Ditch Diggers, Podcasts, Projects

[DD] Ursula Vernon Takes Over: New Beginnings and No More Cancer

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Ditch Diggers logo, illustrated with Mur and Ursula images.
Ep 01: Ursula Vernon Takes Over New Beginnings and No More Cancer
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“If you want to make money, you have to think about it like a job.”– Mur

Transcript

(This post went live for supporters on June 26, 2024. If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at Patreon or Substack!)

Welcome back to Ditch Diggers! In this episode, we kick things off with a fresh start and a new co-host. The mighty Mur Lafferty is joined by the fabulous Ursula Vernon (aka T. Kingfisher) as they dive into the nitty-gritty of the writing business.

Ursula shares her personal journey of overcoming cancer and getting back into the writing groove, while Mur talks about the realities of making deadlines and the business side of writing. They also discuss the recent Hugo Awards controversy and the implications for authors involved.

(more…)

I Should Be Writing, Podcasts, Projects

[ISBW] Short Story Submissions and Surviving Rejections

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S20 Ep16: In Which Mur Tackles Short Fiction Submissions

“You’re not gonna be Wiswell or Chambers. You’re gonna be you.”– Mur

Transcript

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

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

Links:

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“Navigating Short Fiction Submissions” is brought to you in large part by by my supporters, who received an early, expanded version of this episode. You can join our Fabulist community with a pledge on Patreon or Substack!

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

CREDITS
Theme song by John Anealio, art by Numbers Ninja,
and files hosted by Libsyn (affiliate link). Get archives of the show via Patreon.
June 24, 2024 | Season 20 Ep 16 | murverse.com
“Navigating Short Fiction Submissions” by Mur Lafferty
is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
I Should Be Writing, Podcasts, Projects

[ISBW] Murder Mystery Meltdown and the AI Assistant

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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:

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“Murder Mystery Meltdown and the AI Assistant” is brought to you in large part by by my supporters, who received an early, expanded version of this episode. You can join our Fabulist community with a pledge on Patreon or Substack!

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

CREDITS
Theme song by John Anealio, art by Numbers Ninja,
and files hosted by Libsyn (affiliate link). Get archives of the show via Patreon.
May 2, 2024 | Season 20 Ep 15 | murverse.com
“Murder Mystery Meltdown and the AI Assistant” by Mur Lafferty
is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
I Should Be Writing, Podcasts, Projects

[ISBW] Conquering Conventions and Crafting Confidence

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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

Transcript

 

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

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

Links:

Evergreen Links

“Conquering Conventions and Crafting Confidence” is brought to you in large part by by my supporters, who received an early, expanded version of this episode. You can join our Fabulist community with a pledge on Patreon or Substack!

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

CREDITS
Theme song by John Anealio, art by Numbers Ninja,
and files hosted by Libsyn (affiliate link). Get archives of the show via Patreon.
April 24, 2024 | Season 20 Ep 14 | murverse.com
“Conquering Conventions and Crafting Confidence” by Mur Lafferty
is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
I Should Be Writing, Podcasts, Projects

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

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Riding the Revision Rollercoaster - season 20 episode 11

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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:

Evergreen Links

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

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

CREDITS
Theme song by John Anealio, art by Numbers Ninja,
and files hosted by Libsyn (affiliate link). Get archives of the show via Patreon.
April 17, 2024 | Season 20 Ep 13 | murverse.com
“From Patent Memos to Nebula Nods with Wole Talabi” by Mur Lafferty
is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
I Should Be Writing, Podcasts, Projects

[ISBW] Riding the Revision Rollercoaster

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Riding the Revision Rollercoaster - season 20 episode 11

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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, which call the revision rollercoaster.  ADHD complicated my perception of time, so figuring out how long it will take me is a challenge.

via GIPHY

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

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

Other links for Ep 12:

Evergreen Links

(go here if you can’t see the widget)

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

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

CREDITS
Theme song by John Anealio, art by Numbers Ninja, site design by Clockpunk Studio
and files hosted by Libsyn (affiliate link). Get archives of the show via Patreon.
April 15, 2024 | Season 20 Ep 12 | murverse.com
“The Revision Rollercoaster – From Hurt Feelings to Finished Drafts” by Mur Lafferty
is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
I Should Be Writing, Podcasts, Projects

