https://simplecast.com Keeping a Notebook A podcast on writing that explores the craft of fiction, answers listeners' questions, and provides strategies for a fulfilling writing practice and creative life, hosted by bestselling, award-winning novelist Nina LaCour. © Nina LaCour 2020 en Tue, 30 Dec 2025 17:06:08 +0000 Tue, 30 Dec 2025 18:35:52 +0000 https://www.ninalacour.com Keeping a Notebook https://image.simplecastcdn.com/images/0b1c7f45-9aba-4c42-8ec1-e0839d99acfa/1a9efdb8-ecb0-49e7-b6a3-4dac60482025/3000x3000/keeping-a-notebook-social.jpg?aid=rss_feed https://www.ninalacour.com episodic A podcast on writing that explores the craft of fiction, answers listeners' questions, and provides strategies for a fulfilling writing practice and creative life, hosted by bestselling, award-winning novelist Nina LaCour. Nina LaCour false https://feeds.simplecast.com/8wF7SRJN creative writing, writing process, craft of fiction, writing advice, writing novels, novel writing, author, nina lacour, teaching writing Nina LaCour nina.lacour@gmail.com a6bf27fd-ef7b-46b4-af22-b12e00805a09 Projects & Practice Read more and enroll in Projects & Practice.
Read more and enroll in Winter Writing Nights: Exploring Voice and Language in Fiction.
Subscribe to Nina's newsletter.

ALSO! If you enroll in BOTH classes, you'll receive free access to Nina and Elana's The Business of Writing workshop. In this ninety-minute session, we will get deep into the business side of writing and publishing. We'll be transparent about rejections and successes, surprises and setbacks and risk-taking. Most of all, we'll turn our attention to what you want to know about the business of writing. You'll be able to pre-submit questions and/or ask them live. From querying agents to understanding advances, maintaining relationships with editors to making big pivots, setting expectations around publicity and sales to selling on proposal, we're so looking forward to sharing what we know with you. This workshop will be held on January 31st at 10am PST. It will be recorded and sent out in case you can't make it. If you'd like to join, sign up for both Projects & Practice and Winter Writing Nights. Nina will then send you a Zoom link and more info on The Business of Writing in mid-January.

This episode of Keeping a Notebook references Anne-Laure Le Canff's Tiny Experiments and Oliver Burkeman's Four Thousand Weeks. I recommend both books!

Happy New Year, everyone!

]]> Tue, 30 Dec 2025 17:06:08 +0000 nina.lacour@gmail.com (Nina LaCour) https://www.ninalacour.com Read more and enroll in Projects & Practice.
Read more and enroll in Winter Writing Nights: Exploring Voice and Language in Fiction.
Subscribe to Nina's newsletter.

ALSO! If you enroll in BOTH classes, you'll receive free access to Nina and Elana's The Business of Writing workshop. In this ninety-minute session, we will get deep into the business side of writing and publishing. We'll be transparent about rejections and successes, surprises and setbacks and risk-taking. Most of all, we'll turn our attention to what you want to know about the business of writing. You'll be able to pre-submit questions and/or ask them live. From querying agents to understanding advances, maintaining relationships with editors to making big pivots, setting expectations around publicity and sales to selling on proposal, we're so looking forward to sharing what we know with you. This workshop will be held on January 31st at 10am PST. It will be recorded and sent out in case you can't make it. If you'd like to join, sign up for both Projects & Practice and Winter Writing Nights. Nina will then send you a Zoom link and more info on The Business of Writing in mid-January.

This episode of Keeping a Notebook references Anne-Laure Le Canff's Tiny Experiments and Oliver Burkeman's Four Thousand Weeks. I recommend both books!

Happy New Year, everyone!

]]> Projects & Practice Nina LaCour 00:12:43 Nina returns after a very long break to contemplate the New Year and, as Joan Didion advised, keep in touch with people she used to be. Letting go of resolutions and welcoming experiments. Nina returns after a very long break to contemplate the New Year and, as Joan Didion advised, keep in touch with people she used to be. Letting go of resolutions and welcoming experiments. false full 1 6 b3e7d27b-8293-47b8-aab5-a7c5b3e941a2 Truth & Beauty Purchase Nina's new novel, Watch Over Me.

Register for a morning of writing with Nina to benefit Diesel, A Bookstore.

Enroll in Writing, Reading, Responding: The art of drafting and critiquing, in which Nina and Elana K. Arnold will discuss the making of Watch Over Me. (Remember to read the novel first!)

Subscribe to "Letters from Nina" for behind-the-scenes looks at her process and projects, and to be the first to learn about class offerings.

]]> Wed, 23 Sep 2020 10:00:19 +0000 nina.lacour@gmail.com (Nina LaCour) https://www.ninalacour.com Purchase Nina's new novel, Watch Over Me.

Register for a morning of writing with Nina to benefit Diesel, A Bookstore.

Enroll in Writing, Reading, Responding: The art of drafting and critiquing, in which Nina and Elana K. Arnold will discuss the making of Watch Over Me. (Remember to read the novel first!)

Subscribe to "Letters from Nina" for behind-the-scenes looks at her process and projects, and to be the first to learn about class offerings.

]]> Truth & Beauty Nina LaCour 00:13:53 It's the final episode of the season and Nina covers a lot of ground. Notes from a virtual launch. Upcoming workshops. The months ahead. Flowers on Justice Ginsburg's grave. A ray of light. Truth and beauty. It's the final episode of the season and Nina covers a lot of ground. Notes from a virtual launch. Upcoming workshops. The months ahead. Flowers on Justice Ginsburg's grave. A ray of light. Truth and beauty. novels, ya, creative, writing career, nanowrimo, literature, writing tips, writers, writing life, creativity, watch over me, drafting, nina lacour false full 4 5 d1601fb8-f9e5-43f3-88ac-365e85686166 Gaslight You can rent Gaslight here. (Highly recommended!)

