I Should Be Writing

S21 Ep6: From Medieval Fashion to Modern Writing with Natania Barron

"Stories are how I make sense of the world."
-Natania Barron

(This post went live for supporters on March 27, 2025 . If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at Patreon or Substack !)

In this episode, I talk a little about the JoCo Cruise and how it reminded me of the importance of community and creativity. I forgot how good it felt to surrounding myself with fellow creatives.

Then I talk to Natania Barron , a prolific fantasy author and medieval scholar of the Queens of Fate series. We delve into Natania's latest works and discuss the intersection of history and fantasy, the nuances of writing queer narratives, and the significance of food and fashion in storytelling.

Transcript

Links
Natania Barron's Website Natania's Patreon Queen of None Worldbuilding for Masochists Podcast Diane Ackerman A Wrinkle in Time Flyleaf Books Quail Ridge Books Solaris Books Chuck Wendig
Evergreen Links
See all books from Season 21 Like the podcast? Get the book! I Should Be Writing . My newsletter, The Hot Mic , and the community of Fabulists over at Patreon . Supporting either of those will get you perks like access to the discord, exclusive content, and early, ad-free episodes. Socials: Bluesky , Instagram , YouTube , Focusmate Theme by John Anealio Savor I Should Be Writing tea blends Support local book stores! Station Eternity, Six Wakes, Solo: A Star Wars Story: Expanded Edition and more! OR Get signed books from my friendly local store, Flyleaf Books!
In case it wasn't clear: Mur and this podcast are fully supportive of LGBTQ+ folks, believe that Black Lives Matter, and trans rights are human rights, despite which direction the political winds blow. If you do not agree, then there are plenty of other places to go on the Internet.
—

"From Medieval Fashion to Modern Writing with Natania Barron" is brought to you in large part by my supporters, the Fabulists, who received an early, expanded version of this episode. You can join our Fabulist community with a pledge on Patreon or Substack !

Some of the links above may be affiliate, allowing you to support the show at no extra cost to you. Also consider leaving a review for ISBW, please!
CREDITS
Theme song by John Anealio , art by Numbers Ninja ,
and files hosted by Libsyn (affiliate link). Get archives of the show via Patreon. March 31, 2025 | Season 21 Ep 6 | murverse.com
"From Medieval Fashion to Modern Writing with Natania Barron" by Mur Lafferty
is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

S21 Ep5: Crafting Tales Through Holiday Themes

"Engaging with the holidays definitely feels like a way to develop world and character."
-Mur Lafferty

(This post went live for supporters on March 24, 2025 . If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at Patreon or Substack !)

In this episode, I dive into the significance of holidays in storytelling and how they can shape character development and plot progression. With no guest this week, I talk about my own projects, creative work and admin work both.

I cover Christmas romances that evoke themes of rebirth to the complexities of Valentine's Day, and discuss how different holidays can influence narratives.

Transcript

Links
Writer's Digest The Holiday The Last Holiday Holidate Home for the Holidays
Evergreen Links
See all books from Season 21 Like the podcast? Get the book! I Should Be Writing . My newsletter, The Hot Mic , and the community of Fabulists over at Patreon . Supporting either of those will get you perks like access to the discord, exclusive content, and early, ad-free episodes. Socials: Bluesky , Instagram , YouTube , Focusmate Theme by John Anealio Savor I Should Be Writing tea blends Support local book stores! Station Eternity, Six Wakes, Solo: A Star Wars Story: Expanded Edition and more! OR Get signed books from my friendly local store, Flyleaf Books!
In case it wasn't clear: Mur and this podcast are fully supportive of LGBTQ+ folks, believe that Black Lives Matter, and trans rights are human rights, despite which direction the political winds blow. If you do not agree, then there are plenty of other places to go on the Internet.
—

"Crafting Tales Through Holiday Themes" is brought to you in large part by my supporters, the Fabulists, who received an early, expanded version of this episode. You can join our Fabulist community with a pledge on Patreon or Substack !

Some of the links above may be affiliate, allowing you to support the show at no extra cost to you. Also consider leaving a review for ISBW, please!
CREDITS
Theme song by John Anealio , art by Numbers Ninja ,
and files hosted by Libsyn (affiliate link). Get archives of the show via Patreon. February 13, 2025 | Season 21 Ep 5 | murverse.com
"Crafting Tales Through Holiday Themes" by Mur Lafferty
is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

S21 Ep4: Taking a Machete to Creative Blocks with Premee Mohamed

"My characters would be wandering around the field with me going like, hey, I just found a rare orchid." -Premee Mohamed

(This post went live for supporters on March 21, 2025 . If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at Patreon or Substack !)

(recorded February)
In this episode we welcome prolific, brilliant Premee Mohamed, a Nebula and Aurora award-winning author to talk about her new book, One Message Remains .

. We explore the process of creating clean first drafts, the chaos of deadlines, and the balance between creativity and productivity. And why the cat needs a job.

Premee shares the challenges of producing multiple works in a year and the strategies she employs to keep her creativity flowing. We cover outlining techniques and the importance of not being precious about the writing process.

Transcript

Links
Premee Mohamed One Message Remains Premee's Patreon Psychopomp Press Tor.com Hugo Awards Aurora Awards
Evergreen Links
See all books from Season 21 Like the podcast? Get the book! I Should Be Writing . My newsletter, The Hot Mic , and the community of Fabulists over at Patreon . Supporting either of those will get you perks like access to the discord, exclusive content, and early, ad-free episodes. Socials: Bluesky , Instagram , YouTube , Focusmate Theme by John Anealio Savor I Should Be Writing tea blends Support local book stores! Station Eternity, Six Wakes, Solo: A Star Wars Story: Expanded Edition and more! OR Get signed books from my friendly local store, Flyleaf Books!
In case it wasn't clear: Mur and this podcast are fully supportive of LGBTQ+ folks, believe that Black Lives Matter, and trans rights are human rights, despite which direction the political winds blow. If you do not agree, then there are plenty of other places to go on the Internet.
—

"Taking a Machete to Creative Blocks with Premee Mohamed" is brought to you in large part by my supporters, the Fabulists, who received an early, expanded version of this episode. You can join our Fabulist community with a pledge on Patreon or Substack !

Some of the links above may be affiliate, allowing you to support the show at no extra cost to you. Also consider leaving a review for ISBW, please!
CREDITS
Theme song by John Anealio , art by Numbers Ninja ,
and files hosted by Libsyn (affiliate link). Get archives of the show via Patreon. March 24, 2025 | Season 21 Ep 4 | murverse.com
"Taking a Machete to Creative Blocks with Premee Mohamed" by Mur Lafferty
is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

S21 Ep3: Rachel Howzell Hall on Balancing Thrillers and Fantasy

"I will try this new thing and I will learn how to do it." -Rachel Howzell Hall

(This post went live for supporters on March 18, 2025 . If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at Patreon or Substack !)

(recorded February)

In this episode of I Should Be Writing, we dive into the chaotic world of creativity with acclaimed author Rachel Howzell Hall, thriller writer turned fantasy writer. She discusses her new romantasy book, The Last One .

We delve into the importance of urgency in storytelling, the balance of world-building, and the personal experiences that shape a writer's voice.

Transcript

Links
Rachel Howzell Hall The Last One Baldur's Gate 3 Elden Ring Thomas & Mercer
Evergreen Links
See all books from Season 21 Like the podcast? Get the book! I Should Be Writing . My newsletter, The Hot Mic , and the community of Fabulists over at Patreon . Supporting either of those will get you perks like access to the discord, exclusive content, and early, ad-free episodes. Socials: Bluesky , Instagram , YouTube , Focusmate Theme by John Anealio Savor I Should Be Writing tea blends Support local book stores! Station Eternity, Six Wakes, Solo: A Star Wars Story: Expanded Edition and more! OR Get signed books from my friendly local store, Flyleaf Books!
In case it wasn't clear: Mur and this podcast are fully supportive of LGBTQ+ folks, believe that Black Lives Matter, and trans rights are human rights, despite which direction the political winds blow. If you do not agree, then there are plenty of other places to go on the Internet.
—

"Balancing Thrillers and Fantasy" is brought to you in large part by my supporters, the Fabulists, who received an early, expanded version of this episode. You can join our Fabulist community with a pledge on Patreon or Substack !

Some of the links above may be affiliate, allowing you to support the show at no extra cost to you. Also consider leaving a review for ISBW, please!
CREDITS
Theme song by John Anealio , art by Numbers Ninja ,
and files hosted by Libsyn (affiliate link). Get archives of the show via Patreon. March 21, 2025 | Season 21 Ep 3 | murverse.com
"Balancing Thrillers and Fantasy" by Mur Lafferty
is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

S21 Ep2: Mental Health and Creativity

"Nothing is 100% original. It's what you do with it that counts." -Elaine M. Will

(This post went live for supporters on February 13, 2025 . If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at Patreon or Substack !)

Ever-looming existential dread, but we keep going. Then there's the challenge of navigating creativity amidst mental health struggles. I also reflect on a fear of failure. I'm not proud. I'm human.

And then we welcome to the show Elaine M. Will, a writer and illustrator known for her graphic novels that tackle mental health themes. We discuss Elaine's latest work, The Last Band on Earth , and the intricate relationship between storytelling and visual art.

Whether you're a writer or an artist, we hope you'll get something out of this episode, and you remember that a creative journey is filled with ups and downs, and it's okay to take your time.

Transcript

Links
Elaine M. Will on Ko-Fi The Artist's Way Toronto Comic Arts Festival Scott McCloud Lynda Barry Gene Day Award Cuckoo's Nest Press Citizen Sleeper 2
Evergreen Links
See all books from Season 21 Like the podcast? Get the book! I Should Be Writing . My newsletter, The Hot Mic , and the community of Fabulists over at Patreon . Supporting either of those will get you perks like access to the discord, exclusive content, and early, ad-free episodes. Socials: Bluesky , Instagram , YouTube , Focusmate Theme by John Anealio Savor I Should Be Writing tea blends Support local book stores! Station Eternity, Six Wakes, Solo: A Star Wars Story: Expanded Edition and more! OR Get signed books from my friendly local store, Flyleaf Books!

In case it wasn't clear: Mur and this podcast are fully supportive of LGBTQ+ folks, believe that Black Lives Matter, and trans rights are human rights, despite which direction the political winds blow. If you do not agree, then there are plenty of other places to go on the Internet.
—

"Mental Health and Creativity" is brought to you in large part by my supporters, the Fabulists, who received an early, expanded version of this episode. You can join our Fabulist community with a pledge on Patreon or Substack !

