The Kate and Abbie Show

Are you preparing for National Novel Writing Month? Maybe you've prepped your plot and story outline - maybe you've even been following along with our Preptober episodes. But have you prepared mentally? Have you taken time to cultivate your attitude heading into this new experience? Today, we're talking thoughts...and how our attitudes about our WIP's can make or break them. Want to support the sh...

World building: a skill every writer should hone, whether you specialize in fantasy or contemporary. How can you paint a vivid picture without info-dumping on your reader?⁣ What is the best way to describe magic that's, well...hard to describe?⁣ How much world-building should you do for a story placed in the "real world"? ⁣Authors Kate and Abbie bring the answers to these tricky questions on today...

With NaNoWriMo only weeks away, we thought we would answer a pressing question: how do we beat writer's block - especially while writing under pressure? In this episode we're delving into how we nourish ourselves to stay inspired and stoked about our novels - and how we blast out of creative slumps. Want to support the show + get a shout-out? Visit  https://www.patreon.com/thekateandabbieshow...

NaNoWriMo is fast approaching and you know what that means: getting back into the habit of writing consistently every day. But sticking to a habit is easier said than done. How can you stay focused when there are so many distractions? That's what today's podcast is all about. In this episode, authors Kate and Abbie share some of their favorite techniques for developing a writing habit and sticking...

Your book's GoodReads page is a dangerous rabbit hole – once you start falling, you might not be able to stop. Negative reviews might leave you feeling discouraged and positive reviews might leave you feeling overly-confident and complacent. So, what should you do? How can you gather constructive feedback from readers without letting their opinions influence how you feel about your writing? Author...

Do you ever feel like you're not qualified to be a writer? Do you often catch yourself saying "they are so much better than me!" or comparing yourself to other writers? Do you feel discouraged by people who tell you to "get a real job" or that you're simply not good enough? If so, this podcast is for you. Authors Kate and Abbie sit down for some real talk: how to believe in yourself as a writ...

"So, what is your book about?"  Many writers dread (read: freeze) at this daunting question. How do we unload our complex synopsis in a coherent way? Where do we even begin - from the beginning? What if you feel self-conscious talking about your own work? What if the asker gets bored? What if you miscommunicate what the book is really about?  Questions, questions, daunting questions! And...

If you want to successfully self-publish your book, you need to know how to market it. But where do you start? How do you beat the algorithm and get your book in front of new readers? Preferably without spending a lot of $$$? Dave Chesson (book marketing Jedi and founder of Kindlepreneur.com) is here to answer that very question. Dave's mission is to help indie authors take their book sales to the...

Being a writer doesn't consist of just a pen and paper. There is a lot to organize! If you feel overwhelmed by your notes, research, drafts, edits, backups, and everything else the writing process involves... this episode is for you. In today's podcast, authors Kate and Abbie discuss their organization methods -- from setting up their Scrivener projects to printing and binding manuscripts to backi...

Do you feel nervous sending your beloved book off to a professional editor? Maybe it's your first time working with a professional editor, or you just aren't confident in your story – whatever the case, Kate and Abbie are here to set your anxieties at ease. Two authors who have worked with professional editors numerous times, Kate and Abbie discuss the best ways to prepare yourself (and your book)...

Do you NEED to follow the 3 act story structure in order to write a good story? That's the question authors Kate and Abbie tackle in this podcast. If you're feeling discouraged that your story doesn't perfectly line up with a structure, or you're just questioning the role of structure in the writing process... this episode is for you. Want to support the show + get a shout-out? Visit https://www.p...

Time off is just as important as sleeping, eating, and exercising – it is essential to your health and creativity. But how do you know if you're using your free time constructively, or just distracting yourself from real life? In this podcast, authors and sisters Kate and Abbie unpack their favorite ways to de-stress and rediscover their inspiration. From social media hiatuses to journaling to tim...

Rewriting a novel is no easy task; in fact, it can be even more daunting than writing the first draft. What should you save, change, or toss in the trash? In this podcast, authors Kate and Abbie share their strategies for rewriting the messy first draft and transforming it into a masterpiece.  Want to support the show + get a shout-out? Visit www. Patreon.com/TheKateAndAbbieShow  Like th...

The Kate & Abbie Show is back with this insightful episode focused on writing advice. When should you take advice and apply it to your writing, and when should you tune out? There's such a thing as "information overload" when you're trying to write a story; and it can destroy your motivation to write. So, how much information is TOO MUCH information? When is writing advice constructive, and wh...

One of your greatest fears as a writer: that all your characters' voices will end up sounding EXACTLY THE SAME. How do you avoid this? How do you "slip into" a new voice for each character, a distinctive voice that STANDS OUT – not just in your story, but in the world of stories already out there. That's the topic authors Kate and Abbie tackle in this podcast. Drawing on years of experience and mi...

Q&A PART 2! In this episode, authors and sisters Kate and Abbie Emmons continue answering YOUR questions about writing! If you posted a question in the community on Abbie's YouTube channel (youtube.com/abbieemmons) this is an episode you don't want to miss. How can you use the 3 act story structure to write a trilogy? How do you write realistic banter? How do you crush self-doubt when you're w...

In this special episode of The Kate & Abbie Show, authors and sisters Kate and Abbie Emmons kick off a series of episodes answering YOUR questions about writing! If you posted a question in the community on Abbie's YouTube channel (youtube.com/abbieemmons) this is an episode you don't want to miss.  How do you hide clues throughout a story? What about hiding a villain in plain sight? How...

Choosing a book title is easier said than done. How do you make your book title STAND OUT while still fitting in with its genre? How do you think up a title that will grab potential readers and draw them in to learn the fuller message? How do you think outside the box when it seems like all the "good titles" are taken? These are the questions that authors Kate and Abbie tackle in this podcast. Aft...

The Chronicles of Narnia is more than just an epic, magical adventure – it's a masterclass in storytelling for any writer looking to improve their world building, hone their characters' internal conflict, and sharpen their literary swords to do battle with the blank page. In this special Story Mining episode, authors (and avid Narnia fans) Kate and Abbie dissect The Chronicles of Narnia from a wri...

Homeschooling. It's been around for a while, but many students (and parents) are trying it for the first time. Do you feel unqualified to teach your child? Will your child become isolated and shy, unable to socialize? Does the idea of "homeschooling" sound WAY too daunting for you to take on as a family? These are the questions Kate and Abbie tackle in today's episode. Home-educated all their live...

It's no easy task to write a story with a non-linear timeline. How do you incorporate flashbacks into the story in a seamless way? How do you show your reader why the present events matter to the characters, because of what happened in the past? How do you pull off a non-linear timeline without totally jarring and confusing the audience? These are the big questions that authors Kate and Abbie tack...

When life gets stressful, nourishment and self-care seem to be the first things to vanish from our lives. But ironically, stressful times are when we need nourishment and self-care the most. In this episode, sisters Kate and Abbie discuss their favorite ways to de-stress and self-nourish when the going gets tough.  Like this episode? Give us a nice rating and tell us what you thought.  C...

In this special episode, Kate and Abbie discuss how the act of writing can bring healing even in the hardest of times, and they invite YOU to join them in a writing challenge: the #StartYourStoryChallenge! In times like this, it's so important come together as a community of writers who support and uplift each other. Now is the time to start your story – that story you've been thinking about for a...

Everyone judges books by their covers.... which means cover art is one of the most important elements of your book. In this episode, authors Kate and Abbie Emmons break down the different ways to create a stunning book cover – whether you're working with a professional cover designer or going it alone. From graphic design to royalty-free images to finding a designer, these tips and techniques will...

It's a well-known fact that your habits create your reality. What you do every day – and what you do without even thinking about it – is directly connected to your mood, mindset, and overall wellbeing. Is it possible to create a lifestyle you LOVE just by simply changing your habits? What if you could upgrade your quality of life without overhauling your entire life and burning yourself out with "...