Diy Mfa Radio

Hey there word nerds! Today I am delighted to have author Zinzi Clemmons on the show! Zinzi’s gorgeous debut novel, What We Lose, has already taken the literary world by storm establishing her as a strong new voice to watch. Raised in the Philadelphia suburbs by a South African mother and American father, Zinzi has much in common with the main character of her novel, Thandi, so much so that What We Lose has been described as autobiographical fiction. Listen in as we dive into Zinzi’s novel and how to craft fiction and reality in a novel that defies normal expectations. In this episode Zinzi and I discuss: Autobiographical fiction, and how to decide what pieces of reality to include in your novel. How to weave big topics—such as race and identity—into your novel organically. What to do when you receive pushback about your story, and how to preserve that emotional truth. Why art and literature can shine a light on the grey areas of life. When to keep pursuing a novel and when to throw it out. Plus, Zinzi’s #1

Hey there word nerds! In today’s episode I bring you again live to ThrillerFest 2017! This time I’ve assembled a panel of authors all published by Quercus books and who all start their very different books with a bang. I am so excited to be speaking with Adam Hamdy, K.J. Howe, and Sam Wiebe, and sharing our panel discussion on the show! Listen in as we discuss the process of writing a high paced first chapter and the many facets of the Thriller genre. In this episode Adam, K.J., Sam, and I discuss: How to start a book with a bang that pulls the reader in and introduces your character. The “silence” after the bang, and how to craft that moment so that it holds the reader’s interest. Dramatic tension, and how to raise the stakes in scenes that might not be life or death. How to craft opening scenes that hook your readers, whether you start with a group, a one-on-one interaction, or inside a single character’s head. What the authors’ favorite opening scenes are and why. Plus, each of these fabulous authors’ #1

Hey there word nerds! Today I am so delighted to have Nancy Pearl on the show! Nancy is a book world legend. From her more than three decades of experience as a librarian and a bookseller, to her worldwide speaking engagements on the importance of reading she has become the go-to person for all things literary. Now with the publication of her debut novel, George and Lizzie, Nancy throws her own words onto the fiction bookshelf. Listen in as we discuss how being a good reader makes you a good writer, and the sensation of moving from the person who recommends books to being the author of a book that is recommended. In this episode Nancy and I discuss: How to nudge yourself to read outside your comfort zone, and why doing so can help your writing. The difference between reading for pleasure and reading with purpose and how to shift gears between the two. How to do know when to quit on a book, and why it aids you when you do. Letting your characters tell their story and drive your novel to the correct conclusion

Hey there word nerds! Today I am delighted to have Sebastien de Castell on the show! Sebastien is the author of the four part Greatcoats series which includes Traitor's Blade, Knight's Shadow, Saint's Blood, and most recently Tyrant's Throne. Before coming to writing Sebastien bounced around from careers as diverse as archaeologist and fight choreographer, and with the Greatcoats series completed can now add author of swashbuckling saga to his list. Listen in as we discuss how to craft a series from beginning to end and how to use dramatic tension between characters to build a more entertaining world. In this episode Sebastien and I discuss how to: Tap into your writing flow and find the method that works for you. Write a true “swashbuckling” story. Build a world that feels real and forms organically on the page. Craft a series by building on what’s happened in previous books through dramatic tension between characters. Create plot twists that work, and how to know when they’re not working. Plus Sebastien's

Hey there word nerds! Today I have the pleasure of hosting Gina Cascone and Bryony Williams Sheppard on the show! This mother-daughter powerhouse team has co-authored the picture book Around the World Right Now, a multicultural adventure through our world's 24 time zones. Gina is the author of 30 books in several different genres, and Bryony is a teacher at heart and loves bringing stories to life for her students, making them the perfect duo to bring this story to life. Listen in as we dissect the writing elements of Around the World Right Now and the exciting, often daunting, task of crafting a picture book. In this episode Gina, Bryony, and I discuss: What the important things you must consider when writing a picture book. The delicate balance between not fixating too much on the images while also giving the illustrator something to work with. How to craft a good story that can also be a great learning tool. Why it is much more difficult to write for children than adults. How to craft a picture book that

