Writing Tips and Writerly Musings

Balticon 57: Recap

June 26th, 2023 | Season 6 | 20 mins 30 secs

balticon, balticon57, beta-reading, books, critique, writers, writing, writing tips

I think I’m about four naps shy of recovering from Balticon 57, but I’m home and back at work. Despite my multitude of hats, I managed to do it all!

There Is No Finish Line: Momentum For Writers

June 19th, 2023 | Season 6 | 12 mins 2 secs

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

Experienced writers who have been on the roller coaster for a while know the big secret: you never really “make it.” Just because you’ve sold one book doesn’t mean you’ll sell the next one, and just because you didn’t sell the last one doesn’t mean the next one won’t hit big. Our panel offers tips and strategies for maintaining the will to keep creating.

Intro To Self-Publishing

June 12th, 2023 | Season 6 | 11 mins 52 secs

balticon, beta-reading, books, critique, self publishing, virtual balticon, writers, writing, writing tips

So you have a story and you want to publish it yourself? Let’s talk about how to get started, how to get noticed, and when you should pay a professional.

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?