Subject: Hero/Villain Relationship + Deadline to Register for 2 events! ❤️ 📚

Sci-Fi Fantasy Fiction + Genre Writers, Tools and Events to Feed Your Creative Soul

🚀 Specializing in supporting science fiction, fantasy, and speculative fiction writers, and creative entrepreneurs 🐉



Hero/Villain Relationship + Deadline to Register for 2 events! ❤️ 📚


Get 'em quick! (Links may take a moment to load.)


Weekly Podcast


This week's How To Write The Future podcast episode:



📚 Children's Book Mastery Summit: July 28 - August 1. Starts soon! So sign up today! 

🔥 Settings that Hook Readers: Aug 2nd -- hands-on training. Registration closes July 31, 10:50pm Pacific.

❤️

This email may be long, so you may need to click to expand and to read the full email. Or read online.

Friday, July 25, 2025

Hi Friend,

Today I only had 15 minutes to work on my novel edits (since I had 3 meetings) and I did work on it.


I feel so good that I even did that much.


I'm in the camp that every little bit counts.


I celebrate every step I take. And I hope you do too.


Celebrate and congratulate yourself -- full stop. (No "but"...)


Such unconditional internal support lets all your parts know that you're on the right track and to keep going.


You got this.


Your writing is important.


Your story is important.


Because there is only one you, let your vision shine.


And write.


I'll say it again -- every little bit of work, noodling, daydreaming, research, writing, editing, etc. counts.


It all counts.


Bring your internal cheerleading team to cheer on all you do to support and nurture your creativity.


Your Unique Vision Deserves a Unique Approach!


If you'd like such support from an experienced writing coach, come talk to me.


I have openings for VIP days in August and September.


Plus, I have 2 openings in my premium 1-on-1 Novel Coaching tailored creative collaboration.


If not you, then who do you know who would love customized, tailored support?


Send them this newsletter, and thank you.


Write on!


❤️

You're serious about your writing.


You want to have fun getting better at your craft.


Come have some serious fun at my setting class August 2nd.


Let's play, experiment, and make progress.


Register for the Settings That Hook Readers here:


https://bethbarany.com/heasetting2025



On to the weekly podcast...

How to Build Epic Rivalries Between Heroes and Villains

“Four essential elements of what does it take to build this epic rivalry between your hero and the villain.” - Said by Beth Barany, quoting Bonnie Johnston


Would you like to know how to build epic rivalries between heroes and villains?


In this How To Write the Future podcast episode, I read an article written by writing mentor and award-winning author, and my dear friend, Bonnie Johnston.


She shares an in-depth breakdown of the four essential elements of epic rivalries and points to step-by-step worksheets that are available by signing up for her "Arch Enemies" class.


To listen or read this episode's transcript, go here (Writer's Fun Zone):



The How To Write The Future podcast is for science fiction and fantasy writers who want to write positive futures and successfully bring those stories out into the marketplace.


Enjoy!


🤩 Sneak peek


In the next episode, Ep. 163, I'm sharing exciting news on the upcoming hands-on training I'm teaching Settings that Hook Readers.


⭐️ 🎧🎙️ All previous episodes of How To Write The Future podcast listed here.



❤️ Like/Subscribe/Share/Review

Wherever you listen to your podcast, if you're so moved, please Like, Subscribe, or Share the How To Write The Future podcast.


🎬 YouTube!


And now How To Write The Future podcast is on YouTube here!


Please subscribe. We now have 434 subscribers. Wow! Yippee!


Thank you! Help us get to 500! Only 66 more! We're almost there! Share with your friends and ask them to subscribe.


Thanks! And since we have an international listenership: Merci , Muchas Gracias, Obrigada, Prego, Arigatō


❤️


Upcoming Student Event! Writing Sprint!


📚 🖊️ 💝 Fellowship of the Pen Writing Sprints

2nd and 4th Sundays


This week, Sunday, July 27, 10am PT/1pm ET.


Make time/take time for your writing and use group accountability to focus and get 'er done.


Gather on Zoom to check in and write for two (2) 20-minute sprints. 


-- I email you the Zoom link day-of and I post it in Fellowship of the Pen Facebook group, too.


Click to join Fellowship of the Pen group, if you haven't already. 


Be sure to answer the 3 questions! Thanks!


❤️


Happy Writing!



Best,

Beth


PS. More classes and trainings coming Fall 2025. Here's 2 of the classes:


♥️ Romancing the Subplot Workshop class! 4 weeks in Oct. 2025.


Registration now open! Only 12 spots available.


https://bethbarany.thrivecart.com/romancingthesubplotfall2025/




⭐️ Entrepreneurship Training for Creative Writing Professionals.

Coming Fall 2025. Registration opens soon. Take the quiz! Only 12 spots.

Starts Sept. 16, 12 weeks.

Get on the notification list here and take the Creative Business Style Quiz to help you create your success. 



❤️


For when you're ready to work together, here's some more ways we can do that:


😁 Essential Character Traits Workbook (Work at your own pace)


📚 Start (or Finish!) Your Novel 1-1 Mentorship Program (2 openings for July)


❤️ 12-month small group mastermind program for Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers! (Accepting new writers in July)

 


🌟 If you find my resources helpful, please forward them to a friend who may need them too. Thanks!



Beth Barany
Creativity Coach for Writers

Teacher, Speaker, Workshop Facilitator


Creativity is the answer. 


bethbarany.com

I not only teach and coach novelists, I am one too! 

Author of *Magical Tales of Romance, Mystery, and Adventure*
author.bethbarany.com


Award-winning science fiction & fantasy novelist.

__________________________


Subscribe to be notified when each blog post goes live. Or wait for the weekly round-up in this newsletter. *Write for us.

Support This Creative Entrepreneur


My mission is to support your adventure as a creative and step into your next best self.


If you want to support my mission, I invite you to:


📚 buy my books: Fiction | Nonfiction


☕️ buy me a coffee


Or share my work with your friends. Thanks!

Beth Barany is an award-winning science fiction and fantasy novelist, and certified creativity coach for writers.


She specializes in helping writers experience clarity, so they can write, revise, and proudly publish their novels to the delight of their readers. 

Here be the legalese: In connection with the operation of this newsletter and business, Creativity Sparks includes affiliate links to trusted partners. Barany Consulting earns a commission from the Affiliate Links which commission is based on the number of sales that are made as a result of users of the Newsletter clicking over to the Affiliate Link and purchasing from the Affiliate Link a product and/or service. Thus endth the legalese.

live in the territory of Huichin, part of the stolen land of the Chochenyo Muwekma Ohlone, the successors of the historic and sovereign Verona Band of Alameda County, in Oakland, California, the San Francisco Bay Area. Northern Hemisphere. Earth.


The Solar System. → Carina–Sagittarius Arm in the Milky Way galaxy. Milky Way subgroup → Local Group → Local Sheet → Virgo Supercluster → Laniakea Supercluster → Local Hole → Observable universe → Universe.


*

I stand with people of Ukraine and all peoples 🎗️ in their fight for freedom from oppression and the right to self-determine. Yes, all peoples. Not just some.



No longer want to receive these writing and publishing tips? I totally understand. Blessings on your path. You can unsubscribe below. However, please do not report us as spam. This negatively impacts our ability to send emails to your fellow subscribers -- the 3,800+ people who enjoy these tips each week -- and I'm sure that's not your intention.