We made it! We’ve finished the drafts of our novels. In this, our last episode of our podcast, we share some excerpts from the novels we've talked so much about. Hananya starts us off by reading a scene from her book set in the days of kingdoms, rebellious princesses, and age-old family drama. Then, we shift gears to the 1980s with Shameem’s story where she reads an excerpt starring her narcissistic antagonist which leaves Hananya and Leslie ready for a fight. Leslie’s tale captures the atmosphere and dialogue of The Great Depression while laying out a struggle between the protagonist and her domineering mother. We talk about the use of vernacular in worldbuilding, and Leslie offers to read aloud to Hananya. And we all bask in the glow of having done what we set out to do. We all now have a finished draft of our novels that are ripe for editing. We thank each of you for going on this journey with us! As we move toward our publishing dreams Shameem & Leslie are embarking upon a different journey with a new podcast titled, Always the Other: Conversations about writing from the margins. On this podcast they will chat with authors, writers, bloggers, documentarians, journalists, and others from non-mainstream communities about the importance, impact, challenges, and triumphs of telling their stories. Stay tuned at the end of Amigas for Episode 0 of Always the Other!
On this episode we are very excited to announce that we have a special guest! Literary editor Lauren Humphries-Brooks! Lauren is a published author and freelance editor who answered the questions that many new authors have when writing their first novel: When is my manuscript in good enough shape to hire an editor? How can editors help with storytelling? What kind of feedback should I expect. What do editors expect from us? And much, much more. For more info about Lauren check her out at: Lauren Humphries-Brooks, Freelance Editor https://linktr.ee/laurenhbrooks Office Hours: Monday–Thursday, 10–5 ESTMember, Editorial Freelancers Association, ACES, PEN America Join us as we take another step toward our publishing dreams in this podcast about writing and friendship. We are the Three Writing Amigas!
In this episode, Shameem shares how Leslie’s and Hananya’s suggestion for her to get started editing has paid off for her even though she broke all of her own rules. She also reveals her fear of beta readers. Hananya shares how using text to speech helps her to identify problems in her manuscript. She also shows us some of her organization techniques that keep her book on track. While Leslie talks about the pitfalls of getting lost in the timeline of her historical novel and how narrative continuity is an important element in storytelling. We all talk about how our editing journeys are going so far, and how the puzzle pieces are fitting or not and the domino effect of making changes to our storylines. Join us as we take another step toward our publishing dreams in this podcast about writing and friendship. We are the Three Writing Amigas!
It’s time to celebrate! In this episode we pat ourselves on the back for a nanosecond before the reality of the next phase sinks in… Hananya reveals this is the first of her novels she has fully completed and will edit. She shares how she found beta readers outside of her writing community. While Shameem is just diving in after letting her draft rest for a few weeks. She finds herself challenged to make the big changes first so that she can get through her first edit pass before tackling the fine fixes. Then Leslie shares her experiences with beta readers and how to analyze and implement (or not) their notes. She talks about Shameem as one of her beta readers and shares what Shameem wrote about her book. You don’t want to miss that! Join us as we take another step toward our publishing dreams in this podcast about writing and friendship. We are the Three Writing Amigas!
In this episode we check in with each other about what we are doing and should be doing to create and maintain a successful author’s platform. Shameem brings the research defining what elements make up a good platform and she shares her takeaways from a Curtis Brown webinar. Hananya discusses how being an Authortuber adds to her platform and helps her to expand her writer community. While Leslie talks about the importance of authors marketing their own books in the current publishing landscape. We also make fun of Leslie’s explanation of a quarter, Shameem’s fear of the camera, and we let you in on who does what to bring this podcast to you! Join us as we take another step toward our publishing dreams in this podcast about writing and friendship. We are the Three Writing Amigas!
Always The Other: Conversations about writing from the margins, with LD Farrell & Shameem Smillie is a podcast born from our belief that many voices and perspectives (especially those straddling more than one culture) are going unexplored and unrecognized. Celebrating what makes us unique and adding a diverse perspective to the world of writing is important to us. Always the Other, is a hub for writers to discover stories and hear conversations that reflect their communities and life experiences. In each episode we will be joined by other writers, bloggers, filmmakers, journalists, and thinkers who are from or are allies of communities outside of the “mainstream” and whose voices are often unheard. We met in an online writing workshop and became long distance friends. Although we live thousands of miles apart, Leslie from the U.S. and Shameem from Wales, we quickly learned that we have more in common than not. As we began to edit our novels and turn our attention to the publishing phase of our journey it became clear that as people of color we had additional challenges to face. What better way to face challenges than to do it with others. And so, this new podcast was born. Always the Other: Conversations about writing from the margins aims to amplify diverse voices wherever we can find them. Don’t fit the mold. Break it!
