Thanks for tuning in to the Activated Authors podcast. If you're ready to ACTIVATE your author career, head on over to https://activatedauthors.com/ Kathy Murray is a certified personal trainer with over thirty years’ experience in the fitness industry. She is a graduate of The Ohio State University where she was a member of the 1983 National Cheerleading Championship Team. After college she competed in and won the United States Aerobic Championship in 1986 and spent the year traveling the world as a Fitness Ambassador and worked as a free-lance educator to teach fitness to European Instructors. While in Munich, Kathy coached the Munich Cowboys (American Football) Cheerleaders to six national titles in cheerleading and was head trainer/translator for the German Gladiators during a pilot TV show for the International Gladiators. Always an avid cyclist, Kathy dipped her toe into the world of multi-sport in 2000, first competing in duathlons then eventually moving to triathlons. Kathy has owned her personal training business Fit Bodies for 24 years and in 2022 co-authored the Audible book, The Munich Cowboys Cheerleaders based on her time coaching the squad. She lives in Atlanta with her husband Lutalo, dog Mingus and cat Sassy. In this episode we go deep into: The journey of the book [25:15] The difference between European and American cheerleading [29:48] The challenges of the early days [31:50] Bringing the squad into shape [35:09] Rising above dsicrimination [40:20] How a PT mindset helped her write [43:55] Kathy’s writing process [46:46] Mixing fact and fiction [49:14] Leaving the 9-5 world [52:47] What’s next [58:20] Improving a writers health [01:04:16] Why Kathy writes [01:05:04] Find out more about Kathy Murray: https://www.fit-bodies.net https://www.audible.co.uk/pd/The-Munich-Cowboys-Cheerleaders-Audiobook/B09Q971Y5M Get more from Activated Authors! https://activatedauthors.com/ Watch the show: https://youtu.be/_1Ymsqti2BU  Find out more about Daniel Willcocks https://www.danielwillcocks.com/ IG: @willcockswriter Twitter: @willcockswriter Find out more about Samantha Frost www.mastressofnone.com IG: @mastressofnone Special thanks to: Show theme: Karl Hughes Show editing: Sam Frost

Thanks for tuning in to the Activated Authors podcast. If you're ready to ACTIVATE your author career, head on over to https://activatedauthors.com Robin Waite is the Founder of Fearless Business, regular speaker at various business events and bestselling author of several books, including Online Business Startup, Marketing Machine and the recent popular release Take Your Shot. He puts his 2 decades of business experience to work, coaching clients to reach their goals, create more time and increase their revenue. From the age of 18, Robin spent four years as a systems analyst for a medical devices company, increasing their turnover by 50 per cent, from £1m to £1.5m. From 2004 to 2016 Robin led a successful marketing agency serving over 250 clients. During this time delivering workshops and masterclasses that helped over 1,000 business owners improve their marketing, product architecture, pricing, websites and digital advertising. Behind the scenes Robin is a husband and father to two young girls, a surfer and Sunday warrior (road cyclist). He hates going up the hills but is well known at his local cycling club for his descending at speeds more than 50mph down said hills. Robin holds a Guinness World Record for participating in the largest ever speed networking event, has raised over £5k for a local Children’s charity in the last 4 years and has a goal to help remove 100kg of plastic from the World’s Oceans within the next 12 months via another charity he supports – 4Ocean.   In this episode we go deep into:   - Robin’s journey [31:27] - Robin’s first book [35:25] - Launching [37:29] - Target audience [42:48] - Putting the spotlight on clients [46:31] - Universal starting point [49:27] - Sustainability in business [52:13] - Financial mindset [56:07] - Getting what your worth [59:09] - Heart led over head led [01:03:27] - Productivity mistakes [01:06:51] - Charity [01:11:16] - What does it mean to be fearless? [01:12:58]   Find out more about Robin Waite:   Website: https://robinwaite.com/   https://fearless.biz Instagram: https://instagram.com/RobinMWaite Twitter: https://twitter.com/RobinMWaite Facebook: https://facebook.com/RobinMWaite LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/RobinMWaite   Links from the show:   For a free signed copy of ‘Take Your Shot’ https://fearless.biz/tys   Get more from Activated Authors!   https://activatedauthors.com/   Watch the show:   https://youtu.be/MpUy3FRI68E    Find out more about Daniel Willcocks:   Website: https://www.danielwillcocks.com/ IG: @willcockswriter Twitter: @willcockswriter   Find out more about Sam Frost:   Website: https://www.mastressofnone.com/ IG: @mastressofnone   Special thanks to:   Show theme: Karl Hughes Show editing: Sam Frost