Hey there word nerds! Today I am delighted to have debut novelist Katherine Nouri Hughes on the show! Katherine is publishing her debut, The Mapmaker's Daughter, at the age of 67. Her book is a remarkable feat not only in its scope, but in its depth. Listen in as we discuss the different and largely unknown (in western culture) historical framework of Katherine's novel, and the craft of writing the truth in fiction through your own experiences. In this episode Katherine and I discuss: How to piece together facts of an unknown person in history to create an exciting and believable novel. How to reveal the core truth of your story through showing instead of telling. How to keep the proportions of your story's narrative in check. Why learning to be calm and relaxed with your novel helps you write better. The challenges and advantages are of writing a novel later in life. Plus, Katherine's #1 tip for writers. For more info and show notes: DIYMFA.com/160  

Hey there word nerds! Today I have the pleasure of having bestselling author Jane Green on the show! Jane has written 17 New York Times bestsellers, and her books have sold more than 10 million copies worldwide. While her latest book The Sunshine Sisters might be pegged as a "beach read" there is a depth and richness to the relationships between the characters that makes it so much more. Listen in as we discuss Jane's latest novel and the craft of writing intricate characters relationships. In this episode Jane and I discuss: How to craft a story around a large issue, such as the right to die, without writing an issue driven book. How to craft characters with very different personalities all striving to find their "happiness" in a way readers will love, and the poem that inspired Jane to write about mother-daughter relationships. How to balance the tug-of-war between writing for the market and writing from your heart. Why you need to hear feedback, and how to know whether you need to listen to it. How using

Hey there word nerds! Today I am delighted to have Joseph Finder on the show! Joseph is The New York Times bestselling author of thirteen previous novels, including the international bestseller Killer Instinct, which won ITW's Thriller Award for Best Novel in 2006, and two novels- Paranoia and High Crimes- which became major motion pictures. Listen in as we talk about his new book, The Switch, in which a simple mix-up at airport security throws an innocent man into the crosshairs of sinister government secrets, and the craft elements behind creating a realistic suspense novel and a likeable antagonist. In this episode Joseph and I discuss: What to include when writing a mistaken identity story. How to craft an unlikeable character that is relatable to readers. How to keep a story gripping when the audience knows more than the character. How to use dual point of view to craft a sympathetic antagonist and protagonist. How to create a sense of reality in a suspense novel. Plus, Joseph's #1 tip for writers. For

Hey there word nerds! In today's episode I bring you live to ThrillerFest 2017 where I have assembled a panel of five, that's right five, debut authors. Not only are all these fabulous authors debuts, they are also all women and represent different sub-genres in the broad category of thriller. I am so excited to be speaking with Jennifer Soosar, Christina Kovac, Lili Wright, Shelia Sobel, and Alexia Gordon, and sharing our panel discussion on the show! Listen in as we discuss the life of a debut author and take away some nuggets of wisdom for your own debut experience. In this episode Jennifer, Christina, Lili, Shelia, Alexia, and I discuss: What sub-genre they each tackle in the broad scope of the thriller genre. What the best and worst parts of being a debut author are. How to use writing conferences to your best advantage to network and find your publisher. How to navigate both the expected and unexpected hurdles of first time publication. How to tackle marketing and self-promotion as a debut. Plus, the

Hey there word nerds! Today I am so excited to have Courtney Maum on the show! Courtney is the author of I Am Having So Much Fun Here Without You, and pieces of short fiction an essays that have appeared in places such as New York Times. Her latest novel, Touch, is the satirical story of Sloane Jacobson a trend forecaster who sees a move against electronics and toward in-person interaction ahead. Listen in as we discuss the strange yet believable world of Touch, an dhow limiting our electronic usage can be beneficial to our creativity. In this episode Courtney and I discuss: Why a huge emphasis on electronics is damaging to your writer's intuition and creativity. How to craft a "blind spot" for a character who's job it is to know everything, thus giving readers a reason to read on. How to best research and craft a story of speculative fiction. Why it is important to find friends outside the writing community. How learning to write copy can help you in other writing endeavors. Plus Courtney's #1 tip for writ

