Writer Craft Podcast

Announcements:

• 2024 Writer Craft Writing Retreat and Workshop registration open; https://valerieihsan.com/retreat (Day Passes $400) I've got four spaces left.
• Burnout Recovery Series on Patreon, and part of my recovery is the addition of The Artist's Way. I'll be hosting a creative cluster via Zoom, starting Aug 8, Thursday, 10am-noon Pacific. It's a 12 week program, AND a bonus cluster meeting next week on the 1st to go over the intro and basic tools. Only for my patrons, so go over and pick out a tier. You'd need to attend live for how the sharing and caring is done, and there will not be replays. Instead, for those that can't attend live, I'll be posting in the Patron Community about my growth and inviting you to share yours in the comments. What's your experience with The Artist's Way?

• I'm reading: Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman. And A Certain Kind of Starlight by Heather Webber.

• Thunder Song by Sasha taqŵšeblu LaPointe
• The Entire Sky by Joe Wilkins

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.

Announcements:

• 2024 Writer Craft Writing Retreat and Workshop registration open; https://valerieihsan.com/retreat (Day Passes $400)
• Three Story Method: Writing How-To Books out now.
• Focus and Finish: Goal-Setting and Strategic Planning for Writers (First in Series; out now.)
• Black Springs Saga Book 1 out now (it's the prequel) 99 cents (Accidental Stranger Book 2 preorder this coming week)
• SWWC and Write in the Harbor (Erick teaching.) (Valerie will be at Write in the Harbor this year, too!)
• Host of Ghost Story Weekend for Wordcrafters. (Erick)

Author Update:

Erick:

• Valerie:
• back much better (still stiff) and knee improving, but slow; seeing the need to focus on my health needs (physical and mental)
• speaking Alaska Writers Guild conference in Anchorage in October and Write on the Sound in Gig Harbor, WA in November.
• Working with my Burnout Recovery plan; Updates through my Patreon page.

• I'm reading:
• (Gina's Reads) "But Everyone Feels This Way" Paige Layle - memoir on autism diagnosis; "Quit" Annie Duke

• Thunder Song by Sasha taqŵšeblu LaPointe
• The Entire Sky by Joe Wilkins

Erick:

Notes:

Main Topic starts at 17:25.

https://ginasoldano.com/author-spotlight-valerie-ihsan/ (Valerie's Author Spotlight feature on Gina's blog)

Getting to the Heart of Why We Write (Gina's podcast)

The Curious Compassionate (marketing podcast for children's books) with currated booklist

Nia's Rescue Box (50% of profits go to Colorado Food Rescue)

Food Rescue U.S. (national)

Noise cancelling headphones

Writing short

Organized folders in Google and date every document (DATETitle.docx)

Type with thumbs.

Know what project I'm working on.

Think about it first (a lot).

Leave the sentence open (notes for rest of scene).

Prefer writing memoir or essays and middle-grade fantasy (faves), but picture books are easy right now for those stolen moments.

Writing in multiple genres not a choice. Have stories and ideas in brain. Have to get them out. Direction of energy is career and curiosity led. Focusing on picture book and middle grade (rather than memoir and novels) right now.

Would like to be more focused in my direction: querying and direct submissions.

Drafting emails and query moments during the screaming moments. Admin on laptop at couch.

Things that work for me:

Grace. Bullet journaling. Lists on post-it notes, less stressful to move the list than rewriting the list on a new day.

Daydreaming and stickers.

The Practice by Seth Godin (Your work needs to rhyme with itself.)

Ginasoldano.com

Podcast, all the socials, IG @gina.soldano, Substack, (check out new Core Connected Marketing/Substack)

Find Us:

Valerie's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/valerieihsan

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

Patreons:

https://patreon.com/valerieihsan

https://patreon.com/strangeairmysteries

Tools:

Passion Planner: https://passionplanner.rfrl.co/e86j8 (affiliate link) Discount Code: VALERIE150

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

Resources:

"How to write an eavesdropping scene" on Erick's blog

Reading Critique Group for Writers FB Group (Jennie Komp's group)

3 Bird View FB page (Jennie Komp's business page)

Author XP (marketing for authors) (bi-monthly promotions)

Raven Publicity (publicity for authors)

The Shades of Orange (Rachel, Book Blogger on YouTube) for book recommendations SF/Fantasy/Horror

Contact Erick for business-starting advice or building a website.

Contact Valerie for author coaching.

Thomas Umstattd Jr, at Novel Marketing Podcast. Ep255: How to Create an Email Onboarding Drip Campaign

Russell P. Nohelty and Monica Leonelle's book, Get Your Book Selling on Kickstarter.

Balance meditation app.

