Wish I'd Known Then . . . For Writers

Episode 112 / We get an update from Jami on her vacation, check in on how the writing community is helping Ukrainians, and answer listener questions.   Intro links: Writers For Ukraine Wish I’d Known Think Mini-sode: Writers Helping Ukrainians  Show notes: Listener questions:  How do you record audio yourself? What is the equipment you need, how do you edit etc. Zoom Hindenburg Wish I’d Known Then Episode 100: Behind the Scenes of the Podcast Plus How to Work With Teams: https://wishidknownforwriters.com/100-2/ Does the death in a cozy mystery always have to be someone who was bad or villainous? Is there an ideal number for books for a series? Sara’s book How to Write a Series Can you describe your revision processes? Lots of people say they revise in passes, but what passes and in what order? What exactly do you look for in looking for plot holes, character arcs, world building, etc. Wish I’d Known Then Episode 98: Writing and Publishing Tools We Use, Favorite Craft Books, and Organization Tips : https://wishidknownforwriters.com/writing-and-publishing-tools-we-use-favorite-craft-books-and-organization-tips/ Send us a textSupport the show🚀 Jami’s Launch Plan https://www.jamialbright.com/authorservices❤️ Jami’s books https://amzn.to/3wSraA5🔎 Sara’s books https://www.sararosett.com/bibliography/ 📚 Sara’s How to Write a Series book and audiobook: https://www.sararosett.com/how-to-write-a-series/The Big List of Craft and marketing books mentioned on WIKT podcast episodes https://bookshop.org/lists/recommenced-resources-for-writers-from-the-wish-i-d-known-then-podcastResources from the Author and Reader Community to Help Ukrainians https://docs.google.com/document/d/1E9QQhmcpa_dlxQY-GEqBiIbIZk-_J1MgQX_BxLI3F84/edit?usp=sharing

Resources to Help Ukrainians   Ways to help, sourced by author Sara Rosett, from the writing community:  Fundraisers from Writing Community Author Daniel Willcocks has set up a fundraising writing challenge: Writers for Ukraine, the One Million Word challenge. The charity drive runs March 9th-15th www.activatedauthors.com/ukraine Author Cecelia Mecca has set up a reader giveaway of fiction books to promote charitable giving.  Authors & Readers Stand with Ukraine {Giveaway} Charities  Ukraine Crisis Fund - European Christian Mission of North America One of my (Sara’s) reades, Ken Sears, has been a missionary to Zaporozhye, Ukraine for over 25 years. He was in the US on leave when the attacks began so he’s safe. He forwarded me what he posted on his Facebook page:  "From Ken Sears, missionary to Ukraine since 1995,  commissioned by the Evangelical Congregational Church, 100 W. Park Avenue, Myerstown PA 17067.  I am a seminary teacher and pastor in the city of Zaporozhye, Ukraine. My personal e-mail address is seaken57@yahoo.com My mission, European Christian Mission of North America, is setting up a "Ukraine Crisis Fund." We will convey funds as fast as we can to contacts who can then direct them further to people in critical need.  Checks should be made payable to "European Christian Mission" and, VERY IMPORTANT, then designated in the notes section for "Ukraine Crisis Fund." Please do not make the check payable to the Ukraine Crisis Fund or the mission wiSend us a textSupport the show🚀 Jami’s Launch Plan https://www.jamialbright.com/authorservices❤️ Jami’s books https://amzn.to/3wSraA5🔎 Sara’s books https://www.sararosett.com/bibliography/ 📚 Sara’s How to Write a Series book and audiobook: https://www.sararosett.com/how-to-write-a-series/The Big List of Craft and marketing books mentioned on WIKT podcast episodes https://bookshop.org/lists/recommenced-resources-for-writers-from-the-wish-i-d-known-then-podcastResources from the Author and Reader Community to Help Ukrainians https://docs.google.com/document/d/1E9QQhmcpa_dlxQY-GEqBiIbIZk-_J1MgQX_BxLI3F84/edit?usp=sharing

