Write Pack Radio: Recent Episodes
Write Pack Radio
There are many talks on the internet about writing, but nothing like Write Pack Radio. Write Pack Radio features a panel of writers--traditional published, independent published, hybrirds, and hopefuls, who explore the maze of the writing industry.
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In this episode, The Write Pack explores how to get book covers ready. While many publishing houses use professional cover designers, there are many challenges to having a good book cover. What are they? What do indie authors need to know to avoid?
Do you a question or a topic for the Write Pack to explore? Leave a comment here, or on our Facebook page, or email us at WritePackRadio@WindingTrailsMedia.com
Music: by Meredith Tate
Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WritePackRadio
In this episode, The Write Pack celebrates James Thurber and explores comedy. Comedy is one of the hardest genres to write and it has many subgenres. In this episode, the Write Pack explores the subgenres and expresses their individual likes and dislikes of those subgenres.
Do you a question or a topic for the Write Pack to explore? Leave a comment here, or on our Facebook page, or email us at WritePackRadio@WindingTrailsMedia.com
New episodes every Sunday
Music: by Meredith Tate
Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WritePackRadio
The Write Pack explores the elements of a writer’s library. In this episode, the Write Pack discuss the books they keep on hand in their library—from books on craft to books that keep them going and so much more.
Do you a question or a topic for the Write Pack to explore? Leave a comment here, or on our Facebook page, or email us at WritePackRadio@WindingTrailsMedia.com
New episodes every Sunday
Music: by Meredith Tate
Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WritePackRadio
The Write Pack explores how to sell books at Cons. There are a lot of conventions for each genre, but how can you sell your books there? How do you get reader attention? What do you not do while selling at a con? All of this and much more.
Do you a question or a topic for the Write Pack to explore? Leave a comment here, or on our Facebook page, or email us at WritePackRadio@WindingTrailsMedia.com
New episodes every Sunday
Music: by Meredith Tate
Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WritePackRadio
The Write Pack explores gifts for writers.
With the major shopping holiday shopping season starting this weekend, the Write Pack discusses gift ideas that writers may be interested in.
Do you a question or a topic for the Write Pack to explore? Leave a comment here, or on our Facebook page, or email us at WritePackRadio@WindingTrailsMedia.com
New episodes every Sunday
Music: by Meredith Tate
Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WritePackRadio
In this episode, the Write Pack share the books, movies, and everything else that inspired them to write—that keep them going.
Do you a question or a topic for the Write Pack to explore? Leave a comment here, or on our Facebook page, or email us at WritePackRadio@WindingTrailsMedia.com
New episodes every Sunday
Music: by Meredith Tate
Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WritePackRadio
In this episode, the Write Pack celebrate Jack London and discuss writing adventure stories.
Do you a question or a topic for the Write Pack to explore? Leave a comment here, or on our Facebook page, or email us at WritePackRadio@WindingTrailsMedia.com
New episodes every Sunday
Music: by Meredith Tate
Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WritePackRadio
National Novel Writing Month starts soon. In this episode, the Write Pack discuss preparing for NaNoWriMo and any other long writing project sprint.
Do you a question or a topic for the Write Pack to explore? Leave a comment here, or on our Facebook page, or email us at WritePackRadio@WindingTrailsMedia.com
All episodes available at:
- iTunes
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- TuneIn
- YouTube
- And other platforms
New episodes every Sunday
Music: by Meredith Tate
Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WritePackRadio
In this two part podcast, the Write Pack explores all the things an author needs to do when their book is about to be published. It is more than many think.
Do you a question or a topic for the Write Pack to explore? Leave a comment here, or on our Facebook page, or email us at WritePackRadio@WindingTrailsMedia.com
All episodes available at:
- iTunes
- Blog Talk Radio
- TuneIn
- YouTube
- And other platforms
New episodes every Sunday
Music: by Meredith Tate
Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WritePackRadio
In this two part podcast, the Write Pack explores all the things an author needs to do when their book is about to be published. It is more than many think.
Do you a question or a topic for the Write Pack to explore? Leave a comment here, or on our Facebook page, or email us at WritePackRadio@WindingTrailsMedia.com
All episodes available at:
- iTunes
- Blog Talk Radio
- TuneIn
- YouTube
- And other platforms
New episodes every Sunday
Music: by Meredith Tate
Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WritePackRadio
Inspired by a blog post, The Nope Bag Tag (https://heathersreadinghideaway.blogspot.com/2018/08/the-nope-book-tag.html), The Write Pack explores what makes us say no to stories, characters and more as a reader, a viewer, and a writer. This is part 2 of 2.
Do you a question or a topic for the Write Pack to explore? Leave a comment here, or on our Facebook page, or email us at WritePackRadio@WindingTrailsMedia.com
All episodes available at:
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- And other platforms
New episodes every Sunday
Music: by Meredith Tate
Are you determined to share your creativity with the world, then you too are on an Excelsior Journey. In this introduction, George shares what the upcoming new series is all about. Join us every Tuesday for another Excelsior Journey!
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New episodes every Tuesday
Inspired by a blog post, The Nope Bag Tag (https://heathersreadinghideaway.blogspot.com/2018/08/the-nope-book-tag.html), The Write Pack explores what makes us say no to stories, characters and more as a reader, a viewer, and a writer. This is part 1 of 2.
Do you a question or a topic for the Write Pack to explore? Leave a comment here, or on our Facebook page, or email us at WritePackRadio@WindingTrailsMedia.com
All episodes available at:
- iTunes
- Blog Talk Radio
- TuneIn
- YouTube
- And other platforms
New episodes every Sunday
Music: by Meredith Tate
Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WritePackRadio
We were asked by some fans how a writer should organize their work. There is no right or wrong way to organize your work when you are creating it, but in this episode the Write Pack shares how we organize our work. It is our hope that our different methods will assist those who are looking for ways to organize their work
Do you a question or a topic for the Write Pack to explore? Leave a comment here, or on our Facebook page, or email us at WritePackRadio@WindingTrailsMedia.com
All episodes available at:
- iTunes
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- TuneIn
- YouTube
- And other platforms
New episodes every Sunday
Music: by Meredith Tate
In this episode, the Write Pack celebrate Chinese author Lin Yutang and discuss his concept of a scamp. To Lin, the scamp is the character that stands between freedom and tyranny.
“My faith in human dignity consists in the belief that man is the greatest scamp on earth. . . . In this present age of threats to democracy and individual liberty, probably only the scamp and the spirit of the scamp alone will save us from being lost in serially numbered units in the masses of disciplined, obedient, regimented and uniformed coolies. The scamp will be the last and most formidable enemy of dictatorships. He will be the champion of human dignity and individual freedom, and will be the last to be conquered. All modern civilization depends entirely upon him.”--Lin Yutang, The Importance of Living [1937]
Do you a question or a topic for the Write Pack to explore? Leave a comment here, or on our Facebook page, or email us at WritePackRadio@WindingTrailsMedia.com
All episodes available at:
- iTunes
- Blog Talk Radio
- TuneIn
- YouTube
- And other platforms
New episodes every Sunday
Music: by Meredith Tate
Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WritePackRadio
Some writers say it doesn’t exist, others do, and even psychologist have looked into it and show that it can take a long time to break through. What is it? Writers Block! In this episode, the Write Pack explores facing writers block and ways to break through it.
Do you a question or a topic for the Write Pack to explore? Leave a comment here, or on our Facebook page, or email us at WritePackRadio@WindingTrailsMedia.com
All episodes available at:
- iTunes
- Blog Talk Radio
- TuneIn
- YouTube
- And other platforms
New episodes every Sunday
Music: by Meredith Tate
Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WritePackRadio
With all the ideas that come into our minds, some writers have trouble choosing which idea to chase. We were asked by one of our fans, how do we choose the projects we elect to work on. In this episode, members of the Write Pack respond.
Do you a question or a topic for the Write Pack to explore? Leave a comment here, or on our Facebook page, or email us at WritePackRadio@WindingTrailsMedia.com
All episodes available at:
- iTunes
- Blog Talk Radio
- TuneIn
- YouTube
- And other platforms
New episodes every Sunday
Music: by Meredith Tate
Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WritePackRadio
Why do some people have trouble writing novels, but has no trouble writing a short story? Others have the opposite problem, while others have no problem at all. After all, isn’t a story a story? In this episode the Write Pack explores the novel brain and the short story brian.
All episodes available at:
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- And other platforms
New episodes every Sunday
Music: by Meredith Tate
Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WritePackRadio
In the last 30 years, children’s literature has changed. Things that were once forbidden to talk about in a children’s story is now encouraged. How has the genre changed? What has brought on those changes? In this episode, the Write Pack explore the possibilities of these questions and more.
All episodes available at:
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- And other platforms
New episodes every Sunday
Music: by Meredith Tate
Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WritePackRadio
They say technology has made things easier for writers to get published. If that is so, why does it seem to be such a maze of mystery on knowing where to pitch a book if you want to be a traditional or hybrid writer? How do these skills work for selling your book regardless of the publishing process? In this episode, the Write Pack explores Knowing Where and How to Pitch.
All episodes available at:
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New episodes every Sunday
Music: by Meredith Tate
A new show is coming to the Write Pack Radio Podcasting Network. Listen to George Sirois (member of the Write Pack) discuss what is coming up.
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What is it about mysteries as a genre that keeps us coming back for another murder to be solved? Why are the elements of mystery found in every genre and often is a subplot in those genres? In this episode, the Write explores why Everyone Loves a Mystery.
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New episodes every Sunday
Music: by Meredith Tate
The choice of words in your writing can change the mood, the setting, and effect the reader emotionally. In this episode, the Write explores Word Choice and its use.
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New episodes every Sunday
Music: by Meredith Tate
Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WritePackRadio
There are many romance and romance type books that display unhealthy romantic relationships. The Write Pack explores and debates writing health romantic relationships in fiction.
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New episodes every Sunday
Music: by Meredith Tate
Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WritePackRadio
The Write Pack concludes it series on author promotion by tackling on of the hardest parts of promotion--connecting to your readers without always saying “buy my book.”
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New episodes every Sunday
Music: by Meredith Tate
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The Write Pack is joined LaShaunda Hoffman (Publisher/Editor-in-Chief at SORMAG and Podcaster (Social Butterfly)) as they explore a question that all writers ask when they are promotion their work: how can I track what is working?
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New episodes every Sunday
Music: by Meredith Tate
Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WritePackRadio
The Write Pack is joined by Bob Baker (The Empowered Artist Movement) and LaShaunda Hoffman (Publisher/Editor-in-Chief at SORMAG and Podcaster (Social Butterfly) as they explore one of the hardest things most creatives have—getting out of our own way while being comfortable promoting our work.
All episodes available at:
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New episodes every Sunday
Music: by Meredith Tate
Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WritePackRadio
The Write Pack has been asked to explore why a story world works. In response, we chose the world of Harry Potter. In this episode, The Write Pack explores the story world, the characters and more that came from the imagination of J.K. Rowling.
All episodes available at:
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New episodes every Sunday
Music: by Meredith Tate
Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WritePackRadio
In this episode, The Write Pack discusses the methods of describing your book to your audience, writing the back cover, and more. This episode was recorded in front of a live audience.
All episodes available at:
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- And other platforms
New episodes every Sunday
Music: by Meredith Tate
Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WritePackRadio
In this episode, The Write Pack celebrates Harlem Renaissance author Langston Hughes and explore what authors can learn from this prolific writer—including about writing about the ordinary person.
All episodes available at:
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New episodes every Sunday
Music: by Meredith Tate
On of the most common things that writers face is rejection. This can be rejection by a publisher or a fan. How do you face this rejection without it being taken personal? The Write Pack discuss their own wounds, victories, and what keeps them going.
All episodes available at:
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New episodes every Sunday
Music: by Meredith Tate
Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WritePackRadio
Why do writers today need to work at promoting their work? Can’t the publisher just do all the marketing? The Write Pack explores the reasons and some of the promotional stuff that can be done on a budget.
In July we will have guests who are experts in promoting your work to go even deeper into this topic.
All episodes available at:
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- And other platforms
New episodes every Sunday
Music: by Meredith Tate
Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WritePackRadio
Popular Fiction and Literary Fiction have always struggled against each other, but why does it have to be difficult to make a popular fiction story more than just popular fiction? The Write Pack explores the modern industry and the struggles of Dorothy L. Sayers.
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New episodes every Sunday
Music: by Meredith Tate
The publishing industry has changed, so what is it about agents that is so important? Why are they necessary? What do they do? How do I even get one? The Write Pack explores these questions and many more.
All episodes available at:
- iTunes
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- And other platforms
New episodes every Sunday
Music: by Meredith Tate
Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WritePackRadio
The publishing industry has changed, so what is it about agents that is so important? Why are they necessary? What do they do? How do I even get one? The Write Pack explores these questions and many more.
All episodes available at:
- iTunes
- Blog Talk Radio
- TuneIn
- YouTube
- And other platforms
New episodes every Sunday
Music: by Meredith Tate
Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WritePackRadio
How do you mix local color into your stories without putting in too much to turn your readers away? In this episode, the Write Pack celebrates the life of Bret Harte as thy explore writing local color in fiction and beyond.
All episodes available at:
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New episodes every Sunday
Music: by Meredith Tate
Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WritePackRadio
Writing is an art and all stories have a shape. In this episode, the Write Pack explores the various shapes of stories as described by Kurt Vonnegut.
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New episodes every Sunday
Music: by Meredith Tate
Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WritePackRadio
In just a few weeks, Marvel’s Infinity War comes out. Everywhere we turn—television, big screen, streaming services, books, comics—there are superheroes. Why are we obsessed with superheroes? The Write Pack explores superheroes and writing their stories.
All episodes available at:
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New episodes every Sunday
Music: by Meredith Tate
Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WritePackRadio
What is effective narration? There is narration that makes you feel like you are deep in the story world. There is narration that is too purple, too gaudy, too overdone that throws you out of the story. How do you keep your narrative tight, effective, and not overdone? The Write Pack explore these questions.
All episodes available at:
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- And other platforms
New episodes every Sunday
Music: by Meredith Tate
Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WritePackRadio
Epics have been with us since the dawn of recorded history, but what does it take to write one? Can they be any genre? What makes an epic an epic? The Write Pack explore these questions.
All episodes available at:
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New episodes every Sunday
Music: by Meredith Tate
Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WritePackRadio
When writers write, they are conveying information from their mind to the readers. But, is there a difference between just writing words or writing pictures in the reader’s mind? In this episode, The Write Pack explores this question.
