I Should Be Writing

ISBW 22.17

So much to talk about! Worldcon is looming, and we take listener questions.

How do you handle writing after a long break?

What books do you recommend for writing fight scenes? Books by Alan Baxter and Marie Brennan are mentioned

Mur is reading Page One to Done.

Mur also has silly notebook problems that no one else seems to have.

The HWA sent a ridiculous newsletter out and we are all seeing the fallout. See Chuck Wendig's take on it, and HWA's response is in the...

ISBW 22.16

I finished the book, I started a short story, and I have been looking at the concept of confidence a bit lately. Also been enjoying Charisma on Command videos. So let's talk about confidence.

Don't forget the book giveaway from last time! You have a week to enter!

The Books (along with links if you want to just order right now!):

ISBW 22.15

I want a lot of books.

I buy a lot of books.

I get sent a lot of books.

I can't with all these books. So you get to benefit! I'm discussing five new or upcoming books of several different genres and then doing a giveaway! All you have to do is email me (mightymur at gmail) and tell me which one you want to be in the drawing for!

I will draw the winners August 15!

This is open to anyone, Patreon supporter/follower or not!<...

ISBW 22.14

The scammers are getting wilier, and we have to keep up, folks. They want you to pay to join book clubs, they catfish you to make you fire your agent and take theirs, and they are really into helping you promote a book you have forgotten about, and have zero control over because it was work for hire.

GLOSSARY: Work For Hire: It is an exception to the general (copyright) rule that the person who actually creates a work is the legally-recognized author of that work.

Meaning when Marvel* hires you to...

ISBW 22.13

Believe it or not, we got a feedback question to answer! We talk about how to get moving when you've stalled out on your writing routine, and a few of my secret anxieties. It boils down to:

Why are you doing this?

Notes:

This post...

ISBW 22.12

Happy Pride!

Recently we welcomed Isabel J. Kim to the show to talk about her debut novel, Sublimation!

We not only talk about her mind-bending Severence-like novel, but her use of point of view, second person, and about her award-winning story "WHY DON'T WE JUST KILL THE KID IN THE OMELAS HOLE".

This post went live for supporters on June 19, 2026. If you want early and ad-free episodes, support at Patreon!

Remember you can join us on Thursdays, 3pm Eastern on Twitch! The next live episode is June 25!

ISBW 22.11

(There will be a giveaway of Ruinous Creatures! I'm taking entries until May 21! Email me with GIVEAWAY in the subject line! You do not need to be a paying supporter to enter.)

Recently we welcomed Jessi Cole Jackson to the show to talk about her debut novel, Ruinous Creatures!

We cover Jackson's unique bone-specific magic system and her inspirations, not to mention how to wrap your head around romance and spice when you've only written tame things before.

Remember you can join us on Thursdays, 3pm Eastern on Twitch! The...

"If you injure somebody, that injury tells a story, and you have to decide whether that story fits the rest of your story."

22.10 In this episode, I go into "realism" with regards to injuries and health. Are injuries for pain? For an instant of shock? To give the character a new hardship? We talk about some of Stephen King's works and how to balance realism with narrative flow.

This post went live for supporters on April 21, 2026. If you want early and ad-free episodes, support at Patreon!

NOTE- This coming weekend (May 1-3) I...

"Every character is the star of their own story."

ISBW 22.9

In this episode we talk about how different writers view characterization, from the ones who struggle to the ones who say the characters live in their heads. How do you manage all these wily beasts who want their stories told?

I will also be appearing next week at Ravencon, and then the following week at Demicon!

This post went live for supporters on April 17, 2026. If you want early and ad-free episodes, support at Patreon!

Remember you can join us...

"I think the thing people have the most problem with is, 'This was very good, but it didn't excite me.'"

ISBW 22.8

Mur is back solo, talking about Rejectomancy and how to interpret the rejections you get, and more importantly, how to move forward after getting said rejection.

And the bad news: you're aiming to make writing a job, which means you have to deal with the bad parts along with the good.

Remember you can join us on Thursdays, 3pm Eastern on Twitch! The next live episode is April 9*, when...

"Acceptance is built on a pile of rejections." ~ Justin C. Key

ISBW 22.7

Dr. Justin C. Key joins us to discuss his debut novel, The Hospital at the End of the World, exploring intersection of medicine and AI. Justin shares his experiences as a psychiatrist and balancing a medical career with being an author.

