A podcast by writers, for writers. Host Sheridan Sharp is on a quest to connect word wizards by featuring authors and editors on the show each week. Take part in the mission to create a community around the show and gain free advice from every episode on how to elevate YOUR manuscript.
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Sheridan Sharp Podcasts

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Dusting Off The Manuscript And Building Your 401K With Writing: Balancing Creativity and Business with Belinda Kroll
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21:05Guest Belinda Kroll discusses her writing journey, starting from childhood and evolving into a balance between a day job and her passion for writing. She shares insights on the entrepreneurial spirit inherited from her family, the impact of hustle culture, and her decision to keep writing as a joyful side endeavor rather than a full-time career. Tu…
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50. How Do You Treat Your Writing Journey? The Intersection of Manifestation, Travel, and Writing | Jaclyn Goldis
25:56
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25:56Host Sheridan Sharp is joined by author Jaclyn Goldis for a compelling discussion on the intersection of travel, writing, and manifestation. Jaclyn reveals how her adventures around the world have breathed life into the captivating settings of her books. Hear why she made the bold decision to stop working on old projects and move into the realm of …
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49. Insider Tips for Aspiring Writers: Navigating Publishing Pressures and Perfecting Your Manuscript | Rosalyn Eves
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27:34Whether you're an aspiring writer seeking guidance or simply curious about the realities of the writing journey, join host Sheridan Sharp on Am I Write? for a conversation with award-winning author Rosalyn Eves. In this episode, they delve into the nuanced challenges faced by writers, from the relentless pressure to publish quickly to the intricaci…
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48. Publishing, Poetry, Connecting in a Post-Truth World | Rita Feinstein
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32:23Not everyone’s querying journey is a handful of years! Many authors have experiences like Rita’s: a 14-year span of trial, error, and a whole lot of persistence. Join host Sheridan Sharp as guest Rita Feinstein talks publishing, poetry, connecting in a post-truth world. Resources Rita’s Debut: Meet Me in the Fourth Dimension Sylvia Path Anne Sexton…
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47. Giving Your Manuscript EVERY Possible Chance | María Alejandra Barrios
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31:59From integrating culture to the pros of magical realism and around to how she landed her agent, the content in this episode with guest María Alejandra Barrios Vélez pulls from a well of experience and offers firsthand advice to new and aspiring writers everywhere. Also talk about María's debut book, scheduled just weeks out from this episode air da…
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46. STOP Being Afraid to Reach Out to Authors & Why Unagented or Small Press Might be for You | Patchree Jones
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31:12Patchree Jones stars on this episode of Am I Write? Podcast to talk about the impact of the middle grade book genre and why she left the corporate world for it. Also discuss the pros of being an unagented, small press author and consider how you can build a marketable author brand naturally. Resources Website: patchreejones.com Twitter/X: https://x…
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45. #AM WRITING: How Literary Journal Publications Help Your Manuscript Get Published with Christine Ma-Kellams
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27:57Literary Journals: Do they really help you get your manuscript published? If you've wondered about this, guest Christine Ma-Kellams is here to share her experience as an author AND writer with multiple online publications. Also, take a look at how she builds dimensional characters by ensuring there's enough to root for--and against--on this episode…
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44. Writers: STOP Fretting and Focus on What You CAN Control | Barry Lyga
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31:35The age old question: how much of getting published is just luck and how much of it is skill? "Rebel Author" Barry Lyga joins host Sheridan Sharp to talk about his 27-novel track record (and counting). Instead of getting distraught over the timing of it all, focus on what you CAN control on this episode of Am I Write? Podcast. About Barry Called a …
