Episode 347 - Using Magpie Mode to Gather and Connect Ideas with Jessie Kwak
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In this episode of The Indy Author Podcast, Matty Dalrymple talks with returning guest Jessie Kwak—author, book coach, and nonfiction ghostwriter—about “Magpie Mode,” her name for the ideation phase of writing: the practice of gathering interesting “shiny objects”—ideas, quotes, observations, and images—before you know exactly how they fit together.
Jessie explains how Magpie Mode works for both nonfiction and fiction, whether you’re starting from a blank page or adding depth to an existing structure. She and Matty discuss how to look “90 degrees” from your topic to find fresh examples, why personal stories and unexpected metaphors are what distinguish human writing from AI-generated content, and how to move from a pile of random notes to emerging themes.
They also get practical: building one reliable place to collect ideas, setting aside time to play with them, leaving notes for your future self, knowing when a shiny object enriches a book versus distracts from it, and simple daily habits—like noting three interesting things a day and morning pages—for staying open to inspiration.
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Jessie Kwak is an author, book coach, and nonfiction book ghostwriter living in Portland, Oregon. When she’s not writing, she can be found sewing, mountain biking, and exploring the Pacific Northwest (and beyond). She has written over 20 books, including thriller novels, two series of space scoundrel sci-fi crime novels, and a handful of productivity books including FROM CHAOS TO CREATIVITY and FROM BIG IDEA TO BOOK.
Episode Links
https://www.instagram.com/story_rebel
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