Writing Tips and Writerly Musings

Making Painful Edits

June 5th, 2023  |  Season 6  |  10 mins 8 secs

beta-reading, books, critique, editing, virtual balticon, writers, writing, writing tips

It’s hard to cut out scenes or characters that you love, but your story may be better off without them. How do you learn to recognize when something has to go, and how do you reconnect any threads that run through the parts you’re removing?

Science Fiction Has Always Been Political

May 29th, 2023  |  Season 6  |  9 mins 39 secs

balticon, beta-reading, books, critique, politics, science fiction, virtual balticon, writers, writing, writing tips

Throughout the history of science fiction and fantasy, creators have used the opportunity for imaginative storytelling to explore issues of their day. From the Twilight Zone to Alien Nation to Mass Effect, what are ways that genre stories have explored the concerns of the world in which they were made?

Tips For Writing Combat: Where Do You Focus?

May 22nd, 2023  |  Season 6  |  10 mins

beta-reading, books, critique, fight scenes, virtual balticon, writers, writing, writing tips

Even veterans and long-time practitioners can have problems writing fights that are both compelling and realistic; how is someone new supposed to keep up? We’ll discuss getting experience with the weapons you’re writing about, how to handle pacing in brawls, skirmishes, and battles, and how to keep the tension high when your protagonists have to survive.

There's No Target in Middle Earth: The Economics of Fantasy

May 15th, 2023  |  Season 6  |  8 mins 52 secs

beta-reading, books, critique, economics, fantasy, writers, writing, writing tips

In your fantasy setting, everything the characters own or interact with has to come from somewhere, from food and drink to durable goods. Let’s talk about how to build a believable material culture for your world.

Writing For Anthologies

May 8th, 2023  |  Season 6  |  5 mins 50 secs

anthologies, beta-reading, books, critique, writers, writing, writing tips

While many writers are publishing novels or sending short stories off to magazines, other writers have found anthologies to be a great space for their work. Why might you want to write for an anthology, 4 tips to get in, and 5 reasons why they might pass on your story.

Consent Violations and Bystander Intervention

May 1st, 2023  |  Season 6  |  16 mins 16 secs

beta-reading, books, conventions, critique, writers, writing, writing tips

From what is a creeper, to avoiding harassment, to how to intervene as a bystander.

How To Be A Good Moderator

April 24th, 2023  |  Season 6  |  12 mins 27 secs

beta-reading, books, conventions, critique, moderator, writers, writing, writing tips

Having attended, at this point, easily over a hundred panels in the last 5 years, I definitely have opinions. And there is one role that can make or break a panel. Whether you’re a writer guest-of-honor on a panel at a convention, or just hosting a dinner party, being a good moderator is highly underrated skill. My favorite panels are where the big names are friendly and informative, and the smaller names are confident with their answers — without anyone talking over each other. And -- I try my best when I'm moderator.

What Cons Are Looking For In Panelists

April 17th, 2023  |  Season 6  |  9 mins 22 secs

beta-reading, books, conventions, critique, panels, writers, writing, writing tips

It's not just what you know, it's how you can communicate it and how well you play with others.

Everything You Need To Know About Convention Panels

April 10th, 2023  |  Season 6  |  11 mins 19 secs

beta-reading, books, conventions, critique, panels, writers, writing, writing tips

If you’ve been following my blog for a while, you probably know that I share a lot of notes from “panels”. If you’ve never been to a convention, you may be unfamiliar with panels. If you’ve only been to corporate/work conventions, you might look at them as torturous boredom. Or, at the very least, strictly educational. At their most basic: panels are simply several people, sitting at table, facing an audience, sharing their thoughts on a subject. But, they can be a lot more than that!

Morgan's Complete Guide For Attending A Convention

April 3rd, 2023  |  Season 6  |  11 mins 19 secs

beta-reading, books, conventions, critique, writers, writing, writing tips

If you've ever considered attending a convention, here are a few things you may want to consider:

• Should You?
• What to bring?
• Things to do!
• Self-care tips
• Expected Con behavior
• General tips
• And AFTER the con!

Hello Executive Dysfunction, My Old Friend

March 27th, 2023  |  Season 6  |  5 mins 41 secs

beta-reading, books, critique, executive dysfunction, writers, writing, writing tips

Hi, my name is Morgan and I have executive dysfunction. What is executive dysfunction, what does it look like for me, and how do I manage it?

NOTE: This episode was recorded before I sought an ADHD diagnosis and treatment. Sometimes, all the coping mechanisms in the world can't help.

Tips and Tricks To Fix Word Count Issues

March 20th, 2023  |  Season 6  |  13 mins 7 secs

beta-reading, books, critique, writers, writing, writing tips

Each type of book has its own expected word count. From chick-lit to epic fantasy, from picture books, to middle-grade to adult, it’s often easier to find traction with agents, publishers, and even readers when your story length meets expectations.
What do you do when your story is WAY too short -- or too long?

Choices To Make With Beta Readers

March 13th, 2023  |  Season 6  |  11 mins 15 secs

beta-reading, books, critique, writers, writing, writing tips

After you’ve written your manuscript and gone over it at least once, it’s usually time to ship it out to some beta-readers, to get an outside perspective. But -- how do you find and pick the right beta readers?

The 10 Types of Queriers: In The Query Trenches

March 6th, 2023  |  Season 6  |  8 mins 41 secs

beta-reading, books, critique, querying, writers, writing, writing tips

For those writers trying to get traditionally published, there are about 10 general approaches, and some are better than others. Which are you?

Top 11 Ways NOT To Respond To Feedback

February 27th, 2023  |  Season 6  |  9 mins 36 secs

beta-reading, books, critique, writers, writing, writing tips

There are writers who take feedback well, but there are plenty who don’t. Try not to make these mistakes.
Feel your feels, but control your behavior.

5 Tips For Making Write-Ins Work For You

February 20th, 2023  |  Season 6  |  7 mins 22 secs

beta-reading, books, critique, writers, writing, writing tips

I don’t know how your write-ins work, but these are the guidelines I follow, to get the most out of any write-in — virtual or not.