Thanks for tuning in to the Activated Authors podcast. If you're ready to ACTIVATE your author career, head on over to https://activatedauthors.com/   In this episode Dan and Sam talk about:   Introduce a new co-host [01:32] Where they are at in their journeys [06:21] What the future looks like for the podcast [13:01] Dan's Lotr Shaming [35:56]   Get more from Activated Authors! https://activatedauthors.com/   Watch the show: https://youtu.be/q2NTyqOYz2U    Find out more about Daniel Willcocks https://www.danielwillcocks.com/ IG: @willcocksauthor Twitter: @willcocksauthor Find out more about Sam Frost https://mastressofnone.com IG: @mastressofnone Special thanks to: Show theme: Karl Hughes Show editing: Sam Frost

Thanks for tuning in to the Activated Authors podcast. If you're ready to ACTIVATE your author career, head on over to https://activatedauthors.com/   Philip Duncan is an award-winning and best-selling self-published author. His debut novel, Blood Ties, won the gold medal for military thrillers at the 2022 Global Book Awards for Self-Publishing. Philip was born and raised in East Tennessee, where he still lives. Since the age of sixteen, he has had many jobs including landscaping, farmhand, deli clerk, and personal trainer, but writing has always been his genuine passion.   He currently writes fast-paced thrillers where he aims to keep his readers on the edge of their seats, not knowing what’s coming next. He is very much a pantser with his books, and enjoys letting the characters he creates dictate where the story goes.   When Philip’s not writing his next book, you can find him coaching other authors, working out, and spending time with his beautiful wife and two kids.   In this episode we go deep into:   - Philips writing journey [04:07] - Finding purpose [06:20] - Momentum & Routine [07:40] - Mark Dawson [08:49] - Building the habit [11:20] - Hard word days [13:39] - Exercise [13:50] - Staying on track [17:16] - Blood Ties: reality V expectations [19:15] - Awards [21:27] - Going full time & the life of a full time author [24:16] - Rock bottom [27:04] - Words of advice {31:45] - Virtual summits [33:56] - Impostor syndrome [45:53] - Why Philip writes [48:05] - Bets author experience [49:36]   Find out more about Philip Duncan:   https://philipsduncan.com/ https://www.virtualsummitcoaching.com/optin1652796832148 Email: philip@philipsduncan.com   Get more from Activated Authors!   https://activatedauthors.com/   Watch the episode:   https://youtu.be/2_vho8gXOTo   Find out more about Daniel Willcocks:   https://www.danielwillcocks.com/   Special thanks to:   Show theme: Karl Hughes   Show editing: Sam Frost

Thanks for tuning in to the Activated Authors podcast. If you're ready to ACTIVATE your author career, head on over to https://activatedauthors.com/ Daniel Willcocks is an international bestselling author and award-winning podcaster of dark fiction. He is an author coach and founder of Activated Authors; one quarter of digital story studio, Hawk & Cleaver; co-founder of iTunes-busting fiction podcast, ‘The Other Stories’,CEO of horror imprint, Devil’s Rock Publishing, and the host of the ‘Activated Authors' podcast. Dan is furiously passionate about all things story. He has written 60+ books in five years for himself and on behalf of ghostwriting clients. Dan works with authors to keep their creative flames burning in an activated, and healthy way. In this episode Dan answers your questions: Did you feel weird showing yourself online? Especially in video form. Did or do you feel anxious about it? If so, what's your take on this? I'd love book coaching advice. Like where to start. -What are your favourite and least favourite tropes in horror, and why? Are there any horror cliches that you love or hate? Have you watched Our Flag Means Death, did you enjoy it? When writing a horror scene, what elements do you find are necessary to set the tone? Author journey and how he got into ghost writing. -Have you always been good at creative writing, did you take courses? How do you deal with self-doubt and overwhelm? Any top tips? Get more from Activated Authors! https://activatedauthors.com/   Watch the show: https://youtu.be/3VEGFsiDc1E  Find out more about Daniel Willcocks https://www.danielwillcocks.com/   Special thanks to: Show theme: Karl Hughes Show editing: Sam Frost

