Hoo boy. In this episode, Elizabeth gets really mad at LaPan's hating of women, I try to clarify my comments and Sarah is the peacekeeper.

In all, pretty great episode for all of us, even if nothing we say has anything to do with storytelling or writing.

StorytellersAZ is a meetup for anyone who wants to tell better stories. We meet the second and fourth Wednesday of every month from 7-9pm at Gangplank in Chandler. If you'd like to attend, show up. 

If you'd like to be a part of our podcast, email tyler@gangplankhq.com.

You can subscribe, for FREE, via iTunes or RSS. Click on the iTunes link takes you to the iTunes Store or RSS (both totally free!) via your preferred reader.

from StorytellersAZ http://storytellersaz.libsyn.com/episode-42-masculine-vs-feminine

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In this episode we get all excited about going from Point A to Point B. Yeah, we're pretty cool.

StorytellersAZ is a meetup for anyone who wants to tell better stories. We meet the second and fourth Wednesday of every month from 7-9pm at Gangplank in Chandler. If you'd like to attend, show up. 

If you'd like to be a part of our podcast, email tyler@gangplankhq.com.

You can subscribe, for FREE, via iTunes or RSS. Click on the iTunes link takes you to the iTunes Store or RSS (both totally free!) via your preferred reader.

from StorytellersAZ http://storytellersaz.libsyn.com/episode-41-change-and-process

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Not all bloggers are photographers, but with a little work, we can be. While taking your own pictures is a bit of work, it's far better than stealing images from other sites.

Yes, I realize it's not theft. And no, linking the image isn't the legal way to obtain permission. While many of us are happy with a link (go ahead and use anything I write, as long as you give me some credit), not everyone can be so nice about it.

Photographers especially. In the episode we talk about CompFight.com and a few other sites that are great for finding images. Be sure to check them out FIRST the next time you need an image in a blog post.

GOOGLE IMAGES ISN'T ENOUGH!

StorytellersAZ is a meetup for anyone who wants to tell better stories. We meet the second and fourth Wednesday of every month from 7-9pm at Gangplank in Chandler. If you'd like to attend, show up. 

If you'd like to be a part of our podcast, email tyler@gangplankhq.com.

You can subscribe, for FREE, via iTunes or RSS. Click on the iTunes link takes you to the iTunes Store or RSS (both totally free!) via your preferred reader.

from StorytellersAZ http://storytellersaz.libsyn.com/episode-40-images-for-blogs

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The world of self publishing can be scary. So many options, so many buttons and so, so many tasks that most writers just aren't ready to handle.

But we're happy to report that the actual process of publishing via Amazon KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing) is fast, easy and helps novice publishers through typical issues.

In this episode, Matt Fox of Persuasion Theory talks us through his experience publishing Friction Free Sales & Marketing using Amazon KDP. Seems pretty easy, although I can't guarantee everyone will be able to sell books this way. As we discuss in the podcast, publishing is one of many steps toward selling enough books to retire to an island. If that's your thing, of course.

StorytellersAZ is a meetup for anyone who wants to tell better stories. We meet the second and fourth Wednesday of every month from 7-9pm at Gangplank in Chandler. If you'd like to attend, show up. 

If you'd like to be a part of our podcast, email tyler@gangplankhq.com.

You can subscribe, for FREE, via iTunes or RSS. Click on the iTunes link takes you to the iTunes Store or RSS (both totally free!) via your preferred reader.

from StorytellersAZ http://storytellersaz.libsyn.com/episode-39-amazon-kdp

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In this episode we discuss how best to get ourselves exposure. While most of us hate the term 'personal branding', the ideas and reasons behind the term aren't bad.

As Tyler was prepping for his TEDxPhoenixSalon talk, he was looking for ways to promote himself. Turns out that giving a great speech should have been more important than any promotion or branding.

Think about that for a second.

Ch...ch...CH...CHANGES!

It's time to change things up, as our meetings and this podcast have grown a bit stale. Starting at our meeting next week, we'll have one business writing question and one creative writing question. Hopefully the biz guys can help the creatives with structure and the creative guys can help the biz guys with spice. Or gals. Or whatever.

