The StoryADay Podcast took a sneaky wee vacation this month, but will be back in August with our monthly theme of Triumph!  Keep writing, Julie

The StoryADay Podcast took a sneaky wee vacation this month, but will be back in August with our monthly theme of Triumph!  Keep writing, Julie

Vacation Update

This week we take the idea of improving your writing and your writing practice. But how, exactly do you DO that?!

This week we take the idea of improving your writing and your writing practice. But how, exactly do you DO that?!

How to improve as a writer

Do you struggle to keep records of what you read or write? Do you beat yourself up over it, because you're sure it'd make your life easier? Maybe yes, maybe no. Let's dig in to record-keeping for creative people: why it works, why it doesn't, and what to do about it! Sign up for the StoryADay Anytime Challenge: https://storyaday.org

Do you struggle to keep records of what you read or write? Do you beat yourself up over it, because you're sure it'd make your life easier? Maybe yes, maybe no. Let's dig in to record-keeping for creative people: why it works, why it doesn't, and what to do about it! Sign up for the StoryADay Anytime Challenge: <a href="https://storyaday.org" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://storyaday.org</a>

Record-Keeping For Writers

The final -- and most important -- two things I learned (again) while writing a StoryADay in May 2023. If you'd like to be more productive, creative and fulfilled in your writing, listen in! Links:  Take the 3-Day Challenge: storyaday.org/3dc

The final -- and most important -- two things I learned (again) while writing a StoryADay in May 2023. If you'd like to be more productive, creative and fulfilled in your writing, listen in! Links:  Take the 3-Day Challenge: <a href="https://storyaday.org/3dc" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">storyaday.org/3dc</a>

7 Things I Learned Writing A StoryADay in 2023 - Part 2

I've been writing a StoryADay in May since 2010. I've learned some things about writing, productivity, creativity, and success. I share some of them here.   Links: This episode: https://storyaday.org/episode289 The 3 Day Challenge: https://storyaday.org/3dc

I've been writing a StoryADay in May since 2010. I've learned some things about writing, productivity, creativity, and success. I share some of them here. Links: This episode: <a href="https://storyaday.org/episode289" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://storyaday.org/episode289</a> The 3 Day Challenge: <a href="https://storyaday.org/3dc" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://storyaday.org/3dc</a>

7 Things I Learned Writing A StoryADay in 2023

In which i talk about what to do if you miss a day (like I did) and creative courage.   Liniks: Get the prompts: https://storyaday.org/signup Take the 3-Day Challenge: https://storyaday.org/3dc Prompts throughout the year: https://storyaday.org/storyaweek

In which i talk about what to do if you miss a day (like I did) and creative courage. Liniks: Get the prompts: <a href="https://storyaday.org/signup" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://storyaday.org/signup</a> Take the 3-Day Challenge: <a href="https://storyaday.org/3dc" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://storyaday.org/3dc</a> Prompts throughout the year: <a href="https://storyaday.org/storyaweek" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://storyaday.org/storyaweek</a>

Week 3 of StoryADay May 2023

On May 12, 2023 Kathleen Porter published an opinion piece entitled "Limiting What Novelists Can Write is Bad For Readers." I think she almost entirely missed the point of the diversity movement and I am...irritated. Please join me for a walk through some terrible opinions and what YOU can do, as a sensitive, thoughtful writer, to avoid this kind of knee-jerk reaction and keep writing.

On May 12, 2023 Kathleen Porter published an opinion piece entitled "Limiting What Novelists Can Write is Bad For Readers." I think she almost entirely missed the point of the diversity movement and I am...irritated. Please join me for a walk through some terrible opinions and what YOU can do, as a sensitive, thoughtful writer, to avoid this kind of knee-jerk reaction and keep writing.

