Episode Archive

196 episodes of Writing Tips and Writerly Musings since the first episode, which aired on August 20th, 2020.

  • Giving Thanks

    November 20th, 2023  |  Season 7  |  5 mins 2 secs
    beta-reading, books, critique, holiday, thanksgiving, writers, writing, writing tips

    It’s that time of year, especially for most Americans, to give thanks. Despite the admittedly troublesome history, I can’t hate the concept of a holiday that exists to gather with friends and family, eat foods that we don’t normally get, and take a moment to count our blessings.

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    What To Do When Your Manuscript Is The Wrong Length

    November 13th, 2023  |  Season 7  |  6 mins 33 secs
    beta-reading, books, critique, writers, writing, writing tips

    If you’ve tried to write a manuscript, you’ve probably been at one end of the scale or the other, before. It’s hard to get a manuscript — or even a short story — to end up at the right word count. Tune in for tips to make your story longer -- or shorter!

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    If You're Not Making Progress, Change Direction

    November 6th, 2023  |  Season 7  |  6 mins 10 secs
    beta-reading, books, critique, writers, writing, writing tips

    When a story is fighting you, the problem just might be that you’re going the wrong direction. Sometimes, you’re writing the wrong story.

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    My Favorite Tools for Starting a Novel!

    October 30th, 2023  |  Season 7  |  16 mins 45 secs
    beta-reading, books, critique, nanowrimo, novel, writers, writing, writing tips

    I know most of you following me are already writers, but some of you only dabble, and a few of you have only entertained the thought from time-to-time. And while it is a lot of work, dedication, and persistence to write a manuscript, there are things you can do to make it easier.

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    What Does My Form Rejection Mean?

    October 23rd, 2023  |  Season 7  |  7 mins 51 secs
    beta-reading, books, critique, writers, writing, writing tips

    All writers try to get meaning out of form rejections. Sometimes there is personalized advice, but usually? They're just not that in to you.

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    In Space, No One Can See You Hide The Evidence: Crimes In Space

    October 16th, 2023  |  Season 7  |  11 mins 38 secs
    beta-reading, books, critique, writers, writing, writing tips

    Laws are influenced by the people and societies in which they exist. In what ways does your world-building affect your criminals and your crime fighters?

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    Writing For Young Adults

    October 9th, 2023  |  Season 7  |  9 mins 19 secs
    beta-reading, books, critique, writers, writing, writing tips

    Does writing for young adults differ from other writing? If so, how do writers approach it?

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    Writing SFF From the Margins

    October 2nd, 2023  |  Season 7  |  12 mins 44 secs
    beta-reading, books, critique, writers, writing, writing tips

    How do marginalised aspects of identity — gender, sexuality, culture, race, health, ability and more — shape our creative work? How can we empower, express, and explore through writing fantasy and SF?

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    What Writing Fanfiction Can Teach Genre Writers

    September 25th, 2023  |  Season 7  |  10 mins 49 secs
    beta-reading, books, critique, writers, writing, writing tips

    Fanfiction’s popularity continues to grow, tapping into the special creative connection between authors and fans. What is it about this literary nexus that is so fascinating and stimulating for fans? And what might authors have to learn from fans who write it?

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    Constructed languages

    September 18th, 2023  |  Season 7  |  10 mins 29 secs
    beta-reading, books, critique, writers, writing, writing tips

    From Elvish to Esperanto to Dothraki to Belter -- creating a language for your story isn't just world-building, it's realistic.

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    Fairytale Contract Law

    September 11th, 2023  |  Season 7  |  6 mins 28 secs
    beta-reading, books, critique, writers, writing, writing tips

    Fairy tale contract laws are like a force of nature... except there's usually a loophole. What are your favorite fairy tales? What are your favorite loopholes?

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    Spirits Abroad and At Home

    September 4th, 2023  |  Season 7  |  8 mins 59 secs
    beta-reading, books, critique, writers, writing, writing tips

    A reminder that Western views on spirits are not universal and an exploration of how myths vary between cultures.