Morgan's 2021 Retrospective

January 3rd, 2022  |  Season 4  |  23 mins 27 secs

beta-reading, books, critique, writers, writing, writing tips, year in review

This year was a lot. I've got some big news, I achieved some of my goals, I failed others, and I have fun with charts.

When Writing: How Curiosity, Spirit, and Opportunity Combine To Expose Humanity

December 20th, 2021  |  Season 3  |  11 mins 2 secs

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

Exploring humanity's brighter side, as seen through the Mars rovers.

Show, Don't Tell: Readers Don't Need Stage Directions

December 13th, 2021  |  Season 3  |  9 mins 21 secs

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

What are 'stage directions', why you don't need them, and how to fix it.

The Reward For A Job Well Done...

December 6th, 2021  |  Season 3  |  3 mins 12 secs

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

I think we all know what that means.

Strength Isn't Just For The Strong

November 29th, 2021  |  Season 3  |  9 mins 15 secs

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

Instead of my expected discussion of different types of strengths being compared to the default of physical strength, the panel these notes were based on veered into magical strength and stayed there.

5 Tips For Fighting Burnout: Learning Limits and Finding Gratitude

November 22nd, 2021  |  Season 3  |  10 mins 16 secs

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

1. Recognize your limits
2. Reassess Your Goals
3. Recognize Your Needs
4. Give Yourself Credit
5. Practice Gratitude

Using Unsafe Places to Propel Your Characters Forward

November 15th, 2021  |  Season 3  |  6 mins 57 secs

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

Places can be unsafe due to the environment itself, or because of the people in the place. Sometimes? Home is the unsafe place. And it can be unsafe because of external factors, or because of internal ones. And old age is a very unsafe place.

When fate is against you, no place is safe.

Gender 401 (for the writer)

November 8th, 2021  |  Season 3  |  8 mins 2 secs

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

Explaining gender, ways genre fiction can improve, authors who don't do badly, and things we could see more of. [Aimed at a cis audience - challenging us to do better for those whose gender identities weren't just handed to them at birth]

Writing As Sanctuary

November 1st, 2021  |  Season 3  |  12 mins 25 secs

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

A discussion exploring the motivations behind people’s writing and reoccurring themes in one's writing, either intentionally or unintentionally.

Writer Confessions

October 25th, 2021  |  Season 3  |  9 mins 29 secs

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

In which Morgan struggles to accept her own limits, acknowledges the truth of being a plantser, the use of novel prep work, discusses writing sprints, and rewards.