The Word Weaver Podcast

On today's chapter of the Word Weaver Podcast I’m sharing my candid discussion with Calissa, the founder and host of The First Step Podcast (previously aired on that podcast!) For the first book club pick, we discussed Big Friendship: How We Keep Each Other Close by Aminatou Sow and Ann Friedman . It’s the story of two friends (also hosts of the Call Your Girlfriend podcast ), Aminatou and Ann, on...

On today's chapter of the Word Weaver Podcast I’m talking about Chekhov’s Gun — firstly, what the hell is it? Secondly, how can you employ it in your writing? I took this concept WAY TOO LITERALLY for a long time, but have come to love the setup and payoff it brings to add dramatic significance to my plot. Word Weaver Podcast Links Instagram: @wordweaverpodcast Website: louiseclairejohnson.com/pod...

On today's chapter of the Word Weaver Podcast I share a lesson that took me a long time to fully grasp and is one of the key's to success in any field, but especially when it comes to writing a book and becoming a published author. Word Weaver Podcast Links Instagram: @wordweaverpodcast Website: louiseclairejohnson.com/podcast #wordweaverpodcast

Today’s chapter of the Word Weaver Podcast is part 2 (of 2) where I go into more detail about how to plot a thriller and outline a mystery/suspense novel with 27 different story beats using the 3 Act Structure. There’s a lot of information in here, so you might want to grab a notebook and pen beforehand, but hopefully it provides a semblance of structure when you’re outlining or hit writer’s block...

Today’s chapter of the Word Weaver Podcast is part 1 of 2 where I share my findings on how to plot a thriller / murder mystery / suspense novel — and it starts by working backwards! The plotting principles could also be useful for writers of all genres to think about when outlining their current or future book projects. Hope everyone’s #NaNoWriMo is going well! Happy Writing :) Word Weaver Podcast...

On today’s chapter of the Word Weaver Podcast I chat with Travis King (who joins me from Mexico City) on his new travel memoir, Not That Anyone Asked: A Travel Memoir about Sex, Drugs, Love and Finding Purpose . After finishing his Master’s Degree at the age of 28, Travis couldn’t bring himself to follow the traditional American blueprint laid out for success, so he took off to South America. That...

On today’s chapter of the Word Weaver Podcast I’m sharing my recent speech for the University of Toronto’s “How to Become Published” panel to journalism and creative writing students. Word Weaver Podcast Links Instagram: @wordweaverpodcast Website: louiseclairejohnson.com/podcast #wordweaverpodcast Intro Song: Late July by Shakey Graves Outro Song: Way With Words by Bahamas NEW episodes are posted...

On today’s chapter of the Word Weaver Podcast I have the honour of speaking with 13-year-old bestselling thriller author and mental health writer for Arianna Huffington’s Thrive Global, Kristina Naydonova. Wise beyond her years, it was a treat getting to chat with Kristina about her debut thriller, The Black Sisterhood Files , her writing process, how she balances school and authorhood, her though...

Today’s chapter of the Word Weaver Podcast was inspired by a trend I noticed a couple years ago that still seems to prevail—and that is the use of the word GIRL in book titles! Gone Girl, Girl on a Train, THe Girl Who Kicked The Hornet’s Nest…you’ve probably noticed and wondered about it too! I’ve also typed into google such questions as: “What are the most popular book titles?” and “What are best...

On today’s chapter of the Word Weaver Podcast I’m talking about visualization and how you can use it as a transformational tool for achieving your wildest writing goals. Visualization, on its own, is picturing in your mind the outcome of something BEFORE it has happened. By utilizing all five senses to vividly imagine your idealized outcome, it brings your desired goal into the realm of possibilit...

On today’s chapter of the Word Weaver Podcast I’m taking you on a trip down typography lane and chatting about the best fonts for books. Did you know, on average, a bookstore browser spends 8 seconds looking at the front cover, 15 seconds reading the back cover and about 5 seconds flipping through a book? Not only are people judging a book by the imagery on the cover, they’re also subconsciously j...

On today’s chapter of the Word Weaver Podcast I have the surreal experience of speaking with ANOTHER author named Louise Johnson on the launch day of her debut memoir, Lou Who? I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to speak with my literary doppelgänger and I hope you enjoy our conversation as much as I did! Louise moved from Scotland to Vancouver following a traumatic divorce and turned her transfor...

