I Should Be Writing

Mur Lafferty

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"I should be writing" is what people say, but they rarely do it. This podcast is designed to help you get past those blocks, whether it's what your teacher told you when you were a kid, to being totally sure you'll never be as good as (FAV AUTHOR) so you might as well quit.

Mental Health and Creativity

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

Feb 17, • 44:25

[ISBW] Evil Mur Ushers in 2025

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 rollercoaste

Jan 20, • 19:25

[ISBW] Ten Terrible Ideas

[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 t

Jan 8, • 34:49

Tigers [Explicit]

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

Dec 2, 2024 • 37:07

[ISBW] Returning to Agenting with Jennifer Udden [Explicit]

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 i

Nov 25, 2024 • 37:47

[ISBW] NowNoWhatMo…with Valerie Valdes [Explicit]

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 w

Nov 18, 2024 • 1:05:21

From Fanfiction to Fantasy: Gwen Garfinkel's Writing

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

Nov 15, 2024 • 42:38

[ISBW] Unveiling the Magic of Cozy Fantasy with Stacy Sivinski

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 d

Nov 14, 2024 • 43:02

Accountability and Adventures in Writing with Cat Rambo

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

Oct 28, 2024 • 37:15

[ISBW] Unveiling Haunt Sweet Home with Sarah Pinsker!

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 real

Oct 21, 2024 • 41:26

Writing Family Stories and Magical Realism with Anamely Salgado Reyes

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

Oct 14, 2024 • 31:56

[ISBW] Navigating WorldCon and Writing Challenges with SB Divya

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 jo

Oct 7, 2024 • 52:42

[ISBW] Exploring Shared Worlds and Translation Challenges with Wole Talabi and Sung-Il Kim

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

Oct 2, 2024 • 48:09

[ISBW] Celebrating ISBW's 19th Bday Live at WorldCon with Writer and Gamer, Tanya Depass!

[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

Aug 26, 2024 • 1:01:53

[ISBW] Exploring the Post-Apocalyptic World with Waubgeshig Rice

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

Aug 23, 2024 • 35:50

[ISBW] 20 Years of Writing and the Apocalypse with MJ Wassmer

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 co

Aug 5, 2024 • 34:55

[ISBW] Embracing ADHD and Crafting Timelines with Mary Pascual

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  Transcript (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

Jul 29, 2024 • 41:32

[ISBW] Spreadsheets, Ghosts, and the Art of Outlining with James L. Sutter

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-a

Jul 22, 2024 • 49:24

[ISBW] Deck of Worlds, Unleashing Creativity in Fiction

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

Jul 15, 2024 • 54:54

[ISBW] Tarot Tales and Historical Hurdles with Susan Wands

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

Jul 8, 2024 • 40:47

[ISBW] Navigating Novel Noodling and New Ideas

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 h

Jul 1, 2024 • 31:32

Short Story Submissions and Surviving Rejections

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, battl

Jun 24, 2024 • 28:18

[ISBW] Murder Mystery Meltdown and the AI Assistant

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 Gee

May 16, 2024 • 34:15

[ISBW] Conquering Conventions and Crafting Confidence

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

May 9, 2024 • 47:14

[ISBW] From Patent Memos to Nebula Nods with Wole Talabi

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 Alternat

Apr 17, 2024 • 55:10

[ISBW] Riding the Revision Rollercoaster

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 unexp

Apr 15, 2024 • 20:48

[ISBW] The Landscape of Grief with Scott Alexander Howard

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

Apr 12, 2024 • 46:26

[ISBW] Navigating Imposter Syndrome on the JoCo Cruise

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:

Apr 8, 2024 • 21:22

[ISBW] Evil Mur Takes Over the Secret Seagull Shack

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

Apr 5, 2024 • 33:53

[ISBW] The Epiphany of Routine: Embracing Structure in a Creative Life Structure in a Creative Life

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 indi

Apr 3, 2024 • 19:34

[ISBW] Trusting Yourself (again)

I Should Be WritingSeason 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 t

Mar 11, 2024 • 15:37

[ISBW] Heists and POV with Gwenda Bond

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

Mar 7, 2024 • 28:58

[ISBW] Avione Lee and the Odyssey Workshop

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: Expande

Feb 21, 2024 • 31:48

[ISBW] Hugos, Characters, and Outlining for Pantsers

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

Feb 14, 2024 • 31:26

[ISBW] Interview with Eilish Quin and retelling of ancient stories

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 b

Feb 8, 2024 • 25:01

[ISBW] When 100k is really 56k: The Money Episode

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 s

Feb 6, 2024 • 40:01

[ISBW] The "Why" of this podcast

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,

Jan 31, 2024 • 27:28

[ISBW] What makes a writer "ambitious?" with Chikodili Emelumadu (Explicit)

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 Su

Dec 25, 2023 • 48:45

[ISBW] Hugh and Mur Talk with Valerie Valdes

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

Dec 20, 2023 • 55:49

[ISBW] Gospel According to Steve Martin

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 Editi

Dec 18, 2023 • 44:40

[ISBW] End of year self care, let's do this

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 b

Dec 14, 2023 • 12:28

[ISBW] Book launch party with Travis Baldree!

