In this episode, we discussed:Tom's journaling practice and how he ultimately discovered that his journals could in fact be shaped into memoirsThe importance of hiring professional editorial help as he learned to writeHis system for asking for feedback from beta readers - SO many gems here. Tom does not just ask readers to let him know what they think. He shares his process and specific questions to guarantee that the feedback he gets is useful to making his book betterBraintoss - his favorite app for capturing ideas and notes on the goWhy he views writing daily (even with a newborn and a full-time job) as the key to his becoming a writer Tom’s BooksDear Dory: Journal of a Soon-to-be First-time Dad (Adventures in Dadding Book 1)Dear Arlo: Adventures in DaddingMeet Tom KrefferTom Kreffer is the author of Dear Dory: Journal of a Soon-to-be First-time Dad and Dear Arlo: Adventures in Dadding and he is the creator of the Adventures in Dadding Newsletter. He loves Star Wars and Marvel movies, and he has a degree in film and television that he firmly believes to be worth less than a second-hand toothbrush. He lives in Northampton, England with his family, whom he intends to exploit for many more story opportunities in the years to come.Connect with Tom KrefferTom on InstagramTom on FacebookTom’s Website Like the Podcast?Are you a subscriber? If not, I invite you to subscribe, so you’ll get notified every time a new episode goes up.Click here to subscribe on iTunes.Click here to subscribe on Stitcher.And, if you’re enjoying what you’re hearing, I’d be super grateful if you left me a review. Those help other creative souls find this show, and they’re fun to read. To leave a review, open up the podcast in your podcast player, and scroll down to the bottom where it gives you the option to review the show.Stay Connected with AmyJoin the bi-monthly cowriting/creating sessions, you can subscribe to the newsletter to get ideas, tips, and inspiration to get started creating and acting on those creative callings.Connect on FacebookConnect on LinkedIn.Connect on Instagram.

Dear Creativity...Let's Play

Becoming a Writer: When Your Journal Becomes a Book with Author Tom Kreffer

This is a quick little episode of the podcast, but I wanted to share something that I’ve shared with my students in classes and workshops and with clients one on one for years whenever this idea that they don’t have original ideas comes up. This will prove, unequivocally, that your ideas ARE original enough.

Are your book ideas original enough?

Here’s what you’ll learn in this solo episode:why I think planning and outlining is important,what you should include in your plan, andwhy creating a plan will NOT, in fact stifle, your creativity. You can sign up for the Plan Your Book Week Challenge here.Like the Podcast?Are you a subscriber? If not, I invite you to subscribe, so you’ll get notified every time a new episode goes up.Click here to subscribe on iTunes.Click here to subscribe on Stitcher.And, if you’re enjoying what you’re hearing, I’d be super grateful if you left a review. Those help other creative souls find this show, and they’re fun to read. To leave a review, open up the Dear Creativity Let’s Play podcast in your podcast player. Scroll down to the bottom and let the world know what you think!Stay Connected with AmySubscribe to the newsletter to get ideas, tips, and inspiration to get started writing and creating and bringing your creative gifts and books into the world. You’ll also have access to twice-monthly co-writing sessions.Connect on Facebook.

Should You Outline Your Novel?

Writing and publishing one book is hard. It’s a commitment to yourself and to your creative practice. But if you want to become a full-time novelist, it takes more than one book. My guest today committed big and has managed to write and publish close to 30 full-length novels in the past three years, many of which she wrote while teaching full-time. If you're like me, this sounds like an almost impossible task, but as Celeste proves, it can be done and done well. We dive into how she accomplished this and continues to write and publish multiple novels a year.

On Becoming a Full-Time Novelist with Author Celeste Barclay

Ohhhh…THIS episode. It’s UH-MAZ-ING!! It’s that good because my guest is one of the wisest, kindest, and most generous of women shining her brilliant light on the planet right now, Janet Conner. The re-release of this episode is for two reasons. The first is that a new edition of her book Writing Down Your Soul was released in July 2021. And, in honor of that, Janet is teaching a brand new course on her book, something she hasn’t done in years. I really wanted to share this with you.

