Author: Y.P. Wright

This Writer’s Journey Into Podcasting

Posted on by Y.P. Wright

 

This Writer’s Journey Into Podcasting and What I Learned

 

When we start out as writers, we dream of joining the ranks of our most beloved print authors. Our goal, most of the time, is to become a New York Times best selling author akin to the likes of Joyce Carol Oats, Stephen King, or Stephanie Meyer. We eat, sleep and breath print–even in the digital age. 

The more time we study and learn about the publishing industry, the faster our dreams change. Do we still want to be recognized authors? Of course, but we realize that the writing world is full of talented authors who might not get their big break by conventional means. 

At least, this is true for me. Despite my consistent efforts to build a solid social media presence and many years spent in creative writing classes and at a keyboard, I realize that my future might not be in print–at least not right away. 

Armed with this realization and a burning curiosity about up and coming trends, I’ve turned to podcasting. Ultimately, I want to get my work out there…even if it’s in audio form rather than print. 

          Photo by CoWomen on Unsplash

Everywhere I turned, I was hearing something about the rising medium. There was no denying its popularity. It seemed that everyone and nearly every business entity produced a podcast. To be honest, the idea became an obsession. 

After a year of researching about the best hosting platforms, the best recording equipment, and the best audio software, I decided to go ahead and take the plunge. 

What started as an idea has turned into a full time endeavor. While I knew plenty about the mechanics and techniques of writing, I knew nothing about podcasting or audio production. So I dove into uncharted waters and this is what I’ve learned.

THERE IS PLENTY OF COMPETITION

Make no mistake, the podcasting market is quickly becoming saturated (even for creatives). If you venture into this space, don’t expect to become an overnight success. Just enjoy the ride for a while. 

Currently, there are 700,000 active podcasts. Read that again. 

That’s an increase of over 200,000 in a year. The number of listeners has also increased dramatically. That’s a lot of podcasts and rapid industry growth. Don’t let that deter you though. 

Yes, it’s highly competitive, but rapid growth in a media platform is ideal for creative startups. Launching something new in a stagnant market is counter productive. Have some faith in your abilities and forge forward.

According to Statista, approximately 86 million people in the U.S. listen to podcasts and that number is projected to rise to approximately 132 million in the next few years. There’s plenty of opportunity for success in this space. 

don’t ignore social media

It’s easy to get swept up in the excitement of launching your podcast. But don’t forget about your social media accounts. Let your journey into podcasting enhance your social media presence. There’s a couple of reasons not to ignore Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. 

First, research shows that 70% of podcast consumers are actively searching for new podcasts on social media. It’s a no brainer, really. Think of creative ways to promote your show on other digital platforms. I regularly post updates about production progress and on occasion, I introduce my characters on my social media pages/accounts. 

There’s opportunity for monetization

Everyone is looking for ways to monetize their digital spaces. Blogs, social media accounts, gaming channels, etc. can make advertising and sponsorship revenue. Podcasts are not any different. 

Podcast advertising expenditures are projected to surpass half a billion dollars by 2020. Now is definitely the time to try your own journey into podcasting.

When you stop to consider the growing popularity of podcasts, it makes sense that advertisers plan to drop more money in the podcasting bucket to reach potential buyers. 

I haven’t monetized yet, but I’m still in the early stages of show development. Thus far, I’ve only launched one trailer for the upcoming series. As my listenership grows, so will my monetization efforts. 

A Final thought

Writing is my passion but I’m open to new ways to gain exposure. I’m tenacious enough to jump into another lane in order to get my writing front and center for my audience. It doesn’t matter to me if my audience reads or listens, as long as they enjoy the story I craft for them. So far, I love this journey into podcasting. 

 

the next chapter podcast: Season 1 trailer

 

How to Cope with Unexpected Change

Posted on by Y.P. Wright

How to cope with unexpected Change

By: Y.P. Wright

 

It happens. The unforeseen has a way of creeping up on us and shaking up our reality. Everyone has experienced some kind of unexpected change in some area of our lives. Whether it’s finding out your partner has cheated, or a business relationship falls apart, the impact to our psyche is the same—and it’s not always easy to rebound from.

