Ep 7.09 - LIVE! Killing Your Darlings w/ TS Hottle

Killing characters can be a traumatic experience... but it can also be extremely liberating. Let's talk about it. https://www.tshottle.com https://jimwinterbooks.com/

Hosts: Josh Hayes, Scott Moon, C. Steven Manley Guest: Tom Hottle

00:00 Opening remarks

-Discord server is up! https://discord.com/invite/t96CVRD

-Keystroke Coffee is live! https://keystrokemedium.com/product/keystroke-coffee/

-Use Plottr! https://plottr.com?ref=190

03:30 Weekly update— Turn Off Your Squiggles Edition

Chuck: Working on Jack Darque #3, working on space fantasy series, family stuff galore!

Scott: Sold hit house! Moving into an apartment in April, writing everywhere. Flying through Reaper #14. Enjoying the launch of Reaper #13. Trying to retire and dealing with the advice on ‘fallback’ for writing.

Tom: Finished the Suicide arc and reworking the ending. Enjoying Pro Writing Aid for older works.

Josh: Finished reading Peter F. Hamilton’s Salvation Lost. Loves Hamilton’s space opera writing. Has some similarity to Hyperion in structure. Working on Tranquility #3. About halfway through Weaponized #1. Working on the flash fiction and the next contest.

25:05 Main Event— LIVE! Killing Your Darlings w/ TS Hottle

-Raising tension by character death. -Serving the plot vs. shock value.

-Character deaths that impact the main character. -Drawing emotion from the reader.

-Should you care about your reader’s feelings? -Killing characters the author likes.

-The offscreen ‘death’ where the character could come back at a later date. Warning: this can be done badly! Ex. Rise of Skywalker https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2527338/

-Character deaths raise the stakes. -Character deaths as obstacles. Ex. Dumbledore’s death in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0373889/

-Keeping scenes around even though they end up on the cutting room floor. Ex. Dresden Files latest novel Battleground https://amzn.to/34WDkML

-Infodumps vs. seeding information throughout a novel and setting up an ending.

-What’s important and what’s not? -Genre dictates detail. -Editors killing your darlings for you.

-‘Thou shalt not bore the reader’ -Ex. ‘Pope in the pool’ in Save the Cat by Blake Snyder https://amzn.to/3Jr4iLv -Aaron Sorkin’s tendency to do claustrophobic scenes where the characters are forced to only talk, which is all dialogue.

-G’Kar and Londo stuck in an elevator in Babylon 5 episode ‘Convictions’. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0517641/

-Major character deaths in Babylon 5.

-There’s a reboot! -Love for Seal Team. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6473344/

1:02:10 Closing remarks

***

Coffee and Concepts https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRuoHj6opw0

Keystroke Medium Live! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1qSwdjsN9Q

The Writer’s Journey https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydLaFFntB4Q

Storytelling https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYRzwuQeK9Q

***

Try out Rob McClellan’s Mod Farm for your website building needs. Use the link for a KSM discount! https://modfarmdesign.com/keystroke/

Become a Medium today! https://keystrokemedium.com/mediums/

Don't forget to Like and Subscribe and get involved with the mayhem and shenanigans in the live chat! http://www.youtube.com/c/keystrokemedium

If you have any thoughts or ideas for show topics or if you have authors you'd like to see on the show, let us know. Visit our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/KeystrokeMedium

For all the latest and greatest KSM Gear, check out our store at: https://keystrokemedium.com/ksm-store/

Also, subscribe to Sci Fi Explorations for the best discounted and free books we come across through our contacts: http://www.scifiexplorations.com

***

Keystroke Medium Anthologies

Kingdoms of Iron and Stone – https://amzn.to/2GjbE6I

Horizons Beyond – https://amzn.to/2SrJ6uX

Farthest Reach – https://amzn.to/2UZINeo

The Writing Dream – and How to Make it to Happily Ever After – Keystroke Medium’s first non-fiction book. https://amzn.to/2UZINeo

If you enjoy this podcast, please leave us a review and rate the show on iTunes, Podbean, Stitcher, or wherever else you found us! 

What’s Up, Writers? | TWJ Season 4, Ep. 1

The Writers Journey is back! Today we're shooting the breeze with the one and only Ellen Campbell. From editing shenanigans to what we've been up to and everything in between. Join us live!

