We talk a lot about character competence, and one of our listeners had to remind us that we’d never really explained what that means. So this week, we explain ourselves. We talk about what competence means, why it’s important, and how competent various characters should … read more »
We’ve all seen stories get sequels, even when they really weren’t necessary, but what about the reverse? What happens when a story really would have benefited from a sequel that never materialized? That’s what we’re talking about this week, joined for a third time by … read more »
What’s this? Rhys has returned and they wish to discuss storytelling in video games? Then that’s what we’re going to do this week. We cover the general best practices that apply across all mediums, and the specific factors that only apply to video games. Have … read more »
You’ve finally got that story published, and readers love it. But now they have questions. So many questions. Should you answer them? How should you do it? What about interacting with fans through social media? If you’re a fan, what should you expect from creators … read more »
The definition of a hero changes over time. What kind of heroes did you like when you were a kid? What kind of heroes do you like now? How are they different? That’s what we’re talking about this week. We reveal the darkest secrets of … read more »
A good reveal can be the high point of a story, but a bad reveal can ruin everything. The reveal is a delicate art, and that’s what we’re talking about today. We each discuss some of our favorite and least favorite reveals, in the hopes … read more »
A few weeks ago we talked about how space opera has held up in the face of advancing technology and a changing culture. This week we’re giving cyberpunk the same treatment. Because cyberpunk is almost always near future, it’s particularly vulnerable to the passage of … read more »
Golden rings with writing that appears in the flame, bags that are bigger on the inside, and glowy screwdrivers that supposedly work on sound waves. This week, we’re talking about magic items. Specifically, magic items that aren’t weapons or armor. Mostly. We discuss what role … read more »
In the ancient days of 2013, Chris coined the terms “candy” and “spinach” to describe the way characters need to be cool but also have problems. This week, in the far future of 2018, we take another look. How much candy should a character have? … read more »
Where does Evocation end and Abjuration begin? Should a fireball require Prime magic? What even are Charms? This week we’re talking about how different settings classify magic, from novels to RPGs to video games. We discuss the purpose behind dividing magic … Read more »
