Shows
QWERTY Writing Life PodcastThe Future of QWERTYAuthors Joy E. Rancatore and Mea Smith wrap up Season 5 with a grateful and reflective look back and a huge announcement for the future of QWERTY Writing Life Podcast. You will want to catch the news and find out what’s next for the QWERTYs and their friends.
Check out the links referenced in the show:
Joy’s LAM Summer Reading Challenge: https://joyerancatore.com/summer-reading/
Learn more about their book on writing critique partners, Finders Keepers: A Practical Approach to Find and Keep Your Writing Critique Partner: https://www.logosandmythospress.com/finders-keepers
2024-05-2133 minQWERTY Writing Life PodcastInterview with a Creative: Joy E. Rancatore on Mindsets That MatterAuthor Joy E. Rancatore muses on the might of mindset in this special QWERTY interview with a creative. Mea Smith asks Joy clarifying and deepening questions to dive well below the surface of the topic and prompts her to share a special QWERTY challenge with listeners.
Tune in to be challenged, enlightened and motivated.
Check out the links referenced in the show:
Learn more about their book on writing critique partners, Finders Keepers: A Practical Approach to Find and Keep Your Writing Critique Partner: https://www.logosandmythospress.com/finders-keepers
Or...2024-05-0756 minQWERTY Writing Life PodcastInterview with a Creative: Mea Smith: Creativity and Our WorthAuthor Mea Smith discusses her journey through determining her worth and shares epiphanies about how it connects to creativity in this special QWERTY interview with a creative. Joy E. Rancatore asks Mea foundational and process questions and prompts her to share a special QWERTY challenge with listeners.
Tune in to be inspired, enlightened and uplifted.
Check out the episode about Mea’s poetry book referenced in the show:
QWERTY Writing Life, Season 2, Episode 47: “A Poetic Arc: The Birth of a Poetry Book”: https://qwertywritinglife.podbean.com/e/a-poetic-arc-the-birth-of-a-poetry-book/
Subscribe to the QWERTY’...2024-04-161h 03QWERTY Writing Life PodcastThe Importance of Motivation in CreativityAuthors Joy E. Rancatore and Mea Smith dispel negative emotions toward motivation in the creative life for Episode 15 in Season 5 of QWERTY Writing Life.
They present a QWERTY theory about the aspects of motivation and two QWERTY-identified types of motivation. Personal examples from their recent creative lives show how they arrived at this candid chat. And, they end with ten observations about motivation and a practical implementation that flows into the QWERTY Challenge.
Check out the links referenced in the show:
Mea’s poetry book, Grief Like a River: https://storyswell.net...2024-04-0231 minQWERTY Writing Life PodcastMotivation to MoveRecently, authors Joy E. Rancatore and Mea Smith met with a group of writers on a college campus. One of the students asked a question that has spurred ongoing conversation between Mea and Joy … and this episode!
“What is your motivation to publish? What keeps your butt in the chair to finish a project and get it out there?”
Listen in as Joy and Mea share specific answers to how they achieved publication of some of their books as well as more general reasons behind why they choose to share in the first place.
They...2024-03-1933 minQWERTY Writing Life PodcastBenefits of Writing Across FormatsAuthors Joy E. Rancatore and Mea Smith highlight five benefits of writing across formats and genres in this episode of QWERTY Writing Life. They pull from their work and life experiences to exemplify each point and challenge listeners to add to the conversation.
Check out the links referenced in the show:
Joy’s Summer Reading Challenge: https://joyerancatore.com/summer-reading/
QWERTY Writing Life Podcast, Season 3, Episode 17, “Fundamental Standards for Creatives”: https://qwertywritinglife.podbean.com/e/fundamental-standards-for-creatives/
Mea’s poetry book, Grief Like a River: https://storyswell.net/books
Learn more abo...2024-03-0531 minQWERTY Writing Life PodcastBalancing Vulnerability and Memories in ArtAuthors Joy E. Rancatore and Mea Smith approach a challenging topic in Season 5, Episode 12 of QWERTY Writing Life—how to balance vulnerability and memories in art. They offer five tips to avoid unhealthy bleeding out of emotions in public art while still seizing the opportunity to heal through creativity.
In addition to practical tips creatives can implement, Joy and Mea share personal examples from their own books to show how they’ve used or are using their tips to share emotional pieces with readers.
Check out the links referenced in the show:
Marching Nort...2024-02-2053 minQWERTY Writing Life PodcastHow Do We Add to the Great Conversation?In Season 5, Episode 11 of QWERTY Writing Life, authors Joy E. Rancatore and Mea Smith answer the question, “How do we add to the Great Conversation?” To do that, they came up with four thoughts on the how of it all to round out this mini series on the Great Conversation.
Check out the episodes and books referenced in the show:
QWERTY Writing Life, Season 5, Episode 5, Interview with a Creative: Dan Blank on Creative Place & Purpose podcast episode: https://qwertywritinglife.podbean.com/e/interview-with-a-creative-dan-blank-on-creative-place-purpose/
QWERTY Writing Life, Season 5, Episode 5, Interview with a Creative: Dan Blan...2024-02-0646 minQWERTY Writing Life PodcastWhat is the Great Conversation?Authors Joy E. Rancatore and Mea Smith begin a few thoughts about the Great Conversation. In Episode 9 of Season 5’s QWERTY Writing Life, they seek to answer the question “What is the Great Conversation?”
Check out the links referenced in the show:
Joy’s 12 Days of Reading
https://www.facebook.com/groups/twelvedaysofreading
Simon Schama, The Power of Art https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/19797.The_Power_of_Art
Joseph Campbell, The Hero with a Thousand Faces https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/588138.The_Hero_With_a_Thousand_Faces
Su...2024-01-0229 minQWERTY Writing Life PodcastJumpstart Creativity with PromptsAuthors Joy E. Rancatore and Mea Smith encourage creatives to play this holiday season and jumpstart their creativity with prompts. In this episode of QWERTY Writing Life, they give five types of prompts for creatives and then share examples from their lives of how each can be used.
Check out the links referenced in the show:
Blog Battle: https://bbprompt.com/
Tales of the Faerie Shepherds (stories by Joy, many inspired by Blog Battle prompts): https://joyerancatore.com/my-writings/tales-of-the-faerie-shepherds/
Reedsy has a weekly writing prompt contest you can have fun...2023-12-1947 minQWERTY Writing Life PodcastRedefining Self CareAuthors Joy E. Rancatore and Mea Smith present perhaps their most candid QWERTY Writing Life episode yet. They don’t have any earth-shattering answers for the questions they pose on the topic of redefining self care. What they do have are honest reflections from their own lives and examples of how to redefine self care, specifically for the creative life.
As shared in the show, this is the QWERTY Definition of Self-Care:
How we care for ourselves physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually (all the ways that make us human beings) that enables us to pour in...2023-11-2148 minQWERTY Writing Life PodcastInterview with a Creative: Dan Blank on Creative Place & PurposeDan Blank, founder of WeGrowMedia, visits QWERTY Writing Life and chats with authors Joy E. Rancatore and Mea Smith about Creative Place and Purpose.
He gives practical tips on how to take overwhelming aspects of the creative life—marketing, author platform, author purpose and mission statements, collaborations and audience—and make them manageable, approachable and even fun.
Dan also explains his "human-centered approach to marketing" and shows how it plays out in the lives of authors through real-life examples.