Hosts: Lauren Moore, Kalene Williams Special Guest: Ellen Campbell

00:00 Opening remarks and introductions

-Discord server is up! https://discord.com/invite/t96CVRD

-Keystroke Coffee is live! https://keystrokemedium.com/product/keystroke-coffee/

-Use Plottr! https://plottr.com?ref=190

01:30 Weekly Updates -Lauren: Is now editing for Galaxy’s Edge.

-Kalene: Now editing for Aethon Books and gives some advice to editors.

-Ellen: Doing lots of work for Aethon and regular publishers. All things about dogs!

16:07 Main Event – What's Up, Writers? | TWJ Season 4, Ep. 1

-Tools to help you with editing. Ex. Ellen’s love of PerfectIt. https://intelligentediting.com  Pro Writing Aid is solid. https://prowritingaid.com/

-Kalene’s hate for blinking and pausing.

-Thoughts on Hemingway App. -Don’t worry about plot armor (or reviews).

-Sanderson’s huge Kickstarter! https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/dragonsteel/surprise-four-secret-novels-by-brandon-sanderson

-The thoughts of knowing who the author is or the publisher for readers.

-Are there still traditional publishers you trust?

-Building your brand as an author and connecting with fans.

-If you write it, they will come (with a little help in marketing).

-Kalene Reads! https://www.mcsweeneys.net/articles/an-excerpt-from-a-fantasy-novel-written-by-an-author-who-thinks-he-made-up-doors

-Ellen pontificates on stage direction and trivia!

-Focus on the story and character instead.

-Filter words are the difference between kissing your girlfriend and kissing your sister.

-Ellen’s author notes! -Dump filter words and stage direction and expose your voice and style!

1:02:30 Closing remarks

***

Coffee and Concepts https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRuoHj6opw0

Keystroke Medium Live! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1qSwdjsN9Q

The Writer’s Journey https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydLaFFntB4Q

Storytelling https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYRzwuQeK9Q

***

Try out Rob McClellan’s Mod Farm for your website building needs. Use the link for a KSM discount! https://modfarmdesign.com/keystroke/

Become a Medium today! https://keystrokemedium.com/mediums/

Don't forget to Like and Subscribe and get involved with the mayhem and shenanigans in the live chat! http://www.youtube.com/c/keystrokemedium

If you have any thoughts or ideas for show topics or if you have authors you'd like to see on the show, let us know. Visit our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/KeystrokeMedium

For all the latest and greatest KSM Gear, check out our store at: https://keystrokemedium.com/ksm-store/

Also, subscribe to Sci Fi Explorations for the best discounted and free books we come across through our contacts: http://www.scifiexplorations.com

***

Keystroke Medium Anthologies

Kingdoms of Iron and Stone – https://amzn.to/2GjbE6I

Horizons Beyond – https://amzn.to/2SrJ6uX

Farthest Reach – https://amzn.to/2UZINeo

The Writing Dream – and How to Make it to Happily Ever After – Keystroke Medium’s first non-fiction book. https://amzn.to/2UZINeo

If you enjoy this podcast, please leave us a review and rate the show on iTunes, Podbean, Stitcher, or wherever else you found us! 

Ep 7.08 - LIVE! Gaming and tie-ins w/ Mike Lafferty and Walt Robillard

Hosts: Josh Hayes Guest: Mike Lafferty, Walt Robillard

00:00 Opening remarks

-Discord server is up! https://discord.com/invite/t96CVRD

-Keystroke Coffee is live! https://keystrokemedium.com/product/keystroke-coffee/

-Use Plottr! https://plottr.com?ref=190

03:43 Weekly update— Caffeine and Hate Edition Walt: Lots of writing and preparation for the Forgotten Ruins Kickstarter.

Mike: Walking his great dane. Working on Blaster Bolts Zine.

Josh: Finished a short story for CKP anthology (surprise: over the wordcount). Lots of work on fantasy series and outlining the first book. Finishing Tranquility #3 and working on Weaponized. Ruminating on Reacher and MCU.

20:45 Main Event— LIVE! Gaming and tie-ins w/ Mike Lafferty and Walt Robillard

-Loving the new Zine. -Walt pitches his YA tie-in to his Hunter’s Moon trilogy.

