Writing for Immortality

Barbie becomes a real woman in Greta Gerwig’s summer 2023 blockbuster. Barbie’s journey continues in consultation with a therapist in Dr. Karyne Messina’s latest and bestselling book, "Barbie and the Great American Identity Crisis." In this podcast episode, Dr. Messina explores the complex world of identity using Barbie as a mechanism to understand the American identity crisis, stolen id...

What do you do when it's hotter than Hades and you've got a book to write? Barbara's got you covered in this week's episode. Speaking of heat, what do you do when you're feeling burnt out by your writing project? How do you keep going when life gets in your way? Barbara offers suggestions on how to tame the flames and soothe the burn. Plus, she shares a review of Broadway's...

Bookmark this episode because you'll keep coming back for refreshers. Joining Barbara today is Susan Shapiro, an author whose wit and candor have given life to eighteen books—titles like "The Byline Bible" and "Unhooked" that might already grace your bookshelves--as well as hundreds of op-eds in major outlets from the New York Times to Oprah.com Susan channels her expertise...

"Ghostwriting is very much a service-oriented profession. There's a reason why our names are not on the covers of books most of the time. It's not our book; it's the author's book, and it's their platform." Ghostwriters are the hired hands that guide an author's prose to the printed page, helping the author get that much closer to achieving immortality. But where...

Discover how shifting viewpoints can turn simple stories into captivating journeys. Ready to see your narrative in a whole new light? Don't miss it—tune in and transform your writing! 🌟📚 Previous episodes mentioned: Dr. Jenelle Kim: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1vff3fOud1p740v8G5VeNM?si=c349b3e7e19c45e0 Carlin Romano: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5TZ3zOwOqgaoUoicIIVQPn?si=a837a2ec706...

Ever think that you'd like to incorporate meditation into your life but have no idea how? This episode's got you covered as Barbara speaks with Dr. Jenelle Kim, Founder  @jbkwellnesslabs , a devoted wellness expert, podcast host, and acclaimed author of Myung Sung: The Korean Art of Living Meditation . Dr. Kim shares her profound insights on integrating ancient Eastern medical wisdom with...

Memorial Day is the unofficial kick-off to summer. It's also a day to remember those brave men and women who sacrificed their lives to keep our country safe. Barbara discusses the origins of Memorial Day, why veterans might want to record their own stories, and recommends some books, with some by folks who'll be guests on future episodes! War memoirs: Unbroken  by Laura Hillenbrand  https:...

In this episode, Barbara talks to Carlin Romano, a renowned critic and champion of intellectual discourse. Romano, a former critic-at-large for the Chronicle of Higher Education and the Philadelphia Inquirer and current critic-at-large for Moment Magazine, offers his sharp insights on the decline of critical thinking in book reviews and the state of literary criticism in America. He laments the sh...

Writers can learn a lot about structuring a narrative from visual storytellers, and that's what Barbara explores in this episode of Writing for Immortality. She visited the Schoelkopf Gallery this spring to see "Enter Andrew Wyeth," a rare look at 25 works from 1939 to 1994 that examine the emotional resonance of Wyeth's work during his marriage to his wife, Betsy.   Wyeth's...

Today's guest is Brett Barry, a 20+ year veteran of the audiobooks industry. Voiceover artist, educator, and audiobook producer Brett has an ear for books. Ready for some stats? In 2021, nearly 50% of the US population listened to at least one audiobook. Readers listen in their cars, at home, and on vacation, and all those books add up to an industry that generated $1.6 billion in the US and $...

We can't bottle Brook Benten's energy, but speaking to her sure comes close! This was a high-octane episode that combines Barbara's favorite topics: running (and exercise writ large), and storytelling. Just like with writing, you've got to earn your sweat. Brook Benten, author of Sweat , discusses her professional and personal experiences that led to this book. Part memoir and part...

This week's cover art photo is baby Barbara, circa 1999 working down in the basement stacks. Listen to the episode--it'll make sense. Barbara answers a listener's question on interviewing family members for a life story book and shares her experience interviewing her grandfather. She also shares her thoughts on the significance of preserving family history, recommends books she recentl...

We've got ANOTHER great episode for you today! Amanda Samoyloff, founder of Samoyloff PR, shares her journey into the world of public relations and branding. After getting her start promoting rock bands, Amanda launched her firm in 2017 and hasn't looked back, infusing her work with just the right touch of rock and roll swagger. Amanda emphasizes the importance of purposeful storytelling a...

Summary In this episode, Barbara discusses whether ChatGPT and similar large language model programs can help people write their life stories. She explains that ChatGPT cannot generate a complete life story because it lacks personal knowledge and cannot retrieve specific information from the internet. However, it can be a helpful tool for generating paragraphs and overcoming writer's block. Th...

In this episode, Barbara Basbanes Richter interviews Rebecca Rego Barry about her book, The Vanishing of Carolyn Wells . Carolyn Wells was a mystery author in the early 20th century who has been largely forgotten today. Rebecca discusses Carolyn's life and career, from her late start as a writer to her success in various genres, including poetry, short stories, puzzles, and children's book...

In this episode, Barbara discusses ghostwriting and the recent controversy surrounding President Biden's ghostwriter, Mark Zwanitzer. Barbara also highlights the long history of ghostwriters working with presidents and the importance of confidentiality in the ghostwriting relationship. She provides tips for finding a reliable ghostwriter, including researching their track record, asking about...

In today's episode, Barbara talks to Jane Goodrich, a photographer and founder of the Picsello platform that helps photographers build and sustain their businesses. They talk about how she got started, what led her to Picsello, how she believes that anyone can take a good photograph, and the importance of telling a great story through imagery. Stick around until the end when Jane and Barbara t...

In this episode, Barbara explores the art of writing your life story and finding your voice. She emphasizes the importance of building a working library and using style guides to improve writing accuracy and efficiency. Barbara discusses the limitations of generative AI in writing and the need for writers to develop their own unique voice. She explains the characteristics of written voice and the...

Retired nurse Nancy Belouin joins Barbara to talk about writing her life story as a legacy for her children and why she's already at work writing her second life story book. Nancy used DIYBook to write her life story, where the prompts help writers reminisce about their past and engage in personal reflection. The online writing platform is easy to use and has tips to help writers like Nancy st...

Do you think the first step to writing a life story is...writing? If so, you're in for a surprise. In this episode of the Writing for Immortality podcast, Barbara explores the topic of writing a life story book and tells us that getting started doesn't mean sitting down to write--at least, not right away. Barbara emphasizes preserving personal experiences and capturing narratives for futur...

"Writing for Immortality" is for writers ready to start and finish their books as well as those who simply love good writing. We'll discuss the world of book creation, with each episode unlocking the secrets of transforming an idea into a masterpiece. Join us as we navigate the twists and turns of a writer’s journey, offering insider advice and strategies for every stage of the writi...