I Should Be Writing
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I Should Be Writing
"I should be writing" is what people say, but they rarely do it. This podcast is designed to help you get past those blocks, whether it's what your teacher told you when you were a kid, to being totally sure you'll never be as good as (FAV AUTHOR) so you might as well quit.
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300 episodi![[ISBW] The Sweet Spot of Horror and Desire with Sarah Gailey](https://static.libsyn.com/p/assets/5/2/8/d/528d820574e07dac16c3140a3186d450/21-15_ISBW_The_Sweet_Spot_of_Horror_and_Desire_with_Sarah_Gailey.png)
[ISBW] The Sweet Spot of Horror and Desire with Sarah Gailey
Content warning: since Spread Me is erotic horror, this episode has an explicit tag.
I wrote it to have fun because I have written a lot of book...
![[ISBW] Happy 20th ISBW! With James Patrick Kelly at Worldcon](https://static.libsyn.com/p/assets/3/7/0/0/370008bcbb85fbb616c3140a3186d450/21-16_ISBW_Happy_20th_ISBW_With_James_Patrick_Kelly_at_Worldcon.png)
[ISBW] Happy 20th ISBW! With James Patrick Kelly at Worldcon
You have to celebrate your friends who are more successful than you. ~Jim Kelly
In this special 20th anniversary episode of I Should Be Writing,...
![[ISBW] Chasing Monsters: A Journey Through Hampton Heights](https://static.libsyn.com/p/assets/8/7/7/0/8770a92f896784e0d959afa2a1bf1c87/S21-20250822-ug9pefe0k5.png)
[ISBW] Chasing Monsters: A Journey Through Hampton Heights
I think I was a very... particular kind of undergraduate workshop student. -Dan Kois
In this episode, I welcome my old classmate from UNC, Dan...
![[ISBW] The Haunted Mask: Exploring Volatile Memory with Seth Haddon](https://static.libsyn.com/p/assets/b/1/f/d/b1fd6db7426962d816c3140a3186d450/S21-20250822-jsgevzyaec.png)
[ISBW] The Haunted Mask: Exploring Volatile Memory with Seth Haddon
'Reformed Pantser' is one of the most difficult things to be. -Seth Haddon
In this episode, we welcome Seth Haddon, the talented Australian auth...
![[ISBW] The Secret Bully: The Nap](https://static.libsyn.com/p/assets/e/7/c/8/e7c8c1c86779cb71d959afa2a1bf1c87/21-12_ISBW_The_Secret_Bully__The_Nap.png)
[ISBW] The Secret Bully: The Nap
"Nothing's easy, man; being an adult sucks."
-Mur Lafferty
In this episode, we dive deep into Bully #5: The Nap.
We discuss the sne...
![[ISBW] Tango with the Tenacles, DESPAIR](https://static.libsyn.com/p/assets/2/b/7/3/2b7313851a5a7aeb16c3140a3186d450/21-11_ISBW_Tango_with_the_Tenacles_DESPAIR.png)
[ISBW] Tango with the Tenacles, DESPAIR
"Despair is the overprotective parent going, 'oh, it's okay that you lost that game. We'll protect you by never letting you play again.'" -Mur Laffert...
![[ISBW] Writing Between the US and Peru with K.M. Huber](https://static.libsyn.com/p/assets/d/4/d/4/d4d403fb3c8abb56d959afa2a1bf1c87/21-10_ISBW_Writing_Between_the_US_and_Peru_with_K.M._Huber.png)
[ISBW] Writing Between the US and Peru with K.M. Huber
"If you feel you have something to say, just put the time into saying it." -K.M. Huber
In this episode, we welcome K.M. Huber, the author of Cal...
![[ISBW] Dancing Through Genres with S.A. Barnes and Bully 3, The SPONGE](https://static.libsyn.com/p/assets/1/c/8/4/1c84e1977eb471cd16c3140a3186d450/21-09_ISBW_Dancing_Through_Genres_with_S.A._Barnes_and_Bully_3_The_SPONGE.png)
[ISBW] Dancing Through Genres with S.A. Barnes and Bully 3, The SPONGE
"Get [your book] all the way to the end. You learn so much that way that you will not learn in any other way."- S.A. Barnes
(This post went live...
