Your Writing Does Not Suck Anne M Belen

Today the gang ends their two-year run talking about Rebirth – the moment when characters face the death of old identities and must forge on with new, enlightened versions of themselves.
Jess speaks about the successful elements of a character’s rebirth, Tracey delves into the key moments of Star Wars and other stories, and Anne speaks about nuances and shifts in character before signing off the podcast one last time.
 
QUOTE: “It is not the strongest of the species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the ones most responsive to change.” – A snappy paraphrasing of Leon C. Megginson who was snappily paraphrasing Charles Darwin 
 
CREDITS: This episode of Your Writing Does Not Suck was recorded by the individual participants and edited by Anne M. Belen.  

Many things can and will kill your motivation. Not just in writing, but throughout life in general. And when that happens, you might stop doing Your Thing, which leads to guilt which leads to Darkness Brain and less motivation and the vicious cycle is in full swing. So what do you do when you feel stuck? What do you need to pop you out of it?
Jess talks about the persistence of famous names in the industry, Tracey talks about giving yourself grace and time, and Anne finds a reason to talk about BTS again (as well as other things). At the end, the group has an important announcement.
 
QUOTE: “Some days are better, some days are worse. Look for the blessing instead of the curse. Be positive, stay strong, and get enough rest. You can’t do it all, but you can do your best.”  -- Doe Zantamata
 
LINKS:
Creativity, Inc. by Ed Catmull
The Winner’s Curse Marie Rutkoski
 
CREDITS: This episode of Your Writing Does Not Suck was recorded by the separate participants and edited by Anne M. Belen.
 
 
 
 

The second half of this discussion uses first lines and openings from different books to demonstrate the myriad ways of entering your story.
Tracey proves her love of horror, Anne proves that she is pretty random, and Jess makes a bid to usurp hosting powers.
 
QUOTE: “If your dreams don’t scare you, they’re not big enough.” – Ellen Johnson Sirleaf
 
LINKS:
Harlan Coben – Don’t Let Go
Stephen King – It and The Stand
Paul Coelho – The Witch of Portobello
Franny Billingsley – The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue and Chime
Sarah J. Maas – Throne of Glass
Kim Harrison – The Outlaw Demon Wails
Tracey Shearer – Entwine and Raven
 
CREDITS: This episode of Your Writing Does Not Suck was recorded by the individual participants and edited by Anne M. Belen.

Hey, look, more rules for us to ignore! In Part One of this topic, the group chats about the “dos” and “do nots” of novel openings and when to pay more attention to them.
Tracey talks the importance of getting that character “feel,” Anne explains her dislike of opening dream sequences, and Jessica rounds it out with her editorial overview.
 
QUOTE: “Experience is the hardest kind of teacher. It gives you the test first and the lesson afterward.” – Oscar Wilde
 
LINKS:
Franny Billingsley
 
CREDITS: This episode of Your Writing Does Not Suck was recorded by its individual participants and edited by Anne M. Belen.
 

Who are you as a writer? What can people expect from you when they pick up your book? Today the group discusses the importance of keeping your branding simple and focused.
Jess breaks down some of her many projects, Tracey discusses rebranding and pen names, and Anne talks about both of their successes with pulling people toward them at events through their smart choices.
 
QUOTE: Your smile is your logo, your personality is your business card, how you leave others feeling after having an experience with you is your trademark. – Jay Danzie (disappointingly, not Wayfair)
 
LINKS:
Your Book, Your Brand by Dana Kaye
 
CREDITS: This episode of Your Writing Does Not Suck was recorded by its separate participants and edited by Anne M. Belen.

**Shannon passed away unexpectedly in September of 2021. But her spirit and mission lives on through the agents still at Victress Literary.
Shannon is back again answering more questions about industry and agenting expectations. We hear about some dos and don’ts of queries and manuscripts, as well as learn which fruit Shannon believes to be the root of all evil.
 
QUOTE: “Ambition is the path to success. Persistence is the vehicle you arrive in.”  -- Bill Bradley
CREDITS: This episode of Your Writing Does Not Suck was recorded on a less-janky-than-last-time ZOOM call and was edited by Anne M. Belen.