Loose Leaf Author Podcast

I thought I'd make it easier for you to find the podcast.

 

If you're an author interested in joining us for an interview, please visit my website and use the contact form.

Thanks!

Loose Leaf Author Podcast

So, the Patreon thing is a really slow project. In actuality, it feels like banging your head repeatedly against a wall. I'm putting in more work over there than I have on this blog for the last two years, and yet it's crickets. I was really hoping for a sense of community more than even having a set income I could depend on for editing and cover art.

Yeah, another author clued me in that is never going to happen. He has over 200 subscribers after two years, but he says they all read the posts in their email and don't visit the Patreon page. So, no comments is normal. At least he has subscribers.

Anyway, I had started a podcast to post for my subscribers. There's a big learning curve for me, but I'm finding I enjoy it. However, that's a lot of work for 8 people to listen to. So, my podcast...

...The first four episodes are up. My Patreon subscribers will continue to get the episodes a couple of weeks before they go live for the public. I know it is searchable on Apple Podcasts, Castbox, Spotify, and Google Play.

For some reason, episode 4 is listed first. I've gone in and changed the date of publication in the metadata and it didn't fix the issue. Anyway, you'll see I started more natural, freaked out because I would forget to talk about things I wanted to, and then moved toward reading everything. Fast.

Yeah, kiss of death. I want to go back to a more natural format, but I feel weird talking to myself. So, this week I'm going to record conversations with my kids on how life has been different the last two months as well as some of their favorite things. It should definitely make it more interesting.

Check it out, subscribe (it's free!) and then send me comments on what I should talk about. I'd love to interview other authors once I figure out how to do that over the phone with decent sound quality.

So much to learn!

Understanding the source of insecurity--IWSG Nov 2019

First, I have a tagline!

Why do we let insecurity creep into our lives?

We've all had moments when we were proud of our accomplishments no matter how small. Why do we forget that and worry about what other people think?

Let's consider this. Insecurity is uncertainty or anxiety about one's abilities--a lack of self-confidence. This is something we learn. Little kids don't have it. They believe they can do anything and go for it with all the energy and zeal their little bodies can hold. As we grow up, we become more concerned with how other people see us than what we know about ourselves.

It's sad really.

How can we combat that? It isn't easy, but with a little effort it is possible.

1. We have to stop apologizing for not being perfect. No one else is either, so get over it.
2. We have to stop thinking it's our job to make everyone else happy. That's their choice. We can be kind and encouraging, but ultimately the only person we can make happy is ourselves.
3. We have to stop comparing ourselves to others.
4. We have to remember that we are unique, and that means we have something only we can contribute to this world.
5. We have to understand that not everyone will appreciate or agree with our contribution. And that is OKAY.
6. If someone doesn't like me, it doesn't lessen the fact that I am a child of God. He loves me and that is enough.

There are probably more things we can add to this list, and knowing them won't stop those doubts from creeping in. However, remembering them in times of insecurity can lesson the length of the ailment and help us regain our self-confidence.

What would you like to add to this list? Tell me in the comments below.

In other news:

• Both of the audiobooks I had in production wrapped up this week. They should be live and available by Thanksgiving.
• I'm tackling Nano, sort of. I'll be working on two novels at once--Talia's third book (Demon Rising), and a romance called Discovering Her Heart.
• My son is playing the lead in his high school play, and I'm so excited for him
• We're having a great experience with our exchange student

I have also created a Patreon account. If you've never heard of Patreon, it's a place where you subscribe to artists of various types. Your monthly subscription gives the artist a set income they can use to do things like pay for an editor, buy cover art, and hire an amazing audio narrator. In return, you receive exclusive materials from them.