![[ISBW] Jealousy and Bully #2: The BLADE](https://static.libsyn.com/p/assets/3/2/3/6/323625a46a16254ad959afa2a1bf1c87/21-08_ISBW_Jealousy_and_Bully_2__The_BLADE.png)
[ISBW] Jealousy and Bully #2: The BLADE
"We contain multitudes; you can be happy and jealous at the same time."
-Mur Lafferty
(This post went live for supporters on May 21, 2025...
![[ISBW] Conquering Creative Bully #1: BART (a potato)](https://static.libsyn.com/p/assets/b/f/4/9/bf494ea75d2e8cff16c3140a3186d450/21-07_ISBW_Conquering_Creative_Bully_1__BART_a_potato.png)
[ISBW] Conquering Creative Bully #1: BART (a potato)
"The bully loves pantsers because it can insult your outline."
-Mur Lafferty
(This post went live for supporters on April 23, 2025. If you...
![[ISBW] From Medieval Fashion to Modern Writing with Natania Barron](https://static.libsyn.com/p/assets/e/4/6/b/e46b8626416e502816c3140a3186d450/21-06_ISBW_From_Medieval_Fashion_to_Modern_Writing_with_Natania_Barron.png)
[ISBW] From Medieval Fashion to Modern Writing with Natania Barron
S21 Ep6: From Medieval Fashion to Modern Writing with Natania Barron
"Stories are how I make sense of the world."
-Natania Barron
...
![[ISBW] How to use holidays in your fiction](https://static.libsyn.com/p/assets/d/6/2/1/d62178679948f85016c3140a3186d450/21-05_ISBW_How_to_use_holidays_in_your_fiction.png)
[ISBW] How to use holidays in your fiction
S21 Ep5: Crafting Tales Through Holiday Themes
"Engaging with the holidays definitely feels like a way to develop world and character."
-...
![[ISBW] Taking a Machete to Creative Blocks with Premee Mohamed](https://static.libsyn.com/p/assets/e/8/e/f/e8efed5b36caeae516c3140a3186d450/21-04_ISBW_Taking_a_Machete_to_Creative_Blocks_with_Premee_Mohamed.png)
[ISBW] Taking a Machete to Creative Blocks with Premee Mohamed
S21 Ep4: Taking a Machete to Creative Blocks with Premee Mohamed
"My characters would be wandering around the field with me going like, hey, I j...
![[ISBW] Rachel Howzell Hall on Balancing Thrillers and Fantasy](https://static.libsyn.com/p/assets/e/4/5/e/e45e07145ea9da6716c3140a3186d450/21-03_ISBW_Rachel_Howzell_Hall_on_Balancing_Thrillers_and_Fantasy.png)
[ISBW] Rachel Howzell Hall on Balancing Thrillers and Fantasy
S21 Ep3: Rachel Howzell Hall on Balancing Thrillers and Fantasy
"I will try this new thing and I will learn how to do it." -Rachel Howzell Hall<...
![[ISBW] Mental Health and Creativity](https://static.libsyn.com/p/assets/5/0/d/2/50d2d8ec7ec50458d959afa2a1bf1c87/S21.png)
[ISBW] Mental Health and Creativity
S21 Ep2: Mental Health and Creativity
"Nothing is 100% original. It's what you do with it that counts." -Elaine M. Will
(This post went li...
![[ISBW] Evil Mur Ushers in 2025](https://static.libsyn.com/p/assets/3/b/6/9/3b697779e504d9b016c3140a3186d450/21-01_ISBW_Evil_Mur_Ushers_in_2025.png)
[ISBW] Evil Mur Ushers in 2025
S21 Ep1: In Which Evil Mur Delivers a Message of Hope
"It's time to just... quit." -Evil Mur
(Do not listen to Evil Mur)
Welcome to...
![[ISBW] Ten Terrible Ideas](https://static.libsyn.com/p/assets/2/8/5/9/2859ab39cc2175d016c3140a3186d450/20-35_ISBW_Ten_Bad_Ideas.png)
[ISBW] Ten Terrible Ideas
"You need to come up with terrible ideas. And once you come up with terrible ideas, you will start developing good ideas." -Mur
In this episode,...
