https://www.patreon.com/88cupsoftea
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I’m so excited to collaborate with Quarterly to bring you today’s episode featuring Beth Revis! Beth is a New York Times bestselling author most widely recognized for her book series "Across the Universe" which was selected as a Teen Top Ten novel by the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA), long-listed for the Carnegie Medal, and featured as a Book of the Month from Seventeen Magazine. In her latest title, "A World Without You", Beth guides us through a complex look at loss and grief through a lens of mental illness. Lucasfilm tapped Beth to write the backstory of Jyn Erso in her newest book "Rebel Rising" releasing in May. Beth also had the honor of being the very first curator for Quarterly’s YA fiction subscription box. They are the only book subscription curated by authors just for readers like you and I couldn’t be more pleased to announce that Quarterly created an exclusive special just for our 88 Cups of Tea community where you’ll save $8 off your subscription box by entering promo code “88cups” at check-out!
In today’s episode, we dive right into how Beth drew inspiration from her career as a teacher for her book series "Across the Universe". We also take a closer look at the inspiration behind "A World Without You". We discuss how being a part of online writing communities can instill confidence for your writing, and we explore how to cope with the far-too-common mindset of not feeling like we’re good enough, and moving past that imposter syndrome as a writer. Click here to go directly to Beth's shownotes page that lists all of her amazing recommended resources.
For listeners who are all about getting down and dirty with the technical topics, you’re going to LOVE Beth’s writing tips. We dive into her research methods for crafting science fiction novels and how to write strong background characters. She guides us in approaching emotional scenes that are difficult to get through, and step-by-step advice on the world building process. Beth even jumps in with tips for writing unreliable characters, how to send out query letters, and earning income while pursuing your art.
Say "Hi" to Beth on Twitter!
Happy listening!
Xo,
Yin
PS. Do you know anyone who would love our conversation? Please share this episode to help spread the word!
PPS. If you enjoyed this episode, I’d really love your support in growing our community by subscribing to us on iTunes, and leaving a rating and review. These specific steps help to increase our visibility on iTunes which really helps new listeners discover us. A huge heartfelt thank you for your time and support! You can click here to go directly to our iTunes page!
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If you'd love to support our show and rock your Limited Edition 88 Cups of Tea mug (signed by yours truly), click here for more info. Thank you so much in advance for showing your love and supporting our show!
If you're looking to feel right at home with a close-knit group of encouraging and supportive writers, join our private Facebook group by clicking here. We have weekly check-ins about our creative work, book recs, and live Facebook videos of unboxing book packages. We also share previews of upcoming episodes and you can submit listener-questions for upcoming interviews.
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“Make sure that your world is just not pristine, make it dirty and make it really lived in.” -Beth Revis (Click to tweet)
“The more new experiences you have, the more stories you’ll have to tell." -Beth Revis (Click to tweet)
"There’s a value in failure that I think people often ignore and forget because failure teaches us to not give up." -Beth Revis (Click to tweet)
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Beth Revis grew up in the Appalachian mountains with a cemetery in her backyard, which is probably why she prefers her stories to be dark and full of twists. She’s the New York Times bestselling author of the Across the Universe trilogy, which has been translated into over twenty languages. Beth lives in a house full of boys—her husband, son, and two massive dogs—and she forces them all to watch reruns of Firefly and Doctor Who.
https://www.patreon.com/88cupsoftea
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I’m so excited to have Jeff Zentner on the show! Jeff is the William C. Morris award-winning author of his debut novel “The Serpent King”. His debut was also selected as a New York Times notable book, and an Amazon Best Book of the year. Both Buzzfeed and Mashable named “The Serpent King” as one of the Best YA books of 2016! Click here to go directly to Jeff's shownotes page that lists all of his awesome recommended resources.
His second novel, “Goodbye Days” was recently released to rave reviews. Time magazine selected “Goodbye Days” as one of the five new books that guide young readers through hardships and struggles with lessons in resilience and hope.
In today’s episode, we dive right into the inspiration behind “The Serpent King” and “Goodbye Days”. Jeff walks us through his thought process while writing authentic voices for his characters. We dive even further into step-by-step advice on building strong characters and improving character development.
Jeff shares tips on approaching difficult scenes that challenge readers, and how to write about grief in fiction. We also discuss how storytelling inspires empathy and why it’s necessary for writers to carve out protected time for their writing.
Happy listening!
Xo,
Yin
PS. Do you know anyone who would love our conversation? Please share this episode to help spread the word!
