Episodes

  • #103 Launching Into New Dimensions with Embodied Writing Featuring Jeannine Ouellette

    #103 Launching Into New Dimensions with Embodied Writing Featuring Jeannine Ouellette
    Sep 5 2024
    Jeannine Ouellette’s lyric memoir, The Part That Burns, was a 2021 Kirkus Best Indie Book and a finalist for the Next Generation Indie Book Award in Women’s Literature. She is also the author of the picture book, Mama Moon. Her literary essays and short fiction have appeared widely in anthologies and journals, including Narrative, North American Review, Los Angeles Review of Books, Masters Review, Calyx, and many others. She holds an MFA in fiction from Vermont College of Fine Arts and is a Millay Colony for the Arts fellow and past juror. Her bestselling Substack, Writing in the Dark, is a passionate creative community for people who “do language,” where writing is part of a deeper, vaster conversation about how attention, curiosity, playfulness, and surprise provide a portal to the profound on the path to becoming, because talking about “how to write better” without that larger context is kind of boring. Ouellette teaches writing at the Minnesota Prison Writing Workshop and the University of Minnesota, where she also facilitates narrative health writing workshops for healthcare professionals and the public. She is working on a novel. In this episode: Finding her way into literary writing later in life [4:15] Creating art that blurs boundaries [7:20] Making magic with metaphor and the language of nature [9:34] Dealing with difficult childhood experiences through writing [9:51] Traversing the intersection of fiction and memoir [8:18] Using writing rules and constraints to build a world on the page [12:15] The workshop that broke Jeannine wide open [15:50] The risk of writing from the perspective of a child narrator [22:52] Writing about motherhood and being in one’s body [27:22] Jeannine’s story of the growth of her substack and advice for building a profitable digital newsletter [41:13] Connect with Jeannine: Substack Facebook Instagram X/Twitter Connect with Estelle: Watch Estelle’s episode #81 with Maggie Smith (mentioned in this episode). The Art of Shaping a Compelling Story https://estelleserasmus.com/81-the-art-of-shaping-a-compelling-story-featuring-maggie-smith/ ​​FREE PITCHING GUIDE: Find out more about this episode at https://estelleserasmus.com/podcast. You also get a free pitching guide if you sign up for her newsletter. Sign up for Estelle’s Personal Essay Class for Writer’s Digest https://www.writersonlineworkshops.com/courses/writing-the-personal-essay-101-fundamentals Get Her Book Writing That Gets Noticed: Find Your Voice, Become a Better Storyteller, Get Published: https://rb.gy/5ihwp0 Order Her Audiobook: https://shorturl.at/4uG2P Sign up for her Substack https://estelleserasmus.substack.com (with craft advice and writing opportunities). Paid subscribers receive opportunities for pitch reviews, plus bonus clips from Freelance Writing Direct guests Sign up for Her Class at NYU Writing About Your Life Through Memoir, Essays and Articles https://www.sps.nyu.edu/professional-pathways/faculty/1068-estelle-erasmus.html Join her event at NYU on September 16th with Liz Elting, philanthropist and author of Dream Big and Win: Imbuing Memoir into Your Non-Fiction Book: When How-To Advice Just Isn’t Enough for An Author https://events.nyu.edu/event/327539-imbuing-memoir-into-your-non-fiction-book-when?fbclid=IwY2xjawFEnWNleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHayZ7DcHV5hE1dWDKx_7mxrzKunkeCmOLP5ncv5leyBYaYgN9nVARmaKGQ_aem_rc1K8aXMTNaDPdJ8t-QjCA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/EstelleSErasmus TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@EstelleSErasmus
    Show more Show less
    50 mins
  • #102 Writing Scenes Shaped Around Sensory Experience Featuring Rona Maynard