Purchase Nina's new novel, Watch Over Me.

Register for a morning of writing with Nina to benefit Diesel, A Bookstore.

Enroll in Writing, Reading, Responding: The art of drafting and critiquing, in which Nina and Elana K. Arnold will discuss the making of Watch Over Me. (Remember to read the novel first!)

Subscribe to "Letters from Nina" for behind-the-scenes looks at her process and projects, and to be the first to learn about class offerings.

]]> Tue, 22 Sep 2020 15:28:05 +0000 nina.lacour@gmail.com (Nina LaCour) https://www.ninalacour.com You can rent Gaslight here. (Highly recommended!)

Purchase Nina's new novel, Watch Over Me.

Register for a morning of writing with Nina to benefit Diesel, A Bookstore.

Enroll in Writing, Reading, Responding: The art of drafting and critiquing, in which Nina and Elana K. Arnold will discuss the making of Watch Over Me. (Remember to read the novel first!)

Subscribe to "Letters from Nina" for behind-the-scenes looks at her process and projects, and to be the first to learn about class offerings.

]]> Gaslight Nina LaCour 00:13:13 In the third installment of this Watch Over Me-themed season, Nina talks about darkness in her work. She shares a source of inspiration, reads an excerpt from Watch Over Me, and discusses what's gained by letting darkness into your work. In the third installment of this Watch Over Me-themed season, Nina talks about darkness in her work. She shares a source of inspiration, reads an excerpt from Watch Over Me, and discusses what's gained by letting darkness into your work. writing exercises, novels, ya, fiction, gaslight, writing advice, nanowrimo, literature, slow novel lab, creative writing, writing classes, watch over me, nina lacour false full 3 5 2143daf6-a6ac-4e3a-8a77-bae005553d2b A Ghost Story Wednesday, September 16th with Tiffany D. Jackson

5 p.m. PST/ 7 p.m. CST/ 8 p.m. EST, hosted by YA @ Books Inc.

Learn more and register here!

Thursday, September 17th with Stephanie Perkins

3 p.m. PST/5 p.m. CST/6 p.m. EST, hosted by Books & Books

Learn more here!

 

Subscribe to Letters from Nina for writing musings and exercises, class and event news, and more about Nina's books.

]]> Wed, 16 Sep 2020 17:04:24 +0000 nina.lacour@gmail.com (Nina LaCour) https://www.ninalacour.com Wednesday, September 16th with Tiffany D. Jackson

5 p.m. PST/ 7 p.m. CST/ 8 p.m. EST, hosted by YA @ Books Inc.

Learn more and register here!

Thursday, September 17th with Stephanie Perkins

3 p.m. PST/5 p.m. CST/6 p.m. EST, hosted by Books & Books

Learn more here!

 

Subscribe to Letters from Nina for writing musings and exercises, class and event news, and more about Nina's books.

]]> A Ghost Story Nina LaCour 00:11:00 Nina tells you a true ghost story and shows how she wove it into her book. What if you were sitting down at a cafe together before you started writing? This episode is like that. Nina tells you a true ghost story and shows how she wove it into her book. What if you were sitting down at a cafe together before you started writing? This episode is like that. writing exercises, novels, ya, fiction, book club, literature, ghost stories, creative writing, watch over me, nina lacour false full 2 5 be9fa32a-cf1c-4ab7-bd5c-21340a7a5ad7 Watch Over Me Join Nina in celebration of Watch Over Me's release! (If you order from a hosting bookstore, you'll receive a signed bookplate with your copy of Watch Over Me.)

Tuesday, September 15th with Brandy Colbert

5 p.m. PST/7 p.m. CST/8 p.m. EST, hosted by Main St. Books

Learn more and register here!

Wednesday, September 16th with Tiffany D. Jackson

5 p.m. PST/ 7 p.m. CST/ 8 p.m. EST, hosted by YA @ Books Inc.

Learn more and register here!

Thursday, September 17th with Stephanie Perkins

3 p.m. PST/5 p.m. CST/6 p.m. EST, hosted by Books & Books

Learn more here!

 

Subscribe to Letters from Nina for writing musings and exercises, class and event news, and more about Nina's books.

]]> Tue, 15 Sep 2020 08:00:30 +0000 nina.lacour@gmail.com (Nina LaCour) https://www.ninalacour.com Join Nina in celebration of Watch Over Me's release! (If you order from a hosting bookstore, you'll receive a signed bookplate with your copy of Watch Over Me.)

Tuesday, September 15th with Brandy Colbert

5 p.m. PST/7 p.m. CST/8 p.m. EST, hosted by Main St. Books

Learn more and register here!

Wednesday, September 16th with Tiffany D. Jackson

5 p.m. PST/ 7 p.m. CST/ 8 p.m. EST, hosted by YA @ Books Inc.

Learn more and register here!

Thursday, September 17th with Stephanie Perkins

3 p.m. PST/5 p.m. CST/6 p.m. EST, hosted by Books & Books

Learn more here!

 

Subscribe to Letters from Nina for writing musings and exercises, class and event news, and more about Nina's books.

]]> Watch Over Me Nina LaCour 00:12:25 Nina talks about a project that didn't feel right and how she chose to let it go. She reads an excerpt from her new novel, Watch Over Me. She talks to Doubt (and Doubt listens). Nina talks about a project that didn't feel right and how she chose to let it go. She reads an excerpt from her new novel, Watch Over Me. She talks to Doubt (and Doubt listens). writing exercises, ya, writer, fiction, creative, novel writing, writing advice, literature, ghost stories, writing tips, creative writing, writing classes, creativity, novelist, watch over me, nina lacour false full 1 5 7b154f9c-b10b-4ecc-9b46-e23f74b2618a Writing in Place: A Mess Announcement:The Slow Novel Lab is open for a special summer benefit session, with 50% of the profit going to Direct Relief!

