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Most people enjoy music, but how should it be used in fiction? Is it okay for authors to put song lyrics directly in their prose, and if so, how much should they use? What about using songs as a plot device or just to set … read more »
Have you ever had a beta reader ask you a question about a scene you don’t remember having in your story, only to find out it was an artifact from a previous draft? Not only is that embarrassing, but it can also cost you time … read more »
A story’s environment is vitally important, but how do we describe it? Too little description and the reader feels like the story takes place in a blank white void. Too much description and the plot gets lost. Should you use unusual and distinctive words, or … read more »
Sometimes it feels like we’re up to our ears in dark and gritty reboots, but what about lighter stories? It turns out they’re not just for kids, and we’ve invited Ariel back to talk about them. We discuss why light stories can attract a wider … read more »
What’s in a name? If you’re telling a story, a lot. Special guest Ariel returns to talk with us about how to name characters and what mistakes to avoid. We discuss how descriptive a character’s name should be, the value of using mundane-sounding names, and … read more »
Sometimes a sentence is very long, and it keeps going and going with commas in places that a period could be and extra clauses that don’t necessarily need to be there. Other times a sentence is short. Which is better? As is so often the … read more »
Some writers start every sentence with “there are,” others can’t stop italicizing, and still others write sentences that never end. We’ve all got bad habits in our writing, and this week Ariel returns to discuss them with Chris and Wes. Our hosts are all editors, … read more »
What’s this? Ariel has returned from the wilderness of freelance editing to grace our podcast yet again. She joins Chris and Wes for an in-depth discussion of emphasis in writing. How should writers make key passages stand out? How much is too much? Is bolding … read more »
Attending conventions is exciting, fun, and just a little overwhelming. As you wander in a sea of thousands of strangers who’ve all come together to enjoy something you’re passionate about, you may feel creatively invigorated and achingly lonesome at the same time. Approaching a crowded … read more »
Won’t someone please think of the children? With more and more speculative fiction for young audiences published each year, our kids are in grave danger. Science fiction and fantasy writing fills their heads with filthy concepts, inspires them to look outside the status quo for answers, … read more »