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 stic

Nov 29, 2023 • 29:11

[NaNo] Day 20 (33333 words)

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. Cre

Nov 21, 2023 • 3:15

[NaNo] Day 19 (31666 words) *

31666 down, 18333 to go Did you read the NaNoWriMo terms and conditions? Better do that, cause things are getting serious.  Ask questions, and then don't worry about the answers.  Do not listen to Evil Mur. Creative Commons BY-NC-SA, all other rights reserved by Mur Lafferty

Nov 21, 2023 • 3:39

[NaNo] Day 18 (30000 words)*

*still catching up 30000 down, 20000 to go 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. Do not listen to Evil Mur. Creative Commons BY-NC-SA, all other rights reserved by Mur Lafferty

Nov 21, 2023 • 4:10

[NaNo] Day 17 (28333 words)

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

Nov 20, 2023 • 5:42

[NaNo] Day 15 (25000 words)

Halfway point! Exciting if you’re there, scary if you’re not. Ideas: putting your own life into your book, and give your characters a bath!   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 plagiarism suits. Creative Commons BY-NC-SA, all other rights reserved by Mur

Nov 15, 2023 • 10:37

[NaNo] Day 13 (221666 words)

I'm missing days because real life is just kicking my ass right now. Good and bad stresses. Slipstreaming for fun and profit! Bikers do it, cars do it, time for writers to do it. 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 plagiarism suits. Do not listen to Evil Mur. Creative Commons BY-NC-SA, all other rights res

Nov 15, 2023 • 5:06

[NaNo] Day 14 (23333 words)

Slipstreaming for fun and profit! Bikers do it, cars do it, time for writers to do it. 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 plagiarism suits. Do not listen to Evil Mur. Creative Commons BY-NC-SA, all other rights reserved by Mur Lafferty

Nov 14, 2023 • 5:51

[NaNo] Day 11 (18333 words)

18333 down, 31666 to go Backing up is a stupid waste of time. It takes so much work to do. Trust the computer. Everything will be fine.  Have you friended Mur on NaNoWriMo or 4thewords yet? Don't forget Chaos Terminal is finally on shelves! The daily podcast is usually for supporters only, but this year I’m putting it out for everyone! If you like it, consider supporting with a paid subscription to either Patreon or Substack to get the exclusive episodes after November! Please remember th

Nov 11, 2023 • 4:03

[NaNo] Day 10 (16666 words)

16666 down, 33333 to go Don't be afraid to get words anywhere. Everywhere. Be bold.  Mentioned: NaNoWriMo Forums Have you friended Mur on NaNoWriMo or 4thewords yet? Don't forget Chaos Terminal is finally on shelves! The daily podcast is usually for supporters only, but this year I’m putting it out for everyone! If you like it, consider supporting with a paid subscription to either Patreon or Substack to get the exclusive episodes after November! Please remember that Evil Mur is evil and

Nov 11, 2023 • 5:01

[NaNo] Day 9 (15000 words)

15000 down, 35000 to go Evil Mur has begun to swear. Not a lot. But I put the explicit tag on there just in case.  Getting behind? There are three things you can do. One of them is easy, one is SUPER easy, and one takes a whole lot of work  Mentioned: Natania Barron   Have you friended Mur on NaNoWriMo or 4thewords yet? Don't forget Chaos Terminal is finally on shelves! The daily podcast is usually for supporters only, but this year I’m putting it out for everyone! If you like it, consider

Nov 10, 2023 • 7:38

[NaNo] Day 7 (11666 words)

Want your NaNo episodes in the morning? You can join our Fabulist community with a pledge on Patreon or Substack! 11666 down, 38333 to go   Why are you doing this? Also, don't forget to get to yiour friendly local book store today! Chaos Terminal is out! 7100 / 50000 words. 14% done! (as of Nov 5) Have you friended Mur on NaNoWriMo or 4thewords yet? Don't forget Chaos Terminal is out TODAY! The daily podcast is usually for supporters only, but this year I’m putting it out for everyone! If

Nov 8, 2023 • 7:30

[NaNo] Day 6 (10000 words)

Want your NaNo episodes in the morning? You can join our Fabulist community with a pledge on Patreon or Substack! 10000 down, 40000 to go   No, seriously, y'all.   Time to quit. 7100 / 50000 words. 14% done! (as of Nov 5) Have you friended Mur on NaNoWriMo or 4thewords yet? Don't forget Chaos Terminal comes out November 7! The daily podcast is usually for supporters only, but this year I’m putting it out for everyone! If you like it, consider supporting with a paid subscription to either

Nov 7, 2023 • 3:28

[NaNo] Day 5 (8333 words)

8333 down, 41666 to go   Post your work online as you go! Nothing bad will happen, and all feedback will be good.      7100 / 50000 words. 4% done! Get your wordcount meter at Languageisavirus.com Have you friended Mur on NaNoWriMo or 4thewords yet? Don't forget Chaos Terminal comes out November 7! The daily podcast is usually for supporters only, but this year I’m putting it out for everyone! If you like it, consider supporting with a paid subscription to either Patreon or Substack to

Nov 5, 2023 • 3:38

[NaNo] Day 4 (6666 words)

6666 down, 45000 to go Everything is legal during NaNoWriMo, including plagiarizing. Right?   7201 / 50000 words. 14% done! Get your wordcount meter at Languageisavirus.com Have you friended Mur on NaNoWriMo or 4thewords yet? Don't forget Chaos Terminal comes out November 7! The daily podcast is usually for supporters only, but this year I’m putting it out for everyone! If you like it, consider supporting with a paid subscription to either Patreon or Substack to get the exclusive episodes after

Nov 4, 2023 • 5:42

[NaNo] Day 3 (5000 words)

