Hello Writers and Crafters! I'm Valerie Ihsan, And I'm Erick Mertz, and this is Episode 77 of the podcast and it's July 27, 2022 as we record this. Main Topic: a follow-up with Erick Mertz  PATREON: We have two new patrons this week. Thank you thank you thank you! We appreciate you! A big shout out and personal thanks to BARB LACHENBRUCH, and to MARY VAN EVERBROECK.   This podcast is sponsored by our patrons at Patreon.com/valerieihsan. For as low as a $1/mo, you can get a shout out on the podcast and we can make announcements for you on the podcast. At other tiers, the benefits increase--free books, accountability Zoom calls, scene analysis, mastermind calls, and even free Writer Craft retreat tickets. Become a patron of the arts at Patreon.com/valerieihsan.      I'M READING: The Sixth Wicked Child Erick's Reading: Grave Peril by Jim Butcher Next episode: Finding the Core of Your Memoir   Announcements: I'll be reading selections from the new memoir, along with authors Joe Wilkins, Dante Zuniga-West, and other writers from the Stonecutter's Union on Sunday, August 14th at 4:00 p.m. at Tsunami Books in Eugene, OR. Resources:   Writing Scenes.: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/three-story-method-writing-scenes  The Author Life Community Passion Planner: https://bit.ly/3AUiJUx (affiliate link) ProWriting Aid: https://prowritingaid.com/?afid=9378 (affiliate link)   Find Us:   Valerie’s Services: https://valerieihsan.com Valerie’s Author Site: https://valerieihsanauthor.com Valerie’s Facebook Page and Instagram account   Erick’s Services: https://erickmertzwriting.com Erick’s free book on Ghostwriting: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/cexki4kp5n Erick’s Author Site: https://erickmertzauthor.com Erick’s Facebook Page and Instagram account  Writer Craft Facebook Group Patreon: https://patreon.com/valerieihsan   Books We've Read This Year: Productivity for Creative People: How to Get Creative Work Done in an "Always on" World by Mark McGuiness Essentialism by Greg McKeown How to Write Light Novels and Webnovels by R.A. Paterson The Three-Body Problem by Cixin Liu The Thousand Crimes of Ming Tsu by Tom Lin Run, Rose, Run by Dolly Parton and James Patterson A Ghost in the Throat by Doireann Ní Ghríofa Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir