YOUR WRITING BESTIES
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YOUR WRITING BESTIES •
YOUR WRITING BESTIES
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YOUR WRITING BESTIES •
Hannah and Jess share over coffee the highs and lows of their novel writing process thus far, along with things they're learning as well as struggles.
Hannah and Jess talk about the different points of view in literature, ways you can determine your own POV for your work, and give examples of books in each POV as well as recommendations on how to study it.
NOTE: You might notice at times, it seems like Hannah and Jess are talking over each other significantly. This was a software glitch from the day of recording, and most of it has been edited out.
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SHOW NOTES
Author Carmela Dutra returns to share with the podcast how her journey to publication day has gone, and gives some wisdom to those of us pursuing publication as well!
SHOW NOTES
Hannah and Jess break down the different types of writing communities available both in person and online, and give tips on how to find the writing group or groups that will best support your journey.
Hannah and Jess share their favorite reads of the summer semester. Hannah shares an upcoming release she read early, the pair share their most anticipated fall reads, and surprisingly enough, Jess's favorite of all her summer semester reads is....non-fiction?!
Hannah and Jess share their tips on how to make your writing process more productive, but not the typical kind of productivity. They discuss the kind of productivity that isn't measured but brings life to every writing session.
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Stacy Frazer is a formerly repressed creative soul turned fiction writer, Author Accelerator-certified fiction book coach, and host of The Write It Scared Podcast. She helps writers work through self-doubt, shape stronger stories, and actually finish the novels they’ve been dreaming about without losing their voice (or their sanity) in the process. When she’s not writing, reading, or cheering on writers, you can find her crafting with her daughter, hanging out with goats, or on the trail with her goofy love-pups.
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Don't forget to follow us on social media: @thefictionlounge on Instagram, TikTok, and Threads! And you can always visit our website!
SHOW NOTES
Jess and Hannah talk about their writing styles–from outlining to drafting and rewriting, and more!
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Don't forget to follow us on social media: @thefictionlounge on Instagram, TikTok, and Threads! And you can always visit our website!
Hannah and Jess discuss the unique challenges facing writers today, such as generative AI, oversaturation of the market, and more.
Do you have feedback or episode requests for us? Fill out this form to let us know.
Don't forget to follow us on social media: @thefictionlounge on Instagram, TikTok, and Threads! And you can always visit our website!
Curiosity, tension, and suspense: which is which and how to use each one? Hannah and Jess break down the differences, discus the importance of each, and provide practical steps to help you build tension in your own story!
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Don't forget to follow us on social media: @thefictionlounge on Instagram, TikTok, and Threads! And you can always visit our website!
SHOW NOTES
Jane Friedman Blog: The Importance of Curiosity and Tension in Storytelling
Write it Scared: How to Write Suspense and Tension in Your Novel
Hannah and Jess talk about the areas in which you will need resilience during your writing journey, as well as encouraging words for you and practical tips for how to build resilience.
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Don't forget to follow us on social media: @thefictionlounge on Instagram, TikTok, and Threads! And you can always visit our website!
SHOW NOTES
In this episode, Hannah and Jess interview author Jasmine Carolina. As a practiced self-published author, she brings her self publishing perspective with lots of helpful advice for writers just starting out or writers who are returning to the work after a long break.
Jasmine De La Cruz, an Angeleno born and raised, is a wife and dog mom to two hellions, Maiya and Chloe. She has written as Jasmine Carolina since 2014, and has published five Young Adult and New Adult Contemporary novels to date: Losing Me, Never Let Me Go, Almost Everything, Unbroken, and Take It All. Jasmine tends to always throw a bit of real life into her books, whether it’s her own, or current events. After a seven year grief-fueled hiatus, she is now back and more dedicated to her craft than ever.
Her most recent novel, When It's Over, released July 2024.
Do you have feedback or episode requests for us? Fill out this form to let us know.
Don't forget to follow us on social media: @thefictionlounge on Instagram, TikTok, and Threads! And you can always visit our website!
SHOW NOTES
Jasmine Carolina (Linktree)
Hannah and Jess discuss the power of identifying the wounds our characters carry and how it impacts the way we write them. Hannah gives a homework challenge at the end of the episode, so make sure to have your pen and paper ready.