    #102 Writing Scenes Shaped Around Sensory Experience Featuring Rona Maynard
    Aug 29 2024
    Rona Maynard found happiness at 65—a story she tells in her new memoir Starter Dog: My Path to Joy, Belonging and Loving This World. She first broke into print at 14 with a short story about bullying and still receives fan mail from teens who are reading it in class. Rona capped a stellar career in magazines with a decade at the helm of Chatelaine, Canada’s leading magazine for women. Her editor’s column won a loyal following. When she disclosed a struggle with depression, she helped kickstart a national conversation about mental health. After Chatelaine, Rona had to learn to unwind—and found that her best teacher was a rescue mutt who had received his basic training in a prison. She has been married more than 50 years and is a firm believer that road trips go better with a dog in the back seat. In This Episode: The important step Rona took while looking for her next chapter [3:19] How she tests the waters by sharing mini stories on Facebook [5:36] Giving your reader a reason to turn the page [7:48] Why beautiful writing isn’t enough [8:07] Living in the moment with a dog and how Rona applied that to her life [9:02] Inviting readers into the book with your sense of mission [10:12] Working as an editor-in-chief at Chatelaine and what that showed her about herself [11:20] Discovering what makes her day glow and finding purpose [13:01] Mining the conflict in your story [15:00] Rona’s advice for organizing your writing and effectively using tools like Scrivener [16:15] Writing your stories, even when the memories are hard [29:04] Why she doesn’t do the “vomit” draft [31:49] Connect with Rona Substack: https://ronamaynard.substack.com/ Website:http://www.ronamaynard.com Connect with Estelle: Sign up for Estelle’s September 5th free Zoom AMA with journalist Aly Walansky from 4:30-5:30 PM ET, where they will discuss pitching, publishing, grabbing an editor’s attention, working with editors, and getting noticed by pr people, and so much more. Email Estelle at freelancewritingdirect@gmail.com with your question for the AMA and to secure your spot. Watch Estelle’s episode #99 with Aly Walansky https://estelleserasmus.com/99-notes-from-a-lifestyle-journalist-with-10k-substack-subscribers/ Watch Estelle’s episode #38 with Cheryl Strayed https://estelleserasmus.com/38-cheryl-strayed-on-writing-and-tiny-beautiful-things/ ​​FREE PITCHING GUIDE: Find out more about this episode at https://estelleserasmus.com/podcast. You also get a free pitching guide if you sign up for her newsletter. Sign up for Estelle’s Personal Essay Class for Writer’s Digest https://www.writersonlineworkshops.com/courses/writing-the-personal-essay-101-fundamentals See Estelle’s latest blog post with news https://estelleserasmus.com/a-few-pieces-of-exciting-news/ Get Her Book Writing That Gets Noticed: Find Your Voice, Become a Better Storyteller, Get Published: https://rb.gy/5ihwp0 Pre-Order Her Audiobook: https://shorturl.at/4uG2P Sign up for her Substack https://estelleserasmus.substack.com (with craft advice and writing opportunities). Paid subscribers receive opportunities for pitch reviews, plus bonus clips from Freelance Writing Direct guests Estelle’s latest substack post on Micro Memoir https://estelleserasmus.substack.com/p/if-you-are-writing-a-micro-memoir Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/EstelleSErasmus TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@EstelleSErasmus
    Show more Show less
    35 mins
  • #101 The Makings of a “Hysterical” Story Featuring Elissa Bassist

    #101 The Makings of a “Hysterical” Story Featuring Elissa Bassist
    Aug 22 2024

    Elissa Bassist is the editor of the “Funny Women” column on The Rumpus and the author of the award-deserving memoir Hysterical. As a founding contributor to The Rumpus, she’s written cultural and personal criticism since the website launched in 2009. Most recently her writing appears in her newsletter, Tragedy Plus Time. Elissa teaches humor writing at The New School, 92NY, Lighthouse Writers Workshop, and elsewhere, and she is probably her therapist’s favorite. Her next book is INSIDE JOKES: A Comedy and Creativity Guide for All People, coming in 2026.