Nina examines messiness and her complicated feelings about it, both in herself and in others. She invites you to spend some time with a mess of your own--not to clean it up, but to see what it offers you in your work.

If you’d like to share your mess, or what you wrote about it, or your experience of writing (or not writing) during this time, we'd love to hear from you! Use the hashtag #writinginplace on Twitter and Instagram. And you can see scenes from Nina's messy apartment, too.

Follow along with the project on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/nina_lacour/

and 

https://www.instagram.com/theslownovellab/

Subscribe to Letters from Nina for the full text of this season along more photographs of Nina's home.

Enroll in The Slow Novel Lab for an transformative and interactive six weeks with Nina and fellow participants.

]]> Mon, 18 May 2020 13:00:06 +0000 nina.lacour@gmail.com (nina lacour) https://www.ninalacour.com Announcement:The Slow Novel Lab is open for a special summer benefit session, with 50% of the profit going to Direct Relief!

Nina examines messiness and her complicated feelings about it, both in herself and in others. She invites you to spend some time with a mess of your own--not to clean it up, but to see what it offers you in your work.

If you’d like to share your mess, or what you wrote about it, or your experience of writing (or not writing) during this time, we'd love to hear from you! Use the hashtag #writinginplace on Twitter and Instagram. And you can see scenes from Nina's messy apartment, too.

Follow along with the project on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/nina_lacour/

and 

https://www.instagram.com/theslownovellab/

Subscribe to Letters from Nina for the full text of this season along more photographs of Nina's home.

Enroll in The Slow Novel Lab for an transformative and interactive six weeks with Nina and fellow participants.

]]> Writing in Place: A Mess nina lacour 00:06:34 In the fourth episode of Keeping a Notebook's special season, Nina takes a good, long look at the messes in her apartment, and discovers that messes are gold mines for fiction. In the fourth episode of Keeping a Notebook's special season, Nina takes a good, long look at the messes in her apartment, and discovers that messes are gold mines for fiction. writing exercises, ya, fiction, authors, messiness, work in progress, young adult, writing prompts, writers, creative writing, creativity, writing true full 4 4 4ec047f2-e39b-466e-8872-4260ed9733f6 Writing in Place: An Anchor Announcement:The Slow Novel Lab is open for a special summer benefit session, with 50% of the profit going to Direct Relief!

Nina examines the anchors in her life: her work, her desk, the mug she drinks her morning coffee from. She offers a writing exercise to ease you into exploring your own anchors, and the anchors in your fiction.

If you’d like to share your anchor, or what you wrote about it, or your experience of writing (or not writing) during this time, we'd love to hear from you! Use the hashtag #writinginplace on Twitter and Instagram.

Follow along with the project on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/nina_lacour/

and 

https://www.instagram.com/theslownovellab/

Subscribe to Letters from Nina for the full text of this season along more photographs of Nina's home.

Enroll in The Slow Novel Lab for an transformative and interactive six weeks with Nina and fellow participants.

]]> Mon, 11 May 2020 12:00:04 +0000 nina.lacour@gmail.com (Nina LaCour) https://www.ninalacour.com Announcement:The Slow Novel Lab is open for a special summer benefit session, with 50% of the profit going to Direct Relief!

Nina examines the anchors in her life: her work, her desk, the mug she drinks her morning coffee from. She offers a writing exercise to ease you into exploring your own anchors, and the anchors in your fiction.

If you’d like to share your anchor, or what you wrote about it, or your experience of writing (or not writing) during this time, we'd love to hear from you! Use the hashtag #writinginplace on Twitter and Instagram.

Follow along with the project on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/nina_lacour/

and 

https://www.instagram.com/theslownovellab/

Subscribe to Letters from Nina for the full text of this season along more photographs of Nina's home.

Enroll in The Slow Novel Lab for an transformative and interactive six weeks with Nina and fellow participants.

]]> Writing in Place: An Anchor Nina LaCour 00:07:21 In the third episode of Keeping a Notebook's special season, Nina talks about an object that she missed when her family was uprooted, and how she felt when she got it back. She invites her listeners to choose anchors of their own for this week's writing prompt. In the third episode of Keeping a Notebook's special season, Nina talks about an object that she missed when her family was uprooted, and how she felt when she got it back. She invites her listeners to choose anchors of their own for this week's writing prompt. writing exercises, ya, fiction, authors, young adult, writing prompts, am writing, writers, creative writing, classes, writing, nina lacour false full 3 4 2890d261-d69f-4ee9-858f-52626eb41d99 Writing In Place: A Window Nina contemplates the windows in her new apartment, and what it's like to be on the inside when people outside pass by. She offers a two-part exercise for her listeners to be used first as a method of noticing and being in place, and then as an entryway to their fiction. 

If you’d like to share your window, or what you wrote about it, or your experience of writing (or not writing) during this time, we'd love to hear from you! Use the hashtag #writinginplace on Twitter and Instagram.

Follow along with the project on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/nina_lacour/

and 

https://www.instagram.com/theslownovellab/

Subscribe to Letters from Nina for the full text of this season along more photographs of Nina's home.

]]> Mon, 4 May 2020 13:00:12 +0000 nina.lacour@gmail.com (Nina LaCour) https://www.ninalacour.com Nina contemplates the windows in her new apartment, and what it's like to be on the inside when people outside pass by. She offers a two-part exercise for her listeners to be used first as a method of noticing and being in place, and then as an entryway to their fiction. 

If you’d like to share your window, or what you wrote about it, or your experience of writing (or not writing) during this time, we'd love to hear from you! Use the hashtag #writinginplace on Twitter and Instagram.

Follow along with the project on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/nina_lacour/

and 

https://www.instagram.com/theslownovellab/

Subscribe to Letters from Nina for the full text of this season along more photographs of Nina's home.

