Jamie Hershberger

#195: Writer Resources: Different Types of Editors

Dear Christian Indies,

We’ve covered Self-editing in depth on the podcast, most recently in episode #190. We’ve discussed how doing a good self-edit can save you money when it comes to having your book professionally edited.
What we haven’t covered recently is the fact that there are several different kinds of editors out there, and each has their own particular purpose. It is important that when you start looking for someone to edit your book, you understand what you are paying for, and have a clear expectation of the kind of work the editor will do for you.
That’s what we’re covering on this week’s podcast. It’s an episode that is sure to save you hassle and headache as you move forward on your writing journey, and you surely will not want to miss it.

See you there,

Jamie

#189: What Makes an Author ‘Successful’?

Dear Christian Indie,

I’m bummed to say events in my personal life will keep me away from the podcast today. As we are going to be down one host for this week’s episode, we’re stepping away from the theme of giving excellent and effective critique. Instead, Jen and Tina are going to facilitate a discussion about what it takes to be a “successful” writer.

#188: Writing Groups 101: Critique Dos and Don’ts Part 2: Jen’s Piece

Dear Christian Indie,

Each Friday, you get to see the ladies and I give feedback to one another about a piece of writing we’ve composed just a few minutes before the podcast goes live. We only give supportive, encouraging comments at these times, because the piece has been neither polished nor edited, is pretty raw, and is not an example of what we would call our “best work.”

But what does it look like to really get into a good, rigorous critique of a piece of writing? How do you approach giving such feedback? Is there a way to structure this event so as to minimize hurt feelings on behalf of the writer and yet maximize impact in order to make the story better?

While we on the podcast agree there is no one “perfect” way to do anything, including giving feedback, we do have a method we employ and a procedure we follow that we think can help you give amazing feedback to your fellow writers. We also have some advice for those of you bringing a piece to the “chopping block,” so this is for sure an episode you won’t want to miss.

#187: Writing Groups 101: Critique Dos and Don’ts

Dear Christian Indie,

#186: Questions for the Hat: Shenanigans with Jamie and Jen

#185: Dear Writer, Are you Intuitive?: A Live Q&A with Becca Syme

Dear Christian Indie,

Having Becca Syme on our podcast as our very first guest ever was an amazing honor. Now, she’s coming back, ready to present for us the idea that we as writers may be what is known as, “Intuitive.”

She’s written a book on the subject, “Dear Writer, Are You Intuitive?” and I’m going to share a bit of its premise here (from previous link):

#184: Writing Groups 101: Setting Expectations

Dear Christian Indie,

After last week’s episode, we hope we’ve inspired some of you to start a new writing group.

If so, we want to encourage you this week to decide how you will handle the “rules” of your newly formed group.

Of course, having listened to our encouragement and advice, you are going to come to the table with a list of “non-negotiables” in hand. But what other considerations are there for creating a group that will both serve your needs and honor Christ?
Tune in this week as we cover the basics of starting a writing group, part two.

See you there,

-Jamie

#183: Writing Groups 101: How to Start a Writing Group

Dear Christian Indies,

Hopefully, you were with us for last week’s episode, in which we covered the pleasure and pain that is receiving negative feedback. If not, you missed our discussion coming full circle to the idea that sometimes negative feedback is actually in order, and can propel a writer to the next level in her craft. After all, if you are never told that your passive voice is making your writing less impactful, or that you are inappropriately using parentheticals, em dashes, or other marks of punctuation, how on earth will you ever improve?

#182: Negative Book Reviews: The Writer’s Life

Dear Christian Indie,

You’ve done it; you’ve published a book, and you’re ready to shout your accomplishment to the world. You love your story, and consider yourself an author worthy of a place on your targeted readers’ “To Be Read” pile. Of course, you know you’re not perfect—no one is, after all, but certainly you are not expecting to be called out on your imperfections, which have secretly haunted you since the day you first put fingers to keyboard.