Finding Elara

Building worlds with words and sharing those words with the world. A podcast for writers, world builders and artists that would like to take a mindful look inside their creations. This is an interview series that provides an opportunity for Authors to share their Worldbuilding style and Mindfulness tactics.

S2E10-048 The Storytelling world of Jo Henwood 06/03/2025

S2E10-048 The Storytelling world of Jo Henwood Show Notes To Jo worldbuilding means transferring what is in your brain to the audience. Linking to the senses and clothing that reality a way the audience will underestand Research is so important as an aspect of worldbuilding. Loop of the information coming in and the story you share. Fairytails were subversive when they were written and inspired collaborative work for Jo Be the creative you want others to see Guest Bio Jo Henwood is an Accredited Storyteller with Australian Storytellers, accredited Professional Guide with the Institute of Australian Tour Guides, and has been President of the Australian Fairy Tale Society. She is a museum theatre creative, and workshop leader on literature, history, creative writing, folklore, and storytelling. As a Tour Guide she leads tours around Sydney, as and Education Officer she interprets history and science in heritage sites, and she was a FEAST (Federation of Asian Storytellers) mentor to Storytellers performing in heritage sites. Her qualifications include BA (Library Science), Tour Guiding Cert III, Graduate Diploma of Museum Studies, Graduate Certificate of Gifted Education, and Master of Cultural Heritage. Jo has been performing stories for over 25 years, specialising in historical stories and fairy tales, and storytelling in heritage sites, but also performing myths, mysteries, romances, ghost and literary stories, for audiences from pre school to elderly, including school age, families, teens, and People With Disability. Links Contact Jo Website: Facebook: Australian Fairytale Society Website: Conference: Things you can enter Starting a treasure chest Give-away this season (By 04/06/2025) Treasure Chest Giveaway: Calling for Authors to write about otherworldly Emergence (Before 07/07/2025) Otherworldly emergence Novella: Contact the Team Finding Elara Facebook Group: Discord : BCP Website: BCP Instagram: BCP Tik Tok: Contact Dianna Website: Facebook: (DL Nix) Instagram: Tiktok: Sponsor Info Ask for ‘Your world reading’ for a listener discount New Shadow Lair subscription, if you want exclusive and advanced content for the show. /episode/index/show/findingelara/id/36829050

S2E9-047 Mindful Growth with Jo Henwood 05/29/2025

S2E9-047 Mindful Growth with Jo Henwood Show Notes ‘I’ve constructed the life that meets my dreams’ Wrong Bassinet at the Hospital When you have the choice to learn something practical or something you Loe then go for the one that you love. Oscure path leads to Niche Started Australian Fairytale Society in August 2013 She lives and out of the Rut life because of her different jobs. Jo is not scared of hard work Motivation is easy to find when you are inspired and interested Was pleased to learn Storytelling was a profession Don’t need to be original to be a storyteller, you take the scaffolding from something that is already there. To stop overwhelm – pretend to be tough. Guest Bio Jo Henwood is an Accredited Storyteller with Australian Storytellers, accredited Professional Guide with the Institute of Australian Tour Guides, and has been President of the Australian Fairy Tale Society. She is a museum theatre creative, and workshop leader on literature, history, creative writing, folklore, and storytelling. As a Tour Guide she leads tours around Sydney, as and Education Officer she interprets history and science in heritage sites, and she was a FEAST (Federation of Asian Storytellers) mentor to Storytellers performing in heritage sites. Her qualifications include BA (Library Science), Tour Guiding Cert III, Graduate Diploma of Museum Studies, Graduate Certificate of Gifted Education, and Master of Cultural Heritage. Jo has been performing stories for over 25 years, specialising in historical stories and fairy tales, and storytelling in heritage sites, but also performing myths, mysteries, romances, ghost and literary stories, for audiences from pre school to elderly, including school age, families, teens, and People With Disability. Links Contact Jo Website: Facebook: Australian Fairytale Society Website: Conference: Things you can enter Starting a treasure chest Give-away this season (By 04/06/2025) Treasure Chest Giveaway: Calling for Authors to write about otherworldly Emergence (Before 07/07/2025) Otherworldly emergence Novella: Contact the Team Finding Elara Facebook Group: Discord : BCP Website: BCP Instagram: BCP Tik Tok: Contact Dianna Website: Facebook: (DL Nix) Instagram: Tiktok: Sponsor Info Ask for ‘Your world reading’ for a listener discount New Shadow Lair subscription, if you want exclusive and advanced content for the show. /episode/index/show/findingelara/id/36766030

