Writing for Immortality

It's the final episode of season 2! We're reflecting on 19 previous shows dedicated to the craft of writing, plus discussing the pleasures and rewards of writing for joy. Thank you for a great season and we'll see you in season 3!

Mark Twain. George Sand. Stephen King. George Orwell. Dr. Seuss. J.K. Rowling. Anne Rice. All these authors have at least one thing in common--they all go by (or have gone by) pseudonyms on their bylines. Perhaps you're considering whether to adopt a pen name for your memoir, so should you? Barbara tends to feel that pseudonyms work better for fiction than memoir, but feel free to disagree--li...

Why do memoir writers need to get vulnerable? And how do you actually do it without oversharing? In this episode, we explore why vulnerability is the key to powerful memoir writing. Drawing wisdom from Brené Brown, Mary Karr, Joan Didion, and examples from Selma Blair's powerful memoir Mean Baby, we break down how to transform your challenging experiences into compelling narrative. You'll...

Should you write at dawn (and standing) like Hemingway or burn the midnight oil like Kafka? Science has some unexpected answers. In this episode, we explore the fascinating research behind creative timing and why your "off-peak" hours might be your creative sweet spot. From brain science to practical routines, discover why the best time to write isn't what you might think - and how t...

Getting Your Memoir Writing Resolution Back on Track Why do so many people abandon their New Year's resolution to write their life story? In this episode, Barbara explores the science behind habit formation and how to apply it specifically to memoir writing. Drawing from behavioral scientist Katy Milkman's research on habit formation, we break down the key barriers that stop aspiring memoirists—an...

Happy 2025! We're back with a great episode about memoir writing and how to make your memoir more enjoyable to read and to write. Yes, it's possible. In this episode of Writing for Immortality, Barbara sits down with Wendy Dale, author of Avoiding Prison and Other Noble Vacation Goals and former Media Bistro memoir writing instructor. After teaching hundreds of writers how to structure their life...

No episode today! Just wanted to say Happy Holidays and that Writing for Immortality will be back in January with all new episodes!

Join host Barbara as she sits down with bestselling author Honoree Corder and ghostwriter Kent Sanders to discuss their new book "Your Book Means Business." Learn why business professionals need a book, what makes a truly exceptional business book, and how to avoid common pitfalls in the book creation process. With millions of books sold between them, these experts share insider tips on creating a...

Join us for a fascinating conversation with Jeremy Toeman, CEO of AugX Labs and creator of Augie Studio, as we explore how storytelling has transformed in the digital age. From his early days working in a video store to revolutionizing TV viewing with Slingbox, Toeman shares insights on the shifting landscape of media consumption and content creation. In this episode, we dive deep into: How short-...

What happens when pop icon Cher's memoir needs three different ghostwriters to tell her story? This episode uncovers the fascinating world of celebrity memoirs and ghostwriting, revealing how one of music's most distinctive voices got lost in translation. From variety show star to Oscar winner to Auto-Tune pioneer, Cher's lived enough lives for ten memoirs—so why does her actual memoir fall flat?...

From his early days at Bantam Books to co-founding The Story Plant, Lou Aronica has shaped publishing for over four decades. In this candid conversation, the veteran publisher, editor, and bestselling author shares what makes a manuscript stand out and how to succeed in today's publishing world. Drawing from his experience with both literary giants and emerging voices, Lou offers practical wisdom...

They say laughter is the best medicine, and when author Elaine Franklin found the news of the day to grim to bear, she found the antidote in writing fiction. The result of her efforts, "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood," is a frothy balm for readers looking for escapism with a little dose of social commentary. Barbara and Elaine discuss the inspiration behind the book, the importance of humor in writ...

"There's no such thing as a boring life story if you tell it well," says Barbara as she explores major publishing trends from the Frankfurt Book Fair, shares powerful writing strategies, and reveals the effective alternatives to NaNoWriMo. From breaking news about AI in publishing to proven memoir writing techniques, this episode equips you with tools to move your writing project forward. Learn ho...

