Episode 26: The One with Chunks of Food

by Barry Lyga

Vaccinate your kids. Thanks, grandmothers! Barry disses personal essays and remains a man of mystery. The submission process as quantum weirdness. What kind of writing class is the best for aspiring authors? Why Morgan married Barry. Plus: Morgan's secret terror.

Links:

Episode 25: The One that's Sort of Backwards

by Barry Lyga

Our 25th episode! Barry’s wish comes true. A discussion of authors responding to controversy on social media. Building a community vs. an audience. Should authors be held to the standards of brands and celebrities? Should authors work on stories they abandoned in the past? Does easy writing equal good writing? Leia takes her first steps.

Links:

Episode 24: The One with Spoilers for The Princess Bride

by Barry Lyga

A hammock may or may not exist…and Barry may or may not be in it. Leia goes in a pool for the first time. The deadly menace of the Triple Lull. Morgan relates her tragic tale of being on submission. Also: colorful side characters, limited cursing, and Barry wishes he had a British accent.

Links:

Episode 23: The One where Anyone Can Get Married

by Barry Lyga

Celebrating #MarriageEquality with some more talk about marriage, as well as an appreciation of single people. Plus: Life in the Age of Screeching, Barry rants about the future of publishing, and Morgan wants ice cream.

Links:

Episode 22: The One where They Finally Talk about Marriage

by Barry Lyga

Morgan and Barry cheat at binge-watching. The only fashion name Barry knows. Some serious discussion about writers, math, and finances. Morgan loves being married. Barry’s still reading a book he doesn’t like.

Links:

Episode 21: The One where Morgan Gets Her Groove Back

by Barry Lyga

A brief but necessary colloquy on baby poop. The paradox that is Morgan. “How is your book coming along?” Why they got married. The horrors of The Lull and the related wisdom of Mr. Thomas Petty. And you should totally watch The Leftovers.

Links:

Episode 20: The One where Leia Goes to a Bar Mitzvah

by Barry Lyga

Some more discussion of the Leap. Morgan’s plans are foiled by the evil that is Microsoft copy protection. Barry’s views on #firstworldproblems. “Books happen in the time that they take.” The value of twenty minutes and the Twenty Minute Time Suck.

Links:

Episode 19: The One with the Leap

by Barry Lyga

Barry talks about making “the Leap” to full-time author ten years ago. Plus: Leia becomes a person.

Links:

Episode 18: The One where Barry Makes Morgan Cry

by Barry Lyga

Morgan goes on a book-buying binge. Barry gets depressed by how people buy things. When do you re-read a book in lieu of reading a new one? Should you have rules for your reading life? Accounting for every second of every day in your book. Too many damn books. How a biased critique partner is useful. Our absolute best advice to new parents.

Links:

Episode 17: The One with Meta-Topics

by Barry Lyga

Morgan gets promoted. Where the heck are our listeners coming from? First time letting someone else put Leia to bed! Babies as small-talk assistants. “Where do you want to take your readers next?” Morgan gets Biblical. Going to a wedding as a married couple. The necessity of patience for parents, spouses, and writers. Barry finishes writing his book.

Links:

Episode 16: The One with Reality TV

by Barry Lyga

A sudden baby! Empathy for other parents…or not. The importance of downtime vs. the importance of productivity. “Musing on the Kinship of Motherhood” — Morgan’s new band. Signal vs. noise related to life experiences and writing. Help choose Barry’s hobby!

Links:

Episode 15: The One where Leia Flirts

by Barry Lyga

The winner of the first WiRL contest! Some necessary followup discussion on the nature of writing routines. Morgan wakes up early. Introducing Lyga’s Axiom. Morgan needs a whiteboard. How copyedits make you feel stupid. Barry is reading a lot…but can’t talk about any of it.

Links:

Episode 14: The One about Routines

by Barry Lyga

Routines for raising a baby, writing books, and — possibly — staying sane. Bringing gifts to babies. Daycare’s pluses and minuses. Plus: Could you be the next Paul???

Links:

Episode 13: The One that’s Lucky Number Thirteen

by Barry Lyga

Guilt! What is it good for? (Say it again.) Babies need down time. Morgan works on her book! Barry works on his book! Huzzah! Being productive in a short amount of time. Writers writing about writers. Reading marathons vs. sprints. The utility of critique groups. Plus: Morgan reads Barry’s upcoming book.

Links:

Episode 12: The One where They Go on a Date

by Barry Lyga

Morgan is back at work full-time. “It’s only Tuesday.” Morgan and Barry go out to dinner. The first official WiRL giveaway! #excuses How do you plan goals for a revision? When do you discard your editor’s advice? Plus: Leia reasserts her control over the household.

Plus: Listen to this episode to learn how you can win a copy of After the Red Rain, signed by Barry, Rob DeFranco, and Peter Facinelli!

Links:

Episode 11: The One where Vomit Comes out of Her Nose

by Barry Lyga

Barry admits to a mistake. Everyone is sick and everything sucks. Let’s go to the emergency room! Not letting your baby look at electronic screens…except for when you do. Deep influences. Sesame Street vs. Children of the Corn. Limping along in your writing. Morgan gets real about being a working mom. 

Links:

Episode 10: The One with Podcasts in the Shower

by Barry Lyga

Parenting achievement unlocked: Brunch with friends in the city with the baby. Milestones for writers published and unpublished. Defining “cruising along.” Morgan’s rockin’ Saturday night. When to give up on the book you’re writing. Barry announces a new book. Morgan adds to her online portfolio. How much of your first draft ends up in the final draft?  

Links:

Episode 9: The One with the Favors

by Barry Lyga

When do you stop reading a book? (Other than at the end, smart-ass.) Do you have to finish a book you start reading? Why? What is wrong with us as readers? Morgan disses Moby Dick. Barry scams the system. Morgan discovers freedom. Why aren’t episodes of Law & Order available on every flight? How do you decide which book to read next? Morgan’s love connection with Taylor Swift. Leia once again trolls her parents, sleep-wise. And Barry cheats at Recommended Reading. (Of course he does.)

Links:

Episode 8: The One that is “An Astonishing Achievement in Podcasting!” — Jimmy Podcaster

by Barry Lyga

Leia offers her rebuttal on the topic of sleep training. Authors shifting genres, and the fans they may disappoint. Morgan leaves a book on the stoop. What’s up with blurbs, anyway? — The Blurb Economy. Publicly revealing Morgan’s Star Wars ignorance. Barry proselytizes “no compromises” when it comes to storytelling. Plus: An update on Morgan’s revision, and Barry decides which book to write next.

Links:

Episode 7: The One Co-Starring the FDNY

by Barry Lyga

Barry commits a felony for the first time (we think). The whole family avoids burning to death — twice. Morgan and her twin conspire to destroy two apartments. Is there a cultural narrative for people who regret having kids? Mourning your child-free life. Working for multiple publishers. And how to (sleep) train your dragon. Er, baby.

Show Notes: