I know, I know. It’s been a minute but I have excuses and a funny story. This episode is pure chaos as I explain why I’ve been MIA (spoiler: I fell at a gas station), update you on my reading and wr...

I know, I know. It's been a minute but I have excuses and a funny story that involves a gas station, a receipt, and my delusion that I am still agile at 51. Spoiler: I'm not.This episode covers m...

I'm back after the holiday break, sharing my latest reading updates, streaming favorites, and writing progress. I talk about gearing up for Glocktober (crime fiction month), my new holiday short story project, and updates on Potter Lake 4. Plus, fanfiction challenges, event updates, and honest thoughts on the publishing landscape. Topics Covered Reading Challenge Update I'm at 126 out of 175 books for the year - seven books ahead of schedule! Recently Read: * Capone Season One, Delgado Family by Jaquel J. (first time reading this popular author) * Out of the Woods, Detective Margot Phelan #5 by Kate Wiley (audio ARC from NetGalley) Currently Reading: * Wildflowers and Bullets by Keith Karim Williams * T and E: The Teachers of Hardwood High by Nina High Glocktober Prep I'm getting ready for October's crime fiction reading month with Steve Kavanaugh books and participating in a BookFunnel promo featuring new crime novels, including my own "Baking Bad." What I've Been Streaming Movies & Documentaries: * Into the Storm (tornado disaster movie on Roku's Howdy channel) * Emma and Bruce Willis documentary "The Unexpected Journey" about Bruce's frontotemporal dementia * Stans (Eminem fan documentary on Paramount) TV Series: * Night Agent (Netflix) - binged season one, started season two * Rainmaker (Peacock) - based on John Grisham's novel, updating weekly Waiting for Fall Shows: * The Diplomat Season 3 (October) * Landman (Paramount, January) * Matlock, Will Trent, Elsbeth returning soon. Writing and Publishing Updates Potter Lake 4: Still I Rise I'm working through the transition from complete pantser to partial planner. Taking my time with this novel, fighting the temptation to add manufactured drama. The story follows Rinda Belle LeBlanc returning to Potter Lake after leaving her fiancé at the altar years ago. New Holiday Short: "Layover" A response to reader complaints about the "only one bed" trope. Features Taryn and Lance, seatmates on a diverted flight who end up sharing accommodations during a layover. I'm aiming for late October/November release. Sneak Peek in my newsletter and on my Substack. Publishing Strategy Updates I'm planning to put "Layover" and "Calculated Risk" into Kindle Unlimited for one cycle to reach new demographics. Amazon now allows KU books to be submitted to libraries - I recommend using Draft2Digital for library-only distribution. Fanfiction Corner Awesome August challenge ended, Poptober coming up celebrating Chris Kirkpatrick's birthday (October 17th). I'm considering posting "Misadventure in Cloudcraft" serial to my short fiction Substack. Upcoming Events Black Book Bash, October 3-7 in Jacksonville, Florida. Pre-orders are open but I've had limited response so far. Contact Information * Website: booksbydlwhite.com * Email: authordl (at) booksbydlwhite (dot) com * Social media links: booksbydlwhite.com/linkinbio * Substack: authordlwhite.substack.com Links & Resources * Buy my books: booksbydlwhite.com/shop * Bookshop.org shelf for indie bookstore support * Support the podcast: buymeacoffee.com/booksbydlwhite * Newsletter signup: booksbydlwhite.com/newsletter * Episode page: booksbydlwhite.com/bookcast/127 * Substack: authordlwhite.substack.com * My podcast subscription lists and recommendations. Special Thanks Shoutouts to listeners who share and support: Fred Smith, Jessica Terry, Kay The Reader, Dr. Raymond Williams, and my Bookstagram family members who consistently promote the show. xoxo Podcast Details The Bookcast is a podcast about reading and writing, black love and real life as a self-published author. I also occasionally share short fiction on this podcast. I'm D.L. White, an Atlanta-based author, reader and storyteller. Support Information The best way to support me and podcasts like this is to buy the books. You can find print editions on my bookshop.org shelf, supporting indie bookstores and me at the same time. You can also support this podcast at Buy Me a Coffee or by sharing episodes and leaving reviews on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, and other platforms. Production Notes The Bookcast is written, produced and edited by me, D.L. White. Theme music and sound effects are provided by Pixabay. Special thanks to my supporters over on Buzzsprout who keep this mic on.

I'm back after the holiday break, sharing my latest reading updates, streaming favorites, and writing progress. I talk about gearing up for Glocktober (crime fiction month), my new holiday short story project, and updates on Potter Lake 4. Plus, fanfiction challenges, event updates, and honest thoughts on the publishing landscape. Topics Covered Reading Challenge Update I'm at 126 out of 175 books for the year - seven books ahead of schedule! Recently Read: * Capone Season One, Delgado Family by Jaquel J. (first time reading this popular author) * Out of the Woods, Detective Margot Phelan #5 by Kate Wiley (audio ARC from NetGalley) Currently Reading: * Wildflowers and Bullets by Keith Karim Williams * T and E: The Teachers of Hardwood High by Nina High Glocktober Prep I'm getting ready for October's crime fiction reading month with Steve Kavanaugh books and participating in a BookFunnel promo featuring new crime novels, including my own "Baking Bad." What I've Been Streaming Movies & Documentaries: * Into the Storm (tornado disaster movie on Roku's Howdy channel) * Emma and Bruce Willis documentary "The Unexpected Journey" about Bruce's frontotemporal dementia * Stans (Eminem fan documentary on Paramount) TV Series: * Night Agent (Netflix) - binged season one, started season two * Rainmaker (Peacock) - based on John Grisham's novel, updating weekly Waiting for Fall Shows: * The Diplomat Season 3 (October) * Landman (Paramount, January) * Matlock, Will Trent, Elsbeth returning soon. Writing and Publishing Updates Potter Lake 4: Still I Rise I'm working through the transition from complete pantser to partial planner. Taking my time with this novel, fighting the temptation to add manufactured drama. The story follows Rinda Belle LeBlanc returning to Potter Lake after leaving her fiancé at the altar years ago. New Holiday Short: "Layover" A response to reader complaints about the "only one bed" trope. Features Taryn and Lance, seatmates on a diverted flight who end up sharing accommodations during a layover. I'm aiming for late October/November release. Sneak Peek in my newsletter and on my Substack. Publishing Strategy Updates I'm planning to put "Layover" and "Calculated Risk" into Kindle Unlimited for one cycle to reach new demographics. Amazon now allows KU books to be submitted to libraries - I recommend using Draft2Digital for library-only distribution. Fanfiction Corner Awesome August challenge ended, Poptober coming up celebrating Chris Kirkpatrick's birthday (October 17th). I'm considering posting "Misadventure in Cloudcraft" serial to my short fiction Substack. Upcoming Events Black Book Bash, October 3-7 in Jacksonville, Florida. Pre-orders are open but I've had limited response so far. Contact Information * Website: booksbydlwhite.com * Email: authordl (at) booksbydlwhite (dot) com * Social media links: booksbydlwhite.com/linkinbio * Substack: authordlwhite.substack.com Links & Resources * Buy my books: booksbydlwhite.com/shop * Bookshop.org shelf for indie bookstore support * Support the podcast: buymeacoffee.com/booksbydlwhite * Newsletter signup: booksbydlwhite.com/newsletter * Episode page: booksbydlwhite.com/bookcast/127 * Substack: authordlwhite.substack.com * My podcast subscription lists and recommendations. Special Thanks Shoutouts to listeners who share and support: Fred Smith, Jessica Terry, Kay The Reader, Dr. Raymond Williams, and my Bookstagram family members who consistently promote the show. xoxo Podcast Details The Bookcast is a podcast about reading and writing, black love and real life as a self-published author. I also occasionally share short fiction on this podcast. I'm D.L. White, an Atlanta-based author, reader and storyteller. Support Information The best way to support me and podcasts like this is to buy the books. You can find print editions on my bookshop.org shelf, supporting indie bookstores and me at the same time. You can also support this podcast at Buy Me a Coffee or by sharing episodes and leaving reviews on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, and other platforms. Production Notes The Bookcast is written, produced and edited by me, D.L. White. Theme music and sound effects are provided by Pixabay. Special thanks to my supporters over on Buzzsprout who keep this mic on.

I'm back after the holiday break, sharing my latest reading updates, streaming favorites, and writing progress. I talk about gearing up for Glocktober (crime fiction month), my new holiday short story...

I'm back after the holiday break, sharing my latest reading updates, streaming favorites, and writing progress. I talk about gearing up for Glocktober (crime fiction month), my new holiday short story project, and updates on Potter Lake 4. Plus, fanfiction challenges, event updates, and honest thoughts on the publishing landscape. Topics Covered Reading Challenge Update I'm at 126 out of 175 books for the year - seven books ahead of schedule! Recently Read: * Capone Season One, Delgado Family by Jaquel J. (first time reading this popular author) * Out of the Woods, Detective Margot Phelan #5 by Kate Wiley (audio ARC from NetGalley) Currently Reading: * Wildflowers and Bullets by Keith Karim Williams * T and E: The Teachers of Hardwood High by Nina High Glocktober Prep I'm getting ready for October's crime fiction reading month with Steve Kavanaugh books and participating in a BookFunnel promo featuring new crime novels, including my own "Baking Bad." What I've Been Streaming Movies & Documentaries: * Into the Storm (tornado disaster movie on Roku's Howdy channel) * Emma and Bruce Willis documentary "The Unexpected Journey" about Bruce's frontotemporal dementia * Stans (Eminem fan documentary on Paramount) TV Series: * Night Agent (Netflix) - binged season one, started season two * Rainmaker (Peacock) - based on John Grisham's novel, updating weekly Waiting for Fall Shows: * The Diplomat Season 3 (October) * Landman (Paramount, January) * Matlock, Will Trent, Elsbeth returning soon. Writing and Publishing Updates Potter Lake 4: Still I Rise I'm working through the transition from complete pantser to partial planner. Taking my time with this novel, fighting the temptation to add manufactured drama. The story follows Rinda Belle LeBlanc returning to Potter Lake after leaving her fiancé at the altar years ago. New Holiday Short: "Layover" A response to reader complaints about the "only one bed" trope. Features Taryn and Lance, seatmates on a diverted flight who end up sharing accommodations during a layover. I'm aiming for late October/November release. Sneak Peek in my newsletter and on my Substack. Publishing Strategy Updates I'm planning to put "Layover" and "Calculated Risk" into Kindle Unlimited for one cycle to reach new demographics. Amazon now allows KU books to be submitted to libraries - I recommend using Draft2Digital for library-only distribution. Fanfiction Corner Awesome August challenge ended, Poptober coming up celebrating Chris Kirkpatrick's birthday (October 17th). I'm considering posting "Misadventure in Cloudcraft" serial to my short fiction Substack. Upcoming Events Black Book Bash, October 3-7 in Jacksonville, Florida. Pre-orders are open but I've had limited response so far. Contact Information * Website: booksbydlwhite.com * Email: authordl (at) booksbydlwhite (dot) com * Social media links: booksbydlwhite.com/linkinbio * Substack: authordlwhite.substack.com Links & Resources * Buy my books: booksbydlwhite.com/shop * Bookshop.org shelf for indie bookstore support * Support the podcast: buymeacoffee.com/booksbydlwhite * Newsletter signup: booksbydlwhite.com/newsletter * Episode page: booksbydlwhite.com/bookcast/127 * Substack: authordlwhite.substack.com * My podcast subscription lists and recommendations. Special Thanks Shoutouts to listeners who share and support: Fred Smith, Jessica Terry, Kay The Reader, Dr. Raymond Williams, and my Bookstagram family members who consistently promote the show. xoxo Podcast Details The Bookcast is a podcast about reading and writing, black love and real life as a self-published author. I also occasionally share short fiction on this podcast. I'm D.L. White, an Atlanta-based author, reader and storyteller. Support Information The best way to support me and podcasts like this is to buy the books. You can find print editions on my bookshop.org shelf, supporting indie bookstores and me at the same time. You can also support this podcast at Buy Me a Coffee or by sharing episodes and leaving reviews on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, and other platforms. Production Notes The Bookcast is written, produced and edited by me, D.L. White. Theme music and sound effects are provided by Pixabay. Special thanks to my supporters over on Buzzsprout who keep this mic on.

Hello hello and welcome back to The Bookcast. I'm DL White coming to you from my closet-studio in Atlanta on this Sunday, August 24th, with my mic, my drink, and way too many thoughts. Today I'm sipping on a Fruit 2O protein drink mixed with Sprite Zero and Simply Zero sugar lemonade over ice, and I’m ready to dive into everything I've got going on this week. Book Report My Reading Goal Update: I'm currently at 117 books of my 175-book goal for 2025. That's 67% toward my target and I'm five books ahead of schedule! Books I Completed This Week: * Crash (Love in Scrubs series) - C. Monet * Witness 8 (Eddie Flynn #8) - Steve Cavanaugh * Departures and Arrivals (Flights and Feelings Book 2) - Nicole Falls * Rounds (Love in Scrubs Book 2) - Monica Walters * Promise: A Small Town Second Chance Cowboy Romance - Janelle Westenberry Currently Reading: * Disciplined - Mark Avery Next Up: * Dominion (before the hype train starts chugging) What I'm Watching Movies & TV: * Colombiana (Zoe Saldana) - I like a female assassin * Live Free or Die Hard - I love me some Bruce Willy * Hallmark mysteries - hit or miss but easy watching * Looking for more Lifetime movies like the one with Nicole Ari Parker and Boris Kodjoe YouTube Favorites: * Dollar Tree Dinners - budget meal hacks and lifestyle content * Reliving Single podcast * Michelle Obama's IMO podcast with Dwayne Wade and Gabrielle Union * Houseguest with Scott Evans featuring Regina King * Various documentaries on autism, Alzheimer's, financial topics, and drug documentaries Documentary Watch: "How the Digital Revolution is Killing Books" by Journeyman Pictures - very relevant to my interests as reader and author, featuring early Bezos footage. My Reading Hack: I use Instapaper to save articles from social media, then have them read aloud during commutes or breaks. Writing & Publishing Update My Current Status: I'm taking a complete break from fiction writing until mid-September - I'm really and truly tired of thinking and plotting. Active Projects: * Promoting Missing Persons * Thinking about Potter Lake 4 - I need to coordinate with my editor for November schedule * No new commercial projects until fall Fanfiction Update: * I finished my Awesome August story with good reader response * I reflected on how the archive community supported a member going through hospice care with a loved one * I thought about how fanfiction provided comfort when I lost my brother in 2008, and how it offers creative freedom without commercial pressure Main Topic: Platform Fatigue & Delisting Decisions I'm considering whether big platforms like Audible and Google Play are worth my time. The numbers tell a clear story: I made only $68 from Audible in eight months versus $170+ from Findaway, and just $20 all year from Google Play. Audible's new payment system pays authors less despite higher percentages on paper, and Google Play mostly generates free downloads with no read-through. I'm questioning whether platforms with name recognition but tiny returns deserve my energy when other distributors are actually paying me fairly. My revenue is split 50/50 between Amazon's ecosystem and everything else combined, which has me seriously considering delisting from underperforming platforms to focus where my work is valued. Looking Ahead I'm considering doing a Q&A episode since I have time while taking my writing break. I'm asking listeners for: * Burning questions to answer * Guidance topics to cover * TV/movie recommendations to help me avoid news watching Links & Resources * Missing Persons: Available at booksbydlwhite.com/shop * Support the podcast: buymeacoffee.com/booksbydlwhite * Newsletter signup: booksbydlwhite.com/linkinbio * Episode page: booksbydlwhite.com/bookcast126

