The Tragic Flaw

EPISODE SUMMARY

On September 5th Kasie and Rex got back to craft discussion with this take on the tragic flaw. What is the Tragic Flaw? What qualifies? What doesn’t? How do you write one? Do you have to have one? Why or why not?

End of Summer Grab Bag

EPISODE SUMMARY

On August 28, 2020, we went back to the well of Twitter and the #WritingCommunity feed for a grab bag of questions.

Cancel Culture and Writers’ Work

EPISODE SUMMARY

On August 22, 2020, Kasie and Rex tip-toed up on Cancel Culture and its effect on writers’ work and careers.

The Moral Imperative

EPISODE SUMMARY

On August 16, 2020, Kasie and Rex took on the idea that writers have a moral imperative to portray socially acceptable behavior, norms, and rules.

Author Branding

EPISODE SUMMARY

On August 8, 2020, Kasie was on vacation so we aired this pre-recorded episode recorded on July 31.

Be Obvious About It

EPISODE SUMMARY

On July 25th, Kasie and Rex took on the topic of subtext. Here’s literally the show notes: Subtext: Don’t say what you mean. That’s too easy. Outline — Agenda — What is subtext? Why use subtext in a story or novel? How is it done?

What the actual … ?

EPISODE SUMMARY

On July 18, 2020, Kasie and Rex took on symbolism, or the intentional obscuring of meaning: Symbolism done right Symbolism gone wrong How and when to properly use symbolism

Publishing Options

EPISODE SUMMARY

On July 11, 2020, Kasie and Rex took on the three major categories of publishing: What are the publishing options out there? (definitions) What are the pros and cons of each? (examine) Which one should you choose? (evaluate).

You Know Less Than You Think You Do: The Dunning-Kruger Effect and Writers

EPISODE SUMMARY

On July 4, 2020, Kasie and Rex were in the studio to take on that most American of all traits: overestimating your own competence. Ever heard of the Dunning-Kruger effect? It’s a scientific theory (supported with research) that suggests the least competent people are the most likely to overestimate their own competence. Sound familiar? It means the people who know the least will believe they know the most.

Summer Reads and Other Good Advice

EPISODE SUMMARY

On June 27, 2020, Kasie went solo in the studio and talked about a hodge podge of things. The kids are out of school so the library and the school district give us their summer reading list to get them ready for the next grade, to close the gap in skills and keep them sort-of-studying. How many of your favorite books came off a summer reading list?

Episode 100!!! Romantic Subplots

EPISODE SUMMARY

On June 20th we celebrated our 100th episode by looking at romantic subplots in the “how to” and the “do or do not” kind of way. “It’s our 100th episode and I worked all week on “What should we do to celebrate?” So here it is: the results of our giving this a modicum of thought. God, I love the internet. There is literally EVERYTHING already done for you. And this topic is no exception.”

How to do Genre Research

EPISODE SUMMARY

On June 13, 2020, Kasie and Rex took on the topic of genre and why it matters. “If you want to be an author, you have to find your audience. And we mean beyond your friends and family who will support you because they love you, but not necessarily the story.”

Sidekick, Battle buddy, Best mate

EPISODE SUMMARY

On June 6, 2020, Kasie and Rex took on the topic of Sidekicks, bet friends, and battle buddies. “This week’s topic is The Lancer — the sidekick, the battle buddy, the best friend. They lead you astray, are a shoulder to cry on, and sometimes steal your girl. Looking at you, Lancelot.”

May Grab Bag

EPISODE SUMMARY

On May 30, 2020, Kasie and Rex went “grab bag” style and talked about a bunch of stuff.

Childish Copy Catting or Learning and Marketing Gold?

EPISODE SUMMARY

On May 16, 2020, Kasie and Rex discussed fanfiction (fanfic) and its impact and usefulness to the writing craft. “There’s a great line in When Harry Met Sally when, speaking of faking orgasms, Sally says, “Every man is sure it never happened to them but most women at one time or another have done it so you do the math.” FanFiction is kind of like faked orgasms. “

Great Beginnings

EPISODE SUMMARY

On May 9, 2020, Kasie and Rex revisited the topic “beginnings” from last summer’s Short Story Basics series. “So last week I complained about a terrible romance novel that had an inexplicable 500+ reviews with the average of 4.5 stars. Clearly paid for. This week I have another gag-reflex romance novel problem to address. This time it’s the beginning of the story.”

Reviews, Stars, & Thumbs Up

EPISODE SUMMARY

On May 2, 2020, Kasie and Rex took on the Amazon reviews debate. “I left my first 1 star review this week. I’m not proud. I did it because the book was just ridiculous. Not even sure it was long enough to be considered an entire book.”

This is the End (Not Really)

EPISODE SUMMARY

On April 25, 2020, Kasie and Rex talked endings. We may have thought this would be our last show. Then we got some patrons. So …

The Gritty Reboot

EPISODE SUMMARY

On April 18, 2020, Kasie and Rex took on the topic of reboots, specifically the gritty kind.

Love Triangles

EPISODE SUMMARY

On April 11, 2020, Kasie and Rex abandoned the COVID-19 talk for some indulgence in silliness. Weirdly, we picked one of the oldest topics in the history of storytelling: the Love Triangle.

Stories from Troubling Times

EPISODE SUMMARY

Continuing coverage of “these troubling times” and a good look at what stories are out there, can be trusted, and should be dismissed.

Dystopia IRL

EPISODE SUMMARY

Week 3 of quarantine and O.M.G. How long can this possibly last? Don’t ask.

The Conditions for Drama

EPISODE SUMMARY

On March 21, we took on the conditions for drama — assuming you were now living in them.

Cliché – Just Don’t

EPISODE SUMMARY

On March 7, we took on cliches. Back before COVID was a thing.

Epidemic, Pandemic, Outbreak – disease & disaster in literature

EPISODE SUMMARY

On March 14th Kasie and Rex decided to talk pandemic. As in literary representations of panic and disease….