Write What You Know
“Write what you know” is common advice, but it can feel like an attempt to limit creativity. You write to discover new places and understand different points of view. If you only write what you know, how can you write about what you don’t know?
Episode 27: Roz Morris, Ghostwriter and Writing Coach
Roz Morris and Mary dive into the mechanics of storytelling and discuss how to connect with your audience—whether you're writing someone else's story or you're telling your own.
A Million Bad Words
In order to write, you have to WRITE! Spending time learning theory, taking classes, and reading books are beneficial, but ultimately it is practice that will make you a better writer. Learn how a million bad words can turn into a good story.
Finding Time to Write
Finding time to write can sometimes seem impossible. If you have a packed schedule due to school, your day job, or multiple day jobs, you may think it’s impossible to start your novel, let alone finish it. Here are some ways to carve out time in your day to write.
Episode 22: Kelly Madrone, Award-Winning Writer and Ghostwriter
Ghostwriter Kelly Madrone joins us to talk about writing as someone else, modulating a professional potty mouth, and creating a story arc in memoir.
Writing Across Age Groups with Alice Kuipers
Multi-published author Alice Kuipers chats with Mary about getting published, what it's like to have a writing career, and craft insights across categories.
Make Writing Resolutions That Stick
Winter is the perfect season to establish your writing resolutions and form the habits that will lead to better productivity. There is so much you could accomplish in the year ahead! Read on for tips on how to develop—and crush!—your writing resolutions.
Growing From Aspiring Writer to Published Author with Rebecca Ansari
Debut middle grade author Rebecca Ansari chats with Mary about the journey from aspiring writer to published author, MG craft insights, and what new things she has in the works!
Show Don’t Tell
Show don’t tell is one of the first pieces of advice given to new writers. My first writing professor preached that we all STAY AWAY from exposition. Still, even with SDT etched into our minds, writers slip into exposition and description, missing opportunities to immerse their readers.
Episode 7: Jessica Brody, Author and Writing Teacher
An interview with author and writing teacher Jessica Brody, where we discuss what makes a compelling story, how to apply story structure whether you're a plotter or pantser, and tackling large-scale revisions without ripping your hair out.
How to Name Characters in a Fantasy Novel
Of all your fictional characters’ features, names are crucial. Wondering how to name characters in a fantasy novel? For tips on giving your fantasy novel’s character the perfect names, read on.
Writing for a Living
Many aspiring writers hope to quit their day jobs so they can pursue writing for a living, but is this a realistic goal? Here's an overview of what to expect if you want to pay the bills with your writing.
How to Deal With Negative Criticism
Many writers struggle with how to deal with negative criticism. Not all writing feedback you receive in your lifetime will be “constructive criticism”. Some of it may feel like straight-up criticism criticism, or worse, destructive criticism. Ouch! Here are some thoughts on bouncing back from a devastating writing critique, and what to do next.
Episode 14: Rebecca Coffindaffer, Science Fiction/Fantasy Author
A conversation with debut YA author Rebecca Coffindaffer (CROWNCHASERS, out now from HarperTeen) all about worldbuilding.
Self Care for Writers During the Holidays
The importance of self care is gaining momentum in the world, but this time of year especially, when there are so many demands on our time, it can feel more like selfish care, like everything else is worthier of our attention. But the truth is, if there’s a story inside you, you should tell it. And the only way that will happen is if you make the time.
Episode 31: Lisa Stringfellow, Middle-Grade Fantasy Author
Lisa Stringfellow discusses her debut novel set in the Caribbean, “A Comb of Wishes.” She talks through her long journey from draft to finished book—plus plans for Book 2—and shares craft and industry tips she’s learned along the way.
Writing Your Debut Novel with Benjamin Roesch
Benjamin Roesch joins us to talk about his debut novel—but not his first novel—published with LGBTQ+ young adult indie publisher Deep Hearts. We talk about turning short stories into a novel, coming of age fiction, and being an older debut writer.
Reading Like a Writer
If you’re struggling to figure out how to write a good story, you might want to consider coming at it from a fresh angle: reading like a writer. What does reading like a writer mean?
Episode 3: Peter H. Reynolds, Picture Book Author and Illustrator
An enlightening discussion about creativity, picture book writing, illustration, inspiration, and making mistakes ... in a good way!