Wish I'd Known Then . . . For Writers

Using Grammar as Your Creative Toolbox with Patty McGee

304 / Are you curious how understanding grammar—not just as a set of rules but as a tool for creative expression—can transform your writing and help you find your unique author voice?✨ This week’s sponsor is Vellum: http://tryvellum.com/wishWe talked with Patty McGee, a literary consultant and author of Not Your Granny’s Grammar to unpack why grammar isn’t about memorizing rules, but about developing your unique voice. Patty shared tips on building foundational skills, using grammar to enhance your writing’s rhythm, and why it’s totally normal to make mistakes. Finding your writing voice through sentence rhythmOvercoming grammar embarrassment as an authorPractical resources for learning grammarEffective strategies for giving and receiving feedback  Trends in grammar and punctuation in modern writing💙 Become a supporter of the podcast https://wishidknownforwriters.com/support or https://wishidknownthenpodcast.substack.com/subscribeAccess to backlist of exclusive supporter episodesShoutout on a future episode📥 Send us a Text Message ⚡Links: www.pattymcgee.orghttp://tryvellum.com/wishAmazon algorithm changes and tips: https://thenewpublishingstandard.com/2026/01/24/a10-sales-rankings-explained/Joanna Penn’s 2026 trends and prediction: https://www.thecreativepenn.com/2026/01/05/2026-trends-and-predictions-for-indie-authors-and-the-book-publishing-industry-with-joanna-penn/   Send a textSupport the show🚀 Jami’s Consulting and Workshops: https://www.jamialbright.com/authorworkshops❤️ Jami’s books https://amzn.to/3wSraA5🔎 Sara’s books https://www.sararosett.com/bibliography/ 📚 Sara’s How to Write a Series book and audiobook: https://www.sararosett.com/how-to-write-a-series/The Big List of Craft and marketing books mentioned on WIKT podcast episodes https://bookshop.org/lists/recommenced-resources-for-writers-from-the-wish-i-d-known-then-podcast

How to Take Feedback Without Losing Your Author Voice with Nicole Meier

303 / Are you curious about how to find your writing voice, handle feedback without losing your vision, and thrive in today’s ever-changing publishing world? Nicole Meier shares what she wishes she’d known as both an author and developmental editor, plus key insights for writers at every stage. ✨ This week’s corporate sponsor:http://tryvellum.com/wishWhen to seek feedback and the stages of editingCommon mistakes authors make and how to avoid themAvoiding the trap of rushingFeedback as a listening device so you don’t lose your voiceEmerging trends and the power of authenticity in storytellingHow to get over being stuck in your revisions💙 Become a supporter of the podcast https://wishidknownforwriters.com/support or https://wishidknownthenpodcast.substack.com/subscribeAccess to backlist of exclusive supporter episodesShoutout on a future episode📥 Send us a Text Message ⚡Links:https://nicolemeier.com/https://nicolemeierwrites.substack.com/http://tryvellum.com/wishSend us a textSupport the show🚀 Jami’s Consulting and Workshops: https://www.jamialbright.com/authorworkshops❤️ Jami’s books https://amzn.to/3wSraA5🔎 Sara’s books https://www.sararosett.com/bibliography/ 📚 Sara’s How to Write a Series book and audiobook: https://www.sararosett.com/how-to-write-a-series/The Big List of Craft and marketing books mentioned on WIKT podcast episodes https://bookshop.org/lists/recommenced-resources-for-writers-from-the-wish-i-d-known-then-podcast

Jennifer Hilt and Sara Rosett on Mystery and Thriller Tropes

302 / We’re talking about the power of tropes in storytelling with Jennifer Hilt, uncovering why elements like scars, secrets, and shame drive compelling mysteries and thrillers—and how they show up in every genre.  Jennifer shared insights from her Trope Thesaurus series, and both guests revealed how understanding and leveraging tropes isn’t just a writing shortcut—it’s a way to deepen character, amp up conflict, and even supercharge your marketing.Tips for handling co-writing and collaborationBreaking down “scars and secrets” as trope superstarsHow to make the tropes unique and memorable to your storyUsing tropes to analyze popular media with examples from Severance, The Housemade, and JustifiedThe storybeats of tropesPlus we brainstorm a story  with the armenia trope💙 Become a supporter of the podcast https://wishidknownforwriters.com/support or https://wishidknownthenpodcast.substack.com/subscribeAccess to backlist of exclusive supporter episodesShoutout on a future episode📥 Send us a Text Message ⚡Links:www.jenniferhilt.comMystery and Thriller Trope book: https://books2read.com/MysteryandThrillerJennifer Hilt on Trope Con and Planning Online Events: https://wishidknownforwriters.com/262-2/How to Use Tropes to Create Strong Characters and Deepen Conflict with Jennifer Hilt: https://wishidknownforwriters.com/155-2/Send us a textSupport the show🚀 Jami’s Consulting and Workshops: https://www.jamialbright.com/authorworkshops❤️ Jami’s books https://amzn.to/3wSraA5🔎 Sara’s books https://www.sararosett.com/bibliography/ 📚 Sara’s How to Write a Series book and audiobook: https://www.sararosett.com/how-to-write-a-series/The Big List of Craft and marketing books mentioned on WIKT podcast episodes https://bookshop.org/lists/recommenced-resources-for-writers-from-the-wish-i-d-known-then-podcast

