Coffee & Real Talk for Writers

In this episode, I talk about working under duress, ways I’ve been using dictation, and the approximate schedule I use in my indie publishing process.Note: I am an affiliate of some of the platforms you can access through the universal book links below, which means if you make a purchase, I get a few cents at no additional cost to you.Mentioned in this episode:The Indie Publishing Process Part 1: From the End to the FinishThe Indie Publishing Process Part 2: Publishing and DistributionThe Indie Publishing Process Part 3: Finding Your Readers (a.k.a Marketing)Wide for the Win Facebook GroupWide for the Win by Mark Leslie LefebvreSuccessful Self-Publishing by Joanna PennDraft2Digital (affiliate link)Kobo Writing LifeMug Quote of the Week:"Excuse my mess. My comfort zone is being renovated." - Talena WintersInspired by:“It’s only after you’ve stepped outside your comfort zone that you begin to change, grow, and transform.” - Roy T. BennettQuestion of the Week:What's one thing you wish you had known before you started publishing?Tweet me: https://twitter.com/talenawinters Leave a comment at: https://www.talenawinters.com/realtalkforwriters/2022/5/13/ep-13-my-book-publishing-timeline Original music by Josh Rickard, www.joshrickardmusic.com.

In this episode, I talk about working with beta readers, planning my next project, and how learning the Enneagram helped me make my characters better.Note: I am an affiliate of some of the platforms you can access through the universal book links below, which means if you make a purchase, I get a few cents at no additional cost to you.Mentioned in this episode:Every Star that Shines preorderEnneagram overviewEnneagram typesDrew Newkirk's channelThe Emotional Wound Thesaurus by Angela Ackerman and Becca PuglisiH. Claire Taylor's email series about the Enneagram for writers: www.ffs.media/readnowMug quote of the week:“I am the wound and the blade, the torturer and the flayed.”― Charles Baudelaire, The Flowers of EvilQuestion of the week:What tools do you use when you are creating or refining characters?Tweet meLeave a commentOriginal music by Josh Rickard, www.joshrickardmusic.com.

In this episode, I talk about completing the first draft of my manuscript, what I'm going to do next, and my thoughts as a writer and editor about what editors wish writers knew about working with them. Note: I am an affiliate of some of the platforms you can access through the universal book links below (marked with an *), which means if you make a purchase, I get a few cents at no additional cost to you.Mentioned in this episode:The Story of St. Patrick (VeggieTales)Newsletter Ninja 2 by Tammi Labrecque*Blog tour for The Undine's TearSell More Books Show Episode 418: Mastering Deadlines, Creativity, and That KickstarterKobo Writing Life Podcast Episode #286: Writing Female Friendships with Anat DeracineSix Figure Authors Episode 123: Dealing With Criticism as an AuthorThe Rebel Author Podcast with Sacha Black Episode 129: Save the Cat Writes a Novel with Jessica BrodySave the Cat Writes a Novel by Jessica Brody*Mug Quote of the Week:How to fly:Throw yourself at the ground.Miss.Inspired by the following quote by Douglas Adams from Life, the Universe, and Everything:“The Guide says there is an art to flying,” said Ford, "or rather a knack. The knack lies in learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss.”Question of the Week:Was there a time you disagreed with an editors' recommendation, and are you glad you did?Tweet meLeave a commentOriginal music by Josh Rickard, www.joshrickardmusic.com.

In this episode, I talk about tools for writing emotion and developing characters, a recent family situation that means a major adjustment, and my tools for coping with change and challenges.Note: I am an affiliate of some of the platforms you can access through the universal book links below, which means if you make a purchase, I get a few cents at no additional cost to you.Mentioned in this episode:Brenna Davies's article about me on the Boomarten Editorial blog:2022-02-25: Author Spotlight: Talena Winters The Writer's Thesaurus series by Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi:The Emotion ThesaurusThe Emotional Wound ThesaurusThe Negative Trait ThesaurusMug Quote of the Week:"Let reality be reality."From the following longer quote:“Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Don't resist them; that only creates sorrow. Let reality be reality. Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like.” ― Lao TzuBonus quote:“We must be willing to let go of the life we planned so as to have the life that is waiting for us.” ― Joseph CampbellQuestion of the Week:If you've been affected by the stresses of the world or just the natural stresses of life, what are useful practices to help you adapt, in your business or in life?Tweet meLeave a commentOriginal music by Josh Rickard, www.joshrickardmusic.com.

