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Welcome to the ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฎ๐น ๐น๐ถ๐ณ๐ฒ, ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฎ๐น ๐๐ถ๐บ๐ฒ writing journey podcast following 3 Aussie writers!
๐ง๐ต๐ฒ ๐ช๐ผ๐ฟ๐ฑ ๐๐ผ๐๐ป๐ is about writing a book to publication, what to expect once you are published and everything in between!!!
Each fortnight we check in, set new goals and hold each other accountable while having a laugh along the way in easy-to-listen episodes (under 30 minutes).
๐ Jo Dixon is the bestselling crime author of ๐โ๐ ๐ป๐๐ข๐ ๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐ค ๐ด๐๐ ๐โ๐๐ and ๐ด ๐โ๐๐๐๐ค ๐ด๐ก ๐โ๐ ๐ท๐๐๐, editing her third and writing her fourth novels.ย
๐ Fiona is writing a domestic thriller and is the host of ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ต๐ฆ ๐ถ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐โ๐ก where she interviews Australian authors.ย
๐ Jacq is writing cozy crime, short stories, middle grade, and picture books, and is the host of the internationally acclaimed, award-winning podcast ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐น๐๐๐ ๐โ๐๐๐ ๐ถ๐๐๐๐๐๐ .
Follow @thewordcountpod on socials and wherever you love to listen and ๐ง๐๐๐ก๐ ๐ฌ๐ข๐จ for being here. We are so glad youโre following us as we write to publication - ๐๐ช๐ฐ๐ฏ๐ข, ๐๐ข๐ค๐ฒ & ๐๐ฐ ๐
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This week on The Word Count, we leaned into lifeโs big moments โ the ones that pull us away from the page and remind us that writing doesnโt always get to be the priority. With less than a month to Fionaโs daughterโs wedding, sheโs fully in her Mother of the Bride era ๐ฐ๐ (yes, with the t-shirt to prove it!). Jo opened up about the heartbreaking loss of her beautiful Frankie ๐พ, and Jacq talks about what's next for her book as she navigates the publication journey. We talked honestly abou...
Weโre already halfway through August, and itโs been a busy two weeks for The Word Count crew - what with it being Fionaโs birthday month (Jacq calls it Fionaugust), beach holidays, plane trips, bookseller dinners, book launches, and workshops - but was any writing done? We tell all! We are also talking about metaphoric sharks in the water - those moments when youโre treading water, trying to stay afloat, but the sharks are circling. You can see whatโs coming, and you know it could threaten yo...
In this episode, we talk about what comes after you hit "send"โwhen the final proofread is done, the manuscript is locked, and the book is officially out of your hands. ๐ Jo shares how it feels to finish Book 3 ๐ Fiona contemplates the two-thirds mark ๐Jacq reminds us thereโs always another story to tell. Of course, we have your favourite segments: Accountability and Setting Goals โจ Follow 3 Australian writers step-by-step as they write toward publication: Jo Dixon - bestsell...
We probably should have called this episode โThe One Where Jo Lets The Secret Out Of The Bagโ (listen to the end, youโll understand ๐๐) ๐ We discuss pitching - what works and what doesnโt ๐ Fiona and Jacq commit to entering Pitchable at @qldwriters ๐ Jo and Jacq talk about doing their nudie solstice swim! Of course, we have your favourite segments: Accountability and Setting Goals โจ ๐ Follow us so you never miss an episode. Follow 3 Australian writers step-by-step as they write t...
Weโre celebrating our 40th episode by answering ๐บ๐ฐ๐ถ๐ณ burning questions โ about us, the podcast, writingโฆ and more! PLUS, we announce the lucky dear listener whoโs won an ๐๐ฅ๐ ๐ผ๐ณ ๐๐ผโ๐ ๐ป๐ฒ๐
๐ ๐ป๐ผ๐๐ฒ๐น โ ๐ ๐๐ถ๐๐ฎ๐ฝ๐ฝ๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐๐ฐ๐ โ along with ๐ง๐ต๐ฒ ๐ช๐ผ๐ฟ๐ฑ ๐๐ผ๐๐ป๐ ๐บ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ฐ๐ต, ๐ฎ @๐บ๐ผ๐น๐น๐๐.๐ฐ๐ผ๐๐๐ฎ๐ด๐ฒ ๐ฐ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ๐น๐ฒ, and the newest obsession: ๐๐ฎ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ฝ๐ฟ๐ผ๐ผ๐ณ ๐ฝ๐ผ๐๐-๐ถ๐ ๐ป๐ผ๐๐ฒ๐! And of course, your favourite segments: Accountability and Setting Goals โจ ๐ Follow us so you never miss an episode. Follow 3 Australian writers step-by-step as th...