I'm recording from my new in-progress recording closet/studio! This episode covers my reading updates, what I've been watching, writing progress, and a deep dive into the reality of book launches. I share honest numbers from my Missing Persons release and discuss the emotional ups and downs of being an author. Topics Covered Reading Challenge Update I'm at 112 out of 175 books for the year - three books ahead of schedule! Recently Read: * Awakening by C.M. Barnes (an erotica that actually has a great story) * The Devil's Advocate by Steve Cavanagh (I'm now obsessed with this legal thriller series) * 13 by Steve Cavanagh (Eddie Flynn #4) * The Dating Prohibition by Taj McCoy Currently Reading: * Witness 8 by Steve Cavanagh (Eddie Flynn #8) I'm diving deep into Steve Cavanagh's entire Eddie Flynn series, even though I'm reading them out of order because I'm impatient and just getting whatever's available on Libby, Hoopla, and Everand. What I've Been Watching I've been avoiding reality by diving into my to-be-watched list across Netflix and my Philo subscription. Netflix Documentaries: * Crack: Cocaine, Corruption and Conspiracy (rewatching) * Fit for TV: The Reality of the Biggest Loser (three episodes, really good) * I Am a Killer (drags a bit for me) Tried but Didn't Work: * High Town (still can't get past episode one) Philo/Hallmark Content: * Sinister Surgeon (Hallmark movie about a cosmetic surgery practice) * Safe Room (starring Boris Kodjoe and Nicole Ari Parker) * Aurora Teagarden Mysteries (one movie, pretty good) * Ruby Herring Mysteries series: * Silent Witness * Her Last Breath * Prediction Murder Lifetime: * Prison Brides (only watched one episode, that was enough) Boris Kodjoe both starred in and directed Safe Room which was surprisingly good - haven't seen him and Nicole Ari Parker in a movie together in years. Writing and Publishing I'm taking August off after releasing Missing Persons on August 5th, then diving into Powder Lake 4 in September. I get honest about launch numbers - Missing Persons sold 45 units in two weeks for $166 profit. While not Instagram-worthy, I'm on track for 73% business growth this year. I discuss the emotional whiplash of being an author, the cheerleading imbalance in the community, and how the publishing landscape has changed since COVID. Despite slower individual launches, I'm choosing authentic growth over viral moments and building something sustainable with 815 total units sold this year. Main Topic: The Reality of Book Launches and Author Emotions The heart of this episode focuses on being brutally honest about what book launches actually look like for indie authors. I share real numbers from Missing Persons and discuss the emotional whiplash that comes with this business. I talk about how my overall business is growing 73% this year, but individual launches still feel disappointing. I explore the vulnerability of putting creative work into the world, and why I choose authenticity over viral moments. This is a candid look at building a sustainable writing career versus chasing momentary success. Contact Information * Website: booksbydlwhite.com * Email: [email protected] * Social media links: booksbydlwhite.com/linkinbio * Blue Sky: booksbydlwhite.com * Other platforms: @authordlwhite Links & Resources * Missing Persons: Available at booksbydlwhite.com/shop * Support the podcast: buymeacoffee.com/booksbydlwhite * Newsletter signup: booksbydlwhite.com/linkinbio * Episode page: booksbydlwhite.com/bookcast125 * Substack: authordlwhite.substack.com

Hello hello and welcome back to The Bookcast. I'm DL White coming to you from my closet-studio in Atlanta on this Sunday, August 24th, with my mic, my drink, and way too many thoughts. Today I'm sipping on a Fruit 2O protein drink mixed with Sprite Zero and Simply Zero sugar lemonade over ice, and I’m ready to dive into everything I've got going on this week. Book Report My Reading Goal Update: I'm currently at 117 books of my 175-book goal for 2025. That's 67% toward my target and I'm five books ahead of schedule! Books I Completed This Week: * Crash (Love in Scrubs series) - C. Monet * Witness 8 (Eddie Flynn #8) - Steve Cavanaugh * Departures and Arrivals (Flights and Feelings Book 2) - Nicole Falls * Rounds (Love in Scrubs Book 2) - Monica Walters * Promise: A Small Town Second Chance Cowboy Romance - Janelle Westenberry Currently Reading: * Disciplined - Mark Avery Next Up: * Dominion (before the hype train starts chugging) What I'm Watching Movies & TV: * Colombiana (Zoe Saldana) - I like a female assassin * Live Free or Die Hard - I love me some Bruce Willy * Hallmark mysteries - hit or miss but easy watching * Looking for more Lifetime movies like the one with Nicole Ari Parker and Boris Kodjoe YouTube Favorites: * Dollar Tree Dinners - budget meal hacks and lifestyle content * Reliving Single podcast * Michelle Obama's IMO podcast with Dwayne Wade and Gabrielle Union * Houseguest with Scott Evans featuring Regina King * Various documentaries on autism, Alzheimer's, financial topics, and drug documentaries Documentary Watch: "How the Digital Revolution is Killing Books" by Journeyman Pictures - very relevant to my interests as reader and author, featuring early Bezos footage. My Reading Hack: I use Instapaper to save articles from social media, then have them read aloud during commutes or breaks. Writing & Publishing Update My Current Status: I'm taking a complete break from fiction writing until mid-September - I'm really and truly tired of thinking and plotting. Active Projects: * Promoting Missing Persons * Thinking about Potter Lake 4 - I need to coordinate with my editor for November schedule * No new commercial projects until fall Fanfiction Update: * I finished my Awesome August story with good reader response * I reflected on how the archive community supported a member going through hospice care with a loved one * I thought about how fanfiction provided comfort when I lost my brother in 2008, and how it offers creative freedom without commercial pressure Main Topic: Platform Fatigue & Delisting Decisions I'm considering whether big platforms like Audible and Google Play are worth my time. The numbers tell a clear story: I made only $68 from Audible in eight months versus $170+ from Findaway, and just $20 all year from Google Play. Audible's new payment system pays authors less despite higher percentages on paper, and Google Play mostly generates free downloads with no read-through. I'm questioning whether platforms with name recognition but tiny returns deserve my energy when other distributors are actually paying me fairly. My revenue is split 50/50 between Amazon's ecosystem and everything else combined, which has me seriously considering delisting from underperforming platforms to focus where my work is valued. Looking Ahead I'm considering doing a Q&A episode since I have time while taking my writing break. I'm asking listeners for: * Burning questions to answer * Guidance topics to cover * TV/movie recommendations to help me avoid news watching Links & Resources * Missing Persons: Available at booksbydlwhite.com/shop * Support the podcast: buymeacoffee.com/booksbydlwhite * Newsletter signup: booksbydlwhite.com/linkinbio * Episode page: booksbydlwhite.com/bookcast126

Hello hello and welcome back to The Bookcast. I'm DL White coming to you from my closet-studio in Atlanta on this Sunday, August 24th, with my mic, my drink, and way too many thoughts. Today I'm s...

Hello hello and welcome back to The Bookcast. I'm DL White coming to you from my closet-studio in Atlanta on this Sunday, August 24th, with my mic, my drink, and way too many thoughts. Today I'm sipping on a Fruit 2O protein drink mixed with Sprite Zero and Simply Zero sugar lemonade over ice, and I’m ready to dive into everything I've got going on this week. Book Report My Reading Goal Update: I'm currently at 117 books of my 175-book goal for 2025. That's 67% toward my target and I'm five books ahead of schedule! Books I Completed This Week: * Crash (Love in Scrubs series) - C. Monet * Witness 8 (Eddie Flynn #8) - Steve Cavanaugh * Departures and Arrivals (Flights and Feelings Book 2) - Nicole Falls * Rounds (Love in Scrubs Book 2) - Monica Walters * Promise: A Small Town Second Chance Cowboy Romance - Janelle Westenberry Currently Reading: * Disciplined - Mark Avery Next Up: * Dominion (before the hype train starts chugging) What I'm Watching Movies & TV: * Colombiana (Zoe Saldana) - I like a female assassin * Live Free or Die Hard - I love me some Bruce Willy * Hallmark mysteries - hit or miss but easy watching * Looking for more Lifetime movies like the one with Nicole Ari Parker and Boris Kodjoe YouTube Favorites: * Dollar Tree Dinners - budget meal hacks and lifestyle content * Reliving Single podcast * Michelle Obama's IMO podcast with Dwayne Wade and Gabrielle Union * Houseguest with Scott Evans featuring Regina King * Various documentaries on autism, Alzheimer's, financial topics, and drug documentaries Documentary Watch: "How the Digital Revolution is Killing Books" by Journeyman Pictures - very relevant to my interests as reader and author, featuring early Bezos footage. My Reading Hack: I use Instapaper to save articles from social media, then have them read aloud during commutes or breaks. Writing & Publishing Update My Current Status: I'm taking a complete break from fiction writing until mid-September - I'm really and truly tired of thinking and plotting. Active Projects: * Promoting Missing Persons * Thinking about Potter Lake 4 - I need to coordinate with my editor for November schedule * No new commercial projects until fall Fanfiction Update: * I finished my Awesome August story with good reader response * I reflected on how the archive community supported a member going through hospice care with a loved one * I thought about how fanfiction provided comfort when I lost my brother in 2008, and how it offers creative freedom without commercial pressure Main Topic: Platform Fatigue & Delisting Decisions I'm considering whether big platforms like Audible and Google Play are worth my time. The numbers tell a clear story: I made only $68 from Audible in eight months versus $170+ from Findaway, and just $20 all year from Google Play. Audible's new payment system pays authors less despite higher percentages on paper, and Google Play mostly generates free downloads with no read-through. I'm questioning whether platforms with name recognition but tiny returns deserve my energy when other distributors are actually paying me fairly. My revenue is split 50/50 between Amazon's ecosystem and everything else combined, which has me seriously considering delisting from underperforming platforms to focus where my work is valued. Looking Ahead I'm considering doing a Q&A episode since I have time while taking my writing break. I'm asking listeners for: * Burning questions to answer * Guidance topics to cover * TV/movie recommendations to help me avoid news watching Links & Resources * Missing Persons: Available at booksbydlwhite.com/shop * Support the podcast: buymeacoffee.com/booksbydlwhite * Newsletter signup: booksbydlwhite.com/linkinbio * Episode page: booksbydlwhite.com/bookcast126

