Laura VanArendonk Baugh's Blog, page 12

Fight Write! With Carla Hoch (To Write & Have Written)

For this month’s Learn With Me, I sit down with martial artist, writer, and fight editor Carla Hoch to talk about creating confrontation and conflict in story — everything from how to choose your character’s best technique to choosing a setting. Find Carla’s book Fight Write: How to Create Believable… Continue reading

The Many Uses of NaNoWriMo (and What It’s Really Not Good For)

You wouldn’t think a call to “Hey, anybody who’s interested, let’s do something this month!” would be so controversial, but you know humans. So I thought I’d lend my own insight on why there might be such varied opinions on the legitimacy and worth of NaNoWriMo and its participants. What… Continue reading

Self-Sabotage and the Fear of Success (To Write and Have Written)

In this Business of Creativity episode we tackle the little-discussed but not uncommon phenomenon of the fear of success. Let’s go over several ways we see this happen, what might be behind it, and what we can do about it. Video (from Twitch and YouTube): Transcript: Self-Sabotage and the Fear… Continue reading

Field Trip! Ice & Steam (& Penguins) (To Write and Have Written)

We take our first Field Trip to explore Iguazú Falls, Ushuaia, Antarctica, the Falklands, and the amazing journey of Ernest Shackleton and the Endurance expedition. Iguazu Falls and Buenos AiresUshuaiaCape HornIcePenguins Video (from Twitch and YouTube): Transcript: Field Trip! Steam & Ice & Penguins (Iguazu Falls, Ushuaia, Antarctica, Falklands) –… Continue reading

Want S’more Fun In Your Season?

We’re trying something new, and we invite you to, too. Three of us — Alena, Julie, and I — put together a cookbook for s’mores. “Hold on,” I hear you saying. “S’mores? How can anyone need a cookbook for that? That’s like needing a recipe for boiling water.” Oh, but… Continue reading

Using Folklore In Writing, Learn With Me! (To Write and Have Written)

Ceallaigh S. MacCath-Moran joins me for an academic discussion of folklore, fiction, responsibility in using story, the universality of motif, and conspiracy theories! The Longest Road In The Universe by C.S. MacCath Video (from Twitch and YouTube): Transcript: Learn With Me! About Folklore and Fiction – powered by Happy Scribe… Continue reading

Try Something New! Craft & Development (To Write and Have Written)

It’s surprisingly easy to get into a rut when you’re trying to be professionally creative. This is where the dreaded “writer’s block” get blamed and where you can feel drained or frustrated. Here’s how to maintain the battery and keep your creativity and productivity fueled. Video (from Twitch and YouTube):… Continue reading

Try Something New (The Business of Creativity) (To Write and Have Written)

It’s important to try new things! Don’t get in a rut with your marketing; experiment. It’s both useful and fun. Here’s what I’m trying (and it might not work!) That AppSumo affilate link mentioned: http://fbuy.me/v/laura_10643 See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Video (from Twitch and YouTube): Transcript: Try Something… Continue reading

Marketing: Who Am I? (To Write and Have Written)

It’s easy to get overwhelmed by everything you hear about branding and marketing and more. Let’s break it down and take it slow for gradual, sustainable progress and growth. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Video (from Twitch and YouTube): Transcript: Marketing: Who Am I? The Business of Creativity… Continue reading

Creating in 2020 and Other Adversities: What To Do About It (To Write and Have Written)

Yeah, it’s been a year that’s hard on creativity, and that’s showing in a lot of us. Let’s talk about why that is and what we can do about it. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Video (from Twitch and YouTube): Transcript Creating in 2020 and Other Adversities –… Continue reading