-The Zine’s games are easy to play one-shot adventures. -Mike has a podcast problem.

-The ‘Eye of Terror’. -Perils of large dog walking.

https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/387282/Blaster-Bolts-1

https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/388590/Blaster-Bolts-2

https://www.facebook.com/faintinggoatgames

-Walt is wrapping up his submission to Galaxy’s Edge involving pararescue. Callsign Valkyrie.

-Josh also hosts the Baen Free Radio Hour https://www.baen.com/podcast

-Mike’s BAMF! Podcast https://mikelaff.podbean.com

-Thoughts on Sikhism and the military.

-Psyops and the Ghost of Kyiv https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/03/technology/ukraine-war-misinfo.html

57:00 Closing remarks

***

Coffee and Concepts https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRuoHj6opw0

Keystroke Medium Live! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1qSwdjsN9Q

The Writer’s Journey https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydLaFFntB4Q

Storytelling https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYRzwuQeK9Q

***

Try out Rob McClellan’s Mod Farm for your website building needs. Use the link for a KSM discount! https://modfarmdesign.com/keystroke/

Become a Medium today! https://keystrokemedium.com/mediums/

Don't forget to Like and Subscribe and get involved with the mayhem and shenanigans in the live chat! http://www.youtube.com/c/keystrokemedium

If you have any thoughts or ideas for show topics or if you have authors you'd like to see on the show, let us know. Visit our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/KeystrokeMedium

For all the latest and greatest KSM Gear, check out our store at: https://keystrokemedium.com/ksm-store/

Also, subscribe to Sci Fi Explorations for the best discounted and free books we come across through our contacts: http://www.scifiexplorations.com

If you enjoy this podcast, please leave us a review and rate the show on iTunes, Podbean, Stitcher, or wherever else you found us! 

Ep 7.07 - LIVE! Writing Full-time: A Plan with Kacey Ezell

The dream of many writers is to become full-time creators, but not every writer has a plan to get there. Today, we sit down with science fiction author Kacey Ezell to talk about her latest novel "Skies to Conquer" and uncover her path to becoming a full-time author.

https://amzn.to/3s5LoDq | https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYkx9WqJWJ6JZxj8QQP8jlg

Hosts: Josh Hayes, Scott Moon, C. Steven Manley; Guest: Kacey Ezell

00:00 Opening remarks

-Discord server is up! https://discord.com/invite/t96CVRD

-Keystroke Coffee is live! https://keystrokemedium.com/product/keystroke-coffee/

-Use Plottr! https://plottr.com?ref=190

05:40 Weekly update— Misophonic Edition

Scott: On the final final final FINAL Reaper #13 draft and started on the next novel Reaper #14. Kids are playing music. The snowpacalyse is over.

Chuck: Softball! Plugging away at Jack Darque #3 and working out a space fantasy. Thoughts on Book of Boba Fett and Reacher.

Kacey: Working on a sequel to Gunpowder and Embers, and launched a YouTube channel, began a new short story for an anthology. Starting a writing internship as part of her transition into retirement.

Josh: Writing a metric crap ton. Finished two short stories. Binging SEAL Team and working on his fantasy project. Tranquility #3 is almost done.

21:40 Sponsor Checkmate: Some Moves Are Fated by TS Hottle https://amzn.to/3s5LoDq

23:15 Main Event— LIVE!

Writing Full-time: A Plan with Kacey Ezell

-Kacey’s pitch for the final book in her trilogy, Skies to Conquer.

-Love for Flight of the Valkyries in Apocalypse Now.

-Harry Turtledove’s Guns of the South https://amzn.to/3M6hQ0v

-Empathizing with heroes and villains.

-How to turn an antagonist into a protagonist—how do you make them likeable and sympathetic.

-“Murder sprees are fine as long as it’s about you.”

-Kacey’s transition to her post-career, changing from full-time pilot/part-time writer into a full-time writer/part-time pilot.

-Primary focus is output and trying to build a community of readers (much like KSM!)

-Kacey Ezell pitches for Sara Cannon and her Heartbreathings YouTube series.

-Indie writers connect with readers beyond the book.

-Documenting the transition to being full-time. -The original name of KSM.

-Projects in the works! -Building dual brands in scifi and romance, possibly!