Research is an important foundation to any story. Whether you’re writing a historical, contemporary, fantasy or science fiction novel, a certain amount of background based in fact can elevate the world of your book and bring authenticity to your writing. Leslie shares how uncovering historical firsthand accounts helps her to get into the mindset of her characters. Hananya discusses how she adds accuracy through archival literature and contemporary reference books. While Shameem uses music, her own experiences, and attention to historical lingo to bring her story to life. But can you do too much research and can you adhere so tightly to that research that it hinders your creativity? That’s where our discussion got really opinionated and somehow the answers were found in the TV show “Bridgerton,” the movie “Monster”, and Hananya’s desire to have coffee with Jason Mamoa! Join us as we take another step toward our publishing dreams in this podcast about writing and friendship. We are the Three Writing Amigas!
How can three friends approach novel writing so differently? That’s what we wonder as we talk about the methods each of us used to write our books. Hananya discusses how her pantser ways may be changing after trying plotting. While Shameem was a confirmed plotter, by the end of the discussion she has a surprising realization. And Leslie is all over the place. What type of writer are you? Take the test and find out! https://greatstorybook.com/writers-personality-test-lp/ We also talk about how the color orange is where Hananya draws a line in the sand, Leslie’s fears around sending her novel out to beta readers, and Shameem and Hananya share some inspiring books to encourage us along our writing journeys. Books that help us on our journey: Shameem recommends: WHAT MY SOUL TOLD ME https://amzn.to/3JCnTud To fully step into soul consciousness, you must learn how to align the beliefs of your ego with the values of your soul and commit to leading a values and purpose-driven life. Hananya recommends: CLAIM YOUR POWER https://amzn.to/3JE7s0C A 40-Day Journey to Dissolve the Hidden Blocks That Keep You Stuck and Finally Thrive in Your Life’s Unique Purpose: A 40-Day ... Finally Thrive in Your Life’s Unique Purpose. Join us as we take another step toward our publishing dreams in this podcast about writing and friendship. We are the Three Writing Amigas!
Have you ever wondered why you can read two books in the same genre, then love one and hate the other? Often it comes down to the author’s writing style. But what does that mean? We’ll read passages from some of the books that have inspired us, as well as from our own novels as we talk about word choices, pacing, time period, and other elements that make up writing style. Leslie talks about the conversational and folksy tone of her story. While Shameem’s novel has an authentic Welsh voice with a bit of a potty mouth. And Hananya delves into how her book is affected by the use of descriptive passages. Join us as we take another step toward our publishing dreams in this podcast about writing and friendship. We are the Three Writing Amigas!
First money as a published writer, new blog, and how to drive yourself crazy finding the perfect names for your characters are just some of what we talk about in this episode. Shameem’s story takes center stage as she fills out the world of her novel with an intriguing cast of ancillary characters. She goes deep into the matriarchal tribe she’s created to surround her protagonist. Leslie discusses the differences between how men and women relate to each other in Shameem’s book and in real life. While Hananya gives a great writing tip about the need and positive impact of getting distance from the characters in your story in order to gain perspective. Join us as we take another step toward our publishing dreams in this podcast about writing and friendship. We are the Three Writing Amigas!
In this episode, Hananya takes us back to a time of princesses and kings as she fills out the world of her novel with her protagonist’s allies and foes. She talks about how her ancillary characters help to push the narrative forward, while one of her sympathetic characters hits close to home. Shameem’s cats each make their individual appearances, as she questions whether or not Hananya should spare a chapter that is on the chopping block. And Leslie digs into the relationships between Hananya’s main character and her antagonists. Join us as we take another step toward our publishing dreams in this podcast about writing and friendship. We are the Three Writing Amigas!
Dreams do come true…if you work at them! Hananya has been writing forever and ever and now she’s getting one of her short stories published in “The Stygian Collection”. She talks about how she really stepped out of her comfort zone by creating a unique character that pushed her to write a story that is…HOLD THE PRESSES…not a romance! In fact, it’s something of a suspense thriller. Shameem digs into Hananya’s ability to change writing styles and how she has captured the voice of an American. While Leslie discusses the pacing and writing techniques Hananya used to make this short story into a page turner. You can order the anthology by clicking the link below and see what all the fuss is about. Join us as we take another step toward our publishing dreams in this podcast about writing and friendship. We are the Three Writing Amigas! Click here to order Hananya's short story!! https://www.hananyaleclercq.com/store/p/the-stygian-collection-signed-by-hananya-le-clercq
Maybe revenge is a strong word for dealing with an antagonist, but in this episode, we discover that women who are kept away from others “for their own safety”, is the perfect setup for a raucous journey through storyland. Hananya’s antagonist lords over his kingdom and his daughter with a firm hand and the belief that he knows what is best for her and his subjects. But he is no match for his strong-willed daughter. In Leslie’s novel it’s the mother who rules with an iron fist. She may not have a kingdom, but all who encounter her fear her wrath. That is except her precocious and defiant daughter whose actions create no end to this antagonist’s turmoil. While Shameem discusses what it’s like to actually live under a monarchy and why the mother/daughter relationship is as relevant to readers as ever. Join us as we take another step toward our publishing dreams in this podcast about writing and friendship. We are the Three Writing Amigas!