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43. Luck, Destiny, or Skill? Swati Hegde's Journey with her Debut Novel
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30:37Swati Hegde opens up about her writing experience spending years in the query trenches. She explains the role destiny played in both her upcoming publication and her current career as a writing coach. Gain hope and inspiration from her for your writing journey on this episode of Am I Write?. Resources Website: swatihegde.com (Pre-order MATCH ME IF …
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42. How to Identify Your Unique Voice and Be Relentlessly Helpful | Kathryn Lang
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23:11Join guest Kathryn Lang alongside host Sheridan Sharp to discuss how giving tribute to your uniqueness will give you power to write boldly and with purpose. Unlock the elements of your voice and be relentlessly helpful along the way on this episode of Am I Write? . Resources Website: https://www.kathrynlang.com/books Write Your Book in 8 Weeks: htt…
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41. When Landing an Agent Isn’t the Be-All End-All: My Experience with Hybrid Publishing | Elizabeth Sumner Wafler
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32:53Landing the agent isn’t the end of your journey—for many, it’s the beginning. Elizabeth Sumner Wafler joins today to enlighten us with her experience, nailing a hopeful agent match and then managing a contrasting struggle with market trends. Learn how she pressed forward with captivating prose, succeeding through hybrid publishing and now scheduled…
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40. How I Found My Agent and Navigate Deadline Pressure | Aneesa Marufu
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27:58Aneesa Marufu joins host Sheridan Sharp to talk about her fresh-off-the-press book and her experience as an internationally-published author. Hear the unique story of how she found her agent, why she writes for young adults, and what she does to handle the pressure of deadlines on this episode of Am I Write. Resources https://aneesamarufu.com/ http…
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39. New Culture, Classic Story: Keeping Manuscript Retellings Fresh with Priyanka Taslim
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27:03Debut author of a Jane Austen meets To All The Boys I've Loved Before tale, Priyanka Taslim joins us on Am I Write to talk about beloved retellings, keeping them fresh, and how she conquered those dark nights of doubt. Get some great resources and look forward to her upcoming projects! Resources priyankataslim.com https://linktr.ee/priyankataslim h…
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38. New Writer? Here are some Common Q&As Part TWO: Beta Readers
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15:35What is a beta reader? How can I determine I'm ready to give my manuscript to them? Should I consider family for beta readers? How can I prepare them to give good feedback? What should I expect from a batch of beta-reading? Having any of these questions or just want some new ideas for your next beta reading sesh? Host Sheridan Sharp is here with so…
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37. Writing and Publishing Mindset Makeover: Lessons from Annalisa Summea
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29:25You've been tirelessly working on your writing, pouring your heart and soul into your stories, but when it comes to getting published, you're hitting a brick wall. You've been told to simply keep submitting your work, but the rejections keep piling up, leaving you frustrated and demoralized. Guest, Annalisa Summea reveals the her individualized pro…
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36. Your Perfect Entry Point: Captivate Your Audience with Middle-Story Magic | Monica Miller 2
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27:27Monica Miller returns to the show to share how to captivate readers and build a loyal following through the power of personal connection and storytelling. Monica emphasizes the importance of weaving your gold thread by starting in the middle of your story. Make a lasting impact with personal experiences and perspectives in both your books and marke…
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35. Fresh Writer? Here Are Some FAQs Answered!