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New episodes every Sunday
Music: by Meredith Tate
Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WritePackRadio
In our last episode, we talked about Building Your Confidence as a Writer. In this episode, we go further to discuss Building Your Confidence through Competence.
All episodes available at:
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New episodes every Sunday
Music: by Meredith Tate
Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WritePackRadio
In this episode, the Write Pack explores the self-doubt that writers can face and ideas of how to overcome it.
All episodes available at:
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- And other platforms
New episodes every Sunday
Music: by Meredith Tate
In this episode, the Write Pack discusses the need for an author website and how to use it as the hub of your author platform.
All episodes available at:
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- And other platforms
New episodes every Sunday
Music: by Meredith Tate
Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WritePackRadio
In this episode, the Write Pack discusses the craft and the problems of writing the story arc.
All episodes available at:
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New episodes every Sunday
Music: by Meredith Tate
Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WritePackRadio
In this episode, the Write Pack discusses the power and the difficulty of writing stories for those facing difficulties and illnesses.
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New episodes every Sunday
Music: by Meredith Tate
In this episode, the Write Pack discusses finding and keeping your voice as you write and between genres.
All episodes available at:
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New episodes every Sunday
Music: by Meredith Tate
Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WritePackRadio/
In this episode, the Write Pack discusses creating legends in fiction and the contributions of Longfellow.
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New episodes every Sunday
Music: by Meredith Tate
In this episode, the Write Pack investigates the imagination and how it drives us to create.
All episodes available at:
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New episodes every Sunday
Music: by Meredith Tate
In this episode, the Write Pack investigates the imagination and how it drives us to create.
All episodes available at:
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- And other platforms
New episodes every Sunday
Music: by Meredith Tate
In this episode, the Write Pack investigates the ever-growing phenomena of the success of genre mashups. The concept of genre is a more recent development in the history of the book publishing industry. But, what are the ups and downs of combing genres?
All episodes available at:
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- And other platforms
New episodes every Sunday
Music: by Meredith Tate
In this episode, the Write Pack investigates the one question that haunts every writer, agent, and publisher. We discuss when would someone know that their work is ready to be published. When is it time to stop editing and rewriting? When is it time to hold off and rework the work? And more.
All episodes available at:
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- And other platforms
New episodes every Sunday
Music: by Meredith Tate
Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WritePackRadio/
In this episode, the Write Pack celebrates one of the most prolific authors, Isaac Asimov, the great explainer. While known for his science fiction, he also helped make science popular and published works on science, history, religion, and more.
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New episodes every Sunday
Music: by Meredith Tate
It’s that time of year again when the Write Pack looks at the writing industry for 2018 and discuss our new year’s resolutions. Please share on our Facebook Page your writing resolutions for 2018.
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New episodes every Sunday
Music: by Meredith Tate
Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WritePackRadio/
How do you create unique characters? In this episode, the Write Pack discusses the various methods used to create characters and their preferred techniques.
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New episodes every Sunday
Music: by Meredith Tate
In this episode, the Write Pack explores the difference between writing nonfiction and fiction.
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New episodes every Sunday
Music: by Meredith Tate
In this episode, the Write Pack explores what writers need to write a series and celebrates Harriet Adams.
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New episodes every Sunday
Music: by Meredith Tate
In this episode, the Write Pack explores Suspense and how it differs from mystery, how it can be used in other genres and more.
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New episodes every Sunday
Music: by Meredith Tate
It’s that time of year again when the Write Pack explores the holiday shopping for writers, what gifts writers may want, and more.
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New episodes every Sunday
Music: by Meredith Tate
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Are you a disciplined write? What does that even mean? In today’s world, writers—part-time trying to break in and full-time—are faced with many more distractions and things that the business end requires than ever before. To get it all done, you have to be disciplined. But how? In this episode of Write Pack Radio, the Write Pack discuss their discipline and how one of them had their discipline shattered and is still trying to put the pieces back together. Listen, won’t you?
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New episodes every Sunday
Music: by Meredith Tate
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Did you know who invented the idea of Kryptonite or even a lot of the other iconic comic book concepts all came from one person—a pioneering woman in the comic book world? In this episode, the Write Pack celebrates this pioneer and explores how comic books mirror the real world.
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New episodes every Sunday
Music: by Meredith Tate
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Creating characters may seem easy, but getting the audience to care about them . . .? In this episode, the Write Pack explores the ways to create empathy for characters.
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New episodes every Sunday
Music: by Meredith Tate
Meditation and writing? In this episode, the Write Pack explores how meditation can help a writer focus on their story? The Write Pack also explores the different kinds of meditation and more.
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New episodes every Sunday
Music: by Meredith Tate
This week on Write Pack Radio: More Power of Horror
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Months ago, the Write Pack explored the power of horror fiction. In this episode, we continue exploring the age-old questions: What is it about the power of the horror genre that stays with us like it does? From ghost stories told around campfires to classic folktales handed down from generation to generation, from the classics of when the literary form was first coming out to the modern incarnations of the horror, we can see the effect and a power of storytelling that must be explored.
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New episodes every Sunday
Music: by Meredith Tate
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In this episode, the Write Pack explores the ways and methods that an author’s philosophy of life, the world, and more gets into the story they are telling. How can it be done well and how can it be done poorly?
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New episodes every Sunday
Music: by Meredith Tate
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In this episode, the Write Pack explores the question: What has been the Evolution of Storytelling? Has the expectations of the reader changed over time—even in the last few years—and how do we adapt, change, and meet those expectations?
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New episodes every Sunday
Music: by Meredith Tate
In this episode, the Write Pack that writing is not just an art of telling stories, but also of risk taking—pushing the envelope of who you are, what you write, and how you tell your story.
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New episodes every Sunday
Music: by Meredith Tate
In this episode, the Write Pack discusses what you need to know about hiring a narrator for your audio book and what you need to do it yourself.
All episodes available at:
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New episodes every Sunday
Music: by Meredith Tate
In this episode, the Write Pack shares the struggles that every author tends to have—the first draft. For some it is believed to be easy and for others it is as easy as sitting at the keyboard and opening up your veins.
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New episodes every Sunday
Music: by Meredith Tate
In this episode, the Write Pack jumps in the Batmobile and rides it straight into the story structure of Christopher Nolan. There are many stories and many story structures, but they all share many things in common. The Write Pack explores story structure and how Christopher Nolan and others use it, searching for how other writers can apply it.
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New episodes every Sunday
Music: by Meredith Tate
Have you ever been thrown out of a story because the universe the story is in feels . . . fake, campy, unrealistic with characters who would never do what they are doing? It happens and it is something we writers never want to happen. How do we prevent it? How do we create fictional universes for mystery, fantasy, science fiction, or any other genre and keep them feeling real?
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New episodes every Sunday
Music: by Meredith Tate
To some this may sound like an easy question. Or is it? Should prologues remain, should they be somehow folded into the story or should they be removed altogether?
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The Write Pack explores what and how to write for children. How does the story or content change for different age groups? How do you write for children without writing “down to them”? Has the content allowed changed over the years? And much more . . .
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As the Write Pack celebrates Mary Shelly, we find ourselves confronted by the age-old question: What is it about the power of the horror genre that stays with us like it does? From ghost stories told around campfires to classic folktales handed down from generation to generation, from the classics of when the literary form was first coming out to the modern incarnations of the horror, we can see the effect and a power of storytelling that must be explored.
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Have you ever told someone, especially someone close to you, that you are a writer only to get an eye roll? Or even worse, “Oh, you work from home all day. Great, we need volunteers for . . . and since you have all that time on your hands . . .” Well, the Write Pack has gotten a lot of that and we are sharing in this episode. Please share and comment about your own experiences.
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Have you ever told someone, especially someone close to you, that you are a writer only to get an eye roll? Or even worse, “Oh, you work from home all day. Great, we need volunteers for . . . and since you have all that time on your hands . . .” Well, the Write Pack has gotten a lot of that and we are sharing in this episode. Please share and comment about your own experiences.
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While writing is the most important part of the job, there are other aspects to a writer’s life and career. Some of those aspects may seem terrifying. One such aspect is speaking in public.
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Writers are often concerned about getting published and dealing with the problems that come with breaking in. But, what about being prolific? In this episode, the Write Pack explores problems with being prolific.
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In this episode, the Write Pack explores integrity in our writing and the integrity of the author. Why does it matter?How can losing integrity effect our writing career?How does the use of word choices effect the integrity of what we write?Are there other areas of “integrity” that come into play in the author career? All episodes available at:
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In this episode, the Write Pack explores the challenges writers face in marketing their books to the public.
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In this episode, the Write Pack explores the challenges writers face in marketing their books to the public.
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In this episode, the Write Pack will discuss the hard and often muddy process of getting stories through the muddy middle to the exciting end.
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In this episode, the Write Pack explores the challenges of how to react to comments, criticism, and interacting with your audience.
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In this episode, the Write Pack explores the challenges of research and writing non-fiction, including the false claims, the slanting of history, and more.
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In this episode, the Write Pack explores the challenges of research and writing non-fiction, including the false claims, the slanting of history, and more.
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Music: by Meredith Tate
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Music: by Meredith Tate
In this episode, the Write Pack explores when should a writer hire an editor and what the different types of editors do.
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In this episode, the Write Pack explores the emotional toll we face when writing and when we are having to put characters though so much for the story.
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In this episode, the Write Pack explores a subject some published authors have or can run into: Facing Accusations of Plagiarism
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In this episode, the Write Pack explores the use of language and how it impacts the style of your writing. Is style a choice of words and language level?How does cadence effect style?And more
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In this episode, the Write Pack explores what story structures work for different stories: Isn’t there just one story structure?What are the differences between all the story structures?And more
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In this episode, the Write Pack explores the technology available to writers. What technologies (hardware and software) are available to writers?What technologies do the Write Pack use and why?And more
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the Write Pack explores what we can learn from Ring Theory. What is Ring Theory?How can Ring Theory be used in a series?And more
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In this episode, the Write Pack explores what we can learn from Mark Twain about writing. How can comedy and satire be woven into a story?Why is comedy and satire needed?And more
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Music: by Meredith Tate
In this episode, the Write Pack explores what it means to write profoundly. Is profound writing something you plan for or does it just happen?What does writing profoundly really mean?And more
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In this episode, the Write Pack explores the vital questions they ask when they write. What are the vital questions that come before writing a story?Do the questions change at different stages of thestory?And more
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Music: by Meredith Tate
In this episode, the Write Pack explores inspiration and its sources. What can you do when inspiration hits you in the shower?How can you reignite inspiration?And more
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In this episode, the Write Pack celebrates the life of Louis L'Amour and discuss making larger than life characters. What were some of the ways Louis L’Amour created his vast amount of fiction?Why are larger than life characters needed in fiction?And more
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Music: by Meredith Tate and
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In this episode, the Write Pack discusses the importance of narrative hooks throughout a story. What are the narrative hooks?How do narrative hooks keep readers changing the pages?And more
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In this episode, the Write Pack discusses what five key elements are needed in a story. What are the five pillars of storytelling?Must all stories have these elements?And more
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In this episode, the Write Pack discusses the importance of open mics and reading your work aloud. Aren’t open mics just for music and poetry?I hate reading aloud in front of people. Do I need to at book events?And more
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In this episode, the Write Pack discusses the juggle of maintaining a job while writing. What are some of the ways of managing the balance between work, writing, and life?When do you change careers to writing full time or do you?And more
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In this episode, the Write Pack discusses an article by the same title and its advice for Science Fiction writers. What makes a Science Fiction story obsolete?What should Science Fiction (and other genre authors) avoid?And more
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In this episode, the Write Pack discusses how to get into a character’s mind. Why act out what your character would do?How do you know your character is behaving like themselves?And more
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In this episode, the Write Pack discusses the value of and what to look for in an online writing course. What are the different kinds of writing courses?What do you look for when selecting an online course?And more
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In this episode, the Write Pack discusses the setbacks writers can have and possible ways to recover their careers. What are the different kinds of setbacks a writer may face?If a writer suffers from a setback, is that the end of their career?And more
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We have talked about a lot of author writing rules, but in this episode, the Write Pack discusses the rules we follow. We also celebrate Georges Méliès. Who was Georges Méliès and what was his contribution to writing?There are a lot of rules writers can follow. The Write Pack has discussed a lot of them, but what are our individual rules that we use?And more
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In this episode, the Write Pack explores how to be and stay motivated in our writing and our New Years resolutions for 2017. Beyond the lurking bill collector, what ate some ways to stay motivated?What does the Write Pack plan for 2017?And more
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Music: by Meredith Tate
In this episode, the Write Pack explores how to determine which magazine or ezine fits what you write? Are literary and genre magazines still the gatekeepers of breaking in that they once were?How do you find what magazines might publish your stories?And more
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In this episode, the Write Pack explores the scams that are lying in wait for unsuspecting authors. What kind of scams can a writer run into?What are the red flags that you may be dealing with a scammer?What is the difference between scam artist, vanity presses, large presses, small presses, real agents and doing it yourself?What can you do if you find yourself caught in a scam?And more
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Music: by Meredith Tate
In this episode, the Write Pack explores the importance of rewarding yourself and celebrates the life of Jane Austen. Why did Jane Austen have to publish under a pen name?Writing is a solutide can betasking. How do we reward ourselves and why should you also?How do we reward ourselves?How often do we reward ourselves and why? And more
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Music: by Meredith Tate
In this episode, the Write Pack explores what gifts writers want. What would the writer in the family want for the holidays or their birthday?What tools are helpful for writers? And more
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Music: by Meredith Tate
In this episode, the Write Pack explores what gifts writers want. What would the writer in the family want for the holidays or their birthday?What tools are helpful for writers? And more
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Music: by Meredith Tate
In this episode, the Write Pack explores the rules surrounding what you can and can’t do to animals in your story. Do the rules go back to Aesop Fables?How does the genre you write in create reader expectations of what you can and can’t do with animals in your story?How do you handle real animals or amorphized animals? And more
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Music: by Meredith Tate
In this episode, the Write Pack explores how an author’s stories and story worlds are their interpretation of our real world. How does fiction set in the real world mirror what is happening today?How does science fiction and fantasy allow the writer to explore topics that would be more difficult to explore in a real world setting?How do stories written about the past mirror the world as we see it today? And more
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Music: by Meredith Tate
In this episode, the Write Pack explores how to submit your work for publication and celebrate Bram Stoker’s birthday. How do you find the places to submit your work to?How can you find out who are in the publishing industry?What can we learn from Bram Stoker? And more
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Music: by Meredith Tate
In this episode, the Write Pack explores the use of shared universes within our writing and with other authors. What is a shared universe?What problems can come up in using shared universes?What are the advantages and disadvantages of writing in a shared universe? And more
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Music: by Meredith Tate
In this episode, the Write Pack explores the power of Brainstorming. How does brainstorming help breakout of your writing ruts?How does brainstorming help in plotting?How does brainstorming help in creating characters? And more
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Music: by Meredith Tate
In this episode, the Write Pack explores what makes a good noir story and a good thriller. What is the difference between noir stories and thrillers?What makes a good noir style story?What are the important elements of a good thriller? And more
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Music: by Meredith Tate
In this episode, the Write Pack how to target conflict to make your story even better. Can we have an engaging story that doesn’t have a conflict?Why is conflict such a major element to the story?What is the difference between a character sketch and a story? And more
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Music: by Meredith Tate
In this episode, the Write Pack celebrates Zane Grey’s birthday and explores the question of how much writing, rewriting and polishing goes in to a story. What could the super published author Zane Grey do in his time that we, as modern authors, would have trouble doing today?How much rewriting goes into our work?When do you stop polishing and say you are done? And more
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Music: by Meredith Tate
In this episode, the Write Pack explores a question raised as several traditional publishers cancelled mystery series in 2016. Is the mystery genre over saturated?How have shows like CSI changed the mystery genre?Are publishers stepping away from cozies for the more gritty story? And more
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Music: by Meredith Tate
In this episode, the Write Pack explores how to turn your book into an audio book. How do authors work with ACX (Audible)?How can you arrange for voice actors to read your book?Should the author just read their book?What goes into being a voice over actor to read a book? And more
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Music: by Meredith Tate
In this episode, the Write Pack Radio’s Jennifer Stolzer interviews authors at the third Wine, Wit & Lit fundraiser. Proceeds of the event went to benefit Reeling and Healing Midwest, a nonprofit organization that supports cancer survivors, taking them on fly-fishing retreats.
