Send us a text

In this episode of Way-Word Writers, senior literary agent Heather Cashman, along with authors and writing coaches Stephanie Bearce and Nicki Jacobsmeyer, welcomes author Bethany Hegedus. They discuss Hegedus's journey from New York to Austin, her founding of the Writing Barn, and her approach to fostering a vibrant writing community. Hegedus shares her experiences as a keynote speaker, workshop leader, and mentor, along with the transition to online classes and the importance of adapting to changing circumstances. The group also explores common challenges faced by writers, the significance of external and internal validation, and the essential role of community in a writer's life.

00:00 Welcome to Way-Word Writers
00:32 Introducing Bethany Hegedus
01:21 The Journey to The Writing Barn
04:09 Adapting to Change and Growth
06:37 Balancing Projects and Writing
11:19 Common Challenges for Aspiring Writers
14:22 The Importance of Community
17:23 Advice for New Writers
21:12 Dealing with Rejection
30:44 Conclusion and Next Episode Teaser

Send us a text

In this episode of 'Way-Word Writers,' hosts Heather Cashman, Stephanie Bearce, and Nicki Jacobsmeyer welcome USA Today best-selling author Jennifer E. Hilt to discuss her work 'The Trope Thesaurus.' Jennifer shares her insights into why tropes are essential building blocks in storytelling, how they can be effectively utilized and developed, and addresses common misconceptions about them. She explains how her background in linguistics and literature helped her identify common storytelling blocks during the pandemic and led her to write the 'Trope Thesaurus.' The hosts and Jennifer delve into how tropes are structured, the importance of genre expectations, and how tropes can be adapted or subverted to create unique and compelling stories. Jennifer also gives examples, like 'The Witcher' and 'Severance,' that illustrate the effective use of tropes. The episode closes with Jennifer discussing her favorite tropes and how tropes can be identified and utilized across different genres, encouraging writers to view them as powerful storytelling tools.

00:00 Welcome to Way-Word Writers
00:31 Introducing Jennifer E. Hilt and The Trope Thesaurus
01:31 The Origin of The Trope Thesaurus
03:47 Understanding Tropes in Storytelling
08:16 The Structure and Use of The Trope Thesaurus
11:54 Balancing Familiar Tropes with Originality
12:16 Genre Expectations and Character Complexity
19:22 Practical Tips for Writers
22:47 Upcoming Fantasy Sci-Fi Release
23:19 Exploring the Horror Genre
23:59 Romance and Sci-Fi Subgenres
24:19 Understanding Tropes in Storytelling
26:52 Favorite Mystery Series
28:21 Evergreen and Emerging Tropes
37:15 Subverting Tropes in Different Genres
41:49 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Send us a text

In this episode of Way-Word Writers, hosts Heather Cashman, Stephanie Bearce, and Nicki Jacobsmeyer are joined by editor Kade Dishmon from Holiday House. The discussion delves into what publishers look for in authors, the significance of perseverance in writing, and the advantages and disadvantages of working with small to midsize publishers. Kade shares insights on the role of platform in fiction and nonfiction, the evolving landscape of diversity in publishing, and offers valuable advice for authors on how to create immersive worlds and chaotic characters. The conversation also touches on the impact of AI in the industry and provides a deeper understanding of Kade's manuscript wishlist. The episode wraps up with reflections on the importance of passion and authenticity in an author's work.

00:00 Introduction to Way-Word Writers
00:32 Meet Editor Kade Dishmon
01:47 What Publishers Look for in Authors
03:59 The Role of Author Platform
05:07 Advantages of Smaller Publishers
06:50 Navigating the Publishing Industry
15:46 AI in Publishing
17:48 Diversity in Publishing
22:56 Crafting Immersive Stories
25:51 Creating Chaotic Characters
26:51 What Grabs an Editor's Attention
30:12 Final Thoughts and Advice
34:32 Conclusion and Farewell