![[ISBW] Tigers [Explicit]](https://static.libsyn.com/p/assets/6/9/e/6/69e6dec9120d01cb27a2322813b393ee/20-34_ISBW_Tigers_Explicit.png)
[ISBW] Tigers [Explicit]
S20 Ep34: In Which Mur Looks Into The Pit of Despair and Sees a Tiger [Explicit]
"Don't talk yourself out of being creative, because that really...
![[ISBW] Returning to Agenting with Jennifer Udden [Explicit]](https://static.libsyn.com/p/assets/c/0/1/d/c01d31df59c484d516c3140a3186d450/20-33_ISBW_Returning_to_Agenting_with_Jennifer_Udden_Explicit.png)
[ISBW] Returning to Agenting with Jennifer Udden [Explicit]
S20 Ep33: In Which Mur and Jen Udden Discuss World Fantasy Con, Fan Fiction, and the Ever-Changing Publishing Landscape [Explicit]
"I think we'r...
![[ISBW] NowNoWhatMo…with Valerie Valdes [Explicit]](https://static.libsyn.com/p/assets/e/9/5/2/e9527e606744127c16c3140a3186d450/20-32_ISBW_NowNoWhatMowith_Valerie_Valdes_Explicit.png)
[ISBW] NowNoWhatMo…with Valerie Valdes [Explicit]
S.20 Ep.32: In Which Mur and Valerie Discuss NaNoWriMo Alternatives, Writing Tools, and Community Building [Explicit]
"The spirit of NaNoWriMo...
![[ISBW] From Fanfiction to Fantasy: Gwen Garfinkel's Writing](https://static.libsyn.com/p/assets/d/b/9/c/db9cdd8fbd7a5a8a40be95ea3302a6a1/20-31_ISBW_Short_Stuff_with_Gwynne_Garfinkle.png)
[ISBW] From Fanfiction to Fantasy: Gwen Garfinkel's Writing
S.20 Ep.31: In Which Mur and Gwynne Garfinkle Discuss Short Stories, Anthologies, and the Joy of Fanfiction
"I write about what I know, and what...
![[ISBW] Unveiling the Magic of Cozy Fantasy with Stacy Sivinski](https://static.libsyn.com/p/assets/8/6/a/7/86a76b126116f26140be95ea3302a6a1/ISBW-S20-LOGO.png){kind=logo}
[ISBW] Unveiling the Magic of Cozy Fantasy with Stacy Sivinski
S20 Ep30: In Which Mur and Stacy Sivinski Discuss Cozy Fantasy, Sensory Writing, and Sisterhood
"The senses are actually connected, and the way...
![[ISBW] Accountability and Adventures in Writing with Cat Rambo](https://static.libsyn.com/p/assets/f/e/1/8/fe18ee23cc3a849a27a2322813b393ee/20-29_ISBW_Accountability_and_Adventures_in_Writing_with_Cat_Rambo.png)
[ISBW] Accountability and Adventures in Writing with Cat Rambo
S20 Ep29: In Which Mur and Cat Rambo Discuss Writing, Accountability, and Intelligent Spaceships
"I think that right now there are so many very...
![[ISBW] Unveiling Haunt Sweet Home with Sarah Pinsker!](https://static.libsyn.com/p/assets/d/b/c/5/dbc561a769d12426e55e3c100dce7605/20-28_ISBW_Unveiling_Haunt_Sweet_Home_with_Sarah_Pinsker.png)
[ISBW] Unveiling Haunt Sweet Home with Sarah Pinsker!
S20 Ep28: In Which Mur and Sarah Pinsker Discuss Reality Shows, Workshops, and Writing Patience
"I love the bingo card measure of success rather...
![[ISBW] Writing Family Stories and Magical Realism with Anamely Salgado Reyes](https://static.libsyn.com/p/assets/7/4/7/1/747106383eaa42d9e55e3c100dce7605/20-27_ISBW_Writing_Family_Stories_and_Magical_Realism_with_Anamely_Salgado_Reyes.png)
[ISBW] Writing Family Stories and Magical Realism with Anamely Salgado Reyes
S20 Ep27: In Which Mur and Anamely Salgado Reyes Discuss Magical Realism and Writing Journeys
"I write about what I know, and what I know is fam...
