Lesbians Who Write

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Clare calls TB the resident curmudgeon, and TB wants that on a T-shirt because it’ll make her happy.

TB is still struggling on the writing front and wants listeners to weigh in. Who will cross the finish line first: JJ or Lizzie? In marketing news, to help promote her latest release, The Date, TB ran a freebie on The Setup, and in the back of the ebook, there was a sample of The Date with a buy button. This helped nudge The Date to number 1 in lesbian romance. Meaning, the effort of freshening up the back matter in books is having a positive impact, although redoing all the intros and outros to the backlist has been tedious and is far from over.

Clare is nearly done with Big London Dreams, but she befuddles TB by talking about being decimalized, which makes TB picture terrible things, not decimals. In big effing deal news, Clare worked out she’s published 1.5 million words in her seven-year career. And, in the past week, Clare’s decided she loves being a writer. (Apparently, she didn’t get the memo about today’s episode being dedicated to misery.) In translation news, the Portuguese edition of Before You Say I Do is up for presale. Toot, toot! In hard-to-believe news, Clare has booked a holiday outside of her home. TB really can’t comprehend that the world still exists.

They move on to the main topic: Are writers always miserable? Not surprisingly, TB came up with this topic. Since TB has been struggling with writing for weeks, in an effort to look for tips to unblock her brain, she discovered a great quote by Dorothy Parker about writing making a person miserable. TB could totally relate. She provides the backstory to the theory that writers are miserable, while Clare came at this question in a very Clare way: with humor.

Do you think all writers are miserable?

Head over to www.lesbianswhowrite.com, and leave a comment on the episode. Or you can email them at: lesbianswhowrite@gmail.com.

Next week, they’ll be back with a mystery topic. (Yes, they once again forgot to come up with one ahead of time. It’s like they’re newbies to this.)

Happy listening!

Clare and TB

Links:

Buy Us a Coffee: www.buymeacoffee.com/LesWhoWrite

Before You Say I Do: www.editorabookmarks.com.br/antes-que-voce-diga-sim

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TB is extremely low energy, but she tried to buck up before the recording. The culprit may be her epic battle writing book 3 of The Miracle Girl series. Her word count is so low TB has started writing the next Lizzie book six months ahead of schedule just to feel like she’s accomplishing something. It’s now a race to see which project will get to the finish line first: JJ (The Miracle Girl) or Lizzie? In good news, TB got her first vaccine jab!

Clare is still trundling along on the second draft of Big London Dreams, and in a surprising twist, she’s fallen into a historical research rabbit hole, warming TB’s heart. Also, now the book is connected to the Miss World contest, which is the oldest-running pageant. Clare uncovered an interesting fact about the founding of one of the largest lesbian bars in London. In milestone news, Clare published her first novel seven years ago! And, she’s still going strong. Toot, toot!

They move on to the main topic: What’s in a name? Clare came up with this topic to remind authors how important it is to have contrasting names for the leading characters, which is especially important for lesbian fiction because, shocking news, the leads are both female. Also, names can help with character development and reader expectations. The duo provides helpful tips for selecting a name and reveals a few secrets.

How do you come up with character names? Do you have a favorite?

Head over to www.lesbianswhowrite.com, and leave a comment on the episode. Or you can email them at: lesbianswhowrite@gmail.com.

Next week, they’ll be back breaking down the belief that all writers are miserable, but you already know TB is voting yes.

Happy listening!

Clare and TB

Links:

Buy Us a Coffee: www.buymeacoffee.com/LesWhoWrite

Seven Years as an Author Blog Post: www.clarelydon.co.uk/2021/04/seven-years-as-an-author-ten-things-ive-learned/

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Clare starts off by saying lady bits, knocking TB, the prude, off her game right out of the gate. In writing news, TB is struggling with the third book of The Miracle Girl series, only tapping out 100 words a day. In Twitter news, TB set up an account for Lesbians Who Write and they need followers, so pretty please follow them, or TB will cry. She’s high strung like that. And, TB totally stole a character name from Clare.

In Clare’s world, she’s going through the second draft of Big London Dreams and digging into history books, making TB somewhat jealous. In translation news, Clare has a German language book coming out soon. In not so fun news, she received a notice to get GDPR insurance, and she’s pretty certain it’s a way for the UK government to pay for all the COVID-19 bills. In fantabulous news, Clare has booked a table in a pub garden. Toot, toot!

They move onto the main topic: What to call your lady bits? In a shocking twist, TB was the one who suggested the topic concerning acceptable words to use for lady bits, and Clare was so excited! Really excited, kinda scaring TB. So, strap in for a rollicking discussion about lady bits. And, see if you can keep track of all the times Clare drops her favorite C-word.

