The Girl and Duck Podcast

Being a fictional character is risky business. Or it should be. Are your characters in enough danger, under enough pressure or stress, threatened in some way? This can be tricky for children’s authors. The impulse is to protect our characters, keep them safe and, gawd forbid, sensible… But that’s the death knell to drama and storytelling. Happily ever after needs to be earned, otherwise the tale is kinda ho-hum. Let’s talk about upping the tension in your stories as well as knowing when to pull back. Includes examples (and dilemmas) from my own books. Books mentioned: The Accidental Princess by Jen Storer, illustrated by Lucia Masciullo, Penguin Books Tensy Farlow and the Home for Mislaid Children, by Jen Storer, Penguin/Viking The Duck Pond membership: Click to Join the Duck Pond ► About Jen & Girl and Duck: If you'd like to subscribe to my museletters, yay! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Click here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. For more girl&duck goodness, go here - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠GirlandDuck.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Jen's Life Coaching page can be found ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Join Jen's creative writing community ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠the Duck Pond⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Jen on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@jenestorer ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Subscribe to Jen's YouTube Channel - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Click here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Jen's Author website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠jenstorer.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ► Free stuff Get writing immediately. Writing prompts to get your imagination flowing! Get four AWESOME writing prompts delivered to your inbox over four days. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://girlandduck.com/free-writing-prompts/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Grab this freebie! A booklet containing the transcripts from Jen's, 'Hey Author' reels on Instagram. Full of tips and wisdom for writers at every level! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.jenstorerpresents.com/hey-author⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Free Mini Course: 5 Ways to Write a Book with Jen Storer ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.jenstorerpresents.com/5-ways-to-write-a-book-with-jen-storer⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Music Credit: Title: Forward Composer: Lane King License: #2228160 (Bensound)

Today I’m chatting about creativity boundaries. At some point it helps to rein in your interests and focus. Drill down, as Elizabeth Gilbert would say. This year, 2024, is my Year of Acrylics. First boundary done and dusted, thank you very much. Next boundary. I’ve taken it even further and, as we speak, I am painting 100 coffee cups. Yes, indeedy. This goal, this boundary, has already added a lot of energy to my daily output and is paying off if surprising ways. I’ve even learned to work with purple! Boundaries will help with your writing too, of course. So long as you don’t impose them too early. Let’s talk about that. And more. This is a long ep, twenty-five minutes. Woah! That’s stovetop coffee for you… Thanks for listening! ► About Jen & Girl and Duck: If you'd like to subscribe to my museletters, yay! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Click here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. For more girl&duck goodness, go here - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠GirlandDuck.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Jen's Life Coaching page can be found ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Join Jen's creative writing community ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠the Duck Pond⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Jen on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@jenestorer ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Subscribe to Jen's YouTube Channel - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Click here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Jen's Author website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠jenstorer.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ► Free stuff Get writing immediately. Writing prompts to get your imagination flowing! Get four AWESOME writing prompts delivered to your inbox over four days. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://girlandduck.com/free-writing-prompts/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Grab this freebie! A booklet containing the transcripts from Jen's, 'Hey Author' reels on Instagram. Full of tips and wisdom for writers at every level! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.jenstorerpresents.com/hey-author⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Free Mini Course: 5 Ways to Write a Book with Jen Storer ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.jenstorerpresents.com/5-ways-to-write-a-book-with-jen-storer⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Music Credit: Title: Forward Composer: Lane King License: #2228160 (Bensound)