Hey there word nerds! Today I have the pleasure of welcoming Ann Kidd Taylor to the show! Ann first broke on to the literary scene in 2009 with the New York Times bestselling memoir Traveling with Pomegranates, co-written with her mother Sue Monk Kidd. She returns this summer with her debut novel, The Shark Club, which has received glowing early praise and is available in bookstores now!  Listen in as Ann and I tease apart The Shark Club and discuss both its unique characters and setting. In this episode Ann and I discuss How to write a character driven novel with a plot that will keep readers turning pages. Why writing an abnormal protagonist not only makes a story unique but adds tension. How to craft multisensory scenes that bring to life a setting, such as underwater, which differs so much from your own experience. How to write realistic animal characters without inferring human qualities on to them. How to prepare yourself to write something outside your area of expertise. Plus, Ann's #1 tip for writer

Hey there word nerds! Today I am so excited to have bestselling author of contemporary YA, Sarah Dessen on the show! Sarah has twelve previous novels to her name, and discusses with us here her latest teen read, Once And For All. Listen in as we chat about the ins and outs of Sarah's writing process, and how she keeps her momentum going to create characters and stories that resonate with teens. In this episode Sarah and I discuss: How to craft a story with a balance of light and dark scenes. What challenges arise after you've published multiple books, and why some books are more challenging to write than others. How to use a "skeleton" of your story to draft a manuscript, and how this technique can let you know a book is not working. How to craft realistic and engaging stories that keep teens coming back for more. How to push through the bad writing times and forge ahead. Plus Sarah's #1 tip for writers. For more info and show notes: DIYMFA.com/154

Hey there word nerds! Today I have the pleasure of hosting Karen Dionne on the show. Karen was the first author I ever interviewed on DIY MFA Radio, and is now the first author that I've brought back for a second solo interview because she’s just that awesome. In this episode we discuss Karen’s novel The Marsh King’s Daughter, the very book she was working on way back in 2014 when I first interviewed her, and I have a feeling this book will be one of the summer’s biggest hits.     In this episode Karen and I discuss: How to write the book that’s in you by mining what you know, and why this can make a bizarre setting not only unique but memorable. How to write complex characters that will jump off the page for readers. How to write a relatable villain, and why showing that your bad guy isn’t all bad makes the story more engaging and keeps readers flipping pages. How to hit your reader with a major shift in chapter one. How switching gears in what you write can help you reach your writing goals. Plus, Karen’s

Hey there word nerds! Today I’m so excited to have middle grade author and fellow New School alumni, Lisa Preziosi on the show. In our interview, Lisa and I talk about nesting stories within stories, and the various craft elements—such as setting and theme—that make up the fairy tale framework. Listen in to hear us geek out over how to craft a fairy tale for modern middle grade readers.   In this episode Lisa and I discuss: What defines a character as the protagonist, and how viewing a story through different angles can change the character’s role. How to use setting as metaphor for your story’s theme or your characters’ arcs. Why having older characters in a middle grade book can work in a fairy tale framework. How to modulate voice during transitions in a nested story so readers are never jolted out of the story’s world. How to pick a title for your book so it connects with all the different layers of your story. Plus, Lisa’s #1 tip for writers. For more info and show notes: DIYMFA.com/152

Hey there word nerds! Today we’re doing something a little different.  I have here with me in person, author and DIY MFA Romance columnist, Robin Lovett! Robin is the author of two dark, sexy, romance novels, and is a super advocate for the romance genre.  Her next series, of three dark stalker suspense romances,  releases this summer through St. Martin's Press Swerve, beginning with Stranger. In our interview, Robin and I dive into the rarely spoken of domain of sex in romance writing, and tease apart the numerous craft elements of this complex and often overlooked genre.   In this episode Robin and I discuss: Why sex should or should not be included  a romance novel, and how to craft sex scenes the right way. How to create tension and faster pacing by switching back and forth between the hero and the heroine. How to craft a sympathetic anti-hero your readers will want a happy ending for. How to use the inner conflict within a character—the wanting and not wanting—to create steamier love scenes. What the bu

