Figuring out your workflow to make the most of you're writing time.

Writing tools I'm using in 2021.

Why you shouldn't be afraid to set big goals.

This episode talks about finishing projects and transitioning to the next without missing a day of work (hopefully) and shares some thoughts on an article that was making its way through social media.

Marathon Author is joining Keystroke Medium, so this is a bit of an intro show for folks who don't know me. I also talk about the importance of "Know, Like and Trust" in building your author brand and networking.

Assessing your 2021 goals using tips from Atomic Habits by James Clear.

Lessons learned from 2020 and how I'm going to make a million words of fiction happen in 2021.

Are most "full-time" authors really supporting themselves or their families? Here are some things to think about as you set career goals.

Finding your personal workflow and debating second income streams that might help my writing.

Talking about why I'm going to be working with a coach and why I think

I've been struggling a bit with feeling motivated. Sprints have been helping a lot. Zoom meetings with a group of authors to keep each other motivated on the hour has been a huge help. But as I think through this, I'm wondering why I'm feeling this way, and if I'm actually internally or externally motivated. (Well, I know the answer.) Once you figure out where you look for your motivation, what methods can you use to keep yourself on track?

Lessons learned from moderating for a new virtual Science Fiction and Fantasy Convention

Speculative Work is transitioning to Marathon Author! Why? Because "speculative" is hard to say when you're tired and tongue-tied. Topics in this episode include consistency and using Healthcare.gov. Check out the Healthcare enrollment episode of the Afford Anything Podcast for a really great breakdown of health insurance options on the ACA marketplace: https://affordanything.com/psa-thursday-the-affordable-care-act-with-tanja-hester/  

Moving away from Google as your storage solution. Do you really want to drag around all those files forever? Planning for the week so your spouse doesn't choke you.

My Google Drive plan expired this week, and OneDrive is cheaper... so I've been doing a lot of thinking about how I'm backing up my data, how I organize my files, and if I really need to hang onto email from 2006.

Strategies I used to get my head back into characters, settings and a plot I left behind for too long.

Author update after a long hiatus. What has changed in my life and where I'm heading now.

You may have heard authors talking about co-writing... what is it? Is it right for you? How do you even find co-writing opportunities?  In this episode I talk about what I've learned from three years of co-writing with Mal Cooper in Aeon 14. Spoiler alert: it's been a great experience that has taught me a lot during this phase of my writing career.  However, there are pros and cons, like any business relationship. If there's anything I didn't cover, shoot me an email at...

In this episode I talk about dinners with fans. Spoiler alert, they're great. They can help you build engagement, make your series' world more real, and create priceless experiences for your fans. If you're like me and your mind goes blank while talking, you might want to take some flash cards so you don't forget the name of your latest book. I also struggled with a bout of "comparisonitus" this week, where I found myself comparing my career in the last three years with other authors I know,...

What do you do when the baby eats your work space? You prop your laptop on the dresser and record anyway. I'm back with a quick update, some notes on the current book, and some more big changes in my life that should mean positive things for my writing. I also talk a bit about writing on deadline and how I refine my outlining process as I write to make sure I'm always heading in the right direction and not wasting words. Thanks for listening!  

In this episode I talk about the resolution of my old business debt problem, a close reading of From Russia with Love by Ian Fleming and plotting my next book, The Spreading Fire. Episode 20! Thanks for listening and all your support.

In this episode I talk about a major setback I experienced recently, how it affected my writing, and how I am trying to continue to work through it.  I also talk about lessons learned from reading the slush pile for an SF/F publisher.  Thanks for listening!

This is a bit of personal episode but it touches on finding your true audience by expressing your authentic self. Once you find those true fans, and you're honest and open with them and serve them up the entertainment they love, I think you've got them for life. We recently went through a major transition in Aeon 14, and me with my writing partner. I was ready for fans to revolt but they've supported us in amazing ways. I can't express how much gratitude I've felt in the last month, and how...

I've been working on Eve of Destruction (kickass cover, right?) for six months now, which is like GRRM time in indie publishing. In the midst of grinding through edits, I've been working on several other hobby projects as well. While Steven Pressfield might call this resistance, it got me thinking about the benefits of allowing your mind to wander, absorb and learn from your hobbies, and how you can fold those skills into your writing. I'm a DIY nerd, so my hobbies are building things, but...