Author interviews, discussing reading, writing, and everything in between.
We're almost to the new year and that means a lot of us are going to be making resolutions about our writing. Let's get an early start and talk about how we can give ourselves the best shot at succeeding in 2022!
Today on the Writer's Journey, we've got Evan Gow of StoryOrigin! A metaphorical one-stop author shop for self-publishers. Through StoryOrigin, you can organize your publishing biz, from gathering beta reader feedback to organizing newsletters and newsletter swaps, to sending out group promos and reader magnets, and tracking your word count on your next project--everything’s right at your fingertips. There's so much to dig into, and we’re going to ask StoryOrigin’s developer all about it, right here, live!
Hosts: Lauren Moore, Kalene Williams Special Guests: Evan Gow
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
Lauren: Working on a developmental editing project. Evan: Mostly on vacation this week! Learning to fly kites with his child.
Kalene: Editing, editing, editing. Working on a murky middle with a client.
03:06 Main Event – Doing All the Things | Evan Gow, Story Origin
-How StoryOrigin got started. -Evan demos StoryOrigin.
-How to newsletter swap. -Use of the group promo pages. -Linkages to newsletter integrations.
-Do you need a website to use StoryOrigin?
26:10 Spotlight: The Book of Joe (Forgotten Ruin 5) by Jason Anspach and Nick Cole https://amzn.to/3G3p3L4
27:00 Main Event — Doing All the Things | Evan Gow, Story Origin, Continued!
-Evan demos some new features (word counter, betas…)
-The advantages of StoryOrigin.
55:30 Closing remarks
Today we're going to talk about Point-of-view and how you can use it to world build, show character, and much more.
Hosts: Josh Hayes, Scott Moon, C. Steven Manley Special: Rhett C. Bruno, Steve Beaulieu/Jaime
Castle 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
03:20 Weekly update—Promiscuous Collaborator Edition
Scott: Finished Reaper #12, working on a couple more projects, hasn’t worked for ten days…
Rhett: A lot of editing work. Last solo book was Vicarious. Nothing solo on the horizon.
Josh: Finished two chapters in Tranquility #3, one chapter in Weaponized #1, working on three more chapters in Tranquility #3 and an outline for a fantasy project.
-Thoughts on the live action Cowboy Bebop. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1267295/
-Comparisons with the anime. -Old fan vs. new fan drama.
-‘Bath, shower, bath’
14:45 Main Event— LIVE! Using POV to Give Your Story Depth
-How important the POV has an impact on the scene and the story vs. an observer of events.
-Learning about the plot through characters vs. learning about the characters themselves.
-You need a POV if you want a sympathetic villain.
-Rhett likes to write strict third person POV (that is, you only get what that character knows).
-First person and the difficulty of revealing plot information in first person.
-Additional limitations of first person in terms of the antagonists without a POV for them.
-Third person POV tends toward bloat.
-The Luna Missile Crisis started in first person but changed to third person POV in later drafts. https://amzn.to/3Eu9Q5f
-The third person/first person split in Rhett’s Vicarious https://amzn.to/3aqde4i
-The Marvel novels using a lot of third person POVs.
-The need for the POV has to have a point other than ‘bystander’.
-Jonathan Mayberry’s Joe Ledger series and the villain’s POV. https://amzn.to/3pmcjbG
-Genre dependency influence on POV. -Mainstream ‘spoonfeeding’. -‘As you know…’ in every tv show…
-Getting into the head of the character. -Dumping filter words.
-Transitioning a fight from a ‘white room’ to the room itself to ground the story and immersing the reader.
-The cleverness of Stephen King’s writing in The Dark Tower series. https://amzn.to/3EpZJP2
-Removing as much of the ‘I…’ in a story. -Vomit drafting without editing.
-Italicized inner dialogue isn’t needed (per Steve); use sparingly if done.
-No swearing in prose, but in dialogue! And the contrary opinion.
-Removing swear to impact dialogue. -Made up swear words.
-Nanowrimo writing.
1:01:00 Closing remarks
***
Coffee and Concepts https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRuoHj6opw0
Writer’s Journey https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydLaFFntB4Q
Storytelling https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYRzwuQeK9Q 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
What makes for a glorious, rip-roaring tale and what deflates it like a wilting balloon? The Critical Drinker joins us from across The Pond to share his answers to all our burning questions. Hop on the show to chat and ask your questions too on Friday, 11 AM Eastern, LIVE on Keystroke Medium!
Hosts: Lauren Moore, Kalene Williams Special Guests: The Critical Drinker, Richard Fox
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
02:05 Main Event – The Critical Drinker Breaks Down Story Forces
-How the Critical Drinker got started.
-Looking back on his first novel through the lens of his YouTube series.
-The importance of imagination. -Writer’s Block is really forcing the characters to do something that’s against their nature.
