Episoder

  • Marissa chats with Sabaa Tahir about the first book in her new YA fantasy duology, HEIR. Also discussed in this episode: Yosemite National Park, using the GMC (Goal, Motivation, Conflict) technique, how the final, typeset draft can be a place where momentum requires deeper revisions (much to publishers’ chagrin), adding unexpected twists midway through a book to surprise the reader, the power of self-bribery, using our world to influence world-building and so much more!

    Yosemite National Park: https://www.nps.gov/yose/index.htm

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    Order The Happy Writer: Get More Ideas, Write More Words, and Find More Joy from First Draft to Publication and Beyond https://bookshop.org/a/11756/9781250362377

    Find out more and follow The Happy Writer on social media: https://www.marissameyer.com/podcast/

  • Marissa chats with A. R. Vishny about her debut paranormal YA romance, NIGHT OWLS. Also discussed in this episode: the popularity of getting started with fanfiction, how much timing can matter in the submission process, the recent trend (again!) of vampires, the inherent challenges of writing vampire romance, the importance of knowing a character’s bagel order, creating a strong sense of place using real locations for inspiration, and so much more!

    Cinder winery: https://cinderwines.com/

    Village East by Angelika: https://angelikafilmcenter.com/villageeast

    Sleep No More https://mckittrickhotel.com/events/sleep-no-more/

    The Happy Writer at Bookshop.org
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    Amplify Marketers
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    Red Herrings Society
    Use the code HappyWriter at RedHerringWriters.com to try the first month for free.

    Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

    Order The Happy Writer: Get More Ideas, Write More Words, and Find More Joy from First Draft to Publication and Beyond https://bookshop.org/a/11756/9781250362377

    Find out more and follow The Happy Writer on social media: https://www.marissameyer.com/podcast/

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  • In this bonus craft episode, Marissa shares her steps and processes for revisions. Hint: they begin in the drafting process! Also discussed: celebrating milestones and accomplishments, the importance of letting a project simmer, how to know when to jump back in, making a plan to tackle revisions and the different methods, how many rounds of revisions are typical, things to watch for in each pass, crutch words and how to get rid of them, and so much more!

    The Happy Writer at Bookshop.org
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    Amplify Marketers
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    Red Herrings Society
    Use the code HappyWriter at RedHerringWriters.com to try the first month for free.

    Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

    Order The Happy Writer: Get More Ideas, Write More Words, and Find More Joy from First Draft to Publication and Beyond https://bookshop.org/a/11756/9781250362377

    Find out more and follow The Happy Writer on social media: https://www.marissameyer.com/podcast/

  • Marissa chats with Tigest Girma about her debut, a YA romantic vampire novel, IMMORTAL DARK. Also discussed in this episode: struggling with the young adult/new adult/adult labels, making the change to age down a book and characters and what that entails, writing morally gray characters, crafting an extreme enemies to lovers romantic storyline, creating a found family ensemble, planning subsequent books in a trilogy (second book syndrome is a thing!), and more!

    Bonus: a new book announcement from Marissa!

    We Could Be Magic - https://bookshop.org/a/11756/9781250379399

    Joelle Murray: https://joellemurrayart.com/

    The Happy Writer at Bookshop.org
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    Amplify Marketers
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    Red Herrings Society
    Use the code HappyWriter at RedHerringWriters.com to try the first month for free.

    Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

    Order The Happy Writer: Get More Ideas, Write More Words, and Find More Joy from First Draft to Publication and Beyond https://bookshop.org/a/11756/9781250362377

    Find out more and follow The Happy Writer on social media: https://www.marissameyer.com/podcast/

  • Marissa chats with Adalyn Grace about WISTERIA, the conclusion to her Belladonna trilogy. Also discussed in this episode: the love of and uses for Pinterest, the phenomenon of finishing a book and forgetting having written it, writing a series with differing POVs, the rare book that’s “easy” to write, turning concepts into characters, favorite tropes, lush worldbuilding, and so much more. Bonus: A new book announcement!

