Episode 297: The Writer’s Most Important Tool

Episode 297: The Writer’s Most Important Tool

Show Notes

This week Vicky and Joe talk about extremely expensive poo and then moves onto the writer’s most important tool of all. Tune in to find out what it is—and discover why one of Vicky’s habits is eavesdropping on strangers, what Joe’s bedtime reading routine is, and why memory is a treacherous beast.

 Key Points

  • [0:50] Vicky wants to do something different and not have a welcome preamble!
  • [01:30] Now that Joe has given up on Umberto Eco, what is he reading?
  • [02:40] Vicky defends Umberto from Joe and encourages him to read his essays on coffee pots.
  • [04:00] All books are worthy but Joe wants to be satisfied with his six and a half minutes of reading time.
  • [04:40] The Wheel Of Time Book 2 is annoying Vicky. Does she need to keep reading?
  • [05:20] Vicky realizes that Georgia Pritchett is British! She’s loving her book as it’s very funny and morbid.
  • [7:10] Update on The Dingle: compost heaps and waste sewage treatment systems.
  • [11:10] What is a writer’s most important tool?
  • [12:15] Vicky has many notebooks and she shares what each of them are.
  • [13:20] Notebooks, sticky notes, and highlighter pens are all part of Vicky’s complex system.
  • [14:15] What are the things you need to capture as a writer?
  • [17:20] After stories and anecdotes that can also go in your notebook, Joe reads out “the list of transgressions by your husband” and Vicky explains.
  • [18:50] Why do we write all these ideas down?  
  • [19:55] Record the context of your ideas as well. Vicky expounds further.
  • [21:40] These notes will be delightful when you read them in the years to come.
  • [22:55] Vicky shares her top tip explaining why she has a tiny notebook by her bed.
  • [24:30] Vicky also records stuff that hurts and explains why she wants to remember that stuff.
  • [26:05] Vicky tells a story through applying what she learned from the book, The Art Of Noticing.
  • [27:00] Joe summarizes the key takeaways for today’s topic and Vicky shares her recommendation for notebooks.
  • [28:40] Vicky asks you to join Team Moxie, her wonderful writing group, and what it’s all about.
  • [30:35] It’s gonna be Vicky’s ten year business anniversary! What is she going to do on that day?
  • [32:00] A little teaser for next week’s episode.

Mentioned in This Episode:

Website

Creative Book Coaching

Join Vicky’s Power Hour

Join Vicky’s Masterclass

Buy Vicky’s Book

That’s What She Said: Tales of Business Success from Women Just like You by Vicky Fraser & Audiobook

Join Vicky’s Weird and Wonderful Writing Society

Banish the Blank Page of Doom Fast

Grab Vicky’s Book Template Bundle

Come Join Vicky’s Writing Challenge

Come Join Vicky’s Write Night

March Content Calendar

Subscribe on iTunesStitcher, and Overcast

Email Vicky about 1:1 coaching at: vicky@moxiebooks.co.uk

Dingbats Notebooks

The Pillow Book of Sei Shonagon, translated by Ivan Morris

The Great Hunt: Book Two of ‘The Wheel of Time’, by Robert Jordan

My Mess is A Bit Of A Life, by Georgia Pritchett

The Art Of Noticing, by Rob Walker

Want to know more? I’ve written a book, you know. You can get your mitts on it here.

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If you want to learn more about how to write, self-publish, and market a book for your business, snaffle yourself a copy of How The Hell Do You Write A Book? Then check out the blog and podcast for more articles and guides. If you want a little (or a lot) more help, find out how you can work with me.

About Vicky…

Vicky Fraser is the founder of Moxie Books and author of How The Hell Do You Write A Book and Business For Superheroes. She helps business owners write life-changing books, connect with readers and new customers, and grow their businesses. When she’s not doing that, she’s hanging from a trapeze by her feet.