Writing Alchemy Episode 12 Summary

In this romance-themed interlude episode, Yolanda Wallace reads from her contemporary lesbian romance 21 Questions, in which Kenya Davis meets bartender Simone Bailey for the first time. Then we delve into themes, representation, and inspiration in Yolanda’s writing.
21 Questions: Kenya Davis’s ability to find the perfect employee is unparalleled. Her ability to find the perfect mate? Not so much. After she takes a chance on speed dating, she finds herself with not one but two chances to find true love. But with her spotty romantic track record, how can she be sure which woman is Miss Right and which is only Miss Right Now?
Simone Bailey works as a bartender at one of the hottest nightclubs in South Beach, has more female attention than she knows what to do with, and spends her spare time following her musical ambitions. Then she meets Kenya Davis. After her initial attempt to charm her way into Kenya’s heart fails, she resolves to reach her ultimate destination one question at a time.
Story: 21 Questions by Mason Dixon (Yolanda Wallace) 
Guest: Writer Yolanda Wallace

Photograph of a large book taken from the side so that there is a clear view down the inside of the spine. The book is open and the center two pages have had their ends curled back into the middle so that together they form the shape of a heart.
 
Show Notes:
Today’s story
An excerpt from 21 Questions (this excerpt is available online): https://www.boldstrokesbooks.com/books/21-questions-by-mason-dixon-1889-b
Fay’s Links
You can become my patron on my Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/WritingAlchemy
The RSS feed of this podcast is: http://writingalchemy.net/feed/podcast
Yolanda’s Links
Mason Dixon books: https://www.boldstrokesbooks.com/books/searchresults?q=mason+dixon
Yolanda Wallace books: https://www.boldstrokesbooks.com/books/searchresults?q=yolanda+wallace
Blog post on the correlation between writing and music to be released November 22: https://boldstrokesbooksauthors

Episode 12 – Contemporary Lesbian Romance with Yolanda Wallace

Writing Alchemy is storytelling that centers intersectional characters, including a fairy tale series that combines humor and magic with serious topics, and a tabletop role-playing series about the adventures of disabled and mentally diverse heroes.

Arts

Literature

Performing Arts

Design

Food

Fashion & Beauty

Visual Arts

Comedy

Science Fiction

Books

Fiction

Improv

Awkward meetings abound as our heroes are drawn together. Gail writes an email. Vanessa is standoffish, but she really cares. Janus decides to not back down. And we are all certain that Gail’s shack is not a love shack.
Cast and Crew:

Game Master: Jordan Green (they/them)
Vanessa the Witch (she/her): played by Fay Onyx (ze/hir)
Janus the Ghoul (she/her): played by Tobi Hill-Meyer (she/her)
Gail the Ghost (she/her): played by William (Billie) Rain (ze/hir)
Audio Editing: Ryan Boelter (he/they)
Sound Design: Fay Onyx
Transcription: Nikki Yager (she/her), with help from Fay Onyx, using Otter.ai

Mid-roll Reminders:

Tee Public Store: https://www.teepublic.com/stores/writing-alchemy?ref_id=8162
Podcast Recommendation: Hit the Bricks

Content warnings are listed at the bottom of these show notes.
This illustration depicts three characters, each from a different genre of story, and each with a disability. On the left is a black gnome archer riding in a chariot pulled by a large brown dog. The chariot has a chair in it so that they can sit instead of stand. In the middle is a Latina woman manipulating a tech device on her wrist as she begins to go invisible. She is wearing an air filtering mask of the type that people with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity sometimes wear. On the right is a white muscular superhero wearing a very gay, blue superhero outfit. He has lightning crackling between his two hands, which are shaped atypically. This beautiful work of art was created the amazing Rose Adare!
 
TRANSCRIPT
For maximum accessibility, each transcript has four formats.

Online transcript: https://writingalchemy.net/2021/11/22/transcript-of-inside-the-first-responders-training-program-part-2/
Word doc with low-vision friendly font Veranda: Writing Alchemy E41 Transcript
Pdf with dyslexia friendly font OpenDyslexic3: Writing Alchemy E41 Transcript OpenDyslexic3
Low contrast blue on black pdf: Writing Alchemy E41 Transcript blue on black
Main transcripts page: https://writing-alchemy.net/podcast-2/transcripts/
Transcription by: Nikki Yager (she/her), with help from Fay Onyx, using Otter.ai

