The Writing Pool Podcast

Get full access to Melissa’s Substack at thewritingpool.substack.com/subscribe

It's up to you to find the time to write!  If you're interested in joining WORD WEEK, an online writing workshop where we meet for an hour a day 12/11-12/15, please register here: https://buy.stripe.com/28o4if8pc9ICbUkcMS Or check out my website for more information: https://melissaclarkwrites.com/coaching-2/   Get full access to Melissa’s Substack at thewritingpool.substack.com/subscribe

On today's episode, I suggest 5 simple ways to enhance your storytelling skills. Take a listen! And then tell a story! www.melissaclarkwrites.com for more information on coaching. Get full access to Melissa’s Substack at thewritingpool.substack.com/subscribe

You never know what will trigger your memories, so if you're considering writing a memoir, don't clean out your closet! Sort of. In this episode, I talk about memoir writing, and give a fun writing exercise to get you started on yours. Insta: @thewritingpool Contact me: www.melissaclarkwrites.com Get full access to Melissa’s Substack at thewritingpool.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, I outline 5 ways to write through distracting times. And boy are we living through distracting times... Follow me on Insta @thewritingpool Interested in coaching? Get in touch: www.melissaclarkwrites.com   Get full access to Melissa’s Substack at thewritingpool.substack.com/subscribe

In this short but sweet episode, I talk about the power of "Once Upon a Time" and how you can use it to kickstart the beginning of whatever it is you're working on. I'm offering a free video recording on Beginnings. If you're interested, just go to my website www.melissaclarkwrites.com and navigate to CONTACT. Fill out your contact info, writing "Once Upon a Time" in the subject line. I'll email y...

You have a protagonist. You have an antagonist. Who else do you have? On today's episode, I discuss characters and offer a writing exercise to help you get to know your character(s).  If you value what you're hearing, please consider rating and reviewing this podcast on your podcast app. Thank you! www.melissaclarkwrites.com   Get full access to Melissa’s Substack at thewritingpool.substack.com/su...

Welcome to season 3 of The Writing Pool Podcast where I'll be teaching mini-writing courses with copious writing exercises. Today, an exercise for my memoirists in the audience. Get inspired by Anton Chekhov as you move forward with your own work. Also, a miraculous story about my missing Kindle device! www.melissaclarkwrites.com for more info about coaching. Follow me on Insta: @thewritingpool Ge...

In this final episode of the season, I talk about tipping points, using Taylor Swift as an example. What does TayTay have to do with writing? Or meeting your goals? Take a listen to find out. Next season, I'll be giving actionable items for you to work on your craft, so tune in in September for a whole new vibe. Like what you're hearing? Please consider rating and reviewing on your podcast app. I'...

It's fricking hot out! But the meltdown I'm talking about in this episode is the creative kind. Do you know that feeling? That meltdown feeling? In today's episode, I discuss the icky part of the writing process, and share tools you can use to lift yourself out of the meltdown mess. Like what you're hearing? Please rate and review this podcast in your podcast app. And share it with a creative frie...

My Kindle is either having an airborne adventure right now, or has settled in with a new owner. Some thoughts on the Kindle device, inspired by my forgetfulness on a recent flight to New Jersey. Hey, if you're listening, won't you rate and review this pod in your app? Kisses. www.melissaclarkwrites.com   Get full access to Melissa’s Substack at thewritingpool.substack.com/subscribe

I believe we should all have more ideas than we have time for. In this episode, I offer 5 ways to generate ideas. They may not all see the light, but ideas beget more ideas, and you never know which ones will stick, and when. I discuss Mind-mapping in this episode, and you can find more about it here: https://www.mindmapping.com/ Give me a follow on Insta: @thewritingpool Or reach out: mac@melissa...

