We recently went live over on YouTube to talk all things ghost-story writing with Matty Dalrymple, from The Indy Author, and Daniel Willcocks, from Activated Authors. Here's the recording from the live.

If you'd prefer to watch it, you can find a recording of the stream here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ax5GPypvkyo

Writing Ghost Stories (with The Indy Author's Matty Dalrymple and Activated Author's Daniel Willcocks)

It’s time for a very important announcement!



Productivity for Writers: https://amzn.to/3Yie2zq *

Writing Myths: https://amzn.to/3VXeSQG *

How to Write Believable Characters: https://amzn.to/3VTr2df *



Backstory course: www.writerscookbook.com/backstory [http://www.writerscookbook.com/backstory]



Merch: www.writerscookbook.com/merch [http://www.writerscookbook.com/merch]



Chatter – Ethan Kross: https://amzn.to/3FrPxqX *



Kristina’s author website: www.kristinaadamsauthor.com [http://www.kristinaadamsauthor.com/]

Kristina’s content marketing website: www.kristinaproffitt.com [http://www.kristinaproffitt.com/]

Kristina’s blog: www.writerscookbook.com [http://www.writerscookbook.com/]



Ellie’s Twitter: www.twitter.com/ebettswriter [https://www.twitter.com/ebettswriter]



*Affiliate link

Self-care, energy levels, and looking ahead

As you’ve probably noticed, we’re trying to make things easier for ourselves by using a pre-recorded intro/outro. Turns out that recording that was easier said than done. Here’s what happened behind the scenes…

Just 4 Mins of us Not Being Able to Speak, Read Our Own Scripts, or Get Zoom to Behave...

Basically a compilation of all the times we couldn't speak or got interrupted while recording season 6.

Blunders, Bumbles, and Bloopers

Gail Carriger has multiple NYT bestsellers and over a million books in print in dozens of different languages. She writes comedies of manners mixed with urban fantasy (and sexy queer joy as G. L. Carriger). She is best known for the Parasol Protectorate and Finishing School series. She was once an archaeologist and is fond of shoes, octopuses, and tea.

In this episode, you'll learn:

 * Why analytics for authors are so important
 * What you should be tracking
 * Where to get your data from
 * How data helps you make better decision

Links

 * Gail Carriger's website [https://gailcarriger.com/]
 * Gail's redirection post [http://gailcarriger.com/redirection]

Analytics for Authors (Full Interview with Gail Carriger)

It's easy to lose momentum as you write, spending all your energy on your beginning and fizzling out as you push yourself to finish your book. But your climax is one of the most important parts of your book. Here's how to make sure your ending is epic.

In this episode, you'll learn:

 * How a bad (or no) climax can make your readers feel
 * Why your book doesn't have to have lots of twists to have a great ending
 * The importance of triggering an emotional reaction in your readers

Don't Forget Your Climax! How to Write Epic Endings

This week on The Writer's Mindset we share tips on how you can create a large, diverse cast of characters your readers will love just as much as you do.

In this episode, you'll learn:

 * Why it's important to have a diverse cast
 * Ways to bring your characters to life

How to Create a Large, Diverse Cast Your Readers Will Love

Visit www.writerscookbook.com/backstory today to grab your spot

How to Get to Know Your Characters Better

Clarissa has always lived more in the world of daydream and fiction than in reality. In her writing she explores purpose and belonging across worlds. Having never found an actual portal to faeryland, she creates her own fantastical worlds where dragons, fae and other magical creatures rule.

She now lives in the Netherlands with her family, where she writes as much as they will let her. When not reading or writing, she drinks too much tea and has a burgeoning obsession with Bundt cakes.

Clarissa is the author of the "Dragons of Kaitstud" and "Lost Princess of Starlight" YA fantasy series, and the "Expat Life" series of non-fiction guides for families moving, and living, abroad.

She is an admin for the 365 Writing Challenge, an international group that supports people to build the habit of writing. And she is one of the co-hosts of the Reading Queens podcast, which discusses mainly young adult fantasy books and their major tropes.

In this episode, you'll learn:

 * Why accountability can be a great motivational tool
 * The downsides to NaNoWriMo
 * Ideas for flexible writing habits you could try



Links

 * Clarissa's website [https://www.clarissagosling.com/]

Writing Habits and Accountability (with Clarissa Gosling)

Part two of our interview with Gail!

Gail Carriger has multiple NYT bestsellers and over a million books in print in dozens of different languages. She writes comedies of manners mixed with urban fantasy (and sexy queer joy as G. L. Carriger). She is best known for the Parasol Protectorate and Finishing School series. She was once an archaeologist and is fond of shoes, octopuses, and tea.

In this episode, you'll learn:

 * Why analytics for authors are so important
 * What you should be tracking
 * Where to get your data from
 * How data helps you make better decision



Links

 * Gail Carriger's website [https://gailcarriger.com/]
 * Gail's redirection post [http://gailcarriger.com/redirection]



Time stamps

 * 00:00 – Intro
 * 1:53 – Where to start
 * 14:04 – Blog tours: are they worth it?
 * 17:38 – Is it ever too late to start?
 * 20:02 – Don’t carry stats in your head
 * 30:51 – Which data source changed Gail’s life?
 * 35:17 – Keep in touch

Analytics for Authors Part 2 (with Gail Carriger)

Our mindsets can often hold us back in life more than we think. Self-doubt, anxiety, imposter syndrome…the list goes on. In this open, honest podcast, bestselling author Kristina Adams, and upcoming author Ellie Betts, share the highs and lows of their writing lives alongside interviews with authors, marketers, and content creators. 



You’ll finish each episode feeling inspired, uplifted, and ready to get writing.



Formerly called The Writer's Cookbook podcast (and still part of The Writer's Cookbook network).