Writer Craft Podcast

Announcements:

• Registration is open for the 2024 Writer Craft Writing Retreat and Workshop in Marcola, Oregon. At this point, there is only three private tickets left and three shared tickets. We'll likely sell out again. ValerieIhsan.com/retreat for more info.
• New book out for writers: Three Story Method: Writing How-To Books by Valerie Ihsan, J. Thorn, and Miranda Weingartner
• Erick is publishing an anthology; call for submissions for Back in the Ground (horror inspired by PNW); https://caretakerpress.org

• UPDATE:

• Valerie:
• goal: create workshops for retreat, create the lesson plans for upcoming class, create memoir checklist, finish taxes
• son's birthday
• have a couple more conferences to pitch
• Tax Start this week! (find time in between meetings, the gym, and my son)

• Erick:
• roadtrip gave me two short story ideas and wrote them

• inspired by the anthology submissions

Just finished:

I'M READING: Worthy: How to Believe You Are Enough and Transform Your Life by Jamie Kern Lima

Up Next:

The Creative Act by Rick Rubin

• Erick's Reading:

Monica by Daniel Clowes (graphic novel)

• Show Notes:

How do you explore, or understand, the world and your own values in the books and stories you write?

"I love this weird stuff. How can I use this?"

If you explore this, you'll engage yourself.

The magic is I unconsciously know there is a lot to learn.

Connect the dots of inciting incident to the relationship

When the themes come up, now I know how to steer this (know where we are going). (Starts out unconsciously.)

Engaging with the mystery. Making sense of relationships.

Stories that won't let me go are the ones that I learn from.

No original stories but that's a propellent. Where you go with the trope is up to you.

Open to the magic. "It doesn't start at the end."

• Next Episode: Kathy Giorgio (writing with a chronic illness)
• 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:

• Registration is open for the 2024 Writer Craft Writing Retreat and Workshop in Marcola, Oregon. At this point, there is only three private tickets left and three shared tickets. We'll likely sell out again. ValerieIhsan.com/retreat for more info.
• New book out for writers: Three Story Method: Writing How-To Books by Valerie Ihsan, J. Thorn, and Miranda Weingartner
• Erick is publishing an anthology; call for submissions for Back in the Ground (horror inspired by PNW); https://caretakerpress.org

• UPDATE:

• Valerie:
• started re-reading Goal-Setting and Strategic Planning for Writers (Focus and Finish series, Book 1), need to make some decisions (ebook and a workbook, audio book)(free audio book?) = Loss Leader/permafree
• bought the cover from 100covers.com but need to order the service now
• have a couple more conferences to pitch
• Tax Start this week! (find time in between meetings, the gym, and my son)

• Erick:
• week off with the family
• meeting with a digital marketer today to promote the author services part of his business (have pla
• launching a new series (Season in the Bush); first book Dead Still going to betas soon.

Just finished:

I'M READING: Worthy: How to Believe You Are Enough and Transform Your Life by Jamie Kern Lima

Up Next:

The Creative Act by Rick Rubin

• Erick's Reading:

Study for Obedience by Sarah Bernstein

The Bachman Books (Stephen King)

Ring Shout P Djèlí Clark

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:

• Registration is open for the 2024 Writer Craft Writing Retreat and Workshop in Marcola, Oregon. At this point, there is only four private tickets left and three shared tickets. We'll likely sell out again. ValerieIhsan.com/retreat for more info.
• Erick is publishing an anthology; call for submissions (horror inspired by PNW); https://caretakerpress.org

• UPDATE:

• Valerie:
• 50th birthday
• Calendly vs Acuity (I have both!) ;-(
• New book out for writers: Three Story Method: Writing How-To Books by Valerie Ihsan, J. Thorn, and Miranda Weingartner
• started re-reading Goal-Setting and Strategic Planning for Writers (Focus and Finish series, Book 1), need to make some decisions (ebook and a workbook, audio book)(free audio book?) = Loss Leader/permafree
• hire out workbook formatting (scrivener not the best with this; please prove me wrong)
• bought the cover from 100covers.com but need to order the service now
• have a couple more conferences to pitch
• Tax Start this week! (find time in between meetings, the gym, and my son)