Ella Barnard is the host of the Author Like a Boss podcast and owner of Author Boss Academy. She is an author and publishing coach who loves helping creative people connect with their audiences and with each other. Her superpower is finding the most effective and least complicated tools for every step of publishing and marketing. She is also a cat lady, obsessed with dragons, and passionate about helping creative people make money with their craft. Ella is committed to using positivity to spark productivity and has seven years of experience as a marketing and mindset mentor for entrepreneurs, coaches, and creative women from all walks of life. In this episode we go deep into: Dragons! [01:37] Ella’s Journey [04:59] Why Podcasting? [14:30] Getting over Imposter Syndrome [19:48] Making money from books [24:27] Playing with form [27:16] Outside thinking and mindset [33:10] Reality V Expectation [38:39] Sustainability [43:40] Universal truths from 70+ Authors [48:26] Why Ella writes [53:54]   Find out more about Ella Barnard: https://authorlikeaboss.com/ https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=liz+fox&crid=2E5MCXI8Q7DWY&sprefix=liz+fox%2Caps%2C96&ref=nb_sb_noss_1 Links from the show: Samsung Q2U Mic: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Samson-SAQ2U-Microphone-Recording-Pack/dp/B001R747SG Pat Flynn ‘How to Start a Podcast’ https://www.smartpassiveincome.com/guide/how-to-start-a-podcast-tutorial-pat-flynn/ The Big Leap by Gay Hendricks: https://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Big-Leap/dp/B002SPXI40/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3FGOMFIQRDRCI&keywords=the+big+leap&qid=1653866622&sprefix=the+big+leap%2Caps%2C162&sr=8-1 Fuck It by John Parkin: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Fuck-Be-Peace-Life-Just/dp/178817089X/ref=sr_1_1?crid=PB656OEA4O5X&keywords=fuck+it&qid=1653866697&sprefix=fuck+it%2Caudible%2C93&sr=8-1 The Ghost Mountain series by Audrey Faye: https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=audrey+faye+ghost+mountain&sprefix=the+ghost+mountain%2Caps%2C114&ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-doa-p_1_18 All the Pretty Monsters by Kristy Cunning: https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=all+the+pretty+monsters&crid=35DH1EAQPY0Y9&sprefix=all+the+pretty+mo%2Caps%2C103&ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-doa-p_2_17 Diary of a CEO with Steven Bartlett: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-diary-of-a-ceo-with-steven-bartlett/id1291423644 Watch the Show: https://youtu.be/y8Zf4W1csIY  Get more from Activated Authors! https://activatedauthors.com/ Find out more about Daniel Willcocks https://www.danielwillcocks.com/ Special thanks to: Show theme: Karl Hughes Show editing: Sam Frost

