Show notes
Hello Writers and Crafters! I'm Valerie Ihsan, And I'm Erick Mertz, and this is Episode 99 of the podcast and it's January 11, 2023 as we record this. Main Topic: Overthinking Your Writing PATREON: No new patrons this week. Thank you to our existing patrons for believing in us and in the podcast. This podcast is sponsored by our patrons at Patreon.com/valerieihsan. For as low as a $1/mo, you can get a postcard from me, a shout out on the podcast, and we can make announcements for you on air. At other tiers, the benefits increase--free books, accountability Zoom calls, scene analysis, mastermind calls, and even free Writer Craft retreat tickets. Become a patron of the arts at Patreon.com/valerieihsan. Comments: Your discussion inspired me. I ordered Wisdom of the Oracle cards by Colette Baron-Reid. I had one of her decks years ago. The illustrator's artwork is phenomenal!Announcements: **I have a female writer looking for another female-identifying writer to share lodging at the retreat. The Shared Retreat Ticket price is $650 and includes all the food, lodging, instruction, retreat, and coaching. Please reach out to me at [email protected] to ask any questions or to get the PayPal link for the Shared Retreat Ticket. 1) Writer Craft Writing Retreat is scheduled for next August 24-27, 2023. Tickets include all lodging and gourmet meals, plus instruction and coaching and retreat time on the river, in Marcola, OR. “We’ll be touching on book structure, story hypothesis, plotting that doesn’t hurt, author action plans, and more.” Go to valerieihsan.com/retreat for more information. Alumni and patron price is $775. Early Bird price available from November - January. $800 Monthly payments are an option. Send me a message [email protected] for a unique PayPal link, or go to the shopping page on my website to purchase at full price. 2) We want to celebrate our 100th episode with you. Please send in an audio clip via email to [email protected] with a comment or testimonial about the podcast. What you like about it, why you listen, etc. On the 100th episode on January 18th, we'll play the clips on air. Please send in your audio clips by January 11th at the latest. 3) We need topic suggestions. Please send to [email protected]. UPDATE: Went for a personal essay instead of a short story. Wow. What a difference! Just finished: Oona Out of Order by Margarita Montimore I'M READING: London Seance Society by Sara Penner (ARC); Wabi Sabi: Japanese Wisdom for a Perfectly Imperfect Life by Beth Kempton. Up Next: Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus or The Music Shop by Rachel Joyce. Erick's Reading: The Farthest Shore Ursula LeGuin The Only Good Indians by Stephen Graham Jones Heroic Hearts Show Notes: You need a way in for a short story. (Erick) Sometimes inspiration comes quickly and worker bee mentality pushes you past the goal (I've got to fill the time). Be okay with other forms of creativity besides words on the page. Filling the creative well, walking, reading Concern: editing out voice. (Valerie) Resources: Raven Publicity (publicity for authors) The Shades of Orange (Rachel, Book Blogger on YouTube) for book recommendations SF/Fantasy/Horror Contact Erick for business-starting advice. Contact Valerie for book coaching for help writing your book. Other Resources: Thomas Umstattd Jr, at Novel Marketing Podcast. Ep255: How to Create an Email Onboarding Drip Campaign Erick's Linktree link: https://linktr.ee/erickmertzauthor Russell P. Nohelty and Monica Leonelle's book, Get Your Book Selling on Kickstarter. Valerie's new day book for the year 2023 is: Meditations from the Mat: Daily Reflections on the Path of Yoga by Rolf Gates. The Author Life Community Passion Planner: https://bit.ly/3AUiJUx (affiliate link) Discount Code: VALERIEO866 ProWriting Aid: https://prowritingaid.com/?afid=9378 (affiliate link) Find Us: Valerie’s Services: https://valerieihsan.com Valerie’s Author Site: https://valerieihsanauthor.com Valerie’s Facebook Page and Instagram account Erick’s Services: https://erickmertzwriting.com Erick’s free book on Ghostwriting: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/cexki4kp5n Erick’s Author Site: https://erickmertzauthor.com Erick’s Facebook Page and Instagram account Writer Craft Facebook Group Patreon: https://patreon.com/valerieihsan