Re-Release (Episode #25): Deep Soul Writing to Connect with Your Inner Wisdom with Author Janet Conner

In this episode, we discussed:How Tara managed to get that first book drafted in three monthsThe impact her book had on her business (it wasn't what she expected)How she showed herself grace through the process by not demanding perfectionand much more!Tara's BookHungry: Trust Your Body and Free your Mind Around FoodMeet Tara WhitneyTara Whitney is a published author, podcaster, speaker and coach. She’s leading a revolution of women who are listening to their own internal wisdom, respecting and nourishing their bodies and ultimately trusting themselves in every area of their lives. Her latest book, Hungry: Trust Your Body and Free Your Mind around Food, offers a fresh perspective on why women have struggled with food and gives them a path to set themselves free. Tara is also the host of the Hungry: Trust Your Body. Free Your Mind. podcast where she interviews some amazing guests who’ve transformed their own relationship with food. They share what their life is like now that their minds are free and they trust their bodies. Connect with Tara WhitneyTara on InstagramTara on  LinkedInTara's WebsiteLike the Podcast?Are you a subscriber? If not, I invite you to subscribe, so you’ll get notified every time a new episode goes up.Click here to subscribe on iTunes.Click here to subscribe on Stitcher.And, if you’re enjoying what you’re hearing, I’d be super grateful if you left me a review. Those help other creative souls find this show, and they’re fun to read. To leave a review, open up the podcast in your podcast player, and scroll down to the bottom where it gives you the option to review the show.Stay Connected with AmyJoin the bi-monthly cowriting/creating sessions, you can subscribe to the newsletter to get ideas, tips, and inspiration to get started creating and acting on those creative callings.Connect on Facebook.Connect on Instagram.

Becoming a Writer: When a book idea hits (but you're not a writer) with Author Tara Whitney

The idea of taking a data-driven look at your creative process might feel uninspiring, however, if tracking what we're doing with data can help us to have more fun with our writing and feel good about our writing sessions, why not give it a go? This is really about finding your own writing process rather than cherry-picking ideas from different writers or trying things that might not be aligned with how you work.

Finding Your Perfect Writing Process

In this episode, we discussed:The value of feedback and “practicing in public”That it’s easier to write fast when you’re writing what you really enjoy writing (not new info or a shocker but it definitely bears repeating!)Bryan's top three tips  for writing more (from his book of 33 tips – which is a solid, quick read - see link below)You don’t have to type to write and how other methods help him write moreThe value of planning writing sessionsA few of Bryan’s Books that we discussedBecome a Writer Today: The Complete Series: Book 1: Yes, You Can Write! | Book 2: The Savvy Writer’s Guide to Productivity | Book 3: The Art of Writing a Non-Fiction BookYes, You Can Write!: 101 Proven Writing Prompts that Will Help You Find Creative Ideas Faster for Your Journal, Blogging, Writing Your Book and More (Become a Writer Today 1)Meet Bryan CollinsBryan Collins is an author from Ireland who helps writers build authority and earn a living from their creative work. He’s also a former Forbes columnist and his work has appeared in publications like Lifehacker and Fast Company.Connect with BryanBryan on TwitterBryan’s Website - become a writer todayLike the Podcast?Are you a subscriber? If not, I invite you to subscribe, so you’ll get notified every time a new episode goes up.Click here to subscribe on iTunes.Click here to subscribe on Stitcher.And, if you’re enjoying what you’re hearing, I’d be super grateful if you left me a review. Those help other creative souls find this show, and they’re fun to read. To leave a review, open up the podcast in your podcast player, and scroll down to the bottom where it gives you the option to review the show.Stay Connected with AmyJoin the bi-monthly cowriting/creating sessions, you can subscribe to the newsletter to get ideas, tips, and inspiration to get started creating and acting on those creative callings.Connect on Facebook.Connect on Instagram.

