The Girl and Duck Podcast

Okay, I’ve got four tips for you again today. I’m obsessed with four, aren’t !? I think it’s my brain’s favourite number. Anything more than four and my brain drifts away. La la la… BUT. Having said that. There is one EXTRA tip in this week’s ep. EXTRA TIP: If you’re new around here, get yee to the girlandduck website! Check out all the freebies (I made them with YOU in mind)! There’s so much good...

I’ve had a topsy turvy relationship with writing and I’ve witnessed this in my community too. We come to writing with a vision of how it’s all going to be then, surprise, surprise, we discover we have talents in completely unexpected areas. Want to write a picture book but end up writing a novel? Want to write poetry but end up writing a lifestyle blog? That’s how it happens. That’s normal. In tod...

Last night we wrapped up the rewriting course with a scrumptious live coaching call. (Don’t you bloody LOVE sitting around talking about writing??) We explored many of the challenges and fears rewriting can present and I offered four ways I use to handle such fears. In particular, I was looking at that ‘pull the thread’ fear. If you’ve done a rewrite, you’ll know what I mean by this! Pull one thre...

A g&d quick chat! Four questions to help you with a rewrite: 1. Is the narrative arc strong? 2. Is the resolution satisfying? 3. Are the kids proactive? 4. Is there a lovely twist? Apply these questions to your current WIP and see if they help strengthen your story or give it that extra oomph! (Works great for picture books) ► About Jen & Girl and Duck: If you'd like to subscribe to my...

A very special edition with Fiona Lloyd, a girl&duck alumni. Fiona was born in the beautiful North-East of England near picturesque countryside, windswept beaches and the vibrant cultural city of Newcastle-upon-Tyne. She dreamed of writing in a cosy country cottage and of life as a theatre actress but, as it often does, life got in the way. Working and travelling instead, Fiona floated in the...

A common misconception is that rewriting is simply substituting one word for another. That’s not rewriting. That’s tinkering. Tinkering can be fun. And satisfying. But there’s a danger. It can go on ad nauseum. And it can ruin your work. In my new e-course, I’ve chunked down rewriting into four key elements: fine tuning language, making cuts, fleshing stuff out, moving stuff around. That’s it, bas...

When it comes to writing and illustrating, we often focus on traits and emotions such patience, perseverance, persistence. But what about desire? Desire is an emotion that's often overlooked. But in order to finish a large, demanding project such as a novel, our desire to get to the end must be strong. If our desire is waning, we need to refuel it. In this episode, I share some stories about t...

This is the story I was telling myself before I opened girlandduck. What if people fail? What if their dreams don't come true? How can I make everything happen for them? How can i get them RESULTS? This thinking stopped me in my tracks. I almost ditched the whole idea of girlandduck. I was so worried people might fail despite my best efforts. Of course, the more helpful questions I needed to a...

Over the years I've come to this conclusion— there's only one thing holding writers back from finishing.  You probably know what it is too.  Fear. In today's episode, I examine that fear more closely and offer eight strategies (and a little pep talk) to help you find your courage and push on regardless. Honestly, getting to the finishing line is its own reward and, as a wise boyfriend on...

Do you put thought into your 'daily costume'? I've been thinking alot about clothes lately. I have a 'fractured' capsule wardrobe which I've loved building over the past couple of years. But, yeah, clothes. They are full of attitude, memories, creativity, self-expression. In this ep, I explore the ideas behind dressing your characters and how incredibly helpful it can be. Clothing provides a direc...

Many writers get hung up on chapter construction. They think there's a formula or, worse still, they think publishers have a required approach or checklist. Let's bust that myth once and for all and get playful with our work! Herein some tips on how you might end your chapters in fresh and charming ways. I refer to one of my own novels in this podcast. It's a great novel if you want to see me actu...

A more personal chat today, a bit raw, a bit vulnerable. Today I talk about a little book that, many years ago, saved my arse. Feel The Fear and Do It Anyway by Susan Jeffers was a lifeline to me during a particularly tough time in my life. I loved this dear little book because it was comforting AND it was practical. If you’re going through a turbulent time, if you’re at the crossroads or if life...

