Hello, inklings!
It’s time for another writing roundup where I share the writerly things I’ve found especially inspiring, helpful, encouraging and insightful over the last four weeks! From craft-honing podcasts and articles, to a have-to-have writing mug and inspirational Instagram peep, I’m positive you’ll find something that piques your creative curiosity!
Without further ado, here’s my October roundup!
“Creating Believable Characters” (podcast)
This episode on The Story Grid is one I should probably listen to no less than once a week.
Why? Because believable, flesh-and-blood characters with real, relatable wants, flaws, and fears is what successful stories hinge on.
Learning all we can about classic, archetypal figures and why and how they’ve resonated with audiences through the ages will help us better craft and understand our own characters, as well as ensure that their presence in the story is both compelling and purposeful.
Click here to check out the episode’s transcript, and here to listen (it’s the episode from 10/4/18).
“Anton Chekhov’s 6 Rules for a Great Story” (article)
If you haven’t checked out Brain Pickings yet, you must! Each article dives deep into a wide array of interesting, mind-tickling topics ranging from science, art, and design, to philosophy, politics, and anthropology and looks at how creativity plays into all of them.
The aforementioned article features six tenets of a great story, as elucidated in a letter Chekhov wrote to his brother on May 10, 1888.
To see the list, click here!
Writing Mug I Love
How stinkin’ adorable is this writing mug I found on Etsy!? Christmas is around the corner, so why not treat yourself to a new favorite tea or coffee cup? You deserve it! 😀
To view it on Etsy, click here.
WendyRoberts_Author (Instagram account I’m digging)
I’m not sure how Wendy and I connected on the Gram, but I’m so glad we did! Everyday, I find myself either laughing out loud at one of her posts or feeling incredibly inspired by one. She’s also a huge supporter of fellow authors, which makes her even more awesome. Check out her account and give her a follow here.
“Self-Publishing 3.0 And How To Build Success As An Indie Author With Orna Ross” (podcast)
Orna Ross, author, creative coach, and founder of the Alliance of Independent Authors, spoke recently at a writers conference, and Joanna Penn, host of The Creative Penn podcast, played the talk on her show!
In the episode, Ms. Ross covers:
- The maker, the manager, the entrepreneur and why we need to be all three
- 7 stages of the creative process – and how it can be used for business
- 7 parts of the publishing process
- 7 business models for authors
- The sequence of success
- Why you need multiple streams of income
- Why you’re in business from the day you self-publish your first book
She also answers the questions:
- What is an independent author?
- What’s the history of the indie author movement since the 90s?
- What does it take to succeed today as an indie?
To check out the show notes and listen to the episode, click here.
(Bonus) Writing Quote of the Month:
“Making people believe the unbelievable is no trick; it’s work. … Belief and reader absorption come in the details: An overturned tricycle in the gutter of an abandoned neighborhood can stand for everything.”
—Stephen King
That concludes this month’s roundup! Let me know what cool and helpful writing/publishing-related things you’ve learned recently by tweeting me @dandersontyler!