify me on Launch" to collect followers (sudo-preorder) (4 months to a year) Maybe the amount of followers is who pledged? You don't have to have all the pieces ready before hitting "pre" launch.

1.5 (order basic sample copy for physical imagery) before hitting Launch. (Optional)

2. Look for successful models on KS to copy as template. Use Canva for images needed. Six hours to upload copy and photos for all the add ons (backlist). (~20 hours total?)

3. To keep campaign active and live, update often (every two days). On Twitch every day to incentivize and hype. Live streaming on Twitch and IG to pitch fast. Find ways to grab people. Think through livestream campaigns in future so not repeating self. (Can have live stretch-goals and they don't have to be monetary.)

Hype is about showing up. TikToks everyday, and refining what say and ingraining what I want to say.

Productivity streams on Twitch helped practice those talking times in front of camera. Learned how to fill the dead air/space.

4. Backing drives ups the popularity of the campaign. (More backers = shows up in recommendations (for 1st time campaigners), and can get into categories (through review process). Projects we love list is great. Hype or backing helps it gets seen, and then KS sends emails to their list, too.

2nd campaigners get KS to email previous backers that you have a new campaign coming out.

5. Launch time: watching the numbers, handling messages and comments that come in, admin, verbiage changed for unlocks and photo switches, write updates.

Can use page after launch is over as a newsletter sort-of. Add links to updates to invite them to your newsletters. Opt-in to newsletter in final survey.

6. Tiers planning:

Think through what they will be, and how your backers will interact with that.

(Tiers from JP's campaign: Digital, PB special edition, HC special edition, HC with prints and stickers, resellers or clubs 5 copies, HC+painting and print. ) You want super-high tier because most people buy in the middle.

How long to run the campaign? 30 days max. (17-20 days average) Saggy middle/plateaus are common.

Miscellaneous:

Add-ons are different than stretch goals: All your backlist books should be add-ons.

Stretch goals can also fund (unlocked) add-ons.

Wanted to add artwork. Kickstarter helps prove people want your idea. Collector's editions.

Funding goal: what it would cost to print and ship the book. (Could include editing and cover design) Need to cost out the print run for a number to use.

Discoverability: Hard on KS. Twitch fans productivity stream become street team to build following on Kickstarter. Use Kickstarter for Authors FB group. (Like newsletter swaps/literary citizenship.)

Shop: https://shop.jprindfleischix.com

And don't forget:

Go to valerieihsan.com to schedule a free consultation to see if Aligned Author is right for you.

Get 48% off the Magic Mind :

https://magicmind.com/VALERIE20 and use Valerie20 at checkout.

#magicmind #mentalwealth #mentalperformance

Main Topic: Start Your Author Business on a Budget ($0, $200, $500)

Up to 48% off your first subscription or 20% off one time purchases with code

VALERIE20 at checkout

You can claim it at: https://magicmind.com/VALERIE20

#magicmind #mentalwealth #mentalperformance

PATREON:

Thank you to our existing patrons for believing in our work offline and here in the podcast.

Become a patron of the arts at Patreon.com/valerieihsan for books, writing instruction, coaching, and planning. Also, the Planner Plays and Monthly Reflections are always free for all members on my Patreon page. But I don't list them as Public", so click correct tier for updated links, dates, and cancellations. I just put up a new schedule last week for the upcoming months.

Go to Patreon.com/strangeairstories for short stories in the paranormal mystery genre.

Segment 1 (Announcements/Author Updates):

• (Valerie): creating content for marketing, preparing to warm up my ice cold email list by writing three personal stories in letter format to explain my absence and reengage with them.
• • Aligned Author: A bespoke book coaching journey for soul-led experts, creatives, and writers ready to channel their life's work into a living, breathing legacy.) I created Aligned Author to provide a sacred space for authors to truly understand what has been holding them back, to learn how to merge the soul with the ego, to live and create in that duality, and to discover their own super powers.

• (Erick): Shadow Signals for sale now; June busy (scheduling new clients, finishing anthology); vacation planning; republishing a book
• What are you reading?