• Story Rubric version 1.1 and podcast episode.
• Three Story Method worksheet

Book Recs for writing/creativity/business:

• Thinking in Pictures by John Sayles

• Take Off Your Pants: Outline Your Books for Faster, Better Writing by Libbie Hawker
• Story Hypothesis: A Writer's Guide to Crafting Resonating Stories by JP Rindfleisch IX
• Fast-Draft Your Memoir: Write Your Life Story in 45 Hours by Rachael Herron
• Three Story Method: Foundations in Fiction by J.Thorn and Zach Bohannon
• The Anatomy of a Best Seller by Sacha Black
• Slow Productivity by Cal Newport

Listener comment: suggestion to timestamp if the video is about a specific thing (Main Topic starts at 24:58)

Announcements:

• PNW inspired horror [email protected]; Submissions closed. Reading stories now.
• 2024 Writer Craft Writing Retreat and Workshop registration open; https://valerieihsan.com/retreat (Day Passes $400)
• Three Story Method: Writing How-To Books out now.
• Focus and Finish: Goal-Setting and Strategic Planning for Writers (First in Series; out now.)
• Black Springs Saga Book 1 out now (it's the prequel) 99 cents (Accidental Stranger Book 2 preorder this coming week)
• SWWC and Write in the Harbor (Erick teaching.) (Valerie will be at Write in the Harbor this year, too!)
• Host of Ghost Story Weekend for Wordcrafters. (Erick)
• featured on KBOO radio (link coming soon)

Author Update:

Erick:

• launched new book series (Black Springs Saga)
• writing and client work
• list of short stories for the summer
• Valerie:
• back much better (still stiff) and knee improving, but slow (ultrasound tomorrow); seeing the need to focus on my health needs (physical and mental)
• speaking Alaska Writers Guild conference in Anchorage in October and Write on the Sound in Gig Harbor, WA in November.
• Working with my Burnout Recovery plan; Updates through my Patreon page.

• I'm reading:

• Thunder Song by Sasha taqŵšeblu LaPointe
• In a Dark, Dark Wood by Ruth Ware
• The Manor House Governess by C.A. Castle

Erick:

• Cold Victory by Karl Marlantes
• You Like it Darker Stephen King
• Anders Fager "Grandma's Journey" Swedish Cults (HP Lovecraft on acid)

Notes:

Imagery can be intimidating if you think it has to be beautiful, flowery, lurid, prose. Think more realistic expectations.

It's a tool. Imagery as tone setting. Character interacting with environment. Relevant to the action. More vivid images.

Use concrete sensory images to "explain" feelings.

Get unique with imagery. Use different senses besides visual.

Layer senses. Work in reverse in heightened scenes (tactile first?). Maximize effect. Cinematic thing. Sound cue, reaction cue, visual cue.

Cliches come from not having a grasp of a moment or character when use simile. Remember to use character's POV, not yours. Metaphor is more powerful than simile, often. Imagery progresses from simile to metaphor (personal style choice), character development. Using the old comparisons to make sense of the new thing, but as they continue exploring the new, it becomes more metaphor than simile.

The movie in my head will always be different than the reader's movie.

Set up imagery so the reader is allowed to watch their own movie.

Co-create with your reader.

Find the balance. Fresh but familiar.

Imagery can be (should be?) intentional. Happy accidents. ;-) What's new and unique? How can I riff on that?

Find Us:

Valerie's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/valerieihsan

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

Main Topic: Discovery Writing with KimBoo York

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.

Announcements:

• PNW inspired horror [email protected]; Submissions closed. Reading stories now.
• Garden Home Community Library Writers Series "Self Publishing Success" June 25 gardenhomelibrary.org
• 2024 Writer Craft Writing Retreat and Workshop registration open; https://valerieihsan.com/retreat (Day Passes $400)
• Three Story Method: Writing How-To Books out now.
• Focus and Finish: Goal-Setting and Strategic Planning for Writers (First in Series)
• Focus and Finish Group Coaching Cohort
• Black Springs Saga Book 1 out now (it's the prequel) 99 cents (Accidental Stranger Book 2 preorder this coming week)

Author Update:

Erick:

• launched new book series (Black Springs Saga)
• June 21st, Importance of Telling Your Story. 90.7 FM KBOO Erick 9am-10am
• frustrated with the stories coming in (writers are not listening to submission requirements)
• Valerie:
• injured, humping along
• speaking Alaska Writers Guild conference in October
• Moose's Tooth Pizza (Erick recommends I eat there.)

• I'm reading:

• Thunder Song by Sasha taqŵšeblu LaPointe

Erick:

• Cold Victory by Karl Marlantes

KimBoo York is reading: Nirvana in Fire (English translation) (This is the graphic novel/manga version.)

Notes:

Writing fan fiction helped [KimBoo] come into her own voice and writing process.

Discovery writing is a technique.

Leaning into your curiosity.

Writing into the Dark (Dean Wesley Smith)

Can intuitive writers use it?

Dear Writer, Are you intuitive? Becca Syme.

Instinct comes in.

Study and practice = intuition

Discovery writers lean on intuition heavily. New writers may have a hard time with discovery writing until they practice.

After one million words, you will discover your writing style.

Discovery writing as improve "Yes And" -- leaning on knowledge.

Not free association writing. Writing into your curiosity (guard rails, not stream of consciousness). Going on the journey with the character.

Don't get stuck on what "should" happen. Just follow the curve as it goes around.

