Join Paul Delos Santos as he speaks with author Bill McCormick, whose diverse life experiences shaped his award-winning thrillers and mysteries. Discover his fascinating journey from childhood ghost stories to crafting suspenseful narratives across global settings.

Episode Notes:

• The Genesis of a Storyteller: How early interests in the unknown and spooky led Bill to become a thriller and mystery writer.
• Crafting the Perfect Mystery: Bill explains the importance of keeping readers engaged, "playing fair" with clues, and the unique "how-catch-them" subgenre.
• Global Settings, Authentic Stories: Discover how his extensive travels and residencies in Eastern Europe (Latvia, Ukraine, Russia, Estonia) provide rich, realistic backdrops for his fictional worlds and why using an "outsider" protagonist can be a powerful narrative device.
• The Pantser's Approach: Bill details his writing method of knowing the beginning and end, then allowing his characters to drive the plot organically.
• Overcoming Procrastination: Practical advice on establishing a daily writing routine and finding a dedicated space to write.
• The Power of Short Stories: Why writing short fiction is an excellent way to hone your craft, gain early successes, and improve your novel-writing skills.
• The Value of Feedback: Bill emphasizes the crucial role of writer's groups and constructive criticism for tightening your writing and staying motivated.

Whether you're struggling to start your first short story or looking to add more thrills to your novel, Bill McCormick offers invaluable insights.

Join Paul Delos Santos as he speaks with author Barbara Wheeler, whose unique path led to the creation of her semi-autobiographical spiritual book, "God's Brew." Discover her inspiring journey of self-reflection, persistence, and the power of writing.

Episode Notes:

• Barbara discusses her entry into writing, driven by a deep love for books and words, starting later in life with personal research.
• The inspiration for her book's title, "Coffee with God" (later "God's Brew"), came from her morning routine of spiritual conversation.
• Her writing process for the book spanned 11 years, involving extensive research, spiritual classes, and observing life around her.
• Barbara recounts the initial rejection of her first book, which led to a discouraging year-long break, but she ultimately persevered with encouragement from her publisher.
• She highlights the deeply therapeutic nature of writing, explaining how it helped her process personal feelings, practice self-forgiveness, and foster a more open heart.
• "God's Brew" aims to appeal to a broad spiritual audience by focusing on universal themes like love, kindness, joy, and forgiveness, drawing from her personal experiences rather than pinpointing a specific religion.
• Barbara offers advice for aspiring authors, stressing the importance of reading extensively, conducting thorough research, utilizing free classes, and recognizing that writing requires significant work and perseverance through rejection.
• She is currently working on her second book, which has been an ongoing project for 12-13 years, and is in the process of revamping her website, barbarascoffeecups.com, to include a new blogging page.

Host Paul Delos Santos interviews author Jen McGee about her background in academic writing and her transition to publishing a book on professional wrestling.

Episode Notes:

• Jen discusses how her research skills were crucial in documenting the long, unfolding history of wrestling characters.
• The conversation highlights the unique storytelling challenges of pro wrestling, including its real-time, evolving narratives and the role of audience and performer input.
• Jen shares insights into balancing descriptive detail with avoiding jargon for a broader audience.
• She recounts the process of working with her publisher and gaining access to primary sources, including a special anecdote about Kevin Owens.
• The episode touches on the "luck" involved in getting published and the importance of putting your work out there.
• A discussion about the distinct storytelling styles of American, Japanese, and Mexican wrestling, and the balance between reality and myth in the sport.