WRITE NOW! Workshop Podcast: Write a Book, Change the World with Kitty Bucholtz
Episodes
093I – Victorian England Comes Alive: An Interview with Joanna Davidson Politano
16 Aug 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Today's guest is historical romance writer, Joanna Davidson Politano! But don't be fooled, Joanna's books have more of a Gothic, almost literary, flav...
092I – Writing Retreats and Classes: An Interview with Susan May Warren
09 Aug 2018
Contributed by Lukas
The lovely Susan May Warren is back, and this time with writing tools!It was all we could do, the last time she was on the show, to stay focused on he...
091T – What I Learned at RWA 2018
02 Aug 2018
Contributed by Lukas
There was so much to learn at the Romance Writers of America National Conference held in July this year in Denver, Colorado, that I decided to share s...
090I – Mini-Interviews LIVE From RWA 2018
27 Jul 2018
Contributed by Lukas
When I was at the Romance Writers of America National Conference last week in Denver, Colorado, I interviewed several of the attendees to find out why...
089I – Keeping a Travel Journal: An Interview with Marcy Weydemuller
18 Jul 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Editor and writing teacher Marcy Weydemuller is back to show us how to use travel journaling to create both fiction and nonfiction. She's been bloggin...
088I – The Fascinating World of Mystical Realism: An Interview with Shawn Smucker
12 Jul 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Shawn Smucker is the author of the young adult book, The Day the Angels Fell, and the brand new sequel, The Edge of Over There, tales of mystery ...
087E – Our Personal Mid-Year Check-in
08 Jul 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Last episode, we talked about doing a mid-year check-in with our writing goals to see if there are any areas that need adjusting as we enter the ...
086T – A Mid-Year Restart
05 Jul 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Normally, you'd get an interview today as you do every Thursday, but we are halfway through the year so I thought it would be good to check in and see...
085T – Writing a Query Letter
04 Jul 2018
Contributed by Lukas
After Laura Drake explained to us how to pitch our book at a conference last week, it seemed another logical topic would be how to write a query lette...
084E – A Change in Perspective
01 Jul 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Sometimes, if we change our perspective, we can see things in our lives and in ourselves more clearly. When things are going great, and the little thi...
083I – Pitching Your Book at a Conference: An Interview with Laura Drake
28 Jun 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Laura Drake is back for a timely look at pitching your book! It's conference season, and writers conferences are one of the best places to find and pi...
082T – Where Scrivener Meets Vellum
26 Jun 2018
Contributed by Lukas
A few days ago, I got a great email from Vellum. They wrote to let users know that if you use Scrivener as well, the new version 3.0 now has a choice ...
081E – When You Don’t Feel Like It
24 Jun 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Sometimes you just don't feel like doing what you need to do. You're too hot, too cold, too tired, having too much fun. You don't feel like it.How imp...
080I – Crafting a Novel Around a Real Person: An Interview with Sydney Avey
21 Jun 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Sydney Avey is the author of three historical fiction novels including The Sheep Walker's Daughter, The Lyre and the Lamb, and The Trials of Nell...
079T – Who Are You Writing For?
19 Jun 2018
Contributed by Lukas
I've taken a page from the big online marketing gurus, and twisted it to work for me as a novelist. They want you to figure out your avatar, your one ...
078E – Receiving in Order to Give
17 Jun 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Today's encouraging words are a reminder that sometimes you need to learn to be a good receiver in order to learn to become a better giver.The times i...
077I – Digging Deep to Find a Great Story: An Interview with Susan May Warren
14 Jun 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Multi-award-winning author Susan May Warren offers us a fun and exciting look at how she built her current series, the action-packed Montana Rescue se...
076T – Burnout: Getting Through to the Other Side
13 Jun 2018
Contributed by Lukas
In this deeply personal episode about my journey into burnout and my quest for a way out, I mention several articles and Bible verses which helped cha...
