Posts tagged motivation for writers
Bonus: Five Actionable Writing Lessons from Shrinking Season Two (Companion to Ep. 300)
Bonus: Five Actionable Writing Lessons from Shrinking Season Two (Companion to Ep. 300)

Welcome back to Spun Today! In this bonus episode, Tony Ortiz explores what writers can learn from Season 2 of "Shrinking." Through a breakdown of five actionable takeaways, you'll discover how to craft flawed, believable characters, turn emotional growth into concrete action, and write conflicts where both sides feel justified. Whether you’re a seasoned storyteller or just getting started, this episode is packed with inspiration and practical tips to fuel your creative process—reminding you that the best writing comes from digging deep into the real, messy parts of being human.

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Tony OrtizShrinking Season 2, character development, writing takeaways, storytelling craft, trauma in fiction, emotional growth, character flaws, protagonist mistakes, conflict in writing, perspective versus perspective, character arcs, transformation, writing prompts, companion guide, actionable tips, motivation for writers, inspiration, creativity, bonus episode, creative process, character confrontation, moral complexity, emotional action, learning from TV shows, applying lessons, writing better characters, writing resources, writing guides, unpacking stories, creative storytellingComment
#301 – Highlight the Possibilities: Writing Motivation from Jay Z, Creative Marketing, and Trust by Hernan Diaz (Free-Writing Session)
#301 – Highlight the Possibilities: Writing Motivation from Jay Z, Creative Marketing, and Trust by Hernan Diaz (Free-Writing Session)

Welcome to another episode of Spun Today, where writing is both our anchor and our gateway to a universe of creativity. I’m Tony Ortiz, and in this episode, I take you deep into my own writing journey — breaking down my day-to-day habits, the victories and setbacks in sticking to a writing schedule, and the lessons learned along the way. I’ll share actionable tips, including a powerful insight from Jay Z’s creative process and how even a single well-chosen word can completely shift the meaning of a story.

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Tony Ortizwriting tips, creative process, motivation for writers, inspiration for creatives, free writing, book marketing, Amazon ads, self-publishing, Jay Z interview, economy of words, structure in storytelling, character development, Trust by Hernan Diaz, authorship, narrative control, narrative bias, minimalist book covers, AI for writers, ChatGPT for marketing, spike ads, book promotion strategies, selling books online, writing stats, creative challenges, storytelling techniques, memoir structure, book within a book, juxtaposition in writing, using metaphor in writing, creative productivityComment
#292 – Motivation for Writers: Tracking Progress and Learning from Noir Fiction
#292 – Motivation for Writers: Tracking Progress and Learning from Noir Fiction

Welcome to Episode 292 of the Spun Today Podcast! In this episode, host Tony Ortiz dives deep into the writing life, inviting listeners into another motivating free writing session. Tony shares his latest writing stats and candidly discusses the ups and downs of creative consistency, including the struggles of writer’s block and the magic of finding inspiration after unexpected detours. He also offers practical writing tips sourced from Sandra Chwialkowska and Jordan Peele, reminding us why showing up to the page matters and why fun should always be at the heart of our creative process.

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Tony Ortizwriting tips, creative process, writer’s block, motivation for writers, inspiration for creatives, Manhattan Noir, Lawrence Block, short story anthologies, New York City stories, pacing in writing, tone in storytelling, character development, ProWritingAid, editing tools for writers, Instagram writing advice, Sandra Chwialkowska quote, Jordan Peele advice, following the fun in writing, novel drafting, perfectionism in writing, objectivity for creatives, dedication to writing, creative breakthroughs, resisting writer’s block, time management for writers, noir fiction, Akashic Noir series, short story exercises, book marketing tools, mockup shots for books, podcast support methodsComment