I Should Be Writing

Mur Lafferty

The podcast for wanna-be fiction writers.

  • 44 minutes 25 seconds
    [ISBW] Mental Health and Creativity

    S21 Ep2: Mental Health and Creativity

    "Nothing is 100% original. It's what you do with it that counts." -Elaine M. Will

    (This post went live for supporters on February 13, 2025. If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at Patreon or Substack!)

    Ever-looming existential dread, but we keep going. Then there's the challenge of navigating creativity amidst mental health struggles. I also reflect on a fear of failure. I'm not proud. I'm human.

    And then we welcome to the show Elaine M. Will, a writer and illustrator known for her graphic novels that tackle mental health themes. We discuss Elaine's latest work, The Last Band on Earth, and the intricate relationship between storytelling and visual art.

    Whether you're a writer or an artist, we hope you'll get something out of this episode, and you remember that a creative journey is filled with ups and downs, and it's okay to take your time.

    Transcript

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    In case it wasn't clear: Mur and this podcast are fully supportive of LGBTQ+ folks, believe that Black Lives Matter, and trans rights are human rights, despite which direction the political winds blow. If you do not agree, then there are plenty of other places to go on the Internet. —

    "Mental Health and Creativity" is brought to you in large part by my supporters, the Fabulists, who received an early, expanded version of this episode. You can join our Fabulist community with a pledge on Patreon or Substack!

    Some of the links above may be affiliate, allowing you to support the show at no extra cost to you. Also consider leaving a review for ISBW, please!

    CREDITS Theme song by John Anealio, art by Numbers Ninja,and files hosted by Libsyn (affiliate link). Get archives of the show via Patreon. February 13, 2025 | Season 21 Ep 2 | murverse.com "Mental Health and Creativity" by Mur Lafferty is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
    17 February 2025, 12:00 pm
  • 19 minutes 25 seconds
    [ISBW] Evil Mur Ushers in 2025

    S21 Ep1: In Which Evil Mur Delivers a Message of Hope 

    "It's time to just... quit." -Evil Mur

    (Do not listen to Evil Mur)

    Welcome to a new season of I Should Be Writing, where the notorious Evil Mur takes the reins to deliver a unique message of hope for the new year.

    TL;DR, it's time to quit.

    In this episode, we explore the idea of quitting writing and the liberation that can come with making a definitive choice. Evil Mur, the alter ego of Mur Lafferty, delves into the emotional rollercoaster of being a writer, the jealousy, the self-doubt, and the ultimate decision to either quit or persevere.

    With what we hope is an eventual glimmer of hope amidst the chaos, Evil Mur sets you on a path for the new year. Whether you're contemplating quitting or seeking motivation to continue, this episode offers a fresh perspective on the writing journey.

    Transcript

    Links

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    In case it wasn't clear: Mur and this podcast are fully supportive of LGBTQ+ folks, believe that Black Lives Matter, and trans rights are human rights, despite which direction the political winds blow. If you do not agree, then there are plenty of other places to go on the Internet. —

    "The Art of Quitting, Evil Mur Style" is brought to you in large part by my supporters, the Fabulists, who received an early, expanded version of this episode. You can join our Fabulist community with a pledge on Patreon or Substack!

    Some of the links above may be affiliate, allowing you to support the show at no extra cost to you. Also consider leaving a review for ISBW, please!

    CREDITS Theme song by John Anealio, art by Numbers Ninja,and files hosted by Libsyn (affiliate link). Get archives of the show via Patreon. January 9, 2025 | Season 21 Ep 1 | murverse.com "The Art of Quitting, Evil Mur Style" by Mur Lafferty is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
    20 January 2025, 12:00 pm
  • 34 minutes 49 seconds
    [ISBW] Ten Terrible Ideas
    [NOTE- even though I remember editing, this is still an all over the place episode. And apparently I said I wasn’t going to swear and then did it anyway. Pretty accurate ending to 2024, actually.]

    "You need to come up with terrible ideas. And once you come up with terrible ideas, you will start developing good ideas." -Mur

    In this episode, I talk about my writing journey, the challenges of ADHD, and shares ten terrible ideas that might just spark something wonderful. From comic book scripts to psychological thrillers set in idyllic farming towns, I explore the importance of embracing all ideas, even the seemingly bad ones.

    Sort of.

    We touch on where to get inspiration, and mention Rusty's Retirement and the modern Greek mythology series, KAOS. This episode is a reminder to embrace creativity and the messy process that comes with it.

    Transcript

    Links

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    —

    "10 Terrible Ideas" is brought to you in large part by my supporters, the Fabulists, who received an early, expanded version of this episode. You can join our Fabulist community with a pledge on Patreon or Substack!