075E – Follow the Cheerios
10 Jun 2018
Contributed by Lukas
As I've been struggling to figure out where I'm going in life, a scene came to mind from the movie, Monsters, Inc.Near the beginning, when Sully and M...
074I – Add a Little Murder: An Interview with Patricia Bradley
07 Jun 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Interviewing the lovely Patricia Bradley was an exercise in paradoxes. Hearing this sweet Christian woman pronounce in her soft, Southern drawl, "Oh, ...
073T – How to Track Sales for Sales Tax
05 Jun 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Most people don't consider taxes "fun" but I'd like to help you at least not think of them as "hard." The first step is helping you to organize your s...
072E – How a Pretend Person Got Me Back Into Writing
03 Jun 2018
Contributed by Lukas
While talking with Kristin Billerbeck during the last episode, I was so excited to tell her that her new book, The Theory of Happily Ever After, reall...
071I – Chick Lit Is Not Dead: An Interview with Kristin Billerbeck
31 May 2018
Contributed by Lukas
When Kristin Billerbeck, author of The Theory of Happily Ever After, proudly insisted during this interview, "I refuse to back away from the chic...
070T – Using Chris Fox’s Plot Gardening System
29 May 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Chris Fox came on the show last week to talk about his new book, Plot Gardening. I've been reading the book and making notes as I go through it, and i...
069E – Play, Work, and Healing
27 May 2018
Contributed by Lukas
I've been reminded these last couple of weeks of the importance in my life of play - and how incredibly underestimated its value has become in my life...
068I – Plot Gardening: An Interview with Chris Fox
24 May 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Chris Fox is the author of his newest book, Plot Gardening, as well as Write to Market, 5000 Words Per Hour, and his latest favorite series, the Magit...
067T – Using Laura Drake’s Checklist for Openings
22 May 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Last Thursday, author Laura Drake spoke to us about how to improve the first five pages of your novel to grab an editor's or reader's attention. She v...
066E – When Expectations Don’t Meet Reality
20 May 2018
Contributed by Lukas
I've been doing some work the last week or two on recovering my lost joy and regaining deep peace. I've found a lot of helpful references in my Bible ...
065I – The First Five Pages: An Interview with Laura Drake
17 May 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Explicit Warning for this episodeAward-winning author Laura Drake shares with us what she's learned about making the first five pages of your novel th...
064T – Need a Vacation?
15 May 2018
Contributed by Lukas
One of the most obvious reasons we start thinking about vacation is the approach of summer - which is the case in the Northern Hemisphere right now. M...
063E – Delight Leads to Discipline
13 May 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Have you ever been so crazy tired that nothing appeals to you anymore and you can't remember why you used to love this, or what exactly about that use...
062I – Screenwriting Tips From the Experts: An Interview with Lee and Janet Scott Batchler
10 May 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Lee Batchler and Janet Scott Batchler are the writers of POMPEII, SMOKE AND MIRRORS, and BATMAN FOREVER, among many other projects. They have recently...
061T – Let’s Talk About the Weather
08 May 2018
Contributed by Lukas
As spring jumps into summer in the Northern Hemisphere, I've been thinking a lot about the weather. Where does the weather fit in our stories? How can...
060E – Planning for Changes
06 May 2018
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, I share with you something I heard last Sunday at church - when I was supposed to be paying attention. Haha! But that's the thing. If...
059I – Stretches and Exercises for Writers: An Interview with Bonnie DePue
03 May 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Last week's guest is back for an encore presentation to give us some stretches and exercises we can do to feel better and have better brain function w...
058T – New Goal: Write Better
01 May 2018
Contributed by Lukas
When I published Love at the Fluff and Fold in August 2017, I realized it was the best book I've written so far and I entered it into the RWA Rita Awa...
057E – Fear: Protection or Snare?
29 Apr 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Sometimes fear protects us - like when we hear a rattle snake rattling a warning while we're hiking in the desert, or when we hear a car coming when w...
