THE AUTHORPRENEUR PODCAST™️

Writing, Self-Publishing, and Book Marketing Advice for Writers

 

TAP036, From Idea to Outline: How to Outline a Novel (Part 3 of 3)

by Amelia D. Hay | The Authorpreneur Podcast - Writing and Self Publishing Advice

Show Notes

What the listeners are saying…

[The Authorpreneur Podcast] explains concisely the information I need to hear in order to move past insecurities and do the work!

- An Apple Podcast Listener

I love the bite-size length of these episodes, and hearing about another’s writer’s experience and methods. Often, how-to books/info about writing can become quite pedantic or salesy, trying to convince you to follow their exact method and how it will solve all your problems. Refreshingly, [Amelia] is simply real and honest. I recently struggled to start revisions on my manuscript, but one of her tips has got me back into the work. Excited to keep following along with her journey! 

- An Apple Podcast Listener

Welcome to The Authorpreneur Podcast™️

 

The Authorpreneur Podcast™️ is hosted by Indie Author, Amelia D. Hay. The show acts as a virtual writing and business coach for fiction writers. Every Thursday, Amelia will teach you how to develop a story idea, create compelling characters and outline your novel. In each season of the podcast, you will learn how to write your first draft, revise your story, self-publish, establish your author platform, and reach readers. Season one of the podcast is on Plot and Story Structure, season two documents my writing adventure during 2020, and season three is about how to outline and the pre-writing phase.

 

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Episodes

BTS019, Self-Editing a Novel and Hiring a Professional Beta Reader

BTS019, Self-Editing a Novel and Hiring a Professional Beta Reader

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Last week, I planned on self-editing a novel and hiring a professional beta reader to get some feedback on my story. It’s been one of those weeks. You know that week that starts of crappy and turns into a nightmare. But, my week eventually redeemed itself in the final hour. This is going to sound overdramatic, but I’ve got the opposite of the Midas touch. I’m sure there’s a name for that, but it’s completely escaped my mind.

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TAP028, 5 Tips for Structuring a Story with the Hero’s Journey (Part 4 of 4)

TAP028, 5 Tips for Structuring a Story with the Hero’s Journey (Part 4 of 4)

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Welcome to the final instalment of this mini-series on how to structure a story using the Hero’s Journey. In this show, I will share five tips on how to structure a story using the Hero’s Journey. And, at the end of this episode, I will also share examples of this story structure in film and literature and provide you will a list of recommended reading so you can do further research.

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TAP027, How to Structure a Story Using the Hero’s Journey (Part 3 of 4)

TAP027, How to Structure a Story Using the Hero’s Journey (Part 3 of 4)

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So, you’ve fleshed out your story idea for the first and second act using the Hero’s Journey, and now you’re story has reached the cusp between the second and the third act. And, now, you’re wondering, how to structure the final act of your story using this story structure. If this is a situation that you can relate to, then this episode is for you.

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TAP026, How to Structure a Story Using the Hero’s Journey (Part 2 of 4)

TAP026, How to Structure a Story Using the Hero’s Journey (Part 2 of 4)

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So, you’ve started to plot out ideas for your story using the Hero’s Journey, and you’ve reached the end of the first act. But now you’re wondering how to transition from the first act to the second, and take your character through to the last leg of the journey. In this episode, I will share with you the five stages of the Hero’s Journey that occur in the second act. And, I will also unpack the second act of the Fellowship of the Ring so you can see the Hero’s Journey in action.

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BTS015: Ask Me Anything on Writing and Story Structure

BTS015: Ask Me Anything on Writing and Story Structure

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Welcome to the first ever bonus episode of the podcast. As you can probably guess by the title, this is my first ever episode on Ask Me Anything on writing and story structure. In this episode, I will answer the top questions asked by my Blog Readers, Youtube Subscribers, Podcast Listeners, and through my Ask A Question form on my website.

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Hello!

I’m Amelia. I’m the author of Missing the first book in the James Lalonde Mystery Series, the host of The Authorpreneur Podcast™️ and the The Book Nerd Podcast. I help aspiring authors just like you to write and market their books so that they can, create their dream business, build their author platform, and be creatively independent. Right now, I’m editing book two in the James Lalonde Mystery series.

