Indie author diaries
By Indie Author Diaries
Indie author diariesFeb 10, 2019
IAD Ep27: Balancing writng & life
Can you ever really achieve balance? We like to think it's possible, but understand the path to get there is windy.
A lot has changed since our last episode, but we discovered last week that Indie Author Diaries has turned 1, and so we thought an update episode was in order.
In this episode, Lisa & Sarah share what they've been doing since the last episode including:
- going back to work part time
- balancing writing and life
- balancing writing and energy levels
- balancing ambition and energy
- works in progress
- changes in direction - new pen names, old pen names, and different genres
- keeping healthy
- learning to say no
- entering competitions
And more!
IAD Ep 26: Getting to know you
How well do you really know your writing buddies?
In this episode Sarah and Lisa interview each and cover the tricky questions, like: if you could join the adventure and live in any book which would it be?, who is your favourite character, and, did you read fairy tales as a kid? And if so, which was your favourite?
Their answers might surprise you!
After listening to this episode, head on over to our @indieauthordiaries instagram page and share your answers to these questions:-)
IAD Ep 25: Prioritising Writing
This week, Lisa and Sarah had a choice to make: spend time editing and writing their manuscripts or produce a podcast episode? The answer led to one of the most impressive updates of the year (from Sarah) and this episode (it might not be what you think!:-).
There's also the usual musings about writing and life, some theories about writing and life and some honest sharing about what Sarah and Lisa are finding tough at the moment.
Enjoy!
IAD Ep 24: Girlbossing the author stuff
They chat about:
team management
the importance of a sensible understanding of budget
the problem with mates rates
the problems that arise when working with friends (and things you can do to minimise problems)
the importance of setting a routine
setting deadlines and planning releases
the importance of not undervaluing your work (and Sarah chats about how she prices her books)
four tips for girlbossing your author biz
And more!
IAD Ep 23: Show and tell (and show don't tell)
This week Sarah and Lisa chat about:
- their current understanding of 'show don't tell'
- the (three) different levels of showing and
- when it's ok to show and tell
- the books they're currently reading
- and they give an update on what they've been up to since the last update
IAD Ep 22: Nailing your characters
In this episode, Sarah and Lisa discuss how they research and create characters. It's a tricky one to summarise in dot points, but here we go:
- Sarah shares the key things she includes in a character summary sheet for her protagonists and secondary characters
- Lisa shares her "organic" approach to building characters (without a summary sheet) but from looking at the character's journey through the story.
- They discuss the benefits of deeper research
- Sarah discusses the "Easter Egg" character she includes in each of her books
- They discuss what "keeping a character consistent" means (to them)
And more!
IAD Ep 21: Serious Research
In this episode Sara and Lisa discuss their different approach to research.
Sarah shares
- The three main things she researches when researching the location her books are set (to make them more authentic and real for the reader).
- The extra level of research she does for certain characters (she uses the example of a hearing impaired character and another character who is in a domestic violence situation (for an upcoming book) .
- The steps she takes for market research (especially when writing in a new genre) and understanding the reader expectations in different genres and sub genres.
Lisa shares
- Her method-like approach for researching locations and characters so that they are authentic for the reader (without getting stuck in the rabbit hole).
- The four things she asks herself when she's at a place she's going to set a book.
- The things she takes photos of when she's researching a location.
- Things that you only see and learn from being in the location where the story is set.
- How she researches characters.
- The importance of checking the reliability of information and fact checking when using resources like. interviews, books, websites.
And more!
IAD Ep 20: Getting Back to Business
The school holidays are over, and Sarah and Lisa are getting back into their regular writing life.
In this episode, Sarah and Lisa chat about:
*How they are feeling post-school holidays (and the challenges with getting back into healthy routines)
*Mindset shifts and goal changes that occurred through the holidays
*The importance of re-evaluating goals
*The link between people pleasing and deadlines
*Being mindful of, and staying away from "feast and famine" business approaches (if you're prone to burnout)
*Story shelf life
*An update on what they achieved through the holidays
*And more!
IAD Ep 19: Self Censoring
IAD Ep 18: Our 2019 Goals with Sarah & Lisa
In this episode Sarah & Lisa chat about their 2019 Goals for:
- income
- words written
- books published
- craft development
- marketing
- and some of the challenges with setting goals
They also chat about their words for the year.
IAD Ep 17: 2018 Review with Sarah & Lisa
In this episode Sarah & Lisa review their goals and achievements for 2018 and discuss:
*how many words were written
*how many books were published
*how they're going with their earning goals
*how many books they read
*their favourite books, music and movies for 2018
and more!
IAD Ep16: Practical goal setting & an update from Sarah & Lisa
The warm-up to our goals for 2019 episode!
In this episode:
*Sarah & Lisa compare writing & publishing with parenting
*Lisa shares her new approach to setting goals so she can achieve her writing goals without burning out
*Lisa shares how she's currently writing & plotting her work in progress & solving plot issues
*Sarah & Lisa share an update on how they're exercising & writing at the moment
*Sarah shares how her writing has improved since she became a plotter
*They share their experiences with dictation
*Sarah shares an update on her launches for the Sparkles & Curvies books & the books for her new pen name
*They both share an update on what they've done since the last diary update.
IAD Ep15: Editing with Alex McGilvery
*the stages of editing (structure, developmental, line, copy and proof reading) and what happens at each stage,
*what indies on a budget should focus on
*how to prepare your manuscript before sending it to an editor
*some tools that can help improve your writing
*how Alex suggests you use beta readers, alpha readers or critique groups in the editing process
*how to find an editor if you've never worked with one before
*Alex provides some great tips for editing your own work, and how to test is a new editor is suitable for you
*the importance of making sure you're asking your editor for the right kind of edit for your work
*why people are afraid of editors (and they shouldn't be)
And more!
Sarah and Lisa also share their experiences and what they've learned along the way.
IAD Ep14: Book formatting with Ian Andrew
IAD Ep13: Covers Uncovered with Angela Stevens of The Cat's Pyjamas
IAD Ep 12: Imposter syndrome & putting your best work out there
IAD Ep11: Not the one thing & Dealing with distractions
IAD Ep10: Goals for the next 3 months
IAD Ep09 Our Favourite Writing Resources
Ep08 Keeping Healthy & Earning the First Royalty Payment from Amazon
IAD Ep07: Getting Consistent
they discuss:
*being consistent in appearance (author branding)
*being consistent in actions (e.g. newsletters, social media etc.)
They discuss:
*challenges with changing habits and some strategies to help make it easier to form new habits.
*setting business/ writing hours
*setting goals that are achievable in the time you have, so that it is easier to keep showing up and be more consistent
*reducing barriers to showing up and reducing interruptions and distractions
*having a buddy to help keep you motivated and showing up
IAD Ep06: Decision Fatigue and Reducing Overwhelm
IAD Ep05: Book Launch Woes (& a review of our past launches)
IAD Ep04: Ongoing costs and the importance of having a budget when you're an indie author
IAD Ep03: Social Media & Sustainability for Authors
IAD Ep02 Indie Author Musings and Achievements this Week
IAD Ep01: Big goals and the current reality
*what they have done over the last week (and previously) as indie authors
*what their goals are for the next week and next year
*what they have earned/ are currently earning from their books
*what they're reading, watching and listening to at the moment
*their current writing process