We go over writing process, community, and the lessons learned from both success and setbacks.

This post went live for supporters on March 27, 2026. If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at Patreon!

Remember...

"Weird is hot right now."

ISBW 22.6

CW- pet death.

It's been a rough week, so I'm talking regret and spite. Can they help and fuel us? Or is it just wasted bile?

Then we talk about new book releases, like Nobody's Baby by Olivia Waite and Hell's Heart by Alexis Hall. And we touch on our next show, an interview with Justin C. Key, author of The Hospital at the End of the World.

Remember you can join us on Thursdays, 3pm Eastern on Twitch! The next live episode...

"Take your time, there's no rush. The audience will be here whenever your story is ready."

ISBW 22.5

In this episode we welcome author Olivia Waite to discuss her latest books, including Murder by Memory and Nobody's Baby. We touch on one of my favorite topics, writing science fiction mysteries, but we also delve into compelling beginnings and how to avoid the cringe in romance.

Chapters: (00:00) Introduction (01:30) Writing Updates (05:00) Interview with Olivia Waite (10:00) Discussion on Book Beginnings (15:00) Overview of Nobody's Baby (25:00) Writing Process and Genre Exploration (35:00) Audience Questions

(This post went live...

"It might be too much, but it looks really fun."

ISBW 22.4

I've had a strong opinion about writing contests for years, but things have apparently evolved. I was reading about writing contests and found two that were quite interesting.

A bit of housekeeping: I am no longer doing an exclusive version of Patreon episodes. They will still be early, still ad-free, but I've found that making two versions of the same show is just too much for me right now. I will still do completely exclusive episodes that the feed will never see...

"If [I] start thinking about the details, [I] will either go down the wrong pathand not record or [I'll] talk [my]self out of it."

ISBW 22.3

I finally finished the archives, and learned quite a bit about myself, not all good things. We also touch on Hugo season, book club scams, and AI publicists.

This post went live for supporters on February 20, 2026. If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at Patreon!

Notes

"Not every opportunity is equal, and you don't have to chase everything."
~Tim Minneci

ISBW 22.2

What do you need to have when you're wrangling several pro writers? What can a writer expect from an assistant? Meet Tim Minneci, writer, podcaster, musician, and my assistant. (And Ursula's, and Kameron's.) 

We discuss the challenges of being a writer, the importance of having an assistant, and the various tasks that come with supporting authors in their creative endeavors. Tim covers social media, the publishing industry, and the balance between creativity and administrative work. 

(Th...

"All I can do is what I can do right now."

ISBW 22.1

First episode of the year, and we talk about the things we may not want to take along with us into the new year. New books, new shows (Patreon-only Evil Mur podcast called STET!), and all that other stuff. (This post went live for supporters on January 12, 2026. If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at Patreon!)

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"You tell them enough information to show that you know 10% of what you're talking about, and your reader will assume you know the other 90%."

In this episode, Mur discusses the seemingly innocuous action of research, and how it can become a trap that distracts from actual writing.

Advent calendar info and AI complaints are free additions!

Links

Kim Stanley Robinson

Cory Doctorow

The Sociopath Next Door

Master of Malt Advent Calendars

Evergreen Links

See all books from Season 21

Like...

"It's a definitely a giftable type thing for the Tolkien lover in your life."

In this somewhat festive episode we talk about all the books we weren't able to feature over the year, to let you know about books you may not have heard of. We go by blurbs and first sentences - video also shows book covers! We talk SF, horror, mystery, and more.

Mur might also rant about publicists who use AI.

Check out all the books here! (affiliate)

Links

T. Kingfisher

Kosoko Jackson

"You want to preserve your experience of the work. You want to preserve the doing of the art." ~Cadwell Turnbull

Amazing author Cadwell Turnbull joins us to dives deep into the creative process and discuss his latest book, A Ruin Great and Free. We talk about his writing journey, trilogy challenges, and approaching social issues in his books.

(This post went live for supporters on November 24, 2025. If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at Patreon!)