S2E8-046 Detecting fictional Worlds with Ian Hooper 05/26/2025

S2E8-046 Detecting fictional Worlds with Ian Hooper Guest Bio Ian Hooper grew up in the coastal town of Larne, Northern Ireland. He joined the Royal Air Force at age eighteen and worked initially as an aircraft technician before being commissioned as an Intelligence Officer. After serving for two decades, he and his Australian wife relocated to the southwest of Western Australia. In 2014, writing under the pen name of Ian Andrew, his first novel, A Time to Every Purpose, was released to critical acclaim, and in 2018, the first of his ‘Wright and Tran’ crime series, Face Value, won the Publishers Weekly Booklife prize for fiction. In 2024, his poem, Just Enough won the Shore Lines writing for performance prize. He is now the executive director of independent publisher, Leschenault Press and its imprint, The Book Reality Experience, as well as being an author, editor and ghost-writer. In addition, he is the co-founder of the international series of independent author book fairs. A fellow of the Australian Institute of Management, he holds qualifications in management, training, and learning design as well as a master’s in creative writing. Living in rural Western Australia, surrounded by a resident mob of kangaroos, he is currently working on the next novel in the Wright & Tran series of detective stories. Links Contact Ian Website: Website: Things you can enter Starting a treasure chest Give-away this season (By 01/06/2025) Treasure Chest Giveaway: Calling for Authors to write about otherworldly Emergence (Before 07/07/2025) Otherworldly emergence Novella: Contact the Team Finding Elara Facebook Group: Discord : BCP Website: BCP Instagram: BCP Tik Tok: Contact Dianna Website: Facebook: (DL Nix) Instagram: Tiktok: Sponsor Info Ask for ‘Your world reading’ for a listener discount New Shadow Lair subscription, if you want exclusive and advanced content for the show. Show Notes Ian describe his cool novel inventions, the Forephone and time goggles. Remember the Genre to suspend Disbelief Consider Jargon for different readers Loves Side quests Cozy office – Lots of trinkets from familiar to cherished. Strawberry plant writer – Half way between plotter and Pantser. Two women detectives are in the lead for his detective series Is the princess bride a fairytale? /episode/index/show/findingelara/id/36710915

