“Being ok with what my body is, accepting this is me.” Para swimming champion & Wheel Black, Cameron Leslie’s journey from Whangārei’s local pools getting some filthy looks, to triumph on the world stage is an inspiration. The quadruple amputee, is heading to his 4th Paralympics or the ‘big dance’ as he calls it. From being soundly beaten and on th…

Motocross World Champion, Courtney Duncan has done what no other female kiwi rider has done, win a World Championship title multiple times. Being on top of the podium, four times in five years, you’d think the 28 year old from Otago, would be able to kick back a bit. But from the outset this trailblazer has been determined, setting her sights highe…

Discover the magic that unfolds when setting takes center stage in a novel, transforming lifeless backdrops into dynamic entities with a soul of their own. This week, best-selling author Danny Petrie joins me, Wendy H Jones, to unravel the secrets behind crafting settings that captivate and characters who resonate with readers like old friends. Ami…

Have you ever faced a character in a book so flat they seem to fall off the page? Fear not, fellow wordsmiths, for I, Wendy H Jones, am here to share the secret sauce to spicing up your characters! This episode of the Writing and Marketing Show is a treasure trove of insights into the subtle art of characterisation. From the lush setting of Wester …

Fate threw a curveball that had us scrambling from the flames of my cousin's house fire to the tranquil embrace of a dense woodland retreat. As I share the harrowing details and our impromptu relocation, you'll feel the weight of the narrative's backdrop—the enigmatic allure of the woods—taking center stage. It's in this unexpected haven where I po…

Life has a way of tossing curveballs that can either strike us out or propel us to new heights. When my home was devastated by a flood, it felt like a heart-wrenching setback, but that experience became a catalyst for growth and new opportunities in my writing and work. Embrace change with me, Wendy H Jones, as I recount the resilience it took to r…

"You made it impossible not to pick you". Those were the words Dame Noeline Taurua said to Karin Burger upon selection to the Netball's Silver Ferns. Karin's journey here began when she moved to New Zealand as an 18 year old on a gap year from South Africa. Now the netball star has clocked up 50 tests for the Ferns & turned 30. Her dream to play fo…

Get ready for a thrilling journey as we sit down with Marty McNair, debut author of the riveting dystopian novel, Island of Ruin. McNair's fascination with dystopian fiction, her inspirations, and the journey of her protagonist, Jasmine, are laid bare in this intriguing conversation. The struggle against oppression, the power of resilience and the …

When COVID-19 left me, Wendy H Jones, wiped out, it was a wake-up call to the importance of self-care. Fellow authors, this episode is an intimate reflection on that experience and a stark reminder of how crucial looking after ourselves is. We're diving deep into the strategies that have seen me through - quality sleep, avoiding late-night exposure…

Now we’ve had a chance to reflect on the history making magic of Football Ferns and the FIFA Women’s World Cup, I chat to Football Ferns star defender Claudia Bunge now playing for HB Koge in Demark. She reveals how Auckland's traffic nearly unravelled their first game against Norway at a sold out Eden Park and how she hopes the Ferns have inspired…

Summoning all mystery enthusiasts and budding crime writers! Get ready for an engrossing conversation with Phoenix-based author, Claire A Murray. Armed with a suite of compelling short stories and novels, she'll reveal the secret behind crafting narratives that have readers clinging to the edge of their seats. Ever wondered how to create dialogue t…

Imagine strolling through the lush greens of nature, absorbing tranquility, and penning down your observations to engage readers worldwide. Our guest Linda Brown has done just that! She’s turned her lockdown walks into a successful career, writing for Nature magazines. Linda's experiences and writings bring nature to life, painting vivid imagery wi…

Ever wondered how to make your series characters captivating, engaging, and real? The key is layering their personalities, their stories, their motivations, and their unresolved issues in just the right way. Today, we're honored to have Linda Mather, author of a murder mystery series starring an astrologer-private investigator, on the show. As a se…

A fascinating glimpse into the world of mortuary archaeology with our expert guest, Sarah N Rubin. Sarah, a seasoned archaeologist, takes us on an enlightening journey through the lens of time, sharing her rich experiences from excavations all over the world, from Ohio to Jerusalem. Promising a wealth of intriguing insights, we traverse the boundar…

Ready to venture into the world of pocket novels? Let's uncover the secrets together with Sue Cook, the acclaimed pocket novelist. Our chat goes beyond the size, length, and style as we understand what it takes to craft a captivating narrative within the constraints of a pocket novel. We reveal why staying slightly under the word count is crucial a…

Join Wendy H Jones as she engages in a fascinating conversation with Lynn Random, a seasoned volunteer and expert in the field of search and rescue. With a rich background in advertising, marketing, and public relations, Lynn brings a unique perspective to this critical area of community service. Her stories are riveting; from volunteering with loc…

Ever wondered how a seasoned journalist crafts fascinating stories for children's magazines? Join us as we unravel this intriguing world with our guest, Rebekah, a content producer for Children's Magazine at DC Thompson. Rebecca gives us an insider's view on the unique aspects of writing for children, emphasizing the need for interactive elements s…

What if you could captivate young minds and inspire a love for reading? Join me and children's picture book author, Pauline Tate, as we navigate this enchanting world. We dive into the art of crafting engaging characters and compelling narratives, exploring the vital role of illustrations and the delicate balance between simplicity and captivating …

Ever wondered how to transform your manuscript from good to brilliant? Today, we’re demystifying the art of self-editing and sharing coveted tricks to enhance your writing style. Home in on sentence structure, narrative flow, and the fine details of spelling and grammar to shape your narrative into an engaging masterpiece. Discover the power of pot…

Discover the power of art and music in historical fiction research with award-winning author, Sheena MacLeod. Infuse your writing with the emotional depth and rich dimensionality that these two mediums offer. Our conversation journeys through Sheena's fascinating approach to research, touching on areas such as the emotional turmoil of Scots during …

“I’ve never been the most talented athlete or most athletic football player, the thing I can do is work hard.” With the biggest women’s sporting event in the world here in New Zealand, the FIFA World Cup, we catch up with Football Ferns Goalkeeper Vic Esson. Her story is remarkable. After playing with the U17 & U20 squad she dropped out of the High…

Ever felt like you're chasing inspiration with a club, only to watch it flutter away just out of reach? You're not alone. We've been there, and in this podcast episode, we share how we overcame it and how you can too. We offer practical tips to keep your motivation and inspiration alive, drawing from the wisdom of writing giants like Jack London an…

I am sure I don't need to convince anyone of the value of podcasts as you are listening to one. However, have you ever thought about how you can use it to help market your books? In today's solo episode I talk about effective use of podcasts as part of your marketing portfolio.By Wendy H. Jones

AI or artificial intelligence, is the hot topic for discussion in writers' circles at the moment. However, love it or hate it, it is not going away. Today's episode is a balanced discussion about AI outlining both sides of the argument, so you, the writer, can make your own informed choice regarding the topic.…

Today I talk to debut novelist Marti M. McNair About her journey and what she is doing to promote her book. Her inspirational journey is choc full of information that will help anyone wherever they re in their writing journey.By Wendy H. Jones/Marti M. McNair

Today I am talking to Dystopian Fiction author L. G. Jenkins about writing dystopian fiction. She gives us hints and tips about the genre and reasons why it is so popular. From secreting to character and everything in between this is your chance to find out everything you need to know about the genre. You can find out more about Lydia on her websit…

As writers we often have this vision of what our life will be like - sitting in our writing cave doing nothing but writing. Then reality sets in. Today's episode is taking a look at everything an author is often doing other than writing. If you would like to submit an article to Writers' Narrative the email address is writersnarrative@gmail.com…

Today I am talking to Leigh Russell, author of the DI Geraldine Steele Mysteries, about writing a long running series. Leigh is now writing the 21st book in the series. We chat about developing story and character arcs, keeping the series fresh and so much more. https://www.leighrussell.co.ukBy Wendy H. Jones

Today, I talk to Jane Brocklehurst, a professional declutterer and author of Home Freed: The Theology of Decluttering about how to declutter your life in order to boost your creativity.By Wendy H. Jones/Jane Brocklehurst

That trademark winning smile is back. Seven years since pole vaulter Eliza McCartney won a bronze medal at the Olympics, the 26 year old's launched a comeback to the sport she loves. Plagued with injuries it's been a rocky road but she was determined not to give up. Incredibly, it meant a year of learning how to walk again. Her patience paid off wi…

Today I am chatting to Actress and Author Sophie Neville about her creative career from starring as Kitty in the original Swallows and Amazons to a ward winning author via artist and cartographer. We talk about writing for the BBC, writing novels and memoirs and sketching and how this can all combine for a fascinating and diverse author career…

