Why should your characters suffer? D.C. and Avery discuss how your characters' suffering translates in different genres, how it can add tension, and various ways to torment your characters.

"As you know, this is a podcast." In this episode, D.C. and Avery discuss "as you know, Bob" conversations in your writing. Do your characters over-explain things to one another for the reader's benefit? We chat about our thoughts on the matter and our best tips for avoiding the dreaded "as you know" dialogue.

D.C. and Avery discuss chapters! How long is our "ideal" chapter, how do we decide where to place chapter breaks, and our thoughts on books that disdain chapters entirely.

One of the most common maladies to strike writers: the dreaded Impostor Syndrome. We discuss what it is, how it affects us, and our best tips to combat it.

• What is the thing you're worried about?
  

Can't find any critique groups to join? In this episode, we discuss ways to start your own and some best practices for running one.

• NaNoWriMo Forum

In one of our most unhinged episodes, Avery and D.C. sit down with author Bendi Barrett to discuss pen names, writing interactive fiction, the utter satisfaction of tearing dot matrix paper, and the best chapstick flavor.

Find out more about Bendi and his work here, or follow him on Twitter.

Other items mentioned:

• Bar Cart Bookshelf on Twitter

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Drink Recipes:

The Feast

• 6-7 dark sweet cherries (frozen are ok)

1. Muddle cherries in a shaker. 

The Rapacious

• 1 oz blackstrap rum

Add all ingredients to your shaker, then ice. Shake for 10-15 seconds, until chilled. Strain into a stemmed cocktail glass and garnish with a sprinkle of nutmeg.

With a lot of writers currently migrating to Instagram from the bird site, we share some of our best tips and tricks for navigating and maximizing Instagram as an author.

Avery and guest host Emily chat with agent Chelsea Hensley of KT Literary. We discuss the ongoing HarperCollins Union strike, our beefs against the Game of Thrones TV show, and the realities of the query trenches from the other side.

More information about Chelsea and how to query her can be found here.

Emily's Percy Jackson podcast, Monster Donut, can be found here.

Avery and D.C. discuss how to embrace and celebrate your work's genre instead of fighting it, as well as finding your niche and your audience.

D.C. and Avery discuss the ins and outs of hiring artists for cover art, swag, or children's book illustration. In this episode, they dissect both the business and the creative side of the commissioning process.

Mentioned in this Episode:

• Papyrus Skit from Saturday Night Live

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Drink Pairing: Absinthe

• 1oz absinthe, 

1. Absinthe in bottom of glass