The Writer's Journey with Michael La Ronn

The Writer's Journey Podcast is now finished, but that doesn't mean we can't keep in touch! Continue my journey with me through my Indie Author Confidential book series: http://www.authorlevelup.com/confidential You can listen to past episodes of the show at http://www.michaellaronn.com/podcast My YouTube Channel for Writers: http://www.youtube.com/authorlevelup Also, join my (Fiction) Fan Club to get 3 free novels, early launch pricing, and notifications whenever I release a new book: http://www.michaellaronn.com/fanclub Thank you again for an amazing 3 years. Happy writing!

In the final episode of The Writer’s Journey, I discuss how grateful I am for your support, how much this show has meant to me, and what’s next for me in my career. THANK YOU for listening to me for the past 3 years. It has been an amazing ride and I will always remember the fun times on the show! Continue my journey with me through my Indie Author Confidential book series: http://www.authorlevelup.com/confidential You can listen to past episodes of the show at http://www.michaellaronn.com/podcast Listen to my other podcast, Writing Tip of the Day: http://www.authorlevelup.com Learn more about me and my books at http://www.michaellaronn.com My YouTube Channel for Writers: http://www.youtube.com/authorlevelup Also, join my (Fiction) Fan Club to get 3 free novels, early launch pricing, and notifications whenever I release a new book: http://www.michaellaronn.com/fanclub If you like the show, don't forget to rate and leave a review!

In this episode, I discuss recent thoughts about what it means to be happy as a writer. Check out The Conquest of Happiness by Bertrand Russell: https://geni.us/HNjbs (PAID link) You can listen to past episodes of the show at http://www.michaellaronn.com/podcast Listen to my other podcast, Writing Tip of the Day: http://www.authorlevelup.com Learn more about me and my books at http://www.michaellaronn.com My YouTube Channel for Writers: http://www.youtube.com/authorlevelup Also, join my (Fiction) Fan Club to get 3 free novels, early launch pricing, and notifications whenever I release a new book: http://www.michaellaronn.com/fanclub If you like the show, don't forget to rate and leave a review!

In this episode, I discuss recent thoughts about happiness and how I have fundamentally changed how I view the writing life. Check out The Conquest of Happiness by Bertrand Russell: https://geni.us/HNjbs (PAID link) You can listen to past episodes of the show at http://www.michaellaronn.com/podcast Listen to my other podcast, Writing Tip of the Day: http://www.authorlevelup.com Learn more about me and my books at http://www.michaellaronn.com My YouTube Channel for Writers: http://www.youtube.com/authorlevelup Also, join my (Fiction) Fan Club to get 3 free novels, early launch pricing, and notifications whenever I release a new book: http://www.michaellaronn.com/fanclub If you like the show, don't forget to rate and leave a review!

In this episode, I discuss: 1:00 Announcements: I’m being published in the May/June edition of Writer’s DigestI’m speaking at this year’s annual Writer’s Digest Conference in NYC: https://writersdigestconference.com/the-ultimate-self-publishing-masterclass/I’m also speaking at Inkerscon (virtually): http://www.inkerscon.com 5:48 Wins for the Week: Finished the last first week of my last law school class work. 7:15 Lesson Learned This Week: The History of Semi-Colons. Check out Cecilia Watson’s book: https://geni.us/zsWlFc(PAID link) 9:20 Idea of the Week: 80/20’ing your 80/20 activities 13:52 Topic(s) of the Week: I talk about a recent period of lower productivity, and how that’s not all bad. Check out The Conquest of Happiness by Bertrand Russell: https://geni.us/HNjbs (PAID link) You can listen to past episodes of the show at http://www.michaellaronn.com/podcast Listen to my other podcast, Writing Tip of the Day: http://www.authorlevelup.com Learn more about me and my books at http://www.michaellaronn.com My YouTube Channel for Writers: http://www.youtube.com/authorlevelup Also, join my (Fiction) Fan Club to get 3 free novels, early launch pricing, and notifications whenever I release a new book: http://www.michaellaronn.com/fanclub If you like the show, don't forget to rate and leave a review!