 
LINKS
Game System

Monsterhearts 2: https://buriedwithoutceremony.com/monsterhearts

Podcast Recommendation

Hit the Bricks: https://hitthebricks.com/

Support Writing Alchemy

Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/WritingAlchemy
Ko-fi donation: https://ko-fi.com/S6S4BFL0
Tee Public Store: https://www.teepublic.com/stores/writing-alchemy?ref_id=8162

Writing Alchemy Links

Website: https://writing-alchemy.net/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/@writing_alchemy
Contact Fay: https://writingalchemy.net/about/contact-form/
Podcast RSS feed: https://writing-alchemy.net/feed/podcast

Jordan’s Link

Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/jordonaut

Tobi’s Link

Website: https://tobihillmeyer.com/

William’s (Billie’s) Links

Website: http://www.billierain.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/billierain

Ryan’s Link

Twitter: https://twitter.com/lordneptune

Nikki’s Link

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/BeholdertoNoOne

 
MUSIC AND SOUND EFFECT CREDITS

Intro: Kickin’ in the Turbo (Alasdair Cooper) / CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
Game theme: Levels Of Greatness by Scott Holmes Music is licensed under a Attribution License
Light medieval music: Pippin the Hunchback (Kevin MacLeod) / CC BY 3.0
Humorous guitar music: My Lady Carey’s Dompe composed by Anonymous and played by Jon Sayles and available at http://www.jsayles.com/familypages/earlymusic.htm
Gail’s crush wonder music: The Forest and the Trees (Kevin MacLeod) / CC BY 3.0
Tinkly crush music: The Flight of the Lulu by Possimiste from Free Music Archive
Soft piano music: Touching Moments Two – Higher (Kevin MacLeod) / CC BY 3.0
Uplifting slow piano music: There Is Romance (Kevin MacLeod) / CC BY 3.0
Optimistic guitar music: Green Fields by Scott Holmes Music is licensed under a Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License
Mid-roll music: The Place Where I’ll Return To (Alasdair Cooper

Unfamiliar Heroes 22 – Inside the First Responders Training Program Part 2

Writing Alchemy Collaboration 4 Summary

A record shaped world, where music is magic, is under threat by evil corporations! These corporate villains are trying to control the magic and destroy musical freedom. Can our mixed-gender team of magical girl superheroes stop their plans in time?!
Cast and Crew:

Genre Moderator: Ryan Boelter (he/they).
Cyrus Wright/Cyberet (he/him): Played by Vincent MacElroy (they/them).
Rose/Phoenix Rose (she/her): Played by Fay Onyx (ze/hir).
Markus Martes (he/him)/Ghostwriter (she/her): Played by Liz (They/Them).
Carpenter (they/them): Played by Jonn (he/him).
Sound Cleanup, Dialogue Editing, Environmental Sound Design, and Scoring: Ryan Boelter.
Action Sound Design and Accessibility Consulting: Fay Onyx.
Transcription: Vincent MacElroy.

Content warnings are listed at the bottom of these show notes.
Stylized human figures in different colors are shown with a web of gray lines drawn between them, indicating connection and collaboration.
 
Collaboration 4 Transcript
For maximum accessibility, each transcript has four formats: an online post for access convenience, a word document with a low-vision friendly font (Veranda), a pdf with a dyslexia friendly font (OpenDyslexic3), and a low contrast blue on black pdf for people with migraines (Veranda).

Online transcript: https://writingalchemy.net/2021/10/09/transcript-of-collaboration-4/
Word doc: Writing Alchemy Collaboration 4 Transcript Complete
Pdf: Writing Alchemy Collaboration 4 Transcript in OpenDyslexic3
Blue on black: Writing Alchemy Collaboration 4 Transcript blue on black
Main transcripts page: https://writing-alchemy.net/podcast-2/transcripts/
Transcription by: Vincent MacElroy

 
Links

Game System: Chimera RPG by Ryan Boelter and Amr Ammourazz

Twitter: @ChimeraRPG (https://twitter.com/ChimeraRPG)
Website: https://chimera.games/
Purchase: https://play.chimera.games/

International Podcast Month

Website: http://internationalpodcastmonth.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/PodMonth
Hashtag: https://twitter.com/hashtag/PodMonth21
Transcripts: https://www.internationalpodcastmonth.com/transcripts

Ryan’s Links

Twitter: @lordneptune (https://twitter.com/lordneptune)
Website: https://lordneptune.com
Character Creation Cast – Co-Host and Producer

Twitter: @CreationCast (https://twitter.com/CreationCast)
Website: https://charactercreationcast.com/
Patreon: https://patreon.com/OneShotPodcast


