First Cup of Coffee with Jeffe Kennedy

Thoughts today on fixating on minor chores, preparing to travel, and working through solidifying Act 1 of this book. On my fourth opening and counting! Support the show

Talking today about the five-stage cycle of creation, how we're better at some phases than others, and how this plays out in our lives, including writing books. Beginnings - especially finding the right place to start a story - can be difficult. For others, it's the middle, or the end. Also a bit about how rising to challenges can be done with Delight & Gladness, too.  Support the sh...

Talking today about funding the creative life - what's real and what is the fairy tale. Also, of course, cats and New Mexico weather.  Support the show

We're back with the (much quieter!) commute to Writer Coffee. Musings along the way on writing as far as the headlights illuminate, how the mass mind works, and controlling what you can in the publishing business.  Support the show

Shout out to L. Penelope and Jessie Mihalik on the release of WHISPERS OF SHADOW AND FLAME and AURORA BLAZING. Today is also the 50th anniversary of a sadder event in my family - but that led to talk of my Grandmother, romance novels and finding true love again. Also, Poldark. Support the show

Series, how I group books in them, and working my way into THE FATE OF THE TALA. Also discussing Yesterday and creativity. The blog post I mention on Accuracy in Fiction – Where to Draw the Line is here.  Support the show

I've been rereading THE SHIFT OF THE TIDE, and thinking about how that book is different. Also how I drew my maps for The Twelve Kingdoms books, and various updates.  Also, when I said telescopic lens, I meant telephoto lens. What do you expect? I was still on my first cup of coffee!! Support the show

Today I'm discussing outlines and how various authors use them - and mulling my own thoughts on pre-plotting. Also about giving myself credit for writing business work, even though I still think only writing counts as writing.   Support the show

It's Release Day for THE ORCHID THRONE ! So I'm mostly burbling about that. Also about how pretty autumn is and associated stuff.  Support the show

Quite a bit of tangential rambling today, mostly because I *can't* talk about the exciting things I want to. But, hey - want to know about my mushroom gravy? Support the show

I'm relearning how to treat drafting like getting back into marathon training: slowly increasing wordcount is key. Also a bit of a rant on a certain article - if you're going to have a career as an author, people, there's no excuse for not learning the freaking business.  Support the show

Talking today about inspiration and how it never feels like a person or visitor to me. Also progress on THE FATE OF THE TALA, and how drafting requires kicking the voices out of the room. Oh, and about The Boys!  Support the show

Talking today about money, why it's not at all evil, and what it means to receive money for our creative work.  Support the show

Musing today on Delight & Gladness, inspiration, having fun, and the concept of what we love, loving us in return. Also a bit more on politics in stories and blender settings - plus a sad report on the fate of the koi. Support the show

I'm giving a bit of a run-down today on how literary agents and agencies work: the significance (or lack thereof) of job titles, how they get paid and other important things authors should know. Also a bit about the metaphysical aspects of creative energy. Oh, and bobcat depredations in the secret garden. All part of the brand here at First Cup of Coffee! Support the show

Talking today about Impostor Syndrome vs recognizing one's own limitations. Also about quality and learning to take an objective - and critical - look at our own creations.  Support the show

Talking today about breaking the gridlock of chronology, story framing, autumn, and hopefulness in general.  Support the show

Talking about Elizabeth Gilbert's BIG MAGIC, a bit on genre-dissing and the ubiquitous descriptor "churn," and my magical drive on Saturday. Also about the Love in Panels RAICES benefit auction! My RAICES auction link is here : https://www.32auctions.com/organizations/55109/auctions/68631/auction_items/1891379   Please share!  Support the show

A new salvo in the pack rat wars. I also talk about being a feminist, Snow White, and programmed racism and sexism. As one does. Also about how Agent Sarah helps me pre-plot.  Support the show

Talking on my way in for Writer Coffee today, still musing on Carnival Row and how its *so important* to always elevate story over agenda.  Photo today from the Stephanie Pui-Mun Law calendar.  Support the show

Trying to figure out why I don't love Carnival Row, plus general musings on where we choose to live and access to quality food.  Support the show

Talking today about habits, and how vacation is good for breaking all kinds - and allows us to consciously and deliberately rebuild. Also, another salvo in the pack rat war.  Support the show

I'm back from Ireland! Talking about vacation and how our minds are different in that mode, and about getting back to work with the well refilled. Support the show

A special #FirstCupofWhiskey episode from Bettystown, Ireland. Includes #WorldCon2019 recaps, thoughts on convention ROI, and general updates on the #Ireland adventure.  Support the show

Finally had time to update from Ireland! Thoughts on travel, Dublin, WorldCon, etc.  Support the show