In this episode, I discuss a disturbing video online that shows the progress of how deepfakes, and it might not be all bad for authors. 1:00 Announcements: Watch the replay of my power hour: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dqZnMuwIkz8Writer’s Craft Super Stack 2.0 ENCORE! 21 courses, 17 ebooks, 6 masterclasses for one week only: https://authorlevelup--infostack.thrivecart.com/wc2/ (PAID link) 4:20 Wins for the Week: 20,000 words toward Book 2 of my new urban fantasy series. 6:52 Lesson Learned This Week: A new way of teaching author material. 10:50 Idea of the Week: Becoming cross-functional as an author 16:08 Topic(s) of the Week: Deepfakes for authors Tom Cruise Deepfake: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iyiOVUbsPcM Bill Hader Deepfake: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bPhUhypV27w You can listen to past episodes of the show at http://www.michaellaronn.com/podcast Listen to my other podcast, Writing Tip of the Day: http://www.authorlevelup.com Learn more about me and my books at http://www.michaellaronn.com My YouTube Channel for Writers: http://www.youtube.com/authorlevelup Also, join my (Fiction) Fan Club to get 3 free novels, early launch pricing, and notifications whenever I release a new book: http://www.michaellaronn.com/fanclub If you like the show, don't forget to rate and leave a review!

In this episode (which is a greatest hit from 2019), I discuss a concept I discovered called “liminality”, and why it describes my entire life. You can listen to past episodes of the show at http://www.michaellaronn.com/podcast Listen to my other podcast, Writing Tip of the Day: http://www.authorlevelup.com Learn more about me and my books at http://www.michaellaronn.com My YouTube Channel for Writers: http://www.youtube.com/authorlevelup Also, join my (Fiction) Fan Club to get 3 free novels, early launch pricing, and notifications whenever I release a new book: http://www.michaellaronn.com/fanclub If you like the show, don't forget to rate and leave a review!

In this episode, I discuss my craziest challenge yet and how I'm preparing for it.  0:58 Announcements: NEW BOOK: Indie Author Confidential, Vol. 4: http://www.authorlevelup.com/confidentialvol4Next Writing Power Hour is Saturday, March 6 at 10AM Central Time: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dqZnMuwIkz8 2:55 Wins for the Week: Finished Book #55 4:09 Lesson Learned This Week: PerfectIt software for proofreading. Check it out at http://www.intelligentediting.com. 7:20 Idea of the Week: Be cross-functional. 10:35 Topic(s) of the Week: My last law school class is coming up fast, and I want to try and finish Book 2 of my series before classes start. The result? A new challenge that will put Beast Mode to shame… You can listen to past episodes of the show at http://www.michaellaronn.com/podcast Listen to my other podcast, Writing Tip of the Day: http://www.authorlevelup.com Learn more about me and my books at http://www.michaellaronn.com My YouTube Channel for Writers: http://www.youtube.com/authorlevelup Also, join my (Fiction) Fan Club to get 3 free novels, early launch pricing, and notifications whenever I release a new book: http://www.michaellaronn.com/fanclub If you like the show, don't forget to rate and leave a review!

In this episode, I discuss: Announcements: N/A 1:18 Wins for the Week: My newest novel cover is done, and the edits are back from editor #1 and off to editor #2. 2:36 Lesson Learned This Week: How the PerfectIt Word Add-in can help you catch more errors in your manuscript. Check out a free trial of PerfectIt: http://www.intelligentediting.com 5:12 Idea of the Week: Genre-Based Music 6:25 Topic(s) of the Week: I summarize a great TED Talk by a Shaolin monk about mastering yourself. His talk perfectly encapsulates so many of the challenges that writers face daily. Watch Master Shi Heng Yi’s incredible TED Talk here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-079YIasck Read a great article summarizing Master Shi Heng Yi’s talk: https://medium.com/mind-cafe/how-to-master-yourself-like-a-shaolin-monk-65deec8c88ca Five Hindrances to Self-Mastery: Sensual DesiresAversionHeaviness/Trapped inside your mindRestlessnessSelf-doubt How to break past hindrances: Remember the phrase/acronym “Let it R.A.I.N” R-Recognize the hindrance A-Accept the hindrance I-Investigate why it happened and how you prevent it and respond differently next time N-(Non-Identity)-Control your response You can listen to past episodes of the show at http://www.michaellaronn.com/podcast Listen to my other podcast, Writing Tip of the Day: http://www.authorlevelup.com Learn more about me and my books at http://www.michaellaronn.com My YouTube Channel for Writers: http://www.youtube.com/authorlevelup Also, join my (Fiction) Fan Club to get 3 free novels, early launch pricing, and notifications whenever I release a new book: http://www.michaellaronn.com/fanclub If you like the show, don't forget to rate and leave a review!