S2E7-045 Being Present with Ian Hooper 05/22/2025

S2E7-045 Being Present with Ian Hooper Guest Bio Ian Hooper grew up in the coastal town of Larne, Northern Ireland. He joined the Royal Air Force at age eighteen and worked initially as an aircraft technician before being commissioned as an Intelligence Officer. After serving for two decades, he and his Australian wife relocated to the southwest of Western Australia. In 2014, writing under the pen name of Ian Andrew, his first novel, A Time to Every Purpose, was released to critical acclaim, and in 2018, the first of his ‘Wright and Tran’ crime series, Face Value, won the Publishers Weekly Booklife prize for fiction. In 2024, his poem, Just Enough won the Shore Lines writing for performance prize. He is now the executive director of independent publisher, Leschenault Press and its imprint, The Book Reality Experience, as well as being an author, editor and ghost-writer. In addition, he is the co-founder of the international series of independent author book fairs. A fellow of the Australian Institute of Management, he holds qualifications in management, training, and learning design as well as a master’s in creative writing. Living in rural Western Australia, surrounded by a resident mob of kangaroos, he is currently working on the next novel in the Wright & Tran series of detective stories. Links Contact Ian Website: Website: Things you can enter Starting a treasure chest Give-away this season (By 04/06/2025) Treasure Chest Giveaway: Calling for Authors to write about otherworldly Emergence (Before 07/07/2025) Otherworldly emergence Novella: Contact the Team Finding Elara Facebook Group: Discord : BCP Website: BCP Instagram: BCP Tik Tok: Contact Dianna Website: Facebook: (DL Nix) Instagram: Tiktok: Sponsor Info Ask for ‘Your world reading’ for a listener discount New Shadow Lair subscription, if you want exclusive and advanced content for the show. Show Notes Ian was the go to for farewell poems and short stories. Started writing first story on the train Chose self publishing thinking only a few people would want his book. Ran training courses for others to self Pub Still provides assistance to other Authors through Book Publishing Experience Started writing first as Ian Andrew (first and middle name) Chose to have female leads in his detective series. Mindfulness means to be present Recommends App called ‘Balance’ Reward to see Authors open their books for the first time. Reward self – Travel to Europe End of day Decompress = Bourbon and Coke. A part of Indie Author Book fair series. Discussed alternate perspectives of Indie publishers internationally. Superpower = Rewind button /episode/index/show/findingelara/id/36664515

S2E6-044 Peeking into the world of Kylah Elliott 05/15/2025

S2E5-043 Mindful Chat with Kylah Elliott 05/13/2025

S2E4-042 WorldPlay with Allie McCormack 05/08/2025

S2E4-042 WorldPlay with Allie McCormack Show Summary Guest Bio Allie McCormack is a disabled U.S. military veteran who has transformed her life-long dream of writing into reality. Having lived across the United States and spent memorable years in both Cairo, Egypt as an exchange student and Saudi Arabia working at a hospital in Riyadh, Allie now crafts her stories from the beautiful California wine country she calls home, accompanied by her family and two rescue cats. When not weaving tales of romance and adventure, Allie explores the intersection of art and technology through AI-generated artwork, finding new ways to express her creativity. Her passion for storytelling drives everything she does, bringing to life the countless characters and worlds that populate her imagination. Whether through words or images, Allie believes in creating works that touch hearts and spark joy. Links Contact Allie McCormack Sign up for my author newsletter: Alliemccormack.com/newsletter/ Website: Facebook: Twitter: Contact Dianna Website: Facebook: (DL Nix) Instagram: Tiktok: Contact the Team Finding Elara Facebook Group: Discord : BCP Website: BCP Instagram: BCP Tik Tok: Things you can enter Starting a treasure chest Give-away this season (By 01/06/2025) Treasure Chest Giveaway: Calling for Authors to write about otherworldly Emergence (Before 07/07/2025) Otherworldly emergence Novella: Writing 45k in 30 Days Registration Plot storming Sponsor Info Ask for ‘Your world reading’ for a listener discount New Shadow Lair subscription, if you want exclusive and advanced content for the show. Show Notes Allie had an odd start to worldbuilding as she didn’t intend on writing a series. Truck Stop was written after driving through Wyoming. Based Swan song on experience in Santa Barbara – was sad when fires went through. When Darkness falls was inspired by second life role play Uses AI for her own enjoyment, wouldn’t recommend for worldbuilding because of dubious consistency. A different way to use scrivener to align story ideas and rules. /episode/index/show/findingelara/id/36479325