Some of the links above may be affiliate, allowing you to support the show at no extra cost to you. Also consider leaving a review for ISBW, please!
CREDITS
Theme song by John Anealio , art by Numbers Ninja ,
and files hosted by Libsyn (affiliate link). Get archives of the show via Patreon. February 13, 2025 | Season 21 Ep 2 | murverse.com
"Mental Health and Creativity" by Mur Lafferty
is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

S21 Ep1: In Which Evil Mur Delivers a Message of Hope

"It's time to just... quit." -Evil Mur

(Do not listen to Evil Mur)

Welcome to a new season of I Should Be Writing, where the notorious Evil Mur takes the reins to deliver a unique message of hope for the new year.

TL;DR, it's time to quit.

In this episode, we explore the idea of quitting writing and the liberation that can come with making a definitive choice. Evil Mur, the alter ego of Mur Lafferty, delves into the emotional rollercoaster of being a writer, the jealousy, the self-doubt, and the ultimate decision to either quit or persevere.

With what we hope is an eventual glimmer of hope amidst the chaos, Evil Mur sets you on a path for the new year. Whether you're contemplating quitting or seeking motivation to continue, this episode offers a fresh perspective on the writing journey.

Transcript

Links
David Sedaris Grant Baciocco Jim Henson
Evergreen Links
Like the podcast? Get the book! I Should Be Writing . My newsletter, The Hot Mic , and the community of Fabulists over at Patreon . Supporting either of those will get you perks like access to the discord, exclusive content, and early, ad-free episodes. Socials: Bluesky , Instagram , YouTube , Focusmate Theme by John Anealio Savor I Should Be Writing tea blends Support local book stores! Station Eternity, Six Wakes, Solo: A Star Wars Story: Expanded Edition and more! OR Get signed books from my friendly local store, Flyleaf Books!

In case it wasn't clear: Mur and this podcast are fully supportive of LGBTQ+ folks, believe that Black Lives Matter, and trans rights are human rights, despite which direction the political winds blow. If you do not agree, then there are plenty of other places to go on the Internet.
—

"The Art of Quitting, Evil Mur Style" is brought to you in large part by my supporters, the Fabulists, who received an early, expanded version of this episode. You can join our Fabulist community with a pledge on Patreon or Substack !

Some of the links above may be affiliate, allowing you to support the show at no extra cost to you. Also consider leaving a review for ISBW, please!
CREDITS
Theme song by John Anealio , art by Numbers Ninja ,
and files hosted by Libsyn (affiliate link). Get archives of the show via Patreon. January 9, 2025 | Season 21 Ep 1 | murverse.com
"The Art of Quitting, Evil Mur Style" by Mur Lafferty
is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

[NOTE- even though I remember editing, this is still an all over the place episode. And apparently I said I wasn’t going to swear and then did it anyway. Pretty accurate ending to 2024, actually.]
"You need to come up with terrible ideas. And once you come up with terrible ideas, you will start developing good ideas." -Mur

In this episode, I talk about my writing journey, the challenges of ADHD, and shares ten terrible ideas that might just spark something wonderful. From comic book scripts to psychological thrillers set in idyllic farming towns, I explore the importance of embracing all ideas, even the seemingly bad ones.

Sort of.

We touch on where to get inspiration, and mention Rusty's Retirement and the modern Greek mythology series, KAOS. This episode is a reminder to embrace creativity and the messy process that comes with it.

Transcript

Links
Blaseball (RIV) Douglas Adams Redshirts by John Scalzi Stardew Valley KAOS (Netflix series)
Evergreen Links
Like the podcast? Get the book! I Should Be Writing . My newsletter, The Hot Mic , and the community of Fabulists over at Patreon . Supporting either of those will get you perks like access to the discord, exclusive content, and early, ad-free episodes. Socials: Bluesky , Mastodon , TikTok , Instagram , YouTube , Focusmate . Theme by John Anealio Savor I Should Be Writing tea blends Support local book stores! Station Eternity, Six Wakes, Solo: A Star Wars Story: Expanded Edition and more! OR Get signed books from my friendly local store, Flyleaf Books! All books featured in Season 20
—

"10 Terrible Ideas" is brought to you in large part by my supporters, the Fabulists, who received an early, expanded version of this episode. You can join our Fabulist community with a pledge on Patreon or Substack !

Some of the links above may be affiliate, allowing you to support the show at no extra cost to you. Also consider leaving a review for ISBW, please!
CREDITS
Theme song by John Anealio , art by Numbers Ninja ,
and files hosted by Libsyn (affiliate link). Get archives of the show via Patreon. December 26, 2024 | Season 20 Ep 35 | murverse.com
"10 Terrible Ideas" by Mur Lafferty
is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

S20 Ep34: In Which Mur Looks Into The Pit of Despair and Sees a Tiger [Explicit]

"Don't talk yourself out of being creative, because that really is the biggest thing that stops us is ourselves."

(This post went live for supporters on November 14, 2024 . If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at Patreon or Substack !)

NOTE: It occurs to me that I have three explicit episodes--32, 33, 34--in a row. But one was a casual interview, one was rage, and one was despair. So we will get back to nice clean episo des soon. I promise.)

Recorded two days after the 2024 election, and I'm in deep despair in this episode. It's casual, with a lot of talk about ADHD and masking and what "writers" are supposed to do. We talk about the importance of embracing one's identity as a writer, regardless of external expectations.

I also talk about my upcoming cozy fantasy project, inspired by the likes of Legends & Lattes and T. Kingfisher's boks, and the challenges of discussing creative work prematurely.

Transcript

Links:
Terry Pratchett Ray Bradbury Richard Dansky Discworld The Cure The Smiths Chuck Wendig Taskmaster Travis Baldree (Legends and Lattes) T. Kingfisher
Evergreen Links
Like the podcast? Get the book! I Should Be Writing book . My newsletter, The Hot Mic , and the community of Fabulists over at Patreon . Supporting either of those will get you perks like access to the discord, exclusive content, and early, ad-free episodes. Socials: Bluesky , Mastodon , TikTok , Instagram , YouTube , Focusmate . Theme by John Anealio Savor I Should Be Writing tea blends Support local book stores! Station Eternity, Six Wakes, Solo: A Star Wars Story: Expanded Edition and more! OR Get signed books from my friendly local store, Flyleaf Books! All books featured in Season 20

—

"Tigers" is brought to you in large part by my supporters, the Fabulists, who received an early, expanded version of this episode. You can join our Fabulist community with a pledge on Patreon or Substack !

Some of the links above may be affiliate, allowing you to support the show at no extra cost to you. Also consider leaving a review for ISBW, please!
CREDITS
Theme song by John Anealio , art by Numbers Ninja ,
and files hosted by Libsyn (affiliate link). Get archives of the show via Patreon. December 2, 2024 | Season 20 Ep 34 | murverse.com
"Tigers" by Mur Lafferty
is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

S20 Ep33: In Which Mur and Jen Udden Discuss World Fantasy Con, Fan Fiction, and the Ever-Changing Publishing Landscape [Explicit]

"I think we're about 10 minutes away from reinventing urban fantasy and paranormal romance." - Jennifer Udden

(This post went live for supporters on November 12, 2024 . If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at Patreon or Substack !)

(NOTE: It occurs to me that I have three explicit episodes--32, 33, 34--in a row. But one was a casual interview, one was rage, and one was despair. So we will get back to nice clean episodes soon. I promise.)

At World Fantasy Con this year, I got to talk to my ex-agent Jennifer Udden, who shared her journey from agent to barista and back to agenting. We talked about the unique atmosphere of the con, the evolution of fan fiction in the literary world, and the growing acceptance of publishing professionals as writers. We also talk about Stardew Valley.

Jen opens up about her experience with self-publishing, the importance of creative outlets, and her plans to reopen submissions, focusing on adult fiction across various genres.

Transcript

Links:
World Fantasy Con Archive of Our Own Organization for Transformative Works Stardew Valley Dragon Age Del Rey Books T. Kingfisher Guitar Hero Jennifer Udden on Instagram Marrying In by Jennifer Stratton
Evergreen Links
Like the podcast? Get the book! I Should Be Writing book . My newsletter, The Hot Mic , and the community of Fabulists over at Patreon . Supporting either of those will get you perks like access to the discord, exclusive content, and early, ad-free episodes. Socials: Bluesky , Mastodon , TikTok , Instagram , YouTube , Focusmate . Theme by John Anealio Savor I Should Be Writing tea blends Support local book stores! Station Eternity, Six Wakes, Solo: A Star Wars Story: Expanded Edition and more! OR Get signed books from my friendly local store, Flyleaf Books! All books featured in Season 20
—

"Returning to Agenting with Jennifer Udden" is brought to you in large part by my supporters, the Fabulists, who received an early, expanded version of this episode. You can join our Fabulist community with a pledge on Patreon or Substack !

Some of the links above may be affiliate, allowing you to support the show at no extra cost to you. Also consider leaving a review for ISBW, please!
CREDITS
Theme song by John Anealio , art by Numbers Ninja ,
and files hosted by Libsyn (affiliate link). Get archives of the show via Patreon. November 25, 2024 | Season 20 Ep 33 | murverse.com
"Returning to Agenting with Jennifer Udden" by Mur Lafferty
is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

S.20 Ep.32: In Which Mur and Valerie Discuss NaNoWriMo Alternatives, Writing Tools, and Community Building [Explicit]

"The spirit of NaNoWriMo was to do something big, bold, and show what you're capable of." - Valerie Valdes

(This post went live for supporters on November 13, 2024 . If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at Patreon or Substack !)

(NOTE: It occurs to me that I have three explicit episodes--32, 33, 34--in a row. But one was a casual interview, one was rage, and one was despair. So we will get back to nice clean episodes soon. I promise.)

Join Mur and Valerie Valdes as they dive into the chaos surrounding NaNoWriMo and explore alternatives for writers seeking new challenges. They discuss the current state of NaNoWriMo, the controversies, and the impact on the writing community. Valerie shares insights into her local writing group’s decision to break away and create their own events.

Valerie also offers a wealth of resources and tools to challenge yourself this month, including Dream Foundry's Freefall Challenge, World Anvil's World Ember, and various Pomodoro and idle games like Rusty's Retirement and Pomo Farm, and how to stay motivated with apps like 4 the Words and TrackBear.

Transcript

Links

NaNoWriMo

Twitch

Discord

Dream Foundry

World Anvil

Flights of Foundry

Con or Bust

Game of Tomes

4 The Words

Pacemaker

TrackBear

Written Kitten

Write or Die

Placid Plastic Duck Simulator

Rusty's Retirement

Virtual Cottage

Chill Pulse

Cozy Time

Melvor Idle

On Track

Evergreen Links

Like the podcast? Get the book! I Should Be Writing book .

My newsletter, The Hot Mic , and the community of Fabulists over at Patreon . Supporting either of those will get you perks like access to the discord, exclusive content, and early, ad-free episodes.

Socials: Bluesky , Mastodon , TikTok , Instagram , YouTube , Focusmate .

Theme by John Anealio

Savor I Should Be Writing tea blends

Support local book stores! Station Eternity, Six Wakes, Solo: A Star Wars Story: Expanded Edition and more!