Start small. Practice.

Discovery writing before the page (Erick).

Write out of order.

Reverse story beats, reverse outline.

How can you use this in nonfiction or blog posts and essays?

YES. A different process.

Nonfiction: Start with the introduction. Choose sentences to pull out as a section header. Move things around in manuscript for flow. Writing it out is what helps her (KimBoo) understand the organization.

First draft or second is not the finished product.

Do this with your marketing! Take two days to do it and stay curious.

Stay curious until it's done.

Purposely leave holes so readers will be curious and explore.

Plug: houseofyork.info

By the Seat of Your Pants: Secrets of Discovery Writing

One Million Words Club on Discord (productivity, mindset)

Find Us:

Valerie's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/valerieihsan

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

Writer Craft Facebook Group

Valerie's Services: https://valerieihsan.com

Valerie's Author Site: https://valerieihsanauthor.com

Valerie's Facebook Page and Instagram account

Erick's Services: https://erickmertzwriting.com

Erick's free book on Ghostwriting: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/cexki4kp5n

Erick's Author Site: https://erickmertzauthor.com

Erick's Facebook Page and Instagram account

Patreons:

https://patreon.com/valerieihsan

https://patreon.com/strangeairmysteries

Tools:

Passion Planner: https://passionplanner.rfrl.co/e86j8 (affiliate link) Discount Code: VALERIE150

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

Resources:

"How to write an eavesdropping scene" on Erick's blog

Reading Critique Group for Writers FB Group (Jennie Komp's group)

3 Bird View FB page (Jennie Komp's business page)

Author XP (marketing for authors) (bi-monthly promotions)

Raven Publicity (publicity for authors)

The Shades of Orange (Rachel, Book Blogger on YouTube) for book recommendations SF/Fantasy/Horror

Contact Erick for business-starting advice or building a website.

Contact Valerie for author coaching.

Thomas Umstattd Jr, at Novel Marketing Podcast. Ep255: How to Create an Email Onboarding Drip Campaign

Russell P. Nohelty and Monica Leonelle's book, Get Your Book Selling on Kickstarter.

Balance meditation app.

• Story Rubric version 1.1 and podcast episode.
• Three Story Method worksheet

Book Recs for writing/creativity/business:

Thinking in Pictures by John Sayles

• Take Off Your Pants: Outline Your Books for Faster, Better Writing by Libbie Hawker
• Story Hypothesis: A Writer's Guide to Crafting Resonating Stories by JP Rindfleisch IX
• Fast-Draft Your Memoir: Write Your Life Story in 45 Hours by Rachael Herron
• Three Story Method: Foundations in Fiction by J.Thorn and Zach Bohannon
• The Anatomy of a Best Seller by Sacha Black
• Slow Productivity by Cal Newport

Main Topic: Using Tropes to Avoid Writer's Block

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.

Announcements:

• PNW inspired horror [email protected]; Submissions closed.
• Garden Home Community Library Writers Series "Self Publishing Success" June 25 gardenhomelibrary.org
• 2024 Writer Craft Writing Retreat and Workshop registration open; https://valerieihsan.com/retreat
• Three Story Method: Writing How-To Books out now.
• Focus and Finish: Goal-Setting and Strategic Planning for Writers (First in Series)
• Exploring Imagery in Creative Nonfiction
• Black Springs Saga Book 1 out now (it's the prequel) 99 cents

Author Update:

Erick:

• launched new book series (Black Springs Saga)
• Valerie:
• new class good (planning on repurposing the content)

• I'm reading:

• Crow Talk by Eileen Garvin
• Thunder Song by Sasha taqŵšeblu LaPointe

Erick:

• The Manitou by Graham Masterton

Notes:

Use the tropes to get started.

The obligatory scenes are already outlined for you.

You can definitely make it your own. It's not cheating.

Read in your genre. Understand the tropes in your genre. (Deconstruct books you love so you can learn to write that way. Read: The Anatomy of a Best Seller by Sacha Black.

Make an Id List to discover your favorite tropes.

Find Us:

Valerie's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/valerieihsan

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

Writer Craft Facebook Group

Valerie's Services: https://valerieihsan.com

Valerie's Author Site: https://valerieihsanauthor.com

Valerie's Facebook Page and Instagram account

Erick's Services: https://erickmertzwriting.com

Erick's free book on Ghostwriting: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/cexki4kp5n

Erick's Author Site: https://erickmertzauthor.com

Erick's Facebook Page and Instagram account

Patreons:

https://patreon.com/valerieihsan

https://patreon.com/strangeairmysteries

Tools:

Passion Planner: https://passionplanner.rfrl.co/e86j8 (affiliate link) Discount Code: VALERIE150

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

Resources:

"How to write an eavesdropping scene" on Erick's blog

Reading Critique Group for Writers FB Group (Jennie Komp's group)

3 Bird View FB page (Jennie Komp's business page)

Author XP (marketing for authors) (bi-monthly promotions)

Raven Publicity (publicity for authors)

The Shades of Orange (Rachel, Book Blogger on YouTube) for book recommendations SF/Fantasy/Horror

Contact Erick for business-starting advice or building a website.