Thanks for tuning in to the Activated Authors podcast. If you're ready to ACTIVATE your author career, head on over to https://activatedauthors.com/ Emme Grange lives on stories of hope, on tales that tell us we can. She believes we don’t have to change to be good enough. We already are, just by being ourselves. Growing up near the Golden Gate Bridge, she spent years searching for the missing manual, "How to Be Normal." Emme knows what it's like to be a reluctant rebel, a modern misfit, a peculiar person. She writes for anybody who needs a story of acceptance and everyone needing a story of encouragement and is a Royal Dragonfly Awards Grand Prize-Winner with the first book in her Jett Harper Series, “Needing Normal.” In this episode we go deep into: Emme’s writing Journey [01:41] The first draft that started it [04:28] Autism & Authenticity [06:19] Jet Harper’s Origin [08:36] Researching High School [10:29] The brand of Jet [12:29] Genre switching [16:02] ‘Selling out’ [20:23] The feeling of critical success [24:00] How Emme approaches learning [27:56] Commitment, work & balance [29:33] Emme’s definition of work [33:16] What keeps her going on low energy days [34:37] Author Conferences [36:48] Reaching out [39:45] Being yourself [42:36] Advice to herself [44:43] Why Emme Writes [46:58] Find out more about Emme Grange: https://www.emmegrange.com/ TikTok: @emmegrange IG: @emmegrange Get more from Activated Authors! https://activatedauthors.com/ Find out more about Daniel Willcocks https://www.danielwillcocks.com/ Special thanks to: Show theme: Karl Hughes Show editing: Sam Frost

Thanks for tuning in to the Activated Authors podcast. If you're ready to ACTIVATE your author career, head on over to https://activatedauthors.com/ Daniel Willcocks is an international bestselling author and award-winning podcaster of dark fiction. He is an author coach and founder of Activated Authors; one quarter of digital story studio, Hawk & Cleaver; co-founder of iTunes-busting fiction podcast, ‘The Other Stories’,CEO of horror imprint, Devil’s Rock Publishing, and the host of the ‘Activated Authors' podcast. Dan is furiously passionate about all things story. He has written 60+ books in five years for himself and on behalf of ghostwriting clients. Dan works with authors to keep their creative flames burning in an activated, and healthy way. Find out more about Daniel Willcocks: https://www.danielwillcocks.com/ Get more from Activated Authors! https://activatedauthors.com/ Special thanks to: Show theme: Karl Hughes Show editing: Sam Frost

Thanks for tuning in to the Activated Authors podcast. If you're ready to ACTIVATE your author career, head on over to https://activatedauthors.com/   Renee Gallant spent the biggest part of her childhood growing up in north Texas, hiding behind bushes or sitting in trees immersed in stories of mystery and adventure and scratching out her own Trixie Belden fan fiction. But it was only after reaching middle age, having an empty nest, and being bitten by a creepy little eight-legged foe that she thought to pick up pen and paper once more and lose herself in a fictional world where anything was possible. Unfortunately, no, she did not turn into Spiderman. Nor even The Tick, but instead became an advocate for auto-immune sufferers, a grandmother, and finally a published author. After a twenty-year hiatus where she was all things to all people, Renee Gallant switched her focus back to herself and her first love, words. In this episode we go deep into:   Renee’s writing journey [03:39] Lessons learnt from early writing [09:20] Motherhood and creativity [10:50] The importance of finishing things [14:57] Owning her own business [17:14] Digging out of the pit [23:10] The benefits of being in a writers community [26:22] The work of an indie [29:42] Lessons from the first three books [35:16] Coming out of burnout [38:09] Breaking free of guilt [40:17] Living with Lyme disease [42:53] Why Renee writes [52:31]   Find out more about Renee Gallant: http://reneegallant.com/ Social Media: @thewriterenee   Get more from Activated Authors! https://activatedauthors.com/   Watch the Show: https://youtu.be/BFr58jVyI0I   Find out more about Daniel Willcocks https://www.danielwillcocks.com/   Special thanks to: Show theme: Karl Hughes Show editing: Sam Frost