Learn more from Dan at these links:
Subscribe at Substack for his week...2023-11-0753 min
Prosodia 2023 | VoiceLetterE02 | Mariana Vaccaro / Podcaster@s"Hay cierta información que si no le preguntamos la oyente, no la tenemos. Está bueno haber llegado a más de 2300 personas de diferentes países para entender cuales son sus preferencias de escucha"
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Este es el podcast de Prosodia, producido desde el Polo de Contenidos Digitales de Málaga por Qwerty Podcast.
Con Manuel Copano, Andrés Segura, Patricia Villasante, Carmen Márquez y Óscar Gómez.
2023-10-1709 minQWERTY Writing Life PodcastWhere Is Your Art’s Place in the Creative World?In Season 5, Episode 4 of QWERTY Writing Life, Authors Joy E. Rancatore and Mea Smith bring back a previous question, with a twist.
Where Is Your Art’s Place in the Creative World?
Answering where an artist fits in the creative world is one challenge that comes with easy to follow questions. Placing art, though, can be more complicated. Joy and Mea share three perspectives to ease the task and guide fellow creatives.
Check out the links referenced in the show:
QWERTY Writing Life Podcast, Season 5, Episode 3: “Authors & Readers: Let’s Get Togeth...2023-10-1738 min
Prosodia 2023 | VoiceLetterE01 | Luis Miguel Pedrero / Universidad Nebrija«La inmediatez del pódcast es la satisfacción inmediata de algo que cada persona puede elegir y cada vez ese abanico de elección es más amplio»
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Este es el podcast de Prosodia, producido desde el Polo de Contenidos Digitales de Málaga por Qwerty Podcast.
Con Manuel Copano, Andrés Segura, Patricia Villasante, Carmen Márquez y Óscar Gómez.
2023-10-1409 min
Prosodia 2023 | VoiceLetterE00 | Presentación’VoiceLetter’ es el formato desarrollado por Qwerty Podcast para ofrecer información sobre distintos ámbitos en audio digital. Se implanta en todo tipo de eventos y encuentros, y también es utilizado por empresas e instituciones para informar a sus respectivas comunidades. En el marco de ’Prosodia’, el formato desarrolla, en una colección de píldoras con formato de entrevistas breves, el contenido de ponencias académicas, presentaciones profesionales y mesas de debate, y da a conocer los perfiles de los participantes en el encuentro.
Este es el podcast de Prosodia, producido desde el Polo de Contenidos Dig...2023-10-1300 minQWERTY Writing Life PodcastAuthors and Readers: Let’s Get Together!Authors Joy E. Rancatore and Mea Smith tackle a huge topic in this episode of QWERTY Writing Life: bringing Authors and Readers together.
They seek to reduce the overwhelm of the topic, though, through a set of six lessons they’ve learned over their years as Creatives.
Check out the links referenced in the show as well as a few suggestions for fellow authors seeking to identify their ideal readers:
QWERTY Writing Life Podcast, Season 5, Episode 1, “Calibrate Your Creative Purpose”: https://qwertywritinglife.podbean.com/e/calibrate-your-creative-purpose/
QWERTY Writing Life Podcast, Season 5, Episod...2023-10-0329 minQWERTY Writing Life PodcastWhere Is Your Place in the Creative World?Since childhood, people ask that loaded question: “Where Do I Fit In?” Creatives still ask that question, but with a twist:
“Where Is My Place in the Creative World?”
Authors Joy E. Rancatore and Mea Smith have asked the same question, and they’ve developed a three-tiered approach to help Creatives answer where they belong.
In this episode, Joy and Mea provide Creatives with 11 questions to answer. These prompts cover the first two tiers of finding your place in the creative world. The third tier—connecting with the right creative audience—will be covered more t...2023-09-1932 minQWERTY Writing Life PodcastCalibrate Your Creative PurposeAuthors Joy E. Rancatore and Mea Smith have been prepping for a life-changing literary submission. As part of that, they must submit an Artist’s Statement. Neither of them was sure what that was, but after a bit of research, they discovered they’ve been crafting theirs for the past several years.
Listen in as they take this discovery and share how their statements have developed organically over their time as evolving creatives. In reference to their creative purposes, Joy and Mea explain how those important foundational details have adapted over time as they’ve grown as author...2023-09-0523 minQWERTY Writing Life PodcastReflections on Season Four of QWLAuthors Joy E. Rancatore and Mea Smith reflect on the fourth season of QWERTY Writing Life and celebrate the highlights while announcing plans for the future. Tune in for opportunities to weigh in on upcoming creative opportunities and a challenge to help you plan your next steps.
Check out the book and the previous episodes referenced in the show:
Finders Keepers: A Practical Approach to Find and Keep Your Writing Critique Partner: https://www.logosandmythospress.com/finders-keepers
QWERTY Writing Life, Season 4, Episode 7, “Artist as a Work in Progress”: https://qwertywritinglife.podbean.com/e/arti...2023-05-2335 minQWERTY Writing Life PodcastReflecting on a Creative ProjectSeason Four of QWERTY Writing Life has been full of productivity, surprises and lessons learned. Authors Joy E. Rancatore and Mea Smith reflect on the season and the projects they have managed along the way.
Tune in for thoughts on embracing the finiteness of time and the depth we add to our creative selves when we simply live life and much more. The QWERTY Challenge is geared toward helping you celebrate your creative accomplishments.
Check out the book and the previous episodes referenced in the show:
Finders Keepers: A Practical Approach to Find...2023-05-0923 minQWERTY Writing Life PodcastCreative Momentum: Returning to a ProjectAuthors Joy E. Rancatore and Mea Smith got together in person to complete the project they’ve been working on throughout Season Four. Tune in to hear how it went and what else the duo accomplished while they were together.
As usual, the QWERTYs have insights and tips to share through this candid chat from their creative lives.
Check out these links mentioned in the show:
Finders Keepers: A Practical Approach to Find and Keep Your Writing Critique Partner: https://www.logosandmythospress.com/finders-keepers
QWERTY Writing Life, Season 4, Episode 14, “Creatively Redeeming a Ti...2023-04-1819 minQWERTY Writing Life PodcastGetting Creative with PerspectivesAuthors Joy E. Rancatore and Mea Smith understand what it’s like to feel stuck or uncertain in the creative process. They propose we all approach our creative endeavors from a new perspective, every now and then.
Tune in for six distinct creative perspectives, complete with examples from various mediums. Accept the QWERTY Challenge to share your own examples, as well as other perspectives you’ve utilized.
Check out these links mentioned in the show:
Finders Keepers: A Practical Approach to Find and Keep Your Writing Critique Partner: https://www.logosandmythospress.com/finders-keepers
2023-04-0432 minQWERTY Writing Life PodcastCreatively Redeeming a Time GapAuthors Joy E. Rancatore and Mea Smith found themselves with an unexpected time gap in their current creative project and found a way to creatively redeem that gift. Tune in for a few tips and tricks for making the most of the gift of time in this episode of QWERTY Writing Life.
Check out these links mentioned in the show:
Finders Keepers: A Practical Approach to Find and Keep Your Writing Critique Partner: https://www.logosandmythospress.com/finders-keepers
QWERTY Writing Life, Season 4, Episode 1, “Choosing Your Next Project”: https://qwertywritinglife.podbean.com/e/choosing-your-next-project/
2023-03-2122 minQWERTY Writing Life PodcastWhen Your Pivot Needs to PivotAuthors Joy E. Rancatore and Mea Smith share some words of wisdom for fellow creatives who find themselves in need of a double pivot. Creative processes require flexibility and introspection. When creatives try something new, it may work great; other times, though, that new approach may need some alterations.
