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I Should Be Writing

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Jan 20, 2025 • 19min

[ISBW] Evil Mur Ushers in 2025

S21 Ep1: In Which Evil Mur Delivers a Message of Hope  "It's time to just... quit." -Evil Mur (Do not listen to Evil Mur) Welcome to a new season of I Should Be Writing, where the notorious Evil Mur takes the reins to deliver a unique message of hope for the new year. TL;DR, it's time to quit. In this episode, we explore the idea of quitting writing and the liberation that can come with making a definitive choice. Evil Mur, the alter ego of Mur Lafferty, delves into the emotional rollercoaster of being a writer, the jealousy, the self-doubt, and the ultimate decision to either quit or persevere. With what we hope is an eventual glimmer of hope amidst the chaos, Evil Mur sets you on a path for the new year. Whether you're contemplating quitting or seeking motivation to continue, this episode offers a fresh perspective on the writing journey. Transcript Links David Sedaris Grant Baciocco Jim Henson Evergreen Links Like the podcast? Get the book! I Should Be Writing. My newsletter, The Hot Mic, and the community of Fabulists over at Patreon. Supporting either of those will get you perks like access to the discord, exclusive content, and early, ad-free episodes. Socials: Bluesky, Instagram, YouTube, Focusmate Theme by John Anealio Savor I Should Be Writing tea blends Support local book stores! Station Eternity, Six Wakes, Solo: A Star Wars Story: Expanded Edition and more! OR Get signed books from my friendly local store, Flyleaf Books! In case it wasn't clear: Mur and this podcast are fully supportive of LGBTQ+ folks, believe that Black Lives Matter, and trans rights are human rights, despite which direction the political winds blow. If you do not agree, then there are plenty of other places to go on the Internet. — "The Art of Quitting, Evil Mur Style" is brought to you in large part by my supporters, the Fabulists, who received an early, expanded version of this episode. You can join our Fabulist community with a pledge on Patreon or Substack! Some of the links above may be affiliate, allowing you to support the show at no extra cost to you. Also consider leaving a review for ISBW, please! CREDITS Theme song by John Anealio, art by Numbers Ninja,and files hosted by Libsyn (affiliate link). Get archives of the show via Patreon. January 9, 2025 | Season 21 Ep 1 | murverse.com "The Art of Quitting, Evil Mur Style" by Mur Lafferty is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
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Jan 8, 2025 • 35min

[ISBW] Ten Terrible Ideas

[NOTE- even though I remember editing, this is still an all over the place episode. And apparently I said I wasn’t going to swear and then did it anyway. Pretty accurate ending to 2024, actually.] "You need to come up with terrible ideas. And once you come up with terrible ideas, you will start developing good ideas." -Mur In this episode, I talk about my writing journey, the challenges of ADHD, and shares ten terrible ideas that might just spark something wonderful. From comic book scripts to psychological thrillers set in idyllic farming towns, I explore the importance of embracing all ideas, even the seemingly bad ones. Sort of. We touch on where to get inspiration, and mention Rusty's Retirement and the modern Greek mythology series, KAOS. This episode is a reminder to embrace creativity and the messy process that comes with it. Transcript Links Blaseball (RIV) Douglas Adams Redshirts by John Scalzi Stardew Valley KAOS (Netflix series) Evergreen Links Like the podcast? Get the book! I Should Be Writing. My newsletter, The Hot Mic, and the community of Fabulists over at Patreon. Supporting either of those will get you perks like access to the discord, exclusive content, and early, ad-free episodes. Socials: Bluesky, Mastodon, TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, Focusmate. Theme by John Anealio Savor I Should Be Writing tea blends Support local book stores! Station Eternity, Six Wakes, Solo: A Star Wars Story: Expanded Edition and more! OR Get signed books from my friendly local store, Flyleaf Books! All books featured in Season 20 — "10 Terrible Ideas" is brought to you in large part by my supporters, the Fabulists, who received an early, expanded version of this episode. You can join our Fabulist community with a pledge on Patreon or Substack! Some of the links above may be affiliate, allowing you to support the show at no extra cost to you. Also consider leaving a review for ISBW, please! CREDITS Theme song by John Anealio, art by Numbers Ninja,and files hosted by Libsyn (affiliate link). Get archives of the show via Patreon. December 26, 2024 | Season 20 Ep 35 | murverse.com "10 Terrible Ideas" by Mur Lafferty is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
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Dec 2, 2024 • 37min

