With the recent push for diversity in literature and entertainment, which we celebrate, what about dignifying people with mental illness in our stories? People with mental illnesses have been stigmatized, portrayed as “crazy” or dangerous or criminals often times. This has been changing but how can it improve even more? We talk with Tina Yeager, Christian author and experienced counselor, on the topic for us as writers.
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In this episode:
How did Tina get involved in counseling?
What is Tina’s background in writing?
What are some ways that we can dignify people with mental illness in our stories?
How has this been changing? How can it improve?
What are some examples of stories that do it well?
Why is it important for us to have heroes with mental illness?
How can we research and learn about the reality of living with mental illness?
Molly Jo Realy is an award-winning writer, editor, social media ninja and author coach. Nicknamed the Bohemian Hurricane, she encourages people to embrace their unique talents and gifts to come alive and celebrate life every day. Recently rooted in South Carolina, she celebrates with her family, her cats, a good cup of coffee, and an addiction to pens. Visit her blog and author website!
Why are writing conferences so important to authors? Steven and Britt just got back from the Serious Writer one day bootcamp in Nashville, Tennessee at a publishing house, and we talk about the conference and the unique and convenient aspects of these one day conferences. Then author MB Mooney reads the last flash fiction of the season, The Truth of the Hunter, revisiting Dr. Wincek and Dr. Wolfe.
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In this episode:
Why are writing conferences important?
What kind of writing conferences are there?
What makes the Serious Writer conferences unique?
Why are both craft and platform important?
What were some of our favorite parts of the conference?
Creativity is inconvenient. When we get in the middle of a project and here comes a great new idea. What do we do with it? Make it a part of the current project or start a new one? Brew & Ink discuss where to stick our new ideas. Then Steven Faletti shares The Thief and the Gateway, a new flash fiction from Midnight Showing victim’s point of view. After that fun story, vote on the title for MB Mooney‘s flash fiction in two weeks.
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In this episode:
Creative people get new ideas. Why is that inconvenient?
Bob Hostetler is an award-winning writer, editor, speaker, and literary agent from southwestern Ohio. His fifty books, which include The Bone Box and American Idols (The Worship of the American Dream), have sold millions of copies. He has co-authored eleven books with Josh McDowell, including the best-selling Right from Wrong (What You Need to Know to Help Youth Make Right Choices) and the award-winning Don’t Check Your Brains at the Door. He has won two Gold Medallion Awards, four Ohio Associated Press awards, and an Amy Foundation Award, among others. Bob is also a frequent speaker at churches, conferences, and retreats.
Bob was ordained to the ministry in 1980 by The Salvation Army. He and his wife, the lovely Robin, served in The Salvation Army from 1980-1992.
Bob is a literary agent with The Steve Laube Agency (see the welcome post on the Steve Laube Agency website here). Bob has been involved in Christian publishing for thirty years and has been represented by Steve Laube for more than a dozen years, so adding the role of agent to his work seems natural. The Steve Laube Agency is among the most respected in publishing today, representing an impressive array of authors.
Bob also serves as executive editor for the new Christian Writers Institute, offering online video and audio courses, books, and other resources for the development of Christian writers.