Check out these links mentioned in the show:
Finders Keepers: A Practical Approach to Find and Keep Your Writing Critique Partner: https://www.logosandmythospress.com/finders-keepers
Maggie Stiefvater, The Scorpio Races: https://maggiestiefvater.com/novels/the-scorpio-races/
Writing with Maggie Stiefvater Seminar: https...2023-03-0730 minQWERTY Writing Life PodcastCreativity: Are You Sitting or Steeping? Part 2Authors Joy E. Rancatore and Mea Smith follow up their previous episode with a look at how creative habits can keep us from falling into the procrastination trap and avoid stagnant sitting. From there, they offer practical tips to enhance the steeping stage and get all we can from times of percolation.
Check out these links mentioned in the show:
Finders Keepers: A Practical Approach to Find and Keep Your Writing Critique Partner: https://www.logosandmythospress.com/finders-keepers
GOOD, Jocko Willink: https://youtu.be/IdTMDpizis8
Subscribe to the QWERTY’s monthly ne...2023-02-2149 minQWERTY Writing Life PodcastCreativity: Are You Sitting or Steeping? Part 1Authors Joy E. Rancatore and Mea Smith discuss the difference between sitting and steeping, creatively speaking. Creatives can commonly fall into a time of procrastination or of percolation. Often, the line between the two can be a bit blurry, and we may not always recognize which one we are doing.
In episode 11 of season 4 of QWERTY Writing Life, Joy and Mea provide examples of each and leave you with two surefire ways to know which you’re doing.
Check out these links mentioned in the show:
Finders Keepers: A Practical Approach to Find an...2023-02-0752 minQWERTY Writing Life PodcastWhat You Need to Build on a Completed ProjectAuthors Joy E. Rancatore and Mea Smith continued discussion about new creative projects coming from past ones makes the perfect starting point for any creative considering a new work-in-progress.
They share the top five needs a Creative should meet in order to begin a new project.
Check out these links mentioned in the show:
Finders Keepers: A Practical Approach to Find and Keep Your Writing Critique Partner: https://www.logosandmythospress.com/finders-keepers
Any Good Thing and Carolina’s Legacy Collection: https://www.logosandmythospress.com/carolinas-legacy-collection
Grief Like A River be...2023-01-1737 minQWERTY Writing Life PodcastHow Past Projects Fuel New Creative WorksAuthors Joy E. Rancatore and Mea Smith chat about how past projects can fuel new creative works as they consider both internal and external sources for ideas. Packed full of examples, this episode includes the QWERTYs’ tips and suggestions with a two-part Challenge to get creatives started.
Check out the links mentioned in the show:
Finders Keepers: A Practical Approach to Find and Keep Your Writing Critique Partner: https://www.logosandmythospress.com/finders-keepers
Any Good Thing and Carolina’s Legacy Collection: https://www.logosandmythospress.com/carolinas-legacy-collection
Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi: http...2023-01-0336 minQWERTY Writing Life PodcastGo Introspect Yourself!Authors Joy E. Rancatore and Mea Smith relay a piece of repeated advice from a new perspective. Creatives’ introspection benefits their work, their lives and so much more. Find out how in Season 4, Episode 8 and then go introspect yourself!
Check out these links mentioned in the show:
Finders Keepers: A Practical Approach to Find and Keep Your Writing Critique Partner: https://www.logosandmythospress.com/finders-keepers
Subscribe to the QWERTY’s monthly newsletter (be sure to click the box next to “opt in to receive news and updates” and check your spam for the confirma...2022-12-2035 minQWERTY Writing Life PodcastArtist as a Work in ProgressAuthors Joy E. Rancatore and Mea Smith examine the idea of the artist as a work in progress. While Creatives’ products grow and evolve over time, so do the Creators. Joy and Mea discuss some surprising benefits to this reality as well as the source of their epiphany in this episode.
Check out these links mentioned in the show:
Finders Keepers: A Practical Approach to Find and Keep Your Writing Critique Partner: https://www.logosandmythospress.com/finders-keepers
J.F. Penn’s Arkane series: https://jfpenn.com/book-tag/arkane/
Marie Forleo’s Instag...2022-12-0635 minQWERTY Writing Life PodcastHow to Drop a ProjectAuthors Joy E. Rancatore and Mea Smith asked themselves a tough question for this episode, “Are we willing to drop this project, even after years of blood, sweat and tears.” Their candid answer inspired reflection and epiphanies they had to share with fellow creatives.
For more about NaNoWriMo and the hosts’ book, head to these links:
National Novel Writing Month, AKA NaNoWriMo: https://nanowrimo.org/
Finders Keepers: A Practical Approach to Find and Keep Your Writing Critique Partner: https://www.logosandmythospress.com/finders-keepers
Subscribe to the QWERTY’s monthly newsletter (be sure to...2022-11-1545 minQWERTY Writing Life Podcast4.4: How to Continue a Project When the Wheels Fall OffAuthors Joy E. Rancatore and Mea Smith continue work on their joint project, despite upheaval in their personal lives. Tune in to find out the next steps they’ve taken and decisions they’ve made; plus, you’ll hear a few tips for continuing a project when the wheels fall off!
If you’d like more information on previous episodes and other fun shareables mentioned in the show, here are the links:
Mea’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/measmithwrites/
Finders Keepers: A Practical Approach to Find and Keep Your Writing...2022-10-1831 minQWERTY Writing Life PodcastThe Relevancy Of Creative PotentialAuthor Mea Smith takes a solo journey in episode three as she dives into whether defining creative potential is helpful or harmful. The answer might surprise you!
Links mentioned in this episode:
Go & Tell Gals, How Do I Live Up To My Potential?
https://open.spotify.com/episode/40yjvz0Gj5pFnZtlUFo6TW?si=L5NG8HZNSiaiJw7yAkcIOw
QWERTY Writing Life, Created to Create
https://qwertywritinglife.podbean.com/e/created-to-create-1568658626/
Subscribe to our monthly newsletter (be sure to click the box next to “opt in to...2022-10-0418 minQWERTY Writing Life PodcastChoosing Your Next ProjectSeason 4 of QWERTY Writing Life kicks off with a productive bang, as authors Joy E. Rancatore and Mea Smith share their approach to choosing the next QWERTY project.
Listen in as they recap their challenges, epiphanies, lessons learned and best tips for working together on choosing their next collaborative project.
If you’d like more information on episodes or products mentioned in the show, here are the links:
Fundamental Standards for Creatives, Season 3, Episode 17: https://qwertywritinglife.podbean.com/e/fundamental-standards-for-creatives/
Alphasmart Neo 2—you have to buy this used, but here is a re...2022-09-0650 minQWERTY Writing Life PodcastSeason Three Recap and Our QWERTY FutureAuthors Joy E. Rancatore and Mea Smith reflect on their third season of QWERTY Writing Life and share your favorite episodes and theirs. They also share what the winds of change are blowing in for QWERTY Writing Life. Tune in for a peek at what’s coming!
If you’d like to listen to the episodes we mentioned in the show for the first … or fifteenth! … time, here are the links:
QWERTY Workshop: Starting a Story Together: https://qwertywritinglife.podbean.com/e/qwerty-workshop-starting-a-story-together/
Realistic Creatives: Who They Are: https://qwertywritinglife.podbean.com/e/realisti...2022-05-1731 minQWERTY Writing Life PodcastWhat’s Saving Our Creative LivesAuthors Joy E. Rancatore and Mea Smith answer the question, What’s Saving Our Creative Lives? Their answers come coated in candor and practicality.
Send them a message with your answers as well, and they might just read them on a future episode!