I'll be posting early scenes from works in progress, deleted scenes, scenes from an alternate point of view, video clips, deals and freebies no one else will know about, etc. I also plan to start a podcast for my patreon subscribers talking about everything from writing, reading, travel, movies, and life in general. The best part is since I'm new at this, my early subscribers will be the ones to shape what my channel looks like for as little as $1 a month. For instance, Monday morning I posted a highly embarrassing bedhead photo of me as I sat to do a writing sprint at 7 am.

Check it out and consider subscribing! 

Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!

Posting: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writers.

Let’s rock the neurotic writing world!

Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG.

IWSG: Owning "I Am a Writer"

Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!

Posting: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writers.

Let’s rock the neurotic writing world!

Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG.


One of my first posts in 2010 was about the moment I first told someone that I was a writer. I talked about how liberating, how exciting, and even freeing it was to finally say it out loud.

This weekend I attended the Storymakers and Indie Author Hub (SMIAH) Writer's Conference in Kansas City. I used to go all the time but missed out on the last few years. Although I went to teach two classes, I believe Heavenly Father gave me that opportunity to be reminded of how I felt back in 2010. Being with other writers and published authors is the best way to get over our insecurities. Suddenly, I wasn't the only person with voices in their head. Or the only one struggling to keep writing when everything around me tries to keep me from doing just that.

Traci Hunter Abramson was the keynote speaker. A little secret, she stood up and gave her speech barefoot. I loved her before that, but she is definitely a woman after my own heart. Forget burning bras, I say burn the shoes!

Okay, sorry I got a little sidetracked. I jotted down a few notes. It wasn't anything I didn't know or even blogged about myself, but I needed the reminder that day and she was there to do it. Here they are, no explanation. Read them and let them touch your heart where and how you need it today.

• Own these four words: I am a writer.
• When did you first decide this?
• Your journey takes off when you have a purpose other than the original dream of—I'm going to be a writer. (wanting to add something of value to the world)
• Best quote ever! “We may kill people for a living. But we're nice.”
• Why do we write? Because we have to. Enough said.
• To gain our full potential, we need to: find our identity, our confidence, our voice.
• Fight the guilt when it comes to “how many other things could I be doing if I wasn't writing?” Give ourselves the gift of time to write (also part of balance)
• Prioritize: seek the balance. Determine what sacrifices you are willing to make. Treat writing like a real job.
• Our lives aren't traditional. Everyone thinks they can write a book if they only had the time. There will never be time. You have to make the time.
• Don't compare ourselves to others. Where we are on the road/path is different.
• Be a light, change a life.

And finally, here are the words from 2010. It's time I owned them once more. Even better, it's time I owned the phrase, "I am an author." My 10th story will be published on October 16th. I'm doing what I set out to do despite the challenges. Take that insecurity!

Originally posted Jan 2, 2010"You're a writer?"
"Yes." I spoke softly and then paused. A new feeling welled up inside and I wanted to hear it again, so I spoke a little louder. "Yes, I am."
After a small chuckle, he asked, "Did that feel good?"
"Yes it did. I've always answered that question by saying 'no, but I want to be'. I think this is the first time I've ever answered yes."
"Then you better say it again."
"I am a writer!" Spoken loud enough for the rest of our group to hear me and turn to stare.

It felt how I imagined the barbaric yawp from Dead Poets Society must have felt. Such a simple declaration once more made me feel like crying for joy. In the writing world I am a nobody, unknown, but inside my heart I finally feel like a writer. If I'm never picked up by an agent or publisher, I'm still proud of what I've accomplished. I still have a long way to go in this process (all the hard part actually), but I've learned that getting published is not what makes you a writer.

A writer is someone who writes to stay sane. They have a desire to share the visions, emotions, knowledge, whatever is floating around in their head by writing it down with pen and ink or keyboard. In order to quiet the voices in their head, they must put the characters on the page and give them room to grow. When they're happy, shocked, angry or sad, they write to help themselves come to new understandings about those emotions and what they mean on our journey through life. Writers enjoy the way words flow and conjure images. When they see the shadows of the clouds drifting over the mountains as they drive down the highway they want to write about it--so they do. When they see anything beautiful, they pick up a pen and jot a few lines. They carry notebooks with them everywhere they go. A writer is all these things and much much more...and I have finally become a writer.