S2E3-041 with Allie McCormack and her mindful Tips 05/06/2025

S2E3-041 with Allie McCormack and her mindful Tips Show Summary Guest Bio Allie McCormack is a disabled U.S. military veteran who has transformed her life-long dream of writing into reality. Having lived across the United States and spent memorable years in both Cairo, Egypt as an exchange student and Saudi Arabia working at a hospital in Riyadh, Allie now crafts her stories from the beautiful California wine country she calls home, accompanied by her family and two rescue cats. When not weaving tales of romance and adventure, Allie explores the intersection of art and technology through AI-generated artwork, finding new ways to express her creativity. Her passion for storytelling drives everything she does, bringing to life the countless characters and worlds that populate her imagination. Whether through words or images, Allie believes in creating works that touch hearts and spark joy. Links Contact Allie McCormack Sign up for my author newsletter: Website: Facebook: Twitter: Contact Dianna Website: Facebook: (DL Nix) Instagram: Tiktok: Contact the Team Finding Elara Group: Discord : BCP Website: BCP Instagram: BCP Tik Tok: Things you can enter Starting a treasure chest Give-away this season (By 01/06/2025) Treasure Chest Giveaway: Calling for Authors to write about otherworldly Emergence (Before 07/07/2025) Otherworldly emergence Novella: Sponsor Info Ask for ‘Your world reading’ for a listener discount New Shadow Lair subscription, if you want exclusive and advanced content for the show. Show Notes Allies First story was a Bambi Fanfic (Not Disney) Signed on to AOL in 1999 to get the computer to say “You’ve got Mail” Joined RWA for writing workshops and courses. Entered first competition and WON! Had meeting with senior acquiring editor at silhouette -They didn’t take the book, but they wanted it. Committed to Self Publishing in 2018 after reading a book Spent time in college at Cairo and Ryadh – huge impact on writing. Mindfulness means not doing one thing every waking minute, but having several things to do and space them out. You can please some of the people, some of the time and that includes its books. Never felt the desire to stray from Romance. Short story book coming out from second life adventures. When you can, Write. Listen to what your body needs and give yourself permission to rest if you need to. Uses Asana and has Rewards for motivation, She is the spreadsheet queen. /episode/index/show/findingelara/id/36451915

S2E2-040 Playing in the worlds of JA Duxbury 05/04/2025

S2E1-039 With JA Duxbury and her mindfulness tactics 05/04/2025

S2E1-039 With JA Duxbury and her mindfulness tactics Show Summary Guest Bio JA Duxbury has been writing since an early age, but only returned to 1998 after a hiatus of about 20 years. During the grey period, she worked full-time in places like records management and customer service. She spent a lot of that time writing procedural manuals, training documents and plans as well as creating Wikipedia type pages for her employer. Wver the last 10 years, she's been writing full-time getting all of her ideas on to paper and realising her dream of publishing books that people can lose themselves in. She has an extensive range of interest but her primary interest is creating words that bring to life the characters and stories she creates. Links Contact Dianna Discord : Website: Facebook: (DL Nix) Finding Elara Group: Contact JA Duxbury Facebook Author Page Facebook Group J A Duxbury's Weird Words: LinkedIn Website: Grow Write: Highlights First Episode Back in a looong time! Starting a treasure chest Give-away this season Treasure Chest Giveaway: Calling for Authors to write about otherworldly Emergence Otherworldly emergence Novella: Secret word is mentioned in the show…. Just after the buffy section 😉 Sponsor Info Ask for ‘Your world reading’ for a listener discount New Shadow Lair subscription, if you want exclusive and advanced content for the show. Show Notes Started writing at 10 with a $6 million man fanfic. Recommends time blocking, but Julz has a flexible rosters so fits in writing when she can. TIP: Know the basics of what you are going to be writing that session. Reviews are an opportunity for improvement. Get a range of different reviews so that you can hear from different perspectives. If you get a negative review, leave it for a couple of days or months and then revisit with a clear head. Sometimes it is good to let yourself be distracted, and then you can go back to it when you are ready. Julz will try not to go back to the computer after Tea. Find your own way to detach yourself, Cross stitching is cool. 10 year in the future = on the beach with an RV. As much work out there as possible. General mindfulness tip Ground yourself. Just make sure that you're in the real world as well as your own world. And I think that connection is what makes a really good story. /episode/index/show/findingelara/id/36423665