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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S1E2: Begin as you Mean to Carry On

S1E2: Begin as you Mean to Carry On

In this episode, I talk about how I spent my so-called holidays, the current state of my writing projects, what I’ve been trying for marketing lately and what I’ve learned from it, and some of my favourite writing tools. I also discuss some movies I watched over the holidays and my business plans for 2022.

Here are some resources mentioned in this episode:

Tool of the Week:

Scrivener: https://www.talenawinters.com/scrivener (affiliate link)

Podcast mentions:

6-figure Authors: SFA 112: How to Smartly Invest back into Your Book Business

Life Lessons - Episode 57: Intermittent Fasting for LIFE

The Creative Penn - #596: Improve Your Sleep And Creativity With Dr. Anne D. Bartolucci

The Creative Penn - #589: Digital Narration with AI Voices with Taylan Kamis from DeepZen

Interview with Geoff Woods on Afford Anything with Paula Pant: #293: THE ONE QUESTION THAT MAKES EVERYTHING EASIER, WITH GEOFF WOODS (Replay of January 1, 2021 episode)

The One Thing podcast - 332: Why this year's success comes down to One Thing

Other Resources:

Alana Terry’s resources for authors: https://successfulwriter.podia.com/

5 Point Plot Structure Freebie: https://www.talenawinters.com/plot-structure/freebie

Romancing the Beat by Gwen Hayes (affiliate links for some platforms)

Delay, Don’t Deny and Clean(ish) by Gin Stephens (affiliate links for some platforms)

All I Want for Christmas excerpt:

The postscript on this episode is an excerpt from AI-Narrated audiobook of All I Want for Christmas, using the licensed voice of Edward Herrmann. The company I used to create the audiobook was DeepZen, https://deepzen.io.

Mug quote of the week:

“It’s only cold if you’re standing still.”

Happy writing!

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