QWERTY Writing Life Podcast

Have you found yourself stalled in creative endeavors because of insecurity? Authors Joy E. Rancatore and Mea Smith reflect on their own experiences in Episode 37 of QWERTY Writing Life. They share the highs and lows of their creative lives, while highlighting the steps they take in Facing Creative Insecurity.  Visit the links mentioned in this episode: Season 1, Episode 5: Theory of Fear https://...

Spoiler alert! Finding the Story in Creative Projects centers around listening and being present in each moment. Multimedia Storyteller Chloe Rouse Armstrong joins authors Joy E. Rancatore and Mea Smith in Episode 36 of QWERTY Writing Life to share how she’s learned this important truth and what it looks like in her daily life. As a marketer by day and photographer/videographer all the time, Chloe...

Authors Joy E. Rancatore and Mea Smith turn their attention to the future in Episode 35 of QWERTY Writing Life. Grab your favorite drink or head out on a jog or snuggle in by a roaring fire to listen in on what Joy and Mea have planned for 2021. Take a moment afterward to drop them a line at the email below to share your words, intentions and affirmations for the new year.   Visit the links mentio...

In Episode 34 of QWERTY Writing Life, the second of a three-part series, authors Joy E. Rancatore and Mea Smith share some of their lessons learned in 2020. They weren’t all about writing, but isn’t all of life connected to our writing? Listen in to their candid confessions and drop them a line or two at the email address below to let them know what 2020 taught you.   Visit the links mentioned in...

2020 wasn’t the year anyone thought it would be, but that didn’t stop authors Joy E. Rancatore and Mea Smith from altering their plans and accomplishing things anyway. Tune in to Episode 33 of QWERTY Writing Life to hear how their year ended and then let them know how your 2020 went. Were you able to “Pivot!” Visit the links mentioned in this episode: Season 1, Episode 35; Goal-Planning with 2020...

In this new year, authors Joy E. Rancatore and Mea Smith encourage you to be brave, be bold, be … collaborative! Listen to Episode 32 of QWERTY Writing Life for some practical ways you can harness the power of creative relationships and potentially change the course of your creative futures.  Visit these links for a few things mentioned in this episode: Maggie Stiefvater’s writing course: https://...

Must you resign yourself to creating at the mercy of fickle inspiration’s timetable? Authors Joy E. Rancatore and Mea Smith say, “Absolutely not!” In Episode 31 of QWERTY Writing Life, hear some practical tips to lasso your muse and make it work with you, not against you. Visit the links mentioned in this episode: MasterClass with Billy Collins, former U.S. Poet Laureate: https://www.masterclass.c...

Want to plan a creative retreat but think you can’t afford it? Think again! Authors Joy E. Rancatore and Mea Smith give you some tips to retreat and create in style AND on a budget. Tune in to Episode 30 of QWERTY Writing Life and be sure to share it with all your creative friends.  Visit the links mentioned in this episode: Airbnb: https://www.airbnb.com The “Chickie’s Roost,” our amazing Airbnb...

Go behind the scenes to watch a poetry critique in progress. In Episode 29 of QWERTY Writing Life, authors Joy E. Rancatore and Mea Smith examine a new poem for Mea’s upcoming poetry book. Visit the links mentioned in this episode: MasterClass with Billy Collins, former U.S. Poet Laureate: https://www.masterclass.com/classes/billy-collins-teaches-reading-and-writing-poetry For more information on...

It’s time for tinsel, twinkle lights and traditions, but it’s easy for those traditions to become something we have to do ... just because. Authors Joy E. Rancatore and Mea Smith decided to share their thoughts on this topic—including some of their own traditions—and discuss some creative ways to keep the spirit in traditions and the Scrooge out. Visit the previous episode mentioned: Creating Duri...

We can probably all agree this year hasn’t been kind to our creativity. But, how is our gratitude? And, can the second influence the first? Spoilers: it absolutely can! Authors Joy E. Rancatore and Mea Smith discuss how Gratitude Amplifies Creativity and share some examples from their lives in Episode 27 of QWERTY Writing Life. Plus, they share their Top Ten Thanks Lists to get us all in the spiri...

Authors Joy E. Rancatore and Mea Smith round out their six-part series on Creative Critique Partners in Episode 26 of QWERTY Writing Life. They close out this topic with some helpful tips for Receiving a Critique, plus a few best practices to ensure your partnership lasts through the seasons of life. Here are some positive quotes Mea and Joy wrote for you as you go through the critiquing process....

