https://www.patreon.com/88cupsoftea
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Joanna Volpe is a literary agent and the president of New Leaf Literary & Media, one of the hottest and most sought after management and representation firms today. Joanna discovers and helps to shape the careers of talented and successful authors like Veronica Roth. For those who've gone MIA for the past several years, Veronica is the author of the DIVERGENT series, also an extremely successful Hollywood Blockbuster trilogy that Joanna's firm helped to shepherd into the world. FYI: You'll hear all about those specific details in Joanna's episode!
Joanna and I dive right into the heart of why she's a literary agent and we dissect her leadership skills as an entrepreneurial badass. A special note to fellow writers, this episode is L-I-F-E. We discuss agent representation, what it takes to be the kind of author that stands out from the crowd, Joanna's ideal client, how she likes to creatively work with them, and crafting solid query letters (Joanna even shares examples of rare query letters that have made her fall head-over-heels).
Get ready for an episode that'll blow your mind!
XO,
Yin
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“You’ll never work at your best capacity if you’re constantly fighting against your weaknesses.” -Joanna Volpe [Click to tweet]
“Just keep writing. Get your butt in the seat and keep going.” -Joanna Volpe [Click to tweet]
“Keep reading. You’re not going to be able to be a good writer unless you know what good writing looks like.” -Joanna Volpe [Click to tweet]
“It gets me really excited for people to do things that excite them.” -Joanna Volpe [Click to tweet]
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New Leaf Literary & Media, Inc. is a non-traditional, full service management and representation firm that will be with authors and illustrators before and beyond the sale. A few of the writers and illustrators they represent: Veronica Roth, Leigh Bardugo, David J. Peterson, Margot Lee Shetterly, Kody Keplinger, Kara Thomas, Gabby Rivera, Soman Chainani, Melanie Conklin, Victoria Aveyard, and Elizabeth Rose Stanton.
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Joanna’s entrepreneurial journey building a strong foundation for New Leaf Literary & Media
How to lead your team to success by leaning into your strengths instead of fighting against your weaknesses
What Joanna looks for in potential future clients
Joanna represents all brands of fiction from picture books to adult novels. Her picture book taste is the most eclectic, ranging from sweet to fun to smart to quirky. For other fiction (both adult and children’s) she has an affinity for stories that have a darker element to them, whether they be horror, drama or comedy. She’s not the kind of reader that needs a romance in her novels, though she does appreciate a good one.
On the non-fiction side her tastes are much more specific. For children she looks for topics that captivate kids: biographies, animal-related stories, all sciences and history, etc. Joanna also has an affinity for morbid, weird or offbeat topics. In her adult non-fiction tastes she tends toward all things geek-related, foodie books, travel books, and general pop-culture and pop-science.
Caroline Leavitt is a book critic, essayist, screenwriter, and an award-winning author of the Indie Next Pick "Cruel Beautiful World", and the New York Times Bestsellers "Is this Tomorrow" and "Pictures of You", as well as 8 other novels.
Click here to head over to her shownotes page for all of the incredibly helpful resources and books she recommends!
I met Caroline in her online creative writing class at UCLA’s Writers’ Program where she teaches step-by-step how to create story structure for a novel. Just like she does in her classes, Caroline bares her heart in today’s new episode, peeling back all the layers, generously exposing and sharing all that she has learned and experienced in life and in her writing career.
Caroline and I dive deep in our conversation about her intimate tie with loss and grief, and how she is able to push forward with strength and courage. This episode is the most emotionally powerful discussion we’ve had on the show to date.
Caroline also shares the haunting story that inspired her newest novel Cruel Beautiful World, how to find your confidence as a writer, and how to edit your manuscript. She walks us through creating strong characters by using character webs, and breaks down the function of a writer’s synopsis and how it can help jumpstart your novel.
We unpack what the ‘core question’ means, how it brings depth to your story and characters, and how to structure your novel around it. We also dive into Caroline’s advice on choosing the right writers’ group that will give you constructive feedback, along with her tips on finding a writing mentor through social media.
Today's episode is proudly brought to you by Vermont College of Fine Arts.
Xo,
Yin
PS. Do you know anyone who’s struggling with loss and grief? Or anyone who’s curious about story structure? Please share this episode, it may really be of help!
PPS. Looking for an intimate community for storytellers to check in about your writing and hang out with other writers? Want to submit questions for future guests on our show? Hang out with us in our new Facebook group by clicking here!
Please leave a review about the podcast by clicking here. Your honest feedback helps to shape the show. Thank you for your time and for helping with the ranking of the show when leaving a review and rating!
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“Your job is to just keep writing the story that haunts you & eventually it will find what you want it to find.” -Caroline Leavitt (click to tweet)
“You never know how much time you have, so you should do everything that you can.” -Caroline Leavitt (click to tweet)
“You just have to be patient and believe in yourself and things will happen.” -Caroline Leavitt (click to tweet)
“Never give up. You never know what’s going to happen.” -Caroline Leavitt (click to tweet)
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WHAT YOU'LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE
Caroline Leavitt is the author of the Indie Next Pick "Cruel Beautiful World", and the New York Times Bestsellers "Is this Tomorrow" and "Pictures of You", as well as 8 other novels. A book critic for the San Francisco Chronicle, the Boston Globe and People, and teaches writing online and privately.
"Cruel Beautiful World" has won raves from The Boston Globe, The Washington Post, The Los Angeles Times, Tampa Bay Times, Real Simple, The Miami Herald, The Minneapolis Star-Tribune, The Pittsburgh Post Gazette, The New York Times, New York Newsday, Marie Claire, Parade Magazine, Lit Hug, BBC.Com, Book Riot and more.
Her ninth novel, "Pictures of You", went into three printings months before publication and is now in its fourth printing. A New York Times bestseller, it was also a Costco “Pennie’s Pick,” A San Francisco Chronicle Editor’s Choice “Lit Pick,” and was one of the top 20 books published so far in 2011, as named by BookPage. Pictures of You was also on the Best Books of 2011 lists from The San Francisco Chronicle, The Providence Journal, Bookmarks Magazine and Kirkus Reviews.
Her novel, "Is This Tomorrow" is a New York Times and USA Today bestseller, a San Francisco Chronicle Lit Pick/Editor’s Choice, a Jewish Book Council Bookclub Pick, a WNBA National Great Group Reads, a May Indie Next Pick, A Best Book of 2013 from January magazine, on the longlist for the Maine Readers’ Choice Award, and the winner of an Audiofile Earphones Award.
