Voice Lessons: Uncovering and Claiming Your Unique, Creative Voice

Jill Quist

You're a writer, artist, singer, choreographer. Think Lady Gaga, Judy Garland, Prince. Hemingway, JK Rowling, JRR Tolkien. Picasso, Van Gogh. You're tired of trying to uncover your voice by imitating other artists. If you've peeled back the layers of your voice and think you finally recognize it as yours, do you have the courage to claim it? These are the questions we aim to answer during my biweekly podcast, Voice Lessons: Covering and Claiming Your Unique, Creative Voice.

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The Fascinating Story of Tommy Nichols and How He Found His Voice

The Fascinating Story of Tommy Nichols and How He Found His Voice

I'm thrilled to have Tommy Nichols as our guest in this episode. Tommy's journey is nothing short of fascinating — from obtaining his BFA in acting and directing, to working as a children's TV scriptwriter for Disney, presenting cabaret shows in New York, and even serving as a minister for many years. His eclectic career and unique experiences offer a rich tapestry of insights, life lessons, and entertaining anecdotes. We reminisce on Tommy's background, exploring his early days of performing in his grandmother's basement, his many roles in theater, and his transition to writing and directing. Tommy shares candidly about his struggles with alcoholism and hiding his true identity, and his time away from the arts as he gave his life to the church. He also graciously opens up about the challenging moments of dealing with personal loss, finding his way back to creativity, and how sobriety has influenced his work. Tommy discusses how he translates these rich life experiences into his writing and performing, the importance of authenticity, and how to use one's unique voice to create compelling narratives. I hope you’ll sit down with me and hear about Tommy’s inspiring life journey, whether you’re a writer, actor, or just someone who loves to hear a great story. Key Topics:Tommy's early passion for theater and first major role at age 13Finding God, giving up theater, and pretending to be straight for several decadesBecoming a minister at his churchRe-entering the creative field and writing for the Disney show, DougThe turning point moment that drove Tommy back to drinkingEnding his marriage and leaving the ministryThe 2012 intervention that made him realize he needed to get creative againHow Tommy transforms his autobiographical tales into funny characters and anecdotesOnly sharing songs that resonate with him personallyMaintaining the anonymity of characters that are based on real peopleFocusing on telling and illustrating stories that have a message in his cabaret piecesCreating the character Polly Pandemic“Everything’s already been said, but it hasn’t been said by you”Advice for creatives and writers for finding their unique, creative voiceConnect with Tommy online:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@tommyn1017/videosInstagram: @tommynich926Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thomas.nichols.771Find more from Jill:Email: jill@thewritersrefuge.comWebsite: https://www.thewritersrefuge.com/Writing Coaching Programs: https://www.thewritersrefuge.com/coachingSign up for my free 3x weekly writing session: write to jill@thewritersrefuge.com for ZOOM infoSpecial thanks to LVDY for allowing us to use their song, Saltwater, in the intro and outro of the podcast!

Episodes

The Fascinating Story of Tommy Nichols and How He Found His Voice

The Fascinating Story of Tommy Nichols and How He Found His Voice

I'm thrilled to have Tommy Nichols as our guest in this episode. Tommy's journey is nothing short of fascinating — from obtaining his BFA in acting and directing, to working as a children's TV scriptwriter for Disney, presenting cabaret shows in New York, and even serving as a minister for many years. His eclectic career and unique experiences offer a rich tapestry of insights, life lessons, and entertaining anecdotes. We reminisce on Tommy's background, exploring his early days of performing in his grandmother's basement, his many roles in theater, and his transition to writing and directing. Tommy shares candidly about his struggles with alcoholism and hiding his true identity, and his time away from the arts as he gave his life to the church. He also graciously opens up about the challenging moments of dealing with personal loss, finding his way back to creativity, and how sobriety has influenced his work. Tommy discusses how he translates these rich life experiences into his writing and performing, the importance of authenticity, and how to use one's unique voice to create compelling narratives. I hope you’ll sit down with me and hear about Tommy’s inspiring life journey, whether you’re a writer, actor, or just someone who loves to hear a great story. Key Topics:Tommy's early passion for theater and first major role at age 13Finding God, giving up theater, and pretending to be straight for several decadesBecoming a minister at his churchRe-entering the creative field and writing for the Disney show, DougThe turning point moment that drove Tommy back to drinkingEnding his marriage and leaving the ministryThe 2012 intervention that made him realize he needed to get creative againHow Tommy transforms his autobiographical tales into funny characters and anecdotesOnly sharing songs that resonate with him personallyMaintaining the anonymity of characters that are based on real peopleFocusing on telling and illustrating stories that have a message in his cabaret piecesCreating the character Polly Pandemic“Everything’s already been said, but it hasn’t been said by you”Advice for creatives and writers for finding their unique, creative voiceConnect with Tommy online:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@tommyn1017/videosInstagram: @tommynich926Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thomas.nichols.771Find more from Jill:Email: jill@thewritersrefuge.comWebsite: https://www.thewritersrefuge.com/Writing Coaching Programs: https://www.thewritersrefuge.com/coachingSign up for my free 3x weekly writing session: write to jill@thewritersrefuge.com for ZOOM infoSpecial thanks to LVDY for allowing us to use their song, Saltwater, in the intro and outro of the podcast!