Episode 111 / Paranormal romance author Krystal Shannan joins us this week to talk about how shifting to writing intuitively was freeing for her and revitalized her writing process. We also talk about whether or not you should cull your newsletter, what Krystal does when she gets stuck, and why readers want specific emotional payoffs in each genre. Plus, mythology and unicorns! Intro links:  Intro links:  Sara’s How to Outline a Cozy course sale Author Consulting with Jami Show notes: How Krystal got started writing through entering writing contests Why she recommends the Margie Lawson Academy to learn about writing craft Why Krystal wishes she’d developed her brand sooner How she came back after a sabbatical and revived a “dead” newsletter list Why culling her newsletter is one of her biggest regrets Krystal’s process of writing into the dark Why thinking/brainstorming time is so important  What Krystal does when she gets stuck Come over and say hi to Jami and Sara in the WIKT Facebook group! You can find show notes and links at wishidknownforwriters.com. Links:  Send us a textSupport the show🚀 Jami’s Launch Plan https://www.jamialbright.com/authorservices❤️ Jami’s books https://amzn.to/3wSraA5🔎 Sara’s books https://www.sararosett.com/bibliography/ 📚 Sara’s How to Write a Series book and audiobook: https://www.sararosett.com/how-to-write-a-series/The Big List of Craft and marketing books mentioned on WIKT podcast episodes https://bookshop.org/lists/recommenced-resources-for-writers-from-the-wish-i-d-known-then-podcastResources from the Author and Reader Community to Help Ukrainians https://docs.google.com/document/d/1E9QQhmcpa_dlxQY-GEqBiIbIZk-_J1MgQX_BxLI3F84/edit?usp=sharing

Episode 110 / Do you want to simplify your publishing process? Evan Gow joins us to talk about how Story Origin can make things easier in your writing life. Story Origin has been around since 2018 and has created a list of features to help authors including, reader magnet distribution, email integration, beta copy and ARC copy distribution and tracking, cross promo opportunities, and more. Intro links:  Author Consulting with Jami Sara’s How to Outline a Cozy course sale Show notes: Why Evan created Story Origin Why you need to view your writing career as a marathon Why being too complex in your plans can be a roadblock Evan’s recommendations for how to get started with Story Origin Using previews and free books as a reader magnet to grow your newsletter list Possible trends in publishing, including serialization and gamification Why a newsletter is a key to Evan’s success   Come over and say hi to Jami and Sara in the WIKT Facebook group! You can find show notes and links at wishidknownforwriters.com. Links:  Story Origin The Big List of Craft and marketing books mentioned on WIKT podcast episodesSend us a textSupport the show🚀 Jami’s Launch Plan https://www.jamialbright.com/authorservices❤️ Jami’s books https://amzn.to/3wSraA5🔎 Sara’s books https://www.sararosett.com/bibliography/ 📚 Sara’s How to Write a Series book and audiobook: https://www.sararosett.com/how-to-write-a-series/The Big List of Craft and marketing books mentioned on WIKT podcast episodes https://bookshop.org/lists/recommenced-resources-for-writers-from-the-wish-i-d-known-then-podcastResources from the Author and Reader Community to Help Ukrainians https://docs.google.com/document/d/1E9QQhmcpa_dlxQY-GEqBiIbIZk-_J1MgQX_BxLI3F84/edit?usp=sharing

Episode 109 / Jami and Sara talk about creating compelling characters sharing their lessons learned. They give examples of how they created specific characters and delve into naming characters, backstory, and physical description. How they developing a main character Ways to create characters:  Character sheets/study/history Images  Enneagram  Astrological signs/Tarot Strengths Biographies/Memoirs Characters names Backstory/Physical description  Come over and say hi to Jami and Sara in the WIKT Facebook group! You can find show notes and links at wishidknownforwriters.com. Links:  The Rebel Author Podcast - interview with Jami Episode 039: Understanding Your Motivation to Write with H. Claire Taylor The Big List of Craft and marketing books mentioned on WIKT podcast episodes  Send us a textSupport the show🚀 Jami’s Launch Plan https://www.jamialbright.com/authorservices❤️ Jami’s books https://amzn.to/3wSraA5🔎 Sara’s books https://www.sararosett.com/bibliography/ 📚 Sara’s How to Write a Series book and audiobook: https://www.sararosett.com/how-to-write-a-series/The Big List of Craft and marketing books mentioned on WIKT podcast episodes https://bookshop.org/lists/recommenced-resources-for-writers-from-the-wish-i-d-known-then-podcastResources from the Author and Reader Community to Help Ukrainians https://docs.google.com/document/d/1E9QQhmcpa_dlxQY-GEqBiIbIZk-_J1MgQX_BxLI3F84/edit?usp=sharing