PPS. If you enjoyed this episode, I’d really love your support in growing our community by subscribing to us on iTunes, and leaving a rating and review. These specific steps help to increase our visibility on iTunes which really helps new listeners discover us. A huge heartfelt thank you for your time and support! You can click here to go directly to our iTunes page!
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"Write what fascinates you, and write who you love." -Jeff Zentner (Click to tweet)
"You can be creative around the edges of a normal life." -Jeff Zentner (Click to tweet)
"You’ve got to commit to getting words on the page and you have to commit to finishing what you started." -Jeff Zentner (Click to tweet)
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Click here to grab your Limited Edition & signed 88 Cups of Tea mug! Thank you in advance for your love and support for our show!
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What you'll learn from Jeff's episode:
Jeff Zentner is the acclaimed author of The Serpent King. In addition to writing, he is a singer-songwriter and guitarist who has recorded with Iggy Pop, Nick Cave, and Debbie Harry. “Goodbye Days” is his love letter to the city of Nashville and the talented people who populate it. He lives in Nashville with his wife and son.
https://www.patreon.com/88cupsoftea
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Meg Cabot is one of the earliest pioneers of the YA genre. She is a #1 New York Times bestselling author of books for adults, teens, and tweens, selling over 25 million copies of her nearly 80 published books. “The Princess Diaries”, one of her most popular series she wrote, was adapted into two hit movies by Disney. Click here to go directly to Meg's shownotes page that has all of her recommended resources linked up!
In today’s episode, we dive right into how real-life events inspired Meg for her “Princess Diaries” book series and she walks us through her newest book, “The Boy Is Back”.
She shares tips on writing stories influenced by life events without offending family and friends, and why it’s necessary to surround yourself with readers and critique partners that are honest with you about your writing. I can’t wait for you to hear how Meg and her writing-friend hold each other accountable and push each other past writing blocks.
Meg also walks us through how to write unique character voices with a structure inspired by social media, and how reading multiple genres can strengthen your writing structure.
Happy listening!
Xo,
Yin
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“I kept working on different things until I finally found something that hit.” -Meg Cabot (click to tweet)
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https://www.patreon.com/88cupsoftea
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Angie Thomas is the author of “The Hate U Give” which debuted at #1 on the New York Times bestseller list. I'm so excited to have her on the show today! If you haven’t yet, make sure to grab a copy for yourself. I love this book. The movie is also currently in development and is being produced by Fox 2000 and Temple Hill, the same team that produced “The Fault in Our Stars” and the “Maze Runner” franchise. Click here to go directly to Angie's shownotes page that lists out the amazing resources she recommends.
In today’s episode, we discuss the importance of raising diverse voices in the literary world. Angie walks us through the inspiration behind her novel and how music, hip hop, and Tupac played an influential role throughout her writing process.
Angie shares her experiences as a debut author and how creating an online presence will help you build genuine relationships within the writing community. For our craft-focused listeners, Angie shares advice on how to build strong characters for your stories, why research must be a priority to craft authentic diverse characters, and how to craft a successful query letter. Click here to say 'Hi' to Angie on Twitter!
You don’t want to miss out on this episode!
Xo,
Yin
PS. Do you know anyone who would love our conversation? Please share this episode to help spread the word!
PPS. If you enjoyed this episode, I’d really love your support in growing our community by subscribing to us on iTunes, and leaving a rating and review. These specific steps help to increase our visibility on iTunes which really helps new listeners discover us. A huge heartfelt thank you for your time and support! You can click here to go directly to our iTunes page!
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I’m excited to share that we’re in the middle of setting up an online shop for 88 Cups of Tea! We’re working hard at making sure that whatever we offer will add tremendous value to your storytelling process. We’re also going to have some fun 88 Cups of Tea swag available in our online shop. But for now, we set up a temporary Paypal link for those of you who’d love to support our show and rock your 88 Cups of Tea swag. To grab your Limited Edition 88 Cups of Tea mug (signed by yours truly), click here! Thank you in advance for supporting our show!
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“Being disciplined but also not being hard on yourself and finding balance of the two is key to hitting your writing goals.” -Angie Thomas (click to tweet)
“If we want more diverse books, we need more diverse authors.” -Angie Thomas (click to tweet)
“It’s going to get overwhelming but knowing that there are people who’ve been through it and who survived it helps a whole lot.” -Angie Thomas (click to tweet)
“As long as you surround yourself and connect with people and reach out to people, you won’t be alone.” -Angie Thomas (click to tweet)
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Click here to go directly to Angie's shownotes page for more details and info about her episode, including a list of her recommended resources!