    In This Episode:

    • Writing with humor on heavy topics aka “traumedy” [3:08]

    • Why Elissa wrote Hysterical [4:11]

    • The Importance of external validation [4:41]

    • The value of researching her book and how Elissa did it [6:28]

    • Cultivating an external world for your book in the midst of great interiority [8:30]

    • Why its essential to work with an agent and editor who understands you [12:01]

    • Standing up to your editor and agents and why you might need to break up with them [12:57]

    • The benefits of stalking (and writing about) your obsessions [18:16]

    • An unusual horror film that put her life in perspective [21:39]

    • Explaining why the footnote was the essay [23:24]

    • The life affirming advice she received from Cheryl Strayed [25:26]

    • Elissa’s role at The Rumpus [26:14]

    • Her next big project [31:45]



    Connect with Elissa

    Website | Classes | Newsletters

    Twitter | Instagram | Facebook



    Elissa’s viral piece on the Human Centipede for The Paris Review

    https://www.theparisreview.org/blog/2012/11/01/the-human-centipede-or-how-to-move-to-new-york/



    Connect with Estelle:

    Watch Estelle’s episode #38 with Cheryl Strayed (who gave the advice to Elissa she mentions in Episode #101)

    https://estelleserasmus.com/38-cheryl-strayed-on-writing-and-tiny-beautiful-things/

    ​​FREE PITCHING GUIDE: Find out more about this episode at

    https://estelleserasmus.com/podcast. You also get a free pitching guide if you sign up for her newsletter.

    Sign up for Estelle’s Personal Essay Class for Writer’s Digest

    https://www.writersonlineworkshops.com/courses/writing-the-personal-essay-101-fundamentals

    See Estelle’s latest blog post with news

    https://estelleserasmus.com/a-few-pieces-of-exciting-news/



    Get Her Book

    Writing That Gets Noticed: Find Your Voice, Become a Better Storyteller, Get Published: https://rb.gy/5ihwp0

    Order Her Audiobook:

    https://shorturl.at/4uG2P

    Sign up for her Substack https://estelleserasmus.substack.com (with craft advice and writing opportunities). Paid subscribers receive opportunities for pitch reviews, plus bonus clips from Freelance Writing Direct guests

    Estelle’s latest substack post on Micro Memoir

    https://estelleserasmus.substack.com/p/if-you-are-writing-a-micro-memoir

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/EstelleSErasmus

    TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@EstelleSErasmus
    Show more Show less
    37 mins
  • #100 The Pleasure, Practice and Purpose of Writing Micro-Memoir Featuring Beth Ann Fennelly

