Writers in the Storm

by J. Alexander Greenwood

Self-promotion is one of the most challenging aspects of being a writer. As a writer and public relations consultant, I know it’s tough to get booked on TV, radio, or elsewhere to talk about books. But there is good news: podcasts about writing and books are abundant, and if you find the good ones, you can earn new readers.

There are many places where you can also pitch yourself as a guest. I use Matchmaker.FM, but there are many more such services out there. You can also email the podcasts you already listen to and offer yourself as a guest.

Let’s jump ahead and assume you get booked on a podcast. Congrats, but you're only halfway there. First, you must ensure you're doing everything to help your appearance go smoothly and gain traction with listeners.

Before the Show

Listen Ahead

Don’t pitch to be a guest (and don’t go into an interview) without sampling a couple of your target podcast’s episodes. It will help you determine if you are suitable, and you’ll get a feel for the tone and rhythm of the show. In addition, listening ahead enables you to tailor your message and speaking style to suit the audience. Besides, you'll flatter the host if you mention her "excellent interview with X," and that's great for building rapport for your interview.

Introduction and Collateral

To help shows better inform the audience about who they are listening to, send a 100-word or less introduction before the recording date — even if they don't ask for it. Sending a prepared introduction increases the odds they will introduce you the way you want.

Along with the introduction, send:

• Your website link and social media links
• Link to your book(s) if applicable (Also — offering to send a copy, in print or PDF, is a good idea. However, if you expect the book to be read or at least sifted through by the host or producer, send it a few weeks ahead)
• A phone number where you may be reached if they experience technical issues
• Your headshot (professional is best, but a nice candid also works if it aligns with your subject matter)
• A quality image of your book cover
• Any premium offers you want to provide listeners
• Completed pre-interview questionnaires they send you

Prepare at Least Three Stories

Being a great podcast guest isn't just about answering questions, it's about telling stories. So make sure you have at least three relevant stories you can roll out during the show. This is super helpful to the show host or producer, and it makes your interview much more interesting to listeners.

Tell Your Network

On my shows, we ask guests to share the news that they will appear on our show on their social media channels and newsletters before and after the recording date. Guests who share help podcasts grow, and I guarantee that this will encourage the show to ask you back.

Audio Setup

Remember — the guest talks more than the host, and you should sound as good as possible! One of the main reasons people stop listening to a podcast is lousy audio. Most shows don’t expect you to buy a fancy mic to appear — even using the mic/earbuds that come with most smartphones is a huge step up from built-in computer mics and speakers.

Quiet on the Set

Record from a quiet place. My podcasting app tells me when people tune out of an episode, and most of the abandoned shows are the ones with lousy audio. Avoid open windows, sounds of pets or children, typing, fish tank filters, laundry machines, etc. Also, I cannot believe I have to say it: no eating during the interview. A sip of coffee or water? Fine. But no potato chips, sandwiches, or burritos. I mean, honestly. I cannot begin to tell you how many good guests are tuned out by listeners because they record in places with loud ambient noise, excitable pets, or make annoying mouth noises.

Video

If a show is recorded on video, make sure you (and your background) look your best. Sure, this is a no-brainer, but I've seen plenty of video shows with people who looked like they just rolled out of bed or wandered in from the skate park. If that's your image, fine by me, but if it doesn't match what you are talking about, audiences may be less likely to take you (and your books) seriously.

During the Show

Show up. 

It’s unprofessional not to show up once invited on. Did something unexpected come up? Hey, I get it. It happens. Happy to reschedule down the road. But if you “ghost” a show? That will get you on the naughty list. I’ve had a couple of these over the years — one guest even asked to appear on my show weeks later as if her earlier rudeness had never transpired. Not good.

Relax!

Many shows record “live to tape,” so they don’t usually offer “do-overs.” If you say something you did not mean to say or zone out, say so and correct the record right there on the show. We’re all human, and the audience will roll with it if you do. Asking podcast producers to go back and edit something in a recording is often doable. Still, it means more work for them — which may not be ideal for getting asked back.

Have fun.

Remember, you're not just sharing information; you're entertaining listeners simultaneously. So roll with it, tell relatable stories, smile, and have fun.

Writer Guest Pro Tip

Unless the host asks explicitly, you should be prepared to talk about your book(s) in general—not necessarily give a blow-by-blow plot account. Tease the audience into buying your book—don’t spoon-feed it to them on a podcast.