• Valerie:
• How to Read a Book (Monica Wood)
• (Not ready to give up on them, but struggling to finish them:) Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman; The Year of the Puppy (Alexandra Horowitz) ; The Teller of Small Fortunes Julie Leong
• Erick: A Wounded Deer Leaps Highest (Charlie J. Stephens) ; the Shivers series on audio (short horror); Strange Pictures (mystery); Between Two Fires (Christopher Bueman)
• Segment 2 (Resources/Tips/Tidbits):

• Tidbit #1: • Tidbit #2:

Segment 3 (Main Topic): Budget Author Business (Three Tiers: $0, $200, $500)

What is moving the needle today? Leverage what you have. Ask for favors/trades.

$0 + sweat equity: LinkedIn or Medium for web presence/blog; free mailchimp landing page and mailing list; reader magnet (pdf, royalty-free stock image); FB professional page as website for short time; active on social media, Reddit, online forums, FB groups, Slack, Discord (needs thick skin and a sense of value).

$200 + sweat equity: website (domain name and free theme) ($100); mailchimp (free); branding (free Canva); reader magnet with cover ($100); (any leftover $ for ads education for visibility)

$500 + sweat equity: website ($150), mailerlite/converkit ($100), reader magnet w/ professional cover (stock) ($50-100 + sweat equity); branding (CanvaPro, headshot), or education (learn how to optimize, ads course)

And don't forget:

Go to valerieihsan.com to schedule a free consultation to see if Aligned Author is right for you.

Get 48% off the Magic Mind :

https://magicmind.com/VALERIE20 and use Valerie20 at checkout.

#magicmind #mentalwealth #mentalperformance

Episode 190 of the podcast and it's June 11, 2025 as we record this.

Main Topic: Embrace the Chaos and Boredom of Summer

Up to 48% off your first subscription or 20% off one time purchases with code

VALERIE20 at checkout

You can claim it at: https://magicmind.com/VALERIE20

#magicmind #mentalwealth #mentalperformance

PATREON:

Thank you to our existing patrons for believing in our work offline and here in the podcast.

Become a patron of the arts at Patreon.com/valerieihsan for books, writing instruction, coaching, and planning. Also, the Planner Plays and Monthly Reflections are always free for all members on my Patreon page. But I don't list them as Public", so click correct tier for updated links, dates, and cancellations. I just put up a new schedule last week for the upcoming months.

Go to Patreon.com/strangeairstories for short stories in the paranormal mystery genre.

Segment 1 (Announcements/Author Updates):

• (Valerie):
• • Aligned Author: A bespoke book coaching journey for soul-led experts, creatives, and writers ready to channel their life's work into a living, breathing legacy.) I created Aligned Author to provide a sacred space for authors to truly understand what has been holding them back, to learn how to merge the soul with the ego, to live and create in that duality, and to discover their own super powers.

• (Erick): Shadow Signals for sale now; preplanning for the summer, "screw around" days on the river, finishing energy on the little things before they fall through the cracks
• What are you reading?

• Valerie:
• How to Read a Book (Monica Wood)
• (Not ready to give up on them, but struggling to finish them:) Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman; The Year of the Puppy (Alexandra Horowitz) ; The Teller of Small Fortunes Julie Leong
• Erick: A Wounded Deer Leaps Highest (Charlie J. Stephens) ; the Shivers series on audio (short horror); Strange Pictures (mystery)
• Segment 2 (Resources/Tips/Tidbits):

• Tidbit #1: • Tidbit #2:

Segment 3 (Main Topic): Chaos of summer is real

And don't forget:

Go to valerieihsan.com to schedule a free consultation to see if Aligned Author is right for you.

Get 48% off the Magic Mind :

https://magicmind.com/VALERIE20 and use Valerie20 at checkout.

#magicmind #mentalwealth #mentalperformance

Next episode:

Find Us:

Valerie's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/valerieihsan (Find Passion Planner discount codes here.)

Erick's Linktree link: https://linktr.ee/erickmertzauthor

Patreons:

https://patreon.com/valerieihsan

https://patreon.com/strangeairmysteries

Tools:

ProWriting Aid: https://prowritingaid.com/?afid=9378 (affiliate link)

Using Unconventional Thinking to Tackle Creative Blocks with guest David Carson

Up to 48% off your first subscription or 20% off one time purchases with code

VALERIE20 at checkout

You can claim it at: https://magicmind.com/VALERIE20

#magicmind #mentalwealth #mentalperformance

PATREON:

Thank you to our existing patrons for believing in our work offline and here in the podcast.