Contact Valerie for author coaching.

Thomas Umstattd Jr, at Novel Marketing Podcast. Ep255: How to Create an Email Onboarding Drip Campaign

Russell P. Nohelty and Monica Leonelle's book, Get Your Book Selling on Kickstarter.

Balance meditation app.

• Story Rubric version 1.1 and podcast episode.
• Three Story Method worksheet

Book Recs for writing/creativity/business:

Thinking in Pictures by John Sayles

• Take Off Your Pants: Outline Your Books for Faster, Better Writing by Libbie Hawker
• Story Hypothesis: A Writer's Guide to Crafting Resonating Stories by JP Rindfleisch IX
• Fast-Draft Your Memoir: Write Your Life Story in 45 Hours by Rachael Herron
• Three Story Method: Foundations in Fiction by J.Thorn and Zach Bohannon
• The Anatomy of a Best Seller by Sacha Black
• Slow Productivity by Cal Newport

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.

Announcements:

• PNW inspired horror [email protected]; Submissions open until stories filled, or May 31st.
• 2024 Writer Craft Writing Retreat and Workshop registration open; https://valerieihsan.com/retreat
• Three Story Method: Writing How-To Books out now.
• Focus and Finish: Goal-Setting and Strategic Planning for Writers (First in Series)
• Exploring Imagery in Creative Nonfiction
• Submissions class June 25th in Portland area. Link TBA. (Taught by Erick.)

Patron comment:

Comments/email from listeners:

Questions from listeners:

Author Update:

Erick:

• prepping for new class

• launched new book series (Black Springs Saga)
• went camping with son (Cub Scouts)
• writing new story (TV pilot) (using as a sample for ghostwriting website)
• Valerie:
• started teaching new class
• mastermind helping me make some decisions
• getting ready for LeslieSophia
• changing website to streamline and point to coach
• I'm reading:

• Crow Talk by Eileen Garvin
• Thunder Song by Sasha taqŵšeblu LaPointe

Erick:

• Werewolf anthology
• Ten Things I Learned from Bill Porter by Shelly Brady
• HT to Survive a Garden Gnome Attack by Chuck Sambuchino
• Homicide (GN based on The Wire) by David Simon
• One Tough Mother by Gert Boyle

Notes:

Single use content is labor intensive.

Blog --> YT video, marketing material on various sites, podcast talking points.

Podcast episode --> YT video, social media, newsletter, public newsletter.

Think about the purpose of the work you do. Harmonious message. Expert in field.

Different video lengths serve different scenarios for your audience.

Takes more than one time before they click on your content and engage with you.

Look at HOW to use it, and where.

Find Us:

Valerie's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/valerieihsan

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

Writer Craft Facebook Group

Valerie's Services: https://valerieihsan.com

Valerie's Author Site: https://valerieihsanauthor.com

Valerie's Facebook Page and Instagram account

Erick's Services: https://erickmertzwriting.com

Erick's free book on Ghostwriting: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/cexki4kp5n

Erick's Author Site: https://erickmertzauthor.com

Erick's Facebook Page and Instagram account

Patreons:

https://patreon.com/valerieihsan

https://patreon.com/strangeairmysteries

Tools:

Passion Planner: https://passionplanner.rfrl.co/e86j8 (affiliate link) Discount Code: VALERIE150

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

Resources:

"How to write an eavesdropping scene" on Erick's blog

Reading Critique Group for Writers FB Group (Jennie Komp's group)

3 Bird View FB page (Jennie Komp's business page)

Author XP (marketing for authors) (bi-monthly promotions)

Raven Publicity (publicity for authors)

The Shades of Orange (Rachel, Book Blogger on YouTube) for book recommendations SF/Fantasy/Horror

Contact Erick for business-starting advice or building a website.

Contact Valerie for author coaching.

Thomas Umstattd Jr, at Novel Marketing Podcast. Ep255: How to Create an Email Onboarding Drip Campaign

Russell P. Nohelty and Monica Leonelle's book, Get Your Book Selling on Kickstarter.

Balance meditation app.

• Story Rubric version 1.1 and podcast episode.
• Three Story Method worksheet

Book Recs for writing/creativity/business:

Thinking in Pictures by John Sayles

• Take Off Your Pants: Outline Your Books for Faster, Better Writing by Libbie Hawker
• Story Hypothesis: A Writer's Guide to Crafting Resonating Stories by JP Rindfleisch IX
• Fast-Draft Your Memoir: Write Your Life Story in 45 Hours by Rachael Herron
• Three Story Method: Foundations in Fiction by J.Thorn and Zach Bohannon

Main Topic: Author A.B. Herron on writing cross-genre with dyslexia

Amanda is passionate about discussing the realities of being an indie author while being dyslexic, straddling the fantasy and romance genres, the importance of highlighting sex positivity in our society, and the impact her background in anatomy and zoology has on her magic systems and world building.

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.