After the Show

Remember to share the links to your appearance on your social media channels and newsletters. A thank-you email to the producers or host of the podcast is a nice touch, especially if you tell them you shared the links and offer to come back with new info. Writing a positive review of the show is also welcome (and not done nearly enough by guests).

Being prepared, thoughtful, and easy to work with is most of what it takes to be a good podcast guest. Keep it up, and your confidence “on air” will grow right along with your readership.

About J. Alexander Greenwood

J. Alexander Greenwood is an award-winning writer, public relations consultant, podcaster, speaker, and former journalist and broadcasting executive. He is best known as the author of the John Pilate Mysteries and host/producer of the Mysterious Goings On podcast and the PR After Hours podcast. Mysterious Goings On was named an Apple Podcasts "New & Noteworthy" show in 2016 and was a 2019 People's Choice Podcast Awards nominee. Alex has recorded hundreds of hours of podcasts and made numerous appearances on TV, radio, podcasts, webinars, and conferences. He is the author of the Amazon Top-Selling eBook, The Podcast Option.

Image Credits

Top photo by Christina Morillo from Pexels

by Eldred Bird

When it comes to plotting out a new story, I’ll admit I’m a hardcore pantser, but when creating characters, not so much. I need to know who I’m writing about before I can tell their tale. My theory is the more real the character is to me, the more real I’ll be able to make them for the reader. Also, the better I get to know them, the more they will be able to tell me their story.

One way I get to know them at a deeper level is to sit down and have a conversation. Sounds crazy, right? Maybe, but it gives me the opportunity to hear their voice, see their expressions, and observe their body language. The more time I spend with them, the clearer the picture becomes, resulting in a more three-dimensional character.

Here are the 10 main questions I like to ask my characters and what I expect to learn from them.

1. Where did you grow up?

This question seems like an obvious one, but it’s one of the most important. Where someone spent their formative years lays the foundation for everything to come. Was it urban or rural? What was the culture like? What accents are prevalent? What colloquialisms and traditions were popular there? Things like this can have an effect on behavior, speech patterns, and general likes and dislikes.

2. Where do you live now and why?

Whether a character chooses to stay close to home or get out of town can tell you a lot. Did they stick around out of fear of the unknown? Maybe they left town to escape the past. A character might go somewhere new to seek work or follow and old love, per chance to rekindle the romance. Some strike out on their own seeking adventure, others might be run out of town by the locals.

3. What was your family life like? Do you keep in touch?

This is where I usually end up dragging the family skeletons out of the closet. Secrets can either build a strong bond between family members or tear them apart. Either way you’re bound to extract some dirt that ends up creating a good bit of drama that has a lasting emotional effect on the character.

4. How do you get along with others?

This question gets me deeper into the character’s personality. How someone behaves in a social setting is very telling when it comes to what’s going on inside their head. Are they an introvert or an extravert? A leader or a follower? They may be the peacemaker in social situations…or the quick tempered one that gets tossed out of the bar for starting fights!

5. Who is your best friend?

The people one chooses to surround themselves with can speak volumes about them. Do they forge long term friendships, or jump from one person to the next? They might gravitate toward people like themselves or seek out relationships that fill in qualities they feel they’re missing. One character might cling to someone stronger for protection, while another might see themselves as the protector. Of course, there are always the loners who never develop strong bonds with anyone. Think about your own friendships and compare them to your character’s.

6. Who is your worst enemy?

No matter how nice or likeable someone is there will always be that one person who can’t stand them and will go out of their way to make their life miserable. It may be something in the character’s past that keys the reaction, or it could be as simple as jealousy because the character appears to have everything going for them.

Of course, there may also be legitimate reasons a character has enemies. Those reasons could be personal, professional, political, or legal, just to name a few. The character may also be unaware they have enemies, leading to a both a good plot twist and an opportunity for self-reflection for the character.

7. What is your biggest fear?

We all have fears, whether we want to admit it or not. Fear can drive a character to veer off on a different path rather than staying on what appears to be the better road. It may be a single fear or a whole constellation of them. Fear can get the character into trouble or help them avoid it.

What feels like an irrational fear to one person may feel totally justified to another. They can be external (heights, wild animals, etc.) or internal (fear of failure, or even success.) Either way, fear can create conflict within a character that must be delt with and overcome to succeed in their quest.

8. What is your greatest accomplishment?

This question is all about the victories, great or small, that help to establish ego. Remember, this question is about what the character sees as their greatest accomplishment, not other characters, or the outside world. It’s all about self-image.