Thanks for tuning in to the Activated Authors podcast. If you're ready to ACTIVATE your author career, head on over to https://activatedauthors.com/ Mark has published more than twenty-five books under the name Mark Leslie that include thrillers and fiction, paranormal non-fiction and anthologies. Under his full name he writes books to help authors navigate publishing which include The 7 P’s of Publishing Success, An Author’s Guide to Working with Libraries and Bookstores, and Wide for the Win His industry experience includes President of the Canadian Booksellers Association, Board Member of BookNet Canada, Director of Author Relations and Self-Publishing for Rakuten Kobo, Director of Business Development for Draft2Digital and Professional Advisor for Sheridan College’s Creative Writing and Publishing Honours Program. In this episode we go deep into: Mark’s journey so far [02:11] Rejection and Determination [04:59] How working in the industry helps Marks writing [07:46] The barrier to self-publishing in traditional education [11:03] Marks first writing routine [16:13] Deadlines [19:59] Procrastination [22:29] Collaboration [22:29] How Mark gets so much done [32:50] Taking in the world and staying inspired [38:08] Taking his own advice [40:52] Chasing passions not trends [45:22] Direct sales as a new author [47:41] Why Mark writes horror [50:12] Why Mark writes [52:39] Find out more about Mark Leslie Lefebvre: http://markleslie.ca/ Watch the show: https://youtu.be/nSGlto4wXnw  Get more from Activated Authors! https://activatedauthors.com/ Find out more about Daniel Willcocks https://www.danielwillcocks.com/ Special thanks to: Show theme: Karl Hughes Show editing: Sam Frost

Thomas Fenton is an American screenwriter whose writing credits include SAW IV, I Spit On Your Grave 2, Slay Per View on CryptTv. Chain Letter (drft) and the Max Payne (drft). He is also the author of The Scream Writers Handbook: How to Write a Terrifying Screenplay in 10 Bloody Steps. Thomas has worked with Paramount Pictures, DC, and Lionsgate (to name a few), and on top of an active writing and directing career, also takes the time to teach future screenwriters at workingscreenwriter.com In this episode we go deep into: Thomas’ first big break [09:08] Quality over quantity [12:00] Thomas ‘Thick Skin’ [13:58] How he gets to the words and the work of a screenplay [19:20] Communicating the core idea of a story [22:33] The practice of creativity [27:01] Common screenwriter mistakes [31:35] Saw 4,. the Journey [35:51] Robert Evans [52:27] legacy [57:00] Directing your own screenplay [59:09] Find out more about Thomas Fenton: workingscreenwriter.com IG: @thomasfenton_insta Links from the show: ‘The Scream Writers Handbook’ https://www.amazon.co.uk/Scream-Writers-Handbook-Terrifying-Screenplay/dp/1729035329/ref=sr_1_1?crid=XOK242TF04LE&keywords=thomas+fenton+screenwriting&qid=1649763532&sprefix=thomas+fenton+screenwriting%2Caps%2C309&sr=8-1 ‘Riding the Alligator’ https://www.amazon.co.uk/Riding-Alligator-Strategies-Screenplay-Writing/dp/193290784X/ref=sr_1_2?crid=R2VKYNDVV2LP&keywords=riding+the+alligator&qid=1649764652&sprefix=riding+the+aligator%2Caps%2C86&sr=8-2 Get more from Activated Authors! https://activatedauthors.com/ Watch the show: https://youtu.be/cy0Uqq-2PpI  Find out more about Daniel Willcocks https://www.danielwillcocks.com/ Special thanks to: Show theme: Karl Hughes Show editing: Sam Frost

Thanks for tuning in to the Activated Authors podcast. If you're ready to ACTIVATE your author career, head on over to https://activatedauthors.com/ Julie Hiner is an author, storyteller, and blogger. She has independently published an inspirational work of non-fiction and two dark crime novels. Several of Julie’s short horror stories have been published, and she has collaboratively released a horror anthology. Julie’s home-base is KillersAndDemons.com where she serves up toxic cocktails of 80s metal, ritualistic murder, and raw horror. Julie lives in her home-town in Canada, nestled near the rocky mountains. A hardcore 80s rocker at heart, Julie’s writing is infused with music of all eras. Her dark crime novels are a fusion of 80s metal, 70s acid rock and dark story telling. Obsessed with the dark mind of the serial killer, Julie’s characters are based on bits and pieces of some of the most terrifying monsters to roam the earth. In this episode we go deep into: What monsters Julie writes and her Journey [01:33] What her author journey has felt like and how community changed the game [05:25] Finding your community [08:28] Networking and building relationships [13:48] Launches in an ever changing landscape [19:14] Creating her brand through passion [24:43] Detective Mahoney and going back to go forward [30:25] The evolution of being a writer [32:41] A typical week [34:54] Taking it one step at a time [37:28] Avoiding burnout [40:07] Why Julie writes [43:46] Find out more about Julie Hiner https://killersanddemons.com IG: @killersanddemons TikTok: @killersanddemons Twitter: @killersanddemons FB: @killersanddemons Watch the podcast: https://youtu.be/CvvEb_28aDY Get more from Activated Authors! https://activatedauthors.com/ Find out more about Daniel Willcocks https://www.danielwillcocks.com/ Special thanks to: Show theme: Karl Hughes Show editing: Sam Frost

