It's the final episode of season 2! We're reflecting on 19 previous shows dedicated to the craft of writing, plus discussing the pleasures and rewards of writing for joy. Thank you for a great season and we'll see you in season 3!

Mark Twain. George Sand. Stephen King. George Orwell. Dr. Seuss. J.K. Rowling. Anne Rice. All these authors have at least one thing in common--they all go by (or have gone by) pseudonyms on their bylines. Perhaps you're considering whether to adopt a pen name for your memoir, so should you? Barbara tends to feel that pseudonyms work better for fiction than memoir, but feel free to disagree--listen to this week's episode for her rationale. Links mentioned in this episode: Study: On Twitter, false news travels faster than true stories | MIT News | Massachusetts Institute of Technology https://news.mit.edu/2018/study-twitter-false-news-travels-faster-true-stories-0308 A potted history of pen names – National Library of Scotland Blog https://blog.nls.uk/a-potted-history-of-pen-names/ Chapters 00:00 The Dilemma of Memoir Writing 00:49 The Impact of Anonymity in Writing 01:45 Historical Context of Pseudonyms 04:26 The Pros and Cons of Using a Pen Name 06:37 Navigating the Challenges of Non-Fiction 09:28 The Importance of Authenticity in Memoir 12:10 Upcoming Conversations and Reflections

Why do memoir writers need to get vulnerable? And how do you actually do it without oversharing? In this episode, we explore why vulnerability is the key to powerful memoir writing. Drawing wisdom from Brené Brown, Mary Karr, Joan Didion, and examples from Selma Blair's powerful memoir Mean Baby, we break down how to transform your challenging experiences into compelling narrative. You'll learn:• Why vulnerability creates instant connection with readers• The difference between raw and crafted vulnerability• Practical techniques to write difficult scenes• How to balance emotional truth with personal boundaries Perfect for memoir writers, personal essayists, or anyone looking to add emotional depth to their writing. 🎧 New episodes drop every Thursday. Selma Blair, Mean Baby: ⁠https://www.amazon.com/Mean-Baby-Memoir-Growing-Up-ebook/dp/B09JRSVSVV⁠ Brené Brown: "Vulnerability is the absolute heartbeat of innovation and creativity. There can be zero innovation without vulnerability." ⁠⁠2012 TED Talk "Listening to Shame."⁠⁠ https://blog.ted.com/vulnerability-is-the-birthplace-of-innovation-creativity-and-change-brene-brown-at-ted2012/ Mary Karr: "The more you're willing to examine your own stuff, the more you're willing to let other people see it." (From "⁠The Art of Memoir⁠," 2015) https://www.abebooks.com/signed-first-edition/ART-MEMOIR-Karr-Mary-Harper-New/17951252138/bd?ref_=ps_ms_267691761&cm_mmc=msn-_-comus_dsa-_-naa-_-naa&msclkid=263004638b9d1a30ac9d63faccf98994 Anne Lamott: "You own everything that happened to you. Tell your stories." (From "⁠Bird by Bird⁠," 1994) https://www.amazon.com/s?k=book+bird+by+bird+by+anne+lamott&adgrpid=1335908157631733&hvadid=83494492075702&hvbmt=bp&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=98633&hvnetw=o&hvqmt=p&hvtargid=kwd-83495218917021%3Aloc-190&hydadcr=22593_13494535&msclkid=7bf28ca371a61220d477eb3a36238659&tag=mh0b-20&ref=pd_sl_15aemxxo1c_p Joan Didion: "I write entirely to find out what I'm thinking." (From "⁠Why I Write⁠," 1976) https://www.nytimes.com/1976/12/05/archives/why-i-write-why-i-write.html

Should you write at dawn (and standing) like Hemingway or burn the midnight oil like Kafka? Science has some unexpected answers. In this episode, we explore the fascinating research behind creative timing and why your "off-peak" hours might be your creative sweet spot. From brain science to practical routines, discover why the best time to write isn't what you might think - and how to find a schedule that actually works for your life. Episode highlights:• The truth about willpower and creative thinking• Why being tired might boost your creativity• How modern life affects writing schedules• Finding your sustainable writing rhythm Drawing from neuroscience, creativity research, and the daily practices of writers across centuries, this episode offers both scientific insight and practical wisdom for your writing life. Research: Time of day effects on problem solving: When the non-optimal is optimal: Thinking & Reasoning: Vol 17, No 4⁠ https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/13546783.2011.625663 A night and day difference: Circadian clock may protect aging eyes https://www.purdue.edu/newsroom/2022/Q1/a-night-and-day-difference-circadian-clock-may-protect-aging-eyes/ The Great Willpower Debate: The Missing Piece | Psychology Today https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/changepower/201112/the-great-willpower-debate-the-missing-piece Duration: 22 minutes Chapters 00:00 Understanding the Body Clock and Writing 02:57 The Science of Morning vs. Night Writing 04:54 The Role of Light and Environment 10:10 Adapting to Modern Life and Schedules 14:20 Finding Your Consistent Writing Time

