Episodes
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This episode is all about identifying the systems that help you produce consistent, quality work.
From identifying where you can write, how and when you work best, to keeping track of projects and backing them up so you don't lose files over time. I talk about lessons I've learned over time, as well as some tips I've learned from other successful writers.
Once you've got positive systems in place, how are you measuring your success or failures so you can look for places to improve?
Is this neurotic? Maybe, but I spend a lot of time thinking about it, since I only have so much time to get my work done.
Thanks for listening! Hope you have a great week writing,
James
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This list turned out to be longer than I expected. Discussed in this episode:
4thewords.comProWritingAidOneDrive (Word/Excel)WriteTrack.Davidsgale.comQuickbooksMailjet.comAdobe Creative SuiteAudacitySparkoCamYoutube StudioStreamlabsGadgets of Note:
Onyx Boox Nova 2 (https://amzn.to/2Or2KJM)Freewrite Traveler (https://astrohaus.com/traveler/)Canon M50 (https://shop.usa.canon.com/shop/en/catalog/refurbished-eos-m50-ef-m-15-45mm-f-35-63-is-stm-lens-kit-black)Thanks for listening!
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Missing episodes?
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I'm writing a million words this year, and there's a reason I'm talking about this goal so much, and I think you should do the same.
This episode is about goal setting as a way to set priorities in your life and work, and how to identify your "big rocks" so the little rocks don't crowd them out.
Sometimes you need to inspire yourself with a goal that pushes you to your limits, and you'll find that others are inspired as well.
Livestreaming is still working very well, but the same rules are holding true for me: when I do the pre-work on the characters and chapter outlines, hitting my 4k a Day is easy. When I don't know what I want to write, I flounder.
Mentioned in this episode:
BHAG concept by Jim Collins (https://www.jimcollins.com/concepts/bhag.html)
Thanks for listening!
James
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I had some awesome word counts last week thanks to livestreaming in the morning, finished a book, launched a book with M.D. Cooper, and also had to make a hard decision about a job I would have liked, but would get in the way of my work.
Without being overly negative, I respond to this article and point out where the author could focus on finding success in the current publishing landscape, and you can too.
"Why No One Will Read Your Book" by Elle Griffin at the Writer's Collective. (https://writingcooperative.com/why-no-one-will-read-your-book-caa0e77ed5aa)
Jeffrey H. Haskell's Youtube Channel and Watch Jeff Crash and Burn Live Stream Event, February 2nd at 0630 PST. Let's help him get to a hundred followers on Youtube so he can name his channel after me.
Please fill out the Keystroke Medium listener survey: KeystrokeMedium.com/Survey
You could win a copy of my new book The SF Novel Workbook: The Offline Guide to Getting Your Novel Done.
Thanks for listening!
James
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The latest addition to the Keystroke Medium Empire is Marathon Author.
James S. Aaron hosts this weekly author diary and podcast to share what he's learned about paying the bills as a full-time author. You can find out more about James here: https://jamesaaron.net/books
This week is an intro show, as well as some thoughts on livestreaming and "Know, Like and Trust" in building your author brand.
Check out my SF Novel Workbook at https://jamesaaron.net/sfworkbook. It's only $5.
Thanks for listening!
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Hello!We're in the second full week of 2021 already and it's time to assess how your goals are going and what tweaks you need to make.
I talk about my own lessons learned and shifts I'm making in my working process, including trying out live streaming to keep my head in the game.
Links:
Keystroke Medium: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Keystrokemedium
Word Millionaires: https://www.facebook.com/groups/WordMillionaires
All the Words: https://www.facebook.com/groups/487038162154895
Vivid Cover Design: https://www.facebook.com/groups/vividcovers
Write Track: https://writetrack.davidsgale.com
4theWords: https://4thewords.com (get 20 free crystals with this code: WESBB70639)
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The retrospective episode you've been waiting for.
When I ask myself what I learned in 2020, my first impulse is to start laughing.
Sometimes you have to strike out into the hills, only to find out you ended where you started... but I learned a lot along the way, and I'm going into 21 with a good game plan and the experience to make it work.
My big goal for 2021: 1 million words of fiction. If I make that happen, I'll be well on my way to bringing my income up where it needs to be to make this a sustainable career.
That's 2740 words a day or 19,178 a week. Seems crazy in aggregate, but I can easily write a 1000 words an hour as long as I know the story I want to write. I bet you can too.
I hope you're looking forward to 2021 as well.
Thanks for listening,
James
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In this episode I talk about a few lessons I've learned this past year when it comes to making a living off your writing, the stresses involved, and how that can change your work.
How do you create some breathing room so you don't feel trapped in a certain kind of work?
What's the reality of writers who are working full-time? Do they have a spouse adding income to the budget as well, and how are they paying for health insurance?