I recently returned from a trip to NYC, and am happy to report that stories are alive and well on Broadway. In this episode, I recap the theater I saw. Enjoying this podcast? Why not give it a review in your podcast app! I would appreciate it so much! Give a follow on Instagram @thewritingpool Get full access to Melissa’s Substack at thewritingpool.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, I talk about memoirs, and how identifying themes can help your words connect with your readers, rather than burdening them with a therapy session. I discuss a few memoirs including: Autobiography of a Face by Lucy Grealy Fairyland; a Memoir of my Father by Alysia Abbot Darkness Visible; a Memoir of Madness by William Styron The offer stands -- if you're working on a memoir and wan...

Did you know that you don't have to consider yourself a writer to write? Because some people don't know that. But I'm here to tell you: take the pressure off. Write because you want to, because you want to try, because you want to experiment. In this episode, I talk about the pure joy of writing - not to become a writer, but just to write! If you're enjoying this pod, please consider rating and re...

Hello! I'm back after skipping a week, or rather, I skipped a beat. Speaking of beats... In today's episode, I talk about using the beat sheet to organize your novel. It is a tool I used in  writing for animation, but I now use it for novel writing, too. Take a listen, try it out. If you enjoy this pod, please rate and review it in your podcast app. I appreciate the effort! Interested in coaching?...

I'm headed back to the college where I taught for eleven years, teaching for the Animation Department. In today's episode, I talk about the fundamentals of storytelling, which is also the name of the course I'm teaching. Like what you're hearing? Please consider rating and reviewing in your podcast app. And give me a follow on the insta: @thewritingpool Get full access to Melissa’s Substack at the...

Why do you want to write a book? There are so many reasons to embark on this thrilling, harrowing, electrifying journey. In this episode, I discuss the myriad reasons why you might consider doing so. What is your why? Let me know! mac@melissaclarkwrites.com Find me on Insta, too: @thewritingpool Get full access to Melissa’s Substack at thewritingpool.substack.com/subscribe

Are you? I bet the answer is no. In today's episode, EPISODE 50! I talk about the importance of celebrating the little wins in your writing practice. Getting to THE END is a milestone, but there are many mini-milestones along the way! DM me on insta and let me know your latest wins: @thewritingpool Or get in touch via email: mac@melissaclarkwrites.com Get full access to Melissa’s Substack at thewr...

In today's episode, I talk about artificial intelligence. Just how intelligent is it? Just how artificial is it? And why is it a striking point for the Writer's Guild? I'd love to hear your take on this wave of the future. Please email me your thoughts at: mac@melissaclarkwrites.com Interested in coaching? With words that came from your brain and not a computer? Reach out and we can have a free, 2...

In this episode, I talk about the Kate DiCamillo quote from the L.A. Times Festival of Books I attended the other week. It really resonated for me, and I hope it does for you, too. Do you trust that your story is smarter than you are? Interested in a free, 20-minute Zoom chat to discuss your work-in-progress? Just reach out through my website: www.melissaclarkwrites.com Get full access to Melissa’...

In today's episode, I'm still riding the literary high of the L.A. Times Festival of Books. I also discuss other wonderful festivals, fairs and conferences that I've attended as speaker and participant. Have you been to any writing festivals? Would love to hear about it. Get in touch at: mac@melissaclarkwrites.com Interested in writing coaching? Reach out for a free, 20-minute consultation:  www.m...

In this episode, I talk about how arguing for your limitations is a futile exercise and yet we all do or have done it. So what's a writer to do? Flip the script! Insta: @thewritingpool www.melissaclarkwrites.com Get full access to Melissa’s Substack at thewritingpool.substack.com/subscribe

Hello! Hear me out... I don't believe in writer's block, but I DO believe in fear - a very powerful emotion. Take a listen! See what you think. Interested in coaching past your fears? Reach out at: www.melissaclarkwrites.com Give me a follow on Insta @thewritingpool Get full access to Melissa’s Substack at thewritingpool.substack.com/subscribe

In today's episode, I talk about different kinds of characters and how to best incorporate them into your story. Who's in your cast? I'm also back with a fun writing exercise. Follow @thewritingpool on Instagram Or get in touch via my website: www.melissaclarkwrites.com Please consider rating and reviewing this podcast in your podcast app. I thank you! Get full access to Melissa’s Substack at thew...