• Erick:

Just finished: The Book Keeper by Sarah Painter

I'M READING: Worthy: How to Believe You Are Enough and Transform Your Life by Jamie Kern Lima

Up Next:

The Creative Act by Rick Rubin

• Erick's Reading:

The Bachman Books (Stephen King)

Ring Shout P Djèlí Clark

• Show Notes:
• Rec Book List for creative writing:
• 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
• Other mentions:
• Story Rubric version 1.1 and podcast episode.
• Three Story Method worksheet

• Next Episode: Erick will be back
• 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.

Book Recs for writing/creativity/business:

Thinking in Pictures by John Sayles

Announcements:

• Registration is open for the 2024 Writer Craft Writing Retreat and Workshop in Marcola, Oregon. At this point, there is only four private tickets left and three shared tickets. We'll likely sell out again. ValerieIhsan.com/retreat for more info.
• Erick is publishing an anthology; call for submissions (horror inspired by PNW); https://caretakerpress.org

• UPDATE:

• Valerie:
• New book out for writers: Three Story Method: Writing How-To Books by Valerie Ihsan, J. Thorn, and Miranda Weingartner

• Erick:
• working with marketer (digital); an analysis of web presence has a LOT of tasks to do (do this when you've been in the market--author services--for a while and have some idea of where you lack before hiring the analysis.)

Just finished: The Ward Witch by Sarah Painter

I'M READING:

The Book Keeper by Sarah Painter

Up Next:

The Creative Act by Rick Rubin

• Erick's Reading:

The Bachman Books (Stephen King)

Ring Shout P Djèlí Clark

• Show Notes:
• KDP is always changing.
• In marketing main series, put lead magnet as permafree on Amazon (instead of using Book Funnel to get people on mailing lists).
• 1. New cover
• 2. 99 cents on amazon
• 3. Barnes and Noble free
• 4. Let amazon know for the price match
• 5. No marketing to it. But naturally 100 downloads from organic reach. Led to sell through to rest of series. A+. Plus led to multiple reviews to all the books.
• Permafree method still works.
• Next step: running ads to permafree and amping up the sell-through.
• Virtual Voice on Amazon/KDP (in KDP profile opt in to Beta testing).
• Ease of use is great. Have an audio book at a click of button.
• Cost of narrator and editor (local guy) = ~$2200
• Two different versions of the audio book? Narrated by Virtual Voice vs Narrated by the author.
• Can we proof the audio files? Am I "locked in" to this audio?
• We do outgrow things. We can pivot.

• Next Episode: solo show "Bringing Your Manuscript from Boring to BadAss."
• 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.

Book Recs for writing/creativity/business:

Thinking in Pictures by John Sayles

Announcements:

• Registration is open for the 2024 Writer Craft Writing Retreat and Workshop in Marcola, Oregon. At this point, there is only four private tickets left and three shared tickets. We'll likely sell out again. ValerieIhsan.com/retreat for more info.

• UPDATE:

• Valerie:
• affirmations
• 15 mins/day of writing to my audience (new affirmation: This is how I create joy and change people's lives.)

• Erick:
• Book 1 in new series coming out this month
• new anthology out with co-producer (caretaker.org)

Just finished: Eat Smarter by Shawn Stevenson

I'M READING:

The Ward Witch by Sarah Painter

Spill Simmer Falter Wither by Sara Baume

What's a Poor Girl to Do?: Prostitution in Mid-Nineteenth Century America by Elizabeth A. Topping

Up Next:

The Creative Act by Rick Rubin

• Erick's Reading:
• Lost Places by Sarah Pinsker

Full Dark No Stars by Stephen King (novellas)

Ring Shout P Djèlí Clark

• Show Notes:

Who do you know?

Look for listings to submit. Google search calls for submissions for topics/genres.

Anthologies vs journal

Doing is a great way of attracting readers and colleagues.

