Synopsis
A show about writing, reading, and getting (some) things done. Jessica Lahey writes the Parent-Teacher Conference column for the New York Times' Well Family and is the author of "The Gift of Failure: How the Best Parents Learn to Let Go So Children Can Succeed." KJ Dell'Antonia is a columnist and contributing editor for the New York Times' Well Family. In their podcast, they talk about writing short form, long form and book length, give tips for pitching editors and agents and constantly revise how they tackle the ongoing challenge of keeping your butt in the chair for long enough to get the work done.
Episodes
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29: #WhenToQuit, Get Your Butt Outta the Chair
18/11/2016 Duration: 33min...in which Jess and KJ put on brave faces and and take on the sunk costs fallacy as they hash out ways to identify when it’s actually best to walk away from a project. The benefits of re-reading and a look at how KJ’s getting on with MailChimp.
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28: #OpEd, Own Your Expertise
11/11/2016 Duration: 44min...in which Jess and KJ have recommendations on how to write and pitch your op-ed or essay piece. KJ has another chapter from her email list saga, and of course their weekly reading recs.
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27: #WriterFriends
04/11/2016 Duration: 34min...in which Jess and KJ answer a listener email about their friendship, their professional relationship, and about making and keeping writer friends.
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26: #UniTasking, Is that a Thing?
28/10/2016 Duration: 38min...in which Jess and KJ offer up some tips on how to stay on one task. Jess updates us on her “2,000 words a day” project, and KJ on her audience building.
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25: #ReadingTheComments, the Good the Bad and the Ugly
21/10/2016 Duration: 32min...in which Jess and KJ consider whether and how to respond to readers, both in life and online, who have "comments." KJ breaks down the types of readers who respond, and Jess has a story about developing a thicker skin.
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24: #AskAnAgent, A Sit-Down with Jenny Bent
14/10/2016 Duration: 38min...in which Jess and KJ pick the brains of Agent Jenny Bent, of The Bent Agency, about finding the right agent and getting her attention. They also discuss what you need before you start sending out queries.
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23: #FirstWords, How to Start the Day
07/10/2016 Duration: 35min...in which Jess and KJ discuss various strategies for picking up the thread of of the previous day’s writing, and KJ has some tips on building your audience with carrots.
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22: #OfficeWoes, Making Do with Little or No Office Space
30/09/2016 Duration: 32min...in which Jess and KJ offer tips for the “officially” challenged for organizing writing projects, KJ’s updates us on her adventures in audience building, and Jess sets a goal of 2,000 words a day.
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21: #BuildingAnAudience (Pretty Much What it Sounds Like)
23/09/2016 Duration: 35min...in which Jess and KJ answer a listener’s question about “Capturing the Wild Idea,” and KJ explains the finer points of “permission marketing.”
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20: #AmBlogging, Should I Start a Blog?
15/09/2016 Duration: 35min...in which Jess and KJ talk blogging, KJ tries bullet journaling and Jess needs help keeping her butt in the chair on the road (even her Mom is helping).
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19: #AgentSecrets, Finding and Getting an Agent
09/09/2016 Duration: 35min...in which Jess and KJ have a few tips for finding the right agent and crafting your query; also KJ goes off the grid to get some work done and Jess recommends sleep.
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18: #WorkingMess, Harnessing the Energy of Spontaneity
02/09/2016 Duration: 32min...in which Jess and KJ allow themselves to work messy. KJ picks up the pieces of a frustrating week, and Jess rushes to meet a 36-hour deadline.
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17a: #OwItHurts, Taking Care of the Body While Flexing the Mind
25/08/2016 Duration: 21min***This is an updated episode. Sorry about the mis-fire, folks!*** ...in which Jess and KJ consider how to keep your muscles from waning as you wax poetic with pen and paper. KJ recommends getting messy with your creativity and Jess speaks to a physical trainer about staying limber in the chair.
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16: #FreshFallStart, Vacation Was Nice Now Back to Work
17/08/2016 Duration: 34min...in which Jess and KJ get ready to go back to school. Jess works on her dialogue with Aaron Sorkin and KJ recommends using the weekend to easy the little tensions of the week.
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15: #BeforeTheBook, Things You Can Do to Ensure the Success of Your Work
11/08/2016 Duration: 29min...in which Jess and KJ discuss identifying, building and engaging an audience that enjoys your work.
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14: #ItTakesTwo, How to Write with a Partner
03/08/2016 Duration: 30min...in which romance novelist Sarina Bowen returns to speak with Jess and KJ about writing with a partner from establishing a workflow, to hashing out an agreement.
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13: #HowItsDone, A Step By Step for Self-Publishing
27/07/2016 Duration: 41min...in which Jess and KJ speak with romance novelist Sarina Bowen about self publishing, everything from choosing a pseudonym to marketing the finished product.
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12: #MistakesWereMade, The Quest for Truth and Perfection
20/07/2016 Duration: 35min...in which Jess and KJ examine the spectrum of mistakes that writers can make, and they argue the merits of listening to an audiobook versus reading the book.
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11: #AmDissecting, Adding Structure to Creativity
22/06/2016 Duration: 31min...in which KJ works on her Moth story and her book, Jess starts a project with her son, and your assignment - take something apart.
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10: #WriteNow, Feed Your Writing, with Reading, Bouncy Balls and Silence
15/06/2016 Duration: 34min...in which KJ abandons her To-Do List, Jess commits to writing 1,000 words a day on her vacation; and the virtues of busying the body to free the mind.