Writers With Wrinkles Beth McMullen and Lisa Schmid

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Hosts: Beth McMullen and Lisa Schmid
Theme: The 31-Day Platform Challenge
For: Aspiring authors looking for practical advice on building and enhancing their author platform.
Key Discussion Points:
Overview of the 31-Day Challenge: Aimed at building author platforms through daily, manageable tasks starting June 1st. Hosted in partnership with Bitsy Kemper. Details can be found on their blog at Writers with Wrinkles.Importance of Author Platforms: Both hosts emphasized the necessity of having a platform as a modern author, whether you're self-published or traditionally published. Platforms provide visibility and connectivity with potential readers.Practical Tasks: The challenge includes varied tasks such as defining your brand, considering starting a blog or newsletter, and possibly updating or creating a website. Examples like setting up a basic site on Wix were discussed to demystify technology for users.Engagement Tips: Tips on social media engagement strategies were shared, such as choosing platforms that align with your target audience, content consistency, and the use of polls and follower engagement to increase interaction.Getting Ready: Preparation for the challenge involves thinking critically about one's brand and the specific audience they intend to reach. Defining these elements early can significantly enhance platform effectiveness.Conclusion:
The episode wraps up with encouragement to participate in the upcoming 31-Day Platform Challenge. It stresses the importance of having a clear strategy for online presence. Visit the Writers With Wrinkles Blog for more details or the Writers With Wrinkles Linktree
Challenge hashtag:  #wwwplatformchallenge
Sample Challenge Calendar
Challenge Prep - what to think about before you start!


















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In this episode, we interview Bitsy Kemper, a prolific author of children's books and a passionate advocate for authors navigating the publishing industry.

The theme of this episode revolves around the resilience required in the publishing industry, including the personal challenges and triumphs of maintaining a career in writing over time. The discussion also touches on ghostwriting and practical advice for aspiring authors.

Key Discussion Point

1. Bitsy Kemper's Journey: From marketing to becoming a celebrated children's book author, highlighting her persistence and adaptability.

2. Overcoming Rejection: We discuss how to handle rejection in the publishing world, emphasizing it's not personal but rather about finding the right fit.

3. Ghostwriting and Writing for Hire: Bitsy explains her experiences and the skills necessary to succeed in ghostwriting, including how to adopt the voice of the client and the importance of discretion.

4. Advice for Aspiring Authors: Practical tips on navigating the publishing landscape, leveraging platforms like SCBWI, and how to use personal and professional challenges as growth opportunities.

5. Thirty-One Day Author Platform Challenge: Bitsy introduces a program designed to help writers enhance their online presence incrementally, which is crucial in today’s digital-forward publishing environment.

Bitsy's insights provide invaluable lessons on perseverance, not taking rejections personally, and strategic career maneuvers in writing. She emphasizes the importance of community support, continuous learning, and strategic marketing to sustain a successful writing career.

Mentioned Links:
Website
31 Day Platform Challenge
List of Publishers

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Hosts:
- Beth McMullen
- Lisa Schmid

Theme:  
The importance of secondary characters in storytelling.

Key Discussion Points: 
- Secondary characters add depth, complexity, and enrich the narrative.
- They contribute to the world-building, provide subplots, conflicts, and challenges.
- Effective secondary characters are distinct from main characters and have their own development arc.
- They can reflect, challenge, and highlight aspects of the protagonist, aiding in their growth.
- Secondary characters should impact the plot, offering information and altering the course of the narrative.
- Every character introduced must serve a purpose to the plot or character development.
- It’s important to avoid filler characters and “kill your darlings” if they don't contribute to the story.
- Distinctive traits or quirks should serve the story and make characters memorable.
- Complex relationships between main and secondary characters enrich the narrative and drive character growth.
- Secondary characters can embody themes or contribute symbolically to the story’s message.

Conclusion: 
Secondary characters are pivotal to storytelling success. They must be multi-dimensional, engaging, and crucial to the plot and theme. For aspiring and working writers, respecting the craft of creating secondary characters can lead to richer narratives and more compelling storytelling,  engaging readers who seek depth and authenticity in the stories they read. Listeners are encouraged to develop their secondary characters with care and intention.




