Podcast - Write Better Together

The Write Better Together Podcast

Write Better Together is an interactive podcast hosted by writer/educator Emily Brooks and writing instructor/conference speaker Jon Meyers—designed with YOU in mind. Write Better Together incorporates your needs and input into every aspect of building a community of encouragement, support, and hope to make you comfortable exploring the writer lifestyle more deeply.

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Newest Episodes

WHO IS TAMIKO NESBITT? Exploring Inspirational Writing for Guideposts and Children's Books – Write Better Together

EPISODE 60) Emily Brooks pre-maternity leave has officially pivoted into a bona fide maternity leave. Jon Meyers introduces Inspirational Writer Tamiko Nesbitt to Guest Host Stephanie L. Jones ("The Giving Gal"). Tamiko discusses her ongoing contributions to Guideposts Magazine's devotional series, as well as the first book in her Scarlet Macaw children's book series. https://amzn.to/456xGnJ#inspirational #childrensbooks #writingcommunityWe also mention…EPISODE 18 with LUCY V. HAY, in which Emily calls the North Carolina Baby Race. • Making Mental Health Work for You with Lucy V Hay… OUR HOSTS GET OUT OF THEIR BUBBLEStephanie L. Jones tears up as she discusses attending a Mental Health for First Responders conference. Jon Meyers goes on his #stupidwalk and wonders aloud about the lack of anonymity of lottery winners.YOU RESPOND!Jeanice relays her experiences with baby sign language.#HEYJONMEYERSThe Longest Novel is…WHAT THE B???A.A. Milne, Winnie the Pooh, https://amzn.to/3GTWNAfBenjamin Hall, Saved: A War Reporter's Mission to Make It Home https://amzn.to/3YGB7h2CALL TO ACTIONTamiko Nesbitt wants you to show love to someone, without any expectations of anything in return.Let us know if you do this by responding in our show notes at writebettertogether.com/podcast, or in the comments on YouTube, Facebook, X, or Instagram.THE FINAL ACT: Timed trivia. Oh boy.#writingcommunity #reading#amwriting #creativewritingUPCOMING APPEARANCESJON MEYERS, WRITERCON, AUGUST 29-SEPTEMBER 1, 2025THE CONFERENCE CENTER IN THE HISTORIC SKIRVIN, OKLAHOMA CITY, OKhttps://writercon.com/conference/JON MEYERS, WRITERFEST, NOVEMBER 21-22, 2025BELMONT UNIVERSITY, NASHVILLE, TNhttps://www.writerfestnashville.com/MORE SOONLINKSYou can order Emily's new prayer guide here:Pray to Remember: A 6-Week Prayer Guide to Deeper Faith https://emilybrookswriter.com/product/pray-to-remember/ A SPECIAL PURPLE POMODORO TIMER WE CHOSE ESPECIALLY FOR YOU:You can purchase it here: https://amzn.to/4jn89LzOUR LINKSStephanie L. Jones entire catalog: https://shop.givingyourbestlife.com/Besides the prayer guide, Emily’s other new resource is: Writing Women: Creating and Describing Compelling Female Characters.AFFILIATE LINKS:Order our book here:Emily Brooks and Jon Meyers, WRITE ANYWAY: ⁠https://amzn.to/4erbV3G⁠Plus, WRITE ANYWAY, is now available on Kindle Unlimited: https://amzn.to/3ScKS2J⁠Order Gourmet Desserts shipped straight to your door from Drip Confections… https://dripconfections.com?sca_ref=6525184.0Dv4JzbUdyW7aj.Our Bookshop…https://bookshop.org/shop/write-better-togetherOur Patreon…https://www.patreon.com/WriteBetterTogetherCONNECT WITH US:YouTube/@writebettertogether ⁠www.instagram.com/WriteBetterTogether⁠⁠www.facebook.com/writebettertogethernow⁠⁠www.X.com/WriteBetterTgtr⁠CONNECT WITH EMILY BROOKS:www.emilybrookswriter.com⁠⁠www.instagram.com/EmilyBrooksWriter⁠www.facebook.com/EmilyBrooksAuthor⁠CONNECT WITH STEPHANIE L. JONEShttps://givingyourbestlife.com/homehttps://www.instagram.com/giving_gal/https://www.facebook.com/GivingGal/https://www.youtube.com/@StephanieLJones-GivingGalCONNECT WITH JON MEYERS: ⁠www.jonmeyersscripts.com⁠⁠www.instagram.com/FilmicThePage⁠⁠www.facebook.com/FilmicThePage⁠⁠www.X.com/FilmicThePage⁠You can contact David Corbly at OpenDoorCreations.com for all your website creation and/or website upgrading needs.Although we didn’t mention him in this episode, if you need a copy editor or proofreader, we recommend Brian Baker. Check out his bio, and you’ll see why: https://go.fiverr.com/visit/?bta=1084778&brand=fiverrmarketplace&landingPage=https%253A%252F%252Fwww.fiverr.com%252Fbbrianwallace%253Fsource%253Dgig_page%2526gigs%253Dslug%25253Aedit-your-resume-cover-letter-and-personal-statement%25252Cpckg_id%25253A1