Jennifer interviews: Susan Zeltmann, a breast cancer survivor, who talks about what this event has done for her. (This interview has a cameo by Write Pack Radio’s Fedora Amis, Award-winning Historical Mystery Author)Susan McBride, USA Today Bestselling Mystery AuthorLynn Cahoon, New York Times Bestselling Mystery AuthorJody Feldman, Award-winning Children’s AuthorAngie Fox, New York Times Bestselling Paranormal Mystery AuthorMegan Kelly, Award-winning Romance AuthorDenise Swanson, New York Times Bestselling Mystery and Romance Author Listen to how these authors give to the community!
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Music: by Meredith Tate
In this episode, the Write Pack Radio’s Jennifer Stolzer interviews authors at the third Wine, Wit & Lit fundraiser. Proceeds of the event went to benefit Reeling and Healing Midwest, a nonprofit organization that supports cancer survivors, taking them on fly-fishing retreats.
Jennifer interviews: Susan Zeltmann, a breast cancer survivor, who talks about what this event has done for her. (This interview has a cameo by Write Pack Radio’s Fedora Amis, Award-winning Historical Mystery Author)Susan McBride, USA Today Bestselling Mystery AuthorLynn Cahoon, New York Times Bestselling Mystery AuthorJody Feldman, Award-winning Children’s AuthorAngie Fox, New York Times Bestselling Paranormal Mystery AuthorMegan Kelly, Award-winning Romance AuthorDenise Swanson, New York Times Bestselling Mystery and Romance Author Listen to how these authors give to the community!
All episodes available at:
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- TuneIn
- YouTube
- And other platforms
New episodes every Sunday
Newsletter: http://tinyurl.com/jsn2g4y
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Music: by Meredith Tate
In this episode, the Write Pack celebrates the birthday of Baroness Orczy (author of the Scarlet Pimpernel series that inspired other stories like Batman and Zorro) explores how to hook the reader with the opening to the story. Why are openings important?What is the important thing that openings must do?What must the opening do?What is a hook?What should the opening include?How does this apply to each chapter? And more
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Music: by Meredith Tate
In this episode, the Write Pack explores how to simplify plots. How do you avoid making a too complex plot?How do you simplify your plot?What are the consequences of screwing up your plotlines?Are there certain plot templates for certain genres?What do subplots do for the plot? And more
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Music: by Meredith Tate
Pros and Cons of Heroes and Villains
In this episode, the Write Pack explores the plus and minuses of using heroes and villains. What is the necessary villain?What is the difference between heroes and villains versus protagonist and antagonist?Why use heroes and villains instead of protagonist and antagonist? What’s the difference?What about anti-heroes? And more
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Music: by Meredith Tate
In this episode, the Write Pack explores the use of pacing and rhythm in writing. What is pacing?What is rhythm?Why is pacing and rhythm so important to story structure?How does it change between the different medias? And more
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Music: by Meredith Tate
In this episode, the Write Pack explores the writing of poet Albert Lord Tennyson and simplifying our writing. How has Tennyson’s writing affect the stories of today?How can we use the simplification process work?How does “show don’t tell?” change based on the media you are writing?How has prose writing and description changed from the time of Tennyson differ from today? And more
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Music: by Meredith Tate
Dramatic Character Thoughts
Link to this episode: http://tinyurl.com/zuk6yqe
YouTube:
In this episode, the Write Pack explores writing dramatic character thoughts. What is the role of inner monologue?What makes inner monologue dramatic?What should inner monologue show about the character and the story? And more
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Sassy Characters and Historical Fiction
Link to this episode: http://tinyurl.com/jzqoyk7
YouTube: http://tinyurl.com/jup9qmg
In this episode, the Write Pack explores creating sassy characters and their role in fiction historical and other genres of fiction. What makes a character sassy?Why are only female characters thought of as sassy?How does sassy characters automatically create conflict? And more
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Music: by Meredith Tate
Raising the Stakes
Link to this episode: http://tinyurl.com/jh8qoyk
YouTube: http://tinyurl.com/z85knkl
In this episode, the Write Pack explores raising how raising the stakes keeps the audience engaged. How did Hemingway raise the stakes in his stories?Why are the stakes important to the characters?How does raising the stakes keep the audience involved? And more
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Music: by Meredith Tate and
Music: http://www.purple-planet.com
Establish Theme Early
Link to this episode: http://tinyurl.com/jzxznx5
YouTube: http://tinyurl.com/j686633
In this episode, the Write Pack celebrates Ernest Hemmingway and explores how to establish themes in a story. Do themes come naturally from the story?How did Hemmingway use his themes?What are the importance of themes and how do they keep the promise of the story? And more
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Music: by Meredith Tate and
Music: http://www.purple-planet.com
Realistic Dialogue
Link to this episode: http://tinyurl.com/jktv5jo
YouTube: https://youtu.be/hwA9OI6o21Q
In this episode, the Write Pack explores writing realistic dialogue. What is realistic dialogue?How does realistic dialogue help propel a story forward?How is realistic dialogue used in different media (books vs. film vs. audio) And more
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Music: by Meredith Tate and
Music: http://www.purple-planet.com
Dealing with Our Inner Demons
Link to this episode: http://tinyurl.com/hpj3nn5
YouTube: https://youtu.be/RrIV-rv8e2Q
In this episode, the Write Pack explores the therapy of writing and how we use it to handle our inner demons.
• What demons come out in our writing?
• How do we handle our demons with our writing?
• How are our characters’ demons different from our personal demons?
• How do our demons get in our way?
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Music: by Meredith Tate
Bad Guys and Sleazy Protagonists
Link to this episode: http://tinyurl.com/jpqg733
YouTube: https://youtu.be/YR5N0BxgKPc
In this episode, the Write Pack explores creating bad guys, villains, and sleazy or broken protagonist. How do you make bad guys people will like?How do you create a believable broken good guy?And more
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Music: by Meredith Tate and
Music: http://www.purple-planet.com
Dramatizing Issues of Gender, Power and Society
Link to this episode: http://tinyurl.com/jdvpwet
YouTube: https://youtu.be/R3cSZh-7SJY
In this episode, the Write Pack explores writing stories about gender. power and society. How do writers tell stories without chasing away your audienceHow do writers avoid creating the “issue story” that no one will readHow do you entertain and discuss social issues And more
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Music: by Meredith Tate and
Music: http://www.purple-planet.com
Believable Plots and Charles Dickens
Link to this episode: http://tinyurl.com/j6ry563
YouTube https://youtu.be/JaBim1aXpBg
In this episode, the Write Pack, as they celebrate his wake, uses the works of Charles Dickens to explore how to make believable plots.
And more
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Music: by Meredith Tate and
Music: http://www.purple-planet.com
Word Choice and Setting the Mood
In this episode, the Write Pack explores how word choice is critical to setting the mood in a story.
-
How is word choice used differently between genres?
-
How does word choice paints different pictures of the same setting?
And more
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Music: by Meredith Tate and
Music: http://www.purple-planet.com
Writing Flashbacks
Link to this episode: http://tinyurl.com/hwgyrpd
YouTube:
In this episode, the Write Pack explores the writing and use of flashbacks:
-
Should flashbacks be used?
-
How not to write them and when they don’t work
-
How do good flashbacks work.
And more
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Music: by Meredith Tate and
Music: http://www.purple-planet.com
Writing Secondary Characters
In this episode, the Write Pack explores Secondary Characters:
-
What are secondary characters?
-
Making other main characters in one book secondary characters in another book.
-
How to develop secondary characters and avoid cardboard cut outs.
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New episodes every Sunday
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What Instincts do You Need to Develop as a Writer?
Link to this episode: http://tinyurl.com/zq46vua
YouTube:https://youtu.be/GVm8hcxOm9E
In this episode, the Write Pack explores what instincts should a writer develop? Here is a start:
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Curiosity
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Observation
- Second Sense Editor
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Imagination
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Artistic Eye
And many more….
All episodes available at:
- iTunes
- Blog Talk Radio
- TuneIn
- YouTube
- And other platforms
New episodes every Sunday
What is Steampunk
Link to this episode: http://tinyurl.com/zzafl47
YouTube: https://youtu.be/coeerBDJe5Q
In this episode, the Write Pack explores the unique subgenre of Science Fiction by asking, “What is Steampunk?”
All episodes available at:
- iTunes
- Blog Talk Radio
- TuneIn
- And other platforms
New episodes every Sunday
Unleashing the Imagination
Link to this episode: http://tinyurl.com/hyqjrgj
YouTube: https://youtu.be/Dl0w4zL7AO0
In this episode, the Write Pack celebrates the birthday of J.M Barrie and unleashing the imagination as shown in Barrie’s novel, Peter Pan.
All episodes available at:
- iTunes
- Blog Talk Radio
- TuneIn
- And other platforms
New episodes every Sunday
The Art of Writing Subtext
Link to this episode: http://tinyurl.com/gtd6bf3
YouTube: https://youtu.be/iVdmKEukd70
In this episode, the Write Pack explores writing subtext. Why is subtext more important than the words on the page?How does work?What is subtext?Is there unintended subtext?How do you slip themes or philosophies without “being in the face” as an issue book?How do members of the Write Pack approach writing subtext?
All episodes available at:
- iTunes
- Blog Talk Radio
- TuneIn
- And other platforms
New episodes every Sunday
Fixing Messy Manuscripts
Link to this episode: http://tinyurl.com/zm8mflj
In this episode the Write Pack discusses the hardest part of writing: editing your work. Once you have written your first draft, now what do you do? Members of the Write Pack discuss their methods, successes and failures.Discuss how to make sure that your story maintains the promise it made at the beginning of the story.Explores some success and failures of delivering the story promise in the geek culture. All episodes available at:
- iTunes
- Blog Talk Radio
- TuneIn
- And other platforms
New episodes every Sunday
Shakespeare and Getting it on Paper
Link to this episode: http://tinyurl.com/zpk9qde
In this episode the Write Pack explores the life and writings of the Bard for the month of his birth and death. Explore how William Shakespeare has changed our language and storytelling.Shakespeare’s life and works.Write Pack Radio’s Step 4. Get it on paper
• No one can read the book in your head--not even you
• Take baby steps. If you write even a hundred words a day, you’ll have a book in two years
• Write every day--make writing an important part of everyday life
• You can’t improve a page that doesn’t exist
• Finish it and put it aside until you can be objective All episodes available at:
- iTunes
- Blog Talk Radio
- TuneIn
- And other platforms
New episodes every Sunday
Marketing Tips
Link to this episode: http://tinyurl.com/hdm3a93
In this episode the Write Pack teams up with Bob Baker and explores the ways to market our writing beyond just the books store. Do you have a marketing plan?How do you drive your readers to your book?
All episodes available at:
- iTunes
- Blog Talk Radio
- TuneIn
- And other platforms
New episodes every Sunday
Books vs. Film Adaptions: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly
Link to this episode: http://tinyurl.com/hsahzor
In this episode the Write Pack explores successful and not so well done film and television adaptions of books and comic book series
All episodes available at:
- iTunes
- Blog Talk Radio
- TuneIn
- And other platforms
New episodes every Sunday
Neil Gaiman’s 8 Rules of Writing
Link to this episode: http://tinyurl.com/zh4r2lk
In the opening episode of the third season, The Write Pack explores Neil Gaiman’s 8 Rules of Writing: WritePut one word after another. Find the right word, put it down.Finish what you’re writing. Whatever you have to do to finish it, finish it.Put it aside. Read it pretending you’ve never read it before. Show it to friends whose opinion you respect and who like the kind of thing that this is.Remember when people tell you somethings wronf or doesn’t work for them, they are almost always right. When they tell you exactly what they think is wrong and how to fix it, they are almost always wrong.Fix it. Remember that sooner or later, before it ever reaches perfection, you will have to let it go and move on and start to write the next thing. Perfection is like chasing the horizon. Keep moving.Laugh at your own jokes.The main rule of writing is that it you do it with enough assurance and confidence, you’re allowed to do whatever you like. (That may be a rule for life as well as for writing. But it’s definitely true for writing.) So write your story as it needs to be written. Write it honestly and tell it as best as you can. Find all our episodes on iTunes and Blog Talk Radio. A new episode every Sunday.