In this gorgeous conversation, our first for 2024, Jen and Neridah discuss Neridah's childhood, careers and her path to becoming a much loved author of children's books. About Neridah Neridah loves history and true stories. An author of eight books for children, Neridah is also an award winning short story writer and poet. Her latest picture book, published by Walker Books Australia in 2023, is called Eat My Dust!, and is the amazing true story of Jean Robertson and Kathleen Howell, who helped map Australia. Neridah loves footy, family, birdwatching, walking her dog and meeting other people’s dogs. Website: neridahmcmullin.com Jen & Girl and Duck: ►Join Jen's creative writing community here: ⁠https://girlandduck.com/the-duck-pond/⁠ ► Subscribe to my YouTube Channel here: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjolaxW2XqJRjq2PNZHxd2Q?sub_confirmation=1 ⁠ ►Follow Jen on Instagram: @jenestorer ⁠https://www.instagram.com/jenestorer/ ⁠ ►Listen to the Girl & Duck Podcast here: ⁠https://girlandduck.com/podcast/ ⁠ ►Buy Jen's creative writing book: See Me Jump: 20 things I've learned about writing books for children: Buy it at amazon.com: ⁠http://a.co/i3C6SLF⁠ Buy it at amazon.com.au: ⁠https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/064801990X/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_ep_dp_aueBBbEHSX3WA

Do you do Morning Pages? Do I do Morning Pages? Sometimes. I used to do them religiously. Like, for years… In this ep I chat about my history with ‘the pages’, the impact they’ve had on my creativity and my life and how the pages can help you, too. Books mentioned: The Artist’s Way, by Julia Cameron Steal Like An Artist, by Austin Kleon ► About Jen & Girl and Duck: If you'd like to subscribe to my museletters, yay! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Click here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. For more girl&duck goodness, go here - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠GirlandDuck.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Jen's Life Coaching page can be found ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Join Jen's creative writing community ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠the Duck Pond⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Jen on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@jenestorer ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Subscribe to Jen's YouTube Channel - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Click here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Jen's Author website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠jenstorer.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ► Free stuff Get writing immediately. Writing prompts to get your imagination flowing! Get four AWESOME writing prompts delivered to your inbox over four days. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://girlandduck.com/free-writing-prompts/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Grab this freebie! A booklet containing the transcripts from Jen's, 'Hey Author' reels on Instagram. Full of tips and wisdom for writers at every level! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.jenstorerpresents.com/hey-author⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Free Mini Course: 5 Ways to Write a Book with Jen Storer ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.jenstorerpresents.com/5-ways-to-write-a-book-with-jen-storer⁠⁠⁠⁠ Music Credit: Title: Forward Composer: Lane King License: #2228160 (Bensound)

As we head into the big adventure that is 2024, it can be helpful to select a word of the year to inspire, energise or even challenge you. Your word companion can act as your muse. Your word might inspire art and journal prompts or encourage you to make longed for changes. It might even challenge you to find your courage or to live and create more passionately. One of our lovely Duck Pond members chose ‘effortless’ as her word for 2024. This word inspired me to riff on the whole idea of ‘effortless being’ and to wander into more esoteric terrain for this episode. As I always say, words are magnetic. They draw to themselves all kinds of magic! Happy (Magical) New Year, dear listener! ► About Jen & Girl and Duck: If you'd like to subscribe to my museletters, yay! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Click here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. For more girl&duck goodness, go here - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠GirlandDuck.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Jen's Life Coaching page can be found ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Join Jen's creative writing community ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠the Duck Pond⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Jen on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@jenestorer ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Subscribe to Jen's YouTube Channel - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Click here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Jen's Author website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠jenstorer.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ► Free stuff Get writing immediately. Writing prompts to get your imagination flowing! Get four AWESOME writing prompts delivered to your inbox over four days. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://girlandduck.com/free-writing-prompts/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Grab this freebie! A booklet containing the transcripts from Jen's, 'Hey Author' reels on Instagram. Full of tips and wisdom for writers at every level! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.jenstorerpresents.com/hey-author⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Free Mini Course: 5 Ways to Write a Book with Jen Storer ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.jenstorerpresents.com/5-ways-to-write-a-book-with-jen-storer⁠⁠⁠ Music Credit: Title: Forward Composer: Lane King License: #2228160 (Bensound)