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My Books

A van Gogh is Missing and A Body is on the Lawn

 

When Will Thatcher, doesn’t show up for work, James Lalonde is forced to attend an afternoon tea with Alistair Carmichael in his place. The lovely autumn afternoon tea comes to an abrupt end when a body turns up on the lawn of the Carmichael Estate with strange markings on his neck.

 

But, something is missing, a priceless painting is off the wall. However, it’s no ordinary painting, it’s a Van Gogh purchased in an auction a few months ago. After discovering fresh tracks, most likely left by the murderer James realises the murder is still in the estate.

 

Can James figure out who the thief and murderer are before he or Alistair is next?

 

Read it, Today!

 

A killer is on the loose, Excalibur is missing, and his career is on the line…

 

James, the chief editor of a small newspaper, returns home to discover that his girlfriend, Valentine has unexpectedly left. Later that morning, he fails to reallocate her story. To avoid blank space in the paper, James decides to write the story on the local museum’s latest acquisition, Excalibur. But, there’s one thing he didn’t count on… Excalibur is Missing, and his girlfriend has been kidnapped.

 

Currently on sale for 99¢

 

Find it on Amazon:

US | UK | AU | CAN

 

What I’m Writing Now!

 

80%
Revised Draft

70,483 of 80,000 Words

 

Right now, I’m preparing Book Two in the James Lalonde series, for a final round of revisions. The next step is to send the story off to my editor. I aim to have this eBook published on all major ebook retailers by the end of mid to late 2021. And, I will be making this novel available for free to my James Lalonde Insiders reader club. You can become an insider here.

 

Publishing Updates

 

0%
First Draft

0 of 60,000 Words

I’ve decided to add an extra book between the second book and the start of the byline series, where James arrives in New York. Book Three will be set in a 24 hour period in London. This novel will be available in ebook on all major ebook retailers by the end of late 2021 or early 2022. And, the paperback editions soon after. I will be making this novel available for free to my James Lalonde Insiders reader club. You can become an insider here.

 

 

100%
Revised Draft

112,960 of 99,000 Words

Book Four the James Lalonde series needs one final round of revisions before I can hand it off to my editor. This longer novel will be published on all major ebook retailers in late 2021 or early 2022. And, the paperback editions soon after. I will be making this novel available for free to my James Lalonde Insiders reader club. You can become an insider here.

 

FAQ’s On Writing

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Behind the Scenes, My Author Blog

