Getting Published

Back from an amazing vacation and my first ever Worldcon, I sit down to talk all about the experience. Topics discussed include: developmental editing, self-publishing, beta readers, what drives us as writers; and of course meeting the mighty Mur Lafferty! The blog post I mention about developmental editing: https://janefriedman.com/developmental-editor/ Send me love on the Facebook page! https://www.facebook.com/gettingpublishedpodcast/ Or via email: write@peterbrewster.com  

Ever write a scene and feel like you nailed it, only to cringe when you reread it later? This happens to me all the time! In this episode (after a generous amount of rambling), I try to break down why seemingly good writing can suddenly turn bad. I also talk about what bad writing usually means to me, and why I should probably be a little less harsh on myself. Will you be at Worldcon in Helsinki next week? If so, let me know in an email to write@peterbrewster.com. And if you have anything to add to the conversation in today's or any episode, please comment on the Facebook page! https://www.facebook.com/gettingpublishedpodcast/  

Getting work done should be as fun as it is efficient. In this episode I talk about all the tools I use to write; including hardware, software, and motivational tricks. If you haven't yet, check out Scrivener (the best tool for writers): https://www.literatureandlatte.com Send that feedback my way! https://www.facebook.com/gettingpublishedpodcast/ write@peterbrewster.com

In this episode I touch on one of the most frequent distractions from my writing (and reading!): TELEVISION. Can a healthy intake of TV shows and movies help your writing? Can too much be a bad thing? Let me know what you think with a comment on the Getting Published Facebook page! https://www.facebook.com/gettingpublishedpodcast/ Or, you can always shoot me an email: write@peterbrewster.com And here's that writing course I mentioned (It's free!): https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/start-writing-fiction/

I'm always curious to hear what leads writers to the craft, and in this episode I share my personal story. Is your story similar to mine? Or maybe vastly different? Head on over to the Facebook page and let me know! https://www.facebook.com/gettingpublishedpodcast/ Or you can email me: write@peterbrewster.com  

Ever heard of St. George's Day? In this episode I talk about one of my favorite Catalonian traditions and why this is one of the best holidays for writers. In honor of "La diada de Sant Jordi" (or St. George's Day), I'm sending a callout for book recommendations! Let me know what book I should read and why! Comment on the Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/gettingpublishedpodcast/ Or email me: write@peterbrewster.com ~'~,~'~{@

Having finally finished reading this masterpiece, I decided to dedicate an entire episode to A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara. I discuss how this book opened my eyes to the potential that lies in breaking all those rules we learn as fledgling writers, and talk about why Yanagihara was successful (to me at least) in doing so. PLEASE give the Getting Published Facebook page a like to stay up to date! https://www.facebook.com/gettingpublishedpodcast/ Also, check out Medium if you haven't already: https://medium.com And remember, you can give feedback directly on the Facebook page, or you can just email me at: write@peterbrewster.com  

As I get deeper into my story, this whole "revision" thing is getting tougher than ever. In this episode I talk about the growing challenges I'm facing in the rewrite process, and ask the question: when it comes to the second draft, how critical of your writing should you be? Please send your tips on getting through this formidable task they call editing, along with ideas for topics in future episodes! write@peterbrewster.com

Since our last interview, E.P. Wyck has been busy turning his NaNoWriMo story into a published book. We discuss his process from start to finish and all of the things he learned along the way. You can find his debut novel on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Escape-Velocity-Black-Star-Chronicles-ebook/dp/B06XG7YJ77/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8 Visit his author page: amazon.com/author/epwyck Or find him on Facebook here: facebook.com/likeepwyck And on Twitter: @epwyck And you can find out more about 20BooksTo50K here: http://20booksto50k.com/forum/index.php As always, you can send me feedback via email: write@peterbrewster.com    