]]> Writing In Place: A Window Nina LaCour 00:07:02 In the second episode of Keeping a Notebook's special season, Nina takes her listeners through a tour of the windows of her apartment and invites them to do the same. In the second episode of Keeping a Notebook's special season, Nina takes her listeners through a tour of the windows of her apartment and invites them to do the same. home, mediation, writing exercises, novels, ya fiction, mindfulness, work in progress, place, creative writing, writing classes, writing, nina lacour false full 2 4 ea6c6d0c-cef3-4702-9bc4-d501062adbbd An Interview with Nina About the Shelter in Place podcast, hosted by Laura Joyce Davis: When the news came down about the mandate to shelter in place, Bay Area writer Laura Joyce Davis decided to mark this moment in history by chronicling her daily experience of sheltering in place. Episodes are short (~10 min.) and often feature other artists, scientists, therapists, and those whose work pushes us to faith, contemplation, and hope. 

Subscribe to the Shelter in Place podcast.

Follow Laura Joyce Davis on Instagram and Twitter. 

]]> Wed, 29 Apr 2020 20:46:53 +0000 nina.lacour@gmail.com (nina lacour, laura joyce davis) https://www.ninalacour.com About the Shelter in Place podcast, hosted by Laura Joyce Davis: When the news came down about the mandate to shelter in place, Bay Area writer Laura Joyce Davis decided to mark this moment in history by chronicling her daily experience of sheltering in place. Episodes are short (~10 min.) and often feature other artists, scientists, therapists, and those whose work pushes us to faith, contemplation, and hope. 

Subscribe to the Shelter in Place podcast.

Follow Laura Joyce Davis on Instagram and Twitter. 

]]> An Interview with Nina nina lacour, laura joyce davis 00:22:56 In this special bonus episode of Keeping a Notebook, Nina is sharing an interview from the Shelter in Place podcast, hosted by her good friend Laura Joyce Davis. Laura asks Nina about her writing and teaching, and her hopes and fears during this time of sheltering in place. In this special bonus episode of Keeping a Notebook, Nina is sharing an interview from the Shelter in Place podcast, hosted by her good friend Laura Joyce Davis. Laura asks Nina about her writing and teaching, and her hopes and fears during this time of sheltering in place. interview, ya, shelter in place, fiction, laura joyce davis, literature, writing group, author, young adult literature, creative writing, writing, nina lacour false bonus 4 29cb5ce2-161f-4526-a3dd-a01f7e6168e5 Writing In Place: Wherever You Are This season opens in Nina's new home. She shares a story of disorientation, and finds her way back to writing.

She invites listeners to write with her. To keep a notebook of these times. She offers a writing exercise as a way in. 

If you’d like to share your object, or what you wrote about it, or your experience of writing (or not writing) during this time, we'd love to hear from you! Use the hashtag #writinginplace on Twitter and Instagram.

Follow along with the project on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/nina_lacour/

and 

https://www.instagram.com/theslownovellab/

Subscribe to Letters from Nina for the full text of this season along more photographs of Nina's home.

]]> Mon, 27 Apr 2020 13:00:05 +0000 nina.lacour@gmail.com (Nina LaCour) https://www.ninalacour.com This season opens in Nina's new home. She shares a story of disorientation, and finds her way back to writing.

She invites listeners to write with her. To keep a notebook of these times. She offers a writing exercise as a way in. 

If you’d like to share your object, or what you wrote about it, or your experience of writing (or not writing) during this time, we'd love to hear from you! Use the hashtag #writinginplace on Twitter and Instagram.

Follow along with the project on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/nina_lacour/

and 

https://www.instagram.com/theslownovellab/

Subscribe to Letters from Nina for the full text of this season along more photographs of Nina's home.

]]> Writing In Place: Wherever You Are Nina LaCour 00:07:51 Nina LaCour is back with a deeply personal season devoted to where we are during this time in the world. In this first episode, she asks a question: "Do you want to write with me?" Nina LaCour is back with a deeply personal season devoted to where we are during this time in the world. In this first episode, she asks a question: "Do you want to write with me?" writing exercises, ya, shelter in place, fiction, ya fiction, writing meditation, covid 19, creative writing classes, creative writing, ya writers, creativity, coroavirus, writing false full 1 4 b3e27640-89a9-418e-8aa1-a526ee9b3a30 Self-Promotion Thu, 6 Feb 2020 13:00:03 +0000 nina.lacour@gmail.com (Nina LaCour) https://www.ninalacour.com Self-Promotion Nina LaCour 00:11:15 false full 5 3 c7e9dfa7-8cb1-4949-ba0f-17e87f99683d The Middle New! Full transcripts of this season's episodes are now available at ninalacour.com/transcripts!

Learn more about Nina's online class, The Slow Novel Lab! ninalacour.com/the-slow-novel-lab

Today, Nina walks listeners through a part-brainstorming, part-outlining strategy for when they feel lost in the middle of their stories.

It's easy to feel lost at sea in the middle, to doubt our paths and lose direction. But by completing this two-part exercise, you'll learn to identify phases of your novel so that the middle is not longer as overwhelming.

]]> Thu, 30 Jan 2020 16:37:34 +0000 nina.lacour@gmail.com (nina lacour) https://www.ninalacour.com New! Full transcripts of this season's episodes are now available at ninalacour.com/transcripts!

Learn more about Nina's online class, The Slow Novel Lab! ninalacour.com/the-slow-novel-lab

Today, Nina walks listeners through a part-brainstorming, part-outlining strategy for when they feel lost in the middle of their stories.

It's easy to feel lost at sea in the middle, to doubt our paths and lose direction. But by completing this two-part exercise, you'll learn to identify phases of your novel so that the middle is not longer as overwhelming.