Announcements:

• PNW inspired horror [email protected]; Submissions open until stories filled. Starting to read May 1st.
• 2024 Writer Craft Writing Retreat and Workshop registration open; https://valerieihsan.com/retreat
• Three Story Method: Writing How-To Books out now.
• Focus and Finish: Goal-Setting and Strategic Planning for Writers (First in Series)
• Exploring Imagery in Creative Nonfiction

Patron comment:

Comments/email from listeners:

Questions from listeners:

Author Update:

Erick:

• Valerie:
• sick last week
• wrote lesson plans in bed
• I'm reading:

• Crow Talk by Eileen Garvin
• Thunder Song by Sasha taqŵšeblu LaPointe
• Slow Productivity by Cal Newport

Amanda is reading comfort books right now: Arrows of the Queen series.

Scent of the Missing: Love and Partnership with a Search-and-Rescue Dog by Susannah Charleson

Erick:

Notes:

A.B. Heron is a dyslexic author residing in the Pacific Northwest. She works full time, writes in the cracks between responsibilities, and plays with dogs because she just can't help herself. For more insights into what make her fantasy stories flourish, follow her on Instagram @a.b.herron or check out her website www.abherron.com

Tip: If you have a Barnes and Noble near you, walk in and say you are a local indie author and ask if they are doing author signing.

Writes adult urban fantasy, romantasy, paranormal romance. Elemental World Series (two books now, third coming this year, 5 total in series).

Dyslexia was a barrier to being a writer only emotionally. Looked for strong technical editors. Spelling and word choice are struggles. Name recall is hard.

Showed original work to trusted people, started getting positive responses, showed little bits at a time. "I can write, just not spell. The distinction was powerful for me. I am smart." Not barriers; just work arounds. Used a small press that didn't keep the rights. They help you make a book. Luminare Press.

Vellum dyslexia font choice: 1 in 5 people with dyslexia, fonts don't make it easier to read for all people. Font doesn't slow Amanda down. Ask your readers if they want a paperback with a font designed for dyslexic readers.

Need magic systems to make sense with science background. Looking at the anatomy of humans and canines. Build physical laws into magic systems. How water or energy works, conservation of matter. HOW does it work?

Wished she'd maybe finished writing series before publishing.

Learn as you go. IG book community very supportive. Tripped into publishing.

Abherron.com

Instagram a.b.herron

Books available at Amazon and Barnes and Noble

Coffee Fueled Stories Podcast, Ep with A.B. Herron

Amanda is signing at Hot and Steamy Romance Writers in Portland '24 event.

Find Us:

Valerie's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/valerieihsan

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

Announcements:

• PNW inspired horror [email protected]; Submissions open until stories filled. Starting to read May 1st.
• 2024 Writer Craft Writing Retreat and Workshop registration open; https://valerieihsan.com/retreat
• Three Story Method: Writing How-To Books out now.
• Focus and Finish: Goal-Setting and Strategic Planning for Writers (First in Series)

Author Update:

Valerie:

• adopted a new dog "Buddy 'Keif' Nelson"
• Monthly Reflection tonight, or this weekend at the latest (if you are a patron and want to do it with me, let me know)
• just coming out of Q1+ funk and catching up on visiting with friends and self-care, so my tasks in the last week have been skewed towards personal/not business: haircut, birthday party, meditation, journaling, appointments with my life coach, yoga, introducing Usha to new doggy friend, fancy brunches, attending a new mastermind group I'm in, hot tub soaks, lunch out with a friend, and taking our new dog to the vet. And the next few days will be the same: catching up with friends, seeing my dad and step-mom, taking my son out to dinner, Chiro, yoga, the gym.
• starting work at the bookstore again part time starting next week.

I'm reading:

• beta read manuscript
• The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman
• Thunder Song by Sasha taqŵšeblu LaPointe

Notes:

I read from the Foreward and Step One of new permafree book Focus and Finish: Goal-Setting and Strategic Planning for Writers.

**

Foreward

I'm a not-so-closet list-lover. Some of you may not like lists. Some of you might have tried list-making in the past and found it didn't work for you. But even if you are not a list-lover, you will find usefulness and value from this book and the exercises and resources in it.

I think we've all had the experience at one point in our lives where we've woken up and discovered that what we are doing is not what we want to do and, in fact, was someone else's idea all along. Maybe that was the job that your dad wanted you to have, or maybe it's the parenting style that your partner wants you to use, or maybe it's the vacation that your friend wants you to go on. Maybe none of those things held interest for you—or went against a core belief, even—yet you somehow made yourself believe you wanted them and you trapped yourself into doing them.

For instance, if you have been saying out loud all your life that you wanted to be a lawyer, and you went to law school, and you took the bar exam, and you passed the bar, and now you're working in a law firm, and you're doing the hours, and you say to yourself (and you say to everyone else), "I've always wanted to be a lawyer, and now I'm a lawyer. Isn't that great?" but underneath all that, you discovered at some point that, actually, you never really wanted to be a lawyer. What you wanted to be was a scuba dive instructor. If that is your passion and you can find a way to make a living doing scuba, then why are you a lawyer?

