The Bestseller's Beginning

This bonus is going to start off a little bit less light-hearted than our normal content because Dakota is working through some big, messy feelings about her work. This is a pretty vulnerable episode for both of us, so please be gentle kind listeners (and bear with some sniffles over mic)! We delve into mental health and writing with anxiety, OCD, and perfectionism, fears of perception and misinte...

Now that Dakota's made the decision to cut this book into two, we have the gift of space! And that means we're looking at re-ramping up emotion on the page that was removed in earlier cuts and sitting with our characters, especially in a deep conversational scene like this between Qays and Nasir. We talk about showing their reactions and interpretations of their reactions and really making their o...

In this episode we tackle Chapter 7 of Lianna's WIP: She Lies Along the Pearling Path and talk about what makes a slow or reflective chapter versus a chapter that is building up tension to big conflict. We revisit the recurring frustration of: "Well, it can't all go in Chapter 1!" We dig into continuity issues (why must our edits create additional needs for changes!!!), and get deep into character...

In this special bonus episode Lianna shares some incredible news about her WIP - She Lies Along the Pearling Path, and we reflect on a year of supporting each other through the rollercoaster of novel writing! We look at how far we've diverged from recommended advice as well as strategies that we might actually want to adopt. We reflect on the highs and lows of the drafting, feedback, and editing p...

It's Christmas in May! Our backlog is crazy to give us flexibility when life goes off the rails, so today's episode was recorded back during the holidays when Lianna was very sleepy and surrounded by jingle-bell cats and Dakota was laughing madly holding an axe, but instead of chopping down Christmas trees she was chopping her WIP into two books. That's the kind of BTS content we know you come for...

Fair warning, THIS ONE'S A RAMBLER! What started out as a regular shmegular feedback episode for Chapter 6 of Lianna's WIP (ALERT ALERT! WHICH NOW HAS A WORKING TITLE: She Lies Along the Pearling Path :D ) turned into a pseudo-bonus episode. But tangents are half the fun of these! This one covers everything from word count goals and writing productivity tools to incorporating societal commentary a...

We started a little low-energy in this bonus episode, but as these chats always do, we end on a high note. THE POWER OF FRIENDSHIP! This one is full of thoughts on research and balancing information gathering with good storytelling. We dive into where we pulled inspiration from for our current and other WIPs, including pulling from historical events and figures, being inspired by both fiction and...

In this episode we dissect Dakota's Chapter 5 - The Duality of Rest that follows the aftermath of Alora's true identity being revealed to the crew. We discuss cuts, character progression, whether or not quiet chapters work, and tackle a problem spot to ensure payoff for readers. One of the best parts of having a writing critique partner is being able to bounce ideas off someone and untangle those...

Things are a little crazy so our deepest apologies for an out of order bonus episode, but hey, it works out because in this bonus we talk mainly about word count expectations for genres and making big cuts and next episode (on Dakota's Chapter 5 to no one's surprise) will also center around that! It's aaaalll coming together. We also talk about pacing in storytelling, generating diamond-hard spark...

MERMAIDS! There's mermaids guys! In this episode we dissect Lianna's chapter 5 when things start to heat up for our FMC Olivia as she takes matters into her own hands to go track down and question the one lead she has. This is another deep dive critique where we discuss character continuity, writing emotional impact, getting readers to resonate with off page characters, backstory, and prose! Follo...

In this meaty episode (in more ways than one) we dive into Chapter 4 of Dakota's WIP. The first Nasir POV chapter! And Lianna is a little scared of Dakota's brain creations in this one! We talk gore, writing horrific character actions, ensuring it has a purpose, and matching genre tone across chapters. We also get into a deep critique where we discuss making cuts, tightening up narrative descripti...

Today's episode covers Chapter 4 of Lianna's WIP and in it we get a little distracted up front talking about potential comps for our books and different inspirations that have come into play in our writing, along with the funny differences between what we read and watch vs what ends up getting put on the page. But we also get into the meat and potatoes of it guys, we swear we're serious writers! W...

Oops, we got carried away in this bonus episode and almost ran out of time (yes we use free Zoom calls because we're cheap) so that's how you know it's jam packed! Today we're talking all things doubt and anxiety related to writing, including aiming for quantity over quality in first drafts and accepting bad first drafts. We also get into our fears of public perception and reader interpretation an...

In this episode we cover chapter 3 of Dakota's WIP, get more of an introduction to Nasir (Lianna is already a big fan as you can probably tell from the title of this episode), talk about writing in secrets into the plot and the pay off needed for reveals, clear up character ages, and talk about how to reflect or not reflect real-world patriarchy in fantasy. Follow the podcast on Instagram @thebest...

In this episode we're diving into Lianna's Ch 3 and talking all things characters from Lianna's deep frustration with naming vs Dakota's alignment with Team Name Sluts (and that's the tea!) to character deep dives where we analyze actions and dialogue. Follow the podcast on Instagram @thebestsellers_beginning or tag along for the ride with Lianna and Dakota on Instagram and Threads @lifeng.stories...

Welcome to Pantsers Anonymous! In our second bonus episode we breakdown challenges we're currently facing with our writing, from writer's block and stagnation, to self-made plot holes, and pushing through it all to get those words on the page. And once again we bring up K-Pop Demon Hunters, which seems like it's going to happen every other episode...you've been warned! Follow the podcast on Instag...

In this episode we cover feedback for Dakota's Chapter 2 of The Bay of Barakat. We're herding up sheep (a million different plot threads) and trying to get 'em back in the pen! Follow the podcast on Instagram @thebestsellers_beginning or tag along for the ride with Lianna and Dakota on Instagram and Threads @lifeng.stories and @locodakoko.writes. Patreon in progress! Stay tuned! Co-hosted, edited,...

In this episode we cover feedback for Lianna's Chapter 2 - Sweaty and Drunk of her mystery WIP. We brainstorm and troubleshoot character interactions and motivations, talk chapter word counts, and talk about being our own inner critics....and we talk about wadi dogs! What's not to love! Follow the podcast on Instagram @thebestsellers_beginning or tag along for the ride with Lianna and Dakota on In...

Just kidding! In this inaugural bonus episode, we're talking Inkheart, Eragon, and Warriors fanfiction (because let's be real, who among us didn't daydream about becoming a medicine cat for Thunderclan?), The Quest for Camelot, elaborate Beanie Baby wars, and other early creative influences on our storytelling. We also talk about our experiences sharing our writing, the importance (as well as the...

F*ck the Americans! What a way to start a first chapter! In this episode Dakota gives her feedback for Chapter 1 of Lianna's international feminist rage mystery WIP (currently untitled). In this episode we talk about scene-setting, building tension, we dig into Olivia's (the FMC) psyche, discuss feminist undertones, and talk about the bane that is describing facial expressions! Follow the podcast...

Forgive us for our audio sins and nerves in our first episode and buckle up for a swashbuckling introduction, starting with Lianna's feedback for Chapter 1 of Dakota's SWANA-inspired pirate fantasy WIP: The Bay of Barakat. In this episode we talk about what makes a successful introduction to a story and (what will become a recurring theme for Dakota >.<) of cutting down unnecessary length an...

Trailer for The Bestseller's Beginning podcast with your hosts Lianna and Dakota! Subscribe and listen wherever you get your podcasts! Or visit the home website at https://rss.com/podcasts/the-bestsellers-beginning to listen online and get transcripts for every episode. Follow the pod on socials @thebestsellers_beginning on Instagram for the latest updates! Or check us out on Instagram and Threads...