The Writer's Mindset

Writing Ghost Stories (with The Indy Author's Matty Dalrymple and Activated Author's Daniel Willcocks)

27 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We recently went live over on YouTube to talk all things ghost-story writing with Matty Dalrymple, from The Indy Author, and Daniel Willcocks, from Ac...

Self-care, energy levels, and looking ahead

22 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

It’s time for a very important announcement!Productivity for Writers: https://amzn.to/3Yie2zq *Writing Myths: https://amzn.to/3VXeSQG *How to Write ...

Just 4 Mins of us Not Being Able to Speak, Read Our Own Scripts, or Get Zoom to Behave...

15 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

As you’ve probably noticed, we’re trying to make things easier for ourselves by using a pre-recorded intro/outro. Turns out that recording that wa...

Blunders, Bumbles, and Bloopers

08 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Basically a compilation of all the times we couldn't speak or got interrupted while recording season 6.

Analytics for Authors (Full Interview with Gail Carriger)

01 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Gail Carriger has multiple NYT bestsellers and over a million books in print in dozens of different languages. She writes comedies of manners mixed wi...

Don't Forget Your Climax! How to Write Epic Endings

24 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

It's easy to lose momentum as you write, spending all your energy on your beginning and fizzling out as you push yourself to finish your book. But...

How to Create a Large, Diverse Cast Your Readers Will Love

17 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This week on The Writer's Mindset we share tips on how you can create a large, diverse cast of characters your readers will love just as much as y...

How to Get to Know Your Characters Better

14 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Visit www.writerscookbook.com/backstory today to grab your spot

Writing Habits and Accountability (with Clarissa Gosling)

10 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Clarissa has always lived more in the world of daydream and fiction than in reality. In her writing she explores purpose and belonging across worlds. ...

Analytics for Authors Part 2 (with Gail Carriger)

03 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Part two of our interview with Gail!Gail Carriger has multiple NYT bestsellers and over a million books in print in dozens of different languages. She...

Analytics for Authors Part 1 (with Gail Carriger)

27 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Part 2 coming next week!Part one of our interview with Gail if you'd prefer to listen to it in two chunks :)Gail Carriger has multiple NYT bestsel...

Plotting Made Simple (with Shane Millar)

20 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Shane Millar is a Fictionary Certified Story Coach and the author of the Write Better Fiction craft guides. He is also the author of the Myth & Ma...

Cancer, Writing, and Motivation (with Clare Stevens)

13 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Clare grew up in Somerset but has lived most of her adult life in Nottingham, with brief sojourns in four other UK cities.She began her career as a jo...

How to Juggle Writing and a Full-Time Job (with J.W. Judge)

06 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

J. W. Judge is a lawyer by day and a novelist in the early morning hours before the sun wakes all the other creatures. His writing is fueled by vivid ...

Author Burnout (with Becca Syme)

29 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Becca Syme is a Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach and holds a Master’s degree in Transformational Leadership. She is the host of the Quitcast for Wri...

Writing and Publishing Short Stories (with Matty Dalrymple)

22 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Matty Dalrymple podcasts, writes, speaks, and consults on the writing craft and the publishing voyage as The Indy Author. She is the host of THE INDY ...

Managing Multiple Streams of Income (with L.L. MacRae)

15 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Lauren is a fantasy author of character-driven stories and epic adventure. Her books usually contain dragons, bucket-loads of magic, and are typically...

Writing Dialogue-Centric First Drafts (with Jeff Elkins)

08 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Jeff Elkins writes stories about outsiders who fight for outcasts, rejects, and the oppressed. He is the author of more than ten novels, a Certified T...

Things You Should Know Before You Publish Your First Book

01 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In our first episode of season six, we bring back past guests Elizabeth Spann Craig, Alexa Whitewolf, Matty Dalrymple, and Daniel Willcocks to ask the...

Interview Compilation - Characters and Theme

25 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

To tide you over during the summer, we've put together compilations of some of the best bits from previous interviews. This week, we share our gue...

Interview Compilation - Dealing with Overwhelm

18 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

To tide you over during the summer, we've put together compilations of some of the best bits from previous interviews. This week, we share our gue...

Interview Compilation - Plotting

11 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

To tide you over during the summer, we've put together compilations of some of the best bits from previous interviews. This week, we share our gue...

Season 5 Bloopers

04 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

More furry interrupts and times we just couldn't brain.

How Rest Helps You Get More Sh*t Done

28 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

While it may sound counterproductive, rest is an important part of being a productive writer. It can help us to concentrate and feel calmer. It can ev...

How to Write a Successful Series (with Helen Scheuerer)

21 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Helen Scheuerer is the YA fantasy author of the bestselling trilogy, The Oremere Chronicles and the Curse of the Cyren Queen quartet. Her work has bee...

