Posts Tagged ‘isbw’

I Should Be Writing, Podcasts, Projects

[ISBW] Crafting Tales Through Holiday Themes

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S21 Ep5: Crafting Tales Through Holiday Themes

“Engaging with the holidays definitely feels like a way to develop world and character.”
-Mur Lafferty

(This post went live for supporters on March 24, 2025. If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at Patreon or Substack!)

In this episode, I dive into the significance of holidays in storytelling and how they can shape character development and plot progression. With no guest this week, I talk about my own projects, creative work and admin work both.

I cover Christmas romances that evoke themes of rebirth to the complexities of Valentine’s Day, and discuss how different holidays can influence narratives.

Quote in front of xmas tree, "think of something happening that you don't actually believe could happen."Transcript

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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.
—

“Crafting Tales Through Holiday Themes” 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.
February 13, 2025 | Season 21 Ep 5 | murverse.com
“Crafting Tales Through Holiday Themes” by Mur Lafferty
is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
I Should Be Writing, Podcasts, Projects

[ISBW] Taking a Machete to Creative Blocks with Premee Mohamed

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S21 Ep4: Taking a Machete to Creative Blocks with Premee Mohamed

“My characters would be wandering around the field with me going like, hey, I just found a rare orchid.” -Premee Mohamed

(This post went live for supporters on March 21, 2025. If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at Patreon or Substack!)

(recorded February)
In this episode we welcome prolific, brilliant Premee Mohamed, a Nebula and Aurora award-winning author to talk about her new book, One Message Remains. We explore the process of creating clean first drafts, the chaos of deadlines, and the balance between creativity and productivity. And why the cat needs a job.

Premee shares the challenges of producing multiple works in a year and the strategies she employs to keep her creativity flowing. We cover outlining techniques and the importance of not being precious about the writing process.

Transcript

Links

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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.
—

“Taking a Machete to Creative Blocks with Premee Mohamed” 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.
March 21, 2025 | Season 21 Ep 4 | murverse.com
“Taking a Machete to Creative Blocks with Premee Mohamed” by Mur Lafferty
is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
I Should Be Writing, Podcasts, Projects

[ISBW] Rachel Howzell Hall on Balancing Thrillers and Fantasy

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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 Ep3: Rachel Howzell Hall on Balancing Thrillers and Fantasy

“I will try this new thing and I will learn how to do it.” -Rachel Howzell Hall

(This post went live for supporters on March 18, 2025. If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at Patreon or Substack!)

(recorded February)

In this episode of I Should Be Writing, we dive into the chaotic world of creativity with acclaimed author Rachel Howzell Hall, thriller writer turned fantasy writer. She discusses her new romantasy book, The Last One.

We delve into the importance of urgency in storytelling, the balance of world-building, and the personal experiences that shape a writer’s voice.

Transcript

Links

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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.
—

“Balancing Thrillers and Fantasy” 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.
March 21, 2025 | Season 21 Ep 3 | murverse.com
“Balancing Thrillers and Fantasy” by Mur Lafferty
is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
I Should Be Writing, Podcasts, Projects

[ISBW] Mental Health and Creativity

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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 show Elaine M. Will, a writer and illustrator known for her graphic novels that tackle mental health themes. We discuss Elaine’s latest work, The Last Band on Earth, and the intricate relationship between storytelling and visual art.

Whether you’re a writer or an artist, we hope you’ll get something out of this episode, and you remember that a creative journey is filled with ups and downs, and it’s okay to take your time.

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.
—

“Mental Health and Creativity” 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.
February 13, 2025 | Season 21 Ep 2 | murverse.com
“Mental Health and Creativity” by Mur Lafferty
is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 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
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

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—

“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:

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—

“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:

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—

“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

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“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:

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“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

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