Have you ever thought about writing an autobiography?

If you have, would it include dragons, or magic, or maybe even murder?

If you're writing a story, whether it be high fantasy, or cozy mystery, perhaps your autobiography is being written through the eyes and experiences of your characters.

Join Jared and Chris as they discuss how much we, as writers, interject pieces of ourselves into the stories we tell.

HEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEYYYYYY KIIIIIDS!!!!!

If you love dragons, and you love picture books, and you love fire, then author Lynn Combs has a book coming out that is right up your alley. Lynn Combs is a fantasy author who wants to share her love of dragons and all things fantasy with up-and-coming readers.

Join Jared and Chris as they discuss the new children's book "Duncan the Dragon finds his Fire" coming out on February 13th.

What does it take to create engaging characters?

Are there any methods or metrics you can measure against to determine just how engaging your characters really are?

The answer is: yes! And Liz Verity is here to tell us how to use some helpful devices to create characters that readers will love, or love to hate!

Join Jared and Chris as they take some of their characters through Liz's exercise to determine whether their characters measure up!

Adam and Jackie are back in town!

Actually, Jared and Chris are out of town and recording from a hotel.

Whatever! It's another episode with Adam and Jackie reviewing all the things in book one. Dive in for another discussion with Jared and Chris as they discuss book one and look ahead to book two and many more to come.

We have reached the end!

Not of the story, but of book one and 2024.

Join Jared and Chris for the last episode of the year as they wrap up A Flight From Shadows and look forward to plans in 2025. Thank you for riding along thus far.

Have a very merry Christmas and a happy new year!

What flavor stories do you like?

What seasonings do you prefer? Do you like subtle hints of things to come? Or do you prefer to be overwhelmed by wave after wave of new and exotic flavors?

Do you fall in the savory or sweet camp, enjoying rich undertones, or is your pallet more attuned to honeyed, sugary treats?

Yes, we're still talking about writing. But authors dabble in different flavors, telling tales as varied as there are recipes.

So where do you fall, and what is it that you enjoy most-what flavor will draw you in and take hold of you so that you yearn for more?

Join Jared and Chris as they discuss what they love most about the stories upon which they choose to feast.

Were all the animals on Noah's Arc real characters? If so, would that be considered the biggest character arc ever?

Food for thought...

Liz Verity has some insights into how to make a good character arc and the challenges in writing them.

Join Jared and Chris as they sit down for another episode of Learning with Liz and do a deep dive into the creative process of making good characters.

Caleb is back and he agrees with Jared and Chris: there are some things in stories that just grind my gears!

Annoying characters.

Frustrating tropes.

Unrealistic processes.

Just some things that creators could avoid to make story telling better, right?

Well, maybe they don't grind your gears, but for some people, the little annoyances really impact the story.

Join Jared and Chris as they hash it out with Caleb on this all-over-the-place episode.