How to Write Brilliant Beginnings (with Shane Millar)

14 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Shane Millar is a Fictionary Certified Story Coach and the author of the Write Better Fiction craft guides. He is also the author of the Myth & Ma...

Reader Magnets and Cookies (with Tammi Labrecque)

07 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Tammi Labrecque lives in Central Maine with three spoiled cats, two neurotic dogs, and dozens of fictional characters that keep her awake nights.She w...

Using History to Inspire Your Writing (with Gudrun Lauret)

30 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Gudrun is a copywriter and content marketer who helps businesses to make the most of their best content. History is her real passion and she joined us...

Taking off Your Pants to Become a Plotter (with Libbie Hawker)

23 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Libbie Hawker is a bestselling novelist who specializes in historical and literary fiction. She is also the author of the popular how-to guide Take Of...

Should You Redesign Your Book Covers? (with G.M.White)

16 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

G.M. White has always been an avid reader, a love of the written word instilled in him by his parents at an early age. This may or may not have someth...

The Heroine's Journey and Reader Expectations (with Gail Carriger)

09 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Gail Carriger has multiple NYT bestsellers and over a million books in print in dozens of different languages. She writes comedies of manners mixed wi...

How to Build Your Audience and Make a Difference Doing it (with Miriam Laundry)

02 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Miriam is a 5x bestselling children's book author and the CEO of ML Publishing. It's her absolute joy to work with other authors and watch the...

12 Writing Resources to Change Your Writing Life

26 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This week on The Writer's Mindset we share all the writing techniques, hacks, tips, resources, and more that have improved our craft over the last...

Publishing Fiction via an App (with C.L. Peache)

19 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

C.L. Peache currently lives in Newark-On-Trent. In her spare time she enjoys reading, travelling, walking, kayaking, watching motorbike racing, social...

Publishing Wide for the Win (with Mark Leslie Lefebvre)

12 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Mark Leslie Lefebvre is the Director of Business Development for Draft2Digital, a free and author-centric platform celebrating its 10th anniversary in...

How to Write Superbad Villains (with Sacha Black)

05 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Sacha Black is a bestselling and competition winning author, rebel podcaster, speaker and casual rule breaker. She writes about people with magical po...

Mindset, Marketing, and More for Indie Authors (with Daniel Willcocks)

28 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

While we set up for season five, check out this bonus episode, taken from our interview with Daniel Willcocks. It's full of juicy tips to help you...

Parenting, Writing, and Productivity (with Sacha Black)

21 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

While we set up for season five, check out this bonus episode, taken from our interview with Sacha Black. In it, she talks all about how she juggles w...

HEALTHY HABITS: Intro

19 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In our new bonus series, Kristina explores the techniques she uses to manage her chronic health issues while still writing, publishing, and podcasting...

The Link Between Horror and Comedy (with Jonathan Taylor)

14 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

While we set up for season five, check out this bonus episode, taken from our interview with Jonathan Taylor. Kristina just couldn't help talking ...

Fluff Ups, Four-Legged Interruptions, and Segues

07 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

All the times we couldn't speak, pets interrupted us, or we went on random segues during season four.

How to Worldbuild...When You Hate Worldbuilding

31 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

How do you get over your hatred of worldbuilding enough to publish a fantasy series? Kristina shares her tips in our latest episode!In this episode, y...

Writing Cosy Mysteries (with Debbie Young)

17 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Debbie is the author of nine novels across two series, 7 in the Sophie Sayers Village Mysteries, and 2 in the Staffroom at St Bride's series, curr...

What Every Author Website Needs (with Kenny MacKay)

10 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Kenny MacKay is the host of the Author Your Dream podcast, a show he launched in March of 2020. As an author himself, he knows what it's like to h...

How to Write and Publish on the Side of Your Day Job (with Lori Vajda and Nola Boea)

03 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Lori Vajda, MSW, Founder and CEO of GB Brand Partners, and co-founder of Sticky Brand Lab. She'd describe herself as a multi-hyphenated, multi-fa...

How to Self-Publish and Market Children's Fiction (with Darcy Pattison)

24 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Children’s book author and indie publisher Darcy Pattison writes award-winning fiction and non-fiction books for children. Her works have received s...

What Book Reviews Can Teach Us About Writing (with Gina Jackson)

17 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Gina Jackson is a content writer, copywriter and sometime proofreader. She also reviews books and wants to create a podcast for them.In this episode, ...

Learning to Love Book Research (with Savannah Kade)

10 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Check out Wondrium*: https://www.writerscookbook.com/wondriumSavannah wrote her first romance at age eight—even then it was clear she was looking fo...

Should You Do a Creative Writing Degree? (with Jonathan Taylor)

03 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Jonathan Taylor is an author, editor, lecturer and critic. His books include the novel Melissa (Salt, 2015), the poetry collections Cassandra Complex ...

