Authors Talking Bookish

Writing a novel isn't just a craft journey, it's an emotional one. From the excitement of a new idea to the vulnerability of sharing your work and the uncertainty of publication, every milestone brings both triumphs and challenges. In this episode, the first of a two-part series, we'll explore the emotional benchmarks most writers encounter during the stages of writing a novel and offer practical strategies for navigating them with resilience and confidence. Part I: Stages of WritingShow Notes:Personal AssumptionsStages 1-5:The SparkThe First DraftThe Mid-draft SlumpFinishing the DraftRevisionPersonal ApplicationSOURCES & LINKS“Caring for your mental health as a writer,” The JED Foundation. PDF https://assets.ctfassets.net/“Writers and Mental Health: Breaking the Stigma,” Atmosphere Press.Fearless Writing, William Kenower, Writer’s Digest BooksBefore and After the Book Deal, Courtney Maum, CatapultDO NOW: Identify where you are in your writing & choose one or more of the actionable solutions that resonate most with your own journey.Full Show Notes are available on our website as well as free downloads mentioned in the episode.Authors Talking Bookish https://www.authorstalkingbookish.comHope Gibbs, author of Where the Grass Grows Blue https://www.authorhopegibbs.com/Donna Norman-Carbone, author of All That is Sacred & Of Lies and Honey https://www.donnanormancarbone.comIf you found value in this content, please LIKE, SUBSCRIBE and SHARE. Thank you

The most satisfying stories don't come from surprises that appear out of nowhere; they come from details that were there all along. In this episode, we'll explore how writers can strategically plant information, objects, emotions, and clues early in a story that later bloom into meaningful revelations, twists, and character growth. Readers love being surprised, but they love it even more when the surprise feels earned. Let us teach you how to make every detail count.SHOW NOTES:What does planting seeds mean?Types of seeds a writer can plantThe rule of set-up and payoffWhere writers get it wrongRevision tip: read backwardsDO NOW:For examples of effective seed-planting and a writer’s exercise, download our FREE Planting Seeds companion to this episode from our website @ https://www.authorstalkingbookish.comFull Show Notes are available on our website as well as free downloads mentioned in the episode.Authors Talking Bookish https://www.authorstalkingbookish.comHope Gibbs, author of Where the Grass Grows Blue https://www.authorhopegibbs.com/Donna Norman-Carbone, author of All That is Sacred & Of Lies and Honey https://www.donnanormancarbone.comIf you found value in this content, please LIKE, SUBSCRIBE and SHARE. Thank you

Joanna Monahan lives in North Carolina with her husband, children, and two distracting cats.Before she began writing, Joanna worked a variety of jobs, including marketing, professionalorganizing, and setting up book fairs. She enjoys theater, baseball, and bookmarking recipes she will never make. A child of the 80s, she regrets that she no longer receives pizza coupons in exchange for reading.You can find her at joannamonahan.com talking about books, writing, and all things GenX or onInstagram where she regularly torments her characters by participating in fiction writingChallenges.Joanna is a proud member of the Women’s Fiction Writers Association, the North CarolinaWriters’ Network and the Author’s Guild.About the Book: SOMETHING BETTER is a coming-of-(middle-) age tale of love, family, andthe dangers of attending your high school reunion. It was published in June 2023 by Blue InkPress.SHOW NOTES:Something BetterSynopisInspirationGen Xer & Musical references“Every villain is the hero of their own story” & complex protagonistWelcome to Blooms, release date April 2026SynopsisInspirationPossible seriesWriting and things learned the hard wayWriting process & schedulePersonal brandingCommunity & the WFWABook cover creationCurrent WIP TriviaThe title SOMETHING BETTER comes from the song “Start a War” by The National. The first lines are: “We expected something, something better than before. We expected something more.”Joanna’s favorite authors are Beverly Cleary and Jan Karon. Her love of the Mitford series was part of the reason her family chose to relocate to North Carolina from Colorado in 2015.SOURCES & LINKShttps://www.joannamonahan.com/Instagram: @joannamonahanauthorFull Show Notes are available on our website as well as free downloads mentioned in the episode.Authors Talking Bookish https://www.authorstalkingbookish.comHope Gibbs, author of Where the Grass Grows Blue https://www.authorhopegibbs.com/Donna Norman-Carbone, author of All That is Sacred & Of Lies and Honey https://www.donnanormancarbone.comIf you found value in this content, please LIKE, SUBSCRIBE and SHARE. Thank you

In this episode, Donna and Hope dive into the ever-evolving world of literary adaptations, exploring why so many novels are making their way to screens—both big and small. They break down the difference between loose and tight adaptations, share the essential qualities that make a novel ripe for adaptation, and examine the rising trend of limited series as the ideal format for complex storytelling. This episode is a must-listen for writers, book lovers and screen buffs alike. Show Notes: Number of films made from novelsUpward trend of series adaptationsLoose vs. tight adaptationWhat characteristics of a novel make for a good adaptation?OUR PICKSSOURCES & LINKSHow to Write a Book Like a Movie, Richard M. CraftSave the Cat! Writes a Novel: The Last Book On Novel Writing You'll Ever Need, Jessica BrodySave the Cat! Goes to the Movies: The Screenwriter's Guide to Every Story Ever Told, Blake SnyderDO NOW:Choose a companion novel and film. Study HOW (using the characteristics mentioned above) the adaptation brings the written work to life.Next Episode: Hooked From Page One, the importance of strong openingsFull Show Notes are available on our website as well as free downloads mentioned in the episode.Authors Talking Bookish https://www.authorstalkingbookish.comHope Gibbs, author of Where the Grass Grows Blue https://www.authorhopegibbs.com/Donna Norman-Carbone, author of All That is Sacred & Of Lies and Honey https://www.donnanormancarbone.comIf you found value in this content, please LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, COMMENT and SHARE. Thank you

In this episode, we explore how writers can effectively monetize their work on Substack by leveraging paid subscriptions, exclusive content, and additional products. We also discuss strategies for building an engaged audience and turning their passion for writing into a sustainable income.SHOW NOTES:Substack is an online platform that allows writers and creators to host subscription-based email newsletters. Think of it as a digital publishing house that puts your content directly into your readers’ inboxes, creating a more intimate connection than a typical blog or social media post. Founded in 2017, Substack gained popularity because of its simplicity and the direct monetization it provides. Instead of relying on ad revenue or social media algorithms, you can charge subscribers. Whether that’s a small monthly fee or a one-time payment, keep a much larger share of the revenue. It’s used by journalists, novelists, niche bloggers, and increasingly, book reviewers who want to cultivate a dedicated community around their work. Types of Posts You Can CreateAdvantages of Substack vs. Traditional BloggingHow to Get StartedTips for SuccessSOURCES & LINKSHope’s SubstackDonna’s SubstackDO NOW:Sign up for Substack. Observe what other content creators are doing. Brainstorm ideas for your own substack and create goals. Download our FREE How to SUBSTACK to get you started today!Next Episode: An Interview w/ Gail Priest author of the award-winning Soul DancingFull Show Notes are available on our website as well as free downloads mentioned in the episode.Authors Talking Bookish https://www.authorstalkingbookish.comHope Gibbs, author of Where the Grass Grows Blue https://www.authorhopegibbs.com/Donna Norman-Carbone, author of All That is Sacred & Of Lies and Honey https://www.donnanormancarbone.comIf you found value in this content, please LIKE, SUBSCRIBE and SHARE. Thank you