 Hello there! Let's talk about writing trends and why they might not be the best thing. Before the pandemic, it was all about writing 500 words a day, writing at sunrise, writing late at night, weekly writing groups, writing, writing, writing. And I think after we were forced to sit our asses down, it seems like these trends might have been too much to begin with. Like everything else before the pandemic, writing was kind of a hustle and grind to become great writers. And now? I think it's all about writing on your schedule and making sure it makes you happy. Of course, I want you to write consistently. But I also want you to add writing in that gets you excited to actually write. Take a listen to the latest episode to see how I've changed my beliefs about writing trends. Sign up for my newsletter and get free stuff! If you liked this episode, please give it a review on iTunes, SoundCloud, Spotify, and Amazon Podcasts!    Follow me on the internet: Website - Instagram - Twitter Have questions, comments? Share online with the hashtag #pttppodcast or send me an email: renayle(at)pentothepaper(dot)com! Music: "Werq" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

Pen to the Paper Podcast

Episode 3.2 - You Don't Need to Follow Writing Trends

Welcome to season 3 premier episode of Pen to the Paper! In today's episode, I'm talking about audiobooks. Do you use them? I think audiobooks get a bad rap, honestly. Audiobooks can help people recall what they've heard better, and are way more convenient as you're walking to the train or shopping for groceries. But, how do audiobooks help you when it comes to writing? Listen to this episode to find out how, and a couple of apps I use to listen on the go. Past episode of why reading helps you write. If you liked this episode, please give it a review on iTunes, SoundCloud, Spotify, and Amazon Podcasts!  Follow me on the internet:  Website - Instagram - Twitter Have questions, comments? Share online with the hashtag #pttppodcast or send me an email: renayle(at)pentothepaper(dot)com! Music: "Werq" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

Episode 3.1: Using Audiobooks for Better Writing

Hello there! I've got a bonus podcast episode for ya before I start season 3! If you've been wondering where I've been, this episode will explain that. I'll also talk about what's to come for season 3. I packed quite a bit in 30 minutes. Thanks for sticking by me through the ups and downs! Episode on my mom's MS. Link to the Hystersisters network. If you liked this episode, please give it a review on iTunes, SoundCloud, Spotify, and Amazon Podcasts!    Follow me on the internet:  Website - Instagram - Twitter   Have questions, comments? Share online with the hashtag #pttppodcast or send me an email: renayle(at)pentothepaper(dot)com!   Music: "Werq" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

BONUS EPISODE: Where I've Been and What to Look for in Season 3

In today's episode, let's talk about the love we have for writing! Let's celebrate how we enjoy coming up with ideas. Or how we jolt up in the middle of the night to write that dream down because we can use it for something. Or how we can spend hour glued to our laptops or notebooks writing and not get tired. Being a writer is more than sitting alone in a room. It's about making characters and scenes come to life, to have that ability to make people interested what we do. So enjoy my ode to writers and writing! If you like this episode, please give it a review on iTunes, SoundCloud, Spotify, and Amazon Podcasts!    Follow me on the internet:   Website - Instagram - Twitter   Have questions, comments? Share online with the hashtag #pttppodcast or send me an email: renayle(at)pentothepaper(dot)com!   Music: "Werq" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

Episode 2.29 - When You Realize Writing is Your Passion

As you can tell from the title, today's episode is a heartfelt realization that writing isn't for you. Sure, this podcast is about helping you create writing habits and overcoming fears. But I also have to give the other side of things, including realizing that writing is not your thing. And that's okay. It's all about perspective this month. I give you some tips on when it's time to hang up your pen and paper. If you like this episode, please give it a review on iTunes, SoundCloud, Spotify, and Amazon Podcasts!    Follow me on the internet:   Website - Instagram - Twitter   Have questions, comments? Share online with the hashtag #pttppodcast or send me an email: renayle(at)pentothepaper(dot)com!   Music: "Werq" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

Episode 2.28 - When You Realize Writing Isn't For You

In today's episode, it could be time to quit freelancing. Have you come to a realization that it's time to go from freelancer back to employee? That's okay. What started out exciting at first became too much to handle. And you miss the routine of office birthday cake and chatting with others about the latest show. I've felt that way. I gave freelance writing a try, and I realized it's not for me. Listen to hear the clues you should quit freelancing, and my story of how I came to this perspective. If you like this episode, please give it a review on iTunes, SoundCloud, Spotify, and Amazon Podcasts!    Follow me on the internet:   Website - Instagram - Twitter   Have questions, comments? Share online with the hashtag #pttppodcast or send me an email: renayle(at)pentothepaper(dot)com!   Music: "Werq" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