We have Heidi Heilig on the show with us today! Heidi is the author of the duology “The Girl From Everywhere” which was listed as a widely-loved and recommended book to read by NPR. The sequel to “The Ship Beyond Time” just released this week and was listed as one of the 35 most anticipated Young Adult novels of the year by Entertainment Weekly!
In today’s episode, we discuss the importance of reading and promoting the work of various authors to encourage diversity, and how to respectfully write about communities outside of your own experience.
Heidi shares the experience of her first heartbreak and how that inspired the themes of romance and time travel in “The Girl From Everywhere”. Further into our conversation, we also touch on mental health stigmas and what we can do to help break down the stereotypes.
For our craft-focused listeners, Heidi shares advice on how to improve your craft, how to find inspiration for your characters, and how to tie multiple historical elements together in your story. We also unpack Heidi’s experience with her editor and how an editor can bring out the best in your writing.
Thank you, Storyteller Tribe, for listening in! If you loved her episode, please let her know on Twitter by clicking here.
For the list of incredible resources mentioned in Heidi's episode, click here!
Xo,
Yin
PS. Do you know anyone who would love our conversation? Please share this episode to help spread the word!
PPS. If you enjoyed this episode, I’d really love your support in growing our community by subscribing to us on iTunes, and leaving a rating and review. Those specific steps help to increase our visibility on iTunes which really helps new listeners discover us. A huge heartfelt thank you for your time and support! You can click here to go directly to our iTunes page!
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“No one can tell you what to write and what not to write because everyone is their own person.” -Heidi Heilig (Click to tweet)
“You don’t need an MFA to write a novel. You just need to read a lot and to have the will to practice and the time." -Heidi Heilig (Click to tweet)
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WHAT YOU'LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE:
Lilliam Rivera is the debut author of "The Education of Margot Sanchez" and she was recently named a 2017 Face to Watch by the LA Times. Click here to go directly to Lilliam's shownotes page!
In today’s episode proudly brought to you by VCFA's MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults, we dive right into the heartwarming inspiration that influenced Lilliam’s book and her experiences growing up in NY. For my craft-driven writers, you’re going to LOVE Lilliam’s advice and craft tips on building complex characters and how writing a character study will help you make decisions in your novel that are true to your character.
Lilliam walks us through writing emotionally heavy scenes, and how to capture universal ideas in your story while representing underappreciated voices.
We unpack Lilliam’s experience with the PEN Center Emerging Voices Fellowship and the kinds of resources it provides writers, and we go even further to discuss how writers can financially support their writing with grants and fellowships.
We also discuss how to write query letters and where to find writing mentors. Listeners, if you’re working on your own manuscripts or are approaching literary agents for representation, you especially do not want to miss Lilliam’s episode!
Xo,
Yin
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“I don’t believe in writer’s block. I believe that there’s always something you write.” -Lilliam Rivera (click to tweet)
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https://www.patreon.com/88cupsoftea
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I’m thrilled to have Justina Ireland on the show today! Justina is the author of Vengeance Bound and Promise of Shadows. You can find her on Twitter here and you can access her shownotes page with all of her recommended books and resources linked up here!
In today’s episode proudly brought to you by VCFA's MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults, we discuss why it’s crucial for us to grow and change as people, and why it’s worthwhile to say the things that are most important to us and to share it with others so they know they’re not alone.
I’m really looking forward for you to hear our conversation about handling the overwhelm of the political climate and Justina’s advice on powerful and productive ways of decompressing.
Now, more than ever, we need more diversity in books and the media; Justina walks us through the important steps writers need to take to create diverse characters that break away from institutional stereotypes.
We dive into how to approach difficult scenes that are closest to our own feelings or experiences, and we unpack why it’s difficult to get through them in the first place, and how to conquer those specific scenes. Justina also walks us through manageable steps you can take to accomplish your writing goals, and the important criteria for your literary agent submission.
You don’t want to miss out on Justina’s valuable advice!
Xo,
Yin
PS. Do you know anyone who would love our conversation? Please share this episode to help spread the word!
PPS. If you enjoyed this episode, I’d really love your support in growing our community by subscribing to us on iTunes, and leaving a rating and review. Those specific steps help to increase our visibility on iTunes which really helps new listeners discover us. A huge heartfelt thank you for your time and support! You can click here to go directly to our iTunes page!
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
https://www.patreon.com/88cupsoftea
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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