Simply Write w/ Polly Campbell

Diverse Skills Mean More Opportunity and a More Interesting Career for Freelance Writer and Editor Jen Singer Author, ghostwriter, blogger, editor, and writing coach Jen Singer has crafted a successful writing career by honing a diverse set of skills and drawing from personal experience to help others. Jen writes books, speeches, articles, and other pieces for a range of clients and editors. She a...

Thriller author Alice Henderson happens to also be a wildlife biologist who spends a great deal of time in nature, tracking some of our most elusive animals. Whether it's a dry desert or a snowy mountain the characters she creates often face challenges from nature and antagonists. She pulls on her expertise and interests in biology and writing to create captivating tales about the things she cares...

When Polly started her freelance career, she didn't sell a whole lot. At least not at the beginning. But then she took the advice of an established magazine writer and teacher and spent time at the front end studying potential markets for her ideas. Polly scrutinized the magazine pages and masthead, evaluated the list of editors, and contributors against the bylines she saw in the mags, and even l...

Jen A. Miller has been freelancing for decades and continues to make a six-figure income. How? Marketing savvy, hard work, and good writing. In this episode, Miller talks with Polly about how she started her freelance career and the approach she takes to keep her writing business thriving. Hint, you don't have to work longer days to make more money, but Miller does market her work and skills, mana...

Blogs look different than they did more than a decade ago when Polly Campbell started blogging but they still provide a great opportunity to improve your writing, connect with readers and editors, and write about things that matter to you. Corporations, associations, and nonprofits also look to bloggers to help them build brand recognition, raise funds, connect with clients, and develop community...

Polly Campbell talks with writer and agent Kate McKean, vice-president of Howard Morhaim Literary Agency talks about how agents choose books to represent, the intangibles that result in a sale--or not, and how she works with writers. Instead of playing to trends Kate says to write the book you want to write and give her the book "I don't know I need." "I want to help create a book that exemplifies...

Too much and you'll lose the reader. Too little, well, that doesn't work either. We need the Goldilocks approach to descriptive writing. When done right descriptive language can build emotional resonance, develop character, create memorable settings, and elevate your writing in a way that has editors, readers, and publishers, clamoring for more. But if you come in heavy-handed or use cliche your w...

Polly Campbell talks with the award-winning nonfiction author of Simply Mindful and other books, Donald Altman, about how his writing process changed when he began writing his first novel The Travelers. Donald has written screenplays, short films, kids' television, and more than 20 nonfiction books after leaving behind a career as an electrician decades ago. In 2023 Donald launched his first novel...

Polly talks with award-winning novelist and flash fiction writer Tara Laskowski about the importance of prioritizing the writing in your schedule and how she relies on spooky settings to build her novels. Join Polly and the Simply Write community at https://SimplyWrite.substack.com Find Tara Laskowski and her work, including her newest novel set for release in December here: https://taralaskowski....

Polly Campbell talks about the intangible power of voice and the importance of technique and faith when it comes to developing yours, and some ways we can find our voice in every piece we write. Voice is that unique quality that elevates your work and draws readers in. In this episode, Polly explains how it works. Also, be sure to join our Simply Write community at https://simplywrite.substack.com...

Polly talks with renowned writer Amy Paturel about her writing process the must-have components of publishable essays. Signup for Amy's essay writing class and learn more about their work here: https://www.amypaturel.com/ For more about the writing process, the writer's mindset, and creating a writing career, join our Simply Write substack community at https://simplywrite.substack.com/ Learn more...

Polly talks with fiction writer and MFA Director Christopher Coake about the process and the personal aspects of writing fiction. Find Christopher Coake and his newest collection of short stories, You Would Have Told Me Not To at https://www.christophercoake.info/ Join Polly and the Simply Write community at https://simplywrite.substack.com or find her newest books at pollycampbell.com Learn more...

Polly goes inside the writer's mind and talks about how to keep writing even when life throws emotionally hard hurdles in our path. The writing might just be the thing to help us through. for more join, Polly's Simply Write substack community at https://Simplywrite.substack.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Add these strategies to your writing and revision process and you will create better work and publish more often. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Award-winning novelist and short-story author, Art Taylor, talks about process, inspiration, and the six-sentence story method. For more on Taylor's process and bonus materials and tip sheets subscribe and join the Simply Write community at simplywrite.substack.com Find Art Taylor at https://arttaylorwriter.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A good ending will keep readers engaged in your story long after they put it down. The best serve-up and combination of interesting details or information while creating powerful feelings that will linger with the reader. In this episode, Polly shares some strategies for writing solid endings. Join us at simplywrite.substack.com. Paid subscribers get access to comments and feedback as well as Tip...

Wendi Aarons, author of I'm Wearing Tunics Now, Ginger Mancino Kid Comedian is here to talk about crafting comedy and the serious side of writing humor. Wendi Aarons: https://www.wendiaarons.com/ Join our https://SimplyWrite.substack.com for writing tip sheets, essays, and info to help you publish your work and create a writer's career and life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm...

Openings, ledes, beginnings, whatever you call them they better be compelling and hook your reader. In today's episode, we talk about some ways to do it and Polly goes off on one her favorites for the In the Desk segments. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Screenwriter, consultant, and novelist Wendall Thomas, author of Foged Off, and other Cyd Redondo novels, talks about optioning scripts, writing comic novels, and managing multiple projects. Find Wendall Thomas at https://www.wendallthomas.com/ Join the Simply Write community at https://simplywrite.substack.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Learn about what content marketing writing is and how you can cultivate clients and develop a lucrative career from Jennifer GoForth Gregory, author of The Freelance Content Marketing Writer. Join our substack and SimplyWrite.substack.com Find Jennifer at www.jennifergregorywriter.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The clearer you are about what your story is about, the clearer your writing will be and that's good for you and the readers. Assignment: Hone your focus. Want feedback? Join the Simply Write community as a paid subscriber and leave a comment with your thoughts and questions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

She was flat on her back in the hospital room and started working on the idea that became her first published picture book Every Other Christmas. Author Katie Otey talks about her process, juggling projects, and why it's important to tell your story. Jjoin the Simply Write community for more from Katie Otey about why she created a publishing company and the first point of entry for picture books....

Agatha-award-winning author Lori Rader-Days shares her writing process, explains when she knew it was time to quit her office job (bad boss), and how she deals with self-doubt (craft books), and much more. If you love to talk writing and aspire to write a novel, this show with authors Polly Campbell and Lori-Rader day is for you. Check out Death at Greenway (loved it) and her other books here: www...

Her debut Deep End of the Ocean became Oprah's first book club pick, now 22 books later, Jacquelyn Mitchard talks about dedication, commitment to writing, and creating emotionally complex characters on Simply Write w/Polly Campbell. Pick up Jaquelyn Mitchard's newest The Good Son and be sure to sign up for The Gasp. for behind-the-scenes details and a deep dive into the craft and quirks of living...

Pro-writer Polly Campbell shares her origin story and offers tips on how to create your own writing business to do the work you love and love the work you do. Polly created a life plan to create both a writing business and a lifestyle she wanted to live. She shares how she did it and some of the things you can do that may help you create an income from your writing. Assignment #1: Determine your w...