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"Anytime someone starts a sentence with, 'why don't you just,' immediately stop listening to them." ~Valerie Valdes (Lia Amador)

While it hasn't been a long time for podcast listeners, it's been a while for us and considering her expertise, I've invited Valerie Valdes back for a candid discussion about the recent demise of NaNoWriMo and what it means for writers. We delve into the challenges of maintaining community and motivation without the established infrastructure of the once-beloved event. Valerie shares her insights as a former municipal liaison and offers alternatives for writers looking to stay engaged...

I'm going over some daily episodes from the past this month! Get the whole 2025 NaNoReRun over at Patreon free for all followers! 

Do not listen to Evil Mur. Creative Commons BY-NC-SA, all other rights reserved by Mur Lafferty

"If you're writing your stories down, you're more than a writer than a lot of people ever will have the courage to try to be."

It's a solo episode! I get into the complexities of writing and self-doubt, the struggles of completing a manuscript, the challenges of balancing creativity with personal life, and the ever-present specter of The Imposter Cop.

We try to accept the importance of focusing on one task at a time, despite everything.

Also we talk about K Pop Demon Hunters, exploring its themes and storytelling techniques.

(This post went...

"You should be writing, because that's the only thing that ultimately you can have even a hope of controlling." ~Valerie Valdes

Welcome back to the talented Valerie Valdes, also known as Lia Amador! We are here to launch her newest book, a fantasy rom-com titled Witch You Wood. We talk magical reality shows, romance, and tropes. We also get real about the struggles that persist even after being published.

Valerie discusses her experiences with self-doubt and how she manages to push through these challenges. We also explore the nuances of writing romance, the balance between subtlety and...

[Worldcon] was my first convention where I went to panels, gave a reading, and had a big party. It made my sweet little book feel like the huge thing it is in my heart and mind. -Tim Chawaga

S21 Ep18

In this episode, we welcome Tim Chawaga, author of Salvagia, as we dive into the depths of his near-future science fiction mystery set in a flooded Florida. Tim shares the inspiration behind his book, where a freelance Salvagia diver uncovers a dead body while searching for valuable artifacts from the past.

We explore the blending...

Even writing badly will get you to writing well eventually. - Chinaza Bado

S21 Ep17

In this episode, we sit down with Chinaza Bado, author of Birth of a Dynasty, to discuss the challenges and strategies of getting a trilogy published. Chinaza shares advice for how to query the a book and how to pitch a trilogy to publishers. We also discussed agents and marketing yourself in a competitive landscape.

(This post went live for supporters on October 14, 2025. If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at Patreon or get my newsletter at...

Content warning: since Spread Me is erotic horror, this episode has an explicit tag.

I wrote it to have fun because I have written a lot of books that were not fun to write... -Sarah Gailey

In this episode, we welcome Hugo winning author Sarah Gailey, author of Spread Me, as we explore the wild world of erotic horror. Sarah shares their journey of writing a novel that takes inspiration from John Carpenter's classic film, The Thing, blending horror and erotica and humor.

We dive into the creative process behind Spread Me, discussing...

You have to celebrate your friends who are more successful than you. ~Jim Kelly

In this special 20th anniversary episode of I Should Be Writing, recorded live at Worldcon 2025, I reunite with my mentor and long-time friend, James Patrick Kelly. We talk about the last two decades of writing, the evolution of our careers, and the ever-changing landscape of storytelling.

We still face bullies like self-doubt and shiny new ideas, but we also explore strengths like community support and celebrating each other's successes. We discuss all the bullies unveiled, the concept of "bullies" that plague...

I think I was a very... particular kind of undergraduate workshop student. -Dan Kois

In this episode, I welcome my old classmate from UNC, Dan Kois, Slate editor and author of Hampton Heights. We dive into our journey from college classmates to published authors. Both pro writers, we each took a very different path.

Dan shares the inspiration behind Hampton Heights, a thrilling adventure featuring four kids selling newspapers and encountering monsters unexpected relatives, and more.

Of course we discuss the struggles of self-doubt, the impact of mentorship, and the significance of continuing...

'Reformed Pantser' is one of the most difficult things to be. -Seth Haddon

In this episode, we welcome Seth Haddon, the talented Australian author behind Volatile Memory. We cover hybrid publishing, writing routines, and pursuing nuns.

Volatile Memory explores themes of transhumanism and identity within a corporate-dominated future. Also haunted masks. And love.

(This post went live for supporters on August 25, 2025. If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at Patreon or get my newsletter at Ghost!)