In this episode, I discuss: Announcements: Watch the Power Hour Replay: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9EVG6JApUDo Wins for the Week: See topic. Lesson Learned This Week: See topic. Idea of the Week: See topic. Topic(s) of the Week: I’ve started a pilot for a project I’ve been talking about for a while on this show: using data & analytics to help me edit my book and catch more errors before it goes to my editor. I talk about how it already taught me a great deal about how to become a better storyteller…and I haven’t even deployed it yet!   You can listen to past episodes of the show at http://www.michaellaronn.com/podcast Listen to my other podcast, Writing Tip of the Day: http://www.authorlevelup.com Learn more about me and my books at http://www.michaellaronn.com My YouTube Channel for Writers: http://www.youtube.com/authorlevelup Also, join my (Fiction) Fan Club to get 3 free novels, early launch pricing, and notifications whenever I release a new book: http://www.michaellaronn.com/fanclub If you like the show, don't forget to rate and leave a review!

In this episode, I discuss: How I recently needed to find a cover designer and had a difficult time. I discuss my thoughts on an alarming trend I'm seeing among cover designers and how we may be on the verge of a cover designer shortage crisis, and what YOU can do about it. 1:13 Announcements: February Writing Power Hour: Saturday, Feb 6 at 10AM Central Time: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9EVG6JApUDo 1:37 Wins for the Week: Got my new novel off to my first editor. 2:10 Lesson Learned This Week: How to weave in studying for law school classes with new workflow. 4:28 Idea of the Week: Greatest Hit: Book Cover Design Tutorials 6:10 Topic(s) of the Week: How I recently needed to find a cover designer and had a difficult time. I discuss my thoughts on an alarming trend I'm seeing among cover designers and how we may be on the verge of a cover designer shortage crisis, and what YOU can do about it. You can listen to past episodes of the show at http://www.michaellaronn.com/podcast Listen to my other podcast, Writing Tip of the Day: http://www.authorlevelup.com Learn more about me and my books at http://www.michaellaronn.com My YouTube Channel for Writers: http://www.youtube.com/authorlevelup Also, join my (Fiction) Fan Club to get 3 free novels, early launch pricing, and notifications whenever I release a new book: http://www.michaellaronn.com/fanclub If you like the show, don't forget to rate and leave a review!

In this episode, I discuss: 1:00 Announcements: Thanks to everyone who attended the Writing Power Hour: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JqXovG9feBYNext Writing Power Hour is Saturday, February 6 at 10AM Central Time: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9EVG6JApUDo 1:50 Wins for the Week: My newest novel is officially in post-production. 3:00 Lesson Learned This Week: Clever dictation hack. 7:10 Idea of the Week: Intelligent curation of self-publishing news and events. 13:14 Topic(s) of the Week: What I’ve been focusing on after finishing my 30th novel, and how I find that I’m “addicted” to progress, which can sometimes be unhealthy. Check out the Writer’s Knowledge Base by Elizabeth Spann Craig: https://hiveword.com/wkb/search You can listen to past episodes of the show at http://www.michaellaronn.com/podcast Listen to my other podcast, Writing Tip of the Day: http://www.authorlevelup.com Learn more about me and my books at http://www.michaellaronn.com My YouTube Channel for Writers: http://www.youtube.com/authorlevelup Also, join my (Fiction) Fan Club to get 3 free novels, early launch pricing, and notifications whenever I release a new book: http://www.michaellaronn.com/fanclub If you like the show, don't forget to rate and leave a review!

In this episode, I discuss: Announcements: Writing Power this Saturday, January 23 at 10AM Central Time: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JqXovG9feBY (not sure when this is for your time zone? Check the world clock: http://www.worldclock.com) Wins for the Week: Finished my novel?? Lesson Learned This Week: Fun uses for AI in writing fiction Idea of the Week: Novel Fact-Checkers Topic(s) of the Week: I learned a new writing method this week that helped me have one of my best writing days in the last two months. That got me thinking about all the different ways that exist to help you write your novel. Which one suits you best? You can listen to past episodes of the show at http://www.michaellaronn.com/podcast Listen to my other podcast, Writing Tip of the Day: http://www.authorlevelup.com Learn more about me and my books at http://www.michaellaronn.com My YouTube Channel for Writers: http://www.youtube.com/authorlevelup Also, join my (Fiction) Fan Club to get 3 free novels, early launch pricing, and notifications whenever I release a new book: http://www.michaellaronn.com/fanclub If you like the show, don't forget to rate and leave a review!