Do you have feedback or episode requests for us? Fill out this form to let us know.
Don't forget to follow us on social media: @thefictionlounge on Instagram, TikTok, and Threads! And you can always visit our website!
SHOW NOTES
Write From The Wound, Edit From The Scar (Heather Demetrios)
Jess and Hannah discuss how to be intentional about the editorial choices you make when working on your novel. No matter what genre you're working in, intentionality is important to the craft. Hannah and Jess explain intentionality, give literary examples, provide practical tips for being intentional as a writer, and more!
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Don't forget to follow us on social media: @thefictionlounge on Instagram, TikTok, and Threads! And you can always visit our website!
Genres can often be confusing when you're trying to find a way to apply the concept to your book. How do you know which genre is the best fit? What about when it feels like genres are blending together? Why is genre important, and how does it impact my bottom line as an author? Hannah and Jess answer these questions and more!
Do you have feedback or episode requests for us? Fill out this form to let us know.
Don't forget to follow us on social media: @thefictionlounge on Instagram, TikTok, and Threads! And you can always visit our website!
SHOW NOTES
Infographic on Literary, Upmarket, and Commercial Fiction (Carly Watters)
Join Hannah and Jess as they interview Nicole Meier and Gretchen Schaffer of Book Works about all things author platform! How do you start one? When do you start one? What do you post? Do you need a social media following to be successful? Gretchen and Nicole answer these questions and more!
Nicole Meier and Gretchen Schaffer are the duo behind Book Works, dedicated to empowering authors through expert book coaching and branding strategies. Part book coaches, part branding experts, they help fiction writers develop strong author platforms and pitch strategies to stand out in the writing world.
Nicole Meier is a certified book coach and author of four upmarket novels, including The House of Bradbury, The Girl Made of Clay, The Second Chance Supper Club, and City of Books. Her books have been recognized by Booklist, Refinery29, BookBub, and Popsugar. She also hosts the Steps to Story podcast for emerging novelists.
Gretchen Schaffer is a seasoned marketing and PR strategist with experience at industry-leading companies like Adobe, Microsoft, Meta, and Sony. She has crafted innovative campaigns that elevate visibility and brand presence. Now, she channels her expertise into the literary world, helping authors position themselves for success, build their audience, and create compelling pitches that capture attention. Her passion lies in elevating new voices and ensuring writers step confidently into the publishing landscape.
Together, Nicole and Gretchen provide the strategic guidance, industry insight, and encouragement fiction writers need to build their platforms, connect with readers, and confidently pitch their work.
SHOW NOTES
Jess and Hannah discuss their top four books of the first quarter of the year, each bringing an honorary mention as well!
We want to make a note to apologize for Jess's audio quality, as she was recording this during a thunderstorm and sounds like she's a First Time Caller into a radio show. (Pun fully intended.)
SHOW NOTES
Hannah's Book Picks:
The Beekeeper of Aleppo by Christine Lefteri
One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This by Omar El Akkad
First Time Caller by B.K. Borison
Jess's Book Picks:
Sky Full of Elephants by Cebo Campbell
The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead
Hannah and Jess discuss the details of what goes into choosing comp titles for your book, what agents are looking for versus publishers, and a few tips on how to find titles to get you started.
Do you have feedback or episode requests for us? Fill out this form to let us know.
Don't forget to follow us on social media: @thefictionlounge on Instagram, TikTok, and Threads! And you can always visit our website!
SHOW NOTES
Penguin Random House on Comp Titles
In this episode, Hannah and Jess interview author Carmela Dutra, an author releasing a traditionally published novel this fall. She gives insight into the querying process and how she knew her agent was the one, and warns against common mistakes in querying.
Hailing from the Bay Area of California, Carmela Dutra cherishes her family, rainy days, and making others laugh.
After years of working on her award-winning indie children’s picture books, she transitioned into crafting cozy mysteries filled with emotion, humor and heart.
When she's not penning her latest tale, Carmela enjoys sketching, sipping copious amounts of coffee, and over-cuddling her allergy-inducing cats and dog. She shares her life with her best friend and husband, raising two dinosaur-obsessed sons. A lover of alternative rock, Carmela often writes to its rhythm and finds comfort in rewatching The Big Bang Theory and M*A*S*H.
SHOW NOTES