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11:32I have an idea, but I don't know if it will stand the test of time. How do I know it's good? Should I share my work with others? What if I'm really excited about it? Does it need to be outlined before I dive in? If you're looking for answers to these questions, let's have a candid conversation and see if we can get you somewhere today on Am I Write…
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34. An Unexpected Journey with Authorship: Tips for Treating Writing Seriously from Sarah M. Eden
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27:56A single offhand remark from a loved one ignited something in her soul; join bestselling author Sarah M. Eden as she reveals tips from her unexpected journey into authorship that has grown into a many years - and many books - strong career. Stay tuned until the end for her EPIC announcement, newly released! Key Takeaways: Find plot inspiration from…
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33. The Power of Surrender: Navigating the Challenges of Writing with Brent Perkins
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20:06Let go of control and surrender to the transformative power of writing as guest Brent Perkins shares his journey from a corporate career to embracing his passion, inspiring aspiring writers to find fulfillment in the unpredictable world of publishing. "Just be happy with the fulfillment that you get from [writing]." - Brent Perkins Resources www.3x…
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32. Revolutionize Your Content Creation: Harnessing the Power of AI for Brainstorming and Idea Generation | Laura Pence Atencio
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25:49Get ready to supercharge your content creation process with the help of AI. Guest Laura Pence Atencio, a digital marketing expert and founder of Social Savvy Geek, understands the frustrations and challenges writers face when it comes to idea development. With AI by your side, you can organize your thoughts, generate content ideas, and save preciou…
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31. Creating Writing Momentum: How to Attract Success by Doing What You Love | Monica Miller
19:11
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19:11Guest Monica Miller shares her writing story that began in her teens, where she curated engaging stories which later traversed the publishing world, journalism, and even the college lecture halls. Today, she integrates her robust experience and her discovered enthusiasm for marketing to guide budding authors. Her forte lies in leveraging fun, trans…
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Get new book suggestions from a fellow writer and bookie whose spoken with many of the authors in real time and reads YA books by the hundreds - and counting! Join host Sheridan Sharp for short clips where she spiels how their plots, common themes, and important characterizations recommend them (without the spoilers) on YouTube. Most of all, tune i…
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29. Mastering the Art of Authentic Copywriting
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29:37Samantha shares her insights on how to develop the skills required for copywriting, including researching, understanding the target audience, and effective communication. Drawing from her experience as a creative writer and copywriter, she highlights how copywriting can be an exciting AND fulfilling career path. Tune in today to learn actionable in…
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28. Unlock Your Creative Potential with Kathy Davis: Fueling Your Writing Through Alignment
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20:13Ready to learn the key to unlocking greater productivity and creativity? Guest Kathy Davis has the solution for achieving optimal writing performance through prioritizing self-care. Learn to master self-care techniques to boost your productivity and unlock your creative potential. Discover how the right food choices can elevate your cognitive perfo…
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26. Unlock Your Brand Character with Yamilca Rodriguez: Archetypes & Brand Success
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12:01Branding Expert Yamilca Rodriguez has a passion for entrepreneurs who can do anything in this world and is here to help listeners attract the right individual by selling your brand (you) through the lens of human behavior. She also breaks down the difference between theories of Freud and Young’s 12 different archetypes (GOLD for characterization!).…
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27. Permission to Stop Doing Things: Get into Alignment with Yourself as a Creative
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18:00“It's a lot to present yourself every day as a brand and try to keep the marketing going and keep all the wheels in alignment.” If you're feeling frustrated and defeated because, despite your efforts to shift your mindset towards evolution and self-discovery, you're not seeing any significant progress, then you are not alone! As guest Stephanie Hay…
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25. Embracing the Emotional Side of Editing: Kiana Krystle, PART 2
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24:13Jump back in to the conversation between host Sheridan Sharp and Kiana Krystle, a resilient and talented writer who shares her captivating story: The world of publishing can be a rollercoaster, as Kiana discovered during her journey to bring her debut novel to life. Beset by delays and an emotionally taxing revision process, Kiana's tenacity and pa…
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24. Kiana Part One: You Have to Believe Before Anyone Else
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31:52Newly debuting author Kiana Krystle takes a seat with host Sheridan Sharp to open up about her amazing but at times deeply daunting journey, from self-teaching herself the query process to an unexpected 9 offers even though her story was still in the “on proposal” stage. Gain a wealth of insights from her story, like how persistence and self-belief…
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23. Writers: Start to Promote Your Brand...YOU!
