I’ve finished the 4th and 5th drafts of Critical Balance . I talk about my struggles and journey with these two drafts, and I share some of the changes I made. I also discuss my thoughts about, and struggles with, my word count through the revision process. Finally I wonder about the odds of getting published that are often floated around. There are many commonly-made mistakes that are actually easy to avoid. How much does avoiding those mistakes improve your chances? Links Get a free 30 day tri...
Nov 21, 2022•1 hr 20 min•Season 3Ep. 65
This week I give an update on my progress and talk a bit about how managing the flow of information to the reader may be the most challenging aspect of writing a novel. Links Get a free 30 day trial of Audible with my affiliate link. Manuscript Format Blog Post. Become a Beta Reader ! Check out my Guide to Novel Formatting in Word Query Shark blog Support the show . Join my Discord server . Call My Voicemail: 951-465-5391...
Oct 24, 2022•1 hr 10 min•Season 3Ep. 64
I talk a bit about a new hobby of mine—crossword puzzles. I think solving crosswords on the regular has quite a few benefits for writers. I also give some tips for getting started in this hobby. Links Get a free 30 day trial of Audible with my affiliate link. Manuscript Format Blog Post. Become a Beta Reader ! Support the show . Join my Discord server . Call My Voicemail: 951-465-5391...
Oct 03, 2022•1 hr 3 min•Season 3Ep. 63
I give an update on my progress with version 4 of Critical Balance . I also share some struggles I’ve been having that have been impacting my productivity. Finally, an unexpected bonus: an example of why you really don’t want to screw up the ending of a story. Links Get a free 30 day trial of Audible with my affiliate link. Manuscript Format Blog Post. Become a Beta Reader ! Andy Weir discusses The Martian . Andy Weir Discusses The Martian and Artemis Recent interview with Andy Weir (sorry, it’s...
Sep 19, 2022•1 hr 15 min•Season 3Ep. 62
I discuss how a fundamentally important element of my setting is barely mentioned in the novel that takes place in that setting. I also give an update on my writing life and talk a bit about why so many trees are grown in Union City. Links Get a free 30 day trial of Audible with my affiliate link. Manuscript Format Blog Post. Become a Beta Reader ! Check out the first images from the James Webb Space Telescope! An article by the Planetary Society (which I’m a proud member of) with more backgroun...
Jul 18, 2022•54 min•Season 3Ep. 61
Today I talk about how naming your chapters can help you when it comes time to summarize your novel for an agent or editor. Links Get a free 30 day trial of Audible with my affiliate link. Manuscript Format Blog Post. Become a Beta Reader ! Stephen King’s Reading List for Writers . Support the show . Join my Discord server . Call My Voicemail: 951-465-5391...
Jul 11, 2022•49 min•Season 3Ep. 60
I share 15 writing tips from Stephen King’s book, On Writing . I discuss my experiences and how these tips have helped me as a writer. Links Get a free 30 day trial of Audible with my affiliate link. Episode on Alpha & Beta Readers . Episode on Setting the Right Writing Goal for You . Stephen King’s Reading List for Writers . Support the show . Join my Discord server . Call My Voicemail: 951-465-5391...
Jun 27, 2022•1 hr 34 min•Season 3Ep. 59
I share some thoughts on novel pacing and the common approaches to pacing I often see in the novels I really like. I also discuss some of the things I like and dislike about thrillers and relate them to the pacing discussion. Also included is a discussion of how I rank the importance of character, setting, and plot in a story. I talk about a couple books I’ve enjoyed recently, as well as a great sci-fi TV show and a wonderful documentary. I’m Looking for Beta Readers Interested in being a beta r...
Jun 13, 2022•1 hr 15 min•Season 3Ep. 58
This week I share an important lesson I learned from being wrong about the serial comma. I go over the big three style guides used for writing in American English, including the one most important to we novelists— The Chicago Manual of Style . Before that, I share some frustrations I have as a creator on YouTube. I also talk about the merits of appendices in some novels, the singular they, and whether Pluto is a planet. I’m Looking for Beta Readers Interested in being a beta reader for my novel?...
Jun 06, 2022•1 hr 20 min•Season 3Ep. 57
This week I answer a variety of questions submitted by listener Matt Yancik. I cover a variety of writing-related topics including comparing writing and game mastering, comparing discovery writing and outlining, and the kinds of appendices I’d like to put in my book. I’m Looking for Alpha & Beta Readers Interested in being an alpha or beta reader for my novel? Head here for more information . Links Interview with Matt Yancik Get a free 30 day trial of Audible with my affiliate link. Big Pict...