    #100 The Pleasure, Practice and Purpose of Writing Micro-Memoir Featuring Beth Ann Fennelly
    Aug 15 2024
    Beth Ann Fennelly, Poet Laureate of Mississippi from 2016-2021, teaches in the MFA Program at the University of Mississippi where she is a four-time teaching award winner. She’s received grants from the N.E.A., the United States Artists, the Academy of American Poets, and a Fulbright to Brazil. Her work has won a Pushcart Prize and three times been included in The Best American Poetry Series. Fennelly has published three poetry books: Open House, Tender Hooks, and Unmentionables, and a book of nonfiction, Great with Child, all published with W. W. Norton. A novel she co-authored with her husband, Tom Franklin, called The Tilted World, was published by HarperCollins. Her sixth book, Heating & Cooling: 52 Micro-Memoirs (W. W. Norton), was named an Atlanta Journal Constitution Best Book, a Goodreaders Favorite for 2017, and the winner of the Housatonic Book Prize. Fennelly and Franklin live in Oxford with their three children. In this episode: Beth Ann's writing journey [5:29] Coining the concept of micro memoir [8:00] Taking personal anecdotes and making them resonate [8:37] The evolution of how Beth Ann structured her book [9:00] Crafting through lines with purpose [15:28] The art of collaborating with a partner on a novel and how Beth Ann made it work [15:28] Why you can’t ignore the concept of fun when it comes to writing [19:43] Why transitions need to be addressed carefully [24:42] Establishing an effective writing practice [28:00] Connect with Beth Ann Fennelly Website: https://www.bethannfennelly.com/ Facebook: https://facebook.com/bethann.fennelly.9 Instagram: https://instagram.com/bethannfennelly Listen to her TedX Talk How Literature Can Help Us Develop Empathy https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9nJv8sxpUKU&t=334s See Her Talk for The Moth The Proper Time to Eat https://themoth.org/stories/the-proper-time-to-eat Heating & Cooling: 52 Micro-Memoirs and The Tilted World on Estelle’s Bookshop https://bookshop.org/shop/EstelleSErasmus Connect with Estelle: Estelle’s New York Times Essay Singing My Dad Back to Me https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/13/well/family/singing-my-dad-back-to-me.html Episodes Referenced Here Joanna Rakoff Episode #87 Writing Memoir That Reads Like a Novel and Captivates on Every Page https://estelleserasmus.com/87-writing-memoir-that-reads-like-a-novel-and-captivates-on-every-page-featuring-joanna-rakoff/ Maggie Smith Episode #81 The Art of Shaping a Compelling Story https://estelleserasmus.com/81-the-art-of-shaping-a-compelling-story-featuring-maggie-smith/ Ann Hood Episode #95 The Catalysts and Craft for Charting and Plotting Novels https://estelleserasmus.com/95-the-catalysts-and-craft-for-charting-and-plotting-novels-featuring-ann-hood/ Episode #35 Flying High with Storyteller Ann Hood https://estelleserasmus.com/35-flying-high-with-storyteller-ann-hood/ ​​FREE PITCHING GUIDE: Find out more about this episode at https://estelleserasmus.com/podcast. You also get a free pitching guide if you sign up for her newsletter. Sign up for Estelle’s Personal Essay Class for Writer’s Digest https://www.writersonlineworkshops.com/courses/writing-the-personal-essay-101-fundamentals See Estelle’s latest blog post with news https://estelleserasmus.com/a-few-pieces-of-exciting-news/ Get Her Book Writing That Gets Noticed: Find Your Voice, Become a Better Storyteller, Get Published: https://rb.gy/5ihwp0 Pre-Order Her Audiobook: https://shorturl.at/4uG2P Sign up for her Substack https://estelleserasmus.substack.com (with craft advice and writing opportunities). Paid subscribers receive opportunities for pitch reviews, plus bonus clips from Freelance Writing Direct guests Estelle’s latest substack post on Micro Memoir https://estelleserasmus.substack.com/p/if-you-are-writing-a-micro-memoir Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/EstelleSErasmus TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@EstelleSErasmus
    Show more Show less
    36 mins
  • #99 Notes From a Lifestyle Journalist with Nearly 10K Followers on Substack Featuring Aly Walansky

    #99 Notes From a Lifestyle Journalist with Nearly 10K Followers on Substack Featuring Aly Walansky
    Aug 8 2024

    Aly Walansky has been covering lifestyle topics, with a focus on food, travel, and cocktails, for two decades. She's done all of this living and working (and eating!) from a tiny New York City studio apartment — so she knows a thing or two about cooking and eating well on a budget, in small spaces -- and sharing it with her audience. Her daily Substack newsletter goes out to close to 10,000 people each day.



    In this episode:

    • How Aly Walansky found her niche.[3:26]

    • Secrets of building sustainable relationships with editors [4:43]

    • The gift of Substack when it comes to time management [6:10]

    • How Aly created content during the pandemic [10:17]

    • Her experience writing for 10,000 substack subscribers and what she offers paid subscribers. [12:59]

    • How she structures her AMAs [14:26]

    • The new wave of AI in Journalism [15:55]

    • Adding yourself into the story [17:30]

    • The importance of a social media footprint for writers, even if you’re an introvert [20:52]



    Connect with Aly

    alywalansky.substack.com

    Connect with Estelle:

    Watch Estelle’s episode #88 with Former HARO Founder, Peter Shankman

    https://estelleserasmus.com/88-the-founder-of-haro-peter-shankman-a-hero-to-journalists-on-deadline-launches-source-of-sources/

    ​​FREE PITCHING GUIDE: Find out more about this episode at

    https://estelleserasmus.com/podcast. You also get a free pitching guide if you sign up for her newsletter.

