Writing Tips and Writerly Musings

Improving Your Readings

June 27th, 2022  |  Season 5  |  5 mins 26 secs

books, public speaking, reading, writers, writing

From authors who are asked to read their own work at signings, to audiobook narrators, to podcasters, there are a lot of us out there who want — or need — to get better at readings.

At the titular panel, at Balticon 53, Tee Morris, Jean L Cooper, and Mike Luona shared their best tips.

Intro To Hopepunk

June 20th, 2022  |  Season 5  |  6 mins 58 secs

books, writers, writing, writing tips

In a grimdark world, filled with truth, lies, and politics many of us have been longing for a literary escape that can give us some hope. For this generation, Hopepunk is our solution.

At WorldCon 77 Dublin, Jo Walton, Lettie Prell, and the creator of the term, herself, Alexandra Rowland, on a panel moderated by the marvelous Sam Hawke discussed the true meaning of Hopepunk.

Season 5: Trailer

June 13th, 2022  |  Season 5  |  41 secs

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

Welcome back for season 5 of "Writing Tips and Writerly Musings". I've got a lot in store for you with tips from the pros. Kicking off with 'Intro to Hopepunk', and even a few of my own tricks for managing my time with Trello.

Coming Of Age vs YA

June 6th, 2022  |  Season 4  |  8 mins 8 secs

beta-reading, books, coming of age, critique, writers, writing, writing tips, ya

Coming of age stories have always been a large part of the fantasy genre in particular, but now, it can be hard to know where to draw the line between YA and Adult novels.

Youtube Survival Guide

May 30th, 2022  |  Season 4  |  19 mins 38 secs

books, critique, podcast, writers, writing, writing tips, youtube

Where do you get started and tell me more about this whole monetization thing -- or at least the rules that existed last week. They're always changing.

Advancing Your Story... Without Traumatizing Your Characters (or Readers)

May 23rd, 2022  |  Season 4  |  14 mins 52 secs

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

You know stories need stakes. You know you need to get your readers to care. So? You try to make the stakes big enough and scary enough to drive the story forward. But you don’t HAVE to traumatize characters — or readers — to advance your story.

Pitching Agents -- And Readers

May 16th, 2022  |  Season 4  |  7 mins 54 secs

books, writers, writing, writing tips

I talk a lot about pitching agents via the query process, but that’s not the only way to pitch. There are verbal pitches to agents. And? There’s the pitching you need to do to the READERS!

Dynamic Voice Acting

May 9th, 2022  |  Season 4  |  10 mins 26 secs

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

If you find yourself behind the microphone, sharing a story of your own, be prepared to pull in your audience with Dynamic Voice Acting.

"But I'm Not A YA Writer": Gender Biases In The Book World

May 2nd, 2022  |  Season 4  |  11 mins 21 secs

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

Women writers of speculative fiction are often getting shelved with the YA books -- even when they're clearly not intended for teens. Unfortunately, getting misclassified has dire consequences for the novel. How is this happening and how can we stop this trend?

Writing Motivation For Doomsday Cults

April 25th, 2022  |  Season 4  |  7 mins 55 secs

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

Doomsday cults have been around for a long time, probably since the dawn of civilization. Writers and readers alike have found them endlessly fascinating. But, what motivates someone to start a doomsday cult? And why do people join?

CSI: Fantasy Edition

April 18th, 2022  |  Season 4  |  7 mins 26 secs

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

When you're writing a story, there's usually SOMETHING the main character doesn't know and has to figure out. Sometimes, it's what someone else is thinking. It could be, where to find the McGuffin? But often? There's a whole mystery to solve! With a body growing cold.

Logistics and Tactics: Writing Military Campaigns

April 11th, 2022  |  Season 4  |  8 mins 50 secs

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

Most writers end up writing fight scenes -- be they verbal or physical. But some writers, especially if they're writing historical novels, epic fantasy, or military fiction are going to be in the fight for the long haul. They're going to writing a Military Campaign. Here are mistakes to avoid.

Yes, You Can Be a Writer, Even WITHOUT A Visual Imagination

April 4th, 2022  |  Season 4  |  5 mins 8 secs

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

Not everyone has a visual imagination. While some of you are out there taking dictation from the movies in your heads. That's not how it works for me.

Dealing the With Emotional Roller Coaster That Is Writing

March 28th, 2022  |  Season 4  |  10 mins 33 secs

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

Being a writer requires: 1. Resilience, 2. Persistence, and 3. Perseverance. How do you handle setbacks?

Making Endings Ring True

March 21st, 2022  |  Season 4  |  6 mins 59 secs

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

One of the hardest things to do as a writer is to make the ending work for your readers. To tie everything together, in a way that the readers feel satisfied.

Don't Give Away Your Writing Time

March 14th, 2022  |  Season 4  |  6 mins 35 secs

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

Our lives are busy, but it can be all too easy to blink and realize you've wasted your writing time. Here's a reminder for those of you who want to make your writing a priority.