The Secret Library Podcast

I cannot think of a more perfect episode to release this week than Manda Scott's. We recorded this a few months ago, and even then we strayed into a subject that will speak loud and clear to everyone listening this week: how is it possible to stay focused and motivated when things are tough out in the world. Manda and I were discussing her ability to persevere in writing her most recent novel, Treachery of Spies, despite having to start one of her dual timelines over repeatedly. In addition, we get into her passion for working toward a better future regarding climate change and the difficulties we are facing on the planet today. I know many of us are at home this week, facing a situation none of us could have imagined even a few months ago. This episode will help you get through and keep hopeful when things get tough. Manda is a passionate and thoughtful guide through, one I know you're going to love hearing from.Full show notes with links here: https://www.secretlibrarypodcast.com/episodes/manda-scott-s2-ep7   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thetattooedgoverness.com/subscribe

Every time Sarah Selecky and I get together to talk about writing, I feel a little high afterward.This conversation was no exception and, in many ways, this one had me buzzing more than any of the ones we've had before. Sarah was the first person to convince me that revision wasn't a dirty word and that it could even be something enjoyable.The thing that gets in the way of enjoying the process is the pervasive belief that revision is something you make happen. That as the writer you have to take the material of your book so far and force it into a shape that is pleasing and effective. There is a very grinding quality to this approach.As Sarah and I remind ourselves and each other in this conversation, there are plenty of creative processes we can model ourselves after that do not look like a construction site, where we press on with timetables and a foreman checking his watch constantly. Instead, Sarah shares how she uses nature as a model, a force that is is just as powerful, if not more so, and one that plays by decidedly different rules. Follow along and learn the magical way to revise, one that leaves you uplifted rather than depleted, and let yourself be surprised by escaping the grind entirely. Have fun listening to this one -- we certainly had fun making it for you.Full show notes with links: https://secretlibrarypodcast.com/episodes/sarah-selecky-s2-ep6 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thetattooedgoverness.com/subscribe

When people speak about revision, it's usually long after the book has come out.I wanted to make sure that we spoke about revision from the inside this season, so I was delighted that Olivia and Meghan from Marginally, my writing podcast pals, were open to coming on and sharing about the projects they are currently revising. Once again, you get the insight of two guests in one episode.We discuss perfectionism, the desire to just get the first draft right, and the times when the problem isn't the way a few sentences are structured or how the description works, but rather the way the whole book hangs together. If you're well into revision and feeling frustrated and worried that the book may not make it, this is the episode that will get you to the other side.Full show notes with links: https://secretlibrarypodcast.com/episodes/marginally-s2-ep5 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thetattooedgoverness.com/subscribe

I have abandoned more than one novel because the historical research terrified me.When we got the the topic of historical research and revision, I knew I needed an expert to bring on. Luckily for us, historian Sarah-Jane Stratford has a new novel out, Red Letter Days, about the impact of the Black List on women writers. Her previous novel, Radio Girls, was about the early days of the BBC Radio and the lives of women working there, so she was the perfect guest.In this episode, we talk about balancing historical fact with a good story, when to create new characters who are more flexible to write, and how to include historical figures without crippling the plot of your story. If you've ever abandoned a novel, as I have, because the research felt like too much, this episode will help you find your way through to a fantastic historical novel at the end. Happy listening!Full show notes with links: https://secretlibrarypodcast.com/episodes/sarah-jane-stratford-s2-ep4 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thetattooedgoverness.com/subscribe

When Chip Cheek first came on the show, he told me a crazy story about his first draftWhen writing his novel Cape May, Chip wasn’t 100% certain what time period it would be set in. So he wrote each chapter in a different era and, when he was finished, he met with his writing group and they all discussed the pros + cons of each, eventually settling on the 1950s.The amazing thing is that, to us readers it feels like it couldn’t have been set any other time. This is the beauty of revision.When we set the theme for this season, I knew Chip was a must-have to go back through the first draft he referred to as a beautiful mess and find out how he made it into the finished book, Cape May.We get into many philosophical angles as well as revision mindset and I know you’re going to love this episode. Happy listening!Full show notes with links: https://secretlibrarypodcast.com/episodes/chip-cheek-s2-ep3 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thetattooedgoverness.com/subscribe