OR Get signed books from my friendly local store, Flyleaf Books!

"NowNoWhatMo…with Valerie Valdes" is brought to you in large part by my supporters, the Fabulists, who received an early, expanded version of this episode. You can join our Fabulist community with a pledge on Patreon or Substack !

Some of the links above may be affiliate, allowing you to support the show at no extra cost to you. Also consider leaving a review for ISBW, please!
CREDITS
Theme song by John Anealio , art by Numbers Ninja ,
and files hosted by Libsyn (affiliate link). Get archives of the show via Patreon. November 18, 2024 | Season 20 Ep 32 | murverse.com
"NowNoWhatMo…with Valerie Valdes" by Mur Lafferty
is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

S.20 Ep.31: In Which Mur and Gwynne Garfinkle Discuss Short Stories, Anthologies, and the Joy of Fanfiction

"I write about what I know, and what I know is family." - Gwynne Garfinkle

(This post went live for supporters on November 12, 2024 . If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at Patreon or Substack !)

Join me as I welcome back author Gwynne Garfinkle to discuss her anthology of short stories and the art of writing across different lengths. We dive into Gwynne's journey from novels to short stories, exploring the freedom and challenges of each format. Gwynne shares her love for fanfiction and how it rekindled her passion for writing fiction.

We also delve into Gwynne's poetry, discussing her unique approach to capturing untold stories from classic films, and her process of deciding whether an idea becomes a poem or a short story.

Transcript

Links:
Gwynne Garfinkle Escape Pod Strange Horizons Aqueduct Press Readercon Blue Sky Query Tracker Fantasy Magazine Psycho (1960 film)
Evergreen Links
Like the podcast? Get the book! I Should Be Writing book . My newsletter, The Hot Mic , and the community of Fabulists over at Patreon . Supporting either of those will get you perks like access to the discord, exclusive content, and early, ad-free episodes. Socials: Bluesky , Mastodon , TikTok , Instagram , YouTube , Focusmate . Theme by John Anealio Savor I Should Be Writing tea blends Support local book stores! Station Eternity, Six Wakes, Solo: A Star Wars Story: Expanded Edition and more! OR Get signed books from my friendly local store, Flyleaf Books! All books featured in Season 20

"From Fanfiction to Fantasy: Gwen Garfinkel's Writing Adventures" is brought to you in large part by my supporters, the Fabulists, who received an early, expanded version of this episode. You can join our Fabulist community with a pledge on Patreon or Substack !

Some of the links above may be affiliate, allowing you to support the show at no extra cost to you. Also consider leaving a review for ISBW, please!
CREDITS
Theme song by John Anealio , art by Numbers Ninja ,
and files hosted by Libsyn (affiliate link). Get archives of the show via Patreon. November 15, 2024 | Season 20 Ep 31 | murverse.com
"From Fanfiction to Fantasy: Gwen Garfinkel's Writing Adventures" by Mur Lafferty
is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

S20 Ep30: In Which Mur and Stacy Sivinski Discuss Cozy Fantasy, Sensory Writing, and Sisterhood

"The senses are actually connected, and the way we describe sensation and prioritize sight and sound is actually attached to social biases that need to be reconstructed." - Stacy Sivinski

(This post went live for supporters on November 12, 2024 . If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at Patreon or Substack !)

In this episode, we welcome debut author Stacy Sivinski to discuss her new cozy fantasy novel, The Crescent Moon Tea Room. We explore the sensory elements that make her writing so immersive and the importance of sisterhood and self-discovery in her storytelling. Stacy shares her background in sensory studies, how it influences her writing, and the fascinating hierarchy of the senses that challenges traditional storytelling norms.

Stacy also touches on the challenges of transitioning from a PhD in English to writing cozy fantasy, her disciplined writing routine, and how she navigates the fears of starting new projects. We delve into her upcoming book, hinting at enchanted bookstores and ghosts, and discuss the power of writing rituals to overcome writer's block and anxiety.

Transcript

Links :
Stacy Sivinski Stacy Sivinski on Instagram The Crescent Moon Tea Room by Stacy Sivinski Wild Geese Bookshop Schuler Books Deja Brew by Celestine Martin Big Witch Energy by Molly Harper The Blue Castle by L.M. Montgomery Emory and Henry College Kate Chopin Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier Agatha Christie
Evergreen Links
Like the podcast? Get the book! I Should Be Writing book . My newsletter, The Hot Mic , and the community of Fabulists over at Patreon . Supporting either of those will get you perks like access to the discord, exclusive content, and early, ad-free episodes. Socials: Bluesky , Mastodon , TikTok , Instagram , YouTube , Focusmate . Theme by John Anealio Savor I Should Be Writing tea blends Support local book stores! Station Eternity, Six Wakes, Solo: A Star Wars Story: Expanded Edition and more! OR Get signed books from my friendly local store, Flyleaf Books! All books featured in Season 20

"Exploring Cozy Fantasy and Sensory Writing with Stacy Sivinski" is brought to you in large part by my supporters, the Fabulists, who received an early, expanded version of this episode. You can join our Fabulist community with a pledge on Patreon or Substack !

Some of the links above may be affiliate, allowing you to support the show at no extra cost to you. Also consider leaving a review for ISBW, please!
CREDITS
Theme song by John Anealio , art by Numbers Ninja ,
and files hosted by Libsyn (affiliate link). Get archives of the show via Patreon. November 14, 2024 | Season 20 Ep 30 | murverse.com
"Exploring Cozy Fantasy and Sensory Writing with Stacy Sivinski" by Mur Lafferty
is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

S20 Ep29: In Which Mur and Cat Rambo Discuss Writing, Accountability, and Intelligent Spaceships

"I think that right now there are so many very interesting and original voices that can never be replicated." - Cat Rambo

Join me in welcoming author, community builder, former SFWA president, and all around awesome person Cat Rambo. We dive into Cat’s writing journey, discussing their latest series featuring intelligent spaceships and former mercenaries turned restaurateurs. Cat shares their unique approach to starting a story, the importance of accountability, and how they manage their prolific output despite the challenges all writers face.

Cat also talks about their recent projects, reveals their outlining process, the value of community in their Patreon, and future plans, including a horror novel set in 1976 South Bend, Indiana.

Transcript

Links:

Rumor Has It by Cat Rambo

Cat Rambo

Cat's Patreon

Jennifer Brozek

Ursula Vernon

Maurice Broaddus

Bill Gibson

Karen Joy Fowler

Nisi Shawl

Octavia Butler

Stardew Valley

Escape Pod

Ray Naylor

Stephen Graham Jones

Save the Cat

Robert McCammon

Stephen King

Griffin Bookstore

Evergreen Links

Like the podcast? Get the book! I Should Be Writing book .

My newsletter, The Hot Mic , and my Patreon . Supporting either of those will get you perks like access to the discord, exclusive content, and early, ad-free episodes.

Socials: Bluesky , Mastodon , TikTok , Instagram , YouTube , Focusmate .

Theme by John Anealio

Savor I Should Be Writing tea blends

Support local book stores! Station Eternity, Six Wakes, Solo: A Star Wars Story: Expanded Edition and more!

OR Get signed books from my friendly local store, Flyleaf Books!

All books featured in Season 20

"Accountability and Adventures in Writing with Cat Rambo" is brought to you in large part by my supporters, the Fabulists, who received an early, expanded version of this episode. You can join our Fabulist community with a pledge on Patreon or Substack !

Some of the links above may be affiliate, allowing you to support the show at no extra cost to you. Also consider leaving a review for ISBW, please!

CREDITS
Theme song by John Anealio , art by Numbers Ninja ,and files hosted by Libsyn (affiliate link). Get archives of the show via Patreon.

October 28, 2024 | Season 20 Ep 29 | murverse.com
"Accountability and Adventures in Writing with Cat Rambo" by Mur Lafferty
is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

S20 Ep28 : In Which Mur and Sarah Pinsker Discuss Reality Shows, Workshops, and Writing Patience

"I love the bingo card measure of success rather than the ladder of success." - Sarah Pinsker

(This post went live for supporters on October 11 2024 . If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at Patreon or Substack !)

In this episode, Mur welcomes the award-winning author Sarah Pinsker to discuss her latest book, Haunt Sweet Home. They dive into the fascinating world of reality TV shows and how Sarah's unique idea of a haunted house fixer-upper series evolved from a joke to a novella.

Sarah shares her insights on the importance of patience in writing, especially when it comes to leveling up your skills for a project that feels just out of reach. They also explore the intricacies of different writing workshops, including Clarion West and the Milford method, and how these experiences shape a writer's journey.

From the challenges of finishing stories to the agony of editing, Sarah offers invaluable advice on navigating the hurdles of the writing process. Tune in for a delightful conversation filled with practical tips, personal anecdotes, and a deep dive into the craft of storytelling.

Transcript

Links
Sarah Pinsker's Home Page Haunt Sweet Home by Sarah Pinsker Tor.com Clarion West Cat Rambo Odyssey Writing Workshop Viable Paradise James Patrick Kelly The Milford Method
Evergreen Links
Like the podcast? Get the book! I Should Be Writing book . My newsletter, The Hot Mic , and my Patreon . Supporting either of those will get you perks like access to the discord, exclusive content, and early, ad-free episodes. Socials: Bluesky , Mastodon , TikTok , Instagram , YouTube , Focusmate . Theme by John Anealio Savor I Should Be Writing tea blends Support local book stores! Station Eternity, Six Wakes, Solo: A Star Wars Story: Expanded Edition and more! OR Get signed books from my friendly local store, Flyleaf Books! All books featured in Season 20

"Unveiling Haunt Sweet Home with Sarah Pinsker!" is brought to you in large part by my supporters, the Fabulists, who received an early, expanded version of this episode. You can join our Fabulist community with a pledge on Patreon or Substack !

Some of the links above may be affiliate, allowing you to support the show at no extra cost to you. Also consider leaving a review for ISBW, please!

CREDITS
Theme song by John Anealio , art by Numbers Ninja ,
and files hosted by Libsyn (affiliate link). Get archives of the show via Patreon. October 21, 2024 | Season 20 Ep 28 | murverse.com
"Unveiling Haunt Sweet Home with Sarah Pinsker!!" by Mur Lafferty
is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

S20 Ep27: In Which Mur and Anamely Salgado Reyes Discuss Magical Realism and Writing Journeys

"I write about what I know, and what I know is family." - Anamely Salgado Reyes

In this episode, I chat with Anamely Salgado Reyes about her debut novel, My Mother Cursed My Name , and the intricacies of writing magical realism. We explore the differences between magical realism and fantasy, the significance of family stories, and the emotional journey of getting published.

Anamely shares her unique path to becoming a published author, from Googling how to publish a book to landing her dream agent. She also talks about her second novel, her writing process, and her love for family-centric stories.