Her many essays, stories, book reviews and articles have appeared in Salon, Psychology Today, The New York Times Sunday Book Review, The New York Times Modern Love, Publisher’s Weekly, People, Real Simple, New York Magazine, The San Francisco Chronicle, The Washington Post, The Boston Globe and numerous anthologies. She won First Prize in Redbook Magazine’s Young Writers Contest for her short story, “Meeting Rozzy Halfway,” which grew into the novel. The recipient of a 1990 New York Foundation of the Arts Award for Fiction for "Into Thin Air", she was also a National Magazine Award nominee for personal essay, and she was awarded a 2005 honorable mention, Goldenberg Prize for Fiction from the Bellevue Literary Review, for “Breathe,” a portion of "Pictures of You". As a screenwriter, Caroline was a 2003 Nickelodeon Screenwriting Fellow Finalist, and is a recent first-round finalist in the Sundance Screenwriting Lab competition for her script of "Is This Tomorrow".
Known to be one of the greatest writers of our time, it’s an absolute honor to feature Jane Smiley on our show! Jane is the Pulitzer Prize winning author of A Thousand Acres, and numerous novels, most recently, The Last Hundred Yearstrilogy: Some Luck, Early Warning, and Golden Age.
She has written a novel in every literary genre; consciously choosing to change the style, tone, and setting for each one, and is celebrated for transitioning from one novel to the other with ease and grace.
Jane walks us through her earliest memories of how she fell in love with writing, and shares the inspiration behind her first picture book Twenty Yawn. We also explore the ideas of teaching in her series of books for middle-grade readers, The Horses of Oak Valley Ranch.
Jane walks us through how to jot down story ideas, how to write effective outlines for the story, and why it’s crucial to remain organized throughout it all.
We dive into the importance of writing workshops and exactly how it provides you with the support and help you need as a writer, why it’s incredibly important to be analytical versus critical, and how to effectively learn from critiques and feedback about your work.
For the recommended books and resources Jane mentions in her episode, click here!
Xo,
Yin
Jane's episode is proudly brought to you by Vermont College of Fine Arts.
PS. Do you know anyone who’d love to hear amazing writing advice from a legend? Please share this episode, it may really be of help!
Please leave a review about the podcast by clicking here. Your honest feedback helps to shape the show. Thank you for your time and for helping with the ranking of the show when leaving a review and rating!
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If you’re looking for a safe-space to check in about your writing and hang out with other fellow writers, or submit your questions for upcoming guests on our show, along with sneak peeks of future episodes-- JOIN US!
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“If you ask any writer, most of what happened to them was a combination of effort and luck. You have to keep trying.” -Jane Smiley (click to tweet)
“The nature of children’s literature and YA literature is always about teaching.” -Jane Smiley (click to tweet)
“You have to do the best to be yourself.” -Jane Smiley (click to tweet)
“If someone’s criticizing your work, try to figure out what you can learn from that. Don’t be offended by it.” -Jane Smiley (click to tweet)
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Jane Smiley is the author of numerous novels, including A Thousand Acres, which was awarded the Pulitzer Prize, and most recently, The Last Hundred Years trilogy (Some Luck, Early Warning, and Golden Age). She is also the author of five works of nonfiction and a series of books for young adults. A member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters, she has also received the PEN Center USA Lifetime Achievement Award for Literature. She lives in Northern California.
War and Peace by Leo Tolstory
The Bobbsey Twins by Laura Lee Hope
13 Ways of Looking at the Novel by Jane Smiley
The Once and Future King by T.H. White
The Good Soldier: A Tale of Passion by Ford Madox Ford
https://www.patreon.com/88cupsoftea
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I’m thrilled to have New York Times bestselling author Marie Lu for this week's new episode! Marie is one of the most humble and gracious guests we’re honored to feature on the show. Before becoming a full-time writer, Marie worked in the video game industry for Disney Interactive Studios as a concept artist. She has since earned an incredible following of loyal readers from "The Young Elites" and "Legend" series.
In today's episode proudly brought to you by Vermont College of Fine Arts, Marie walks us through her experiences writing Midnight Star, the final book in The Young Elites trilogy, and why it was an intense challenge deciding how to wrap up Adelina Amouteru's story, the main character who met her downfall towards the darkside. Marie shares how music helped her channel the villain's voice and the different kinds of songs on her villain's playlist that allowed Marie to tap into a dark headspace, pushing her through difficult scenes.
We dive into world building and character development, writing with your internal editor switched off, and dealing with rejections and summoning the last bit of courage and strength to forge on with your writing. Marie also shares how to specifically shift your mindset to alleviate pressure when approaching the first draft.
This episode is especially for writers who'd appreciate writing tips on creating a complex villain, advice on writing the first draft of a novel, and how to find inspiration for your story.
Xo,
Yin
PS. FOR A LIST OF ALL THE AWESOME RESOURCES MARIE MENTIONS IN HER EPISODE, CLICK HERE TO GO TO HER SHOWNOTES PAGE.
PPS. Do you know anyone who’d love to hear amazing writing tips and inspirational personal stories from authors? Please share this episode, it may really be of help!
Please leave a review about the podcast by clicking here. Your honest feedback helps to shape the show. Thank you for your time and for helping with the ranking of the show when leaving a review and rating!
We have #1 New York Times best-selling, award-winning, author Alyson Noel on the show today! Alyson has published 23 novels including: The Immortals, The Riley Bloom, and The Soul Seekers series.
We get really up close and personal in today’s episode proudly brought to you by Vermont College of Fine Arts. Alyson shares her experiences struggling with grief and how she coped with it through writing.Alyson also shares how to push through difficult times when you’re feeling stuck.
We go into detail about how to create dynamic personalities for your characters,where to find inspiration for story ideas, and how to create a flexible writing outline to keep your progress on track.
This episode especially hits the spot if you’re coming across some challenges in your first draft. Fellow NaNoWrimo participants will definitely want to savor Alyson’s words of advice. We really dive deep into the topic of surviving the first draft, how to eliminate the pressure of perfection, and how to structure scenes so that you can avoid dead spots.
CLICK HERE TO GO DIRECTLY TO ALYSON'S SHOWNOTES FOR RESOURCES, BOOKS, AND MORE!
Xo,
Yin
PS. Do you know anyone who’d appreciate a big push through their first draft? Please share this episode, it may really be of help!
Please leave a review about the podcast by clicking here. Your honest feedback helps to shape the show. Thank you for your time and for helping with the ranking of the show when leaving a review and rating!
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“You are okay and you are enough. Despite what other people may tell you, you are enough and you deserve to be here.”-Alyson Noël (Click to tweet)
“You need to actually live a life, if you want to write about people living a life.” -Alyson Noel (Click to tweet)
“It’s really important to take the leap.” -Alyson Noel (Click to tweet)
“That first draft is your opportunity to make a big ol’ mess, to use your delete key liberally.” -Alyson Noel (Click to tweet)
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WHAT YOU'LL LEARN FROM TODAY'S EPISODE:
Alyson Noël is the #1 New York Times best-selling, award-winning, author of 23 novels including: The Immortals, The Riley Bloom, and The Soul Seekers series.
