Now that Dakota's made the decision to cut this book into two, we have the gift of space! And that means we're looking at re-ramping up emotion on the page that was removed in earlier cuts and sitting with our characters, especially in a deep conversational scene like this between Qays and Nasir. We talk about showing their reactions and interpretations of their reactions and really making their overall relationship dynamic clear. We also talk about payoff and consequences and the general highs and lows of the writing process.

Plus, we compare our motivation styles! Where Lianna needs flashing lights, arcade tickets shooting out at her, and numbers climbing to get that sweet, sweet, dopamine, Dakota...needs to run away to the woods away from her word count? To gaslight herself into thinking she's not writing a book? She's still figuring it out.

Follow the podcast on Instagram @thebestsellers_beginning or tag along for the ride with Lianna and Dakota on Instagram and Threads @lifeng.stories and @locodakoko.writes.

Patreon in progress! Maybe? Someday?

Co-hosted, edited, and produced by: Lianna Feng and Dakota S.

Artwork by: Rachel Mehus

Music by: Dakota via the magic of GarageBand

Disclaimer: Concepts and writing shared on this podcast are our own. While we hope to inspire our fellow writers, please don’t be a dick and plagiarize lol!

In this episode we tackle Chapter 7 of Lianna's WIP: She Lies Along the Pearling Path and talk about what makes a slow or reflective chapter versus a chapter that is building up tension to big conflict. We revisit the recurring frustration of: "Well, it can't all go in Chapter 1!" We dig into continuity issues (why must our edits create additional needs for changes!!!), and get deep into character. We talk everything from character continuity, motivation, and relationships, to showing thought progression on the page. And we also determine that polo shirts and Hawaiian shirts fit in the same genre of clothing!

Follow the podcast on Instagram @thebestsellers_beginning or tag along for the ride with Lianna and Dakota on Instagram and Threads @lifeng.stories and @locodakoko.writes.

Patreon in progress! Maybe? Someday?

Co-hosted, edited, and produced by: Lianna Feng and Dakota S.

Artwork by: Rachel Mehus

Music by: Dakota via the magic of GarageBand

Disclaimer: Concepts and writing shared on this podcast are our own. While we hope to inspire our fellow writers, please don’t be a dick and plagiarize lol!

In this special bonus episode Lianna shares some incredible news about her WIP - She Lies Along the Pearling Path, and we reflect on a year of supporting each other through the rollercoaster of novel writing! We look at how far we've diverged from recommended advice as well as strategies that we might actually want to adopt. We reflect on the highs and lows of the drafting, feedback, and editing processes. We talk about the book ideas that have distracted us along the way. And as always we reflect on THE POWER OF FRIENDSHIP!

Follow the podcast on Instagram @thebestsellers_beginning or tag along for the ride with Lianna and Dakota on Instagram and Threads @lifeng.stories and @locodakoko.writes.

Patreon in progress! Maybe? Someday?

Co-hosted, edited, and produced by: Lianna Feng and Dakota S.

Artwork by: Rachel Mehus

Music by: Dakota via the magic of GarageBand

Disclaimer: Concepts and writing shared on this podcast are our own. While we hope to inspire our fellow writers, please don’t be a dick and plagiarize lol!