Behind the Unique Voice of Megan Baxter’s Essay Collection, Twenty Square Feet of Skin

Behind the Unique Voice of Megan Baxter’s Essay Collection, Twenty Square Feet of Skin

I'm excited to welcome one of my favorite people, Megan Baxter to the podcast this week. Megan has had an impressive journey, from working on a farm while earning her BFA in poetry, to winning national awards including a Pushcart Prize, and landing on the PEN America Literary Awards long list for her essay collection, 'Twenty Square Feet of Skin.' We uncover the inspiration and themes behind her collection and how she weaves her own unique voice into the themes she covers in each essay. We also explore the nuances of her latest collection and her encounter with literary inspiration, Joni Tevis, which spurred the creation of this profound body of work.Megan reveals the theme of physicality in her collection, deftly woven through her essays, and provides insight into her creative process. From the initial idea to writing about uncomfortable subjects, she talks about the importance of authenticity in her work. We'll also explore how titles and sequencing in essay collections can influence a reader's experience and how it differs from a traditional novel, poetry, or nonfiction work. Join us as Megan shares valuable advice on uncovering and claiming your voice as a writer and the challenges of revealing personal truths in writing.Key Topics:How Megan came up with the ideas and themes behind Twenty Square Feet of SkinComing up with the titles for each essayDo titles influence the voice of a writing piece?Sequencing each essayHow to read the collection to get the most out of itAnalysing Live Find, On Revision, and Megan’s favorite piece in the collectionHow voice changes from project to project, genre to genre, and as a teacherVoice = POV + SyntaxUnabashedly showing up as who you are on the pageTake a break from reading to help activate your own creative voiceConnect with Megan online:Website: www.meganbaxterwriting.comBooks: https://www.meganbaxterwriting.com/booksInstagram: @meganlbaxterX: @MBaxterwritingFacebook: @meganbaxterauthorFind more from Jill:Email: jill@thewritersrefuge.comWebsite: https://www.thewritersrefuge.com/Writing Coaching Programs: https://www.thewritersrefuge.com/coachingSign up for my free 3x weekly writing session: write to jill@thewritersrefuge.com for ZOOM infoSpecial thanks to LVDY for allowing us to use their song, Saltwater, in the intro and outro of the podcast!

How We Navigate the World Through Stories with Anne Beall, Chicago Story Press

How We Navigate the World Through Stories with Anne Beall, Chicago Story Press

In this episode, I'm thrilled to introduce you to my friend, student, and fellow author, Anne Beall. Anne's impressive career includes being featured in major publications like People Magazine and the Chicago Tribune and founding the Chicago Story Press. Together, we dive into the crucial role of storytelling and how it helps us navigate, understand, and connect with the world around us. Anne shares her journey in creating Chicago Story Press, an online literary journal that preserves and publishes compelling narratives from a variety of authors.We also explore the intricate relationship between story and voice, and Anne offers valuable advice on overcoming writer's block, perfecting your narrative, and ensuring your story captivates readers from the get-go. Join us to gain insights about the art of storytelling and how it’s intertwined with finding your unique voice.Key Topics:We navigate the world through storiesThe founding of Chicago Story Press in honor of Anne’s late friend, to share his storiesFinding stories that have a unique POV and get to the heart of a problemWhat does story have to do with voice?Finding your voice is about finding your storyOur voice can change and evolve depending on the type of story we’re trying to tellDon’t overthink, just write and let the words flowTaking time away from your writing and looking at it with fresh eyesSometimes a story isn’t ready to be toldEditing exists for a reasonGetting right into the action of your storyWorry less about how you sound and focus on being true to yourselfAnne Beall’s works and meditationsConnect with Anne online:Websites: https://chicagostorypress.com/https://annebeall.com/Books: https://www.amazon.com.mx/stores/author/B00MDBTDJSFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/anne.beall/Find more from Jill:Email: jill@thewritersrefuge.comWebsite: https://www.thewritersrefuge.com/Writing Coaching Programs: https://www.thewritersrefuge.com/coachingSign up for my free 3x weekly writing session: write to jill@thewritersrefuge.com for ZOOM infoSpecial thanks to LVDY for allowing us to use their song, Saltwater, in the intro and outro of the podcast!