ACK! I forgot to actually post the audio. See what batch-posting does for you, kids?  5000 down, 45000 to go Are you behind already? Seriously? Getting despondent? Then quit. Because there certainly aren’t any ways to catch back up, and Evil Mur will go over all those impossibilities in this episode. wordcount: 2000 / 50000 words. 4% done! (As of Nov. 2. Get your wordcount meter at Languageisavirus.com) Have you friended Mur on NaNoWriMo or 4thewords yet? Don't forget Chaos Terminal comes out

Nov 3, 2023 • 3:43

[NaNo] Day 2 (3333)

3333 down, 46666 to go   Sometimes we writers have to make difficult decisions. Evil Mur is sure you’ll make the right one.   Have you friended Mur on NaNoWriMo or 4thewords yet? Don't forget Chaos Terminal comes out November 7! The daily podcast is usually for supporters only, but this year I’m putting it out for everyone! If you like it, consider supporting with a paid subscription to either Patreon or Substack to get the exclusive episodes after November! Please remember that Evil Mur

Nov 3, 2023 • 4:08

[NaNo] Day 1 (1666 words)

0 down, 50000 Of course I stumble in posting the first freaking day of the month. So today you get two episodes. 4thewords.com is the best place to lose yourself this month and still feel like you’re writing. You won’t write much, but boy you’ll have fun! Have you friended Mur on NaNoWriMo or 4thewords yet? Don't forget Chaos Terminal comes out November 7! The daily podcast is usually for supporters only, but this year I’m putting it out for everyone! If you like it, consider supporting with a p

Nov 2, 2023 • 6:07

[NaNo] Day 0 (0 words)

Evil Mur is here with Day 0 of the NaNoWriMo podcast. I’ll post Day 1 later today. My current wordcount: 0 (cause this was recorded on October 31) Streamed live on Twitch! Come join me for cowriting and other shenanigans! Schedule: M 2pm- Co-writing T 2pm- co-writing, then ISBW* W 2pm- Baldur’s Gate (or co-writing**) Th 2pm- co-writing then ISBW* F 3pm- Baldur’s Gate (or co-writing**) *The show will still stream at 3pm. **co-writing will happen if I don’t hit wordcount/podcast count

Nov 1, 2023 • 10:29

[ISBW] NaNoWriMo Prep with Valerie Valdes!

NaNoWriMo starts tomorrow! Are you participating? Are you ready? Author, editor, and long time NaNoWriMo municipal liaison Valerie Valdes joins us to talk about her new projects and how to tackle NaNoWriMo! Don't forget, Chaos Terminal comes out in ONE WEEK. Transcript Valerie Valdes 10:08: I wonder if there's like enough NaNoWriMo people at this point who are published writers that it's kind of lost some of that sheen of the amateur. Somehow I don't know. But I definitely haven't heard that as

Oct 31, 2023 • 26:23

[ISBW] Meta Cast and Wole Talabi Interview

I'm taking a break from podcasting to finish my book. Doing some housekeeping and then presenting an excellent interview with Wole Talabi, author of Shigidi and the Brass Head of Obalufon! Transcript Wole Talabi: 19:50- ...And I've been to the British Museum several times. The last time I was there, I saw a few items in that I really wanted to, like, take with me, including the brass head of Obalufon, which is a real object. ... I felt the urge to conduct a heist. So I just decided to write it

Aug 17, 2023 • 2:13:30

I Should Be Writing Trailer

Listen to I Should Be Writing wherever you get your podcasts! murverse.com

Jul 28, 2023 • 1:10

[ISBW] Beyond the Mental Editor vs Writer Battle

ISBW S19 Ep27 T. Kingfisher, Richard Dansky, and I are all nominated for the Manly Wade Wellman Award! It will be given at Congregate this weekend.  Escape Pod is a finalist for the Hugo Award, Best Semiprozine category! Black Mirror says just tell the story instead of worrying about the science. Gene Wolfe said it too.  There are many voices that tell us different things, and some of those voices aren’t writers.  Interviews will be more frequent moving forward.  I don't talk enough about the

Jul 17, 2023 • 15:49

[ISBW] A Bout of Melancholia

Short episode this time, and not having the best brain day. So I'm sharing with you because this happens to everyone. Transcript Mur Lafferty: And maybe what I write is crap, but I'll never know unless I write it. And then I think lies the key. It's not even allow yourself to write crappy first drafts, It's: a pro thinks they suck, but they write it anyway. And there's your Deep Thought for the Day. What I'm Reading: Savage Crowns and Dead and Gondola. Affiliate links to all of these and the oth

Jun 27, 2023 • 15:53

[ISBW] Can YOU Write a Pile of Garbage?

I got to interview game designer turned YA romance writer James L. Sutter in this episode, and it was a blast. So much good stuff here! I also talk about my latest anger at ADHD and what I'm reading.  Transcript  James L. Sutter 34:10: And so it was hugely enlightening for me to see, sort of these authors were very talented and established, going through the same outline process, you know, struggling with their pitches, struggling with characters and realizing that like, oh, every great work of

Jun 19, 2023 • 1:22:39

[ISBW] The Importance of Fanfic (RIV Blaseball)

S19 Ep24 It's June, and I have had some disappointments (She Podcasts, Live! and Blaseball), but at least I'm not worrying about travel so much. Got my 10k words turned into my agent, and lament the loss of the podcast community. But Tee Morris, Scott Sigler, and Christiana Ellis are all live streaming too. And so is Grant Baciocco! (from the transcript)  Mur Lafferty  00:59   ...Whatever you're afraid of, you're not alone. And the thing is about those fears, if everybody has them, no matter how

Jun 7, 2023 • 31:55

[ISBW] Promises Authors Make // Arley Sorg Interview

S19 Ep23 Thinky bits about reading and pacing and migraines. I'll be clever next week, promise. But what I'm really excited about is the interview with Arley Sorg, editor, writer, and now a new agent! We have a transcript! Support the Patreon if you'd like to see the annotated transcripts! Patreon support will also get you ad-free episodes!   New Agent in Town: Arley Sorg! Arley Sorg KT Literary Writer Beware Preditors and Editors Query Tracker Readercon Evergreen Links

Jun 2, 2023 • 54:03

[ISvBW] Where it all began...