300 Episodes Part II: Simplifying and Leaning into Artisanship with Belinda Kroll

301 / In this 301st episode, hear from listeners (thanks for the voicemails!) about their favorite topics and takeaways and another long-time supporter, Belinda Kroll joins us. Belinda is a cozy fantasy romance author and illustrator, and shares how she's streamlining her business to lean fully into her artisan side.Shifting from serial to artisan-focused publishing Leveraging Kickstarter and Shopify for book launches Balancing writing and business with family life Learning from setbacks and focusing on what works for you Adapting to industry changes and technology, including AI💙 Become a supporter of the podcast: https://wishidknownforwriters.com/support or https://wishidknownthenpodcast.substack.com/subscribeAccess to backlist of exclusive supporter episodes but the 200 episodes in the vaultShoutout on a future episode📥 Send us a Text Message ⚡Links:Trope Book: https://books2read.com/MysteryandThrillerJami’s branding workshop: https://www.jamialbright.com/authorworkshopsAimee Robinson: https://www.aimeerobinsonromance.comStephanie Faris: https://www.stephaniefaris.comStephanie Faris on Steamy Instalove Shorts, Sweet Romance, and Dictation:https://wishidknownforwriters.com/278-2/Belinda Kroll: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/worderella/an-uncanny-bargainhttps://worderella.comhttps://worderella.com/linkshttps://brightbirdpress.com/Writing Cozy Fantasy as a Joyful Side Hustle with Belinda Kroll: https://wishidknownforwriters.com/171-2/Send us a textSupport the show🚀 Jami’s Consulting and Workshops: https://www.jamialbright.com/authorworkshops❤️ Jami’s books https://amzn.to/3wSraA5🔎 Sara’s books https://www.sararosett.com/bibliography/ 📚 Sara’s How to Write a Series book and audiobook: https://www.sararosett.com/how-to-write-a-series/The Big List of Craft and marketing books mentioned on WIKT podcast episodes https://bookshop.org/lists/recommenced-resources-for-writers-from-the-wish-i-d-known-then-podcast

300 Episodes Part I: Navigating Industry Changes with Parker Finch

300 / In this 300th episode, we take a walk down memory lane, sharing behind-the-scenes stories from the early days of the podcast and reflecting on how far we’ve come—with over 500,000 downloads and listeners tuning in from all around the world. We chat about the most popular episode, our sometimes dodgy sound, and the connections we’ve made with authors and vendors in the indie publishing community.Joining us is long-time listener and sports rom com author Parker Finch, who shares how staying reader-focused has helped her build a sustainable writing career. We discuss the ever-changing publishing landscape, creative fulfillment, and why mixing panic with positivity is totally normal for writers. In the next episode, we’ll hear more from listeners (thank you for the voicemails!) and have another special author interview. 💙 Become a supporter of the podcast https://wishidknownforwriters.com/supportAccess to backlist of exclusive supporter episodesShoutout on a future episode📥 Send us a Text Message ⚡Links:Parker Finch Parkerfinch.comMelanie Harlow episode: https://wishidknownforwriters.com/209-2/Send us a textSupport the show🚀 Jami’s Consulting and Workshops: https://www.jamialbright.com/authorworkshops❤️ Jami’s books https://amzn.to/3wSraA5🔎 Sara’s books https://www.sararosett.com/bibliography/ 📚 Sara’s How to Write a Series book and audiobook: https://www.sararosett.com/how-to-write-a-series/The Big List of Craft and marketing books mentioned on WIKT podcast episodes https://bookshop.org/lists/recommenced-resources-for-writers-from-the-wish-i-d-known-then-podcast