Bekka Willcocks ON: Food FREEDOM and Listening To Your Body Thanks for tuning in to the Activated Authors podcast. If you're ready to ACTIVATE your author career, head on over to https://activatedauthors.com/ Bekka Willcocks is a level 4 qualified nutrition coach dedicated to helping others to gain a better understanding and relationship of food to further achieve their goals. Bekka wants to help others find their own food freedom and gain a sustainable balance when it comes to their nutrition and health In this episode we go deep into: Bekka’s journey to ‘Food Freedom’ [02:32] Food Myths [05:27] Why eating more helps you loose weight [08:18] Listening to what your body wants [09:35] What the body looks like in a day [11:38] Common mistakes [14:31] Tracking food [20:32] Key facts about caffeine [24:25] Snacks and Movement during the writing day [28:43] Best snack foods [33:53] The Patients diet [35:11] How to properly fuel the body [37:38] Body dysmorphia [39:56] Top habits to build [45:21] Emotion and food [47:31] Weight and anti-depressants [49:37] The best place to start [52:26] Find out more about Bekka Willcocks: https://www.freedomwithbekka.com/ IG: @@foodfreedomwithbekka Watch the show: https://youtu.be/KjAQPYLVzfU Get more from Activated Authors! https://activatedauthors.com/ Find out more about Daniel Willcocks https://www.danielwillcocks.com/ Special thanks to: Show theme: Karl Hughes Show editing: Sam Frost

Thanks for tuning in to the Activated Authors podcast. If you're ready to ACTIVATE your author career, head on over to https://activatedauthors.com/ Daniel Willcocks is an international bestselling author and award-winning podcaster of dark fiction. He is an author coach; one fifth of digital story studio, Hawk & Cleaver; co-founder of iTunes-busting fiction podcast, ‘The Other Stories‘;’ CEO of horror imprint, Devil’s Rock Publishing; and the co-host of the ‘Next Level Authors’ podcast. Dan is furiously passionate about all things story. He has written 60+ books in five years for himself and on behalf of ghostwriting clients. Dan now also provides author coaching services designed to help authors to help authors keep their creative flames burning in an activated, and healthy way. In this episode we go deep into: Introductions [01:17] Why short stories? [07:25] The difference between NaNo and the short story course [10:28] How it felt and hesitations [13:50] Sharing early work with the group [16:50] Coming back to writing [19:20] Why Horror? [22:04] Surprises of the course [26:09] The Challenge [27:40] Getting past wheel spinning [30:00] Next steps [32:46] Get more from Activated Authors! https://activatedauthors.com/ Watch the show: https://youtu.be/t_y8xscypnk  Find out more about Daniel Willcocks https://www.danielwillcocks.com/ Special thanks to: Show theme: Karl Hughes Show editing: Sam Frost

Thanks for tuning in to the Activated Authors podcast. If you're ready to ACTIVATE your author career, head on over to https://activatedauthors.com/ Samantha Frost A.K.A. “Mastress of None,” Sam is a video-editor, poet, writer, painter, actor and creator. Based in the south of England (but not born there, that’s an important distinction) Sam is passionate about helping creatives while battling the will of a medium sized human and the “affectionate” sneezes of a smaller sized pug. In this episode we go deep into: Sam’s writing journey [03:11] The gift of time [05:47] The evolution of a novel [08:34] Community [14:02] Creativity and Mental Health [20:44] Mastress of None [23:20] The dance of recovery [25:48] Resources and Inspiration for Mental Health and Neuro Divergance [31:07] Sam’s coaching journey [39:09] Why Sam creates [48:12] Find out more about Samantha Frost: https://mastressofnone.com/ Links from the show: Get more from Activated Authors! https://activatedauthors.com/ Watch the Show: https://youtu.be/cX3ms1XL1T0  Find out more about Daniel Willcocks https://www.danielwillcocks.com/ Special thanks to: Show theme: Karl Hughes Show editing: Sam Frost

