DIY MFA Radio

Today, Lori is interviewing Suzanne Parry. They’ll be talking about the power of art and her book Lost Souls of Leningrad. A former European security specialist, Suzanne writes historical fiction about the Soviet Union. She studied Russian in Moscow and earned a Master's from Princeton University before joining the US Department of Defense. While at the Pentagon, she helped negotiate the first security agreement of the Gorbachev era. She raised a large family, taught university, and coached high school cross-country and track for fifteen years before embarking on a writing career. A veteran of several dozen marathons on six continents, Suzanne now runs slowly and not very far.  You can find her on her website or follow her on Facebook, and Instagram.   In this episode Suzanne Parry and Lori discuss: Writing a story that people will read about a particularly gruesome event. Structuring the chapter format and perspective to support the story you’re telling. Exploring the bonds that art creates between people.   Plus, her #1 tip for writers. For more info and show notes: diymfa.com/435

Today, Lori is interviewing Lenore Borja. They’ll be talking about how she created a natural flow for her characters and her world in her book The Last Huntress. Lenore Borja grew up in Phoenix, Arizona. She attended Arizona State University before moving to New York City to study acting at The American Academy of Dramatic Arts. After a brief career as an actress, she spent several years working in executive search and human resources in both New York and San Francisco. She now resides in Fort Collins, Colorado with her husband and a bossy feline named Maximus. When she’s not writing, she enjoys adventure travel and anything that gets the heart racing, whether it’s hiking, running, or getting lost in a good book.  The Last Huntress is her debut novel. She is currently working on Book 2 of the Mirror Realm  series. You can find her on her website or follow her on Instagram.   In this episode Lenore Borja and Lori discuss: Balance the trust you have in your reader with necessary exposition. Creating a fun friendship dynamic that your reader will want to be a part of. Crafting an intriguing, dynamic, and short prologue that will hook your reader.   Plus, her #1 tip for writers. For more info and show notes: diymfa.com/434

Today, I have the pleasure of interviewing Jessica Vitalis. We’ll be talking about voice, perspective, pacing and her books The Wolf’s Curse and The Rabbit’s Gift. Jessica Vitalis is a Columbia MBA-wielding writer on  a mission to write entertaining and thought-provoking literature. As an active volunteer in the kidlit community, she’s also passionate about using her privilege to lift up other voices. She founded Magic in the Middle, a series of free monthly recorded book talks, to help educators introduce young readers to new fantasy books. She was recently named a 2021 Canada Council of the Arts Grant Recipient and featured on CBCs Here and Now. Her first novel, The Wolf’s Curse, published in 2021, and a standalone companion novel, The Rabbit’s Gift, comes out October 25th.  You can find her on her website or follow her on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.   In this episode Jessica Vitalis and I discuss: Balancing multiple perspectives on the same events without boring your reader Weaving folklore, tradition, science, and spirituality into a middle grade story How to use footnotes and parentheticals without slowing your story’s pace   Plus, her #1 tip for writers. For more info and show notes: diymfa.com/433  

Today, Lori is interviewing S.K. Ali. They’ll be talking about feeling and emotion in YA fiction and her new book Love From Mecca to Medina. S.K. Ali is the New York Times bestselling and award-winning author of several books, including Saints and Misfits, a finalist for the William C. Morris award, winner of the APALA Award and Middle East Book Award, and Love from A to Z, a Today Show's "Read with Jenna" Book Club selection. Both novels were critically acclaimed and named best YA books of the year by various media including Entertainment Weekly and Kirkus Reviews.  Her novel, Misfit in Love, was a People magazine best book of summer 2021. Her books for younger readers include the widely acclaimed middle grade anthology Once Upon an Eid and the New York Times bestselling picture book, The Proudest Blue. She has a degree in Creative Writing and lives in Toronto with her family, a very vocal cat named Yeti, and a very quiet cat named Mochi. Her newest novel, Love From Mecca to Medina, went on sale October 18, 2022. You can find her on her website or follow her on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.   In this episode S.K. Ali and Lori discuss: Why she gave her two main characters contrasting perspectives on life. How the constraints of a set structure can lead to creativity. Balancing a light tone with serious topics.   Plus, her #1 tip for writers. For more info and show notes: diymfa.com/432

Today, I have the pleasure of interviewing Susan Austin. We’ll be talking about how she imagines the childhood of a historical figure in her book Drawing Outside the Lines. As an educator, Susan J. Austin knows the minds of young readers. Her first novel, The Bamboo Garden, is set in Berkeley, California, 1923, and describes an unlikely friendship between two girls that is tested by a fierce fire that threatens to destroy their town. Currently, she is writing about twelve-year-old Goldie, a whiz kid in the kitchen who hopes that her culinary magic can help her family’s delicatessen out of a pickle in 1928 Hollywood. Her characters are always brave, strong willed risk-takers. Writing historical fiction offers her a way to educate and excite her readers about the past. She and her husband live in Northern California, surrounded by family, their splendid but fussy rose bushes, and a lifetime collection of books. Learn more at www.susanjaustin.com.   In this episode Susan J. Austin and I discuss: Organizing your historical research for ease of use in your writing. Writing for the specific reading level of your audience.  Re-engaging with a manuscript that you have set aside for a while.   Plus, her #1 tip for writers. For more info and show notes: diymfa.com/431

