Writer Spark: Business, Creativity, and the Craft of Writing

Episode 49   Delve into the idea of using setting as a character in fiction writing. This week, I'm thrilled to welcome my special guest Marjorie McCown, author of the Hollywood Mystery series, who ex...

Episode 48   Have you ever thought about the parallels between writing True Crime and Fiction Writing? That is what this episode is all about. I had the opportunity to talk with investigative journali...

Episode 47   Tips for Writing Books with Magical Elements   Welcome to The WriterSpark Podcast, the podcast that ignites your creativity and fuels your passion for storytelling. I'm your host, Melissa...

Episode 46   Story structure is at the heart of storytelling. Many writers use the Hero's Journey, the Three-Act Structure, the Snowflake Method, or Save the Cat, but there is another way to write a ...

Episode 45   Get a glimpse behind the publishing curtain from Shawn Reilly Simmons, co-founder of Level Best Books, a woman-owned and -operated boutique publisher. Whether you are a published or aspir...

Episode 44   Every author has two jobs, one as an author, and the other as a marketer. It's a necessary part of the writing life if you are in it to earn money. Nicolette Lemmon is an industry expert ...

Episode 42   In this episode, Melissa talks with Lynne Golodner, author of Woman of Valor and prolific creative nonfiction writer, about mining your life for stories. This is such a great topic and ap...

Episode 41   In this episode, Melissa talks with Michael Griffo, who also writes at JD Griffo and Michael Falco. The topic is All About Agents: Do you need them? What to look for... But it ended up be...

Episode 40   Every writer needs an editor, but do you know why and what they do for you? Do you know what editors do and what different types of edits mean? Developmental. Substantive. Line. Copy. The...

Episode 39   Every writer gets stuck now and then. It's part of the journey. Getting stuck doesn't mean you need to stop, though, and it isn't just about pushing through. I have 8 strategies to help g...

Episode 38   National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) is HERE, and writers all over have jumped into this exciting challenge. Whether you're an aspiring novelist or a seasoned writer, National Novel W...

Episode 37   George Cramer spent years as a PI and Police Officer (turned writer), and many hours interviewing (not interrogating!) victims, suspects, and witnesses during investigations. Join me for ...

Episode 36 Join me for a captivating podcast interview with Eryk Pruitt, the author of Something Bad Wrong, a gripping novel inspired by an unsolved true crime case from the 1970s in North Carolina. W...

Episode 35   Marjory McCown Final Cut Signed Copy Giveaway! If you’d like to enter for a chance to win, go HERE: https://forms.gle/8PkJnGUYtRqZQfu97   How do you use your real-life as an influence in ...

Episode 34   If you've ever thought about writing a cozy mystery, this WriterSpark Podcast episode is for you! The mystery genre is huge, and cozy mysteries are a pretty special part of it. In this ep...

Episode 33   Have you ever wondered what audiobook production and narration entails for an author? If you haven't, this episode of The WriterSpark Podcast is for you! Audiobooks can be a huge asset to...

Episode 32   Books. Movies. TV shows. Most of them are structured using at least some, if not all, of the elements of The Hero's Journey. That includes Extraordinary Attorney Woo, the Netflix original...

Episode 30   Episode Highlights: Everyone Has a Story to Tell: In this episode of The WriterSpark Podcast, we dive into the world of memoir writing with Robin Schepper, author of Finding My Way: A Mem...

Episode 29   Episode Highlights: Mastering the Art of Beginnings: In this craft-focused episode of The WriterSpark Podcast, we explore different techniques for starting your book, scene, or chapter. T...

Episode 28   Episode Highlights: Unlocking the Science of Writing: In this episode of The WriterSpark Podcast, we delve into the fascinating intersection of neuroscience and storytelling. Inspired by ...

Episode 24   Episode Highlights: Mastering Finances as an Author: In this episode of The WriterSpark Podcast, we tackle a topic that many writers might shy away from—finances. Whether you’re just star...

Episode 23   Episode Highlights: Understanding Deep Point of View: In this episode of The WriterSpark Podcast, we delve into the powerful concept of Deep Point of View (DPOV) and how it can transform ...

Episode 22 " Episode Highlights: Exploring Different Perspectives in Writing: In this episode of The WriterSpark Podcast, we dive into the art and challenges of writing from a perspective that’s diffe...

Episode 21   Episode Highlights: Publishing Later in Life: In this episode of The WriterSpark Podcast, we dive into the unique experience of publishing your first book as an older author. Publishing i...

Episode 20   Episode Highlights: Transitioning Between Genres: In this episode of The WriterSpark Podcast, we explore the challenges and opportunities that come with shifting from one writing genre to...

Episode 19   Episode Highlights: Why Diversity Matters in Fiction: In this episode of The WriterSpark Podcast, we dive into the critical topic of diversity in storytelling. Creating diverse characters...

Episode 17   Episode Highlights: Exploring Character Depth: In this episode of The WriterSpark Podcast, we delve into the tools and techniques that help writers mine the depths of their characters, ma...

Episode 13   Episode Highlights: Creating Characters That Come Alive: In this episode of The WriterSpark Podcast, we dive into three essential strategies for creating compelling characters that resona...

Episode 12   Episode Highlights: The Power of Myth and Lore in Storytelling: In this episode of The WriterSpark Podcast, we explore how integrating myth and lore into your novels can add depth, richne...

Episode 11   Episode Highlights: What is a Reluctant Hero? In this episode of The WriterSpark Podcast, we explore the concept of the reluctant hero—a character who, despite not seeking heroism, ends u...

Episode 10   Episode Highlights: The Hero’s Journey Explained: In this episode of The WriterSpark Podcast, we take a deep dive into one of the most timeless and effective story structures in fiction—T...

Episode 9   Episode Highlights: The Challenge of Historical Mysteries: Writing a historical mystery is no easy task. It requires extensive research, a deep understanding of the era, and the ability to...

Episode 8   Episode Highlights: From Author to Entrepreneur: In this episode of The WriterSpark Podcast, we explore how to transition from simply being an author to running a successful writing busine...

Episode 7 Episode Highlights: Inside the Hollywood Writer’s Room: Ever wondered what it’s like to be a fly on the wall in a Hollywood Writer’s Room? While most of us don't get that chance, today’s gue...

Episode 6   Every Author Starts Somewhere: In this episode of The WriterSpark Podcast, I'm exploring the universal truth that all authors were once unpublished, aspiring writers. Every author has an o...

Episode 5 Struggling to plot your fiction novel? Whether you’re a dedicated plotter or prefer to write by the seat of your pants, understanding the fundamentals of plotting can elevate your storytelli...

Episode 4 Do you want to add humor to your writing but worry that you're not naturally funny? You don't need to be a stand-up comedian to bring laughter to your readers. In this episode of The WriterS...

Episode 3 Do you find yourself torn between detailed plotting and the freedom of writing by the seat of your pants? You're not alone! In this episode of The WriterSpark Podcast, we explore how these t...

Crafting a Convincing Villain: Essential Strategies for Unforgettable Antagonists   Episode 2   In this episode of the WriterSpark Podcast, we explore the crucial elements of writing a convincing vill...

Creative Writing Success: Choosing Passion Over Market Trends Episode 1   Welcome to the first episode of The WriterSpark Podcast, where my goal is to help you ignite your passion for writing with in...