Episodes
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How to take advice
Mostly, don't. Book recommendation: The Difference Engine by William Gibson and Bruce Sterling
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What does "be a good reader" mean to a writer
Reading advice, from one writer to the rest.
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I finished another book! It's a secret though. Shh!
I am working, in spite of appearances. Follow me on Patreon, if you're into that sort of thing.
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Why do you write? Your reasons may be symptoms of what you should fix
Book recommendation: Red Mars by Kim Stanley Robinson
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No one will ask for the story you're writing
Book and music recommendations: "Underground" by Tom Waits, and Get Shorty by Elmore Leonard
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Three Creative Minds and the End of Writer's Block
In this one we talk about what to do with the doubt coming from the thought, "Nobody wants what I have to offer." And how to never have writer's block again.
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I don't know how to "just write," and the power of middling discipline
Part writing tips, part the story of stories. I'm doing an audio blog, because I have stuff to say, and I get impatient with writing it down sometimes.
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It's not clever to stress people out.
Reading Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling and Airborn by Kenneth Oppel
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A Swan Song to Free Thought (maybe? Hope not) May contain spoilers, depending how you define spoiler
Reading Wool by Hugh Howie. PS: this episode may contain spoilers, depending how you define spoilers.
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There's a reason why the Devil is associated with contracts.
Reading Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling.
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The Godfather: a postmortem. Mythology and the U.S.A.. Reading Wool by Hugh Howey
Some light reading. How free are you?
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Irresponsible Journalism and Fear-Driven Sexism. Reading The Godfather by Mario Puzo
I think sexism is fundamentally cowardly.
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The Power of Plot and Taking Comfort in Human Bumbling. Reading The Godfather by Mario Puzo
I don't believe in conspiracy theory. But I do respect a good plot.
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Worst case scenarios make the best stories. Reading The Godfather by Mario Puzo
It's important to learn to think of worst case scenarios when coming up with stories. It's also important to think of solutions to those scenarios. That's where satisfying stories happen.
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Respect will cure us. Thoughts on Covid-19. Reading A World Undone by G.J. Meyer
Cataclysmic events drop on us sometimes, and they cause paradigm shift. I take comfort in history.
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Politeness Causes Traffic. Reading Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling
Recorded during the discount plague. It's a metaphor, like all the best stories. Harry Potter is also disturbing.
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Reality Distortion Fields and Science Fiction Noir: Ninefox Gambit by Yoon Ha Lee
I finished reading Ninefox Gambit by Yoon Ha Lee. I THINK I liked it...
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I don't ask what people think of my stories, because discipline. Reading: Terminus by Peter Clines
Peter Clines writes good books. And if you should happen to read some of my stories, I do like to know what people think, even if I never ask.
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Cues from rock and roll: Ragged Museum, by Oliver Blakemore
In which I express my impatience to share my collection of short stories with you.
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What mythology tells us about history, and I started to read Ninefox Gambit by Yoon Ha Lee
Tuesday is named after an old, old god. He was once the Sky Father. Now he is a multitude. Also, so far, Ninefox Gambit is a good book. We shall see if it continues to be.
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Characters in Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell are realistic because they aren't
Characters need to be consistently inconsistent, like real people, but they shouldn't be too much like real people. Characters from Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke examined.
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They called the cops on me today
Society isn't designed for shy people to thrive.
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Learning about protagonists and antagonists from The Fugitive (1993)
Make your heroes smart by making your villains competent.
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David Bowie and a story about judging books by the cover - Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell
Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norell by Susanna Clarke is a book I once judged by the cover. It turned out pretty well.
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It's my first anniversary of getting laid off. I am celebrating it by publishing my book.
Self-employment is an interesting world. I am a professional writer. It's pretty sweet. Check out my book on Amazon: Ragged Museum by Oliver Blakemore.
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Blade Runner and Philip K. Dick: A story about getting excited about your work
I talk about being glad to be understood. The book is Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep by Philip K. Dick.
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Boredom is a survival mechanism and the state of my book today
Keep an eye out for my upcoming book of short stories, Ragged Museum by Oliver Blakemore.
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Vampire Novels, alternative history, and how Enjoying yourself is the new cool
The book I talk about in this is Anno Dracula by Kim Newman.
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Sympathetic Agent Clam: Sympathetic characters in Leviathan Wakes and The Anubis Gates
In which I talk about sympathy for characters in stories.
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How The Expanse Reminds Me to Appreciate Wisdom
What I like about The Expanse books, my dad's approach to new technology, and why those of us who like the idea of space travel should take comfort in human nature.
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The one about genre distinctions that definitely has no subtext of commentary about stereotyping
I think it's time to find tools for genre distinctions that are less prescriptive and more responsive.
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The Soviet Experiment Failed because it wasn't Greasy Enough
I want to start an institution that funds all the life expenses of creative types while they get their careers started.
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Haircuts and Why You Should Never Conduct a Land War in Asia
Build a relationship of trust with your hairdresser, and never make the same mistakes as Hitler.