[ISBW] Tigers [Explicit]

S20 Ep34: In Which Mur Looks Into The Pit of Despair and Sees a Tiger [Explicit] "Don't talk yourself out of being creative, because that really is the biggest thing that stops us is ourselves." (This post went live for supporters on November 14, 2024. If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at Patreon or Substack!) NOTE: It occurs to me that I have three explicit episodes--32, 33, 34--in a row. But one was a casual interview, one was rage, and one was despair. So we will get back to nice clean episodes soon. I promise.) Recorded two days after the 2024 election, and I'm in deep despair in this episode. It's casual, with a lot of talk about ADHD and masking and what "writers" are supposed to do. We talk about the importance of embracing one's identity as a writer, regardless of external expectations. I also talk about my upcoming cozy fantasy project, inspired by the likes of Legends & Lattes and T. Kingfisher's boks, and the challenges of discussing creative work prematurely. Transcript Links: Terry Pratchett Ray Bradbury Richard Dansky Discworld The Cure The Smiths Chuck Wendig Taskmaster Travis Baldree (Legends and Lattes) T. Kingfisher Evergreen Links Like the podcast? Get the book! I Should Be Writing book. My newsletter, The Hot Mic, and the community of Fabulists over at Patreon. Supporting either of those will get you perks like access to the discord, exclusive content, and early, ad-free episodes. Socials: Bluesky, Mastodon, TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, Focusmate. Theme by John Anealio Savor I Should Be Writing tea blends Support local book stores! Station Eternity, Six Wakes, Solo: A Star Wars Story: Expanded Edition and more! OR Get signed books from my friendly local store, Flyleaf Books! All books featured in Season 20 — "Tigers" is brought to you in large part by my supporters, the Fabulists, who received an early, expanded version of this episode. You can join our Fabulist community with a pledge on Patreon or Substack! Some of the links above may be affiliate, allowing you to support the show at no extra cost to you. Also consider leaving a review for ISBW, please! CREDITS Theme song by John Anealio, art by Numbers Ninja,and files hosted by Libsyn (affiliate link). Get archives of the show via Patreon. December 2, 2024 | Season 20 Ep 34 | murverse.com "Tigers" by Mur Lafferty is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
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Nov 25, 2024 • 38min

[ISBW] Returning to Agenting with Jennifer Udden [Explicit]

S20 Ep33: In Which Mur and Jen Udden Discuss World Fantasy Con, Fan Fiction, and the Ever-Changing Publishing Landscape [Explicit] "I think we're about 10 minutes away from reinventing urban fantasy and paranormal romance." - Jennifer Udden (This post went live for supporters on November 12, 2024. If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at Patreon or Substack!) (NOTE: It occurs to me that I have three explicit episodes--32, 33, 34--in a row. But one was a casual interview, one was rage, and one was despair. So we will get back to nice clean episodes soon. I promise.) At World Fantasy Con this year, I got to talk to my ex-agent Jennifer Udden, who shared her journey from agent to barista and back to agenting. We talked about the unique atmosphere of the con, the evolution of fan fiction in the literary world, and the growing acceptance of publishing professionals as writers. We also talk about Stardew Valley. Jen opens up about her experience with self-publishing, the importance of creative outlets, and her plans to reopen submissions, focusing on adult fiction across various genres. Transcript Links: World Fantasy Con Archive of Our Own Organization for Transformative Works Stardew Valley Dragon Age Del Rey Books T. Kingfisher Guitar Hero Jennifer Udden on Instagram Marrying In by Jennifer Stratton Evergreen Links Like the podcast? Get the book! I Should Be Writing book. My newsletter, The Hot Mic, and the community of Fabulists over at Patreon. Supporting either of those will get you perks like access to the discord, exclusive content, and early, ad-free episodes. Socials: Bluesky, Mastodon, TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, Focusmate. Theme by John Anealio Savor I Should Be Writing tea blends Support local book stores! Station Eternity, Six Wakes, Solo: A Star Wars Story: Expanded Edition and more! OR Get signed books from my friendly local store, Flyleaf Books! All books featured in Season 20 — "Returning to Agenting with Jennifer Udden" is brought to you in large part by my supporters, the Fabulists, who received an early, expanded version of this episode. You can join our Fabulist community with a pledge on Patreon or Substack! Some of the links above may be affiliate, allowing you to support the show at no extra cost to you. Also consider leaving a review for ISBW, please! CREDITS Theme song by John Anealio, art by Numbers Ninja,and files hosted by Libsyn (affiliate link). Get archives of the show via Patreon. November 25, 2024 | Season 20 Ep 33 | murverse.com "Returning to Agenting with Jennifer Udden" by Mur Lafferty is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
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Nov 18, 2024 • 1h 5min