What you like and don't in the genre (you'll get a wide variety within the genre) -- pick a sub-genre.

What formats do you want?

What's in and What's out?

Best case scenario process.

Budget

See the stages.

Get the cover to promote the call of submissions. (Add names later; have an agreement with cover designer)

Send out call.

Start reading once enough stories in the hopper; don't have to accept all these.

Marketing: IG lives to promote

Accept simultaneous submissions; accept as they go.

Caretaker Press (caretakerpress.org)

• Next Episode: Writing During Prolonged Illness with author Kathie Giorgio (business without loans)

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.

Hello Writers and Crafters!

I'm Valerie Ihsan, And I'm Erick Mertz, and this is Episode 147 of the podcast and it's March 6, 2024 as we record this.

Main Topic: Reset Buttons and Pivoting for Authors

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

Patron comment:

Comments/email from listeners:

Questions from listeners:

Announcements:

• Registration is open for the 2024 Writer Craft Writing Retreat and Workshop in Marcola, Oregon. At this point, there is only four private tickets left and three shared tickets. We'll likely sell out again. ValerieIhsan.com/retreat for more info.

• UPDATE:

• Valerie:

• Erick:

Just finished:

I'M READING: Spill Simmer Falter Wither by Sara Baume

What's a Poor Girl to Do?: Prostitution in Mid-Nineteenth Century America by Elizabeth A. Topping

The Book of Awakening by Mark Nepo

Up Next:

The Creative Act by Rick Rubin

• Erick's Reading:
• Lost Places by Sarah Pinsker

• Show Notes:

You can't always take both paths. Choosing becomes more important as we age.

"There's a different way to do this." (Message from the universe)

How do I pivot from this to this?

Identification of other way (journey begins)

Take time to process. You aren't cheating or doing a disservice to the readers. Acknowledging limiting beliefs. How do I take the next growth step?

Asking What if? often helps to challenge the limiting belief. (QTP. Question the Premise. Becca Syme.)

Getting past the what if is the next step. (Yes, I can do this.)

Research next step. Forgive yourself for not knowing.

"I've never tried this. Please help me." (Try it for 6-9 months)

We have permission to explore.

Reflection.

Remembering by adding, you aren't removing. It's not all or nothing.

• Next Episode:

Find Us:

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

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

Hello Writers and Crafters!

I'm Valerie Ihsan, And I'm Erick Mertz, and this is Episode 146 of the podcast and it's February 14, 2024 as we record this. Happy Valentine's Day!

Main Topic: How to Maintain Your Business During Crisis

PATREON:

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

This podcast is sponsored by our patrons at Patreon.com/valerieihsan. Become a patron of the arts at Patreon.com/valerieihsan.

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

Comments/email from listeners:

Questions from listeners:

Announcements:

• Go to valerieihsan.com/retreat for info on this year's writing retreat in August.
• Reading in Eugene, OR on March 8th (Friday). I'm in a new anthology by Tsunami Press with my essay "Eye Contact." •
• Stay tuned for new series stuff from Erick.

UPDATE:

• Valerie:
• in Turkey; mother-in-law in ICU for the last week; no change for the last two days Sound Effect
• https://wordcrafters.org/nonfiction-imagery/ class on Wednesdays starting in May 15th for six weeks "Exploring Imagery Through the Senses in Creative Nonfiction" hybrid class (virtual and in person)

• Erick:
• finishing up new series stuff while rewriting novel in Strange Air
• period piece (30s and 40s), paranormal baseball season -- releasing short pieces based on baseball season calendar; baseball scout is main protagonist

Just finished:

Glucose Revolution by Jessie Inchauspé

Jane and the Man of the Cloth by Stephanie Barron

I'M READING:

Up Next:

The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton

• Erick's Reading:
• The Devil Himself
• Dollar Sign on the Muscle

• Show Notes:

• Grief and brain fog are exhausting. Do what you can to stay inspired and maintain motivation, but above all: Be kind to yourself and be self-aware.