Hey there word nerds! Welcome to the 2017 Epic BookExpo Recap episode. If you don’t already what BookExpo is, it’s the big industry trade show that takes place in the United States every year. This year, things at BookExpo were a little bit new and different so I wanted to give you a rundown of what’s new, what’s still the same, and what I think all these things say about the book industry as a whole.   In this episode, I give you an inside look at: The new vibe at BookExpo, and why I’m really digging the new, smaller, industry focus. What really happens at BookExpo and what this trade show is all about. Why I attend BookExpo, and what I look for as I walk the show. Plus I share a teaser about the types of books I was most excited to check out at the show, and why. For more info and show notes, head to DIYMFA.com/150

Hey there word nerds! Today I’m delighted to have literary agent Mark Gottlieb on the show!    Mark is an agent at Trident Media Group, where he has worked with the agency’s chairman.  He is now working on building his own client list because he wants to help manage and grow authors’ careers using the amazing resources Trident has available. In our interview, Mark and I discuss the topic that both excites and terrifies writers--- The Pitch.  Mark gives us the inside scoop on how to work the Pitch Slam and what makes or breaks a spoken pitch.   In this episode Mark and I discuss: What the dos and don’ts of a spoken pitch are, and how writers can use a Pitch Slam to their best advantage. What the framework of a query letter includes, and how to craft a creative hook and strong pitch that will make agent’s want to read more. Why using comp titles can strengthen your pitch, and how to weave them together with your book’s details, with example pitches from Mark! How studying current titles in the marketplace can

Hey there word nerds! Today I am so excited to have Jay Swanson on the show. Jay is the creator of the world's first real-time fantasy blog, Into the Nanten, and has written a handful of other fantasy and science-fiction novels along the way. He’s also a daily vlogger and has been posting a photo per day for the past six and half years! In our interview we dive into the creation of Into the Nanten, and the best ways to use different forms of media to craft a unique storytelling experience.   In this episode Jay and I discuss: How to craft an interactive storytelling experience for your readers. What the challenges of blogging a story in real time are, and how to stay ahead. How to use various forms of media to add an extra dimension to your story. Challenges that occur when creating a multimedia story, and why understanding how people read a blog versus a book can help keep more readers coming back. How to build your community on different platforms and across different media. Creative ways to raise money fo

Hey there word nerds! Today we’re doing something a little bit different. I have the pleasure of interviewing both a debut author, Jenni Walsh, and the editor who helped bring the book to life, Bess Cozby!  Bess may be familiar to some of you in the word nerd community, since aside from being an editor at Tor/Forge Publishing Bess is also the web editor at DIY MFA. Today this awesome author-editor team gives us a window into the side of publishing we rarely get to see, as we discuss what went into bringing Jenni’s debut novel, Becoming Bonnie, to the shelves. In this episode Jenni, Bess, and I discuss: How to expand a concept to a broader audience, and how an editor can help you strategize for a long term career. How to use pieces of historical information as “guide posts” to shape your narrative and write a historical figure, like Bonnelyn Parker, who lacks a lot of historical documentation. How to create a strong author-editor relationship and why this can make your book even stronger. The less glamorous—b

Hey there word nerds! Today I’m delighted to have K.M. Weiland on the show. K.M. Weiland is an award winning and internationally published author with a passion for helping writers become published authors. Through her award winning website, Helping Writers Become Authors, she has mentored numerous writers. She is also the author of several books on the craft of writing. In our interview, we dive into her book Creating Character Arcs, and the craft elements that make characters of all types pop off the page. In this episode K.M. Weiland and I discuss: How to create a strong character arc that works with your plot, and why there is danger in not structuring your characters. Why theme is an important element in your story, and how to use for maximum effect. What the three types of character arcs are, and how to recognize and craft each type. How change occurs in a flat arc, and why these characters resonate with readers. How to fix a story with no character arc, and why a no arc story can work. How to craft ch