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Up until now, I've wanted the seasons of this podcast to be evergreen and act as a resource on how to write a particular element of a story. My desire to create short evergreen episodes focused on a single topic is the reason this podcast tends to be free of interviews. However, throughout season three, I will share short interviews with other writers discussing how they write stories, and in particular, I will try to interview as many writers who "pants" novels. But these interview episodes will be treated as bonus episodes and will not be the focus of the podcast season. In light of that, in this bonus episode, I chat with Michaelbrent Collings on how he writes his fiction novels. Check out the full episode here ⇢ https://bit.ly/TAP-032 or click the link in my bio. Thanks for listening, and happy reading and writing, everybody. 👍🏻
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Up until now, I've wanted the seasons of this podcast to be evergreen and act as a resource on how to write a particular element of a story. My desire to create short evergreen episodes focused on a single topic is the reason this podcast tends to be free of interviews. However, throughout season three, I will share short interviews with other writers discussing how they write stories, and in particular, I will try to interview as many writers who "pants" novels. But these interview episodes will be treated as bonus episodes and will not be the focus of the podcast season. In light of that, in this bonus episode, I chat with Michaelbrent Collings on how he writes his fiction novels. Check out the full episode here ⇢ https://bit.ly/TAP-032 or click the link in my bio. Thanks for listening, and happy reading and writing, everybody. 👍🏻
3 weeks ago
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1/8
Welcome to the final instalment of this two-part mini-series on how to write a novel with genre expectations in mind. There's nothing worse than reaching the halfway mark as you write your first draft or even as you're starting the revision stage to realise that you're not sure if there's a market for your book. If this is where you are, then don't panic; it's pretty normal not to know what genre you're writing in as you write or finish your first book. But there's something you can do about it. In this episode, I will share with you five steps to revising your story with genre expectations in mind. So stay tuned for all of this and much more. Check out the full episode here ⇢ https://bit.ly/TAP-031 or click the link in my bio. Thanks for listening, and happy reading and writing, everybody. 👍🏻
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Welcome to the final instalment of this two-part mini-series on how to write a novel with genre expectations in mind. There's nothing worse than reaching the halfway mark as you write your first draft or even as you're starting the revision stage to realise that you're not sure if there's a market for your book. If this is where you are, then don't panic; it's pretty normal not to know what genre you're writing in as you write or finish your first book. But there's something you can do about it. In this episode, I will share with you five steps to revising your story with genre expectations in mind. So stay tuned for all of this and much more. Check out the full episode here ⇢ https://bit.ly/TAP-031 or click the link in my bio. Thanks for listening, and happy reading and writing, everybody. 👍🏻
3 weeks ago
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2/8
In the next episode of the Authorpreneur Podcast, I will discuss writing in first and third-person POV. If you have questions that you'd like for me to answer in the episode, ask them below. 👇🏻
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In the next episode of the Authorpreneur Podcast, I will discuss writing in first and third-person POV. If you have questions that you'd like for me to answer in the episode, ask them below. 👇🏻
3 weeks ago
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3/8
I spotted Pusheen in the background while recording the Authorpreneur Podcast last week, and now she’s in the thumbnail for the YouTube video. 🐈🎙🤦‍♀️
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I spotted Pusheen in the background while recording the Authorpreneur Podcast last week, and now she’s in the thumbnail for the YouTube video. 🐈🎙🤦‍♀️
3 weeks ago
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4/8
Revision is like pulling teeth. Well, that's how it feels to me, at the moment. I'm so over revising this story. But at the same time, I feel so insecure about this novella. Long gone is that innocent, naive Amelia, who was excited to publish her first piece of fiction. Perhaps, I know better now. Or, more realistically, I'm more cynical. I know what awaits me if I screw up and publish a book with plot holes, however minor. In this behind the scenes author diary episode, I discuss the highs and lows of my revision process, what prompted me to move into the professional editing phase and my struggles with writer's insecurity. Yes, spoiler alert, I'm riddled with it. And, I share an exciting milestone with Le Villain Book Covers. So stay tuned for all of this and much more. Check out the full episode here ⇢ https://bit.ly/BTS044 or click the link in my bio. Thanks for listening, and happy reading and writing, everybody. 👍🏻
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Revision is like pulling teeth. Well, that's how it feels to me, at the moment. I'm so over revising this story. But at the same time, I feel so insecure about this novella. Long gone is that innocent, naive Amelia, who was excited to publish her first piece of fiction. Perhaps, I know better now. Or, more realistically, I'm more cynical. I know what awaits me if I screw up and publish a book with plot holes, however minor. In this behind the scenes author diary episode, I discuss the highs and lows of my revision process, what prompted me to move into the professional editing phase and my struggles with writer's insecurity. Yes, spoiler alert, I'm riddled with it. And, I share an exciting milestone with Le Villain Book Covers. So stay tuned for all of this and much more. Check out the full episode here ⇢ https://bit.ly/BTS044 or click the link in my bio. Thanks for listening, and happy reading and writing, everybody. 👍🏻
3 weeks ago
View on Instagram |
5/8