Lessons Learned From Publishing 16 Books in 6 Years

27 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we're talking to our very own Kristina Adams all about how her writing process has changed over the last six years and sixteen books.Yo...

Copyediting for Authors (with Kristin N. Spencer)

20 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Kristin N. Spencer spends part of each day imagining up new worlds and beings when she isn’t busy with her three children, two dogs, and husband. Wh...

Video Marketing Mindset for Authors (with Jenna Moreci)

13 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Jenna Moreci is a bestselling author of dark fantasy and science fiction, as well as a YouTube sensation with hundreds of thousands of subscribers. Th...

Book Launch Tips for 2022

06 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

To kick off season four—and 2022—we've got a juicy one for you! We invited back previous interviewees and asked them what their top launch tip...

Bloopers!

30 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Check out some of the bloopers from the first year of The Writer's Mindset podcast!

REVISITED: Perfectionism in First Drafts

23 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

What has Ellie learned since recording our season two episode 'Perfectionism in first drafts'? How will it impact her writing process going fo...

REVISITED: Setting Writing Goals You Can ACTUALLY Stick to

16 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Do you struggle to set writing goals you can stick to?Ellie's about to revisit one of our early episodes and share some tips that have helped her ...

REVISTED: 9 Reasons You Can't Finish Your Work in Progress

09 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, to tide you over until season 4 starts in January, Ellie revisits our very first episode: 9 reasons you can't finish your work in...

How Our Writing and Podcasting Has Changed in a Year

02 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Phew, what a year! In our final episode of 2021, we reflect on what we've learned about writing, podcasting, and ourselves. Expect some surprising...

Creating FOMO for Your Books (with May King Tsang)

25 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

May King Tsang – first name is May King – calls herself the UK’s #1, and the original, FOMO Creator.The crux of her work is to create content: ...

How to Communicate with Confidence (with Liz Solar)

18 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Liz Solar, a Boston-based voice actor and host of the Embark podcast, believes we could all use a little more conversation.Her mission is to share sto...

Creating Conflict in Fiction (with Janice Hardy)

11 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Janice Hardy is the award-winning author and founder of the popular writing site Fiction University, where she helps writers improve their craft and n...

Writing Contemporary Romance (with Terra Kelly)

04 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Terra Kelly is an author who’s been publishing for almost seven years. She writes contemporary romance and romantic suspense. She’s also an author...

Why Worldbuilding Matters for More Than Just Fantasy and Sci-fi (with Alexa Whitewolf)

28 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Alexa Whitewolf provides editing services through Luna Imprints Author Services (which is often shortened to LIAS) to new and established authors. Her...

What You Need to Publish Six-Figure Paranormal Romance (with Lee Savino)

21 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Lee Savino is a USA today bestselling author. Her books have sold millions of copies and have been translated into five languages. She teaches and coa...

Getting Started Freelance Writing (with Gudrun Lauret)

14 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Gudrun had her first piece of work published in a national magazine 24 years ago and she’s been writing on and off ever since. She’s worked with a...

Social Media Branding for Authors (with Christine Gritmon)

07 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Christine Gritmon empowers small business owners and solopreneurs to tell their own stories on social media. You CAN do it – she’ll teach you how!...

How to Avoid Second Book Syndrome

30 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Second book syndrome. The sophomore slump. Call it what you like; all writers will face it at some point. It can strike whether it's your second b...

How to Edit Your Fiction (with Kristina Stanley from Fictionary)

23 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

To get your Fictionary discount, use the code KADAMS at checkout.Combining her degree in computer mathematics with her success as a bestselling, award...

Podcasting for Authors (with Matty Dalrymple)

16 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Matty Dalrymple is a thriller and suspense author who lives with her husband and their dogs in Chester County, Pennsylvania, and enjoys vacationing on...

Screenwriting Mindset (with Kevin Wilde)

09 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Kevin Wilde is an award-winning, American screenwriter. His horror/thriller screenplay 'Murdock' is currently signed to a shopping agreement w...

Self-Publishing 101 and the Horror Genre (with Daniel Willcocks)

02 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Daniel Willcocks is an international bestselling author and award-nominated podcaster of dark fiction. He is an author coach; one fifth of digital sto...

How to Market a Book in 2021 (with Nicholas Erik)

26 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Nicholas Erik is a sci-fi and fantasy novelist who has written over 20 books.For fellow indie authors, he writes comprehensive guides on how to sell m...

Traditional vs Indie Publishing (with Elizabeth Spann Craig)

19 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Cosy mystery author Elizabeth Spann Craig is a library-loving, avid mystery reader. A pet-owning Southerner, her four series are full of cats, corgis,...