To learn more about the episode’s inspiration and the tools mentioned, visit the following links:
The Next Right Thing Podcast: Emily P. Freeman: https://emilypfreeman.com/podcast/222/
Aqua Notes: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00A3VJ7UK
Gold Bond Crepe Corrector Lotion: https://www.amaz...2022-05-0342 minQWERTY Writing Life PodcastWaiting on the MuseCreatives tend to spend much of their valuable time “Waiting on the Muse.” Authors Joy E. Rancatore and Mea Smith debunk some misconceptions and encourage fellow Creatives to journey with the Muse in mind.
Listen to Season 3, Episode 20, Creative Trust: https://qwertywritinglife.podbean.com/e/creative-trust-trusting-yourself-in-creative-endeavors/
Continue the conversation and stay in the know for all things QWERTY—subscribe to their monthly newsletter: https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/z9f1z5
Intro music created and performed by Brent Smith.
Continue this week’s chat via email at qwertywritinglife [at] gmail [dot] com...2022-04-1927 minQWERTY Writing Life PodcastFear of SuccessCreatives often discuss fear, but Fear of Success isn’t always up for discussion. The Fear of Success can cripple a Creative. It can render us incapable of producing creative works. It can trick us into not even trying. It can stifle our voice and convince us of every misbelief in the book that keeps us from reaching our full potential as creative entrepreneurs.
Authors Joy E. Rancatore and Mea Smith take a stand against this monster and share their experiences, along with a few tips that have helped them create beyond the fear.
If thi...2022-04-0536 minQWERTY Writing Life PodcastCreative Trust: Trusting Yourself in Creative EndeavorsDo you struggle with trusting yourself when it comes to your creative pursuits? Do you doubt your abilities or count your work’s worth short?
Authors Joy E. Rancatore and Mea Smith have been there, too. Tune in to this episode for a candid chat on the dangers of lacking creative trust and some of the misbeliefs that lead to such a mindset. Joy and Mea also share a few tips for how they overcome their self distrust.
Check out links for mentions from this episode:
Anna Bright, author of Beholder and Boundless: ht...2022-03-1558 minQWERTY Writing Life PodcastCreative Kits for Publicity and AudienceHow can creatives be prepared at all times for interactions with influencers or consumers of their art?
Authors Joy E. Rancatore and Mea Smith suggest Creative Kits. Investing time and resources into preparing these items—either hard copy or digital or both—allows creatives the freedom to make the most of any opportunity that comes their way.
In this episode, learn more about what these kits are, what they might include, how to put them together, where to house them and what tips Joy and Mea have to make your kits the best they can be.2022-03-0148 minQWERTY Writing Life PodcastFinding Your Creative Business FocusBusiness owners consider Focus one of the top tools of their trade, regardless of the type of work they do. Creative Business Owners are no different; in fact, as authors Joy E. Rancatore and Mea Smith share in this episode, Focus is an ever-changing constant for them. With each new season, they must reevaluate their Focus and determine how to achieve the goals that are most vital to their creativity and business at that time.
Follow these links to dig deeper into the topic:
Dan Blank’s website with more information about Creative Clarity Cards an...2022-02-1544 minQWERTY Writing Life PodcastFundamental Standards for CreativesAuthors Joy E. Rancatore and Mea Smith explore the importance of Fundamental Standards for Creatives. These core values or beliefs can be used as a tool to guide reactions to readers, publishers and reviewers or to influence business decisions. Listen in for definitions of Fundamental Standards and Touchstone Affirmations, examples from the authors’ own businesses and four action steps to turn this concept into practical use.
If you’d like to subscribe to the monthly QWERTY Writing Life newsletter, click this link: https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/z9f1z5
Intro music created and perf...2022-02-0129 minQWERTY Writing Life PodcastCreatives, Assemble! Co-Writing NonfictionYou want to collaborate with a partner to produce something big—maybe a book? In this episode, authors Joy E. Rancatore and Mea Smith bring you some tips that have helped them launch a nonfiction book, a podcast and a brand together.
In keeping with their candid style, Joy and Mea keep this topic real and raw and fun.
Learn more about their book on writing critique partners, Finders Keepers: A Practical Approach to Find and Keep Your Writing Critique Partner: https://www.logosandmythospress.com/finders-keepers
If you’d like to subscribe to the...2022-01-1834 minQWERTY Writing Life PodcastA Creative Approach to BeginningsAuthors Joy E. Rancatore and Mea Smith view a new year through a different lens. Join them for A Creative Approach to Beginnings. The key to approaching something new with lessons in tow might rest in spending a few extra moments with past failures or suffering.
Learn more about Abigail Dodds and her book, (A)Typical Woman: Free, Whole and Called in Christ, at her website: https://hopeandstay.com.
Find out more about Mea’s book, Grief Like a River, including where to get your own copy, on her website: https://storyswell.net/books.
I...2022-01-0428 minQWERTY Writing Life PodcastQWERTY Workshop: Starting a Story TogetherAuthors Joy E. Rancatore and Mea Smith take inspiration from the Writing with Maggie Stiefvater seminar and put their QWERTY twist on an exercise for a special workshop—Starting a Story Together.
Tune in for some tips on how to collaborate with a creative friend on a new type of project. How could a creative team-up boost your personal projects or pave the way for new opportunities in the future?
If you’re a writer, check out the highly recommended Writing with Maggie Stiefvater Course: https://www.etsy.com/listing/806360184/writing-with-maggie-stiefvater-8-hour
If you...2021-12-211h 22QWERTY Writing Life PodcastThe Lighter Things: Entertainment That InspiresIn this episode of QWERTY Writing Life, authors Joy E. Rancatore and Mea Smith consider the topic “Filling the Creative Well” from a different perspective. They examine how consuming entertainment, for the creative, is a deeper pastime. Creative stimulation continues with the reflection afterward. With this combination of consuming entertainment with a creative spirit and a reflection on what it has given comes the incorporation of these new thoughts and ideas into personal creativity.
Check out some of Mea and Joy’s inspiration:
Alexandra Bracken: https://www.instagram.com/alexbracken/
Black Panther: https://m.imdb...2021-12-0741 minQWERTY Writing Life PodcastThe Little Things: Gratitude & CreativityAuthors Joy E. Rancatore and Mea Smith give thanks for the “little things.” Listen in to their candid chat about how the holidays often cause us to put on blinders to the good things around us. Those blinders keep our focus locked on to whatever big emotions we are feeling and how those feels are affecting us.
When we recognize the blinders for what they are and cast them aside, we can finally notice the “little things”—flowers, a breeze, the sunlight through the trees. Soon, these “little” things grow huge as they swell our gratitude. Living with a gratefu...2021-11-1629 minQWERTY Writing Life PodcastCreative Ways to Binge Your CraftBingeing craft techniques allows Creatives to immerse themselves in learning or inspiration, but it’s not always possible in traditional ways. Authors Joy E. Rancatore and Mea Smith color outside the lines with a few unusual ways to accomplish this feat.
They split bingeing into three categories and give examples of each from their own lives. Creatives can binge their craft through creative instruction, practice and consumption. As the co-hosts discuss, it’s important to explore all three to maintain a balanced creative life.
Visit the following links for recommendations from the show:
Writ...2021-11-0219 minQWERTY Writing Life PodcastRealistic Creatives: How to be OneTo close out this three-part series on Realistic Creatives, authors Joy E. Rancatore and Mea Smith recap what they’ve learned and shared so far in order to answer one final practical question: “How can we alter our mindset to be a Realistic Creative … without wrecking our Dreamer status?”