With 9 New York Times bestsellers, and over 8 million copies in print, her books have been translated into 36 languages, sold in over 200 countries, and have made the New York Times, USA Today, LA Times, Publishers Weekly, Wall Street Journal, NCIBA, and Walmart Bestsellers lists, and have won numerous awards such as: the National Reader’s Choice Award, NYLA Book of Winter Award, NYPL Stuff for the Teenage, TeenReads Best Books of 2007, Reviewer’s Choice 2007 Top Ten, appeared on the CBS Early Show’s “Give the Gift of Reading” segment, and selected for Seventeen Magazine’s “Hot List” and Beach Book Club Pick.
Chosen as one of OC Metro magazine’s “20 Women to Watch,” she’s been nominated for the Orange County Business Journal’s “Women in Business Awards” as well as their “Excellence in Entrepreneurship” award. The dramatic rights for The Soul Seekers are optioned to Cheyenne Enterprises and Traziende films; the dramatic rights to Saving Zoë are optioned to actresses/producers Ellen Marano, Vanessa Marano (Switched at Birth), Laura Marano (Austin & Ally), with Jeffrey G. Hunt (Vampire Diaries, Gotham) directing; dramatic rights to The Immortals are optioned to Gil Adler (Valkyrie, Constantine) & Jason Rosenberg.
Her new YA series, Beautiful Idols, beginning with Unrivaled, had a global release in 17 languages and 200 countries on 05.10.16. Her new MG, Five Days of Famous,is set to debut 12.13.16.
Born and raised in Orange County, California, she’s lived in both Mykonos and Manhattan and is now settled back in Southern California.
Story: Substance, Structure, Style and the Principles of Screenwriting by Robert McKee
Save The Cat! The Last Book on Screenwriting You’ll Ever Need by Blake Snyder
The Story Grid: What Good Editors Know by Shawn Coyne and Steven Pressfield
https://www.patreon.com/88cupsoftea
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[[Click here to go directly to Alex's shownotes page where we list all the incredible resources and books she shares!]]
Alexandra Bracken is the #1 New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author of The Darkest Minds and Passenger series, as well as a young reader adaptation of Star Wars: A New Hope: The Princess, The Scoundrel, and the Farm Boy.
Connecting with Alex was like catching up with a long-time friend; we immediately kick it off with talks about premonitions, past lives, witches, signs from the universe, and women’s intuition.
Alex walks us through how she first fell in love with writing and her experience in the publishing industry as an editorial assistant. We discuss how to discover story ideas for writing fiction and chat about her newest book Wayfarer releasing on January 3rd, 2017. We freely chatted about everything and anything, no-holds-barred, easily making this episode a writer’s dream. From tips on writing under pressure, overcoming writer’s block, character development and building strong characters, to developing a unique writing voice, and writing through emotional challenges; this is an episode packed with inspiring personal stories and actionable step-by-step advice for writers.
Today's episode is proudly brought to you by Gotham Writers.
Xo,
Yin
PS. Know a friend who would appreciate amazing writing tips and advice? Pass it on for some karmic goodness!
We have S.J. Kincaid on the show with us today! Click here to go directly to S.J.'s shownotes page where we have all of her resources and books listed along with highlights about her episode. Her debut novel, Insignia, was shortlisted for the Waterstones prize. Its sequels, Vortex and Catalyst, have received starred reviews from Kirkus Reviews and Booklist.
In today’s episode proudly brought to you by Vermont College of Fine Arts, S.J. shares how-to writing tips on creating rich multi-layered worlds to enhance the plot, and creating strong emotional tension in romantic scenes. We dive deep into her latest novel, The Diabolic, how she finds idea inspiration for her stories and why it’s crucial to build on the ideas you feel most passionate about. S.J. also advises how to avoid the dreaded Second Book Syndrome pulling from her own personal experiences writing her Insignia series. For NaNoWriMo participants, S.J. has a special message for you! Click here to say 'Hi' to S.J.!
Xo,
PS. Do you know anyone who wants to learn how to create rich multi-layered worlds to enhance their story’s plot? Please share this episode, it may really be of help!
Please leave a review about the podcast by clicking here. Your honest feedback helps to shape the show. Thank you for your time and for helping with the ranking of the show when leaving a review and rating!
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"Once you finish one book, you realize you can finish as many as you need to.” -S.J. Kincaid (click to tweet)
"As soon as I think of a setting, a lot of the story ends up evolving from that and a lot of the universe.” -S.J. Kincaid (click to tweet)
"I will never be able to say something like, ‘Hey look, I’ve succeeded after all this time,’ unless I just keep trying.” -S.J. Kincaid (click to tweet)
"There is a really fine balance between world building and getting bogged down.” -S.J. Kincaid (click to tweet)
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WHAT YOU'LL LEARN FROM S.J.'S EPISODE:
https://www.patreon.com/88cupsoftea
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Thrilled to share our newest episode of the week! Brenda Drake is the author of Thief of Lies and Touching Fate, and the creator of Pitch Wars and #PitMad.
In Brenda’s episode proudly brought to you by Gotham Writers, we dissect Pitch Wars and Pitch Madness, and what the criteria are for both mentors and mentees to be accepted. We chat about Brenda’s books and the inspiration behind them, along with a detailed look at how Brenda uses a plot graph as a roadmap for all of her stories. We discuss how to discover your character voices and flesh them out.
For writers who are looking to join Pitch Wars or Pitch Madness, or you’re looking for craft tips and inspiration, this episode is especially for you.
Xo,
Yin
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“There’s always going to be dark times but sometimes we forget that writing takes us away from those dark times.“ -Brenda Drake (click to tweet)
“Writing is our escape.” -Brenda Drake (click to tweet)
“I have to clear everything from my mind, and then I can start writing.” -Brenda Drake (click to tweet)
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TO CHECK OUT THE PLOT GRAPH THAT BRENDA TALKS ABOUT IN HER EPISODE, HEAD OVER TO HER SHOWNOTES PAGE BY CLICKING HERE.
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WHAT YOU'LL LEARN FROM BRENDA'S EPISODE:
Brenda Drake is the author of Thief of Lies (Library Jumpers #1) and Touching Fate (Fated Series #1). She grew up the youngest of three children, an Air Force brat, and the continual new kid at school. She hosts workshops and contests such as Pitch Wars and Pitch Madness on her blog, and holds Twitter pitch parties on the hashtag, #PitMad. When she’s not writing or hanging out with her family, she haunts libraries, bookstores, and coffee shops, or reads someplace quiet and not at all exotic (much to her disappointment).
Look for Brenda’s upcoming novels Cursing Fate (Fated Series #2) releasing November 21, 2016 and Guardian of Secrets (Library Jumpers #2) releasing February 7, 2017 from Entangled Teen.