Hey folks! I'm starting a new podcast, re-releasing old ISBW episodes with commentary! This episode is the ONLY one that will clog up the ISBW feed; to continue listening you will need to go to the site to get the new-old podcasts.  -- And so it begins: I Should Be Writing is new again with classic podcasts from 2005! If you wonder what I Should Be Writing sounded like back in the old days, when podcasting was new and before I was published, look no farther! I'm releasing most of my old episodes

Jun 2, 2023 • 19:24

[ISBW] The Importance of Interviewing Agents // Chana Porter Interview

S19 Ep22 I'm back doing solo episodes with an interview at the end. In this episode I talk about the importance of you interviewing any agent who's interested in you, and the disasters that can happen if you don't. Then I talk to Chana Porter, then discuss the books I'm reading. News, and Let's Talk Agent Stuff The Nebula Awards The Bigolas Dickolas story (and the book that blew up) The New Leaf story Station Eternity gets a second printing! Chaos Terminal can be pre-ordered! Guest: Chana Po

May 24, 2023 • 54:54

[ISBW] Stina Leicht, Genre Switching, and Loki's Ring

S19 Ep21 Recorded live, April 27, 2023 Good News Good News Station Eternity gets a second printing! Chaos Terminal can be pre-ordered! Team Rejection 2023 Count: 111 Mur will be attending the Nebula Conference in Los Angeles (May 12-14, 2023) Mur will be speaking at She Podcasts, Live! (June 19-22) Main Topic: Welcome Stina Leicht! We were nominated for the Astounding Award at the same time, and we talk about the last 10 years since that nomination. Stina's book Loki's Rin

May 8, 2023 • 41:30

[ISBW] Should I Talk About My WiP?

S19 Ep20 Recorded live, April 24, 2023 Good News Good News Station Eternity gets a second printing! Chaos Terminal can be pre-ordered! Team Rejection 2023 Count: 110 Mur will be attending the Nebula Awards in Los Angeles (May 12-14, 2023) Main Topic: Rule One of WiP Club (I had to.) Had some real thoughts about what happens when I tell people what I'm working on, and decided not to do that anymore.  Links The Hot Mic Socials: Twitter, Mastodon, TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, Focusmate Support

May 5, 2023 • 16:01

[ISBW] Kat Howard, Sequels, and A Sleight of Shadows

S19 Ep19 Recorded live, April 20, 2023   Good News Good News Station Eternity gets a second printing! Chaos Terminal can be pre-ordered! Team Rejection 2023 Count: 108 Mur will be attending the Nebula Awards in Los Angeles (May 12-14, 2023) Main Topic: Kat Howard Interview! The amazing fantasy author and comic book writer Kat Howard joins us to talk about her new book, A Sleight of Shadows Why are sequels so hard? Kat's site, and substack newsletter Links The Hot Mic,

May 3, 2023 • 40:53

[ISBW] Finishing Projects

S19 Ep18 Recorded live, April 6, 2023 Good News Good News Station Eternity gets a second printing! Chaos Terminal can be pre-ordered! Team Rejection 2023 Count: 103 Mur will be attending the Nebula Awards in Los Angeles (May 12-14, 2023) Main Topic: The Push to the Finish Line The end of your story should end things in a way that makes the journey worth the trip Supporting characters and bit players should inhabit the import & impact of their roles Writing comedy is still hard Links The Voi

Apr 17, 2023 • 43:47

[ISBW] Agents and Author Expectations

S19 Ep16 Recorded live, March 16, 2023 As much as I've talked about agents, I still get questions, so here are some answers. However, I realize I misused a lot of words in this one. I'm having a bad day. Please don't assume anything about me like Benoit Blanc*. All agents will look at contracts, try to sell your books to publishers, handle foreign rights and film (and other) sales, and be your best cheerleader. Beyond that, each one is different.  Links The Hot Mic Socials: Twitter, Mastodon, T

Apr 14, 2023 • 13:57

[ISBW] How Long Does It Take Me To Write A Book?

S19 Ep16 Recorded live, March 16, 2023 Good News Good News Station Eternity gets a second printing! Chaos Terminal can be pre-ordered! Team Rejection Count: 37 Books in the Wild Savage Crowns by Matt Wallace Main Topic: Questions Writers Field Handling the common yet still not so simple questions people ask a writer Ie, “How long does it take you to write a book?” Midsomer Murders Story Bot has it made Links The Hot Mic Socials: Twitter, Mastodon, TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, Focusmate Sup

Apr 13, 2023 • 25:38

[ISBW] Indestructible or Destructible?