Thanks for tuning in to the Activated Authors podcast. If you're ready to ACTIVATE your author career, head on over to https://activatedauthors.com/ Kristina Adams is the author of seventeen books and too many blog posts to count. She helps writers overcome their creative obstacles on her blog, podcast, and courses, over at The Writer’s Cookbook. When she’s not writing, she’s inflicting cooking experiments on her boyfriend or playing with her dog, Millie. In this episode we go deep into: Cooking experiments [01:13] Kristina’s writing journey [03:57] Self belief,. conviction and Tenacity [9:17] Unsolicited advice [10:16] Arming yourself with the right knowledge [12:07] What Kristina got from traditional education in creative writing [13:02] How Nano nearly stopped Kristina’s writing career [14:44] Plotting and side quests [16:38] Coming back to the page [17:51] Not relying on books for income [19:18] The Writers Cookbook and The Writers Mindset [21:26] The Fulfillment of podcasting [23:04] Developing a thick skin and having the right mindset [29:16] Chronic pain and exercise [30:20] Productivity and being kind to yourself [35:30] How Kristina organises her week [39:11] Accounting for pain [44:52] How Kristina approaches fiction [52:46] Why Kristina writes [01:00:00] Find out more about Kristina Adams: https://www.writerscookbook.com/author/kristina-adams/ Links from the show: https://www.curablehealth.com/about Get more from Activated Authors! https://activatedauthors.com/ Watch the show: https://youtu.be/3NxazDKd8Gg Find out more about Daniel Willcocks https://www.danielwillcocks.com/ Special thanks to: Show theme: Karl Hughes Show editing: Sam Frost

Thanks for tuning in to the Activated Authors podcast. If you're ready to ACTIVATE your author career, head on over to https://activatedauthors.com/ Daniel Willcocks is an international bestselling author and award-winning podcaster of dark fiction. He is an author coach; one fifth of digital story studio, Hawk & Cleaver; co-founder of iTunes-busting fiction podcast, ‘The Other Stories‘;’ CEO of horror imprint, Devil’s Rock Publishing; and the co-host of the ‘Next Level Authors’ podcast. Dan is furiously passionate about all things story. He has written 60+ books in five years for himself and on behalf of ghostwriting clients. Dan now also provides author coaching services designed to help authors to help authors keep their creative flames burning in an activated, and healthy way.. In this episode Dan answers your questions: When is the productivity book out? How do you do all the things NOW? Do you need a mailing list? Who has been the biggest influence on your craft? Can you draw influence from sources other than books? What are your top tips for marketing? When is it best to publish under a LLC? Watch the show: https://youtu.be/BfBJuzka3gs Get more from Activated Authors! https://activatedauthors.com/ Find out more about Daniel Willcocks https://www.danielwillcocks.com/ Special thanks to: Show theme: Karl Hughes Show editing: Sam Frost