Become a patron of the arts at Patreon.com/valerieihsan for books, writing instruction, coaching, and planning. Also, the Planner Plays and Monthly Reflections are always free for all members on my Patreon page. But I don't list them as Public", so click correct tier for updated links, dates, and cancellations. I just put up a new schedule last week for the upcoming months.

Go to Patreon.com/strangeairstories for short stories in the paranormal mystery genre.

Segment 1 (Announcements/Author Updates):

• (Valerie): catching up from being in Florida. Book club. Cleaned my son's kitchen, dog training started, email past retreat participants to personally invite them to the new coaching program.
• • Aligned Author: A bespoke book coaching journey for soul-led experts, creatives, and writers ready to channel their life's work into a living, breathing legacy.) I created Aligned Author to provide a sacred space for authors to truly understand what has been holding them back, to learn how to merge the soul with the ego, to live and create in that duality, and to discover their own super powers.
• • Creating a new freebie for my mailing list and patrons (patrons always get everything 1st, even before the mailing list subscribers). It's a three-part micro masterclass on story structure, character arc, and universal truth stmt/theme

• (Erick): Shadow Signals for sale now; publishing anthology soon; updating back
• Fake My Run for Strava; Much Music (from Canada); Fuse (MTV competitor)

What are you reading?

• Valerie:
• How to Read a Book (Monica Wood)
• (Not ready to give up on them, but struggling to finish them:) Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman; The Year of the Puppy (Alexandra Horowitz) ; The Teller of Small Fortunes Julie Leong
• Erick: A Wounded Deer Leaps Highest (Charlie J. Stephens)
• David: 831 Stories (Comedic Timing) The Case Against Reality (Donald Hoffman) The Weirdest People in the World; N+1 (The Pirates of Ayahuasca: That Shaman Stole My Personality)
• • Segment 2 (Resources/Tips/Tidbits):

• Tidbit #1: • Tidbit #2:

Segment 3 (Main Topic): Using Unconventional Thinking to Tackle Creative Blocks

David Carson is an entrepreneur and marketing innovator whose groundbreaking companies and products have impacted millions worldwide. Renowned for his expertise in creative thinking, Carson has collaborated with global giants like American Express, Nike, Coca-Cola, and IKEA, as well as cutting-edge advertising agencies including Mother and Ogilvy. His unconventional approach has not only shaped iconic brands but also challenged traditional notions of problem-solving in business and beyond.

Dumb-Thinking makes you smarter. "Smart" prevents the creative thinking. Strive to have "dumb ideas."

Exercises to teach brain to think of dumb ideas: ways to think

Example: George Castanza Model (Do the Opposite of Everything you typically do)

How develop that curiosity?

Creation: What if? To follow the curiosity. It may seem absurd, but go deeper. Make it worse.

Improv (Yes, And for collaborating)

Use Chat GPT as a collaborator. It wants to be "smart," to make them "illogical": what is a commonality between extreme ideas, or create a new idea from two opposite things.

Colab Culture. If it's weird enough, it gets me curious. Lean in.

Example: Make it Worse (to create new things, learned how to NOT do it, shake up brain)

When start projects, start with mental models first, what you've written isn't that precious, too afraid to change it.

Test the dumb idea with feedback. What's the fastest way to test? Tik-tok, open mic, writing group, social media ads, reddit,

Dumbify: summer

Podcast: Dumbify (dumb ideas that have changed culture)

The Weird and the Eerie

Mask under a mask as a plot device.

Sign up for David's Newsletter: Dumbify (David-carson.com)

Look for the podcast next month or two, and the book this summer.

And don't forget:

Go to valerieihsan.com to schedule a free consultation to see if Aligned Author is right for you.

Get 48% off the Magic Mind :

https://magicmind.com/VALERIE20 and use Valerie20 at checkout.

#magicmind #mentalwealth #mentalperformance

Next episode:

Find Us:

Valerie's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/valerieihsan (Find Passion Planner discount codes here.)