On today’s chapter of the Word Weaver Podcast I’m talking about how to plan a productive solo writing retreat and sharing my 7 tips to maximize your experience. I’m going on a solo writing retreat in a few weeks to Cape Breton, Nova Scotia ( SO excited) and wanted to share how I prepare, so you can smash your word count goals and leave feeling accomplished and motivated. Word Weaver Podcast Links...

On today’s chapter of the Word Weaver Podcast I speak with my dear friend Bryn Turnbull in the midst of launching her debut historical fiction novel, The Woman Before Wallis . If you’ve ever dreamed of writing and traditionally publishing a book (with a big 5 publisher to boot), Bryn gives us a real-time glimpse into the emotions and behind-the-scenes happenings of not only what it takes to write...

On today’s chapter of the Word Weaver Podcast I introduce you to my HOLY SHIT LIST, my ultimate milestone checklist (or bucket list) for writers, to celebrate checkpoints throughout the writing/publishing process that make you go “holy shit! I did it!” Writing can be a lonely business and since everyone’s journey to publishing a book varies, it’s important to be your own biggest cheerleader and ce...

Today’s Word Weaver podcast chapter is all about the law of attraction and using the power of manifestation to achieve your wildest writing dreams, from finishing your manuscript to getting a book deal. I used to think it was a bit “woo-woo,” but I truly believe you attract what you think. If you’re always focused on the negative, it’s almost like a self-fulfilling prophecy where the worst case sc...

In today's chapter of the Word Weaver Podcast, I'm sharing seven things nobody tells you about being a writer! There are a million more things you’ll discover as you go along through this bookish journey, but these are a few I’ve experienced. Happy listening! Word Weaver Podcast Links: Instagram: @wordweaverpodcast Website: louiseclairejohnson.com/podcast #WordWeaverPodcast

In today's chapter, I'm sharing my advice on what to do when you get an offer of representation from a literary agent. A friend of mine recently got her first offer after being in the querying trenches for nearly a year and had a few questions for me! It reminded me of my experience along this crazy publishing journey and how I really wished I'd had someone to ask all of these burning questions to...

In today's chapter, I'm sharing how to take your amazing book idea and create an outline. It’s one thing to have a starting point, it’s something else entirely getting to the finish line. Whether you're a plotter, a pantser or a hybrid of both, an outline will act as your daily roadmap with the milestones you want to hit (the big scenes) and the highways/roads in-between en route to the final dest...

On this chapter of the Word Weaver Podcast, I chat with children's fantasy author, Maram Taibah, about her magical world building, the differences between writing children’s books vs. screenplays, and the importance of filling up your creative juice tank. She also introduces me to a new genre: steampunk. Don't miss the rapid fire Q&A at the end! MARAM’S LINKS: Instagram: @maram.taibah.author W...

The Word Weaver Podcast is BACK! In today's chapter, I'm sharing my 6 tips on creating a productive writing routine at home when life feels uncertain and disrupted. Writers are built for working from home (this is our Super Bowl!) but managing stress, fear and anxiety is a very real thing right now during these difficult times. It’s easy to get distracted (especially if you’re working from home wi...

On today’s chapter of the Word Weaver Podcast, I chat with Yeldah Yousfi, one of Canada’s first and most beloved bookstagrammers (55k followers), better known on Instagram as The Beautiful Bibliophile (@beautiful.bibliophile). Yeldah gives us a behind-the-scenes look at how, in two short years, she transformed her side hobby into a business and became one of the biggest bookstagrammers in the coun...

For today’s chapter of the Word Weaver Podcast I thought it would be helpful to walk through a complete guide/glossary of literary, writing, and publishing terms. I know that when I first started out on my book publishing journey — and even now — I found myself Google-ing all of these new words, phrases, acronyms and jargon. Lots of websites, books and publishing veterans are so well-versed in thi...

Today’s chapter of the Word Weaver Podcast is my in-depth interview with Ben McNally, the legendary bookseller behind "Toronto’s Most Beautiful Bookstore” and his namesake, Ben McNally Books. The shop first opened in 2007 at 366 Bay Street in Toronto’s financial district but Ben has worked in the book business for over 40 years. We chatted over coffee inside his stunning shop, under the 14-foot ce...

In today’s chapter of the Word Weaver Podcast I’m sharing the nitty gritty of freelancing 101 and how to get started as a freelance writer. There’s a lot to unpack on this topic so if you have any questions, feel free to ask in the comments section below, on Instagram or iTunes. Before diving in, we have to define what exactly is a freelance writer? Freelance writers are self-employed and typicall...