    Neopets: https://www.neopets.com/

    MW definition of reify: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reify

    MW Word of the Day: https://www.merriam-webster.com/word-of-the-day

    The Happy Writer at Bookshop.org
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    Red Herrings Society
    Use the code HappyWriter at RedHerringWriters.com to try the first month for free.

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    Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

    Order The Happy Writer: Get More Ideas, Write More Words, and Find More Joy from First Draft to Publication and Beyond https://bookshop.org/a/11756/9781250362377

    Find out more and follow The Happy Writer on social media: https://www.marissameyer.com/podcast/

  • Marissa chats with Julian Winters about his latest YA romance, PRINCE OF THE PALISADES. Also discussed in this episode: how fanfiction is a great way to get started in writing, the sometimes difficult elements of crafting a contemporary royal story, writing romance and the importance of creating moments when characters are vulnerable, how challenging it can be bringing conflict to a contemporary story, creating relatable and lovable secondary characters—including badass female characters, and so much more!

    Big Joe Roma Pool Floatie Chair: https://buybigjoe.com/products/roma-pool-float-chair

    The Happy Writer at Bookshop.org
    Purchasing your books through our webstore at Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores.

    Melanin in YA
    Your source for all things Black in traditional Young Adult publishing.

    Amplify Marketers
    Our mission is to help your message rise above the noise so it can be heard loud & clear.

    Red Herrings Society
    Use the code HappyWriter at RedHerringWriters.com to try the first month for free.

    Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

    Order The Happy Writer: Get More Ideas, Write More Words, and Find More Joy from First Draft to Publication and Beyond https://bookshop.org/a/11756/9781250362377

    Find out more and follow The Happy Writer on social media: https://www.marissameyer.com/podcast/

  • Marissa chats with Remy Lai about her new illustrated sketch diary, READ AT YOUR OWN RISK. Also discussed in this episode: why kids relate to horror, the importance of capturing the tone of the book on the cover and determining appropriate content for a young audience, making important design choices like font and color, deciding on a story’s format, Ouija boards, and so much more!

    The Happy Writer at Bookshop.org
    Purchasing your books through our webstore at Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores.

    Amplify Marketers
    Our mission is to help your message rise above the noise so it can be heard loud & clear.

    Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

    Order The Happy Writer: Get More Ideas, Write More Words, and Find More Joy from First Draft to Publication and Beyond https://bookshop.org/a/11756/9781250362377

    Find out more and follow The Happy Writer on social media: https://www.marissameyer.com/podcast/

  • Marissa chats with author and life coach Lydia Michaels about her craft book, Write 10K in a Day. Discussed in this practical episode: the challenges of being an indie author/entrepreneur, writer burnout, time poverty – particularly for women, why setting boundaries on word counts is a good idea, signs of burnout, paying attention to ROJ (Return on Joy), and so much more!

    The Happy Writer at Bookshop.org
    Purchasing your books through our webstore at Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores.

    Amplify Marketers
    Our mission is to help your message rise above the noise so it can be heard loud & clear.

    Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

    Order The Happy Writer: Get More Ideas, Write More Words, and Find More Joy from First Draft to Publication and Beyond https://bookshop.org/a/11756/9781250362377

    Find out more and follow The Happy Writer on social media: https://www.marissameyer.com/podcast/

  • Marissa chats with Anna Sortino about her latest YA romance, ON THE BRIGHT SIDE. Also discussed in this episode: who is the ‘real’ audience we write for, deciding on a single vs dual POV and where the points of view intersect, leaving space in outlines for exploration, layering in character traits and details during revision, writing family dynamics, including disability representation and how to provide context for able-bodied readers, how much personal experience to include, and so much more!

    The Happy Writer at Bookshop.org
    Purchasing your books through our webstore at Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores.

    Amplify Marketers
    Our mission is to help your message rise above the noise so it can be heard loud & clear.

    Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

    Order The Happy Writer: Get More Ideas, Write More Words, and Find More Joy from First Draft to Publication and Beyond https://bookshop.org/a/11756/9781250362377

    Find out more and follow The Happy Writer on social media: https://www.marissameyer.com/podcast/

  • In this bonus craft episode, Marissa shares her seven best tips and strategies for balancing multiple writing projects. Discussed in this practical episode: how many projects she works on at any given time and what stage in the process they are at, how she prioritizes, what she does in the times when she isn’t or can’t be drafting, and so much more!

