Behind every great novel is hundreds of hours of writing, editing and business-oriented decisions. Not to mention the lifetime of experiences and workshopping it takes for one’s words to breathe a life of their own.

Today’s guest on The Holly Hughes Podcast is writer, editor and publisher Lorin Oberweger. Lorin is a teacher of the art of writing in both one-on-one formats and workshops. Her students have been published by some of the world’s biggest publishers and been represented by some of the industry’s leading agencies.

Lorin Oberweger joins Holly Hughes to talk about a wide range of topics in the writing industry. They talk about the intricacies of editing, the importance of workshops, and the evolving landscape of publishing. Lorin shares her insight on the impact of AI on creativity, the dynamics of self-publishing versus traditional publishing, and the significance of character agency in storytelling.

Find Lorin’s workshop company, Free Expressions, online at free-expressions.com.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Creative Editing and Developmental Work

03:12 The Role of a Developmental Editor

05:46 Navigating the Publishing Landscape

08:58 The Impact of AI on Publishing

11:56 Self-Publishing vs. Traditional Publishing

14:53 The Reality of Agent Relationships

18:02 The Writing Process and Timeframes

21:04 The Importance of Tactile Reading Experiences

23:55 Upcoming Workshops and Community Building

27:12 Creative Exploration and Overcoming Resistance

30:59 Navigating the Writing Process

33:10 Character Development and Agency

36:15 The Role of Feedback in Writing

38:38 Exploring New Creative Avenues

41:44 The Art of Short Fiction

43:43 Understanding Word Count and Structure

46:54 The Journey of Ghostwriting

49:46 Audiobooks and Their Impact

52:47 Parental Embarrassment and Creative Expression

53:23 Key Tips for Aspiring Writers