Hey Book pals! I'm back after a brief hiatus with exciting updates! I’m recording from my new bedroom after successfully closing on my house July 23rd. I share the moving experience, celebrate my latest release "Missing Persons," discuss upcoming events, and give you my current reading updates. New Homeowner Life I closed on my house without drama and moved in immediately. I even slept on an air mattress the first night because I was so excited! I'm working on setting up a proper recording studio in my office closet and creating a reading nook in my bedroom. Missing Persons Release My new romantic mystery came out August 5th. This book took me forever to finish. I finally figured out the ending thanks to a Bluesky conversation about missing persons cases. This book features Yvette Young from "Dinner at Sam's" and attorney Wesley Payne working together on a case while navigating their friends-to-lovers romance. Find this title in Ebook or print at bit.ly/missingpersonsDLWhite Black Book Bash I'm thrilled about this conference in Jacksonville, Florida, October 1-3. Casey Kelly is organizing it with tracks for romance, general fiction, thrillers, young adult, and nonfiction. I'll be doing panels and book signings. Preorders are open- check my links page! Reading Challenge Update I'm at 107 books out of my 175 goal for the year, one book ahead of schedule! Recently loved "We Don't Talk About Carol" by Kristen Berry and "Too Old for This" by Samantha Downing. Currently obsessed with "The Devil's Advocate" by Steve cavanaugh. Future Projects I'm taking August to rest my brain, then diving into Potter Lake 4: "Still I Rise". Aiming for an end-of-year release. Also considering a holiday short story if inspiration strikes. Social Media Updates I'm on Bluesky (my favorite), Threads (reluctantly, but that's where the book community is), TikTok, and Facebook. Never going back to X/Twitter. Find links to all my socials on my links page! Contact Information * Website: booksbydlwhite.com * Email: authordl at booksbydlwhite dot com * Social media links: booksbydlwhite.com/linkinbio

I'm recording from my new in-progress recording closet/studio! This episode covers my reading updates, what I've been watching, writing progress, and a deep dive into the reality of book launches. I share honest numbers from my Missing Persons release and discuss the emotional ups and downs of being an author. Topics Covered Reading Challenge Update I'm at 112 out of 175 books for the year - three books ahead of schedule! Recently Read: * Awakening by C.M. Barnes (an erotica that actually has a great story) * The Devil's Advocate by Steve Cavanagh (I'm now obsessed with this legal thriller series) * 13 by Steve Cavanagh (Eddie Flynn #4) * The Dating Prohibition by Taj McCoy Currently Reading: * Witness 8 by Steve Cavanagh (Eddie Flynn #8) I'm diving deep into Steve Cavanagh's entire Eddie Flynn series, even though I'm reading them out of order because I'm impatient and just getting whatever's available on Libby, Hoopla, and Everand. What I've Been Watching I've been avoiding reality by diving into my to-be-watched list across Netflix and my Philo subscription. Netflix Documentaries: * Crack: Cocaine, Corruption and Conspiracy (rewatching) * Fit for TV: The Reality of the Biggest Loser (three episodes, really good) * I Am a Killer (drags a bit for me) Tried but Didn't Work: * High Town (still can't get past episode one) Philo/Hallmark Content: * Sinister Surgeon (Hallmark movie about a cosmetic surgery practice) * Safe Room (starring Boris Kodjoe and Nicole Ari Parker) * Aurora Teagarden Mysteries (one movie, pretty good) * Ruby Herring Mysteries series: * Silent Witness * Her Last Breath * Prediction Murder Lifetime: * Prison Brides (only watched one episode, that was enough) Boris Kodjoe both starred in and directed Safe Room which was surprisingly good - haven't seen him and Nicole Ari Parker in a movie together in years. Writing and Publishing I'm taking August off after releasing Missing Persons on August 5th, then diving into Powder Lake 4 in September. I get honest about launch numbers - Missing Persons sold 45 units in two weeks for $166 profit. While not Instagram-worthy, I'm on track for 73% business growth this year. I discuss the emotional whiplash of being an author, the cheerleading imbalance in the community, and how the publishing landscape has changed since COVID. Despite slower individual launches, I'm choosing authentic growth over viral moments and building something sustainable with 815 total units sold this year. Main Topic: The Reality of Book Launches and Author Emotions The heart of this episode focuses on being brutally honest about what book launches actually look like for indie authors. I share real numbers from Missing Persons and discuss the emotional whiplash that comes with this business. I talk about how my overall business is growing 73% this year, but individual launches still feel disappointing. I explore the vulnerability of putting creative work into the world, and why I choose authenticity over viral moments. This is a candid look at building a sustainable writing career versus chasing momentary success. Contact Information * Website: booksbydlwhite.com * Email: [email protected] * Social media links: booksbydlwhite.com/linkinbio * Blue Sky: booksbydlwhite.com * Other platforms: @authordlwhite Links & Resources * Missing Persons: Available at booksbydlwhite.com/shop * Support the podcast: buymeacoffee.com/booksbydlwhite * Newsletter signup: booksbydlwhite.com/linkinbio * Episode page: booksbydlwhite.com/bookcast125 * Substack: authordlwhite.substack.com

I'm recording from my new in-progress recording closet/studio! This episode covers my reading updates, what I've been watching, writing progress, and a deep dive into the reality of book launches. I share honest numbers from my Missing Persons release and discuss the emotional ups and downs of being an author. Topics Covered Reading Challenge Update I'm at 112 out of 175 books for the year - three books ahead of schedule! Recently Read: * Awakening by C.M. Barnes (an erotica that actually has a great story) * The Devil's Advocate by Steve Cavanagh (I'm now obsessed with this legal thriller series) * 13 by Steve Cavanagh (Eddie Flynn #4) * The Dating Prohibition by Taj McCoy Currently Reading: * Witness 8 by Steve Cavanagh (Eddie Flynn #8) I'm diving deep into Steve Cavanagh's entire Eddie Flynn series, even though I'm reading them out of order because I'm impatient and just getting whatever's available on Libby, Hoopla, and Everand. What I've Been Watching I've been avoiding reality by diving into my to-be-watched list across Netflix and my Philo subscription. Netflix Documentaries: * Crack: Cocaine, Corruption and Conspiracy (rewatching) * Fit for TV: The Reality of the Biggest Loser (three episodes, really good) * I Am a Killer (drags a bit for me) Tried but Didn't Work: * High Town (still can't get past episode one) Philo/Hallmark Content: * Sinister Surgeon (Hallmark movie about a cosmetic surgery practice) * Safe Room (starring Boris Kodjoe and Nicole Ari Parker) * Aurora Teagarden Mysteries (one movie, pretty good) * Ruby Herring Mysteries series: * Silent Witness * Her Last Breath * Prediction Murder Lifetime: * Prison Brides (only watched one episode, that was enough) Boris Kodjoe both starred in and directed Safe Room which was surprisingly good - haven't seen him and Nicole Ari Parker in a movie together in years. Writing and Publishing I'm taking August off after releasing Missing Persons on August 5th, then diving into Powder Lake 4 in September. I get honest about launch numbers - Missing Persons sold 45 units in two weeks for $166 profit. While not Instagram-worthy, I'm on track for 73% business growth this year. I discuss the emotional whiplash of being an author, the cheerleading imbalance in the community, and how the publishing landscape has changed since COVID. Despite slower individual launches, I'm choosing authentic growth over viral moments and building something sustainable with 815 total units sold this year. Main Topic: The Reality of Book Launches and Author Emotions The heart of this episode focuses on being brutally honest about what book launches actually look like for indie authors. I share real numbers from Missing Persons and discuss the emotional whiplash that comes with this business. I talk about how my overall business is growing 73% this year, but individual launches still feel disappointing. I explore the vulnerability of putting creative work into the world, and why I choose authenticity over viral moments. This is a candid look at building a sustainable writing career versus chasing momentary success. Contact Information * Website: booksbydlwhite.com * Email: [email protected] * Social media links: booksbydlwhite.com/linkinbio * Blue Sky: booksbydlwhite.com * Other platforms: @authordlwhite Links & Resources * Missing Persons: Available at booksbydlwhite.com/shop * Support the podcast: buymeacoffee.com/booksbydlwhite * Newsletter signup: booksbydlwhite.com/linkinbio * Episode page: booksbydlwhite.com/bookcast125 * Substack: authordlwhite.substack.com

