writing

  • How to access the writing momentum podcast

    We’ve heard from writers who aren’t sure how to navigate the podcast world but want access to the great teaching we’ve put on the Writing Momentum podcast. So we’ve made it easier than ever to enjoy this free resource. First, to listen to the podcast through your phone or tablet, using that device, simply ​click HERE…

  • Redefining Perfectionism

    In this episode of the Writing Momentum Podcast, hosts Christopher and Gena Maselli delve into the topic of perfectionism among writers. They share personal anecdotes and struggles with perfectionism, emphasizing the importance of pushing through the writing process despite the desire for everything to be perfect. The episode covers various aspects of perfectionism, such as the challenges in starting or finishing a project, the pitfalls of waiting for ‘perfect’ conditions, and practical tips for moving forward. They discuss tactics like time blocking, setting realistic writing goals, and allowing for flexibility in planning and execution. The goal of the episode is to help writers redefine perfectionism from getting it ‘right’ to getting it ‘done’ and to encourage them to maintain momentum in their writing projects by providing strategies to overcome perfectionism.

  • Do You Need Formal Education to Be a Writer?

    In this episode of the Writing Momentum Podcast, hosts Christopher and Gena Maselli explore the common question of whether a formal degree is necessary to become a successful writer. They discuss their personal experiences with formal education in writing, highlighting the pros and cons of pursuing a writing degree versus self-education through resources like writers’ conferences and continual learning. They emphasize the importance of continuous education in writing, publishing, and marketing, regardless of one’s educational background. The episode provides insight into the writing industry standards, the publishing process, and the critical role of marketing in a writer’s career. Through their discussion, they reassure listeners that while formal education can be beneficial, it is not a prerequisite for success in writing, encouraging writers to focus on continuous learning and improvement.

  • How Do You Keep Your Head in the Writing Game?

    In this episode of the Writing Momentum Podcast, hosts Gena and Christopher Maselli discuss the importance of staying engaged in the ‘writing world’ for both emerging and experienced writers. They explore what constitutes the writing world, including the processes of writing, publishing, and marketing. The Maselli’s emphasize the ease of distraction in today’s world and the necessity of keeping writing goals top of mind. They suggest various methods for staying focused, such as listening to podcasts, reading or listening to books on writing, and participating in writing groups or conferences. The hosts also share personal challenges with maintaining momentum and offer solutions like setting appointments to write and seeking encouragement and advice from fellow writers. Furthermore, they discuss the benefits of attending writers’ conferences to stay abreast of the latest industry trends and technologies. The episode concludes by inviting listeners to join their online writing group and encourages writers to form connections with others in the writing community to share successes, challenges, and to learn from each other.

  • Kickstart Your Writing Career: Emerging Writers’ Guide

    Gena and Christopher Maselli host the Writing Momentum Podcast, targeting emerging writers aspiring to write a book. They emphasize that the writing journey is not competitive and there’s space for everyone. The podcast provides practical tips, including choosing a genre, understanding genre specifics, and the importance of knowing the rules before breaking them. They recommend reading extensively within one’s genre, outlining other works, and learning about story structures with resources like Ronald Tobias’s ’20 Master Plots’. The hosts also stress the importance of joining the writing community for support and growth, encouraging listeners to engage with groups, conferences, and online platforms like Writing Momentum. They urge listeners to write daily, read in their genre, and join writing courses or communities. The podcast underscores that identifying as a writer is crucial, encouraging a mindset shift to embrace the writer’s identity confidently.

  • Just Finish Your First Draft

    In this episode of the Writing Momentum podcast, hosts Christopher and Gena Maselli discuss strategies for finishing first drafts, acknowledging it as a significant challenge for many writers. They emphasize the importance of completing a draft regardless of its initial quality and suggest focusing on editing afterward to improve it. The hosts share personal experiences, tips for maintaining momentum, including setting writing goals and knowing the direction of your story, whether you’re more of a plotter or a pantser. Additionally, they introduce their Wednesday Writing Moments, an online group writing session for accountability and progress. The discussion aims to encourage writers to keep working towards completing their first drafts by providing practical advice and shared experiences.

  • Habits That will TANK Your Writing – Part 3

    In this episode of the Writing Momentum podcast, hosts Gena and Christopher Maselli explore the final habit in their series that can significantly hinder a writer’s productivity: excessive, mindless screen time. They discuss how spending too much time on devices like televisions, computers, mobile phones, and video game screens without purpose can detract from valuable writing time. The Masellis share personal experiences and strategies to reduce mindless screen time, emphasizing the importance of being intentional with how one spends their screen time. They encourage listeners to engage in activities that contribute to their writing goals and suggest ways to reduce mindless screen time to improve focus, creativity, and ultimately, writing output.

  • Habits That will TANK Your Writing – Part 1

    In this episode of the Writing Momentum podcast, Chris and Gena discuss common habits that can impede a writer’s progress or productivity. They share insights about the traps of comparison and the need to stay engaged with the writing community. The episode encourages writers to embrace their unique voice, style and journey, and stresses the importance of continuous reading and learning within the genre they are writing. The hosts also talk about maintaining a strong presence and active participation in the ‘writing world,’ including online forums, writer’s conferences and book clubs, to keep the creative juices flowing and to stay on top of market trends.

  • Millstones or milestones

    Birthdays can be millstones or milestones. It depends on our perspective and on where and how we see ourselves in this life. My seventy-fifth birthday passed recently. OK, it’s more like it flew by—a blur of the calendar pages spinning. More and more, birthdays are a time of reflection, of assessing. Where am I? How…