Ep 72: Becoming a More Productive Writer with Bryan Collins

The force was with Byron Lane, former personal assistant to Carrie Fisher, when he wrote and published his debut novel, A Star is Bored, about a personal assistant to an eccentric movie star. While he drew on personal experience, the novel is fully fictionalized and hilarious. Byron openly shares his struggles and wins as he traveled down the road to becoming a novelist.In this episode, we discussed:Why Byron chose to Write A Star is Bored as a novel rather than a memoirWhat he’s done to learn to write fiction and novelsWorking with freelance editors on early drafts to learn to tighten up the story and focus on what’s importantThe plot structure Byron relies on to get going and out of “stuckness”The importance of a characters internal journey for a successful storyHow to get feedback from readers rather without reading reviewsMeet Byron LaneByron Lane is an author, playwright, and screenwriter. His debut novel is called A STAR IS BORED, hailed by the New York Times as “wildly funny,” about an uptight celebrity assistant struggling to manage his eccentric movie star boss, inspired in part by Lane’s time as assistant to beloved actress Carrie Fisher. He is a two-time regional Emmy Award winner from his time as a television journalist. Lane also wrote the acclaimed play TILDA SWINTON ANSWERS AN AD ON CRAIGSLIST, the award winning web series LAST WILL & TESTICLE, and the feature film HERPES BOY starring Academy Award winner Octavia Spencer.Connect with ByronByron on InstagramByron’s WebsiteLike the Podcast?Are you a subscriber? If not, I invite you to subscribe, so you’ll get notified every time a new episode goes up.Click here to subscribe on iTunes.Click here to subscribe on Stitcher.And, if you’re enjoying what you’re hearing, I’d be super grateful if you left me a review. Those help other creative souls find this show, and they’re fun to read. To leave a review, open up the podcast in your podcast player, and scroll down to the bottom where it gives you the option to review the show.Stay Connected with AmyJoin the bi-monthly cowriting/creating sessions, you can subscribe to the newsletter to get ideas, tips, and inspiration to get started creating and acting on those creative callings.Connect on Facebook.Connect on Instagram.

71. Byron Lane: Crafting Fiction from Your Life

Here’s what you’ll learn in this solo episode:a simple process for choosing books to read and the steps to take to read like a writeran example that walks you through the processLike the Podcast?Are you a subscriber? If not, I invite you to subscribe, so you’ll get notified every time a new episode goes up.Click here to subscribe on iTunes.Click here to subscribe on Stitcher.And, if you’re enjoying what you’re hearing, I’d be super grateful if you left a review. Those help other creative souls find this show, and they’re fun to read. To leave a review, open up the Dear Creativity Let’s Play podcast in your podcast player. Scroll down to the bottom and let the world know what you think!Stay Connected with AmySubscribe to the newsletter  to get ideas, tips, and inspiration to get started writing and bringing books into the world. You’ll also have access to twice-monthly co-writing sessions.Connect on Facebook or Join Amy’s Facebook group for Aspiring Authors.Connect on Instagram.

70: How to Read like a Writer

Here’s what you’ll learn in this solo episode:how to clear your brain so you can decidea handful of questions to ask yourself to help you make your decisionLike the Podcast?Are you a subscriber? If not, I invite you to subscribe, so you’ll get notified every time a new episode goes up.Click here to subscribe on iTunes.Click here to subscribe on Stitcher.And, if you’re enjoying what you’re hearing, I’d be super grateful if you left a review. Those help other creative souls find this show, and they’re fun to read. To leave a review, open up the Dear Creativity Let’s Play podcast in your podcast player. Scroll down to the bottom and let the world know what you think!Stay Connected with AmySubscribe to the newsletter to get ideas, tips, and inspiration to get started writing and creating and bringing your creative gifts and books into the world. You’ll also have access to twice-monthly co-writing sessions.Connect on Facebook or Join Amy’s Facebook group for Aspiring Authors.Connect on Instagram.