Show Notes

WHO IS TAMIKO NESBITT? Exploring Inspirational Writing for Guideposts and Children’s Books

Exploring Inspirational Writing for Guideposts and Children’s Books will wind up inspiring YOU in return… EPISODE 60) Emily Brooks pre-maternity leave has officially pivoted into a bona fide maternity leave. Jon Meyers introduces Inspirational Writer Tamiko Nesbitt to Guest Host Stephanie L. Jones (“The Giving Gal”). Tamiko discusses her ongoing contributions to Guideposts Magazine‘s devotional series. Additionally, we talk…
WRITERS CONSIDER: There’s No Such Thing As Coincidence

Plus, Author Stephanie L. Jones Joins Us As Guest Host For The First Time Because… There’s No Such Thing As Coincidence EPISODE 59) Emily Brooks has left on her pre-maternity leave. Guest Host Stephanie L. Jones (“The Giving Gal”) joins Jon Meyers to discuss the reasons to consider: There is no such thing as coincidence.…
Understanding Your Self-Doubt Before It Morphs Into Depression

By Understanding Your Self-Doubt You Can Mitigate Its Impact EPISODE 58) We further the discussion we started last week about the impact of self-doubt on many writers/creatives. This time, we focus on having a deeper understanding of your self-doubt. Additionally, we talk about some healthy ways to possibly stave off depression. Plus, our book, WRITE ANYWAY,…
You CAN Overcome Self-Doubt As A Writer

Overcome Self-Doubt as We Watch a Brief Video with Some Tips from Lucy V Hay EPISODE 57) You can learn to overcome self-doubt. In fact, many writers, regardless of accomplishments, have self-doubt. We discuss. Also, Lucy V Hay stops by to offer some strategies via a video to overcome these concerns. Additionally, Lucy also has…
Considerations When Compiling or Submitting to Anthologies

Writer/Editor/Publishing Consultant Ami McConnell Shares Some Best Practices for Submitting to Anthologies EPISODE 56) WriterFest Founder/Writer/Editor/Publishing Consultant/Talent Matcher-Upper Ami McConnell returns to teach us all some best practices for submitting to anthologies. And she teaches us some of her behind the scenes considerations when compiling one. OUR HOSTS GET OUT OF THEIR BUBBLE Emily…
Meredith Lyons on Writing with Anxiety and Depression

EPISODE 55) Award-winning paranormal, science fiction, and fantasy author Meredith Lyons shares her journey with writing through anxiety and depression. If you live near Nashville, you can hear her talk even more about this at The Porch on May 14th! Learn more here! Meredith also just released her newest book, A Dagger of Lightning,…
Stephanie L. Jones Unleashes the Power of Gratitude