In this episode, I interview Jessica Renwick, an independently published middle grade fantasy and sweet romance author and copyeditor who has bucked popular indie wisdom and reaped great rewards. We also talk about dealing with Impostor Syndrome, where she finds inspiration, and adventures in advertising. In the introduction, I talk about some new tools in the indie author space.(Please note that I am an affiliate of Amazon.com, .ca, and .co.uk, so if you click through to one of those stores from the links below and make a purchase, I’ll get a few cents without any additional charge to you.)Sorry for uploading the wrong file the first time!Mentioned in this episode:Bookmarten Editorial (Brenna Bailey-Davies)The Undine's Tear reviewed in Lorehaven last Friday. (Not an "interview" like I said in the episode!)Findaway Voices Marketplace/Findaway VoicesThe Waterboy eBook & audiobookMatty Dalrymple - The Indy Author PodcastNewsletter Ninja by Tammi L. LabrecqueNewsletter Ninja 2 by Tammi L. LabrecqueRebel Author Podcast with Sacha Black Ep. 126 - Mailing Lists for Indie Authors with Tammi LebrecqueAbout Jessica Renwick:Jessica Renwick is the award-winning author of books about friendship, courage, and being true to yourself. The Book of Chaos was her first novel and the start of Starfell, her fantasy series for middle-grade readers. Since then she has also published the second and third book in the series, a paranormal mystery for middle-grade kids, and a sweet romance series for adults.She lives in central Alberta, Canada with her loving partner, two pocket monsters (her dogs), and a flock of chickens.www.jessicarenwickauthor.comInterviews with Jessica on my blog:Jessica Renwick: Writing a New Ending (inspirational personal essay)Author interview with Jessica Renwick when she released The Bow of Anarchy (Starfell Book 2)Jessica on Instagram:@jessicarenwickauthor, @jessicaannerenwickbooksWhat we chat about:How the inspiration for Jessica's first book, The Book of Chaos, came from a long-running DnD campaignHow she got her copy editing certification through Writers Digest UniversityHow she's continually worked to improve her craftA book that helped her with Impostor Syndrome: The Secret Thoughts of Successful Women - Valerie YoungResource for middle grade indie authors: How to Self-Publish and Market a Children's Book - Karen InglisFacebook groups Jessica recommends for middle grade authors: Society of Middle-Grade WritersThe Creative Penn episode: Draft2Digital Acquires Smashwords with Mark Coker and Kevin TumlinsonPodium Audio: https://podiumaudio.com/Courses Jessica recommends:Bryan Cohen's 5-Day Author Ad Profit Challenge - Free Amazon Ads challengeMark Dawson's advertising course: comprehensive cross-platform ads courseDavid Farland's craft and business courses: https://mystorydoctor.com/Find Jessica’s upcoming books here:March 15 - The Book of Chaos (Starfell Book 1) releasing on audio. Pre-order on Audible.March 29 - The Curse of the Warlock (Starfell Book 4) on eBook & print. Audiobook in September. Mug quote of the week:"Our own life has to be our message." Thich Nhat HanhQuestion of the week:What's a risky decision you've made about your indie author business that has paid off in unexpected ways?Tweet me: https://twitter.com/talenawinters Leave a comment.Original music by Josh Rickard, www.joshrickardmusic.com.