The Voice Behind the Jack Tyrrell Thriller Series with Author Geoff Loftus

The Voice Behind the Jack Tyrrell Thriller Series with Author Geoff Loftus

This week, I'm excited to introduce you to my old friend and acclaimed thriller author, Geoff Loftus. Geoff’s impressive works, such as the Jack Tyrrell series and history-meets-business novel, ‘Lead Like Ike,’ have captivated many readers. In this episode, we dive into Geoff's transition from standalone novels to the Jack Tyrrell series, inspired in part by ‘A Christmas Carol’ by Charles Dickens.We explore the depth of writing thrillers, where themes of love, courage, and justice seamlessly blend with action narratives. Geoff also shares his ideas on personal growth in storytelling and the impact of his own life experiences on his characters. Furthermore, we delve into the craft of maintaining a unique narrative voice, using humor and character differentiation, and the importance of choosing the right format for your story. Tune in for a rich conversation on creativity, narrative technique, and the quest to find and hone your unique voice in writing. This episode is filled with practical tips and heartfelt anecdotes to inspire your journey as a creative writer.Key Topics:Geoff’s initiation into thriller writingHow he moved from writing standalone novels to a 10-book thriller seriesThe challenges of coming up with a full series vs. a standalone novelHow ‘A Christmas Carol’ inspired his Jack Tyrrell seriesDifferentiating your writing voice between different genresUsing voice in screenplaysDistinguishing voice between characters in novels and screenplaysEvery page of a book is dozens of choices coming togetherHow Geoff uses a distinct and unique writing voiceUsing your voice to achieve different outcomesPicking a format that suits your message and tailoring your writing voice to itConnect with Geoff online:Website: https://geoffloftus.com/The Jack Tyrrell seriesOther books: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B003AR7NH8/allbooks?ingress=0&visitId=1112e52f-33c8-406d-abde-276c864670b1&ref_=dbs_m_mng_rwt_bylnFacebook: http://www.facebook.com/geoffloftussaugatuckFind more from Jill:Email: jill@thewritersrefuge.comWebsite:https://www.thewritersrefuge.com/Writing Coaching Programs: https://www.thewritersrefuge.com/coachingSign up for my free 3x weekly writing session: Write to jill@thewritersrefuge.com for ZOOM infoSpecial thanks to LVDY for allowing us to use their song, Saltwater, in the intro and outro of the podcast!

Say Yes to the Muse and Surrender to the Page with Judy Reeves

Say Yes to the Muse and Surrender to the Page with Judy Reeves

Welcome back to Voice Lessons. I’m thrilled to introduce you all to my friend and award-winning writer, Judy Reeves. Judy and I first met nearly 30 years ago in London, and from that very first conversation, it was an instant connection. Judy was the first person who introduced me to the concept of writing practice and voice, which has shaped the way I write ever since. In this episode, we explore the intricacies of discovering and claiming your unique creative voice. We dive into Judy’s world as we discuss everything from her inspiring work, including her latest memoir 'When Your Heart Says Go,' to the significance of writing practices and the impact of different writing styles on one's voice. Together, we reflect on the journey of writing and the courage it requires to truly own your voice. Whether you're an aspiring writer or a seasoned storyteller, Judy shares valuable lessons on process over product, finding inspiration in others' works, and saying 'yes' to the muse. Join us in this intimate conversation filled with practical tips and heartfelt anecdotes, and learn how embracing your originality can shape your literary journey.Key Topics:What does “voice” mean in writing?Addressing imposter syndrome when uncovering our unique voiceLosing authenticity when we’re trying to hard to write as someone we’re notWhat it means to do a writing practiceHow often we do our own writing practicesTips for writers to uncover and claim their unique creative voicesHow a regular writing practice helps you surrender to the pageThe benefits of reading your own writing aloudDoing timed writing prompts to boost focus and creativityHow to read like a writerJudy’s most influential writers and authorsFocusing on process over productHow to “say yes to the muse” Judy’s latest memoir, “When Your Heart Says Go”Connect with Judy online:Website: https://www.judyreeveswriter.com/Books: https://www.judyreeveswriter.com/booksJoin Judy’s Workshops: https://www.judyreeveswriter.com/teaching-eventsMonthly Newsletter: https://www.judyreeveswriter.com/contactInstagram: @judyreeveswriterFind more from Jill:Email: jill@thewritersrefuge.comWebsite: https://www.thewritersrefuge.com/Writing Coaching Programs: https://www.thewritersrefuge.com/coachingSign up for my free 3x weekly writing session: write to jill@thewritersrefuge.com for ZOOM infoDiscover more about the San Miguel Writer’s Conference here: https://sanmiguelwritersconference.org/Special thanks to LVDY for allowing us to use their song, Saltwater, in the intro and outro of the podcast!

