"I should be writing" is what people say, but they rarely do it. This podcast is designed to help you get past those blocks, whether it's what your teacher told you when you were a kid, to being totally sure you'll never be as good as (FAV AUTHOR) so you might as well quit.
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ISBW 22.17 So much to talk about! Worldcon is looming, and we take listener questions. How do you handle writing after a long break? What books do you recommend for writing fight scenes? Books by Alan Baxter and Marie Brennan are mentioned Mur is reading Page One to Done . Mur also has silly notebook problems that no one else seems to have. The HWA sent a ridiculous newsletter out and we are all…
ISBW 22.16 I finished the book, I started a short story, and I have been looking at the concept of confidence a bit lately. Also been enjoying Charisma on Command videos . So let's talk about confidence. Don't forget the book giveaway from last time! You have a week to enter! The Books (along with links if you want to just order right now!): The Good Girl Effect by Sara Cate Nemesis Mine by Ann…
ISBW 22.15 I want a lot of books. I buy a lot of books. I get sent a lot of books. I can't with all these books. So you get to benefit! I'm discussing five new or upcoming books of several different genres and then doing a giveaway! All you have to do is email me (mightymur at gmail) and tell me which one you want to be in the drawing for! I will draw the winners August 15! This is open to anyone,…
ISBW 22.14 The scammers are getting wilier, and we have to keep up, folks. They want you to pay to join book clubs, they catfish you to make you fire your agent and take theirs, and they are really into helping you promote a book you have forgotten about, and have zero control over because it was work for hire. GLOSSARY: Work For Hire: It is an exception to the general (copyright) rule that the…
ISBW 22.13 Believe it or not, we got a feedback question to answer! We talk about how to get moving when you've stalled out on your writing routine, and a few of my secret anxieties. It boils down to: Why are you doing this? Notes: Escape Pod is a finalist for the Hugo and Ignyte awards! Amazing! I attended Viable Paradise once upon a time. Fix the News! Gail Carriger on Ditch Diggers JoCo's Thing…
ISBW 22.12 Happy Pride! Recently we welcomed Isabel J. Kim to the show to talk about her debut novel, Sublimation ! We not only talk about her mind-bending Severence -like novel, but her use of point of view, second person, and about her award-winning story " WHY DON'T WE JUST KILL THE KID IN THE OMELAS HOLE ". This post went live for supporters on June 19, 2026 . If you want early and ad-free…
ISBW 22.11 (There will be a giveaway of Ruinous Creatures! I'm taking entries until May 21! Email me with GIVEAWAY in the subject line! You do not need to be a paying supporter to enter.) Recently we welcomed Jessi Cole Jackson to the show to talk about her debut novel, Ruinous Creatures ! We cover Jackson's unique bone-specific magic system and her inspirations, not to mention how to wrap your…
"If you injure somebody, that injury tells a story, and you have to decide whether that story fits the rest of your story." 22.10 In this episode, I go into "realism" with regards to injuries and health. Are injuries for pain? For an instant of shock? To give the character a new hardship? We talk about some of Stephen King's works and how to balance realism with narrative flow. This post went live…
"Every character is the star of their own story." ISBW 22.9 In this episode we talk about how different writers view characterization, from the ones who struggle to the ones who say the characters live in their heads. How do you manage all these wily beasts who want their stories told? I will also be appearing next week at Ravencon, and then the following week at Demicon! This post went live for…
"I think the thing people have the most problem with is, 'This was very good, but it didn't excite me.'" ISBW 22.8 Mur is back solo, talking about Rejectomancy and how to interpret the rejections you get, and more importantly, how to move forward after getting said rejection. And the bad news: you're aiming to make writing a job, which means you have to deal with the bad parts along with the good.…
"Acceptance is built on a pile of rejections." ~ Justin C. Key ISBW 22.7 Dr. Justin C. Key joins us to discuss his debut novel, The Hospital at the End of the World, exploring intersection of medicine and AI. Justin shares his experiences as a psychiatrist and balancing a medical career with being an author. We go over writing process, community, and the lessons learned from both success and…
