Writers & Authors on Fire
My husband listens to podcasts. I don't. It seems like they're for nerds. Yeah, I know, that's a stupid bias, but it's my bias . . . at least it was, until I was asked to be on one. It was a ton of fun and I was able to share some writing craft advice, along with my co-author Kelly Klepfer.
The podcast is called Writers & Authors on Fire. But if you're like I was, thinking podcasts are only for nerds, never fear. Here are some of the highlights in written format . . .
My Best Advice for Struggling Writers
- Kelly: Keep on keeping on. If this need and desire to write is not going to let you go, keep looking and trying until you find the right place to express yourself.
- Michelle: I would say, plan to fail because you will. The most important thing is what you do when that happens. You must continue to write. It doesn’t mean you’re a failure. It means how you were writing wasn’t working. So keep writing and press pass the failure.
My Most Difficult Writing Challenge
- Michelle: Writing – Staring at the blank screen.
- Kelly: Distractions of all types.
The Best Advice on Writing I Ever Received
- Kelly: I like the basic advice that you need to be a reader to be a writer. I critically look at the books I read asking questions like why do I love this book, why do I adore the characters – or why don’t I. Then how can I avoid these pitfalls or incorporate these great qualities into what I’m writing.
- Michelle: The best advice I received was to finish what you start. Push through it and finish it. It’s important to have that feeling of success.
Tips for Writers Trying to Become Published
- Michelle: Maybe change your expectations about the time frame. It’s going to take time to get published. Enjoy every stage of the game you are at.
- Kelly: You need to learn the rules so you can know when is the time to twist them to write better fiction. You need to be teachable. Listen to those that have gone before you and pick up on their wisdom.
What Writing Success Means to Me
- Michelle: My measure of success is when I get an email from a reader telling me how some of the truth I wrote has affected their life.
- Kelly: The entertainment value is important to me. Life can be really hard. There’s something to be said for being able to step away from the hard things and take a break.
Check out Writers & Authors On Fire. It's more than a podcast. It's a great resource for honing the writing craft.