What do you call your lady bits? Come on; shock the heck out of TB.

Head over to www.lesbianswhowrite.com, and leave a comment on the episode. Or you can email them at: lesbianswhowrite@gmail.com.

Next week, they’ll be back dishing about character names.

Happy listening!

Clare and TB

Links:

LWW Twitter Account: twitter.com/LesWhoWrite

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TB launched The Date, formerly known as Earl’s Court. Also, TB got the fancy schmancy Buy Us A Coffee button up on the LWW website. This task had been dogging TB for weeks, and she officially gets to scratch it off her to-do list. If listeners want to buy them a virtual coffee, all the proceeds go to the fees associated with running the podcast. Lastly, TB got her mammogram, and her boobs are almost back to unsquished status.

Clare finished the first draft of Big London Dreams. Toot toot! Her brain is recovering, and she hasn’t started the second edit yet. The good news, Clare was able to push her preorder after her family emergency, giving her some breathing room. She road-tested the quality control approval times of ACX and Findaway Voices, and this won’t be shocking news. ACX is not the most efficient. Finally, Clare got her vaccine jab!

They move on to the topic: let’s get seasonal. One of the goals as a writer is to give a sense of place so your characters don’t wander around in a void. Adding seasonal details helps sprinkle in details so your characters come alive more, and it also helps with noting the passage of time in the story. But don’t just stick to weather or seasonal details, like spring flowers blooming to enhance the story. Mix it up by referencing events or holidays that readers will naturally correlate with a certain season.

How do you mark the changing of seasons in your stories?

Head over to www.lesbianswhowrite.com, and leave a comment on the episode. Or you can email them at: lesbianswhowrite@gmail.com.

Next week, they’ll be back with a racier topic, and TB might not survive.

Happy listening!

Clare and TB

Links:

The Date: lesbianromancesbytbm.com/books/the-date/

Buy Us A Coffee: www.buymeacoffee.com/LesWhoWrite

Twice in a Lifetime: www.clarelydon.co.uk/books/twice-in-a-lifetime/

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TB starts off the episode by saying she doesn’t want to look like a gnome. In writing news, she’s finalizing Earl’s Court for her ARC team and will soon be in full launch mode. Toot toot! In shocking news, TB has started writing book 3 in The Miracle Girl series. This story involves a lot of research, which she loves to delve into, but it’s difficult for TB to stop researching and to start writing. In podcast news, TB has been working on a techie thing, and it just might be live soonish. So don’t start tooting any horns until it’s been made official.

Clare is getting some writing done, which is fab news for those who can’t wait to read book 8 in the London Romance series. However, she set up a preorder for this one, and with her family drama, it’s possible she won’t make the original date. Clare needs to figure out the best way to tackle the preorder problem: extend it for a month or outright cancel it. On the health front, she’s back to doing yoga and daily walks. In Brazilian publishing news, Clare received the cover of Before You Say I Do in Portuguese. Lastly, Clare was gifted a package of chocolate boobs by a librarian. Who says librarians are stuffy?

They move on to the topic: how are they doing on their yearly goals, and do they need to make any pivots? After TB’s terrible 2020, she was much kinder to herself with her 2021 goals and oddly enough, she’s been super productive. Clare started the year off strong, but then her family emergency has thrown a spanner in the works, forcing her to juggle writing and family life. Both are learning that the little tweaks they instituted on all fronts have helped them juggle their work and personal lives better. They are having to pivot on different fronts, but that’s all part of staying nimble and learning from past mistakes. As they love to say, the key is to just keep going.

How did your first quarter go?

Head over to www.lesbianswhowrite.com, and leave a comment on the episode. Or you can email them at: lesbianswhowrite@gmail.com.

Next week, they’ll be back with another hilarious conversation about seasons.

Happy listening!

Clare and TB

Links:

Marian Keyes Writing Video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=88wUunH8wVg

I Heart Lesfic Monthly Poll: iheartlesfic.com/books-of-the-month/

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This is the third week of their spring-cleaning themed episodes.

TB struggled figuring out the time of the podcast recording because the US has sprung forward, but the UK hasn’t yet. There’s a good chance, TB will never figure it out because math… She’s been drowning on two fronts: formatting the IHL mega sale and gathering all the paperwork for taxes, meaning TB hasn’t done any writing or editing for 10 long days. In good news, she was able to wear shorts and go to the beach but, sadly, not on the same day.