    Sign up for Estelle’s Personal Essay Class for Writer’s Digest

    https://www.writersonlineworkshops.com/courses/writing-the-personal-essay-101-fundamentals

    See Estelle’s latest blog post with news

    https://estelleserasmus.com/a-few-pieces-of-exciting-news/



    Get Her Book

    Writing That Gets Noticed: Find Your Voice, Become a Better Storyteller, Get Published: https://rb.gy/5ihwp0

    Pre-Order Her Audiobook:

    https://shorturl.at/4uG2P

    Sign up for her Substack https://estelleserasmus.substack.com (with craft advice and writing opportunities). Paid subscribers receive opportunities for pitch reviews, plus bonus clips from Freelance Writing Direct guests

    Estelle’s latest substack post on Micro Memoir

    https://estelleserasmus.substack.com/p/if-you-are-writing-a-micro-memoir

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/EstelleSErasmus

    TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@EstelleSErasmus
    Show more Show less
    28 mins
  • #98 Insights on ASJA and the 2024 Virtual Conference from President, Emily Paulsen

    #98 Insights on ASJA and the 2024 Virtual Conference from President, Emily Paulsen
    Aug 1 2024
    Emily Paulsen has built a successful career as a freelance writer and editor. She has contributed to more than a dozen books, including three as co-author. She has covered a variety of subjects over the years, but specializes in health and healthcare, with an emphasis on health equity and improving the healthcare experience for patients and providers. She is currently president of the American Society of Journalists and Authors, the leading professional organization for independent journalists, authors, and content writers. In this episode: What is ASJA and Emily and Estelle’s’ experience with this professional organization [2:07] The upcoming ASJA virtual conference (September 24-26) and the breakdown of sessions in each track [6:07] The Importance of storytelling in journalism [11:20] Estelle’s fireside chat at ASJA with Abigail Thomas [13:28] ASJA diversity efforts for the freelance writing community [22:51] The benefits of ASJA membership and the associate and professional tier [26:38] The in-person ASJA conference in February 2025 [29:47] Connect with Emily LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eapaulsen/ Website: emilypaulsen.com Connect with ASJA asja.org https://www.facebook.com/ASJAinc/ https://x.com/ASJAhq https://www.linkedin.com/company/asja/ https://www.instagram.com/asjahq https://www.tiktok.com/@asjafreelancewriters More on ASJA Register for the 2024 Virtual Conference: https://www.asja.org/2024-asja-conference/ Info on the Conference Keynoters: https://www.asja.org/asja-2024-conference-keynoters-are-krishan-trotman-peter-shankman-david-brown/ The benefits of ASJA membership and eligibility requirements: https://www.asja.org/join-asja/benefits/ https://www.asja.org/join-asja/eligibility/ Info on Client Connections 2024 (you have to be a professional member to participate): https://www.asja.org/what-we-do/client-networking/client-connections/cc24/ The deadline for applying for the scholarship has been extended to 9/1. The deadline is 8/23 for non-members who apply for membership at the same time as applying for the scholarship. https://www.asja.org/asja-offers-members-scholarships-to-ghostmasters-business-of-ghostwriting-course/) ASJA will also be offering scholarships to the virtual conference, but that application has not been set up yet. Info on ASJA’s diversity initiative plus resources on how to be a more inclusive writer: https://www.asja.org/who-we-are/diversity-and-inclusion/ Connect with Estelle: Watch Estelle’s episode #83 with Abigail Thomas https://estelleserasmus.com/83-writing-your-way-into-an-engaging-and-enthralling-story-featuring-abigail-thomas/ Watch Estelle’s episode #88 with Peter Shankman https://estelleserasmus.com/88-the-founder-of-haro-peter-shankman-a-hero-to-journalists-on-deadline-launches-source-of-sources/ ​​FREE PITCHING GUIDE: Find out more about this episode at https://estelleserasmus.com/podcast. You also get a free pitching guide if you sign up for her newsletter. Sign up for Estelle’s Personal Essay Class for Writer’s Digest https://www.writersonlineworkshops.com/courses/writing-the-personal-essay-101-fundamentals See Estelle’s latest blog post with news https://estelleserasmus.com/a-few-pieces-of-exciting-news/ Get Her Book Writing That Gets Noticed: Find Your Voice, Become a Better Storyteller, Get Published: https://rb.gy/5ihwp0 Pre-Order Her Audiobook: https://shorturl.at/4uG2P Sign up for her Substack https://estelleserasmus.substack.com (with craft advice and writing opportunities). Paid subscribers receive opportunities for pitch reviews, plus bonus clips from Freelance Writing Direct guests Estelle’s latest substack post on Micro Memoir https://estelleserasmus.substack.com/p/if-you-are-writing-a-micro-memoir Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/EstelleSErasmus TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@EstelleSErasmus Estelle’s Latest Articles I’m Learning to Listen in New Ways (Shondaland) https://www.shondaland.com/live/family/a46102451/im-learning-to-listen-in-new-ways/ What to Do PreLaunch to Get Your Book Noticed (Writer’s Digest) https://www.writersdigest.com/getting-published/what-to-do-pre-launch-to-get-your-book-noticed How to Resist the Temptation of AI When Writing (Wired) https://www.wired.com/story/how-to-resist-ai-temptation-writing/
    Show more Show less
    35 mins
  • #97 Exploring Biblical Tales Through a Feminist Lens Featuring Sally Wiener Grotta