This book will help you identify your dreams and plan for a future of success doing the things that are truly important to you.

Happy Planning!

Valerie

**

Step One

The system I'm about to show you is one I do at least twice a year, because I know myself. And I know that I get caught up in the zeitgeist. I get caught up in the excitement that other people have about their businesses and I think, "I can do that, too!"

For instance, all my life, one of my dream jobs was to own a bookstore. And then, some years ago, I was offered the chance to buy, very inexpensively, a little bookstore. My breath quickened. My heart rate accelerated. Whoa. This was my dream. Here it was, handed right to me. It would be so easy to do—the way it was set up, the finances and the inventory and the space, and even the internship, basically.

I thought about it for weeks.

The reason she wanted to give up the bookstore was because she wanted to put more time into her own writing, which should've been a red flag from the very start, but I was still hooked into that old dream of owning my own bookstore.

I sought the advice of my best friend.

"If you were already making money as a published author, would you want to own a bookstore?" she asked.

"No," I said. I didn't even have to think about it. The word just blurted out all by itself.

"Then there's your answer," she said.

"Oh."

And I didn't have to think about it anymore.

Continually checking in with yourself and writing out your passions, writing out your dreams, is what's going to help you achieve them later on. Not just in the goal setting, in the strategizing and planning around it, but in acknowledging that this is your dream and you want to work towards it. Whatever it is—scuba diving, traveling, becoming a mailperson. Training dogs.

It can be anything. It can be work-related or can be personal. Maybe you just want to learn Russian because it's a gorgeous language. It would just be for fun. Do it.

Dream it. Write a goal around it. And do it.

Ideals change. Intentions change. It's natural. So, twice a year, I use this system to make sure I'm living the life I want, reaching for the goals that will fulfill my dreams.

* * *

There are two ways to go about doing this process, arguably a third, and on first glance it's going to be a big giant wishlist. But for you non-list-lovers, think of them as bullet points. Or mind-mapping.

Option one is to go about these exercises wearing the Business Owner Hat. If you are a small-business owner, freelancer, or writer/teacher/artist, and you want to get a head start on your business plan, this could be a good option for you. You'll be planning and goal-setting with only your business or art in mind.

Option two is to mix it all up: personal, spiritual, business, home/yard. If you work at home, all these areas merge anyway—to some degree—and feed into one another.

Option three is great if you are a linear thinker or you like to think in categories. Option three is really option one, over and over again. (i.e. personal goals/wishes, then business goals/wishes, then home/yard goals/wishes.)

Choose one and go with it. If you choose option one and you veer off in the middle of it, no worries. The exercises all work the same. It's your mindset that can change as needed.

Option two is my personal preference, but what usually happens for me is I do option two and then shift to option three. And what I mean by that is when I first start making my list of dreams, goals, and wishes, I dump everything in—reaching out to all aspects of my existence. My personal life, my spiritual life, my business life, my health projects, my gardening goals. And then at the end, when I feel like there's nothing left to put on the list, I reach back and look at the categories in my mind, starting with my business.

Is there anything in my business world that I'm leaving out? Is there anything that I haven't given myself permission to say out loud on the page? Is there anything that I'm too embarrassed, afraid, or irritated to mention on this list? And I write it down. And then I go to the next category. Is there anything that I'm forgetting about gardening that I want to put on this list? Et cetera.

* * *

Okay, let's get started.

Get yourself situated where you can be comfortable – and that could mean sprawling on the floor with markers, or at a bar stool with sharpened pencils, or lounging in a chair by the fire with a laptop. You need something to write with and something to write on, and probably a tasty beverage close by.

Once you're situated, think about whether you are going to focus on a specific area in your life right now, or let it fly and write down anything that comes to mind. If you decide that you just want to concentrate, for example, on your business goals, you could do that. Again, I prefer to lump it all in to one. I find that one feeds into the other and, because I'm self-employed, sometimes it's hard to segregate anything out.

Step 1

Take as long as you need to write down anything and everything you want. This is the place to let go. No one will see this. Write down all the things. Think magic wand. Think No Barriers—financial, time, reality. This is the Dreaming Page.

If you could do anything, if you could be anything, if you could have anything, what would it be? Maybe think of the Dreaming Page as your ideal life. What's on the page? What's in the dream life?

Your "bullet points" don't have to be huge grandiose things, like Go to China—although that could be one of them. It can also be Paint the Shelf in the Bathroom Turquoise.

Big dreams and little dreams. Write it all down.

There may be a slight concern that, unleashed, this might turn into an eighty-two page To Do list. Don't worry too much about that, because if that's what ends up happening for you, I have another exercise at the end of Step Three that will fix it. So for right now, in any category in your life, or in every category in your life, write down the things that—if there were nothing standing in the way—you'd want to do, be, see, have, or experience.

* * *

Tips/Resources:

• For this exercise, you can use any kind of notebook, but since I'm a Passion Planner nerd, I like using the Passion Planner Road Map found in physical Passion Planners (or on passionplanner.com—affiliate link—under their downloads) as a template.