-Plotting or pantsing? -Sound boards, yes or not?
-The Critical Drinker’s biggest inspiration.
-Inspirations for writing. -Writing without experience.
-Writing vs. critiquing movies: which is more fun? Quigley Down Under was enjoyable! https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0102744/
-The importance of the set up and payoff in overcoming issues with a story. Ex. The Karate Kid https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0087538/
Ex. Million Dollar Baby https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0405159/
-The advantage of inner monologue of a book over film.
26:20 Spotlight: Redemption: Ryan Drake, Book 1 by Will Jordan https://amzn.to/3E0QEfp
30:52 Main Event — The Critical Drinker Breaks Down Story Forces, Continued!
-Walt’s love of Amazon’s Vella. -Richard’s love for what’s happened to our villains.
-The creative freedom of writing vs. the studio engine (hint: do what services the story best)
-Taking criticism.
-Critical drinkers favorite critique: Why Ghostbusters 2016 FAILED – A scene comparison https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jsxa2tOWs6w
-Ability to subvert expectations when it’s done (hint: whatever you’re subverting has to be more enjoyable and interesting than what you’ve replaced)
-What bad movies does Drinker love? -Drinker recommends books…
-Elegance of simplicity takes work and finesse. -Thoughts on JK Rowling.
-The importance and success of the Hero’s Journey (vs. trying to follow money or to be too intellectual). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qY-GLeHS0Ik
-Ex. Christopher Nolan’s Tenet (too high-minded) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6723592/
-Ex. JJ Abrams’ Star Trek series (dumbed down for wide appeal) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0796366/
-The decline in quality translates to decline in box office returns over time as fans lose interest in poor storytelling/entertainment. -Drinker’s enjoyment of Jon Bernthal.
-Drinker’s thoughts on Ghostbusters: Afterlife https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4513678/
-The balance of fan service (just enough to make them happy but not too much to feel it lacks originality)
-Will Drinker watch Cowboy Bebop live action series? -Drinker’s preferred drink(s).
1:05:10 Closing remarks
***
Try out Rob McClellan’s Mod Farm for your website building needs. Use the link for a KSM discount! https://modfarmdesign.com/keystroke/
Coffee and Concepts https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRuoHj6opw0
Keystroke Medium Live! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1qSwdjsN9Q
Storytelling https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYRzwuQeK9Q
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!
Almost the entire KSM crew was in Las Vegas for the 20Booksto50k 2021 Writer's Conference, today we talk about take-aways, experiences, and why standing in bars is illegal.
Hosts: Josh Hayes, Scott Moon, C. Steven Manley
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
07:47 Weekly update—Hedge Maze Edition
Josh: Distracted by a story idea.
Chuck: Still working on Jack Dark #2…
10:25 Main Event— LIVE! 20BookstoVegas 2021 Recap Show
-Favorite things about the conference. -Talking to Larry Correia.
-Scott enjoyed the military scifi and space opera panels.
-Chuck’s surprise trip to 20Books.
-Chuck enjoyed Chris Fox’s marketing panel, Scott’s police procedural panel, and milSF panel.
-‘Hand farts’! -Military Ethos v. Militaristic in milSF.
-Baen books panel on sales for print v. ebooks and crossing the divide between ebook only readers and print only readers. -Thoughts on post-conference motivation.
-Readers follow series, not authors. -Patreon vs. Newsletters.
-The good thing about the conference is not having to keep Scott from signing up for everything.
-The KSM podcast panel. -Getting energized by being at the conference with other writers.
-Thoughts on the venue (Bally’s) -Getting kicked out of a standing bar.
-Scott and mixed drinks and Josh’s hangover shuffle.
59:24 Closing remarks
***
Coffee and Concepts https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRuoHj6opw0
Writer’s Journey https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydLaFFntB4Q
Storytelling https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYRzwuQeK9Q
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!
The publishing world promises freedom of expression through your words. Honestly, the galaxy is the limit! But the whispers of what lurks down that long, dark tunnel to publication are truly the stuff of nightmares...
... The unfinished draft. Bleeding manuscripts after the Editor sank her claws into it. Wrong files being uploaded... and only discovered when the 1 stars start blazing in!
Today on the Writer's Journey, we're exploring that dark tunnel to uncover all the demons lurking ahead. With the help of Poppa Chuck Manley and Walt Robillard, horror stories of the author realm shall be revealed, live! Eeee-hahaha!
Hosts: Lauren Moore, Kalene Williams Special Guests: C. Steven Manley, Walt Robillard
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
04:05 Main Event – Author Horror Stories
-Fear of perfection with every scene, every line, every chapter.
-Chuck’s first book was a thriller novel/portal fantasy.
-‘Gifted Vomit’.
-Self-critiquing vs. writing.
-Mr. Brooks and his inner demon. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0780571/
-Advice: most people don’t care, so do what you love.
-Chuck reads some of his 1-star reviews. -The paralysis of too much advice.
-‘What doesn’t flow if you don’t turn on the faucet.’
-Writer’s Block! -Being a writer for the money vs. for the craft.
56:25 Spotlight: The Revenant: A Military Sci-Fi Series (Hunter's Moon Book 2) by Walt Robillard https://amzn.to/3BzuQ8t
58:20 Main Event — Author Horror Stories, Continued!
-Walt’s love of Amazon’s Vella.
1:07:40 Closing remarks
***
Try out Rob McClellan’s Mod Farm for your website building needs. Use the link for a KSM discount! https://modfarmdesign.com/keystroke/
Coffee and Concepts https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRuoHj6opw0
Keystroke Medium Live! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1qSwdjsN9Q
Storytelling https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYRzwuQeK9Q
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!
New show's every week, ish, unless we don't have one, then it's a new show every other week, unless we're sick, then it's a new show every few weeks, but we're really, really, really, going to have one today. Probably.
Hosts: Josh Hayes, Scott Moon, C. Steven Manley Special Guest: Steve Beaulieu/Jaime Castle
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
05:10 Weekly update—Don’t Drop the Toilet Seat Edition
Steve: Preparing to go to 20Booksto50k conference. Writing an epic fantasy novel with Andy Peloquin. Loves co-authoring. Adventures in Vegas last 20Books conference…
Chuck: Wrapping up Jack Dark #2. Promises Steve to finish! Outlined book 3!
Scott: Building a new house, writing a lot, wishing he had a beard comb.
Josh: Finally has a series titled Weaponized instead of Savage Stars/Sentinel. Writing. Had a Baen interview on The Romanov Rescue, a military procedural, watched the new Dune movie. https://amzn.to/3bpSFoH
29:28 Main Event— LIVE! Writing Roundtable - October 2021 - Dune 2021, podcasting, AND SCOTT'S BIRTHDAY
-Discussion on the new Dune movie. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1160419/
-Interpolation of story from immersion.
-Immersion as the opposite of the infodump.
-The importance of the medium for story (i.e. movie vs. novel)
-Technical issues with the movie.
-Missiles vs. bullets
-The Weirding Way in 1984 Dune vs the novel and current film.
-Atreyu vs. Atreides!
-The strange ending of part 1, though it was the same stopping point in the novel.
-The audio issues with the movie (soundtrack vs. dialogue).
-The demand for science fiction.
-The success of The Expanse https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3230854/
-Thoughts on Babylon 5 reboot.
-Podcasting thoughts and ideas.
-Aethon creating a game branch.
-Recent Aethon requests for military science fiction/space opera. -What does Aethon look at for the market.
-Looking at ‘stickiness’ and things that make a top-selling book sell outside of promotions and author writing.
-Write to market. -Balancing writing what you love vs. marketing.
-Submit to Aethon (put KSM in the subject line) https://aethonbooks.com/submissions/
1:08:20 Closing remarks
***
Try out Rob McClellan’s Mod Farm for your website building needs. Use the link for a KSM discount! https://modfarmdesign.com/keystroke/
Coffee and Concepts https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRuoHj6opw0
Keystroke Medium Live! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1qSwdjsN9Q
Storytelling https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYRzwuQeK9Q
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!
If you've ever managed to get your manuscript published by a traditional publisher, you've probably faced the harsh reality that many publishers aren't interested in editing your novel... and don't plan on it. So how do you get your book reader-ready? Keystroke's resident editors take a chapter from Scott Moon's book straight through the editing process--developmental, line, and copy--to demonstrate, once and for all, that editing is not dead.
Hosts: Lauren Moore, Kalene Williams Special Guests: 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
01:00 Main Event – Do Editors Still Edit?
-Discussion of how the publishing industry is pushing editing towards the author.
-Kalene’s developmental edit.
-At what point do you need to send back an ms for developmental edit instead of line/copy.
-Ellen’s line edit.
-When to use alliteration.
-Removing stage direction.
1:27:35 Closing remarks
Try out Rob McClellan’s Mod Farm for your website building needs. Use the link for a KSM discount! https://modfarmdesign.com/keystroke/
Coffee and Concepts https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRuoHj6opw0
Keystroke Medium Live! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1qSwdjsN9Q
Storytelling https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYRzwuQeK9Q
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!
Hot on the heels of episode 47, where I talk about why I decided to take a job, this episode is all about tools and methods you can use to get writing done while still grinding for the man (or lady).
//One MAJOR tool I neglected to mention during the recording is Chrome Remote Desktop (remotedesktop.google.com). If you're allowed to use Chrome at work, and VPN (remote connections) are allowed, this is a great tool to allow access to your home computer while away. You need to download a client to your home machine, but once it's running you can connect from just about anywhere.//