Final thoughts for 2023, dear listener. I’ll be back in 24, for sure. (I like that rhyme!) Three things that might be of interest to you in this ep (another ep inspired by a lovely Duck Pond member). By today’s standards, when the market is flooded with all sorts of spiritual and creativity treasures, the books I discuss in this ep might seem like 101s. But that’s why they’re so important to me — and I suspect it’s why they are classics, too. They are foundational. Also in this closing ep, why I decided to form an IRL writers’ group in 2024, and the difference between a critique group and a writers’ group. (Big relief sigh here, as I didn’t realise there was a difference until a duckie set me straight!) Books and other pretties mentioned: The Power of Now, by Eckhart Tolle https://www.amazon.com/Power-Now-Guide-Spiritual-Enlightenment/dp/1577314808 The Artist’s Way, by Julia Cameron https://www.amazon.com.au/Artists-Way-Julia-Cameron/dp/0143129252 The House that Joy Built, by Holly Ringland https://www.harpercollins.com.au/9781460716632/the-house-that-joy-built/ Decks The Creativity Oracle https://www.amazon.com.au/Creativity-Oracle-Visions-Enchantment-Inspire/dp/0764358995 Goddess Love Oracle https://www.booktopia.com.au/goddess-love-oracle-wendy-andrew/book/9781925924329.html ► About Jen & Girl and Duck: If you'd like to subscribe to my museletters, yay! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Click here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. For more girl&duck goodness, go here - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠GirlandDuck.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Jen's Life Coaching page can be found ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Join Jen's creative writing community ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠the Duck Pond⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Jen on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@jenestorer ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Subscribe to Jen's YouTube Channel - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Click here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Jen's Author website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠jenstorer.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ► Free stuff Get writing immediately. Writing prompts to get your imagination flowing! Get four AWESOME writing prompts delivered to your inbox over four days. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://girlandduck.com/free-writing-prompts/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Grab this freebie! A booklet containing the transcripts from Jen's, 'Hey Author' reels on Instagram. Full of tips and wisdom for writers at every level! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.jenstorerpresents.com/hey-author⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Free Mini Course: 5 Ways to Write a Book with Jen Storer ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.jenstorerpresents.com/5-ways-to-write-a-book-with-jen-storer⁠⁠⁠

Let me tell you a little story about the time I got a substantial Australia Council grant (so exciting!) but didn’t write the book (so frustrating!) and how that felt and how that evolved and how I finally, years later, have figured out how to write said book. Ramblings about patience, perseverance and passion, today, dear author. ► About Jen & Girl and Duck: If you'd like to subscribe to my museletters, yay! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Click here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. For more girl&duck goodness, go here - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠GirlandDuck.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Jen's Life Coaching page can be found ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Join Jen's creative writing community ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠the Duck Pond⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Jen on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@jenestorer ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Subscribe to Jen's YouTube Channel - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Click here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Jen's Author website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠jenstorer.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ► Free stuff Get writing immediately. Writing prompts to get your imagination flowing! Get four AWESOME writing prompts delivered to your inbox over four days. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://girlandduck.com/free-writing-prompts/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Grab this freebie! A booklet containing the transcripts from Jen's, 'Hey Author' reels on Instagram. Full of tips and wisdom for writers at every level! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.jenstorerpresents.com/hey-author⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Free Mini Course: 5 Ways to Write a Book with Jen Storer ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.jenstorerpresents.com/5-ways-to-write-a-book-with-jen-storer⁠⁠

You’d be surprised how many developing (and established) authors trip when it comes to tense. But never fear. Gaining confidence in your ‘weaker’ areas just takes practice and self-awareness. The art of tweaking, rewriting and self-editing can be learned and honed over time. Hang in there, dear author, keep doing the verk, keep asking questions and always be gentle with yourself. There are MANY moving parts when it comes to creative writing! ► About Jen & Girl and Duck: If you'd like to subscribe to my museletters, yay! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Click here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. For more girl&duck goodness, go here - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠GirlandDuck.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Jen's Life Coaching page can be found ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Join Jen's creative writing community ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠the Duck Pond⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Jen on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@jenestorer ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Subscribe to Jen's YouTube Channel - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Click here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Jen's Author website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠jenstorer.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ► Free stuff Get writing immediately. Writing prompts to get your imagination flowing! Get four AWESOME writing prompts delivered to your inbox over four days. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://girlandduck.com/free-writing-prompts/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Grab this freebie! A booklet containing the transcripts from Jen's, 'Hey Author' reels on Instagram. Full of tips and wisdom for writers at every level! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.jenstorerpresents.com/hey-author⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Free Mini Course: 5 Ways to Write a Book with Jen Storer ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.jenstorerpresents.com/5-ways-to-write-a-book-with-jen-storer⁠⁠

