The Merry Writer Podcast

EPISODE SHOW NOTES Do you sometimes struggle with your ADHD and motivation when you're writing? Are you having trouble finding a writing routine and sticking with it? Don't worry; Jeremy Russell joins Ari and Rachel this week with tips and tricks for us all. In this episode, we cover: An example of what the ADHD thought process may look like Struggles writers with ADHD might have How to stay motiv...

EPISODE SHOW NOTES Are you considering how to outline your novel? Whether you used to be a pantser or you have always been a plotter, today's episode is discussing one of the methods for outlining. The 7 point plot system is the method Ari uses so she's going through the different steps. In this episode, we cover: The 7 points in this outlining method Discussions about when the inciting incident s...

EPISODE SHOW NOTES Middle grade novels are the link between early readers and kids continuing their reading journey to YA and beyond. But what makes middle grade so unique from other age groups? This week, Ari and Rachel discuss the many traits that go into a middle grade novel. In this episode, we cover: What middle grade novels are Themes in middle grade novels Word counts of middle grade novels...

**QUICK NOTE** Apologies for some of the sound quality, I had some issues with my microphone EPISODE SHOW NOTES Do you want to write creepy stories? Have an interest in scaring your readers? Then check out today's podcast where author A. S. McDermott joins Ari to discuss writing horror stories. This week, we cover: Characterisations of a horror story Biggest hurdles horror writers have How importa...

EPISODE SHOW NOTES It's so easy to get wrapped up in the numbers rather than the quality of your work. This week, Ari and Rachel discuss when word counts matter and when they don't. In this episode, we cover: Word count updates during a writing session Word count updates on social media Word counts in various genres and age groups As always, thanks for listening, and let us know your thoughts on t...

EPISODE SHOW NOTES In today's episode, Ari and Rachel are joined by author Kyle Robertson to discuss the importance of perseverance in writers. This week, we cover: Why writers need perseverance What can affect a writer's perseverance How to avoid burn out As always, thanks for listening, and let us know your thoughts on this topic in the comments below. ABOUT KYLE ROBERTSON Kyle Robertson is a re...

EPISODE SHOW NOTES Have you ever seen people writing or drawing inside the books they read? They're annotating their books to help understand the context better or just to make it look pretty. In this episode, we cover: What annotating books means Whether or not we annotate our books Different ways to annotate your books As always, thanks for listening, and let us know your thoughts on this topic...

EPISODE SHOW NOTES Not all metrics are the same, especially when it comes to social media metrics. Knowing what's important and where to focus your attention can be a game changer. So in today's episode, Ari and Rachel discuss Vanity Metrics. In this episode, we cover: What are vanity metrics What are active metrics Social media hierarchies The power of comments As always, thanks for listening, an...

EPISODE SHOW NOTES Writing doesn't always have to be creative or academic. It comes in many shapes and forms and therapeutic writing is one of them. This week, Ari and Rachel discuss what exactly therapeutic writing is and different ways to utilize it. In this episode, we cover: What therapeutic writing is Where and how you can add your thoughts Different ways you can express yourself through ther...

EPISODE SHOW NOTES Just how useful is social media for writers?  Have you found yourself wondering if it was even worth it?  Today writer E.A. Whyte joins Ari and Rachel to discuss just that. In this episode, we cover: The importance of social media The impact of social media Best ways to engage with followers As always, thanks for listening, and let us know your thoughts on this topic in the comm...

EPISODE SHOW NOTES We all need to do research for our novels. Some research is tedious but some is fun and it's all too easy to keep researching and not get any writing or editing done. This week, Ari and Rachel discuss how to keep your focus when researching. In this episode, we cover: What the rabbit hole is When it's okay to go down the rabbit hole Make notes Set a timer Use placeholders in you...

EPISODE SHOW NOTES Do you have several books out or do you plan to write and publish more than one book? Then you need to consider when and how to market those older books in your back catalogue. The newest one to be released may be all shiny, but don't forget to give some love to the older ones. Give this episode a listen to see what you can do and why it can be useful to market your older books....

EPISODE SHOW NOTES Do you create character profiles? How in-depth do you go? How well do you know your protagonist? This week, Ari and Rachel discuss the pros to knowing your characters' religion. In this episode, we cover: How religion can aid in character development How religion can affect the characters, the world, and the plot Using real-world religions or creating a fictional religion Why yo...