]]> The Middle nina lacour 00:08:14 Nina walks listeners through a part-brainstorming, part-outlining strategy for when they feel lost in the middle of their stories. Also, enrollment in Nina's online class, The Slow Novel Lab is open! And full transcripts of this season's episodes are now available. Nina walks listeners through a part-brainstorming, part-outlining strategy for when they feel lost in the middle of their stories. Also, enrollment in Nina's online class, The Slow Novel Lab is open! And full transcripts of this season's episodes are now available. novels, ya, fiction, character, exercises, creative writing, writing, plot false full 4 3 7c8a271d-2a80-4752-9309-cc8f09a414dd Emotion on the Page The Slow Novel Lab is now open for enrollment!

Join the conversation at The Slow Novel Lab Instagram!

Subscribe to Letters from Nina for more writing tips, book news and special offers!

Highlights:

  • I want to experience the pleasures and sorrows of life through the page.
  • It’s no small feat to make a reader feel what your character is feeling, and much of my drafting and revision time is spent making sure I’m getting it right.
  • If something isn’t working emotionally in your story, go back to what came before. To what hurt your character. To what they need or fear.
]]> Thu, 23 Jan 2020 17:28:44 +0000 nina.lacour@gmail.com (Nina LaCour) https://www.ninalacour.com The Slow Novel Lab is now open for enrollment!

Join the conversation at The Slow Novel Lab Instagram!

Subscribe to Letters from Nina for more writing tips, book news and special offers!

Highlights:

  • I want to experience the pleasures and sorrows of life through the page.
  • It’s no small feat to make a reader feel what your character is feeling, and much of my drafting and revision time is spent making sure I’m getting it right.
  • If something isn’t working emotionally in your story, go back to what came before. To what hurt your character. To what they need or fear.
]]> Emotion on the Page Nina LaCour 00:08:54 It’s no small feat to make a reader feel what your character is feeling. Here is Nina's best advice for you--in the form of a story and then an exercise. Also, special announcement: The Slow Novel Lab, Nina's online writing class, is now open for enrollment! It’s no small feat to make a reader feel what your character is feeling. Here is Nina's best advice for you--in the form of a story and then an exercise. Also, special announcement: The Slow Novel Lab, Nina's online writing class, is now open for enrollment! writing exercises, ya, fiction, emotion, craft, literature, character, writing tips, writing classes, craft of fiction, writing, plot false full 3 3 8a25b436-3f3f-4ea4-9ce4-6746c4c778d9 The Past and the Present: Weaving Backstory into Your Story Join the conversation at The Slow Novel Lab Instagram!

Subscribe to Letters from Nina for more writing tips, book news, and to hear when The Slow Novel Lab opens for enrollment!

Highlights:

-We need something to connect to. Details of setting. Histories. Hints or statements about how the characters came to be who and where they are.

-Allow the past and present to have their own plots and progressions.

-Showing is great, of course, but telling can be powerful. So don’t shy away from stating things plainly when your story warrants it.

 

]]> Thu, 16 Jan 2020 13:00:07 +0000 nina.lacour@gmail.com (nina lacour) https://www.ninalacour.com Join the conversation at The Slow Novel Lab Instagram!

Subscribe to Letters from Nina for more writing tips, book news, and to hear when The Slow Novel Lab opens for enrollment!

Highlights:

-We need something to connect to. Details of setting. Histories. Hints or statements about how the characters came to be who and where they are.

-Allow the past and present to have their own plots and progressions.

-Showing is great, of course, but telling can be powerful. So don’t shy away from stating things plainly when your story warrants it.

 

]]> The Past and the Present: Weaving Backstory into Your Story nina lacour 00:08:19 In this craft-focused episode, Nina explores backstory and the different ways it can be conveyed to better serve your novel. She considers what the reader needs to know about the past, as well as the character’s relation with it, and she gives four clear examples of how backstory can look on the page. In this craft-focused episode, Nina explores backstory and the different ways it can be conveyed to better serve your novel. She considers what the reader needs to know about the past, as well as the character’s relation with it, and she gives four clear examples of how backstory can look on the page. fiction, authors, craft, past, character, writers, creative writing, creativity, novel, craft of fiction, writing, plot false full 2 3 c3a17fe7-50c1-4076-a2e7-037da566f57b Five Strategies for Your 2020 Intentions Join the conversation at The Slow Novel Lab Instagram!

Subscribe to Letters from Nina for more writing tips, book news, and to hear when The Slow Novel Lab opens for enrollment!

Read Jocelyn K. Glei's blog post, "How to Feel Progress."

Highlights:
· Our goals have to be things we make happen for ourselves—not things we wait to be given.
· Overwhelm is a powerful opponent of productivity—but if you’re clear-eyed in your priorities you should be able to fend it off.
· Write yourself a new script—one that tells you what you secretly know: That you can do this.
· Speak to yourself as you would a friend. Today is a new day. Today can be the day you write.
· Writing is a practice. The more you do it, the better you’ll become at getting words on the page.
· I want to see myself moving forward in a way that tracking words or page count is not going to give me.
· Your work is a gift from you to yourself. Even when it’s messy, even when it’s not yet nearly what you want it to become.

]]> Mon, 13 Jan 2020 13:00:07 +0000 nina.lacour@gmail.com (Nina LaCour) https://www.ninalacour.com Join the conversation at The Slow Novel Lab Instagram!

Subscribe to Letters from Nina for more writing tips, book news, and to hear when The Slow Novel Lab opens for enrollment!

Read Jocelyn K. Glei's blog post, "How to Feel Progress."

