Episode 29: The One where Morgan Makes a Comic Book Reference

by Barry Lyga

We finish (?) discussing the New York Times bestsellers list. Leia eats everything imaginable. “Lady guilt is heavy.” Parenting advice and anti-advice. High-chair condoms. Feeling like a one-hit wonder as an author. The tension between what readers like and what writers want to write. Lyga’s Law of Publishing.

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Episode 28: The One that Was Almost Planned

by Barry Lyga

Barry tours with a movie star. Can authors write while on the road? The true authorship of Gone Girl…revealed! Leia takes her first steps toward super-model-hood. What is a good minimum for maternity leave? Plus: Some necessary follow-up on the New York Times bestsellers list…and Barry rants about the Oscars.

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Episode 27: The One where They Both Get Pissed

by Barry Lyga

Some more talk about essays and writing classes. Is there a non-jerk way to self-promote? Why are the same books recommended over and over? Plus, Barry rants about the New York Times bestsellers list…and Morgan agrees!

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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!

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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.

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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???

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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.

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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!

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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. 

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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?  

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