It's Halloween, and today's show is all about the ways we can write scary. Specifically: What builds tension in a piece of writing? How can you subvert reader expectations? What's at stake? This episode explores only a portion of what it takes to write scary scenes, but hopefully it will get you thinking about how to craft content that's truly frightful. Plus, a review of a new book, a book club a...

Writer's Block: Is it real, or is it all in the mind? Is it just an excuse to avoid work and only afflicts hobby-writers? Whether you think it's real or not, we've all faced our writing and dreaded it, whatever the reason may be. This episode explores what writers can do when they'd rather pick sand out of dirt than type ten words. Please be kind, remember to subscribe to the show so you never mis...

Terry's back! Morgan James acquisitions editor Terry Whalin returns to the podcast in this latest episode to talk about "Book Proposals That $ell: 21 Secrets To Speed Your Success." Terry, who previously appeared in Season 1 to discuss his book "10 Publishing Myths" (linked below), lays out exactly what authors need to do in order to sell their books to agents and publishing houses. In this eye-op...

Buckle up for a journey through the intersection of writing, technology, and law with cybersecurity expert Star Kashman. In this episode we plunge into the digital minefield that modern writers must navigate, exploring everything from copyright conundrums to the AI authorship revolution. It’s going to get bumpy! Star Kashman, a legal maverick in the world of cybersecurity, shares her unconventiona...

Travel books help us imagine ourselves in new places, but until recently, most books didn't offer specific travel guidance for LGBTQIA+ travelers beyond what felt like the compulsory section on nightlife and local safety concerns. And regardless of sexuality, not everyone wants to go to a rave at 2am--some travelers would much rather go antiquing. With 120 destinations, OUT IN THE WORLD https://ti...

Get out the popcorn because this show is a binge. Snacky, even. Either way, you won't regret indulging in this episode because every minute is a golden nugget of goodness! Here's why: Some people are born storytellers, others need to find the right medium first. But we all have stories to share, and Krystal Proffitt--Podcast Coach, Content Strategist, and host of the award-winning show The...

We're kicking off Season 2 of Writing for Immortality the extraordinary poet Rodney Leonard. Rodney Leonard's poetic journey is as vibrant and multifaceted as his verses. From the rich soil of Alabama to the bustling streets of New York, Leonard's life experiences have shaped his voice in the world of poetry. Growing up surrounded by strong women, Leonard's work resonates with the...

📚✨ We're ending SEASON 1 with a fabulous show! 🖋️ Aspiring author? 📖 Seasoned writer? 🤔 Confused about publishing? Terry Whalin, author of '10 Publishing Myths' and acquisitions editor at Morgan James Publishing, joins us on this episode of Writing for Immortality to demystify the publishing world! This publishing veteran takes us on a journey through: 🚀 His personal wake-up call...

In this episode of Writing for Immortality, meet Julia Phillips, the acclaimed author of Bear and National Book Award finalist Disappearing Earth. I interview Julia about Bear and we also talk about the exploration of the sisterly bond, about the setting of the book on a remote island in the Pacific Northwest, and the dynamics that play out between locals and tourists. The conversation shifts to t...

To paraphrase my old man, Barry Moser remains one of the most important book illustrators working in America today. I had the tremendous honor of taking a class with Barry when I was an undergraduate at Smith College, and in the intervening years had the privilege of interviewing him for various projects including his work on Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Narrative of the Life of Freder...

Everyone wants to read writers' stuff...right? RIGHT??? Wrong. Well...it's complicated. Truth is, this episode's catchy title is really about what writers can do to make their writing more interesting. Using Steven Pressfield's 2016 book, Nobody Wants to Read Your Sh*t: And Other Tough-Love Truths to Make You a Better Writer https://www.amazon.com/Nobody-Wants-Read-Your-Tough-Love/...

Poetry in West Africa is often part of a vibrant oral tradition that blurs genre boundaries as Barbara discusses in this episode with Todd Fredson, whose translation of Ivorian Coast poet Azo Vauguy's Zakwato & Loglêdou’s Peril was a finalist for the 2023 National Book Critics Circle Award. They discuss Todd's journey into translation, his experiences in West Africa, and the themes and...