Aaaannndddโฆ weโre back! Itโs been SEVEN LONG WEEKS since we were last in your ears, dear listeners - and we hope you missed us! ๐ We've chatted a little longer than usual because it's been so long since the last episode, but it's still under 40 minutes! This episode is (fittingly) all about Brainstorms: ๐ Jo shares how her brain surgery went ๐ Fiona tries to brainstorm her way out of the messy middle ๐ And Jacq, as always, is the brainy one reading books weโve never ev...
Learning how to manage the messy middle of your manuscript is all part of writing a novel. Fiona is at 55,000 words and calls on Jo and Jacq this episode to share their wisdom on managing writing forward when feeling lost. ๐ Donโt forget to follow us so you never miss an episode. Huge thanks to Postie for producing this ep, and to Phil for lending his fabulous voice to our intros! ๐ Follow 3 Australian writers step-by-step as they write toward publication: Jo Dixon - bestselling auth...
Weโve had a one-week medical break butโฆ weโre baaaack! And you know weโve always promised to keep things real on THE WORD COUNTโso this episode is all about why we needed the break and what it means for us going forward. ๐ WHO ended up in hospital? ๐ DID we hit our creative goals? ๐ WHAT are our Easter plans? ๐ Donโt forget to follow us so you never miss an episode. Huge thanks to Postie for producing this ep, and to Phil for lending his fabulous voice to our intros! ๐ Follow 3 Au...
This episode of ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ takes us the furthest apart weโve ever been โ ๐ฐ๐ฐ,๐ฌ๐ฌ๐ฌ ๐ธ๐บ, ๐๐ผ ๐ฏ๐ฒ ๐ฒ๐
๐ฎ๐ฐ๐! โ๏ธ Jo & Jacq are on their idyllic island (๐ข๐ฌ๐ข ๐๐ข๐ด๐ด๐ช๐ฆ), while Fiona is in Perth for her KSP Fellowship writing retreat. As always, we check in on accountability, set new writing goals for the next fortnight, and dive into the routines & rituals that shape our writing lives. โจ In This Episode: ๐ Jo enters the FINAL stage of Book 3 ๐ ๐ Fiona shares her KSP word count โ๏ธ ...
๐๐ฝ๐ถ๐๐ผ๐ฑ๐ฒ ๐ฏ๐ฑ: ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ข๐๐๐๐ ๐ ๐๏ธ Wellโฆ after recording this episode, things went south - and not just because we were all in Tasmania at the same time. ๐
One of Fionaโs cats got very sick, and she had to fly home the day after recording. So, some of what we talked about? No longer true. (Spoiler: Fiona did not get to stay at Joโs for a writing retreat sad) BUT! We ๐๐๐ share our tips for preparing for writing success, staying accountable, and setting new goals for the next fortnight. โจ...
In ๐ฆ๐ฒ๐ฎ๐๐ผ๐ป ๐ฐ, ๐๐ฝ๐ถ๐๐ผ๐ฑ๐ฒ ๐ฏ๐ฐ, we dive into how comparison can steal your joy - and how to stop envy from turning into jealousy. Plus: ๐ Jo has some exciting news! ๐ Fiona shares a MOTB update ๐ Jacq has been scrumping (big time!) As always, we check in on our goals from the past fortnight and set new ones. ๐๐ฝ๐ถ๐๐ผ๐ฑ๐ฒ ๐ฏ๐ฐ ๐ถ๐ ๐ผ๐๐ ๐ป๐ผ๐ - ๐น๐ถ๐๐๐ฒ๐ป ๐๐ต๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐๐ผ๐ ๐ด๐ฒ๐ ๐๐ผ๐๐ฟ ๐ฝ๐ผ๐ฑ๐ฐ๐ฎ๐๐๐! ๐ Follow us so you never miss an episode. Follow 3 Australian writers step-by-step as they write toward ...