If the character can’t come up with an answer or downplays the subject it may show humility or a lack of ego, whereas someone who trumpets their victories from the highest mountain probably has an overdeveloped ego. Keep in mind that they may be talking big because they have a poor self-image and are over-compensating and hungry for attention and approval.

9. What unusual talents do you possess?

I’m not talking about the normal things like knitting sweaters or throwing a killer curveball, I mean the strange off-the-wall stuff that makes people stop in their tracks and pay attention. Details like this are what set characters apart and make them interesting. Having a special talent to call on may lead to a creative solution to a character’s current predicament. A good example of an unusual talent can be found below in my bio. Go ahead and scroll down. I’ll wait…

10. Where do you see yourself in ten years?

This is one of my favorite questions. It not only sets expectations for the character, but the author as well. Where the character sees themselves headed and the author intends to send them are often two entirely different places. This helps to set up roadblocks for the character to overcome to get to the final resolution of the story. I’ve found the farther these expectations are apart, the better the story end up being.

Some Final Thoughts

This is just a small sample of the questions you can ask to gain a deeper understanding of your character. If other questions pop into your head, ask them. You never know where they might lead.

Also keep in mind that this is an exercise for you, the author, to get to know who you’re writing about. Not all the information you dig up will make it into the final draft, nor should it. Just weave in the important details the reader needs to know and keep the rest in your head as you write. I think you’ll find that a better understanding of your character’s flaws and motivations will help you keep them real.

Do you talk to your characters? What questions do you ask? Let me know in the comments below!

About Eldred 'Bob' Bird

Eldred Bird writes contemporary fiction, short stories, and personal essays. He has spent a great deal of time exploring the deserts, forests, and deep canyons inside his home state of Arizona. His James McCarthy adventures, Killing Karma, Catching Karma, and Cold Karma, reflect this love of the Grand Canyon State even as his character solves mysteries amidst danger. Eldred explores the boundaries of short fiction in his stories, The Waking Room, Treble in Paradise: A Tale of Sax and Violins, and The Smell of Fear.

When he’s not writing, Eldred spends time cycling, hiking, and juggling (yes, juggling…bowling balls and 21-inch knives).

His passion for photography allows him to record his travels. He can be found on Twitter or Facebook, or at his website.

Top photo credit from Depositphotos.

Bob with knives photo provided by the author.

by Laura Baker

There are two parts to a story: story and character.  They depend on each other to make the story whole.  But let’s depart from the usual and take a different look at the story and the character.

At the heart of every story is a character who faces a struggle and makes a discovery.

The STRUGGLE is the plot, the outside forces, the story arc.

The DISCOVERY (or insight) is the character arc.

The first is what your story is about: plot, struggle, story arc, what your character has to do.

The second is what your story is REALLY about: character and the insight.

In the following examples, I’ve broken down the Struggle and the Insight from real movies.  See if you can guess what the movies are:

My story is about a girl trapped in a terrible situation who dreams of a better life, and about the obstacles she has to overcome.

What my story is really about is how risking what is safe rewards us with the power of our true self.

---

My story is about a selfish, greedy guy who will do anything to save his business.

What my story is really about is that our riches are measured in our willingness to sacrifice for love (or for others).

---

My story is about corruption and violence in a police force—the good guys are the bad guys.

What my story is really about is “what constitutes justice?”  What are we willing to do to get justice?

---

My story is about an introverted woman who has to come to the rescue of her sister.  Lots of suspense, twists and turns, until she finally beats the bad guys and saves her sister.

What my story is really about is the story of a woman longing for a hero in her life, but uncertain of her own worthiness to be loved, who in the end realizes she can be her own hero—and thus is rewarded with true love.

---

Now, the movies I used for these examples:

1. Cinderella
2. Rainman
3. LA Confidential
4. Romancing the Stone

But the first example could also be from While You Were Sleeping, and the second example could also be from Star Wars.

The First Step

The first step toward defining the struggle and the insight is in the inciting incident.  So let's look at where I begin my Discovering Story Magic class, with the Inciting Incident.

The Inciting Incident is possibly the most important scene in your book.  It must have drama.  It must have emotion.  The Inciting Incident is the set-up for your whole story. 

Within the Inciting Incident, we see the character thrown off balance (which means we actually understand that this event throws the character off balance), we see the struggle of the character to regain balance (so we know exactly what the character falls back on in her emotional make-up when things don't go as planned), and we get at least a hint of the antagonist (which foreshadows the crisis, black moment and realization for the protagonist).