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Hosts: Beth McMullen and Lisa Schmid
Theme: Writer Resilience, Success
Key Discussion Points:
Matt Eicheldinger's Background:Transition from childhood interests to writing.Teaching career and its role in storytelling.Path to self-publishing and eventual traditional publishing success.Celebrating Recent Successes:Matt's book, "Matt Sprouts and the Curse of the Ten Broken Toes," hits bestseller lists.Discussion on dealing with imposter syndrome and the overwhelming nature of success.The Realities of Publishing:The challenges of gaining visibility and the perseverance required in the face of rejection.The impact of social media presence and pre-sale records on publishing opportunities.Understanding the nature of book deals and the industry's unpredictability.Self-Publishing Insights:Matt's experiences and learnings from self-publishing, including Kickstarter funding and distribution struggles.The importance of pivoting strategies and learning from rejection to enhance one’s writing and querying process.Social Media Strategy:Matt’s approach to building an authentic social media presence without overtly promoting his books.The significance of being genuine, consistent, and engaging in storytelling on social media platforms.Lessons learned from viral content and maintaining a focus on genuine engagement over chasing trends.Conclusion:
The episode encapsulates the highs and lows of a writer's life, emphasizing hard work, resilience, and adaptability. Matt's journey from an unknown teacher and writer to a celebrated author exemplifies the unpredictable nature of the publishing world and the importance of staying true to one's craft and vision.

Find Matt here.

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Website: https://www.writerswithwrinkles.net/
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Coping with imposter syndrome as a writer.

Key Discussion Points:
- We delve into the concept of imposter syndrome, defined as doubting one's abilities and feeling like a fraud despite success.
- Discussion of the commonality of imposter syndrome among writers, with anecdotes of even well-known authors feeling it.
- The role of social media in amplifying feelings of inadequacy and strategies for writers to manage this influence.
- The importance of a supportive community and constructive critique partners in navigating the publishing industry.
- Recommendations for overcoming imposter syndrome, such as setting achievable goals, seeking therapy or book coaching, and maintaining a focus on writing for its own sake.

Conclusion: 
Imposter syndrome is pervasive among writers, but it can be managed with strategies that include focusing on small, achievable goals, fostering a supportive community, and understanding that social media is a curated presentation of success. Therapy or coaching may also be beneficial. We encourage listeners to find their own strategies to silence self-doubt and continue pursuing their passion for writing.



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Website: https://www.writerswithwrinkles.net/
Threads: @WritersWithWrinkles
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Twitter: @BethandLisaPod
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Email: Beth@BethMcMullenBooks.com
Writers with Wrinkles Link Tree for more!

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Hosts:
Beth McMullen
Lisa Schmid

Themes:
Exploring the nuances of writing rhyming picture books with guest Lisa Riddiough, a Northern California based writer and author of the newly released picture book, Pie-rats.

Key Discussion Points:
1. The Art of Rhyme in Picture Books: Discussion on the industry's view on rhyming picture books and the common misconceptions that surround them.
   
2. Natural Rhymers vs. Learned Technique: Insight into the natural ability of rhyming versus the learned skill, emphasizing that while anyone can learn to rhyme, an inherent sense of rhythm enhances the writing process.

3. Crafting Quality Rhymes: Riddiough highlights the importance of using interesting words that align with the story's theme and avoiding "bad" rhymes or forced cadences.

4. Perfect Rhyme vs. Slant Rhyme: Delineation between perfect and slant rhymes, illustrating how each serves the narrative differently and the importance of consistency in rhyme schemes throughout a book.

5. Reader Engagement through Rhyme: The educational aspect of rhyming for young readers, fostering confidence, and participation in the reading process.

6. Lisa Riddiough's Writing Process: An in-depth look into Riddiough's creative process, including the use of word banks, title generation, and the foundational elements of crafting a story.

7. Upcoming Works: A sneak peek into Riddiough's forthcoming books, Embarrassed Ferret and Furious Turtle, which are set in a school environment with rhyming adventures.

Conclusion:
Rhyming picture books hold a significant place in children's literature, captivating young readers with rhythm and sound. Lisa Riddiough's experiences illustrate the dedication and creativity required to master this art form.

For writers and readers alike, understanding the intricacies of rhyme can enrich the storytelling experience. Listeners are encouraged to visit the Writers with Wrinkles website for additional resources and upcoming episodes.

Support the Show.
Website: https://www.writerswithwrinkles.net/
Threads: @WritersWithWrinkles
Insta: @WritersWithWrinkles
Twitter: @BethandLisaPod
Support Writers With Wrinkles - become a subscriber
Email: Beth@BethMcMullenBooks.com
Writers with Wrinkles Link Tree for more!