![[ISBW] Navigating WorldCon and Writing Challenges with SB Divya](https://static.libsyn.com/p/assets/4/a/7/9/4a7916038cb7dc92e55e3c100dce7605/20-26_ISBW_Navigating_WorldCon_and_Writing_Challenges_with_SB_Divya.png)
[ISBW] Navigating WorldCon and Writing Challenges with SB Divya
S20 Ep26: In Which Mur and S.B. Divya Discuss Worldcon, Accessibility, and Future Worlds
NOTE- I will be doing a giveaway for signed copies of M...
![[ISBW] Exploring Shared Worlds and Translation Challenges with Wole Talabi and Sung-Il Kim](https://static.libsyn.com/p/assets/e/6/2/d/e62df2f36dc8fce4e55e3c100dce7605/20-25_ISBW_Exploring_Shared_Worlds_and_Translation_Challenges_with_Wole_Talabi_and_Sung-Il_Kim.png)
[ISBW] Exploring Shared Worlds and Translation Challenges with Wole Talabi and Sung-Il Kim
S20 Ep25: In Which Mur Interviews Wole Talabi and Sung-Il Kim at Worldcon
"Leave with more connections than you came with." - Wole Talabi
...
![[ISBW] Celebrating ISBW's 19th Bday Live at WorldCon with Writer and Gamer, Tanya Depass!](https://static.libsyn.com/p/assets/3/f/e/7/3fe7b9aaaacefb82e55e3c100dce7605/20-24_ISBW_Celebrating_ISBWs_19th_Bday_Live_at_WorldCon_with_Writer_and_Gamer_Tanya_Depass.png)
[ISBW] Celebrating ISBW's 19th Bday Live at WorldCon with Writer and Gamer, Tanya Depass!
[Please note that this podcast is explicit with a few swear words and CW- parental death discussed.]
S20 Ep24: In Which Mur and Tanya DePass Dis...
![[ISBW] Exploring the Post-Apocalyptic World with Waubgeshig Rice](https://static.libsyn.com/p/assets/b/9/6/d/b96d28d292414cb427a2322813b393ee/20-23_ISBW_Exploring_the_Post-Apocalyptic_World_with_Waubgeshig_Rice.png)
[ISBW] Exploring the Post-Apocalyptic World with Waubgeshig Rice
S20 Ep23: In Which Mur and Waubgeshig Rice explore post-apocalyptic worlds.
It's like, ultimately, words are expendable. You just pick different...
![[ISBW] 20 Years of Writing and the Apocalypse with MJ Wassmer](https://static.libsyn.com/p/assets/b/3/d/1/b3d1272df5ab7ca0e55e3c100dce7605/20-22_ISBW_20_Years_of_Writing_and_the_Apocalypse_with_MJ_Wasmer.png)
[ISBW] 20 Years of Writing and the Apocalypse with MJ Wassmer
S20 Ep22: In Which Mur Chats with MJ Wassmer and Discusses Debut Novels and the Writing Journey
"You can't think yourself into better actions, b...
![[ISBW] Embracing ADHD and Crafting Timelines with Mary Pascual](https://static.libsyn.com/p/assets/6/6/1/9/66190c26d04bf3a727a2322813b393ee/20-21_ISBW_Embracing_ADHD_and_Crafting_Timelines_with_Mary_Pascual.png)
[ISBW] Embracing ADHD and Crafting Timelines with Mary Pascual
S20 Ep21: In Which Mur and Mary Pascual Talk Writing and Mental Health
"I refuse to feel like or believe that [ADHD] is a detriment. Honestly, t...
![[ISBW] Spreadsheets, Ghosts, and the Art of Outlining with James L. Sutter](https://static.libsyn.com/p/assets/e/9/c/4/e9c405867ab795f027a2322813b393ee/20-20_ISBW_Spreadsheets_Ghosts_and_the_Art_of_Outlining_with_James_L._Sutter.png)
[ISBW] Spreadsheets, Ghosts, and the Art of Outlining with James L. Sutter
S20 Ep20: In Which Mur and James L. Sutter Discuss Editing, Outlining, and Ghostly Romances
"I think that is the beating heart of any novel, is...