    Some of the links above may be affiliate, allowing you to support the show at no extra cost to you. Also consider leaving a review for ISBW, please!

    CREDITS Theme song by John Anealio, art by Numbers Ninja,and files hosted by Libsyn (affiliate link). Get archives of the show via Patreon. December 26, 2024 | Season 20 Ep 35 | murverse.com "10 Terrible Ideas" by Mur Lafferty is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
    8 January 2025, 12:00 pm
  • 37 minutes 7 seconds
    [ISBW] Tigers [Explicit]

    S20 Ep34: In Which Mur Looks Into The Pit of Despair and Sees a Tiger [Explicit]

    "Don't talk yourself out of being creative, because that really is the biggest thing that stops us is ourselves."

    (This post went live for supporters on November 14, 2024. If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at Patreon or Substack!)

    NOTE: It occurs to me that I have three explicit episodes--32, 33, 34--in a row. But one was a casual interview, one was rage, and one was despair. So we will get back to nice clean episodes soon. I promise.)

    Recorded two days after the 2024 election, and I'm in deep despair in this episode. It's casual, with a lot of talk about ADHD and masking and what "writers" are supposed to do. We talk about the importance of embracing one's identity as a writer, regardless of external expectations.

    I also talk about my upcoming cozy fantasy project, inspired by the likes of Legends & Lattes and T. Kingfisher's boks, and the challenges of discussing creative work prematurely.

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    —

    "Tigers" is brought to you in large part by my supporters, the Fabulists, who received an early, expanded version of this episode. You can join our Fabulist community with a pledge on Patreon or Substack!

    Some of the links above may be affiliate, allowing you to support the show at no extra cost to you. Also consider leaving a review for ISBW, please!

    CREDITS Theme song by John Anealio, art by Numbers Ninja,and files hosted by Libsyn (affiliate link). Get archives of the show via Patreon. December 2, 2024 | Season 20 Ep 34 | murverse.com "Tigers" by Mur Lafferty is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
    2 December 2024, 12:00 pm
  • 37 minutes 47 seconds
    [ISBW] Returning to Agenting with Jennifer Udden [Explicit]

    S20 Ep33: In Which Mur and Jen Udden Discuss World Fantasy Con, Fan Fiction, and the Ever-Changing Publishing Landscape [Explicit]

    "I think we're about 10 minutes away from reinventing urban fantasy and paranormal romance." - Jennifer Udden

    (This post went live for supporters on November 12, 2024. If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at Patreon or Substack!)

    (NOTE: It occurs to me that I have three explicit episodes--32, 33, 34--in a row. But one was a casual interview, one was rage, and one was despair. So we will get back to nice clean episodes soon. I promise.)

    At World Fantasy Con this year, I got to talk to my ex-agent Jennifer Udden, who shared her journey from agent to barista and back to agenting. We talked about the unique atmosphere of the con, the evolution of fan fiction in the literary world, and the growing acceptance of publishing professionals as writers. We also talk about Stardew Valley.

    Jen opens up about her experience with self-publishing, the importance of creative outlets, and her plans to reopen submissions, focusing on adult fiction across various genres.

    Transcript

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    —

    "Returning to Agenting with Jennifer Udden" is brought to you in large part by my supporters, the Fabulists, who received an early, expanded version of this episode. You can join our Fabulist community with a pledge on Patreon or Substack!

    Some of the links above may be affiliate, allowing you to support the show at no extra cost to you. Also consider leaving a review for ISBW, please!

    CREDITS Theme song by John Anealio, art by Numbers Ninja,and files hosted by Libsyn (affiliate link). Get archives of the show via Patreon. November 25, 2024 | Season 20 Ep 33 | murverse.com "Returning to Agenting with Jennifer Udden" by Mur Lafferty is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
    25 November 2024, 12:00 pm
  • 1 hour 5 minutes
    [ISBW] NowNoWhatMo…with Valerie Valdes [Explicit]

    S.20 Ep.32: In Which Mur and Valerie Discuss NaNoWriMo Alternatives, Writing Tools, and Community Building [Explicit] 

    "The spirit of NaNoWriMo was to do something big, bold, and show what you're capable of." - Valerie Valdes

    (This post went live for supporters on November 13, 2024. If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at Patreon or Substack!)

    (NOTE: It occurs to me that I have three explicit episodes--32, 33, 34--in a row. But one was a casual interview, one was rage, and one was despair. So we will get back to nice clean episodes soon. I promise.)

    Join Mur and Valerie Valdes as they dive into the chaos surrounding NaNoWriMo and explore alternatives for writers seeking new challenges. They discuss the current state of NaNoWriMo, the controversies, and the impact on the writing community. Valerie shares insights into her local writing group’s decision to break away and create their own events.