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21:30Today, podcasting expert Lyndsay Phillips joins host Sheridan Sharp to talk to the creative writers AND business writers looking to expand their presence and spread the word about their new and upcoming projects. The best way to build relationships with potential fans? Podcasts! Let’s talk about how you can promote your brand—YOU—by making appearan…
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22. Advice from Co-Author and Solo-Author: Find Your Inspiration from the Past
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27:09Guest Gina Buonaguro brings her unique experience as a multi-published historical fiction writer, both as a coauthor and solo author. She compares and contrasts these two roles and offers advice for where you can find inspiration for historical fiction. Talk about the merits of holding control over your self-published work versus the help provided …
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22. Be a Convention Experimentalist and Bring Your Creativity to the Screen
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25:25Am I Write? is back for 2023, and with a new writing topic. Erik Morris Eskanazi comes on as a guest to talk about script writing—specifically, script writing that began as a personal essay (also known as the narrative essay) and how to fictionalize that into a screenplay. Learn more about the emotional and international impact film brings when bas…
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I wanted to take a minute this holiday season to let you know what you can expect from Am I Write? in the near future! What you need to know: YOU moved the podcast from 1 to 10,000 downloads in less than a handful of months. This has launched the show beyond Apple’s top 1% podcast chart. And the best part? The growth was organic. Get ready for seas…
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20. Refining in the Query Trenches—Face Rejection, Be Persistent, and Don’t Fear the Pivot
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23:35This episode is for the like-minded writers who find themselves predicting the plots of movies and books a little too accurately but haven’t yet caught that “lucky break” with their own writing. The truth is: there is no lucky break! Guest Heather Carter lays out the pros and cons she has experienced both with indie publishing and traditional publi…
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19. An Artform for Today More than Ever: Finding Emotional Resonance in Poetry
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37:57Host Sheridan Sharp is delighted to bring on an exciting guest to discuss a new and important topic. Multi-published poet and professor Mark Bennion joins her to discuss everything poetry. Listen in and gain a better understanding of the many facets and emotional resonance of poetry—there’s something for everyone! Learn what makes a poem great and …
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18. Battling Fatigue with Words and Resilience: The Two Keys to a Writer’s Success
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23:00Lilian Horn is a published author who writes fantasy and fiction books. She has a bachelor's degree in biomedical laboratory science, and her writing is heavily inspired by her Scandinavian roots, the inspiration for her inclusion of folktales from her side of the world. Tune in to Am I Write? today to talk about Lilian’s passion for incorporating …
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17. YOU are the Talent: Advocate for Yourself and Take Questions Seriously
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23:30Thriller author Maggie Giles takes a seat with host Sheridan Sharp to talk about her experience with the query/publishing process, including an almost-signed book deal that SHE turned down. Get a greater understanding of the power in your gut instinct and the importance of getting your book deal questions answered when the time comes. Learn about w…
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16. Disaster Characters, Disaster Queries, and Disaster Drafts: You Need Them ALL
33:55
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33:55JC Peterson brings her knack for contemporary wit and real experience to Am I Write? Podcast to talk about “garbage disaster” characters that deserve a chance to grow from mistakes. Use dialogue purposefully and hear why each character needs to go into the conversation intentionally. Use conversations to move the plot forward and make them interact…
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15. Be Intentional with Details and Understand the Why
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26:42Debuting thriller author Marie Still joins host Sheridan Sharp to talk shop about how she keeps a balance writing and publishing four different books at a time. Talk about building realistic characters and keeping your pacing without frustrating the reader with too little details, the importance of understanding the craft, and embracing that once i…
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14. Query Letters are Not Mythical & Define What Success is to YOU
28:21
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28:21Author of upcoming thriller The Blue Bar, Damyanti Biswas talks on writing better with buzz around her, knowing when you’re ready for publication, and the two major traits she looks for in mentees who are “already ready to be professionals.” Hear how she both values and gives her professional feedback in a way that is helpful, the journey between h…
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13. How to Help Promote Authors Without Spending a Dime