Wow am I glad Rachael Herron and J Thorn came on for this season.In this conversation, we get two author perspectives for the price of one, covering both the underwriter perspective and the overwriter. In addition, we go through their revision processes step by step from reviewing the complete foundation draft the first time to how they work through and make all the edits to their manuscript.Whether your book is over 100,000 words and you feel like you’re drowning, or you’re the type to frequently include [MORE HERE] as you go, this is the episode that will take you from start to finish of your next draft.Show notes and links:https://secretlibrarypodcast.com/episodes/herron-thorn-s2-ep2 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thetattooedgoverness.com/subscribe

Season Two of the podcast begins today with one of my favorite guests from the first half of the show: Jade Chang. Author of The Wangs vs. The World, her novel has so many plates to keep spinning: multiple perspectives, historical events, characters of many different ages and experiences, and the hardest thing of all: humor. I had to know how Jade succeeded in balancing all these complex elements in a book that is so delightful and inspiring to read. I know you'll enjoy this episode, because Jade has great advice about how to write a first draft that is easier to work with later. I also learned how she works with beta readers and how exactly she asks them for feedback in order to get the information she needs most. This and so much more as we launch a jam-packed season of inspiration and practical advice: Next Draft Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thetattooedgoverness.com/subscribe

For quite a long time, I've wondered if we could pull off a live episode.So when Elizabeth Duvivier's debut novel was due to come out and my friend Susannah Conway floated the idea of my coming over to London to moderate Elizabeth's book launch, it seemed like the perfect opportunity to realize this dream. I have to say, it worked out even better than I could have imagined. Elizabeth's book is gorgeous, the audience that arrived at the Poetry Cafe could not have been more perfect, and the audio came out crystal clear. In this conversation, we talk about the process of writing a novel when you had planned on writing something else entirely, that moment when you've got a giant unwieldy manuscript on your hands and have to pull it all together, and Elizabeth's inspiring decision to self publish in order to control every creative decision that went into the design and production of her book. In addition, we had some brilliant questions from our magical studio audience, so you get to hear from all of them and the thoughtful responses Elizabeth gave to everyone there. I love that there is a whole community of voices on this episode, and I hope you enjoy hearing them as well. This episode wraps up the very very long season one of the show. We'll be back in 2020 with Season Two! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thetattooedgoverness.com/subscribe

This July, I happened to meet Philippa Gregory at a party.Let's be clear - I never dreamed I would write a sentence like that, especially after moving away from Los Angeles. Even more surprising, I managed to have a coherent conversation with her about books and writing, to the point where she generously invited me over to record an episode talking about her latest book, Tidelands, and writing in general. Thankfully, I was able to borrow a friend's microphone and made my way across the city to record this conversation. I hope you will forgive the slightly informal audio, I think what we talked about is worth turning up the volume a little bit for. I have loved Philippa's books for years and years. I remember how thrilled I was to find The Other Boleyn Girl and The Queen's Fool when my fascination with the Tudors on an explosive trajectory. But even beyond all of her books that I have read and loved, this conversation was about why she has chosen, as a historian, to write novels about women in history. She brings such depth to this subject and inspired me more than I can say with her thoughtful commentary on her career and writing in general, as well as on women's roles throughout history and literature. As it's my birthday tomorrow, it seemed reasonable to peek out of my hiatus hideaway and give this episode to you as my birthday present. It was an incredible gift to be able to record it, now I want to share it with you. Happy listening. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thetattooedgoverness.com/subscribe

Three and a half years into hosting The Secret Library, something changed.I started this show in the spring of 2016, eager to crack the code on writing books. There was plenty of information about craft, but not so much about the fortitude needed to sit down day after day and actually write and publish something meaningful. I’d been writing and discarding drafts of novels for nearly a decade and wanted to discover the truth about writing books from the inside. Now, over 150 episodes in, I know writing a book is absolutely possible. I no longer worry whether or not we can do this. But what I have realized is that packing your life chock full and saying yes to everything does not help you write a book. Making time to write requires hard choices, and this episode goes into the hard choices I’ve made recently in order to actually get this book done. Sometimes, you need to take a break and hide in the creative cave. Here’s how I made that happen. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thetattooedgoverness.com/subscribe