D.C. and Avery discuss their techniques and processes when creating new characters.

Mentioned:

• Character Development Worksheet

We chat with author K.D. Edwards about his book series, The Tarot Sequence. We also discuss how to approach writing fight scenes, what it's like to write a clairvoyant character, hybrid publishing, his relationship with his readers, and more!

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• K.D. Edwards Website

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Infuse blanco tequila with butterfly pea flower (soak dried flowers in jar of tequila, let infuse for 10-30 min until color shifts to deep blue, then strain out flowers with a fine mesh strainer or coffee filter)

• 2oz infused blue blanco tequila

1. Pour into bottom of glass. 

• 1oz lime juice

1. Combine all in shaker with ice

• 2oz Rye Whiskey

1. Pour all ingredients into mixing glass with ice cubes. 

• Splash of soda water

1. Add gin, lemon juice and syrup to a shaker.

What do you do when a side character tries to steal center stage? We discuss our thoughts and tricks.

Avery (now also Amy!) and D.C. discuss the conventions of the Young Adult and Adult age categories in books, and how best to age up or down in your writing voice and style.

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• Jade City, by Fonda Lee

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• 2 oz white whiskey

1. Shake all in a cocktail shaker with ice.

• 2 oz bourbon

1. Shake all in a cocktail shaker with ice.

Avery and D.C. discuss the importance of thinking about your story when you're not at the keyboard, and how daydreaming about your characters can keep you motivated and enrich your writing experience.

It's finally happened: a literary agent has asked to have a call with you after reading your manuscript! What now? We go over some of the questions to ask during The Call, as well as some of the things the agent may ask you.

Avery and D.C. get a bit salty about cliffhangers and open endings. When can they be advantageous, and when can they turn off readers?

In the first of our "Write It Better" interview episodes, we sit down with illustrator Matthew Spencer to discuss his experiences as a transgender man, the portrayal of trans characters in media, and ways writers can better incorporate trans characters into their work.

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Drink Pairing: Improved Grasshopper

• 1/2 oz creme de menthe

Shake really well with just a few ice cubes and strain into a chilled glass.

(Note: Absinthe addition taken from the Cocktail College podcast interview with Pam Wiznitzer.)

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Items mentioned in this episode:

• The Sleepless, by Victor Manibo

A conversation on how character goals shape your plot wanders into a discussion about writing characters who think differently than you, and why goals are important to your story.

Mentioned:

Books by Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi:

• Emotional Wound Thesaurus

Character Development Questions Worksheet

How do you name things in your novel, particularly in sci-fi and fantasy? We touch on some resources and share a little nerdy linguistics talk as we chat about how we name people, places, and things.

Mentioned in this episode:

Vulgar: A Fantasy Language Generator