There are some misconceptions about the finances of the average full-time writer, and it's important to understand them if you're going to make a viable career out of writing.
Mentioned in the podcast:
SFF Con Panel on Podcasting: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=US3CzgAQpAQ
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It's all about starting over.
We had a rough couple weeks here at the house, which made writing tougher than usual.
This episode is about not beating yourself up about it, and finding how your personal workflow, er, works. It's only taken me a year to get close to understanding my own workflow.
I've also been looking into some other income streams, and thinking about how getting out of the house might benefit my writing. Maybe I'm not an introvert after all.
Check out Write Track as a really useful tool for planning your book projects: https://writetrack.davidsgale.com/
Thanks for listening!
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After last week's discussion about motivation and finding my personal path forward, I decided to talk with an author coach. It was a great conversation and I'm going to give it a shot for six months.
This show is about how I made that decision.
Thanks for listening!
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I've been struggling a bit with feeling motivated.
Sprints have been helping a lot. Zoom meetings with a group of authors to keep each other motivated on the hour has been a huge help.
But as I think through this, I'm wondering why I'm feeling this way, and if I'm actually internally or externally motivated. (Well, I know the answer.)
Once you figure out where you look for your motivation, what methods can you use to keep yourself on track?
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This episode is slightly all over the place as I get back into the swing of podcasting. Feeling scattered is something I talk about a bit, and how I'm working to use process to get my mind back in order and produce consistent work.
I also took part in a new virtual Science Fiction and Fantasy Conference this weekend called SFFCon.
Seth Godin interview with Tim Ferriss and his new book, The Practice.
J. Thorn's new project: Revolution FI
SFFCon: The Science Fiction and Fantasy Convention
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Speculative Work is transitioning to Marathon Author!
Why? Because "speculative" is hard to say when you're tired and tongue-tied.
Topics in this episode include consistency and using Healthcare.gov.
Check out the Healthcare enrollment episode of the Afford Anything Podcast for a really great breakdown of health insurance options on the ACA marketplace: https://affordanything.com/psa-thursday-the-affordable-care-act-with-tanja-hester/
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Admitting to major screw ups makes them less major, right?
Digital hoarding is still hoarding.
I think I actually do want to delete most of my email from 2004.
Thanks for listening!
James
jamesaaron.net/books
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My Google Drive plan expired this week, and OneDrive is cheaper... so I've been doing a lot of thinking about how I'm backing up my data, how I organize my files, and if I really need to hang onto email from 2006.
Other things mentioned this episode:
Goliath by Matt Stollar
How Long 'Til Black Future Month by N.K. Jemisin
Thanks for listening!
James
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Jumping between series is hard! I feel like a toddler being forced to eat broccoli.
In order to get the engine running again, I have to find ways to keep pulling the cord, hoping it's going to start.
I discuss some strategies I've been using to get my head back into a series after a long break.
Journaling might be getting in the way of my fiction.
RPG for Authors: 4theWords.com (Apparently if you use this referral code, I get magic crystals or something: WESBB70639)
Secret Powers of the Author Mastermind by J. Thorn
Cover Your Book by R. Haskell
Goliath by Matt Stollar
Patreon: patreon.com/jamesaaron
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This is one of those apology episodes after a long hiatus.
This one is a little free form. I talk about where I've been and how my life has changed since the last episode. (Things are good.)
I talk about my new podcast project at ClassicScienceFiction.com
I share a few of the lessons I've learned from working at home and what I needed to do to make that happen, then share my goals for the week.
Thanks for listening!
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You may have heard authors talking about co-writing... what is it? Is it right for you? How do you even find co-writing opportunities?
In this episode I talk about what I've learned from three years of co-writing with Mal Cooper in Aeon 14. Spoiler alert: it's been a great experience that has taught me a lot during this phase of my writing career.
However, there are pros and cons, like any business relationship.
If there's anything I didn't cover, shoot me an email at [email protected]
Thanks for listening!
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In this episode I talk about dinners with fans.
Spoiler alert, they're great.
They can help you build engagement, make your series' world more real, and create priceless experiences for your fans.
If you're like me and your mind goes blank while talking, you might want to take some flash cards so you don't forget the name of your latest book.
I also struggled with a bout of "comparisonitus" this week, where I found myself comparing my career in the last three years with other authors I know, wondering if I've made the right decisions, and choosing to focus on what's right for me... even if I haven't completely figured that out yet.
Also, Google says podcasting is the new blogging, so get on that. Lol.
Thanks for listening!
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What do you do when the baby eats your work space? You prop your laptop on the dresser and record anyway.
I'm back with a quick update, some notes on the current book, and some more big changes in my life that should mean positive things for my writing.
I also talk a bit about writing on deadline and how I refine my outlining process as I write to make sure I'm always heading in the right direction and not wasting words.
Thanks for listening!
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