Welcome to this fifth in a six-part series of episodes about Creative Critique Partners. Authors Joy E. Rancatore and Mea Smith break down how to effectively give a critique in Episode 25 of QWERTY Writing Life. Effectively giving a critique rests in clear communication and our tone. For more information on the book Finders Keepers: A Practical Approach to Find and Keep Your Writing Critique Partn...

Preparation and Communication are the two keys to successful critiques. Learn more about how you can prepare for your first critique … or your fiftieth … in Episode 24 of QWERTY Writing Life. Join authors Joy E. Rancatore and Mea Smith for this fourth in a six-part series on Creative Critique Partners.  For more information on the book Finders Keepers: A Practical Approach to Find and Keep Your Wr...

Now that you have a working definition of what a critique partner can be and you’ve built a foundation of understanding of who you are and what you want in your creative life, it’s time to proceed to Choosing a Critique Partner. Authors Joy E. Rancatore and Mea Smith take the knowledge they present to writers in their book, Finders Keepers: A Practical Approach to Find and Keep Your Writing Critiq...

Authors Joy E. Rancatore and Mea Smith bring you the second in a six-part series on Creative Critique Partners in Episode 22 of QWERTY Writing Life. This week, they’re encouraging you with tips on Evaluating Yourself. The foundation for any healthy relationship or partnership is to first know yourself intellectually, practically and emotionally. Catch the first episode in this six-part series on C...

Ready for a new adventure? Authors Joy E. Rancatore and Mea Smith begin a six-part series on Creative Critique Partners in Episode 21 of QWERTY Writing Life. In this first episode, they’ll be Defining Critique Partnerships. Following the outline of their book, Finders Keepers: A Practical Approach to Find and Keep Your Writing Critique Partner, Joy and Mea draw on their experiences as writing crit...

Publisher, authorpreneur and activist Alexa Bigwarfe joins authors Joy E. Rancatore and Mea Smith in Episode 20 of QWERTY Writing Life for a special Interview with a Creative. In this candid chat, Alexa shares her experiences with Creating When Bad Things Happen. Listen in for tips on coping and ways to rise above the pain to pursue passions. Grab your FREE Writing Through Grief Challenge from Ale...

Authors Joy E. Rancatore and Mea Smith check in with one another’s creative endeavors in Episode 19 of QWERTY Writing Life. Join them for a candid chat of creative proportions! Check out these links mentioned in the episode: Creative Trinity episode: https://www.podbean.com/eu/pb-am2rh-ed62d1 Writer Moms Inc. Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Writermomsinc/ Writer Moms Inc. website:...

Human beings are complex. No doubt about it. What makes us special isn’t just one thing, because we were created with minds, bodies and spirits. When we care for all three of those, we’re able to function at a whole other level in life … and in creativity. Authors Joy E. Rancatore and Mea Smith delve into the “Creative Trinity” in Episode 18 of QWERTY Writing Life. Check out the fantastic links me...

We make hundreds of decisions every day. Have you ever considered the layers involved in your creative decisions? Authors Joy E. Rancatore and Mea Smith examine these layers in Episode 17 of QWERTY Writing Life.   As promised, here are the links mentioned in the episode: National Library Card Signup Month Information: http://www.ala.org/conferencesevents/celebrationweeks/card Kim Howes Zabbia Face...

If you find yourself uncertain when facing a new opportunity or hitting a wall in an ongoing project, the solution for success in moving forward could be to stop and PREP! Authors Joy E. Rancatore and Mea Smith share the second half of their practical acronym and personal examples in Episode 16 of QWERTY Writing Life. These principles can apply to day jobs, creative endeavors and much more. Listen...

Do you find yourself uncertain about what to do when you tackle a new opportunity or hit a wall in an ongoing project? The recipe for success in moving forward could be to stop and PREP! Authors Joy E. Rancatore and Mea Smith share their practical acronym and personal examples in Episode 15 of QWERTY Writing Life. These principles can apply to day jobs, creative endeavors and much more. Listen to...

Authors Joy E. Rancatore and Mea Smith imagine themselves as bookshop owners. What do their imaginary shops look like? Find out in Episode 14 of QWERTY Writing Life! Join in the conversation and let them know what’s most important to you in your local independent bookstore or library. Drop them an email at editorial@logosandmythospress.com or shout it out on social media and tag Joy and Mea. To le...

Hop aboard for a geeky episode as authors Joy E. Rancatore and Mea Smith unpack a few of the many lessons they’ve learned from Joss Whedon’s Firefly … just because. Everything’s “shiny” in Episode 13 of QWERTY Writing Life, and you might consider one of your favorite shows, movies, books or other creative products in a different light once you listen.   Here are links to learn more about National...