Douglas Adams and Knowing your Goal
Link to this episode: http://tinyurl.com/j7yk8bb
As the Second Season closure, The Write Pack celebrates the birthday of Douglas Adams and discusses the third step of Write Pack Radio’s Twelve Steps to Make the Book of Your Heart the Best it Can Be:
Know your goal
• Know yourself--your basic beliefs
• Know where your basic beliefs are taking you in this story
• Have a singular goal--a theme--to aim for
• Know the crisis point, the black moment that fuels the plot and reveals the theme
• Do the research needed to make the setting and tone authentic
Find all our episodes on iTunes and Blog Talk Radio. A new episode every Sunday.
The Shark Tank: Could they make it now?
Link to this episode: http://tinyurl.com/hova8cf
In anticipation of the Missouri Writers Guild Conference’s pitch session, the Write Pack take a series of books, read their opening and vote if they would make it through The Shark Tank.
Find all our episodes on iTunes and Blog Talk Radio. A new episode every Sunday.
Author Etiquette: When Authors Behave Badly
Link to this episode: http://tinyurl.com/j6z6p56
The Write Pack, with special guest M.R. Sellers, explores the topic of Author Etiquette What are some of the way authors behave badly: How not to promote your work online;How not to pitch your work on social media;Trapping agents in the bathroom;Trapping published authors in the bathroom stalls;How not to pitch a work to agents who don’t represent your genre;Using “Sock Puppets”;Chase down reviewers;Billboarding people; Find all our episodes on iTunes and Blog Talk Radio. A new episode every Sunday.
In and Out of Romance: Romance Crossing Other Genres
Link to this episode: http://tinyurl.com/jqldsqg
For valentines, the Write Pack explores how romance, like mystery, is an element in other story genres. How does the romance genre cross into other genres?What levels of depth does romance bring to the stories in those genres?How does sexual tension add suspense to other stories?Does the romance in the other genres have to follow the rules of the romance genre?Why do the couples get torn apart in a series of stories? (Either broken up or someone is taken away)Is it true that the writer may have one idea and the audience brings something else to it?Which genres lend themselves to romance and which ones don’t?
Find all our episodes on iTunes and Blog Talk Radio. A new episode every Sunday.
Octavia E. Butler and Her Rules of Writing
Link to this episode: http://tinyurl.com/gqnkzsz
In this episode, the Write Pack celebrates the life of science fiction author Octavia E. Butler and explores her rules of writing. We also explores Write Pack Radio’s rule number 2 of writing.
Octavia E. Butler (June 22, 1947 – February 24, 2006) was an American science fiction writer. A multiple-recipient of both the Hugo and Nebula awards, Butler was one of the best-known women in the field. In 1995, she became the first science fiction writer to receive the MacArthur Fellowship, which is nicknamed the "Genius Grant".--Wikipedia What are hooks?What are key mistakes that writers make?Who was Octavia Butler?Why is habit and persistence so critical?What are the other rules or thoughts that came from a powerful author who was determined to write in a field she was told “women couldn’t write in”? Find all our episodes on iTunes and Blog Talk Radio. A new episode every Sunday.
Fan Fiction: Pros, Cons, and Copyright
Link to this episode: http://tinyurl.com/jm6cwqw
In this episode, the Write Pack explores the tricky aspect of Fan Fiction. We discuss the lawsuit of Paramount and CBS vs. Axanar ProductionWhat is Fan Fiction?Why does Fan Fiction exist?What are the pros of writing Fan Fiction?What are the dangers of writing Fan Fiction? Find all our episodes on iTunes and Blog Talk Radio. A new episode every Sunday.
When Authors Kill: Our Fascination with Murder
Link to this episode: http://tinyurl.com/z6v3tvv
In this episode, the Write Pack explores our fascination with murder and authors kill off characters. Why are we fascinated with the act of murder?Explores murder in mythology and theology.Why is murder more fascinating to explore in fiction than theft or other crimes?What is murder ?What does murder do in fiction, what is it really an exploration of?What about self-sacrifice?How does murder/death carry weight in your story?How you kill characters is important—why?What does it mean to fridge a character?What death in a story about war? Find all our episodes on iTunes and Blog Talk Radio. A new episode every Sunday.
True Confessions and Goals for the New Year
Link to this episode: http://tinyurl.com/zz5mmlb
In this episode, the Write Pack explores what happened to our writing goals for 2015 and what we see for 2016. Who made their goals and who didn’t?What did we learn from 2015?What was overcame and what still stands out as stumbling blocks?Kathleen talks about overcoming corporal tunnel.David and Melanie announce their engagement online.What are some apps that can help track your goalsEach of the panel talk about what is coming up. Find all our episodes on iTunes and Blog Talk Radio. A new episode every Sunday.
Link to this episode: http://tinyurl.com/hp89q6a
In this episode, the Write Pack has a wake for Dame Agatha Christie and explores All characters need and your protagonist MUST
• Have an inner goal beyond mere desire--something they must have to feel complete--an itch they keep trying to scratch--but can’t quite reach--but make progress toward during the course of the book
• Be riveting-no matter how many evil acts a character might commit, he or she must be lovable enough to make the reader care or compelling enough that readers will continue reading out of pure fascination
• Be believable--have flaws we recognize as human--hold opinions, face problems and challenges common to people so we can identify with the character
• Want something in every scene
• Stand tests of character--weather obstacles in their way and endure pain and grief without losing humanity
• Have an inner goal beyond mere desire--something they must have to feel complete--an itch they keep trying to scratch--but can’t quite reach--but make progress toward during the course of the book
• Be riveting-no matter how many evil acts a character might commit, he or she must be lovable enough to make the reader care or compelling enough that readers will continue reading out of pure fascination
• Be believable--have flaws we recognize as human--hold opinions, face problems and challenges common to people so we can identify with the character
• Want something in every scene
• Stand tests of character--weather obstacles in their way and endure pain and grief without losing humanity
Find all our episodes on iTunes and Blog Talk Radio. A new episode every Sunday.
Publishing with Small Presses
Link to this episode: http://tinyurl.com/z8b7vus
In this episode, the Write Pack explores getting published with small presses
What kinds of small press houses are there?
How are they different from vanity press?
How are they different from the big houses?
What should you expect if you land a deal with a small press?
What is the difference between small presses and imprints?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of a small press?
How should you research a small press?
How are contracts handled at a small press?
Find all our episodes on iTunes and Blog Talk Radio. A new episode every Sunday.
Walking the Road to Publication
Link to this episode: http://tinyurl.com/nblytjt
In this episode, the Write Pack explores Walking the Road to Publication.
What is the first step of publication after you wrote a story?
What are some of the common characteristics of works that are not ready for publication?
What is the difference between the art and the business of writing?
Why is researching the places to submit to so important?
How do you query, submit, etc. for publication?
How do you find your publishers or agents?
How can you aim your submissions?
What should you watch out for?
How to handle rejections.
Find all our episodes on iTunes and Blog Talk Radio. A new episode every Sunday.
Trauma: How much is too much?
Link to this episode: http://tinyurl.com/h4dzqj4
In this episode, the Write Pack explores the trauma that characters endure.
There are two types of trauma: Physical and Mental.
How is trauma handled in our stories?
Why write about traumatic incidents?
Where do authors get it right?
Where do authors get it wrong?
What are the costs of trauma?
How can physical trauma be used an obstacle or show something about your character?
What are the mental traumas that come with physical trauma?
What are the costs of mental trauma?
How can characters react differently to mental trauma?
Find all our episodes on iTunes and Blog Talk Radio. A new episode every Sunday.
Link to this episode: http://tinyurl.com/j72nrup
In this episode, the Write Pack, talk to Jean and Blair Leggett about how things are going with a different way of publishing—One More Story Games.
What is a Story Telling Game?
How is One More Story Games not just another gaming platform, but designed for readers and authors?
How does One More Story Games transform a linear story line into an interactive game?
How is One More Story Games a mixture of gaming and storytelling for writers and readers?
How can using One More Story Games tie into an author’s work?
How can someone write these types of story games?
What should a reader-player expect in a story game?
There are hints at a famous author who is about to join and access to a certain photo provider company.
Find all our episodes on iTunes and Blog Talk Radio. A new episode every Sunday.
Developmental Editors
This episode comes from a request from one of our listeners.
In this episode, the Write Pack, with special guest Mandy Schoen, explores Developmental Editors—what are they, why do we need them, and how are they different from copy editors?
A link to the episode:
What do developmental editors do?
Why are developmental editors important in the polishing process of writing?
How do you find developmental editors?
How are they different from copy editor?
What are the first signs that a story is not ready for the light of day?
http://tinyurl.com/zbonf37
Find all our episodes on iTunes and Blog Talk Radio. A new episode every Sunday.
Due to techinial issues, we are reairing this episode:
How to Create Aliens in Stories
In this episode, the Write Pack explores creating aliens, monsters, and paranormal creatures. When we say alien, all of these will apply. How do you create aliens that look and don’t look like us?Are there limitations?What is the goal of the alien? Is there a reason behind the author’s creation?How would humans evolve as they go out to other worlds?What twists can you do with the aliens you create or use?How can folklore and mythology help create aliens?Why would the alien you create develop in the way they did?What are the social rules of your alien culture?How do the aliens communicate?How can all the different creatures on Earth inspire the alien you create?What is their society and civilization?What is the life cycle of the alien you create?How does the alien view time?How would racial, climate, and terrain diversity effect your alien?
A link to the episode: http://tinyurl.com/h3to3eb
Find all our episodes on iTunes and Blog Talk Radio. A new episode every Sunday.
In this episode Write Pack Radio, the Write Pack explores Religion in Fiction.
In this episode, we are not talking about religious fiction or religion and politics, but the use of real and fictional religion in fiction. (There is also a drinking game in this episode around Kwisatz Haderach) How does religion appear in fiction?How can fiction be done poorly in fiction?How can fiction enhance science fiction, historical fiction, fantasy fiction, mystery fiction?How does the religion you choose to use or created effect the story world and the characters? Examples uses: Dune, Star Trek, Babylon 5, Lord of the Rings, Marvel, Percy Jackson, Record of Lodoss War, and more.
A link to the episode: http://tinyurl.com/pl97krc
Find all our episodes on iTunes and Blog Talk Radio. A new episode every Sunday.
Kurt Vonnegut: 8 Basics of Creative Writing
In this episode Write Pack Radio, the Write Pack explores KURT Vonnegut’s 8 Creative Writing Tips.
In this episode, we cover: Use the time of a total stranger in such a way that he or she will not feel the time was wasted.Give the reader at least one character he or she can root for.Every character should want something, even if it is only a glass of water.Every sentence must do one of two things—reveal character or advance the action.Start as close to the end as possible.Be a sadist. No matter how sweet and innocent your leading characters, make awful things happen to them—in order that the reader may see what they are made of.Write to please just one person. If you open a window and make love to the world, so to speak, your story will get pneumonia.Give your readers as much information as possible as soon as possible. To heck with suspense. Readers should have such complete understanding of what is going on, where and why, that they could finish the story themselves, should cockroaches eat the last few pages. For the article: https://www.writingclasses.com/toolbox/tips-masters/kurt-vonnegut-8-basics-of-creative-writing
Our episode: http://tinyurl.com/q8z7v2t
Find all our episodes on iTunes and Blog Talk Radio. A new episode every Sunday.
In this episode Write Pack Radio, the Write Pack explores io9’s wish list of rules that they would like to see authors (Science Fiction and Fantasy) start to break. We discuss these rules, why they exist, how to possibly break theme and how they are used across all genres.
In this episode, we cover:
6) No FTL
7) Women can’t write “hard” science fiction.
8) Magic has to be just a minor part of a fantasy world
9) No present tense
10) No “unsympathetic” characters
For the article: http://io9.com/5879434/10-writing-rules-we-wish-more-science-fiction-and-fantasy-authors-would-break
Our episode: http://tinyurl.com/qf7uqan
Find all our episodes on iTunes and Blog Talk Radio. A new episode every Sunday.
In this episode Write Pack Radio, the Write Pack explores io9’s wish list of rules that they would like to see authors (Science Fiction and Fantasy) start to break. We discuss these rules, why they exist, how to possibly break theme and how they are used across all genres.
In this episode, we cover: No third-person omniscient.No prologuesAvoid infodumpsFantasy novels have to be series instead of standalones5) No portal fantasy For the article: http://io9.com/5879434/10-writing-rules-we-wish-more-science-fiction-and-fantasy-authors-would-break
Our episode: http://tinyurl.com/n9svand
Find all our episodes on iTunes and Blog Talk Radio. A new episode every Sunday.
In this emotional episode of Write Pack Radio, the Write Pack explores “failure” in the writing career:
Society doesn’t always understand the growth in art, that what is perceived as failure is a stumble and growth.
How do we, artist, measure our successes and our “failures.”
Our “failures” are the teaching steps to improving our art.
The effort of trying comes with failure, but every great success comes from learning from failure.
All artist are entrepreneurs. Being an entrepreneur means walking on a road that has potholes, but we don’t stop. When we stop is when we fail.
Society tends believe in the romance of the writing world and not at the loneliness of the literary life.
How do we keep going? What keeps the artist/writer moving on to the next project?
Find all of our episodes on iTunes and Blog Talk Radio. A new episode every Sunday.
http://tinyurl.com/puve2r8
In this episode of Write Pack Radio, the Write Pack talks with Author and Do It Yourself Expert Bob Baker.
Bob Baker shares his life lessons in how to become an empowered writer or other artist, such as:
How to build your art?
How do you build your audience?
Where do you start? Does it matter how you start as long as you start?
Do you downplay the impact that your art has on people or the world?
How do “shrinking violets” get themselves out there?
How do you avoid “over bragging”?
How to empower yourself beyond marketing?
What is the importance of artistic communities? (Face to Face and online)
The Creative Entrepreneur Summit: www.empartist.com
Find all of our episodes on iTunes and Blog Talk Radio. A new episode every Sunday.
http://tinyurl.com/od76xxn
In this episode of Write Pack Radio, the Write Pack talks with New York Times Bests Selling author Angie Fox about:
Paranormal Romance: Is it dead? Is it sleeping? Or is it sleeping with the dead?
What is it to be traditionally published, a hybrid, and an independent author today?
Even if you don’t write or read paranormal romance, but want to understand the pluses and minuses of going traditional, being independent, or being a hybrid, this episode is for you.