Highlights:
· Our goals have to be things we make happen for ourselves—not things we wait to be given.
· Overwhelm is a powerful opponent of productivity—but if you’re clear-eyed in your priorities you should be able to fend it off.
· Write yourself a new script—one that tells you what you secretly know: That you can do this.
· Speak to yourself as you would a friend. Today is a new day. Today can be the day you write.
· Writing is a practice. The more you do it, the better you’ll become at getting words on the page.
· I want to see myself moving forward in a way that tracking words or page count is not going to give me.
· Your work is a gift from you to yourself. Even when it’s messy, even when it’s not yet nearly what you want it to become.

]]> Five Strategies for Your 2020 Intentions Nina LaCour 00:09:03 In the first episode of this mini-season, Nina gives actionable advice on mindset and productivity and practice for listeners to fulfill their creative intentions for the new year. She offers five ways to shift our thinking to best serve our work, such as prioritizing writing time, setting goals we have complete control over, and making progress visible. In the first episode of this mini-season, Nina gives actionable advice on mindset and productivity and practice for listeners to fulfill their creative intentions for the new year. She offers five ways to shift our thinking to best serve our work, such as prioritizing writing time, setting goals we have complete control over, and making progress visible. false full 1 3 dacaba9a-e697-48eb-93d1-70132221138c Announcement Nina talks about how life sometimes interrupts plans and shares some advice given to her by a friend.

Keep in touch with Nina, and hear more about this topic, by signing up for her mailing list here.

]]> Tue, 2 Jul 2019 16:58:23 +0000 nina.lacour@gmail.com (Nina LaCour) https://www.ninalacour.com Nina talks about how life sometimes interrupts plans and shares some advice given to her by a friend.

Keep in touch with Nina, and hear more about this topic, by signing up for her mailing list here.

]]> Announcement Nina LaCour 00:02:59 Nina explains why she's taking the summer off. Nina explains why she's taking the summer off. false bonus 2 ca52d370-69c8-4f05-bfd0-51084e8bd45d Experimentation Once you’re lost in a scene, it really doesn’t matter where you are or how long you have. What matters is that the words are coming, you’re getting closer.

On the third episode of Season Two, Nina talks about how she manages to meet her writing goals and is working to find solutions to the stumbling blocks she faces along the way, such as time constraints and mindset; and how identifying these blocks and their solutions has helped her creative process.

She encourages listeners to experiment with their work processes and offers suggestions on how to do so.

She shares audio and written notes from listeners telling us about their goals and struggles, and how they address issues such as the constant distractions, changes in routine or lifestyle, as well as their efforts to find more joy in their work.

Join Nina's newsletter for more musings on writing!

750 Words

The Artist's Way

Get in touch with us at keepinganotebook@ninalacour.com

]]> Mon, 17 Jun 2019 05:00:40 +0000 nina.lacour@gmail.com (Nina LaCour) https://www.ninalacour.com Once you’re lost in a scene, it really doesn’t matter where you are or how long you have. What matters is that the words are coming, you’re getting closer.

On the third episode of Season Two, Nina talks about how she manages to meet her writing goals and is working to find solutions to the stumbling blocks she faces along the way, such as time constraints and mindset; and how identifying these blocks and their solutions has helped her creative process.

She encourages listeners to experiment with their work processes and offers suggestions on how to do so.

She shares audio and written notes from listeners telling us about their goals and struggles, and how they address issues such as the constant distractions, changes in routine or lifestyle, as well as their efforts to find more joy in their work.

Join Nina's newsletter for more musings on writing!

750 Words

The Artist's Way

Get in touch with us at keepinganotebook@ninalacour.com

]]> Experimentation Nina LaCour 00:16:07 A call for experimentation in our work, including what Nina is currently trying and tips and goals from listeners. A call for experimentation in our work, including what Nina is currently trying and tips and goals from listeners. novels, ya, fiction, literature, writers, creative writing, creativity, experimentation, classes, writing false full 3 2 99e5b073-8573-4957-8c25-14094d187841 Self-Doubt *The best writing happens when you forget that you're a person. *-Elana K. Arnold

On the second episode of this season, Nina shares an experience of self-doubt.

Later on, she and fellow author Elana K. Arnold answer a listener question about facing self-doubt during the process of writing a novel.

Elana and Nina talk about how self-doubt can be useful for a writer and how it can be channeled into characters for the work to be more authentic and resonant.

Elana K. Arnold

Sign up for the Slow Novel Lab!

The American Library Association (ALA)

]]> Mon, 3 Jun 2019 03:00:13 +0000 nina.lacour@gmail.com (Nina LaCour, Elana K Arnold) https://www.ninalacour.com *The best writing happens when you forget that you're a person. *-Elana K. Arnold

On the second episode of this season, Nina shares an experience of self-doubt.

Later on, she and fellow author Elana K. Arnold answer a listener question about facing self-doubt during the process of writing a novel.

Elana and Nina talk about how self-doubt can be useful for a writer and how it can be channeled into characters for the work to be more authentic and resonant.

Elana K. Arnold

Sign up for the Slow Novel Lab!

The American Library Association (ALA)

]]> Self-Doubt Nina LaCour, Elana K Arnold 00:14:37 Nina LaCour invites fellow novelist Elana K. Arnold to help answer a question from a listener about self-doubt. Nina LaCour invites fellow novelist Elana K. Arnold to help answer a question from a listener about self-doubt. middle grade, novels, fiction, authors, craft, literature, young adult, literary, writers, creative writing, writing false full 2 2 66a7db17-fbdf-43da-b3b1-82c503adf47c Pressure You can’t write a good novel without trusting yourself to write it.

On the first episode of the second season, Nina talks about the pressures writers feel at all stages of their journey and offers advice on how to get back to a place where inspiration sparks creation.

She shares her experience of writing the story she thought she was supposed to write instead of the one she wanted to tell, and how releasing that pressure resulted in her finding her career and her voice.

She discusses surrendering to uncertainty, what we can and can’t control within the publishing industry and how to reframe the pressure that cannot be lifted.

The Slow Novel Lab
Sign up for Nina’s newsletter!

