Needs More Words: Recent Episodes
Needs More Words Podcast
A podcast about writing and reading, because we're all stuck on something. Hosted by Vicki Martin and Margaret Hanson.
In this episode, we discuss tropes we love, tropes we don't love, and how tropes are useful in our own writing.
Also, apologies for the sound of Vicki's chair throughout the episode - she'll be finding a new place to sit for the next one (which will hopefully go up in a more timely manner too!)
Links: - TV Tropes: https://tvtropes.org/
Support the podcast: https://ko-fi.com/needsmorewordspodcast
Follow us on Twitter @needsmorewords
Check out our website: needsmorewords.com
Email us: needsmorewords@gmail.com
We check in on our 2021 writing goals, set some new ones for 2022 and tell you all about the Needs More Rainbow reading challenge!
Support the podcast: https://ko-fi.com/needsmorewordspodcast
Follow us on Twitter @needsmorewords
Check out our website: needsmorewords.com
Email us: needsmorewords@gmail.com
In an annual tradition (albeit a bit later than usual), we discuss our favourite fiction, non-fiction, and graphic novels/comics that we read in 2021.
Also be sure to check out Margaret's short story, "Frankenstein was the Scientist," in issue #20 of Polar Borealis: http://polarborealis.ca/currentback-issues/
Links:
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Goodreads list of our favourite books: https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/171440.Needs_More_Words_Favourite_Books
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Rogue Podron Mission 20-11: Head-tail Etiquette with Alexander Freed: https://roguepodron.com/2021/06/09/rogue-podron-mission-20-11-head-tail-etiquette-with-alexander-freed/
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Witchermania by Sophie from Mars: https://roguepodron.com/2021/06/09/rogue-podron-mission-20-11-head-tail-etiquette-with-alexander-freed/
Support the podcast: https://ko-fi.com/needsmorewordspodcast
Follow us on Twitter @needsmorewords
Check out our website: needsmorewords.com
Email us: needsmorewords@gmail.com
We answer listener questions and talk about NaNoWriMo... and then post the episode weeks after NaNo ends
After an unexpectedly long break, we're back with an episode all about writing prompts: what they are and how we approach using them.
Also, it's the last week to get questions in for our Q&A episode.
Links:
- NYC Midnight: https://www.nycmidnight.com/
- Furious Fiction: https://www.writerscentre.com.au/furious-fiction/
- The First Line Literary Journal: https://www.thefirstline.com/
- Story Plot Generator Pro: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.andromo.dev17163.app230704
Support the podcast: https://ko-fi.com/needsmorewordspodcast
Follow us on Twitter @needsmorewords
Check out our website: needsmorewords.com
Email us: needsmorewords@gmail.com
Our look at characters ends and we've saved the best for last: the secondary characters.
Also, remember to send in questions for the upcoming Q&A episode!
Links:
Music in the opening is Secondary Characters, from the musical [title of show]: https://youtu.be/tt5xuqiXlAY
TV Tropes: Five-Man Band: https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/FiveManBand
Trope Talk: Five Man Band: https://youtu.be/lmmNuic_4tQ
Support the podcast: https://ko-fi.com/needsmorewordspodcast
Follow us on Twitter @needsmorewords
Check out our website: needsmorewords.com
Email us: needsmorewords@gmail.com
Following up on our protagonist episode, we talk about the antagonists who oppose them!
LINKS
The Parking Level: http://www.allworldswayfarer.com/story10/
The Wrong Counter: https://yubsie.tumblr.com/post/655922097031397376/the-a-new-dawn-wrong-counter
Support the podcast: https://ko-fi.com/needsmorewordspodcast
Follow us on Twitter @needsmorewords
Check out our website: needsmorewords.com
Email us: needsmorewords@gmail.com
We discuss writing slumps, why we don't like them and strategies to get out of them.
LINKS:
https://maryrobinettekowal.com/journal/sometimes-writers-block-is-really-depression/
Support the podcast: https://ko-fi.com/needsmorewordspodcast
Follow us on Twitter @needsmorewords
Check out our website: needsmorewords.com
We discuss our thoughts on this year's battle of the Canadian books.
LINKS
Canada Reads: https://www.cbc.ca/books/canadareads
Support the podcast: https://ko-fi.com/needsmorewordspodcast
Follow us on Twitter @needsmorewords
Check out our website: needsmorewords.com
In which we are a Star Wars podcast!
Sidways's video on Rogue One's music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SGVqPP-52No
And the trouble with TRoS's music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_8-dWSLDWI
Support the podcast: https://ko-fi.com/needsmorewordspodcast
Follow us on Twitter @needsmorewords
Check out our website: needsmorewords.com
We discuss some of the things we don't like to write about and how to do it anyway when we have to.