A Horror Borealis – Sound Designer and Producer

Twitter: @AHorrorBorealis (https://twitter.com/AHorrorBorealis)
Website: https://oneshotpodcast.com/actual-play/a-horror-borealis/
Patreon: https://patreon.com/PaperBoatPods


The Broadswords – Dialogue Editor

Twitter: @TheBroadswords (https://twitter.com/TheBroadswords)
Website: https://thebroadswords.com/
Patreon: https://patreon.com/TheBroadswords



Vincent’s Links

Twitter: @VincentMacElroy (https://twitter.com/VincentMacElroy)
Heroes in Progress Podcast

Twitter: @H_i_P_Podcast (https://twitter.com/H_i_P_Podcast)
Website: https://www.heroesinprogresspodcast.com/
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/heroes-in-progress/id1479056853
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5NyuknwJosV9Pw1Ao31jTD
Youtube [CC]: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxRrs68pjBGZBA235q3JJww/featured
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/heroesinprogresspodcast



Fay’s Links

Twitter: @writing_alchemy (https://twitter.com/writing_alchemy)
Website: https://writing-alchemy.net/
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/WritingAlchemy

Liz’s Links

Twitter: @littoralchemist (https://twitter.com/littoralchemist)
October Jones & Fish with Legs

Twitter: @octoberandfish (https://twitter.com/octoberandfish)
Website: https://www.octoberandfish.ca/


Natural Toonie:

Web Links: https://linktr.ee/naturaltoonie



Jonn’s Links

Twitter: https://twitter.com/sleypy
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sleypy.art/
Redacted Files – Cast Member

Twitter: @trfpodcast (https://twitter.com/tr

Collaboration 4 – Chimera: Friendship Is Music

Writing Alchemy Unfamiliar Heroes 21 Summary

We return to the First Responder’s Training Program to catch up with Vanessa the Witch and Janus the Ghoul. In this sequel adventure, meet Gail the Ghost and follow the drama that swirls around the popular Chaz Drakon, as everyone prepares for another pivotal full moon ritual.
Game Master: Jordan Green (they/them)
Vanessa the Witch (she/her): played by Fay Onyx (ze/hir)
Janus the Ghoul (she/her): played by Tobi Hill-Meyer (she/her)
Gail the Ghost (she/her): played by Billie Rain (ze/hir)
Audio Editing: Kimberly Loftus (she/her)  
Sound Design: Fay Onyx
Transcription: Goblin (they/them), with help from Fay Onyx, using Otter.ai
Content warnings are listed at the bottom of these show notes.
This illustration depicts three characters, each from a different genre of story, and each with a disability. On the left is a black gnome archer riding in a chariot pulled by a large brown dog. The chariot has a chair in it so that they can sit instead of stand. In the middle is a Latina woman manipulating a tech device on her wrist as she begins to go invisible. She is wearing an air filtering mask of the type that people with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity sometimes wear. On the right is a white muscular superhero wearing a very gay, blue superhero outfit. He has lightning crackling between his two hands, which are shaped atypically. This beautiful work of art was created the amazing Rose Adare!
 
Transcript
For maximum accessibility, each transcript has four formats: an online post for access convenience, a word document with a low-vision friendly font (Veranda), a pdf with a dyslexia friendly font (OpenDyslexic3), and a low contrast blue on black pdf for people with migraines (Veranda).

Online transcript: https://writingalchemy.net/2021/09/03/transcript-of-inside-the-first-responders-training-program-part-1
Word doc: Writing Alchemy E40 Transcript
Pdf: Writing Alchemy E40 Transcript OpenDyslexic3
Blue on black: Writing Alchemy E40 Transcript blue on black
Main transcripts page: https://writing-alchemy.net/podcast-2/transcripts/
Transcription by: Goblin and Fay Onyx, with the help of Otter.ai