Transcript

Links:
Anamely Salgado Reyes on Instagram Electric Spec My Mother Cursed My Name So Far From God by Ana Castillo The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel Shit No One Tells You About Writing Podcast
Evergreen Links
Like the podcast? Get the book! I Should Be Writing book . My newsletter, The Hot Mic , and my Patreon . Supporting either of those will get you perks like access to the discord, exclusive content, and early, ad-free episodes. Socials: Bluesky , Mastodon , TikTok , Instagram , YouTube , Focusmate . Theme by John Anealio Savor I Should Be Writing tea blends Support local book stores! Station Eternity, Six Wakes, Solo: A Star Wars Story: Expanded Edition and more! OR Get signed books from my friendly local store, Flyleaf Books! All books featured in Season 20

"Writing Family Stories and Magical Realism with Anamely Salgado Reyes" is brought to you in large part by my supporters, the Fabulists, who received an early, expanded version of this episode. You can join our Fabulist community with a pledge on Patreon or Substack !

Some of the links above may be affiliate, allowing you to support the show at no extra cost to you. Also consider leaving a review for ISBW, please!
CREDITS
Theme song by John Anealio , art by Numbers Ninja ,
and files hosted by Libsyn (affiliate link). Get archives of the show via Patreon. October 14, 2024 | Season 20 Ep 27 | murverse.com
"Writing Family Stories and Magical Realism with Anamely Salgado Reyes" by Mur Lafferty
is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

S20 Ep26: In Which Mur and S.B. Divya Discuss Worldcon, Accessibility, and Future Worlds

NOTE- I will be doing a giveaway for signed copies of Meru and Loka on October 31, 2024! Details on how to win are inside the podcast!

I'm delighted to welcome welcome my longtime friend, S.B. Divya, to discuss Divya’s new book, Loka . We dive into our experiences at Worldcon, the intricacies of accessibility at large conventions, and the unique challenges faced by those with disabilities. Divya shares her journey in creating a richly detailed future world for her books, explaining how she envisions life a thousand years from now and the process of worldbuilding that supports her stories.

We also explore the concept of burnout, particularly in the context of long Covid, and how Divya managed to balance her writing career with her health needs. The conversation highlights the importance of taking intentional breaks and the reality of being a writer with a disability.

We get insights into Divya’s creative process, her thoughts on genetic engineering, space exploration, and the sociopolitical landscapes of her speculative worlds. Plus, there's a special giveaway for US listeners to win signed copies of Meru and Loka!

Transcript

Links:

S.B. Divya’s Website

Loka by S.B. Divya

Meru by S.B. Divya

Greta Thunberg

Clarkesworld Magazine

Evergreen Links

Like the podcast? Get the book! I Should Be Writing book .

My newsletter, The Hot Mic , and my Patreon . Supporting either of those will get you perks like access to the discord, exclusive content, and early, ad-free episodes.

Socials: Bluesky , Mastodon , TikTok , Instagram , YouTube , Focusmate .

Theme by John Anealio

Savor I Should Be Writing tea blends

Support local book stores! Station Eternity, Six Wakes, Solo: A Star Wars Story: Expanded Edition and more!

OR Get signed books from my friendly local store, Flyleaf Books!

All books featured in Season 20

"Navigating WorldCon and Writing Challenges with SB Divya" is brought to you in large part by my supporters, the Fabulists, who received an early, expanded version of this episode. You can join our Fabulist community with a pledge on Patreon or Substack !

Some of the links above may be affiliate, allowing you to support the show at no extra cost to you. Also consider leaving a review for ISBW, please!

CREDITS
Theme song by John Anealio , art by Numbers Ninja ,and files hosted by Libsyn (affiliate link). Get archives of the show via Patreon.

October 7, 2024 | Season 20 Ep 26 | murverse.com
"Navigating WorldCon and Writing Challenges with SB Divya" by Mur Lafferty
is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

S20 Ep25: In Which Mur Interviews Wole Talabi and Sung-Il Kim at Worldcon

"Leave with more connections than you came with." - Wole Talabi

In this special episode, Mur Lafferty returns with interviews recorded at Worldcon, featuring Wole Talabi and Sung-Il Kim. Apologies for audio issues, but I really wanted to get these to you because interviews with these writers can’t be missed.

First, I chat with Wole Talabi, the author of Shigidi and the Brass Head of Obalufon and the short story collection Convergence Problems . Wole shares his experiences attending Worldcon, the importance of community building at conventions, and the collaborative process behind the Mothersound: The Sauútiverse Anthology .

Next, I talk to Sung-Il Kim, whose debut English novel Blood of the Old Kings is set to release in this month. Sung-Il discusses his journey from role-playing game development to fiction writing, the translation process, and the importance of starting your story with a compelling hook.

NOTE- Thanks to Tor, I will be doing a giveaway for Blood of the Old Kings on October 15, 2024! Details on how to win are inside the podcast!

Transcript

Links and references:

Wole Talabi

Sung-Il Kim

Worldcon

Bubonicon

Infinite Archive

The Ophelia Network

Shigidi and the Brass Head of Obalufon

Convergence Problems

Mothersound: The Sauútiverse Anthology

Blood of the Old Kings

Author PD James

Translator Anton Hur

Subterranean Press

MIT Press

Twelve Tomorrows Anthology

Evergreen Links

Like the podcast? Get the book! I Should Be Writing book .

My newsletter, The Hot Mic , and my Patreon . Supporting either of those will get you perks like access to the discord, exclusive content, and early, ad-free episodes.

Socials: Bluesky , Mastodon , TikTok , Instagram , YouTube , Focusmate .

Theme by John Anealio

Savor I Should Be Writing tea blends

Support local book stores! Station Eternity, The Ophelia Network, Six Wakes, Solo: A Star Wars Story: Expanded Edition and more!

OR Get signed books from my friendly local store, Flyleaf Books!

All books featured in Season 20

Some of the links above may be affiliate, allowing you to support the show at no extra cost to you. Also consider leaving a review for ISBW, please!

CREDITS
Theme song by John Anealio , art by Numbers Ninja ,and files hosted by Libsyn. Get archives of the show via Patreon.

October 1, 2024 | Season 20 Ep 25 | murverse.com
“Exploring Shared Worlds and Translation Challenges with Wole Talabi and Sung-Il Kim” by Mur Lafferty is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

[Please note that this podcast is explicit with a few swear words and CW- parental death discussed.]

S20 Ep24: In Which Mur and Tanya DePass Discuss Fanfic, Diversity Consulting, and Creative Journeys

Recorded ON ISBW's birthday, in Glasgow, y'all. Nineteen years. I'd drop the mic, but it seems I'm committed now.

I think people who turn up their nose at Fanfic are really A: missing out and B: being snobs. - Tanya DePass

Transcript

(This post went live for supporters on August 23, 2024 . If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at Patreon or Substack !)

Join Mur as she celebrates the 19th anniversary of "I Should Be Writing" with special guest Tanya DePass, aka cypheroftyr. Tanya is a prolific writer, streamer, and game developer, known for her work in promoting diversity and inclusion in the gaming industry. In this episode, they delve into Tanya’s multifaceted career, from founding "I Need Diverse Games" to working on the upcoming Wonder Woman game.

Tanya shares her journey with fanfiction, discussing how it has evolved over the years and how it helps her hone her writing skills. They also touch on the importance of diversity consulting in creative works, offering advice on when and how to seek out consultants to ensure authentic representation.

They explore the emotional challenges of creative careers, the value of finding opportunities, and the importance of community support. Tanya’s insights into streaming, game development, and balancing multiple roles provide a comprehensive look at the modern creative landscape.

Links
I Need Diverse Games Tanya on Twitch Wonder Woman game Into the Motherlands Green Ronin Publishing RPG Rivals of Waterdeep Black Dice Society Baldur's Gate 3 Dragon Age Mafia III AO3 (Archive of Our Own) Fanfiction.net Bioware Marvel's Black Panther
Evergreen Links
Like the podcast? Get the book! I Should Be Writing book . My newsletter, The Hot Mic , and my Patreon . Supporting either of those will get you perks like access to the discord, exclusive content, and early, ad-free episodes. Socials: Bluesky , Mastodon , TikTok , Instagram , YouTube , Focusmate . Theme by John Anealio Savor I Should Be Writing tea blends Support local book stores! Station Eternity, Six Wakes, Solo: A Star Wars Story: Expanded Edition and more! OR Get signed books from my friendly local store, Flyleaf Books! All books featured in Season 20

"Celebrating ISBW's 19th Bday Live at WorldCon with Writer and Gamer, Tanya Depass!" is brought to you in large part by my supporters, the Fabulists, who received an early, expanded version of this episode. You can join our Fabulist community with a pledge on Patreon or Substack !

Some of the links above may be affiliate, allowing you to support the show at no extra cost to you. Also consider leaving a review for ISBW, please!
CREDITS
Theme song by John Anealio , art by Numbers Ninja ,
and files hosted by Libsyn (affiliate link). Get archives of the show via Patreon. August 26, 2024 | Season 20 Ep 24 | murverse.com
"Tanya DePass, Writing, and Gaming, Live from WorldCon, Glasgow!" by Mur Lafferty
is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

S20 Ep23: In Which Mur and Waubgeshig Rice explore post-apocalyptic worlds.

It's like, ultimately, words are expendable. You just pick different ones. - Waubgeshig Rice

Transcript

(This post went live for supporters on August 21, 2024 . If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at Patreon or Substack !)

In this episode. Mur chats with award-winning author and journalist Waubgeshig Rice about his latest book, Moon of the Turning Leaves. They delve into the challenges and rewards of transitioning from journalism to fiction, the intricacies of writing post-apocalyptic literature, and the importance of smaller presses for budding authors.

Waub also shares his inspirations, the impact of his indigenous heritage on his storytelling, and offers invaluable advice for aspiring writers. Tune in for an insightful discussion on the craft of writing and the resilience of communities in the face of global calamities.

And y'all, SO MANY good book recommendations! Check the shownotes at murverse.com.

Links
Waub’s Home Page and Instagram Moon of the Turning Leaves by Waubgeshig Rice Moon of the Crusted Snow by Waubgeshig Rice
Evergreen Links
Like the podcast? Get the book! I Should Be Writing book . My newsletter, The Hot Mic , and my Patreon . Supporting either of those will get you perks like access to the discord, exclusive content, and early, ad-free episodes. Socials: Bluesky , Mastodon , TikTok , Instagram , YouTube , Focusmate . Theme by John Anealio Savor I Should Be Writing tea blends Support local book stores! Station Eternity, Six Wakes, Solo: A Star Wars Story: Expanded Edition and more! OR Get signed books from my friendly local store, Flyleaf Books! All books featured in Season 20
"Exploring the Post-Apocalyptic World with Waubgeshig Rice" is brought to you in large part by my supporters, the Fabulists, who received an early, expanded version of this episode. You can join our Fabulist community with a pledge on Patreon or Substack !