1:06:00 Closing remarks

***

Coffee and Concepts https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRuoHj6opw0

Keystroke Medium Live! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1qSwdjsN9Q

The Writer’s Journey https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydLaFFntB4Q

Storytelling https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYRzwuQeK9Q

***

Try out Rob McClellan’s Mod Farm for your website building needs. Use the link for a KSM discount! https://modfarmdesign.com/keystroke/

Become a Medium today! https://keystrokemedium.com/mediums/

Don't forget to Like and Subscribe and get involved with the mayhem and shenanigans in the live chat! http://www.youtube.com/c/keystrokemedium

If you have any thoughts or ideas for show topics or if you have authors you'd like to see on the show, let us know. Visit our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/KeystrokeMedium

For all the latest and greatest KSM Gear, check out our store at: https://keystrokemedium.com/ksm-store/

Also, subscribe to Sci Fi Explorations for the best discounted and free books we come across through our contacts: http://www.scifiexplorations.com

If you enjoy this podcast, please leave us a review and rate the show on iTunes, Podbean, Stitcher, or wherever else you found us! 

Under the Iceberg | Episode 03 | Jonathan Yañez

Under the Iceberg, the podcast where we interview successful authors, looking at the challenges, setbacks, obstacles, and failures that it took for them to reach their level of success.

https://www.jonathan-yanez.com  | https://www.wolfpackentertainment.co

Hosts: Dean Floyd, James S. Aaron Guests: Jonathan Yañez

00:00 Opening remarks and introductions

-Discord server is up! https://discord.com/invite/t96CVRD

-Keystroke Coffee is live! https://keystrokemedium.com/product/keystroke-coffee/

02:47 Main Event

-Jonathan’s writing journey, genres, and beginnings.

-Jonathan has a reading group called the wolfpack. https://www.facebook.com/groups/jonathansreadingwolves

-Early career failures. -Finding the right mix of writing and marketing.

-“It’s not over until you win.” -Collaboration as a way to learn and improve.

-How to get 1% better every time. -Don’t collaborate if you assume you’ll gain readership.

-Collaboration as a means of mentorship. -Failures outside of writing.

-Make yourself uncomfortable. -How many trunk novels Jonathan has.

-Finding your voice. https://killzoneblog.com/2013/12/how-to-put-boys-in-basement-to-work.html

-Pantsing or plotting. -Genre failures (milSF and the need for research).

-Writing long series for both profit and for readership. -Failure is not an option.

-Jonathan’s Theory of why stories are written. -Moving into writing for tv.

-Advice for his younger self—risk everything sooner! -Finding ways to be humble in order to grow.

-Jonathan’s many concussions.

-Jonathan makes his pitch for Infinity System pilot. https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/wolf-pack/infinity-system-a-space-western-saga

1:02:10 Closing remarks

***

Coffee and Concepts https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRuoHj6opw0

Keystroke Medium Live! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1qSwdjsN9Q

The Writer’s Journey https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydLaFFntB4Q

Storytelling https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYRzwuQeK9Q

***

Try out Rob McClellan’s Mod Farm for your website building needs. Use the link for a KSM discount! https://modfarmdesign.com/keystroke/

Become a Medium today! https://keystrokemedium.com/mediums/

Don't forget to Like and Subscribe and get involved with the mayhem and shenanigans in the live chat! http://www.youtube.com/c/keystrokemedium

If you have any thoughts or ideas for show topics or if you have authors you'd like to see on the show, let us know. Visit our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/KeystrokeMedium

For all the latest and greatest KSM Gear, check out our store at: https://keystrokemedium.com/ksm-store/

Also, subscribe to Sci Fi Explorations for the best discounted and free books we come across through our contacts: http://www.scifiexplorations.com

If you enjoy this podcast, please leave us a review and rate the show on iTunes, Podbean, Stitcher, or wherever else you found us! 

Coffee & Concepts - Ep. 74 - Hit the Button

Talking about grinders and dicata-taters... wait, is that a potato?

Ep 7.06 - LIVE! Writing Better POVs w/ Jaime Castle

As writers, we're always looking to improve our craft and up our game. When creating stories, some of the main things that authors talk a lot of time considering are story, characters, and setting, but one of the things that are often overlooked as a major part of craft is POV.