A Response to Kathleen Porter's Washington Post Opinion Piece

Recapping five days of writing a StoryADay in May, 2023 with Julie Duffy Catch up with the first week of StoryADay May 2023 through the experiences of founder and writer, Julie Duffy Subscribe to the daily series here: http://stada.me/2023lives 00:00 StADa287 Five Days In May 01:12 Day 1 04:40 Day 2 09:55 Day 3 13:41 Day 4 17:35 Day 5 21:21 Warp up

Recapping five days of writing a StoryADay in May, 2023 with Julie Duffy Catch up with the first week of StoryADay May 2023 through the experiences of founder and writer, Julie Duffy Subscribe to the daily series here: <a href="http://stada.me/2023lives" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://stada.me/2023lives</a> 00:00 StADa287 Five Days In May 01:12 Day 1 04:40 Day 2 09:55 Day 3 13:41 Day 4 17:35 Day 5 21:21 Warp up

StADa287 Five Days In May

In which I answer questions sent in by the StoryADay Community about how to overcome their writing challenges. LINKS  Sign up for the StoryADay Challenge   Find out more about the Superstars group   Support the podcast

In which I answer questions sent in by the StoryADay Community about how to overcome their writing challenges. LINKS <a href="https://storyaday.org/signup" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sign up for the StoryADay Challenge</a> <a href="https://members.storyaday.org/join-superstars" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Find out more about the Superstars group</a> <a href="https://glow.fm/storyaday" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Support the podcast</a>

Your Questions About Writing

In which we talk about titles, favorite stories, current author crushes and then Rachel turns the tables on me! LINKS: More about Rachel: RachelSwearingen.com Support this podcast: glow.fm/storyaday More about StoryADay: storyaday.org

In which we talk about titles, favorite stories, current author crushes and then Rachel turns the tables on me! LINKS: More about Rachel: <a href="http://RachelSwearingen.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">RachelSwearingen.com</a> Support this podcast: <a href="http://glow.fm/storyaday" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">glow.fm/storyaday</a> More about StoryADay: <a href="http://storyaday.org" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">storyaday.org</a>

Rachael Swearingen Interview part 2 - geeking out about stories

Writers write. Professional writers write a lot. The StoryADay May challenge exists to help you learn how much you're capable of writing in a month. The Write Every Day, Not "Some Day" podcast helps you figure out how to keep that commitment up for the rest of your life. Each 10-15 minute episode tackles a particular topic and gives you a writing assignment to complete before the next episode.Music credit: Alan McPike (http://standardstrax.com)

An excellent motivational podcast to tackle your writing (or other creative pursuits). It has helped me focus and to start finishing!

Motivational!

Writers write. Professional writers write a lot. The StoryADay May challenge exists to help you learn how much you're capable of writing in a month. The Write Every Day, Not "Some Day" podcast helps you figure out how to keep that commitment up for the rest of your life. Each 10-15 minute episode tackles a particular topic and gives you a writing assignment to complete before the next episode. Music credit: Alan McPike (<a href="http://standardstrax.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://standardstrax.com</a>)

StoryADay

In Week 2 of StoryADay May 2018 we're working on craft-based writing prompts (character desires, conflict, structures, openings and endings). Picking up skills and putting down words. But now that the novelty has worn off, what can you do to rekindle your excitement about writing every day for a month?

In Week 2 of StoryADay May 2018 we're working on craft-based writing prompts (character desires, conflict, structures, openings and endings). Picking up skills and putting down words. But now that the novelty has worn off, what can you do to rekindle your excitement about writing every day for a month?

104 - Getting Your Mojo Back

Today we continue diving deeply into your protagonist's past with a story that takes place just before the story you really want to tell; or with a series of journal entries from the same time period. The Prompt: http://storyaday.org/20170517-journal

Today we continue diving deeply into your protagonist's past with a story that takes place just before the story you really want to tell; or with a series of journal entries from the same time period. The Prompt: <a href="http://storyaday.org/20170517-journal" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://storyaday.org/20170517-journal</a>

068 - The Protagonist's Journal - a writing prompt

Listening and reading are wonderful things, but what if they are holding you back from writing and finishing stories? We learn writing by writing. Isn't it time you stop stalling? LINKS "Listening" by Bob DeRosa on Escape Pod: https://stada.me/listening The 3 Day Challenge: https://stada.me/3dc Don't forget you can tell your Alexa speaker to play the StoryADay Podcast by enabling the skill one time in your Alexa app then saying "Alexa, play the StoryADay podcast"

Listening and reading are wonderful things, but what if they are holding you back from writing and finishing stories? We learn writing by writing. Isn't it time you stop stalling? LINKS "Listening" by Bob DeRosa on Escape Pod: <a href="https://stada.me/listening" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://stada.me/listening</a> The 3 Day Challenge: <a href="https://stada.me/3dc" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://stada.me/3dc</a> Don't forget you can tell your Alexa speaker to play the StoryADay Podcast by <a href="https://www.amazon.com/s?k=storyaday+podcast&amp;i=alexa-skills" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">enabling the skill</a> one time in your Alexa app then saying "Alexa, play the StoryADay podcast"

155 - Stop Procrasti-learning and Start Writing

This week I talk about character: how to take the inner journey of your character and show it through external actions. 