Some of the links above may be affiliate, allowing you to support the show at no extra cost to you. Also consider leaving a review for ISBW, please!
CREDITS
Theme song by John Anealio , art by Numbers Ninja ,
and files hosted by Libsyn (affiliate link). Get archives of the show via Patreon. August 23, 2024 | Season 20 Ep 23 | murverse.com
"Exploring the Post-Apocalyptic World with Waubgeshig Rice" by Mur Lafferty
is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

S20 Ep22: In Which Mur Chats with MJ Wassmer and Discusses Debut Novels and the Writing Journey

"You can't think yourself into better actions, but you can act yourself into better thoughts." - MJ Wassmer

Transcript

Join Mur as she welcomes MJ Wassmer, author of Zero Stars Do Not Recommend , to discuss the ups and downs of debuting in the publishing world, writing speculative comedy, and the emotional rollercoaster that comes with finishing a book.

MJ shares his personal journey, from working in corporate America to becoming a published author, and offers insights into his writing process, dealing with rejections, and the importance of having a supportive spouse.

Links:

MJ Wassmer

Zero Stars Do Not Recommend

MJ Wassmer on Instagram

Doctor Who

Rick Rubin

Josh Ritter

Inky

Evergreen Links

Like the podcast? Get the book! I Should Be Writing book .

My newsletter, The Hot Mic , and my Patreon . Supporting either of those will get you perks like access to the discord, exclusive content, and early, ad-free episodes.

Socials: Bluesky , Mastodon , TikTok , Instagram , YouTube , Focusmate .

Theme by John Anealio

Savor I Should Be Writing tea blends

Support local book stores! Station Eternity, Six Wakes, Solo: A Star Wars Story: Expanded Edition and more!

OR Get signed books from my friendly local store, Flyleaf Books!

All books featured in Season 20

"Debut Novels and the Writing Journey with MJ Wassmer" is brought to you in large part by by my supporters, who received an early, expanded version of this episode. You can join our Fabulist community with a pledge on Patreon or Substack !

Some of the links above may be affiliate, allowing you to support the show at no extra cost to you. Also consider leaving a review for ISBW, please!

CREDITS
Theme song by John Anealio , art by Numbers Ninja ,and files hosted by Libsyn (affiliate link). Get archives of the show via Patreon.

August 5, 2024 | Season 20 Ep 22 | murverse.com
"Debut Novels and the Writing Journey with MJ Wassmer" by Mur Lafferty
is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

S20 Ep21: In Which Mur and Mary Pascual Talk Writing and Mental Health

"I refuse to feel like or believe that [ADHD] is a detriment. Honestly, there are so many things about ADHD that I personally love." - Mary Pascual

T ranscript

(This post went live for supporters on July 8, 2024 . If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at Patreon or Substack !)

In this episode, Mur Lafferty is joined by Mary Pascual, author of Walk the Web Lightly . They dive into the challenges of writing with ADHD, the importance of mental health for writers, and the unique creative processes that come with neurodivergence. Mur shares her recent experience of turning in her eighth book, Infinite Archive, and the duo explores the intricacies of balancing deadlines with self-care.

Mary discusses her latest book, its themes of time, art, and science, and the journey of her young protagonist, Nya. They also touch on the blurred lines between YA and middle grade fiction, and how personal experiences and mythological inspirations shape their storytelling. Tune in for an insightful conversation about the highs and lows of the writing life, and the shared struggles and triumphs of creative minds.

Links:
Walk the Web Lightly by Mary Pascual ADHD for Smart Ass Women Podcast (and the book ) Gregor the Overlander by Suzanne Collins Brave New World by Aldous Huxley 1984 by George Orwell SpaceValkyries Stream Escape Pod (Hugo finalist semi-prozine)
Evergreen Links
Catch the show LIVE on Twitch Thursdays, 3pm, Eastern time! Like the podcast? Get the book! I Should Be Writing book . My newsletter, The Hot Mic , and my Patreon . Supporting either of those will get you perks like access to the discord, exclusive content, and early, ad-free episodes. Socials: Bluesky , Mastodon , TikTok , Instagram , YouTube , Focusmate . Theme by John Anealio Savor I Should Be Writing tea blends Support local book stores! Station Eternity, Six Wakes, Solo: A Star Wars Story: Expanded Edition and more! OR Get signed books from my friendly local store, Flyleaf Books! All books featured in Season 20

"Embracing ADHD and Crafting Timelines with Mary Pascual" is brought to you in large part by by my supporters, who received an early, expanded version of this episode. You can join our Fabulist community with a pledge on Patreon or Substack !

Some of the links above may be affiliate, allowing you to support the show at no extra cost to you. Also consider leaving a review for ISBW, please!
CREDITS
Theme song by John Anealio , art by Numbers Ninja ,
and files hosted by Libsyn (affiliate link). Get archives of the show via Patreon. July 29, 2024 | Season 20 Ep 21 | murverse.com
"Embracing ADHD and Crafting Timelines with Mary Pascual" by Mur Lafferty
is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

S20 Ep20: In Which Mur and James L. Sutter Discuss Editing, Outlining, and Ghostly Romances

"I think that is the beating heart of any novel, is characters changing." - James L. Sutter

Transcript

Join Mur and guest James L. Sutter as they delve into the intricacies of the writing process, from the importance of meticulous outlining to the challenges of editing. They discuss James’s new book, The Ghost of Us , a queer YA supernatural romance that combines ghost hunting with a heartfelt coming-of-age story. They also share valuable tips on maintaining consistency and dealing with feedback, all while keeping the creative spark alive.

Links:
Pathfinder RPG Starfinder RPG The Ghost of Us Dark Hearts Empire of the Vampire Leech Bitch: On the Female of the Species Compton Crook Award Scribe Award
Evergreen Links
Catch the show LIVE on Twitch Thursdays, 3pm, Eastern time! Like the podcast? Get the book! I Should Be Writing book . My newsletter, The Hot Mic , and my Patreon . Supporting either of those will get you perks like access to the discord, exclusive content, and early, ad-free episodes. Socials: Bluesky , Mastodon , TikTok , Instagram , YouTube , Focusmate . Theme by John Anealio Savor I Should Be Writing tea blends Support local book stores! Station Eternity, Six Wakes, Solo: A Star Wars Story: Expanded Edition and more! OR Get signed books from my friendly local store, Flyleaf Books! All books featured in Season 20

"Spreadsheets, Ghosts, and the Art of Outlining with James L. Sutter" is brought to you in large part by by my supporters, who received an early, expanded version of this episode. You can join our Fabulist community with a pledge on Patreon or Substack !

Some of the links above may be affiliate, allowing you to support the show at no extra cost to you. Also consider leaving a review for ISBW, please!
CREDITS
Theme song by John Anealio , art by Numbers Ninja ,
and files hosted by Libsyn (affiliate link). Get archives of the show via Patreon. July 22, 2024 | Season 20 Ep 20 | murverse.com
"Spreadsheets, Ghosts, and the Art of Outlining with James L. Sutter" by Mur Lafferty
is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

S20 Ep19: In Which Mur Explores the Deck of Worlds and Story Engine

"You know, if you use the word 'modified,' you can get away with anything." - Mur

Transcript

(This post went live for supporters on July 1, 2024 . If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at Patreon or Substack !)

Join Mur Lafferty as she dives into a live-streamed session of world-building using the Deck of Worlds and The Story Engine . Despite a challenging week, Mur's creativity shines as she crafts unique settings and characters, from a swamp with carnivorous plants to a compromised cyborg in a cyberpunk universe. This episode is a treasure trove for writers looking to spark their imagination and explore new storytelling tools.

Links:
The Story Engine Deck of Worlds Madeleine L'Engle Martha Wells The Lost Room Locke & Key Unknown Armies
Evergreen Links
Catch the show LIVE on Twitch Thursdays, 3pm, Eastern time! Like the podcast? Get the book! I Should Be Writing book . My newsletter, The Hot Mic , and my Patreon . Supporting either of those will get you perks like access to the discord, exclusive content, and early, ad-free episodes. Socials: Bluesky , Mastodon , TikTok , Instagram , YouTube , Focusmate . Theme by John Anealio Savor I Should Be Writing tea blends Support local book stores! Station Eternity, Six Wakes, Solo: A Star Wars Story: Expanded Edition and more! OR Get signed books from my friendly local store, Flyleaf Books! All books featured in Season 20

"Deck of Worlds: Unleashing Creativity in Fiction" is brought to you in large part by by my supporters, who received an early, expanded version of this episode. You can join our Fabulist community with a pledge on Patreon or Substack !

Some of the links above may be affiliate, allowing you to support the show at no extra cost to you. Also consider leaving a review for ISBW, please!
CREDITS
Theme song by John Anealio , art by Numbers Ninja ,
and files hosted by Libsyn (affiliate link). Get archives of the show via Patreon. July 15, 2024 | Season 20 Ep 19 | murverse.com
"Deck of Worlds: Unleashing Creativity in Fiction" by Mur Lafferty
is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

S20 Ep18: In Which Mur Explores Tarot and Historical Fiction with Susan Wands

"Action is always better than no action. You can always fix what you've done. You can't fix not getting started." - Susan Wands

Transcript

(This post went live for supporters on June 27, 2024 . If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at Patreon or Substack !)

In this episode, Mur chats with Susan Wands, the author of High Priestess and Empress . They delve into the fascinating world of Pamela Coleman Smith, the creator of the iconic Rider-Waite tarot deck, and discuss how historical fiction blends with magical realism in Susan's Arcana Oracle series. Susan shares her journey of rewriting her first book, dealing with genre expectations, and how tarot influences her creative process.

Links:
Susan Wands High Priestess and Empress Pamela Colman Smith Golden Dawn Watkins Books Atlantis Books Acculture Berlin Festival Art and Fiction Kindred Spirits Magazine Irving Society Journal Spark Press Worldcon Glasgow The Rider-Waite Tarot Deck Alistair Crowley Thoth Tarot Deck Joseph Campbell Save the Cat Sisters in Crime
Evergreen Links
Catch the show LIVE on Twitch Thursdays, 3pm, Eastern time! Like the podcast? Get the book! I Should Be Writing book . My newsletter, The Hot Mic , and my Patreon . Supporting either of those will get you perks like access to the discord, exclusive content, and early, ad-free episodes. Socials: Bluesky , Mastodon , TikTok , Instagram , YouTube , Focusmate . Theme by John Anealio Savor I Should Be Writing tea blends Support local book stores! Station Eternity, Six Wakes, Solo: A Star Wars Story: Expanded Edition and more! OR Get signed books from my friendly local store, Flyleaf Books! All books featured in Season 20

"Tarot Tales and Historical Hurdles with Susan Wands" is brought to you in large part by by my supporters, who received an early, expanded version of this episode. You can join our Fabulist community with a pledge on Patreon or Substack !