Erick's Linktree link: https://linktr.ee/erickmertzauthor

Patreons:

https://patreon.com/valerieihsan

https://patreon.com/strangeairmysteries

Tools:

ProWriting Aid: https://prowritingaid.com/?afid=9378 (affiliate link)

Up to 48% off your first subscription or 20% off one time purchases with code

VALERIE20 at checkout

You can claim it at: https://magicmind.com/VALERIE20

#magicmind #mentalwealth #mentalperformance

PATREON:

Thank you to our existing patrons for believing in our work offline and here in the podcast.

Become a patron of the arts at Patreon.com/valerieihsan for books, writing instruction, coaching, and planning. Also, the Planner Plays and Monthly Reflections are always free for all members on my Patreon page. But I don't list them as Public", so click correct tier for updated links, dates, and cancellations. I just put up a new schedule last week for the upcoming months.

Go to Patreon.com/strangeairstories for short stories in the paranormal mystery genre.

Segment 1 (Announcements/Author Updates):

• (Valerie): worked on Structure and Spark . It's been great getting back into writing again. I didn't understand that burnout was stopping me before. I want to do a bit more journaling on who my ideal reader in for this book. It's for new writers writing fiction? Or for a spiritual entrepreneur ready to scale their business even higher and wider and write a book for their audience. More than a Book as Business Card; more of a calling to share everything they know on their subject.
• (V) I dabbled in a trunk novel looking for writing samples and examples for Structure book.
• (V) updating my website copy and shopping cart; refining my 1:1 book coaching offer (called Aligned Author: A bespoke book coaching journey for soul-led experts, creatives, and writers ready to channel their life's work into a living, breathing legacy.), I created Aligned Author to provide a sacred space for authors to truly understand what has been holding them back, to learn how to merge the soul with the ego, to live and create in that duality, and to discover their own super powers. and created a FABULOUS VIP package for it too. I hope someone gets in there and invests in themselves in this way because it would be so fun to work with someone in that close proximity for the year really.
• Creating a new freebie for my mailing list and patrons (patrons always get everything 1st, even before the mailing list subscribers). It's a three-part micro masterclass on story structure, character arc, and universal truth stet/theme
• got back from Florida last night
• thinking about IG content, showing up more on my stories there, and thinking of different ways to reach my target audience/ideal client avatar.

• (Erick): Shadow Signals for sale now.

What are you reading?

• Valerie: finished The Three Lives of Cate Kay (Kate Fagan) and The Amalfi Curse (Sarah Penner) and The Paris Novel (Ruth Reichl) and now reading Sisters of Sweetwater Fury (Kinley Bryan)
• (Not ready to give up on them, but struggling to finish them:) Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman; The Year of the Puppy (Alexandra Horowitz) ; The Teller of Small Fortunes Julie Leong
• Erick:
• • Segment 2 (Resources/Tips/Tidbits):

• Tidbit #1: • Tidbit #2:

Segment 3 (Main Topic): What is Book Coaching?

"In the 19th century, editors worked closely with authors over long periods, helping them shape their narratives and stay accountable to the work. As publishing has evolved—splintering into traditional, hybrid, and self-publishing models—this kind of deep, sustained editorial relationship has become rare within publishing houses. Enter the book coach: part developmental editor, part strategist, part mentor. Much like the editors of the past, a modern book coach helps the writer clarify their vision, navigate doubts, refine structure and voice, and bring the book to completion—often walking with them from blank page to published work. In this way, the book coach is not just a modern convenience, but a revival of an old, sacred role."

And don't forget: Get 48% off the Magic Mind :

https://magicmind.com/VALERIE20 and use Valerie20 at checkout.

#magicmind #mentalwealth #mentalperformance

Next episode:

Find Us:

Valerie's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/valerieihsan (Find Passion Planner discount codes here.)

Erick's Linktree link: https://linktr.ee/erickmertzauthor

Patreons:

https://patreon.com/valerieihsan

https://patreon.com/strangeairmysteries

Main Topic: Anti-Hustle Culture with guests Rachel May and Emily Golden, book coaches and editors at Golden May Editing, and podcast hosts of the Story Magic podcast.

Up to 48% off your first subscription or 20% off one time purchases with code

VALERIE20 at checkout

You can claim it at: https://magicmind.com/VALERIE20

#magicmind #mentalwealth #mentalperformance

PATREON:

Thank you to our existing patrons for believing in our work offline and here in the podcast.

Become a patron of the arts at Patreon.com/valerieihsan for books, writing instruction, coaching, and planning. Go to Patreon.com/strangeairstories for short stories in the paranormal mystery genre.