Every now and then I receive a letter that’s frank and raw but oh so common. What happens when you feel fed up with striving? When the dream to become a published/successful author has taken its toll on you and your family? If you’re questioning your choices, wondering if it’s all worth it, our 50th episode might be the balm you need. This is not a rah-rah, you’ve got this, just-do-it, Nike commercial. It’s deeper than that. This ep is all about looking at the bigger picture, perhaps finding spiritual sustenance, to help you stay balanced (mostly!), centred and compassionate. I hope you find it helpful. And thank you to our ‘anonymous’ letter writer. You spoke for countless creatives with your complex ponderings! ► About Jen & Girl and Duck: If you'd like to subscribe to my museletters, yay! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Click here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. For more girl&duck goodness, go here - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠GirlandDuck.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Jen's Life Coaching page can be found ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Join Jen's creative writing community ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠the Duck Pond⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Jen on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@jenestorer ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Subscribe to Jen's YouTube Channel - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Click here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Jen's Author website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠jenstorer.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ► Free stuff Get writing immediately. Writing prompts to get your imagination flowing! Get four AWESOME writing prompts delivered to your inbox over four days. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://girlandduck.com/free-writing-prompts/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Grab this freebie! A booklet containing the transcripts from Jen's, 'Hey Author' reels on Instagram. Full of tips and wisdom for writers at every level! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.jenstorerpresents.com/hey-author⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Free Mini Course: 5 Ways to Write a Book with Jen Storer ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.jenstorerpresents.com/5-ways-to-write-a-book-with-jen-storer⁠

Thoughts from my yoga class. What’s blossoming in you and your creative life? Let’s honour that, dear listener. Also, how I organise my notes, manuscripts, research, WIPs and whatnot. A few practical ideas to help you get on top of your ideas and files. ► About Jen & Girl and Duck: If you'd like to subscribe to my museletters, yay! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Click here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. For more girl&duck goodness, go here - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠GirlandDuck.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Jen's Life Coaching page can be found ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Join Jen's creative writing community ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠the Duck Pond⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Jen on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@jenestorer ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Subscribe to Jen's YouTube Channel - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Click here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Jen's Author website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠jenstorer.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ► Free stuff Get writing immediately. Writing prompts to get your imagination flowing! Get four AWESOME writing prompts delivered to your inbox over four days. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://girlandduck.com/free-writing-prompts/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Grab this freebie! A booklet containing the transcripts from Jen's, 'Hey Author' reels on Instagram. Full of tips and wisdom for writers at every level! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.jenstorerpresents.com/hey-author⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Free Mini Course: 5 Ways to Write a Book with Jen Storer ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.jenstorerpresents.com/5-ways-to-write-a-book-with-jen-storer⁠

What to do when you haven’t yet mastered dialogue. Let’s talk about that! Let’s also talk about art and drawing and John Cleese and creativity and comfort zones and coffee and, yes, there is a kitty meowing in this episode. Everyone has something to say. The main thing is to remain loyal to our characters and our own unique approach to creative expression. ► About Jen & Girl and Duck: If you'd like to subscribe to my museletters, yay! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Click here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. For more girl&duck goodness, go here - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠GirlandDuck.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Jen's Life Coaching page can be found ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Join Jen's creative writing community ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠the Duck Pond⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Jen on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@jenestorer ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Subscribe to Jen's YouTube Channel - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Click here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Jen's Author website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠jenstorer.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ► Free stuff Get writing immediately. Writing prompts to get your imagination flowing! Get four AWESOME writing prompts delivered to your inbox over four days. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://girlandduck.com/free-writing-prompts/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Grab this freebie! A booklet containing the transcripts from Jen's, 'Hey Author' reels on Instagram. Full of tips and wisdom for writers at every level! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.jenstorerpresents.com/hey-author⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Free Mini Course: 5 Ways to Write a Book with Jen Storer ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.jenstorerpresents.com/5-ways-to-write-a-book-with-jen-storer⁠