Find all of our episodes on iTunes and Blog Talk Radio. A new episode is available every Sunday.
In this episode of Write Pack Radio, the Write Pack explores why don’t we write about characters take bathroom breaks and other mundane things?
Why don’t we show characters doing the mundane things, like putting in contacts, going to the bathroom, fill the car with gas, etc?
Are such things significant to the plot?
What are some examples of when things like this are included?
Does culture determine what should be included?
“Don’t write what the reader will skip.”—Elmore Leonard
What we write needs to do double duty.
When is the convenient over done?
http://tinyurl.com/otwedj6
Find all of our episodes on iTunes and Blog Talk Radio. A new episode is available every Sunday.
We had some technical problems with this recording.
Some people want a rating system for books. Is it a good idea or a bad one?
In this episode of Write Pack Radio, the Write Pack explores the idea of using rating systems for books like it is used for films, games, and music.
Should there be a rating system on books or does books already self-rate itself through its genres?
Or is a rating system just an additional complication?
Would a rating system help guide the reader?
Do rating systems just go too far?
Do ratings systems change as things that are “not socially acceptable” change as times change?
Do unofficial rating systems happen in society?
What do rating systems really rate?
Find all of our episodes on iTunes and Blog Talk Radio. A new episode is available every Sunday.
In this episode of Write Pack Radio, the Write Pack explores Stephen King’s lessons on writing.
The link to the list that is being discussed: http://www.businessinsider.com/stephen-king-on-how-to-write-2014-7
In this part, we discuss the following:
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Tell stories about what people actually do.
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Take risks; don't play it safe.
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Realize that you don't need drugs to be a good writer.
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Don't try to steal someone else's voice.
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Understand that writing is a form of telepathy.
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Take your writing seriously.
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Write every single day.
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Finish your first draft in three months.
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When you're finished writing, take a long step back.
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Have the guts to cut.
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Stay married, be healthy, and live a good life.
Find all of our episodes on iTunes and Blog Talk Radio. A new episode is available every Sunday.
In this episode of Write Pack Radio, the Write Pack explores Stephen King’s lessons on writing.
The link to the list that is being discussed: http://www.businessinsider.com/stephen-king-on-how-to-write-2014-7
In this part, we discuss the following:
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Stop watching television. Instead, read as much as possible.
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Prepare for more failure and criticism than you think you can deal with.
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Don't waste time trying to please people.
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Write primarily for yourself.
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Tackle the things that are hardest to write.
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When writing, disconnect from the rest of the world.
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Don't be pretentious.
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Avoid adverbs and long paragraphs.
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Don't get overly caught up in grammar.
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Master the art of description.
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Don't give too much background information.
Find all of our episodes on iTunes and Blog Talk Radio. A new episode is available every Sunday.
Recorded in front of a live audience and with audience participation, in this episode of Write Pack Radio, the Write Pack explores the importance of a writing community for other writers.
This episode was recorded at the St. Louis Writers Guild’s 6th annual Writers in the Park. This is a free one day writers’ conference.
Why are writing communities important?
How do you connect with writing communities?
What are writing communities?
What kind of writing communities should you avoid?
What kind of writing communities are out there?
Why is it that other writers are your best supporters?
Find all of our episodes on iTunes and Blog Talk Radio. A new episode airs every Sunday.
In this episode of Write Pack Radio, the Write Pack explores the question if writers need a pen name.
Why should you have a pen name?
Why should you not have a pen name?
Does having a pen name help solve the “friend” issues of online books stores?
How does the pen name link to branding?
What are some of the bad reasons for having a pen name?
Per Writing-World, which was used in this recording: http://www.writing-world.com/business/pseudonym.shtml
Some bad reasons:
I'd like something more exotic.
I'd like a name that reflects my inner self.
I don't want anyone to know that I'm the author.
I don't want my relatives/friends/coworkers to know that I'm writing about them.
No one will respect me because I'm a ------ (fill in the blank).
Good reasons:
Your writing could interfere with other aspects of your career.
You write in more than one genre or field.
You write in a genre that has "expectations" about its authors.
You have a history of failure.
You have the same name as an existing author.
You are writing a collaborative work.
You are using a publisher's "house name."
You hate your name.
You write for competing publications.
Find all of our episodes on iTunes and Blog Talk Radio. A new episode every Sunday.
In this episode of Write Pack Radio, the Write Pack explores the one issue it has avoided for over a year—writing about ethical issues.
Why do writers have a larger responsibility than others when it comes to talking about ethical issues?
What are the components of ethical writing?
Why is writing about ethical issues hard and when do they go wrong?
What is the role of social media vs. what we writing fiction?
Why do books that tackle social issues become classics?
What are some of the ways ethical issues can be addressed?
What are some of the ways to make the story universal instead of preachy?
What are the effects of “Message Characters” (aka cardboard characters)?
What about writing about social issues from the inside?
How does honesty of the story bring forth the universal story?
*A correction: one of the panel said The Jungle was non-fiction. It is fiction.
What is Amazon, Barnes and Noble and Goodreads doing for and hampering authors?
In this episode of Write Pack Radio, the Write Pack Explores the changing worlds Amazon, Barnes and Noble and Goodreads.
Is Amazon now limiting who can review your book?
What does the new rules do to your publicity for your books?
What about bot reviewers?
What is the relationship between Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Goodreads?
What concerns does this new limiting system feel like it is invading your privacy?
Is the weighting system of Goodreads changing?
Is the new reviewing system leaving out the important things and thus missing the boat?
Does the new reviewing system invite “catfishing”?
What does Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Goodreads do for authors?
Has reviews on these sites replaced the book review sections in newspapers?
Find all of our episodes on iTunes and Blog Talk Radio. New episodes come out each Sunday.
In this episode of Write Pack Radio, the Write Pack Explores the Social Media
How do you find your audience?
How do you decide which social media to be on?
How do you avoid the “buy my book” on social media?
How do you promote your work on social media?
Find all of our episodes on iTunes and Blog Talk Radio. New episodes come out each Sunday.
In this episode of Write Pack Radio, the Write Pack explores: One More Story Games
What is a Story Telling Game?
How is One More Story Games not just another gaming platform, but designed for readers and authors?
How does One More Story Games transform a linear story line into an interactive game?
How is One More Story Games a mixture of gaming and storytelling for writers and readers?
How can using One More Story Games tie into an author’s work?
How can One More Story Games give the reader a new and interesting experience in the story worlds writers create?
Is One More Story Games just for Mystery Writers?
One More Story Games is having a cash prize contest for authors in July.
In this episode of Write Pack Radio, the Write Pack explores: Interactive Storytelling
What do games bring to storytelling?
What is the difference between the storytelling methods change between writing for online games and table top games?
How does being a Game Master (or Dungeon Master) help mold you into a storyteller.
How does running or creating a game help you anticipate the reader?
What happens if you railroad your player or reader?
How does this effect pantsing vs plotting?
What makes the game’s story so compelling?
Can you make a game or a story for everyone?
Join us next week as we talk to One More Story Games about something new . . .
Find all of our episodes on iTunes and Blog Talk Radio. New episodes come out each Sunday.
In this episode of Write Pack Radio, the Write Pack explores:
Pxar's 22 rules of storytelling!
Find all of our episodes on iTunes and Write Pack Radio. New episodes every Sunday
In this episode of Write Pack Radio, the Write Pack explores:
Phasers vs. blasters vs. disruptors vs. laser swords---why choose the weapon you choose and would they work?
Physical weapons vs. Mental weapons (guns vs mind powers vs. the force)
Using technology to brainwash characters and societies
What are the different known “gun weapons” that are used in science fiction?
What are some old weapons that are used in futuristic science fiction?
What are some of the science fiction weapons that exists today?
What would you use and why use it?
What personal weapon would each of the members of the Write Pack want, if it existed?
Find all of our episodes on iTunes and Write Pack Radio. New episodes every Sunday
In this episode of Write Pack Radio, the Write Pack explores the story bible.
The story bible goes by many names: story bible, series bible, arc outlines, development document, Etc.
What is a story bible?
What is the purpose of a story bible?
What goes into a story or series bible?
How does a story bible keep a writer or a collection of writers avoid breaking the world’s rules?
What is essential to a story bible?
Is this a project that is only a tool used by plotters?
What can be included in a story bible?
Find all of our episodes for free on iTunes and Blog Talk Radio. There is a new episode every Sunday at 3PM CT.
In this episode of Write Pack Radio, the Write Pack explores the marathon known as writing a novel.
How do writers prepare for the long time of writing and rewriting and editing of a novel?
Do you break it out in stages or is it just a marathon run?
How do writers start before even writing a word?
Is it different between a plotter and a pantser and a hybrid?
What is the most important question to writing a novel?
Where do you start the novel?
What do you do if you have a “shiny new idea” come up while you are writing a novel?
What keeps you going?
Does it ever get easier?
Can a writing partner help?
What keeps you immersed in your novel world?
Find all of our episodes on iTunes and Blog Talk Radio
In this episode of Write Pack Radio, the Write Pack explores developing strong male characters.
What is the difference between STRONG male characters and strong male characters?
Are strong male characters different from strong female characters?
What are the flaws in the strong male characters?
What are the trope flaws?
Can you make a strong male character too flawed?
Does a strong male character need a flaw or just a vulnerability?
What is the depth of the character?
What is Alpha vs. Beta?
In this episode of Write Pack Radio, the Write Pack explores if the definition of dystopia has been changed by the industry?
What is dystopia?
What is the difference between dystopia and classic science fiction?
Has “Hollywood” been changing the definition of dystopia?
Is there a cycle between utopia and dystopia?
Why do we need dystopia?
What is the difference between dystopia and alternate history?
What is the difference between dystopia and post-apocalyptic?
Has dystopia been “watered down”?
Find all of our episodes on iTunes and Blog Talk Radio
In this episode of Write Pack Radio, the panel is made up only of our women writers and they discuss the questions that bother them as they watch female characters portrayed in books, TV and movies.
When are female characters not written like a woman?
Why is there the “token woman”?
Why does it appear that women are only portrayed either as the romance plot or to further the male character’s plot by their death?
Why do mothers have to show up to nag the woman about why they are not married, but this doesn’t happen to male characters?
Why do the female characters always have to date “plot point” male characters?
Why do the female characters “make a change” for the male character?
Have these troupes started to be turned around in children’s movies, TV, and books?
What are the dangers of trope portrayals that go beyond the media?
Why does fiction glorify male “stalker and abuser” behavior as being ideal for a partner for the female characters?
Why do the female characters have to be the “cabbage head”?
What is “strong female character vs. “strong” female characters?
In this episode of Write Pack Radio, the Write Pack explores the grim dark.
What is grim dark?
Are we living in the Grim Dark era?
Where is grim dark appearing? Is it only in the reboots of Batman, Superman, Battlestar Galactica, and so forth or does it appear in all genres? Is that over saturation?
Is the grim dark a child of Noir? Is it the child of the Western?
Is the grim dark a response 9/11?
What makes grim dark stand out from just dark?
Is grim dark on the way out?
How does fiction reflect the events society is going through?
Forgettable Characters
In this episode of Write Pack Radio, the Write Pack explore the forgettable character.
Are forgettable characters evidence of lazy writing?
Why do forgettable characters exist and are they important to the story?
What makes a character forgettable and how can you avoid that happening?
Should there be throwaway characters in a story?
What can you do with forgettable characters that you can’t do with your important characters?
How do you make forgettable characters still flushed out characters or do you need to?
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In this episode of Write Pack Radio, the Write Pack explores the 10 rules of writing according to the late great author Elmore Leonard:
Never open a book with weather.
What are some better ways to open a story?
How should weather be used?
Do stories explore and define humanity?
Avoid prologues.
Do prologues distance your readers?
What are some other ways to get the “prologue information” into the story?
What about the exceptions like Dune and the Lord of the Rings trilogy?
Do readers skip reading the prologues? Do readers really need them?
Should you never have a prologue?
Never use a verb other than “said” to carry dialogue.
Why?
Does using other things sound like writing?
What about the ones that show action?
Never use an adverb to modify the verb “said”
Why should adverbs be left out?
Can they distract and interrupt?
Are there just words that should never be used?
Keep your exclamation points under control.
Why?
How many should you use them?
Do they lose their power when they are over used?
Never use the words “suddenly” or “all hell broke loose.”
Is it self-explanatory?
Use regional dialect, patois, sparingly.
Do they make it more confusing?
How can you use it?
Avoid detailed descriptions of characters.
How do you use details then?
Don’t go into great detail describing places and things.
What does the reader need to know?
Try to leave out the part that readers tend to skip.
The most important rule
And the rule that binds them all: If it sounds like writing, I rewrite it.
Story Length: Does Size Matter?
In this episode of Write Pack Radio, the Write Pack explores what the lengths of the different kinds of writing are and why it matters. What are the lengths of flash fiction, short story, novels, etc?Does it change with the age of the audience?Does it change between fiction and non-fiction?Does it change with the genre of fiction?What about screenplays?Can you break the rules?Are books shrinking?
Find all of our episodes on iTunes and Blog Talk Radio
In this episode of Write Pack Radio, the Write Pack explores the questions around points of view.
When we sit down to write a story, there is always the question of what point of view should it be told in? Are there points of view that lend themselves better to different genres? Are their unique points of view? Cab you write from a point of view from something that you are not?
What are the different points of view?
Can a point of view become boring?
Can you change points of view in the story?
Does taste for a particular point of view change?
How do you choose your point of view and narrator?
How much does video games and movies effect the point of view we pick in modern writing?
Can you break the rules of the genre and write from a different point of view?
In this episode of Write Pack Radio, the Write Pack explores how twists and surprises in fiction.
All twists and surprises need to be surprising, but inevitable.
What makes a good twist?
How does the twist apply to the surprise?
Can you see the twist coming when you reread or re-watch the story?
Are we trained in watching the twist? What do you remember about the twist?
What is the difference between a twist and a twest (a bad twist)?
We spend a lot of time working on our beginnings, because that is what the agents and publishers see first. How much time do we spend on the endings where the surprise is at?
What kind of endings are there?
Can the twist destroy your plot?
Are there any locations for surprises and twists than the ending?
Can surprises and twists in the middle keep the middle of the book from being boring?
What about twists in premises?
How do you show the twist and the hidden clues without making them obvious?
What are the beats in the twist?
Find all of our episodes on iTunes and Blog Talk Radio.