Segment 1 (Announcements/Author Updates):

• (Valerie): revamped website
• Emily: ARC just came in "Crimson Tide: Up in Molten Lights", 20K in to new book;
• Rachel: revising third book is slower than planned.

• (Erick): Preorder up for Shadow Signals , front and back matter done

What are you reading?

• Valerie: How To Be Old: Lessons in Living Boldly from the Accidental Icon (Lyn Slater)
• (Not ready to give up on them, but struggling to finish them:) Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman; The Year of the Puppy (Alexandra Horowitz) ; The Teller of Small Fortunes Julie Leong
• Erick:
• Mr. Mercedes (Stephen King), The Autopsy: Best Weird Stories of Michael Shea, (Daniel Clowes) Patience
• Rachel: Cassie Mint's new book, Wild Peak; the stack is waiting
• Emily: Assistant to the Villain (Hannah Nicole Maehrer)

• Segment 2 (Resources/Tips/Tidbits):

• Tidbit #1: • Tidbit #2:

Segment 3 (Main Topic): Years ago, in the days before COVID, they met on Twitter through the #WritingCommunity hashtag. As fantasy writers, they immediately hit it off through beta reading each other's work, which evolved into critique partnering, and then a mutual fascination with writing craft. They became obsessed with learning a) how stories worked, and b) how writers' mindsets could help or harm their progress. Together they dove head first into book coaching and editing training, which ultimately resulted in Golden May. Please welcome Rachel and Emily.

Value is based in what you produce = hustle culture

Pitfalls of hunger to create and make an impact on world.

Make money, make a lot, make it fast

Sustainable success comes from the opposite place

Mindset is more important, untangle perfectionism and hustle culture

Generational/societal = capitalism ranked over all; "You are only valuable and worthy if you make money."

You can't rest because ...

If you do more, you make more money. We aren't machines. Burnout. Less effective. Care for yourself so you CAN work.

Mindset breeds shame is what drives the hustle culture .

Anti-hustle is about separating mindset from the "norm."

What did you do to separate and feel worthy?

1. Come down to earth: what are the stakes? Writing is not life/death situation. If I don't ..., then I'm not worthy and I'm gonna die. (Start reframe it)

2. Awareness. Hustle culture. Learn the opposite. (Amy McNee - We Need Your Art) Ask where these thoughts are coming from? Follow the threads. Reparenting inner child. Catch the thoughts in the moment. What's my programming? 1st thought: programming, 2nd thought: what I really believe. Talking to coworkers and family about "letting them down."

3. Join a community interested in anti-hustle. Reframe daily.

4. Devon Price "Laziness Does Not Exist", "Burnout" (Nagaski sisters)

5. Affirmations

6. What is your brain trying to tell you?

Rest is a learned thing. The Power of Ritual (Casper ter Kuile)

We all rest differently.

The tenants of anti-hustle culture:

Worth is not tied to our output.

Your success isn't determined by someone else's standards.

Body and Brain deserve rest.

"I don't have time to learn how to rest." Learned how to be productive in your body.

tenaciouswriting.com

goldenmayediting.com

Story magic podcast

IG @tenaciouswriting

And don't forget: Get 48% off the Magic Mind :

https://magicmind.com/VALERIE20 and use Valerie20 at checkout.

#magicmind #mentalwealth #mentalperformance

Next episode:

Find Us:

Valerie's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/valerieihsan (Find Passion Planner discount codes here.)

Erick's Linktree link: https://linktr.ee/erickmertzauthor

Patreons:

https://patreon.com/valerieihsan

https://patreon.com/strangeairmysteries

Tools:

ProWriting Aid: https://prowritingaid.com/?afid=9378 (affiliate link)

Main Topic: Elements of a Nonfiction Book (Starts at 16:55)

Up to 48% off your first subscription or 20% off one time purchases with code

VALERIE20 at checkout

You can claim it at: https://magicmind.com/VALERIE20

#magicmind #mentalwealth #mentalperformance

PATREON:

Thank you to our existing patrons for believing in our work offline and here in the podcast.

Become a patron of the arts at Patreon.com/valerieihsan for books, writing instruction, coaching, and planning. Go to Patreon.com/strangeairstories for short stories in the paranormal mystery genre.