    #97 Exploring Biblical Tales Through a Feminist Lens Featuring Sally Wiener Grotta
    Jul 25 2024
    Sally Wiener Grotta is an award-winning writer, photographer and speaker. Her two most recent books are Of Being Woman, a collection of feminist science fiction (NobleFusion Press) and Daughters of Eve, an essay-based discussion & journaling workbook which mines the tales of biblical matriarchs to explore modern lives, concerns and crises (Bayit Publishing). As a journalist, Sally has traveled on assignment throughout the world, to all the continents, plus many remote islands, covering a wide diversity of cultures and traditions. Sally’s far-ranging experiences flavor her stories and presentations with a sense of wonder, appreciation for human potential and a healthy dose of common sense. Her American Hands narrative photographic project featuring traditional tradespeople (blacksmiths, weavers, spinners, glassblowers, bookbinders, etc.) has received dozens of grants, and the exhibition has been seen in person by over 300,000 people. Sally is co-curator of Galactic Philadelphia Salon reading series, and a member of The Authors Guild and SFWA. How Sally became an accidental biblical student Fighting against the patriarchy with writing The deep roots in female friendships Structuring a discussion workbook designed for self reflection and book clubs Helping people put themselves into the story and making readers your collaborators Writing essays for the book with a personal touch How she decided to pick her characters and aligned them with the modules in her book The must-have writing pledge (and process) for workshops Connect with Sally: Website: https://sallywienergrotta.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SallyWienerGrotta/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/SallyWGrotta YouTube: https://YouTube.com/SallyWienerGrotta BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/sallywienergrotta.bsky.social Connect with Estelle: ​​FREE PITCHING GUIDE: Find out more about this episode at https://estelleserasmus.com/podcast. You also get a free pitching guide if you sign up for her newsletter. Sign up for Estelle’s Personal Essay Class for Writer’s Digest https://www.writersonlineworkshops.com/courses/writing-the-personal-essay-101-fundamentals See Estelle’s latest blog post with news https://estelleserasmus.com/a-few-pieces-of-exciting-news/ Get Her Book Writing That Gets Noticed: Find Your Voice, Become a Better Storyteller, Get Published: https://rb.gy/5ihwp0 Pre-Order Her Audiobook: https://shorturl.at/4uG2P Sign up for her Substack https://estelleserasmus.substack.com (with craft advice and writing opportunities). Paid subscribers receive opportunities for pitch reviews, plus bonus clips from Freelance Writing Direct guests Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/EstelleSErasmus TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@EstelleSErasmus Estelle’s Latest Articles I’m Learning to Listen in New Ways (Shondaland) https://www.shondaland.com/live/family/a46102451/im-learning-to-listen-in-new-ways/ What to Do PreLaunch to Get Your Book Noticed (Writer’s Digest) https://www.writersdigest.com/getting-published/what-to-do-pre-launch-to-get-your-book-noticed How to Resist the Temptation of AI When Writing (Wired) https://www.wired.com/story/how-to-resist-ai-temptation-writing/
    Show more Show less
    31 mins
  • #96 Writing and Elevating a Suspense Novel Featuring Jessica Strawser