• I prefer to write on a notepad first and transfer the information over to my planner with better penmanship, and after I'm clearer about my goals.

• If you need more structure, you can set a timer and brainstorm for a specified length of time.

Find Us:

Valerie's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/valerieihsan

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

Writer Craft Facebook Group

Valerie's Services: https://valerieihsan.com

Valerie's Author Site: https://valerieihsanauthor.com

Valerie's Facebook Page and Instagram account

Erick's Services: https://erickmertzwriting.com

Erick's free book on Ghostwriting: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/cexki4kp5n

Erick's Author Site: https://erickmertzauthor.com

Erick's Facebook Page and Instagram account

Patreons:

https://patreon.com/valerieihsan

https://patreon.com/strangeairmysteries

Tools:

Passion Planner: https://passionplanner.rfrl.co/e86j8 (affiliate link) Discount Code: VALERIE150

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

Resources:

"How to write an eavesdropping scene" on Erick's blog

Reading Critique Group for Writers FB Group (Jennie Komp's group)

3 Bird View FB page (Jennie Komp's business page)

Author XP (marketing for authors) (bi-monthly promotions)

Raven Publicity (publicity for authors)

The Shades of Orange (Rachel, Book Blogger on YouTube) for book recommendations SF/Fantasy/Horror

Contact Erick for business-starting advice or building a website.

Contact Valerie for author coaching.

Thomas Umstattd Jr, at Novel Marketing Podcast. Ep255: How to Create an Email Onboarding Drip Campaign

Russell P. Nohelty and Monica Leonelle's book, Get Your Book Selling on Kickstarter.

Balance meditation app.

• Story Rubric version 1.1 and podcast episode.
• Three Story Method worksheet

Book Recs for writing/creativity/business:

Thinking in Pictures by John Sayles

• Take Off Your Pants: Outline Your Books for Faster, Better Writing by Libbie Hawker
• Story Hypothesis: A Writer's Guide to Crafting Resonating Stories by JP Rindfleisch IX
• Fast-Draft Your Memoir: Write Your Life Story in 45 Hours by Rachael Herron
• Three Story Method: Foundations in Fiction by J.Thorn and Zach Bohannon

Announcements:

• PNW inspired horror [email protected]; Submissions open until stories filled. Starting to read May 1st.
• 2024 Writer Craft Writing Retreat and Workshop registration open; https://valerieihsan.com/retreat
• Three Story Method: Writing How-To Books out now.
• Focus and Finish: Goal-Setting and Strategic Planning for Writers (First in Series)

Author Update:

Erick:

• building landing pages for ads (for testing)
• Dead Still presale price 99 cents
• Revision of Book Two in new series finished (this weekend)
• Pikes Peak Writing Conference in Colorado Springs, CO
• using content from conferences for social media clips

• Valerie:
• new printer (printed out all the things)
• published a permafree book (first in series)
• Book two is half written from repurposed content

I'm reading:

• beta read manuscript
• Thunder Song by Sasha taqŵšeblu LaPointe

Erick:

The Institute Stephen King

Notes:

First Lines--book, chapters, scenes; sets the stage, POV, entice the reader away from other distractions, vary the opening lines within a book to prevent boredom; repetitive, stylistic elements only sometimes work.

Openings--protag's needs and wants

Hooks-- into the story, seducing; narrative voice; themes; settings; odd or curious, "First lines are invitations." - Stephen King; what kind of party is your book?

Find Us:

Valerie's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/valerieihsan

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

Writer Craft Facebook Group

Valerie's Services: https://valerieihsan.com

Valerie's Author Site: https://valerieihsanauthor.com

Valerie's Facebook Page and Instagram account

Erick's Services: https://erickmertzwriting.com

Erick's free book on Ghostwriting: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/cexki4kp5n

Erick's Author Site: https://erickmertzauthor.com

Erick's Facebook Page and Instagram account

Patreons:

https://patreon.com/valerieihsan

https://patreon.com/strangeairmysteries

Tools:

Passion Planner: https://passionplanner.rfrl.co/e86j8 (affiliate link) Discount Code: VALERIE150

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

Resources:

"How to write an eavesdropping scene" on Erick's blog

Reading Critique Group for Writers FB Group (Jennie Komp's group)

3 Bird View FB page (Jennie Komp's business page)

Author XP (marketing for authors) (bi-monthly promotions)

Raven Publicity (publicity for authors)

The Shades of Orange (Rachel, Book Blogger on YouTube) for book recommendations SF/Fantasy/Horror

Contact Erick for business-starting advice or building a website.

Contact Valerie for author coaching.

Thomas Umstattd Jr, at Novel Marketing Podcast. Ep255: How to Create an Email Onboarding Drip Campaign

Russell P. Nohelty and Monica Leonelle's book, Get Your Book Selling on Kickstarter.

Balance meditation app.