Episode 108 / Mark McGuinness joins us this week to talk about poetry and it’s a fascinating discussion. We chat about the multiple ways to experience poetry as well as how writing first thing in the day has been a key to Mark’s success. Show notes: Why you sometimes have to get out of the way and let the poem or prose come through Why it’s much better not to treat marketing as something separate from the creation process How a “mistake” led Mark to an unexpected career path Mark’s poetry podcast, A Mouth Full of Air, where each episode focuses on one poem and the inspiration and writing process behind it How poets bring their poetry into physical world, including his  collaboration with a sculptor to produce concrete poetry A common mistake poets and writers often make  Why writing first is a key to his success   Come over and say hi to Jami and Sara in the WIKT Facebook group! You can find show notes and links at wishidknownforwriters.com. Links:  Mark's poetry website A Mouthful of Air  https://amouthfulofair.Send us a textSupport the show🚀 Jami’s Launch Plan https://www.jamialbright.com/authorservices❤️ Jami’s books https://amzn.to/3wSraA5🔎 Sara’s books https://www.sararosett.com/bibliography/ 📚 Sara’s How to Write a Series book and audiobook: https://www.sararosett.com/how-to-write-a-series/The Big List of Craft and marketing books mentioned on WIKT podcast episodes https://bookshop.org/lists/recommenced-resources-for-writers-from-the-wish-i-d-known-then-podcastResources from the Author and Reader Community to Help Ukrainians https://docs.google.com/document/d/1E9QQhmcpa_dlxQY-GEqBiIbIZk-_J1MgQX_BxLI3F84/edit?usp=sharing

Episode 107 / Kate P. Adams joins us this week as part of the New Author series. She’s a newly published cozy mystery author and shares how she researched the genre and self publishing as well as how she rapid-released her series.  Show notes: How Kate began writing nonfiction and shifted to fiction Expectations of cozy readers Why Kate wrote a reader magnet before writing her first novel How Kate used rapid release to launch her series Why not rushing it has been a key to her success Why the “school of podcasting” is a great way to learn about self publishing Her interesting experience of writing short stories on a manual typewriter How she incorporates elements from her work experience into her books Come over and say hi to Jami and Sara in the WIKT Facebook group! You can find show notes and links at wishidknownforwriters.com. Kate’s links:  Website: www.katepadams.com Instagram handle: @katepadams Facebook Author Page: @katepadamsauthor The Big List of Craft and marketing books mentioned on WIKT podcast episodesSend us a textSupport the show🚀 Jami’s Launch Plan https://www.jamialbright.com/authorservices❤️ Jami’s books https://amzn.to/3wSraA5🔎 Sara’s books https://www.sararosett.com/bibliography/ 📚 Sara’s How to Write a Series book and audiobook: https://www.sararosett.com/how-to-write-a-series/The Big List of Craft and marketing books mentioned on WIKT podcast episodes https://bookshop.org/lists/recommenced-resources-for-writers-from-the-wish-i-d-known-then-podcastResources from the Author and Reader Community to Help Ukrainians https://docs.google.com/document/d/1E9QQhmcpa_dlxQY-GEqBiIbIZk-_J1MgQX_BxLI3F84/edit?usp=sharing

Episode 106 / Do you think being a hybrid author is the best of both worlds? Join us this week as we chat with romantic comedy author Stefanie London about balancing traditional publishing with indie publishing.  Intro links: Ines Johnson Metadata Sheet Market Better Faster Jami’s interview on the Rebel Author Podcast Body Beats to Build On by April W. Gardner 4000 Weeks by Oliver Burkeman  Show notes: Stefanie describes how she learned that her organic writing process is just as legitimate as a planned (or outlined) writing process Why quality matters more than quantity when it comes to marketing Tips on how to pivot to attracting quality newsletter subscribers Why the writing is like the stock market The mindset changes Stefanie had to make to go from the corporate world to the creative world and then from traditional publishing to indie publishing  What to look out for in contracts How Stefanie, an Australian living in Canada, writes books for the U.S. market Come over and say hi to Jami and Sara in the WIKT Facebook group! You can find show notes and links at Send us a textSupport the show🚀 Jami’s Launch Plan https://www.jamialbright.com/authorservices❤️ Jami’s books https://amzn.to/3wSraA5🔎 Sara’s books https://www.sararosett.com/bibliography/ 📚 Sara’s How to Write a Series book and audiobook: https://www.sararosett.com/how-to-write-a-series/The Big List of Craft and marketing books mentioned on WIKT podcast episodes https://bookshop.org/lists/recommenced-resources-for-writers-from-the-wish-i-d-known-then-podcastResources from the Author and Reader Community to Help Ukrainians https://docs.google.com/document/d/1E9QQhmcpa_dlxQY-GEqBiIbIZk-_J1MgQX_BxLI3F84/edit?usp=sharing