Listen in to a previous episode mentioned in this show:
Season 1, Episode 35, Goal Planning with 2020 Vision, Part 1
If you want to stay in the know and help influence future episodes, subscribe to the monthly QWERTY Writing Life newsletter:
https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms...2021-10-1937 minQWERTY Writing Life PodcastRealistic Creatives: Who They Aren’tAuthors Joy E. Rancatore and Mea Smith continue a three-part series on Realistic Creatives. In this second episode, they identify a few characteristics of who Realistic Creatives are not.
Check out the links we mentioned in the show:
Writing with Maggie Stiefvater Course
Season 2, Episode 4: Getting the Most from Creative Instruction, Part 1
If you want to stay in the know and help influence future episodes, subscribe to the monthly QWERTY Writing Life newsletter:
https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/z9f1z5
Intro music created and performed...2021-10-0529 minQWERTY Writing Life PodcastRealistic Creatives: Who They AreAuthors Joy E. Rancatore and Mea Smith begin a three-part series on Realistic Creatives. In this episode, they set a foundation for the topic and identify a few characteristics of who Realistic Creatives are.
Check out these previous episodes that inspired the Realistic Creatives series:
Season 2, Episode 38: Creative Entrepreneurship: Little Steps Every Day
Season 3, Episode 2: Productivity & Efficiency for Creatives
If you want to stay in the know and help influence future episodes, subscribe to the monthly QWERTY Writing Life newsletter:
https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/z9f1z52021-09-2136 minQWERTY Writing Life PodcastCreative Hacks: Efficiency for PlatformCreatives talk a lot about platform and branding. We create things, but we do that for others. If we don’t have a public presence, how will those “others” find our work?
Platform and branding takes time, though, so—you guessed it—authors Joy E. Rancatore and Mea Smith are hacking this too! Listen in on a few Creative Hacks to improve efficiency for platform and branding in this final in a five-part series.
If you want to stay in the know and help influence future episodes, subscribe to the monthly QWERTY Writi...2021-09-0824 minQWERTY Writing Life PodcastCreative Hacks: Efficiency for BusinessCreative business owners have a unique challenge to use both right and left sides of the brain to create and then to get the product out into the world. Authors Joy E. Rancatore and Mea Smith share a few Creative Hacks to improve efficiency for business.
When you find ways to streamline tasks or utilize templates, you might find yourself with a little more time and/or mental capacity for the creative side we all prefer.
If you want to stay in the know and help influence future episodes, subscribe to the monthly QWERTY Writing...2021-08-1732 minQWERTY Writing Life PodcastCreative Hacks: Efficiency for CraftWhen it comes to their craft, authors Joy E. Rancatore and Mea Smith love to learn. They may not be able to be students in the traditional sense, but they can wrangle a few creative hacks in order to keep learning while improving their efficiency for craft.
In this episode of QWERTY Writing Life, Joy and Mea share some hacks to deepen craft knowledge in an efficient manner. While their examples are specific to their own writing craft lives, these tips can be easily applied to other artistic mediums.
Want to check out our podcast...2021-08-0341 minQWERTY Writing Life PodcastCreative Hacks: Efficiency for TimeAuthors Joy E. Rancatore and Mea Smith take a bite out of time with another installment in their Creative Hacks series. Hear a few tips on finding Efficiency for Time. Joy and Mea share hacks that have worked for them and tips they’ve seen work for others.
Check out the links mentioned in the episode:
Tutorials that helped Mea cut her hair:
https://youtu.be/pkGCgg_kzcE
https://youtu.be/BPS3Ts_bZVI
Learn-Do-Become: https://learndobecome.com
If you want to stay in the know and help influence future episodes, sub...2021-07-2042 minQWERTY Writing Life PodcastCreative Hacks: Efficiency for Outlying FactorsAuthors Joy E. Rancatore and Mea Smith took a deep look at what productivity and efficiency really are in the last episode. That led them to discuss Outlying Factors—those ever-changing, often evolving or unpredictable forces that somehow affect efficiency and therefore productivity.
In this first in a series on Creative Hacks, Joy and Mea tackle ways to improve efficiency where Outlying Factors are concerned. Listen in for a few overall tips, as well as some specific examples from the co-hosts’ creative lives.
Check out the links mentioned in the episode:
https://youtu.be/Q...2021-07-0636 minQWERTY Writing Life PodcastProductivity and Efficiency for CreativesAuthors Joy E. Rancatore and Mea Smith set out on a mission to understand productivity and efficiency and how to better harness each for their creative endeavors. What they discovered was that they disagreed with the common use of productivity vs. efficiency and found the conjunction “and” to be a much nicer—and more accurate—joiner.
In true QWERTY style, Joy and Mea set up some QWERTY definitions for each of these words and took it a step further to identify a third category that greatly affects efficiency—and therefore, productivity. They call these “outlying factors” and examine what t...2021-06-1531 minQWERTY Writing Life PodcastMaximizing Creative TimeWelcome to Season Three of QWERTY Writing Life!
Authors Joy E. Rancatore and Mea Smith are pumped to be back for a new season, and they’ve made several changes and additions to the QWERTY name. Listen in for the scoop, plus they’ve got some tips for you to Maximize Your Creative Time!
They have found a way to do more in the same amount of time by simply reallocating and maximizing the time they already had. Hear their tips and share your own via any of the new QWERTY links below!
Our...2021-06-0120 minQWERTY Writing Life PodcastSeason Two: A QWERTY ReviewJoin authors Joy E. Rancatore and Mea Smith for the final episode of Season Two of QWERTY Writing Life. They revisit your Top Ten favorite episodes and share their favorites as well. They let you know the highlights of their year—personally and QWERTY-ly—and close out with a tease for Season Three—yes, it’s coming!
If you want to stay in the know and help influence future episodes, subscribe to the monthly QWERTY Writing Life newsletter:
https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/z9f1z5
Did you hear about an episode you miss...2021-05-2533 minQWERTY Writing Life PodcastCulinary CreativityCulinary Manager Tony Rancatore joins his wife, author Joy E. Rancatore, to discuss Culinary Creativity and how anyone can find ways to bring creativity to the kitchen. Listen in as he shares how the kitchen allows him a creative outlet and get some tips for how it could do the same for you.
Watch two of our favorite cooking shows:
Beat Bobby Flay, https://www.foodnetwork.com/shows/beat-bobby-flay
Cajun Aces, https://www.foodnetwork.com/shows/cajun-aces
Stay in the know about episodes, our speaking engagements and what goes on behind...2021-05-1829 minQWERTY Writing Life PodcastCreative LegacyAuthor Joy E. Rancatore reflects on some ways others’ creative legacies have impacted her life and expounds on how she actively seeks to promote creative legacy in her own life. She shares some ways legacy has played a role in her fiction and closes out the episode with a two-part challenge for reflection and action in regards to creative legacy.
Check out these important links mentioned in the episode:
Mea’s website where you can subscribe to her newsletter and be the first to know when her poetry book will be available: https://storyswell.net and...2021-05-1134 minQWERTY Writing Life PodcastCreativity and MotherhoodAuthors Kelsey Atkins and Rachael Ritchey join Joy E. Rancatore to discuss a special topic: Creativity and Motherhood. With Mother’s Day approaching in the U.S., they examine how creativity and motherhood complement one another and how children can inspire creativity in adults while adults do the same for children. Stick around for three QWERTY Challenges to send you off on a mission.
Get to know Rachael better:
https://www.rachaelritchey.com
https://www.instagram.com/RachaelRitchey
https://www.twitter.com/RachaelRitchey
https://www.facebook.com/RachaelRitcheyAuthor
...2021-05-0442 minQWERTY Writing Life PodcastPoetry’s Creative EffectsAs National Poetry Month rolls to a close, author Joy E. Rancatore considers Poetry’s Creative Effects on her life and the lives of others. She dives into some of her earliest memories that made her fall in love with the medium and analyzes some ways poetry has influenced her author life. To round out the month’s poetic emphasis, Joy reads a few of her poems.
