Hello Lovelies - Weekly Writing Podcast For Writers by Author Rachel Cooper

About Hello Lovelies - Weekly Writing Podcast For Writers by Author Rachel Cooper

Hello Lovelies, and welcome to the podcast! This is a podcast designed to help all authors at every level write and publish their books. Find the transcript for this episode by going to: www.authorrachelcooper.com/blog Become a Paid Subscriber: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/author-rachel-cooper/subscribe (https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/author-rachel-cooper/subscribe) authorrachelcooper.substack.com (https://authorrachelcooper.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast)

Publisher

Rachel Cooper

Category

arts · fiction

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

5 Mar 2021

Latest episode

18 Apr 2025

Latest episodes

332 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   18 Apr 2025

   #169 - First Draft Deceptions

   I get it. Words are deceptively hard. There's so much that no one tells you about getting that first draft written, and trying to learn the craft while writing a novel is soul-crushing. I've been writing for over ten years, and during that time, I've come across a lot of different people who are ultimately failing themselves and their stories for different reasons. I want to address some of the more common writer-types that I've come across, because getting the first draft out of you is the hardest part. Keep in mind that none of these people are making their first draft happen. If you think you might be one of these, I wanted to also give you some encouragement and tips to help get you back on track. "I'd like to write a novel someday." This person is the kind of person who maybe liked reading, liked the idea of writing, or had a really great story to tell, but for whatever reason, has never put pen to paper. Sometimes, they'll even try to explain the great idea they had for a story once, and try to convince you that you should write that story for them. As enthusiastic as these people are, they don't realize that you have your own novels to write that you are passionate about. If you have always thought you'd write a novel someday, and never have, you must face the fact here and now that no one is going to come along and just write that novel for you. No one is as passionate or knowledgeable about that story as you, and you'd be doing your story is disservice to assume you'll get around to it one day, or even worse, pawn it off to someone else to write with their vision. If you don't write your story, no one will. You're the only one who can, so I will always encourage you to give it a try. "I have so many ideas for stories that I don't even know where to start." This person has a problem with a lack of focus. Usually this means they've started something and gotten sidetracked by another story, or another ten stories, all of which they have eaten the brains out of and then run off to another juicier meal, leaving dead bodies, (erm, you know I mean manuscripts, right?), in their wake. Don't be a zombie. All they want to do is eat your brains. Instead, try to focus on just one major project or task at a time. This could be the one you're the most excited to tell, it could be one that you've already got most of the outline done for, or one that you have come back to time and again. If you have other story ideas during this time, it's okay. Brain dump everything you've got into a file and look at it later, then get back to focusing on the major task at hand. "I can't even begin to write anything until I have it all planned out." The person that says this typically plots a novel to death. This may include their worlds, characters, and backstories. You probably shouldn't spend 20 years plotting your novel out just to write one book. Even if it is a series of books set in the same world, you will likely find even more ideas and more depth from just writing the first draft than you will by trying to plot without one. If this is your scenario, remember that your time on this planet is limited, and you may only write 3-5 books in your lifetime at this pace. If you're okay with that, then keeo doing what you love. If you're not satisfied with that, don't be discouraged that you don't know everything, yet. Get your big moments figured out, and trust that the rest will come to you when you start to write it and think about it more seriously. "I had this cool idea, and I sort of know where it's going to go, but I have no idea how to get there." On the opposite end of the spectrum are those people who have no idea how to get their novel from point A to point B. This was me the very first time I tried to write a draft. Even upon getting my most dubious of first drafts finished, my characters were incredibly flat. Very few people can write a complete novel from start to finish without having some sort of outline going. Those people essentially live in their basements and have been writing for 30 years. You are not one of those people. I wasn't one of them either. When you first have an idea for something, plot or characters or any of it, you will usually be excited and want to jump right in. Sometimes a scene comes to me in part or in whole. Sometimes, its a facet of the world that may or may not be totally relevant. Whether I can use it or not, I have some puzzle pieces that I've randomly picked out of the box that is my story. This is where my outline comes in, because they aren't always useful things like straight edges or corners, so I have to dig through the box to find some of those pieces before I can start to put everything together. You don't have to have every piece lined out and ready to put into the right part of your puzzle, but you need to at least have a starting place. "You don't have to be an English Major to know how to read and write. I grew up doing it my whole life." This type of person thinks they know the language just because they've grown up with it. They are also the type to think they know how to write a book since they've read so many of them. Yes, and no. So much no. If you're this type of person, you'll be trudging along, writing to your hearts content, only to find that the language is more nuanced and complicated than you really thought about or assumed. I don't seem to ever remember that you aren't supposed to start a sentence with a preposition. Nope. Don't care. I seem to totally ignore that rule whenever possible. Sending your chapters through critiques will call into question: did you ever learn the language at all? If this is you, consider taking some classes, watching some videos, or reading articles from your favorite authors online about the actual craft of writing. We don't actually write dialogue the way we speak. No one actually thinks about it when they reach up and scratch their nose. At least not in real life, but in writing, you do. How often do you actually use someone's name? Probably about never. But if you're reading a conversation where there are multiple characters of the same gender involved, you might use it more than you'd think. Learning the craft as much as possible, writing as much as possible, and getting feedback on your work is going to call out all these little quirks that you have built up and never noticed before will get you where you need to be. I want you to thrive in the coming months, and even further down the road. If you have any tips for getting your first draft written, let me know in the comments below! Get full access to Author Rachel Cooper at authorrachelcooper.substack.com/subscribe (https://authorrachelcooper.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4)

