Writing with Friends

Today we’ll discuss the novelist starter pack: five essential tools for your figurative writer’s knapsack as you make the journey from getting started with that novel to querying and hopefully publishing your work! Picks of the Week: BJ: Existence by David Brin H: The New Diary by Tristine Rainer Mentioned in the Episode: Brandon Sanderson’s BYU Writing Course Save the Cat! Writes a Nove l by Jess...

Today, we’ll be gathering around our metaphorical fireplace for a fireside chat– an honest conversation about our own writing practices that we hope you’ll find helpful for your writing life as well. In this episode, we’ll be talking about our writing lives lately– what’s going well, what’s not, and what we’re learning along the way. Picks of the Week: BJ: The Best Science Fiction of Isaac Asimov...

We’ll be talking about the unique challenges of publishing a debut novel. Breaking into the literary world should be exciting and celebratory, and it definitely is! Still, there are a few considerations that debut authors should be aware of as they begin their publishing journeys, so we’re going to cover them here today! Picks of the Week:   BJ: Star Wars: Thrawn by Timothy Zahn H: We Solve Murder...

Today's episode is all about finding inspiration and support for your writing in places you might not expect. We’re diving into the world of local bookstores and Bookshop.org ! Picks of the Week: BJ:  The Fifth Season by N. K. Jemisin H: The Snowbirds by Christine Clancy Mentioned in the Episode: New York City Mystery Bookstore: The Mysterious Bookshop

Welcome to a tool deep dive episode, where we highlight the features and the challenges of a tool we think you’ll find helpful as a writer. Today, we’re going to give you a rundown of what note taking tools we’ve actually found helpful as writers, and hopefully give you some ideas about what tools might work well for you too! Picks of the Week: BJ: Feng Shui Modern by Cliff Tan H: Middlemarch by G...

Today, we’ll be talking about deciding not to withhold a big reveal. Whether you're writing a novel, a screenplay, or even a short story, knowing when and how to reveal critical information to your audience can make or break your narrative. We'll be discussing the impact of timing, the balance between suspense and satisfaction, and how to make those big reveals resonate with your readers....

Today we’ll be gathering around our metaphorical fireplace for a fireside chat– an honest conversation about how we’re applying a craft topic or tool to our own writing practices, and how you might incorporate this topic or tool into your writing life as well. And the tool we’ll be talking about today is…scheduling and protecting your writing time. Picks of the Week: BJ: Ancillary Justice by Ann L...

Welcome to a tool deep dive episode, where we highlight the features and the challenges of a tool we think you’ll find helpful as a writer. And the tool we’ll be talking about today is writing goals! Specifically, we’ll cover when they hurt and when they help. Picks of the Week: H: The Other Valley by Scott Alexander Howard BJ: The Risen Empire by Scott Westerfeld Mentioned in the Episode: SMART g...

We'll be talking about pacing the first five pages of your novel. For many writers, including us here at Writing with Friends, getting the first five pages of your novel writing can feel so daunting. After all, if you are seeking to traditionally publish your manuscript, making those five pages the best they can be is essential to piquing the interest of a potential agent, publishing house, an...

Today we’ll be talking to the authors of the newsletter This Black-Ass Life , Mitu and Jumoke. For the past several years, these two friends have been writing for the Black diaspora, especially Black women. They cover pop culture, history lessons, music, and more. This episode will be a great fit for anyone interested in starting a newsletter and learning how to connect with their audience. This e...

We’ll be talking about something that can really elevate your writing: the power of subtext in storytelling. It’s one of those elements that, when done right, adds a whole new layer of meaning to your work! Picks of the Week: BJ: Skyward by Brandon Sanderson H: Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe Mentioned in the Episode: Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen Breaking Bad (TV Show)  Mad Men (TV Show)

Welcome to a tool deep dive episode, where we highlight the features and the challenges of a tool we think you’ll find helpful as a writer. And the tool we’ll be talking about today is Tarot! Are you curious about tarot? Using a tarot deck can be a fun way to infuse your writing life with inspiration and encouragement.  Picks of the Week: H: A First Time for Everything by Dan Santat BJ: A Descent...