If you haven’t watched a QWERTY episode on YouTube, this would be a great one for a switch. Joy will be sharing graphics with her poetry. While you’re there, s...2021-04-2733 minQWERTY Writing Life PodcastA Poetic Arc: The Birth of a Poetry BookYou may have heard of character arcs, but have you ever considered how poetry books can have arcs? Joy E. Rancatore and Mea Smith discuss this poetic arc through the birth of Mea’s forthcoming debut poetry book, Grief Like a River. They examine how the shift—or arc—in Mea’s personal life and her understanding of the grieving process lead to this overall theme and arc for that theme and how each choice she’s made along the way (the poems chosen, edits made, publication path followed and title accepted) has brought us this deep book that’s currently...2021-04-2051 minQWERTY Writing Life PodcastInterview with a Creative: Camille Myrick on Capturing NOW Through Poetry and ProcessJoy E. Rancatore and Mea Smith welcome author, poet and YouTuber extraordinaire Camille Myrick on their spring Interview with a Creative episode. They discuss the themes in Camille’s poetry and how she juggles her creative projects, all while capturing the now through poetry and process. Camille closes out with a simple but powerful QWERTY Challenge for us all.
Get to know more about Camille:
https://www.instagram.com/camillemyrick/
http://youtube.com/camillemyrick
https://twitter.com/camille_myrick
https://www.facebook.com/camillemyrick/
Check out these fi...2021-04-131h 06QWERTY Writing Life PodcastFinding Your Creative MediumHow do you find your creative medium? In this special throwback episode of QWERTY Writing Life, we’re discussing how it took us a while to land on the one creative outlet that makes our hearts sing. We’ll send you away with a special challenge to help you find yours as well.
Stay in the know about episodes, our speaking engagements and what goes on behind the microphones with our monthly QWERTY Writing Life Newsletter. You’ll also get the chance to influence our show’s content and be the first to know about big events! Here’s t...2021-04-0624 minQWERTY Writing Life PodcastCreative Women: Past, Present, FutureIn this throwback episode of QWERTY Writing Life, we highlight the inspiration many women have filled us with as we pay a tribute to the Creative Women of Our Past, Present and Future. They have each found creative ways to make our world a better place now and for the women of the future.
Here are all the amazing links we mentioned in this episode. Talk about INSPIRATION!
Article about books relating to the women behind the moon mission: https://milspousefest.com/7-books-tell-real-story-women-behind-moonshot/
Article about who really invented the cotton gin: http://historyexplorer...2021-03-3052 minQWERTY Writing Life PodcastLearning is for LifeAre you a lifelong learner? Authors Joy E. Rancatore and Mea Smith proudly claim to be, and they’re giving you four benefits to learning for life in Episode 43 of QWERTY Writing Life. Find inspiration in some quotes they found and consider how you can learn more this week. As with every QWERTY episode, you will leave this podcast with a Challenge to kickstart or continue your own learning journey.
Stay in the know about episodes, our speaking engagements and what goes on behind the microphones with our monthly QWERTY Writing Life Newsletter. You’ll also get the...2021-03-2333 minQWERTY Writing Life PodcastWinter QWERTY ChatJoin authors Joy E. Rancatore and Mea Smith in Episode 42 of QWERTY Writing Life for a recap of some of what they learned from the 2021 Women in Publishing Summit. They also talk about their current challenges and works in progress and share how their “creative trinity” is looking these days. They close out with a QWERTY Challenge that will help you evaluate how your creative life is going.
Stay in the know about episodes, our speaking engagements and what goes on behind the microphones with our monthly QWERTY Writing Life Newsletter. You’ll also get the chance to inf...2021-03-1634 minQWERTY Writing Life PodcastOne Story, Multiple MediumsHow many forms can one story take? What makes a story live and thrive in one medium but not another? Does the answer lie in the consumer of the art, in the producer of the art or in the art itself?
Authors Joy E. Rancatore and Mea Smith discuss some of their favorite books to movies or paintings to books to movies or movies to songs in Episode 41 of QWERTY Writing Life.
Stay in the know about episodes, our speaking engagements and what goes on behind the microphones with our monthly QWERTY Writing Life Newsletter...2021-03-0934 minQWERTY Writing Life PodcastWhat NOT to Say to a WriterHumor, truth and introspection collide in Episode 40 of QWERTY Writing Life. Hear a few examples of What NOT to Say to a Writer, as authors Joy E. Rancatore and Mea Smith share some they’ve heard. They continue with a few of the many kind things they’ve been told and discuss some of the purposes behind the good, bad and ugly statements creatives often face.
Subscribe to our monthly QWERTY Writing Life Newsletter!!! Stay in the know about episodes, our speaking engagements and what goes on behind the scenes. You’ll also be the first to know a...2021-03-0233 minQWERTY Writing Life PodcastWhat Do You Owe Your Audience?Life sometimes throws unexpected curve balls our way. When huge life events alter a creative’s productivity or future, what do they owe their audiences? Authors Joy E. Rancatore and Mea Smith tackle this issue in Episode 39 of QWERTY Writing Life and offer a few tips to prepare before something big happens.
Visit the links mentioned in this episode:
“Sharing You with the World,” QWERTY Writing Life, Season 2, Episode 12: https://qwertywritinglife.podbean.com/e/sharing-you-with-the-world/
Mea’s new website, Story Swell: https://storyswell.net
Brené Brown: https://brenebrown.com
Informati...2021-02-2336 minQWERTY Writing Life PodcastCreative Entrepreneurship: Little Steps Every DayThe world might make us think creative entrepreneurs are all overnight successes, but authors Joy E. Rancatore and Mea Smith set the record straight in Episode 38 of QWERTY Writing Life. With the inspiration of some entrepreneurs—including the one and only Dolly Parton—Joy and Mea discuss common themes in successful business owners and the little steps striving entrepreneurs can take every day.
If you’re a creative entrepreneur who struggles with taking those little steps every day and wonders if you should keep going—or get started—here are questions for your reflection as you work on this we...2021-02-1539 minQWERTY Writing Life PodcastFacing Creative InsecurityHave you found yourself stalled in creative endeavors because of insecurity? Authors Joy E. Rancatore and Mea Smith reflect on their own experiences in Episode 37 of QWERTY Writing Life. They share the highs and lows of their creative lives, while highlighting the steps they take in Facing Creative Insecurity.
Visit the links mentioned in this episode:
Season 1, Episode 5: Theory of Fear https://qwertywritinglife.podbean.com/e/blockades-to-creating-part-5/
Thanks for using our affiliate link to check out the 2021 Women in Publishing Summit: https://joyerancatore--writepublishsell.thrivecart.com/wip-2021-free/
Intro music created and p...2021-02-0937 minQWERTY Writing Life PodcastInterview with a Creative: Chloe Rouse on Finding the Story in Creative ProjectsSpoiler alert! Finding the Story in Creative Projects centers around listening and being present in each moment. Multimedia Storyteller Chloe Rouse Armstrong joins authors Joy E. Rancatore and Mea Smith in Episode 36 of QWERTY Writing Life to share how she’s learned this important truth and what it looks like in her daily life. As a marketer by day and photographer/videographer all the time, Chloe gets up close and personal with people’s stories. She’s learned the value in setting ego and preconceived notions aside and opening herself up to truly hearing the person before her and seeing...2021-02-0252 minQWERTY Writing Life PodcastSeizing Creative Success, Part 3: Words, Intentions & AffirmationsAuthors Joy E. Rancatore and Mea Smith turn their attention to the future in Episode 35 of QWERTY Writing Life. Grab your favorite drink or head out on a jog or snuggle in by a roaring fire to listen in on what Joy and Mea have planned for 2021. Take a moment afterward to drop them a line at the email below to share your words, intentions and affirmations for the new year.
