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Ditch Diggers #103: Feedback

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 59:53 — 40.6MB)

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Matt and Mur come to you live from their separate but equally teddy bear and unicorn-filled bedrooms in the Ditch Diggers Mansion.

  • Pan-corns versus unicorns, and popular usage in podcasting terminology.
  • Matt and Mur are starting their own line of lumberjack body pillows (according to Matt, anyway).
  • Matt finished a new draft of a book (not to be confused with finishing a new book, again according to him), and Mur is still experimenting with her burgeoning career as a streaming star.
  • Patreon and Kickstarter culture, what creators “owe” their audiences, the associated guilt, and how being a freelance creator means running a small corporation in which you are every department.
  • How writers and their writing change over time.
  • It is the patented, storied, practically legendary Ditch Diggers Feedback Episode! In which Matt and Mur catch up on their mail and @’s!
  • Gay romcom recommendations for Mur (and everyone else).
  • How to expand your platforms beyond writer networking and industry-facing to be more reader/consumer-facing.
  • Transitioning from a full-time job (in this case back) to full-time freelancing. Spoiler Alert: Probably not right now in 2020.
  • Unplugging and focusing on your projects. Also, structure and timed lock boxes (Mur is very smart and says very smart things).
  • Selling novellas, from self-pub to “traditional” publishers, and ability to pivot and adapt.
  • The traditional end-of-episode shilling commences! Lameece Issaq, narrator of the audiobook version of Matt’s epic fantasy SAVAGE LEGION (out now from Simon Audio), gets some love.

Mentioned in this episode…

Podcasts, Projects

ISBW #514: Goals for long-term career

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 37:50 — 39.7MB)

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So I tried hard to get a better format, and screw it up immediately by saying it’s episode 513. Sigh.

We talk about the music of Devo Spice, who gives permission for my before- and after- stream music, and I very clumsily recommend his song Spider Verses. See the video below!

Speaking of music, I also talk about Loser by Garfunkel & Oates. This version edits the F-bombs.

About goals- remember that you want to make goals you can keep under your control. “Want to write the next Star Wars novel,” not under your control. “Want to write a book by end of year,” yes. “Sign with dream agent,” can’t control, but “research and query many agents,” yes. I bring up 24 Hour Plays, where I queried to see if they’d like a writer (under my control), and never heard anything back (not under my control.) I did everything I could, so I’m happy with that.

I’m supporting Duke Children’s Hospital through Extra Life! If you want to help support, check out that graphic below!

My Twitch schedule:
Mondays: 12:30 AMA
Tuesdays: 12:30 Live ISBW
Thursdays: 12:30 Live ISBW*
8:00 pm Gaming*
Sundays: 2pm Gaming

*out of town August 27-29, no streaming.

Podcasts, Projects

ISBW #513: Emotions vs Reality

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 32:25 — 33.7MB)

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Sometimes the strong emotion you feel, like depression over rejections or imposter syndrome, can be overwhelming, but do your emotions actually reflect the world’s reality?
This episode originally ran on I Should Be Writing’s fifteenth birthday! Whoo hoo!
I continue to be live on Twitch.tv, Tuesdays and Thursdays! 12:30pm EDT. 
Podcasts, Projects

ISBW #512: Also, the Hugos were AWESOME

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 27:42 — 30.2MB)

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I was such a grouch about the Hugos that I took the spotlight away from the nominees and winners, who deserved it more than ever after the disastrous award ceremony. I talk about some here, and please check out the winners and nominees I didn’t get to!
I continue to be live on Twitch.tv, Tuesdays and Thursdays! 12:30pm EDT.
Podcasts, Projects

ISBW #511: Characters are Hard, Editors are Awesome

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 31:26 — 34.5MB)

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I continue to stream live on Twitch.tv, Tuesdays and Thursdays! 12:30pm EDT.
I talk about how to get your brain around writing different characters, and the fact that Editors are indeed awesome.
Podcasts, Projects

Ditch Diggers #102: That Darn Hugo

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:00:44 — 41.4MB)

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The Hugo thing happened. So we talked about it.

  • Mur and Matt come to you live from the hermetically sealed Hugo Award storage chamber in Ditch Diggers Manor (because Hugos get dirty).
  • AITA because I had a good day?
  • Mur discusses her new adventures in Twitch and Crowdcast live-streaming, including ascending above the level of “YOU ARE NOTHING!” on Twitch.
  • Matt is still a YouTuber (technically).
  • Mur makes Matt think about his own death and Matt accuses Mur of trying to make people date the Grand Canyon (sort of).
  • The inevitable Hugo Awards Ceremony debacle discussion ensues, including a summary of what happened at the 2020 ceremony.
  • The disconnect between the amazing writers and creators who won Hugo Awards (and their eloquent and relevant speeches) and the time machine from which the majority of the presenters stepped out.
  • The infamous Balloon Guy Story (that does not involve kink shaming).
  • Q&A! A listener asks Matt about his upcoming novels and the issue of appropriation when it comes to writing the Other. Also, questions about Substack and Medium.
  • The traditional end-of-episode shilling (and Matt denounces Spotify).

Mentioned in this episode…

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