Marathon Author: A creative career is a marathon, not a sprint

MA 030 - Motivational Inception

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?

MA 029 - SFFCon Lessons Learned

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

SW 028 - The Last and First Episode

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/

 

SW 027 - Goodbye Google

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

SW 026 - Digital Storage Plan

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

 

SW 025 - Getting Your head Back in the Game

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

SW 024 - Back in the Saddle

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!

SW 23 - Co-Writing Pros and Cons

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 james@jamesaaron.net

Thanks for listening!

SW 022 - Author Dinners with Fans and Comparisonitus

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!

SW 021 - Refining Plotting and Some Big News

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!