S19 Ep15 Recorded solo, April 10, 2023 The Picasso quote that I mangled: "We artists are indestructible, even in a prison cell or a concentration camp I would be all right in my own world of art. Even if I had to paint my pictures with my tongue on the dusty floor of my cell." It's hard to feel invincible, but we are. Remember that. The word I was looking for to equal contagonist was Mirror Character, who is a lot like the protagonist but interferes. AITA letter referenced ("I am a train enthu

Apr 12, 2023 • 13:44

[ISBW] Little Challenges

S19 Ep14 Good News Good News Station Eternity gets a second printing! Chaos Terminal can be pre-ordered! Team Rejection Count: 32 Books in the Wild Mr & Mrs Witch by Gwenda Bond, Death Watch by Stona Fitch, Arca by G.R. Macallister Congrats to the Nebula Award nominees Main Topic: Challenge Me, Challenge You Going beyond the routines now and again to keep the good habits strong Revisiting The Morning Pages routine (from The Artist’s Way) Links: The Hot Mic Socials: Twitter, Mastodon, TikT

Mar 22, 2023 • 38:30

[ISBW] Peeking At the Inner Critic

S19 Ep13 Epiphany time! The inner critic isn't as strong as we make them out to be! This one is classic recording, no livestream. March 7, 2023 | Season 19 Ep 13 | murverse.com Copyright 2023, Mur Lafferty | CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 License

Mar 21, 2023 • 11:51

[ISBW] SB Divya Talks the SF Event Horizon

S19 Ep12 Good News Good News Station Eternity gets a second printing! Chaos Terminal can be pre-ordered! Team Rejection Count: 30 Main Topic: SB Divya is here! Divya stops by to talk about her new book, MERU Diving into the science and physics about the universe, plus some genetic engineering Talking with experts who can fill in the knowledge gaps for your story Breaking the story rules can be easier in fantasy than in science fiction Links https://sbdivya.com https://twitter.com/divyastwee

Mar 20, 2023 • 54:40

[ISBW] Gardening Your Writing Life

S.19 Ep.9 How quickly does a succulent grow? Does a writer grow any faster? Links: The Hot Mic Socials: Twitter, Mastodon, TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, Focusmate Station Eternity is OUT by the way. Support via Patreon! John Anealio on Bandcamp 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 22, 2023 | Season 19 Ep 09 | murverse.com

Mar 10, 2023 • 14:01

[ISBW] Realism isn't good narrative

S.19 Ep. 10 Good News Good News Station Eternity gets a second printing! Chaos Terminal can be pre-ordered! Team Rejection Count: 26 Main Topic: How believable does fiction need to be? Talking about similarly/same named characters The decisions that go into making a story New Lord of the Rings? Sigh. February 23, 2023 | Season 19 Ep 10 | murverse.com Copyright 2023, Mur Lafferty | CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 License

Mar 9, 2023 • 24:36

[ISBW] Breaking the Rules

S19 Ep11 Which rules must I break, and why can't beginners break rules too? Bad news, your teachers were right.   Links: The Hot Mic Socials: Twitter, Mastodon, TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, Focusmate Station Eternity is OUT by the way. Support via Patreon! John Anealio on Bandcamp 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, Flyl

Mar 8, 2023 • 12:30

[ISBW] Green M&Ms and Adverbs

S19 Ep08  Good News Good News Station Eternity gets a second printing! Team Rejection Count: 19 Podcast transcript (zip of pdf, docx, txt files) Main Topic: Are Adverbs Really That Bad? About that writers advice that says “get rid of adverbs”... it goes deeper than that Pay attention to your work, and your sentence structures Shake the story up by making your characters want something; small or personal can be better than epic and world-shattering Jason Pargin TikTok Links: The Hot Mic Soci

Feb 24, 2023 • 29:21

[ISBW] 34 Minutes

We are sponsored by Scribophile! Check out their writing classes here! I did a Google search (uh, AFTER I recorded this,) and found that the writer I reference in this podcast is Eugene Schwartz. You can read more about his method in this post. His magic number was 33, but I'm keeping mine at 34 because he was a copywriter and I write fiction so they're one minute different. (It's like being one louder.) Getting bored is important to creating, except that technology has not allowed us to be bore

Feb 17, 2023 • 16:40

[ISBW] Words to Throw Away

S19 Ep06 We are sponsored by Scribophile! The best place to find a writing community and join a workshop just added writers' classes,  giving them another reason they're one of the best places online for writers. Check out their classes, or just to find a writing buddy, beta readers, or form your own crit group! Good News Good News Station Eternity gets a second printing! Team Rejection Count: 19 Main Topic: There are No Wasted Words Do you really need that many words before you get to the re

Feb 15, 2023 • 35:32

[ISBW] Emotions Rear Their Ugly Head

S19 Ep5 Good News Good News Chaos Terminal final draft is accepted! Team Rejection Count: 19 Main Topic: Emotions Again I talk about how emotions trip us up- and by "us" I mean "me" time and time again. Brave Mur on TikTok Links: The Hot Mic Socials: Twitter, Mastodon, TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, Focusmate Station Eternity is OUT by the way. Support via Patreon! John Anealio on Bandcamp I Should Be Writing tea blends Support local book stores! Station Eternity, Six Wakes, Solo: A Star Wars

Feb 9, 2023 • 18:36

[ISBW] Ask Evil Mur

S19 Ep4 Good News Good News Station Eternity gets a second printing! Team Rejection Count: 19 Main Topic: Evil Mur Appears and Shares Essential Writing Advice The endless fount of writing wisdom that is Evil Mur was summoned for her first appearance in 2023, and she answers all questions about short stories and novels, submitting to agents, managing plots and characters, crafting realistic dialogue, and more Copyediting and Proofreading (this is the program Summer the producer is in now): ACE