    #96 Writing and Elevating a Suspense Novel Featuring Jessica Strawser
    Jul 18 2024
    Jessica Strawser is editor-at-large at Writer’s Digest and the USA Today bestselling author of suspenseful book club novels, including Almost Missed You; Not That I Could Tell (a Book of the Month pick); A Million Reasons Why; The Next Thing You Know (a People Magazine Pick), and her latest, The Last Caretaker, an instant USA Today bestseller. Her seventh novel, Catch You Later, is forthcoming October 22, 2024. She has written for The New York Times Modern Love, Publishers Weekly and other fine venues, and is a popular writing instructor and freelance editor specializing in helping writers with their submission packages. She lives with her husband and children in Cincinnati, Ohio, where she was named 2019 Writer-in-Residence for the Public Library of Cincinnati & Hamilton County and awarded an Ohio Arts Council Individual Excellence Award for 2024. In this episode: How Jessica came up with the concept for her novel based on her life experiences [3:27] Writing about domestic violence and underground networks in an empowering way [6:47] Using nature as a setting [10:28] Her decision making process for writing the POV of one character, when many are available [12:48] Ending chapters with emotional beats [18:28] How to keep raising the stakes in a book by bringing out the tension in relationships [22:32] Dealing with the “muddle in the middle” [21:18] Secrets of writing using dialogue, action and reflection [24:55] Thinking of a book in terms of an arc, not an outline [28:24] Using time as a device to create a sense of urgency and move the story forward [29:26] Jessica’s role as Editor at Large at Writer’s Digest [29:44] Connect with Jessica Website: https://jessicastrawser.com Facebook: https://facebook.com/Jessicastrawserauthor Instagram: https://instagram.com/Jessicastrawserauthor The Last Caretaker on Estelle’s Bookshop https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-last-caretaker-jessica-strawser/19674038?ean=9781662510229 Other Episodes Featuring Novelists Episode #95: The Catalysts and Craft for Charting and Plotting Novels Featuring Ann Hood https://estelleserasmus.com/95-the-catalysts-and-craft-for-charting-and-plotting-novels-featuring-ann-hood/ Episode #89 Level Up Your Novel By Mastering Visual Imagery and Research https://estelleserasmus.com/89-level-up-your-novel-by-mastering-visual-imagery-and-research/ Episode #70 Writing a YA Romance Novel https://estelleserasmus.com/70-writing-a-ya-romance-novel-with-jennifer-chen/ Episode #63 Witchy Writing With the Shit No One Tells You About Writing Host, Bianca Marais https://estelleserasmus.com/63-witchy-writing-with-bianca-marais/ Episode #47 The Way Life and Writing Should Be With William Dameron https://estelleserasmus.com/episode-47-the-way-life-and-writing-should-be-with-william-dameron/ Episode #45 Writing Women Are the Fiercest Creatures https://estelleserasmus.com/45-writing-women-are-the-fiercest-creatures/ Episode #37 Writing On Fire Island with Jane L. Rosen https://estelleserasmus.com/37-writing-on-fire-island/ Episode #33 My What If Year with Author Alisha Fernandez Miranda https://estelleserasmus.com/33-my-what-if-year-with-author-alisha-fernandez-miranda/ Episode #32 Parallel Lives: Meshing Journalism Into Fiction Writing with Vanessa Hua https://estelleserasmus.com/32-parallel-lives-meshing-journalism-into-fiction-writing-with-vanessa-hua/
    Show more Show less
    37 mins