056I – Feeding Your Body and Your Mind: An Interview with Bonnie DePue
26 Apr 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Bonnie DePue is an Occupational Therapist, therapeutic riding instructor, and owner and founder of CHUM Therapeutic Riding in Dansville, Michigan, in ...
055T – 10 Things You Need to Know Before You Start Self-Publishing, Pt 2 of 2
24 Apr 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Last week, in Episode 52, I went through the first half of my list of ten things you should know to help you decide if self-publishing is a path you m...
054E – Give Yourself a Break
22 Apr 2018
Contributed by Lukas
When we work hard on a big project, we tend to be tired when it's completed. You know what's the best thing to do when you're finished?Take a break.Se...
053I – Writing Historicals Set in WWII: An Interview with Sarah Sundin
19 Apr 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Author Sarah Sundin just published her tenth historical romance novel set in World War II. Why such a niche period? She's heard so many stories from f...
052T – 10 Things You Need to Know Before You Start Self-Publishing, Part 1
17 Apr 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Many people believe that you need to commit to your publishing path before you even fully understand your options. They want you to choose traditional...
051E – What’s Your Kryptonite?
15 Apr 2018
Contributed by Lukas
For several mornings in a row, I woke up with the song "Kryptonite" by 3 Doors Down playing in my head. It's a good song, I like it, and it's on my su...
050I – Become a Story Genius: An Interview with Lisa Cron
12 Apr 2018
Contributed by Lukas
In addition to teaching writing in the UCLA Extension writing program, Lisa Cron is the author of both Wired for Story and Story Genius. She is an ene...
049T – Sticky Note Organization
10 Apr 2018
Contributed by Lukas
I love using sticky notes to get and stay organized in my writing. They work great for both fiction and nonfiction!You can use a variety pack and colo...
048E – Commitment First: Choose to be True Despite Challenges
08 Apr 2018
Contributed by Lukas
We have a lot of freedom in life, no matter who we are. Arguably, our greatest freedom is choosing who will we be. No matter what circumstances or peo...
047I – Why Writers Need Visual Content: An Interview with Elena Dillon
05 Apr 2018
Contributed by Lukas
YA Author Elena Dillon is the queen of helping confused and terrified writers learn to do things they didn't think they could! Her website, Confused a...
046T – Writing on a Trip
03 Apr 2018
Contributed by Lukas
I've moved a lot over the last 25 years, and taken even more trips. Whether it's an overseas move or a weekend getaway, I've had to decide over and ov...
045E – What Writers Can Learn From the Easter Story
01 Apr 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Since this episode is coming out on Easter, I thought it would be fun to look at what the Easter Story - and the story of the entire Bible - can teach...
044I – Return to Writing in a Kindle World: An Interview with Louella Nelson
29 Mar 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Bestselling author Louella Nelson is a novelist, editor, and writing teacher. After the death of her mother, Louella found it difficult to write for n...
043T – Creating a Music Playlist
27 Mar 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Lots of writers use a music playlist to either get them in the mood for the piece they're working on, or to actually have playing in the background as...
042E – Empathy Adds Flavor to Life
25 Mar 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Recently, a friend said to me that she understands how much work it is to move often because she had a period in her life when she moved a lot. Her em...
041I – A Kindle World First-Timer: An Interview with Kristy Phillips
22 Mar 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Kristy Phillips first started writing in Amazon's Kindle Worlds only a few months ago after a conversation with Debra Holland, author and creator of t...
040T – Starting Your Story Bible
20 Mar 2018
Contributed by Lukas
If you're writing a series, it won't take long to find you've forgotten some of the details from your earlier books. What car did she drive again? Did...
039E – What Writing Is – And Isn’t
18 Mar 2018
Contributed by Lukas
I love Stephen King's book, On Writing, and today I share a quote from it. I completely believe that our gifts and talents as writers are meant to be ...
038I – Writing a Kindle World Mini-Series: An Interview with Linda Carroll-Bradd
15 Mar 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Linda Carroll-Bradd writes heartwarming contemporary and historical romances with a touch of humor. She is the author of the Entertainers of the West ...