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10:27Join host Sheridan Sharp in this episode of Am I Write? Podcast to discuss four major ways you can support the authors you love and the debuting writers you’re anticipating. Pulled from a number of sources found in the show notes (including guests on the show), Sheridan breaks down the major–and sometimes unsuspected–game-changers for marketing aut…
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12. Universal Truths of Mindset: Draw Your Own Writing Positivity and Success
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34:15A personal favorite author of host Sheridan Sharp, today’s guest on AM I WRITE? Podcast has over 30 published books and is well-versed in historical romance. Josi’s abundance mindset is evident in each of the questions she answers; hear her conviction about the power in the way you think about what you write, including how your emotions affect what…
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11. 3 Easy Ways to Take the STING out of Query REJECTIONS
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11:27*Special Episode* In this special episode, host Sheridan Sharp takes a little time to talk to you about ways to take the edge off of the ever-daunting query process. Take these tips from writers on the show and Sheridan's experience to turn your query process into just that: a working process! Resources Damyanti Biswas (stay tuned for her upcoming …
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10. Real-Life Fantasy, Terror’s Cousin Humor, & the Truth Behind Querying
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35:41Tune in to the conversation with author of 3 series and over 15 books: Alex Bledsoe, as he shares his experiences with fantasy in real life, rejection, and two seemingly opposite genres that will make you pee your pants. Whether you’re writing fantasy, thriller, or modern day fiction, Alex explains how it’s all rooted around real life–and why that …
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9. There is No Secret Sauce: How to Determine when Your Manuscript is Ready
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30:11Stop getting caught up in “sharpening your pencils” and do the number one thing it takes to be an author: write the book! Mutlipublished author of regency romance Kristi Ann Hunter shares wisdom from her journey as a writer on this episode of Am I Write? The truth: there is no secret sauce. Understand that your personal writing path will be differe…
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8. Invest in Yourself and Take Your Characters to Vulnerable Places
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24:57Switching from romance in the middle ages to modern rom-com style books, today’s guest on Am I Write? is a fictional romance expert. Hear how writing the story in your head can begin your writing path the right way and get Kortney Keisel's thoughts on witty banter, the unsuspected leaps and setbacks of writing in a new era or genre, and taking your…
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7. Own Your Craft and Keep It Humble: How to Open Unsuspected Doors of Opportunity
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20:58Guest and multi-published author Jennifer Nielsen joins host Sheridan Sharp to remind you that what you do as a writer does matter. Keep persistence but also stay humble, and you’ll be surprised at the opportunities that come your way. Gain Jennifer’s unique insight as an artist who comes not from a writing background but a theater background. Comp…
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6. JUST WRITE IT: Why You Need to Word Vomit in Order to Write a Novel
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21:31Today’s guest on AM I WRITE? brings her unique experience writing and publishing her first novel while still a JUNIOR in high school. Caroline Wei takes a seat at the podcast table to speak with and inspire young writers to pursue their ideas. Tune in to she and host Sheridan Sharp’s conversation about the challenges and benefits of self-publishing…
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5. Write Well, Write From the Heart, and Just Get it Into the Light
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23:35Even in those dark nights of the soul where you feel your manuscript’s not working, tell yourself “I’ve had this feeling before, and I will power through.” Get inspired by a guest who’s done it a million times and still wonders where to go to just keep writing. As Robert Masello elaborates: “Too many writers I know say, ‘I’m holding my work because…
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4. Write What God Puts in Your Mind and Then Write Some More
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23:55This is THE episode for writers who love reading various genres but aren’t sure they can make that leap into writing a new one. Guest Joan Donaldson shares her method with host Sheridan Sharp for jumping from genre to genre on this episode of AM I WRITE? And it all has to do with exercising those fingers daily, identifying conflict, and having a li…
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3. Your Teacher Was WRONG When They Said You Couldn't Write
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25:14Join host Sheridan Sharp and guest Rob Kosberg, published author and founder of Bestseller Publishing, to talk about the kind of people they publish: REGULAR BUISNESSPEOPLE, many without a background in writing but with a poignant story to share and a widespread problem to solve. About Rob Kosberg Rob Kosberg is a Wall Street Journal and USA Today …
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