Imagine a tent with only one pole – it would collapse, right? The same principle applies to storytelling, where tentpole scenes provide the essential structure and support. This is true for fiction as well as memoirs and documentaries. In this episode, Cristen Iris discusses how tentpole scenes help you identify an intellectual and emotional arc for your story as well as the difference between creative nonfiction and memoirs.

Great Moments in the Episode

4:45 – 8:48 Disconnect between creativity and your environment, and the danger of time-blocking for some authors.

9:32 - 12:02 If you’re stuck in a project, here are questions that will help you determine whether you should move forward or pause.

12:22 – 17:10 Definition and examples of how to use tent pole scenes in memoirs.

17:11 – 21:18 How tentpole scenes help you organize supporting scenes in your memoir.

21:19 – 23:43 An explanation of the difference between an intellectual arc and an emotional arc.

23:44 – 26:05 How to think about a story arc in your memoir.

26:06 – 29:19 How to establish the status-quo of the protagonist at the beginning of your book so that readers can see themselves in the protagonist and emotionally connect to your character’s transformation.

29:21 – 33:42 How to impart wisdom through your memoir writing.

33:44 – 38:49 What it really takes to write a compelling and commercially viable memoir.

38:51 – 45:09 Difference between memoir and creative nonfiction, and how to determine what approach to take with your writing.

Words of the Episode

Brown study (n): refers to a state of deep, melancholic absorption or meditation.

Titrate (v): to measure the volume or concentration of (a solution) by titration.

Connect with Cristen

Cristen's Website: https://cristeniris.com/

As a writer, you understand the effort needed to transform raw ideas into polished words. Feedback from beta readers, book coaches, or developmental editors can show that a seemingly complete work requires significant revisions. In today's episode, Lisa Tener, an acclaimed book writing and publishing expert, shares her experiences and insights on navigating feedback to bring your manuscript to fruition.

Great Moments in the Episode

2:29 – 6:30 Introduction to Lisa’s new book, Breathe Write Breathe, and how to focus your energy when you start writing.

6:31 - 10:21 How to integrate videos into your book using QR codes.

10:22 – 12:09 Tips for producing videos for your book.

12:10 – 15:48 How to deal with feedback that demands deleting entire passages and rewriting.

15:50 – 17:15 Why you need a book editor who champions for you early on in the book process.

17:19 – 18:09 What an editor looks like who is a “champion” of your work.

18:10 – 19:35 Tips for beta readers and the four questions you should ask them to help them provide valuable feedback.

19:39 – 20:47 How to find trustworthy beta readers.

20:48 – 25:10 Why you also need a ruthless developmental editor, and what that type of editor looks like.

25:27 – 27:41 Why you also need a line editor who helps you finesse your work, including looking at word choice, jargon, and connections between ideas.

27:48 – 32:08 Signals that an editor isn’t a good fit.

32:10 – 34:36 How to use discernment when evaluating feedback from readers and editors.

34:37 – 36:51 How to put yourself in the shoes of your reader when revising your work.

36:52 – 41:21 How to determine if you should self-publish or pursue traditional publishing.

41:22 – 42:50 Examples of when you should traditionally publish, even though there are many benefits to self-publishing.

42:52 – 45:45 How to know when your manuscript is ready to pitch a publisher and/or literary agent.

Words of the Episode

fecund (adj): producing or capable of producing an abundance of new growth; fertile.

apotheosis (noun): the highest point in the development of something; culmination or climax.

Connect with Lisa

Join Lisa's launch party on June 12 at noon for prizes, a fun writing exercise, and special guests! You can check out her launch party and book here: https://www.lisatener.com/breathe/

Lisa's website: https://www.lisatener.com/

What to Do with a Messy Manuscript: https://www.lisatener.com/2024/03/what-to-do-with-a-messy-manuscript-revision/

Tips for Recording Video and Audio: https://www.lisatener.com/2024/04/tips-for-recording-video-and-audio/

Follow Journey Sixty6

https://www.journeysixty6.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/journeysixty6/

https://www.youtube.com/@journeysixty6writingforpub

In this episode, Amy Davies, a LinkedIn powerhouse, author of A Spark in the Dark, and CEO of First 30, shares actionable tips for turning your LinkedIn activity into new opportunities. Discover the best times to post, what content resonates with audiences, and how to boost engagement. If you're looking to elevate your LinkedIn strategy, this is your must-listen guide to success.

Great Moments in the Episode

3:10 – 6:30 How to get into a speaking bureau and the benefits of a speaking bureau.

6:45 – 9:02 How to harness inspiration and planning to create engaging LinkedIn content.

9:03 – 10:55 How to identify the optimal time to post on LinkedIn.

10:56 – 15:03 How to shape your tone and content to influence people on LinkedIn.

15:04 – 20:30 Tips for evaluating how much of your personal story to bring to a professional platform.

20:31 – 23:35 How much time to devote to LinkedIn and other social media platforms to make it work for you.

23:36 – 25:25 How to spend your time on LinkedIn.

25:26 – 26:28 The value of LinkedIn compared to a conference booth.

26:29 – 31:28 How to use LinkedIn to increase attendance of your webinars and move people from your email list through the sales cycle.

31:30 – 35:48 Biggest mistakes users make on LinkedIn.

35:50 – 40:04 What content LinkedIn prefers and rewards, and how to encourage engagement.

40:05 – 43:45 How to increase and measure engagement on LinkedIn—and which metrics really matter.

44:07 – 45:32 Why it’s important to take breaks and how to take breaks from LinkedIn.

45:40 – 46:33 Final remarks: Always be generous on LinkedIn.

Words of the Episode

peregrination (n): a journey, especially a long or meandering one.

torsional (adj): twisting or wrenching body by the exertion of forces tending to turn one end or part about a longitudinal axis while the other is held fast or turned in the opposite direction.

Connect with Amy

First30: https://first30ready.com/

A Spark in the Dark: https://www.amazon.com/Spark-Dark-Illuminating-brilliant-career/dp/1999085205

Follow Journey Sixty6

https://www.journeysixty6.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/journeysixty6/

https://www.youtube.com/@journeysixty6writingforpub