]]> Mon, 20 May 2019 07:00:13 +0000 nina.lacour@gmail.com (Nina LaCour) https://www.ninalacour.com You can’t write a good novel without trusting yourself to write it.

On the first episode of the second season, Nina talks about the pressures writers feel at all stages of their journey and offers advice on how to get back to a place where inspiration sparks creation.

She shares her experience of writing the story she thought she was supposed to write instead of the one she wanted to tell, and how releasing that pressure resulted in her finding her career and her voice.

She discusses surrendering to uncertainty, what we can and can’t control within the publishing industry and how to reframe the pressure that cannot be lifted.

The Slow Novel Lab
Sign up for Nina’s newsletter!

]]> Pressure Nina LaCour 00:12:59 false full 1 2 07f2acc8-26ab-4567-9003-1c795c184629 Ten Years, Five Books, Three Things I've Learned Episode 8

-I share with you my plans for season 2 of Keeping a Notebook. Send your questions my way to keepinganotebook@ninalacour.com!

-I take you through the first ten years of what I intend to be a lifelong career.

-I talk about the expectations I had when Hold Still was published ten years ago, and how those expectations have changed with time.

-I tell you why the practice of writing is the most important thing to nurture, and what my intention for the next ten years of my career is in this regard.

-I offer my advice on how to go deep within, instead of out of your element when crafting a story.

Tour dates

You can order signed and personalized copies of the We Are Okay and Hold Still paperbacks here!

Read Courtney Summers' letter here.

My website, Twitter, and Instagram

]]> Mon, 25 Feb 2019 12:00:00 +0000 nina.lacour@gmail.com (Nina LaCour) https://www.ninalacour.com Episode 8

-I share with you my plans for season 2 of Keeping a Notebook. Send your questions my way to keepinganotebook@ninalacour.com!

-I take you through the first ten years of what I intend to be a lifelong career.

-I talk about the expectations I had when Hold Still was published ten years ago, and how those expectations have changed with time.

-I tell you why the practice of writing is the most important thing to nurture, and what my intention for the next ten years of my career is in this regard.

-I offer my advice on how to go deep within, instead of out of your element when crafting a story.

Tour dates

You can order signed and personalized copies of the We Are Okay and Hold Still paperbacks here!

Read Courtney Summers' letter here.

My website, Twitter, and Instagram

]]> Ten Years, Five Books, Three Things I've Learned Nina LaCour 00:12:34 On the day before the ten-year anniversary edition of Nina's first novel comes out, she tells listeners about the highs and lows and most enduring lessons she's learned from a decade as a published novelist. On the day before the ten-year anniversary edition of Nina's first novel comes out, she tells listeners about the highs and lows and most enduring lessons she's learned from a decade as a published novelist. fiction, writing tips, creative writing, writing lessons, novel, novelist, writing, nina lacour false full 8 1 aaa9ceb1-e439-42ca-8c84-2632289db907 The Possibility of Invention Nina answers a listener's question on writing a novel based on real events and explores ideas of truth and expansiveness in fiction.

My website, Twitter, and Instagram

]]> Mon, 10 Dec 2018 12:00:00 +0000 nina.lacour@gmail.com (Nina LaCour) https://www.ninalacour.com Nina answers a listener's question on writing a novel based on real events and explores ideas of truth and expansiveness in fiction.

My website, Twitter, and Instagram

]]> The Possibility of Invention Nina LaCour 00:12:36 Nina answers a listener's question on writing a novel based on real events and explores ideas of truth and expansiveness in fiction. Nina answers a listener's question on writing a novel based on real events and explores ideas of truth and expansiveness in fiction. plot, storytelling, creative process, nanowrimo, writing fiction, ya, creative writing, fiction, craft of fiction false full 7 1 bb18c35f-c296-44a7-8239-b266e94cce32 When You Act on a Dream: Part Two In Episode 5, Nina turns to three people who inspire her for the stories of how they started their own endeavors. In Part Two, we hear from a journalist/novelist/podcaster about her ten year journey to publishing her first novel and the podcast that helped her find her way.

My website, Twitter, and Instagram

]]> Mon, 3 Dec 2018 12:01:00 +0000 nina.lacour@gmail.com (Nina LaCour) https://www.ninalacour.com In Episode 5, Nina turns to three people who inspire her for the stories of how they started their own endeavors. In Part Two, we hear from a journalist/novelist/podcaster about her ten year journey to publishing her first novel and the podcast that helped her find her way.

My website, Twitter, and Instagram

]]> When You Act on a Dream: Part Two Nina LaCour 00:18:18 In Episode 5, Nina turns to three people who inspire her for the stories of how they started their own endeavors. In Part Two, we hear from a journalist/novelist/podcaster about her ten year journey to publishing her first novel and the podcast that helped her find her way. In Episode 5, Nina turns to three people who inspire her for the stories of how they started their own endeavors. In Part Two, we hear from a journalist/novelist/podcaster about her ten year journey to publishing her first novel and the podcast that helped her find her way. ya, storytelling, fiction, writing fiction, nanowrimo, creative writing, craft of fiction, creative entrepreneur, plot, creative process false full 6 1 558be1c1-b48e-4a18-8507-68b4f97f0d58 When You Act on a Dream: Part One In Episode 5, Nina turns to three people who inspire her for the stories of how they started their own endeavors. In Part One, we hear from a shop owner and a bread baker.

My website, Twitter, and Instagram

]]> Mon, 3 Dec 2018 12:00:00 +0000 nina.lacour@gmail.com (Nina LaCour) https://www.ninalacour.com In Episode 5, Nina turns to three people who inspire her for the stories of how they started their own endeavors. In Part One, we hear from a shop owner and a bread baker.

