Borderline Genius
By Ioanna Arka
Borderline GeniusJun 24, 2020
Successful marketing for indies, Part 2
Marketing is for many indie authors a daunting task. How do we find our audience, and how do we keep readers interested? In today's episode, romance writer Rebecca Hefner gives us lots of useful tips on attracting readers and building up an audience.
Music is So Happy by Scott Holmes.
Successful marketing for indies, Part 1
In this episode, author Rebecca Hefner joins us to discuss the effectiveness of various marketing tactics for building a fan base and selling books. Drawing on her long experience in marketing, Rebecca shares with us some of the secrets of her success.
Find Ioanna and Chet on twitter.
Music is So Happy by Scott Holmes.
Accessing your true creativity
In today's episode, author John Oakes joins us to discuss the sources of true creativity in writing as well as what his journey as a successful indie author has taught him.
Find Ioanna and Chet on Twitter.
Music is So Happy by Scott Holmes.
Literary erotica: a genre that has a lot to give
In today's episode we talk with erotica author Travis Beaudoin about erotica as a way to examine the psyche of our characters, the merits of plotting, and many other subjects!
Find Chet and Ioanna on twitter!
Music is So Happy by Scott Holmes
The art of writing diverse POVs
As writers, we have to write characters whose opinions and worldviews are different from ours. How do we get into a different mindset? And is it worth it to educate ourselves on the experiences of others?
Find Chet and Ioanna on Twitter.
Music is So Happy by Scott Holmes.
So you want to be an editor
Many new writers attempt to supplement their income by providing editing services, sometimes without being clear on the distinctions between the different types of editing, or without being aware of the full range of skills that are necessary for them. In this episode, Chet and Ioanna discuss the different types of editing and the importance of method, critique, and constant education when plunging into the world of editing.
Music is So Happy by Scott Holmes.
The art of the memoir
In today's episode, we invited writer Alexandra Retana to talk about the art of writing memoir. What is a memoir, what are its differences to autobiography, and what are some of the rules of memoir writing? We also talk about our favorite memoir writers, and, as always, chat about everything and anything...
Find Ioanna (Nora) and Chet on twitter.
Music is So Happy by Scott Holmes.
The healing power of writing... and other stuff
In this episode, we talk about how we use writing as self-therapy and as a means to approach places in our minds that aren't easily accessible. We also chat about everything under the Sun, like we often like to do... Join us!
Find Chet and Nora on twitter.
Music is So Happy by Scott Holmes.
Beta readers and critique groups
What are the advantages of beta readers and how can critique groups help you hone your craft? In this episode, Chet and Nora share some advice on how to choose your beta readers and the possible pitfalls you can encounter when you ask feedback with the purpose of improving your novel.
Music is So Happy by Scott Holmes.
How to self-edit efficiently
In this episode, we discuss ways to tighten your prose before it goes to the editor or proofreader. We give easy tricks on how you can make your prose more effective and give it the impact you want.
Find Nora and Chet on Twitter.
Music is So Happy by Scott Holmes.
Diversifying, or: how to survive as a writer
As a writer, it's better not to put all eggs in one basket. In today's episode, we discuss with author E.J. More the different avenues a writer can pursue in order to secure various sources of income. From editing, to content writing, to offering supplemental services, we explore different ways to exist and thrive in the writing world.
Find Nora and Chet on Twitter.
Music is So Happy by Scott Holmes.
Taking the plunge Pt. 3
Chet and Nora have left their careers to focus on writing and editing. Meanwhile, Chet's trying to get used to a life of having only himself to answer to and a schedule without night shifts, and Nora's still recovering from her breakdown and finding herself a bit depressed for various reasons... So we talk about our transitions and trying to figure out where we go from here!
Music is So Happy by Scott Holmes.
Taking the plunge Pt. 2
Nora and Chet took the plunge: we left our careers and are devoting all our time to writing and editing. How is this working out? Join us today to find out!
Music is So Happy by Scott Holmes
Taking the plunge Pt. 1
Chet and Nora have had enough of their day jobs. They're determined to make their writing-related dreams come true.