Some of the links above may be affiliate, allowing you to support the show at no extra cost to you. Also consider leaving a review for ISBW, please!
CREDITS
Theme song by John Anealio , art by Numbers Ninja ,
and files hosted by Libsyn (affiliate link). Get archives of the show via Patreon. July 8, 2024 | Season 20 Ep 18 | murverse.com
"Tarot Tales and Historical Hurdles with Susan Wands" by Mur Lafferty
is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

S20 Ep17: In Which Mur Reflects on Creativity and Ambition

"It's really easy. It's so relaxing to not be creative." - Mur

Transcript

This week, Mur shares her journey through book edits, the struggles of low energy, and the comforting realization that creation is often less comforting than consumption. Mur explores the myriad of creative opportunities available today—from writing novels to making music videos—and the emotional weight that comes with each creative endeavor.

She also touches on her admiration for hybrid creators like Ursula Vernon and the spontaneous creativity of the band, The Garages. Mur reflects on her past as a sports journalist and how it shaped her writing, offering insights into finding the right angle for storytelling. Whether you're struggling with a boring main character or the challenges of prequels, Mur provides thoughtful advice and personal anecdotes to help you navigate your creative journey.

Links:
Ursula Vernon Kobo
Evergreen Links
Catch the show LIVE on Twitch Thursdays, 3pm, Eastern time! Like the podcast? Get the book! I Should Be Writing book . My newsletter, The Hot Mic , and my Patreon . Supporting either of those will get you perks like access to the discord, exclusive content, and early, ad-free episodes. Socials: Bluesky , Mastodon , TikTok , Instagram , YouTube , Focusmate . Theme by John Anealio Savor I Should Be Writing tea blends Support local book stores! Station Eternity, Six Wakes, Solo: A Star Wars Story: Expanded Edition and more! OR Get signed books from my friendly local store, Flyleaf Books! All books featured in Season 20

"Navigating Novel Noodling and New Ideas" is brought to you in large part by by my supporters, who received an early, expanded version of this episode. You can join our Fabulist community with a pledge on Patreon or Substack !

Some of the links above may be affiliate, allowing you to support the show at no extra cost to you. Also consider leaving a review for ISBW, please!
CREDITS
Theme song by John Anealio , art by Numbers Ninja ,
and files hosted by Libsyn (affiliate link). Get archives of the show via Patreon. July 1, 2024 | Season 20 Ep 17 | murverse.com
"Navigating Novel Noodling and New Ideas" by Mur Lafferty
is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

S20 Ep16: In Which Mur Tackles Short Fiction Submissions

"You're not gonna be Wiswell or Chambers. You're gonna be you." - Mur

In this episode, Mur delves into the intricacies of submitting short fiction, sharing invaluable tips and personal experiences. From the importance of understanding market guidelines to the emotional resilience required to handle rejections, this episode is packed with advice for both new and seasoned writers.

Mur also recounts her recent whirlwind trip to Buffalo, battling migraines, and the unexpected productivity boost from writing a Baldur's Gate fanfic for a friend. Plus, she answers listener questions on short story submissions, beta readers, and the pitfalls of "rejectomancy."

Links:
Clarkesworld QueryTracker Duotrope Submission Grinder Escape Pod Baldur’s Gate 3 Neil Gaiman China Miéville Connie Willis John Scalzi Becky Chambers John Wiswell Ken Liu Hugo Awards GigaNotoSaurus Midsolar Murders Ditch Diggers
Evergreen Links
Like the podcast? Get the book! I Should Be Writing book . My newsletter, The Hot Mic , and my Patreon . Supporting either of those will get you perks like access to the discord, exclusive content, and early, ad-free episodes. Socials: Bluesky , Mastodon , TikTok , Instagram , YouTube , Focusmate . Theme by John Anealio Savor I Should Be Writing tea blends Support local book stores! Station Eternity, Six Wakes, Solo: A Star Wars Story: Expanded Edition and more! OR Get signed books from my friendly local store, Flyleaf Books! All books featured in Season 20
"Navigating Short Fiction Submissions" is brought to you in large part by by my supporters, who received an early, expanded version of this episode. You can join our Fabulist community with a pledge on Patreon or Substack !

Some of the links above may be affiliate, allowing you to support the show at no extra cost to you. Also consider leaving a review for ISBW, please!
CREDITS
Theme song by John Anealio , art by Numbers Ninja ,
and files hosted by Libsyn (affiliate link). Get archives of the show via Patreon. June 24, 2024 | Season 20 Ep 16 | murverse.com
"Navigating Short Fiction Submissions" by Mur Lafferty
is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

S20 Ep15: In Which Mur Muses on AI and the Writer's Journey

"I'm exaggerating a little bit, but if you look at the last 20 years, that's pretty much how I work." - Mur

Transcript

In this podcast we dive into the depths of editing my novel, Infinite Archive , and how I'm navigating the murky waters of murder mystery tweaks. We also explore the increasingly complex landscape of AI in writing and its implications for creatives.

Links:
Infinite Archive Valerie Valdez Premee Mohammed Savage Mill Geek Fest NASFiC in Buffalo Glasgow WorldCon World Fantasy Con Query Shark Writer Beware Preditors and Editors Stranger Things: Suspicious Minds (Gwenda Bond's book)
Evergreen Links
Like the podcast? Get the book! I Should Be Writing book . My newsletter, The Hot Mic , and my Patreon . Supporting either of those will get you perks like access to the discord, exclusive content, and early, ad-free episodes. Socials: Bluesky , Mastodon , TikTok , Instagram , YouTube , Focusmate . Theme by John Anealio Savor I Should Be Writing tea blends Support local book stores! Station Eternity, Six Wakes, Solo: A Star Wars Story: Expanded Edition and more! OR Get signed books from my friendly local store, Flyleaf Books! All books featured in Season 20
"Murder Mystery Meltdown and the AI Assistant" is brought to you in large part by by my supporters, who received an early, expanded version of this episode. You can join our Fabulist community with a pledge on Patreon or Substack !

Some of the links above may be affiliate, allowing you to support the show at no extra cost to you. Also consider leaving a review for ISBW, please!
CREDITS
Theme song by John Anealio , art by Numbers Ninja ,
and files hosted by Libsyn (affiliate link). Get archives of the show via Patreon. May 2, 2024 | Season 20 Ep 15 | murverse.com
"Murder Mystery Meltdown and the AI Assistant" by Mur Lafferty
is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

S20 Ep14: In Which Mur Dives into Conventions and Confidence

"You can't stop caring about something... You stop what you do about it, but you can't really just turn that switch off." - Mur

From the thrill of networking to the trepidation of tax season, Mur navigates the maze of a writer's life with humor and honesty. In this episode, she shares her experiences and insights on convention attendance, from choosing the right ones to the art of mingling without the cringe. Plus, she tackles the ever-present concern of COVID safety in crowded spaces.

Whether you're a cosplayer or a casual attendee, Mur advises on how to present yourself professionally, connect with industry pros, and enjoy the con experience while staying true to your comfort level. And for those not ready to dive back into the physical con scene, she discusses the merits of virtual conventions and how they can be a great alternative.

Links:
Escape Pod Omnihedral (game store) Boskone Worldcon Wiscon World Fantasy Con ConFusion Bubonicon FenCon ArmadilloCon San Antonio Book Festival John Scalzi Kameron Hurley Tobias Buckell Patreon Substack John Anealio (theme music) Numbersninja (art) Libsyn (podcast hosting) Valerie Valdes
Evergreen Links
Like the podcast? Get the book! I Should Be Writing book . My newsletter, The Hot Mic , and my Patreon . Supporting either of those will get you perks like access to the discord, exclusive content, and early, ad-free episodes. Socials: Bluesky , Mastodon , TikTok , Instagram , YouTube , Focusmate . Theme by John Anealio Savor I Should Be Writing tea blends Support local book stores! Station Eternity, Six Wakes, Solo: A Star Wars Story: Expanded Edition and more! OR Get signed books from my friendly local store, Flyleaf Books! All books featured in Season 20
"Conquering Conventions and Crafting Confidence" is brought to you in large part by by my supporters, who received an early, expanded version of this episode. You can join our Fabulist community with a pledge on Patreon or Substack !

Some of the links above may be affiliate, allowing you to support the show at no extra cost to you. Also consider leaving a review for ISBW, please!
CREDITS
Theme song by John Anealio , art by Numbers Ninja ,
and files hosted by Libsyn (affiliate link). Get archives of the show via Patreon. April 24, 2024 | Season 20 Ep 14 | murverse.com
"Conquering Conventions and Crafting Confidence" by Mur Lafferty
is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

S20 Ep13: In Which Mur Attends Wole Talabi's Creative Alchemy

Transcript

"The primary driver of my sense of success is, 'do I feel happy with what I've done?'" - Wole Talabi

Mur chats with Wole Talabi, an engineer turned author (but still engineer). They discuss the Schrodinger's Cat of publishing, the thrill of rewriting old stories for new audiences, and the joy of challenging the norms of fiction.

Links:

Wole Talabi

Nebula Awards

Hugo Awards

Locus Awards

Sidewise Awards for Alternate History

Lightspeed Magazine (with Wole's interview)

Caine Prize

Namwali Serpell and her short story "Account"

99 Fleeting Fantasies

Mothersound: The Sauútiverse Anthology

Glasgow 2024 Worldcon (World Science Fiction Convention)

Evergreen Links

Like the podcast? Get the book! I Should Be Writing book .

Socials: Bluesky , Mastodon , TikTok , Instagram , YouTube , Focusmate .

Theme by John Anealio

Savor I Should Be Writing tea blends

Support local book stores! Station Eternity, Six Wakes, Solo: A Star Wars Story: Expanded Edition and more!

OR Get signed books from my friendly local store, Flyleaf Books!

All books featured in Season 20

Some of the links above may be affiliate, allowing you to support the show at no extra cost to you. Also consider leaving a review for ISBW, please!

"From Patent Memos to Nebula Nods with Wole Talabi" is brought to you in large part by by my supporters, who received an early, expanded version of this episode. You can join our Fabulist community with a pledge on Patreon or Substack !

CREDITS
Theme song by John Anealio , art by Numbers Ninja , and files hosted by Libsyn (affiliate link)

"From Patent Memos to Nebula Nods with Wole Talabi" by Mur Lafferty
is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA

April 17, 2024 | Season 20 Ep 13 | murverse.com

S20 Ep 12: In Which Mur Plans to Turn Hurt Feelings into Finished Drafts

Transcript

"I read over the notes and I got mad and I got my feelings hurt." - Mur (being fussy)

I've received my edit letter about Infinite Archive, so I'm handling all the emotions that carries with it. ADHD complicated my perception of time, so figuring out how long it will take me is a challenge.