[ISBW] The Landscape of Grief with Scott Alexander Howard

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Riding the Revision Rollercoaster - season 20 episode 11

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S20 Ep11: In which we travel to “The Other Valley” 

Transcript

 

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

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

Links:

Evergreen Links

(go here for all the books mentioned in 2024)

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

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

CREDITS
Theme song by John Anealio, art by Numbers Ninja,
and files hosted by Libsyn (affiliate link). Get archives of the show via Patreon.
April 12, 2024 | Season 20 Ep 11 | murverse.com
“The Landscape of Grief with Scott Alexander Howard” by Mur Lafferty
is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
I Should Be Writing, Podcasts, Projects

[ISBW] Navigating Imposter Syndrome on the JoCo Cruise

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Navigating Imposter Syndrome - season 20 episode 10“Navigating Imposter Syndrome on the JoCo Cruise” is brought to you in large part by by my supporters, who received an early, expanded version of this episode. You can join our Fabulist community with a pledge on Patreon or Substack!

Remember, some links may be affiliate, but they support the show at no extra cost to you.

Subscribe/Follow here! (All apps)

 

I Should Be Writing Season 20, Episode 10

Transcript

Photo of a baby humpback whale tail“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.

Drunken fools wandering down a hallway,

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

 

Other links: 

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(go here if you can’t see the widget)

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

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

CREDITS
Theme song by John Anealio, art by Numbers Ninja, site design by Clockpunk Studio
and files hosted by Libsyn (affiliate link). Get archives of the show via Patreon.
April 8, 2024 | Season 20 Ep 10 | murverse.com
“Navigating Imposter Syndrome on the JoCo Cruise” by Mur Lafferty
is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
I Should Be Writing, Podcasts, Projects

[ISBW] Evil Mur Takeover! Plus the Secret Seagull Shack

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Evil Mur Takeover! S20 Ep9 - podcast cover image“Evil Mur Takeover! Plus the Secret Seagull Shack ” is brought to you in large part by by my supporters, who received an early, expanded version of this episode. You can join our Fabulist community with a pledge on Patreon or Substack!

Remember, some links may be affiliate, but they support the show at no extra cost to you.

Subscribe/Follow here! (All apps)

 

I Should Be Writing Season 20, Episode 9

Infinite Archive coverTranscript

“If you don’t start out perfect, you’re never going to be good.” – Evil Mur

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

<—LOOK AT THAT COVER! OMG! PREORDER NOW!

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

Other links: 

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(go here if you can’t see the widget)

Support the show, if you dare, and remember: Evil Mur is watching. Write like it’s your last act of defiance.

CREDITS
Theme song by John Anealio, art by Numbers Ninja, site design by Clockpunk Studio
and files hosted by Libsyn (affiliate link). Get archives of the show via Patreon.
April 5, 2024 | Season 20 Ep 9 | murverse.com
“The Epiphany of Routine” by Mur Lafferty
is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
I Should Be Writing, Podcasts, Projects

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

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2024 I Should Be Writing logo
S20 Ep8: The Epiphany of Writing Routines

“The Epiphany of Writing Routines” is brought to you in large part by by my supporters, who received an early, expanded version of this episode. You can join our Fabulist community with a pledge on Patreon or Substack!

Some links below are affiliate links and I may earn some money at no cost to you when you use them. 

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I Should Be Writing Season 20, Episode 8

Transcript

“I don’t think I’m ever gonna lose that feeling of being afraid to prep because I’ll talk myself out of it and then running and jumping off the high dive.”

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 morning and writing routines as covered by 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.

(video of Josh Zimmerman talking morning routines on the Patreon YouTube channel)

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

Other links: 

Evergreen Links

(go here if you can’t see the widget)

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

CREDITS
Theme song by John Anealio, art by Numbers Ninja, site design by Clockpunk Studio
and files hosted by Libsyn (affiliate link). Get archives of the show via Patreon.
April 3, 2024 | Season 20 Ep 8 | murverse.com
“The Epiphany of Routine” by Mur Lafferty
is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0