    Extra bonus: This episode also includes upcoming book announcements that you may have missed!

    The Happy Writer at Bookshop.org
    Purchasing your books through our webstore at Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores.

    Amplify Marketers
    Our mission is to help your message rise above the noise so it can be heard loud & clear.

    Red Herrings Society
    Use the code HappyWriter at RedHerringWriters.com to try the first month for free.

    Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

    Order The Happy Writer: Get More Ideas, Write More Words, and Find More Joy from First Draft to Publication and Beyond https://bookshop.org/a/11756/9781250362377

    Find out more and follow The Happy Writer on social media: https://www.marissameyer.com/podcast/

  • Marissa chats with award-winning author of CHILDREN OF BLOOD AND BONE, Tomi Adeyemi, about her new third book in the Legacy of Orisha series, CHILDREN OF ANGUISH AND ANARCHY. Also discussed in this episode: the inspiration for Tomi creating The Writer’s Roadmap courses for writers, feeling like you’re finally a career writer, transitioning from a long-term series to something new, the struggle to take breaks when so many ideas are in your brain, imposter syndrome, movie production updates, and so much more!

    The Writer's Roadmap: https://www.thewritersroadmap.net/

    The Happy Writer at Bookshop.org
    Purchasing your books through our webstore at Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores.

    Melanin in YA
    Your source for all things Black in traditional Young Adult publishing.

    Amplify Marketers
    Our mission is to help your message rise above the noise so it can be heard loud & clear.

    Red Herrings Society
    Use the code HappyWriter at RedHerringWriters.com to try the first month for free.

    Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

    Order The Happy Writer: Get More Ideas, Write More Words, and Find More Joy from First Draft to Publication and Beyond https://bookshop.org/a/11756/9781250362377

    Find out more and follow The Happy Writer on social media: https://www.marissameyer.com/podcast/

  • Marissa chats with the husband-and-wife writing team of Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka about their latest YA adventure heist novel, HEIRESS TAKES ALL. Also discussed in this episode: the process of cowriting and the division of labor that resembles a marriage, carefully and consciously casting a heist book’s ensemble of characters, benefiting from each other’s writing strengths, the benefits of having a cowriter for marketing and events, and so much more!

    The Happy Writer at Bookshop.org
    Purchasing your books through our webstore at Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores.

    Amplify Marketers
    Our mission is to help your message rise above the noise so it can be heard loud & clear.

    Red Herrings Society
    Use the code HappyWriter at RedHerringWriters.com to try the first month for free.

    Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

    Order The Happy Writer: Get More Ideas, Write More Words, and Find More Joy from First Draft to Publication and Beyond https://bookshop.org/a/11756/9781250362377

    Find out more and follow The Happy Writer on social media: https://www.marissameyer.com/podcast/

  • In this 200th (!) episode of The Happy Writer Podcast, Marissa (with some help from Joanne) answers many of your burning questions. Topics discussed: dealing with burnout, crafting three-dimensional characters, writing to trends, co-writing, balancing writing with parenting, and so much more. Also included: much-anticipated updates on TLC production, upcoming tours, new books, and yes, a couple of first-time-heard future project reveals!

    Order and find out more about LET IT GLOW: https://www.marissameyer.com/let-it-glow/
    Marissa's book playlists: https://www.marissameyer.com/extras/playlist/

    Melanin in YA
    Your source for all things Black in traditional Young Adult publishing.

    Amplify Marketers
    Our mission is to help your message rise above the noise so it can be heard loud & clear.

    The Happy Writer at Bookshop.org
    Purchasing your books through our webstore at Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores.

    Red Herrings Society
    Use the code HappyWriter at RedHerringWriters.com to try the first month for free.

    Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

    Order The Happy Writer: Get More Ideas, Write More Words, and Find More Joy from First Draft to Publication and Beyond https://bookshop.org/a/11756/9781250362377

    Find out more and follow The Happy Writer on social media: https://www.marissameyer.com/podcast/

  • Marissa chats with Alexene Farol Follmuth about her latest contemporary coming-of-age YA romance, TWELFTH KNIGHT. Also discussed: some of the differences between self and traditional publishing and how the two can come together in a career, crafting the ‘unlikeable female character’, using Shakespeare for source material, structuring a romance differently than what’s expected, the challenge of writing technology and social media that could become quickly dated, and so much more!

    The Happy Writer at Bookshop.org
    Purchasing your books through our webstore at Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores.

    Amplify Marketers
    Our mission is to help your message rise above the noise so it can be heard loud & clear.

    Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

    Order The Happy Writer: Get More Ideas, Write More Words, and Find More Joy from First Draft to Publication and Beyond https://bookshop.org/a/11756/9781250362377

    Find out more and follow The Happy Writer on social media: https://www.marissameyer.com/podcast/

  • Marissa chats with Tessa Gratton about her new YA fantasy, BLOOD & FURY, the sequel to CHAOS & FLAME, co-written with Justina Ireland. Also discussed: building social justice and important topics into fantasy while also making a book fun, how working on different projects concurrently can be both challenging and inspiring, creating inspiration lists (inspired by ID Lists from past guest Jennifer Lynn Barnes), the process of co-writing and editing each other, pros and cons of writing with a partner, worldbuilding, and so much more!

    The Happy Writer at Bookshop.org
    Purchasing your books through our webstore at Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores.

    Amplify Marketers
    Our mission is to help your message rise above the noise so it can be heard loud & clear.

    Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

    Order The Happy Writer: Get More Ideas, Write More Words, and Find More Joy from First Draft to Publication and Beyond https://bookshop.org/a/11756/9781250362377

    Find out more and follow The Happy Writer on social media: https://www.marissameyer.com/podcast/

  • Marissa chats again with Jessica Brody, author of Save the Cat! Writes a Novel and Save the Cat! Writes a Young Adult Novel about her popular craft books and how she adapted the original Save the Cat screenplay book’s components for novel-writing. Also discussed in this craft-focused episode: how even pantsers can benefit from outlining tips, how having an outline doesn’t mean the story is set in stone, how having an outline can shine a light on problems before a draft makes it harder to fix and move things around, how you can start with just five essential beats, favorite and least favorite beats, how plot and character are so entwined, the danger of outlining becoming a procrastination crutch, and so much more!

    Big Magic: https://bookshop.org/a/11756/9781594634727

    7 point story structure – video series dan wells https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzfRuHa21NIzQFrQ6FAq8Pj2IA_SXiwrN

    Save the Cat! Writes a Young Adult Novel: https://bookshop.org/a/11756/9781984859235

    Save the Cat! Writes a Novel: https://bookshop.org/a/11756/9780399579745

    The Happy Writer at Bookshop.org
    Purchasing your books through our webstore at Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores.

    Amplify Marketers
    Our mission is to help your message rise above the noise so it can be heard loud & clear.

    Writing Mastery Academy
    Use the code HAPPYWRITER at WritingMastery.com for $20 off your first year of unlimited access.

    Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

    Order The Happy Writer: Get More Ideas, Write More Words, and Find More Joy from First Draft to Publication and Beyond https://bookshop.org/a/11756/9781250362377

    Find out more and follow The Happy Writer on social media: https://www.marissameyer.com/podcast/

  • Marissa chats with Isabel Greenberg about her new Arthurian fantasy graphic novel, YOUNG HAG AND THE WITCHES’ QUEST. Also discussed in this episode: the freedom of creating a first project without the expectation that it will be read, the challenges and allure of retellings and Arthurian legends, the process of creating and revising a graphic novel, how the reading experience of graphic novels is different than for prose, tips for maintaining the writing/life balance, having a pile of comfort reads, and more!

    The Happy Writer at Bookshop.org
    Purchasing your books through our webstore at Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores.

    Amplify Marketers
    Our mission is to help your message rise above the noise so it can be heard loud & clear.

