Posts Tagged ‘Writing Advice’

I Should Be Writing, Podcasts, Projects

[ISBW] The Journey from Ideas to Anarchy with Cadwell Turnbull

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“You want to preserve your experience of the work.
You want to preserve the doing of the art.”
~Cadwell Turnbull

Amazing author Cadwell Turnbull joins us to dives deep into the creative process and discuss his latest book, A Ruin Great and Free. We talk about his writing journey, trilogy challenges, and approaching social issues in his books.

Blue logo to join the Fabulists via Patreon(This post went live for supporters on November 24, 2025. If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at Patreon!)

 

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—
“The Journey from Ideas to Anarchy with Cadwell Turnbull” 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!
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 24, 2025 | Season 21 Ep 22 | murverse.com
“The Journey from Ideas to Anarchy with Cadwell Turnbull” by Mur Lafferty is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
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.
Ditch Diggers, Podcasts, Projects

[DD] It’s a Multiple Whale Year for Ursula

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“Genre is a marketing tool, just like a book cover.” – Mur Lafferty

Ditch Diggers Season 11 logo featuring ursula illustrated In this episode of Ditch Diggers, Mur and Ursula rant about genre expectations, marketing, and what happens when you decide that genre isn’t for you because you’re special. 

Ursula lists her whales, and Imposter Syndrome doesn’t really make a showing when Mur travels. 

Highlights:
– (05:12) Ursula’s anxiety over multiple deadlines and projects
– (12:45) Mur’s recent business trip and the absence of imposter syndrome
– (25:30) The ongoing debate about happy endings in romance
– (38:15) The role of marketing in shaping reader expectations
– (47:50) The challenges of genre classification and reader assumptions
– (55:30) How personal growth as a writer often goes unnoticed

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(This post went live for supporters on June 9, 2025. Join the Fabulists or support my newsletter at Ghost if you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes!)

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Support Local Book Stores!

Ditch Diggers credits:
theme song by Devo Spice, art by Numbers Ninja,
site hosted by Libsyn (or Patreon).
June 12, 2024 | Season 11 Ep 6 | murverse.com
“It’s a Multiple Whale Year for Ursula” by Mur Lafferty and Ursula Vernon
is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

Ditch Diggers, Podcasts, Projects

[DD] AI and the Art of Not Reading the Room

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 49:11 — 49.5MB)

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“If you want this to be your thing, you got to keep doing the thing.” – Ursula Vernon

Ditch Diggers Season 11 logo featuring ursula illustrated In this episode of Ditch Diggers, Mur and Ursula dive into the chaotic world of writing, sharing their latest projects, travel plans, and ask you if that thing you wanted to say actually is the thing you want to say online. They discuss the SNAFU of the WorldCon AI controversy, the ethical considerations surrounding generative technologies, and whether it matters if the dog dies or not.

Highlights:

  • (01:15) Welcome to the Warbler Appreciation room!
  • (05:30) Ursula’s upcoming travels and book festivals
  • (12:45) The challenges of writing while managing ADHD
  • (20:00) Ursula’s progress on the next Swordheart book
  • (30:00) Audio quality warning—Ursula’s mic issues
  • (35:15) The ethics of AI in writing and publishing
  • (45:00) Worldcon’s controversial decision to use AI for vetting
  • (55:30) The importance of reading the room in online discussions
  • (01:02:15) Closing thoughts and where to find them online

(This post went live for supporters on June 3, 2025. Join the Fabulists or support my newsletter at Ghost if you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes!)

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Transcript

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).
June 4, 2024 | Season 11 Ep 5 | murverse.com
“AI and the Art of Not Reading the Room” by Mur Lafferty and Ursula Vernon
is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 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

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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] Navigating WorldCon and Writing Challenges with SB Divya

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 52:42 — 38.5MB)

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S20 Ep26: In Which Mur and S.B. Divya Discuss Worldcon, Accessibility, and Future Worlds

“It is around the world in 80 days if Greta Thunberg was the protagonist.” – SB Divya

NOTE- I will be doing a giveaway for signed copies of Meru and Loka on October 31, 2024! Details on how to win are inside the podcast!

 

(This post went live for supporters on October 3, 2024. If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at Patreon or Substack!)

I’m delighted to welcome welcome my longtime friend, S.B. Divya, to discuss Divya’s new book, Loka. We dive into our experiences at Worldcon, the intricacies of accessibility at large conventions, and the unique challenges faced by those with disabilities. Divya shares her journey in creating a richly detailed future world for her books, explaining how she envisions life a thousand years from now and the process of worldbuilding that supports her stories.

We also explore the concept of burnout, particularly in the context of long Covid, and how Divya managed to balance her writing career with her health needs. The conversation highlights the importance of taking intentional breaks and the reality of being a writer with a disability.

We get insights into Divya’s creative process, her thoughts on genetic engineering, space exploration, and the sociopolitical landscapes of her speculative worlds. Plus, there’s a special giveaway for US listeners to win signed copies of Meru and Loka!