The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
The Plot Whisperer: Secrets of Story Structure Any Writer Can Master by Martha Alderson
Teach Me to Forget by Erica Chapman
Forget Tomorrow by Pintip Dun
Carry On by Rainbow Rowell
Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
Romantic Times Booklovers Convention
https://www.patreon.com/88cupsoftea
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I’m thrilled to have the Executive Director of National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo), Grant Faulkner, on the show with us! Grant is also the co-founder of 100 Word Story. And his stories and essays have appeared in The New York Times, Poets & Writers, Writer’s Digest, The Writer, and a ton more literary magazines. He recently published Fissures, a collection of a hundred 100-word stories.
In today's episode proudly brought to you by Vermont College of Fine Arts, Grant and I unpack what NaNoWriMo is and how it’s a tremendous benefit for writers and how it trains you to push past obstacles so there’s barely any time for writer’s block, and why people without writing backgrounds are encouraged to join and how it can be of value to them. We also talk about side jobs, eliminating procrastination, and the common core of what makes us all writers and why all of our stories are worthy of telling.
For a link to Grant's shownotes page with a list of all his resources and recommendations, click here.
“Writing doesn’t have to be that grueling grind of a process. Writing can be playful, and fun, and wacky. And experimental.” -Grant Faulkner
“If you're a human being, you're a creative type. We are creative by design.” -Grant Faulkner
“You are a writer in the act of writing.” -Grant Faulkner
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Sarah is the #1 New York Times and international bestselling author of the Throne of Glass series and A Court of Thorns and Roses series.
I’ve been so excited and antsy about sharing today’s episode with you! Sarah is the #1 New York Times and international bestselling author of the Throne of Glassseries and A Court of Thorns and Roses series. Fun fact– Sarah was just 16 years old when she wrote the first book in the Throne of Glass series, and she’s built an empire of extremely passionate and loyal fans. Deadline recently announced that the “Throne of Glass” series is being developed into an epic fantasy adventure TV series for Hulu.
In Sarah’s episode proudly brought to you by Gotham Writers, we talk about everything from growing up in New York City with probably the most movie-worthy thing that can happen to any high school kid, to living out in the suburbs of Pennsylvania where she currently writes full-time. We, of course, cover the inspiration behind her book series and why it’s so important for Sarah to showcase strong female characters.
For fans of Sarah, you are going to LOVE her episode. For craft-focused listeners who might be learning about Sarah for the first time through this episode, you’ll have so much fun getting to know Sarah’s personality and she shares really inspiring and helpful advice about breaking out of a writing rut, creating dialogues, and treating your writing like a muscle. Those of you who emailed me about questioning your identity as a writer and feeling like you’re unworthy of the title, this episode is especially for you.
“You can reach your dreams if you are willing to sacrifice and put in the hard work and the effort.” -Sarah J. Maas (click to tweet)
“I can do that. I will do that. Watch me do that.” -Sarah J. Maas (click to tweet)
“You’re a writer if you write. And if that’s what you love, you’re a writer.” -Sarah J. Maas (click to tweet)
“You can take literary tradition and make it come alive again in a new way.” -Sarah J. Maas (click to tweet)
“Every scar on me, every line, it’s a story written on my body of a life lived.” -Sarah J. Maas (click to tweet)
“Writing is a muscle.” -Sarah J. Maas (click to tweet)
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN FROM SARAH'S EPISODE:
Sarah J. Maas is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Throne of Glass series and A Court of Thorns and Roses series, as well as a USA Today and international bestselling author. Sarah wrote the first incarnation of the Throne of Glass series when she was just sixteen, and it has now sold in thirty-five languages. A New York native, Sarah currently lives in Pennsylvania with her husband and dog. Empire of Storms, the fifth Throne of Glass novel, is available now.
She graduated Magna Cum Laude from Hamilton College in 2008 with a degree in Creative Writing and a minor in Religious Studies.
Sabriel by Garth Nix
The Hero and the Crown By Robin Mickinely
The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien
Shannara series by Terry Brooks
The Golden Compass by Phillip Pullman
The Last Unicorn by Peter S. Beagle
New York Times Notable Book of 2014 and one of Amazon’s Top 10 Books of the Year, Cristina Henríquez is the author of The Book of Unknown Americans.
“It doesn’t matter how fast you write, it matters how well your write.” -Cristina Henríquez
In today’s episode, Cristina and I dive deep into the inspiration behind her novel, and her writing process. I’m so thrilled about this as I’m a huge fan of her newest novel and how she skillfully shows us what it means to be connected through hope and to belong somewhere. We discuss how to build strong characters by first uncovering the language of the story, and how to use multiple first-person narratives as a way to create diversity in your story. We also go into detail about how Cristina reads books and how that can strengthen your writing. For writers looking into an MFA for writing and shopping around for workshop classes, be sure to pay special attention to Cristina’s own experiences with school.
Get ready to fall in love with this episode.
Cheers + so much love,
Yin
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Cristina Henríquez is the author of The Book of Unknown Americans, which was a New York Times Notable Book of 2014 and one of Amazon’s Top 10 Books of the Year. It was the Daily Beast Novel of the Year, a Washington Post Notable Book,an NPR Great Read, and was chosen one of the best books of the year byBookPage, Oprah.com, and School Library Journal. It was also longlisted for the Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Fiction. Henriquez is also the authorThe World In Half, and Come Together, Fall Apart: A Novella and Stories, which was a New York Times Editors’ Choice selection. Her stories have been published in The New Yorker, The Atlantic, Glimmer Train, The American Scholar, Ploughshares, TriQuarterly, and AGNI along with the anthology This is Not Chick Lit: Original Stories by America’s Best Women Writers. Cristina earned her undergraduate degree from Northwestern University and is a graduate of the Iowa Writers’ Workshop. She lives in Chicago.
Another Brooklyn by Jacqueline Woodson
The Danger of a Single Story by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (TED Talk)
https://www.patreon.com/88cupsoftea
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I am so honored and beyond excited to finally share today’s special episode with you. We have none other than Gail Hochman on the show! Gail is the president ofBrandt & Hochman Literary Agents, Inc. and the president of the Association of Authors’ Representatives (AAR). She has built a legacy of representing all-star clients with the likes of National Book Award winning author Julia Glassof “Three Junes”, Michael Cunningham of Pulitzer Prize and PEN/Faulkner award-winning novel “The Hours”, Scott Turow of “Presumed Innocent”, andPulitzer Prize and Academy Award winning Jules Feiffer.
In today’s episode proudly brought to you by Gotham Writers, Gail and I discuss her role as the president of Brandt & Hochman, and we unpack how the AAR is an incredible organization for literary agents and a powerful resource for writers. Storyteller Tribe, if you’re curious about agent-writer relationships, how a literary agent can help to cultivate a writer’s career, how to write strong query letters, and how to create genuine relationships with mentors– you’re going to LOVE this episode.