Support the podcast: https://ko-fi.com/needsmorewordspodcast
Follow us on Twitter @needsmorewords
Check out our website: needsmorewords.com
We discuss different approaches and challenges for giving all those fictional people names so they aren't all Man #1.
LINKS:
Behind the Name: https://www.behindthename.com/
Nameberry: https://nameberry.com/
Last name generator: https://www.name-generator.org.uk/last/
Medieval Name Database: http://dmnes.org/
Support the podcast: https://ko-fi.com/needsmorewordspodcast
Follow us on Twitter @needsmorewords
Check out our website: needsmorewords.com
We discuss some of our favourite tools that we use in our writing!
LINKS
Scrivener: https://www.literatureandlatte.com/scrivener/overview
Evernote: https://evernote.com/
4theWords: https://4thewords.com referral code: NLHSZ23062
Grammarly: https://app.grammarly.com/
Validation (aka AO3): https://archiveofourown.org
Buy us a coffee: https://ko-fi.com/needsmorewordspodcast
In an annual tradition, we discuss our favourite fiction, non-fiction, and graphic novels/comics that we read in 2020.
In this episode, we talk about two stories we wrote using the same NYC Midnight prompt: comedy / trophy room / a manual.
Links:
- Usability Test by Vicki: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1EXuvsavTPaGPZMozjpmxNG_yDMrrbT4nI_bj4Et0FmY/edit?usp=sharing
- Isn’t It Neat by Margaret: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1fJt9Iydzi6_YOWH6QUhf3aZHvpmGjC8XkGzoPzbJmTo/edit
- Support the podcast: https://ko-fi.com/needsmorewordspodcast
We talk about our process for first drafts in short and long fiction and all the terrible things we do to get something worth revising.
LINKS:
KoFi: kofi.com/needsmorewordspodcast
We take a look at classic craft book Bird by Bird and discussion what advice did and didn't work for us.
LINKS
Bird by Bird: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12543.Bird_by_Bird
In a less super-sized episode, we discuss our projects for NaNoWriMo 2020 and what prep work we're doing leading up to November.
Links:
- 9 Point Plot Dot: https://blog.nanowrimo.org/post/149858948126/plot-doctoring-9-steps-to-build-a-strong-plot
- Vicki’s character sheet: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1OsrL9BxKibOX8cjpzUua5TkHEiYN_RpEkWhZ3Ux-Frg/edit?usp=sharing
- The History Chicks Episode 9: Gilded Age Heiresses: http://thehistorychicks.com/shownotes-episode-nine-gilded-age-heiresses/
- The Writer’s Block Tarot: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/viviancaethe/the-writers-block-tarot
- Le Beau Monde Tarot: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/526573486/le-beau-monde-tarot
We take a look at another of our favourite genres: science fiction. Surprise, we have a lot to say about this one too!
Links:
Support us on Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/needsmorewordspodcast
We discuss Canada Reads 2020, the annual battle of the books run by CBC.
Links:
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Canada Reads: https://www.cbc.ca/books/canadareads
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Trailer for Trickster: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6IHLDWHxSLw
We take a close look at "The Rock Garden", a short story written by Vicki.
LINKS:
The story: https://victoriakmartin.com/the-rock-garden/
NYC Midnight: http://nycmidnight.com/
YeahWrite https://yeahwrite.me/
Diefenbunker Museum: https://diefenbunker.ca/en/
How To Cake It: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvM1hVcRJmVWDtATYarC0KA
Bernadette Banner: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSHtaUm-FjUps090S7crO4Q
We discuss anthologies as a good way to read short fiction and a market for publishing it.
LINKS
4 the Words: https://4thewords.com/ (use referral code NLHSZ23062)
We Shall Be Monsters: https://renaissance-107765.square.site/product/we-shall-be-monsters/52?cp=true&sa=false&sbp=false&q=false&category_id=2
Jennifer Lee Rossman on Twitter: https://twitter.com/JenLRossman
Horror Tree (market listing): https://horrortree.com/
Papercat Press (market roundup): https://papercatpress.com/
We're back from a bit of a break with a new episode, looking in the art and sometimes horror of adaptations.
Links:
- Lost in Adaption by Dominic Noble: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPtiXdv7RoU8IkrJeNY73qw
- Lindsay Ellis' review of The Hobbit, part 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTRUQ-RKfUs&t=1970s
- Lessons from the Screenplay, Arrival: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QTxvzkwVsQE&t=523s
- Memories from my TV/Movie Experience by Rick Riordan: https://rickriordan.com/2018/11/memories-from-my-tv-movie-experience/
We tackle the classic writing question of "Where do you get your ideas?", complete with looking at how an idea evolves into a story.
