In this episode, I sit down with Sally McQuillen, a psychotherapist and author of the upcoming memoir "Reaching for Beautiful: A Memoir of Loving and Losing a Wild Child." Sally shares her powerful journey of processing grief through writing after losing her son Christopher, and how journaling on her phone eventually evolved into a full memoir.

Key Topics & Timestamps:

[05:01] Sally discusses her connection to "wild" personalities and her son Christopher

[15:57] The therapeutic benefits of journaling through grief

[21:52] How Sally's writing group helped shape her memoir

[26:54] Working with She Writes Press and editor Brooke Warner

[31:21] The special significance of the book's April 2025 release date

[34:01] End of interview

Special Note at the End [35:40]: Discussion about changes coming to the podcast format and reducing interview frequency in favor of more solo episodes.

Don't miss next week's episode featuring bestselling author Steve Berry!

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Welcome to another insightful episode of the Wordslinger Podcast, hosted by none other than the dynamic Kevin Tumlinson. In this solo Slinger episode, Kevin dives deep into the power of process over goals and how our strategies shape our creative journeys. Tune in as he shares his personal experiences with various platforms like Substack, exploring how embracing authenticity can elevate a writer's journey. From local domination strategies to capturing a global audience, Kevin unravels the philosophy of effortless living and how to rise to the level of your process. Whether you're a writer, creator, or just an enthusiast of storytelling, this episode is a treasure trove of wisdom on building an enduring, creative career. Join us for an engaging exploration of identity, transformation, and the pursuit of meaningful connections.

In this episode of the Wordslinger Podcast, Kevin Tumlinson discusses his evolving strategy as an independent creator and why he's going "all in" on Substack. Key topics include:

• The importance of having the right process over just setting goals

• Why gaming social media algorithms isn't always the best approach

• His "Total Local Domination" strategy for building readership

• The significance behind "the writer_" branding

• Thoughts on authentic connection with readers

• Why Substack works better for independent creators than traditional social platforms

• Reflections on being careful about who we look up to in the creative space

📌 Important Links:

Kevin's Substack: https://kevintumlinson.substack.com

Kevin's Books: https://kevintumlinson.com/books

Follow Kevin:

→ Join the Writer_ newsletter on Substack

→ Read the "About" page to learn the story behind the cursor

→ Connect locally if you're in the Georgetown, TX area

🎙️ The Wordslinger Podcast celebrates authentic storytelling and building genuine connections with readers. New episodes release regularly.

#writing #indieauthor #creativity #authortube #substack #writingcommunity

In this episode, Kevin Tumlinson interviews Dr. Cristina LePort, who transitioned from a 45-year medical career to becoming a full-time thriller author. They discuss her new medical thriller "Change of Heart" (releasing February 4th), her writing process, and how her medical background influences her storytelling.

Watch on YouTube:

Key Discussion Points:

* Dr. LePort's journey from practicing medicine to writing medical thrillers

* Her latest book "Change of Heart" and its premise involving heart transplants

* How her medical expertise informs her thriller writing

* The overlap between skills needed as a doctor and as an author

* Her writing process and approach to character development

* The challenges of writing in English as a native Italian speaker

Featured Guest: Dr. Cristina LePort - Medical thriller author and former physician

Links:

* Website: www.cristinaleport.com (without an h)

* New Book: "Change of Heart" - Available February 4th in hardcover

* Ebook available for pre-order as of January 21st

* Preorder here: https://amzn.to/3WqrKRh

Subscribe for more interviews with authors and discussions about writing, storytelling, and the creative process.

00:00 Writing's Mystical Transformation

06:06 Doctor to Full-Time Author Transition

09:18 Journey from Novice to Author

13:09 Medical Thrillers: A Perfect Fit

16:02 Suspicious Organ Donation Suicides

17:00 Cyber Agent vs. Mobster Hack

21:26 Structured Writing Process Insight

25:12 "Unexpected Ending Insights"

27:39 Independent Stories with Recurring Characters

31:17 Retirement Fulfillment through Writing

34:15 "Transplant Inspirations: Writing Influences"

38:08 Book Discussion Conclusion & Author Info

42:22 "Evolution of the Cursor"

44:56 "The Writer and the Cursor"

48:55 Author Nation Podcast: AI's Impact

51:23 Embracing Writing in the AI Era

55:16 Building Resilience Through Adversity

57:41 Share, Comment, Stay Hopeful

#WritingCommunity #MedicalThrillers #AuthorInterview #WritingPodcast #WordslingerPodcast