2. 

   11 Apr 2025

   #168 - Boosting Book Sales on Facebook and Instagram

   Introduction In today's digital age, social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram offer authors an incredible opportunity to connect with their target audience, build a strong online presence, and ultimately generate book sales. With billions of active users, these platforms provide a fertile ground for promoting your books and engaging with potential readers. In this blog post, we'll explore effective strategies to harness the power of Facebook and Instagram to boost your book sales and grow your author brand. Let's dive in! Create Engaging Content Define Your Target Audience: It is essential to define and identify your target audience when creating content. By understanding their demographics, interests, and preferences, you can tailor your content to resonate with them effectively. Knowing who your ideal readers are will enable you to create content that suits their needs and interests. Compelling Visuals: Visuals are an essential component of any content. They have the power to catch the eye and engage the audience. Ensure you use high-quality images, book covers, and graphics that not only look visually appealing but also reflect the essence of your book. By utilizing compelling visuals, you can attract more attention to your content and drive better engagement from your target audience. Share Excerpts and Quotes: Tease your audience with captivating excerpts and quotes from your book. This gives them a taste of your writing style and piques their curiosity, encouraging them to make a purchase. Additionally, you can enhance the impact of your excerpts and quotes by pairing them with visually captivating images that make them even more memorable and shareable. Behind-the-Scenes Sneak Peeks: Offer glimpses into your writing process, book research, or character development. This creates a sense of exclusivity and connects readers on a deeper level. By revealing the behind-the-scenes moments, you invite readers into your creative world and allow them to feel like insiders. Moreover, you can use behind-the-scenes photos or videos to provide a visually engaging sneak peek, making it even more exciting for your audience. Leverage Facebook and Instagram Features Author Page: Create a dedicated Facebook author page and an Instagram business profile to establish your author brand. Use these platforms to share updates, engage with readers, and promote your books. Additionally, you can consider hosting giveaways, collaborating with other authors or influencers, and organizing virtual events to further connect with your audience and increase your reach. Compelling Book Descriptions: Skillfully craft compelling book descriptions that vividly convey the unique selling points and benefits of your work. Emphasize what sets your book apart and why readers should choose it. A well-written book description can entice potential readers and make them eager to dive into your story. Facebook Groups: Join and actively participate in relevant Facebook groups for book lovers, writing communities, or genre-specific groups. Engage in meaningful conversations, offer valuable insights, and share your expertise. Remember to focus on providing value to the community instead of solely self-promoting. By building genuine connections and relationships, you can expand your network and potentially gain new readers. Instagram Stories and Live Videos: Take full advantage of Instagram Stories and Live Videos to create engaging content for your audience. Share regular book updates, sneak peeks of behind-the-scenes content, host Q&A sessions, or do live readings. These features provide an authentic and immediate connection with your audience, fostering a stronger bond and increasing their interest and support for your work. Consider experimenting with various formats and interactive elements to keep your content fresh and exciting. Engage with Your Audience Respond to Comments and Messages: Take the time to engage with your audience by responding to comments, messages, and direct inquiries. Show genuine interest and appreciation for their support. This allows you to foster a strong connection with your audience and build a loyal following that values your engagement. Run Contests and Giveaways: Organize contests or giveaways that encourage readers to engage with your content and share it with others. This not only boosts your reach but also generates excitement and word-of-mouth promotion. By offering incentives, such as free copies of your book or exclusive merchandise, you can create a sense of anticipation and encourage active participation from your readers. Ask for Reviews and Testimonials: Encourage readers to leave reviews and testimonials for your books on Facebook, Instagram, or other book-related platforms. Positive reviews can significantly impact a potential reader's decision to purchase your book. By actively soliciting feedback and highlighting positive reviews, you can establish social proof and enhance your book's reputation in the eyes of potential buyers. Paid Advertising Facebook Ads Manager: Utilize Facebook's robust advertising platform to create targeted ads that reach your specific audience based on demographics, interests, and behaviors. Experiment with different ad formats, such as carousel ads showcasing your books or video ads featuring author interviews. Maximize the potential of Facebook's extensive user base and powerful ad targeting capabilities to effectively promote your books to a wider audience. Instagram Sponsored Posts: Boost your visibility on Instagram by running sponsored posts to reach a wider audience. Utilize captivating visuals, compelling captions, and appropriate hashtags to attract attention and drive engagement. Take advantage of Instagram's visually-focused platform by creating visually appealing posts that resonate with your target audience. By leveraging sponsored posts, you can expand your reach and maximize the impact of your promotional efforts on this popular social media platform. Conclusion Facebook and Instagram provide incredible opportunities for authors to amplify their book sales and connect with readers on a global scale. By creating engaging content, leveraging platform features, actively engaging with your audience, and utilizing paid advertising, you can effectively promote your books and grow your author brand. Embrace the power of social media, stay consistent, and adapt your strategies based on audience feedback and insights. With dedication and a well-executed social media plan, you can see your book sales soar and build a loyal reader base. Happy promoting and may your books find their way into the hands of eager readers! Get full access to Author Rachel Cooper at authorrachelcooper.substack.com/subscribe (https://authorrachelcooper.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4)