Clare hasn’t done any writing lately, but unlike TB, Clare’s two-week break involved a family crisis stalling every other aspect of her life. She’s back at home, in a semi-routine, but she may have to dash back out of town soon. As if things weren’t bad enough, Amazon blocked one of Clare’s books from sale. While she was back in her hometown, Clare went for a walk along the beach. Please, everyone, send positive juju Clare’s way. Every kind word goes a long way.

They move on to the topic: spring-clean your workspace. The timing of this episode is perfect for TB since she just boxed up all the piles of tax paperwork, and she can see her floor. Clare offers many top tips for how to junk the stuff you don’t need, and she’s not afraid to be ruthless. Not only that, she has creative ways to organize her office that are environmentally friendly. Both agree that working in a tidy and organized environment helps improve their mood, and don’t forget to add some cheerful things.

What life hacks do you use to keep your workspace clean?

Head over to www.lesbianswhowrite.com, and leave a comment on the episode. Or you can email them at: lesbianswhowrite@gmail.com.

Next week is their quarterly check-in and deciding if they need to pivot on any of their 2021 goals.

Happy listening!

Clare and TB

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This is the second week of their spring-cleaning themed episodes.

TB has finally finished the I Heart Lesfic mega sale pages, so get your clicking fingers ready. Calling all Girl Love Happens fans! Episodes 1 through 4 have been edited, and now TB just needs to write the final couple of episodes to complete the third season. She’s knee-deep into researching two books at once, because that’s how she rolls. In fabulous life news, the temperatures are improving, allowing TB to feel sunshine on her skin and expunging her grumpiness.

On Clare’s side of the pond, the sun is also shining, filling Clare’s heart with joy. On the Big London Dreams front, she has four chapters left to finish the draft, leaving her five weeks to get the manuscript nice and shiny for the editor. Clare’s been doing some audio proofing on one book and expecting another one soon. In fun news, Clare had a women-only whiskey tasting Zoom night. Keep an eye out for a future whiskey-loving character.

Roscoe has a new buddy that Clare can’t kill!

They move on to the topic: clearing your mental clutter. TB has been thinking about this topic a lot lately because she tends to push herself to meet a deadline, and right after doing so, she has a mini-breakdown that involves a mental fog rendering her useless for a day or two. Even during Covid-times, it’s vital to take time off to allow your brain to relax. But clearing away mental clutter is a daily exercise for the duo so they can free the creative side of their brains. To become mentally fit involves four key pillars and taking small steps every day to create a better you. Lastly, TB thanks Clare for providing a useful tip that TB initially scoffed at.

What are your ways to declutter your brain?

Head over to www.lesbianswhowrite.com, and leave a comment on the episode. Or you can email them at: lesbianswhowrite@gmail.com.

Next week, they’ll be on week three of spring-cleaning tips for authors.

Happy listening!

Clare and TB

Links:

Big London Dreams: www.clarelydon.co.uk/books/big-london-dreams/

I Heart Lesfic Mega Sale page: iheartlesfic.com/march-mega-sale-home-page/

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This is the first week of their spring-cleaning themed episodes.

March is off to a rough start for TB. She’s had to juggle a lot of admin tasks, leaving her frazzled. In writing news, she got Earl’s Court to the editor with two days to spare, shocking the heck out of everyone. TB is formatting the sale pages for the I Heart Lesfic mega sale. As she works on the pages, TB keeps chanting: Copy. Paste. Copy. Paste. In audiobook news, she’s commissioned Lori Prince for two books. Woot!

Clare is still toiling on Big London Dreams, and she’s put her foot down on the word-count pedal. This one involves a sex scene set in the 50s, and TB wants to know what garments are being removed. In the weird things you never thought you’d learn about Clare, she didn’t have a freezer of her own until she was in her thirties. On the book marketing front, Clare redid all the front and back matter for the London Romance Series. In outstanding news, Clare’s library event was a smash hit!

They move on to the topic: spring-clean your book business. If you do all the unsexy stuff that no one sees on a regular basis, it makes your business look better to readers. What’s on the unsexy to-do lists? Cleaning your mailing lists, refreshing front and back matter, updating bios, unpinning browser bookmarks, tidying up your email inbox, backup your files, unsubscribe to services you no longer use, and update and stock up on business cards.

What are your spring-cleaning tips for your business?

Head over to www.lesbianswhowrite.com, and leave a comment on the episode. Or you can email them at: lesbianswhowrite@gmail.com.

Next week, they’ll be on week two of spring-cleaning tips for authors.

Happy listening!

Clare and TB

Links:

Big London Dreams: www.clarelydon.co.uk/books/big-london-dreams/

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This is the fourth and final week of the love-themed episodes in honor of V-Day.