Reflections on Refuse to Be Done: How to Write and Rewrite a Novel in Three Drafts, by Matt Bell Some ideas on how you might go about editing (and polishing) your novel or picture book. I also discuss the danger of overworking a PB. ► About Jen & Girl and Duck: If you'd like to subscribe to my museletters, yay! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Click here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. For more girl&duck goodness, go here - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠GirlandDuck.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Jen's Life Coaching page can be found ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Join Jen's creative writing community ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠the Duck Pond⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Jen on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@jenestorer ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Subscribe to Jen's YouTube Channel - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Click here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Jen's Author website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠jenstorer.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ► Free stuff Get writing immediately. Writing prompts to get your imagination flowing! Get four AWESOME writing prompts delivered to your inbox over four days. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://girlandduck.com/free-writing-prompts/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Grab this freebie! A booklet containing the transcripts from Jen's, 'Hey Author' reels on Instagram. Full of tips and wisdom for writers at every level! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.jenstorerpresents.com/hey-author⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Free Mini Course: 5 Ways to Write a Book with Jen Storer ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.jenstorerpresents.com/5-ways-to-write-a-book-with-jen-storer⁠

In his book, The Anatomy of Story, in the section on Story Movement, John Truby, talks about the Meandering Story. ‘The meandering story follows a winding path without apparent direction…’ Indeed. This episode is something like that. It meanders along with nary a hint of purpose. Topics I wander through: What makes me a buy a book Why I don’t read blurbs An accidental ‘review’ of T J Klune’s, The House in the Cerulean Sea How Klune’s book helped my tackle my own WIP The need to slow down (and speed up) when writing middle grade fiction. How I used a screenplay format to get my story started, get a bird’s eye view of events and find a confident (although superficial) launching place Other rambly stuff that might be of interest to other creatives Take from it what you will, dear author. Find out more about John Truby, here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Truby Find T J Klune and his wonderful books, here: https://www.tjklunebooks.com/ ► About Jen & Girl and Duck: If you'd like to subscribe to my museletters, yay! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Click here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. For more girl&duck goodness, go here - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠GirlandDuck.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Jen's Life Coaching page can be found ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Join Jen's creative writing community ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠the Duck Pond⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Jen on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@jenestorer ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Subscribe to Jen's YouTube Channel - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Click here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Jen's Author website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠jenstorer.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ► Free stuff Get writing immediately. Writing prompts to get your imagination flowing! Get four AWESOME writing prompts delivered to your inbox over four days. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://girlandduck.com/free-writing-prompts/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Grab this freebie! A booklet containing the transcripts from Jen's, 'Hey Author' reels on Instagram. Full of tips and wisdom for writers at every level! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.jenstorerpresents.com/hey-author⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Free Mini Course: 5 Ways to Write a Book with Jen Storer ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.jenstorerpresents.com/5-ways-to-write-a-book-with-jen-storer

As writers, voice is wildly important to the success of our work. But what exactly is voice and why is it so important? When I teach creative writing IRL, I often start by asking students to define voice for me. This always leads to a robust conversation (and lots of head scratching). Most of us know instinctively what voice is but we find it tricky to define. Tricky to put into words… Take a deep dive with me in this ep and we’ll unpick voice once and for all. If you want to see me analyse voice in Enid Blyon, explain how and why it works (or doesn’t work), grab a copy of my creative writing book, See Me Jump. The section on voice is one of the most popular parts of the book—and for good reason. Voice is complex, nuanced and endlessly fascinating! Buy See me Jump here: https://www.amazon.com.au/See-Me-Jump-learned-children/dp/064801990X ► About Jen & Girl and Duck: If you'd like to subscribe to my museletters, yay! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Click here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. For more girl&duck goodness, go here - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠GirlandDuck.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Jen's Life Coaching page can be found ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Join Jen's creative writing community ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠the Duck Pond⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Jen on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@jenestorer ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Subscribe to Jen's YouTube Channel - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Click here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Jen's Author website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠jenstorer.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ► Free stuff Get writing immediately. Writing prompts to get your imagination flowing! Get four AWESOME writing prompts delivered to your inbox over four days. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://girlandduck.com/free-writing-prompts/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Grab this freebie! A booklet containing the transcripts from Jen's, 'Hey Author' reels on Instagram. Full of tips and wisdom for writers at every level! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.jenstorerpresents.com/hey-author⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Free Mini Course: 5 Ways to Write a Book with Jen Storer ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.jenstorerpresents.com/5-ways-to-write-a-book-with-jen-storer

