Work in Progress

Writers hear they need to be "ready to kill their darlings." What is really meant by this violent advice? The gang talk about what it means to them, when they ignore the advice, when they took it, and what the tell tale signs are that something you've written may be getting in the way of your story.

Following up on episode 2.3, Michael leads a discussion of villains. What constitiutes villany? What makes compelling baddies? How do bad guys fall short?  Villains discussed or heard in this episode: Drexl (Gary Oldman) "True Romance"  Erik Killmonger (Michael B. Jordan) "Black Panther" films Thenardier "Les Misérables" by Victor Hugo Magneto (Ian McKellen) The X-Men films The Mayor (Harry Groener) "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" The Sheriff of Nottingham (Alan Rickman) "Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves" Bill (David Carradine) "Kill Bill" O'Brien (Richard Burton) "1984" by George Orwell Darth Vader (James Earl Jones) "The Empire Strikes Back" (et al) Thanos (Josh Brolin) The Marvel Cinematic Universe Gestalt "The Rook" by Daniel O'Malley The Carryx "The Captives War" by James S.A. Corey The Dark Queen "Ninth House" by Leigh Bardugo Smiley and Karla "The Spy Who Came in from the Cold" by John le Carré Dr. Hannibal Lechter "Silence of the Lambs" (and nothing else) by Thomas Harris   Also discussed: "Some Desperate Glory" by Emily Tesh

The crew met over a heaping and very likeable plate of nachos and more to discuss unlikeable characters. They debate the difference between villains, anti-heros, and unlikeables and share some hot takes on who (or what) gets under their skin. Let us know what you think.   Examples of unlikeable characters discussed in this episode: Jar Jar Binks, Star Wars Episodes 1-3 and elsewhere Most everyone in "Normal People" and "Conversations with Friends" by Sally Rooney Owen in "The Everlasting" by Alix E. Harrow El in "The Scholomance" series by Naomi Novik Alex Stern in "Ninth House" by Leigh Bardugo Detective Josephus Miller in "The Expanse" by James S.A. Corey Eleanor in "Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine" by Gail Honeyman Welsey Wyndam-Pryce in "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" Theon Greyjoy from "A Song of Fire and Ice" by George RR Martin Amy Dunne in "Gone Girl" by Gillian Flynn (and Nick Dunne too!) Every character in "Succession" on HBO Every protagonist in the short story collection "Homesick for Another World" by Ottessa Moshfegh Elaine in "A Court of Thorns and Roses" by Sarah J Maas   Antiheros referenced Walter White in "Breaking Bad" January Cole in "The Paradox Hotel" by Rob Hart Carol in "Pluribus" on AppleTV Joe Goldberg in "You" by Caroline Kepnes and on Netflix   Other references "Wednesday" on Netflix "I Who Have Never Known Men" by Jacqueline Harpman Jackson Lamb in "Slow Horses" by Mick Herron and on AppleTV "Dungeon Crawler Carl" series by Matt Dinniman Edward Cullen in the "Twilight" series by Stephanie Meyer

Lori leads our discussion about character develoment. How do we go about it? And what do we look for - or hate - in a character? References Include: The Gentleman of Moscow by Amor Towles The Dresden Files books by Jim Butcher The Everlasting by Alix E. Harrow Embassytown by China Miéville Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir The Witches Secret by Stacie Murphy        

Stacie was enthralled by something we read in the group frecently - a collection of linked literary flash fiction from Max Paradise. She asked Max to join us on Boxing Day 2025 to talk about how we decide on what form to use for a particular project. Whether it's a short story that becomes a novella and then a novel, a short story or a novel that was never going to be anything but, or a magnum opus designed to punish readers that sits in a shoebox, Lori, Michael, and Stacie had a great meal and conversation with Max.

The gang wrapped up Season One with some introspection, predictions, and a little trash talking. From how we fared in our writing goals and what we hope to accomplish next year to a discussion of media we consumed and what constitutes "a lot of reading." All that, plus a call for listener input on what we're doing right and wrong.

Rounding out the three-part series of "Beginnings" (Ep 5) and "The Messy Middle" (Ep 8), the gang tries to land the plane with "Endings." Also, there's a wedding going on.

The gang went back to Carnegie Diner to talk about how they approach revising. From too many beta readers to the need for hearing the same critique multiple times. Lori tells Klein how irritating some of his comments are to her and Stacie catches up with AWG member and poet Catherine Puma to talk about her recent success.

Stacie wanted us to share our origin stories...so we did. From whales, a boy and his dog, and A Deadly Fortune, we explain how and why we started writing. We also talk about where the ideas for our current WIPs came from: a Disney World dinner, playing dress up, and a Bible character who got the short end of the stick. All that, plus Big Ass Cookies, deciding to write, UNC basketball, and more.

Back in May the gang began a three-part series with Beginnings. Here's the Middle part. Navigating the messy middle!

The gang tackle a central question all artists ask themselves: is this project done? How does one decide to stop tinkering and send a story out into the world?

Stacie, Michael, and Lori return to Metro 29 Diner with special guest Jessica Link. Michael screwed up the audio - hopefully he's a better writer than audio engineer, but he did his best to fix it in post, as they say.

Stacie leads Lori and Michael in a discusison about story beginnings. We're at the Carnegie Diner again, working our way through the dessert menu.  

Lori, Stacie, and Michael returned to the Carnegie to talk world building and 24-layer chocolate cake.

Lori, Michael, and Stacie tried out a new diner and talked writing retreats. How to pick one, how to organize one, what kind of goals you should set for yourself, and more.

Lori led Michael and Stacie to a diner in her house and led the discussion about the art of critique with fellow AWGer Dale Waters.

Stacie, Lori, and Michael recorded their first episode about writing groups - which makes sense since it's a writing group that brought them all together.

There's a new podcast about writing on the horizon. This one will have food.