Episode 52: [GUEST] Don't Wait! Follow Your Dream From Print to the Screen with B.L. Thoma

This week on the podcast, Stephanie interviews her friend, author B.L. Thoma, who shares her unique writing journey from a dream to the screen. It’s the direction so many authors hope their book takes from being traditionally published to being optioned for the screen. B.L. Thoma’s first novel, Hear My Whisper, in her Morgan’s Landing series was written in an unexpected way, yet it opened up opportunities and helped her discover her gift for storytelling. And so I got out of bed, I grabbed a spiral book, I crawled back in bed, I wrote and wrote everything I could remember from a dream. It’s not how you usually hear about a book being written, but what it illustrates is how every writer has their own way. You approach your writing in a way that works for you. It’s what B.L. Thoma emphasizes during the podcast.  With B.L. Thoma’s series being historical fiction, she did a lot of research to ensure accuracy of the details and staying true to the characters she created. When you listen, you’ll get a glimpse into B.L. Thoma’s wonderful sense of humor that she integrates masterfully into her writing.Something would just,  it just happens in my brain and I could just insert, and I would just be sitting there laughing at it.  And I thought, I hope everybody else laughs, I'm laughing.The success B.L. Thoma is experiencing did not happen overnight. It’s been a long road with a lot of learning along with some unexpected connections. What you’ll discover is the power of setting your mind on a goal and continuing to take the next step.It’s not a story you can replicate, but it’s one you don’t want to miss listening to this week. There’s so much packed into this episode from hearing about B.L. Thoma’s writing process to multiple rounds of edits to getting the query letter just right. Connect with B.L. Thoma online at https://midweststoryteller.com/A little bit about B.L. Thoma from her website: B. L. Thoma is an award winning author, capturing readers with her original, fun, historical romances as well as short stories and non-fiction. With a background in homeschooling and youth theater, she’s written plays and a children’s book as well. She lives in the heart of the Midwest, just a hop, skip and a jump from where she was born and raised, enjoying life with her family and her chatty cat. She shares her passion here for books, healthy living, creativity and laughter. It’s been said that success is attained when a person is unable to tell whether they are working or playing. That’s what happens when she writes!Send us Fan Mail Welcome to the Inspired Writer Collective podcast. If you've ever felt the pull to write your truth, to shape the chaos of real life into something meaningful and to share your journey with the world, you're in the right place. We're your hosts, Elizabeth and Stephanie, writers, coaches, and entrepreneurs who believe in you and know how important it is to find a writing community to guide you on your path to self-publishing. You’re invited to connect with us by joining our Embodied Writing Experience where you’ll get a writer’s retreat directly to your inbox on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays each week. Whether you’re working on a memoir, a novel, or journaling for yourself, this is an invitation to slow down, tune in, and write with embodied intention.   Join our Embodied Writing Experience where you’ll get a writer’s retreat directly to your inbox each week. This is an invitation to slow down, tune in, and write with embodied intention.   If you missed this year's Memoir Summit, we recorded it! You can purchase the replays and get instant access to over 4 hours of memoir-specific content from Elizabeth and our amazing panelists of published memoir authors, indie presses, editors, and industry professionals!Work 1:1 with Memoir Coach Elizabeth Wilson. Book a session here.If you prefer to watch our conversations, you can find all of them on our YouTube channel.You can find us on Instagram.