Keep Writing

Operation Bounce House is here to hold over fans of Dungeon Crawler Carl! Operation Bounce House: https://amzn.to/4s7IoD1 Gamer (2009): https://youtu.be/z88gktIxS-I This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit authorjamesaaron.substack.com

This book may surprise you. It isn't saying characters can't fight. It expands what it can mean to fight. Ertsgaard makes strong arguments for incorporating nonviolence into characters and story, using examples from across media. Discussion of character arcs, plots and world-building, with exercise throughout to test the ideas yourself. I found it an excellent source of ideas on subverting reader expectations. Mentioned: A Writer's Guide to Peace: https://amzn.to/4017irz Nonviolence and the Hero's Duel: https://www.sfwa.org/2021/06/29/nonviolence-and-the-heros-duel/ Solarpunk and Peace Poetics: https://www.peacejusticestudies.org/chronicle/solarpunk-and-peace-poetics/ Carl's Doomsday Scenario by Matt Dinniman: https://amzn.to/4akQS2k The Weight of Light: A Collection of Solar Punk Futures: https://csi.asu.edu/books/weight/ Fantasy Scroll Magazine: https://iulianionescu.com/fantasy-scroll-magazine/ __ Follow me on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4nfbmxK This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit authorjamesaaron.substack.com

Author journal, challenges, and I got accepted into an MFA program. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit authorjamesaaron.substack.com

Matt Dinniman's Dungeon Crawler Carl is one of the best first books in a series I've read in a while. Let's explore all the elements that make this book work so well. Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman: https://amzn.to/3M4rLIR Humankind: A Hopeful History by Rutger Bregman - https://amzn.to/4r8J9uW This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit authorjamesaaron.substack.com

I found Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne much more interesting than I expected. I talk about what I think science fiction writers can learn from this early "hard science fiction" and what probably doesn't work for modern readers. William Butcher Translation: https://amzn.to/3NvilGy The Adventures of Lumen N: https://amzn.to/49Uggwx This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit authorjamesaaron.substack.com

Some quick thoughts on considerations about generative AI and writing groups, “vibe-writing” and other ways your group should be talking about these things now before something blows up. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit authorjamesaaron.substack.com

A starting point for what I plan to get done in 2026. 4 Novels: Grimm's War 2: Advance By Fire Grimm's War 3: ? Lyssa's Betrayal ?? Libertycon Organizing all the stuff Spending none of the money Books mentioned: Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman https://amzn.to/4ppkZej This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit authorjamesaaron.substack.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit authorjamesaaron.substack.com

Obstacles and Obstacles and AI didn't write this. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit authorjamesaaron.substack.com

Journal for 12-16-25. Changing my plan for short stories this year, how I'm outlining for Advance by Fire, thoughts on Kindle "Ask This Book" feature, and what I've been reading. What's then Kindle Ask This Book feature? https://www.makeuseof.com/controversial-new-ai-feature-launches-kindle/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit authorjamesaaron.substack.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit authorjamesaaron.substack.com

Journal for 12-1-25 - Updates on writing during Thanksgiving break, One Page Rules Gaming, why I didn't buy the LEGO Star Trek Enterprise and other stuff writers spend money on, mapping out short story submissions for 2026, writing with two docs open and switching between them when I hit a block, and dang there isn't enough time for anything. Link to the "I hate being a writer" video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R2e_onxA014 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit authorjamesaaron.substack.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit authorjamesaaron.substack.com

Review (minor spoilers) of the SF Thriller Four Minutes by Andrews and Wilson. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit authorjamesaaron.substack.com

Checking on writing progress, following ideas, sticking to fiction rather than news, SFWA Quasar Conference, and life events Could, Should, Might, Don't by Nick Foster: https://amzn.to/447RLJ3 There is No Anti-Memetics Division by QNTM: https://amzn.to/43VGImr Four Minutes by Andrews and Wilson: https://amzn.to/47WpGFK Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/writing-science-fiction-is-hard/id1851888896 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0yggOIm2Cc7MvZL4KNH95s Non-Commercial: https://pod.j6j.xyz/@authorjamesaaron Substack: https://authorjamesaaron.substack.com Follow me on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4nfbmxK This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit authorjamesaaron.substack.com

Review (spoilers!) of Holy Fire by Bruce Sterling This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit authorjamesaaron.substack.com

Review (spoilers!) of Lexicon by Max Barry This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit authorjamesaaron.substack.com

How to find writers groups in 2025 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit authorjamesaaron.substack.com

A walkthrough on how I start from a prompt to writing a story. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit authorjamesaaron.substack.com

Review of Dust by Hugh Howey This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit authorjamesaaron.substack.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit authorjamesaaron.substack.com

A review of Shift by Hugh Howey This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit authorjamesaaron.substack.com

I talked about my struggles with being disciplined about creativity. These are the steps I take to make myself get stuff done. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit authorjamesaaron.substack.com

Some thoughts on what it means to be disciplined in creativity, and where we find motivation. Is it inside, or outside ourselves? Follow me on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4nfbmxK This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit authorjamesaaron.substack.com

Author Journal for October 27, 2025. Slightly behind on episodes as I get the podcast caught up with YouTube. You can find more up to date episodes at https://www.youtube.com/@authorjamesaaron This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit authorjamesaaron.substack.com

I just attended OryCon 45 in Portland Oregon, the last event of the long-running PNW science fiction convention. Why is OryCon ending? As a creator, if you aren't on any panels, should you volunteer with a convention? Check out my work: https://jamesaaron.net/books This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit authorjamesaaron.substack.com