3. 

   4 Apr 2025

   #167 - One Solid Method I Use to Overcome Writer's Block

   I find I deal with writer's block in the same way I deal with a tough boss in a video game. Sometimes, when the same guy has been kicking my butt over and over again, no matter what I do, or how many level grinding sessions I've done, I have to just save my game and walk away. In the same way, I find that I can be writing a passage smoothly, words flowing effortlessly from my hands when all of a sudden, something shifts. Someone might ask me a question, breaking my train of thought, or I might slip over the too tired to write threshold, or I write an incredibly amazing sentence and have no idea what I could possibly say next that could be just as good. At those points, I have to save my file and walk away. Maybe that sounds a bit counter-productive, but give me a moment to explain. When Indie authors write, we rarely write for a living. For us, it's a passion. We scribble plots in the margins of our notebooks instead of paying attention to class. We talk endlessly about our character's entire life story, and how to work it all into a single book. We fuss around with the most minute details, such as whether an angel could fly after being thrown in a pool of water, or how to describe human emotions like your heart fluttering madly when your character is, well, dead. Being an Indie author means you really don't write for a living. Not usually. We have to find time to write outside of our everyday responsibilities. We have real jobs that we go to, children and animals to take care of, and then if there's time, maybe some time to ourselves. We grapple every day with the injustice that there isn't enough time in a day for life, let alone to be writing on top of that. How can you justify sitting at the computer and writing when there's dishes piling out of your sink, cat litter to scoop, and laundry steadily trickling out of your basket like a slow-burning lava flow? So we write in the margins. We write on the subway on our commute to work. We write on our cell phones in the line at the DMV. We write on our lunch breaks, or while sitting at the pool watching the kids swim, or find a quiet corner to write at our family gatherings. But let me tell you. Walking away from writing when you have a serious writer's block is the best and the hardest thing you can do. Because when you walk away, you know that every spare second you spend not writing is a complete waste of time, but in that time your thoughts can begin again. You might be ringing up a customer at work, talking to your neighbor about their Christmas light display, or even driving home, but in those moments, you are thinking. You are thinking about your story and where it sits. Because you walked away, you are thinking about your story, and just itching to get back into it. You want to get back into it. Because let's face it. We're Indies. We do this for fun, right? Get full access to Author Rachel Cooper at authorrachelcooper.substack.com/subscribe (https://authorrachelcooper.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4)

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

1 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

1 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 52 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

91

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

32