The Merry Writer Podcast

EPISODE SHOW NOTES   Today is all about Deus Ex Machina, what it is, why it's bad and how to avoid it!    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 time to read the FAQs Page .  Once you've read everything, ple...

EPISODE SHOW NOTES   Have you ever gotten stuck on your novel before? Outlining is a great way to around that. However, outlining isn't for everyone. This week, we go over some different novel outlining methods you can try.   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 2...

EPISODE SHOW NOTES   In today's episode, we discuss the frustrating "As You Know, Bob" trope, why we don't like it and what you should do instead.   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 time to read the FA...

EPISODE SHOW NOTES   Have you tried submitting a piece of writing before and encountered a word you didn't know? This week, we're going over some brief vocab words everyone should know within the writing industry.   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 y...

EPISODE SHOW NOTES   Today we are talking all about habits and why making writing a habit can be quite difficult for some writers and what things you can do to try and help.   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 t...

EPISODE SHOW NOTES   Are you releasing a debut novel? Are you working on a new project and want to spread the word? This week, we're discussing ways writers can get podcast interviews.   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 considere...

EPISODE SHOW NOTES   Let's talk about procrastination!  That weird urge to delay a task rather than just working on it.  This can be a big thing with writers so in today's episode we cover what it is, why it can happen and how we can fix it.   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...

EPISODE SHOW NOTES   Some books are broken up into chapters. Others have parts. Some have prologues at the beginning, and others have epilogues. There's some debate about whether these chapters are needed. This week, Ari and Rachel discuss the pros and cons of having prologues and epilogues in your books. As always, thanks for listening. Share your answers to the questions in the comments or over...

EPISODE SHOW NOTES   Social media is very much in our lives now, but does it have some negative effects and should we sometimes consider a break?  Rachel and Ari discuss when to step away from social media.   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 woul...

EPISODE SHOW NOTES   If you're a writer, then you know writing a novel has multiple stages. It seems like a simple topic, but there's more to each step of the process than meets the eye. This week, Ari and Rachel go in-depth about the writing process step-by-step. 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...

EPISODE SHOW NOTES   Happy New Year!  We are now in 2023 and we thought we'd start the year talking about our sagging middles!  No, this is not about eating too much Christmas pudding over the holidays, but rather those middles in our stories that can often lose steam and get a little, well, saggy!   Let's talk about what the problem is and how to fix them! As always, thanks for listening, and let...

EPISODE SHOW NOTES   It's the end of 2022! This week, Ari and Rachel decided to share bloopers from this year's episodes. Enjoy and have a great new year! As always, thanks for listening and for your support. We're looking forward to an exciting 2023 on the podcast!   Support the Podcast:   Patreon Want to support our show and show our little podcast some extra love, then please consider popping o...

EPISODE SHOW NOTES   So today's episode is all about pacing in a novel, things we recommend regarding pacing, things we aren't keen on and even some differing opinions! Eeh gads!  It happens, folks. As always, thanks for listening, and let us know your thoughts in the comments below about the advice shared in the episode.   Want to be a Guest? We have opened up guest applications for 2023.  If you...

EPISODE SHOW NOTES   If you're a reader, then you probably write book reviews... right? With 2022 coming to an end and with everyone wrapping up their reading challenges, Ari and Rachel share various places to write and publish book reviews. As always, thanks for listening. Share your answers to the questions in the comments or over on social media.   Support the Podcast:   Patreon Want to support...

EPISODE SHOW NOTES   As the year starts to draw to a close, Ari and Rachel are back with another fun episode of Would You Rather, this time it's Movie Edition.  So grab a drink and join in answering these questions As always, thanks for listening, share your answers to the questions in the comments or over on social media.   Support the Podcast:   Patreon Want to support our show and show our litt...

EPISODE SHOW NOTES   Description can be tricky in writing sometimes. If you ever feel stuck, think of the five senses. We tend to use some senses more than others in our writing. This week, Ari and Rachel discuss ways you can utilize the five senses in creative writing. (Including some dos and don'ts!) As always, thanks for listening, and let us know your thoughts in the comments below about the a...

EPISODE SHOW NOTES   With Christmas not too far away, people are turning their thoughts to gifts.  So today, Ari and Rachel share some ideas for gifts for the writers in your life.  As always, thanks for listening, and let us know your thoughts in the comments below about the advice shared in the episode.   Want to be a Guest? We have opened up guest applications 2023.  If you would like to be con...

EPISODE SHOW NOTES   Auditing is a scary word, but it's easier than it seems. As with all businesses, you should audit your workflow, make improvements, and more. This week, Ari and Rachel discuss what auditing your writing means, why you should do it, and how to do it. As always, thanks for listening, and let us know your thoughts in the comments below about the advice shared in the episode.   Su...

EPISODE SHOW NOTES   In today's episode, Rachel and Ari discuss some of their favourite writing (and writer) programs that they've found to be really useful. As always, thanks for listening, and let us know your thoughts in the comments below about the advice shared in the episode.   Support the Podcast:   Patreon Want to support our show and show our little podcast some extra love, then please co...

EPISODE SHOW NOTES   Have you decided to get traditionally published and don't know how to start pitching your novel? Or maybe you're self-publishing and need a solid pitch for your target audience? This week, author Brandon J. Greer joins us on the show as he goes in depth about how to write a query letter, why you need one, and so much more. As always, thanks for listening, and let us know your...

EPISODE SHOW NOTES   Do you know the best time to write?  Today, Rachel and Ari discuss finding the best time to write, for you! As always, thanks for listening, and let us know your thoughts in the comments below about the advice shared in the episode.   Support the Podcast:   Patreon Want to support our show and show our little podcast some extra love, then please consider popping over to our  P...

EPISODE SHOW NOTES   As writers, we can get stuck in many places when it comes to writing your novel. The first draft should be you telling yourself the story. But after that, how can you keep your readers hooked? This week, Ari and Rachel discuss some ways you should (and shouldn't) begin your novel. As always, thanks for listening, and let us know your thoughts in the comments below. Resources:...

EPISODE SHOW NOTES   Are you setting up a dedicated writing space?  What are some things you might want to include?  Ari and Rachel weigh in on some things they include in their spaces. As always, thanks for listening, and let us know your thoughts in the comments below about the advice shared in the episode.   Support the Podcast:   Patreon Want to support our show and show our little podcast som...

EPISODE SHOW NOTES Have you ever thought of becoming an audiobook narrator but didn't know where to start? Luckily, audiobook narrator, Rachel V. White joins Ari and Rachel this week. She explains everything you need to know about being an audiobook narrator.  As always, thanks for listening, and let us know your thoughts in the comments below!   ABOUT RACHEL V. WHITE   Rachel V. White is the audi...

EPISODE SHOW NOTES   Writing a book is awesome but it can also be stressful, so can editing, marketing and publishing!  So what do you do to cope with all that stress?  How do you manage to navigate through all the different levels and requirements needed?  In this week's episode, Ari and Rachel discuss ways to cope with that stress so it doesn't overwhelm you. As always, thanks for listening, and...