In this episode, I talk about: My recent struggles with Impostor Syndrome and Resistance and how I overcame them (this week)Branding and marketing are both telling storiesPutting lots of hooks in the water - how we create doors for Opportunity to Knock on. (Don’t worry, the metaphor is only mixed in these notes, not the episode. Or is it?)Marketing done right is actually serving our readersMentioned in this episode:Sell More Books Show, Episode 410: Helpful Mindsets and Pursuing Your PassionMug Quote of the Week:“If opportunity doesn't knock, build a door.” Milton BerleQuestion of the Week:When was a time opportunity knocked because you'd built a door for it to knock on, and how did it pay off?Tweet me: https://twitter.com/talenawintersLeave a commentOriginal music by Josh Rickard, www.joshrickardmusic.com.

In this episode, I talk about embracing my finitude (or trying), writing progress, and some of the challenges and progress I've made with branding multiple creative businesses under one domain.Mentioned in this episode:Four Thousand Weeks by Oliver Burkeman (affiliate link to some stores)Wish I'd Known Then… for writers podcastMy Merch storeMug quote of the week:"Slow progress is still progress." (Available as an actual mug in my merch store. And a sticker.)Question of the week:What's your biggest branding challenge? If you don't have any but you've solved some before, what was it and how did you solve it?Original music by Josh Rickard, www.joshrickardmusic.com.

In this episode, I talk about planning for the unexpected, working around copyright issues when referring to other people's Intellectual Property in our novels, the life and times of Pinocchio, Punch and Judy, and Anna Leonowens, and how serendipitous inspiration makes books better. I also discuss the hidden value we should take into consideration when hiring people in our business.Mentioned in this episode:Best Book Ever podcast by Julie Strauss: https://bestbookever.libsyn.com/Stark Reflections Patreon roundtable discussion where I met JulieMug Quote of the Week:Be the kind of person you would like to meet.Question of the week:How have you seen the hidden value you and others bring to the table pay off in your career or in your life?Tweet meLeave a comment on this episodeMusic by Josh Rickard, www.joshrickardmusic.com.

In this episode, I talk about doing writing math, the one-step-back stage of recovery burnout, and whether it's worth it to revise and republish older work.Leave a comment on this episode here.Mentioned in this episode:Roundtable Reflective on the Stark Publishing podcast with me as one of the guestsBecca's current Burnout Recovery series on YouTube: Why is this not over yet? (Quitcast Episode 4.02)MUG QUOTE OF THE WEEK:“Excellence is a habit.— Will DurantArticle about this quote's backstory (and why it is frequently misattributed to Aristotle) by Caelan Huntress on Medium

In this episode, I talk about being inspired to do better at direct sales, the results of my experiment with AI Narration, and the struggle with setting book prices, as well as a shift I'm thinking of making to increase writing productivity.Direct link to this episode page: https://www.talenawinters.com/realtalkforwriters/2022/01/20/s1e4-life-happens-write-anywayMentioned in this episode:6 Figure Authors podcast:SFA 115 - Making More Money Selling Your Books Direct with Katie Cross: https://6figureauthors.com/podcast/making-more-money-selling-your-books-direct-katie-cross/IngramSpark: https://www.ingramspark.com/Spiderman: Miles Behind fan film: https://youtu.be/2qKXdjkWNBUWrite for the Win Storybundle for writers: https://www.facebook.com/groups/wideforthewin/permalink/1255946151582898/Stark Reflections podcast: https://www.starkreflections.caBecca Syme Quitcast: https://www.youtube.com/c/BeccaSymeContact: https://www.talenawinters.com/contacthttps://twitter.com/talenawintersMug quote of the week:Life happens. Write anyway.