• Story Rubric version 1.1 and podcast episode.
• Three Story Method worksheet

Book Recs for writing/creativity/business:

Thinking in Pictures by John Sayles

• Take Off Your Pants: Outline Your Books for Faster, Better Writing by Libbie Hawker
• Story Hypothesis: A Writer's Guide to Crafting Resonating Stories by JP Rindfleisch IX
• Fast-Draft Your Memoir: Write Your Life Story in 45 Hours by Rachael Herron
• Three Story Method: Foundations in Fiction by J.Thorn and Zach Bohannon

Main Topic: Writing Through Chronic Illness, with guest Kathie Giorgio

KATHIE GIORGIO is the author of a total of fifteen books: eight novels, two story collections, an essay collection, and four poetry collections. She's been nominated for the Pushcart Prize in fiction and poetry and awarded the Outstanding Achievement Award from the Wisconsin Library Association, the Silver Pen Award for Literary Excellence, the Pencraft Award for Literary Excellence, and the Eric Hoffer Award In Fiction. Her poem "Light" won runner-up in the 2021 Rosebud Magazine Poetry Prize, and her work has also been incorporated into many visual art and musical events. Kathie is the director and founder of AllWriters' Workplace & Workshop LLC, an international creative writing studio. She lives with her husband, mystery writer Michael Giorgio, their daughter Olivia, a cat named Oliver, and an eccentric dog named Ursula after Ursula Le Guin in Waukesha, Wisconsin. Three of her adult children, Christopher, Andy, and Olivia, live close by, along with her solo granddaughter, Maya Mae. One adult child has wandered off to Louisiana and lives among the mathematicians and alligators.

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.

Announcements:

• PNW inspired horror [email protected]; Submissions open until stories filled. Starting to read May 1st.
• 2024 Writer Craft Writing Retreat and Workshop registration open; https://valerieihsan.com/retreat
• Three Story Method: Writing How-To Books out now.

Author Update:

Erick:

• Web design changes,
• Dead Still ARCs out now
• Revision of Book Three in new series happening

Valerie:

• adopted a new dog (foster fail)
• got cover for new book yesterday, uploading this week, permafree ebook, first in series
  • Focus and Finish: Goal-Setting and Strategic Planning for Writers

Valerie's reading:

Worthy

Dead Still ARC

Erick:

The Institute Stephen King

Kathie:

How to Be Eaten (Maria Adelmann)

Show Notes:

One moment of happiness a day on FB for a year. (Today's Moment of Happiness Despite the News)

Throw away idea that writers write 8 hrs a day.; write for half hour day.

Write when you can, use your time.

Lean towards fiction. Put your situation on another character's shoulders; if the character gets through it, so can you. A path to follow.

Writing is a life saver.

Go through it, roll with the punches.

motivation (my students keep me accountable to write; walk my talk/role model; what if I die? Gotta finish the book)

How to get inspired when super stressed: accept it's dry, (don't panic, remember your successes); hear something that captures attention; always listening; never give up playing, don't go for logic.

KathieGiorgio.org, FB, IG

Allwritersworkshop.com

Self care for the caregiver: learning on the run. (piano lessons, writing is a passion but job so writing not self care, start back to the gym, Nintendo.)

Find Us:

Valerie's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/valerieihsan

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

Writer Craft Facebook Group

Valerie's Services: https://valerieihsan.com

Valerie's Author Site: https://valerieihsanauthor.com

Valerie's Facebook Page and Instagram account

Erick's Services: https://erickmertzwriting.com

Erick's free book on Ghostwriting: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/cexki4kp5n

Erick's Author Site: https://erickmertzauthor.com

Erick's Facebook Page and Instagram account

Patreons:

https://patreon.com/valerieihsan

https://patreon.com/strangeairmysteries

Tools:

Passion Planner: https://passionplanner.rfrl.co/e86j8 (affiliate link) Discount Code: VALERIE150

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

Resources:

"How to write an eavesdropping scene" on Erick's blog

Reading Critique Group for Writers FB Group (Jennie Komp's group)

3 Bird View FB page (Jennie Komp's business page)

Author XP (marketing for authors) (bi-monthly promotions)

Raven Publicity (publicity for authors)

The Shades of Orange (Rachel, Book Blogger on YouTube) for book recommendations SF/Fantasy/Horror

Contact Erick for business-starting advice or building a website.

Contact Valerie for author coaching.

Thomas Umstattd Jr, at Novel Marketing Podcast. Ep255: How to Create an Email Onboarding Drip Campaign

Russell P. Nohelty and Monica Leonelle's book, Get Your Book Selling on Kickstarter.

Balance meditation app.

• Story Rubric version 1.1 and podcast episode.
• Three Story Method worksheet

Book Recs for writing/creativity/business:

Thinking in Pictures by John Sayles

• Take Off Your Pants: Outline Your Books for Faster, Better Writing by Libbie Hawker
• Story Hypothesis: A Writer's Guide to Crafting Resonating Stories by JP Rindfleisch IX
• Fast-Draft Your Memoir: Write Your Life Story in 45 Hours by Rachael Herron
• Three Story Method: Foundations in Fiction by J.Thorn and Zach Bohannon