037T – Write Down the Bad Stuff
13 Mar 2018
Contributed by Lukas
After a bad day, I took a long walk and had a great idea! Today I share with you how to take the crappy things that happen in life and make our books ...
036E – Beating Overwhelm
10 Mar 2018
Contributed by Lukas
One of the easiest ways to encourage you is to share what's going on in my life, including the hard things, and tell you how I've learned to deal with...
035I – Writing in a Kindle World: An Interview with Debra Holland
08 Mar 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Debra Holland is the creator and original author of the Montana Sky series of books, which became a Kindle World on Amazon. That means other authors c...
034T – The Power of the N Word
06 Mar 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Networking. A word that has the power to strike fear into the hearts of introverts everywhere!But it doesn't have to be that way. Perhaps the easiest ...
033E – Find Your People
04 Mar 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Seth Godin wrote a book called Tribes: We Need You to Lead Us nearly ten years ago. Since then, "tribe" has become a common part of our lexicon, espec...
032I – Creating Characters Readers Adore: An Interview with Lauraine Snelling
01 Mar 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Award-winning and bestselling author Lauraine Snelling has over 80 books published. She writes inspirational adult novels about real issues centered o...
031T – Tis the Season…for Taxes
27 Feb 2018
Contributed by Lukas
As I was emailing my accountant this week, it occurred to me that it is a good time to talk about taxes for writers. Today I offer a few tips to help ...
030E – Life Is Sweet
25 Feb 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Today I share the big news that's been building for months! :-) I even picked up a Krispy Kreme hat to wear while I share my thoughts on why...
029I – Writing Law Enforcement Characters: An Interview with Janice Cantore
22 Feb 2018
Contributed by Lukas
A retired California police officer, Janice Cantore writes suspense novels designed to keep readers engrossed and leave them inspired. When writing, s...
028T – The First Draft Is Only the Beginning
20 Feb 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Two of the things writers seem to need most are accountability and encouragement. That's probably true of almost anyone who is working on something re...
027E – Hope Saved My Life
18 Feb 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Hope is such a big part of our lives - and a lack of hope makes a huge difference. For instance, at the time this episode airs, I will be visiting Eur...
026I – Serious Advice on Writing Funny: An Interview with Robert G Lee
15 Feb 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Comedian Robert G Lee is well-known as Hollywood's top warm-up comic on such shows as The New Adventures of Old Christine, Just Shoot Me, Becker, and ...
025T – Loving Your Readers Via Personal Contact
13 Feb 2018
Contributed by Lukas
In this second of two parts, I talk about ways to show your readers some love - because it's near Valentine's Day! :-D You can:Ask their opinion,...
024E – The Waiting Game
11 Feb 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Unfortunately, we're all too familiar with waiting. Whether we're waiting in the longest grocery line ever, or waiting to hear from an agent, or waiti...
023I – Writing Point of View: An Interview with Jacqueline Diamond
08 Feb 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Our guest today is Jacqueline Diamond, author of over 100 novels as well as How to Write a Novel in One (Not-So-Easy) Lesson, a book of lessons a...
022T – Loving Your Readers Via a Newsletter
06 Feb 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Since it's nearly Valentine's Day, I thought it would be fun to talk about how to show the love to your readers over the next two weeks. I always sugg...
021E – Fighting Insecurity
04 Feb 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Some days you just aren't feeling like interacting with other people, but depending on your job, you may have to. You might have to be "on" whether yo...
020I – Narrating Your Own Audiobooks: An Interview with Mary Castillo
01 Feb 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Paranormal mystery author Mary Castillo wanted to get her books into audio, but the cost of hiring a narrator was prohibitive. So she did some researc...
019T – How Long Will It Take to Write?
30 Jan 2018
Contributed by Lukas
One thing we really need to know when planning any kind of production schedule is - how long will it take us to write the next book?If you've written ...