In this episode, I talk about how the CliftonStrengths have helped me develop as a person and a writer, and also why most of my top strengths are fed by my podcast addiction. :-) Also, we talk about success metrics for writing, cliffhangers in series, and marketing tips for newer authors—especially wide authors who write in multiple genres. Hint: Patience is the key, so take joy in the journey.Mentioned in this episode:Goddess Fish Promotions: https://www.goddessfish.com/ Becca Syme - Write Better-Faster Academy -  https://betterfasteracademy.com/5 Critical Things for Successful Book Signings by Adam Dreece (affiliate link) - https://books2read.com/u/bOyPZWThe Elevator Pitch blog post - https://www.talenawinters.com/writing-tips/2019/9/9/your-story-in-a-single-sentence-part-2-the-elevator-pitchThe Elevator Pitch video: https://youtu.be/16Uy8DtGm4oMy Book Description Writing Services - https://www.talenawinters.com/editing#blurbPost by author Suzie O’Connell in Facebook group Wide for the Win about marketing - https://www.facebook.com/groups/wideforthewin/permalink/1252194868624693/ALLi post “What Readers Want from Writers in 2022” - https://selfpublishingadvice.org/what-readers-want-2022/Written Word Media’s “What Do Readers Really Want: How to Write a Book to Market” - https://www.writtenwordmedia.com/how-to-write-a-book-to-market/Bryan Cohen’s 5-Day Author Ad Profit Challenge, currently just starting if you want to check it out at https://bryancohen.lpages.co/jan22/.Author and editor Brenna Bailey-Davies is doing a webinar called “Self-Editing for Fiction Writers” on January 27 through Editors Canada. You do not have to be a member to take the webinar.Register at https://training.editors.ca/upcoming_webinar/self-editing-for-fiction-authors/.

In this episode, I talk about how I spent my so-called holidays, the current state of my writing projects, what I’ve been trying for marketing lately and what I’ve learned from it, and some of my favourite writing tools. I also discuss some movies I watched over the holidays and my business plans for 2022.Here are some resources mentioned in this episode:Tool of the Week:Scrivener: https://www.talenawinters.com/scrivener (affiliate link)Podcast mentions:6-figure Authors: SFA 112: How to Smartly Invest back into Your Book BusinessLife Lessons - Episode 57: Intermittent Fasting for LIFEThe Creative Penn - #596: Improve Your Sleep And Creativity With Dr. Anne D. BartolucciThe Creative Penn - #589: Digital Narration with AI Voices with Taylan Kamis from DeepZenInterview with Geoff Woods on Afford Anything with Paula Pant: #293: THE ONE QUESTION THAT MAKES EVERYTHING EASIER, WITH GEOFF WOODS (Replay of January 1, 2021 episode)The One Thing podcast - 332: Why this year's success comes down to One ThingOther Resources:Alana Terry’s resources for authors: https://successfulwriter.podia.com/5 Point Plot Structure Freebie: https://www.talenawinters.com/plot-structure/freebieRomancing the Beat by Gwen Hayes (affiliate links for some platforms)Delay, Don’t Deny and Clean(ish) by Gin Stephens (affiliate links for some platforms)All I Want for Christmas excerpt:The postscript on this episode is an excerpt from AI-Narrated audiobook of All I Want for Christmas, using the licensed voice of Edward Herrmann. The company I used to create the audiobook was DeepZen, https://deepzen.io. Mug quote of the week: “It’s only cold if you’re standing still.”Happy writing!

Hello, and welcome to Coffee & Real Talk for Writers. I'm a multi-genre indie author, developmental editor, and a career creative with years of experience with the writer's life. In this episode, I get real about why I started this podcast, my writing journey so far, and what you can expect going forward.Here are several resources I mention in this podcast and where you can find them:Holly Lisle’s How to Think Sideways novel-writing courseJust Joshing podcast, hosted by Joshua PantallerescoStark Reflections podcast by Mark Leslie LefebvreThe Creative Penn podcast by Joanna PennBecca Syme’s Write Better-Faster 101 courseBecca Syme’s Quitcast videocast on YouTubeMy Imaginary Friends podcast with L. PenelopeInterview about refilling the creative well with Leslye Penelope on the Kobo Writing Life podcastFrolic Podcast Network