    Valerie also offers a wealth of resources and tools to challenge yourself this month, including Dream Foundry's Freefall Challenge, World Anvil's World Ember, and various Pomodoro and idle games like Rusty's Retirement and Pomo Farm, and how to stay motivated with apps like 4 the Words and TrackBear.

    Transcript

    Links

    Evergreen Links

    "NowNoWhatMo…with Valerie Valdes" is brought to you in large part by my supporters, the Fabulists, who received an early, expanded version of this episode. You can join our Fabulist community with a pledge on Patreon or Substack!

    Some of the links above may be affiliate, allowing you to support the show at no extra cost to you. Also consider leaving a review for ISBW, please!

    CREDITS Theme song by John Anealio, art by Numbers Ninja,and files hosted by Libsyn (affiliate link). Get archives of the show via Patreon. November 18, 2024 | Season 20 Ep 32 | murverse.com "NowNoWhatMo…with Valerie Valdes" by Mur Lafferty is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
    18 November 2024, 12:00 pm
  • 42 minutes 38 seconds
    [ISBW] From Fanfiction to Fantasy: Gwen Garfinkel's Writing

    S.20 Ep.31: In Which Mur and Gwynne Garfinkle Discuss Short Stories, Anthologies, and the Joy of Fanfiction

    "I write about what I know, and what I know is family." - Gwynne Garfinkle

    (This post went live for supporters on November 12, 2024. If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at Patreon or Substack!)

    Join me as I welcome back author Gwynne Garfinkle to discuss her anthology of short stories and the art of writing across different lengths. We dive into Gwynne's journey from novels to short stories, exploring the freedom and challenges of each format. Gwynne shares her love for fanfiction and how it rekindled her passion for writing fiction.

    We also delve into Gwynne's poetry, discussing her unique approach to capturing untold stories from classic films, and her process of deciding whether an idea becomes a poem or a short story.

    Transcript

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    "From Fanfiction to Fantasy: Gwen Garfinkel's Writing Adventures" is brought to you in large part by my supporters, the Fabulists, who received an early, expanded version of this episode. You can join our Fabulist community with a pledge on Patreon or Substack!

    Some of the links above may be affiliate, allowing you to support the show at no extra cost to you. Also consider leaving a review for ISBW, please!

    CREDITS Theme song by John Anealio, art by Numbers Ninja,and files hosted by Libsyn (affiliate link). Get archives of the show via Patreon. November 15, 2024 | Season 20 Ep 31 | murverse.com "From Fanfiction to Fantasy: Gwen Garfinkel's Writing Adventures" by Mur Lafferty is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
    15 November 2024, 12:00 pm
  • 43 minutes 2 seconds
    [ISBW] Unveiling the Magic of Cozy Fantasy with Stacy Sivinski

    S20 Ep30: In Which Mur and Stacy Sivinski Discuss Cozy Fantasy, Sensory Writing, and Sisterhood

    "The senses are actually connected, and the way we describe sensation and prioritize sight and sound is actually attached to social biases that need to be reconstructed." - Stacy Sivinski

    (This post went live for supporters on November 12, 2024. If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at Patreon or Substack!)

    In this episode, we welcome debut author Stacy Sivinski to discuss her new cozy fantasy novel, The Crescent Moon Tea Room. We explore the sensory elements that make her writing so immersive and the importance of sisterhood and self-discovery in her storytelling. Stacy shares her background in sensory studies, how it influences her writing, and the fascinating hierarchy of the senses that challenges traditional storytelling norms.

    Stacy also touches on the challenges of transitioning from a PhD in English to writing cozy fantasy, her disciplined writing routine, and how she navigates the fears of starting new projects. We delve into her upcoming book, hinting at enchanted bookstores and ghosts, and discuss the power of writing rituals to overcome writer's block and anxiety.

    Transcript

    Links:

    Evergreen Links

     

    "Exploring Cozy Fantasy and Sensory Writing with Stacy Sivinski" is brought to you in large part by my supporters, the Fabulists, who received an early, expanded version of this episode. You can join our Fabulist community with a pledge on Patreon or Substack!

    Some of the links above may be affiliate, allowing you to support the show at no extra cost to you. Also consider leaving a review for ISBW, please!

    CREDITS Theme song by John Anealio, art by Numbers Ninja,and files hosted by Libsyn (affiliate link). Get archives of the show via Patreon. November 14, 2024 | Season 20 Ep 30 | murverse.com "Exploring Cozy Fantasy and Sensory Writing with Stacy Sivinski" by Mur Lafferty is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

     

     
    14 November 2024, 12:00 pm
  • 37 minutes 15 seconds
    [ISBW] Accountability and Adventures in Writing with Cat Rambo

    S20 Ep29: In Which Mur and Cat Rambo Discuss Writing, Accountability, and Intelligent Spaceships

    "I think that right now there are so many very interesting and original voices that can never be replicated." - Cat Rambo

    Join me in welcoming author, community builder, former SFWA president, and all around awesome person Cat Rambo. We dive into Cat’s writing journey, discussing their latest series featuring intelligent spaceships and former mercenaries turned restaurateurs. Cat shares their unique approach to starting a story, the importance of accountability, and how they manage their prolific output despite the challenges all writers face.