This week I talk about character: how to take the inner journey of your character and show it through external actions.

128 - Character Counts

Readers can't love your story if they don't love your character. LINKS https://storayday.org/creating-compelling-characters

Readers can't love your story if they don't love your character. LINKS <a href="https://storayday.org/creating-compelling-characters" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://storayday.org/creating-compelling-characters</a>

132 - Compelling Characters

This month's theme at StoryADay is "Refilling The Well", in which I encourage you to find many ways of rebooting your creativity...largely by taking a break from your writing.   Links: Bookriot's Best Books of 2017, So Far The Nature Fix by Florence Williams (af)

This month's theme at StoryADay is "Refilling The Well", in which I encourage you to find many ways of rebooting your creativity...largely by taking a break from your writing. Links: Bookriot's <a href="http://bookriot.com/2017/07/11/best-books-2017-far/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Best Books of 2017, So Far</a> <a href="http://amzn.to/2wdwLPJ" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Nature Fix by Florence Williams</a> (af)

085  - Refilling The Well

Today I wrap up the Story Structure series with a Hansel &amp; Gretel, a story that starts with the Life Changing Moment. The Prompt: http://storyaday.org/20170530-hansel

Today I wrap up the Story Structure series with a Hansel &amp; Gretel, a story that starts with the Life Changing Moment. The Prompt: <a href="http://storyaday.org/20170530-hansel" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://storyaday.org/20170530-hansel</a>

082 - Hansel & Gretel Story Structure

Today's writing prompt is inspired by a story by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, featured in The Best American Short Stories 2016 (http://amzn.to/2elDfUo) You can read more of my thoughts on this story here: [Reading Room] Apollo by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie You can leave comments about your experiences with this prompt here: [Writing Prompt] Regrets, I’ve Had A Few And here are some articles to help you as you think about revising your first draft.   Podcast length: 11:15mins. Music by Alan McPike (www.standardstrax.com)

Today's writing prompt is inspired by a story by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, featured in The Best American Short Stories 2016 (<a href="http://amzn.to/2elDfUo" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://amzn.to/2elDfUo</a>) You can read more of my thoughts on this story here: <a href="http://storyaday.org/rr-apollo-adichie/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">[Reading Room] Apollo by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie</a> You can leave comments about your experiences with this prompt here: <a href="http://storyaday.org/wow-regrets/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">[Writing Prompt] Regrets, I’ve Had A Few</a> And <a href="http://storyaday.org/?s=revision" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here are some articles to help you as you think about revising your first draft</a>. Podcast length: 11:15mins. Music by Alan McPike (<a href="http://www.standardstrax.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.standardstrax.com</a>)

043 - Regretful Writing Prompt plus a review of "Apollo" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Today Marta Pelrine-Bacon encourages us to get a bit surprising in our writing.   The Prompt: http://storyaday.org/20170508-marta   Marta's novel: http://amzn.to/2pM1Xm7

Today Marta Pelrine-Bacon encourages us to get a bit surprising in our writing. The Prompt: <a href="http://storyaday.org/20170508-marta" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://storyaday.org/20170508-marta</a> Marta's novel: <a href="http://amzn.to/2pM1Xm7" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://amzn.to/2pM1Xm7</a>

059 - A writing prompt from Marta Pelrine-Bacon

Hopefully, you've been doing something looking back at 2016, making note of all the places where you did wonderfully things. Now it's time to look forward to building on them next year. This 'look forward' to 2017 offers some strategies for making the most of your writing time, setting P.A.C.E goals, and staying on track throughout the year. Here are the worksheets I reference in this podcast, to help you plan for a successful 2017:   Annual Review Worksheet Individual Goal Worksheet Annual Goal Tracker/Overview 