018E Ebb and Flow
28 Jan 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Thinking back over the difficult times I've gone through, and how it has affected my writing, and then thinking about the good times, I started thinki...
017I – How Toastmasters Helped My Writing: An Interview with Stephanie Shackelford
25 Jan 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Fantasy writer Stephanie Shackelford is our guest today explaining how Toastmasters helped her become a better writer. She realized one day that what ...
016T – 52 Stories in 52 Weeks
23 Jan 2018
Contributed by Lukas
When thinking of the short list of well-known science fiction writers of our time, when thinking about some of the most prolific writers of our time, ...
015E – Believe It!
21 Jan 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Sometimes we are so busy trying to be polite, trying not to get too full of our own achievements, that we miss out on the simple joy of accepting a we...
014I – Writing From the Middle: An Interview with James Scott Bell
18 Jan 2018
Contributed by Lukas
James Scott Bell is a Christy Award-winning and International Thriller Writers Award-winning author in several fiction genres, and a beloved and sough...
013T – What Are We Going to Write Next?
16 Jan 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Whether you're first starting out, or you've published several books, choosing which story idea to work on next can be difficult. We're creative and w...
012E – Does Your Creator Brain Get Nervous?
14 Jan 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Sometimes my creator brain gets nervous. It doesn't want to come out and play in public. Maybe it's nervous that someone won't like what it created. W...
011I – 12 Titles in 12 Months: An Interview with Tracy Reed
11 Jan 2018
Contributed by Lukas
In 2016, author Tracy Reed decided to try to write and publish 12 titles in 12 months. She managed 13. This is her story.Tracy published her first nov...
010T – Your Recipe for a New Year
09 Jan 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Coming down off the holidays, I'm saying I'm going to eat better, but I still have some Christmas pecans I need to make. Standing in the kitchen, I'm ...
009E – Start with a Seed
07 Jan 2018
Contributed by Lukas
I love new beginnings, and I'm a big fan of hitting the Restart button at any time. But sometimes we wonder if what we're doing right now is good enou...
008I – Creating a Great Setting: An Interview with Marcy Weydemuller
04 Jan 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Marcy Weydemuller is an editor, writing teacher, and author of books for kids and adults. Today she is talking to us about setting. In many genres, se...
007T – Everybody Gets What They Want
02 Jan 2018
Contributed by Lukas
I've been teaching a class called Going the Distance: Time and Project Management for Writers nearly every year for over a decade. I love it because I...
006E – More Joy
31 Dec 2017
Contributed by Lukas
I recently listened to a keynote address by Ray Bradbury given in 2001 at The Sixth Annual Writer's Symposium by the Sea at Point Loma Nazarene Univer...
005I – Making Research Fun: An Interview with Kathleen Damp Wright
28 Dec 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Today's guest, Kathleen Damp Wright, shares her stories about how doing in-person research for her novels is more fun and yields more interesting resu...
004T Planning for Success
26 Dec 2017
Contributed by Lukas
The difference between dreams and New Year's resolutions and goals is all in your head. How much do you believe in the dream? How committed are you to...
003E Today’s Box
24 Dec 2017
Contributed by Lukas
In this first Encouraging Words episode, I encourage you not to let yourself get overwhelmed by kids and parents and finances and (un)employment and h...
002I – Start With Characters: An Interview with Jacqueline Diamond
23 Dec 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Our guest today is Jacqueline Diamond, author of over 100 novels as well as How to Write a Novel in One (Not-So-Easy) Lesson, a book of lessons a...
001T – Your Done Journal: 4 Reasons Why Writing Down Your Accomplishments Is Important
22 Dec 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Chances are you own at least one blank journal. People have probably been giving them to you as gifts for years. Now you finally have a use for one of...
000 – About the Show
19 Dec 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to the WRITE NOW! Workshop Podcast! I'm your host, Kitty Bucholtz, and I want to encourage you to believe that you can write a book and change...