In this episode of Write Pack Radio, the Write Pack explores the nature of book reviews, television reviews, and movie reviews. With the push in the writing industry to join Goodreads and to get people to review books, and so forth on Amazon or Barnes and Noble, but how reliable are they and what is important to make a useful well written review.
What is at the heart of a review?
What are the kinds of different reviews out there?
How have reviews changed? (Expert vs. Joe Public)
Can you trust a review, regardless of who gives the review?
Are star ratings important?
What separates a good reviewer from a bad reviewer?
Find all of our episodes on iTunes and Blog Talk Radio.
The opening episode of season 2 of Write Pack Radio explores the “writing toys of tomorrow” as well as all of the other toys we have been promised by science fiction, science, or . . . the wackos who promise and never deliver.
Examples include: Google cars, better voice recognition software, flying cars, brain wave recognition software. Holographic books, interactive holo-novels, better archiving software for handwritten and drawn art, transcription software, wearable computers, thought reading software to transcribe the story, dream transcription.
Toys that have come: Internet, Laptops, current voice recognition software, spell check, grammar check, word processing software, page scanners, scanning wands, electronic drawing tablets.
What are the dangers of some of these toys? Example: The internet has made research so much easier, but it has also let the false information spread across the wealth of knowledge like the Black Death. Could some of the toys enrich or destroy the imagination. Would you want books with theme music and scents?
(Meet) The Write Pack Part 3
In this season finale of the first season of Write Pack Radio, we explore who are all these people on our weekly panels? What are their backgrounds and where are they in their writing career? What have they over come? What have they learned as a writer about themselves, the craft of writing, and the publishing industry?
This is part 3 of an in-depth look into the Write Pack.
In this episode we talk to Jennifer Stolzer, Meredith Tate, and David Alan Lucas.
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New episodes every Sunday
(Meet) The Write Pack Part 2
As Write Pack Radio brings its first season to a close, we explore who are all these people on our weekly panels? What are their backgrounds and where are they in their writing career? What have they over come? What have they learned as a writer about themselves, the craft of writing, and the publishing industry?
How did the Write Pack begin? What generated the idea of Write Pack Radio? This is part 2 of an in-depth look into the Write Pack.
In this episode we talk to Brad R. Cook, Melanie Koleini, Matt McGraw and tell about an incident at a write-in we had at a bar . . . maybe a certain patron will show up in multiple stories.
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New episodes every Sunday
(Meet) the Write Pack Part 1
As Write Pack Radio brings its first season to a close, we explore who are all these people on our weekly panels? What are their backgrounds and where are they in their writing career? What have they over come? What have they learned as a writer about themselves, the craft of writing, and the publishing industry?
How did the Write Pack begin? What generated the idea of Write Pack Radio? This is part 1 of an in-depth look into the Write Pack.
In this episode we talk to Kathleen Kayembe, Fedora Amis, and Peter H. Green.
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New episodes every Sunday
Gatekeepers—Now and Then
In this episode of Write Pack Radio, the Write Pack explores the Gatekeepers—Now and Then.
Before the internet became popular you had to get published in lit mags. But have the modern day gates been abandoned?
Do Gatekeepers still exist? Who are they? What do they do? Do you still need to get past them to get into the world of publishing?
Are gatekeepers needed?
What do the gatekeepers need and why won’t they publish your book?
What if the gatekeepers aren’t right?
Do you need a platform to get to the gatekeeper?
Should there always be a stream of fun, but bad, always sneak past the gatekeepers?
Why bother with trying to get through the traditional gatekeepers?
What are the differences between the Big Five, Small Presses, and Self-Publishing?
What about the rejections from gatekeepers? What do you do? What does it mean when you are rejected?
How do you promote yourself and your platforms to the gatekeepers?
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New episodes every Sunday
Tightening Tension
In this episode of Write Pack Radio, the Write Pack explores: How to tighten tension?
What is tension? What are the elements of tension?
How can authors tighten tension?
What is a McGuffin?
Is there a difference between the stakes of the story and the tension?
Is the tension built differently between each of the genres?
What is the role of tension in suspense? Are they the same thing or are they gears within each other?
What are the mechanics of building tension? How do you build it with your words, your pacing, your scenes, or your characters?
Must there be consequences to build the tension?
What makes it work?
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New episodes every Sunday
Punking the Punk
In this episode of Write Pack Radio, the Write Pack explores the punk subgenres of Science Fiction.
We discuss Clock Punk, Steam Punk, Diesel Punk, Cyber Punk, Atomic Punk, and a lot more!
What is all of these punk genres? How are they defined? How do you write them? Isn’t it just cos play?
Can’t you just add “punk” to anything? What makes it punk?
Can’t I just start writing or do I have to research?
Where in the bookstore can you find any of the punks?
What’s the difference between punking something and just being grim punk?
Note: This episode was recorded on a very important birthday—important to all genres of fiction. Who? Listen and discover. (January 4, 2015)
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New episodes every Sunday
The Elusive Voice
Writers are told to find their voice. But what is this voice? How do you find it? Is there a yellow brick road that leads you there? In this episode of Write Pack Radio, the Write Pack seek how writers find that elusive voice.
Why is voice so important? Can the lack of a distinctive voice keep you from getting published or read?
How is narrative voice different from character voice?
Where does your voice appear in the story?
Does voice resonate in the plot, the dialogue, and every other part of your story?
Is it based on some kind of guidelines?
Is voice something intimately personal?
How do you develop your voice?
How do you know if you have found your voice? Can you lose or break your voice?
Writer Resolutions in the New Year
Happy New Year from the Write Pack Radio. In this episode the Write Pack explores (after we discuss a resolution of a special celebrating Pi day) what kind of resolutions writers might want to make and should avoid.
Do you have control over the end goal? How far do you plan ahead? What about micro-goals?
What is the difference between a resolution and a hope?
What are book ancillaries?
What are the resolutions of the members of the Write Pack?
What if you fail? What is failure—real failure? What about the rising bar of success?
Are there people who claim they are writers and don’t write? What are the realities of writing and how does failure play into it?
What are unrealistic resolutions writers tends to set (and set themselves up for failure)?
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New episodes every Sunday
Writing About Differently Abled Characters
In this episode of Write Pack Radio, the Write Pack explores about writing characters who have mental or have physical impairments in various stories.
What is the spectrum of impairment?
Should the impairment be the center of the story?
How can you use it as an element of plot?
How do you write about the character with the impairment and keep it real? How do you handle “normal society’s” reaction to the impairment?
When can you tell that the character with an impairment has been written wrong?
What are the cultural issues that you can dive into within or from outside of the community with the impairment?
What is the difference between “Real Characters” vs. “Message Characters.”
If there is “a cure” for the condition, how do you handle the down side of being “cured”?
The tropes in writing these types of characters: “It’s just any easy trick. It’s one of those areas where laziness meets up with ignorance.”
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New episodes every Sunday
Write-ins and Writing Retreats
In this episode of Write Pack Radio, the Write Pack explores the power and allure of write-ins and writing retreats.
What is a write-In? What is a writing retreat? Do writers really get vacations?
Why are write-ins so important? How do they help keep you writing? Why is keeping an appointment to a write-in an important dedication? What do writers get out of them? What are the downsides of a write-in? How do you plan a write-in?
Why are writing retreats so important? How are they different from write-ins? What are the upsides and downsides of a writing retreats? Do you have to spend a lot of money? How do you plan a writing retreat? Does it have to be a group or can you do it alone?
You can find all of our episodes on iTunes and Blog Talk Radio. Also, please find us on Tumblr, Twitter, and Facebook.
All episodes available at:
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New episodes every Sunday
Guilty Pleasures of Writing
In this episode of Write Pack Radio, the Write Pack explores the various guilty pleasures that they have (or at least admit to the world) in writing. Do writers write their guilty pleasures? Are there books that writers read that they wouldn’t normally admit to in public?
What are some of the guilty pleasures writers indulge in while writing? Like—writing in the bathtub, like a famous French mystery writer claimed to do. Who? You will have to listen.
What about snacking as you write? Drinking and drinking what?
What about spending so much on social media instead of writing?
Is it a guilty pleasure if you are not guilty about it?
What about campy vampires? “Fakepires”? Bad Fic? Snarky fiction and fiction that doesn’t take itself serious?
Is it true David Alan Lucas was given the nick name “Castle” because of his guilty pleasure?
What about guilty writing rituals? What about guilty rewards for milestones you reach?
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New episodes every Sunday
Addiction and Writing
In this episode of Write Pack Radio, the Write Pack explores the addiction: the addiction to writing, the use of addiction in stories, and how there is an idea that you can’t write unless you are drunk or stoned first.
Can you be addicted to writing? Can you be addicted to something you have a passion for? After all, how can you be addicted to something that doesn’t have any chemical substance? Is it the high of disappearing into a different world?
Can readers be addicted to a series?
What is the difference between obsession, passion, and addiction?
Can you be addicted to food?
What are some of the stereotypical addictions of writers? Has it changed from alcohol to caffeine? Some poets and writers believe that you need to smoke marijuana to write. But what is the real reason why some writers have to drink or take drugs for them to write?
Can you be addicted to social media?
Why are writers open to addiction?
How do you write about addiction, especially if you have never been addicted to anything? How do you avoid the tropes?
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New episodes every Sunday
Rest In Peace: When Your Favorite Characters Die.
In this episode of Write Pack Radio, the Write Pack explores what happens when your favorite characters (or just important characters) are killed in a story—be it as the author of the novel, story, or screenplay or as a member of the audience.
If you have created a good character, and the readers get attached, they care and have experienced a connection to that character.
Sometimes the death of a character can end the characters arc to show the character’s redemption and reversal.
The Write Pack also discusses the tropes of death, such as those found on the website about Women in Refrigerators.
What makes a death matter in a story? Why does the character die? What are the risks if you kill off the character?
Characters and stories that are discussed (that are not written by the Write Pack (darn the luck)):
Sherlock Holmes
Yoda
Obi-Wan Kenobi
Spock
Marcus (from Babylon 5)
Sirius Black
George R. R. Martin novels (name any character)
Sturm Brightblade
The lawyer in Jurassic Park (first movie)
Darth Maul
Dumbledore
Fred Best (Ripper Street)
MI-5 Characters (and the second episode of the season effect)
Kat (from Battlestar Galactica—reimagined series)
Charles de Lint characters
The Three Musketeers (play version where they all died….and then had to reset)
Mark Anthony and Cleopatra
Romeo and Juliet
Emperor Claudius
Meredith Vickers (by the doughnut ship of death) in Pormetheus
And many many more
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Know Your Audience? Who are they?!
Write Pack Radio explores: How do you identify and connect to your audience? Where do you start?
Are you using the right social media? Are you hashtaging? Why is that important in finding your audience? Does it matter which social media do you go to? Can’t you just post the same stuff to all of them? Can’t you just promote, “Buy my book” all over social media or is that like spamming?
How often do you interact with your audience? How do you make it meaningful?
What about book launches? Should they always be in a bookstore? How can you draw your audience there? Are you thinking outside the box? Are you doing what you shouldn’t do?
Do you make your fans angry? Do you embarrass them?
What do you give your audience anything beyond the book?
Do you have your characters using twitter?
What about using other media to get word on your work out there?
Are you going to the conventions where your audience goes to?
What about sharing the playlist of the music you listen to as you write?
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Setting as Character
In this episode, The Write Pack is joined by a special guest, award winning mystery writer Rick Skwiot. Rick Skwiot is the award-winning author of three novels and two critically praised memoirs. He has published numerous feature stories, short stories, essays and book reviews in magazines and newspapers. Rick has taught creative writing at Washington University in St. Louis and at the University of Missouri-St. Louis, where he served as the 2004 Distinguished Visiting Writer. Rick has a new novel out that takes place in St. Louis, exploring the racial relations and the corruption from the all of education to the halls of power. You can find this new novel, Fail, on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and other book sellers.
Join The Write Pack as we explore why setting is an important character.
What is it about settings that are not your normal expected locations that draws us into a book? Do readers grow tired of the normal playgrounds like New York, Los Angeles, and others?
How does setting effect the character and the mood of the story? Does character drive the plot or is it setting? How does it affect the psychological aspects of the characters?
Is the setting just physical or does it include the psychological and cultural aspects and how does it affect the story?
How do you link everything to setting?
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Why be a Writer?
With the insanity of the world or writing, the constant rejection, and the pressure that comes with being a writer, Write Pack Radio explores the question: “Why be a Writer?”
Writers don’t get paid sick days, paid vacation days, nor a guarantee that their work will ever see the light of day. Writers don’t have a pay day like those with regular jobs. Writers don’t get the respect they deserve that people with “regular jobs” normal do. You get rejected---A LOT! Sometimes writing can ruin relationships—friends and romantic ones. So why do it?
Every writer had a different answer, and each member of the Write Pack explores why they write. They separate the romance from the truth of writing. Each member goes into the why, the pain and personal triumphs of writing.
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Elements of Story
In this episode Write Pack Radio explores the elements of story. When we start off writing we go to classes, read magazines and books on how to write, and go to workshops, but what are the elements of a good story?
Are characters more important than setting? Can you care about a character and still hate them? Do characters have to change? Is setting a character? Should series characters “reset” in episodic stories?
Does there have to be a plot? Is plot conflict? Is conflict separate of plot? Can a plot be a construction or deconstruction of a character? Are plots more important to some stories and less to others?
Are plot and story interchangeable? Can you write a story without a plot? What about realism, stream of consciousness,-are they stories or a treatment?
What throws you out of a story? Characters not behaving as themselves?Tone shifts?Too easy of coincidences?Language doesn’t match the setting?When you lose confidence in the author?If the story feels forced?When the story is “by the numbers”? Does the designing premise help boost a story over the wall of being mundane?
What have you learned as a writer and a reader about the elements of a story?
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New episodes every Sunday
Pitching your Work
It’s the wind up and the pitch across the plate . . . or is it across the table or the query or the twitter world?
In this episode, Write Pack Radio explores the scariest step in writing—pitching your work to a publisher or agent.
What are the dos and the don’ts of pitching? Where should you pitch? How do you find out about the agent or publishers to pitch to? Where can you meet these people to pitch face to face?
How long should your pitch be? Does this apply to a query letter?
When should you pitch your work?
Where do you research information on the agents and publishers?
What is practice pitching? How do you practice? Who do you practice with?
What should be in your pitch? What is high concept? Should you write it down and edit it?
