I have a...dependency. It used to be CBC. Don't worry my darling Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, you're still the first voice I hear in the morning. But the wide world of podcasts has overtaken me. It's intoxicating. I find things like author interviews, comedy, technology, psychology, science, arts and entertainment are available from all over the world. If I enjoy an obscure interview, I can probably find another on the same subject or with the same person on another podcast. You can get specific. You can get Uber nerdy. You can, like me, binge every episode of Conan O'Brien Needs a Friend and find yourself unable to speak to other people that don't get your references. Magoooosh!

Ahem.

So, recognizing my issue, I said to myself, Thou Shall Write, dammit and attempted to cut off the comedy podcasts. Attempted. Instead, I vowed, I'd seek out podcasts on writing craft. There are many. I'll link to a few below. Some of the tips helped me. As I mentioned before, I'm a discovery writer. I don't plot out the storyline. I let it emerge from the building of character. But my current story involves multiple timelines and after getting bogged down in the first draft, I thought it best to outline this one. I took an online course on the 15 beat structure and promptly found myself completely stifled by it. Still, I think there is some value to this exercise so I am trying to find a method that might suit my way of thinking via writing the abovementioned podcasts.

So, I put on my most comfortable boots (because I have terrible feet) and go for a long walk. I'll pick a podcast that relates to the specific issue I'm working through - like character flaws or crafting believable worlds - and when the ideas come, I make a breathless note using my phone's voice recording app and note it into the monstrous document that is my novel when I get back. Something always occurs to me. BUT the important thing is to make a note of what that is because otherwise the day's mundane events will steal it from my memory. 

However, podcasts about writing can be detrimental too; sending one into analysis paralysis. That's where I've been of late. So, I'm still seeking a podcast balance.  

Below are the podcasts I've enjoyed over the past year:

Fiction Writing Made Easy with Savannah Gilbo
This one is short and practical. She often includes show notes so you can use the tools to help you with your writing. 

The Story Grid Podcast
There is a book that goes along with this. The creator of The Story Grid is a long time editor who has studied story structure and broken it down in such a way that you can spreadsheet a novel. Again, it might be kill creativity for some but he goes deep into psychology and philosophy to examine well known novels to show how they work at various levels. I enjoyed the  one on The Bell Jar. Earlier episodes are rather long and rambling as he walks a writer through building a novel, critiquing drafts until the book is finished and published. 

Write Now with Scrivener 
I have been using Scrivener to write my novels since the beginning. It was mentioned in one of my writing workshops and I'm glad I found it. But that'll be another blog post - tools of the trade. This podcast is relatively new but he talks to quite a variety of writers about their careers and specific process, right down to how they use their software. 

Writing Excuses
Their tagline is: Fifteen minutes long because you're in a hurry and we're not that smart. Trust me, they are. It's a panel of seasoned authors who take on too many topics to list here. The latest episode is about, yup, story structure. I'll be putting that one on for today's (frigid) walk. 

The TMR Podcast
A brand new local podcast run my James Fisher of The Miramichi Reader. You'll hear book reviews and interviews with authors from across the country. You might even hear me on there. 

Book Me!
Nimbus Publishing is into Season 8 of its podcast featuring writers from across Atlantic Canada. I think you'll find me on Season 2. 

The Happiness Lab
This is not about writing but I think us sensitive types benefit from some soothing and insightful listening. This is the science behind what makes us happy. Guess what? It's not wealth, a gold medal, solitude, social media, positive thinking, tons of choices or getting excellent grades. My 11-year-old loves it too. 

Comfortable Podcast-Walking & Listening Boots 
Skandis from FitFlop. Oh my. Like strapping a pair of mattresses to your feet. Thick but firm-ish mattresses. I have bunions, arthritis, and the padding in my wide feet has gone somewhere else (my belly) so walking in what most people think of as comfortable shoes leaves me in pain. I adore these boots.  

 If you want to recommend a good podcast to further impede my creative process, please do so in the comments below.