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Writer Craft Podcast

Writer Craft Podcast

By: Valerie Ihsan
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 Welcome to the Writer Craft Podcast, a show about creativity and craft. Remember when you told your sister stories in the night, snuggled under the covers of your waterbed? Or read books from the public library that delighted you? And now you've written your own novel. But will it change someone's life? Is it a good enough book? Does it even work on the story level? On the Writer Craft Podcast, we help authors stay motivated and inspired, finish their books, and show them how to analyze and diagnose areas of challenge in their manuscripts once it's written. Art Economics Leadership Literary History & Criticism Management & Leadership
Episodes
  • What's Coming in February to the Writer Craft Podcast? ANNOUNCEMENT Episode (Ep205)

    What's Coming in February to the Writer Craft Podcast? ANNOUNCEMENT Episode (Ep205)
    Dec 11 2025
    • Erick is stepping away for some time. His mom just got diagnosed with cancer, so he wants to spend more time and bandwidth on her. And I'm moving to Costa Rica this month! In 2 1/2 weeks, so it is cray-cray over here.

    Fresh new episodes will arrive in February (with a little bit of a revamp) and a special series on getting back to your writing or creative practice after grief, loss, addiction, or big life stress, but do look for some bonus episodes from the road.

    • Went to Breitenbush, Portland (Powell's), Seattle, Write in the Harbor writing conference in Gig Harbor, WA (*heart*), sold a car, rented the house, cancelling services, buying foreign auto insurance, washing ten years of dirt off of all the things we stored outside, tricking out the FJ Cruiser for the drive, buying special dog beds and storage for the vehicle, inspection and minor repairs today. Movers on Monday. Cleaners on Thursday. Walk on bark and blinds for upstairs, too. Saying Goodbyes.
    • crossing the border at Tijuana, driving thru Baja California, taking ferry to Mazatlan; spending some time in Oaxaca with a friend
    • What are you reading?
    • Wild Dark Shore (Charlotte McConaghy)
    • We Need Your Art: Stop Messing Around and Make Something (Amie McNee) (resource tip)***
    • Creative Act (Rick Rubin)
    • (Not ready to give up on them, but struggling to finish them:) Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman;

    Segment 3 (Main Topic):

    Notes:

    Follow my drive to Costa Rica on Instagram! #puravidabound

    And don't forget:

    Go to valerieihsan.com to schedule a free consultation to see if Aligned Author is right for you.
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    17 mins
  • Flawed Female Leads with guest Heather Snodgrass (Ep204)

    Flawed Female Leads with guest Heather Snodgrass (Ep204)
    Nov 11 2025
    Flawed Female Leads with guest Heather Snodgrass PATREON: Thank you to our existing patrons for believing in our work offline and here in the podcast. Become a patron of the arts at Patreon.com/valerieihsan for books, writing instruction, coaching, and planning. Also, the Planner Plays and Monthly Reflections are always free for all members on my Patreon page. But I don't list them as Public", so click correct tier for updated links, dates, and cancellations. Go to Patreon.com/strangeairstories for short stories in the paranormal mystery genre. Magic Mind Mental Performance Shot and Sleep Shot. Up to 48% off your first subscription or 20% off one time purchases with code VALERIE20 at checkout You can claim it at: https://magicmind.com/VALERIE20 *** Segment 1 (Announcements/Author Updates): (Valerie): launching my four-month book coaching container Aligned Author TODAY. The price is drastically cut this week (it's $667 off the regular price.) Go to valerieihsan.com/alignedauthor for all the details. Write in the Harbor conference is coming up (2 presentations to prep for)feeling some feelings lately about the finality of the move and the recognition of Last Times I Will See/Do ... (Erick): running google ads and qualifying potential clientspolishing stories up for omnibus edition What are you reading? Valerie: Just finished: None of This is True (Lisa Jewell)Wild Dark Shore (Charlotte McConaghy)We Need Your Art: Stop Messing Around and Make Something (Amie McNee)Creative Act (Rick Rubin) (Not ready to give up on them, but struggling to finish them:) Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman; Erick: • Summer of Night (Dan Simmons)My Favorite Thing is Monsters (gn)Batman: The Long Halloween (gn)Flash Fiction America: 73 Very Short Stories Heather: authorheathersnodgrass.com Segment 2 (Resources/Tips/Tidbits): Tidbit #1: Tidbit #2: Segment 3 (Main Topic): Notes: Hi! My name is Heather Snodgrass. I have always had a love for novels, movies, and the creative arts. I attended the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in 2007 as an actor and have pursued different avenues to bring stories to life. I currently live with my husband, JD, and dogs, in Colorado, but I have lived in many places and I enjoy traveling. I also enjoy playing video games and gardening. Like Ariana, I have a playlist for everything I do and I love to have people make me a playlist about themselves when they meet. I am more than happy to share mine with anyone interested. Unapologetic female leads: In a time when we're drawn to flawed characters; the Real is coming through. Personal growth journey Tips for writing strong women without bashing men: Draw from personal experience, and talk to men and women Is a women punished more than a man for doing things? Ask a societal question and asking the character What makes a human strong? A Love Letter to Reading And don't forget: Go to valerieihsan.com to schedule a free consultation to see if Aligned Author is right for you. Get 48% off the Magic Mind : https://magicmind.com/VALERIE20 and use Valerie20 at checkout. #magicmind #mentalwealth #mentalperformance Find Us: Valerie's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/valerieihsan (Find Passion Planner discount codes here.) Erick's Linktree link: https://linktr.ee/erickmertzauthor Patreons: https://patreon.com/valerieihsan https://patreon.com/strangeairmysteries Tools: ProWriting Aid: https://prowritingaid.com/?afid=9378 (affiliate link)
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    57 mins
  • How Point of View Affects Your Story (Ep202)

