Episodes
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Episode 15: Writing your First Draft
We talk about: getting the first draft done favourite craft & writing books the dangers of publishing (or not) the freedom of the 'first pancake' principle
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Episode 14: Gothic Literature of the South
We talk about: classic gothic literature what elements make a story gothic southern gothic vs. gothic from the southern hemisphere famous gothic books the overlap between gothic & horror the gothic aesthetic
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Episode 13: Designing a Monster for your Story
We talk about: different kinds of monsters the history of monsters best monster books how to design a monster for your story
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Episode 12: The House as a Character
We talk about: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe Green Knowe Arcane Houses of London The Haunting of Hill House Howl’s Moving Castle Hogwarts Baba Yaga The Hobbit Grail Legends Condor Peak
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Episode 11: Designing Characters
We talk about: the interplay between plot & character how to get character to do unusual things & stay in character what 'breaks' a character how to design interesting characters
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Episode 10: Things that Make Readers Skim Your Novel
We talk about: Ursula le Guin Tolkien Genre conversions LOTR and Figwit Surprising & delighting readers - without losing them Stringing people along for the payoff
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Episode 9: Pet Peeves that Break the Story
We talk about: the different levels of pet peeves how you can't please everybody (so don't try) the curse of knowledge (and how it can ruin an otherwise good read) the rule I use when parsing beta reader feedback and many more peeves...
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Episode 8: How Background & Training Shapes Your Writing
We discuss: how our previous jobs (architecture, theatre) shaped our writing how hobbies (classical music, surfing) shapes writing the role of the narrator/director in a story the architecture of story
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Episode 7: Creating Shippable Couples
We talk about: Fan fiction Harry Potter, Draco/Hermione, Draco/Harry Potter Pride and Prejudice The Da Vinci Code The disco ball of theme Dark romance, Damseling, & Stockholm Syndrome Vorkosigan Saga - Aral Vorkosigan and Cordelia Naismith BBC Sherlock & Queerbaiting Greek concept of multiple…
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Episode 6: Comedy of Manners & Writing Process
Things we talk about: Pride & Prejudice A Civil Campaign Pygmalion Steering the Craft - Ursula le Guin, Left Hand of Darkness Gaslamp Fantasy vs Comedy of Manners vs Fantasy of Manners Oscar Wilde Gaudy Night Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell The Lady's Guide to Fortune Hunting by Sophie Irwin The...
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Episode 5 - Children's Books & Magical Realism
We talk about: Dr Seuss - Cat in the Hat Maurice Sendak - Where the Wild Things Are Judith Kerr - Mog Books, Tiger Who Came for Tea Not now, Bernard Shirley Jackson - The Lottery, Jack the Ripper Quentin Blake Alan Lee John Howe Tolkien Calvin & Hobbes Terry Pratchett Star Wars CS Lewis - Narnia
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Episode 4: Your Story's Theme
We talked about: RWNZ conference Keynote speakers TL Swan, Jennifer Hilt, Nalini Singh Shannon Curtis on theme Aesop's Fables Stephen King's 'On Writing' 'The Lottery' & 'The Witch' - Shirley Jackson The Merchant of Venice Pride and Prejudice A Room with a View - E.M. Forster Willa Cather - My...
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NZ Skip navigation Search Create 1 Avatar image Episode 3: Manuscript Trimming, Narrative Occasion, and Origin Stories
In this video, we discuss: The Word Loss Diet - https://amzn.to/4wVqAxI Filter words Narrative occasion The Retired Assassin's Guide to Amateur Theatrics Using RPG's as a way to create a story / world build Basque legends & words informing the story's cosmology Responsibility of an author to…
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Short Stories, Twists, & Fooling Readers
Books & Stories mentioned: - The Retired Assassin's Guide to Amateur Theatrics - The Lottery - Shirley Jackson - The Haunting of Hill House - Shirley Jackson - Chivalry - Neil Gaiman - Where the Wild Things Are - Maurice Sendak - The Tiger Who Came for Tea - Judith Kerr - Agatha Christie
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Epidsode 2: All things cosy (+ jump scares!)
Books & movies mentioned: The Famous Five - Enid Blyton Dorothy Sayers Sherlock Holmes Ngaio Marsh No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency Rivers of London - Ben Aaronovitch Agatha Christie Thursday Murder Club cat steals the show: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/15Wy9kj3bNE Dungeon Crawler Carl The Retired...