Writing While Distracted

Accepted — Now What? A Guide for Neurospicy Writers

Congratulations — your work was accepted! This episode walks neurodiverse writers through the emotional and practical next steps: celebrate, list your questions, understand your contract, and protect your professional relationship with editors and agents.

Learn how to manage imposter syndrome and rejection sensitivity, keep writing to avoid writer's block, start a newsletter, plan marketing, and handle reviews with support and perspective.

Short, clear, and encouraging advice to help you move from the excitement of acceptance into the next stage of your writing career.

Show notes Oh Dang it was accepted

Newsletter Ninja information is here: https://newsletterninja.net/resources/

Jen offers some solid advice geared for authors: https://jenndepaula.com

How to deal with RSD and working with other folks : https://www.podbean.com/eas/pb-rdnsu-16ebfdf

Imposter Syndrome and Writers Block episode: https://www.podbean.com/eas/pb-24yrx-1625b05

Sign ups from my Newsletter and get a free Character Workbook https://brendalmurphy.com/resources-for-writers/ 

 

Beyond 10,000 Hours: How Writers Really Get Better

Brenda Murphy explains the 10,000-hour theory and explains that mastery requires three things: a clear, controllable goal, deliberate practice focused on challenging skills, and targeted feedback. Time alone won’t improve your writing without intention.

She gives practical steps for writers, pick one craft area to improve (structure, dialogue, pacing, or character), study examples, apply techniques, and get specific feedback from readers or editors. For neurodivergent creators, harness hyper-focus to deliberately build skills.

Define success on your terms, set measurable goals, and keep practicing with purpose so your writing and your confidence can grow.

Find out more about Mind Mapping here: https://blog.writingwhiledistracted.com/?p=2274

Sign up for my Writer's Newsletter and received a free Character Workbook here: https://brendalmurphy.com/resources-for-writers/

Unplug, Boundaries, Write: Five Ways to Carve out Creative Space

Brenda Murphy offers five practical, compassionate strategies for writers—especially neurodivergent and burnt-out creators—to protect their focus and revive their creativity amid constant chaos.

Learn how to create before you consume, set boundaries, unplug for sensory rest, use morning pages to clear mental clutter, and give yourself grace so you can keep writing, even in hard times.

Books Mentioned:

We Need Your Art by Aime McNee

The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron 

Sign up for my newsletter and receive a free workbook https://brendalmurphy.com/resources-for-writers/

 

How to Keep Writing When You Want to Burn It All Down

Welcome to "Writing While Distracted," a podcast dedicated to helping writers navigate the often chaotic world of creativity and distraction. I'm your host, Brenda Murphy, a NeuroSpicy writing coach, here to transform scattered thoughts into literary brilliance.

This episode focuses on those overwhelming moments when the urge to give up and "burn it all down" becomes too strong. Whether it's the daily challenges of life, mental health struggles, or external pressures, writers often find themselves grappling with despair and self-doubt.

Join me as we explore practical advice on how to stay focused and keep writing during tough times. Discover the power of rest, the importance of revisiting your creative "why," and the necessity of maintaining connections with others in your writing community. Let's tackle these feelings of isolation and keep the flame of creativity alive.

If you've ever felt like setting your manuscript on fire, know you're not alone. Tune in for supportive tips, encouragement, and ways to let your creativity thrive amidst chaos. Embrace the distractions and uncertainties; these are the stepping stones to mastering the art of writing.

Sign up for my newsletter take your pick of writing guides: https://brendalmurphy.com/resources-for-writers/

 

 

Navigating the Emotional Rollercoaster of Manuscript Submission

Welcome to another engaging episode of "Writing While Distracted" with your Neuro Spicy writing coach, Brenda Murphy. In this episode, we delve into the emotional journey involved in submitting your creative work for evaluation. Explore the four stages of submission: elation, anxiety, anger, and relief. Brenda shares her personal experiences and strategies for managing the emotional upheavals that come with revealing your work to strangers. Whether you're a seasoned writer or just starting, gain insight into maintaining your writing momentum and embracing the positive aspects of the creative process. Join us as we uncover the challenges and triumphs in the life of a writer.