See you next week!

Want to have a say in just what that is? Show up!

StorytellersAZ is a meetup for anyone who wants to tell better stories. We meet the second and fourth Wednesday of every month from 7-9pm at Gangplank in Chandler. If you'd like to attend, show up. 

If you'd like to be a part of our podcast, email tyler@gangplankhq.com.

You can subscribe, for FREE, via iTunes or RSS. Click on the iTunes link takes you to the iTunes Store or RSS (both totally free!) via your preferred reader.

from StorytellersAZ http://storytellersaz.libsyn.com/episode-38-how-to-get-known

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I'm always asking Katie to look over my stuff, but besides proofreading, it's probably not a good idea.

Why?

Because it's always, always too personal. For both of us. We discuss what we think about this in the episode.

Also, StorytellersAZ the podcast will be retired once it hits episode 50. We may continue meeting, we may continue to record, but it will be a new project with a more specific direction.

Want to have a say in just what that is? Show up!

StorytellersAZ is a meetup for anyone who wants to tell better stories. We meet the second and fourth Wednesday of every month from 7-9pm at Gangplank in Chandler. If you'd like to attend, show up. 

If you'd like to be a part of our podcast, email tyler@gangplankhq.com.

You can subscribe, for FREE, via iTunes or RSS. Click on the iTunes link takes you to the iTunes Store or RSS (both totally free!) via your preferred reader.

from StorytellersAZ http://storytellersaz.libsyn.com/episode-37-should-you-ask-your-spouse-to-edi...

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In this episode we talk about my fear that I don't sound like I write.

Yes, I may have been severely overthinking my TEDxPhoenixSalon talk, but oh well.

It was a fun episode.

StorytellersAZ is a meetup for anyone who wants to tell better stories. We meet the second and fourth Wednesday of every month from 7-9pm at Gangplank in Chandler. If you'd like to attend, show up. 

If you'd like to be a part of our podcast, email tyler@gangplankhq.com.

You can subscribe, for FREE, via iTunes or RSS. Click on the iTunes link takes you to the iTunes Store or RSS (both totally free!) via your preferred reader.

from StorytellersAZ http://storytellersaz.libsyn.com/episode-36-do-you-write-like-you-speak-or-sp...

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('Someone' may have uploaded two raw recordings because he was impatient and didn't check the final file to make sure it was done. This is now the correct file.)

Brian LaPan takes over hosting duties in this episode about designing ebook covers. 

While fretting about ebook covers may seem pointless, let me assure you that they absolutely matter when customers check out your stuff on Amazon. Pay someone to design yours for you, unless you're a designer. You'll thank us.

StorytellersAZ is a meetup for anyone who wants to tell better stories. We meet the second and fourth Wednesday of every month from 7-9pm at Gangplank in Chandler. If you'd like to attend, show up. 

If you'd like to be a part of our podcast, email tyler@gangplankhq.com.

You can subscribe, for FREE, via iTunes or RSS. Click on the iTunes link takes you to the iTunes Store or RSS (both totally free!) via your preferred reader.

from StorytellersAZ http://storytellersaz.libsyn.com/episode-35-designing-ebook-covers

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Monumental meeting this week, folks. After this, I'll no longer be a free-swinging single dude, so...not really sure if that means anything, but whatever.

And because I'm selfish, I'd like to discuss the biggest differences between writing and speaking (my TEDx talk is on Thursday) and the differences between internal and external motivation.

Thoughts?

We'll be meeting March 14, from 7-9pm at Gangplank. Tell your friends!

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Of all the tricks storytellers have up their sleeves, few are more important to fiction writing than generating ideas. Sure, we can always look to our lives, our environment, our friends or our experiences, but those can get stale after a while.

B.J. West knows this well. After a career which includes working with many of the Sims franchises, West is finally able to ship the idea he had long ago. Listen to the interview to discover what prompted him to create the decks, what he based them on and why he thinks you could use a set.

StorytellersAZ is a meetup for anyone who wants to tell better stories. We meet the second and fourth Wednesday of every month from 7-9pm at Gangplank in Chandler. If you'd like to attend, show up. 

