Hosts: - Beth McMullen - Lisa Schmid Theme:   The importance of secondary characters in storytelling. Key Discussion Points:  - Secondary characters add depth, complexity, and enrich the narrative. - They contribute to the world-building, provide subplots, conflicts, and challenges. - Effective secondary characters are distinct from main characters and have their own development arc. - They can reflect, challenge, and highlight aspects of the protagonist, aiding in their growth. - Secondary characters should impact the plot, offering information and altering the course of the narra ..read more

Hosts: Beth McMullen and Lisa Schmid Theme: Writer Resilience, Success Key Discussion Points: Matt Eicheldinger's Background: Transition from childhood interests to writing. Teaching career and its role in storytelling. Path to self-publishing and eventual traditional publishing success. Celebrating Recent Successes: Matt's book, "Matt Sprouts and the Curse of the Ten Broken Toes," hits bestseller lists. Discussion on dealing with imposter syndrome and the overwhelming nature of success. The Realities of Publishing: The challenges of gaining visibility and the perseverance required in ..read more

Coping with imposter syndrome as a writer. Key Discussion Points: - We delve into the concept of imposter syndrome, defined as doubting one's abilities and feeling like a fraud despite success. - Discussion of the commonality of imposter syndrome among writers, with anecdotes of even well-known authors feeling it. - The role of social media in amplifying feelings of inadequacy and strategies for writers to manage this influence. - The importance of a supportive community and constructive critique partners in navigating the publishing industry. - Recommendations for overcoming imposter syndrom ..read more

Hosts: Beth McMullen Lisa Schmid Themes: Exploring the nuances of writing rhyming picture books with guest Lisa Riddiough, a Northern California based writer and author of the newly released picture book, Pie-rats. Key Discussion Points: 1. The Art of Rhyme in Picture Books: Discussion on the industry's view on rhyming picture books and the common misconceptions that surround them.     2. Natural Rhymers vs. Learned Technique: Insight into the natural ability of rhyming versus the learned skill, emphasizing that while anyone can learn to rhyme, an inherent sense of rhythm enhances ..read more

Season 3, Episode 13 - Embracing Rejection and Failure in Your Writing Journey  Hosts: Beth McMullen and Lisa Schmid  Episode Theme: Navigating Failure and Rejection in Writing  Key Discussion Points: 1. Personal Experience with Rejection:    - Shared a recent rejection of their Cat’s Rule picture book.    - Importance of closure in rejections, even without feedback. 2. Interpreting Rejection:    - Sometimes, rejections hide internal conflicts within publishing companies.    - Creating narratives around rejections can be a coping mechanism ..read more

(PLEASE NOTE: All comments and opinions in this podcast are strictly Sara's own.) In the latest episode of Writers with Wrinkles, we're thrilled to host Sara Schonfeld, an  editor at HarperCollins, specializing in middle grade and YA literature. Our discussion spans the joys and challenges of editing, insights into the acquisitions process, and invaluable advice for writers on submissions, social media presence, and the evolving landscape of genre blending in literature. Sara's passion for nurturing authors and her editorial expertise shine through, offering a treasure trove of wisdom f ..read more

Writers With Wrinkles: Patience Bloom on Romance Writing Patience Bloom, a freelance book editor with 26 years of experience in romance publishing, joins Beth McMullen and Lisa Schmid on the podcast Writers With Wrinkles. Key points: Elements of a captivating romance protagonist: Likable, even if flawed. Human and relatable. Vulnerable but strong. Possesses expertise in a specific area. Common pitfalls in portraying romantic relationships: Lack of conflict. Unrealistic or drawn-out conflict. Poor timing of romantic development. Current trends in romance writing: Increased inclusivity ..read more

Beth McMullen and Lisa Schmid tackle the art of writing flashbacks, offering insight into integrating them effectively into your narrative. The episode focuses on making flashbacks seamless and impactful, avoiding common pitfalls that can distract or confuse readers. Flashbacks: A Double-Edged Sword - Flashbacks can enrich your story by providing backstory and depth to characters. - However, misused flashbacks can disrupt the flow and pull readers out of the story. Five Key Tips for Effective Flashbacks 1. Anchor Your Flashback: Ensure there's a clear connection to the present narrative to s ..read more

This week we dived deep into the picture book publishing process. Whether you're at the beginning of your journey, stuck in the middle, or just looking for that extra nudge, we've covered everything you need to know to navigate this challenging yet rewarding path. Our Picture Book Journey: We share the latest on Cat's Rule and the unagented submission process. Despite the silence from publishers, we're just at the beginning! Dealing with Submissions: We talked about the frustration of unresponsive publishers. Yet, there's hope in platforms like Entangled Publishing's Little Lark, which allow ..read more

Join Beth McMullen and Lisa Schmid  as they welcome Andrew Auseon, a talented author and video game writer. Dive into Andrew's  journey across the realms of video games and kids books, exploring the creative synergy between these two worlds. Spellbinders Series: Discover the magic behind Andrew Auseon's middle-grade series, starting with Spellbinders: The Not So Chosen One and the upcoming sequel Spellbinders: Break the Game. Follow Ben's adventures as he navigates personal challenges and a fantastical world where he's seen as a prophesied hero. Video Games & Books: Examine the ..read more