My website, Twitter, and Instagram

]]> When You Act on a Dream: Part One Nina LaCour 00:23:19 In Episode 5, Nina turns to three people who inspire her for the stories of how they started their own endeavors. In Part One, we hear from a shop owner and a bread baker. In Episode 5, Nina turns to three people who inspire her for the stories of how they started their own endeavors. In Part One, we hear from a shop owner and a bread baker. writing fiction, storytelling, ya, creative entrepreneur, creative process, creative writing, fiction, craft of fiction, nanowrimo, plot false full 5 1 cf1d363b-e2a1-46e7-b68d-982198dd37e8 How We See & What We Write We all have our own ways of seeing and understanding the world. This episode dives deep into the ways our perspectives shift as we grow up, and how embracing our unique ways of seeing can lead to our most authentic writing.

"On Writing" by Raymond Carver

My website, Twitter, and Instagram

]]> Mon, 19 Nov 2018 12:00:00 +0000 nina.lacour@gmail.com (Nina LaCour) https://www.ninalacour.com We all have our own ways of seeing and understanding the world. This episode dives deep into the ways our perspectives shift as we grow up, and how embracing our unique ways of seeing can lead to our most authentic writing.

"On Writing" by Raymond Carver

My website, Twitter, and Instagram

]]> How We See & What We Write Nina LaCour 00:14:04 We all have our own ways of seeing and understanding the world. This episode dives deep into the ways our perspectives shift as we grow up, and how embracing our unique ways of seeing can lead to our most authentic writing. We all have our own ways of seeing and understanding the world. This episode dives deep into the ways our perspectives shift as we grow up, and how embracing our unique ways of seeing can lead to our most authentic writing. ya, creative process, fiction, plot, nanowrimo, creative writing, storytelling, craft of fiction, writing fiction false full 4 1 7a5f7228-1689-4f11-b058-2cbcf4f00ee0 For When You Feel Stuck In Your Writing We all have trouble getting started sometimes. This episode is for when you're stuck in a major way with your writing, or when you simply need a way back into your story. It's full of questions and strategies to help you start writing.

My website, Twitter, and Instagram

]]> Mon, 12 Nov 2018 12:00:00 +0000 nina.lacour@gmail.com (Nina LaCour) https://www.ninalacour.com We all have trouble getting started sometimes. This episode is for when you're stuck in a major way with your writing, or when you simply need a way back into your story. It's full of questions and strategies to help you start writing.

My website, Twitter, and Instagram

]]> For When You Feel Stuck In Your Writing Nina LaCour 00:12:05 We all have trouble getting started sometimes. This episode is for when you're stuck in a major way with your writing, or when you simply need a way back into your story. It's full of questions and strategies to help you start writing. We all have trouble getting started sometimes. This episode is for when you're stuck in a major way with your writing, or when you simply need a way back into your story. It's full of questions and strategies to help you start writing. fiction, creative process, nanowrimo, plot, storytelling, writing fiction, writers block, creative writing, ya, craft of fiction false full 3 1 0f849806-e0be-4c30-930f-e7273dc2b96e All the Story You Need In which Nina answers a listener's question about how to weave plot into character-driven novels, and shares her own journey toward understanding that a quiet story can be all the story you need.

My website, Twitter, and Instagram

]]> Mon, 5 Nov 2018 12:00:00 +0000 nina.lacour@gmail.com (Nina LaCour) https://www.ninalacour.com In which Nina answers a listener's question about how to weave plot into character-driven novels, and shares her own journey toward understanding that a quiet story can be all the story you need.

My website, Twitter, and Instagram

]]> All the Story You Need Nina LaCour 00:12:27 In which Nina answers a listener's question about how to weave plot into character-driven novels, and shares her own journey toward understanding that a quiet story can be all the story you need. In which Nina answers a listener's question about how to weave plot into character-driven novels, and shares her own journey toward understanding that a quiet story can be all the story you need. writing fiction, nanowrimo, plot, storytelling, ya, fiction, creative writing, craft of fiction, creative process false full 2 1 afa0c567-98f0-475e-8d29-f304a91578fc I Want it Back A look at early inspiration and a call to do our best work during difficult times.

Books Mentioned

My website

]]> Thu, 1 Nov 2018 13:00:00 +0000 nina.lacour@gmail.com (Nina LaCour) https://www.ninalacour.com A look at early inspiration and a call to do our best work during difficult times.

Books Mentioned

My website

]]> I Want it Back Nina LaCour 00:10:00 A look at early inspiration and a call to do our best work during difficult times. A look at early inspiration and a call to do our best work during difficult times. false full 1 1 d19dcfd0-cbab-4c3a-bb3c-92c100edac7a Trailer Welcome to Keeping a Notebook—a podcast on writing

For the next eight weeks I’ll being taking a deep look at the creative process. Answering questions on craft issues like character and plot, and discussing what it means to be a writer in tumultuous times.

I hope you’ll subscribe and join me here.

My website

]]> Wed, 24 Oct 2018 17:00:00 +0000 nina.lacour@gmail.com (Nina LaCour) https://www.ninalacour.com Welcome to Keeping a Notebook—a podcast on writing

For the next eight weeks I’ll being taking a deep look at the creative process. Answering questions on craft issues like character and plot, and discussing what it means to be a writer in tumultuous times.

I hope you’ll subscribe and join me here.

My website

]]> Trailer Nina LaCour 00:00:40 Welcome to Keeping a Notebook—a podcast on writing For the next eight weeks I’ll being taking a deep look at the creative process. Answering questions on craft issues like character and plot, and discussing what it means to be a writer in tumultuous times. I hope you’ll subscribe and join me here. Welcome to Keeping a Notebook—a podcast on writing For the next eight weeks I’ll being taking a deep look at the creative process. Answering questions on craft issues like character and plot, and discussing what it means to be a writer in tumultuous times. I hope you’ll subscribe and join me here. false trailer 0 1