Hey Book pals! I'm back after a brief hiatus with exciting updates! I’m recording from my new bedroom after successfully closing on my house July 23rd. I share the moving experience, celebrate my latest release "Missing Persons," discuss upcoming events, and give you my current reading updates. New Homeowner Life I closed on my house without drama and moved in immediately. I even slept on an air mattress the first night because I was so excited! I'm working on setting up a proper recording studio in my office closet and creating a reading nook in my bedroom. Missing Persons Release My new romantic mystery came out August 5th. This book took me forever to finish. I finally figured out the ending thanks to a Bluesky conversation about missing persons cases. This book features Yvette Young from "Dinner at Sam's" and attorney Wesley Payne working together on a case while navigating their friends-to-lovers romance. Find this title in Ebook or print at bit.ly/missingpersonsDLWhite Black Book Bash I'm thrilled about this conference in Jacksonville, Florida, October 1-3. Casey Kelly is organizing it with tracks for romance, general fiction, thrillers, young adult, and nonfiction. I'll be doing panels and book signings. Preorders are open- check my links page! Reading Challenge Update I'm at 107 books out of my 175 goal for the year, one book ahead of schedule! Recently loved "We Don't Talk About Carol" by Kristen Berry and "Too Old for This" by Samantha Downing. Currently obsessed with "The Devil's Advocate" by Steve cavanaugh. Future Projects I'm taking August to rest my brain, then diving into Potter Lake 4: "Still I Rise". Aiming for an end-of-year release. Also considering a holiday short story if inspiration strikes. Social Media Updates I'm on Bluesky (my favorite), Threads (reluctantly, but that's where the book community is), TikTok, and Facebook. Never going back to X/Twitter. Find links to all my socials on my links page! Contact Information * Website: booksbydlwhite.com * Email: authordl at booksbydlwhite dot com * Social media links: booksbydlwhite.com/linkinbio

Hey Book pals! I'm back after a brief hiatus with exciting updates! I’m recording from my new bedroom after successfully closing on my house July 23rd. I share the moving experience, celebrate my latest release "Missing Persons," discuss upcoming events, and give you my current reading updates. New Homeowner Life I closed on my house without drama and moved in immediately. I even slept on an air mattress the first night because I was so excited! I'm working on setting up a proper recording studio in my office closet and creating a reading nook in my bedroom. Missing Persons Release My new romantic mystery came out August 5th. This book took me forever to finish. I finally figured out the ending thanks to a Bluesky conversation about missing persons cases. This book features Yvette Young from "Dinner at Sam's" and attorney Wesley Payne working together on a case while navigating their friends-to-lovers romance. Find this title in Ebook or print at bit.ly/missingpersonsDLWhite Black Book Bash I'm thrilled about this conference in Jacksonville, Florida, October 1-3. Casey Kelly is organizing it with tracks for romance, general fiction, thrillers, young adult, and nonfiction. I'll be doing panels and book signings. Preorders are open- check my links page! Reading Challenge Update I'm at 107 books out of my 175 goal for the year, one book ahead of schedule! Recently loved "We Don't Talk About Carol" by Kristen Berry and "Too Old for This" by Samantha Downing. Currently obsessed with "The Devil's Advocate" by Steve cavanaugh. Future Projects I'm taking August to rest my brain, then diving into Potter Lake 4: "Still I Rise". Aiming for an end-of-year release. Also considering a holiday short story if inspiration strikes. Social Media Updates I'm on Bluesky (my favorite), Threads (reluctantly, but that's where the book community is), TikTok, and Facebook. Never going back to X/Twitter. Find links to all my socials on my links page! Contact Information * Website: booksbydlwhite.com * Email: authordl at booksbydlwhite dot com * Social media links: booksbydlwhite.com/linkinbio

In this week's episode, Egwene gets promoted... kind of; Sheriam gets a little off the top; a viewing is fulfilled; and you-know-who remains captured. SAVE THE WHEEL OF TIME SHOW - CLICK https://savewot.com/ CHECK OUT "BABBLE ON: A BABYLON 5 PODCAST" - Watch the https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zz0wcZbJSHU&list=PLY2pS1hgfF7m_JqDQsu3KCynwGYVtHbQn - Listen to the https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/babble-on--6550347 Ali's NEW bingo card can be found https://bsky.app/profile/wheeltakespod.bsky.social/post/3lssjlherf22l  This is Episode 252 of our main book series episodes. ~~~ Material covered in this episode: Chapter 45 of THE GATHERING STORM This episode contains SPOILERS through CHAPTER 45 of THE GATHERING STORM ~~~ Check out our https://www.twitter.com/wheeltakespod, https://www.instagram.com/wheeltakespodcast, and https://www.tiktok.com/@wheeltakespod Check out our Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/wheeltakes Email us at https://gmail.com/ US-friendly MERCHANDISE: https://www.zazzle.com/store/wheeltakesmerch/products Europe-friendly MERCHANDISE: https://wheel-takes-merch.myspreadshop.co.uk/all Send us a card! Wheel Takes Podcast P.O. Box 1457 El Segundo, CA 90245 Ali's nicknames confusing you? Check out our https://bit.ly/wheeltakeskey! Check out the Prediction Tracker: https://bit.ly/37cyadl! ~~~ Support the Prague Shakespeare Company! US-based donation link: https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=P3XXBTWT4SKLY__;!!LpKI!yRseJwkaasaNLZf5LUF-SJG--u97dLQUppRndhKmWCQxNXuV5SUOaJdbb7svXF1Kug%24 Donate via check: Payable to: Prague Shakespeare Company America Prague Shakespeare Company America 1111 North Country Club Drive Shoreacres, TX 77571 Memo: In Support of PSC European resources: https://www.pragueshakespeare.com/support-psc.html ~~~ Music: DUNGEONS AND DRAGONS by Alexander Nakarada. Art: Collin Rice.