I’m usually not one to share my own experiences in this arena, but sometimes the impact is so profound that it must be shared with the world.

Not long ago I had a job with a company that came with some impressive perks. It wasn’t unusual for me to board a private company jet for business trips, dine at 5-star restaurants, or stay in luxury hotels. It was a dream come true for someone from a working-class upbringing.

Now, it wasn’t a situation that I simply walked into. I worked my tail off and moved up the ladder fast. I knew my capabilities and limitations—and I ran with them. I was living the life I had always wanted but I lacked the title that I wanted. So, I left. I took a job that offered the title that I thought I deserved.

Within the first week at the new job, I knew I had made a terrible mistake. That mistake was on me. No one forced me to leave. My ego got the best of me and I knew it. I decided to make the best of it and put my best foot forward at the new company.

It was professionally devastating.

What happened after 3 months with the new company? The unforeseen. It came from so far out of left field that the greatest glove in existence could not have fielded it.

Walking out of my house, I slipped on my steps and broke both feet and fractured both ankles. The breaks in my right foot required surgery and I would be home-bound for nearly 4 months. After a month of working from home, the new company decided to let me go. There was no warning and no severance package.

It was financially devastating.

But I tried to stay positive. After four months I was able to walk with a boot—still unable to drive but at least I could walk. I kept looking for jobs and researching potential markets for my diverse skill set.

The universe had different plans for me and my family. My mother was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive cancer. It was completely unexpected. Because I was unemployed at the time of her diagnosis, I was able to help care for her. However, it was brief. She passed six weeks after her diagnosis.

It was emotionally devastating.

A pattern of devastation was emerging. I hadn’t even had time to process one catastrophe before another occurred. My fight or flight response compass was spinning out of control and I felt completely powerless—but only briefly.

After processing my mother’s death, I came to terms with a few things.

  1. Everything happens for a reason.
  2. We are not at the mercy of the universe.
  3. We can’t control some things, but we can choose how to react.

Yes, it would be easy to succumb to grief but that’s not how I’m wired. After some soul searching, I decided that the skill set and mindset that made me successful at the job that I loved were still in my possession. I own who I am and what I can achieve.

My mother taught me that.

So how do you cope with the unexpected? You embrace it. Let it fuel the fire that burns inside of you. It doesn’t have to be a controlled burn; let that bitch rage and set out to accomplish more than you ever dreamed possible.

Success is the result of effort—not the byproduct of what happens to us.  

Demystifying Story Structure

Posted on by Y.P. Wright

 

Demystifying Story Structure

By Y.P. Wright

 

It comes to you during your evening commute or while your relaxing beneath the hot water of your morning shower. It’s surely destined to be the most prolific story that connoisseurs of great literature have ever seen. After your readers sink their teeth into your gift to the reading world, no one will deny your literary prowess.

 

 But first, you must write that gift. Ahhh yes, therein lies the rub. You must actually start—and starting a story is no easy task (for most).

 

Seriously though, all joking aside. It’s critical that you pay attention to the elements of story structure to give your story a chance at success. It will help you narrow down the specifics of your story and make writing much easier. It will help bring clarity to your creative vision.

Demystifying Story Structure

Consider this—all stories consist of three parts. They have a beginning, a middle and an end. This is what’s known as the three-act structure and it’s the most fundamental element of storytelling.

 

Beginning doesn’t mean your hero’s story starts with him eating breakfast and getting ready for work. For the love of all things literary—don’t start your stories like this if you can help it.

Three Act Structure Explained

  • Beginning – The point at which everything is about to change. Consider this the first step of the journey. The story catalyst lives here. Your protagonist faces a dilemma of some sort that changes everything.
  • Middle – This is the point that your protagonist overcomes some obstacle or faces the ultimate test. He/she must master something, acquire new skills, etc. The middle is what you might consider the meat of the story. It’s where all the action takes place. This is where everything gets set for the climax to come.
  • The End – This is where your protagonist’s lessons or training, if you will, come into play. He/she faces their greatest test and overcomes all that your fictional world/characters have thrown their way. Climax and resolution live here.