Latest discovery? EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) can be super helpful when it comes to our creativity blocks or hurdles. What I discovered this week is that you can use EFT to go deep, get specific, with what’s holding you back in your creative process. This week, I got specific. I ‘tapped’ on my belief that writing action scenes does my head in. Or worse still, I’m no good at writing action scenes… I went deep with this and woah! I uncovered some surprising beliefs including, only men can write action scenes. I mean, seriously?? Where did that come from? Okay, social/gender conditioning, for sure. But the thing is, I didn’t know I had that belief or that it was holding me back, until I got curious and did the tapping. If you want to go further into the world of EFT, a good place to start is here: https://www.petastapleton.com/ Meantime, see you on the airwaves! ► About Jen & Girl and Duck: If you'd like to subscribe to my museletters, yay! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Click here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. For more girl&duck goodness, go here - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠GirlandDuck.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Jen's Life Coaching page can be found ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Join Jen's creative writing community ⁠⁠⁠⁠the Duck Pond⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Jen on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@jenestorer ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Subscribe to Jen's YouTube Channel - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Click here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Jen's Author website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠jenstorer.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ ► Free stuff Get writing immediately. Writing prompts to get your imagination flowing! Get four AWESOME writing prompts delivered to your inbox over four days. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://girlandduck.com/free-writing-prompts/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Grab this freebie! A booklet containing the transcripts from Jen's, 'Hey Author' reels on Instagram. Full of tips and wisdom for writers at every level! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.jenstorerpresents.com/hey-author⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Free Mini Course: 5 Ways to Write a Book with Jen Storer ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.jenstorerpresents.com/5-ways-to-write-a-book-with-jen-storer

It the world of online biz, we’re encouraged to separate ourselves from our business. Your business is not you. Your business has its own energetic imprint, an identity that’s quite separate from you personally. GirlandDuck is not me. My biz is like a token, a piece I circulate and move around on the boardgame of life. As creatives we can do the same. We can ‘employ’ someone else to do the marketing, the pitches, take the rejections and critiques, do the stuff we find confronting or scary. Madonna has been quoted has saying that she is not Madonna, she employs Madonna. I employ Jen Storer Author. I also employ Jen Storer Coach. Neither of them is the real me. I find this tactic super helpful. It gives perspective. It gives me courage. It’s a powerful way of protecting my tender heart. And let’s face it, all creatives have tender hearts! ► About Jen & Girl and Duck: If you'd like to subscribe to my museletters, yay! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Click here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. For more girl&duck goodness, go here - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠GirlandDuck.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Jen's Life Coaching page can be found ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Join Jen's creative writing community ⁠⁠⁠the Duck Pond⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Jen on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠@jenestorer ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Subscribe to Jen's YouTube Channel - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Click here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Jen's Author website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠jenstorer.com⁠⁠⁠ ► Free stuff Get writing immediately. Writing prompts to get your imagination flowing! Get four AWESOME writing prompts delivered to your inbox over four days. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://girlandduck.com/free-writing-prompts/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Grab this freebie! A booklet containing the transcripts from Jen's, 'Hey Author' reels on Instagram. Full of tips and wisdom for writers at every level! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.jenstorerpresents.com/hey-author⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Free Mini Course: 5 Ways to Write a Book with Jen Storer ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://www.jenstorerpresents.com/5-ways-to-write-a-book-with-jen-storer