69: Choosing a Project When you Feel Overwhelmed by too Many Ideas

Here’s what you’ll learn in this solo episode:how you can develop a well-rounded villainhow and when to introduce them in your storyfive questions to ask about your character as you develop thema few specific ways you can make them force your protagonist to actBooks Mentioned in this EpisodeCharacters & Viewpoint (Elements of Fiction Writing) by Orson Scott CardThe Emotional Wound Thesaurus: A Writer’s Guide to Psychological Trauma by Angela Ackerman and Becca PuglisiThe Negative Trait Thesaurus: A Writer’s Guide to Character Flaws by Angela Ackerman and Becca PuglisiLike the Podcast?Are you a subscriber? If not, I invite you to subscribe, so you’ll get notified every time a new episode goes up.Click here to subscribe on iTunes.Click here to subscribe on Stitcher.And, if you’re enjoying what you’re hearing, I’d be super grateful if you left a review. Those help other creative souls find this show, and they’re fun to read. To leave a review, open up the Dear Creativity Let’s Play podcast in your podcast player. Scroll down to the bottom and let the world know what you think!Stay Connected with AmySubscribe to the newsletter to get ideas, tips, and inspiration to get started writing and creating and bringing your creative gifts and books into the world. You’ll also have access to twice-monthly co-writing sessions.Connect on Facebook or Join Amy’s Facebook group for Aspiring Authors.Connect on Instagram.

Tips to Develop a Believable Villain (villain series #2)

In this episode, we discussed:The villain as a mirror to the protagonistHow Ellie uses discovery drafts, or as she says the “crap draft” to get to know her characters and storyHer different approaches to writing novels vs. screenplaysWhy humanizing your villain can deepen that characterIf you need to include your villain’s backstory in your bookA great Scrivener tip for saving drafts of your novel – I’ve used Scrivener for YEARS and just learned this tipMeet Ellie Shoja“Modern-day Rumi” Ellie Shoja is a serial entrepreneur, author of The 13th Planet and Your Heart Knows The Way, co-founder of Peace Unleashed, TEDx speaker, and the co-host of the Unleash Your Peace podcast.As the daughter of an international con man, Ellie moved 30 times and lived in refugee camps in Germany before immigrating to the United States at the age of 15. By the age of 12, Ellie was suffering from severe nervous tics, anger and mood disorders, and suicidal ideation. What began as a personal healing journey turned into an 18-year deep dive into various modalities of psychology, philosophy, and spirituality. Ellie founded Peace Unleashed in order to share the inner peace strategies, tools, and processes that helped her become one of the most grounded and peaceful people living today.Ellie has been featured in various podcasts and publications including Entrepreneur, Elite Daily, Authority Magazine, and Thrive Global. Among her clients are A-list celebrities, influencers, and online personalities. She is a keynote speaker and has spoken at national and international conferences including Borderless Content Congress, The Great American Pitchfest, and Digital Hollywood.Connect with EllieEllie on InstagramEllie on YouTubeEllie’s WebsiteLinks Mentioned in the ShowScrivener – our favorite novel drafting toolLike the Podcast?Are you a subscriber? If not, I invite you to subscribe, so you’ll get notified every time a new episode goes up.Click here to subscribe on iTunes.Click here to subscribe on Stitcher.And, if you’re enjoying what you’re hearing, I’d be super grateful if you left me a review. Those help other creative souls find this show, and they’re fun to read. To leave a review, open up the podcast in your podcast player, and scroll down to the bottom where it gives you the option to review the show.Stay Connected with AmyJoin the bi-monthly cowriting/creating sessions, you can subscribe to the newsletter to get ideas, tips, and inspiration to get started creating and acting on those creative callings.Connect on Facebook.Connect on Instagram.

