Complex Characters and Realistic Consequences with Author Neal Lipschutz

Complex Characters and Realistic Consequences with Author Neal Lipschutz

Stories allow us to ask the big questions about what we would do if we were in tough situations. In Neal Lipschutz’s book, No Write Way to Die, we are asked how far we are willing to go to protect the people we love. Neal created a genuine feel to his novel by using elements with which he was familiar and not shying away from realistic consequences for his character’s ethically questionable decisions. In this episode, we talk about how our characters should be multidimensional, as close to human as we can get them, so they feel genuine. We also discuss how writing contrasting characters will create natural tension, why writing a multibook series can be a little tricky, and the need for both show and tell in a story. When he edits, Neal routinely asks himself if he’s shown who the character is through their thoughts and actions. This episode is also a great reminder that every single writer is unique and approaches writing differently. Neal recommends reading many craft books and taking what you need and leaving the rest. We talk about the magic of libraries, to read as much as you can, and to write what you love to read because there are others out there who will enjoy what you’ve created. You can find Neal here: https://www.facebook.com/neal.lipschutz Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram You can find his books here: Amazon, the Barnes and Noble website, or bookshop.org [http://bookshop.org] https://www.amazon.com/s?k=neal+lipschutz&crid=3ML88EJUKJETZ&sprefix=%2Caps%2C118&ref=nb_sb_ss_recent_4_0_recent Thank you for listening today! Feel free to email me at writersinthewildernesspodcast@gmail.com Don’t miss an episode! Follow me on Instagram (@kathrin.classen.writerreader), TikTok (@kathrin.classen.author), Substack (@kathrinclassen), and Facebook (Author Kathrin Classen)! Song: Step Artist: Owl Nest Music by: CreatorMix.com This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit kathrinclassen.substack.com [https://kathrinclassen.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Think Like A Journalist with Writer Michael Fitzgerald

From newspaper columns to the rush of wire services to breaking down barriers with informative fiction, Michael Fitzgerald and I talk about how our words have power. We as writers have the responsibility to do our research and get the facts right. Not only that, this episode will remind you that your voice matters, but you have to speak up to create change. Be brave, do your research, have a strategic plan, and remember that it will take time. Change doesn’t happen overnight. And how you measure success doesn’t have to be by the numbers. Sales of a book do not equal impact. If you can change one person’s life with what you’ve written, you’ve changed the world. In this episode, I learned that sometimes you have to get crafty, learn by doing, and put yourself in a challenging situation to grow. No effort is wasted. And most importantly, write down your story. Make it a part of history. This episode is such an exciting sneak peek into an amazing career! If you want to see more of Michael’s work, you can find him here: Find his book on Amazon or feel free to contact him directly for a signed copy! https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B00IWBDVT6/allbooks?ingress=0&visitId=4c2f5c3e-3901-437e-bfbf-23f589ade22e Thank you for listening today! Feel free to email me at writersinthewildernesspodcast@gmail.com Don’t miss an episode! Follow me on Instagram (@kathrin.classen.writerreader), TikTok (@kathrin.classen.author), Substack (@kathrinclassen), and Facebook (Author Kathrin Classen)! Song: Step Artist: Owl Nest Music by: CreatorMix.com This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit kathrinclassen.substack.com [https://kathrinclassen.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Wisdom From Dead Dahlias with Writer and Website Designer Sue Evergreen

What does it mean to drop a rock? If you imagine every project, every responsibility, every role as a rock, we usually carry around a pretty big sack of them. That’s not a bad thing! But it is all about finding balance in your life. In this episode, writer and website designer Sue Evergreen and I talk about finding sparks of inspiration, not just in the incredible, but in the mundane. We discuss practicing the act of letting go, learning to identify the difference between your “diamonds” and what external pressures deem as “diamonds,” and taking little steps to create change. Writing doesn’t always have to be about making money. It can be healing. It can be meditative. It can help you see the extraordinary in the ordinary. And it can help you drop some rocks! You can find Sue Evergreen and Dropping Rocks here: https://droppingrocks.com/ https://www.facebook.com/DroppingRocks https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100092433550733 https://www.instagram.com/droppingrocksblog/ Thank you for listening today! Feel free to email me at writersinthewildernesspodcast@gmail.com Don’t miss an episode! Follow me on Instagram (@kathrin.classen.writerreader), TikTok (@kathrin.classen.author), Substack (@kathrinclassen), and Facebook (Author Kathrin Classen)! Song: Step Artist: Owl Nest Music by: CreatorMix.com This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit kathrinclassen.substack.com [https://kathrinclassen.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

A Writing Career Worth More Than The Paper It’s Printed On with Author Melinda Di Lorenzo

With over 40 books to her name, Melinda Di Lorenzo is a wealth of information about the publishing industry. In this episode, we talk about what it means to set achievable daily/weekly goals and why it is important to view your craft as your career. Melinda and I also discuss how writing is only 10% of publishing and selling a book. The other 90%? Marketing, collaborating, and networking. A successful career is not only about being a talented writer. It’s about “timing and luck.” One of my favorite quotes from our chat is “overnight success takes ten years.” What a great reminder that this industry takes time! Write down those great ideas. Expand them into story. And whatever you do, don’t give up. Whatever success looks like for you, keep going. From pre-edits to acknowledging your craft as your career to that endless agent/publisher loop, this is not an episode you’ll want to miss. You can find Melinda here: www.facebook.com/MelindaDiLorenzo @melindawrites on X @melindadilorenzo on Insta @melindawrites on TikTok You can find her books here: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Melinda-Di-Lorenzo/author/B073ZQM76N?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1774128781&sr=8-1&shoppingPortalEnabled=true&ccs_id=b161bdf3-5c67-4a6e-9699-5197e103db04 If you enjoy these episodes, let me know! Drop a comment or an email at writersinthewildernesspodcast@gmail.com [writersinthewildernesspodcast@gmail.com] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit kathrinclassen.substack.com [https://kathrinclassen.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Sometimes All You Need is a Sparkly Bracelet with Pediatrician and Fiction Writer Kati Eisenhuth

Have you ever thought that, since you didn’t go to school for it or don’t feel like you have “natural talent,” writing isn’t for you? Pediatrician and fiction writer, Kati Eisenhuth, and I talk about how time and effort can forgo our perception of natural talent as long as you stick with it and don’t give up. Rejection happens to everyone. What matters is that we keep going despite those rejections. In this episode, Kati shows us that writing is like running track; If you perform badly during a meet, you just have to get back out there for the next one like nothing happened. And there’s a twist to this episode! Kati turns the tables and interviews me! Want to find out my origin story along with Kati’s incredible encouragement? You’ll just have to listen! You can find Kati here: katieisenhuth.com @katieisenhuth If you are a writer and you have an encouraging word to share with the writing community, please send me an email at writersinthewildernesspodcast@gmail.com [writersinthewildernesspodcast@gmail.com]. I’d love to share your words of wisdom with the writing community. Song: Step Artist: Owl Nest Music by: CreatorMix.com This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit kathrinclassen.substack.com [https://kathrinclassen.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]