Feb 8, 2023 • 1:00:07

[ISBW] How to Keep Going

Show Notes: ISBW S19 Ep02 Good News Good News Chaos Terminal edits are done! Team Rejection 2023 Count: 17 Main Topic: Keeping Yourself Going The path of creativity might not always be upwards, but it’s usually forward You can’t control reader responses to your work, so avoid responding in anger (or at all) Links: The Hot Mic Socials: Twitter, Mastodon, TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, Focusmate Station Eternity is OUT by the way. Support via Patreon! John Anealio on Bandcamp I Should Be Writing

Feb 2, 2023 • 53:31

[ISBW] First Sentences

S19 Ep2 Recorded January 12, 2023 Good News Good News Team Rejection 2023 Count: 16 Main Topic: First Sentences Examining what makes first sentences work The Fifth Season by N. K. Jemisin The Stand by Stephen King The Gunslinger by Stephen King This is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar & Max Gladstone A Murder of Crows by Sarah Yarwood-Lovett An Elderly Lady is Up to No Good by Helene Tursten Thirteen at Dinner by Agatha Christie Not Your Average Hot Guy by Gwenda Bond Fault Toleran

Feb 1, 2023 • 44:41

[ISBW] Ending the Year with Rebecca Ross

The end of 2022 was chaotic and I got way behind in posting episodes. Apologies!  Good News Good News Team Rejection count: 388 Main Topic: Rebecca Ross, End of Year Burnout, Epiphanies & More Rebecca Ross, “A Fire Endless” is out, follows “A River Enchanted” to complete the duology The science of writing duologies Her epiphany for getting the writing done Finding agents, crafting queries Working with multiple POVs Rebecca Ross: https://rebeccarossauthor.com/ / https://www.instagram.com/becca

Jan 24, 2023 • 40:40

[ISBW] ISBW Gift Guide 2022

The end of 2022 was chaotic and I got way behind in posting episodes. Here are the final episodes of Season 18. Apologies! Main Topic: Great Books to Give as Gifts for 2022 (I know, I know) Picking only a few titles for the Gift Guide is Hard! How to Defend Your Lair, by Keith Ammann (The Monsters Know What They're Doing Book 4) Other Terrors, edited by Vince Liaguno and Rena Mason 4thewords : https://4thewords.com The Remarkable 2 : https://remarkable.com/store/remarkable-2 Papier Plume : htt

Jan 23, 2023 • 1:00:56

[ISBW] Evil Mur and Future Mur Appear

The end of 2022 was chaotic and I got way behind in posting episodes. Apologies!  Good News Good News Team Rejection count: 400 NaNoWriMo word count: ???? (The Matchmaker & The Assassin) Main Topic: Evil Mur gifts everyone with advice, Future Mur warns of burnout Lo, the dreaded mustache arrives! Take heed of the revered wisdom! NaNo Discord: https://discord.gg/UHnJHNke Web: https://nanowrimo.org  Twitter: https://twitter.com/nanowrimo  November 10, 2022 | Season 18 Ep 76 | murverse.com Copy

Jan 22, 2023 • 49:49

[ISBW] NaNoWriMo Launch! (2022)

The end of 2022 was chaotic and I got way behind in posting episodes. Apologies!  Good News Good News Team Rejection count: 355 NaNoWriMo Day 1 word count: 2733 (The Matchmaker & The Assassin) Main Topic: NaNoWriMo 2022 Lift off! You see my rocket ship head up in the clouds when my spaceship lit ignite hit me from the ground I’m about to lift off Inkvent Calendar rewards Dealing with the Inner Critic/Editor/Bully (we have potato) Advice for those writing a first novel Shari Lewis & Lamb Chop,

Jan 21, 2023 • 47:37

[ISBW] 2023 State of the Mur

Sup? I record from my car in the rain as the dog is getting rehab. (Knees, not addiction). I figured the numbers from 2023: Estimated 34,444 downloads per month. Down about 10k/mo from 2021, which was down about 10k/mo from 2020. Here's the link to the Be a Bestseller 4.0 course. The videos are free for 48 hours after release, but you can get permanent access for $37. (I am taking this course now so I can't verify the awesomeness. This is not an endorsement and this is not an affiliate link.) Li

Jan 18, 2023 • 20:29

[ISBW] Eden Robins talks Humor

ISBW PSAs Brainstorming for NaNoWriMo Project Good News Good News Team Rejection count: 353 Main Topic: Humor, with a little Death Eden Robins new book: When Franny Stands Up Finding catharsis in humor "Write from your trauma" https://www.brentforrester.com/ Looking at Death as the ultimate mystery Funny obits, mean obits, and the snark in between Web: https://www.monkeythumbs.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/edenrobins Station Eternity is OUT by the way. Go get your copy from your favorit

Nov 1, 2022 • 42:33

[ISBW] Jule Selbo and Inspiration for Different Genres

ISBW PSAs Brainstorming for NaNoWriMo Project Good News Good News Team Rejection count: 355 Main Topic: Inspiration for Different Story Genres Screenwriter Jule Selbo's new book: 9 Days (Book #2 Dee Rommel mystery series) On moving from Hollywood to novels The structure of the Dee Rommel series Choosing, and sometimes combining genres Jule's novel writing & story research routines (many pro screenwriters also use Fade In, which is more flexible & affordable than Final Draft) Web: https://ww

Nov 1, 2022 • 40:17

[ISBW] [Bite-sized] Frantic Last Minute Plan

Recorded October 31, 2022 There's not much more to say. It's the last day of prep and I'm frantic and wired. Wish me luck. As I wish you luck! Remember, the daily show goes to Patreon-only starting tomorrow! Join the ISBW NaNoWriMo Discord! Links: The Hot Mic Ze Frank's The Show Beatnik Turtle's Song of the Day (site seems to be having trouble...) Escape Pod Socials: Twitter, Mastodon, TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, Focusmate Station Eternity is OUT by the way. Support via Patreon! John Anealio on

Oct 31, 2022 • 5:12

[ISBW] [Bite-sized] NaNoWrimo Prep Time!