Writing Life Wednesday - How I Write One of the most often asked question of writers is HOW we write. What is the process, like drill down to the nitty gritty. Most new writers think they have to find out how their fave author writes and then copy that. Not… necessarily true. But you might find a writer whose process emulates what works for you and hop on that bandwagon. Last year, I did a four-part series on my podcast about how I write. This week, while I’m waiting for edits to come back on Missing Persons, I wanted to condense it here because the writing process doesn't have to be a mysterious, gatekept thing that only "real" writers understand. Part 1: In the Beginning Your first chapter has one job: get readers to turn the page. The experts say you need to establish tone, introduce your protagonist, provide a window into your world, and include an inciting incident. Mmmmyeah….okay. Here's what that means for me: Before I start, I need to know three things: Who are these people, what do they want, and why can't they have it. That's my basis for every book. On occasion I'll throw in another question, especially if I have a big hairy external conflict, but those three questions are my foundation. I have to know my characters inside and out before I write a single word. What they drive, where they live, what they eat for breakfast, their favorite scent, what makes them laugh. I spend time marinating in their world because the story unfolds like a movie in my head. I’ve told you all many times that I open a pinterest board for most books and that’s where I curate all of this. I have it open while I write so I’ve got Wesley’s house in mind and Yvette’s car, and the Young Investigations office in my face. My job is to give words to what I'm seeing. That process really begins for me long before I put pen to page. I've mapped out my characters, I've built my Pinterest boards, I know these people before I even start writing them. And then as I write them, more things might come to light. I might realize my character is diabetic three-fourths of the way through the book, and now I have to go back and look for little clues I'm dropping before they reveal that in chapter 19. You learn things as you write, but you should know the basic structure before you start. Maybe some people just sit down in front of a blank document and shoot out 20,000 words, but that's not me. I have to know that’s not me and not waste time pretending it’s me. I have to spend time in it. I have to marinate in it before I put pen to page. When I start writing, I already know what chapter one is going to look like. I already know what chapter one is going to sound like. I already know how it's going to open, because for me, it unfolds like a movie in my head. My job is to give words, exposition, dialogue, action to that movie in my head, and to try to reproduce what I'm seeing in my mind. I don't always do it well, but I do my best. Whether other people agree is a whole different subject, but the people that get it, get it. Part 2: Am I Already Stuck? You hit chapter six and suddenly you're staring at a blank page and are like… *shrug* I got nothin’. Welcome to the club. I get to a certain point and I don't know where to go from here. My solution is actually pretty genius: PLAN. I know. Standing ovation. I'm a pantser, meaning I write by the seat of my pants, and I prefer to be a discovery writer. I like for the tale to unfold as I write it, not plan it out and then write it. If I plan the whole thing out, then I feel like I already wrote it, and then I'm not interested in rewriting it. When I get stuck, it's usually because either I don't know my story or I don't know my characters enough, so it's time to get out those planning worksheets, to read those writing books I thought I could skip. I like Goal, Motivation and Conflict ( I try to list this out for each character before I write each chapter), and Romancing the Beat by Gwen Hayes. I feel like I read Romancing the Beat before I write every romance just for the refresher. It's super short, maybe an hour and a half long. There's a worksheet that goes with it, and I have to fill out a romancing the beat sheet before every romance. Otherwise, I don't know what I'm doing. My favorite unsticking trick: Ask yourself what's the absolute worst thing that could happen to your character right now. Then make it happen. I used this in Brunch at Ruby's and couldn't type fast enough to dig my characters out of the mess I'd created. What's the worst thing that could happen to Debra? She's already separated from her husband and her child, she's already facing backlash at work. Make it worse. Difficulty after difficulty after difficulty, not only with her story but with Maxine's story and Renee's story too. It gave me so much more to work with. Sometimes I need to start over. Sometimes what I have just won't work, and I'm not afraid of starting over. It took three tries to write The Pearl, so I'm not afraid of starting over, but my fear is always, okay, I've started over for the third time…at some point I have to admit it’s not going to work. I’ve let go of a book idea this year and decided I haven’t thought about it enough. Part 3: The Soggy Middle The middle is where stories go to die. It's where readers put your book down and never pick it back up. The middle of a book is a beast that will call you a talentless hack of a writer. You hit 75 pages and then an absolute wall just throws itself up there because you don't know what you're writing but you know it's boring as hell. Beginnings are all about setting up the story, endings are all about resolving your conflict, but the middle is where you do all the work. No pressure at all. Here's the thing, though: the middle isn't a dumping ground for backstory. Your backstory should be spread throughout the beginning. Save some plot for the middle. Save some detail for the middle. Throw in a twist. Make your protagonist's inner goal clash with their outer goal in a disastrous way. An external plot is kindling to me. Throw something in there that can't be thought out, can't be therapied out, can't be fixed with good intentions and a positive thought or a bag of money. It's something that can't be controlled by your characters, and your characters have to react to it and try to resolve it or go around it. Think of your plot as stepping stones across a swamp. I don't extensively plan, but I have my stepping stones: this happens, then this, then this. I learned from author Tayari Jones that the benefit of reading mysteries and thrillers is that you have to lead the reader. You need clues and plot points…other genres of fiction needs that too! Each stone is another step toward a major set piece, and a step toward how the protagonist gets out of whatever trouble you’ve written them into. For me, this is really how I plot. And sometimes I work backwards. I want to end at point X, so I have to work back—point W, point T, point J, point H. Then you roll it all the way back to your beginning and you've got your stepping stones for how you ended up where you ended up. Getting through a soggy middle is a lot easier if you have some stepping stones to guide your path through that swamp. Part 4: The Downhill Slide Your climax should be the hardest choice your protagonist has ever had to make. It should show how much they've grown. And it should be long enough for readers to process what's happening and feel all the emotions. The climax is one of the most important literary devices in plot structure. Aside from your beginning, this is the point where you want to have your reader by the eyeballs and the heartstrings. If this piece doesn't work, your book really falls flat. Your climax is all action, conflicts, things happening. It is not the time for slow nothings. A good climax is one that's unexpected but still makes sense. It should be something that changes everything but is still believable. A good climax is also emotionally impactful—it should pack a punch and be memorable. When I think of a story climax, I think about A Thin Line. Preston realizes he's not going to get what he wants by acting the way he's acted in the past. He's not going to turn Angie's head until he stops being this man that she's used to him being. He has to take off this hard, rough exterior, he has to stop being the piece of *$7#&#^ that's always picking at her, following her when she goes to run, poking at her all the time. He has to shed that veneer she’s used to seeing and be vulnerable and open his heart and hope that she will take him back. The story arc—Preston's change from the beginning to the end of the book—is different. He's still the same person, but Preston after he becomes vulnerable is a much different person. To me, the climax of that story is the feel-good part. It's breathing a sigh of relief once they made it to this point of their relationship and they can move forward together. Then comes the ending. Don't just stop—end. A great ending always completes your story arc, shows a change in your main character, and satisfies your reader. Tie up loose ends. Make sure the story feels finished. Don't change voice, tone, or attitude—it shouldn't feel like a different person ended this book. To know me is to know Ima tie back to the beginning or Ima have some joke or saying running through the novel. That’s an anchor. When you reach the ending, go back to ensure your anchors come all the way through. The tie-back tactic creates a feeling like that Whitney Houston- Natalie Cole gif. You’re pointing like, look look look, I see it, I see you! Your beginning should matter when it comes to your ending. Bonus: The Extras Epilogues should be dessert, not a required course. If readers need the epilogue to understand your ending, you didn't end your book properly. An epilogue should be considered extra material. Your book should have a satisfying ending during your falling action. The epilogue is literally dessert. You can use an epilogue to wrap up story events after a traumatic or violent climax, highlight consequences and results of story events, or suggest the future for your protagonist and other characters. This is especially important in series fiction. An epilogue can make the story seem more realistic—if you've killed off a character, the epilogue can explain how things went down. Readers love bonus content. Extended scenes like a director's cut, an annotated version of the book, deleted scenes, extra steamy scenes—these can all be used to stay near and dear to your reader's heart. Give your readers more of what they want. Treat bonus content as a love letter to your fans. My best tip for bonus content: don't be cliche. If you can avoid the wedding and children ending, though readers seem to really enjoy these, make it fun, expected, different, but give your readers more of what they're already missing and craving. The Real Talk I'm not an expert. I'm not a coach or a guru. I just sit down and smash my fingers into the keyboard until words appear. Sometimes those words are good. Sometimes they're terrible. But they're mine. The most important thing to remember is that the words don't shut up until you write them down. If you wake up at 3 AM needing to be at your computer the same way a fisherman needs to be on the lake, you're a writer. Your process doesn't have to look like mine. Maybe you're a detailed planner. Maybe you write out of order. Maybe you need complete silence or maybe you need chaos. All of these work if they work for you. The only metric that matters: are you moving forward, are you telling the story you want to tell, are you getting better at your craft. Stop worrying about doing it "right" and start doing it your way. The words are waiting. --- *Want to hear the full four-part series? You can find it on my podcast. But honestly, the best way to learn how to write is to write. So close this tab and go put some words on a page. Until next week, XOXO, DL