May 02, 2022•1 hr 1 min•Season 3Ep. 56
This week I discuss how being a successful writer requires a careful balance of self-confidence and humility. I also consider the downside of ignoring negative and/or nasty reviews and give a more productive alternative. I’m Looking for Alpha & Beta Readers Interested in being an alpha or beta reader for my novel? Head here for more information . Links Get a free 30 day trial of Audible with my affiliate link. Big Picture Science podcast episode: Do Your Own Research . Support the show . Joi...
Apr 18, 2022•57 min•Season 3Ep. 55
Sometimes I get the impression people think commercial is a bad word—commercial as in commercial fiction. It’s not, and today I’ll tell you why. I’m Looking for Alpha & Beta Readers Interested in being an alpha or beta reader for my novel? Head here for more information . Links Get a free 30 day trial of Audible with my affiliate link. Big Picture Science podcast episode: Do Your Own Research . Support the show . Join my Discord server . Call My Voicemail: 951-465-5391...
Apr 11, 2022•51 min•Season 3Ep. 54
Today I bring you up to date on what I’ve been working on. I talk a bit about how if you don’t use it, you lose it and how I’m really loving crosswords to keep my vocabulary sharp. Finally, I discuss receiving my first alpha feedback, titling the book, and how I’m adjusting my strategy going forward. I’m Looking for Alpha & Beta Readers Interested in being an alpha or beta reader for my novel? Head here for more information . Links Get a free 30 day trial of Audible with my affiliate link. B...
Mar 28, 2022•1 hr 16 min•Season 3Ep. 53
Whether you’re doing research for your novel or looking for information of the craft of writing, it’s always a good idea to look into where the information is coming from. Does the information come from a reputable and reliable source, or not? I’m Looking for Alpha & Beta Readers Interested in being an alpha or beta reader for my novel? Head here for more information . Links Get a free 30 day trial of Audible with my affiliate link. Big Picture Science podcast episode: Do Your Own Research ....
Feb 28, 2022•57 min•Season 3Ep. 52
I have finished the second draft of my novel! Today I talk a bit on how I’m approaching my revisions and what I’m focusing on with each draft. Links Get a free 30 day trial of Audible with my affiliate link. Support the show . Join my Discord server . Call My Voicemail: 951-465-5391
Feb 21, 2022•40 min•Season 3Ep. 51
Today I share my love of fountain pens with you. I used to hate writing longhand. Now I love it, and it’s all because of fountain pens (and the inks, of course!). Links Get a free 30 day trial of Audible with my affiliate link. Becoming a Writer , Staying a Writer by J. Michael Straczysnki Goulet Pens website Goulet Pens YouTube channel Support the show . Join my Discord server . Call My Voicemail: 951-465-5391...
Feb 07, 2022•51 min•Season 3Ep. 50
I share my thoughts and process, as I begin preparing for the second book in the series. I also talk about how I plan on handling an ensemble cast of characters. Links Get a free 30 day trial of Audible with my affiliate link. Support the show . Join my Discord server . Call My Voicemail: 951-465-5391
Jan 31, 2022•59 min•Season 3Ep. 49
Today I define what specifically the terms “alpha reader” and “beta reader” mean to me and how I use them in my editing process. I also reflect on why it’s really a good idea not to let anyone read your first draft. Links The Writing Excuses podcast. Brandon Sanderson’s YouTube Channel Brandon Sanderson’s 2020 Creative Writing Lectures YouTube Channel with Brandon Sanderson’s older lecture series . Get a free 30 day trial of Audible with my affiliate link. Support the show . Join my Discord serv...
Jan 24, 2022•57 min•Season 3Ep. 48
Today I talk about beginning the process of editing the first draft of my novel. I also talk about the importance of taking some time off between finishing the first draft and beginning the second draft and how it was really difficult for me to do. Links To Sleep in a Sea of Stars by Christopher Paolini Get a free 30 day trial of Audible with my affiliate link. Support the show . Join my Discord server . Call My Voicemail: 951-465-5391...
Jan 17, 2022•57 min•Season 3Ep. 47
I have finished the first draft of my novel! In the season 2 finale episode, I reflect on the last year and the progress I’ve made in this novel. I also talk about what’s in store for the coming year, both in terms of my writing and the podcast. Thank you to all my listeners for your support, and happy holidays! Links Episode on Setting the Right Writing Goal for You Get a free 30 day trial of Audible with my affiliate link. Support the show . Join our Discord server . Call My Voicemail: 951-465...