Valerie Valdes joins the chat with some excellent advice, like adding extra time to your deadlines to account for the unexpected. Then we touch on the basic concept of "someone comes to town, someone leaves down" (also a Cory Doctorow book title.)

We also touch on the concept of love triangles in fiction, sparking a conversation about the trope's effectiveness and its alternatives.

Links:
Valerie Valdes (aka @thekidsareasleep ) and her Locus-longlisted book Where Peace is Lost . Cory Doctorow Someone Comes to Town, Someone Leaves Town Writing the Other (course) Neil Gaiman on "Entitlement Issues" Paul and Storm (Also ISBW fans will recognize the voice behind this other GRRM focused song, "George RR Martin Is Not Your Bitch" ) Jeff VanderMeer's Wonderbook James Patrick Kelly A Song of Ice and Fire
Evergreen Links
Like the podcast? Get the book! I Should Be Writing book . My newsletter, The Hot Mic , and my Patreon . Supporting either of those will get you perks like access to the discord, exclusive content, and early, ad-free episodes. Socials: Bluesky , Mastodon , TikTok , Instagram , YouTube , Focusmate . Theme by John Anealio Savor I Should Be Writing tea blends Support local book stores! Station Eternity, Six Wakes, Solo: A Star Wars Story: Expanded Edition and more! OR Get signed books from my friendly local store, Flyleaf Books!
(go here for all the books mentioned in 2024)

"Riding the Revision Rollercoaster" is brought to you in large part by by my supporters, who received an early, expanded version of this episode. You can join our Fabulist community with a pledge on Patreon or Substack !

Some of the links above may be affiliate, allowing you to support the show at no extra cost to you. Also consider leaving a review for ISBW, please!
CREDITS
Theme song by John Anealio , art by Numbers Ninja ,
and files hosted by Libsyn (affiliate link). Get archives of the show via Patreon. April 15, 2024 | Season 20 Ep 12 | murverse.com
"The Revision Rollercoaster - From Hurt Feelings to Finished Drafts" by Mur Lafferty
is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

S20 Ep11: In which we travel "The Other Valley" with Scott Alexander Howard

Transcript

"I wrote it in a blissful who cares? Mentality, like, 'oh, well, genre will sort itself out.'" - Scott Alexander Howard

In this episode, we're joined by Scott Alexander Howard, author of The Other Valley , a novel where literary meets speculative. Scott delves into his journey from philosophy to fiction, sharing how his background influenced the emotional depth of his debut. We discuss the challenges of genre and the slow dance of publishing.

Links:
Scott Alexander Howard The Other Valley Elena Ferrante Ted Chiang Virginia Woolf Yoko Ogawa Marilynne Robinson Jenny Erpenbeck Martin McInnes

Evergreen Links
Like the podcast? Get the book! I Should Be Writing book . My newsletter, The Hot Mic , and my Patreon . Supporting either of those will get you perks like access to the discord, exclusive content, and early, ad-free episodes. Socials: Bluesky , Mastodon , TikTok , Instagram , YouTube , Focusmate . Theme by John Anealio Savor I Should Be Writing tea blends Support local book stores! Station Eternity, Six Wakes, Solo: A Star Wars Story: Expanded Edition and more! OR Get signed books from my friendly local store, Flyleaf Books!
(go here for all the books mentioned in 2024)

"The Landscape of Grief with Scott Alexander Howard" is brought to you in large part by by my supporters, who received an early, expanded version of this episode. You can join our Fabulist community with a pledge on Patreon or Substack !

Some of the links above may be affiliate, allowing you to support the show at no extra cost to you. Also consider leaving a review for ISBW, please!
CREDITS
Theme song by John Anealio , art by Numbers Ninja ,
and files hosted by Libsyn (affiliate link). Get archives of the show via Patreon. April 12, 2024 | Season 20 Ep 11 | murverse.com
"The Landscape of Grief with Scott Alexander Howard" by Mur Lafferty
is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

I Should Be Writing Season 20, Episode 10
"I felt like a cuckoo among very pretty birds." - Mur

Fresh off the JoCo cruise, we discusses the allure of nerd paradise and how navigating imposter syndrome is a frequent struggle. I share tabletop RPG antics, celebrity karaoke adventures, and the amazing feeling of having legitimately cool creators accept you. Self doubt did show up, and I'll talk about how I dealt with that.

Also, what should I do for my 20th year podcasting celebration?

Other links:
JoCo Cruise Jonathan Coulton Skullcrusher Mountain Chiron Beta Prime Portal (Video Game) Portal 2 (Video Game) NPR Ask Me Another That Bronze Girl (Twitch) Drunk History James S.A. Corey (Ty Franck) The Expanse Tochi Onyebuchi Mari Naomi Our Flag Means Death Oscar Nunez Vico Ortiz Scott Alexander Howard The Other Valley (Book by Scott Alexander Howard)
Evergreen Links
I don't talk enough about the I Should Be Writing book . It exists. Go buy it! My newsletter, The Hot Mic , and my Patreon . Supporting either of those will get you perks like access to the discord, exclusive content, and early, ad-free episodes. Socials: Bluesky , Mastodon , TikTok , Instagram , YouTube , Focusmate . Theme by John Anealio Savor I Should Be Writing tea blends Support local book stores! Station Eternity, Six Wakes, Solo: A Star Wars Story: Expanded Edition and more! OR Get signed books from my friendly local store, Flyleaf Books!
(go here for all the books mentioned in Season 20)

Your support keeps our ship afloat. Thank you for being part of the crew.

If you can't give monetarily, then consider leaving a review wherever you get your podcasts!

April 18, 2024 | Season 20 Ep 10 | murverse.com | CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

I Should Be Writing Season 20, Episode 9
Transcript

"If you don't start out perfect, you're never going to be good." - Evil Mur

Evil Mur is back giving terrible advice and it's a wild ride through the looking glass of a writer's darker musings. We cover questioning the point of writing when perfection eludes us to the ruthless strategy of writing on the job. She gives some seriously excellent advice about emotions in horror, and offers an unorthodox method for trimming the fat from your prose. We touch on the Hugo Awards and reveal the cover of Mur's upcoming book, Infinite Archive .

Be warned: Evil Mur doesn't play by the rules, and neither does her advice.

Other links:
JoCo Cruise Baldur’s Gate 3 (game) The Secret (book) Jonathan Livingston Seagull (book) The Celestine Prophecy (book) Infinite Archive (book) How to Write a Novel Using the Snowflake Method (book) Hugo Awards Save the Cat Writes a Novel (book) Penguin Random House (publisher) Twitch (MightyMur) Evergreen Links I don't talk enough about the I Should Be Writing book . It exists. Go buy it! My newsletter, The Hot Mic , and my Patreon . Supporting either of those will get you perks like access to the discord, exclusive content, and early, ad-free episodes. Socials: Bluesky , Mastodon , TikTok , Instagram , YouTube , Focusmate . Theme by John Anealio Savor I Should Be Writing tea blends Support local book stores! Station Eternity, Six Wakes, Solo: A Star Wars Story: Expanded Edition and more! OR Get signed books from my friendly local store, Flyleaf Books!
(go here for all the books in Season 20)

Support the show , if you dare, and remember: Evil Mur is watching. Write like it's your last act of defiance.
CREDITS
Theme song by John Anealio , art by Numbers Ninja , site design by Clockpunk Studio
and files hosted by Libsyn (affiliate link). Get archives of the show via Patreon. April 5, 2024 | Season 20 Ep 9 | murverse.com
"The Epiphany of Routine" by Mur Lafferty
is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

I Should Be Writing Season 20, Episode 7
Transcript

I found myself looking for my own magic bullet and getting frustrated a the media who take the idea of a daily routine--something people with ADHD people need--and play it off as only done by stodgy, unfun dorks. I discuss Josh Zimmerman's videos , how creation is like jumping off a diving board for me, my solo RPG plans, and promote Premee Mohamed's books and bullying.

From the fear of preparation to the power of routines for neurodiverse individuals, we open up about the importance of finding what works for you—even if it means facing your own hypocrisy. Plus, hear about the anticipation of the JoCo cruise, the chaos of running Brindlewood Bay RPGs, and why sometimes, you just have to leap off the high dive.

Other links:
Apple Fitness Plus Ray Bradbury, Zen and the Art of Writing Stranger Than Fiction (movie) Publishers Weekly File 770 JoCo Cruise Ursula Vernon Brindlewood Bay (RPG) Evergreen Links I don't talk enough about the I Should Be Writing book . It exists. Go buy it! My newsletter, The Hot Mic , and my Patreon . Supporting either of those will get you perks like access to the discord, exclusive content, and early, ad-free episodes. Socials: Bluesky , Mastodon , TikTok , Instagram , YouTube , Focusmate . Theme by John Anealio I Should Be Writing tea blends Support local book stores! Station Eternity, Six Wakes, Solo: A Star Wars Story: Expanded Edition and more! OR Get signed books from my friendly local store, Flyleaf Books! Check out all the books we've featured this year!
And remember, we can't do this without you. Thanks for your support.
March 12, 2024 | Season 20 Ep 8 | murverse.com | CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

I Should Be Writing
Season 20, Episode 7
In this episode, I discuss trusting yourself because sometimes no one else will. We also talk File 770 , Genre Grapevine , I mispronounce "chutzpah," make a Wizard of Oz reference, and how should I celebrate 20 seasons of ISBW? Remember, advice is supplementary.
Evergreen Links I don't talk enough about the I Should Be Writing book . It exists. Go buy it! My newsletter, The Hot Mic , and my Patreon . Supporting either of those will get you perks like access to the discord, exclusive content, and early, ad-free episodes. Socials: Bluesky , Mastodon , TikTok , Instagram , YouTube , Focusmate . Theme by John Anealio I Should Be Writing tea blends Support local book stores! Station Eternity, Six Wakes, Solo: A Star Wars Story: Expanded Edition and more! OR Get signed books from my friendly local store, Flyleaf Books!
See what books we've discussed this season here.

Some of the above links are affiliate, meaning I may receive a small amount of money for the purchase at no cost to you.

And remember, we can't do this without you. Thanks for your support.
March 9, 2024 | Season 20 Ep 7 | murverse.com | CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

ISBW S20 Ep6
Author Gwenda Bond comes on the show to talk The Frame Up , heists, and point of view!

We also discuss being ballsy at Boskone, pen names, T. Kingfisher's "What Feasts At Night ," writing retreats, and heist structure.