Recorded October 30, 2022 What are you going to do to make your day go smoother? Set up coffee, tea, rewards, snacks, get it all in place!  Where to find me! Website Patreon Twitter Twitch TikTok (Evil Mur is getting on TikTok Again!) October 30, 2022 | Season 18 Ep 72 | murverse.com Copyright 2022, Mur Lafferty | CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 License

Oct 30, 2022 • 8:18

[ISBW] [Bite-Sized] "I could do that if I wanted to..."

Recorded October 29, 2022 When we avoid taking a chance on something, we tell ourselves that we could have succeeded if we had made the choice to do so. I could have done that -- if I'd wanted to. It saves us from realizing that sometimes things don't work out when we take the chance. But it also means we don't accomplish some things we may have otherwise, had we taken the chance. And I'm not entirely talking about y'all... Station Eternity is OUT by the way. Go get your copy from your favorite

Oct 29, 2022 • 5:19

[ISBW] [Bite-sized] Great Artists Steal

Recorded October 28, 2022 When doing your outline, don't be afraid to consider books you've already read. Remember, great artists steal. Where to find me! Website Patreon Twitter Twitch TikTok (Evil Mur is getting on TikTok Again!) October 28, 2022 | Season 18 Ep 70 | murverse.com Copyright 2022, Mur Lafferty | CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 License

Oct 28, 2022 • 6:35

[ISBW] [Bite-Sized] Your Output Is Cyclical and That's OK

Capitalism says today must earn/be better than yesterday! But how feasible is that? A look at the stock market says... not very much. October 26, 2022 | Season 18 Ep 68 | murverse.com Copyright 2022, Mur Lafferty | CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 License

Oct 26, 2022 • 15:58

[ISBW] [Bite-Sized] Comic Sans Trick??

Recorded October 24, 2022 So apparently there's a Comic Sans Trick that is good at helping productivity. I'm testing this today. Also I hate recording on the weekend. I will have to take this into account when planning for daily NaNo show next month. Comic Sans trick article at Lifehacker Links: The Hot Mic Socials: Twitter, Mastodon, TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, Focusmate Station Eternity is OUT by the way. Support via Patreon! John Anealio on Bandcamp I Should Be Writing tea blends Support

Oct 25, 2022 • 6:01

[ISBW] A Deeper Dive into POV

ISBW PSAs Solo RPG project Daily Podcast Schedule for NaNoWriMo Prep Good News Good News Team Rejection count: 348 Fountain pen: $14k. Is it really a magic wand? Main Topic: Point of View The subtle and overt bigotry against various groups is still strong, in life & in fiction The POV of privilege and misconception Links: The Hot Mic Escape Pod Socials: Twitter, Mastodon, TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, Focusmate Station Eternity is OUT by the way. Support via Patreon! John Anealio on Bandcam

Oct 25, 2022 • 40:17

[ISBW] [Bite-Sized] NaNoWriMo Is Marathon Training

Recorded October 22, 2022 What to do when your NaNo project makes everything else in your life depressing?  What would you change if you were marathon training? You'd change the time you got up, the time you went to bed, what you ate, when you ate, and your weekends would likely be dominated by long runs. And until you got used to it, your daily life and daily chores would be affected.  NaNoWriMo is marathon training. Treat it like that. Expect it. You got this.  Where to find me! Website Patre

Oct 24, 2022 • 6:51

[ISBW] [Bite Sized] Emotion and Death in Fiction

Let's ask the tough questions. How do you make a dead baby funny? How do you make a cozy murder mystery cozy when there's a decapitated corpse in chapter 4? It's all about emotion. This works for sex too, which I don't mention. In the 90s, Rachel and Monica on Friends were considered the feminine sex appeal of the decade, but both appeared in lingerie on the show and it was ... not sexy because of the emotion in the scene. ("The One With Rachel's New Dress" and "The One with Rachel's Sister", re

Oct 21, 2022 • 8:11

[ISBW] [Bite Sized] Doomsd-- I mean NaNoWriMo Prepping

S18 Ep62 Time to talk prep, but honestly, the biggest obstacle in front of you is your existing day-to-day life. What will have to move aside? Where to find me! Website Patreon Twitter Twitch October 20, 2022 | Season 18 Ep 62 | murverse.com Copyright 2022, Mur Lafferty | CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 License

Oct 21, 2022 • 4:53

[ISBW] NaNoWriMo, Habits, and Change

S18 Ep60: NaNoWriMo, Habits and Change ISBW PSAs 2022 Total Word Count: ??? Solo RPG project Good News Good News Team Rejection count: 338 Main Topic: NaNoWriMo Cometh The distractions of emotional expectations The untapped powers of the random number generator Station Eternity is OUT by the way. Go get your copy from your favorite bookseller! Links Mur on Focusmate! Mur on Twitter, Instagram, Youtube Newsletter, The Hot Mic Support via Patreon! John Anealio on Bandcamp I Should Be Writin

Oct 19, 2022 • 43:32

[ISBW] [Bite Sized] Kickoff Daily Show!