Writing to market or writing with genre expectations in mind is often seen as a dirty word. And, I think there are a few misconceptions, largely to do with confusing the strategy with writing-to-trend which is very different. For the sake of clarity, writing-to-trend is all about writing what's popular. An example of that strategy is writing a paranormal romance feature vampires because they're hot right now; that's writing to trend. By the way, I have no idea whether that's a hot trend, so don't take that as gospel because it's just an example I plucked from my mind, a few seconds ago. However, writing with genre expectations in mind is all about writing for your audience. I know you want to write what you love, but just hear me out. As a writer, I get it, you need to love what you write, but you also need to write something that others will enjoy and want to stick around for long-term. Before we get into the tips, this episode is the first in a two-part series focused on writing with genre expectations in mind. In this first part, I want to focus on writing with genre expectations in mind for writers who haven't written their first draft and merely have a story idea in mind. This episode will be great for you if you have a story idea or outline, and want to write for an existing audience. Part two, which will be in two weeks, will be great for those of you who, have written the first draft or are revising and are concerned there's no market for your book. Don't worry, the episode has already been recorded and edited, and is scheduled on my podcast hosting provider's website. So stay tuned for all of this and much more. Check out the full episode here ⇢ https://bit.ly/TAP-030 or click the link in my bio. Thanks for listening, and happy reading and writing, everybody. 👍🏻
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Writing to market or writing with genre expectations in mind is often seen as a dirty word. And, I think there are a few misconceptions, largely to do with confusing the strategy with writing-to-trend which is very different. For the sake of clarity, writing-to-trend is all about writing what's popular. An example of that strategy is writing a paranormal romance feature vampires because they're hot right now; that's writing to trend. By the way, I have no idea whether that's a hot trend, so don't take that as gospel because it's just an example I plucked from my mind, a few seconds ago. However, writing with genre expectations in mind is all about writing for your audience. I know you want to write what you love, but just hear me out. As a writer, I get it, you need to love what you write, but you also need to write something that others will enjoy and want to stick around for long-term. Before we get into the tips, this episode is the first in a two-part series focused on writing with genre expectations in mind. In this first part, I want to focus on writing with genre expectations in mind for writers who haven't written their first draft and merely have a story idea in mind. This episode will be great for you if you have a story idea or outline, and want to write for an existing audience. Part two, which will be in two weeks, will be great for those of you who, have written the first draft or are revising and are concerned there's no market for your book. Don't worry, the episode has already been recorded and edited, and is scheduled on my podcast hosting provider's website. So stay tuned for all of this and much more. Check out the full episode here ⇢ https://bit.ly/TAP-030 or click the link in my bio. Thanks for listening, and happy reading and writing, everybody. 👍🏻
4 weeks ago
View on Instagram |
6/8
At the start of season two, I started off with the best of intentions. Just like this episode, I set the expectations for the season. And, that's when everything went pear-shaped. In fact, things aren't back to normal for me either. I don't need to remind you because technically we're still at this place. Now that I’ve said this, I’m going to immediately follow through with this and devote this short episode to what you can expect from season three. And, I'll share a few changes to the podcast that you can expect from season three. In this episode, I will discuss: • What you can expect from season three • The start date of the new season. • Changes to the podcast in season three onwards. • My podcasting plans until the end of the year. As always, I have an important question to ask. Are you writing a novel, short story, or novella? And if so, is there a topic you want me to cover in the upcoming season of The Authorpreneur Podcast. Let me know by sharing your thoughts in the comments section. 👇🏻 Thank you for listening, and I’ll see you in the next episode of The Authorpreneur Podcast.
authorpreneurpodcast
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At the start of season two, I started off with the best of intentions. Just like this episode, I set the expectations for the season. And, that's when everything went pear-shaped. In fact, things aren't back to normal for me either. I don't need to remind you because technically we're still at this place. Now that I’ve said this, I’m going to immediately follow through with this and devote this short episode to what you can expect from season three. And, I'll share a few changes to the podcast that you can expect from season three. In this episode, I will discuss: • What you can expect from season three • The start date of the new season. • Changes to the podcast in season three onwards. • My podcasting plans until the end of the year. As always, I have an important question to ask. Are you writing a novel, short story, or novella? And if so, is there a topic you want me to cover in the upcoming season of The Authorpreneur Podcast. Let me know by sharing your thoughts in the comments section. 👇🏻 Thank you for listening, and I’ll see you in the next episode of The Authorpreneur Podcast.
4 weeks ago
View on Instagram |
7/8
In the last two weeks in August, I started revising a murder mystery novella. Also, during this period, I created a book marketing plan for the Candidate. As I was revising my murder mystery novella, I began to feel scared to self publish. To be honest, I've been feeling this way for a while. This month, I purchased a few courses, and I share what prompted me to make these purchases. So stay tuned for all of this and much more. Check out the full episode here ⇢ https://bit.ly/BTS043 or click the link in my bio. Thanks for listening, and happy reading and writing, everybody. 👍🏻
authorpreneurpodcast
authorpreneurpodcast
•
Follow
In the last two weeks in August, I started revising a murder mystery novella. Also, during this period, I created a book marketing plan for the Candidate. As I was revising my murder mystery novella, I began to feel scared to self publish. To be honest, I've been feeling this way for a while. This month, I purchased a few courses, and I share what prompted me to make these purchases. So stay tuned for all of this and much more. Check out the full episode here ⇢ https://bit.ly/BTS043 or click the link in my bio. Thanks for listening, and happy reading and writing, everybody. 👍🏻
2 months ago
View on Instagram |
8/8

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