Visit the links mentioned in this episode:
Season 1, Episode 35; Goal-Planning with 2020 Vision, Part 1: Template for Goal-Setting
https://qwertywritinglife.podbean.com/e...2021-01-2631 minQWERTY Writing Life PodcastSeizing Creative Success, Part 2: Lessons LearnedIn Episode 34 of QWERTY Writing Life, the second of a three-part series, authors Joy E. Rancatore and Mea Smith share some of their lessons learned in 2020. They weren’t all about writing, but isn’t all of life connected to our writing? Listen in to their candid confessions and drop them a line or two at the email address below to let them know what 2020 taught you.
Visit the links mentioned in this episode:
Atomic Habits by James Clear: https://jamesclear.com/atomic-habits; https://youtu.be/Q8ApZXWgJq4
Subscribe to Joy’s newsl...2021-01-1933 minQWERTY Writing Life PodcastSeizing Creative Success, Part 1: Alterations and Accomplishments2020 wasn’t the year anyone thought it would be, but that didn’t stop authors Joy E. Rancatore and Mea Smith from altering their plans and accomplishing things anyway. Tune in to Episode 33 of QWERTY Writing Life to hear how their year ended and then let them know how your 2020 went. Were you able to “Pivot!”
Visit the links mentioned in this episode:
Season 1, Episode 35; Goal-Planning with 2020 Vision, Part 1: Template for Goal-Setting
https://qwertywritinglife.podbean.com/e/goal-planning-with-2020-vision-part-i-template-for-goal-setting/
Season 1, Episode 36; Goal-Planning with 2020 Vision, Part 2: Goals in Action https://qwertywritinglife.podbean.com/e/go...2021-01-1231 minQWERTY Writing Life PodcastCreative Relationships & CollaborationsIn this new year, authors Joy E. Rancatore and Mea Smith encourage you to be brave, be bold, be … collaborative! Listen to Episode 32 of QWERTY Writing Life for some practical ways you can harness the power of creative relationships and potentially change the course of your creative futures.
Visit these links for a few things mentioned in this episode:
Maggie Stiefvater’s writing course: https://www.etsy.com/listing/806360184/writing-with-maggie-stiefvater-2020
Pomodoro Technique: https://francescocirillo.com/pages/pomodoro-technique
Intro music created and performed by Brent Smith.
Continue this week’s chat...2021-01-0517 minQWERTY Writing Life PodcastConjuring Creativity: Behind the Scenes of a QWERTY RetreatMust you resign yourself to creating at the mercy of fickle inspiration’s timetable? Authors Joy E. Rancatore and Mea Smith say, “Absolutely not!” In Episode 31 of QWERTY Writing Life, hear some practical tips to lasso your muse and make it work with you, not against you.
Visit the links mentioned in this episode:
MasterClass with Billy Collins, former U.S. Poet Laureate: https://www.masterclass.com/classes/billy-collins-teaches-reading-and-writing-poetry
Billy Collins, poet: https://billycollinspoetry.com
Marie Howe, poet: http://www.mariehowe.com
Intro music created and performed by Brent Smith...2020-12-2921 minQWERTY Writing Life PodcastCreative Getaways on a BudgetWant to plan a creative retreat but think you can’t afford it? Think again! Authors Joy E. Rancatore and Mea Smith give you some tips to retreat and create in style AND on a budget. Tune in to Episode 30 of QWERTY Writing Life and be sure to share it with all your creative friends.
Visit the links mentioned in this episode:
Airbnb: https://www.airbnb.com
The “Chickie’s Roost,” our amazing Airbnb for our QWERTY Writing Retreat: https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/18835830?s=67&unique_share_id=904f6697-4078-412c-a5c0-3605ce62...2020-12-2221 minQWERTY Writing Life PodcastQWERTY Workshop: Poetry CritiquesGo behind the scenes to watch a poetry critique in progress. In Episode 29 of QWERTY Writing Life, authors Joy E. Rancatore and Mea Smith examine a new poem for Mea’s upcoming poetry book.
Visit the links mentioned in this episode:
MasterClass with Billy Collins, former U.S. Poet Laureate: https://www.masterclass.com/classes/billy-collins-teaches-reading-and-writing-poetry
For more information on the book Finders Keepers: A Practical Approach to Find and Keep Your Writing Critique Partner: https://www.logosandmythospress.com/finders-keepers.
QWERTY Writing Life Podcast, Creative Critique Partners, Episode 1: Defining Critique Partnerships: ht...2020-12-151h 07QWERTY Writing Life PodcastA Creative Twist on TraditionsIt’s time for tinsel, twinkle lights and traditions, but it’s easy for those traditions to become something we have to do ... just because. Authors Joy E. Rancatore and Mea Smith decided to share their thoughts on this topic—including some of their own traditions—and discuss some creative ways to keep the spirit in traditions and the Scrooge out.
Visit the previous episode mentioned:
Creating During the Holidays, QWERTY Writing Life Season 1, Episode 33: https://qwertywritinglife.podbean.com/e/creativity-during-the-holidays/
Intro music created and performed by Brent Smith.
Continue this week’s c...2020-12-0837 minQWERTY Writing Life PodcastGratitude Amplifies CreativityWe can probably all agree this year hasn’t been kind to our creativity. But, how is our gratitude? And, can the second influence the first?
Spoilers: it absolutely can!
Authors Joy E. Rancatore and Mea Smith discuss how Gratitude Amplifies Creativity and share some examples from their lives in Episode 27 of QWERTY Writing Life. Plus, they share their Top Ten Thanks Lists to get us all in the spirit of a gratitude attitude.
Visit Joy’s link mentioned in this episode, plus several articles on the topic of gratitude and creativity:
“Wh...2020-12-0130 minQWERTY Writing Life PodcastCreative Critique Partners: Receiving a CritiqueAuthors Joy E. Rancatore and Mea Smith round out their six-part series on Creative Critique Partners in Episode 26 of QWERTY Writing Life. They close out this topic with some helpful tips for Receiving a Critique, plus a few best practices to ensure your partnership lasts through the seasons of life.
Here are some positive quotes Mea and Joy wrote for you as you go through the critiquing process. Feel free to print them out and tape them to your computer or put them up on a mood board for inspiration. And, of course, you can always write...2020-11-2428 minQWERTY Writing Life PodcastCreative Critique Partners: Giving a CritiqueWelcome to this fifth in a six-part series of episodes about Creative Critique Partners. Authors Joy E. Rancatore and Mea Smith break down how to effectively give a critique in Episode 25 of QWERTY Writing Life. Effectively giving a critique rests in clear communication and our tone.
For more information on the book Finders Keepers: A Practical Approach to Find and Keep Your Writing Critique Partner: https://www.logosandmythospress.com/finders-keepers.
And, check out the other episodes in this series:
Creative Critique Partners, Episode 1: Defining Critique Partnerships: https://qwertywritinglife.podbean.com/e/creative-critique-partners-defining-critique-partnerships/
2020-11-1727 minQWERTY Writing Life PodcastCreative Critique Partners: Preparing for a CritiquePreparation and Communication are the two keys to successful critiques. Learn more about how you can prepare for your first critique … or your fiftieth … in Episode 24 of QWERTY Writing Life. Join authors Joy E. Rancatore and Mea Smith for this fourth in a six-part series on Creative Critique Partners.