Episode 105 / Do you want to get off the new release treadmill? Are you looking for a way to connect with your readers and keep your backlist alive without writing additional books? Monica Leonelle and Russell Nohelty have a possibility for you: Kickstarter. Monica and Russell gave us so many fantastic ideas for how to add Kickstrater to your author platform. Our minds are blown with the possibilities!  Show notes: Why boundaries and structure boosts creativity Why you sometimes have to “blow everything up” in your creative life Why you can’t do it all at once and suggestions for keeping your readers engaged while you rotate between projects The difference between Patreon and Kickstarter  Why authors would want to use Kickstarter Creative ideas for what authors can put on Kickstarter Links:  https://www.kickstartyournovel.com Books Sales Supercharged Facebook Group TheWorldNeedsYourPassion.com www.russellnohelty.com Twitter: @russellnohelty  Facebook: @russellnohelty Come over and say hi to Jami and Sara in the WIKT Facebook group! You can find show notes and links at wishidknownforwriters.com. Send us a textSupport the show🚀 Jami’s Launch Plan https://www.jamialbright.com/authorservices❤️ Jami’s books https://amzn.to/3wSraA5🔎 Sara’s books https://www.sararosett.com/bibliography/ 📚 Sara’s How to Write a Series book and audiobook: https://www.sararosett.com/how-to-write-a-series/The Big List of Craft and marketing books mentioned on WIKT podcast episodes https://bookshop.org/lists/recommenced-resources-for-writers-from-the-wish-i-d-known-then-podcastResources from the Author and Reader Community to Help Ukrainians https://docs.google.com/document/d/1E9QQhmcpa_dlxQY-GEqBiIbIZk-_J1MgQX_BxLI3F84/edit?usp=sharing

Episode 104 / Do you wish there was an easy way to keep track of your sales on all platforms? Phillipa Werner joins us today to share how Scribecount solves this problem for indie authors. Phillipa is a prolific author and the Director of Strategic Partnerships at Scribecount.  Phillipa gives us the details on Scribecount, which collects and collates sales data for authors, and we learn what she wishes she’d known about writing and publishing as well as the mindset shifts she’s made for her health and happiness.  Intro links:  6 Figure Author podcast about selling direct Show notes: How she transitioned from sales in financial services to ghostwriting  How she learned to embrace tropes in her writing How backlist is a great marketing tool The mindset shift she went through as she learned that you can hustle too much How Scribecount helps authors sort data and make good decisions about marketing Scribecount’s Four Clicks Or Less Rule Scribecount hacks Features that are on the horizon for Scribecount 📖🎙 Come over and say hi to Jami and Sara in the WIKT Facebook group! You can find show notes and links at wishidknownforwriters.com. Links:  Send us a textSupport the show🚀 Jami’s Launch Plan https://www.jamialbright.com/authorservices❤️ Jami’s books https://amzn.to/3wSraA5🔎 Sara’s books https://www.sararosett.com/bibliography/ 📚 Sara’s How to Write a Series book and audiobook: https://www.sararosett.com/how-to-write-a-series/The Big List of Craft and marketing books mentioned on WIKT podcast episodes https://bookshop.org/lists/recommenced-resources-for-writers-from-the-wish-i-d-known-then-podcastResources from the Author and Reader Community to Help Ukrainians https://docs.google.com/document/d/1E9QQhmcpa_dlxQY-GEqBiIbIZk-_J1MgQX_BxLI3F84/edit?usp=sharing