Jaime Castle aka Steve Beaulieu joins the LIVE! crew to talk about things you can do to improve your writing.

***

Coffee and Concepts https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRuoHj6opw0

Keystroke Medium Live! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1qSwdjsN9Q

The Writer’s Journey https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydLaFFntB4Q

Storytelling https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYRzwuQeK9Q

***

Try out Rob McClellan’s Mod Farm for your website building needs. Use the link for a KSM discount! https://modfarmdesign.com/keystroke/

Become a Medium today! https://keystrokemedium.com/mediums/

Don't forget to Like and Subscribe and get involved with the mayhem and shenanigans in the live chat! http://www.youtube.com/c/keystrokemedium

If you have any thoughts or ideas for show topics or if you have authors you'd like to see on the show, let us know. Visit our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/KeystrokeMedium

For all the latest and greatest KSM Gear, check out our store at: https://keystrokemedium.com/ksm-store/

Also, subscribe to Sci Fi Explorations for the best discounted and free books we come across through our contacts: http://www.scifiexplorations.com

If you enjoy this podcast, please leave us a review and rate the show on iTunes, Podbean, Stitcher, or wherever else you found us! 

Marathon Author 50 - One Stars vs Five Stars

The 50th Episode!

What a long strange ride it's been. Thanks for hanging with me.

In this episode I talk about nearly finishing the Wheel of Time, and what's kept me with the long series even through the slow(er) parts, and what I think has made the series successful over time (aside from the fact that Tor Books sent a copy of Eye of the World to every bookstore in the U.S. when it was published.)

There are certainly people who dislike this series, and it has its quirks. I think ultimately the quirks, which amounts to the characters, are what keep readers onboard.

Ep. 7.05 - LIVE! Modern Military, Fantasy Worlds, Epic Storytelling

Josh and Scott chat with science fiction and fantasy author Peter Nealen about his new unique take on a fun genre.

***

Coffee and Concepts https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRuoHj6opw0

Keystroke Medium Live! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1qSwdjsN9Q

The Writer’s Journey https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydLaFFntB4Q

Storytelling https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYRzwuQeK9Q

***

Try out Rob McClellan’s Mod Farm for your website building needs. Use the link for a KSM discount! https://modfarmdesign.com/keystroke/

Become a Medium today! https://keystrokemedium.com/mediums/

Don't forget to Like and Subscribe and get involved with the mayhem and shenanigans in the live chat! http://www.youtube.com/c/keystrokemedium

If you have any thoughts or ideas for show topics or if you have authors you'd like to see on the show, let us know. Visit our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/KeystrokeMedium

For all the latest and greatest KSM Gear, check out our store at: https://keystrokemedium.com/ksm-store/

Also, subscribe to Sci Fi Explorations for the best discounted and free books we come across through our contacts: http://www.scifiexplorations.com

If you enjoy this podcast, please leave us a review and rate the show on iTunes, Podbean, Stitcher, or wherever else you found us! 

Under the Iceberg | Episode 02 | Rick Partlow

Under the Iceberg, the podcast where we interview successful authors, looking at the challenges, setbacks, obstacles, and failures that it took for them to reach their level of success.

***

Coffee and Concepts https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRuoHj6opw0

Keystroke Medium Live! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1qSwdjsN9Q

The Writer’s Journey https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydLaFFntB4Q

Storytelling https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYRzwuQeK9Q

***

Try out Rob McClellan’s Mod Farm for your website building needs. Use the link for a KSM discount! https://modfarmdesign.com/keystroke/

Become a Medium today! https://keystrokemedium.com/mediums/

Don't forget to Like and Subscribe and get involved with the mayhem and shenanigans in the live chat! http://www.youtube.com/c/keystrokemedium

If you have any thoughts or ideas for show topics or if you have authors you'd like to see on the show, let us know. Visit our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/KeystrokeMedium

For all the latest and greatest KSM Gear, check out our store at: https://keystrokemedium.com/ksm-store/

Also, subscribe to Sci Fi Explorations for the best discounted and free books we come across through our contacts: http://www.scifiexplorations.com

If you enjoy this podcast, please leave us a review and rate the show on iTunes, Podbean, Stitcher, or wherever else you found us!