Do not email Vicky about pickled eggs. Please. But you can email her about how to grow vegetables. In this episode, we find out how often Joe is wrong (once, today, about pickled eggs) and discover that Vicky is incapable of planning her vegetable garden. And then our intrepid podcasters get to the good stuff: the reason we can't write, can't finish stuff, and struggle to "find the time". This episode will fix it all for you. Enjoy!
Key Takeaways:
[5:40] Are there any gardeners out there? Did Vicky kill her cactus?
[9:25] Vicky really needs a foolproof gardener plan. Also, she wants to grow potatoes.
[11:00] Remember, people need help and no matter what your skill set is, you can help other people bridge the gap.
[11:35] Vicky is serious! She needs help with her garden. DM her!
[12:05] Do you have a hard time sitting down and writing your book?
[15:00] There are three reasons why you might be procrastinating on your writing.
[18:15] You don’t have accountability when you’re writing for yourself.
[18:50] Don’t get to the end of the day regretting that you didn’t get your things done!
[22:00] Joe threatens Vicky with no food if she is procrastinating or holding off on a personal deadline. Get yourself someone who will do something similar.
[23:05] Make it a habit so that you feel weird if you don’t do it; like when you don’t brush your teeth.
[25:40] You can write a book in two months. You can do it if you just put in the practice!
Mentioned in This Episode:
Banish the Blank Page of Doom-Fast: Why Writer's Block is a Myth, and Other Stories by Vicky Fraser
Subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher, and Overcast
The Bus Driver Who Wanted To Be God & Other Stories, by Etgar Keret
The Secret Lives of Colour, by Kassia St Clair
Some Kids I Taught and What They Taught Me Book by Kate Clanchy
Neuromancer, by William Gibson
In an incredible twist of irony, Vicky and Joe are talking about how to avoid looking like an amateur, whilst doing a tremendous job of being absolute amateurs on this podcast. Enjoy the uncontrollable fit of giggles while Joe fails to find his forehead with his own hand, and then settle in as our hosts share the most common mistakes first-time authors make with their books. Just because your book is self-published doesn't mean it needs to LOOK self-published. Check this out...
Key Takeaways:
[2:25] Vicky dyed her hair and now she has blue ears.
[6:15] Just because you’re self published doesn’t mean you have to look self-published!
[8:35] Do not do your book cover yourself.
[11:05] Odds numbered pages are always, always on the right hand side.
[11:45] Let’s talk about inner book navigation.
[15:40] The white spaces and margins are a dead giveaway whether something has been published vs. self-published.
[20:00] How should you think about text layout?
[22:05] Hiring certain professionals in this process is money well spent.
[24:15] Check the little details! Vicky shares what she means.
[26:10] Interested in barcode readers? Joe knows the answer to it.
[27:45] Just become a person who writes everyday.
[29:55] How do you finish a chapter? Tune in next week!
Mentioned in This Episode:
Banish the Blank Page of Doom-Fast: Why Writer's Block is a Myth, and Other Stories by Vicky Fraser
Subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher, and Overcast
The Bus Driver Who Wanted To Be God & Other Stories, by Etgar Keret
Carpe Jugulum, by Terry Pratchett
The Secret Lives of Colour, by Kassia St Clair
Neuromancer, by William Gibson
Some Kids I Taught and What They Taught Me Book by Kate Clanchy
This week, in a strange turn of events, Joe channels Jeremy Paxman and grills Vicky about her experiences in the recording studio last week. Tune in to find out what Vicky learned about how to record an audiobook - and the latest on what they're reading, what's going on in the Dingle, and why Vicky is covered in bruises (nothing sinister).
Key Takeaways:
[5:40] Joe interviews Vicky about her experiences at Audible.
[8:15] The audible book industry is growing.
[11:05] How does recording a book work?
[12:30] Vicky thought she’d just come in and read a book. It was nothing like that.
[14:20] Read your stuff out loud. When Vicky said some stuff, she noticed it was landing differently.
[15:45] Vicky does not recommend reading a 60,000 word audio book in two days. It was really hard to do.
[18:00] Vicky shares some of her audio recording tips.
[20:20] How do you speak or say your words clearly without getting tired?
[23:40] The more important the point is, the quieter you need to get.
[27:35] The takeaway? You really need to practice!
[29:35] Listened to every single episode? Let Vicky know!
[29:50] Vicky has a new book out. It’s on Amazon! Link below.
Mentioned in This Episode:
Banish the Blank Page of Doom-Fast: Why Writer's Block is a Myth, and Other Stories by Vicky Fraser
Subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher, and Overcast
The Bus Driver Who Wanted To Be God & Other Stories, by Etgar Keret
Carpe Jugulum, by Terry Pratchett
The Secret Lives of Colour, by Kassia St Clair
Read Books All Day and Get Paid For It, by Jennie Nash
Neuromancer, by William Gibson