Segment 1 (Announcements/Author Updates):

• (Valerie): learning IG Stories from @tidalbaymedia (Kat), updated passport, new Chiro, monthly reflection, carport, now buy print

• (Erick): Preorder up for Shadow Signals , ARCS out in the morning, back/front matter to write, re-release Witness accounts with new fresh content, experiment with going Wide on the print

What are you reading?

• Valerie: How To Be Old: Lessons in Living Boldly from the Accidental Icon (Lyn Slater)
• (Not ready to give up on them, but struggling to finish them:) Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman; The Year of the Puppy (Alexandra Horowitz) ; The Teller of Small Fortunes Julie Leong
• Erick:
• Mr. Mercedes (Stephen King),

Main Topic: 3 arcs in every book (begins at 15:31)

Up to 48% off your first subscription or 20% off one time purchases with code

VALERIE20 at checkout

You can claim it at: https://magicmind.com/VALERIE20

#magicmind #mentalwealth #mentalperformance

PATREON:

Thank you to our existing patrons for believing in our work offline and here in the podcast.

Become a patron of the arts at Patreon.com/valerieihsan for books, writing instruction, coaching, and planning. Go to Patreon.com/strangeairstories for short stories in the paranormal mystery genre.

Segment 1 (Announcements/Author Updates):

• (Valerie): writing How to Write a Novel (ask ChatGPT for new title), homework from the business coach, thinking about content creation and refining my book coaching offer; back pain

• (Erick): Trunk "shopping" for summer work = Witness accounts. Book a retreat for world-building. Preorder up for Shadow Signals (cover from Miblart)

What are you reading?

• Valerie: The Stars and Their Light (Olivia Hawker)
• (Not ready to give up on them, but struggling to finish them:) Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman; The Year of the Puppy (Alexandra Horowitz) ; The Teller of Small Fortunes Julie Leong
• Erick:
• Mr. Mercedes (Stephen King), Somna (gn) (Becky Cloonan)

• Segment 2 (Resources/Tips/Tidbits):

• Tidbit #1: • Tidbit #2:

Segment 3 (Main Topic):

The Three Narrative Arcs (Bill Kenower)

The Physical Arc (Story arc, plot, what happens in the book)

Character/Emotional arc (how the character changes)

Intentional Arc (Thematic arc)

Narrative arc (how the story is told)

If problems with character (flat, 2 dimensional, "Just didn't connect with them"):

Add inner dialogue for tension and character motivation;

Make sure your emotional arc is solid. (Character + Flaw + Death of Flaw at end = Character/Emotional Arc)

And don't forget: Get 48% off the Magic Mind :

https://magicmind.com/VALERIE20 and use Valerie20 at checkout.

#magicmind #mentalwealth #mentalperformance

Next episode:

Find Us:

Valerie's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/valerieihsan (Find Passion Planner discount codes here.)

Erick's Linktree link: https://linktr.ee/erickmertzauthor

Main Topic: The Confidence Paradox with guest Angus Nelson

Up to 48% off your first subscription or 20% off one time purchases with code

VALERIE20 at checkout

You can claim it at: https://magicmind.com/VALERIE20

#magicmind #mentalwealth #mentalperformance

PATREON:

Thank you to our existing patrons for believing in our work offline and here in the podcast.

Become a patron of the arts at Patreon.com/valerieihsan for books, writing instruction, coaching, and planning. Go to Patreon.com/strangeairstories for short stories in the paranormal mystery genre.

Segment 1 (Announcements/Author Updates):

• (Valerie): writing, gardening, homework from the business coach
• Angus: daughter just moved to Portugal a block away

• (Erick) Writing new novella. Great client meetings. Preorder up for Shadow Signals (cover from Miblart)

What are you reading?

• Valerie: Shadow Signals (Erick Mertz) The Stars and Their Light (Olivia Hawker)
• (Not ready to give up on them, but struggling to finish them:) Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman; The Year of the Puppy (Alexandra Horowitz) ; The Teller of Small Fortunes Julie Leong
• Erick:
• Houses of the Unholy (gn) Tender is the Flesh (horror) (Agustina Bazterrica)
• (Angus:) The Art of Possibility (Rosemund Zander and Benjamin Zander)

• Segment 2 (Resources/Tips/Tidbits):

• Tidbit #1: automated email sequences
• Tidbit #2: Notes App (writing)
• Angus's tips: use AI to write; helped me see perspectives I couldn't see. Prompt it to be a bestselling NY Times editor. What would you say about this passage? (Jeff Goins was his book coach.)