    Cat also talks about their recent projects, reveals their outlining process, the value of community in their Patreon, and future plans, including a horror novel set in 1976 South Bend, Indiana.

    Transcript

    Links:

    Evergreen Links

    "Accountability and Adventures in Writing with Cat Rambo" is brought to you in large part by my supporters, the Fabulists, who received an early, expanded version of this episode. You can join our Fabulist community with a pledge on Patreon or Substack!

    Some of the links above may be affiliate, allowing you to support the show at no extra cost to you. Also consider leaving a review for ISBW, please!

    CREDITS Theme song by John Anealio, art by Numbers Ninja,and files hosted by Libsyn (affiliate link). Get archives of the show via Patreon.

    October 28, 2024 | Season 20 Ep 29 | murverse.com "Accountability and Adventures in Writing with Cat Rambo" by Mur Lafferty is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

    28 October 2024, 12:00 pm
  • 41 minutes 26 seconds
    [ISBW] Unveiling Haunt Sweet Home with Sarah Pinsker!

    S20 Ep28: In Which Mur and Sarah Pinsker Discuss Reality Shows, Workshops, and Writing Patience

    "I love the bingo card measure of success rather than the ladder of success." - Sarah Pinsker

    (This post went live for supporters on October 11 2024. If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at Patreon or Substack!)

    In this episode, Mur welcomes the award-winning author Sarah Pinsker to discuss her latest book, Haunt Sweet Home. They dive into the fascinating world of reality TV shows and how Sarah's unique idea of a haunted house fixer-upper series evolved from a joke to a novella.

    Sarah shares her insights on the importance of patience in writing, especially when it comes to leveling up your skills for a project that feels just out of reach. They also explore the intricacies of different writing workshops, including Clarion West and the Milford method, and how these experiences shape a writer's journey.

    From the challenges of finishing stories to the agony of editing, Sarah offers invaluable advice on navigating the hurdles of the writing process. Tune in for a delightful conversation filled with practical tips, personal anecdotes, and a deep dive into the craft of storytelling.

    Transcript

    Links

    Evergreen Links

     

    "Unveiling Haunt Sweet Home with Sarah Pinsker!" is brought to you in large part by my supporters, the Fabulists, who received an early, expanded version of this episode. You can join our Fabulist community with a pledge on Patreon or Substack!

    Some of the links above may be affiliate, allowing you to support the show at no extra cost to you. Also consider leaving a review for ISBW, please!

     

    CREDITS Theme song by John Anealio, art by Numbers Ninja,and files hosted by Libsyn (affiliate link). Get archives of the show via Patreon. October 21, 2024 | Season 20 Ep 28 | murverse.com "Unveiling Haunt Sweet Home with Sarah Pinsker!!" by Mur Lafferty is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
    21 October 2024, 12:00 pm
  • 31 minutes 56 seconds
    [ISBW] Writing Family Stories and Magical Realism with Anamely Salgado Reyes

    S20 Ep27: In Which Mur and Anamely Salgado Reyes Discuss Magical Realism and Writing Journeys

    "I write about what I know, and what I know is family." - Anamely Salgado Reyes

    In this episode, I chat with Anamely Salgado Reyes about her debut novel, My Mother Cursed My Name, and the intricacies of writing magical realism. We explore the differences between magical realism and fantasy, the significance of family stories, and the emotional journey of getting published.

    Anamely shares her unique path to becoming a published author, from Googling how to publish a book to landing her dream agent. She also talks about her second novel, her writing process, and her love for family-centric stories.

    Transcript

    Links:

    Evergreen Links

     

    "Writing Family Stories and Magical Realism with Anamely Salgado Reyes" is brought to you in large part by my supporters, the Fabulists, who received an early, expanded version of this episode. You can join our Fabulist community with a pledge on Patreon or Substack!

    Some of the links above may be affiliate, allowing you to support the show at no extra cost to you. Also consider leaving a review for ISBW, please!

    CREDITS Theme song by John Anealio, art by Numbers Ninja,and files hosted by Libsyn (affiliate link). Get archives of the show via Patreon. October 14, 2024 | Season 20 Ep 27 | murverse.com "Writing Family Stories and Magical Realism with Anamely Salgado Reyes" by Mur Lafferty is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
    14 October 2024, 12:00 pm
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