[ISBW] NowNoWhatMo…with Valerie Valdes [Explicit]

S.20 Ep.32: In Which Mur and Valerie Discuss NaNoWriMo Alternatives, Writing Tools, and Community Building [Explicit]  "The spirit of NaNoWriMo was to do something big, bold, and show what you're capable of." - Valerie Valdes (This post went live for supporters on November 13, 2024. If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at Patreon or Substack!) (NOTE: It occurs to me that I have three explicit episodes--32, 33, 34--in a row. But one was a casual interview, one was rage, and one was despair. So we will get back to nice clean episodes soon. I promise.) Join Mur and Valerie Valdes as they dive into the chaos surrounding NaNoWriMo and explore alternatives for writers seeking new challenges. They discuss the current state of NaNoWriMo, the controversies, and the impact on the writing community. Valerie shares insights into her local writing group’s decision to break away and create their own events. Valerie also offers a wealth of resources and tools to challenge yourself this month, including Dream Foundry's Freefall Challenge, World Anvil's World Ember, and various Pomodoro and idle games like Rusty's Retirement and Pomo Farm, and how to stay motivated with apps like 4 the Words and TrackBear. Transcript Links NaNoWriMo Twitch Discord Dream Foundry World Anvil Flights of Foundry Con or Bust Game of Tomes 4 The Words Pacemaker TrackBear Written Kitten Write or Die Placid Plastic Duck Simulator Rusty's Retirement Virtual Cottage Chill Pulse Cozy Time Melvor Idle On Track Evergreen Links Like the podcast? Get the book! I Should Be Writing book. My newsletter, The Hot Mic, and the community of Fabulists over at Patreon. Supporting either of those will get you perks like access to the discord, exclusive content, and early, ad-free episodes. Socials: Bluesky, Mastodon, TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, Focusmate. Theme by John Anealio Savor I Should Be Writing tea blends Support local book stores! Station Eternity, Six Wakes, Solo: A Star Wars Story: Expanded Edition and more! OR Get signed books from my friendly local store, Flyleaf Books! "NowNoWhatMo…with Valerie Valdes" is brought to you in large part by my supporters, the Fabulists, who received an early, expanded version of this episode. You can join our Fabulist community with a pledge on Patreon or Substack! Some of the links above may be affiliate, allowing you to support the show at no extra cost to you. Also consider leaving a review for ISBW, please! CREDITS Theme song by John Anealio, art by Numbers Ninja,and files hosted by Libsyn (affiliate link). Get archives of the show via Patreon. November 18, 2024 | Season 20 Ep 32 | murverse.com "NowNoWhatMo…with Valerie Valdes" by Mur Lafferty is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
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Nov 15, 2024 • 43min