If you order The Frame Up from Bookshop.org , use the code FRAMEUP for 10% off!
Evergreen Links I don't talk enough about the I Should Be Writing book . It exists. Go buy it! My newsletter, The Hot Mic , and my Patreon . Supporting either of those will get you perks like access to the discord, exclusive content, and early, ad-free episodes. Socials: Bluesky , Mastodon , TikTok , Instagram , YouTube , Focusmate . Theme by John Anealio I Should Be Writing tea blends Support local book stores! Station Eternity, Six Wakes, Solo: A Star Wars Story: Expanded Edition and more! OR Get signed books from my friendly local store, Flyleaf Books!
Some of the above links are affiliate, meaning I may receive a small amount of money for the purchase at no cost to you.
March 7, 2024 | Season 20 Ep 6 | murverse.com | CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

ISBW S20 Ep5
Debut author Avione Lee comes to tell us about the Odyssey Workshop and the various programs!

Odyssey Your Personal Workshop (deadline is soon!)
Evergreen Links I don't talk enough about the I Should Be Writing book . It exists. Did you know that? Mur's newsletter, The Hot Mic Socials: Bluesky , Mastodon , TikTok , Instagram , YouTube , Focusmate . Theme by John Anealio I Should Be Writing tea blends Support local book stores! Station Eternity, Six Wakes, Solo: A Star Wars Story: Expanded Edition and more! OR Get signed books from my friendly local store, Flyleaf Books!

ISBW S20 Ep4
Hugos are still messy, so check out Chris M. Barkley*, Paul Weimer, Alasdair Stuart, and Jason Sanford and the excellent fanwriting they do.
*Accidentally call him Charles in the recording. Sorry!
We talk character depth, using Baldur's Gate 3 as an example. Lastly we get in to the hybrid outline thing I'm trying to do to help me write.

Show Links
Paul Weimer Chris M. Barkley Jason Sanford Alasdair Stuart Nancy Kress' Beginnings, Middles, and Ends (affiliate) Evergreen Links I don't talk enough about the I Should Be Writing book . It exists. Did you know that? Mur's newsletter, The Hot Mic Socials: Bluesky , Mastodon , TikTok , Instagram , YouTube , Focusmate . No more bird site. Alas. Theme by John Anealio I Should Be Writing tea blends Support local book stores! Station Eternity, Six Wakes, Solo: A Star Wars Story: Expanded Edition and more! OR Get signed books from my friendly local store, Flyleaf Books!
February 12, 2024 | Season 20 Ep 4 | murverse.com | CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

ISBW S20 Ep3
Debut author Eilish Quin joins us to talk about her retelling of Euripedes' classic story, Medea , with glorious descriptive prose and a feminist point of view. We talk about hurdles and wins and what to keep in mind when doing a retelling.
Evergreen Links I don't talk enough about the I Should Be Writing book . It exists. Did you know that? Mur's newsletter, The Hot Mic Socials: Bluesky , Mastodon , TikTok , Instagram , YouTube , Focusmate . Theme by John Anealio I Should Be Writing tea blends Support local book stores! Station Eternity, Six Wakes, Solo: A Star Wars Story: Expanded Edition and more! OR Get signed books from my friendly local store, Flyleaf Books!
(some book links are affiliate, go here if you can't see the widget)

And remember, we can't do this without you. Thanks for your support.

February 8, 2024 | Season 20 Ep 3 | murverse.com | CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

ISBW S20 Ep2
I am not a lawyer or an accountant, and taxes mentioned in the podcast are specific to my understanding of US tax law.

No one like to talk about money. Either you admit how bad you are or you're awkward because you make a lot. Or you're a jerk, but we aren't talking to those people. I'm here to talk about my income, what an advance really means, and how to best use your writing income. We also discuss YNAB , my favorite budgeting tool, and authors Valerie Valdes and Premee Mohamed show up in chat to give their input.
Evergreen Links I don't talk enough about the I Should Be Writing book . It exists. Did you know that? Mur's newsletter, The Hot Mic Socials: Bluesky , Mastodon , TikTok , Instagram , YouTube , Focusmate . No more bird site. Alas. Theme by John Anealio I Should Be Writing tea blends Support local book stores! Station Eternity, Six Wakes, Solo: A Star Wars Story: Expanded Edition and more! OR Get signed books from my friendly local store, Flyleaf Books!
And remember, we can't do this without you. Thanks for your support.
February 6, 2024 | Season 20 Ep 2 | murverse.com | CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

ISBW S20 Ep1

Why am I still doing this show after 20 years? Believe me, I was the first person to ask this. We talk about my career, my mental health, and, well, why?
Evergreen Links I don't talk enough about the I Should Be Writing book . It exists. Did you know that? Mur's newsletter, The Hot Mic Socials: Bluesky , Mastodon , TikTok , Instagram , YouTube , Focusmate . No more bird site. Alas. Theme by John Anealio I Should Be Writing tea blends Support local book stores! Station Eternity, Six Wakes, Solo: A Star Wars Story: Expanded Edition and more! OR Get signed books from my friendly local store, Flyleaf Books! And remember, we can't do this without you. Thanks for your support. CREDITS Theme song by John Anealio , art by Numbers Ninja , site design by Clockpunk Studio and files hosted by Libsyn (affiliate link). Get archives of the show via Patreon. January 29, 2024 | Season 20 Ep 1 | murverse.com
"The "Why" of this podcast" by Mur Lafferty is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

I got to talk to award-winning Nigerian author Chikodili Emelumadu about her new book Dazzling , and we wander all sorts of directions, including into ambition, what makes her write, and advice for new writers!
Evergreen Links I don't talk enough about the I Should Be Writing book . It exists. Did you know that?
Mur's newsletter, The Hot Mic

Socials: Bluesky , Mastodon , TikTok , Instagram , YouTube , Focusmate . No more bird site. Alas.

Theme by John Anealio

I Should Be Writing tea blends

Support local book stores! Station Eternity, Six Wakes, Solo: A Star Wars Story: Expanded Edition and more!

OR Get signed books from my friendly local store, Flyleaf Books!

(some book links are affiliate, go here if you can't see the widget)

December 25, 2023 | Season 19 Ep 34 | murverse.com | CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

ISBW S19 Ep33

I wanted to discuss humor again, so my buddy Valerie came back on to talk about it because she's smarter than me. Even though she introduced us to "Diggy Diggy Hole." We also talk "The Homecoming Queen's Got a Gun," the Bridesmaids toast scene that makes me wanna die , The Hitchhiker's Gudie to the Galaxy , and Tom Cardy's "Perception Check " (NSFW language).
Evergreen Links I don't talk enough about the I Should Be Writing book . It exists. Did you know that?
Mur's newsletter, The Hot Mic

Socials: Bluesky , Mastodon , TikTok , Instagram , YouTube , Focusmate . No more bird site. Alas.

Theme by John Anealio

I Should Be Writing tea blends

Support local book stores! Station Eternity, Six Wakes, Solo: A Star Wars Story: Expanded Edition and more!

OR Get signed books from my friendly local store, Flyleaf Books!

(some book links are affiliate, go here if you can't see the widget)
And remember, we can't do this without you. Thanks for your support.

December 14, 2023 | Season 19 Ep 33 | murverse.com | CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

ISBW S19 Ep32

Steve Martin famously did his comedy acts to empty bars when he started. It's a good mindset to keep.
Evergreen Links I don't talk enough about the I Should Be Writing book . It exists. Did you know that?
Mur's newsletter, The Hot Mic

Socials: Bluesky , Mastodon , TikTok , Instagram , YouTube , Focusmate . No more bird site. Alas.

Theme by John Anealio

I Should Be Writing tea blends

Support local book stores! Station Eternity, Six Wakes, Solo: A Star Wars Story: Expanded Edition and more!

OR Get signed books from my friendly local store, Flyleaf Books!

(some book links are affiliate, go here if you can't see the widget)
And remember, we can't do this without you. Thanks for your support. December 10, 2023 | Season 19 Ep 32 | murverse.com | CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

ISBW S19 Ep31

Self care, yo. It's dark, we're at the end of a big project, and time to be kind to yourself.

Minimal show notes. If you want something clarified, ask in comments and I will get you a link.

More shows coming soon!

Evergreen Links
I don't talk enough about the I Should Be Writing book . It exists. Did you know that? Mur's newsletter, The Hot Mic Socials: Bluesky , Mastodon , TikTok , Instagram , YouTube , Focusmate . No more bird site. Alas. Theme by John Anealio I Should Be Writing tea blends Support local book stores! Station Eternity, Six Wakes, Solo: A Star Wars Story: Expanded Edition and more! Check out your local stores here (affiliate link) OR Get signed books from my friendly local store, Flyleaf Books!

Turns out that the stress of dealing with November has made me sit on this production. :( But Travis Baldree and I hung out online and talked about our books that launched this month, Chaos Terminal and Bookshops and Bonedust.

Transcript

Travis Baldree 03:53
...I've discovered stickers are the easiest way for me to not feel awkward at assigning or a thing, because I can just say, Do you want a sticker? Okay, well, I lay them out in front of me. There's like more than one kind of sticker. And so I say, Would you like a sticker? And then while they're preoccupied trying to pick a sticker, you run don't have to say anything. Oh, and they have to think so I can sign something. Because the thing that happens to me is if I sign things, and somebody asks me a question, I will start writing my answer.

To get the rest of the interview, check out my Patreon or Substack !

E v e r g r e e n L i n k s

I don't talk enough about the I Should Be Writing book . It exists. Did you know that?

Mur's newsletter, The Hot Mic

Socials: Bluesky , Mastodon , TikTok , Instagram , YouTube , Focusmate . No more bird site. Alas.

Theme by John Anealio

I Should Be Writing tea blends

Support local book stores! Station Eternity, Six Wakes, Solo: A Star Wars Story: Expanded Edition and more!

OR Get signed books from my friendly local store, Flyleaf Books!

Support small bookshops and shop here ! (affiliate link)

November 4, 2023 | Season 19 Ep 30 | murverse.com | CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

HAH I AM CAUGHT UP

33333 down, 16666 to go

OK, plotters and pantsers, if you're having trouble, then I can tell you exactly what to do. Let Evil Mur guide you. Trust Evil Mur.

Get John Anealio’s music here . Have you friended Mur on NaNoWriMo or 4thewords yet? Don't forget Chaos Terminal is finally on shelves! Please remember that Evil Mur is evil and gives terrible advice. Evil Mur will not be responsible for failed manuscripts or sleep deprived accidents. Do not listen to Evil Mur. Creative Commons BY-NC-SA, all other rights reserved by Mur Lafferty

28333 down, 21666 to go

Well I recorded it on the 17th, so that counts, right? What do you want from me? I’m evil.

So what if you’re only starting on Day 15? Or (checks calendar) Day 20? How can you possibly make up for lost days?

Just write 1 word every 25 seconds. Boom. You’re done.
Get John Anealio’s music here . Have you friended Mur on NaNoWriMo or 4thewords yet? Don't forget Chaos Terminal is finally on shelves! Please remember that Evil Mur is evil and gives terrible advice. Evil Mur will not be responsible for failed manuscripts or sleep deprived accidents. Do not listen to Evil Mur. Creative Commons BY-NC-SA, all other rights reserved by Mur Lafferty