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In this introductory episode, I tell you a little about myself and my background before getting into the back story of how I became an author learning to co-create with the Creator. It's a journey that started unexpectedly one day in January of 2015 when these words dropped from the blue into my heart - "There is a baby catcher gate in heaven". Bam! A strange thought followed by a direction to write a book - something I'd never done before. Hopefully you'll be encouraged by my journey and find some kernels of encouragement to help you step into new phases of faith and fulfillment in your own.
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Where does a book begin? In Episode 2, I talk about the time before you even put pen to paper. Filling up the well of your creativity by spending intimate time with God and allowing that space to be your source. Intentionally developing your imagination by tapping into the limitless imagination of the Creator. I also open up about my journaling practice as well as some practical steps to take about setting up your writing documentation tools.
In Episode 3, I address the question - how do I know for sure I'm supposed to write a book? We'll walk through some biblical principals as well as some of my own experiences with stepping out in faith to begin writing. Every book is different but each one was birthed by attaining a level of certainty that yes, indeed, this is the direction I am supposed to take. My hope is your confidence levels will rise as you listen leading you to a place of certainty as well.
In Episode 4 we talk about Audacity - the grit, spunk, and chutzpah factor that we must develop and continually protect in order to write the book we know God wants us to write. Biblically, the call for this shameless boldness is found in both the Old and New Testament and it is no less called for in today's world. We also get into a discussion about getting into the flow of your writing by priming the pump with intentional, scheduled writing time. One things for sure, if you don't set aside the time to write, your book will never get written. It takes setting value on what your doing both for yourself and for those who will read what you've written. It takes some courage. It takes some boldness. It takes audacity!
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Episode 5 revolves around the subject of tenacity - that quality we need to develop in order to overcome the obstacles, challenges and trials of writing a book or accomplishing most anything that's worthwhile. I talk about some of the things I have had to get through in order to finish the assignments I have been given including wading through the editing process and figuring out how to record an audiobook. It's easy to laugh at some of the bumps and bruises I acquired along the way in retrospect, but at the time some of the challenges had me on the brink of giving up. So, what's the point of persevering? What's the upside to developing tenacity? Well, the prizes we receive include character, hope, expanded capacities, strength, and the ability to meet the next difficulty with a whole new set of tools in our toolbelt. The prize is definitely worth the price. Tenacity .... yup, gotta get some.
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Episode 6 explores the concept of connectivity - the need to stay in relationship with other people as we venture to write our books. I celebrate the completion of my first draft! But quickly underscore that the next phase of the journey - the editing phase - requires that we connect with someone else with skill sets that are other than our own. We chat about keeping in relationship with our spiritual tribe as well. That though they may not necessarily be writers, they can be our Aaron and Hur who keep our hands lifted in the battle. I also share my struggles with marketing that go way back- all the way to Bluebirds - and how being in an online community of Christian artisans is helping me overcome some of those fears and obstacles. People - friends - encouragers - editors - marketers - intercessors - writers. We need 'em! Even in this solo venture called writing.
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Well, the manuscript is in the hands of the editor. So, what am I doing in the meantime? Episode 7 explores the concept of waiting. Do we just twiddle our thumbs or do we wait with eager anticipation of promises about to be fulfilled? I talk about some of the promises I speak over my books - the expectations I have about the impact they will have. I also go into some of the things I do when I'm not writing that make me feel fully alive. The 'meantime' is a great time to embrace some of those activities. And then, I go into some details about the different types of edits - what they are, how much do they cost, why do we need them? Isn't it wonderful that there are folks who thrive on making our manuscripts become the best that they can be? Thank God for editors!
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Before you publish your manuscript there are some additional little pieces besides the storyline that you will need to think about . In Episode 8, we chat about the extras like a dedication page, acknowledgements, an author bio, about the book page and any other additional bits and bobs you'd like to add to personalize your book. Since I spent the week writing my 'about the book' page, I go into some detail about the impetus behind my latest work. I talk about the two long-term contemplations that led me into this particular story as well as some of my own motivating life circumstances. It's a little peek behind the curtain of my process.
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In this episode, I back track a little to some of the things we discussed in the previous episode. First, I set out a biblical foundation for the spiritual practices I alluded to of interacting with the great cloud of witnesses. Then we go into some practical elements of putting together a copyright page for your manuscript. And finally, I spend some time chatting about the setting for my book in the north woods of Minnesota. You'll hear a few stories of my Norwegian forefathers who immigrated to that area as well as my childhood memories of their homestead.
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Episode 10 is all about audiobooks - the fastest growing segment of the book industry. We'll look at some of the statistics regarding the amazing growth in audiobooks over the past decade. And then we chat about some of the details of what it takes to get a book up onto an audio platform. Do you go with Audible exclusivity? Or do you go for a wider audience through Findaway Voices that includes library accessibility? We look at royalty percentages and toss around those options. Also included are the various ways you can hire someone to narrate your book and how to pay them whether it be through a Per Finished Hour rate or a Royalty Share contract. Lots of practical tidbits with some of my audiobook recommendations and experiences thrown in for good measure.
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In Episode 11, we continue our chat about audiobooks with some more specific information about the recording and editing process. Included is information about the software I use, the editing plug-in I recommend as well as discussion about ACX.com and the parameters they require for you to upload your audio files. Then I've included a little sneak preview of my upcoming audiobook recording of my second novel - The Agreements - with the Prologue and beginning of Chapter 1. Hope you enjoy!
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Is a rose by any other name just as sweet? Hmmm.... in Episode 12 we talk about the importance of naming your book. A short overview of our biblical naming inheritance shows we have the DNA of a very creative 'namer'. We can do this. Finding the title that settles and lands for you as well as engages your target audience is paramount. There's a big reveal in the middle of the episode of the title for my latest book. Ta da! There are also some books I recommend that I have come across recently as I continue to learn about writing and publishing that I think might be helpful to you as well.
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Time to talk about the all important book cover. Yes, I know, God views us through the lens of what is going on in our hearts. But people.... well, we tend to judge things (at least initially) by the outward appearance. In this episode, we discuss the elements that will make up your cover as well as different places you can go to find cover designers. There is quite a spectrum of options both financially and technically. Something for everyone! I also expose some of the design process I have recently been through for Solbakken: A Tale of Generations. It has taken some doing, but the cover is done! Glory!
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It's time to get that manuscript in shape for publishing. What does that entail? Formatting, formatting, formatting. In this episode, Wendy Jo discusses some of the elements of getting your manuscript print ready. Everything from margins, sizing, pagination, fonts, etc. Lots of decisions and details but much satisfaction when the finished product comes out in the form of a proof copy. There are many options from various software programs to YouTube learning to professional formatters. She also makes some comparisons between uploading onto KDP and IngramSpark - what's the difference? - as well as ebook formatting.
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In this the final episode of Season 1, Wendy Jo talks all things marketing....at least the things that she knows. From social media to Goodread giveaways to websites to podcast interviews - and whatever else she can think of within her realm of experience. She also gives a long range perspective on the power of simply getting your book out into the world and letting it take on a life of its own. Marketing is the ongoing work that follows the work of writing. It never really ends...but that's okay because neither does your book. Carry on, fellow authors. Carry on!
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Once you've listened, make sure to subscribe and share with anybody else who's ready to write!