Hopefully, you've been doing something looking back at 2016, making note of all the places where you did wonderfully things. Now it's time to look forward to building on them next year. This 'look forward' to 2017 offers some strategies for making the most of your writing time, setting P.A.C.E goals, and staying on track throughout the year. Here are the worksheets I reference in this podcast, to help you plan for a successful 2017: <a href="a href= " rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Annual Review Worksheet</a> <a href="a href= " rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Individual Goal Worksheet</a> <a href="a href= " rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Annual Goal Tracker/Overview</a>

046 - Looking Forward, Goal-Setting for Your Best Writing Year in 2017

Today's Rescue Week prompt is to write a story that would fit on Twitter: 140 characters only! It's not as easy as you think...

Today's Rescue Week prompt is to write a story that would fit on Twitter: 140 characters only! It's not as easy as you think...

026 - The Challenge - Day 16

 In today's prompt Bea from The Busy Muse encourages us to take a second look at our first idea. The Prompt: http://storyaday.org/20170516-bea/ Bea's site: The Busy Muse

In today's prompt Bea from The Busy Muse encourages us to take a second look at our first idea. The Prompt: <a href="http://storyaday.org/20170516-bea/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://storyaday.org/20170516-bea/</a> Bea's site: <a href="http://www.thebusymuse.com/blog" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Busy Muse</a>

062 - A writing prompt from Bea at The Busy Muse

As a writer, what do you need? Do you need a desk? A room of your own? Scrivener? A pad and paper and something to lean on? The answer is probably 'it depends'. And it's important to figure out what you need, and when.  Other writers (often in the form of writers' groups) can help you find your groove as a writer.  In this episode I talk about finding your groove, and the value of writers' groups.

As a writer, what do you need? Do you need a desk? A room of your own? Scrivener? A pad and paper and something to lean on? The answer is probably 'it depends'. And it's important to figure out what you need, and when.  Other writers (often in the form of writers' groups) can help you find your groove as a writer.  In this episode I talk about finding your groove, and the value of writers' groups.

122 - A Room Of One's Own

Now that StoryADay May is in the rear view mirror, it's time to dig out some of your stories and see what you can do to spruce them up. Now, before you panic, I have a whole episode for you on learning to love revision. Give it a listen. Your stories are worth it!

Now that StoryADay May is in the rear view mirror, it's time to dig out some of your stories and see what you can do to spruce them up. Now, before you panic, I have a whole episode for you on learning to love revision. Give it a listen. Your stories are worth it!

084 - Learn To Love Revision

Here at the end of January, I take a mini look back at the first month of the decade and talk about writing habits, reading habits, Alexa skills, Medium and more. [1:20] My Short Story Reading Challenge, The Bradbury Method, my method. [9:30] Good luck to the NYC Midnight contestants [10:00] New ways to access StoryADay content - Medium &amp; Alexa [10:55] 10th Anniversary  [11:46] The StoryADay Podcast [14:00] February’s theme at StoryADay and what’s special about Leap Day Links: If you want to know more about Alexa skills, contact Raphael Schaad on LinkedIn Here's a list of my favorite stories from January 2020

Here at the end of January, I take a mini look back at the first month of the decade and talk about writing habits, reading habits, Alexa skills, Medium and more. [1:20] My Short Story Reading Challenge, The Bradbury Method, my method. [9:30] Good luck to the NYC Midnight contestants [10:00] New ways to access StoryADay content - Medium &amp; Alexa [10:55] 10th Anniversary  [11:46] The StoryADay Podcast [14:00] February’s theme at StoryADay and what’s special about Leap Day Links: If you want to know more about Alexa skills, contact <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/raphael-schaad-232a5196/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Raphael Schaad on LinkedIn</a> <a href="https://storyaday.org/rr-jan-2020/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Here's a list of my favorite stories from January 2020</a>

153 - Skillz

Today you're going to tell the story of a painting (literally or otherwise). I have some suggestions for you, and, if you want to find the original blog post, with links to good sources of art, go here: http://storyaday.org/2016-18-painting/

