StoryADay presents: I, WRITER - A Writing Podcast about Building a Successful Writing Practice

When Seth Godin talks about creative work, I listen. This week I talk about his new book "The Practice" and how we can rethink and build up our own creative practices. Also: if you're on the Clubhouse audio social app, you can follow me @julieduffy and join me at 4PM (Eastern US) every day next week for a creativity boost. Links: Comment on the questions in this episode: https://storyaday.org/epis...

In this episode I pay tribute to my writing buddy Tony Conaway; talk about Creative Wills; and organizing your writing archives and processes. ::Links:: Creative Will - http://stada.me/will Your Organizing Tips - http://stada.me/organize Tony's Tips for Revising: http://stada.me/tonyrevision A Writing Prompt: http://stada.me/tonyprompt    

Why the story we tell ourselves is the most important we'll ever tell...and the impact it has on our ability to manage our inner critic, imposter syndrome and to get our work done. Dr. Julie Helmrich, psychologist and founder of Iron Psych specializes in change fluency and narrative, and is my guest this week, talking about psychological fitness for writers. Links: Dr. Helmrich's site: https://jul...

In which I talk about why we do this thing we do, and answer the top 10 questions I get asked, at StoryADay (including everything from where to put commas, to how to submit stories, to how to overcome imposter syndrome). Grab a hot beverage and settle in... Links Short Story Structure: https://storyaday.org/framework Imposter Syndrome: https://storyaday.org/imposter-syndrome/ The 3-Day Challenge:...

Humans don't just experience their lives. We infect each other with shared memories of how it felt to be watching historic events or a baby take their first steps. We transmit meaning through emotion, through story. Getting good at telling stories isn't trivial. It isn't frivolous. And it certainly isn't selfish... Links:  This episode: https://storyaday.org/episode194 The writing prompt: https://...

In this episode I look at goals and why it's so uncomfortable getting from where you are now to where you want to be...and how you can make it happen. Also in this episode I answer a question about whether or not it's bad to write more description than dialogue. Links:: Get The StoryADay Annual Review Bundle: https://storyaday.org/annualplan Learn how to P. A. C. E. Yourself https://storyaday.org/...

How diverse is your bookcase? In this week's #podcast I give you a nudge (and some resources) to read a little more widely. Plus: a Q&A about how to #write with passion when you're a cool cat. https://storyaday.org/episode192 Further resources at the blog ^^

Sometimes the story we tell ourselves is as important as anything else we do. What story will you tell yourself in 2021? Plus: a question, from Becky, about the challenges of moving from non-fiction writing to fiction Links Download The Planning Worksheet: http://storyaday.org/planner

What will it take to get you writing through the next few months? I have some thoughts.. Also: I answer questions about getting through the middle of a project and about conquering procrastination LINKS Your Writing Life Series: https://storyaday.org/your-writing-life-series The I, WRITER Course: https://www.storyaday.com/joiniwriter

I often talk about the middle of a story as 'the muddy middle', but I prefer Blake Snyder's label "fun and games". This week I talk about what the middle of your story has to do, why it's hard, and how you can make it easier. Resources: James Scott Bell's Write Your Novel From The Middle https://amzn.to/2I9liuE Jessica Brody's Save The Cat Writes A Novel https://amzn.to/36yixff Gwen Hayes's Romanc...

In Part 2 of my interview with Angela Ackerman, co-author of The Emotion Thesaurus and host of Writers Helping Writers, we talk about how to use details to write great characters, immerse readers in your story, and even figure out your plot. Links: Writers Helping Writers: http://stada.me/whw One Stop For Writers: http://stada.me/osfw

Angela Ackerman is the co-author of the Emotion Thesaurus range of writing books and the One Stop for Writers site. In this episode I talked to her about creativity and how a big writing challenge might be just the thing you need right now. Links: Angela's post: http://stada.me/angela One Stop For Writers: http://stada.me/osfw