If you'd like to be a part of our podcast, email tyler@gangplankhq.com.

You can subscribe, for FREE, via iTunes or RSS. Click on the iTunes link takes you to the iTunes Store or RSS (both totally free!) via your preferred reader.

[[posterous-content:pid___0]]

from StorytellersAZ http://storytellersaz.libsyn.com/episode-34-b-j-west-of-story-forge

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Most writers, at least before they become rich, famous and immortal, seldom write about stuff they know. They're given assignments by their bosses, beats by their editors, topics by their clients or piece together bits of unfamiliar ideas and weave them together.

In this episode, our gang talks about some of the struggles we face when writing about the unknown. While research and experience can often solve the issue of not knowing enough, not LIKING the subject matter is another issue entirely.

Our advice? Suck it up, do the work and cash the check. Then go write what you know and like.

You can subscribe, for FREE, via iTunes or RSS. Click on the iTunes link takes you to the iTunes Store or RSS (both totally free!) via your preferred reader.

StorytellersAZ is a meetup for anyone who wants to tell better stories. We meet the second and fourth Wednesday of every month from 7-9pm at Gangplank in Chandler.

If you'd like to attend, show up. 

If you'd like to be a part of our podcast, email tyler@gangplankhq.com.

from StorytellersAZ http://storytellersaz.libsyn.com/episode-33-writing-about-what-you-don-t-know...

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We're meeting this Wednesday (I'll be here this time) at our normal place. Topic suggestion for this week include checking in on our February goals, how to edit your own work, best practices for article ideas and how to design an ebook.

Vote for two or make a suggestion, please!

See you this week.

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On a warm night at Gangplank Chandler, your almost-always host Tyler Hurst joins poet Sarah Marques, REALTOR Elizabeth Newlin and blogger/podcast editor Debbie Walker talk about the trademark that's supposed to be at the end of REALTOR, Debbie's kids and how we prefer to tell and write stories.

The order of storytelling can be either non-linear or linear, which is something we all approve. It works especially well on TV shows. Also, Elizabeth calls me out for not remembering how Tyler told a story.

You can subscribe, for FREE, via iTunes or RSS. Click on the iTunes link takes you to the iTunes Store or RSS (both totally free!) via your preferred reader.

StorytellersAZ is a meetup for anyone who wants to tell better stories. We meet the second and fourth Wednesday of every month from 7-9pm at Gangplank in Chandler.

If you'd like to attend, show up. 

If you'd like to be a part of our podcast, email tyler@gangplankhq.com.

from StorytellersAZ http://storytellersaz.libsyn.com/episode-32-linear-or-non-linear-

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Unless you're behind on those things (laundry, dishes, etc.)

As I think most of us have realized by now, what we think is important isn't all that important if you don't make it a priority. Whether that's writing a book, finishing a case study or finish edits instead of putting them off, we all have enough time in our days and weeks to finish a bunch.

For anyone that isn't in our group, email me at tyler@gangplankhq.com and I'll add you to our IDoneThis.com list, which allows us to share what we accomplished that day. No mentioning what we SHOULD have done and no beating ourselves up for what we couldn't find time to do, just some public, positive accountability aimed at helping us be more productive.

Unfortunately, I won't be in town for this week's meeting. Suggestions to talk about include: where you can improve on daily, weekly and monthly either goal setting or process in which you accomplish those goals and suggestions for a more structured podcast.

For me? I wrote 424 words toward my goal of 10k (blogs, my book(s), not long emails) last week. While I didn't hit my goal of something like 333 words a day, I did make what was important a priority and thanks to Franklin Covey's 5 Rules of Productivity, was able to check off a bunch of tasks that will contribute to my long-term success.

Oh, and I sorta have a job now. I will even go into an office one day a week!
Or, in freelance lingo, I have have one, big client.

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I'd hoped we'd have thought of a better title, but I'm not going to worry much about it. 

It's time for February Challenge/Get Shit Done/Get Accomplished Month!

As referenced in our fantastic podcast, we will, for all of February, use a daily check-in system to keep people accountable toward their main goals for the month. Thanks to idonethis.com, I've set up a StorytellersAZ calendar for ALL of us.