Segment 3 (Main Topic):

Confidence Paradox

Waiting for something. If I was only more ... confident.

What if I just believe in myself?

The book will write you. Rising to a different level.

Let your power be seen.

Stories we tell ourselves.

1. Inputs: What are you listening to? (News, sports, agitation, layoffs) We are in failure mode, scarcity mindset, all the time. Affects how I see myself. Living by default vs. intentionally decoupling self from negative stimuli.

2. Change the environment. Give yourself the permission to be the self I want to be. Letting go. What are you holding on to from the past?

TODAY = The Only Day Actually Yours

Go from limitation to possibility.

We tell ourselves changing will take a long time and be really hard. But that's just a story. "It doesn't matter." What matters is I choose to be this.

10x is easier than 2x (Book rec by Dan Sullivan and Dr. Benjamin Hardy)

Burnout based on story: not worthy, don't have what it takes.

Need for external validation.

Self love/ self grace (Reset days, cheat days, every phase of growth requires altering mindset)

5-8 weeks for transformations

3 month sprints alter the narrative, upgrade iOS in brain.

Methodology:

Experience the feeling you want to become.

Powerful motherfucker.

Culture of perpetual failure.

Embodiment:

Just Be Free.

Let me do me.

Angusnelson.com

Free mini course: Message him the word "Activated" and he'll send it to you.

And don't forget: Get 48% off the Magic Mind :

https://magicmind.com/VALERIE20 and use Valerie20 at checkout.

#magicmind #mentalwealth #mentalperformance

Next episode:

Find Us:

Valerie's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/valerieihsan (Find Passion Planner discount codes here.)

Erick's Linktree link: https://linktr.ee/erickmertzauthor

Patreons:

https://patreon.com/valerieihsan

https://patreon.com/strangeairmysteries

Tools:

ProWriting Aid: https://prowritingaid.com/?afid=9378 (affiliate link)

Up to 48% off your first subscription or 20% off one time purchases with code

VALERIE20 at checkout

You can claim it at: https://magicmind.com/VALERIE20

#magicmind #mentalwealth #mentalperformance

PATREON:

Thank you to our existing patrons for believing in our work offline and here in the podcast.

Become a patron of the arts at Patreon.com/valerieihsan for books, writing instruction, coaching, and planning. Go to Patreon.com/strangeairstories for short stories in the paranormal mystery genre.

Segment 1 (Announcements/Author Updates):

• (Valerie) taxes are done,

• (Erick) taxes are done! Preorder up for Shadow Signals (cover from Miblart)

What are you reading?

• Valerie: In the Dream House (Carmen Maria Machado) Broken Open (Martha Gies) Shadow Signals (Erick Mertz)
• (Not ready to give up on them, but struggling to finish them:) Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman; The Year of the Puppy (Alexandra Horowitz) ; The Teller of Small Fortunes Julie Leong
• Erick: (Claytemple Media podcast; (Laird Barron) The Imago Sequence and Other Stories

• Segment 2 (Resources/Tips/Tidbits):

• Tidbit #1: ChatGPT for not-writing ways; (tape defect 2 second warble)
• Tidbit #2:
• Segment 3 (Mindset-Craft-Biz Check):

Segment 4 (Main Topic):

Listen to people talking as an exercise

Great first lines (Oh, that where this fits..)

What I want to say is:

My name used to be:

For learning a new skill:

Free writing/journaling/morning pages

And don't forget: Get 48% off the Magic Mind :

https://magicmind.com/VALERIE20 and use Valerie20 at checkout.

#magicmind #mentalwealth #mentalperformance

Next episode: Angus Nelson on burnout and confidence

Find Us:

Valerie's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/valerieihsan (Find Passion Planner discount codes here.)

Erick's Linktree link: https://linktr.ee/erickmertzauthor

Patreons:

https://patreon.com/valerieihsan

https://patreon.com/strangeairmysteries

Tools:

ProWriting Aid: https://prowritingaid.com/?afid=9378 (affiliate link)