How do we write a beginning? Where should the book start? Caitlyn and Charlie discuss beginnings after a long tangent on the British royal family (which ends at time marker 16:33 if you want to skip ahead) that we do bring back around to the point, eventually ;)

If you would like to donate to Your Mom Writes Books, please go to charlienholmberg.com/podcast (or check out the link in our Instagram bio @yourmomwritesbooks).

What is "sandbox" worldbuilding, why is it captivating, and how do we create one? Charlie and Caitlyn dive into sandbox worldbuilding and the massive fandoms it seems to create.

Love listening to Your Mom Writes Books? Consider donating to our cause! charlienholmberg.com/podcast 

If you would like to donate to Your Mom Writes Books, please go to charlienholmberg.com/podcast (or check out the link in our Instagram bio @yourmomwritesbooks).

Not sure what to get the writer in your life? Caitlyn and Charlie go over a list of possibilities, from grandiose to humble. 

If you would like to donate to Your Mom Writes Books, please go to charlienholmberg.com/podcast (or check out the link in our Instagram bio @yourmomwritesbooks).

Caitlyn and Charlie share their thoughts on Lindsay Lohan's new "Hallmark"-style Christmas movie.

If you would like to donate to Your Mom Writes Books, please go to charlienholmberg.com/podcast (or check out the link in our Instagram bio @yourmomwritesbooks).

A rant on a web comic leads us to ask, what do creators owe their fans, if anything? What if money is involved? Join Caitlyn and Charlie as they discuss both sides of the equation.

If you would like to donate to Your Mom Writes Books, please go to charlienholmberg.com/podcast (or check out the link in our Instagram bio @yourmomwritesbooks).

Authorship . . . the good, the bad, and the ugly. In truth, most things can fall into the good and the bad. Today Caitlyn and Charlie talk candidly about the realities of living off one's writing.

We mention Caitlyn's friend Raylene, who also has a podcast! Check out her Still Sleeping podcast (episodes may contain adult themes).

If you would like to donate to Your Mom Writes Books, please go to charlienholmberg.com/podcast (or check out the link in our Instagram bio @yourmomwritesbooks).

Now that Charlie has returned from the desert, we have part TWO of our likeable characters episode! We discuss secrets, wounds, and how to get the reader rooting for an "unlikeable" character.

If you would like to donate to Your Mom Writes Books, please go to charlienholmberg.com/podcast (or check out the link in our Instagram bio @yourmomwritesbooks).

While Charlie is off in Moab, Caitlyn meets with two Dungeons & Dragons game masters to discuss elements of story within the game that can be applied to writing.

Today is the first day of NaNoWriMo! 

If you would like to donate to Your Mom Writes Books, please go to charlienholmberg.com/podcast (or check out the link in our Instagram bio @yourmomwritesbooks).

Likeable characters part 1! We talk about what makes a character likeable, how to balance positive traits with negative traits, and using emotion to sympathize with POV characters.

If you would like to donate to Your Mom Writes Books, please go to charlienholmberg.com/podcast (or check out the link in our Instagram bio @yourmomwritesbooks).

Learn how Charlie and Caitlyn plot novels backwards, weaving the threads for a successful ending all the way through to the beginning of a story. They'll also talk about what sorts of stories this technique works better for.

Gearing up for NaNoWriMo? Use code YMWB20  at BrightBirdPress.com to save 20% on your next order of $20 or more on planners, journals, notepads, sticky notes, and more.

This month (October 2022), Charlie's newest novel, KEEPER OF ENCHANTED ROOMS, is free for Prime members on Amazon First Reads. Check it out here: amzn.to/3ws6iyQ 

If you would like to donate to Your Mom Writes Books, please go to charlienholmberg.com/podcast (or check out the link in our Instagram bio @yourmomwritesbooks).