I’ve been reading The Alchemist, by Paulo Coelho. An elegant parable all about finding one’s destiny while also uncovering the treasure within. When we tap into the ‘language of the universe’ and learn to read signs and omens, we actually tap into our intuition. When I had a major ‘tower moment’ in my thirties, I turned my back on common-sense and made a commitment to follow my heart, follow the niggle, and trust that there was true and meaningful treasure in that direction. As artists and writers, our intuition calls us to our practice and then to certain projects. It will also guide us through those projects. If we let it. If we hone it. If we learn to trust it. Thirty years ago, I followed the niggle to change my life in major ways. And now here I am today, chatting with beautiful you! I’m so glad I followed the niggle, I hope I can help you follow yours. ► About Jen & Girl and Duck: If you'd like to subscribe to my museletters, yay! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Click here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. For more girl&duck goodness, go here - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠GirlandDuck.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Jen's Life Coaching page can be found ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Join Jen's creative writing community ⁠⁠the Duck Pond⁠⁠⁠ Follow Jen on Instagram: ⁠⁠@jenestorer ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Subscribe to Jen's YouTube Channel - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Click here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Jen's Author website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠jenstorer.com⁠⁠ ► Free stuff Get writing immediately. Writing prompts to get your imagination flowing! Get four AWESOME writing prompts delivered to your inbox over four days. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://girlandduck.com/free-writing-prompts/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Grab this freebie! A booklet containing the transcripts from Jen's, 'Hey Author' reels on Instagram. Full of tips and wisdom for writers at every level! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.jenstorerpresents.com/hey-author⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Free Mini Course: 5 Ways to Write a Book with Jen Storer ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.jenstorerpresents.com/5-ways-to-write-a-book-with-jen-storer

I once heard it said that ‘Writers are like old houses, they need a lot of shoring up.’ It’s a lovely quote (which I have randomly attributed to Ann Tyler). In today’s episode, I explore this notion more deeply. Why do writers (and illustrators) need shoring up? What makes us so… wonky? No doubt you have your own views—and probably more to add! But it feels good to discuss our vulnerabilities now and then, and to look at it from several angles. Sure, old houses need attention and patience and constant maintenance. But they are also quirky and charming and magical and full of soul. They are worth shoring up and they deserve our respect. They enrich our lives. They can also centre us in the time and space of our personal narratives, the stories of our lives. ► About Jen & Girl and Duck: If you'd like to subscribe to my museletters, yay! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Click here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. For more girl&duck goodness, go here - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠GirlandDuck.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Jen's Life Coaching page can be found ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Join Jen's creative writing community ⁠the Duck Pond⁠⁠ Follow Jen on Instagram: ⁠@jenestorer ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Subscribe to Jen's YouTube Channel - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Click here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Jen's Author website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠jenstorer.com⁠ ► Free stuff Get writing immediately. Writing prompts to get your imagination flowing! Get four AWESOME writing prompts delivered to your inbox over four days. ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://girlandduck.com/free-writing-prompts/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Grab this freebie! A booklet containing the transcripts from Jen's, 'Hey Author' reels on Instagram. Full of tips and wisdom for writers at every level! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.jenstorerpresents.com/hey-author⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Free Mini Course: 5 Ways to Write a Book with Jen Storer ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://www.jenstorerpresents.com/5-ways-to-write-a-book-with-jen-storer