EPISODE SHOW NOTES What makes a good antagonist? Does your story need an antagonist?  Justine Manzano joins Ari and Rachel to discuss all things antagonistic! This week, we cover: Defining an antagonist Different types of antagonists How important they are to a story As always, thanks for listening, and let us know your thoughts on this topic in the comments below. ABOUT JUSTINE MANZANO Justine Ma...

EPISODE SHOW NOTES Have you ever thought about where your published book will be one, five, or even ten years from now? It might be collecting dust on someone's bookshelf or someone may be rereading it for the sixth time. Join Ari and Rachel this week as we discuss the longevity of books. In this episode, we cover: What longevity means The long-lasting impact your book may have to readers How writ...

This week Ari and Rachel are discussing when it might be time to let go of a story idea.   In this episode, we cover: - Sunk Cost Fallacy - How much have you grown as a writer - Time is finite - How many stories do you have   As always, thanks for listening, share your answers to the questions in the comments or over on social media.   Want to be a Guest? We have all the guests for 2023 but we are...

EPISODE SHOW NOTES Have you been torn between self-publishing and traditional publishing? We've all been there. There's a lot of decision making when it comes to writing a novel and a lot of that comes from the business side. Luckily, McKenzie Burns joins Ari and Rachel this week to discuss the benefits of self-publishing. In this episode, we cover: How McKenzie chose self-publishing over traditio...

EPISODE SHOW NOTES   This week Ari and Rachel are looking at Writing and Life balance. We all want it but can we really have it?  What can we do to help us catch the elusive "balance."   In this episode, we cover: - Using dead time - Prioritisation - Delegation - Don't worry about the completion - Use timers   As always, thanks for listening, share your answers to the questions in the comments or...

EPISODE SHOW NOTES Have you ever tried writing a screenplay before? Have you thought of turning it into a novel or vice versa? If so, Rich Hosek, Arnold Rudnick, and Loyd Auerbach join Ari and Rachel this week to discuss screenplays and novels. In this episode, we cover: Why turn your unproduced screenplay into a novel The process of changing a screenplay into a novel What skills are needed for th...

EPISODE SHOW NOTES   This week Ari and Rachel are discussing the four types of stories.  Where does your story fall within these four?   In this episode we cover: - What the four types of stories are - Simple-Simple stories - Simple-Complex stories - Complex-Simple stories - Complex-Complex stories   As always, thanks for listening, share your answers to the questions in the comments or over on so...

Edit: Sorry, I ended up deleting this episode. I have re-added it today.   EPISODE SHOW NOTES   This week, Ari and Rachel discuss organizing multiple novels. As writers, we tend to have too many ideas and decide to write a few simultaneously.   Here are some tips and tricks for keeping your notes organized.   As always, thanks for listening, share your answers to the questions in the comments or o...

EPISODE SHOW NOTES   In today's episode, we are looking at all those bad ideas we have and why we shouldn't just discard them.  Let's try and turn some bad ideas into good ideas!   As always, thanks for listening, share your answers to the questions in the comments or over on social media.   Want to be a Guest? We currently have all the guests for 2023, but we are happy to start accepting applicat...

EPISODE SHOW NOTES Writing a novel can be confusing, especially if you're juggling multiple story arcs in one story. Luckily, Troy Lambert joins Ari and Rachel to discuss how to handle multiple novel plots and story arcs. This week, we cover: The benefits of having multiple story arcs in one book The difference and similarities between multiple plots and subplots The best way to weave plots togeth...

EPISODE SHOW NOTES   In today's episode, we are talking about foreshadowing, what it is, how it works and why you might want to make sure you have some in your story!   As always, thanks for listening, share your answers to the questions in the comments or over on social media.   Want to be a Guest? We have opened up guest applications for 2023.  If you would like to be considered, please take the...

EPISODE SHOW NOTES   This week, Ari and Rachel discuss ways to set aside money for publishing your novel. They also discuss what you should save for and when to begin saving.   As always, thanks for listening, share your answers to the questions in the comments or over on social media.   Want to be a Guest? We have opened up guest applications for 2023.  If you would like to be considered, please...