![[ISBW] Deck of Worlds, Unleashing Creativity in Fiction](https://static.libsyn.com/p/assets/e/9/c/4/e9c405867ab795f0e55e3c100dce7605/20-19_ISBW_Deck_of_Worlds_Unleashing_Creativity_in_Fiction.png)
[ISBW] Deck of Worlds, Unleashing Creativity in Fiction
S20 Ep19: In Which Mur Explores the Deck of Worlds and Story Engine
"You know, if you use the word 'modified,' you can get away with anything."-...
![[ISBW] Tarot Tales and Historical Hurdles with Susan Wands](https://static.libsyn.com/p/assets/8/9/9/3/89938c9fd581209527a2322813b393ee/20-18_ISBW_Tarot_Tales_and_Historical_Hurdles_with_Susan_Wands.png)
[ISBW] Tarot Tales and Historical Hurdles with Susan Wands
S20 Ep18: In Which Mur Explores Tarot and Historical Fiction with Susan Wands
"Action is always better than no action. You can always fix what y...
![[ISBW] Navigating Novel Noodling and New Ideas](https://static.libsyn.com/p/assets/3/9/b/e/39bec8e329bba09827a2322813b393ee/20-17_ISBW_Navigating_Novel_Noodling_and_New_Ideas.png)
[ISBW] Navigating Novel Noodling and New Ideas
S20 Ep17: In Which Mur Reflects on Creativity and Ambition
"It's really easy. It's so relaxing to not be creative."- Mur
Transcript
...
![[ISBW] Short Story Submissions and Surviving Rejections](https://static.libsyn.com/p/assets/2/f/2/f/2f2f3b33b0702a7fe55e3c100dce7605/20-16_ISBW_Short_Story_Submissions_and_Surviving_Rejections.png)
[ISBW] Short Story Submissions and Surviving Rejections
S20 Ep16: In Which Mur Tackles Short Fiction Submissions
"You're not gonna be Wiswell or Chambers. You're gonna be you."- Mur
In this epis...
![[ISBW] Murder Mystery Meltdown and the AI Assistant](https://static.libsyn.com/p/assets/3/2/1/c/321cfa206f158ec827a2322813b393ee/20-15_ISBW_Murder_Mystery_Meltdown_and_the_AI_Assistant.png)
[ISBW] Murder Mystery Meltdown and the AI Assistant
S20 Ep15: In Which Mur Muses on AI and the Writer's Journey
"I'm exaggerating a little bit, but if you look at the last 20 years, that's pretty...
![[ISBW] Conquering Conventions and Crafting Confidence](https://static.libsyn.com/p/assets/a/4/e/d/a4ed108348e4c058e55e3c100dce7605/20-14_ISBW_Conquering_Conventions_and_Crafting_Confidence.png)
[ISBW] Conquering Conventions and Crafting Confidence
S20 Ep14: In Which Mur Dives into Conventions and Confidence
"You can't stop caring about something... You stop what you do about it, but you ca...
![[ISBW] From Patent Memos to Nebula Nods with Wole Talabi](https://static.libsyn.com/p/assets/7/3/7/f/737fc51282d353ca88c4a68c3ddbc4f2/20-13_ISBW_From_Patent_Memos_to_Nebula_Nods__Wole_Talabis_Creative_Alchemy.png)
[ISBW] From Patent Memos to Nebula Nods with Wole Talabi
S20 Ep13: In Which Mur Attends Wole Talabi's Creative Alchemy
Transcript
"The primary driver of my sense of success is, 'do I feel happy w...
![[ISBW] Riding the Revision Rollercoaster](https://static.libsyn.com/p/assets/f/6/c/0/f6c0c07a3186a66c88c4a68c3ddbc4f2/20-11_ISBW_The_Revision_Rollercoaster_-_From_Hurt_Feelings_to_Finished_Drafts.png)
[ISBW] Riding the Revision Rollercoaster
S20 Ep 12: In Which Mur Plans to Turn Hurt Feelings into Finished Drafts
Transcript
"I read over the notes and I got mad and I got my fee...