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PODCAST

Writing with Friends

Hillary Barnes Martinez and BJ Williams

We’re BJ and Hillary— college friends turned writing pals. This podcast is our quest for the best writing tips and tools for our own projects, and yours too! Let’s get started.

education how to

All Episodes

00:08:00

Tool Deep Dive: The Novelist Starter Pack

Writing with Friends ·

2025/05/05

Today we’ll discuss the novelist starter pack: five essential tools for your figurative writer’s knapsack as you make the journey from getting started with that novel to querying and hopefully publishing your work!Picks of the Week:BJ: Existence by David BrinH: The New Diary by Tristine RainerMentioned in the Episode:Brandon Sanderson’s BYU Writing CourseSave the Cat! Writes a Novel by Jessica BrodyS1E10: The Revision SpreadsheetS4E3 Fireside Chat: How Should I Use the Revision Spreadsheet?S1E1:

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00:15:23

Fireside Chat: Our Writing Lives Lately

Writing with Friends ·

2025/04/28

Today, we’ll be gathering around our metaphorical fireplace for a fireside chat– an honest conversation about our own writing practices that we hope you’ll find helpful for your writing life as well. In this episode, we’ll be talking about our writing lives lately– what’s going well, what’s not, and what we’re learning along the way.Picks of the Week:BJ: The Best Science Fiction of Isaac Asimov by Isaac AsimovH: The Service of the Dead by Candace RobbMentioned in the Episode:Sarah Ruhl Quote on Life

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00:08:19

Pitfalls of the Debut Novel

Writing with Friends ·

2025/04/21

We’ll be talking about the unique challenges of publishing a debut novel. Breaking into the literary world should be exciting and celebratory, and it definitely is! Still, there are a few considerations that debut authors should be aware of as they begin their publishing journeys, so we’re going to cover them here today!Picks of the Week: BJ: Star Wars: Thrawn by Timothy ZahnH: We Solve Murders by Richard OsmanMentioned in the Episode:Bonnie Garmus InterviewBonnie Garmus and Felicity Blunt

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00:09:14

Tool Deep Dive: Local Bookstores and Bookshop.org

Writing with Friends ·

2025/04/13

Today's episode is all about finding inspiration and support for your writing in places you might not expect. We’re diving into the world of local bookstores and Bookshop.org!Picks of the Week:BJ: The Fifth Season by N. K. JemisinH: The Snowbirds by Christine ClancyMentioned in the Episode:New York City Mystery Bookstore: The Mysterious Bookshop

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00:10:38

Tool Deep Dive: Notetaking For Writers

Writing with Friends ·

2025/04/07

Welcome to a tool deep dive episode, where we highlight the features and the challenges of a tool we think you’ll find helpful as a writer. Today, we’re going to give you a rundown of what note taking tools we’ve actually found helpful as writers, and hopefully give you some ideas about what tools might work well for you too!Picks of the Week:BJ: Feng Shui Modern by Cliff TanH: Middlemarch by George EliotMentioned in the Episode:S1E4: Zettelkasten Notetaking Systems S1E9: Zotero S2E5:

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00:07:41

Deciding Not to Withhold a Big Reveal

Writing with Friends ·

2025/03/31

Today, we’ll be talking about deciding not to withhold a big reveal. Whether you're writing a novel, a screenplay, or even a short story, knowing when and how to reveal critical information to your audience can make or break your narrative. We'll be discussing the impact of timing, the balance between suspense and satisfaction, and how to make those big reveals resonate with your readers.Picks of the Week:BJ: My recommendation this week is a book of comics, not to be confused with

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00:12:06

Fireside Chat: Scheduling and Protecting Your Writing...

Writing with Friends ·

2025/03/24

Today we’ll be gathering around our metaphorical fireplace for a fireside chat– an honest conversation about how we’re applying a craft topic or tool to our own writing practices, and how you might incorporate this topic or tool into your writing life as well. And the tool we’ll be talking about today is…scheduling and protecting your writing time.Picks of the Week:BJ: Ancillary Justice by Ann LeckieH: Textbook by Amy Krouse RosenthalMentioned in the Episode:Gretchen Rubin Quote: “Don’t Let the

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00:08:37

When Writing Goals Hurt and When They Help

Writing with Friends ·

2025/03/17

Welcome to a tool deep dive episode, where we highlight the features and the challenges of a tool we think you’ll find helpful as a writer. And the tool we’ll be talking about today is writing goals! Specifically, we’ll cover when they hurt and when they help.Picks of the Week:H: The Other Valley by Scott Alexander HowardBJ: The Risen Empire by Scott WesterfeldMentioned in the Episode:SMART goals

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00:10:51

Pacing the First Five Pages

Writing with Friends ·

2025/03/10

We'll be talking about pacing the first five pages of your novel. For many writers, including us here at Writing with Friends, getting the first five pages of your novel writing can feel so daunting. After all, if you are seeking to traditionally publish your manuscript, making those five pages the best they can be is essential to piquing the interest of a potential agent, publishing house, and reader. That’s a lot of pressure! So let’s jump right and and think together about how to get the

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00:36:45

Interview with Writing Partners Mitu Yilma and Jumoke...