Are there magic words you should use? How is your story exciting?
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Plot Fails and Forgivable Sins
Write Pack Radio explores the traps and sins of story plots: Do your characters suffer from a case of the plots and barf backstory all over each other?Do your characters have an exposition couch?Did the characters’ journey take a turn around a cul-de-sac?Did they fall into a bamboo trap? Did your character walk through a giant plot hole?Did your characters have a convenient misunderstanding?
What are your plot problems? Do famous books and authors suffer from this? What about television shows? What about movies? What about comic books? What about Anime?
Are the plot problems forgivable?
This is one of Jennifer Stolzer’s favorite episodes. Why? Tune in…it will be obvious.
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Fear in Suspense and Horror: Scare vs. Gore
In this episode, The Write Pack explores the use of scare vs. gore. What are some of the tropes in horror and suspense? What is a slasher? What is splatter punk? What is the psychological thriller and how does it differ? What is the goal of the story?
The Write Pack explores what makes better suspense?
And they explore what makes a great horror?
How is suspense and horror built up well and how does it fail?
What are the elements of scare and how does it differ from gore?
Why is gore popular? Has it changed or is it as needed in the modern day when war and atrocities are aired on the 6 o’clock news?
How is fear different from suspense?
Is a suspense story is a fear that is earned and a gore story is a fear that is created by shock?
Are children scary?
And learn what has scared The Write Pack!!!
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New episodes every Sunday
Futurism, Past-ism, Romanticism, or Wish Fulfillment
This is a topic that may sound like it should only belong to Science Fiction, but it can apply to all genres. When we write are we writing Futurism (or past-ism for historical fiction), romanticizing the world, or is it wish fulfillment?
Here is a thought…is the FBI a “real world” descendent of the futuristic ideas of Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes?
Do we have agendas behind what we write? When we write about the past, the present, or the future are we writing about a world we wish would exist or did, does, or may exist?
What are some of the technological advancements that have come down from things discussed in the works of Verne, Clarke, Asimov, Bova, and Roddenberry? What social advancements? What ones are coming? (Tractor Beams (just starting to be discovered), force fields, space elevators, transporters, replicators, anti-agathic (anti-aging) drugs, and more)
How is the Western wish fulfillment? What about Alternate History stories? Steam Punk? How does this come into play with mysteries? Is all Vampire fiction wish fulfillment?
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In this episode of Write Pack Radio, the Write Pack asks:
How do writers, especially new writers weed through all the good and bad advice on writing? What are their sources? Is everything you read about writing worth your time? Are the lessons in school and college correct? Is even Write Pack Radio’s thoughts on writing on target? How can you tell what works or won’t work?
Where do you go for writing advice? What sources should you trust? What about books on how to write? What about the many books on aspects of writing? What is a Writers Toolbox? What is in your toolbox?
Have the academic cops arrested the Write Pack for exploring writing advice?
One piece of advice: Writing is an art. We all write differently. But you have to learn the rules of writing to learn where and how to break them.
You can find Write Pack Radio on Blog Talk Radio and iTunes. We can be found on Twitter and Facebook also.
Things discussed:
Blogs;
Twitter;
Books on writing books;
Articles on writing stories and books;
Books on writing strategy;
Focus groups and Beta Readers;
Writers Toolbox;
Stephen King’s On Writing;
Strunk and White;
The Zombie Rule;
“Be Verbs”;
Style guides and the “Hemmingway Style Guide”;
Show, Don’t Tell (but how?);
The Bookshelf Muse and writing thesauruses by Angela Ackerman & Becca Puglisi; and
Knowing how to take and use advice.
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New episodes every Sunday
Reboots: The Rise of the Success or the Rise of the Failure?
In this episode of Write Pack Radio:
What really is a reboot? What is the difference between reboot and a retelling? What is an adaptation and how does it differ from a reboot? What about a re-imaging? Do reboots only apply to television or movies? Can it apply to books? Listen to the Write Pack try to define the differences as they explore various examples (and disagree).
Do they only keep the name? What about the characters? When do reboots fail? How do they succeed?
Who can reboot a story/series? What can you change and what should you never touch?
What is the role of the WRITER in all of this? What happens when you lose your writer/author?
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While fact checking is normal in non-fiction books, but what about fiction? We mean it is fiction—why fact check it? If you are the “god of your universe, is there a purpose? Does it matter? (YES!!!!!!!!)
In this episode listen to the Write Pack discuss why research matters, how to do it and where to go for it? So you want to call experts? Isn’t the internet enough and not talk to an actual person?
If you talk to a person, what should you be prepared with?
Listen to the Write Pack disagree among themselves.
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New episodes every Sunday
The Story Telling of Radio Dramas
In the 28th episode of Write Pack Radio, the Write Pack kicks it “old school” and exams how old time radio dramas and modern audio drama podcasts can help authors of all media. Old time radio dramas was the form of entertainment that was popular before TV and radio drams bridged the media change. Now they are podcasts. Some radio drams have been on radio, books, TV shows, movies, and even comic books.
But how can they help a novel writer, play write, or screen writer?
Fast Plot
Timing
Dialogue
Cliffhangers
Writing Serials
Subtext
Much more!
What is the difference between an audio book and a radio play or full dramatization?
Radio dramas discussed:
The Shadow
Gun Smoke
Star Wars (Original Trilogy)
The Phantom
General Hospital
Superman
Dr. Who
Sam Spade
Sherlock Holmes
Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar
Inner Sanctum
War of the Worlds
Dracula
Frankenstein
Les Misérables
My Favorite Husband (forerunner to I Love Lucy)
Lord of the Rings
Buck Rodgers
Guardians of the Universe
Flash Gordon
Also discussed:
BBC World International Radio Playwriting Competition
Radio Classics Station
Radio Spirits.com
Actors to read books
https://librivox.org/
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Recorded in front of a live audience at Writers in the Park, a free writers conference given by St. Louis Writers Guild (www.stlwritersguild.org) in the heat of a St. Louis August, Write Pack Radio explores facing the worry, regret and rejection that comes with submitting our writing. The Write Pack is joined by authors Margo Dill (http://www.margodill.com/) and Sarah M. Anderson (http://www.sarahmanderson.com) .
How do you face the fear of submission? How do you face the worry? How do you face the rejection? Is it different for the pre-published author or does it ever change for the well published author?
Does it take a different skill to write a query letter than to write a novel or short story? What are some of the mistakes people make with query letters? Should you insult competitors? What kind of research should you do before you query? Why should you bother with following an agent’s format, after all aren’t they all the same?
Should your book be written, edited and polished well before you submit a query? Should you worry about comparing your story to others already out there?
How long does it take for a book to go from query to publication, if the work is accepted?
Should you write your next book while you are waiting to hear on your query?
Is it worth worrying while you wait?
How do series get published?
How do you deal with rejection? Once you are published, do you ever have to worry about being rejection again? Will you always get a rejection letter?
Is it possible to write a story everyone will want?
What are the real odds of getting traditionally published?
Should you get involved in genre focused organizations?
Are there predators that want to prey on authors? Where can you research these people at?
You can find Write Pack Radio on Facebook, Twitter, iTunes and Blog Talk Radio.
Breaking the Block: What are the Crazy Things We Do to Break Writers Block?
The voices in our head have gone silent. What do we do to bring our muse back? In this episode, the Write Pack explores breaking writer’s block. Some say it doesn’t exist. Others say it does. There are thousands (or more) books and articles on how to break it. How do the members of the Write Pack break writer’s block?
What are the things that cause writers block? Stress? Fear of Failure?
Some techniques we talk about: Throwing darts, writing in the buff, writing in the tub, free form writing, talking to yourself on the computer, free typing (or “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy), dropping inhibitions, writing at the crack of dawn, using different medias, writing in different locations, writing a draw novel, practice another art, get away from what you are used to, writing in colors, using lists, writing prompts, using dice, using pictures for inspiration, writing in a different language, write something purposefully terrible, using music, use meditation, using radio dramas, watching TV or movies, using headlines, , use take two different ideas and combine them, using fandom, give yourself a deadline, rewarding yourself, and more….
One of the most important questions for writers can also help break writers block: “What if?”
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Write Pack Radio explores social issues such as racism, sexism, sexual exploitation and more. Listener Discretion is advised. Also, if you are in St. Louis area on August 23rd, 2014, Write Pack Radio will be recording in front of a live audience. We will be recording at the St. Louis Writers Guild: Writers in the Park writers’ conference. This is a free writers’ conference that is open to all genre and levels of writing. It will be at the Kirkwood Park Lion’s Amphitheater from 10 AM until 2 PM. Write Pack Radio will be recording from 1 PM until 2 PM. If you are in the area, please come out and join the audience. We would love to see you. For more information, please visit www.stlwritersguild.org.
In this episode, Write Pack Radio explores social issues in writing and litmus tests.
What is the Bechdel test? Are there other litmus tests that can be used? How do you avoid making cardboard characters? Can you use these tests to break stereotypes to make your characters more complete characters?
Do the stories that transcends the ages have a “social issue” at its center?
What are the stereotype social issue tropes in poorly written stories?
Do social issues show up in “family friendly” films or do they “play it safe”? What about big budget films and TV shows vs. lower budget films and TV shows—which is more likely to have social issues in it?
What about comic books and comic book movies?
Is every act of creative speech an act of social activism?
Is there a difference between author intent and reader interruption?
What are the modern social issues of today?
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It is time, you tell yourself, to attend a writers’ conference—or maybe a convention—or what about that expo you have heard about? But you pause. You wonder if it is worth all of the expense. You wonder if there aren’t other conferences you should go to instead. Join the Write Pack as they explore how to discover where to go, what to expect, and what to do at these events.
In this episode we discuss: Writers’ Digest Writers ConferenceSaint Louis Writers GuildWriters in the Park (a free writers’ conference in St Louis in August)Missouri Writer’s ConferencePacific Northwest Writers Association ConferenceShaw GuidesBook ExposBoucherconTweeting conferencesFinding agents at conferencesDragonconArchonComicconMalice DomesticHorror ConventionsThriller ConventionsKiller NashvilleHow to choose a conferenceWhat to do at a conferenceWriters’ TracksSociability at a conferencePromoting your book at a conferenceBook swagBook FestivalsLit in the LouLit QuakeBrooklyn Book FestivalThe three stages of going to a conference, convention, and expo All episodes available at:
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Critique Groups, Critique Partners, Beta Readers: the Good, the Bad, the Snooty
In this episode we have special guest, history fiction author J.F. Ridgley. We also introduce a new member to The Write Pack: Meredith Tate
Critique groups, partners and beta readers are a low stake experience that can be similar to that of an editor, agent, or publisher. So you have written a short story or a novel and are told you should find a critique group? Maybe a Critique Partner? And what is this odd thing called Beta Readers? Are they a pond filled of piranhas? Are they necessary steps to getting published? Why are they so important? Aren’t they always filled with just failed writers who are bitter and waiting to rip things up?
Is there a difference between college writing critique groups and commercial writing critique groups? Do they replace editors? Are they like a movie’s favorite private screening feedback group?
Should these people ever be a loved one, family member, or close friend?
What defines a good beta reader, critique group or partner? What kind of feedback should you expect to receive? What makes good usable criticism? And what is the “sandwich effect”?
How do you know if you are ready for a critique group, partner or beta reader?
What makes a bad beta reader, critique group or partner? When you break up with a group or partner like breaking up with a lover?
How do you find critique groups or critique partners writing in your genre?
Beware of the critique giver who is trying to mold you into an image of their own method. Also beware of turning it into “social hour.”
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Writing from the Headlines
Write Pack explores writing from fiction based on the headlines. Writing fiction from the headlines is a form of immediate writing. Is it possible to write fiction from the headlines or is this a luxury saved for the TV and Comic book media? Is it possible to do this with other forms of writings?
Do you have to be a superhuman fast writer where you produce 50 books a year? Or is it a crap shoot of timing where you can’t predict it? Do you have to pick a long running trend to be able to write fiction based on the headlines and keep it relevant? For example—murder, bulling, so on…. Or should you be a futurist and focus on science fiction?
Is writing from the headlines really just a form of research? Does it have to be immediate? Can it be too soon?
How do you keep your stories relevant when your story comes out? If it is too soon it might turn off the audience and the writer runs the possible of inaccuracy.
Can you use the headlines to write historical fiction? Mystery? Science Fiction? Fantasy? Real Crime? Other genres?
On the other side of the coin: When do you start to feel like a vulture or a writer version of an ambulance chaser? Can the trends burn out?
Another way to use the headlines is to write a reformation book. Grab a cause and write about it as there is nothing better than passion.
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New episodes every Sunday
The Write Pack explores the questions about violence in fiction. What is an appropriate level of violence in a story? Of course this all depends on the genre and the story, but when is it over the top? It depends on the unwritten contract between the author and the reader. Does the violence have to be on stage or can it happen in the background? Is the story about violence or does the violence need to reflect the story?
How much violence is needed for the story? Does the violence exist to exist? How does violence move the story forward? How is violence appropriate in the world of the story? What kind of message is the author sending with the violence?
Has the level and focus of violence changed in all the media over the last decade and more? Has the level of violence in Children’s Literature changed?
When does violence kick the reader out of the story? When does violence seem cartoonish?
What kind of violence is never allowed?
Is there typical victims of violence in the story? Do you have Red Shirts or Storm Troopers in your story? Are there certain characters that have to die?
What is the choice of the violence? How does it reflect the character? How does it show their emotions?
How does violence in one story effect other stories in a series or does the series reset?
What is the psychology of violence?
Women in Fiction: Characters vs. Caricatures
Are women portrayed reasonably in fiction or is it a reflection of our current society? Does fiction display the social pressures placed on women or does it create caricatures? Whose fantasies are women characters written for? Are women in fiction written to be the fantasy of men or of women? What things do writers do that transfer the woman into caricatures?
Do women need to be rescued in fiction, even if she is an action heroin? How is it handled in crime stories? Fantasy? Other books? Games?
Why do women in fantasy have to be armored inappropriately in chainmail bikinis? Are women in fiction a female trope first?
How are women portrayed on book covers and movie posters? Why do they have to be portrayed as “ideal” woman? Why are women “underdressed” in comic books? Is making a strong female character only putting a man in a skirt? How do you show the real woman? Does a strong woman have to kick butt in the story or are there other ways to show the character’s strength? What are the kinds of strength that can be shown other than kicking butt?