Next Episode:

Resources:

Thinking in Pictures by John Sayles

"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 Kemp'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.

Other Resources:

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.

Valerie's new day book for the year 2023 is: Meditations from the Mat: Daily Reflections on the Path of Yoga by Rolf Gates.

I've published our 2022 Book List on the website: valerieihsan.com/podcast-news

The Author Life Community

Passion Planner: https://passionplanner.rfrl.co/e86j8 (affiliate link) Discount Code: VALERIE407

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

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

Hello Writers and Crafters!

I'm Valerie Ihsan, And I'm Erick Mertz, and this is Episode 145 of the podcast and it's January 31, 2024 as we record this.

Main Topic: Using Your Local Library as an Author Resource

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

Patron comment:

Comments/email from listeners:

Questions from listeners:

Announcements:

• Registration is open for the 2024 Writer Craft Writing Retreat and Workshop in Marcola, Oregon. At this point, there is only four private tickets left and three shared tickets. We'll likely sell out again. ValerieIhsan.com/retreat for more info.

• UPDATE:

• Valerie:
• getting ready for Turkey trip
• updating website slowly
• pitch conferences from Turkey
• new name for my coaching program for authors: Aligned Author (haven't decided whether to do it as a 12 week program for $1499, or just list it as $500/mo (tell me which you'd like, email)

• Erick:
• writing a lot (40K goal - blew past that)
• recovering reader magnet
• relaunching author marketing ideas (ads? New covers?)
• Analysis: cost, versatility, marketing, immediate ROI not likely, transparent with what they are doing

Just finished:

I'M READING: Spill Simmer Falter Wither by Sara Baume

What's a Poor Girl to Do?: Prostitution in Mid-Nineteenth Century America by Elizabeth A. Topping

The Book of Awakening by Mark Nepo

Up Next:

The Creative Act by Rick Rubin Redefine Life for Yourself: How to Stop Chasing Money and Finally Live Your Life's Purpose by Patrice Washington

• Erick's Reading:

A Prayer for the Crown Shy

Killing Floor by Lee Child

• Show Notes:

Saves us money. Only place (one of few) to go where there is no expectation of spending money.

Places to sit.

Free wifi.

Work away from home.

Quiet space.

Hub for education.

Free talks. (To give or receive.)

Writers groups/book clubs.

Utilize the research department.

Local historical info available.

Research what books *look* like (read first chapter of ten books in your genre).

If you want your books in libraries, ISBN and Ingram Spark, Book Vault, not just Amazon.

People watching space (people are reading!)

Writer residency

Ask them to get local authors' books in.

Pay your library fines.

• Next Episode: solo episodes or a two week break -- come back and see! ;-)

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)

Announcements:

• Registration is open for the 2024 Writer Craft Writing Retreat and Workshop in Marcola, Oregon. At this point, there is only four private tickets left and three shared tickets. We'll likely sell out again. ValerieIhsan.com/retreat for more info.

• UPDATE:

• Valerie:
• meditation: Balance app
• updating website slowly
• pitch conferences (Accountability for Authors)(What could I teach?)

• Erick:
• ice storm cabin fever
• novella in Strange Air series on 2nd draft
• still developing second series; plotting from beginning to end
• Happy Birthday! (48)

Just finished: Ma and Me by Putsata Reang

I'M READING:

What's a Poor Girl to Do?: Prostitution in Mid-Nineteenth Century America by Elizabeth A. Topping

Praying with Jane Eyre by Vanessa Zoltan

The Book of Awakening by Mark Nepo

Up Next:

The Creative Act by Rick Rubin

• Erick's Reading:

A Prayer for the Crown Shy

Anna's reading:

Dortmuder novels (Donald Westlake)

• Show Notes:

Bio: Anna Willman has been a certified Focusing Trainer since 1982. She has a Master's degree in International Studies from Claremont Graduate School and a Master's in Comparative Politics from Columbia University. She was a Fulbright Scholar in Zagreb, Yugoslavia, in 1971 and 1972. She retired in 2008 after fourteen years as director of the Confidence Clinic, a Focusing-oriented community wellness program for women. Since retirement she has written extensively about the program's history, its philosophy and practice, and its outcomes. She has also written and published six novels and a humorous short story about disappointed expectations.