๐ ๐ก๐๐ช ๐๐ฃ๐๐ฆ๐ข๐๐ ๐๐ณ๐ช๐ต๐ช๐ฏ๐จ ๐๐ฉ๐ณ๐ฐ๐ถ๐จ๐ฉ ๐๐ฐ๐ถ๐ฃ๐ต In ๐๐ฆ๐ข๐ด๐ฐ๐ฏ 4, ๐๐ฑ 33 we talk about writing through the doubt. Imposter syndrome affects us all - whether emerging writers or bestselling authors. We discuss how we choose to be โtrickster goddessesโ and suggest strategies to keep you writing when you doubt yourself or feel like a fraud. In other newsโฆ weโve merged our Last Two Weeks recap with Accountability into one segment, so we can concentrate more on what our dear listeners enjoy the most - how we handle...
๐๐ก๐ ๐ช๐โ๐ฅ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐! ๐ Did you miss us dear listeners? We definitely missed you! Itโs a new year, itโs a new season and we have new year goals to share! ๐ Jo tells us Book 3โs TITLE & PUB DATE!!! ๐ Fiona almost sounds confident ๐ Jacq has a writing goal! crazy ๐๐ค๐ฉ๐: We got overexcited & forgot to set our goals for the next 2 weeks in this episode - oops! Along with only two favourite regular features: โ๏ธ ๐ผ๐๐๐ค๐ช๐ฃ๐ฉ๐๐๐๐ก๐๐ฉ๐ฎ ๐พ๐๐๐๐ -๐๐ฃ โ๏ธ ๐๐ฝ๐ถ๐๐ผ๐ฑ๐ฒ ๐ง๐ผ๐ฝ๐ถ๐ฐ: ๐๐ฆ๐ต๐ต๐ช๐ฏ๐จ ๐๐ฉ๐ฆ ๐๐ต๐ข๐จ๐ฆ - O...
Itโs our last episode for 2024 as we ๐ธ๐ณ๐ข๐ฑ ๐ถ๐ฑ for Christmas (see what we did there? ๐) We share what we learned this year as writers, and make some BIG goals for our summer break โ๏ธ AND we draw the winner of our ๐๐๐๐ ๐
๐จ๐ฅ๐ฅ๐จ๐ฐ๐๐ซ ๐๐ข๐ฏ๐๐๐ฐ๐๐ฒ LIVE!!! ๐๐๐ If you listen to the very end youโll hear a special message to Phil, who hit this episodeโs intro out of the park! ๐ Wishing all our dear listeners a very Merry Christmas & we hope youโll check in with us again in 2025 to find out if w...
๐ก๐๐ช ๐๐ฃ๐๐ฆ๐ข๐๐ ๐ ๐๐ฝ๐ถ๐๐ผ๐ฑ๐ฒ ๐ฏ๐ฌ: ๐๐ฉ๐ฆ ๐๐ฎ๐ฑ๐ฐ๐ณ๐ต๐ข๐ฏ๐ค๐ฆ ๐ฐ๐ง ๐๐ฐ๐ฎ๐ฎ๐ถ๐ฏ๐ช๐ต๐บ We celebrate and give shout-outs to the writing community every episode, but weโve never given an entire episode to discussing itโฆ until now! In addition: ๐ Jo overcomes her party disaster to reach yet another Book 3 milestone ๐ Fiona talks about her first mentorship meeting with Hayley Scrivenor ๐ Jacq goes to the Australian Podcast Awards (& forgets to tell her co-hosts!) Along with your favourite regular features: โ๏ธ ๐ผ๐๐๐ค๐ช...
Todayโs episode did not go to plan. Youโll understand once you listen. ๐ช๐ฒ ๐ฑ๐ถ๐ฑ ๐บ๐ฎ๐ธ๐ฒ ๐๐๐ฟ๐ฒ ๐๐ต๐ฎ๐ ๐๐ฒ: โ
Tied the topic to exciting news โ
Recorded before Joโs fab party โ
Created an engaging title We did NOT check whether any of us had EVER been professionally mentored for their writing ๐คฆ๐ปโโ๏ธ๐ฉ๐คฏ Let the hilarity ensue ๐๐คฃ๐ ๐ช๐ต๐ฎ๐ ๐๐ฒ ๐๐ข ๐ต๐ฎ๐๐ฒ: ๐ Fionaโs exciting news! ๐ A competition youโll want to win!! ๐ More laughs than you can count!!! Forgive us, dear listeners, we honestly have no idea what we are...
๐๐ฝ๐ถ๐๐ผ๐ฑ๐ฒ ๐ฎ๐ด: ๐๐ณ๐ฐ๐ค๐ฆ๐ด๐ด๐ช๐ฏ๐จ ๐๐ฆ๐ฆ๐ฅ๐ฃ๐ข๐ค๐ฌ The Word Count hosts have all received writing feedback recently so this episode we are chatting about feedback - where to get it from, how we feel about it and what works for us. BUT most importantly, Jo discusses what happens when you receive publisher feedback and the next steps in Book 3โs journey to publication! Along with your favourite regular features: โ๏ธ ๐ผ๐๐๐ค๐ช๐ฃ๐ฉ๐๐๐๐ก๐๐ฉ๐ฎ ๐พ๐๐๐๐ -๐๐ฃ โ๏ธ ๐๐๐ฉ๐ฉ๐๐ฃ๐ ๐๐ค๐๐ก๐จ for the next 2 weeks Again, this episode has so many shout...
๐๐ฝ๐ถ๐๐ผ๐ฑ๐ฒ ๐ฎ๐ณ: ๐๐ฆ๐ด๐ต๐ช๐ท๐ข๐ญ ๐๐ถ๐ฏ & ๐๐ฐ๐ฏ๐ด๐ฆ๐ฒ๐ถ๐ฆ๐ฏ๐ค๐ฆ๐ด Weโre baaaaack! After two weeks of illness we were finally all well enough to record an episode, and what an episode it is!!! To make up for lost time it is a longer episode than usual but you canโt miss it if you want to know: ๐ Fionaโs HUGE news! ๐ฅ ๐ Jacqโs HUGER news! ๐ฅ๐ฅ ๐ Joโs HUGEST news! ๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ฅ Along with your favourite regular features: โ๏ธ ๐ผ๐๐๐ค๐ช๐ฃ๐ฉ๐๐๐๐ก๐๐ฉ๐ฎ ๐พ๐๐๐๐ -๐๐ฃ โ๏ธ ๐๐๐ฉ๐ฉ๐๐ฃ๐ ๐๐ค๐๐ก๐จ for the next 2 weeks โ๏ธ ๐๐ฝ๐ถ๐๐ผ๐ฑ๐ฒ ๐ง๐ผ๐ฝ๐ถ๐ฐ: ๐๐ฆ๐ด๐ต๐ช๐ท๐ข๐ญ ๐๐ถ๐ฏ &a...
Donโt miss this episode if you want to know: ๐ Has Jo written THE END for Book 3? ๐ What did Fiona get up to at BAD? ๐ Did Jacq write us the best intro ever? Along with your favourite regular features: โ๏ธ ๐ผ๐๐๐ค๐ช๐ฃ๐ฉ๐๐๐๐ก๐๐ฉ๐ฎ ๐พ๐๐๐๐ -๐๐ฃ โ๏ธ ๐๐๐ฉ๐ฉ๐๐ฃ๐ ๐๐ค๐๐ก๐จ for the next 2 weeks โ๏ธ ๐๐ฝ๐ถ๐๐ผ๐ฑ๐ฒ ๐ง๐ผ๐ฝ๐ถ๐ฐ: ๐๐ข๐ฑ๐ฑ๐บ ๐๐ช๐ณ๐ด๐ต ๐๐ช๐ณ๐ต๐ฉ๐ฅ๐ข๐บ - What has a year of podcasting together taught us? We talk the highs, the lows and septic systems! So many shoutouts this week so listen to see if we are talking about you! Follo...
Donโt miss this episode if you want to know: ๐ How close Jo is to writing THE END? ๐ค ๐ Did Jacq plant her Christmas potatoes? ๐ฅ ๐ Is Fiona still on Fiji time? ๐น๐๏ธ Along with your favourite regular features: โ๏ธ ๐ผ๐๐๐ค๐ช๐ฃ๐ฉ๐๐๐๐ก๐๐ฉ๐ฎ ๐พ๐๐๐๐ -๐๐ฃ โ๏ธ ๐๐๐ฉ๐ฉ๐๐ฃ๐ ๐๐ค๐๐ก๐จ for the next 2 weeks โ๏ธ ๐๐๐๐ ๐ก๐ฎ ๐ฉ๐ค๐ฅ๐๐: ๐โ๐ ๐ต๐๐๐ ๐โ๐๐ก ๐ด๐๐๐๐ ๐ก ๐ต๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ Follow 3 Australian writers step-by-step as they write toward publication: Jo Dixon - bestselling author of The House Of Now & Then & A Shadow At The D...
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