Episode 2.27 - When You Need to Quit Freelancing

Oooooh wee, what a title! So, you're coming to this podcast and seeing this title and going "WTF." Why would I say something like that? Well, because you need to take a moment and see what's not working with your novel. It's okay to realize you won't be able to finish it, either due to life stuff, or you're completely stuck at a point. Today's podcast is a reminder to not be so hard on yourself if you need to drop your novel. PS - Peep my bird friends at the end! :) If you like this episode, please give it a review on iTunes, SoundCloud, Spotify, and Amazon Podcasts!    Follow me on the internet:   Website - Instagram - Twitter   Have questions, comments? Share online with the hashtag #pttppodcast or send me an email: renayle(at)pentothepaper(dot)com!   Music: "Werq" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

Episode 2.26 - When It's Time to Drop Your Novel

This is the final part of the novel series! we're getting into the why and how of the story. now, when I say have a beautiful conflict and resolution, it doesn't mean it's all pretty and sunshine. what we're doing is making sure you're satisfied with the outcome, and you didn't forget anything. I've got a checklist for you to go over your story with in case you missed something. If you like this episode, please give it a review on iTunes, SoundCloud, Spotify, and Amazon Podcasts!    Follow me on the internet:   Website - Instagram - Twitter   Have questions, comments? Share online with the hashtag #pttppodcast or send me an email: renayle(at)pentothepaper(dot)com!   Music: "Werq" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

Episode 2.25 - Four Ways to Create Impactful Conflicts and Resolutions (Part Five)

In Part Four of this novel writing series, we're making the setting a part of the story, AKA the "where."   Why? You want your reader to feel the way a character feels walking down the street, going past that coffee shop, and getting on the train. It helps get them in your character's shoes as they're out and about. So how do you that? You make the setting it's own character. I'm giving you a few tips on how to do that.   If you like this episode, please give it a review on iTunes, SoundCloud, Spotify, and Amazon Podcasts!    Follow me on the internet:   Website - Instagram - Twitter   Have questions, comments? Share online with the hashtag #pttppodcast or send me an email: renayle(at)pentothepaper(dot)com!   Music: "Werq" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

Episode 2.24 - Three Ways to Make Your Setting Come Alive (Part Four)

Today's podcast features guest writer Michelle Cox! If you're thinking of writing historical fiction, this is the perfect episode for you! Even if you aren't, this is a good way to understand getting the "when" of your story right. Michelle and I talk about the importance of nailing the accuracy when writing a historical story. And we also dig into how she handles fears, even after writing over a half-dozen books! Sit back and be ready to take some notes! A little info on Michelle Cox: Michelle Cox is the author of the Henrietta and Inspector Howard series as well as “Novel Notes of Local Lore,” a weekly blog dedicated to Chicago’s forgotten residents. Her books have won over 50 international awards and have been praised by Kirkus, Library Journal, Publishers Weekly, Booklist, Elle, Redbook, Brit&Co., Popsuger, Buzzfeed, and many others. Unbeknownst to most, Michelle hoards board games she doesn’t have time to play and is, not surprisingly, addicted to period dramas and big band music. Also marmalade. She lives in Chicago with her husband, three children, naughty Goldendoodle and is hard at work on her latest novel. Check out the Henrietta and Inspector Howard Series! Check out Novel Notes of Local Lore! Follow Michelle Cox on Instagram! If you like this episode, please give it a review on iTunes, SoundCloud, Spotify, and Amazon Podcasts!    Follow me on the internet:   Website - Instagram - Twitter   Have questions, comments? Share online with the hashtag #pttppodcast or send me an email: renayle(at)pentothepaper(dot)com!   Music: "Werq" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

Episode 2.23 - Getting the History Right in Your Novel with Guest Michelle Cox (Part Three)

