Creator's Guild Podcast

With the summer Olympics in full swing, Jared and Chris decided that going for the Guild was the right move…The Springfield Writers' Guild that is…

There are lots of creative people out there and it's a rewarding experience to rub elbows with them and share in the creative works they produce.

The Guild members come from varied backgrounds and ages and enjoy different styles and genres of both reading and writing. On this episode some of those authors are introduced along with the works they've created.

Dive in with Jared and Chris as they discuss some of their experiences working with the SWG, and introduce you to some of the friends they've made along the way.

You've heard the phrase "Hold my beer", right?

Sometimes you have to put your crazy ideas into action and see what your creative skills can accomplish.

In this episode Jared and Chris talk about some crazy experiments they've done just for fun. You never know when something fun or cool will happen, even if it borders on dangerous or ridiculous.

You'll get to hear some singing, too!

But don't worry, no one puts a lampshade on their head. It's all good, clean fun in this episode as the discussion travels down some off-the-wall, creative pathways.

What creative "Hold my beer" moments have you had? Did they turn out the way you expected? Even if they didn't, do you have a good story? Great! Now go do some more creating and share those experiences with the world.

How do you come up with your stories and creative projects? Does it strike you like lightning with all the details suddenly embedded in your brain and your only task is to get everything on paper before the inspiration is gone? Or do you get little flashes of light, like the short burst of electricity in an electric fence, and you have to piece them together to build your creation over time?

Today Jared and Chris dive into a short story submitted for a writing competition and share how the idea came about. Dive in with them and enjoy listening to a riff session as they go through the possibilities of where this story could go.

Maybe this is your process. Or maybe this type of development is as strange to you as flight is to a hippo.

So, what is your process? How do you create? Do you share any of the processes that these two use to add depth to their world, develop new characters, and add potential pathways for their plot to twist down?

There are worlds out there to discover, if we can only find them in the depths of our own imaginations. Join Jared and Chris as they share a glimpse into what it's like in their minds as they try to uncover some of these worlds together.

What do you think of Dark Fantasy and Horror?

Art Breach is a Dark Fantasy and Horror reader and author. He joins Jared and Chris to talk about the differences in Fantasy and Dark Fantasy and why some authors delve into the darker side of story telling.

He has written some of his own stories and is in the process of creating more. So why does he write and read this darker side? And what is it in these sub-genres that might tickle your fancy and entice you to delve into new, and sometimes uncomfortable, worlds?

We all have dark curiosities, and thoughts that tickle the back of our conscious that we may shudder at sharing with the rest of the world. So how and why do some authors bring those ideas to the forefront and build their worlds around them? Art has some insights into those questions and how he, on a fundamental level, is trying to share a part of himself the best way he knows how.

Listen today as Chris, Jared, and Art explore the Speculative Fiction Genres of Dark Fantasy and Horror and try to pierce the clouds of stigma that surround these stories.

This is a special episode with guest author Timothy McGowen!

Timothy is a prolific writer with 4 series and 21 published books under his belt. Creating mostly in the world of LitRPG he builds worlds with magical systems that center around character development and adventuring.

In this episode Timothy shares the newest release, and the last book in his Order and Chaos series: Arcane Knight book 6.

Available in early August, Arcane Knight book 6 will conclude the adventure of Caldor. He has grown in power and has had the reponsibility of the world's fate thrust upon his shoulders. His skills have grown and now he will have to put them to the test as he battles with his fellow adventurers to defeat those who would thrust the world into chaos.

Join Chris and Jared as they discuss the worlds Timothy has created and introduce you to the genre that is LitRPG.

TREMENDICON!

After attending their first Con, Jared and Chris are here to talk about the experience.

Tremendicon is a creative Con focussed on Education, Inspiration, Encouragement, Collaboration, and Charity. Creators from all around the region met in Springfield, MO to connect and share their talents with the world.

This was a new experience for both Jared and Chris as neither had attended a Con before; neither as a vendor or a visitor. But new experiences are part of life, so they dove in and had a great time connecting with amazing creators.

Join them today as they read the next part of A Flight From Shadows before diving into a discussion about this new experience.

Jared and Chris are back again, this time with Jared's brother and sister-in-law.

Adam and Jackie have been involved in the creation of Duradim, the characters, and the plot from the very beginning. They've spent hours listening and reporting back as the story line progressed.

They drive up for a visit occasionally, and they've spent many of the seven-hour trips in deep discussion with the authors asking them questions and helping them work through issues.

While they like spoilers, you may not, so there aren't any spoilers in this episode. But Adam and Jackie LOVE the spoilers and enjoy being part of the process. They already know how much of the story will end; who will survive and who will not make it to the end. They also know which bad guys will get their comeuppance and what twists and turns lie ahead.

They even have parts of the world named after them! (Go get the book and check out the map and you'll see where.)

Join Jared and Chris as they discuss more of the world of Duradim, get Adam and Jackie's perspectives and consider what advice you would give if you were so integrally involved with an author and could help shape an entire world.

Jared Lovelady and Chris Howald return for another discussion, this time joined by Chris's brother, Caleb.

The writer's have gotten a lot of feedback on the book from Caleb, so if there are mistakes, they're likely Caleb's fault!

They discuss likes and dislikes and get into some of the skills Caleb has developed over the years, including his leatherwork. For those who have seen them, Caleb is the designer and creator of the leather and wood bookmarks that go along with the Chronicles of Duradim series. He's also working on leather book covers and perfecting the skill of binding.

In the future there will likely be some special edition books with hand-crafted covers made by Caleb.

Join Jared and Chris as they discuss more of the world of Duradim, get Caleb's thoughts on the endeavor, and talk about his creative projects. Be inspired by their projects, then go out and do some creating of your own!

Welcome back to the Creator's Guild featuring Christopher Howald and Jared Lovelady!

In this episode Chris and Jared discuss what they enjoy and struggle with when reading other authors and how they're learning to avoid some of those pitfalls in their own story telling. Even the most well-belove story tellers have ideas or tropes that some people don't enjoy. To each their own. But the good thing about creating your own story: you get to do what you want...

As creators, there are also the every day challenges that come along. If you're going to create, you're still going to have to make the time and work to accomplish your creative goals.

Join us as Christopher and Jared continue to expound on their creative journey and unveil the details of the world of Duradim. Enjoy their candor, and recognize that you, too, can be creative and bring things into the world that come from your heart.

Embark on a captivating exploration of the creative process with Christopher Howald and Jared Lovelady in this illuminating podcast episode. Delve into the genesis of their remarkable journey, from the inception of their first book to its evolution into a captivating trilogy. Through candid conversation, Howald and Lovelady unveil the pivotal role of financial support in transforming creative aspirations into tangible realities, offering indispensable advice for aspiring authors and creatives alike.

Join them as they peel back the layers of their writing process, revealing the unconventional tactics they employ to overcome creative hurdles. From retreating to their laptops to indulging in pool games and poolside relaxation, discover the diverse strategies they leverage to keep their creative juices flowing. Gain exclusive insights into their methods for maintaining focus amidst the chaos of creativity, and unlock the keys to unlocking your own artistic potential. Tune in now to glean inspiration and practical wisdom from the masters of literary alchemy. A Flight From Shadows: Chronicles of Duradim, Part 1: Ascension of a Queen, Volume I: https://shorturl.at/zI7jf