    How Point of View Affects Your Story (Ep202)
    Oct 22 2025
    How POV Affects Your Story PATREON: Thank you to our existing patrons for believing in our work offline and here in the podcast. Become a patron of the arts at Patreon.com/valerieihsan for books, writing instruction, coaching, and planning. Also, the Planner Plays and Monthly Reflections are always free for all members on my Patreon page. But I don't list them as Public", so click correct tier for updated links, dates, and cancellations. Go to Patreon.com/strangeairstories for short stories in the paranormal mystery genre. Magic Mind Mental Performance Shot and Sleep Shot. Up to 48% off your first subscription or 20% off one time purchases with code VALERIE20 at checkout You can claim it at: https://magicmind.com/VALERIE20 *** Segment 1 (Announcements/Author Updates): (Valerie): launching my four-month book coaching container Aligned Author TODAY. The price is drastically cut this week (it's $667 off the regular price.) Go to valerieihsan.com/alignedauthor for all the details. Write in the Harbor conference is coming up (2 presentations to prep for)feeling some feelings lately about the finality of the move and the recognition of Last Times I Will See/Do ... Also having some "Get over it" feelings about not showing up online. I used to show up more in pictures and words on social media and blogged (wrote a lot of personal essays), and since I've become a published author(Erick): running google ads and qualifying potential clientspolishing stories up for omnibus editionGhost Story Weekend (Newport)What are you reading? Valerie: Just finished: The Witch of Willow SoundWild Dark Shore (Charlotte McConaghy)Creative Act (Rick Rubin) (Not ready to give up on them, but struggling to finish them:) Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman; Erick: • Summer of Night (Dan Simmons)My Favorite Thing is Monsters (gn) Segment 2 (Resources/Tips/Tidbits): Tidbit #1: Tidbit #2: Segment 3 (Main Topic): Notes: POV = promise: what intimacy, information, and bias will the reader get? • 1st = interiority + voice; close 3rd = balance of interior/exterior; omniscient = scope + theme.The camera test: what can the narrator see/know/believe in this scene? • Ban anything they couldn't realistically perceive; use misbeliefs to create tension.Distance is a dial, not a switch: • Zoom in (sensory, thought-beat, micro-movements) for emotion; zoom out (summary, context) for pace/theme.POV shifts = scene breaks + reason: • Change only to add net new conflict, clue, or consequence. Track continuity of diction and metaphor.Try this: rewrite a 200-word scene in 1st, close 3rd, and omniscient. • Ask: which version delivers the most tension, clarity, and theme resonance? And don't forget: Go to valerieihsan.com to schedule a free consultation to see if Aligned Author is right for you. Get 48% off the Magic Mind : https://magicmind.com/VALERIE20 and use Valerie20 at checkout. #magicmind #mentalwealth #mentalperformance Find Us: Valerie's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/valerieihsan (Find Passion Planner discount codes here.) Erick's Linktree link: https://linktr.ee/erickmertzauthor Patreons: https://patreon.com/valerieihsan https://patreon.com/strangeairmysteries Tools: ProWriting Aid: https://prowritingaid.com/?afid=9378 (affiliate link)
    Show More Show Less
    51 mins
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