Is it necessary for a strong woman characters to fall in love with the strong male characters?
Are bad female characters—the woman caricatures a result of malice writing or a result of lazy writing?
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Observations of a Serial Reader
What makes a series good? When should it end? When you write a series, you need to love your character but you can grow to hate them. Do writers continue to write a series once it grows stale because they are afraid they can’t write or publish anything else? Do fans force a writer to stay in a series even if the writer wants to write something else?
Should characters change throughout the series or should a series reset after each book, episode, etc.? Is it dangerous to a writer and the reader to have the character change and grow throughout the series? Can an author be pigeonholed? Do authors have to write under pen names to write different stories?
Why do you read the series you read? Why do you write the series you write? How do you set it up for the sequel or do you? What are the difference between standalone books and linked books?
Will you your throwaway lines get in trouble? Will you confuse your reader?
Should you play in other people’s universe? What happens when new writers change the series?
Should series writers maintain a series bible? What happens when you break the world the story is in? What causes you to feel like you “went to Starbucks and walked out with a fish filet?”
What happens when the characters stop behaving the way they had in the previous stories?
When does a series jump a shark? When does the series grow stale? In television, what can go wrong when you change the writing and directing staff?
What are series kinks? Are you willing to kill your characters or are they immortal? How do you or writers you like to read handle consequences of the events in the story?
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To Blog or Not to Blog
Wherever a writer turns, they are told to blog. But does an author or an author trying to break in should blog? Should we blog just to blog? What are the dangers of blogging? If time, strength, and readership attention spans are limited, what kind of blog is important? How do you blog? How can a blog draw readers to your books, stories, and poems? How does blogging help build your platform? What is a blog? How can you use a blog? Can blogs be a reference for yourself and your craft?
Where should you blog? How do you name your blog? What kind of schedule should you keep?
How do you market your blog? Can you make money from a blog? Does your blog have a reason? What are some of the wrong reasons to post a blog? What are some good reasons to post a blog?
What are blog tours? How can you use them?
Is there a magic number of readers you are wanting to attract to your blog to make it important?
So, should you blog? Well . . . what does your reader want?
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Is getting the idea for a story the hardest part of writing? Not in the opinion of the Write Pack. Despite many people coming up to writers with the aged old conversation of “I have an idea for a great [story] [book] [TV show] [movie]. If you write it we can split the profits,” the idea is not the hardest part in beginning a new project. So where do ideas come from? What is the most powerful question in writing? Should I write what I know? What exactly does that question really mean? What kinds of knowledge does a good writer pull into their project?
Is it possible to write about something you have never done or about a culture or society that you don’t know? What do you need to start a new project? Do you need the dark moment? Do you need the philosophical question?
How do you take an idea to the next stage? Do you plot? Do you free write? Do you research? Do you create a story bible?
Every writer is different and the Write Pack explores these questions and more.
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Marks of a Writer Town
Recently, St. Louis was listed as the best city for writers. But, what makes a town appealing to writers? What do writers look for in the places where they live? What is so great about St. Louis as a writer’s town? How does the town’s culture inspire writers? What services are available to a writer? Does the town have working writers? Is the community supportive of writers? Does the community support artists and creative events? Does the cost of living in the town help writers? Does it have coffee shops that invite you to stay and linger? Does the town have a creative personality? Are there locations in the town that are inspirational? What would your idea writers’ town have in it? How accessible are things in the town? Does the town draw in new people?
What events, groups, resources, inspirational locations and theaters are in St. Louis (and these are the ones we just mentioned, there are more) are for or inspire writers? St. Louis Writers Guild, Sisters in Crime, St. Louis Publishers Association, Missouri Romance Writers of America, Saturday Writers, Missouri Writers Guild, St. Louis Poetry Association, Archon - Science Fiction/Fantasy Convention, Writers Festivals, Writers in the Park, Saint Louis Shakespeare in the Park, Jewish Book Festival, St. Louis Art Museum, St. Louis Jazz, River Styx Writers Conference, STLBooks, Independent Books Stores, City of St. Louis Library, St. Louis County Library, Municipal Library Consortium, St. Louis Repertory Theater, St. Louis Black Repertory Theater, The Muny, Fox Theater, Powel Symphony Hall, Creve Coeur Lake, Forest Park, Missouri Botanical Gardens, and coffee houses abound!
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The Schools of Mystery, the Tropes, and the Clichés
Recorded on Dashiell Hammett’s birthday, the Write Pack explore the schools, tropes, and clichés of the mystery genre, Why does there always have to be a murder? What are the sub-genres or schools or subgenres of the mystery genre? Do the crimes always have to be solved by a little old lady with no background in police work from a town where the murder victims outstrip the population of the town? What are some of the rules? What separates the subgenres? What are courtroom genres? What are police procedural stories? What are hardboiled mysteries? Why do detective characters have to be broken? What are crime novels? What separates the mystery from the adventure novel or are they separate?
Does there always need to be a sidekick? Do we always need justice? Do we always need the group of suspects gathered together in the drawing room or the court room for the criminal to be discovered? Is the evidence always quickly analyzed by the forensic lab?
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The Craft of World Building
Every fictional story is built in a world that the author creates, though the reader will only see just a small portion. It is woven like a web. This can be a fun part of the creation process and yet contains one of the hardest lessons that the author has to learn. What makes a good story world? How do you, the world creator, create a believable plausible world? How is the world that you built change by the story you wrote? Is your world a character or just a setting? How does your world building cling to your passions? Do you play in your world before you write your story?
When does world building fail? What makes it bad? Why did it fail? What happens when it is not grounded in the real world? Can your world “jump the shark” and cause the story you are writing to fall down? Can you confuse the world by trying to give too much? What happens when you break your own cannon? Does the world throw the audience out of the story?
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No one writer’s journey on the path to being a writer is never the same as another. They are rocky. They have twists and turns that seem to take you away from the peak of the writing goal. These paths come with the same questions: How does it begin? When does it begin? When do you know you are a writer? Does it start with emulating others or playing in the universe of another story? Does it start with classes or outside of class? Where does encouragement come from? What drives the writer and the written piece? When and how do you push the boundaries and what boundaries are there? How do you learn the writing and publishing industry? Do we always start of writing bad stories? What feedback do you need to improve your writing? How does the transformation as a writer begin and when? Does being a writer ruin the watching movies, TV, and reading books because you can guess the plot easily? Do you begin to identify how the other writers create characters that can’t be related to? Do you learn from other writers’ mistakes? Should there be stories that you write that should never be published? Do you ever come to a point where you run out of questions in this journey?
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What makes a science fiction story a science fiction story? What about fantasy? Are there tropes to these genres? Can they be mingled? Can they be mingled with other genres successfully? What things--call it stage settings--that are expected in these genres? Are they overdone? Explore with the Write Pack as we grab our Light Sabers and cast our Light Spell as we go in to the dungeon and seek out the treasure of these genres.
You can find Write Pack Radio on Facebook, Twitter, Blog Talk Radio and iTunes. Please send us on Blog Talk Radio, Facebook or Twitter any comments or questions you would like to see in our future shows.
(Avoiding) The Boring Hero
In our previous episode, the Write Pack explored the Necessary Villain. Now, we explore how to avoid an easy trap many beginning—and even some veteran writers fall into—the boring hero. Heroes who seem able to conquer any villain, face the darkest elements of man and not bat an eye may have been the stable of fiction centuries ago, but now they are a sure cure for insomnia. What makes the hero of a story . . . a real yawn stimulator? Are there common traits?
Can you rehabilitate a boring hero? Is there a way to make the Superman hero in your story cry and bleed? Must they bleed? Why can’t they just get the treasure and be happy?
What must you do to make the Hero necessary to the story? Or is the hero nothing more than a literary version of the zombie ant?
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While the word antagonist is the modern accepted word in stories, there is a difference between an antagonist and a layered villain. An antagonist is the obstacle. A villain is a thinking counterpart to the protagonist, acting as the protagonist’s dark mirrored reflection that shatters the façade to show us the protagonist as their true self. As the Write Pack explores the villain we toss out Nazis, Vampires, Darth Vader, Dracula, Zombies, Moriarty, The Joker, Javert and more. We explore the seductive aspects of the villain and evil.
How do you create a layered villain? Why is the villain so necessary? What makes a villain memorable? What drives the villain? Are there types of villains? How does the villain tie to the black moment? Is there a relationship between the Villain and the Hero?
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The Persevering Writer
Why do we bother going through the rejection process to get our books read? If we self-publish, there are other obstacles to overcome just to capture a part of the audience out there. As writers we are looking for validation, which pushes us to send query letters and get back rejections and join writing groups to plug into the creativity. The publishing process is torturous. If a writer is going the traditional publishing route, we have to stand out as THE manuscript to stand out from the 30,000 manuscripts that are received by the agent. Then they have to try to sell the manuscript to the publishing house who may not be looking for what you wrote. Then you have to catch the audience, right next to the self-published writer.
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Pantsing vs Plotting
In the world of writing there has been a debate that has raged since the first stories were ever told: Is it better to plot or to fly by the seat of your pants when you write? There are "How to" Articles, Blogs and books on writing that claim one or the other is the best process. Join the Write Pack as we tear into this age old debate. Are you a Pantser? Are you a Plotter? Or does it really even matter when you boil it all down?
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It has been the rise of the geeks! But who are they? Are they all just Science Fiction and Fantasy Geeks? Or do other genres like horror, mystery/thrillers, and romance have their geekdom as well and can we all just get along? Join The Write Pack as the explore geekdom, Comic Con, Bouchercon, gaming, role playing games, comic books, and the past and modern age of geekdom—including crowdsourcing films like Veronica Mars, Star Trek Axanar, and Star Trek Renegades.
Also, here is an article from the BBC about D&D as it was looked at 30 years ago, when there was a mania against parts of Geek culture: The great 1980s Dungeons & Dragons panic: http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-26328105
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Can Utopia exist in all the Dystopic Fiction?
With a world filled with Brave New World, The Hunger Games, Divergent, and so many dystopian stories, can Utopian stories be published today? Is the idea of a Utopian world a fleeting illusion? Can a person or a society grow in a Utopia? Could artist exist? Is mankind able to truly exist in Utopian world or would we get ourselves expelled or choose to leave as Bilbo left the Shire?
OR
Is one man’s Utopia another man’s dystopia?
The Write Pack explores Star Trek, Logan’s Run, Brave New World, The Hunger Games, Batman, Divergent, 1984, Transformers, The Hobbit/Lord of the Rings as they try to tackle the debate between Utopia vs. Dystopia.
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Cyborgs vs Androids Vs Robots
Science Fiction and Science fact are blending in the modern world, bringing independent robots, cyborgs and androids closer to reality. How does that affect the writer? Is there a difference in how these tropes of Science Fiction are written? Is science fact shaping how these characters will fill the world of reality and the fantasy of Science Fiction? The Write Pack tackles these questions and much more as they explore the pop culture and the possibilities of the realities of cyborgs vs. androids vs. robots.
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The question every writer faces in the modern world of publishing is if they should choose to try to be traditionally published, self-published or a hybrid. It is not an easy decision and can shape your career as a writer. This debate, which has raged and simmered for years has been fanned into an inferno of dueling blogs around the question: Has the publishing world now been divided into a “caste system.” Follow along as the Write Pack feels their way through this maze.
The following blog posts are for reference.
The blog that fanned the flames: The New Class System http://writerunboxed.com/2014/02/05/the-new-class-system/
My Amazon bestseller made me nothing: http://www.salon.com/2013/03/15/hey_amazon_wheres_my_money/
Author Earnings Data Supports DBW Findings | Digital Book World: http://www.digitalbookworld.com/2014/author-earnings-data-supports-dbw-findings/
The 50k Report – Author Earnings: http://authorearnings.com/reports/the-50k-report/
Book Sales: Running the Number: http://stlsinc.blogspot.com/2014/02/book-sales-running-numbers.html
Hugh Howey and the Indie Author Revolt: http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/digital/content-and-e-books/article/61116-hugh-howey-and-the-indie-author-revolt.html?et_mid=661161&rid=240749728 (Note you need a subscription to the magazine to see this---so if you don’t have one, check out your local library. Many subscribe to Publishers Weekly)
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New episodes every Sunday
Have you ever had to hide what you read? Have you ever not read a book or a series because others have told you that it is wrong, evil, or other derogatory term ? Have you ever been turned down for a date, lost a friend, kicked out of a group, because you choose to read something they thought you shouldn't? Why do we have banned books? Inspired by a situation where a girl turned down a guy for reading the Hunger Games and Twilight, The Write Pack dives into the question—Are we judged by what we read and do we hide it?
The question every writer faces in the modern world of publishing is if they should choose to try to be traditionally published, self-published or a hybrid. It is not an easy decision and can shape your career as a writer. This debate, which has raged and simmered for years has been fanned into an inferno of dueling blogs around the question: Has the publishing world now been divided into a “caste system.” Follow along as the Write Pack feels their way through this maze.
The following blog posts are for reference.
The blog that fanned the flames: The New Class System http://writerunboxed.com/2014/02/05/the-new-class-system/
My Amazon bestseller made me nothing: http://www.salon.com/2013/03/15/hey_amazon_wheres_my_money/
Author Earnings Data Supports DBW Findings | Digital Book World: http://www.digitalbookworld.com/2014/author-earnings-data-supports-dbw-findings/
The 50k Report – Author Earnings: http://authorearnings.com/reports/the-50k-report/
Book Sales: Running the Number: http://stlsinc.blogspot.com/2014/02/book-sales-running-numbers.html
Hugh Howey and the Indie Author Revolt: http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/digital/content-and-e-books/article/61116-hugh-howey-and-the-indie-author-revolt.html?et_mid=661161&rid=240749728 (Note you need a subscription to the magazine to see this---so if you don’t have one, check out your local library. Many subscribe to Publishers Weekly)
Music: Paperback Writer by the Beatles. All rights remain with them.
Amusing the Muse
What is the muse? Why does it drive us so crazy? Is it something inside of us or, as the ancient Greeks thought, something external? The Write Pack explores what the muse inspires and how it drives us nuts. Write Pack Radio 's first episode airs on 3/2, with the Pack exploring that crazy thing we call a muse. What the heck is this drive, this arrogance, this urge to create art with the belief that others will want it? Why does it drive some to success and others to self-destruction. The Write Pack explores . . .
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