TB is trepidatious about the podcast topic since she’s not big on emotions, but she showed up, so that’s a start. On the publication front, TB has been launching The Love Project, her cowrite with Miranda MacLeod. In writing news, TB is knee-deep in getting her Earl’s Court novella ready for the editor. It’s going to be a close finish, folks. In strange but true news, TB can’t pretend she’s a tree, and trying to stresses her out!

Clare is carrying on writing Big London Dreams, and her two protagonists meet in a garment factory. Writing their story is jogging Clare’s memory that she was shite at sewing when in school. A writing angel is looking out for Clare by hiding something she needed to see to help prevent a disaster. On the entertainment front, RuPaul’s Drag Race is helping to keep Clare sane—well, as sane as possible. Clare has finally learned the true definition of Je suis désolé, and she’s sorry to all the French speakers.

They move on to the main subject, which is how to handle emotions: do you feel the love when writing? Emotions are squishy for TB, meaning they’re hard to get out. Readers, though, want to experience all the feels. Both TB and Clare agree that tapping into universal experiences helps get the emotions onto the page. More often than not, the emotions are layered on in later drafts, and it’s important to add them by using the five senses, setting, theme, and secondary plotlines. And, remember less is more.

Do you think writing is all about emotion?

Head over to www.lesbianswhowrite.com, and leave a comment on the episode. Or you can email them at: lesbianswhowrite@gmail.com.

Next week, they’ll be starting a new series of topics involving spring cleaning tips for authors.

Happy listening!

Clare and TB

Links:

Big London Dreams: www.clarelydon.co.uk/books/big-london-dreams/

Twice in a Lifetime: www.clarelydon.co.uk/books/twice-in-a-lifetime/

The Love Project: lesbianromancesbytbm.com/books/the-love-project/

I Heart Lesfic Mega Sale Invite: iheartlesfic.com/author-invite-for-march-mega-sale/

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This is week three of the love-themed episodes in honor of V-Day.

TB, stumbles right out of the gate on this episode because Clare claims TB is erotic. Naturally, the prude’s face went up in flames. TB has big news. The Love Project, her cowrite with Miranda MacLeod, has been published. Woot! In frustrating news, TB is in yet another battle with ACX over her London novella, The Setup. In I Heart Lesfic news, TB is organizing the next mega sale.

Clare doesn’t know what to call ice, because in London, it hardly gets that cold. She calls it frozen water. Clare has commissioned two audiobooks and is considering avoiding ACX by using Findaway Voices. In writing news, she’s outlining Big London Dreams yet again, after pantsing 10K, which seems to be her magic number when starting a new project. She’s had to change her research methods, relying more on books since she’s still in lockdown in London. Finally, Roscoe is still alive!

They move on to the main subject: romance vs. erotica. What’s the difference, and which should you write? Much like the romance vs. rom-com, the divide over romance and erotica is varied with a lot of crossover. Clare breaks things down into three categories. Both caution authors to promote the book accordingly to the heat factor and to make sure to deliver on that promise. Also, the duo agrees that writing erotica is not an easy challenge, and they are wowed when it’s done well. TB also shares the time she checked out Fifty Shades of Grey from a library in Dublin.

Do you prefer romance, erotic romance, or erotica? And, what do you think the differences are?

Head over to www.lesbianswhowrite.com, and leave a comment on the episode. Or you can email them at: lesbianswhowrite@gmail.com.

Next week, they’ll be on week four of the love month, and they’ll be discussing how to handle emotions.

Happy listening!

Clare and TB

Don’t miss this opportunity!

Stockport Library has asked Clare to do an author reading and chat about her writing journey on February 25th at 7:00 p.m. The event is online, so anyone can come along! To register and book your free place, click here!

Links:

The Love Project: lesbianromancesbytbm.com/books/the-love-project/

The Setup: lesbianromancesbytbm.com/books/the-setup/

Big London Dreams: www.clarelydon.co.uk/books/big-london-dreams/

Stockport Library Event: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/author-evening-with-clare-lydon-tickets-139692011567

Book Covers Online: bookcoversonline.com/lesbian-premade-covers/

Successful Self Publishing by Joanna Penn: www.amazon.com/Successful-Self-Publishing-self-publish-market-Writers-ebook/dp/B019H38JL2

Let’s Get Digital by David Gaughran: www.amazon.com/Lets-Get-Digital-Self-Publish-Publishing-ebook/dp/B08BTS57PC/

I Heart Lesfic Mega Sale Invite: iheartlesfic.com/author-invite-for-march-mega-sale/