Our bodies hold our experiences in its cells. You feel your emotions in your body. (Pain, etc.)

It starts like meditation, but with focusing you create an inner space and listen to Self and garner wisdom from it.

Shift = noticing how to carry my experience of past trauma TODAY.

It's always healing. The shift that happens is a big sigh of relief. Because now you know. A Knowing. A Clarity.

A way to heal and understand yourself better.

Your characters also (as they become more and more real) have past experiences that they feel in their bodies.

• Select a character (problem, won't do what I want, motivation issues, or discomfort with the character).
• Slow down and relax, feel your chair, your feet, aware of body, notice rhythm of your breathing, ...
• Bring your character into your body, see if you can sense your character's discomfort in a situation. Can you feel your character's body? Do they notice what they are feeling? Any physical discomfort?
• Sit with the experience. How is your character physically feeling it? Where is it? What is the quality of the sensation--lethargic, energetic, restless? Does it have a color? Soft, hard, loose, tight? What words can you use to describe it?
• When you have a strong sense of it, how does your character respond to it? If it is painful, how do they escape it? Hide from it? Run away? Whimper? What is their normal response? Do they have to respond out of their ordinary? Is this a normal response to them or brand new?
• Given nature of your plot, pause and write down the words about how character is feeling, etc. How aware are they showing their feeling? Show not tell. Write what they do. Is there an awakening for them? How do they act afterwards?
• Sit with your char, let your body feel your char's body, write down everything (even if it doesn't make sense), ask "What else?" Listen with compassion and curiosity. You want to understand. Not judging. If you do, your character will clam up on you.

If I let characters do what they want to do, instead of plotting it, they get where I want them to be regardless, usually. (Anna)

Use when you have limited actionable responses for characters. Deepen the char, improve the writing, character's interact with each other is more Real.

Use this to develop metaphors.

Loose Ends (novel Anna wrote with the serial killer character)

Kaleidoscope (novel Anna wrote about focusing and D.I.D.) (Whole Body Focusing.)

Anna's Amazon page with all her titles.

Focusing Initiatives International: webinars (check for any workshops Anna does).

• Next Episode: How to Use Your Local Library as an Author Resource

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 Kemp'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.

Book Recs for writing/creativity/business:

Thinking in Pictures by John Sayles

Some of the Books We've Read This Year:

Nejishiki Yoshiharu (Erick)

Ma and Me by Putsana Reang (Valerie)

The Weird and Eerie

Children of Ruin

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:

• Registration is open for the 2024 Writer Craft Writing Retreat and Workshop in Marcola, Oregon. At this point, there is only four private tickets left and three shared tickets. We'll likely sell out again. ValerieIhsan.com/retreat for more info.
• I'll be doing a reading this Saturday at Tsunami Books in Eugene Oregon at 5 p.m. for the new anthology, and there will be a wine reception afterward, hosted by Tsunami Press. Order wherever books are sold.
• My new Focus and Finish Group Coaching cohort starts next week. We'll meet most Tuesdays through March at 4 p.m. Pacific. It's discounted to $333 this week. You can go to ValerieIhsan.com/shopping to purchase.
• Season of the Shadow up now! (Erick's new title.)
• UPDATE:

• Valerie:
• meeting with co-writers next week
• follow the feeling; Aligned Action are my 2024 buzz words.
• updating website slowly

• Erick:
• new series work: mapped out first three books
• have cover for print book now

I'M READING: What's a Poor Girl to Do?: Prostitution in Mid-Nineteenth Century America by Elizabeth A. Topping and Ma and Me by Putsana Reang

Praying with Jane Eyre by Vanessa Zoltan

• Erick's Reading:

The Weird and Eerie

Children of Ruin

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

Resources:

Thinking in Pictures by John Sayles

"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 Kemp'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.

Other Resources:

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.

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

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