 
Show Notes
Game System
Monsterhearts 2: https://buriedwithoutceremony.com/monsterhearts
Recommendation
Kalila Stormfire’s Economical Magick Services: https://www.kalilastormfire.com/
Support Writing Alchemy
Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/WritingAlchemy
Ko-fi donation: https://ko-fi.com/S6S4BFL0
Tee Public Store: https://www.teepublic.com/stores/writing-alchemy?ref_id=8162
Writing Alchemy Links
Website: https://writing-alchemy.net/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/@writing_alchemy
Contact Fay: https://writingalchemy.net/about/contact-form/
Podcast RSS feed: https://writing-alchemy.net/feed/podcast
Jordan’s Link
Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/jordonaut
Johnny Tsunami: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johnny_Tsunami
Tobi’s Links
Website: https://tobihillmeyer.com/
Consenticle: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/metasynthie/consentacle-a-card-game-of-human-alien-intimacy
Billie’s Links
Website: http://www.billierain.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/billierain
Kimberly’s Links
Twitter: https://twitter.com/kimberloft/
Actor, Audiobook Narrator, and Crocheter: https://linktr.ee/Kimberloft
Goblin’s Links
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@trashgoblin69420
Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/goblinfroot
Music and Sound Credits
Intro: Kickin’ in the Turbo (Alasdair Cooper) / CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
Game theme: Levels Of Greatness by Scott Holmes Music is licensed under a Attribution License.
Vanessa’s meeting with Profesora de la Cruz: Anamalie (Kevin MacLeod) / CC BY 3.0
Chaz’s theme: Pyro Flow (Kevin MacLeod) / CC BY 3.0
Skateboard Sounds: Skateboard Indoor.wav by et_graham | License: Attribution Noncommercial
Mid-roll music: The Place Where I’ll Return To (Alasdair Cooper) / CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
The Hallway Collision was made up of the following four sounds:
Paper slap: Notebook_Drop_Concrete.aif by amszala

Unfamiliar Heroes 21 – Inside the First Responders Training Program Part 1

Writing Alchemy Bonus Cast 9 Summary

Today I’m sharing some tools I have been using that have been extremely helpful for dealing with anxiety. I’ll also be giving an update on what is going on for me, and I’ll wrap up by sharing some of the projects I’ve been working on.
The goal of this tool set is to help a person’s nervous system connect to the present moment. The way I understand it is that when people are upset, their mind is usually focusing on the past or the future. Helping the nervous system connect to the present helps it calm down. I find that these tools are helpful during stressful moments, but they can also can be used at other times to increase calm and relaxation. For example, I often use them to help myself get sleepy at bedtime.
Content warnings are listed at the bottom of these show notes.
Photograph of a silver and black desktop microphone sitting on a white surface with its black cord trailing off to the left.
 
Bonus Cast 9 Transcript
In order to make these transcripts as accessible as possible, each one is produced in four formats: as an online post for access convenience, in a word document with a low vision friendly font (Veranda), in a pdf with a dyslexia friendly font (OpenDyslexic), and a low contrast blue on black pdf as an access option for people with migraines (Veranda).

Online transcript: https://writingalchemy.net/2020/10/27/transcript-of-bonus-cast-9/
Word doc: Writing Alchemy BC9 transcript
Pdf: Coming soon!
Blue on black: Coming soon!
Main transcripts page: https://writing-alchemy.net/podcast-2/transcripts/
Transcribed by: Larcie and Fay Onyx with the help of Otter.ai

 
Show Notes
Anxiety Tools
Anxiety Tools Page: https://writingalchemy.net/resources/anxiety-tools/
Anxiety Tools – Orienting: https://writingalchemy.net/2020/08/31/anxiety-tools-orienting/
Support Writing Alchemy
You can become my patron on my Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/WritingAlchemy
Kofi donation: http://ko-fi.com/S6S4BFL0
TeePublic Store: https://www.teepublic.com/stores/writing-alchemy?ref_id=8162
Follow Writing Alchemy
Twitter: https://twitter.com/@writing_alchemy
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WritingAlchemy/
Website: https://writingalchemy.net
Writing Alchemy Mailing List: https://writingalchemy.net/mailing-list/
Hiring an Audio Editor in Early November
Details: https://twitter.com/writing_alchemy/status/1310567346122047488
Project Links
Decolonizing Games Resource List: https://writingalchemy.net/resources/decolonizing-games-resource-list/
Disability Q & A Series: https://writingalchemy.net/resources/writing-advice/
Magic Goes Awry Beta: https://writingalchemy.net/magic-goes-awry/
Premade Characters: https://writingalchemy.net/magic-goes-awry/premade-characters/
Jessica Kuczynski: http://www.jessicakuczynski.com/
Into the Research Garden Adventure: https://writingalchemy.net/crossroads-overview/into-the-research-garden/
Crossroads Plants: https://writingalchemy.net/crossroads-overview/crossroads-plants/
Contact Fay
Writing Alchemy Contact Form: https://writingalchemy.net/about/contact-form/
Music and Sound Credits
Intro: Mellowtron (Kevin MacLeod) / CC BY 3.0
Transition and outro: Poofy Reel (Kevin MacLeod) / CC BY 3.0
Content Warnings
Mental health struggles. Anxiety. Depression. Panic attacks. Harmful medical professional.
 The post Bonus Cast 9 – Anxiety Tools: Orienting first appeared on Oppression Aware Podcast, Fairy Tales, and Games.