So, I finished those first few chapters and now it's time to share them with a select group of people. Doing so was easier said than done! In this episode I talk about whether or not it's possible to read your own writing objectively—and if it isn't, how do you stay motivated and keep your confidence up? Send your (much appreciated) comments and questions to write@peterbrewster.com

While reading my new favorite book, I had an AHA moment. Sometimes the most memorable descriptions are the ones that aren't written down at all. In this episode, I discuss the concept of "invisible prose", and how this conflicts with my tendency to include a lot of description in my writing. Here is that wonderful blog post I mentioned: Description - too much or too little? http://allwritefictionadvice.blogspot.com.es/2011/05/description-too-much-or-too-little.html Send me feedback, please! write@peterbrewster.com

Frustrated with my procrastination habits and how they prevent me from getting the work done, I break them down and talk about how I combat them. I also give an update on my revision. Here's that list of apps that will help you block out distractions while writing: http://alternativeto.net/software/macfreedom/ And remember to send me a little feedback: write@peterbrewster.com Thanks for listening!

In this episode, I discuss something that plagues us all every one in a while: doubt.

I chat with Nikki Stafinski, author of Chasing Shadows. In a Getting Publish first, Nikki reads an excerpt from her novel. Then we have a great chat about her book, revisions, agent queries, NaNoWrimo and so much more. You can find out more about Nikki on her website: http://nikkistafinski.wixsite.com/nikki-stafinski Be sure to check out her debut novel, Chasing Shadows: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N52K3SC/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1 And become a fan of her Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/authorNikkiStafinski/ Have comments or questions about this or any episode? Send that feedback my way! write@peterbrewster.com

Did I jump into my revision too soon? A recent email has me thinking a lot about structure and asking the hard questions about my novel. In this episode I talk about different approaches to novel structure, and reflect on how my story is stacking up. 4 Story Structures That Dominate Novels: http://www.writersdigest.com/writing-articles/by-writing-goal/write-first-chapter-get-started/4-story-structures-that-dominate-novels Three Act Formula: http://www.nownovel.com/blog/three-act-formula-novels/ Send me feedback! write@peterbrewster.com

We've all been overloaded with the "rules" that writers shouldn't break, or the "mistakes" that will tip you off as an amateur. But how important are they really? Editing a manuscript I wrote as a much younger writer, I've had to address a lot of these faux-pas and make a lot of decisions. In this episode, I discuss some of the most prominent "rules" that writers have been breaking for centuries to varying degrees of success. What rules do you disagree with? Let me know! write@peterbrewster.com

Despite our best intentions, sometimes life gets in the way. I talk about how a monster cold halted my progress over the last week, and some tips I've come across for keeping your writing habit alive when you're under the weather. I also share some exciting news! Those helpful blogposts I mentioned: http://www.jamierubin.net/2013/08/04/writing-while-sick/ http://www.theprocrastiwriter.com/10-quick-tips-writing-sick/ https://nevalalee.wordpress.com/2016/05/18/writing-while-sick-2/ http://www.lucyflint.com/blog-1/work-when-yr-sick And as always, my email address: write@peterbrewster.com

This episode is part 3 of my Revision Series. We're always told to shut out our inner editor so we can get the words down, but what happens when we need it to come back? I discuss everything I've learned while editing the first chapter (especially the first paragraph) of my novel. You can email me at: write@peterbrewster.com  

Having finally (pretty much) read through the first draft; I discuss character voice, viewpoint and tense; all important things to address before tackling the revision.

Happy New Year! This is the first episode in a "series" about my first novel revision. I talk about my initial reactions to the manuscript I'm planning to edit, as well as how to keep motivation up in order to get through this daunting task. Aeon Timeline, the timeline software I mention: https://www.aeontimeline.com An article discussing the Mandela Effect and the movie that supposedly never was: http://www.newstatesman.com/science-tech/internet/2016/12/movie-doesn-t-exist-and-redditors-who-think-it-does And of course, my email so you can send me your feedback: write@peterbrewster.com