[ISBW] From Fanfiction to Fantasy: Gwen Garfinkel's Writing

S.20 Ep.31: In Which Mur and Gwynne Garfinkle Discuss Short Stories, Anthologies, and the Joy of Fanfiction "I write about what I know, and what I know is family." - Gwynne Garfinkle (This post went live for supporters on November 12, 2024. If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at Patreon or Substack!) Join me as I welcome back author Gwynne Garfinkle to discuss her anthology of short stories and the art of writing across different lengths. We dive into Gwynne's journey from novels to short stories, exploring the freedom and challenges of each format. Gwynne shares her love for fanfiction and how it rekindled her passion for writing fiction. We also delve into Gwynne's poetry, discussing her unique approach to capturing untold stories from classic films, and her process of deciding whether an idea becomes a poem or a short story. Transcript Links: Gwynne Garfinkle Escape Pod Strange Horizons Aqueduct Press Readercon Blue Sky Query Tracker Fantasy Magazine Psycho (1960 film) Evergreen Links Like the podcast? Get the book! I Should Be Writing book. My newsletter, The Hot Mic, and the community of Fabulists over at Patreon. Supporting either of those will get you perks like access to the discord, exclusive content, and early, ad-free episodes. Socials: Bluesky, Mastodon, TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, Focusmate. Theme by John Anealio Savor I Should Be Writing tea blends Support local book stores! Station Eternity, Six Wakes, Solo: A Star Wars Story: Expanded Edition and more! OR Get signed books from my friendly local store, Flyleaf Books! All books featured in Season 20   "From Fanfiction to Fantasy: Gwen Garfinkel's Writing Adventures" is brought to you in large part by my supporters, the Fabulists, who received an early, expanded version of this episode. You can join our Fabulist community with a pledge on Patreon or Substack! Some of the links above may be affiliate, allowing you to support the show at no extra cost to you. Also consider leaving a review for ISBW, please! CREDITS Theme song by John Anealio, art by Numbers Ninja,and files hosted by Libsyn (affiliate link). Get archives of the show via Patreon. November 15, 2024 | Season 20 Ep 31 | murverse.com "From Fanfiction to Fantasy: Gwen Garfinkel's Writing Adventures" by Mur Lafferty is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
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Nov 14, 2024 • 43min

[ISBW] Unveiling the Magic of Cozy Fantasy with Stacy Sivinski

Debut author Stacy Sivinski, who holds a PhD in English with a focus on sensory studies, shares her insights into cozy fantasy. She discusses the immersive sensory elements in her novel, 'The Crescent Moon Tea Room,' emphasizing the significance of sisterhood and self-discovery. Stacy reflects on her transition from academia to creative writing and the challenges of managing self-doubt. With hints about enchanted bookstores and ghosts in her upcoming work, she also emphasizes the power of writing rituals to conquer anxiety and writer's block.
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Oct 28, 2024 • 37min

[ISBW] Accountability and Adventures in Writing with Cat Rambo

S20 Ep29: In Which Mur and Cat Rambo Discuss Writing, Accountability, and Intelligent Spaceships "I think that right now there are so many very interesting and original voices that can never be replicated." - Cat Rambo Join me in welcoming author, community builder, former SFWA president, and all around awesome person Cat Rambo. We dive into Cat’s writing journey, discussing their latest series featuring intelligent spaceships and former mercenaries turned restaurateurs. Cat shares their unique approach to starting a story, the importance of accountability, and how they manage their prolific output despite the challenges all writers face. Cat also talks about their recent projects, reveals their outlining process, the value of community in their Patreon, and future plans, including a horror novel set in 1976 South Bend, Indiana. Transcript Links: Rumor Has It by Cat Rambo Cat Rambo Cat's Patreon Jennifer Brozek Ursula Vernon Maurice Broaddus Bill Gibson Karen Joy Fowler Nisi Shawl Octavia Butler Stardew Valley Escape Pod Ray Naylor Stephen Graham Jones Save the Cat Robert McCammon Stephen King Griffin Bookstore Evergreen Links Like the podcast? Get the book! I Should Be Writing book. My newsletter, The Hot Mic, and my Patreon. Supporting either of those will get you perks like access to the discord, exclusive content, and early, ad-free episodes. Socials: Bluesky, Mastodon, TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, Focusmate. Theme by John Anealio Savor I Should Be Writing tea blends Support local book stores! Station Eternity, Six Wakes, Solo: A Star Wars Story: Expanded Edition and more! OR Get signed books from my friendly local store, Flyleaf Books! All books featured in Season 20 "Accountability and Adventures in Writing with Cat Rambo" is brought to you in large part by my supporters, the Fabulists, who received an early, expanded version of this episode. You can join our Fabulist community with a pledge on Patreon or Substack! Some of the links above may be affiliate, allowing you to support the show at no extra cost to you. Also consider leaving a review for ISBW, please! CREDITS Theme song by John Anealio, art by Numbers Ninja,and files hosted by Libsyn (affiliate link). Get archives of the show via Patreon. October 28, 2024 | Season 20 Ep 29 | murverse.com "Accountability and Adventures in Writing with Cat Rambo" by Mur Lafferty is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
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Oct 21, 2024 • 41min

[ISBW] Unveiling Haunt Sweet Home with Sarah Pinsker!