How to Write a Villain with Author Ellie Shoja

Here’s what you'll learn in this solo episode:the benefits of setting deadlines for your writing projects and sessionsthe types of deadlines you can sethow to make them realistic and achievablea series of questions to ask yourself to help you set realistic writing goalssome ideas on actually meeting your writing deadlines, so you can get  your books finished and meet your deadlines to share your books with the world, rather than feel overwhelmed and frustrated because you missed your deadlineBooks Mentioned in this EpisodeThe 90 Day Year by Brian P. MoranLinks I shared:Facebook Group – to access the monthly links for the Write-Together SessionsLike the Podcast?Are you a subscriber? If not, I invite you to subscribe, so you’ll get notified every time a new episode goes up.Click here to subscribe on iTunes.Click here to subscribe on Stitcher.And, if you’re enjoying what you’re hearing, I’d be super grateful if you left a review. Those help other creative souls find this show, and they’re fun to read. To leave a review, open up the Dear Creativity Let’s Play podcast in your podcast player. Scroll down to the bottom and let the world know what you think!Stay Connected with AmySubscribe to the newsletter to get ideas, tips, and inspiration to get started writing and creating and bringing your creative gifts and books into the world. You’ll also have access to twice-monthly co-writing sessions.Connect on Facebook or Join Amy’s Facebook group for Aspiring Authors.Connect on Instagram

How to Use Deadlines Effectively to Get Your Book Written

Following this interview, I scheduled a session with Shailaja to help me with my own social media and OH MY GOSH! She’s so incredibly helpful and genuine. For the first time ever, I’ve been able to think of posting on social media with…excitement and joy rather than dread and overwhelm. Reach out if you’d like to write meaningful short-form content to reach your readersIn this episode, we discussed:The magic of using social media to connect with readersCombining the art of creating with the art of genuine connectionShailaja’s super easy system to consistently come up with short form content, whether it’s for an article, blog post or social media postThe importance of balancing creating with consuming contentWhy we should use editors and be open to editorial feedback, even on shorter contentHow our short form content can inform creation of longer piecesMeet Shailaja VishwanathShailaja Vishwanath is a blog and social media coach with over a decade of blogging experience. For the past few years she’s also been coaching other content creators and bloggers to grow their organic audience without the overwhelm. She helps creators DIY their blogging and social media strategy and helps them truly connect with their audience.Connect with ShailajaShailaja’s Blog Reboot ProgramShailaja on InstagramShailaja on LinkedInShailaja’s WebsiteLinks Mentioned in the ShowEpisode 55 – Idea Capture ToolsEpisode 37 – Idea Generation StrategiesAmy’s Facebook Group to continue the discussionLike the Podcast?Are you a subscriber? If not, I invite you to subscribe, so you’ll get notified every time a new episode goes up.Click here to subscribe on iTunes.Click here to subscribe on Stitcher.And, if you’re enjoying what you’re hearing, I’d be super grateful if you left me a review. Those help other creative souls find this show, and they’re fun to read. To leave a review, open up the podcast in your podcast player, and scroll down to the bottom where it gives you the option to review the show.Stay Connected with AmyJoin the bi-monthly cowriting/creating sessions, you can subscribe to the newsletter to get ideas, tips, and inspiration to get started creating and acting on those creative callings.Connect on Facebook.Connect on Instagram.

Finding Your Voice through Short Form Writing with Shailaja V

Are you ready to reconnect with your creativity? This is the podcast for you if you want to spend time playing with what lights you up and creating but aren’t sure where to start or need support in continuing down the creative path. Everyone is innately creative, and life can be so much more fun and joyful when we heed that call to connect with our creativity and begin creating. As a creativity coach, writer and quilter, Amy talks about her own creative life and process as well as hosting interviews with guests about all things creativity: the process, blocks and challenges, creative thinking, creativity as play, and sharing your creative gifts with the world.

hubhopper

Dear Creativity...Let's Play

hubhopper