Writing with Friends ·

2025/03/03

Today we’ll be talking to the authors of the newsletter This Black-Ass Life, Mitu and Jumoke. For the past several years, these two friends have been writing for the Black diaspora, especially Black women. They cover pop culture, history lessons, music, and more. This episode will be a great fit for anyone interested in starting a newsletter and learning how to connect with their audience. This episode contains some language that may not be appropriate for all audiences. If you're sensitive to

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00:07:43

The Power of Subtext in Storytelling

Writing with Friends ·

2024/12/09

We’ll be talking about something that can really elevate your writing: the power of subtext in storytelling. It’s one of those elements that, when done right, adds a whole new layer of meaning to your work!Picks of the Week: BJ: Skyward by Brandon Sanderson H: Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe Mentioned in the Episode: Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen Breaking Bad (TV Show) Mad Men (TV Show)

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00:10:18

Tool Deep Dive: Tarot for Writers

Writing with Friends ·

2024/12/03

Welcome to a tool deep dive episode, where we highlight the features and the challenges of a tool we think you’ll find helpful as a writer. And the tool we’ll be talking about today is Tarot! Are you curious about tarot? Using a tarot deck can be a fun way to infuse your writing life with inspiration and encouragement. Picks of the Week: H: A First Time for Everything by Dan Santat BJ: A Descent into the Maelström by Edgar Allan Poe Mentioned in the Episode: This Might Hurt Tarot Deck

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00:07:47

Fireside Chat: Writing Like an Olympian

Writing with Friends ·

2024/11/25

We’ll be gathering around our metaphorical fireplace for a fireside chat. We’ll be talking about writing like an Olympian and accepting that it never gets easy… and that’s okay. It’s all about the endurance and dedication required to keep going, no matter how long you’ve been at it.Picks of the Week: BJ: Signal to Noise by Eric Nylund H: Bring Up The Bodies by Hilary Mantel If you have your own suggestions on how to write like an Olympian, let us know by writing to us at

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00:09:32

What’s a Commercial Hook and How Do I Write One?

Writing with Friends ·

2024/11/18

We'll be talking about commercial hooks! As writers, we often write for the love of story and for the joy of creative expression. It can be tempting to shy away from the idea of producing anything “commercial”. But for those of us who hope to publish traditionally or build a broad audience, understanding what a commercial hook is and how to write one can be the key to getting our books into the hands of real readers. Picks of the Week: H: Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo BJ: Awakening the Heroes Within

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00:08:26

Tool Deep Dive: Writing Retreats

Writing with Friends ·

2024/11/11

Welcome to a tool deep dive episode, where we highlight the features and the challenges of a tool we think you’ll find helpful as a writer. And the tool we’ll be talking about today is writing retreats! These structured environments dedicated to focused writing can be used like a tool to offer writers significant benefits, but also unique challenges for authors of all levels.Picks of the Week: BJ: The Risen Empire by Scott Westerfeld H: Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo

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00:41:11

Interview with Duke Writing Instructor Luke Burkbauer

Writing with Friends ·

2024/11/04

Today, we’ll be talking to writer and teacher Luke Burkbauer. She’s an instructor with Duke’s Thompson Writing program with a wealth of knowledge about writing of all kinds. We’ll discuss academic and nonfiction writing in depth in this episode, exploring how to build confidence as an academic writer, how to develop your writerly identity, and how to use artificial intelligence ethically and creatively within academia. This episode will be a great fit for anyone currently studying or working in

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00:08:47

Writing Time Jumps

Writing with Friends ·

2024/10/21

We’ll be talking about how to use time jumps to add an interesting twist to your writing project! A time jump is when you shift the story forward or backwards in time, often with little or no explanation for why this jump has occurred. It can be as simple as skipping from one day to five years later, or jumping back in time to revisit an event that happened earlier on. Time jumps can be used to add a twist, create suspense, and even reveal new character information. But writing a great time jump

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00:08:09

Tool Deep Dive: Increasing Your Luck Surface Area

Writing with Friends ·

2024/10/14

Welcome to a tool deep dive episode, where we highlight the features and the challenges of a tool we think you’ll find helpful as a writer. And the mindset tool we’ll be talking about today is increasing your luck surface area.Picks of the Week: BJ: Wherever You Go, There You Are by Jon Kabat-Zinn H: The Flatshare by Beth O’ Leary Mentioned in the Episode: Chelsea Mae Cullen Podcast Episode: How to Become The Hero of Your Own Story James Clear Quote on Luck Surface Area

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00:11:43

Fireside Chat: An Optimistic Approach to First Drafts

Writing with Friends ·

2024/10/07

We’ll be gathering around our metaphorical fireplace for a fireside chat– an honest conversation about how we’re applying a craft topic or tool to our own writing practices, and how you might incorporate this topic or tool into your writing life as well. And the craft topic we’ll be discussing today is how to conquer the dreaded first draft. Picks of the Week: Bad Therapy by Abigail Shrier Awakening the Heroes Within: Twelve Archetypes to Help Us Find Ourselves and Transform Our World by Carol

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00:09:59

Hallie Ephron's "One-Two Punch" for Character...

Writing with Friends ·

2024/09/30

We’ll be talking about how to introduce characters effectively and with style! One reason why writing the first draft of a new manuscript can feel so daunting is because you have so many characters to introduce to your reader. How can you communicate to your reader who these characters are and what they care about without derailing the plot or boring them to tears? Our episode today can help!Picks of the Week: H: Lies and Weddings by Kevin Kwan BJ: Uglies by Scott Westerfeld Mentioned in the

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