(I know there's an option for a personal calendar, but let's see how productive we are if we keep everything public.)

If you'd like to join us for the next 29 days, please email tyler@gangplankhq.com with the subject line "Join February Challenge" and I'll add your email to the group list.

From there, feel free to make a to-do list, record daily accomplishments and set the daily email reminders for what best fits your schedule (I check-in at 9pm every night and receive a list of what I did yesterday at 6am).

My task is to reach my 10,000 word goal for the month are up on the site. Others include writing a short story, posting twice a week or even as simple as cleaning every day. While we encourage the tasks to be creative, that's certainly not required.

The point of this month is to stay productive by staying accountable.

Questions? No? Okay, let's do this!

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One of the main reasons we started StorytellersAZ was to help other storytellers get stuff done. In this episode, we talk about how to best achieve long-term goals and decided to use February as our month to get stuff done.

Listen to Sarah Marques talk about signing her first ghost-writing client, Rebecca Joy making plans to finally get her book and vision for firefighters to the masses and Crystal the Life Navigator figure out how to best shake up people's lives.

You can subscribe, for FREE, via iTunes or RSS. Click on the iTunes link takes you to the iTunes Store or RSS (both totally free!) via your preferred reader.

StorytellersAZ is a meetup for anyone who wants to tell better stories. We meet the second and fourth Wednesday of every month from 7-9pm at Gangplank in Chandler.

If you'd like to attend, show up. 

If you'd like to be a part of our podcast, email tyler@gangplankhq.com.

from StorytellersAZ http://storytellersaz.libsyn.com/episode-31-setting-and-achieving-long-term-g...

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In this episode, writer Wendy Coneybeer, sales guy Matt Fox and Rebecca Joy's friend Life Navigation Coach Crystal sat down to talk how to best accomplish short-term goals.

These goals, defined by us as anything due in less than a month that requires 1-2 days work, tend to stack up quickly, but less in importance as they are put off. So how do you best differentiate these from other tasks and long-term projects? Listen to find out!

You can subscribe, for FREE, via iTunes or RSS. Click on the iTunes link takes you to the iTunes Store or RSS (both totally free!) via your preferred reader.

StorytellersAZ is a meetup for anyone who wants to tell better stories. We meet the second and fourth Wednesday of every month from 7-9pm at Gangplank in Chandler.

If you'd like to attend, show up. 

If you'd like to be a part of our podcast, email tyler@gangplankhq.com.

from StorytellersAZ http://storytellersaz.libsyn.com/episode-31-setting-and-achieving-short-term-...

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Are you ready? We're ready.

So come join a bunch of storytellers at this week's StorytellersAZ. We'll be discussing how to make mundane topics or task less boring and the order of storytelling (linear, non-linear).

There may also be treats, but we're not sure if our baker will be in attendance.

We'll also discuss our ground rules for the February competition, as well as figure out some cool prizes.

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I'd like to say our group sat around and were as entertaining as Seinfeld, but we mostly sat around and rambled on about nothing in particular. This is one of those times that should prompt me to write out an outline ahead of time so we don't waste our time, and any listeners, talking about stuff that doesn't matter.

But either way, this episode is about absolutely nothing. 

You can subscribe, for FREE, via iTunes or RSS. Click on the iTunes link takes you to the iTunes Store (free!), RSS will take you to your preferred reader.

StorytellersAZ is a meetup for anyone who wants to tell better stories. We meet the second and fourth Wednesday of every month from 7-9pm at Gangplank in Chandler.

If you'd like to attend, show up. 

If you'd like to be a part of our podcast, email tyler@gangplankhq.com.

from StorytellersAZ http://storytellersaz.libsyn.com/episode-29-the-one-about-nothing

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Have you missed each other? Time to get back to full strength after a busy holiday season. 

Thanks to Wendy's idea, we'll be discussing short- and long-term planning and goal setting, along with the creation of a tracking system for us to keep each other accountable.

Join us this Wednesday, January 11 from 7 to 9 pm at Gangplank.

Should we livestream?

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