Welcome to part two of the five-part novel challenge! Today's episode focuses on the what: your plot, what your story is about. Now, how do we make it so that people can't get enough of it? What you need to do is hook them in. Either by fear (OMG what's gonna happen to that person?!), intrigue (what's gonna happen next I wonder?) or even annoyance (dammit, I can't stand them. Let me see if they get what's coming to them.) I have a few tips on how you can get people to fall in love with your plot. Grab a pen and paper to take some notes! If you like this episode, please give it a review on iTunes, SoundCloud, Spotify, and Amazon Podcasts!    Follow me on the internet:   Website - Instagram - Twitter   Have questions, comments? Share online with the hashtag #pttppodcast or send me an email: renayle(at)pentothepaper(dot)com!   Music: "Werq" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

Episode 2.22 - How to Get People to Fall in Love with Your Plot (Part Two)

This episode is Part One of a five-part series on creating your novel. I usually like to do these right when baseball starts, because it really reminds me of springtime. And I'm starting now because there's only four Wednesdays in April, so there ya go. The first part is the who of your novel: the things you need to make characters compelling and get people drawn to them and make them pleasing. What do I mean by making them pleasing? Attracting them: beyond physical, but emotionally also. I give a couple examples of creating compelling characters both good and bad so you can see even how your antagonist can hook readers in. Link for more info on Camp NaNoWriMo: https://blog.nanowrimo.org/post/644670475993333760/join-camp-nanowrimo-this-april If you like this episode, please give it a review on iTunes, SoundCloud, Spotify, and Amazon Podcasts!    Follow me on the internet:   Website - Instagram - Twitter   Have questions, comments? Share online with the hashtag #pttppodcast or send me an email: renayle(at)pentothepaper(dot)com!   Music: "Werq" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

Episode 2.21 - Why Your Characters Need to be Pleasing (Part One)

Welcome to the 20th episode of the season! In today's episode, I'm giving journaling a lotta love. Remember the days of writing in our diaries, trying to figure out our thoughts in our heads? Why did we stop that as adults? Journaling can be your superpower. It can boost your confidence, help you organize your thoughts, and it's the best hype man ever. So take a listen to this quick episode, and let me know if you're journaling now as an adult, or if you stopped and wanna get back into it. If you like this episode, please give it a review on iTunes, SoundCloud, Spotify, and Amazon Podcasts!    Follow me on the internet:   Website - Instagram - Twitter   Have questions, comments? Share online with the hashtag #pttppodcast or send me an email: renayle(at)pentothepaper(dot)com!   Music: "Werq" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

Episode 2.20 - How to Use Journaling to Boost Your Confidence

What do you do when someone you're close with doesn't like your book? Today's episode might hit home for some. You're working on your book, and someone wants to take a look at it. You let them, because you trust their opinion. They come back and find little things to disagree with, such as "there's so much cursing" or "you really think THAT about (insert controversial topic)?" And it's gonna make you feel defeated and have second thoughts about that book. Stop right there. Today's episode is how to deal with criticism like that. I give you three things to remember when someone wants to nitpick at your book. If you like this episode, please give it a review on iTunes, SoundCloud, Spotify, and Amazon Podcasts!    Follow me on the internet:   Website - Instagram - Twitter   Have questions, comments? Share online with the hashtag #pttppodcast or send me an email: renayle(at)pentothepaper(dot)com!   Music: "Werq" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

Episode 2.19 - Don't Worry About What People Will Think of Your Book

This episode is for my freelance peeps who need a bit of encouragement today. I want you to speak up and stand up for yourself, because you need to count on yourself to make it. You need to bet on yourself, and go "all in." And there's only one thing you need to do to gain that confidence, and that's raise your prices. In today's episode, I am going to tell you the three reasons why raising your prices is not only needed, but it will get people to take you more seriously. Listen now and then give yourself a raise! If you like this episode, please give it a review on iTunes, SoundCloud, Spotify, and Amazon Podcasts!    Follow me on the internet:   Website - Instagram - Twitter   Have questions, comments? Share online with the hashtag #pttppodcast or send me an email: renayle(at)pentothepaper(dot)com!   Music: "Werq" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

Episode 2.18 - Three Reasons You Should Raise Your Freelance Prices

Pen to the Paper is a podcast helping writers drop the word "aspiring" from their vocabulary and become great at their craft and produce epic s***. Host Renayle Fink wanted to help people easily get into a writing habit. She knows it's grueling yet rewarding, and she gives out tips, tricks, and life lessons to help push writers through their procrastination and fears. By learning to get into a writing habit, you'll become more productive and make writing into the career you've dreamed of.

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Pen to the Paper Podcast

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