S20 Ep28: In Which Mur and Sarah Pinsker Discuss Reality Shows, Workshops, and Writing Patience "I love the bingo card measure of success rather than the ladder of success." - Sarah Pinsker (This post went live for supporters on October 11 2024. If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at Patreon or Substack!) In this episode, Mur welcomes the award-winning author Sarah Pinsker to discuss her latest book, Haunt Sweet Home. They dive into the fascinating world of reality TV shows and how Sarah's unique idea of a haunted house fixer-upper series evolved from a joke to a novella. Sarah shares her insights on the importance of patience in writing, especially when it comes to leveling up your skills for a project that feels just out of reach. They also explore the intricacies of different writing workshops, including Clarion West and the Milford method, and how these experiences shape a writer's journey. From the challenges of finishing stories to the agony of editing, Sarah offers invaluable advice on navigating the hurdles of the writing process. Tune in for a delightful conversation filled with practical tips, personal anecdotes, and a deep dive into the craft of storytelling. Transcript Links Sarah Pinsker's Home Page Haunt Sweet Home by Sarah Pinsker Tor.com Clarion West Cat Rambo Odyssey Writing Workshop Viable Paradise James Patrick Kelly The Milford Method Evergreen Links Like the podcast? Get the book! I Should Be Writing book. My newsletter, The Hot Mic, and my Patreon. Supporting either of those will get you perks like access to the discord, exclusive content, and early, ad-free episodes. Socials: Bluesky, Mastodon, TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, Focusmate. Theme by John Anealio Savor I Should Be Writing tea blends Support local book stores! Station Eternity, Six Wakes, Solo: A Star Wars Story: Expanded Edition and more! OR Get signed books from my friendly local store, Flyleaf Books! All books featured in Season 20   "Unveiling Haunt Sweet Home with Sarah Pinsker!" is brought to you in large part by my supporters, the Fabulists, who received an early, expanded version of this episode. You can join our Fabulist community with a pledge on Patreon or Substack! Some of the links above may be affiliate, allowing you to support the show at no extra cost to you. Also consider leaving a review for ISBW, please!   CREDITS Theme song by John Anealio, art by Numbers Ninja,and files hosted by Libsyn (affiliate link). Get archives of the show via Patreon. October 21, 2024 | Season 20 Ep 28 | murverse.com "Unveiling Haunt Sweet Home with Sarah Pinsker!!" by Mur Lafferty is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
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Oct 14, 2024 • 32min

[ISBW] Writing Family Stories and Magical Realism with Anamely Salgado Reyes

S20 Ep27: In Which Mur and Anamely Salgado Reyes Discuss Magical Realism and Writing Journeys "I write about what I know, and what I know is family." - Anamely Salgado Reyes In this episode, I chat with Anamely Salgado Reyes about her debut novel, My Mother Cursed My Name, and the intricacies of writing magical realism. We explore the differences between magical realism and fantasy, the significance of family stories, and the emotional journey of getting published. Anamely shares her unique path to becoming a published author, from Googling how to publish a book to landing her dream agent. She also talks about her second novel, her writing process, and her love for family-centric stories. Transcript Links: Anamely Salgado Reyes on Instagram Electric Spec My Mother Cursed My Name So Far From God by Ana Castillo The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel Shit No One Tells You About Writing Podcast Evergreen Links Like the podcast? Get the book! I Should Be Writing book. My newsletter, The Hot Mic, and my Patreon. Supporting either of those will get you perks like access to the discord, exclusive content, and early, ad-free episodes. Socials: Bluesky, Mastodon, TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, Focusmate. Theme by John Anealio Savor I Should Be Writing tea blends Support local book stores! Station Eternity, Six Wakes, Solo: A Star Wars Story: Expanded Edition and more! OR Get signed books from my friendly local store, Flyleaf Books! All books featured in Season 20   "Writing Family Stories and Magical Realism with Anamely Salgado Reyes" is brought to you in large part by my supporters, the Fabulists, who received an early, expanded version of this episode. You can join our Fabulist community with a pledge on Patreon or Substack! Some of the links above may be affiliate, allowing you to support the show at no extra cost to you. Also consider leaving a review for ISBW, please! CREDITS Theme song by John Anealio, art by Numbers Ninja,and files hosted by Libsyn (affiliate link). Get archives of the show via Patreon. October 14, 2024 | Season 20 Ep 27 | murverse.com "Writing Family Stories and Magical Realism with Anamely Salgado Reyes" by Mur Lafferty is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

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