Ditch Diggers, Podcasts, Projects

[DD] Resolutions, Ducks, and That Elephant Is Back

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Ditch Diggers Season 11 logo featuring ursula illustrated

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“Try to make the world a better place. You personally are not on the hook to fix everything.” – Ursula Vernon

(This post went live for supporters on January 17, 2025. If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at Patreon or Substack!)

Transcript

S.11 Ep.1
Welcome to Season 11 of Ditch Diggers with Mur Lafferty and Ursula Vernon! We try to be positive and funny in this episode, but stuff happens. We cover the Neil Gaiman controversy, touch on Ursula’s move, and what our goals are this year.

Also there’s a duck game in the background.

We explore the challenges of self-promotion in a post-Twitter world, the art of balancing work with personal life, and the importance of setting achievable goals.

Highlights include:

  • Ursula’s new life in New Mexico and the joys of mountain views
  • The fallout from the Neil Gaiman scandal and its ripple effects
  • Resolutions for 2025: from organizing Magic cards to self-promotion strategies
  • The challenges of social media and finding new ways to connect with readers
  • The enduring appeal of escapism and the role of storytelling in turbulent times

Evergreen Links:

Support Local Book Stores!

Ditch Diggers credits:
theme song by Devo Spice, art by Numbers Ninja,
site hosted by Libsyn (or Patreon).
January 13, 2024 | Season 11 Ep 1 | murverse.com
“Resolutions, Ducks, and That Elephant Is Back” by Mur Lafferty and Ursula Vernon
is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0
I Should Be Writing, Podcasts, Projects

[ISBW] The Art of Quitting, Evil Mur Style

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New 2025 logo, tiny Mur on pink/orange background with purple circle saying I should Be Writing.

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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)

(This post went live for supporters on January 17, 2025. If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at Patreon or Substack!)

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

Evergreen Links

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
Ditch Diggers, Podcasts, Projects

[DD] How Mur and Ursula Edit

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“Editing is where you leave the craft behind and start thinking like a business.” – Mur Lafferty

“I am the person with the hat.” – Ursula Vernon

Transcript

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

In this final episode of season six of Ditch Diggers, Mur Lafferty and Ursula Vernon dive deep into the world of editing. From the trials and tribulations of editing passes to the nuances of hat confidence, Mur and Ursula share their personal experiences and industry insights.

Mur shares her recent adventures at World Fantasy Con, including a surprise upgrade experience, while Ursula reflects on the significance of hats in her identity as a writer.

Highlights include:

  • The stages and emotional journey of editing a manuscript
  • Hat confidence and its unexpected perks
  • World Fantasy Con experiences and the allure of fabulous hats
  • The intricacies of balancing writing with editing and personal life
  • Community alternatives to NaNoWriMo

Links: 

Evergreen Links:

Support Local Book Stores!

Ditch Diggers credits:
theme song by Devo Spice, art by Numbers Ninja,
site hosted by Libsyn (or Patreon).
December 30, 2024 | Season 10 Ep 6 | murverse.com
“Our Book Editing Process” by Mur Lafferty and Ursula Vernon
is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0
I Should Be Writing, Podcasts, Projects

[ISBW] Ten Bad Ideas

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S20 Ep35: In Which Mur Explores 10 Terrible Ideas and Chats About Writing, Games, and More [Explicit]

“You need to come up with terrible ideas. And once you come up with terrible ideas, you will start developing good ideas.” -Mur

(This post went live for supporters on January 7, 2025. If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at Patreon or Substack!)

[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.]

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.

Baseball card for this episode featured a picture of an anglerfish, a bully, and Abigail from Stardew.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

Evergreen Links


—

“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
I Should Be Writing, Podcasts, Projects

[ISBW] Tigers

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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 episodes 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:

Evergreen Links


—

“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
I Should Be Writing, Podcasts, Projects

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

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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:

Evergreen Links


—

“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
I Should Be Writing, Podcasts, Projects

[ISBW] NowNoWhatMo…with Valerie Valdes [Explicit] 

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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

Evergreen Links

“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
I Should Be Writing, Podcasts, Projects

[ISBW] From Fanfiction to Fantasy: Gwynne Garfinkle’s Writing Adventures

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

“[Fanfic] got me back into liking the fun of writing fiction.” – 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:

Evergreen Links

“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
I Should Be Writing, Podcasts, Projects

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

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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:

Evergreen Links

“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

 

I Should Be Writing, Podcasts, Projects

[ISBW] Accountability and Adventures in Writing with Cat Rambo

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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

(This post went live for supporters on October 15, 2024. If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at Patreon or Substack!)

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:

Evergreen Links

“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