Every story must have an evil villain…er, antagonist! In this episode, Shameem’s creation comes front and center. We discuss her character’s charismatic-narcissistic origins inspired by her personal experiences, while his motivations, actions, and deeds are purely imaginary. She talks about how her novel centers around a family of strong women who are confronted by the brutal realities of complex relationships. While Leslie probes the depths of Shameem’s story, she uncovers startling revelations that are fascinating to ponder. Hananya likens the foundation of his personality to studying psych 101. And it all culminates in a terrifying, but universal female empowerment story that will surely have readers on the edge of their seats. We also talk about Leslie and Shameem’s love of swearing and how it relates to their IQ. While Hananya has some surprising and inspiring news about a short story she’s written. And we also give updates on the progress of our novels. Join us as we take another step toward our publishing dreams in this podcast about writing and friendship. We are the Three Writing Amigas!
Main Characters, motivations, flaws, and the choices they make are on the agenda as we probe deep into our stories. Hananya talks about how her princess’ desire to be in control of her own life inspires her to escape the confines of the castle, setting off a slew of consequences. While we meet Shameem’s antagonist in a most chilling and visual scene, she weaves a tale of female empowerment that is familiar and foreboding. Then Leslie paints a picture of a teenager who is desperate to break the stranglehold of convention only to be thrust into a mystery that could define her fate. Oh! And we also talk about our personal and sometimes dangerous encounters with wild and crazy horses! Join us as we take another step toward our publishing dreams in this podcast about writing and friendship. We are the Three Writing Amigas!
On this episode we dive deep into the importance of understanding which genre a story falls into and why we need to be aware of this while writing our books. Leslie discusses the guide bookstores use to determine where to shelve a book and how that affected her Young Adult novel. Hananya shares the conventions of Romance and how her story fits into that genre. While Shameem considers the challenges of writing a Contemporary story with strong female characters that she wants to appeal to both genders. Join us as we take another step toward our publishing dreams in this podcast about writing and friendship. We are the Three Writing Amigas!
In this episode, we start off on a hilarious note as we chat about how our generational differences influence the stories we tell. Then, Leslie talks about how the premise of her story changed as her protagonist’s real conflict revealed itself and how that impacted the central battle in her novel. Shameem reveals a very personal story about family and discusses how some firsthand experiences formed the basis for characters in her book. While Hananya, shares that her characters’ attitudes and actions are often influenced by her own emotions at the time of writing. Join us as we take another step toward our publishing dreams in this podcast about writing and friendship. We are the Three Writing Amigas!
Join us as we talk about our inspirations and anecdotes behind the novels we’re writing. Hananya shares the themes that cross many of her stories and why tragic challenges often befall her heroines. Shameem reveals that her novel started as a memoire and how she found perspective through change. While Leslie’s book began as a story about one relationship, she discovered it was actually about another, because characters really do take on a life of their own. Join us as we take another step toward our publishing dreams in this podcast about writing and friendship. We are the Three Writing Amigas!
We are three international friends on a mission to write and publish our first novels. From the Netherlands, Hananya is a serial story writer, who has yet to publish. From the UK, Shameem is Welsh, and working on her debut novel. From the States, Leslie is a filmmaker working on her first book. We were drawn together through our love of writing and an unrelenting determination to finally get published!! Join us every other week for updates on our writer's journey as we talk about our characters, plot, style, and tone… and learn about agents, query letters, pitching, and what it really takes to become published authors and sell books. Don’t miss out on our writing tips, discussions, surprise guests, and more… We are the Three Writing Amigas.
Antagonists and protagonists are important to every story, but what about the supporting cast? The ancillary characters in a novel can be crucial to filling out the imagined world of the story. In her book set during the early years of the Great Depression in smalltown USA, Leslie dives into her secondary cast and talks about how they help and hinder her protagonist. Shameem wonders whether or not she’s created too many characters and if that’s clouding her narrative. While Hananya discusses how she uses Scrivener to juggle multiple writing projects, storylines, and characters. Join us as we take another step toward our publishing dreams in this podcast about writing and friendship. We are the Three Writing Amigas!