Xo,
Yin
PS. Found Gail’s episode helpful? Please share it with friends!
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“There is always something you can do, but you don’t do what you know will result in nothing.” -Gail Hochman (click to tweet)
“You learn over time based on what works in a particular situation. There is no one answer.” -Gail Hochman (click to tweet)
“Publishing is a job most of us do because we love what we do.” -Gail Hochman (click to tweet)
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WHAT YOU'LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE:
Gail Hochman is the President of Brandt & Hochman Literary Agents, Inc. and the President of the Association of Authors’ Representatives, the one professional organization of book and dramatic agents in North America. She started in publishing in 1975 at G.P.Putnam’s Sons, which was then a modest-sized family-owned firm (now part of the Bertelsmann Group). She became an agent in 1977 atPaul R. Reynolds, Inc., the oldest American literary agency, and moved to Brandt & Brandt (now Brandt & Hochman) in 1983. Her clients currently include Julia Glass, Scott Turow, Ann Hood, Craig Johnson, Jules Feiffer, Terry Tempest Williams, Mary Pope Osborne, Avi, Lauren Tarshis and many others. She specializes in literary fiction and memoir, mystery, children’s books, and serious nonfiction.
Little Women by Lousia May Alcott
Magic Tree House Series by Mary Pope Osborne
The Sicilian by Mario Puzo
Allie Hagan is the creator and co-executive producer of Notorious, airingtonight on ABC! Named one of the Best Bloggers by Time Magazine, Allie’s viral Tumblr account went on to land her a book deal for Suri’s Burn Book, and then its follow-up companion book, Suri’s Burn Book: Well-Dressed Commentary from Hollywood’s Little Sweetheart.
In today’s episode proudly brought to you by Vermont College of Fine Arts, I pick Allie's brain about Notorious and how the show goes through different steps from an idea, to an outline, to a pitch, and finally, to a pilot. She walks us through how each episode is set up in the writers' room. We also dive into how Allie landed her book deal for Suri’s Burn Book, the brainchild inspired by her massively popular Tumblr account which Time Magazine named as one of the 'Best Bloggers', and advice on how to earn side income to keep you afloat while you work on your writing.
Get ready for an episode that will rock your socks.
Xo,
Yin
PS. Do you know anyone who’s seriously been considering TV writing but has no idea what the steps are? Please share this episode, it may really be of help!
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“You just have to do the best work that you can, be confident in your own abilities, and your taste in the projects you pick.” -Allie Hagan (click to tweet)
“I was too stupid to be nervous because I had nothing to lose.” -Allie Hagan (click to tweet)
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WHAT YOU'LL LEARN FROM TODAY'S EPISODE:
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LEARN MORE ABOUT ALLIE
Allie Hagan is the creator and co-executive producer of Notorious, airing Thursdays this fall on ABC. She is also the creator of Suri’s Burn Book, the viral Tumblr account, and the author of its 2012 companion book, Suri’s Burn Book: Well-Dressed Commentary from Hollywood’s Little Sweetheart. Allie was named one of Time Magazine’s Best Bloggers of 2013. Before beginning her career as a television writer, she worked for a lobbying firm in Washington, DC. She holds both a master’s degree and a bachelor’s degree in public policy from George Washington University.
Save the Cat! The Last Book on Screenwriting You’ll Ever Need by Blake Snyder
Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert
The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
Yes Please by Amy Poehler
“The only way your book is going to be written is if you sit down and write it.” -Elizabeth Eulberg (click to tweet)
We have internationally bestselling young adult author Elizabeth Eulberg on the show with us today! Elizabeth first started her career as a book publicist who then transitioned into a full-time writer with numerous books under her belt: The Lonely Hearts Club, Prom & Prejudice, Take a Bow, Revenge of the Girl with the Great Personality, Better Off Friends, We Can Work it Out, and The Great Shelby Holmes.
In today’s episode proudly sponsored by Gotham Writers, Elizabeth unpacks why it’s crucial to have an accountability partner to keep you on track with your writing, why it’s important to use anauthentic voice for your characters, manageable steps for you to reach your writing goals, how knowing your characters before you write their story is incredibly helpful to you as an author, and so much more.
Xo,
Yin
PS. Did today’s episode help you in any way? Please share it with someone you think the episode can inspire!
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“I try to make sure my characters reflect my readers as much as I can.” -Elizabeth Eulberg (click to tweet)
“You are allowed to fail and you are allowed to make mistakes.” -Elizabeth Eulberg (click to tweet)
“You are never going to get to paragraph two if you don’t let go of paragraph one.”-Elizabeth Eulberg (click to tweet)
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Why Elizabeth wrote in secret for five years before publishing The Lonely Hearts Club
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Elizabeth Eulberg was born and raised in Wisconsin before heading off to college at Syracuse University and making a career in the New York City book biz. Now a full-time writer, she is the author of The Lonely Hearts Club, Prom & Prejudice, Take a Bow, Revenge of the Girl with the Great Personality, Better Off Friends, We Can Work it Out, and The Great Shelby Holmes. She lives outside of Manhattan with her three guitars, two keyboards, and one drumstick.
Sweet Valley High series by Francine Pascal
Homecoming by Cynthia Voigt
Captain Underpants series by Dav Pilkey
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austin
Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert
Save the Cat! The Last Book on Screenwriting You’ll Ever Need by Blake Snyder
https://www.patreon.com/88cupsoftea
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Click here to go directly to Sabaa's shownotes page.
We have #1 New York Times bestselling author Sabaa Tahir of An Ember in the Ashes and the recently released A Torch Against The Night on the podcast!
Her massive hit series was an immediate best-seller, selling its movie rights to Paramount Pictures before it was even published. Critics compare it to “The Hunger Games” and “Game Of Thrones” for young adult (and adult) readers.
In today’s discussion brought to you by Vermont College of Fine Arts, Sabaa describes what it was like growing up in her family-run motel in the Mojave Desert, and how books played an important role in her childhood. We tap into Sabaa’s memories about family, her relationship with her parents, and how it has influenced her own values and standards of work ethic today.
In her episode, Sabaa shares how working as an editor in the international department at The Washington Post led her to writing fiction. We unpack her thought processes as a storyteller and why it’s crucial for Sabaa to portray realistic human behavior in her work. This episode is a must!
Xo,
Yin
PS. Did today’s episode help you in any way? Share it with someone who needs a boost of inspiration!
Please leave a review about the podcast by clicking here. Your honest feedback helps to shape the show. Thank you for your time and for helping with the ranking of the show when leaving a review and rating!