In this episode, I discuss: 1:30 Announcements: Next Writing Power Hour will be Saturday, January 23, 2021 at 10AM: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JqXovG9feBYI’m appearing at the Indie Author Prosperity Conference, which is completely free and will help you build your author brand. Sign up here: https://rahelduncan.com/michaelI’m also appearing at The Creative Prosperity Festival with Noelia Velasco. Sign up here: https://bit.ly/393XwKn 4:55 Wins for the Week: Reorganized my studio for better productivity. 8:20 Lesson Learned This Week: I was rejected for my TED Talk—thoughts about that. 13:00 Idea of the Week: The Royal Order of Editing 18:25 Topic(s) of the Week: How the last week was one of my worst productivity weeks in a long time, and why that’s okay. I talk about the process of getting back on the horse and picking up the pieces so I can continue being productive. Sign up to be a beta reader for my UF series (for UF readers only, please): https://forms.gle/8rPm43jzVbHQbaX9A You can listen to past episodes of the show at http://www.michaellaronn.com/podcast Listen to my other podcast, Writing Tip of the Day: http://www.authorlevelup.com Learn more about me and my books at http://www.michaellaronn.com My YouTube Channel for Writers: http://www.youtube.com/authorlevelup Also, join my (Fiction) Fan Club to get 3 free novels, early launch pricing, and notifications whenever I release a new book: http://www.michaellaronn.com/fanclub If you like the show, don't forget to rate and leave a review!

In this episode, I discuss: Announcements: N/A 2:00 Wins for the Week: Finally bought a standing desk 5:00 Lesson Learned This Week: Sometimes we go through writing slumps, and it’s okay. 7:12 Idea of the Week: Keyword/Branding Consultant 13:42 Topic(s) of the Week: An oldie but a goodie—I talk about what the writing apps of the future MUST HAVE, and how the current landscape of writing apps is nearly irrelevant. All it will take is one killer mold-breaker to completely revolutionize the space. Listen to learn some bold ideas that we should start demanding from writing app developers. You can listen to past episodes of the show at http://www.michaellaronn.com/podcast Listen to my other podcast, Writing Tip of the Day: http://www.authorlevelup.com Learn more about me and my books at http://www.michaellaronn.com My YouTube Channel for Writers: http://www.youtube.com/authorlevelup Also, join my (Fiction) Fan Club to get 3 free novels, early launch pricing, and notifications whenever I release a new book: http://www.michaellaronn.com/fanclub If you like the show, don't forget to rate and leave a review!

In this week’s episode I talk about my new challenge: dictating my newest novel on an exercise bike, into the dark, one in draft! Did I crash and burn, fall off my bike and cry, or did I accomplish something? Listen to find out! (Hint: I wrote half a novel in the first seven days…) 1:15 Announcements: Follow my dictation/exercise challenge at http://www.authorlevelup.com/blog Christmas Sale: Use coupon code TRUEFAN2020 on Authorlevelup.com to get 20% off any book you buy from me directly: http://www.authorlevelup.com/books 2:36 Wins for the Week: N/A 2:36 Lesson Learned This Week: N/A 2:53 Idea of the Week: Genre Consultant 7:00 Topic(s) of the Week: How my new dictation/exercise challenge is going. You can listen to past episodes of the show at http://www.michaellaronn.com/podcast Listen to my other podcast, Writing Tip of the Day: http://www.authorlevelup.com Learn more about me and my books at http://www.michaellaronn.com My YouTube Channel for Writers: http://www.youtube.com/authorlevelup Also, join my (Fiction) Fan Club to get 3 free novels, early launch pricing, and notifications whenever I release a new book: http://www.michaellaronn.com/fanclub If you like the show, don't forget to rate and leave a review!