Planning Your Inciting Incident

With so much riding on the Inciting Incident, how in the world do we figure it out? 

Ask yourself: if Event X does NOT happen, would my character still begin on a road to change?  If the answer is no, then Event X is the Inciting Incident. 

Here is a planning cheat sheet:

___________________happened

forcing a choice by ______________(character)

who will have to face _______________(their flaw and their fear).

This template forces you to consider:

1. Who is your story about?
2. What throws the character off balance?
3. What will the character have to face and change at the end?
4. The Inciting Incident is not a random event.  It must have meaning to the rest of the story.  It can seem random—a car accident, a murder, catching a fiancé in bed with your best friend—but this event rocks the world of your protagonist.

And possibly the most important element:

• The Inciting Incidentis NOT the event.  It is a CHOICE your character makes within the event that changes their life’s path.

So now look again at the template:

Something happens

The protagonist makes a choice

And this INCITES the story.

Including the Antagonist in the Inciting Incident

Ideally, you want the event and the choice to include the antagonist because in this way you are introducing the emotional force that's going to be brought to bear on the protagonist.

Here are examples of Inciting Incidents from some movies:

Jerry Maguire

Jerry Maguire has a twinge of conscience about his job, writes the Mission Statement and is fired.  He then asks who will come with him.  Dorothy goes with him.

An Unfinished Life

Einar's daughter-in-law, who he blames for his son's death, shows up with a granddaughter he didn't know he had and asks for a place to stay.  He turns them away until he is introduced to his granddaughter.  He lets them stay but has no use for them being there.

Good Will Hunting

Will Hunting has to make a deal with the math professor in order to get out of jail, that includes working with the professor and seeing a professional therapist. 

Two More Templates

Remember, the Struggle is the plot, the outside forces, the story arc. The Insight is the character arc.

Here are two more templates for you. 

The first part is the STRUGGLE:

MY STORY IS ABOUT______________

Who must _____________________

In order to ______________________

And this second part is the INSIGHT:

But (character must face) ___________________

And In the end _____________________

For example:

My story is about a heroine who must go on the run in order to save a child from his dangerous and relentless mother.  But fearing betrayal, she manipulates all relationships for her own agenda and endangers their lives.  In the end, she learns that a life worth living depends on having faith and trust in others.

And there you have what the story is about (the plot/struggle) and what it's really about (her Insight).

Final Thoughts

Here is the summary on figuring out these two steps:

STEP ONE: Define the Who, What, Crisis and Resolution of your story

STEP TWO: Put these elements in paragraph form using the template above.

I teach a class on these tools called Discovering Story Magic (DSM), a master class with an acclaimed 3-step method that teaches that most elusive skill: Storytelling.

Most writing books include a very important caveat about “storytelling,” usually referring to “an element within great storytelling which cannot be taught.”   Storytelling, they say, is more than skill, luck, perspiration, and dedication.  You either have it or you don’t.

I disagree with this.

Using the Discovering Story Magic technique reveals to individual writers, in their own way, what makes their characters, their stories and their perspective special. Very few writing books teach a straightforward, organic, specific-to-each-writer process for growing story from character. This magical skill is your own X-Factor.

It’s the magic that happens when you know what your story is REALLY about.

When you know what your story is REALLY about, you have found the HEART of your book.

And this is where the MAGIC really does happen.

---

DISCOVERING STORY MAGIC

I am excited to once again be teaching Discovering Story Magic and I want to thank Jenny for the chance to talk about the class here.  Because it's a different kind of class -- a plotting class, but not only that.  And yes, it's a character-building class, but so much more. 

We brainstorm with you on your own story.  And by the end of the month, you have everything you need to start writing, a character arc, the story arc, turning points, the emotional importance of those turning points, the story question, even secondary characters and the subplot. 

Most importantly, you'll have learned a process where you can do this on your own.  And even more so, you'll be excited to start writing on the story we brainstorm because you'll know what it means to figure out what your story is really about.

Join me for DISCOVERING STORY MAGIC and discover your story’s magic, its theme, and how to harness that magic and wield it to make YOUR story the most powerful it can be.

---------------------

About Laura

Laura Baker is an award-winning author of romantic suspense set in the Southwest, and the owner of a gallery in Old Town, Albuquerque, featuring Native American art. 

You can find information about her upcoming Discovering Story Magic class here.  Information about her other classes on her website www.fearlesswriter.com. Email her at Lbaker10@aol.com. Laura also has an online store at www.tannerchaney.com.