Transcript

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"Nothing's easy, man; being an adult sucks." -Mur Lafferty

In this episode, we dive deep into Bully #5: The Nap.

We discuss the sneaky ways the Nap can derail our writing plans. Rest is vital, but The Nap isn't rest. It's escape. We also discusses the importance of sleep hygiene and how to combat the allure of a cozy nap when creativity calls.

(This...

"Despair is the overprotective parent going, 'oh, it's okay that you lost that game. We'll protect you by never letting you play again.'" -Mur Lafferty

In this episode, we talk about Bully #4, Despair. Despair wants to hug you and join you when it's raining. It's nice to feel sorry for yourself for a moment, but you can't listen to it.

Mur is candid about feeling overwhelmed and the challenges of maintaining a connection to the outside world amidst creative struggles and personal challenges.

We explore some ways to combat despair, including the...

"If you feel you have something to say, just put the time into saying it." -K.M. Huber

In this episode, we welcome K.M. Huber, the author of Call of the Owl Woman, about her journey from writer to published author. K.M. talks about how her years in Peru, including extensive exploration and research into local mythology, affected her writing and her new book.

Call of the Owl Woman is heavily influenced by those years, and is written for her daughter (who asked for it many years ago.)

(This post went...

"Get [your book] all the way to the end. You learn so much that way that you will not learn in any other way."- S.A. Barnes

(This post went live for supporters on May 23, 2025. If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at Patreon!)

In this episode, we talk about the creative process with guest author S.A. Barnes. We discuss her latest release, Cold Eternity, a space horror novel, and her upcoming work, Death's Daughter, set to release in May, 2026.

Stacey shares her journey of balancing writing with...

"We contain multitudes; you can be happy and jealous at the same time." -Mur Lafferty

(This post went live for supporters on May 21, 2025. If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at Patreon or Substack!)

We're back! In this episode, we talk about the bullies that can sap our confidence and creativity again, today's bully is the Blade, a stern knife that can cut deep.

(I also announce my new cozy fantasy, it's real now! I am of course stressing over storytelling complexities (again).)

Let's talk about the Blade...

"The bully loves pantsers because it can insult your outline."-Mur Lafferty

(This post went live for supporters on April 23, 2025. If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at Patreon or Substack!) (Also, I had a microphone glitch near the end, which is why it ends abruptly. Apologies.)

In this episode, we launch our series on the bullies that live in your head, rent free. This week we talk about my original bully, Bart (a potato). He's ugly and mean as a snake, but I do have some ways to deal with him.<...

S21 Ep6: From Medieval Fashion to Modern Writing with Natania Barron

"Stories are how I make sense of the world." -Natania Barron

(This post went live for supporters on March 27, 2025. If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at Patreon or Substack!)

In this episode, I talk a little about the JoCo Cruise and how it reminded me of the importance of community and creativity. I forgot how good it felt to surrounding myself with fellow creatives.

Then I talk to Natania Barron, a prolific fantasy author and medieval...

S21 Ep5: Crafting Tales Through Holiday Themes

"Engaging with the holidays definitely feels like a way to develop world and character." -Mur Lafferty

(This post went live for supporters on March 24, 2025. If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at Patreon or Substack!)

In this episode, I dive into the significance of holidays in storytelling and how they can shape character development and plot progression. With no guest this week, I talk about my own projects, creative work and admin work both.

I cover Christmas romances that evoke themes...

S21 Ep4: Taking a Machete to Creative Blocks with Premee Mohamed

"My characters would be wandering around the field with me going like, hey, I just found a rare orchid." -Premee Mohamed

(This post went live for supporters on March 21, 2025. If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at Patreon or Substack!)

(recorded February) In this episode we welcome prolific, brilliant Premee Mohamed, a Nebula and Aurora award-winning author to talk about her new book, One Message Remains.

. We explore the process of creating clean first drafts, the chaos...

S21 Ep3: Rachel Howzell Hall on Balancing Thrillers and Fantasy

"I will try this new thing and I will learn how to do it." -Rachel Howzell Hall

(This post went live for supporters on March 18, 2025. If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at Patreon or Substack!)

(recorded February)

In this episode of I Should Be Writing, we dive into the chaotic world of creativity with acclaimed author Rachel Howzell Hall, thriller writer turned fantasy writer. She discusses her new romantasy book, The Last One.

We delve...