In this episode, I discuss: 1:01 Announcements: Christmas Sale: Use coupon code TRUEFAN2020 on Authorlevelup.com to get 20% off any book you buy from me directly: http://www.authorlevelup.com/books 2:00 Wins for the Week: Finished Amnesia Mode strong, with a streak of 12 profitable Amazon ad days in a row 3:01 Lesson Learned This Week: Why I’m leery about traditional publishing contracts: https://www.thepassivevoice.com/star-wars-novelists-seek-years-of-missing-royalty-payments-from-disney/ 11:03 Idea of the Week: “Book Cover Hunter” 13:03 Topic(s) of the Week: How my Amnesia Mode challenge went, and how my research is going for my new urban fantasy series. You can listen to past episodes of the show at http://www.michaellaronn.com/podcast Listen to my other podcast, Writing Tip of the Day: http://www.authorlevelup.com Learn more about me and my books at http://www.michaellaronn.com My YouTube Channel for Writers: http://www.youtube.com/authorlevelup Also, join my (Fiction) Fan Club to get 3 free novels, early launch pricing, and notifications whenever I release a new book: http://www.michaellaronn.com/fanclub If you like the show, don't forget to rate and leave a review!

In this episode, I discuss: 1:00 Announcements: Don’t forget to grab the Indie Author Confidential series Vol 1-3: http://www.authorlevelup.com/confidential 1:25 Wins for the Week: I started dictating again, and my first few sessions went smoothly. 2:00 Lesson Learned This Week: A new service called Book Sirens that makes it easier to secure reviews. Check it out at http://www.authorlevelup.com/booksirens (paid link) 6:45 Idea of the Week: The power of writing a pilot series. 10:08 Topic(s) of the Week: How my Amnesia Mode is going, how I plan to wrap it up, and the insane challenge that will start as soon as next week. You can listen to past episodes of the show at http://www.michaellaronn.com/podcast Listen to my other podcast, Writing Tip of the Day: http://www.authorlevelup.com Learn more about me and my books at http://www.michaellaronn.com My YouTube Channel for Writers: http://www.youtube.com/authorlevelup Also, join my (Fiction) Fan Club to get 3 free novels, early launch pricing, and notifications whenever I release a new book: http://www.michaellaronn.com/fanclub If you like the show, don't forget to rate and leave a review!

In this episode, I discuss: Announcements: The newest volume of my book series, Indie Author Confidential is now available. Buy here: http://www.authorlevelup.com/confidentialvol3Watch my Scrivener Essentials Workshop #2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1H0WRgm1oR0Listen to my interview on Rebel Author Podcast with Sacha Black: https://wp.me/p885Ux-2GJThere will be no December Power Hour this month. We’ll pick up in 2021. Wins for the Week: Managed to write over 5,000 words despite a bad back this week Lesson Learned This Week: Lessons from Joanna Penn’s new book on AI: https://geni.us/723qTH (paid link) Idea of the Week: Hiring an audiobook proofer Topic(s) of the Week: This week I’m taking it easy due to my back, but I’ll be back with more content next week. You can listen to past episodes of the show at http://www.michaellaronn.com/podcast Listen to my other podcast, Writing Tip of the Day: http://www.authorlevelup.com Learn more about me and my books at http://www.michaellaronn.com My YouTube Channel for Writers: http://www.youtube.com/authorlevelup Also, join my (Fiction) Fan Club to get 3 free novels, early launch pricing, and notifications whenever I release a new book: http://www.michaellaronn.com/fanclub If you like the show, don't forget to rate and leave a review!

In this episode, I discuss: 1:10 Announcements: My interview with Matty Dalrymple on The Indy Author Podcast is now live: https://www.theindyauthor.com/055---costs-of-self-publishing-a-book.html 3:00 Wins for the Week: 60% of my books that I ran ads to were profitable in November. 6:19 Lesson Learned This Week: The idea of a “typo” reporter. Check out Kevin Tumlinson’s books at http://www.kevintumlinson.net 9:00 Idea of the Week: Tax resources for writers 12:18 Topic(s) of the Week: An interesting idea for a writing routine that I picked up from Arnold Schwarzenegger. Who knew the Governator had sage writing advice?? You can listen to past episodes of the show at http://www.michaellaronn.com/podcast Listen to my other podcast, Writing Tip of the Day: http://www.authorlevelup.com Learn more about me and my books at http://www.michaellaronn.com My YouTube Channel for Writers: http://www.youtube.com/authorlevelup Also, join my (Fiction) Fan Club to get 3 free novels, early launch pricing, and notifications whenever I release a new book: http://www.michaellaronn.com/fanclub If you like the show, don't forget to rate and leave a review!