Insecurity Challenge:
Tell someone who doesn't know that YOU are a writer. Smile and be proud of the gift of imagination and the desire to share. Embrace your imperfections but celebrate your successes too.

Teacher's Crush is available for pre-order at a discount price of $1.99 until release day--October 16th.

Blurb:
Jennifer Carlson returns to Eureka Springs in spite of her promise to never move back. Newly graduated from college, her only goal is to help her dad and get out of town. However, the good-looking biker has her second guessing what she really wants.

High school principal, Robert Allen has never been so conflicted. He was attracted to Jen before she walked into his office for an interview. Her sass, attitude, and the pain she tries to hide behind those big blue eyes make her unforgettable.

Jen needs a job, but she also longs for someone to see the real her and want her anyway. Rob might be that guy if he can convince her she doesn't have to run away from her future.

Anyone who pre-orders and emails me a screenshot will be entered to win a free audiobook of one of the first two books in this series. These are stand-alone but have crossover characters.
Email: charity.bradford@gmail.com

IWSG: The roller coaster of insecurity

The last month and a half has been insanely busy. And yet... Okay, before I get to the good news, lets do a quick recap.

• End of July--our exchange student arrived (and we finished building his room)
• August--spent an evening at the police first night event with a booth, 2 birthdays, an anniversary, I taught all day at a writer's boot camp, sent the kids back to school, day trip to Oklahoma City, and had a guest post on Janice Hardy's Fiction University
• Last week--day trip to Kansas City, went to an amusement park in Branson, MO (more in a minute), a cave, and today I'm hosting a luncheon for 90 participants in the emergency preparedness fair I've been working on since March
• Coming up in Sept--the preparedness fair and a week later I'll be teaching at a 2-day writer's conference in Kansas City
• Coming up in Oct--things will finally quiet down (I think) but I will get to spend three days selling books at a craft fair with my hubby (he's selling mandala dot art items)

 

 

Somehow, in the midst of all of this, I started writing again. Monday night I finished Teacher's Crush, a small-town romance. There's still a lot of work to be done, but it is a relief to finish something. I hope to get it out to beta readers this weekend and then release it sometime in October. 

The next big project to finish will be in my sci-fi genre--Demon Rising, book 3 in the Magic Wakes Series. I don't know if I'm ready to do it, but it's so far past time to destroy Talia's world and move on. 

All these ups and down are good. I simply had to remember that trying is its own best reward. Sometimes that gut-wrenching feeling like the floor has disappeared under your feet is exactly what you need to move forward again. I guess that's what I had started to do, but last weekend at the amusement park it became clear to me once more. 

I love roller coasters. I love the speed, the excitement, the flips and twists. However, I also enjoy stepping back onto solid ground and knowing I'm safe.

Writing is a lot like a roller coaster. Sometimes the words flow quickly and smoothly. Other times they are an old wooden coaster that knocks you around and makes you feel like your spleen has been turned to pulp. Sharing that writing with others is even more like this. It's exciting, it gets your blood pumping, and then it can jerk the ground right out from under you. Only when we remember why we write can we step back on solid ground. Only then can we say, "I will continue to write no matter what others think of me, or the finished project, because that is who I am."

So, put your hands up and scream! Laugh, cry, whatever it takes, but ride the ride.

It took wallowing in insecurity for seven and a half months this time. Hopefully, next time it won't take me so long to run back around to the waiting line for the roller coaster. 

This is my favorite ride from the weekend. The video makes it look slow. Oh, and riding it at night when all you see is the stars in the sky is pretty awesome.

How are you dealing with insecurity this month? 

Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!

Posting: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writers.

Let’s rock the neurotic writing world!

Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG.