A A Smugg: Recent Episodes
A A Smugg
In this episode we are celebrating friendship by talking about how to write with your BFF and still manage NOT to kill each other! We also share scenes we wrote using the other's writing style.
This time we did TWO words!
Impignorate - to pawn of MORTGAGE something.
Petrichor - a distinctive scent, usually described as earthy, pleasant, or sweet, produced by rainfall on very dry ground.
Haiku
We sit and we write.
The silence is comfortable
For us two old friends.
-Andrea
Sixteen years, they though
Gazing at the starlit sky.
What an adventure!
-April
Contact us!
Email: andreaandapril@gmail.com
Insta: @aasmugg
Intro sound effects used with permission from freesound.org and provided by: fellwell5, kgatto, inspectorj, stubb, stu556
Intro piano music composed by Andrea M Grafton
Word of Week: Tohubohu - a state of chaos; utter confusion.
Join us with a steaming cup of tea and a plate of biscuits as we roleplay as two of our unusual book characters!
On the window sill
A bluebird serenades me-
Spring has come at last.
-April
The sun has set, now
The sky, periwinkle hues
A rose climbs the fence
-Andrea
Intro sound effects used with permission from freesound.org and provided by: fellwell5, kgatto, inspectorj, stubb, stu556
Intro piano music composed by Andrea M Grafton
In this episode we discuss doing the unexpected, specifically where plot-twists are concerned.
Word of the week: Pauciloquent - adj. – uttering few words; brief in speech
Haiku
Melted snow puddles.
Forgotten until spring thaw,
A child’s toy boat floats.
-April
Soft rain gently falls
Right outside her window pane.
Content, she gazes.
-Andrea
Intro sound effects used with permission from freesound.org and provided by: fellwell5, kgatto, inspectorj, stubb, stu556
Intro piano music composed by Andrea M Grafton
Literally, we just plot a book live.
Disclaimer: We state that you can plot a book in an hour, and we attempted to such in this episode. However! We had no pre-existing characters or even a vague idea of what this book will be about. Essentially, we started from scratch. So, naturally, it took us roughly 2 hours (which is still pretty good, if we say so ourselves!)
Word of the week:
per·spi·ca·cious
- having a ready insight into and understanding of things.
Haiku:
Steaming tea sloshes
As it's poured from pot to pot
By the toil-worn hands.
-April
My cold hands are warmed
From the cozy coffee cup
The tears, subsiding
-Andrea
Intro sound effects used with permission from freesound.org and provided by: fellwell5, kgatto, inspectorj, stubb, stu556
Intro piano music composed by Andrea M Grafton
You want to write a book. But where do you even begin? Here's some beginner tips if you've never written a book before. (Or, perhaps you've written dozens and want a new way to do it!)
Word of the week: Sagacious - having or showing keen mental discernment and good judgment; shrewd.
SHOWNOTES:
01:00 - 2:19 : Intro
02:19 - 05:58 : Rule #1: Everything you write will probably change-ish
05:59 - 07:49 : What is your genre?
07:50 - 12:27 : Who are your viewpoint characters?
12:28 - 19:10 : Choosing your perspective
19:11 - 22:11 : What is your message?
22:12 - 37:50 : Creating your timeline
37:51 - 43:25 : Just write!
43:26 - 45:59 : Haikuuuuu!
Haiku
No one will touch us
In this small corner of mine,
My coffee and me.
-Andrea
Snuggled on the couch
We sip hot cocoa and talk
Of lovey nothings.
-April
Intro sound effects used with permission from freesound.org and provided by: fellwell5, kgatto, inspectorj, stubb, stu556
Intro piano music composed by Andrea M Grafton
There are a few rules bouncing around the internet, which ones should you heed and which ones should you defenestrate?
Word of the week: Recherché - rare, exotic, or obscure.
E-mail us at: andreaandapril@gmail.com
Instagram: @aasmugg
Facebook.com/aasmugg
SHOWNOTES:
0.01 - 3:17 : Intro and word of the week
3:18 - 7:08 : Cut what you don't need
7:09 - 10:22 : Write with the end in mind
10:23 - 16:45 : A good character must change
16:46 - 20:10 : Never open with weather
20:11 - 26:58 : Use the simplest words possible
26:59 - 29:00 : Don't include things that aren't important to plot
29:01 - 33:44 : Use action to show events where possible
33:45 - 37:32 : Dialogue is the strongest form of charactization
37:33 - 41:29 : Make sure something changes by the end of the story
41:30 - 46:35 : Write when your imagination is at its peak
46:36 - 53:37 : Debate round! Using names in dialogue
53:38 - 56:12 : Happy haiku and closing
Haiku:
Above mountain mists
The last stars begin to fade-
Time for morning tea.
-April
The winter’s cold wind
Can’t reach me in my haven
Where tea keeps me warm.
-Andrea
Intro sound effects used with permission from freesound.org and provided by: fellwell5, kgatto, inspectorj, stubb, stu556
Intro piano music composed by Andrea M Grafton
This week we decided to deviate from our traditional podcasts and have a night of fun!
Word of the week: Imperdible - Incapable of being lost
E-mail us at: andreaandapril@gmail.com
Instagram: @aasmugg
Facebook.com/aasmugg
SHOWNOTES:
0:01 - 4:10 : Intro and word of the week
4:11 - 14:40 : Badly summed up books
14:41 - 24:43 : Improv story building
24:44 - 54:31 : Question time!
54:32 - 57:12 : Closing thoughts and Haiku
Haiku:
So many tasks that
Require my attention
But first, my coffee.
-Andrea
You make me crazy-
Steal my focus, rob my sleep,
Delicious coffee.
-April
Intro sound effects used with permission from freesound.org and provided by: fellwell5, kgatto, inspectorj, stubb, stu556
Intro piano music composed by Andrea M Grafton
Writer's block! We get it, you get it, everyone gets it. This week we discuss our favorite antidotes for the ever-frustrating writer's block, as well as gab about writing whether you feel like it or not.
Word of the week: Antipodes (an-TIP-uh-deez) - The parts of the earth that are diametrically opposite OR the exact opposite or contrary
E-mail us at: andreaandapril@gmail.com
Instagram: @aasmugg
Facebook.com/aasmugg
SHOWNOTES:
00:01 - 3:23 : Inro and word of the week
3:23 - 9:59 : Even if it's crap, just get it on the page
10:00 - 23:16 : Making time to write
23:17 - 27:15 : "Just sit in the chair" method
27:16 - 30:20 : Balance in all things
30:21 - 33:30 : A few tips for dealing with writer's block:
-
Read other stuff (33:31 - 35:02)
-
Change your surroundings (35:03 - 37:02)
-
Employ some good ol' self discipline (37:03 - 38:11)
-
Get some exercise (38:12 - 43:50)
-
Change your tools (43:51 - 50:55)
-
If all else fails, take a shower! (50:56 - 53:42)
53:43 - 57:05 : Comic Sans and plot count!? Notabit.
57:06 - 1:01:51 Hot drinks and haiku
Haiku:
A warm summer breeze
Through the window where I write,
My tea forgotten.
-April
A teacup, cooled
Distant laughter is heard
From the next room.
-Andrea
Intro sound effects used with permission from freesound.org and provided by: fellwell5, kgatto, inspectorj, stubb, stu556
Intro piano music composed by Andrea M Grafton
This week we discuss how to create that gripping first chapter.
We explore 3 completely different, but equally genius, first chapters; talk about the do's and don'ts of grabbing your readers' attention; then finish up with a fun and interesting exercise!
Word of the week: Defenestrate - Throw someone (or something) out of a window.
E-mail us at: andreaandapril@gmail.com
Instagram: @aasmugg
Facebook.com/aasmugg
SHOWNOTES:
0:01 - 2:25 : Intro and word of the week
2:26 - 7:22 : Our opening thoughts on good beginnings
7:23 - 14:15 : Little Women
14:16 - 25:10 : Anne of Green Gables
25:11 - 28:55 : Prologues
28:56 - 35:17 : Pride and Prejudice
35:18 - 46:34 : Andrea's bad beginning
46:35 - 57:21 : April's bad beginning
57:22 - 1:03:08 : Closing thoughts and Haiku
Haiku:
Everything was gray
You walked into my life, and
Now I see color.
-Andrea M Grafton
Melted cheese on bread,
A tea tray and a movie:
A me-and-you day.
-April Wilson
Intro sound effects used with permission from freesound.org and provided by: fellwell5, kgatto, inspectorj, stubb, stu556
Intro piano music composed by Andrea M Grafton
In this week's episode we delve into what makes a great romance. But first! April and Andrea share their top 5 literary heroes.
Word of the week: Redamancy - The act of loving in return.
E-mail us at: andreaandapril@gmail.com
Instagram: @aasmugg
Facebook.com/aasmugg
SHOWNOTES
0:01 - 3:15 : Introduction and word of the day
3:16 - 30:49 : Our top 5 literary men
30:50 - 31:29 : Intro to what makes a great love story
31:30 - 37:00 : Characters worth falling in love with
37:01 - 40:11 : Cliche vs. The Unexpected
40:12 - 41:44 : Not all love is romantic
41:45 - 53:24 : Love vs. Lust?
53:25 - 59:59 : Suffering, heartbreak, torture, and chocolate cake
1:00:00 - 1:04:38 : Closing Haiku and final thoughts
Haiku
Love can be pleasant
But oh how he made her laugh
Two souls well-matched
-Andrea M Grafton
Drab parkinglot view;
You walk in holding roses-
I miss home less now.
-April Wilson
Intro sound effects used with permission from freesound.org and provided by: fellwell5, kgatto, inspectorj, stubb, stu556
Intro piano music composed by Andrea M Grafton
The very first episode of A A Smugg!
In this episode we cover who we are, what we've written and how, as well as our publishing process.
Word of the week: Absquatulate - leave abruptly.
E-mail us at: andreaandapril@gmail.com
Instagram: @aasmugg
Facebook.com/aasmugg
SHOWNOTES
00:01 - 03:35 : Introduction
03:36 - 04:45 : Word of the Day
04:46 - 21:15 : Who we are and how we came to write a book
21:16 - 23:50 : How we wrote together
23:51 - 36:60 : How we plotted
37:00 - 43:19 : Our characters
43:20 - 52:15 Our editing fun
52:16 - 58:40 : How we published
58:41 - 67:04 : Wrapping things up
Haiku
Brown eyes...
The child laughs
Is this my heart?
-Andrea
Your shirt is crumpled;
In the dark you hold our girl;
A bad dream woke her.
-April
Intro sound effects used with permission from freesound.org and provided by: fellwell5, kgatto, inspectorj, stubb, stu556
Intro piano music composed by Andrea M Grafton