R.F. Gammon Author: February 2024

Writer Resource Reviews: Podcasts and YouTubers Edition!

by R.F. Gammon - February 12, 2024

Hey guys! Today I have a resource list that I'm hoping will be really helpful for y'all :)

I've been really into audiobooks, podcasts, and podcast-style YouTube lately, so I'm hopeful that sharing some of my favorites (especially about writing) will inspire you guys and tickle your creativity! I have a few favorites that really get my creative juices flowing and I'm so excited to share about them.

The Writing With Ana Neu podcast and channel

Spotify | YouTube

Ana Neu is a writer whose advice is fabulous and who is just infectious in her joy about writing. She's a law student from Australia whose whole mojo is encouraging people to chase their craziest ideas and write for themselves first. Her tips have actually inspired me so much, and I listened to her every day on the way to work this past summer. If you're looking for pure inspiration and excitement, Ana is a wonderful resource.

Kate & Abbie Emmons

Spotify | Kate's YouTube | Abbie's YouTube

Kate and Abbie are old-time bloggers who have now made it really huge in the vlogging/podcasting world. They're both published authors in wildly different genres, which means that they have a TON of advice in all sorts of different perspectives. I find their advice to be best-suited for those who aren't entirely certain where to start and need very clear and formulaic advice for feeling truly comfortable as writers. I strongly recommend their podcast for long car trips, too--their voices are both so fun to listen to and I deeply enjoy just playing five episodes in a row.

K.M. Weiland: Helping Writers Become Authors

Spotify | YouTube

This might be the best writing podcast in existence. K.M. Weiland is a full-time author who spends so much of that time on putting together the best resources imaginable. She's so good at what she does, and I'm a huge, huge, HUGE fan of her podcast. With over 600 episodes, there's content here for everyone at every level of experience, and I could not recommend this more strongly. Her books on story structure are also top-tier, and while I have yet to read any of her novels, I'm very much looking forward to doing so.

These are my top three podcasts and I love them so much. If you have writing podcasts please drop me a recommendation--I'm always looking for more people to ramble about their writing. Help me fill up my car time, please!

2 comments

Time Management for Writers: The Dos and Don'ts

by R.F. Gammon - February 05, 2024

Without time management, we don't get writing done. I think it's also important to note that no matter how well you're doing it, you're engaging in time management. You might be managing your time poorly, and you might be doing it without much thought, but you are still managing your time. This is the same principle you might apply to money: you might not be employing specific budgeting tools or exercises, but you're still using your money.

The best way to manage your time does exist. It's a very specific method of time management and it's called YOU DO WHAT WORKS BEST FOR YOU AND YOUR LIFESTYLE.

This is really different from what I hear from most "productivity experts" and gurus, but the thing is: most of them are single, relatively wealthy men with 9-5 jobs and no health issues. I don't know many writers who fall into any of those categories, and those who do don't meet all of them for sure. A lot of tips are catered specifically to one demographic and have absolutely no flexibility for parents, married couples, people working more than one job, people whose houses are far away from their jobs, etc.

So to do time management well, we have to remember: It's about what works for YOU and your lifestyle, not what works for the gurus who make their livings off telling you what to do.

Tip #1: Don't try to shoehorn in things that you just don't want to do.

When you're making your schedule, don't be guilt-tripped into adding things you see others do. You don't like the gym? Don't add it. It's that simple. If moving your body doesn't mean the gym, don't go to the gym. That simple.

Tip #2: Do focus on the things you already do.

Back to the subject of exercise: maybe your preferred way to exercise is going for a walk. That's definitely mine, with weightlifting in a strong second. But maybe you used to do that after lunch and you haven't made time to do it since. Instead of trying to rearrange your schedule to work in that noontime walk, find a new time to do it. Walking matters to you. Could you go after dinner? Could you go later in the evening? Could you go early in the morning? Could you maybe just walk a couple times a week, to start with?

Instead of focusing on unrealistic additions to your schedule, focus on scheduling IN the things you aready do or want to be more consistent in. What is your ideal day? Work towards that.

Tip #3: Don't neglect your writing.

You're a writer. That's a crucial part of your identity and your life. It's also an entire other job and that's a big deal. A lot of times, I think the problem with time management tips is that these gurus stick you with dozens of little things you didn't need or want to do. For instance: if you have a perfectly good system for meal prepping, DON'T CHANGE IT. (Go back to #1).

But your writing is not just another task. This is a HUGE deal that we can't just neglect. I've neglected my writing at so many different seasons in my life and I'm so tired of that. It's time to add it back in.

With those three big tips out of the way: How do we work in our writing? Unfortunately, I'm going to tell you to tune in next time to find that out ;)

2 comments

Writer Resource Reviews: Podcasts and YouTubers Edition!

The Writing With Ana Neu podcast and channel

Spotify | YouTube

Kate & Abbie Emmons

Spotify | Kate's YouTube | Abbie's YouTube

K.M. Weiland: Helping Writers Become Authors

Spotify | YouTube

Time Management for Writers: The Dos and Don'ts

Tip #1: Don't try to shoehorn in things that you just don't want to do.

Tip #2: Do focus on the things you already do.

Tip #3: Don't neglect your writing.

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