Social Media Networking for Authors (with Tim Lewis)

12 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Tim Lewis is a former IT manager in a financial markets company who, after the death of his wife, decided to try and become an author, writing time tr...

Writing Side Characters (with Sacha Black)

05 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Sacha Black is a bestselling author, host of The Rebel Author Podcast and Next Level Authors, and a professional speaker. She writes amazing education...

The Writer's Mindset season 3 trailer

30 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Get a taste of what's coming up in season 3 of The Writer's Mindset - starting 5 August 2021!Coming up, we've got:Sacha Black on writing s...

Quick Tip: How Rest (or a Lack of It) Impacts Our Writing

29 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In this final quick tip before the start of season three, we're talking all about rest. Do you get enough of it? Do you feel recharged?Download Th...

Quick Tip: How to Get Super Focused During Writing Sessions

22 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Sitting down to write all day when you're not used to it isn't a great way to hit your word count. If you're not used to writing in long b...

Quick Tip: Why You Need to Stop Seeking Perfection in Your Writing

15 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Are you a perfectionist?How much writing does that allow you to get done?Here's what you should be focusing on instead.In this quick tip to tide y...

Quick Tip: The Benefits of the RIGHT Plan

08 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In this quick tip to tide you over until season three, we look not just what you're planning, or why you're planning, but HOW to plan in an ef...

Quick Tip: How Supportive is Your Network?

01 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In this quick tip to tide you over until season three, we look at the impact surrounding yourself with the right (or wrong) people can make to your wr...

How to Write Any Kind of Relationship With Accuracy and Honesty

24 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

A book without any relationships would be seriously lacking in conflict. Which means you don't have much of a story.It doesn't matter what gen...

When You Should (and Shouldn't) Use a Pen Name

17 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Soooo we accidentally uploaded the wrong file for this when we first published it. Sorry about that! The right file on when you should (and shouldn&#3...

5 Newbie Writer Mistakes to Avoid

10 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Are you making these common newbie writer mistakes?Even if you're not new to writing, you could still be making one of these mistakes (did we ment...

What is Emotional Distance (and Why Does it Matter)?

03 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Emotional distance is the key to building your editing skills and becoming a better writer.You'll learn:Why you need emotional distance from your ...

Can You Reprogramme Your Brain For Success?

27 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we're talking all about if changing your perspective can change your life.You'll learn:Why the language you use matters - to yourse...

What Nobody Tells You About Being a Full-Time Writer

20 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Many of us dream of becoming full-time writers, but what's life actually like when writing is your only source of income?We'll cover:Getting m...

Overcoming Perfectionism in First Drafts

13 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Do you ever feel like you'll never finish anything because perfectionism is eating away at you? In this episode, we're going to talk about how...

Lessons From Writing 5,000 Words a Day

06 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In January 2021, Kristina Adams set herself the challenge to write 5,000 words per day until she had a finished draft of her next book. In this episod...

7 and 1/2 Lesser-Known Mistakes Indie Authors Make

29 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

It doesn't matter how long we've been publishing, sometimes there are gaps in our knowledge. In this episode, we're going to look at:Why y...

Why You Need to Stop Calling Yourself a Plotter or a Pantser

22 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

It's common for writers to label themselves as 'plotters', 'pantsers', or even 'plantsers', but in this week's episode...

The Myth of Quality vs Quantity in Publishing

15 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Writers often pitch quality and quantity against each other. But what if it isn't an either/or thing?What if you could publish great quality books...

Writing Through Depression

08 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

It's time to talk frankly about depression and mental health, and how it can impact our writing.In this episode, you'll learn:How to channel y...

Why We're Changing Our Podcast Name

01 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

We've got a BIG announcement – we're changing our podcast name. Here's why, and what you can expect coming up.

Dialogue vs Description: Which is More Important?

04 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The ultimate writing royale: which is more important? Great dialogue or great description?What you'll learn:Are you using too much dialogue? How t...

Women Writers: Maya Angelou – Inspiring Woman

25 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Trigger warning: this episode includes brief discussions of child abuse. Listener discretion is advised.Many of us remember Maya Angelou as a poet, bu...

Consequences and Limitations in Fantasy Writing and Beyond

18 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Real life has consequences and limitations, so why shouldn't our characters' actions if we want them to be realistic?In this episode, we explo...

How to Add More Emotion into Your Writing

11 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Do you need more emotion in your story? Probably. You can never have too much of the very thing that deepens your reader's connection with your ch...

Do You Need a Daily Writing Habit?

04 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Ah, the ultimate question for writers: should you write every day? What difference does it really make? Is there something you should aim for instead?...

Women Writers: Beatrix Potter - Children's Fiction, Self-Publishing, and Conservationism

28 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Join us as we discover Beatrix Potter's backstory. Featuring bats, mushrooms, sheep, and self-publishing.Check out Millie's westitude over on ...