Writing Life Wednesday - How I Write One of the most often asked question of writers is HOW we write. What is the process, like drill down to the nitty gritty. Most new writers think they have to find out how their fave author writes and then copy that. Not… necessarily true. But you might find a writer whose process emulates what works for you and hop on that bandwagon. Last year, I did a four-part series on my podcast about how I write. This week, while I’m waiting for edits to come back on Missing Persons, I wanted to condense it here because the writing process doesn't have to be a mysterious, gatekept thing that only "real" writers understand. Part 1: In the Beginning Your first chapter has one job: get readers to turn the page. The experts say you need to establish tone, introduce your protagonist, provide a window into your world, and include an inciting incident. Mmmmyeah….okay. Here's what that means for me: Before I start, I need to know three things: Who are these people, what do they want, and why can't they have it. That's my basis for every book. On occasion I'll throw in another question, especially if I have a big hairy external conflict, but those three questions are my foundation. I have to know my characters inside and out before I write a single word. What they drive, where they live, what they eat for breakfast, their favorite scent, what makes them laugh. I spend time marinating in their world because the story unfolds like a movie in my head. I’ve told you all many times that I open a pinterest board for most books and that’s where I curate all of this. I have it open while I write so I’ve got Wesley’s house in mind and Yvette’s car, and the Young Investigations office in my face. My job is to give words to what I'm seeing. That process really begins for me long before I put pen to page. I've mapped out my characters, I've built my Pinterest boards, I know these people before I even start writing them. And then as I write them, more things might come to light. I might realize my character is diabetic three-fourths of the way through the book, and now I have to go back and look for little clues I'm dropping before they reveal that in chapter 19. You learn things as you write, but you should know the basic structure before you start. Maybe some people just sit down in front of a blank document and shoot out 20,000 words, but that's not me. I have to know that’s not me and not waste time pretending it’s me. I have to spend time in it. I have to marinate in it before I put pen to page. When I start writing, I already know what chapter one is going to look like. I already know what chapter one is going to sound like. I already know how it's going to open, because for me, it unfolds like a movie in my head. My job is to give words, exposition, dialogue, action to that movie in my head, and to try to reproduce what I'm seeing in my mind. I don't always do it well, but I do my best. Whether other people agree is a whole different subject, but the people that get it, get it. Part 2: Am I Already Stuck? You hit chapter six and suddenly you're staring at a blank page and are like… *shrug* I got nothin’. Welcome to the club. I get to a certain point and I don't know where to go from here. My solution is actually pretty genius: PLAN. I know. Standing ovation. I'm a pantser, meaning I write by the seat of my pants, and I prefer to be a discovery writer. I like for the tale to unfold as I write it, not plan it out and then write it. If I plan the whole thing out, then I feel like I already wrote it, and then I'm not interested in rewriting it. When I get stuck, it's usually because either I don't know my story or I don't know my characters enough, so it's time to get out those planning worksheets, to read those writing books I thought I could skip. I like Goal, Motivation and Conflict ( I try to list this out for each character before I write each chapter), and Romancing the Beat by Gwen Hayes. I feel like I read Romancing the Beat before I write every romance just for the refresher. It's super short, maybe an hour and a half long. There's a worksheet that goes with it, and I have to fill out a romancing the beat sheet before every romance. Otherwise, I don't know what I'm doing. My favorite unsticking trick: Ask yourself what's the absolute worst thing that could happen to your character right now. Then make it happen. I used this in Brunch at Ruby's and couldn't type fast enough to dig my characters out of the mess I'd created. What's the worst thing that could happen to Debra? She's already separated from her husband and her child, she's already facing backlash at work. Make it worse. Difficulty after difficulty after difficulty, not only with her story but with Maxine's story and Renee's story too. It gave me so much more to work with. Sometimes I need to start over. Sometimes what I have just won't work, and I'm not afraid of starting over. It took three tries to write The Pearl, so I'm not afraid of starting over, but my fear is always, okay, I've started over for the third time…at some point I have to admit it’s not going to work. I’ve let go of a book idea this year and decided I haven’t thought about it enough. Part 3: The Soggy Middle The middle is where stories go to die. It's where readers put your book down and never pick it back up. The middle of a book is a beast that will call you a talentless hack of a writer. You hit 75 pages and then an absolute wall just throws itself up there because you don't know what you're writing but you know it's boring as hell. Beginnings are all about setting up the story, endings are all about resolving your conflict, but the middle is where you do all the work. No pressure at all. Here's the thing, though: the middle isn't a dumping ground for backstory. Your backstory should be spread throughout the beginning. Save some plot for the middle. Save some detail for the middle. Throw in a twist. Make your protagonist's inner goal clash with their outer goal in a disastrous way. An external plot is kindling to me. Throw something in there that can't be thought out, can't be therapied out, can't be fixed with good intentions and a positive thought or a bag of money. It's something that can't be controlled by your characters, and your characters have to react to it and try to resolve it or go around it. Think of your plot as stepping stones across a swamp. I don't extensively plan, but I have my stepping stones: this happens, then this, then this. I learned from author Tayari Jones that the benefit of reading mysteries and thrillers is that you have to lead the reader. You need clues and plot points…other genres of fiction needs that too! Each stone is another step toward a major set piece, and a step toward how the protagonist gets out of whatever trouble you’ve written them into. For me, this is really how I plot. And sometimes I work backwards. I want to end at point X, so I have to work back—point W, point T, point J, point H. Then you roll it all the way back to your beginning and you've got your stepping stones for how you ended up where you ended up. Getting through a soggy middle is a lot easier if you have some stepping stones to guide your path through that swamp. Part 4: The Downhill Slide Your climax should be the hardest choice your protagonist has ever had to make. It should show how much they've grown. And it should be long enough for readers to process what's happening and feel all the emotions. The climax is one of the most important literary devices in plot structure. Aside from your beginning, this is the point where you want to have your reader by the eyeballs and the heartstrings. If this piece doesn't work, your book really falls flat. Your climax is all action, conflicts, things happening. It is not the time for slow nothings. A good climax is one that's unexpected but still makes sense. It should be something that changes everything but is still believable. A good climax is also emotionally impactful—it should pack a punch and be memorable. When I think of a story climax, I think about A Thin Line. Preston realizes he's not going to get what he wants by acting the way he's acted in the past. He's not going to turn Angie's head until he stops being this man that she's used to him being. He has to take off this hard, rough exterior, he has to stop being the piece of *$7#&#^ that's always picking at her, following her when she goes to run, poking at her all the time. He has to shed that veneer she’s used to seeing and be vulnerable and open his heart and hope that she will take him back. The story arc—Preston's change from the beginning to the end of the book—is different. He's still the same person, but Preston after he becomes vulnerable is a much different person. To me, the climax of that story is the feel-good part. It's breathing a sigh of relief once they made it to this point of their relationship and they can move forward together. Then comes the ending. Don't just stop—end. A great ending always completes your story arc, shows a change in your main character, and satisfies your reader. Tie up loose ends. Make sure the story feels finished. Don't change voice, tone, or attitude—it shouldn't feel like a different person ended this book. To know me is to know Ima tie back to the beginning or Ima have some joke or saying running through the novel. That’s an anchor. When you reach the ending, go back to ensure your anchors come all the way through. The tie-back tactic creates a feeling like that Whitney Houston- Natalie Cole gif. You’re pointing like, look look look, I see it, I see you! Your beginning should matter when it comes to your ending. Bonus: The Extras Epilogues should be dessert, not a required course. If readers need the epilogue to understand your ending, you didn't end your book properly. An epilogue should be considered extra material. Your book should have a satisfying ending during your falling action. The epilogue is literally dessert. You can use an epilogue to wrap up story events after a traumatic or violent climax, highlight consequences and results of story events, or suggest the future for your protagonist and other characters. This is especially important in series fiction. An epilogue can make the story seem more realistic—if you've killed off a character, the epilogue can explain how things went down. Readers love bonus content. Extended scenes like a director's cut, an annotated version of the book, deleted scenes, extra steamy scenes—these can all be used to stay near and dear to your reader's heart. Give your readers more of what they want. Treat bonus content as a love letter to your fans. My best tip for bonus content: don't be cliche. If you can avoid the wedding and children ending, though readers seem to really enjoy these, make it fun, expected, different, but give your readers more of what they're already missing and craving. The Real Talk I'm not an expert. I'm not a coach or a guru. I just sit down and smash my fingers into the keyboard until words appear. Sometimes those words are good. Sometimes they're terrible. But they're mine. The most important thing to remember is that the words don't shut up until you write them down. If you wake up at 3 AM needing to be at your computer the same way a fisherman needs to be on the lake, you're a writer. Your process doesn't have to look like mine. Maybe you're a detailed planner. Maybe you write out of order. Maybe you need complete silence or maybe you need chaos. All of these work if they work for you. The only metric that matters: are you moving forward, are you telling the story you want to tell, are you getting better at your craft. Stop worrying about doing it "right" and start doing it your way. The words are waiting. --- *Want to hear the full four-part series? You can find it on my podcast. But honestly, the best way to learn how to write is to write. So close this tab and go put some words on a page. Until next week, XOXO, DL