We’ll be gathering around our metaphorical fireplace for a fireside chat. We’ll be talking about writing like an Olympian and accepting that it never gets easy… and that’s okay. It’s all about the endurance and dedication required to keep going, no matter how long you’ve been at it. Picks of the Week: BJ: Signal to Noise by Eric Nylund H: Bring Up The Bodies by Hilary Mantel If you have your own s...

We'll be talking about commercial hooks! As writers, we often write for the love of story and for the joy of creative expression. It can be tempting to shy away from the idea of producing anything “commercial”. But for those of us who hope to publish traditionally or build a broad audience, understanding what a commercial hook is and how to write one can be the key to getting our books into the ha...

Welcome to a tool deep dive episode, where we highlight the features and the challenges of a tool we think you’ll find helpful as a writer. And the tool we’ll be talking about today is writing retreats! These structured environments dedicated to focused writing can be used like a tool to offer writers significant benefits, but also unique challenges for authors of all levels. Picks of the Week: BJ...

Today, we’ll be talking to writer and teacher Luke Burkbauer. She’s an instructor with Duke’s Thompson Writing program with a wealth of knowledge about writing of all kinds. We’ll discuss academic and nonfiction writing in depth in this episode, exploring how to build confidence as an academic writer, how to develop your writerly identity, and how to use artificial intelligence ethically and creat...

We’ll be talking about how to use time jumps to add an interesting twist to your writing project! A time jump is when you shift the story forward or backwards in time, often with little or no explanation for why this jump has occurred.  It can be as simple as skipping from one day to five years later, or jumping back in time to revisit an event that happened earlier on. Time jumps can be used to a...

Welcome to a tool deep dive episode, where we highlight the features and the challenges of a tool we think you’ll find helpful as a writer. And the mindset tool we’ll be talking about today is increasing your luck surface area. Picks of the Week: BJ: Wherever You Go, There You Are by Jon Kabat-Zinn H: The Flatshare by Beth O’ Leary   Mentioned in the Episode: Chelsea Mae Cullen Podcast Episode: Ho...

We’ll be gathering around our metaphorical fireplace for a fireside chat– an honest conversation about how we’re applying a craft topic or tool to our own writing practices, and how you might incorporate this topic or tool into your writing life as well. And the craft topic we’ll be discussing today is how to conquer the dreaded first draft. Picks of the Week: Bad Therapy by Abigail Shrier Awakeni...

We’ll be talking about how to introduce characters effectively and with style! One reason why writing the first draft of a new manuscript can feel so daunting is because you have so many characters to introduce to your reader. How can you communicate to your reader who these characters are and what they care about without derailing the plot or boring them to tears? Our episode today can help! Pick...

Welcome to a tool deep dive episode, where we highlight the features and the challenges of a tool we think you’ll find helpful as a writer. And the tool we’ll be talking about today is Grammarly. Grammarly is an AI-powered writing assistant that helps with grammar, spelling, punctuation, and even some style suggestions. It’s like having a personal editor at your fingertips! But there are some down...

Show Notes Today, we’ll be talking to writer Dr. Alexandra Middleton. She’s an Assistant Professor of medical anthropology at the University of Copenhagen, creative nonfiction writer and essayist, runner, swimmer, and more! Tune in to hear about her career as well as her advice for aspiring writers.  Mentioned in the Episode:  Alexandra’s Work https://www.liminalliety.com/ (Alexandra's Website...

Today, we’ll finish up our summer quote series. I’m excited to announce that this is the last episode of Season 4. BJ and I are cooking up a new season for you right now– with lots of craft tips, tool deep dives, fireside chats, and interviews with other writers. That season – Season 5 – will begin releasing every Monday starting September 16. We can’t wait. Other mini episodes in our quote series...

Mentioned in Episode: Other mini episodes in our quote series S4E21 MINI: Standing on the Shoulders of Literary Giants S4E22 MINI: Paradox and Playfulness in the Writing Life Books by Madeleine L’Engle: Many Waters A Ring of Endless Light A Swiftly Tilting Planet And Both Were Young Newbery Award Acceptance Speech: The Expanding Universe (1963)

On today’s mini episode, we’re looking at another of my favorite quotes about the writing life. “Creativity is sacred, and it is not sacred. What we make matters enormously, and it doesn’t matter at all. We toil alone, and we are accompanied by spirits. We are terrified, and we are brave. Art is a crushing chore and a wonderful privilege. Only when we are at our most playful can divinity finally g...