Today, Lori is interviewing Carol Van Den Hende. They’ll be talking about finding purpose and her new book Orchid Blooming. Carol Van Den Hende is the award-winning author of the Goodbye, Orchid series. She’s also a speaker, global marketer, digital strategist, Climate Reality Leader and Board Trustee. One secret to her good fortune? Her humorous husband and twins, who prove that love really does conquer all. You can find her on her website or follow her on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pintrest, YouTube, LinkTree, LinkedIn, Bookbub and Goodreads. You can also get a chapter for free by entering your email here.   In this episode Carol Van Den Hende and Lori discuss: Finding freedom in the different experience that each reader has with a story. Crafting your purpose and gaining energy from it. Creating characters that inspire fondness and familiarity in readers. Plus, her #1 tip for writers. For more info and show notes: diymfa.com/430

Today, I have the pleasure of interviewing Jeffrey James Higgins. We’ll be talking about his closed setting thriller novel Furious: Sailing Into Terror. Jeffrey James Higgins is a retired supervisory special agent who writes thrillers, short stories, scripts, creative nonfiction, and essays. He has wrestled a suicide bomber, fought the Taliban in combat, and chased terrorists across five continents. He received the Attorney General’s Award for Exceptional Heroism and the DEA Award of Valor. Jeffrey has been interviewed by CNN, Fox News, and The New York Times. He is a #1 Amazon bestselling author and has won sixteen literary awards, including PenCraft’s Best Fiction Book of 2021. He was just nominated for Silver Falchion Awards for Best Suspense and Best Thriller and a Claymore Award for Best Mystery.  You can find him on his website or follow him on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, Goodreads, IMDB, Amazon, and BookBub.   In this episode Jeffrey James Higgins and I discuss: How to maintain tension and conflict for your character during slow scenes When to incorporate social and cognitive psychology into your writing How to write about the will to survive in a character that is suffering grief   Plus, his #1 tip for writers. For more info and show notes: diymfa.com/429

Today, Lori is interviewing Helen Scheuerer. They’ll be talking about some of the lessons in her new book How to Write a Successful Series. Helen Scheuerer is the fantasy author of the bestselling trilogy, The Oremere Chronicles and the Curse of the Cyren Queen quartet. Her work has been highly praised for its strong, flawed female characters and its action-packed plots. More recently, she has also delved into publishing advice for authors with her debut nonfiction book, 'How To Write A Successful Series'. Helen’s love of writing and books led her to pursue a Bachelor of Creative Writing at the University of Wollongong and a Masters of Publishing at the University of Sydney. Now a full-time author, Helen lives amidst the mountains in Central Otago, New Zealand and is constantly dreaming up new stories. You can find her on her website or follow her on Facebook and Instagram.   In this episode Helen and Lori discuss: How to create, maintain, and use a story bible and style guide. The importance of allowing your writing process to evolve as you change. How to decide whether traditional or indie publishing is right for you.   Plus, her #1 tip for writers. For more info and show notes: diymfa.com/428    

Today, I have the pleasure of interviewing Nova McBee. We’ll be talking about the rapid release model and her book series Calculated. Nova McBee is an avid traveler and culture nerd who has lived and worked in Europe, the Middle East and Asia for half her life. She speaks multiple languages, including Mandarin, and lived in China for more than a decade. She thrives on complex plots, adventure, making cross-cultural connections and coffee. She currently resides in the beautiful Pacific Northwest with her husband and three children. Calculated is currently in development to become a major motion picture. You can find her on her website or follow her on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.   In this episode Nova and I discuss: How to plan a launch by observing book launches you admire. The importance of setting deadlines and maintaining flexibility in writing. What it’s like to have your work adapted for film.   Plus, her #1 tip for writers. For more info and show notes: diymfa.com/427

Today, Lori is interviewing Khristin Wierman. We’ll be talking about how she explores the theme of overcoming differences in her debut novel Buck’s Pantry. Khristin Wierman spent twenty years rising through the marketing ranks of Fortune 500 companies, building a career that was lucrative, ego-boosting, and a little bit soul-crushing. So she quit. And had no idea what to do with her life. Writing novels ensued. She was born and raised in a small East Texas town—which means she came into this world a Dallas Cowboys fan and ardently believes “y’all” is a legitimate pronoun. Some things she enjoys are playing golf with her husband and stepson, poker, yoga, chocolate, the Golden State Warriors, and the daily adventure of life with an adorably imperfect cat named Rocco. She lives in San Francisco, California. You can find her on her website or follow her on Facebook.   In this episode Khristin Wierman and Lori discuss: How to ensure each character has their own distinct voice and mannerisms Seeing the good in people and places you disagree with Untying the knots inside yourself as a path to fulfillment   Plus, her #1 tip for writers. For more info and show notes: diymfa.com/426