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“I didn’t start loving to read until I was a bit older but once I got the bug, that was my happy place, my safe place.” -Sabaa Tahir (click to tweet)
“With “Ember”, the story was meant for me and I was meant for it. It was sort of the soulmate of stories for me.” -Sabaa Tahir (click to tweet)
“I wrote because I love to write not because I thought one day I’m going to be a writer.” -Sabaa Tahir (click to tweet)
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE:
“It was books that I would turn to. They became my best friends.” -Sabaa Tahir (click to tweet)
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LEARN MORE ABOUT SABAA
Sabaa Tahir grew up in California’s Mojave Desert at her family’s eighteen-room motel. There, she spent her time devouring fantasy novels, raiding her brother’s comic book stash, and playing guitar badly. She began writing An Ember in the Ashes while working nights as a newspaper editor at the Washington Post, where she covered the international desk and stories on child soldiers and other atrocities in Africa and the middle east. All of these experiences informed elements of her book. She likes thunderous indie rock, garish socks, and all things nerd. Sabaa currently lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her family.
Wind, Sand, and Stars by Antoine de Saint-Exupery
Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott
The Art of War by Sun Tzu
GMC: Goal, Motivation, and Conflict by Debra Dixon
The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell
When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi
“It’s good to go out of your comfort zone. It’s good to understand how hard you can work and what you are capable of.” -Tara Thompson Rasmus
We have Tara Thompson Rasmus on the show with us today! Today's episode is proudly brought to you by Gotham Writers. Tara is a freelance writer, editor and consultant who started her writing career with Refinery29 andLucky Magazine, she now writes and consults for publications and brands including SELF Magazine, Barneys The Window, Condé Nast 23 Stories, Neutrogena, and Fresh.
I’m so grateful to Tara for really peeling back the layers of what it’s like to wear many different hats, and to transition between each new job opportunity. She really bares it all and details the highs and lows of being a writer, and the realities of working for major brands.
We have a brutally honest discussion about burnouts and how to prevent it, and overcome it. We also unpack the fears and worries that comes with leaving a job and taking on new challenges that push you to grow. For freelance writers, you’ll want to pay special attention to the part where Tara walks us through step-by-step on how she created her own job position at one of her favorite lifestyle blogs, and how you can too by finding ways to be unique to a brand and pitching your work.
Xo,
Yin
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“You can be confident in the decisions that you make because at the end of the day the only person you are answering to is yourself.” -Tara Thompson Rasmus
“Always look out for your writing first because your name is going on it.” -Tara Thompson Rasmus
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Tara’s transition from being a TV and film actor to identifying as a writer
Tara Thompson Rasmus is a freelance writer, editor and consultant based in Brooklyn, NY. After holding positions at Refinery29 and Lucky Magazine, she now writes and consults for publications and brands including SELF Magazine, Barneys The Window, Condé Nast 23 Stories, Neutrogena, and Fresh.
Tara lives in Brooklyn and is expecting a son with her husband in January 2017. Her interests include food and cooking, yoga, and women’s health and nutrition.
Overwhelmed: How to Work, Love, and Play When No One Has the Time byBrigid Schulte
Motherhood Around the World by A Cup of Jo
Bringing up Bébé: One American Mother Discovers the Wisdom of French Parenting by Pamela Druckerman
Oprah’s “Supreme Destiny” Video
The Princess Bride by William Goldman
The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
The Vacationers by Emma Straub
Modern Lovers by Emma Straub
“Opening up is one of the first ways depression loses its power.” -Hannah Brencher
Today’s episode features Hannah Brencher, TED Speaker and author of “If You Find This Letter”. Hannah founded the global organization More Love Letterswhose mission is to use social media to write and mail letters to strangers all over the world, and she was named one of the White House’s “Women Working to Do Good.”
In Hannah’s episode proudly brought to you by VCFA, we uncover the inspiration behind the love letters written to strangers and how it impacts people’s lives. Hannah is incredibly honest when we dive into a discussion about depression, and why it’s so important to be present with those around us.
Xo,
Yin
PS. Did today’s episode help you in any way? Share it with someone who needs a boost of inspiration!
Please leave a review about the podcast by clicking here. Your honest feedback helps to shape the show. Thank you for your time and for helping with the ranking of the show when leaving a review and rating!
“Be present and let people know what they mean to you.” -Hannah Brencher
“I love the idea that you have to go out and you have to live a good life in order to write about it.” -Hannah Brencher
About "If You Find This Letter":
"A heartwarming memoir of love and faith from Hannah Brencher—founder ofThe World Needs More Love Letters—who has dedicated her life to showing total strangers that they are not alone in the world.
Fresh out of college, Hannah Brencher moved to New York ready to change the world. Instead, she found a city full of people who knew where they were going and what they were doing and didn’t have time for a girl still trying to figure it all out. Lonely and depressed, she noticed a woman who looked like she felt the same way on the subway. Hannah did something strange—she wrote the woman a letter. She folded it, scribbled “If you find this letter, it’s for you…” on the front and left it behind."
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN FROM TODAY'S EPISODE:
Hannah Brencher is a TED Speaker, and blogger dedicating her life and work to the brokenhearted. She founded the global organization More Love Letters in 2011. Her memoir “If You Find This Letter” is now in bookstores across the country. Named as one of the White House’s “Women Working to Do Good” and a spokesperson for the United States Postal Service, Hannah and her work have been featured in publications such as CNN World News, the Wall Street Journal, Oprah.com, and Glamour among others. She calls Atlanta, Georgia home.
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
Scary Close: Dropping the Act and Finding True Intimacy by Donald Miller
Beloved by Toni Morrison
Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston
Hey Storytellers! Quick update in today's episode.
Xo,
Yin
“If you don’t know the craft, your talent can’t be unleashed.” -David Grae (click to tweet)
We have Executive Producer and TV writer David Grae on the show with us today! His episode is proudly brought to you by Gotham Writers. David started his television career as a staff writer on the Emmy-nominatedJoan of Arcadia. He has also been a writer on Without a Trace, Gilmore Girls andCastle. He is currently an Executive Producer on CBS’s hit show Madam Secretary. His play Moose Mating has received several regional and international productions and is published by Dramatists Play Service. He is also the co-founder of Gotham Writers.
In David’s episode, we really get to pick his brain about the TV industry, how to break in as a TV writer, and what goes on in the writers’ room at the studios. We also talk about the opportunities David created for himself and the importance of building relationships with people. We unpacked the business side of how David helped to start and build Gotham Writers from ground up, one of America’s leading private creative writing schools whose interactive online classes was selected “Best of the Web” by Forbes.
Xo,
Yin
PS. Did today’s episode help you in any way? Please share it with someone you think the episode can inspire!
PPS. Your honest feedback helps to shape the show. Please leave a review about the podcast by clicking here. When prompted, either enter your iTunes info on your phone, or click ‘Launch Application’ on your computer. Once you’re at the 88 Cups of Tea iTunes page, click on the tab that says “Ratings and Reviews”. Thank you for your time and for helping with the ranking of the show when leaving a review and rating!