Dec 13, 2021•1 hr 10 min•Season 2Ep. 46
One of the best ways to become a better writer is to read a lot. Today I talk about pacing. I share some observations I’ve made of a lot of books I’ve read recently—how they gradually increase momentum as the book progresses. Links To Sleep in a Sea of Stars by Christopher Paolini ( Audible trial ) Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir ( Audible trial ) On Writing by Stephen King ( Audible trial ) Get a free 30 day trial of Audible with my affiliate link. Support the show . Join our Discord server . Ca...
Dec 06, 2021•47 min•Season 2Ep. 45
Today I continue my series on writing groups and critiquing with a discussion of how to receive a critique. Links Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir ( Audible trial ) Artemis by Andy Weir ( Audible trial ) Billy Summers by Stephen King ( Audible trial ) To Sleep in a Sea of Stars by Christopher Paolini ( Audible trial ) Episode on Giving Good Critiques Episode On Writing Groups The Elements of Style The Chicago Manual of Style CMOS online Get a free 30 day trial of Audible with my affiliate link. Su...
Nov 29, 2021•46 min•Season 2Ep. 44
Today I’m going to share the ideal word counts for a debut sci-fi or fantasy novel. After that I’ll talk a bit about what I’ve learned as a writer from The Wheel of Time . Links Word Counts for Novels LOL Episode on Points of View and Tense LOL Episode on Manuscript Best Practices On Writing by Stephen King. Call My Voicemail: 951-465-5391 Try Audible for 30 days for free with my affiliate link. Support the show . Join our Discord server ....
Nov 22, 2021•58 min•Season 2Ep. 43
In episode 41 I talked about best practices for formatting your manuscript. This week I discuss best practices for backing up your manuscript and other files relevant to your work in progress. If you follow this advice, it will take a true end-of-civilization cataclysm for you to lose your work, and if that happens, you’ll likely have bigger things to worry about! Links To Sleep in a Sea of Stars by Christopher Paolini On Writing by Stephen King. Call My Voicemail: 951-465-5391 Try Audible for 3...
Nov 15, 2021•42 min•Season 2Ep. 42
Today I’m going to recommend some best practices when it comes to writing your actual manuscript. These include the best software to use and guidelines on formatting your manuscript. Links To Sleep in a Sea of Stars by Christopher Paolini On Writing by Stephen King Get a free 30 day trial of Audible with my affiliate link. Differences between Templates, Themes & Styles Templates vs. Themes How to Use Themes & Styles How to Use Word Templates Using Track Changes in Word Microsoft: Track C...
Nov 08, 2021•57 min•Season 2Ep. 41
November is national novel writing month, and for many writers that means the NaNoWriMo competition. This week I’m going to go against the grain, play devil’s advocate and discuss why NaNoWriMo might NOT be the way you want to celebrate November. Links Episode 38: Setting the Right Writing Goal for You How Long Should a Book Be? Becoming a Writer, Staying a Writer : The Artistry, Joy, and Career of Storytelling by J. Michael Straczynski On Writing by Stephen King Try Audible for 30 days for free...
Nov 01, 2021•1 hr 2 min•Season 2Ep. 40
An essential part of preparing your novel for submission is participating in a writing group. This gives you a chance to get other writers’ eyes on your novel, so they can help you improve it. A very important part of being in a writing group is being able to give good critiques of other writers’ work. Today I’m going to share some best practices for critiquing other writers, so you all can make the most of the experience. Links Episode 35: On Writing Groups Billy Summers by Stephen King Becomin...
Oct 25, 2021•1 hr•Season 2Ep. 39
The best way to make real progress as a writer is to set a daily writing goal and stick to it, writing every day. However, finding the right goal for you can be a bit of a process, and chances are you won’t get it exactly right on the first try. Today I’ll talk about how I recently changed my writing goal to something that works better for me and how it’s made all the difference.
Oct 18, 2021•1 hr 2 min•Season 2Ep. 38
Today I’ll go over some of the options for the point of view of a story. I’ll explain why you generally want to avoid the “weird” ones—they usually get in the way of the reader understanding and enjoying the story. However, occasionally a less common POV will enhance a reader’s immersion in a story, and if you can pull it off flawlessly, it can take your story to the next level.
Oct 04, 2021•1 hr 14 min•Season 2Ep. 37
Today I discuss why space tourism really is extremely important, not just for science and space exploration, but also for the future of humanity itself.
Sep 27, 2021•53 min•Season 2Ep. 36