Plus, She Gives You Some Indie Press Tips EPISODE 54) Author Stephanie L. Jones is our first guest to ever join us for the entire episode. We teach her some things. She teaches us some things. Then we make a BIG ANNOUNCEMENT. She tells us about the power of gratitude and gives us some…
A Children’s Author/Playwright Wants To Know What Drives You

Plus … Some Observations on Food Allergies EPISODE 53) Sheila Gunlock is an actor, puppeteer, author, and playwright. She’s motivated by helping others — and it all started at a young age when she dropped some grapes on the floor. She cares about what drives you and reveals what drives her. Plus, find out…
How H.H. Rune’s Storytelling Benefits from the Creative Gift of ADHD

The Creative Gift of ADHD Allows H.H. Rune to Write with Hyper-focused Intentionality
AUDIOBOOKS 101: Emily Norman’s Insider Insights For You

Audiobooks 101 for Authors and Narrators WATCH HERE EPISODE 51) Audiobook Narrator Emily Norman shares her process along with considerations you should mull over if you decide your book might be a candidate for audio. She even shares with us how she decides which books/authors to pursue. There’s a lot to be learned here. We…
Kiersten Modglin’s Path to Freedom in Your Writing Life

Amazing Kiersten Modglin has written 50 books in just over 8 years. She inspires us. Now She inspires you. EPISODE 50) Million-plus selling author Kiersten Modglin teaches you some of the strategies she uses to be so prolific. All of them might not work for you, but a lot of them will. There’s something for…
Writing in Deep POV with Rene Gutteridge: A Novel Strategy

Writing in Deep POV Will Make Your Fiction More Compelling EPISODE 49) Author and Screenwriter Rene Gutteridge teaches us that writing in Deep POV will make our stories more emotionally fulfilling. OUR HOSTS GET OUT OF THEIR BUBBLE Emily goes to Florida to photograph birds. Jon Meyers goes to Paddington in Peru. No photography was…
PSYCHOLOGY IN LIFE AND WRITING with R.J. JACOBS

The Impact of a Psychology in Life and in Writing is Multifaceted and Fascinating EPISODE 48) Mystery Author and Psychologist R.J. Jacobs has a lot to say about storytelling, setting, characters, motivations, and … psychology. (And even more actually.) So, basically, psychology in life and writing is infused into part of the conversation. OUR HOSTS…
Finding Hope in Historical Dark Times with Jamie Ogle

Christy Award Winner Jamie Ogle Discusses Research and Finding Hope EPISODE 47) Christy Award winner Jamie Ogle explains how for her first novel Of Love and Treason, her research into the real St. Valentine and third century Rome helped her in finding hope amidst the past darkness. Then the discussion moves onto AD 310, in the shadow of…
PERFECTIONISM: Why It Blocks You and How To Address It (A Rebroadcast of Our January LIVE Webinar)

PERFECTIONISM – We discuss WHY it blocks you and offer some techniques to address the issue… EPISODE 46) In this fresh edit rebroadcast of our January LIVE webinar (“Perfectionism: Why It Blocks You…”), we discuss why people obsess over perfectionism, the impact of striving to attain the unattainable, and some strategies to make your creative…
WRITING MEMOIR FROM YOUR HEALING with LYNETA SMITH

Writing Memoir from your place of healing isn’t always easy. Lyneta Smith tells us why it’s worth it. EP. 45) Author Lyneta Smith (Curtain Call) discusses her unique approach to writing memoir and how coming from a place of healing helps you tell your story. Plus, she talks about how discovering the use of a framing…
MAKING THE MENTOR/MENTEE DYNAMIC WORK with STEPHANIE L. JONES and SARAH VESSELY

Our Guests Suggest Ways a Successful Mentor/Mentee Dynamic Can Work For You EP. 44) Award winning author, podcaster, speaker, coach Stephanie L. Jones discusses the responsibilities, considerations, and fun of mentoring other writers — basically, all the ways of making the mentor/mentee dynamic work.. Plus, you get an extra bonus guest, Sarah Vessely, who details the…
FINDING WHAT WORKS FOR YOU:

Jon Meyers’s Writing Process EP. 43) Finding What Works For You is important because everyone is different. From where ideas originate to ultimate peer review, Jon Meyers shares how his writing process has changed over time and what works for him now when —he writes his next screenplay —he adapts an existing screenplay into a novel…
STORY: What Is It? Can We Do Better?