For more information on the book Finders Keepers: A Practical Approach to Find and Keep Your Writing Critique Partner: https://www.logosandmythospress.com/finders-keepers.
And, check out these links mentioned in the episode:
Creative Critique Partners, Episode 1: Defining Critique Partnerships: https://qwertywritinglife.podbean.com/e/cre...2020-11-1027 minQWERTY Writing Life PodcastCreative Critique Partners: Choosing a Critique PartnerNow that you have a working definition of what a critique partner can be and you’ve built a foundation of understanding of who you are and what you want in your creative life, it’s time to proceed to Choosing a Critique Partner. Authors Joy E. Rancatore and Mea Smith take the knowledge they present to writers in their book, Finders Keepers: A Practical Approach to Find and Keep Your Writing Critique Partner, and adapt it to all creatives in this series on Creative Critique Partners. In Episode 23 of QWERTY Writing Life you will hear more tips and tool...2020-11-0335 minQWERTY Writing Life PodcastCreative Critique Partners: Evaluating YourselfAuthors Joy E. Rancatore and Mea Smith bring you the second in a six-part series on Creative Critique Partners in Episode 22 of QWERTY Writing Life. This week, they’re encouraging you with tips on Evaluating Yourself. The foundation for any healthy relationship or partnership is to first know yourself intellectually, practically and emotionally.
Catch the first episode in this six-part series on Creative Critique Partners: https://qwertywritinglife.podbean.com/e/creative-critique-partners-defining-critique-partnerships/
Check out Joy’s Time Tips: https://www.joyerancatore.com/2018/02/01/maximize-time-10-ways-to-do-it/
Intro music created and performed by Brent Smith.
Cont...2020-10-2729 minQWERTY Writing Life PodcastCreative Critique Partners: Defining Critique PartnershipsReady for a new adventure? Authors Joy E. Rancatore and Mea Smith begin a six-part series on Creative Critique Partners in Episode 21 of QWERTY Writing Life. In this first episode, they’ll be Defining Critique Partnerships. Following the outline of their book, Finders Keepers: A Practical Approach to Find and Keep Your Writing Critique Partner, Joy and Mea draw on their experiences as writing critique partners to present tips for all creatives. Listen or watch along and ask questions or share your own critiquing experiences from the perspective of your creative medium.
Be sure to che...2020-10-2032 minQWERTY Writing Life PodcastInterview with a Creative: Alexa Bigwarfe on Creating When Bad Things HappenPublisher, authorpreneur and activist Alexa Bigwarfe joins authors Joy E. Rancatore and Mea Smith in Episode 20 of QWERTY Writing Life for a special Interview with a Creative. In this candid chat, Alexa shares her experiences with Creating When Bad Things Happen. Listen in for tips on coping and ways to rise above the pain to pursue passions.
Grab your FREE Writing Through Grief Challenge from Alexa at this link: http://writepublishsell.co/writing-grief-free-5-day-challenge/
Connect more with Alexa in these online locations:
Women in Publishing website with info on the FREE October 2020 showcase...2020-10-1351 minQWERTY Writing Life PodcastQWERTY Check-inAuthors Joy E. Rancatore and Mea Smith check in with one another’s creative endeavors in Episode 19 of QWERTY Writing Life. Join them for a candid chat of creative proportions!
Check out these links mentioned in the episode:
Creative Trinity episode: https://www.podbean.com/eu/pb-am2rh-ed62d1
Writer Moms Inc. Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Writermomsinc/
Writer Moms Inc. website: https://www.writermomsinc.com
Mary Katherine Brown, artist: https://www.instagram.com/legendmary_/
Interview with a Creative episode with Brandon Odom: https://www.po...2020-10-0635 minQWERTY Writing Life PodcastCaring for Your Creative TrinityHuman beings are complex. No doubt about it. What makes us special isn’t just one thing, because we were created with minds, bodies and spirits. When we care for all three of those, we’re able to function at a whole other level in life … and in creativity. Authors Joy E. Rancatore and Mea Smith delve into the “Creative Trinity” in Episode 18 of QWERTY Writing Life.
Check out the fantastic links mentioned in the episode:
Camille Myrick, author: https://www.instagram.com/camillemyrick/
Dare To Lead By Brené Brown: https://daretolead.brenebrown.com/workboo...2020-09-2934 minQWERTY Writing Life PodcastLayers of Creative DecisionsWe make hundreds of decisions every day. Have you ever considered the layers involved in your creative decisions? Authors Joy E. Rancatore and Mea Smith examine these layers in Episode 17 of QWERTY Writing Life.
As promised, here are the links mentioned in the episode:
National Library Card Signup Month Information:
http://www.ala.org/conferencesevents/celebrationweeks/card
Kim Howes Zabbia Facebook Live Video that sparked this topic: https://www.facebook.com/1879558628928885/videos/1065841317147500
QWERTY Writing Life Episode with Kim Howes Zabbia: https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-48k...2020-09-2232 minQWERTY Writing Life PodcastPREP for Success, Part 2If you find yourself uncertain when facing a new opportunity or hitting a wall in an ongoing project, the solution for success in moving forward could be to stop and PREP! Authors Joy E. Rancatore and Mea Smith share the second half of their practical acronym and personal examples in Episode 16 of QWERTY Writing Life. These principles can apply to day jobs, creative endeavors and much more. Listen to an explanation of the first two steps in Episode 15 and then come back here for the second half.
Check out these mindset links we mention in the episode!2020-09-1527 minQWERTY Writing Life PodcastPREP for Success, Part 1Do you find yourself uncertain about what to do when you tackle a new opportunity or hit a wall in an ongoing project? The recipe for success in moving forward could be to stop and PREP! Authors Joy E. Rancatore and Mea Smith share their practical acronym and personal examples in Episode 15 of QWERTY Writing Life. These principles can apply to day jobs, creative endeavors and much more. Listen to an explanation of these first two steps in this episode and tune back in next week for the second half.
Intro music created and performed by Brent...2020-09-0830 minQWERTY Writing Life PodcastIf We Owned a Bookshop …Authors Joy E. Rancatore and Mea Smith imagine themselves as bookshop owners. What do their imaginary shops look like? Find out in Episode 14 of QWERTY Writing Life! Join in the conversation and let them know what’s most important to you in your local independent bookstore or library. Drop them an email at editorial@logosandmythospress.com or shout it out on social media and tag Joy and Mea.
To learn more about Independent Bookstore Day, shop for cute swag and stay in the loop for next year, check out http://www.indiebookstoreday.com.
And, check ou...2020-09-0130 minQWERTY Writing Life PodcastJust Because: Lessons from SerenityHop aboard for a geeky episode as authors Joy E. Rancatore and Mea Smith unpack a few of the many lessons they’ve learned from Joss Whedon’s Firefly … just because. Everything’s “shiny” in Episode 13 of QWERTY Writing Life, and you might consider one of your favorite shows, movies, books or other creative products in a different light once you listen.
Here are links to learn more about National Just Because Day, author Michael Rosen and illustrator Helen Oxenbury:
https://nationaltoday.com/national-just-because-day/
https://www.michaelrosen.co.uk
https://www.s...2020-08-2536 min
Qwerty / Historias de la ciencia002_El teclado tipo QWERTYEn buena parte del mundo utilizamos teclados tipo QWERTY. Y tienen esa denominación por la distribución de las letras, teniendo en cuenta las primeras seis, empezando desde arriba, y desde la izquierda. ¿De dónde viene esa distribución?2016-09-2102 min