LINKS
Renaissance Virtual Convention: https://pressesrenaissancepress.ca/events/renaissance-virtual-conference/
Evernote: https://evernote.com/
Old World: https://www.epicgames.com/store/en-US/product/old-world/home
Support us on Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/needsmorewordspodcast
We take a deep dive into one of our favourite genres: fantasy. Apparently it's something we have a lot to say about.
Links:
Hello Future Me: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFQMO-YL87u-6Rt8hIVsRjA
Artifexian: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeh-pJYRZTBJDXMNZeWSUVA
In the second part of our examination of plotting vs pantsing, we discuss how things go off outline.
LINKS
The Pants Song from Be More Chill: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1QZgHtYAgQ
Stephenie Meyer Discusses Jacob: https://stepheniemeyer.com/the-books/new-moon/new-moon-the-story/
The first of a two-part look at plotting vs pantsing. In this episode, the dream of having an outline lives.
Links:
What kind of a plotting method will work best for you and your story?: https://quiz.tryinteract.com/#/5d2513fa4fc6b400143e9004#
How Three-Act Screenplays Work (and why it matters): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0QO7YuKKdI
Defining an Act: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j56WPBaiPYQ
The Hero's Journey: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hero%27s_journey
Nine Dot Plot Dot Outline: https://blog.nanowrimo.org/post/149858948126/plot-doctoring-9-steps-to-build-a-strong-plot
Ladyknightthebrave's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/TheBatyalewbel
We discuss the ins and outs of editing both your own work and that of other people.
LINKS:
Renaissance Press: https://pressesrenaissancepress.ca/
Chocolate River Publishing: https://www.chocolateriver.ca/
Canadian English: https://public.oed.com/blog/canadian-english/
Grammarly: https://www.grammarly.com/
We take a look at our formative years to discuss the books and authors who influenced our writing up until today. LINKS: Paul Barton: https://www.youtube.com/user/PaulBartonPiano/featured
A deep dive into our experiences writing and reading fan fiction. Also exciting news from Margaret! Links: Brave New Girls anthology: http://bravenewgirls.weebly.com/ Archive of Our Own: https://archiveofourown.org/
A discussion about titles: what makes a good one and why is coming up with one so hard?
We discuss all the strange things that we've had to research over the course of writing. LINKS: Quackery: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/33572516-quackery?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=tnU6X0C4OT&rank=1 Penguin knees: https://www.neaq.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/X-RAYS-KNEES-737x900.jpg?fbclid=IwAR0psQ0oKFE_fg4P7hMytIka-7vVc2A4HQmb22T1u-SF4mJJcHo8IiN94gs
We discuss our favourite fiction, non-fiction and graphic novels that we read in 2019. LINKS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJoeGEEu5L4
Today we're talking about different strategies you can use when you're stuck on something and need more words. LINKS: Go Left by Kari Maaren: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DiqWn_DwYEM
It's November and we're both attempting National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo)! In this episode, we discuss the different approaches we're taking to the challenge and the projects that we're writing for it. LINKS: NaNoWriMo: https://nanowrimo.org/ Maple Cake Recipe: https://bluenosebaker.wordpress.com/2016/04/17/omas-maple-cake/
After attending CAN-CON 2019, we took advantage of the fact that we were together to record an episode about the conference and the Aurora Awards. With special, unplanned appearances by our guest host, Imriel the Great Dane. Links: CAN-CON: https://can-con.org/ The Aurora Awards: https://prixaurorawards.ca/ CanLit by Kari Maaren: https://youtu.be/IhjO-sAvLm8 Queen's Wish: The Conqueror: http://spidweb.com/queenswish/index.html Orphan Black: The Next Chapter: https://www.serialbox.com/serials/orphan-black
We both recently took part in the NYC Midnight Flash Fiction Challenge. In this episode we discuss our history with the contest and our process for the most recent challenge. Links: The NYC Midnight Challenge: http://www.nycmidnight.com/ Vicki's story (Three Hour Tour): https://docs.google.com/document/d/1IqrjwA_Cp_iAoPEPfX21n34VAzmVbss-UZ_AqWXdPX4/edit?fbclid=IwAR2VSVW6soJnxJALWjM0gNXFKBvX1iGB4Q7oDQSk2I9fUBFCrJT0SSCTDx4 Margaret's Story (Nostalgia): https://docs.google.com/document/d/1sRI5RyBFH8TEucmweJmaGT_YzkmmxzSvqATcfR_qgZI/edit?usp=sharing
The first episode of Needs More Words, a podcast about writing and reading, because we're all stuck on something. In this episode, we introduce ourselves and what this podcast is all about. Links: Needs More Words' Twitter: https://twitter.com/needsmorewords Margaret's Twitter: https://twitter.com/mhanson42 Vicki's Twitter: https://twitter.com/victoriakmartin