Evelyn--I absolutely love the work you do--every post and podcast is filled with kindness and generosity and optimism. (Which is why I'm happily upgrading to paid.) But that's not the point of my post....
There was so many great snippets in the interview, but the one I want to call out is the section about LUCK--and I believe J. Courtney says something along the lines that while she believes in luck and magic--it's HOW luck happens--or perhaps--how you take the steps to turn LUCK into FORTUNE by doing the work. It's not enough to say you want to write a novel--you actually have to sit at your computer--it's not enough to wish for an agent--you have to put yourself in situations that might open the door--or, with the entrepreneurs I coach--it's not enough to say you want to raise seed money--you have to go to every networking event you can. (Even if you're an introvert!)
Thanks again for investing your time and energy in the podcast and newsletter! 💜 Diana
Wow, what a wonderful comment to greet me this morning as I'm first sitting down at my desk here on the West Coast. Thank you so much for this, Diana! I was just thinking about how much I love doing this podcast for you and getting to share all the wisdom and insights from other authors.
I'm thrilled to hear that the part about luck really echoed what you've learned and experienced from your career (I see from your profile that you're a former CEO!) I really agree with Courtney that luck can be made!
Thank you for upgrading to a paid subscription and supporting our scholarships for writers! I'm looking forward to knowing you better and cheering you on as you work on your own novel.
It's hard to choose, but if I had to pick a podcast episode favorite, I think this one is it! I haven't even had large success yet, and I worry about genre/category already... And I found it so encouraging to hear from a successful author to "just write what you want." I love that! Thanks again for curating these awesome conversations, Evelyn! ❤️
And I know what you mean, it's so hard to pick a favorite episode. I feel so lucky to get to chat with all these authors, and to get to share their experiences and wisdom with you!
Thanks for another great episode, Evelyn! I think I could watch these interviews several times and have a different idea impact me with each viewing. Today, it was the idea that there has to be a balance between art and commerce. I know this, but it's hard (especially as an indie author) to find that happy balance. Such a good reminder though and the one I'm walking away with today. :)
And I also second the best thing that can happen as a writer is to have one person appreciate your book. My favorite review of our book on Amazon is a where someone said our fantasy novel was a self-help book that made them happier at work. :) I carry that review around in my writerly heart. 😊
oh my gosh, I LOVE that review you got! That really is one to carry with you, Petra. And thank you again for showing up every week here. I’m so so happy that you find new nuggets to takeaway each time!
Lovely episode. I love the balance between "you have to put in the work and sometimes you'll have to work really hard" but also "there has to be joy in it and it has to remain something you have to enjoy". Life is all about balance.
I love, love, love this episode! And I love that you brought up about how yes sometimes there's luck involved, but more so that by putting yourself in situations and being out there and just organically growing relationships things can happen. I so often hear writers who become so jealous of others successes because they think some sort of lucky break was involved, but what everyone tends to not see is all the behind the scenes work that happens.
Thank you as always for such a great podcast and for being a champion for us writers!! :)
Evelyn--I absolutely love the work you do--every post and podcast is filled with kindness and generosity and optimism. (Which is why I'm happily upgrading to paid.) But that's not the point of my post....
There was so many great snippets in the interview, but the one I want to call out is the section about LUCK--and I believe J. Courtney says something along the lines that while she believes in luck and magic--it's HOW luck happens--or perhaps--how you take the steps to turn LUCK into FORTUNE by doing the work. It's not enough to say you want to write a novel--you actually have to sit at your computer--it's not enough to wish for an agent--you have to put yourself in situations that might open the door--or, with the entrepreneurs I coach--it's not enough to say you want to raise seed money--you have to go to every networking event you can. (Even if you're an introvert!)
Thanks again for investing your time and energy in the podcast and newsletter! 💜 Diana
Wow, what a wonderful comment to greet me this morning as I'm first sitting down at my desk here on the West Coast. Thank you so much for this, Diana! I was just thinking about how much I love doing this podcast for you and getting to share all the wisdom and insights from other authors.
I'm thrilled to hear that the part about luck really echoed what you've learned and experienced from your career (I see from your profile that you're a former CEO!) I really agree with Courtney that luck can be made!
Thank you for upgrading to a paid subscription and supporting our scholarships for writers! I'm looking forward to knowing you better and cheering you on as you work on your own novel.
It's hard to choose, but if I had to pick a podcast episode favorite, I think this one is it! I haven't even had large success yet, and I worry about genre/category already... And I found it so encouraging to hear from a successful author to "just write what you want." I love that! Thanks again for curating these awesome conversations, Evelyn! ❤️
Awww YAY! I'm happy this was reassuring for you.
And I know what you mean, it's so hard to pick a favorite episode. I feel so lucky to get to chat with all these authors, and to get to share their experiences and wisdom with you!
Thanks for another great episode, Evelyn! I think I could watch these interviews several times and have a different idea impact me with each viewing. Today, it was the idea that there has to be a balance between art and commerce. I know this, but it's hard (especially as an indie author) to find that happy balance. Such a good reminder though and the one I'm walking away with today. :)
And I also second the best thing that can happen as a writer is to have one person appreciate your book. My favorite review of our book on Amazon is a where someone said our fantasy novel was a self-help book that made them happier at work. :) I carry that review around in my writerly heart. 😊
oh my gosh, I LOVE that review you got! That really is one to carry with you, Petra. And thank you again for showing up every week here. I’m so so happy that you find new nuggets to takeaway each time!
Lovely episode. I love the balance between "you have to put in the work and sometimes you'll have to work really hard" but also "there has to be joy in it and it has to remain something you have to enjoy". Life is all about balance.
Wonderful summary, Sophie. I totally agree with your takeaways!
I love, love, love this episode! And I love that you brought up about how yes sometimes there's luck involved, but more so that by putting yourself in situations and being out there and just organically growing relationships things can happen. I so often hear writers who become so jealous of others successes because they think some sort of lucky break was involved, but what everyone tends to not see is all the behind the scenes work that happens.
Thank you as always for such a great podcast and for being a champion for us writers!! :)
You're welcome, Mesa! And thank you for asking the origin story question that helped kick off this episode!