“Writers write because you keep getting better the more you write.” -David Grae (click to tweet)
“Read books that inspire you.” -David Grae (click to tweet)
Building relationships with people in your field
Adventures in the Screen Trade: A Personal View of Hollywood and Screenwriting by William Goldman
Writing Fiction: The Practical Guide from New York’s Acclaimed Writing Schoolby Gotham Writers Workshop
Writing Movies: The Practical Guide to Creating Stellar Screenplays by Gotham Writers Workshop
HEY STORYTELLER TRIBE!
Jumping in super quick with a special announcement—-88 Cups of Tea turned 1 years old TODAY! On August 8th!
Please take a quick moment to listen into today's episode. I’m so grateful to you listeners for being there every step of the way of our podcasting journey. To celebrate together, we're hosting the most EPIC giveaway contest we've ever done.
DIRECTIONS FOR GIVEAWAY CONTEST:
1) The giveaway contest is held for U.S. residents only and it starts today on August 8th and ends on August 15th.
2) Follow us on social media & share your favorite 88 CUPS OF TEA podcast episode
3) Tag a friend you think who would love the podcast.
4) Super important to tag @88cupsoftea and include #88cupsturns1
5) Good luck and have so much fun!
Thank you all for the incredibly touching birthday wishes and shout-outs so far— you guys are AMAZING.
Xo,
Yin
https://www.patreon.com/88cupsoftea
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We have another amazing literary agent on the show! Molly Jaffa is a literary agent and the Co-Director of International Rights at Folio Literary Management in New York City. Her extremely selective and small list of clients include authors like Julie Murphy, a #1 New York Times bestselling author of DUMPLIN' whose novel is currently being developed into a teen movie by Disney.
In today's episode proudly brought to you by Vermont College of Fine Arts, Molly walks us through what it's like to be a literary agent on the daily, the kind of hard work it takes to advance in the world of literary agents, and of course we dive into the topic of query letters and what stands out to her. Writers, you don't want to miss this episode!
Xo,
Yin
PS. Did today’s episode help you in any way? Share it with someone who needs a boost of inspiration!
Could you help us spread the word about this podcast by clicking here and leaving a review? Your honest feedback not only helps others find the show, but it also helps to shape the show. Thank you for your time and for helping with the ranking of the show when leaving a review and rating!
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“It’s really important that an author and an agent have the same editorial vision for a project.” -Molly Jaffa (click to tweet)
“To be a literary agent you have to be really entrepreneurial.” -Molly Jaffa (click to tweet)
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SAY 'HI' TO MOLLY:
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ABOUT FOLIO LITERARY MANAGEMENT:
Everyone at Folio Literary Management strongly believes that books can and do change lives, and that well-told stories make a difference in the world. They are the people who help bring an author’s vision to life, and help open readers’ eyes to new vistas, new experiences, and new perspectives. For Folio agents, their work is not a job – it’s a passion and an adventure they dive into every day.
They like to think that at Folio, they have the best of both worlds. With over 20 agents, they have the experience, expertise, and strength people would expect from a company that is among the largest agencies in the business, but because of the types of people they attract, they have that same spark and ingenuity people expect from much smaller agencies.
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE:
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LEARN MORE ABOUT MOLLY JAFFA:
Molly Jaffa is a literary agent and the Co-Director of International Rights at Folio Literary Management in New York City, where she has been since 2008. She represents exclusively middle grade and young adult fiction and nonfiction, along with the rare picture book. Her clients include Julie Murphy (#1 NYT bestselling author of DUMPLIN’), Jeramey Kraatz (the Cloak Society series), Mahtab Narsimhan (MISSION MUMBAI), and Paula Garner (PHANTOM LIMBS, forthcoming from Candlewick Press in September 2016).
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MOLLY'S RECOMMENDED BOOKS AND RESOURCES:
Dumplin’ by Julie Murphy
Side Effects May Vary by Julie Murphy
Phantom Limbs by Paula Garner
Nebraska Writers Conference
“Even when we seemingly don’t have anything, we still have so much to give each other.” -Lily Wilson (click to tweet)
We have a special episode today that’s near and dear to my heart. A huge part of why this podcast was created was to help listeners with actionable advice for their writing goals. A majority of our episodes touch on the business side and the how-to of getting ahead with a creative career. Rarely do I get to talk about the artistry in creativity and the almost-spiritual sense of creating art with our innate gifts. Today’s episode is a gem because we’re bringing it back to the basics about why we’re even creating in the first place: Why we must create for the livelihood of our souls and for the world.
Today’s interview features Lily Wilson, our first musician on the podcast! It’s incredibly eye-opening to see how art, from music to writing, has the power to connect us all at the very core of our experiences. Lily describes the heart-warming moment she shared with a kind homeless man named Charlie, and how they inspired in each other a second chance at life.
We discuss the hurt and darkness that engulfs us artists when the rug is tugged right out from under our feet, how we can find healing, and what it takes to resurrect our deep love for creating and making that art. We talked about goals and plans; the freedom in not having any and going with the flow, that following our intuition can, more often than not, lead to opportunities and abundance that we ourselves could not foresee.
Storyteller Tribe, I felt my heart expand in this one. Listen in and give yours a good stretch.
Xo,
Yin
PS. Did today’s episode help you in any way? Please share it with someone you think the episode can inspire!
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“I just love being around art. I’m really fueled by that.” -Lily Wilson (click to tweet)
“To be in that safe space, I personally need to be where someone can’t hear me.” -Lily Wilson (click to tweet)
“I’m really just so drawn to people who have talents that I don’t have.” -Lily Wilson (click to tweet)
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WHAT YOU'LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE:
Disengaging negative inner voices
LEARN MORE ABOUT LILY WILSON:
Lily Wilson’s music has a way of drawing the listener in and reminding us of the simple beauty of life. Her voice has been described as being “soothing in some other worldly way.”
On her newest release, “Harbour,” she says, “With all the craziness in the world right now, I am reminded of the things I have to be thankful for. This group of songs feels like a twinkling harbour filled with welcoming front porches and real friends.”
Lily grew up on her family’s farm in Napa, California with lots of outside time and open space to roam and create. Bands like Fleetwood Mac and Crosby, Stills and Nash provided the backdrop for her childhood, and influenced her deeply. Her career in music started when she moved to Spain in college. She was drawn to the Flamenco songs coming from gypsy caves above the city. She started writing songs, and soon was performing on street corners, teashops, and clubs all over Andalusia.
