"Writing for Immortality" is for writers ready to start and finish their books. We discuss the writer's journey: from coming up with an idea to tackling writer's block to what to do when the book is done. We'll have a rotation of special guests, including authors, artists, PR professionals, literary agents, and more, who'll share their tips for making your book a masterpiece. Hosted by Barbara Basbanes Richter, a professional ghostwriter and founder of In Ink Ghostwriting and DIYBook, "Writing for Immortality" is for anyone who wants to create books that stand the test of time.
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!
6 Feb 2025
Should You Use a Pseudonym for Your Memoir?
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)
https://news.mit.edu/2018/study-twitter-false-news-travels-faster-true-stories-0308 (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/)
https://blog.nls.uk/a-potted-history-of-pen-names/ (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
30 Jan 2025
Vulnerability As The Heartbeat of Inspiration
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 (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/) https://blog.ted.com/vulnerability-is-the-birthplace-of-innovation-creativity-and-change-brene-brown-at-ted2012/ (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 (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)," 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 (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 (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)," 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 (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 (https://www.nytimes.com/1976/12/05/archives/why-i-write-why-i-write.html)," 1976) https://www.nytimes.com/1976/12/05/archives/why-i-write-why-i-write.html (https://www.nytimes.com/1976/12/05/archives/why-i-write-why-i-write.html)
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Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
12 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
2 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 40 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
51
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
71
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