    Red Herrings Society
    Use the code HappyWriter at RedHerringWriters.com to try the first month for free.

    Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

    Order The Happy Writer: Get More Ideas, Write More Words, and Find More Joy from First Draft to Publication and Beyond https://bookshop.org/a/11756/9781250362377

    Find out more and follow The Happy Writer on social media: https://www.marissameyer.com/podcast/

  • Marissa chats with Kekla Magoon about her new middle grade time travel fantasy, THE SECRET LIBRARY. Also discussed in this episode: How secrets can take many forms (goats!), writing stories non-linearly, how creating a timeline can help catch inconsistencies and track continuity, how sometimes you need to write the whole book to feel confident enough to try to sell it, mining old files for potential new projects, and so much more!

    The Happy Writer at Bookshop.org
    Purchasing your books through our webstore at Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores.

    Writing Mastery Academy
    Use the code HAPPYWRITER at WritingMastery.com for $20 off your first year of unlimited access.

    Red Herrings Society
    Use the code HappyWriter at RedHerringWriters.com to try the first month for free.

    Amplify Marketers
    Our mission is to help your message rise above the noise so it can be heard loud & clear.

    Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

    Order The Happy Writer: Get More Ideas, Write More Words, and Find More Joy from First Draft to Publication and Beyond https://bookshop.org/a/11756/9781250362377

    Find out more and follow The Happy Writer on social media: https://www.marissameyer.com/podcast/

  • Marissa shares her top 10 tips for improving your work-life balance. From starting with a focused to-do list, to reframing goal time frames, to the best way to approach multitasking, and so much more, you’re sure to find something helpful in this practical episode.

    Note: For more writing-specific productivity tips, you can also check out episode 141 where Marissa and Joanne share their favorite productivity hacks. https://www.buzzsprout.com/950767/12094972

    168 Hours: You Have More Time Than You Think, Laura VanderKam https://bookshop.org/a/11756/9781591844105

    Preorder your copy of The Happy Writer: Get More Ideas, Write More Words, and Find More Joy from First Draft to Publication and Beyond
    https://bookshop.org/a/11756/9781250362377

    The Happy Writer at Bookshop.org
    Purchasing your books through our webstore at Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores.

    Writing Mastery Academy
    Use the code HAPPYWRITER at WritingMastery.com for $20 off your first year of unlimited access.

    Amplify Marketers
    Our mission is to help your message rise above the noise so it can be heard loud & clear.

    Red Herrings Society
    Use the code HappyWriter at RedHerringWriters.com to try the first month for free.

    Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

    Order The Happy Writer: Get More Ideas, Write More Words, and Find More Joy from First Draft to Publication and Beyond https://bookshop.org/a/11756/9781250362377

    Find out more and follow The Happy Writer on social media: https://www.marissameyer.com/podcast/

  • Marissa chats with Ana Ellickson about her debut YA urban fantasy, THE VANISHING STATION. Also discussed: having the courage to leave an agent even before selling a book, developing complex magic systems and how helpful editors can be for ensuring they work, using locations—known and unknown—as settings for urban fantasy, creating three-dimensional but lovable flawed characters, using Save the Cat beat sheets, the importance of opening chapters, and so much more!

    Picture This app: https://www.picturethisai.com/

    Save the Cat! Writes a Novel: https://bookshop.org/a/11756/9780399579745

    Save the Cat! Writes a Young Adult Novel https://bookshop.org/a/11756/9781984859235

    The Happy Writer at Bookshop.org
    Purchasing your books through our webstore at Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores.

    Writing Mastery Academy
    Use the code HAPPYWRITER at WritingMastery.com for $20 off your first year of unlimited access.

    Amplify Marketers
    Our mission is to help your message rise above the noise so it can be heard loud & clear.

    Red Herrings Society
    Use the code HappyWriter at RedHerringWriters.com to try the first month for free.

    Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

    Order The Happy Writer: Get More Ideas, Write More Words, and Find More Joy from First Draft to Publication and Beyond https://bookshop.org/a/11756/9781250362377

    Find out more and follow The Happy Writer on social media: https://www.marissameyer.com/podcast/