Today you're going to tell the story of a painting (literally or otherwise). I have some suggestions for you, and, if you want to find the original blog post, with links to good sources of art, go here: <a href="http://storyaday.org/2016-18-painting/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://storyaday.org/2016-18-painting/</a>

028 - The Challenge - Day 18 - writing prompt

Whether you're taking part in NaNoWriMo this month or simply trying to keep your rating on track, I have five tips from the trenches of the extreme creativity challenge world. Recommended: The Nature Fix by Florence Williams  Bright Line Eating by Susan Pierce Thompson  No Plot, Not Problem by Chris Baty Save The Cat Writes A Novel by Jessica Brody  Power Nap  by Andrew Johnson https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXBG1-1zI_E Want to write a short story today? Get the StoryADay Short Story Framework: https://stada.me/framework

Whether you're taking part in NaNoWriMo this month or simply trying to keep your rating on track, I have five tips from the trenches of the extreme creativity challenge world. Recommended: The Nature Fix by Florence Williams  Bright Line Eating by Susan Pierce Thompson  No Plot, Not Problem by Chris Baty Save The Cat Writes A Novel by Jessica Brody  Power Nap  by Andrew Johnson <a href="https://youtu.be/RXBG1-1zI_E" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXBG1-1zI_E</a> Want to write a short story today? Get the StoryADay Short Story Framework: <a href="https://stada.me/framework" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://stada.me/framework</a>

143 - NaNoWriMo Survival Tips

Today I'm prompting you to write a story within a story. To find out how, check out the blog post below The Prompt: http://storyaday.org/20170524-hidden-message/

Today I'm prompting you to write a story within a story. To find out how, check out the blog post below The Prompt: <a href="http://storyaday.org/?p=9280&amp;preview=true" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://storyaday.org/20170524-hidden-message/</a>

076 - Hidden Messages, a writing prompt

Today we're back to writing short story forms, after our week of working on support for the novelists among us.   The Prompt: http://storyaday.org/20170523-list/

Today we're back to writing short story forms, after our week of working on support for the novelists among us. The Prompt: <a href="http://storyaday.org/20170523-list/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://storyaday.org/20170523-list/</a>

075 - Lists: a short story writing prompt

Firstly I talk about some people who are making short and long fiction work for them: Mary Robinette Kowal, whose new novels The Calculating Stars grew out of a short story, The Lady Astronaut of Mars; and Diana Gabaldon, who writes short stories in her Outlander universe to keep her readers occupied while she's working on the longer novels. I also talk about slang: Writing prompt: http://storyaday.org/wow-invented-languages/ Escape Pod episode: Me, Meg &amp; The Thing by Gian-Paul Bergeron - http://escapepod.org/2018/08/02/escape-pod-639-me-meg-and-the-thing/ Prompts for this month: http://stada.me/backstory PEP TALK The second part of this podcast is a pep talk about living up to your writing commitments in the face of life's urgent tasks and why it's so important ... and not just to you.

Firstly I talk about some people who are making short and long fiction work for them: Mary Robinette Kowal, whose new novels The Calculating Stars grew out of a short story, The Lady Astronaut of Mars; and Diana Gabaldon, who writes short stories in her Outlander universe to keep her readers occupied while she's working on the longer novels. I also talk about slang: Writing prompt: <a href="http://storyaday.org/wow-invented-languages/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://storyaday.org/wow-invented-languages/</a> Escape Pod episode: Me, Meg &amp; The Thing by Gian-Paul Bergeron - <a href="http://escapepod.org/2018/08/02/escape-pod-639-me-meg-and-the-thing/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://escapepod.org/2018/08/02/escape-pod-639-me-meg-and-the-thing/</a> Prompts for this month: <a href="http://stada.me/backstory" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://stada.me/backstory</a> PEP TALK The second part of this podcast is a pep talk about living up to your writing commitments in the face of life's urgent tasks and why it's so important ... and not just to you.

112 - Backstories & Integrity

The best podcast episodes on non-current politics. Covering topics such as universal basic income, democracy, poverty & justice and more. For anyone interested in learning more about politics that affect that world, not just now, but in the longer term. Add episodes you're interested into your queue below!

Best Non-Current Politics Podcasts

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