Writer Spark: Business, Creativity, and the Craft of Writing

Episode 50   Welcome to The WriterSpark Podcast! I'm your host, Melissa Bourbon, a bestselling author, podcaster, teacher, and book cover designer. In this episode, we're diving into the essentials of building a killer writing routine that promotes consistency and productivity. Whether you're struggling to find time to write or looking for ways to stay motivated, this episode will give you practic...

Episode 49   Delve into the idea of using setting as a character in fiction writing. This week, I'm thrilled to welcome my  special guest Marjorie McCown , author of the Hollywood Mystery series, who expertly uses the Hollywood movie set and Los Angeles as 'characters' in her books. In this episode, Marjorie and I explore how a well-crafted setting can amplify elements of your story, adding depth...

Episode 48   Have you ever thought about the parallels between writing True Crime and Fiction Writing? That is what this episode is all about. I had the opportunity to talk with investigative journalist and true crime writer Doug Kari to explore the similarities in writing these two genres and dig into his investigative process as he researched and wrote The Berman Murders.   Doug’s meticulous res...

Episode 47   Tips for Writing Books with Magical Elements   Welcome to The WriterSpark Podcast, the podcast that ignites your creativity and fuels your passion for storytelling. I'm your host, Melissa Bourbon, and today I have an enchanting episode you won't want to miss. I am thrilled to be joined by the bestselling author Barbara Davis, who is a true master at weaving magic into her novels. In t...

Episode 46   Story structure is at the heart of storytelling. Many writers use the Hero's Journey , the Three-Act Structure , the Snowflake Method, or Save the Cat , but there is another way to write a novel; Unlock your creativity with process writing and you'll harness amazing benefits. In this episode, Boo Trundle and I talk about process writing, its benefits, and ways to tap into your creativ...

Episode 45   Get a glimpse behind the publishing curtain from Shawn Reilly Simmons, co-founder of Level Best Books, a woman-owned and -operated boutique publisher. Whether you are a published or aspiring author, whether you are indie, traditional, or hybrid (published or not), learn from an expert in the industry.   Learn more about Level Best Books ➤ https://www.levelbestbooks.us/   Learn more ab...

Episode 44   Every author has two jobs, one as an author, and the other as a marketer. It's a necessary part of the writing life if you are in it to earn money. Nicolette Lemmon is an industry expert with experience in marketing. This episode taps into marketing fundamentals to help writers succeed in this part of the writing process.   Books and Other Resources Mentioned in this Episode:   The Au...

Episode 43   We can all use a little MAGIC in our writing lives. In this case, I'm talking about the MAGIC from "Organisational Consultant and workplace mediator Sharon Darmody". In our conversation, we talked about how to apply her MAGIC framework to the writing life.   Books and Other Resources Mentioned in this episode:   * Work Your Magic* https://www.amazon.com.au/Work-Your-Magic-Business-Com...

Episode 42   In this episode, Melissa talks with Lynne Golodner, author of Woman of Valor and prolific creative nonfiction writer, about mining your life for stories. This is such a great topic and applicable to people who write (or want to write) memoirs, creative nonfiction, and fiction.   Enjoy!   Books and Other Resources Mentioned in this episode: Woman of Valor: https://amzn.to/3Ss64Tr Lynne...

Episode 41   In this episode, Melissa talks with Michael Griffo, who also writes at JD Griffo and Michael Falco. The topic is All About Agents: Do you need them? What to look for... But it ended up being so much more. Enjoy!   Resources mentioned in this episode:   Books and Other Resources Mentioned in this episode: Michael Griffo's Website: https://michaelgriffo.com/ Visit Melissa Bourbon's Webs...

Episode 40   Every writer needs an editor, but do you know why and what they do for you? Do you know what editors do and what different types of edits mean? Developmental. Substantive. Line. Copy. They each have their own purposes. As well as being an author, writing coach and instructor, and cover art designer, I am also a freelance editor. Today I'm talking with Donalee Moulton, who is also an a...

Episode 39   Every writer gets stuck now and then. It's part of the journey. Getting stuck doesn't mean you need to stop, though, and it isn't just about pushing through. I have 8 strategies to help get you past 'Writer's Block' so you can move forward with your writing.    ( Read along on the WriterSpark blog )   ✨ 📝  Get updates on business, creativity, and the craft of writing by following th...