Becoming Friends with Our Voice to Heal Ourselves and Others with Kathleen Hooper

Becoming Friends with Our Voice to Heal Ourselves and Others with Kathleen Hooper

Welcome to the first-ever episode of Voice Lessons! I’m thrilled to introduce my friend, the multi-talented Kathleen Hooper, who hails from Colorado and has made a significant impact as a voice artist and musician. Kathleen’s artistic story begins with her early love for music, cultivated through family gatherings and church performances, leading her to a vibrant career in music with the Denver University Idiosyncrasies and the indie folk duo, LVDY. We dive into Kathleen’s latest solo album, 'Come Back to Me,' which launched on September 6th. This album is a profound testament to her personal and artistic growth, born from both joyful and tumultuous experiences, including a heartbreaking end to an engagement. Kathleen shares how music became a healing tool, allowing her to channel grief into empowerment. We also discuss practical exercises like humming to reconnect with your voice and the importance of seeing your voice as a friend rather than a source of anxiety. This episode is a heartfelt exploration of self-discovery and vocal empowerment, showing that singing and expressing from the heart is accessible to everyone. Join us and discover how embracing your voice can foster confidence, healing, and deeper connections in your life. Whether you’re a seasoned singer or just starting, Kathleen’s story will inspire you to sing more boldly and embrace your creative gifts wholeheartedly.Key Topics:How your voice can help you reconnect to your power and self-expressionPracticing and bringing voice into our daily livesHow humming can be healing both physically and emotionallySing like nobody is listening or judgingBecoming friends with your voice and openly embracing itKathleen’s early entry into singing as a hobbyHow Kathleen learned to embrace her voice as a gift from GodCommitting to life as an artistKathleen’s first venture into writing songs and her first solo albumChanneling grief, anger, and sadness as a vehicle for creative growthConnect with Kathleen online:Website: https://www.awakenvoice.com/Instagram: @kathleenhooper, @lvdy.musicListen to LVDY on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0DzMHeC4ssNzaRB9OYowgz?si=972IeA2xSBmEBt7tIDbS_wCheck out Kathleen’s solo album, Come Back To Me: https://open.spotify.com/album/5ppsZprSuGxkAex5KOCGQG?si=40uBiGxBTDycDCywpWOGDwFind more from Jill:Email: jill@thewritersrefuge.comWebsite: https://www.thewritersrefuge.com/Writing Coaching Programs: https://www.thewritersrefuge.com/coachingSign up for my free 3x weekly writing session: write to jill@thewritersrefuge.com for ZOOM infoSpecial thanks to LVDY for allowing us to use their song, Saltwater, in the intro and outro of the podcast!

Welcome to the Voice Lessons Podcast!

Welcome to the Voice Lessons Podcast!

Welcome to Voice Lessons, the podcast that helps you uncover your unique, creative voice, reclaim the artist within, and confidently transition to your next chapter in life — the creative chapter.Launching in October 2024, join me every other Tuesday to learn more about creative artists of all kinds, what areas of craft they are currently experimenting with, and, in particular, what they have to say about the role of the artist’s voice in their work. Together, we’ll also learn their tips and tools for transitioning into the creative chapter of life, as full or part-time creative artists, whether hobbyists or professionals.Tune in wherever you get your podcasts to start uncovering and claiming your unique, creative voice. Special thanks to LVDY for allowing us to use their song, Saltwater, in the intro and outro of the podcast!