Bonus Cast 9 – Anxiety Tools: Orienting

Writing Alchemy Collaboration 3 Summary

Bob the slime-person druid, Nikau the parrotfolk rogue, and Aery the animated statue athlete are part of a team of investigative journalists working for the Crossroads Observer. The Observer has obtained a sample that could finally expose the dirty dealings of the wealthy Steward Family. Their job is to get this sample to the expert Juniper Huckleberry. The only problem is that Juniper is an infamously reclusive gnome druid who lives in her research garden, which is full of dangerous magical plants.
Game Master: Fay Onyx (ze/hir)
Bob the Slime-person Druid (they/them): played by Mads Upton (they/them)
Nikau the Parrotfolk Rogue (he/him): played by Robin (they/them)
Arey the Living Statue Athlete (they them): played by Brandon (Rev) Wentz (he/him)
Audio Editing and Sound Design: Fay Onyx
Transcription of People Talking: Critshow Studios
Transcription of Music and Sound Effects: Larcie, Fay Onyx
Content warnings are listed at the bottom of these show notes.
Stylized human figures in different colors are shown with a web of gray lines drawn between them, indicating connection and collaboration.
 
Collaboration 3 Transcript
In order to make these transcripts as accessible as possible, each one is produced in four formats: as an online post for access convenience, in a word document with a low vision friendly font (Veranda), in a pdf with a dyslexia friendly font (OpenDyslexic), and a low contrast blue on black pdf as an access option for people with migraines (Veranda).

Online transcript: https://writingalchemy.net/2020/09/21/transcript-of-collaboration-3/
Word doc: Writing Alchemy Collaboration 3 Transcript
Pdf: Writing Alchemy Collaboration 3 Transcript in OpenDyslexic
Blue on black: Coming soon!
Main transcripts page: https://writing-alchemy.net/podcast-2/transcripts/
Transcribed by: Critshow Studios
Music and Sound Effect Descriptions by: Larcie

 
Show Notes
Game System
Magic Goes Awry: https://writingalchemy.net/magic-goes-awry/
Extras
Character sheets, plant descriptions, and other extras are here: https://writingalchemy.net/2020/09/09/into-the-research-garden-extras/
International Podcast Month Links
Website: http://internationalpodcastmonth.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/PodMonth
Hashtag: https://twitter.com/hashtag/PodMonth20
Transcripts: https://www.internationalpodcastmonth.com/transcripts
IPM episodes: https://internationalpodcastmonth.simplecast.com/episodes
Fay’s Links
Website: https://writingalchemy.net/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/@writing_alchemy
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WritingAlchemy/
Mads’ Links
Twitter: https://twitter.com/madsuptonogood
You can find their writing in:
Pastamancy & Other Accidental Magics: https://pastamancypod.wordpress.com/
Heroes of Another Kind: https://twitter.com/hoakpodcast
Robin’s Links
Twitter: https://twitter.com/lobster_writer
Not Joanna Eggs: https://animationstation.libsyn.com/
Tabletop Buffoonery: https://tabletopbuffoonery.libsyn.com/
Tabletop Buffoonery on twitter: https://twitter.com/tabletopbuffoon
Rev’s Links
Twitter: https://twitter.com/RevDeschain
The Critshow:
Website: https://thecritshowpodcast.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheCritshow
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheCritshow/
Music and Sound Effect Credits
Not Jonna Eggs teaser music: Don’t Hold my Breath by Ben Briggs
Critshow teaser music by Jake Pierle
Writing Alchemy teaser music: Mellowtron (Kevin MacLeod) / CC BY 3.0
Briefing in the Crossroads Observer office: Deadly Roulette (Kevin MacLeod) / CC BY 3.0
Slime sounds: Pumpmkin Guts Squish 4.aif by MWLANDI | License: Attribution
Wooden chair creaks: Wood Chair Creaking.wav by bmcken | License: Attribution
The briefing continues: Thief in the Night (Kevin MacLeod) / CC BY 3.0
Outside of Juniper’s garden: morning in the forest.WAV by inchadney | License: Attribution
Mild tension music for the Catapult Walnut: Ecstasy is not The Enemy by Jim Rooster is licensed under

Episode 12 – Contemporary Lesbian Romance with Yolanda Wallace

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