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90 episodes and still going. When I started planning Get Published almost four years ago, I never thought it would last this long. But it has and I am very proud of the show and all the wonderful people I have the chance to talk to as part of it.

I have to admit, the past while I’ve been wondering if it is time to end Get Published. I’ve been feeling a little worn down at times and it just feels like one project too many. Still, a lot has happened to me since I started and Get Published is responsible for at least some of my writing success. Because of the show, I have talked with people who have shared their wisdom with me and with you. It has pointed me in directions I never thought I would have traveled. It has also opened the doors to writing relationships that are going strong and getting stronger.

When I think of that, it gives me hope that some of you may have realized some successes or learned some important information because of the show. If that has happened, please drop me a line and let me know. I would love to dedicate the 100^th episode to you and your own achievements whether you have been a guest or are a listener.

Speaking of achievments, I am proud to have two of my friends on the show today. The writing and podcasting team of Tee Morris and Pip Ballantine graciously agreed to give me some of their time to talk about their writing.

Tee and Pip are wonderful people and writers and I can say I’ve been cheering them on since the early days when they were first podcasting and getting their individual works published by a smaller press. A lot has happened since those days; they are being published by big-six publishers now both individually and as a writing duo. Their steampunk work is being raved about and…they are a married couple as well as a collaboration team.

It was a true delight speaking to them both again. I know you will enjoy the interview.

I also spend some time in the tips and typos section talking about my first experience at a convention as a published author.

That’s today’s episode. I hope you enjoy it.

Show Notes

00:00 — Opening – Get Published Episode 90 – Tee and Pip Collaborate

Everything has to start somewhere and this is the start of “Get Published”

00:14 — Introduction – Get Published Episode 90 – Tee and Pip Collaborate

Welcome to the show.

02:25 Promo: Pendragon Variety Podcast

03:06 -Tips and Typos

Mike talks about his first experience at a writing convention as a published author.

05:56 - Promo – Nutty Bites

06:26 — Get Published Episode 90 – Tee and Pip Collaborate (continued)

Tee and Pip talk about: collaborating, steampunk, convention going and their writing journey thus far.

51:08 - Promo - Flying Island Press

51:53 — Closing

Thank you for listening.

Websites mentioned in this episode:

Michell Plested - http://www.michellplested.com/

Tee Morris – http://www.teemorris.com/

Philippa Ballantine – http://www.pjballantine.com/

The Shared Desk – http://www.theshareddesk.com/

The Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences – http://www.ministryofpeculiaroccurrences.com/

Pendragon Variety Podcast - http://pendragonvariety.com/

NIMLAS Studios/Nutty Bites - http://nimlas.org/blog/

Flying Island Press - http://flyingislandpress.com/

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A little while ago I posed the question: should I focus on a single series or write a number of different things. I received several responses to my question, all of which I appreciated. The general consensus was that I shouldn’t limit myself, but write a number of different things. By doing so I stretch my writing muscles and I give myself the best chance to appeal to a larger group of people.

While I was considering the question myself I also came to the conclusion that not only should I write in multiple genres, but I should write many different things beyond that.

For example, I write this post every week which allows me to express myself in one way. I also write the copy for Get Published which takes me in a different direction. There is, of course, my fiction, and at work I write contractual language, project management plans and process documentation. As if that wasn’t enough, I do a few pieces of non-fiction writing every month or so for various places.

All though things mean that I am writing for multiple audiences, from multiple points of view in multiple ways (have I used the word “multiple” enough yet?). I can’t help but think that all that is useful to honing my writing skills.

It also means that I’m always writing, even when I don’t think I am. That’s good too because it helps to improve my vocabulary and feel for sentence structure and writing mechanics. All important stuff.

The downside to all this is it takes much longer to finish a project. Lots of irons in the fire means that my attention is pulled in many directions, not to mention my actual time.

Such is the life of a writer, I suppose.

So, my question to you is this: how do you stretch your writing muscles? I bet if you look you will find that there is more going on than you think. Do the quick exercise to find out and next time you are feeling badly about your own progress, remind yourself of how much you are actually doing. The self-congratulations vs. self-flagelation will be a step in the right (write?) direction.

Personal Update

I’m closing in on completion of my revising for my YA novel “The Mystery of Lake Chulala”. This is going to be the first in an ongoing Young Adult/Middle Grade series. I still have hopes that it will be available in May.

Tags: fiction, irreverent muse, Michell Plested, middle grade, non-fiction, variety, writing, young adult