Today I am talking to Award Winning Author Dani Pettrey about the value of attending Conferences, Events and trade fairs and how they can help boost your author career. With hints tips and advice to help you navigate the conference circuit and make the most of your attendance at such events.By Wendy H. Jones

In today's episode I talk to author Ruth Leigh about writing fan fiction based on the novels of Jane Austen. We talk about how fan fiction can be commercial and the ways it can be written to engage the modern reader.By Wendy H. Jones

Young gun cricketer Fran Jonas is just 18 and part of a new wave of White Ferns inspiring a new generation in the sport. With a watershed pay equity deal by New Zealand Cricket granting females the same match fees as their male counterparts, Fran says it’s an exciting time. She grew up playing cricket with the boys until she was 10. Her Dad who’d n…

Have you ever thought about employing a Virtual Assistant, particularly for marketing your books? How would that work? How can they help you? What are the benefits. Find out in today's interview with Virtual Assistant Jessy Workman. If you want to find out more about how Jessy can help you, contact her below. Her website is currently being restruct…

Today I am chatting to Judith Gallium Pex, the author of Walk the Land: A journey on Foot Through Israel, about writing travel memoirs. Judith gives us hints and tips about how to get started, the importance of travel memoirs and how to write one which entertains and informs. Website Amazon Author Page Shelter Hostel, Eilat…

When told she wasn't welcome at football training with the boys in Gisborne, upcoming 16 year old New Zealand representative Renee Holmes was devastated. Instead of packing it in, she picked herself up & took a huge risk switching codes, from football, to rugby. It was the best decision she ever made. Seven years later she is a proud World Champion…

Today I am chatting to Serena Tate about ghostwriting children's books. This is another income stream that you can think about adding to your portfolio. Well worth listening and checking out the ideas.By Wendy H. Jones/Serena Tate

Today I am chatting to Jess Workman who is a Virtual Assistant leading the life of a digital nomad. We find out what the digital nomad lifestyle is and there are tips for getting the most from it. We also chat about how virtual assistants can help authors market their books. Instagram handles - jessyworkman Facebook - Jess Workman Email- jswmarketi…

As part of the series on apps and programmes for writers, today I am chatting to Troy Lambert who is the education lead for Plottr. Plottr is a plotting programme I recently came across and I was blown away by it. I'm usually a pantster but this has changed my thinking. http://www.plottr.com/ http://www.troylambertwrites.com/…

This is a follow on from the solo episode where I discussed my new role on setting up and running a magazine. Today I talk to Lorie Lewis Ham who has been running an online magazine for 12 years, to get an industry perspective.By Wendy H. Jones

Conferences are always looking for speakers who are both knowledgable and entertaining and those who hold the relevant skills are in demand. On today's show I give hints and tips for effective public speaking and engaging your audience which will be of benefit to both those looking to move into public speaking or for those wishing to grow their aud…

Often in our author business we feel like we are running to keep still. Life keeps throwing curve balls at bus and we seem to stagger from one crisis to the next, none of which we can control. During times of crisis, such as the recent global pandemic, everything is out of our control; or is it. Today I am chatting to Rebecca L. Weber who gives us …

Evernote is yet another powerful app that should be a part of any writer's portfolio. Today I discuss what it can do to help you as a writer and just how powerful tool it is.By Wendy H. Jones

Canva has grown over the years to the state where I believe it is one of the most powerful programmes for writers. Today's episode gives an overview of the different ways in which it can be used to support your author career. Three are so many more than you can ever imagine.By Wendy H. Jones

As I have recently taken over as Editor in Chief and publisher of a literary magazine, today's episode is about the reasons for and processes of setting up a digital magazine.By Wendy H. Jones

There are so many apps out there which are useful for writers. Today's episode provides an overview of some of these apps and the reasons they are useful for writers.By Wendy H. Jones

It's almost 2023, so time to look at the year ahead.By Wendy H. Jones

Cozy mysteries are extremely popular and Christmas Cozies even more so. Today I talk about why we should consider writing them and give hints and tips as to what makes the perfect cozy mystery.By Wendy H. Jones

Sometimes it can be difficult to show up and perform every day. There are days when we feel like hibernating rather than working. Todays episode looks at showing up constantly as a writer.By Wendy H. Jones