Writer Rambles

The delightful Bennett joins me on the show to talk multi POV fantasy, character development and comets in the slightly insane 90s. Find Bennett's website here and on Instagram

I finally have the data for my first big promo. Listen in to find out how it went.

How do you make sure your draft is as good as it can be? It's the finishing touches that make it sing. Check out my website's resources page at annavelfman.com for a copy of the draft polishing checklist. I also mention Overly Sarcastic Productions. Find them here

Listen to me put my third book out there into the world. This is how preorders are set up when you publish wide. Avalanche is available for preorder! Head to my shiny new book page to take a look Like what I do? You can support me on Patreon and help me keep this podcast going.

Recorded while I was in bed with covid attempting to edit. Join me as I get Avalanche ready for publication. I use pro writing aid and no, I have no sponsorship with them. 

Reacting to unpopular writing opinions found on youtube. All opinions are expressed in a measured and constructive way with no personal bias. *ahem* For more steaming hot spicy takes, check out- Michelle Schusterman Kate Cavanaugh Alexa Donne   You won't regret it!   Don't forget my first book Snowblind is free to download on all platforms.

The manuscript was meant to be finished... but my body was not having it. So how do you manage to keep going when your health decides it does not want to cooperate? That's what I experienced this week. Don't forget my first book Snowblind is free to download on all platforms. You will find writing coach Chad Allen here Angry Joe and AJS news you will find here

A new type of show! Hear how I finish off the second edit of my third book- Avalanche. Also featuring- my dog, my cat and clips from Daniel Wallace and Jenna Moreci.  

  Andrew Nehring comes on the show to talk about his book- David Massie and the Quantum Flux and to discuss the joys and difficulties of writing with dyslexia.    You can find Andrew's work here

In this episode, I go over how I use scene cards and how they have got me out of plotting pickles. Links- Scene Cards download My Website Sacha Black podcast Bookbub Ads David Gaughran Heroine's Journey- Gail Carraiger Fallen- C.N Crawford Outlining Podcast  

This week I share the podcast with two winners of the Open Novella Contest: Rainer Salt and Evelyn Hail. We talk about inspiration, process and what it takes to win a place in a competition on one of the largest writing platforms in the world. Links- Daniel Wallace (Style and Voice Summit) Jeff Elkins (Dialogue Doctor) Evelyn Hail Rainer Salt  

Hate is a strong word but some things I read really set my teeth on edge. A different kind of podcast this time, no instructions or lessons, just me telling the world what I don't like. I had a rough week, the rant cheered me up. Oh as mention him this week you'll find Shad's youtube here  A reminder that my opinions are just that- my opinions. You don't have to agree with me, in fact, I encourage you not to- because reading is an individual experience for everyone.  (Some swearing in this show)

I welcome Kristi Elliot to the show. She is a Watty 2020 award winner with her horror-comedy Zombie Soap and she is about to publish her debut novel The Social Media Bride through a publisher that approached her after a Twitter pitch contest.   (Some swearing in this show)

Grab a blank character profile from my website and start building characters focused on storytelling. Every main character should be a bundle of inner conflict, a push and pull between what they want and what they actually need. Characters with agency and authenticity require careful consideration and that is where profiling comes in. Is this the only way to create characters? No. Is it the way I find best? Yes, so I'm sharing.

I have two books out, so how are my sales? I crack on with my self-publishing goals and start 2021 with a bang.

I live! I have been off the grid for weeks but I kept writing in that time. I will tell you all about what has happened and what I am doing now I have finished Pler book two- Icedancer

I have invited fellow Roleplayer Hiedi onto the show to talk about how we approach character development and to highlight the benefits of this most gloriously nerdy form of collaborative storytelling.  

I am deep in the editing trenches, a few writers on Facebook have asked how I edit. Well, here is my process (and you will probably wish you had never asked.) I also go over how Bookbub changed my launch and how Amazon decided it wanted to change my prices.

So what does happen when you have pressed the publish button? LOTS! It's been busy days for me post-publication. Listen to find out why.

It's done, my first book Snowblind is out for a short preorder period at 99p. Still made some mistakes! Tune in to learn what to expect after you hit the publish button.