Writing Life Wednesday - How I Write One of the most often asked question of writers is HOW we write. What is the process, like drill down to the nitty gritty. Most new writers think they have to find out how their fave author writes and then copy that. Not… necessarily true. But you might find a writer whose process emulates what works for you and hop on that bandwagon. Last year, I did a four-part series on my podcast about how I write. This week, while I’m waiting for edits to come back on Missing Persons, I wanted to condense it here because the writing process doesn't have to be a mysterious, gatekept thing that only "real" writers understand. Part 1: In the Beginning Your first chapter has one job: get readers to turn the page. The experts say you need to establish tone, introduce your protagonist, provide a window into your world, and include an inciting incident. Mmmmyeah….okay. Here's what that means for me: Before I start, I need to know three things: Who are these people, what do they want, and why can't they have it. That's my basis for every book. On occasion I'll throw in another question, especially if I have a big hairy external conflict, but those three questions are my foundation. I have to know my characters inside and out before I write a single word. What they drive, where they live, what they eat for breakfast, their favorite scent, what makes them laugh. I spend time marinating in their world because the story unfolds like a movie in my head. I’ve told you all many times that I open a pinterest board for most books and that’s where I curate all of this. I have it open while I write so I’ve got Wesley’s house in mind and Yvette’s car, and the Young Investigations office in my face. My job is to give words to what I'm seeing. That process really begins for me long before I put pen to page. I've mapped out my characters, I've built my Pinterest boards, I know these people before I even start writing them. And then as I write them, more things might come to light. I might realize my character is diabetic three-fourths of the way through the book, and now I have to go back and look for little clues I'm dropping before they reveal that in chapter 19. You learn things as you write, but you should know the basic structure before you start. Maybe some people just sit down in front of a blank document and shoot out 20,000 words, but that's not me. I have to know that’s not me and not waste time pretending it’s me. I have to spend time in it. I have to marinate in it before I put pen to page. When I start writing, I already know what chapter one is going to look like. I already know what chapter one is going to sound like. I already know how it's going to open, because for me, it unfolds like a movie in my head. My job is to give words, exposition, dialogue, action to that movie in my head, and to try to reproduce what I'm seeing in my mind. I don't always do it well, but I do my best. Whether other people agree is a whole different subject, but the people that get it, get it. Part 2: Am I Already Stuck? You hit chapter six and suddenly you're staring at a blank page and are like… *shrug* I got nothin’. Welcome to the club. I get to a certain point and I don't know where to go from here. My solution is actually pretty genius: PLAN. I know. Standing ovation. I'm a pantser, meaning I write by the seat of my pants, and I prefer to be a discovery writer. I like for the tale to unfold as I write it, not plan it out and then write it. If I plan the whole thing out, then I feel like I already wrote it, and then I'm not interested in rewriting it. When I get stuck, it's usually because either I don't know my story or I don't know my characters enough, so it's time to get out those planning worksheets, to read those writing books I thought I could skip. I like Goal, Motivation and Conflict ( I try to list this out for each character before I write each chapter), and Romancing the Beat by Gwen Hayes. I feel like I read Romancing the Beat before I write every romance just for the refresher. It's super short, maybe an hour and a half long. There's a worksheet that goes with it, and I have to fill out a romancing the beat sheet before every romance. Otherwise, I don't know what I'm doing. My favorite unsticking trick: Ask yourself what's the absolute worst thing that could happen to your character right now. Then make it happen. I used this in Brunch at Ruby's and couldn't type fast enough to dig my characters out of the mess I'd created. What's the worst thing that could happen to Debra? She's already separated from her husband and her child, she's already facing backlash at work. Make it worse. Difficulty after difficulty after difficulty, not only with her story but with Maxine's story and Renee's story too. It gave me so much more to work with. Sometimes I need to start over. Sometimes what I have just won't work, and I'm not afraid of starting over. It took three tries to write The Pearl, so I'm not afraid of starting over, but my fear is always, okay, I've started over for the third time…at some point I have to admit it’s not going to work. I’ve let go of a book idea this year and decided I haven’t thought about it enough. Part 3: The Soggy Middle The middle is where stories go to die. It's where readers put your book down and never pick it back up. The middle of a book is a beast that will call you a talentless hack of a writer. You hit 75 pages and then an absolute wall just throws itself up there because you don't know what you're writing but you know it's boring as hell. Beginnings are all about setting up the story, endings are all about resolving your conflict, but the middle is where you do all the work. No pressure at all. Here's the thing, though: the middle isn't a dumping ground for backstory. Your backstory should be spread throughout the beginning. Save some plot for the middle. Save some detail for the middle. Throw in a twist. Make your protagonist's inner goal clash with their outer goal in a disastrous way. An external plot is kindling to me. Throw something in there that can't be thought out, can't be therapied out, can't be fixed with good intentions and a positive thought or a bag of money. It's something that can't be controlled by your characters, and your characters have to react to it and try to resolve it or go around it. Think of your plot as stepping stones across a swamp. I don't extensively plan, but I have my stepping stones: this happens, then this, then this. I learned from author Tayari Jones that the benefit of reading mysteries and thrillers is that you have to lead the reader. You need clues and plot points…other genres of fiction needs that too! Each stone is another step toward a major set piece, and a step toward how the protagonist gets out of whatever trouble you’ve written them into. For me, this is really how I plot. And sometimes I work backwards. I want to end at point X, so I have to work back—point W, point T, point J, point H. Then you roll it all the way back to your beginning and you've got your stepping stones for how you ended up where you ended up. Getting through a soggy middle is a lot easier if you have some stepping stones to guide your path through that swamp. Part 4: The Downhill Slide Your climax should be the hardest choice your protagonist has ever had to make. It should show how much they've grown. And it should be long enough for readers to process what's happening and feel all the emotions. The climax is one of the most important literary devices in plot structure. Aside from your beginning, this is the point where you want to have your reader by the eyeballs and the heartstrings. If this piece doesn't work, your book really falls flat. Your climax is all action, conflicts, things happening. It is not the time for slow nothings. A good climax is one that's unexpected but still makes sense. It should be something that changes everything but is still believable. A good climax is also emotionally impactful—it should pack a punch and be memorable. When I think of a story climax, I think about A Thin Line. Preston realizes he's not going to get what he wants by acting the way he's acted in the past. He's not going to turn Angie's head until he stops being this man that she's used to him being. He has to take off this hard, rough exterior, he has to stop being the piece of *$7#&#^ that's always picking at her, following her when she goes to run, poking at her all the time. He has to shed that veneer she’s used to seeing and be vulnerable and open his heart and hope that she will take him back. The story arc—Preston's change from the beginning to the end of the book—is different. He's still the same person, but Preston after he becomes vulnerable is a much different person. To me, the climax of that story is the feel-good part. It's breathing a sigh of relief once they made it to this point of their relationship and they can move forward together. Then comes the ending. Don't just stop—end. A great ending always completes your story arc, shows a change in your main character, and satisfies your reader. Tie up loose ends. Make sure the story feels finished. Don't change voice, tone, or attitude—it shouldn't feel like a different person ended this book. To know me is to know Ima tie back to the beginning or Ima have some joke or saying running through the novel. That’s an anchor. When you reach the ending, go back to ensure your anchors come all the way through. The tie-back tactic creates a feeling like that Whitney Houston- Natalie Cole gif. You’re pointing like, look look look, I see it, I see you! Your beginning should matter when it comes to your ending. Bonus: The Extras Epilogues should be dessert, not a required course. If readers need the epilogue to understand your ending, you didn't end your book properly. An epilogue should be considered extra material. Your book should have a satisfying ending during your falling action. The epilogue is literally dessert. You can use an epilogue to wrap up story events after a traumatic or violent climax, highlight consequences and results of story events, or suggest the future for your protagonist and other characters. This is especially important in series fiction. An epilogue can make the story seem more realistic—if you've killed off a character, the epilogue can explain how things went down. Readers love bonus content. Extended scenes like a director's cut, an annotated version of the book, deleted scenes, extra steamy scenes—these can all be used to stay near and dear to your reader's heart. Give your readers more of what they want. Treat bonus content as a love letter to your fans. My best tip for bonus content: don't be cliche. If you can avoid the wedding and children ending, though readers seem to really enjoy these, make it fun, expected, different, but give your readers more of what they're already missing and craving. The Real Talk I'm not an expert. I'm not a coach or a guru. I just sit down and smash my fingers into the keyboard until words appear. Sometimes those words are good. Sometimes they're terrible. But they're mine. The most important thing to remember is that the words don't shut up until you write them down. If you wake up at 3 AM needing to be at your computer the same way a fisherman needs to be on the lake, you're a writer. Your process doesn't have to look like mine. Maybe you're a detailed planner. Maybe you write out of order. Maybe you need complete silence or maybe you need chaos. All of these work if they work for you. The only metric that matters: are you moving forward, are you telling the story you want to tell, are you getting better at your craft. Stop worrying about doing it "right" and start doing it your way. The words are waiting. --- *Want to hear the full four-part series? You can find it on my podcast. But honestly, the best way to learn how to write is to write. So close this tab and go put some words on a page. Until next week, XOXO, DL