Transcript

Links:

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“Navigating WorldCon and Writing Challenges with SB Divya” 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 7, 2024 | Season 20 Ep 26 | murverse.com
“Navigating WorldCon and Writing Challenges with SB Divya” by Mur Lafferty
is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
I Should Be Writing, Podcasts, Projects

[ISBW] Tanya DePass, Writing, and Gaming, Live from WorldCon, Glasgow!

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ISBW birthday logo with happy Mur illustration and cake.

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[Please note that this podcast is explicit with a few swear words and CW- parental death discussed.]

S20 Ep24: In Which Mur and Tanya DePass Discuss Fanfic, Diversity Consulting, and Creative Journeys

Recorded ON ISBW’s birthday, in Glasgow, y’all. Nineteen years. I’d drop the mic, but it seems I’m committed now.

I think people who turn up their nose at Fanfic are really A: missing out and B: being snobs. – Tanya DePass

Transcript

(This post went live for supporters on August 23, 2024. If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at Patreon or Substack!)

Join Mur as she celebrates the 19th anniversary of “I Should Be Writing” with special guest Tanya DePass, aka cypheroftyr. Tanya is a prolific writer, streamer, and game developer, known for her work in promoting diversity and inclusion in the gaming industry. In this episode, they delve into Tanya’s multifaceted career, from founding “I Need Diverse Games” to working on the upcoming Wonder Woman game.

Tanya shares her journey with fanfiction, discussing how it has evolved over the years and how it helps her hone her writing skills. They also touch on the importance of diversity consulting in creative works, offering advice on when and how to seek out consultants to ensure authentic representation.

They explore the emotional challenges of creative careers, the value of finding opportunities, and the importance of community support. Tanya’s insights into streaming, game development, and balancing multiple roles provide a comprehensive look at the modern creative landscape.

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“Tanya DePass, Writing, and Gaming, Live from WorldCon, Glasgow!” 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.
August 26, 2024 | Season 20 Ep 24 | murverse.com
“Tanya DePass, Writing, and Gaming, Live from WorldCon, Glasgow!” by Mur Lafferty
is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
I Should Be Writing, Podcasts, Projects

[ISBW] Exploring the Post-Apocalyptic World with Waubgeshig Rice

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ISBW birthday logo with happy Mur illustration and cake.

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S20 Ep23: In Which Mur and Waubgeshig Rice explore post-apocalyptic worlds.

It’s like, ultimately, words are expendable. You just pick different ones. – Waubgeshig Rice

Transcript

(This post went live for supporters on August 21, 2024. If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at Patreon or Substack!)

Chapters:
(00:00) Intro
(01:45) Waubgeshig Rice dropped out of journalism school because the industry is a shadow of itself.
(02:36) Waub’s first two novels are post apocalyptic dystopian novels.
(06:59) How much post-apocalyptic fiction did he read before writing this book?
(09:42) Starting with smaller presses was really influential in his development as a writer.
(12:51) How did his background in journalism helped his confidence as a debut novelist?
(16:14) How did he work that pacing in Moon of Crested Snow?
(19:04) What freaks us out.
(23:16) I need to read more post apocalyptic fiction by indigenous writers.
(24:37) Waub went from journalism to fiction after quitting his job.
(27:04) More writing advice!
(30:28) How does Waub tackle revising?

In this episode. Mur chats with award-winning author and journalist Waubgeshig Rice about his latest book, Moon of the Turning Leaves. They delve into the challenges and rewards of transitioning from journalism to fiction, the intricacies of writing post-apocalyptic literature, and the importance of smaller presses for budding authors.

Waub also shares his inspirations, the impact of his indigenous heritage on his storytelling, and offers invaluable advice for aspiring writers. Tune in for an insightful discussion on the craft of writing and the resilience of communities in the face of global calamities.

And y’all, SO MANY good book recommendations!

Links

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“Exploring the Post-Apocalyptic World with Waubgeshig Rice” 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.
August 23, 2024 | Season 20 Ep 23 | murverse.com
“Exploring the Post-Apocalyptic World with Waubgeshig Rice” by Mur Lafferty
is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
I Should Be Writing, Podcasts, Projects

[ISBW] Debut Novels and the Writing Journey with MJ Wassmer

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S20 Ep22: In Which Mur Chats with MJ Wassmer and Discusses Debut Novels and the Writing Journey

“You can’t think yourself into better actions, but you can act yourself into better thoughts.”– MJ Wassmer

Transcript

(This post went live for supporters on July 30, 2024. If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at Patreon or Substack!)

Join Mur as she welcomes MJ Wassmer, author of Zero Stars Do Not Recommend, to discuss the ups and downs of debuting in the publishing world, writing speculative comedy, and the emotional rollercoaster that comes with finishing a book.

MJ shares his personal journey, from working in corporate America to becoming a published author, and offers insights into his writing process, dealing with rejections, and the importance of having a supportive spouse.

Links:

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“Debut Novels and the Writing Journey with MJ Wassmer” 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.
August 5, 2024 | Season 20 Ep 22 | murverse.com
“Debut Novels and the Writing Journey with MJ Wassmer” 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] The Epiphany of Writing Routines: Embracing Structure in a Creative Life

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 20:08 — 17.5MB)

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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.

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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

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