Episode 38   National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) is HERE, and writers all over have jumped into this exciting challenge. Whether you're an aspiring novelist or a seasoned writer, National Novel Writing Month may be just the special (not-so-secret) sauce you need to get motivated. If you are taking this writing challenge, you're in for a whirlwind of creativity, inspiration, and, yes, probably...

Episode 37   George Cramer spent years as a PI and Police Officer (turned writer), and many hours interviewing (not interrogating!) victims, suspects, and witnesses during investigations. Join me for this interesting conversation with George where he shares anecdotes, techniques, and tips for fiction writers.   ✨ 📝  Get updates on business, creativity, and the craft of writing by following this...

Episode 36 Join me for a captivating podcast interview with Eryk Pruitt, the author of Something Bad Wrong, a gripping novel inspired by an unsolved true crime case from the 1970s in North Carolina. We talked about the fusion of fact and fiction in this great interview. Get ready for an insightful and intriguing conversation! 📖🕵️‍♂️   Learn more about WriterSpark's Writing a Novel Online Course ➤...

Episode 35   Marjory McCown Final Cut Signed Copy Giveaway! If you’d like to enter for a chance to win, go HERE : https://forms.gle/8PkJnGUYtRqZQfu97   How do you use your real-life as an influence in your writing? Marjorie McCown did just that in her book, Final Cut . She was a costume designer in Hollywood for 30 years and she used experiences from her own life in her book as she created the fic...

Episode 34   If you've ever thought about writing a cozy mystery, this WriterSpark Podcast episode is for you! The mystery genre is huge, and cozy mysteries are a pretty special part of it. In this episode, I'm sharing 10 reasons to read and write cozy mysteries. What makes them so popular? Listen to find out!   Learn more about how to write a cozy mystery with WriterSpark's self-paced online cour...

Episode 33   Have you ever wondered what audiobook production and narration entails for an author? If you haven't, this episode of The WriterSpark Podcast is for you! Audiobooks can be a huge asset to an author's bottom line. There is a lot to learn, and that's what we're talking about in today with author and audiobook narrator Mary Castillo. She has great tips and resources about the audiobook a...

Episode 32   Books. Movies. TV shows. Most of them are structured using at least some, if not all, of the elements of The Hero's Journey. That includes Extraordinary Attorney Woo, the Netflix original South Korean show.   This is one of my favorite things to watch on television. It's smart, heartwarming, poignant, interesting, romantic, and I love it! From the ratings and success, I'm definitely n...

Episode 31   Whether you call it writer's block or simply getting stuck, the feeling of not being able to keep writing is very real. Certain strategies and tactics can help you get past the wall that sometimes appears and interferes with your forward progress.    Today I'm in conversation with author Anne Louise Bannon, author of the Operation Quickline, the Old Los Angeles series and the brand ne...

Episode 30   Episode Highlights: Everyone Has a Story to Tell: In this episode of The WriterSpark Podcast, we dive into the world of memoir writing with Robin Schepper, author of Finding My Way: A Memoir of Family, Identity, & Political Ambition. Whether you're considering writing a memoir or already on your journey, this episode offers valuable tips and processes to help you tell your unique...

Episode 29   Episode Highlights: Mastering the Art of Beginnings: In this craft-focused episode of The WriterSpark Podcast, we explore different techniques for starting your book, scene, or chapter. The way you open your story can set the tone for the entire narrative, making it crucial to choose the right approach. We delve into two popular methods: starting in media res (in the middle of the act...

Episode 28   Episode Highlights: Unlocking the Science of Writing: In this episode of The WriterSpark Podcast, we delve into the fascinating intersection of neuroscience and storytelling. Inspired by Bill Birchard’s groundbreaking book Writing for Impact: 8 Secrets from Science to Fire Up Your Readers’ Brain , we explore how understanding the science behind how the brain processes information can...

Episode 27   Episode Highlights: The Art of Revision: Love it or hate it, revision is a crucial part of the writing process that can transform a good manuscript into a great one. In this episode of The WriterSpark Podcast, I’m sharing my tried-and-true method for revising your manuscript like a boss. After writing more than 35 books, I’ve honed a four-step revision process that helps me streamline...

Episode 26   Episode Highlights: The Challenge of Introducing Your Protagonist: In this episode of The WriterSpark Podcast, we tackle the crucial craft topic of how to effectively introduce your protagonist in your book. The way you introduce your main character can set the tone for your entire story, making it essential to get it right. I’m joined by author Zara Altair, who shares her insights on...