Resources for Writers

Sign up for my newsletter and receive a free workbook https://dl.bookfunnel.com/ofxxsx32dj

My podcast: https://writingwhiledistracted.podbean.com

My blog: https://blog.writingwhiledistracted.com/feed/

My website: https://brendalmurphy.com/resources-for-writers/

Mastering Editing with 25 Tips for Neurodiverse Writers

Welcome to Writing While Distracted, where scattered thoughts transform into literary brilliance. Join Brenda Murphy, your NeuroSpicy writing coach, as she dives into challenges neurodiverse writers face, particularly in editing. Discover invaluable tips to conquer distractions and utilize your strengths for a compelling narrative. From reading aloud to tackle punctuation issues to ensuring pronoun clarity in complex stories, Brenda covers essential editing strategies to polish your manuscript.

Embark on a journey through proven methods to avoid common mistakes made by neurodivergent authors. Learn to identify sentence fragments, maintain tense consistency, and embrace active voice for engaging storytelling. With practical hacks like using highlighters for character clarity and employing global search to eliminate echoes and overused adverbs, editing becomes an achievable task.

Whether navigating homophone hurdles or varying sentence lengths for optimal rhythm, this episode equips you with 25 key tips to enhance your manuscript. Brenda emphasizes the importance of formatting, feedback, and taking breaks to refine your art.

Stay inspired through the chaos, as you embrace the unique creative process that fuels every writer's journey. Tune in to unlock the secrets of editing mastery and send your polished work into the literary world with confidence.

Show Notes

Free resources for writers

https://brendalmurphy.com/resources-for-writers/

 

Character Workbook https://dl.bookfunnel.com/ofxxsx32dj

Newsletter Sign up link: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/ik4sj696um

Shree Greer’s book: https://www.amazon.com/Baddest-Out-Your-Friends-Grammar/dp/1955629005/

Sandra Gerth’s book:  https://www.amazon.com/Point-View-different-head-hopping-Writers-ebook/dp/B01LXFITOD/

 

 

Plays Well with Others: Working with Beta Readers, Editors, and More

Welcome back to "Writing While Distracted" with your NeuroSpicy writing coach, Brenda Murphy. In this episode, we dive deep into the revision process, exploring how to effectively collaborate with beta readers, developmental editors, and copy editors to refine your manuscript.

We begin by addressing Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria (RSD), a common challenge for neurodivergent writers, and discuss strategies to manage these intense feelings during the revision process. Brenda shares personal insights and practical advice on how to maintain healthy professional relationships while navigating RSD.

Next, we break down the distinct roles of beta readers, developmental editors, and copy editors. Learn how each contributes to the manuscript's development, from providing reader-centric feedback to strategic big-picture edits and meticulous language polishing.

Brenda also offers best practices for working with your revision team, including how to find the right beta readers, the importance of clear communication, and the value of respecting their time and input. For those working with sensitivity readers, she emphasizes the importance of compensating them and valuing their unique perspectives.

Whether you're a seasoned writer or just starting out, this episode is packed with tips to help you create the best possible version of your manuscript. Subscribe, leave a review, and join us next time as we continue to explore the writer's journey.

Until then, keep writing, keep revising, and take care of yourself.

 Plays Well With Others Show notes

Sign up for my newsletter for free resources for Writers:

https://brendalmurphy.com/resources-for-writers/

Follow me on my socials for quick tips and updates: https://www.instagram.com/writinghwhiledistracted/

Struggling with character development? Check out my free character building workbook: https://BookHip.com/HDPNDMX

Here is the free resource 60 Ways to Show Character Arc: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/xjcaam4085

This podcast is all about structure: https://www.podbean.com/eas/pb-ckhgh-167fd45

Eileen Cook’s Build Better Characters:  https://eileencook.com/non-fiction/

Debra Dixon Goal Motivation and Conflict: http://www.debradixon.com/index.html

Save the Cat: https://savethecat.com/books

Writing While Distracted Blog on Story Structure/Story ARC https://blog.writingwhiledistracted.com/?p=2295

 My podcast about revisions and editing:  Mastering Revisions: Turning Rough Drafts into Polished Gems https://www.podbean.com/eas/pb-xhk2p-167fa2b

Sandra Gerth’s fantastic book Show Don’t Tell:  https://www.amazon.com/Show-Dont-Tell-descriptions-characters-ebook/dp/B01LXFJ0AC/

MIlianote

    https://milanote.com

Scrivener

https://www.literatureandlatte.com

 

Revisions and Editing Steps

To recap the process, I use to get my rough as hell draft to a finished product to send to an editor, publisher, or out on submission is:

• Round1: Revisions: structure, pacing, character arcs, genre conventions, continuity, and attending to items that require research.
• Round 2: Language: word choice, refining prose, pacing, dialogue, scene descriptions, character descriptions, continuity. *At this point I send it to my beta readers.
• Round 3: Proofing: Suggestions from Beta readers, grammar, spelling, punctuation, copy edits, line edits formatting for submission or publication. Copy edits, line edits.
• Round 4: Final proofing read through before submission or publishing.

 

 

 

 

Crafting Authentic Dialogue: Unleash Your Characters' Voices

Welcome to "Writing While Distracted," the podcast that transforms scattered thoughts into literary brilliance. I'm Brenda Murphy, your neuro-spicy writing coach, and today, we're diving into the art of dialogue in your writing.

Dialogue can make or break a novel, and for many, it’s the most challenging part of storytelling. Whether you're neurodivergent or neurotypical, our unique perspectives can add depth and authenticity to dialogue. In this episode, we explore strategies to polish your dialogue, making it natural, purposeful, and character-driven.

Learn how to cut out filler words, balance dialogue with action, and use subtext to convey emotions and relationships. We discuss the importance of avoiding info dumps and how to effectively tag dialogue with actions rather than overusing "he said, she said."

We also delve into the technical aspects of punctuating dialogue and offer insights from classic and contemporary films that excel in dialogue. By the end of this episode, you'll be equipped with the tools to create engaging and authentic conversations in your writing.

Join us next time on "Writing While Distracted" as we continue to unravel the mysteries of the writer's mind. Until then, keep writing, keep wandering, and embrace the distractions that fuel your creativity.

Show notes

Free resources for writers

 

https://brendalmurphy.com/resources-for-writers/

Sign up for my newsletter and get a free character workbook https://dl.bookfunnel.com/ofxxsx32dj

My podcast about revisions and editing:  Mastering Revisions: Turning Rough Drafts into Polished Gems https://www.podbean.com/eas/pb-xhk2p-167fa2b

Sandra Gerth’s fantastic book Show Don’t Tell:  https://www.amazon.com/Show-Dont-Tell-descriptions-characters-ebook/dp/B01LXFJ0AC/

 

MIlianote

    https://milanote.com

Scrivener

https://www.literatureandlatte.com

 

 

Revisions and Editing Steps

To recap the process, I use to get my rough as hell draft to a finished product to send to an editor, publisher, or out on submission is:

• Round1: Revisions: structure, pacing, character arcs, genre conventions, continuity, and attending to items that require research.
• Round 2: Language: word choice, refining prose, pacing, dialogue, scene descriptions, character descriptions, continuity. *At this point I send it to my beta readers.
• Round 3: Proofing: Suggestions from Beta readers, grammar, spelling, punctuation, copy edits, line edits formatting for submission or publication. Copy edits, line edits.
• Round 4: Final proofing read through before submission or publishing.

 

 

 

Mastering Revision: Genre, Continuity, and Research

Welcome to another episode of Writing While Distracted, the podcast that guides you from scattered thoughts to literary brilliance. Hosted by Brenda Murphy, your NeuroSpicy writing coach, this episode delves into the intertwined elements of genre conventions, continuity, and research in the revision process.

Brenda begins by demystifying genre conventions, explaining how they serve as helpful guidelines rather than constraints. She encourages blending genres to create unique stories while maintaining key elements that meet reader expectations.

The discussion then moves to story continuity, emphasizing the importance of keeping characters, settings, and events consistent. Brenda shares practical tools like Milanote and Scrivener, as well as the value of attentive beta readers, to help neurodivergent writers maintain continuity in their manuscripts.

Finally, Brenda tackles the challenge of research, offering strategies to balance in-depth exploration with focused writing time. She advises separating research from writing sessions to avoid derailment and maintain productivity.

This episode is packed with actionable tips and insights to help neurodivergent writers harness their unique strengths while navigating common challenges. Tune in to transform your creative process and keep your writing journey on track.

Until next time, keep writing, keep wandering, and embrace the distractions that fuel your creativity.

 

Show notes Genre Conventions, Continuity, and Research

Free resources for writers:

 

https://brendalmurphy.com/resources-for-writers/

Sign up for my newsletter and get a free character workbook https://dl.bookfunnel.com/ofxxsx32dj

My podcast about revisions and editing:  Mastering Revisions: Turning Rough Drafts into Polished Gems https://www.podbean.com/eas/pb-xhk2p-167fa2b

Sandra Gerth’s fantastic book Show Don’t Tell:  https://www.amazon.com/Show-Dont-Tell-descriptions-characters-ebook/dp/B01LXFJ0AC/

 

MIlianote

    https://milanote.com

Scrivener

https://www.literatureandlatte.com

 

Revisions and Editing Steps

To recap the process, I use to get my rough as hell draft to a finished product to send to an editor, publisher, or out on submission is:

• Round1: Revisions: structure, pacing, character arcs, genre conventions, continuity, and attending to items that require research.
• Round 2: Language: word choice, refining prose, pacing, dialogue, scene descriptions, character descriptions, continuity. *At this point I send it to my beta readers.
• Round 3: Proofing: Suggestions from Beta readers, grammar, spelling, punctuation, copy edits, line edits formatting for submission or publication. Copy edits, line edits.
• Round 4: Final proofing read through before submission or publishing.

 

 

 

Character Arcs: The Key to Relatable Stories

Welcome to "Writing While Distracted," the podcast dedicated to helping writers harness their creative energy amidst distractions. I'm Brenda Murphy, your NeuroSpicy writing coach, and in today's episode, we delve into a topic that often confounds new writers: the difference between character arcs and story arcs.

Join us as we unravel the complexities of character development, exploring how characters grow and change throughout a story. We'll discuss the importance of establishing character arcs not just for protagonists but for all significant characters, ensuring a rich and engaging narrative.

Discover the nuances of showing character growth, from the inciting incident to the climax, and learn how to avoid common pitfalls like stereotypes. Whether you're working on a single novel or a series, this episode provides valuable insights to make your characters authentic and your stories compelling.

Stay tuned for tips, resources, and inspiration to polish your characters and keep your readers hooked. Happy writing!

Show Notes WWD Season 2 Character ARCs

Sign up for my newsletter for free resources for Writers:

https://brendalmurphy.com/resources-for-writers/

Follow me on my socials for quick tips and updates: https://www.instagram.com/writinghwhiledistracted/

Struggling with character development? Check out my free character building workbook: https://BookHip.com/HDPNDMX

Here is the free resource 60 Ways to Show Character Arc:https://dl.bookfunnel.com/xjcaam4085

This podcast is all about structure: https://www.podbean.com/eas/pb-ckhgh-167fd45

Eileen Cook’s Build Better Characters:  https://eileencook.com/non-fiction/

Debra Dixon Goal Motivation and Conflict: http://www.debradixon.com/index.html

Save the Cat: https://savethecat.com/books

Writing While Distracted Blog on Story Structure/Story ARC https://blog.writingwhiledistracted.com/?p=2295