In a recent chat with a fellow writer, Jen hit on the idea that 'how you do wriitng is how you do life'. In this episode, she discusses this idea and puts it to the test.  A fun episode that may (or may not) leave you a little more enlightened about your writing process. ;-) ► Jen & Girl and Duck: If you'd like to subscribe to Jen's museletters, yay! Click here . For more girl&duck go...

First we revisit Jen's thoughts and tips about backstory. Some ideas on how you might get your story unstuck, out of the backstory trap. Then, for the bizwomen who listen (and those who are interested), Jen chats (and has a little rant) about the tendency to bag Social Media and how, as businesswomen, this can be a big mistake bc it denies how incredibly helpful social media can be in building a s...

Let’s Support and Uplift YOU! Is this a new series? Who knows. But today’s episode could be called, What’s in Jen’s Head? Or something like that… Jen shares all the bits and pieces she’s thinking about including thoughts on the beautiful world of life coaching, the ever-evolving Duck Pond and what’s coming down the line, as well as the magic of finding people with shiny energy that will support an...

In all the years Jen has been teaching creative writing, the biggest thing she comes up against is mindset issues and limiting beliefs. The thoughts that keep authors doubting themselves, playing small and, in many cases, not even reaching the finishing line.  Authors second-guess their talents, overlook or underestimate their skills and constantly dismiss their ability to learn and grow and...

The experience of trying to create when the opportunity presents can be frustrating when the Muse appears to have deserted you. In this episode of the Girl and Duck Podcast Jen explores four gentle ways in which you can remain connected to your Muse. Jen & Girl and Duck: If you'd like to subscribe to my museletters, yay! Click here . For more girl&duck goodness, go here - GirlandDuck.com B...

The search for your purpose can be intimidating and frustrating. It can also send you on a wild goose chase. Jen discusses her own journey to a purpose filled life, and the different ways you can approach, discover or declare your purpose. Jen & Girl and Duck: If you'd like to subscribe to my museletters, yay! Click here . For more girl&duck goodness, go here - GirlandDuck.com Buy Jen's cr...

Jess Racklyeft is a children’s book lover, draw-er and reader based in Melbourne, who also creates work for card companies, picture books, original paintings, prints and all types of different client projects. Jess loves watercolours, but is getting more and more into combining digital work and tinkers with oils, pencils and other bits and bobs she can get her mitts on. Her recent picture book, Ic...

Being visible brings with it all sorts of fun and high jinx. It's scary but not so scary that you shouldn't do it. In this episode, I talk about my experiment with Facebook ads and how that has lead me to thinking more deeply about voice—in creative writing, in our website copy and in our lives. Find Karly here > https://www.karlynimmo.com/ Jen & Girl and Duck: If you'd like to subscribe to...

Warm, frank and uplifting. That's what it's like to chat with delightful Australian children's author, Cate Whittle. Cate has led a colourful and at times peripatetic life—just like this conversation!   To find out more about Cate , the writing services she offers, and her beautiful books, please go here: https://www.catewhittlewrites.com/   Jen & Girl and Duck: ►Join Jen's creative...

Thinking about big picture stuff, today. The nuances and demands of what it means to be an influencer, to follow influencers, to seek advice from 'strangers'.    This video was inspired by the remarkable Samantha Nolan-Smith at the School of Visibility.  You can find Samantha at the link below:   https://theschoolofvisibility.com/   Jen & Girl and Duck: If you'd like t...

In this episode Jen explores how to write endings, when to take breaks and how long?  Jen also illustrates her first picture book.  And other assorted chat. If you'd like to subscribe to my museletters, yay! Click here . For more girl&duck goodness, go here - GirlandDuck.com Book(s) mentioned: Stephen King On Writing 

Jen is talking to Caroline Magerl an award-winning and internationally distinguished illustrator, cartoonist and painter, who is now recognised as a unique and arresting presence. Her work spans from dark, enigmatic oil paintings, through incisive cartoons, to lively children’s book illustrations. She has been exhibited in a variety of galleries and art fairs and celebrated in numerous publication...

Three things you can put off when writing a novel. This will help you move your story forward and buy you more time later on to pay close attention to the nuances that really lift a story. Plus, some extra tips and insights from the writing life, including the art of giving picture books to unsuspecting adults! If you'd like to subscribe to my museletters, yay! Click here . For more girl&duck...