How they go about it and how they're doing... well, listen and you'll find out!
Music is So Happy by Scott Holmes.
The misuse of editing advice
We've all heard the rules: don't overuse adverbs, avoid passive voice, keep past perfect to a minimum. But what happens when the recommendations aren't used correctly? Nora and Chet talk about the most common ways editing advice is nowadays misused and suggest ways to avoid the most common pitfalls.
Music is So Happy by Scott Holmes.
Literary fiction: myths and truths
What is literary fiction, why do we love it, why do we write it? In today's episode, we talk with literary fiction writer R. Tim Morris about the things we love about literary fiction, our favorite books in this genre, and our new short story anthology More Time.
Find Nora and Chet on twitter.
Music is So Happy by Scott Holmes.
The advantages of indie cooperatives
In today's episode, we talk with author Victoria Gilbert about the workings of indie cooperatives. How do you put together a good team, how many writers are too many, and how effective is an indie cooperative in getting your work out there?
Find Chet and Nora on twitter.
Music is So Happy by Scott Holmes.
Attention spans in the digital age
In today's episode book blogger Kriti Khare joins us to discuss how the constant influx of information from our electronic devices keeps our attention spans short, especially when it comes to writing and reading, and suggest some methods to shut out excessive stimuli and improve concentration.
Find Kriti, Nora, and Chet on Twitter.
Music is So Happy by Scott Holmes.
How to find your tribe
Not all writers have the support they want from friends and family. Moreover, we need like-minded people who understand our struggles and can help us learn and grow. In today's episode, we discuss the importance of finding your tribe as an author and suggest some ways of doing so.
Find Nora and Chet on Twitter.
Music is So Happy by Scott Holmes.
The myth of arriving
In today's episode, traditionally published author Victoria Gilbert talks to us about her experiences in the publishing world, the advantages of traditional publishing, and the myth of "arriving" as a successful writer.
Find Nora and Chet on Twitter.
Music is So Happy by Scott Holmes.
Tips from a full-time indie writer
In today's episode, we interview successful indie writer AC Fuller.
Why is it easier to be a full-time writer as an indie? How do you find a balance between what you want to write and what will sell? How important are covers and book series for commercial success? And why are there so few full-time indie literary fiction writers? And what's the difference between indie and trad writing? AC Fuller shares his insights with us.
Find Nora and Chet on twitter.
Intro and outro music is So Happy by Scott Holmes.
How has writing healed you?
In today's episode, we talk about all the ways writing helps us manage our mental health problems. We also asked the twitter #WritingCommunity to tell us how writing has healed them, and we read and expand on some of the replies we got.
As always, the conversation drifts to adjacent subjects: how do you accidentally write a novel? When do smart women finally get guys? How is it to live with borderline disorder? How do you break up with physics, and why has Nora blocked her whole family on Facebook? And what drives some writers to insert better versions of themselves in their books?
Find Nora and Chet on twitter.
Intro and outro music is So Happy by Scott Holmes.
Writing in the time of COVID
So, now you have all this time on your hands. Should you write more? Should you feel bad if you're stressed and can't concentrate?
We, an essential worker (a nurse) and a mom in Germany who hasn't had to work in weeks, but had to homeschool her kids, talk about how we deal with this new situation. A jet fetish, isolation and introspection, and why some people read post-apocalyptic stories right now are subjects that we also discuss.
Find Nora and Chet on Twitter!
Music is So Happy by Scott Holmes.
Unicorn Rules
What are unicorn rules, and should you follow them?
In our first episode, we talk about dialogue techniques, prologues, multiple points of view, erotica, and more. Chet explains the LitRPG genre and recommends a lot of books (keep a notebook handy!), and Nora disses some well-loved classics.
Find Nora and Chet on Twitter!
Music is So Happy by Scott Holmes.
Borderline Genius: Teaser
Nora and Chet: two writers, one transatlantic friendship.
Join us as we chat about the craft of writing, editing, books, and many, many other things.
You can also find Nora McKinney and Chet Sandberg on Twitter!
Music is So Happy by Scott Holmes