Writer Craft Podcast
Main Topic: From Reserved to Ravishing: Writing Spicy Scenes That Still Feel True to You (with guest HR Cole) PATREON: Thank you to our existing patrons for believing in our work offline and here in the podcast. Become a patron of the arts at for books, writing instruction, coaching, and planning. Also, the Planner Plays and Monthly Reflections are always free for all members on my Patreon page. But I don't list them as Public", so click correct tier for updated links, dates, and cancellations. Go to for short stories in the paranormal mystery genre. Magic Mind...
info_outlineWriter Craft Podcast
Segment 1 (Announcements/Author Updates): (Valerie): hard stuff at home (sharing that with my patrons, and a little on social media) (Erick): What are you reading? Valerie: Just finished: Austin Kleon's (Rick Rubin) and Anne Abel's new book s (out in September .. She'll be on the podcast again in October). (Not ready to give up on them, but struggling to finish them:) by Oliver Burkeman; (Alexandra Horowitz) ; Julie Leong Erick: Segment 2 (Resources/Tips/Tidbits): Tidbit #1: • Tidbit #2: Segment 3 (Main Topic): Notes:...
info_outlineWriter Craft Podcast
Main Topic: Today’s episode is all about Ego Meeting Soul (the inner vs outer world of writing) In our last episode of the mini podcast series The Book You Were Born to Write, we listened for the first whispers of the book inside you. We honored that quiet knowing — the call to finally write the book that’s been circling your spirit. And today… we’re stepping into the next phase. The moment when the whisper gets louder… And fear shows up, too. Because the truth is: Wanting to be seen… and fearing that visibility… Often live side by side in the writer’s heart. ...
info_outlineWriter Craft Podcast
Today’s episode is all about Hearing the Call. That moment when the idea of writing a book stops being a far-off fantasy... and starts feeling like destiny. You might not feel ready. You might not know what you want to say yet. But if you're listening to this right now — I have a hunch that something is stirring. That stirring? That’s your soul whispering: It’s time. PATREON: Thank you to our existing patrons for believing in our work offline and here in the podcast. Become a patron of the arts at for books, writing instruction, coaching, and planning. Also, the Planner Plays...
info_outlineWriter Craft Podcast
Main Topic: Crowdfunding Your Book: Why Kickstarter Might Be the Perfect Launchpad, with guest J.P. Rindfleisch IX PATREON: Thank you to our existing patrons for believing in our work offline and here in the podcast. Become a patron of the arts at for books, writing instruction, coaching, and planning. Also, the Planner Plays and Monthly Reflections are always free for all members on my Patreon page. But I don't list them as Public", so click correct tier for updated links, dates, and cancellations. Go to for short stories in the paranormal mystery genre. Magic Mind...
info_outlineWriter Craft Podcast
Main Topic: Start Your Author Business on a Budget ($0, $200, $500) Up to 48% off your first subscription or 20% off one time purchases with code VALERIE20 at checkout You can claim it at: https://magicmind.com/VALERIE20 #magicmind #mentalwealth #mentalperformance PATREON: Thank you to our existing patrons for believing in our work offline and here in the podcast. Become a patron of the arts at for books, writing instruction, coaching, and planning. Also, the Planner Plays and Monthly Reflections are always free for all members on my Patreon page. But I don't list them as Public",...
info_outlineWriter Craft Podcast
Episode 190 of the podcast and it's June 11, 2025 as we record this. Main Topic: Embrace the Chaos and Boredom of Summer Up to 48% off your first subscription or 20% off one time purchases with code VALERIE20 at checkout You can claim it at: https://magicmind.com/VALERIE20 #magicmind #mentalwealth #mentalperformance PATREON: Thank you to our existing patrons for believing in our work offline and here in the podcast. Become a patron of the arts at for books, writing instruction, coaching, and planning. Also, the Planner Plays and Monthly Reflections are always free for all...
info_outlineWriter Craft Podcast
Using Unconventional Thinking to Tackle Creative Blocks with guest David Carson Up to 48% off your first subscription or 20% off one time purchases with code VALERIE20 at checkout You can claim it at: https://magicmind.com/VALERIE20 #magicmind #mentalwealth #mentalperformance PATREON: Thank you to our existing patrons for believing in our work offline and here in the podcast. Become a patron of the arts at for books, writing instruction, coaching, and planning. Also, the Planner Plays and Monthly Reflections are always free for all members on my Patreon page. But I don't list them as...