Getting Your Memoir Writing Resolution Back on Track Why do so many people abandon their New Year's resolution to write their life story? In this episode, Barbara explores the science behind habit formation and how to apply it specifically to memoir writing. Drawing from behavioral scientist Katy Milkman's research on habit formation, we break down the key barriers that stop aspiring memoirists—and provide concrete solutions to overcome them. Episode Highlights: Why the second Friday of January is known as "Quitter's Day" The "What the Hell Effect" and how it derails memoir writers Why rigid writing schedules often backfire How to use "temptation bundling" to make writing irresistible The right (and wrong) ways to use fresh starts in your writing practice Key Concepts: Present bias in memoir writing Flexible vs. rigid routines Commitment devices for writers The mentorship effect Progress tracking systems Resources: How To Change: The Science of Getting From Where You Are To Where You Want To Be by Katy Milkman https://www.amazon.com/How-Change-Science-Getting-Where/dp/059308375X Memoir doctor Wendy Dale's interview on Writing for Immortality https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/writingforimmortality/episodes/Why-Your-Memoir-Isnt-Working-and-How-to-Fix-It-with-Wendy-Dale-e2t84u4 Chapters 00:00 New Year, New Goals: The Quitters Day Reality 02:30 Understanding Barriers to Memoir Writing 04:37 The 'What the Hell' Effect: Overcoming Setbacks 17:12 Flexibility in Writing Routines 20:49 Present Bias: Finding Immediate Rewards 25:30 Fresh Starts: Embracing New Beginnings 28:44 Maintaining Long-Term Motivation Join the conversation: Share your memoir writing challenges and successes with us on social media using #Writing4Immortality #MemoirWriting #WritingHabits

Happy 2025! We're back with a great episode about memoir writing and how to make your memoir more enjoyable to read and to write. Yes, it's possible. In this episode of Writing for Immortality, Barbara sits down with Wendy Dale, author of Avoiding Prison and Other Noble Vacation Goals and former Media Bistro memoir writing instructor. After teaching hundreds of writers how to structure their life stories, Wendy knows exactly where most memoirs go wrong and how to fix them. In her new book, The Memoir Engineering System (available January 11, reserve your copy at the link below) she breaks down common mistakes writers make with story structure. She shares a practical framework that transforms scattered life events into narrative that works. From her own failed childhood memoir to her successful published work, Wendy brings both humor and hard-won wisdom to the craft. If you've ever wondered how to transform your life experiences into a book that keeps readers turning pages, this episode is for you. The Memoir Engineering System: https://www.amazon.com/Memoir-Engineering-System-First-Draft-ebook/dp/B0DQ9MPFSP Wendy's YouTube Channel: https://youtu.be/LXKxNUP5fqA?feature=shared Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Memoir Writing with Wendy Dale 05:00 The Importance of Structure in Memoir 09:25 Common Mistakes in Memoir Writing 12:39 The Role of Subjectivity in Memoir 16:55 Understanding the System vs. Formula in Writing 18:28 Show, Don't Tell: A Misunderstood Principle 21:50 The Misinterpretation of 'Show, Don't Tell' 24:39 Understanding Theme vs. Structure in Writing 27:44 The Seven Steps to Memoir Writing 31:12 The Importance of Outlining in Writing 34:25 Overcoming Writer's Block and Motivation Issues 38:18 The Role of AI in Memoir Writing

No episode today! Just wanted to say Happy Holidays and that Writing for Immortality will be back in January with all new episodes!

Join host Barbara as she sits down with bestselling author Honoree Corder and ghostwriter Kent Sanders to discuss their new book "Your Book Means Business." Learn why business professionals need a book, what makes a truly exceptional business book, and how to avoid common pitfalls in the book creation process. With millions of books sold between them, these experts share insider tips on creating a "bespoke book" that can transform your business and career. Find Honoree at: https://honoreecorder.com/ Find Kent here: https://www.kentsanders.net/ Chapters & Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction & Guest Backgrounds02:21 - Why Write This Book Now?04:37 - The Power of Collaboration06:55 - Making Time for Your Book11:43 - What is a "Bespoke Book"?14:03 - The Right Length for Business Books18:55 - Common Mistakes to Avoid21:20 - The Trend Toward Shorter Books27:56 - Marketing Your Book41:41 - Creative Ways to Leverage Your Book51:55 - What Makes a Great Ghostwriter56:40 - Closing & Contact Information

Join us for a fascinating conversation with Jeremy Toeman, CEO of AugX Labs and creator of Augie Studio, as we explore how storytelling has transformed in the digital age. From his early days working in a video store to revolutionizing TV viewing with Slingbox, Toeman shares insights on the shifting landscape of media consumption and content creation. In this episode, we dive deep into: How short-form content is reshaping narrative structures The role of AI in democratizing video creation Balancing technology with the human element in storytelling The future of digital legacy and content preservation Making professional-quality video accessible to everyone Whether you're a content creator, marketer, or storytelling enthusiast, this episode offers valuable perspectives on navigating the intersection of technology and creativity in today's fast-paced digital world. Augie: https://augie.studio/ Chapters 00:00 The Evolution of Storytelling in Media 11:49 AI and the Future of Video Creation 24:10 The Human Element in AI Storytelling 35:57 Preserving Digital Legacy and Personal Narratives Keywords: storytelling, media evolution, AI video creation, digital legacy, content creation, human element, video editing, Augie Studio, narrative arc, short form content

What happens when pop icon Cher's memoir needs three different ghostwriters to tell her story? This episode uncovers the fascinating world of celebrity memoirs and ghostwriting, revealing how one of music's most distinctive voices got lost in translation. From variety show star to Oscar winner to Auto-Tune pioneer, Cher's lived enough lives for ten memoirs—so why does her actual memoir fall flat? Join us for a behind-the-scenes look at what happens when too many ghosts haunt one book. #WritingPodcast #Cher #Ghostwriter #CelebrityMemoir #Writing4Immortality