To find out more and how you can help 'Writers for Ukraine' head on over to https://activatedauthors.com/ukraine/ now. Thanks for tuning in to the Activated Authors podcast. If you're ready to ACTIVATE your author career, head on over to https://activatedauthors.com/ Crys Cain Through her super-secret alias, Crys has gone from homeless to six-figures, selling over 300,000 copies of her books. When she isn’t writing, she edits with an eye toward emotional power and teaches craft and business to the author community at The Author Success Mastermind with J Thorn and talks about the writer life on the Write Away Podcast with JP Rindfleisch. In this episode we go deep into: Crys’ journey [4:45] Going full force [10:05] writing fast/rapid release [14:03] Burnout [19:43] Toxic Capitalism [24:40] You have value [28:02] Negotiating the relationship with work [30:45] No perfect plan & creating joy [33:13] The struggles of being a worcoholic [34:30] Cumulative normalcy [36:13] Three month hiatus [37:28] Author Success Mastermind [40:48] Working with J Thorn [43:17] Character lies and soul wounds [46:13] Finding the fire [49:35] Crys’ ‘Why’ Find out more about Crys Cain: https://www.cryscain.com/ https://www.tiktok.com/@itscryscain   Get more from Activated Authors! Watch the show: https://youtu.be/t6hWI1wg3bo  https://activatedauthors.com/ Find out more about Daniel Willcocks https://www.danielwillcocks.com/ Special thanks to: Show theme: Karl Hughes Show editing: Sam Frost

To find out more and how you can help 'Writers for Ukraine' head on over to https://activatedauthors.com/ukraine/ now. Thanks for tuning in to the Activated Authors podcast. If you're ready to ACTIVATE your author career, head on over to https://activatedauthors.com/ Katlyn Duncan is a hybrid author of adult and young adult books, and has ghostwritten over 40 novels. When she’s not writing, she’s obsessing over many (many) television series’, and hanging out on YouTube where she shares her writing process and all the bookish things. Katlyn recently published her debut non-fiction book for writers, “Take Back Your Book: An Author’s Guide to Rights Reversion and Publishing on Your Terms.” In this episode we go deep into: Vlogmas [1:51] Katlyn’s Writing Journey [4:10] Balance and being productive [7:46] Systems [8:47] Morning Routine [10:41] Accountability with friends [12:33] Bookish things and YouTube [15:12] learning by doing [17:30] Growing your network [19:03] Evolution and Tracking the Journey [20:24] Trad Publishing [22:42] ‘Take Back Your Book’ [26:22] Transparency is power [29:02] Learning to self-publish [31:14] Reversion [33:18} Teething Problems [39:30] Systems [41:02] Find out more about Katlyn Duncan: https://www.katlynduncan.com/ Links from the show: Get more from Activated Authors! https://activatedauthors.com/ Watch the show https://youtu.be/ub3wkux2cec  Find out more about Daniel Willcocks https://www.danielwillcocks.com/ Special thanks to: Show theme: Karl Hughes Show editing: Sam Frost

Thanks for tuning in to the Activated Authors podcast. If you're ready to ACTIVATE your author career, head on over to https://activatedauthors.com/ Helen is the YA fantasy author of the bestselling series, The Oremere Chronicles and the Curse of the Cyren Queen. Her work has been highly praised for its strong, flawed female characters and its action-packed plots. Helen holds a Bachelor of Creative Writing and a Masters of Publishing. Now a full-time author, Helen lives amidst the mountains in Central Otago, New Zealand and is constantly dreaming up new stories. In this episode we go deep into: Helen’s Higher Education Journey [1:26] Pro’s and Con’s of studying Creative Writing [2:11] The education of being an indie [3:23] The writing practice and process [4:51] Listening to the right people [6:47] Doing it all as an Indie [8:21] Being taken ‘seriously’ and fitting the mold [9:48] Knowing what she wanted to write [11:31] Trad v Indie [12:43] Being in control [14:43] Helen’s Indie Journey [18:25] Going full time [21:06] The changing landscape of Indie publishing [22:22] Discipline and focus [25:27] Expectations and the learning curve [28:57] The creeping dread of not making back your investments [32:28] Productivity, mindset and knowing yourself [36:55] Helen’s writing process [39:45] Exercise for mental clarity [42:49] The struggle of rest and recharging [46:53] Why Helen writes [50:44] Find out more about Helen Scheuerer: https://helenscheuerer.com/ https://www.instagram.com/helenscheuerer/ Links from the show: watch the show: https://youtu.be/REtSaw5sP3k  Get more from Activated Authors! https://activatedauthors.com/ Find out more about Daniel Willcocks https://www.danielwillcocks.com/ Special thanks to: Show theme: Karl Hughes Show editing: Sam Frost