Ep 12: Improving Characters with the Enneagram
Craft, Mindset, Project Development Talena Winters Craft, Mindset, Project Development Talena Winters

Ep 12: Improving Characters with the Enneagram

In this episode, I talk about working with beta readers, planning my next project, and how learning the Enneagram helped me make my characters better.

Note: I am an affiliate of some of the platforms you can access through the universal book links below, which means if you make a purchase, I get a few cents at no additional cost to you.

Mentioned in this episode:

Every Star that Shines preorder

Enneagram overview

Enneagram types

Drew Newkirk's channel

The Emotional Wound Thesaurus by Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi

H. Claire Taylor's email series about the Enneagram for writers: www.ffs.media/readnow

Mug quote of the week:

“I am the wound and the blade, the torturer and the flayed.”

― Charles Baudelaire, The Flowers of Evil

Question of the week:

What tools do you use when you are creating or refining characters?

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Leave a comment

Original music by Josh Rickard, www.joshrickardmusic.com.

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S1E11: What Editors Wish Authors Knew about Working with Editors
Project Development, Craft Talena Winters Project Development, Craft Talena Winters

S1E11: What Editors Wish Authors Knew about Working with Editors

In this episode, I talk about completing the first draft of my manuscript, what I'm going to do next, and my thoughts as a writer and editor about what editors wish writers knew about working with them.

Note: I am an affiliate of some of the platforms you can access through the universal book links below (marked with an *), which means if you make a purchase, I get a few cents at no additional cost to you.

Mentioned in this episode:

The Story of St. Patrick (VeggieTales)

Newsletter Ninja 2 by Tammi Labrecque*

Blog tour for The Undine's Tear

Sell More Books Show Episode 418: Mastering Deadlines, Creativity, and That Kickstarter

Kobo Writing Life Podcast Episode #286: Writing Female Friendships with Anat Deracine

Six Figure Authors Episode 123: Dealing With Criticism as an Author

The Rebel Author Podcast with Sacha Black Episode 129: Save the Cat Writes a Novel with Jessica Brody

Save the Cat Writes a Novel by Jessica Brody*

Mug Quote of the Week:

How to fly:

  1. Throw yourself at the ground.

  2. Miss.

Inspired by the following quote by Douglas Adams from Life, the Universe, and Everything:

“The Guide says there is an art to flying,” said Ford, "or rather a knack. The knack lies in learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss.”

Question of the Week:

Was there a time you disagreed with an editors' recommendation, and are you glad you did?

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Leave a comment

Original music by Josh Rickard, www.joshrickardmusic.com.

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S1E6: The hidden value of our connections

S1E6: The hidden value of our connections

In this episode, I talk about planning for the unexpected, working around copyright issues when referring to other people's Intellectual Property in our novels, the life and times of Pinocchio, Punch and Judy, and Anna Leonowens, and how serendipitous inspiration makes books better. I also discuss the hidden value we should take into consideration when hiring people in our business.

Mentioned in this episode:

Best Book Ever podcast by Julie Strauss: https://bestbookever.libsyn.com/

Stark Reflections Patreon roundtable discussion where I met Julie

Mug Quote of the Week:

Be the kind of person you would like to meet.

Question of the week:

How have you seen the hidden value you and others bring to the table pay off in your career or in your life?

Tweet me

Leave a comment on this episode

Music by Josh Rickard, www.joshrickardmusic.com.

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S1E5: Excellence is a habit
Productivity, Business Planning, Craft, Publishing Talena Winters Productivity, Business Planning, Craft, Publishing Talena Winters

S1E5: Excellence is a habit

In this episode, I talk about doing writing math, the one-step-back stage of recovery burnout, and whether it's worth it to revise and republish older work.

Leave a comment on this episode here.

Mentioned in this episode:

Roundtable Reflective on the Stark Publishing podcast with me as one of the guests

Becca's current Burnout Recovery series on YouTube: Why is this not over yet? (Quitcast Episode 4.02)

MUG QUOTE OF THE WEEK:

“Excellence is a habit.

— Will Durant

Article about this quote's backstory (and why it is frequently misattributed to Aristotle) by Caelan Huntress on Medium

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S1E3: The Joy is in the Journey
Marketing, Craft, Productivity Talena Winters Marketing, Craft, Productivity Talena Winters

S1E3: The Joy is in the Journey

In this episode, I talk about how the CliftonStrengths have helped me develop as a person and a writer, and also why most of my top strengths are fed by my podcast addiction. :-) Also, we talk about success metrics for writing, cliffhangers in series, and marketing tips for newer authors—especially wide authors who write in multiple genres. Hint: Patience is the key, so take joy in the journey.

Mentioned in this episode:

Goddess Fish Promotions: https://www.goddessfish.com/

Becca Syme - Write Better-Faster Academy - https://betterfasteracademy.com/

5 Critical Things for Successful Book Signings by Adam Dreece (affiliate link) - https://books2read.com/u/bOyPZW

The Elevator Pitch blog post - https://www.talenawinters.com/writing-tips/2019/9/9/your-story-in-a-single-sentence-part-2-the-elevator-pitch

The Elevator Pitch video: https://youtu.be/16Uy8DtGm4o

My Book Description Writing Services - https://www.talenawinters.com/editing#blurb

Post by author Suzie O’Connell in Facebook group Wide for the Win about marketing - https://www.facebook.com/groups/wideforthewin/permalink/1252194868624693/

ALLi post “What Readers Want from Writers in 2022” -
https://selfpublishingadvice.org/what-readers-want-2022/

Written Word Media’s “What Do Readers Really Want: How to Write a Book to Market” - https://www.writtenwordmedia.com/how-to-write-a-book-to-market/

Bryan Cohen’s 5-Day Author Ad Profit Challenge, currently just starting if you want to check it out at https://bryancohen.lpages.co/jan22/.

Author and editor Brenna Bailey-Davies is doing a webinar called “Self-Editing for Fiction Writers” on January 27 through Editors Canada. You do not have to be a member to take the webinar.

Register at https://training.editors.ca/upcoming_webinar/self-editing-for-fiction-authors/.

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