I've gone to doing a daily show to get in shape for my yearly NaNoWriMo daily show. The daily show will be in the main feed until Oct 31, but then in November it goes to Patreon only. Join us in the Ink Stained Fabulists on Patreon for only $1 a month for the next two weeks! In this tiny episode we talk about NaNoWriMo, and what traditionally published authors have power to do (and not do) with their books. Also, I talk about the doggo. Where to find me! Website Patreon Twitter Twitch October

Oct 19, 2022 • 4:26

[ISBW] Desideria Mesa and Heritage and History

Recorded live Sept 29. 2022 My entire production team is either sick, or has a sick loved one, so show notes will be minimal.  I talked with Desideria Mesa about Bindle Punk Bruja, her historical magical book about Kansas City, Prohibition, and Mexican magic!  Station Eternity is OUT by the way. Go get your copy from your favorite bookseller! September 29, 2022 | Season 18 Ep 58 | murverse.com Copyright 2022, Mur Lafferty | CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 License

Oct 13, 2022 • 39:58

[ISBW] Guest Gwendolyn Kiste and Historical Horror

Good News Good News Team Rejection count: 328 Main Topic: Gwendolyn Kiste, “Reluctant Immortals” Gwendolyn talks about the “reluctant immortals” in her new novel, well-known characters from Classic Literature Brainstorming is work Questions from chat https://www.gwendolynkiste.com/   https://twitter.com/GwendolynKiste Links Mur on Focusmate! Mur on Twitter, Instagram, Youtube Newsletter, The Hot Mic Support via Patreon! John Anealio on Bandcamp I Should Be Writing tea blends Support local b

Sep 28, 2022 • 45:58

[ISBW] Spoilers Club, T. Kingfisher Talks What Moves the Dead

S18 Ep57 NOTE- we had a number of technical difficulties, including a part where the stream drops off and then returns. Please take note.    I can't remember if we swore in this one, but just in case, this has an EXPLICIT tag.   T. Kingfisher and What Moves the Dead  Mur's Page

Sep 23, 2022 • 50:49

[ISBW] Tanvi Berwah and Writing The Hard Stuff

ISBW S18 Ep56: Guest Tanvi Berwah and Writing Myths Good News Good News Team Rejection count: 328 Main Topic: Tanvi Berwah, “Monsters Born and Made” Tanvi talks about her new novel, the Indian & Arabic myths her story’s monsters are based on, exploring biases and caste and class discriminations through the characters & the story, and more. Tanvi also talks about how her writing is influenced by her mental health journey (you don’t have to suffer in order to create, so please take care of yoursel

Sep 21, 2022 • 46:33

[ISBW] Evil Mur AMA

Good News Good News Team Rejection count: 313 STATION ETERNITY: Library Journal Starred Review https://www.libraryjournal.com/review/station-eternity-1790821 Main Topic: Back to Basics: Ask Me Anything, featuring Evil Mur Evil Mur regales the audience with proclamations of self-promotion and awesome writerly advice that you should do everything you can to emulate in order to create your Best Ever Author Life. Do not listen to Evil Mur. Just, don’t. August 18, 2022 | Season 18 Ep 55 | murvers

Aug 29, 2022 • 33:58

[ISBW] Baaaaaad Writing Advice

Open New short stories being worked on Good News Good News Team Rejection count: 257 STATION ETERNITY: Library Journal Starred Review https://www.libraryjournal.com/review/station-eternity-1790821 Main Topic: Back to Basics: Turrible Writing Advice, Just Turrible Writing & Self Publishing suggestions found on Wisdom, well, kinda weren’t all that wise Old Wives Tale: You can successfully write if you don’t read widely or at all. Um, nope… reading while you’re writing is vital (I’m with you…

Aug 26, 2022 • 33:05

[ISBW] Emotions & Trilogies: Valerie Valdes Interview

Main Topic: Back to Basics w/Valerie Valdes Writing processes: stand-alones and series Dragon Age games, storytelling and world building NaNoWriMo, Structure, and storytelling secrets Candle In Sunshine Valerie on Twitter Valerie's Home Page Links New! Mur on Focusmate! Mur on Twitter, Instagram, Youtube Newsletter, The Hot Mic Support via Patreon! John Anealio on Bandcamp I Should Be Writing tea blends Twitch schedule for August: Monday 12pm: Ditch Diggers (19th 4:30pm) Tuesday 3pm: I Shou

Aug 18, 2022 • 48:07

[ISBW] Lessons Learned (Happy 17th Podcast Birthday!)

Main Topic: Happy Birthday, Oh Podcast, My Podcast! The startup history and baby steps of I Should Be Writing What Mur has Learned in 17 Years of Pro Podcasting The foundation was built for a networking platform Timeless Writing Advice: Don’t Stop Writing. Updating podcasts to reflect the times and the tech Meeting and Knowing other Writers Helps All The anxieties of being an author are real, but you’re not alone Links New! Mur on Focusmate! Mur on Twitter, Instagram, Youtube Newsletter, T

Aug 17, 2022 • 53:05

[ISBW] Mindy Carlson on Her Dying Day – Characters!

Main Topic: Mindy Carlson and Characters Mindy’s writing retreat imminent Building characters needs as much detail as building the world: traits, connections, behaviors Consistently believable emotional responses help mysteries flow Yes, Her Dying Day is loosely based on the real life disappearance of Agatha Christie Advice for new writers: Be brave and do the thing that scares you the most https://www.publishersweekly.com/9781639100125 Mindy on Twitter Links New! Mur on Focus

Aug 16, 2022 • 53:07