Growing up in such a remote place gave her a hunger to collaborate and perform for larger audiences. Now based in Los Angeles, she has released five CDs independently, and is currently writing and recording with producer/ bassist, Mark Browne (Melissa Etheridge, Simple Minds). She recently won the L.A. Music Awards “Best Female Vocal Performance” in the AC category, and she has been lending her voice to other artists’ projects as well. She has performed and recorded with Melissa Etheridge, Beth Thornley, Kiki Ebsen, Philip Sayce, Kenny Loggins, Patty Griffin, and John Batdorf.
LILY'S RECOMMENDED RESOURCES:
The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom by Don Miguel Ruiz
Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority
SAY 'HI' TO LILY:
“Imagine all the great writing that’s being done secretly by people who are ashamed to share it.” -Matt de la Peña (click to tweet!)
Exciting new episode today with the one-and-only Matt de la Peña! Matt is one of the most grounded human beings and great observers of the world, and just so happens to be the 2016 Newbery Medal-winning author of Last Stop on Market Street.
Today’s episode is proudly brought to you by VCFA! It's filled with personal stories about creative and personal growth that will inspire you. We discuss a whole lot about being present and living in the moment, how our experiences and honesty in our work create vibrancy, pacing ourselves to avoid writer’s block, the impact of having mentors, and so much more.
Xo,
Yin
“I don’t even know what my books are about until I finish it.” -Matt de la Peña (click to tweet!)
“You will never finish a book if you don’t write the book.” -Matt de la Peña (click to tweet!)
“I think sometimes writer’s block is a function of looking at the big picture too soon.” -Matt de la Peña (click to tweet!)
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"Last Stop on Market Street"is the Winner of the 2016 Newbery Medal, a 2016 Caldecott Honor Book, and a 2016 Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor Book, a New York Times Book Review Notable Children’s Book of 2015 and a Wall Street Journal Best Children’s Book of 2015.
Every Sunday after church, CJ and his grandma ride the bus across town. But today, CJ wonders why they don’t own a car like his friend Colby. Why doesn’t he have an iPod like the boys on the bus? How come they always have to get off in the dirty part of town? Each question is met with an encouraging answer from grandma, who helps him see the beauty—and fun—in their routine and the world around them.
This energetic ride through a bustling city highlights the wonderful perspective only grandparent and grandchild can share, and comes to life through Matt de la Pena’s vibrant text and Christian Robinson’s radiant illustrations.
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WHAT YOU'LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE:
Matt de la Peña is the 2016 Newbery Medal-winning author of Last Stop on Market Street. He is the author of several critically-acclaimed young adult novels, as well as the celebrated picture book A Nation’s Hope: The Story of Boxing Legend Joe Louis, which was New York Times Top 10 Illustrated Book of 2011, a Booklist Editor’s Choice Best Book of 2011, and an SLJ Best Book of 2011. Matt lives in Brooklyn, NY.
Powerful video of police officer’s response to ruthless police shootings (Must watch!)
The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros
Drown by Junot Díaz
Linda Sue Park 2002 Newbery Medal Winner for “A Single Shard”
Inside Out & Back Again by Thanhha Lai
Okay for Now by Gary D. Schmidt
The Wednesday Wars by Gary D. Schmidt
Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson
“If the end result is a book, then you are a writer.” -Harriet Reuter Hapgood
We have Harriet Reuter Hapgood on the show today! Harriet is a freelance journalist who has worked with Marie Claire, ELLE, and InStyle in the U.K. Teen Vogue named her debut novel, The Square Root of Summer, the “Best New Book of 2016”. In today’s episode, we discuss writing about heartbreak, quantum physics and time travel, the heavy research process for Harriet’s novel, creating multiple layers of plot to enhance your story, and why it’s important to sacrifice our own personal ties with the story for the ‘bigger picture’. We even dive into what it’s like to have depression and anxiety, and how we as writers can push through and stay on course with our writing goals with special attention to self-care. I’m so excited for you to learn about Harriet and her journey as a writer!
Today's episode is proudly brought to you by Gotham Writers.
“The voice in your head that says you can’t finish the book or that it’s not worth it, ignore that bad voice.”-Harriet Reuter Hapgood
“You have to sacrifice what you think should happen versus what is good for the book and what is good for the character.”-Harriet Reuter Hapgood
How Harriet weaves quantum physics into her novel The Square Root of Summer
How Harriet created a dream list of literary agents and pitched to them
“Success can be a moment, fulfillment is a lifetime.” -Renee Ahdieh (Click to tweet)
We have #1 New York Times bestselling author Renée Ahdieh of The Wrath and the Dawn and The Rose and the Dagger duology in today’s brand new episode brought to you by Vermont College of Fine Arts. We break down Renée’s character-driven writing process and delve into building multi-dimensional characters. Renée takes it one step further and generously walks us through exactly how she sets up a scene to highlight the main character’s attributes. It’s the perfect example of the infamous show-don’t-tell rulefor writers.
We discuss why it’s important to be responsible and respectful when writing about different cultures, and why we have to allow ourselves latitude in our writing. As if the episode couldn’t get any better, we dive even deeper and deconstruct what it means to have anxiety and how to combat it with gratitude and empathy.
Xo,
Yin
PS. Did today’s episode help you in any way? Share it with someone who needs a boost of inspiration!
Please leave a review about the podcast by clicking here. Your honest feedback helps to shape the show. Thank you for your time and for helping with the ranking of the show when leaving a review and rating!
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“Your thoughts influence your feelings. Your feelings influence your actions.”-Renee Ahdieh (Click to tweet)
“If we’re not questioning ourselves, we’re not pushing ourselves to do better.”-Renee Ahdieh (Click to tweet)
“Everyone is the hero of his or her own story.”-Renee Ahdieh (Click to tweet)
Crafting characters who live in morally gray areas in the “The Wrath & The Dawn” and “The Rose & The Dagger” duology
“You have to continuously challenge and question yourself." -Renee Ahdieh (Click to tweet)
“I think there are two types of writers, the architects and the gardeners. The architects plan everything ahead of time, like an architect building a house. They know how many rooms are going to be in the house, what kind of roof they’re going to have, where the wires are going to run, what kind of plumbing there’s going to be. They have the whole thing designed and blueprinted out before they even nail the first board up. The gardeners dig a hole, drop in a seed and water it. They kind of know what seed it is, they know if planted a fantasy seed or mystery seed or whatever. But as the plant comes up and they water it, they don’t know how many branches it’s going to have, they find out as it grows. And I’m much more a gardener than an architect.” -George R.R. Martin (the quote referenced in this episode)
Renée Ahdieh is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Wrath and the Dawn and The Rose and the Dagger. In her spare time, she likes to dance salsa and collect shoes. She is passionate about all kinds of curry, rescue dogs, and college basketball. The first few years of her life were spent in a high-rise in South Korea; consequently, Renée enjoys having her head in the clouds. She lives in Charlotte, North Carolina, with her husband and their tiny overlord of a dog.