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Key Discussion Points:

1. Summer Slump in Writing: Beth and Lisa discuss how summer activities can lead to a writing slump and share personal experiences and tips for overcoming it.

2. Character Development: Lisa shares her struggle with her character's emotional journey and how understanding her character's background helped overcome writing challenges.

3. Author Accelerator Book Coaching: Beth talks about her experience with the Author Accelerator's book coaching certification, emphasizing the importance of understanding a character's motivations.

4. Platform Building Challenge: Recap of the platform building challenge that starts on June 1st, with daily tasks to help authors build their platforms. The challenge is collaborative, involving various social media platforms. USE #wwwplatformchallenge to tag your posts!

5. Upcoming Book Events: Lisa discusses her book launch events for "Hart & Souls," including signings and panel discussions at the ALA conference.

Episode Summary:
In this episode, Beth and Lisa discuss the challenges of maintaining writing momentum during the summer and the importance of deep character development. They also introduce a 31-day platform building challenge for authors starting June 1st.

Mentioned Links:
- Episode 19 (for platform challenge details)
- Bitsy Kemper's Platform Challenge
- Writers with Wrinkles Website

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In this episode, we welcome Joshua Pruett, a New York Times & USA Today bestselling author, and Emmy Award winner. Pruett has written for both Mystery Science Theater 3000 and Doctor Who. He is currently a writer for the upcoming return of Phineas and Ferb and co-author of the Last Comics on Earth graphic novel series. His first solo middle-grade series, Gyro and the Argonauts, will be released by Andrews McMeel Kids in the summer of 2025.

Key Discussion Points

1. Journey to Success:
- Joshua Pruett shares his excitement about his upcoming middle-grade series, Gyro and the Argonauts. Inspired by a passion for Greek mythology, Pruett has crafted a story that reimagines monsters as heroes.
- He discusses the creative process behind this book, emphasizing the importance of taking control of one's narrative and the theme of breaking free from societal expectations.

2. Writing Collaboratively:
- Pruett discusses his collaborative writing process with Max Brailler on the Last Comics on Earth series. He highlights the dynamic nature of their partnership and the creative synergy that fuels their work.
- He explains the concept of Last Comics on Earth, where the protagonists create their own comic book series within the post-apocalyptic world they inhabit, blending humor and adventure.

3. Transition to Television:
- Reflecting on his transition from feature animation to television, Pruett discusses his experience writing for several popular shows. He appreciates the frequent opportunities for storytelling that TV offers compared to the slower pace of feature animation.
- He shares anecdotes about the collaborative environment in TV writers' rooms and the joy of contributing to beloved series like Doctor Who.

4. Balancing Solo and Collaborative Projects:
- Pruett talks about the contrast between collaborative projects and solo endeavors. He finds value in both approaches, appreciating the solitude of writing novels while also enjoying the team dynamics in TV writing.
- He mentions the strategic aspects of his career, where he balances personal creative control with collaborative opportunities.

5. Advice for Aspiring Writers:
- Joshua Pruett encourages aspiring writers to create and produce their work, especially

Two hosts. One of them has plotted a murder mystery. The other must direct the...

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

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Subscribe for updates, cheat sheets, news
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This episode features co-host Lisa Schmid discussing her upcoming middle-grade novel "Hart & Souls." The focus is on the challenges of writing a second novel, known as the sophomore slump, and the unique pressures and expectations that come with it.

Key Discussion Points:

1. Introduction to "Hart & Souls"
- Lisa introduces her novel about Stix Hart, a sixth-grader dealing with anxiety from past bullying. He meets three ghosts with unresolved issues and helps them move on.

2. The Sophomore Slump
- Beth and Lisa discuss the difficulties of writing a second novel and the pressures that come with following up a debut success.

3. Inspiration Behind the Story
- Lisa shares a personal story about her son’s middle school experience and how an encounter with a troubled bully inspired "Hart & Souls."

4. Middle-Grade Writing
- The importance of making books accessible, fun, and educational without being preachy. Lisa balances serious issues with an engaging narrative.

5. Lessons from the First Novel
- Lisa reflects on the lessons learned from her debut, "Olly Oxley and the Ghost," and how they influenced her approach to her second novel.

6. Real-Life Issues in Fiction
- Addressing topics like bullying, anxiety, LGBTQ+ issues, parental abuse, and racism in middle-grade fiction. Lisa highlights the importance of reflecting real-life struggles in a relatable way.

7. Writing Process and Craft
- The challenges of creating multiple story arcs and weaving them together. Lisa emphasizes the importance of reading across genres to improve writing craft.

8. Advice for Aspiring Authors
- Tips for those starting their second novel, including changing the point of view to ensure distinct characters and stories.

This episode provides a deep dive into the creative process behind "Hart & Souls," highlighting the challenges and triumphs of writing a second novel. Lisa Schmid's insights offer valuable lessons for aspiring authors and middle-grade enthusiasts.

Listeners are encouraged to pre-order 'Hart & Souls' and attend Lisa's book launch on July 27th at Ruby's Books in Folsom, where she will be in conversation with Beth McMullen. Additionally, Lisa will be at the ALA conference in San Diego on June 29th and 30th, signing books and participating in a panel discussion.

Links Mentioned:
- Pre Order Hart & Souls
- Ruby's Books
- ALA Conference

Support the Show.

Subscribe for updates, cheat sheets, news
Visit the Website

Twitter: @BethandLisaPod
Insta: @WritersWithWrinkles

Writers with Wrinkles Link Tree for more!