Okay, I’ve got four tips for you again today. I’m obsessed with four, aren’t !? I think it’s my brain’s favourite number. Anything more than four and my brain drifts away. La la la… BUT. Having said that. There is one EXTRA tip in this week’s ep. EXTRA TIP: If you’re new around here, get yee to the girlandduck website! Check out all the freebies (I made them with YOU in mind)! There’s so much goodness waiting for you. So. If you’re in love with kidlit, creative writing, illustrating, and you want to learn, explore and produce more, skip on over to the website and grab yourself some goodness, some guidance, some secret sauce! The other FOUR tips: 1. Get a manuscript assessment BEFORE you finish writing your book. Don’t wait. Don’t think you have to wait. Just get it under someone’s nose and get some professional feedback! 2. Start multiple projects. Yep. You heard me right. Permission to have several things on the go at once. One caveat: Limit it! (Choose a number and stick to it. Might be four!) 3. Choose one thing and finish it. As we go into the second half of the year it’s a good time to make a choice. Get a deadline happening. A schedule. A plan. Commit to one project and finish it. There is so much gold in finishing and you will feel ten feet tall! 4. Get a reader’s report on your WIP (work in progress). A reader’s report is different from a manuscript assessment but can be just as powerful. I share my experience in this ep. ► Go To Girl and Duck: https://girlandduck.com/ (for Freebies and Blog) ►Watch the girlandduck Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@JenStorerAuthor_GirlandDuck Books mentioned in this episode: The Fourteenth Summer of Angus Jack, (HarperCollins Children’s Books) https://jenstorer.com/project-type/03-novels/ Tensy Farlow and the Home for Mislaid Children, (Penguin/Viking) https://jenstorer.com/project-type/03-novels/ ► About Jen & Girl and Duck: If you'd like to subscribe to my museletters, yay! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Click here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. For more girl&duck goodness, go here - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠GirlandDuck.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Jen's Life Coaching page can be found ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Join Jen's creative writing community the Duck Pond⁠ Follow Jen on Instagram: @jenestorer ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Subscribe to Jen's YouTube Channel - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Click here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Jen's Author website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠jenstorer.com ► Free stuff Get writing immediately. Writing prompts to get your imagination flowing! Get four AWESOME writing prompts delivered to your inbox over four days. ⁠⁠⁠https://girlandduck.com/free-writing-prompts/⁠⁠⁠ Grab this freebie! A booklet containing the transcripts from Jen's, 'Hey Author' reels on Instagram. Full of tips and wisdom for writers at every level! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.jenstorerpresents.com/hey-author⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Free Mini Course: 5 Ways to Write a Book with Jen Storer ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.jenstorerpresents.com/5-ways-to-write-a-book-with-jen-storer⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

I’ve had a topsy turvy relationship with writing and I’ve witnessed this in my community too. We come to writing with a vision of how it’s all going to be then, surprise, surprise, we discover we have talents in completely unexpected areas. Want to write a picture book but end up writing a novel? Want to write poetry but end up writing a lifestyle blog? That’s how it happens. That’s normal. In today’s ep, I talk all about my own journey from writing sneaky sidenotes in public service documents (ahem) to writing convoluted academic papers to writing slapstick junior fiction. And everything in between. The thing is all writing is writing. Don’t hem yourself in. Learn to play with and stretch your creative impulses. Play is discovery. And therein lies the gold. ► About Jen & Girl and Duck: If you'd like to subscribe to my museletters, yay! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Click here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. For more girl&duck goodness, go here - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠GirlandDuck.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Jen's Life Coaching page can be found ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Join Jen's creative writing community the Duck Pond ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Click here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Jen on Instagram: @jenestorer ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/jenestorer/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Subscribe to Jen's YouTube Channel - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Click here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Jen's Author website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://jenstorer.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠ ► Free stuff Get writing immediately. Writing prompts to get your imagination flowing! Get four AWESOME writing prompts delivered to your inbox over four days. ⁠⁠⁠https://girlandduck.com/free-writing-prompts/⁠⁠⁠ Grab this freebie! A booklet containing the transcripts from Jen's, 'Hey Author' reels on Instagram. Full of tips and wisdom for writers at every level! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.jenstorerpresents.com/hey-author⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Free Mini Course: 5 Ways to Write a Book with Jen Storer ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.jenstorerpresents.com/5-ways-to-write-a-book-with-jen-storer⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ► Buy Jen's creative writing book: See Me Jump: 20 things I've learned about writing books for children Buy the pdf: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://thegirlandduckshop.bigcartel.com/product/see-me-jump-pdf-edition⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Buy it at amazon.com (ebook and paperback book): ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://a.co/i3C6SLF⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Buy it at amazon.com.au (ebook): ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/064801990X/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_ep_dp_aueBBbEHSX3WA⁠