19/02/2025
I have the structure down for the podcast's return! I'll dive into more detail as I go, but for now I'm going to mention some of the shifts.
1. We're looking at 10 episodes a season. I cannot say at the moment how many seasons a year - it depends on how much work it will be to put the seasons together. Nor can I say how often the episodes will drop, but I'm thinking it will be every other week. My plan is to record all of the episodes, edit and then schedule them to air.
2. The plan is to have a different focus in each season. A deep dive.
3. Some of these episodes will be done solo and some with other guests. I hope to work with many people on a regular basis, but I cannot make promises for anyone else's time.
I HAVE listened to our regular audience members, so:
4. I'm on the edge of considering making this show PG-13. The original point in letting us swear was to keep it as casual as possible for MOM. Let her do her thing in her own words, let us be us. Without her needed to feel relaxed and unrestrained, the swearing isn't likely to pop up as much. So less swearing by far, if there is any (let's not kid ourselves, it'll be me) I'll bleep it. Or put a farm animal noise in there, lol. If sensitive topics are covered (likely when it comes to mentioning fiction) I'll put a warning at the top of the episode. I hate censoring, BUT many of our listeners are stay at home parents. I don't want to make this hard to find time to engage in.
5. Speaking of time, I'm looking at condensing material with the aim of the majority of episodes being 30 to 45 minutes long. Some, by nature of deep-diving WILL be longer. With 10 episodes, there should be PLENTY of meat on the bone, with less fat.
6. Speaking of fat: One issue that seems to be divided amongst listeners was the personal updates. The majority appeared to like it, but you let me know your thoughts. I'm not sure if anyone would be interested in still hearing about what I am working on if not in the context of the theme for that season, so getting right to the point of the episodes and cutting chit chat might be preferred? Unsure.
7. Holly's will not be the only source of educational material. Originally the podcast was a passion project I brought my mother into because I wanted a wider audience to learn from her. I still want this, but for me (with her gone) the purpose needs to be larger. Not just to show people her work, her brilliant mind, her personality and humor - but to help writers even if they don't find the help they need in Holly's work! This means including people who have no interest in selling or who would love to sell their work, but are just infatuated with writing itself.
Writing is my life's purpose, so if this podcast is going to work for ME (and it has to because the amount of work it takes can be daunting), it has to be fulfilling on more than one level.
The loss of Holly is still a daily struggle. I'm assuming all on this page have listened to the podcast, so you can guess at how close we were. Since 2022 I'd been struggling with her cancer and now, 178 days without her, I'm struggling still with the void. I don't want nor need condolences or platitudes. We all have burdens to bear. Mine reminds me of the beautiful woman who brought me into this world and made it a better place, and will continue to do so long after her death. I just mention it to remind you of why this has taken so long and to ask for a little more patience. I'm not giving up on this podcast nor any of it's amazing listeners.
