This week in the Cold, we're talking about the small villains in the stories we live and love. The casual evil-doers who might just be passing through, but leave an indelible impression on us, a disproportionate one perhaps.

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This week in the Cold, we're talking about beauty and many ways a writer may deploy it and a reader may experience it. From The Maltese Falcon to The Little Mermaid, beauty twists our guts as it entertains us, draws us close, and yes, nourishes our soul.

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This week in the Cold, we explore the roots of family lore as we salute mothers, Mother's Day, and the enchanting, soul nourishing, and formidable process of raising humans.

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This week in the Cold, we talk about names, monikers, and aliases; why they matter and what they mean in both our lives and our character's journeys!

This week in the Cold, we're going deep on war. Whether it's the focus or merely the backdrop of a story, war is riveting and writing about it presents unique challenges.

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This week in the Cold, we're talking family lore and about the difference between happiness and meaning and how the two are interwoven in our lives.

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This week in the Cold, we're celebrating the old fashioned cocktail hour. What we're really paying tribute to, however, is not the drink - you can have a mocktail, a bowl of fries, anything that tickles your fancy - it's a designated hour to connect, tell stories, laugh...be a family or community.

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This week in the Cold, we're talking about how to create a character you'd fall on your sword for, rip off your clothes for and beg them to take you, and want as your very best friend in the world. The kind of character who aspires to greatness and stays with you long after you read THE END.

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This week in the Cold, the title of the episode says it all. I've got ten really great reasons why men need to start reading fiction again. And I've got a link to a long list of great, high T novels for the guys out there to get started on.

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This week in the Cold, we talk about the necessity of high stakes in a story. How scenes of love and passion must mirror ones of violence and conflict in intensity and yes, sensuality, or else the story feels out of balance, and we shortchange the reader.

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