Relatable Example: Star Wars

Most of you are familiar with this epic saga, this work of genius that supersedes nearly any other work in its genre. But, at its core, it’s really just a coming of age story. Let’s break it down.

  • Beginning—Luke is just living his life with a regular grind and family. He’s an average guy. The catalyst, the murder of his aunt and uncle and Leia’s plea for help, sets the story in motion as he joins Obi-Wan to rescue Leia.
  • Middle—Our hero, Luke, becomes a Jedi knight with Obi-Wan’s guidance. Other key characters are also introduced here, Hans Solo and Chewbacca.
  • End—The ultimate test for Luke as he has to trust the Force to destroy the Death Star. Following his victory, he returns to his new normal, as a hero who is forever changed by his experiences.

The example above is what’s known as the Hero’s Journey approach to the three-act structure. It’s a storytelling model that is as old as the act of storytelling and it provides the bones for your story. Its purpose is to help writer’s and storytellers outline the hero/protagonist’s transformation. This is the foundation upon which great stories are built.

Put it to the test and use it to give your protagonist and his story structure.

Writing Tips: 3 Tips to Write Better Dialogue

Posted on by Y.P. Wright

Conquering the Beast: 3 Tips to write better dialogue

laptop

By YP Wright

 

 

When you sit down to write your epic novel, you have a singular mission in mind. You want to create the greatest work of fiction known to man—obviously. You’ve lassoed the most illusive, creative creature in existence and corralled it into the holding stall of your mind. Now that it’s time to tame the beast so that it’s ready to meet the world, you feel the awesome weight of how to get that monster out of your head and onto that pristine page without ruining it with clunky, unnatural dialogue.

Great dialogue is critical to your story’s success. When submitting work for publication, editors are said to often skip ahead to sections of dialogue and make their decisions based on how good it is.

Be Mindful of What Dialogue Really is

To write better dialogue, keep 5 important things in mind:

  1. Dialogue includes physical gesture
  2. Dialogue is as much about what characters do to each other as what they say to each other.
  3. Silence is considered part of dialogue
  4. Dialogue isn’t necessarily grammatically correct.
  5. You can make the world part of your dialogue

Use Action Beats

See, dialogue is literally what brings your characters to life and gives them dimension. When you make them speak, you are breathing life into someone who otherwise doesn’t exist.

“Look,” he slammed his hand against the wall, “I don’t care if it happened once or if it happened twenty times, it stops today,” he paused but kept his back turned to her as she wept.

“It won’t happen again—”

“It better not,” he slammed the door behind him and went upstairs to shower.

Use action beats to enhance dialogue, especially if it’s a long exchange between characters. Action beats work to give your reader a break and add touches of detail to the scene. In the example above, I used three beats to fill in the gaps. Otherwise, it would have reads like this:

“Look, I don’t care if it happened once or if it happened twenty times, it stops today,” he said.

“It won’t happen again—,” she said.

“It better not,” he said.

The exchanges between the characters are the same, but it’s flat. There’s no sense of tension on the page, so the reader isn’t experiencing the tension of the scene.

Manage Attributions & Avoid Adverbs

Another key consideration to keep in mind when it comes to dialogue, is how you manage attributions. Novice writers have a reputation for overusing attributions. Avoid using the verb said after every single line of dialogue. Writing is about maintaining the balance between just enough and too much.

Keep those speaker attributions as transparent as possible so that your writing flows smoothly. Don’t open a paragraph of dialogue with speaker attribution. Don’t use explanations or adverbs either.

Write:

“I don’t care if it only happened once, it better not happen again,” he said slamming his hand against the wall.

Instead of:

“I don’t care if it only happened once, it better not happen again,” he said angrily.

 

Of course, there are going to be exceptions to the rule. Adhering to these rules all of the time, is unlikely. An adverb’s biggest adversary is Stephen King—but even he uses adverbs from time to time. But sticking to good dialogue mechanics most of the time, will give your writing the touch of grace and elegance that readers love.