(A Rebroadcast of Our November LIVE Webinar on STORY with NEW Content Added) EP. 42) We’ve added all new content before and after this recording of our LIVE WEBINAR on STORY (from November 2024). Emily and Jon Meyers explore the elements of Story and how to make your storytelling more effective. Members of our community…
Gratitude and Reflection Are Inextricably Linked: Our New Year’s Eve Episode

There is an acute awareness that our reflection is necessary for our gratitude.
Mental Health Tips for the Holidays and Being A Christian in Hollywood with Judy Go Wong

EP. 40) Actor/Author/Entrepreneur JUDY GO WONG (VEEP, House of Cards) talks about being a Christian in Hollywood and the importance of taking care of your Mental Health during the holidays. It is a very powerful conversation. . . . . NOTE OF CAUTION: For about three minutes, at 01:06:00, Judy discusses a real life situation of…
How Your Culture Impacts Your Creativity (with Vietnamese Writer/Producer Mai Lu’u Ly)

Mai Lu Ly is a Vietnamese filmmaker seeking to improve her society through story. Today, we talked about the fascinating world of Vietnamese storytelling in film and literature, and how censorship and culture affect story.
Finding What Works For You: Emily’s Writing Process

From brainstorming to revision, Emily shares how her writing process has changed over time and what worked for her when she wrote her most recent fantasy novel.
Cultivate Your Community (Online and In-Person) with Sandra Tayler

Author/Entrepreneur Sandra Tayler shares her process for cultivating multiple communities, balancing several projects at once, optimizing crowdfunding efforts, choosing the appropriate live events, and a host of other related independent publishing issues.
Finding Inspiration Outside of Your Bubble: Writer Fest 2024 (Afterthoughts #7)

We reflect on our takeaways from Writer Fest 2024 in Nashville!We were inspired by various presenters and friends, and today we talk about Aaron Covington, William Paul Young, Kiersten Modglin, Randa Newman, Korby Lenker, Mimi McCarley, and David L Hancock! LINKS The Arrangement by Kiersten Mogdlin – https://amzn.to/3Z3ddM2 All Kiersten Mogdlin books (all free with Kindle Unlimited) – https://amzn.to/4g6OFbN…
Research and a Unique Drafting Strategy with Dr. Matthew Huddleston

How do you research for your fiction? Physicist and professor Dr. Matthew Huddleston share his research process for his new novel, Final Eclipse, which included on-site exploration, interviews, and study, as well as his own personal expertise. He also shares his unique layering approach to drafting. Matthew’s Projects Final Eclipse Substack Youtube Channel Emily’s Inside…
What to Do with Your Finished Screenplay with Bob Sáenz

We talked (again!) with the wonderful screenwriter Bob Sáenz about marketing yourself and your scripts.
Keeping it Positive with Austin Francis

Austin Francis practices pitching and tells us about his networking experiences. We also talk about the movie business and what it takes to be a screenwriter. Then, Emily talks about her ringneck doves, and Jon Meyers and Emily play an “Underconsumption Core” scavenger hunt. Check back next week for our episode with Bob Sáenz where…
“I’m a writer, but…” What’s stopping you?

Are you a writer? Can you confidently say it?
How Confidence and Self-Esteem Impact Creativity (and we react to Aimee Carty’s “Baker”)

What is the difference between confidence and self-esteem, and how do they impact our creativity differently?