Should you take part in NaNoWriMo this year? Should you attend that conference or take that class? Should you buy that new writing craft book? Here's a process to get you started figuring out whether or not you're looking at a shiny object or a shiny opportunity. Links: https://storyaday.org/shiny-objects  

Are you writing short stories? Why? And are you reading short stories? Which ones and again: why? LINKS:  20 Short stories to read that will make you a better writer: http://stada.me/readme Pushcart prize nominator calls for recommendations: http://stada.me/pushcart20 What are you reading? https://storyaday.org/episode185    

So much of our procrastination is powered by mindset, but there's more to making writing an inevitable part of our lives than simply wishing it was true. I have some suggestions....   LINKS: Inevitable Writer article: http://stada.me/inev SWAGr Accountability post: https://stada.me/swagr 3 Day Challenge: http://stada.me/3day  

September can be a time for reflection and planning ahead. I have some tips on that as well as some interesting reads from around the web. LINKS Kate Northrup, Do Less: https://katenorthrup.com/ The Good Place, The Podcast: https://stada.me/GoodPlace Writer Unboxed Titles article: https://stada.me/wutitles Romantic Gifts article: https://stada.me/gifts Srini Rao, Risk Tolerance: https://stada.me/r...

Does it matter if you write? Hell, yes. Let' s talk about that.... JOURNAL QUESTIONS 1a, How are you when you are writing? (how's your focus, your mood, your relationships?) 1b, Who does that impact? 2, Whose writing affected you most deeply in your life? 3, Who could your writing be a gift for? Not ready for a 30 Day Challenge? Try the 3 Day Challenge: https://storyaday.org/3dc/    

If you haven't started writing short stories this month it's not too late! This week's podcast is a look back and a look forward at the writing prompts in StoryADay September (from writers like Tobias S. Buckell, Jonathan Maberry, Seanan McGuire, Simon Rich, Grant Faulkner, Art Taylor, and more...). Plus a short sermon on why you should finish your stories. Links: Windy Lynn Harris's Flash Fiction...

In which I compare writing to whittling, and explain why you'd much rather play Candy Crush than anything you call 'work'...and how you can use that to make your writing go more smoothly. Links:  Sign up for daily prompts in September: https://storyaday.org/next-challenge/ Today's writing prompt from Mary Robinette Kowal: https://storyaday.org/05-kowal

If you want to discover your best process for writing, you might want to join us for the StoryADay September challenge. And if you want to keep that progress going all year, consider the Superstars group.  LINKS:  Sign up for prompts this September: http://stada.me/sept20 Find out more about the Superstars: http://stada.me/Super20  

What's the most important skill in writing? Is it plot, character arcs, dialogue, description, pacing? In this episode I argue that the thing that will dictate your level of success is your state of mind. Links: Eric Platenberg: http://stada.me/eric Seth Godin: http://stada.me/seth StoryADay September Sign up: http://stada.me/sept2020

Writing is self-directed, so reaching out for support is essential. It can, however, invite unhelpful comparisons with other writers who have different strengths and who are at different stages. In this episode I explore the writing life through the lens of Martin Seligman's Positive Psychology and think about the ways we can celebrate our triumphs at every stage.

When do better when we feel better...so let's put some habits in place to help us celebrate every step we take towards our writing goals!   LINKS Download the handout: https://storyaday.org/episode176 Fogg Behavioral Method episode: https://storyaday.org/episode151

Success in writing is about so much more than the external trappings (publication, adulation, recognition).  Every day that you sit down to write, it's important to feel successful. This week's episode talks about some ways to do that. Writing Prompt: Write a Twitter-length story every day this week, to exercise your storytelling muscles, then tag me @storyadaymay Links: How To Write Twitter Ficti...

Problems with writing are often not problems with writing: they're a battle with focus and with our own insecurities. In this episode I talk about some of the ways to focus (especially if you find yourself working from home all day for the first time) and some ways to shake up your writing routine to outrun your insecurities. How do YOU create focus and motivation for your writing, especially now?...