info_outlineWriter Craft Podcast
Up to 48% off your first subscription or 20% off one time purchases with code VALERIE20 at checkout You can claim it at: https://magicmind.com/VALERIE20 #magicmind #mentalwealth #mentalperformance PATREON: Thank you to our existing patrons for believing in our work offline and here in the podcast. Become a patron of the arts at for books, writing instruction, coaching, and planning. Also, the Planner Plays and Monthly Reflections are always free for all members on my Patreon page. But I don't list them as Public", so click correct tier for updated links, dates, and cancellations. I just...
info_outlineWriter Craft Podcast
Main Topic: Anti-Hustle Culture with guests , book coaches and editors at Golden May Editing, and podcast hosts of the Story Magic podcast. Up to 48% off your first subscription or 20% off one time purchases with code VALERIE20 at checkout You can claim it at: https://magicmind.com/VALERIE20 #magicmind #mentalwealth #mentalperformance PATREON: Thank you to our existing patrons for believing in our work offline and here in the podcast. Become a patron of the arts at for books, writing instruction, coaching, and planning. Go to for short stories in the paranormal mystery...
info_outlineMain Topic: 5 Rules of Screen-Writing (starts at 18:23)
Up to 48% off your first subscription or 20% off one time purchases with code
VALERIE20 at checkout
You can claim it at: https://magicmind.com/VALERIE20
#magicmind #mentalwealth #mentalperformance
PATREON:
Thank you to our existing patrons for believing in our work offline and here in the podcast.
Become a patron of the arts at Patreon.com/valerieihsan for books, writing instruction, coaching, and planning. Go to Patreon.com/strangeairstories for short stories in the paranormal mystery genre.
Segment 1 (Announcements/Author Updates):
- (Valerie) movement (getting back into it); client work; work/life balance nonexistent (talked with Ali)
- Aligned Author: A Workshop in Intuitive Planning and Strategy
"Using strategic principles, core values, and your desired feelings as a guide, you can create goals that feel good to pursue. Aligned Embodied Action is an intuitive and authentic way to approach goal-setting and strategic planning.
Join life coach and author Valerie Ihsan for this experiential, full-day workshop packed with hands-on exercises, practical tips, valuable resources, and live coaching opportunities.
By the end of the day, you’ll walk away with a personalized action plan—clear, aligned, and ready to implement—so you can take your next steps with confidence."
Use this link to register for the workshop: https://link.clover.com/urlshortener/L9cSGN
- (Erick) finishing client work, tabled own work for the moment, revamped Patreon (join Erick's mailing list to vote on the new series name)
What are you reading?
- Valerie: In the Dream House (Carmen Maria Machado) You Will Find Your People: How to Make Meaningful Friendships as an Adult (Lane Moore)
- • (Not ready to give up on them, but struggling to finish them:) Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman; The Year of the Puppy (Alexandra Horowitz) ; The Teller of Small Fortunes Julie Leong
- Erick: Mort Terry Pratchett; Tsuge graphic novel (The Man Without Talent; ... Flowers)
- Segment 2 (Resources/Tips/Tidbits):
- Tidbit #1: Graphite pencil (type of mechanical pencil)
- Tidbit #2:
- Segment 3 (Mindset-Craft-Biz Check):
Segment 4 (Main Topic):
- Simple medium portraying sound and describing action.
- Slug line (interior, office, morning)
- Action (Erick sits at his computer, talking into a microphone, recording a podcast.)
- Character (ERICK: dialogue)
- Action (Erick removes his earbuds, the meeting ends)
- **
- 3 kinds of screenplays
- On Spec: rough draft/outline
- Producer changes it to Shooting screenplay (adds relevance and his "stamp" on it, adds over-shoulder camera angle, etc)
- Production draft (cuts, fades)
**
1- only write what you can see or is relevant to action. (No thoughts.)
2 - never direct on the page of a spec script. (The art is to plant the seed of what you want.)
3 - one page = one minute of screen time (approximate); no action or dialogue no longer than 3 lines
4 - arrive late and leave early; start a beat before the action and end on motion
5 - All rules can be broken. (Big sin directing on the the page.)
And don't forget: Get 48% off the Magic Mind :
https://magicmind.com/VALERIE20 and use Valerie20 at checkout.
#magicmind #mentalwealth #mentalperformance
Next episode: Marco Gamboa "Using Stories
Find Us:
Valerie's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/valerieihsan
Erick's Linktree link: https://linktr.ee/erickmertzauthor
Patreons:
https://patreon.com/valerieihsan
https://patreon.com/strangeairmysteries
Tools:
Passion Planner: https://passionplanner.rfrl.co/e86j8 (affiliate link) Discount Code: VALERIE184
ProWriting Aid: https://prowritingaid.com/?afid=9378 (affiliate link)