... And It’s Writing

Tropes sometimes have a bad reputation, but what are they really? Avery and D.C. discuss some common tropes and why they're often seen in a negative light, as well as ways you can subvert them or roll with them.

Writer Twitter can be a great place or a toxic place... Avery and D.C. discuss the pros and cons of sharing your writer journey online, how to decide if social media is right for you, and some cautionary tales.

In this episode, D.C. and Avery discuss Inciting Incidents and where to start your story. We also look at some examples from popular media to analyze the difference between the Inciting Incident and the point of no return.

So you've found a gaping plot hole in your book - what next? D.C. and Avery discuss their favorite brainstorming techniques and plot hole repair tips.

Nobody's perfect, and we all slip up now and then. Sometimes, this can take the form of being judgmental or overbearing with your fellow writer, especially someone who's newer to the craft or to publishing. In this episode, we chat about how sometimes we all need a moment to check ourselves and make sure we're showing empathy for our fellow writers.

D.C. and Avery discuss what it's like to try new writing process and experiment to find what works best for you. When is it worth branching out, and when is it worth sticking to what you know?

In this episode, D.C. and Avery talk about head-hopping and point-of-view breaks, as well as discussing how this relates to writing in omniscient point of view.

We share a few samples of published authors who use head-hopping in omniscient POV, as well as revising a bit of Avery's writing to eliminate POV breaks in a limited POV.

Books mentioned:

• Little Thieves, by Margaret Owen

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"Before" Excerpt:

“Are you actually going to talk to me,” I asked, “or are you going to be a baby about it?” It was pride that made Donovan behave this way, so his pride was where I prodded.

“I asked for a Sun Guardian,” he said, anger sparking in him. “If I am going to be forced to have a babysitter. Not a—”

“Not a what?” I asked flatly.

Donovan grimaced, suddenly reluctant to say out loud what he’d been thinking just a moment ago.

I continued. “Go ahead. Say it. I’ve heard it all before. But maybe first you should ask your brother why he hired me.” I pointed at Nicolai.

Embarrassment washed through Nicolai, but he covered it with a disarming smile. “Now, now,” he said, waving his hands in front of him. “Let’s not focus on me, shall we?”

"After" Excerpt:

“Are you actually going to talk to me,” I asked, “or are you going to be a baby about it?” Of course Donovan would behave this way, his fat pride and everything, so his pride was where I prodded.

His brow furrowed, and he blushed. “If I am going to be forced to have a babysitter, I’d like a Sun Guardian, not a—”

“Not a what?” I asked flatly.

Donovan grimaced, visibly biting his tongue. His ass noticeably clenched.

I continued. “Go ahead. Say it. I’ve heard it all before. But maybe first you should ask your brother why he hired me.” I pointed at Nicolai.

“Now, now,” Nicolai said, waving his hands in front of him. “Let’s not focus on me, shall we?”

They say "a bad agent is worse than no agent" but how can you avoid a bad agent? In this episode, D.C. and Avery discuss some red flags, as well as "yellow flags" that may indicate an otherwise great agent might not be the best fit for your personal career goals.

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Items mentioned:

• QueryTracker

As writers study craft, reading for enjoyment can often become more difficult. In this episode, D.C. and Avery discuss our differing approaches to this subject.

D.C. and Avery discuss the benefits of building regular writing habits and how they've both managed to work them into their schedules and lives.

• The Pomodoro Technique for productivity