Prose and Cons

And like Christmas, it's finally here! The long-awaited Precipice Listener Questions episode, where we huddle around the ol' Precipice mailbag and draw out your letters, answering questions on writing, editing, publishing, collaboration and more.  We had so many that we've decided to make this a two-parter, so stay tuned for Mail Time pt. 2!

Got a question you'd like to send us? Shoot it through via the contact link below, and let us know if you'd be ok with us reading it out on the next mailbag ep! (Be sure to let us know if you're ok with us using your real name, or give us a fun pseudonym to use instead.)

Send us a message!

Contact us at: precipicefiction.com/contact/

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This is Prose & Cons - a podcast for emerging writers, by emerging writers. Because sometimes we feel like pros, and sometimes we feel like cons.

Brought to you by Precipice Fiction. Six Writers. Six Worlds. Alexandria Burnham, Paddy Boylan, Alex Eldridge, Matan Elul, Phoenix Raig and James Healy.

The New Mythic: A Sci-Fi & Fantasy Collection - Available now in ebook or paperback: mybook.to/TheNewMythic

• Website: precipicefiction.com
• YouTube: youtube.com/@PrecipiceFiction
• Instagram: instagram.com/precipicefiction/
• Twitter: twitter.com/PrecipiceFic
• Facebook: facebook.com/PrecipiceFiction

Netflix's live-action reimagining of the beloved series Avatar: The Last Airbender is fresh out of the stables, which leads us to the question: how well does the new version hold up? Today we examine this adaptation of a classic series: narrative, character, translation of setting, the nature and purpose of action scenes - nothing will go unexamined!

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Contact us at: precipicefiction.com/contact/

=============================================

This is Prose & Cons - a podcast for emerging writers, by emerging writers. Because sometimes we feel like pros, and sometimes we feel like cons.

Brought to you by Precipice Fiction. Six Writers. Six Worlds. Alexandria Burnham, Paddy Boylan, Alex Eldridge, Matan Elul, Phoenix Raig and James Healy.

The New Mythic: A Sci-Fi & Fantasy Collection - Available now in ebook or paperback: mybook.to/TheNewMythic

• Website: precipicefiction.com
• YouTube: youtube.com/@PrecipiceFiction
• Instagram: instagram.com/precipicefiction/
• Twitter: twitter.com/PrecipiceFic
• Facebook: facebook.com/PrecipiceFiction

And then James said, “I think that’s it.” And we all said our goodbyes.

But for this to make sense, let’s go back a bit, back to the beginning.

In this episode of Prose and Cons, James, Alex, and Phoenix talk about non-linear storytelling—stories where the end is the beginning or sometimes there are new beginnings that come in the middle.

They'll talk through numerous examples as well as touch on some traps to watch out for if you yourself are planning on telling a story this way.

If you want to look into some of the books and things talk about, they are as follows:

• Baccano! (I—Phoenix—spelled it very incorrectly during the episode) directed by Takahiro Omori and based on the light novel series by Ryohgo Narita
• The Terror by Dan Simmons
• Wolf in White Van by John Darnielle
• Swordfish directed by Dominic Sena
• Every Dead Thing by John Connolly
• Traced by Catherine Jinks
• Hyperion by Dan (the man) Simmons

STEPHEN KING REFERENCE COUNTER: 1 TODAY, 89 TOTAL

Send us a message!

Contact us at: precipicefiction.com/contact/

=============================================

This is Prose & Cons - a podcast for emerging writers, by emerging writers. Because sometimes we feel like pros, and sometimes we feel like cons.

Brought to you by Precipice Fiction. Six Writers. Six Worlds. Alexandria Burnham, Paddy Boylan, Alex Eldridge, Matan Elul, Phoenix Raig and James Healy.

The New Mythic: A Sci-Fi & Fantasy Collection - Available now in ebook or paperback: mybook.to/TheNewMythic

• Website: precipicefiction.com
• YouTube: youtube.com/@PrecipiceFiction
• Instagram: instagram.com/precipicefiction/
• Twitter: twitter.com/PrecipiceFic
• Facebook: facebook.com/PrecipiceFiction

This marks the 6th and final episode of our Absolute Prose run. This final highlight selection was made by – last but not least – Phoenix. Imposter syndrome is something that has plagued more or less everybody at some point in their lives in some form or another. If you've not felt it, that's fantastic – keep doing what you're doing. If you have felt it, you are far from alone. This is one of the things that a writing group, or community in general, can help a lot with.
Kick back and enjoy our little sharing circle. After all, sometimes we feel like pro(se), and sometimes we really do feel like cons.

Send us a message!

Contact us at: precipicefiction.com/contact/

=============================================

This is Prose & Cons - a podcast for emerging writers, by emerging writers. Because sometimes we feel like pros, and sometimes we feel like cons.

Brought to you by Precipice Fiction. Six Writers. Six Worlds. Alexandria Burnham, Paddy Boylan, Alex Eldridge, Matan Elul, Phoenix Raig and James Healy.

The New Mythic: A Sci-Fi & Fantasy Collection - Available now in ebook or paperback: mybook.to/TheNewMythic

• Website: precipicefiction.com
• YouTube: youtube.com/@PrecipiceFiction
• Instagram: instagram.com/precipicefiction/
• Twitter: twitter.com/PrecipiceFic
• Facebook: facebook.com/PrecipiceFiction

The Precipice crew -- and nearly a full house too -- get back to basics, talking about the specifics of how we use language to convey meaning in our work. I'm talking all the hits: metaphor, simile, alliteration, personification. How can you make the most of the basic building blocks of text to the greatest effect in your work? Stick around and you'll find out.

STEPHEN KING REFERENCE COUNTER: 5 TODAY, 88 TOTAL

Send us a message!

Contact us at: precipicefiction.com/contact/

=============================================

This is Prose & Cons - a podcast for emerging writers, by emerging writers. Because sometimes we feel like pros, and sometimes we feel like cons.

Brought to you by Precipice Fiction. Six Writers. Six Worlds. Alexandria Burnham, Paddy Boylan, Alex Eldridge, Matan Elul, Phoenix Raig and James Healy.

The New Mythic: A Sci-Fi & Fantasy Collection - Available now in ebook or paperback: mybook.to/TheNewMythic

• Website: precipicefiction.com
• YouTube: youtube.com/@PrecipiceFiction
• Instagram: instagram.com/precipicefiction/
• Twitter: twitter.com/PrecipiceFic
• Facebook: facebook.com/PrecipiceFiction

Here's we revisit an old episode where we take a look at some classics of writing advice and really break them down. If you're new to writing and just getting back some advice for the first time, it's a great place to start. Enjoy!

Send us a message!

Contact us at: precipicefiction.com/contact/

=============================================

This is Prose & Cons - a podcast for emerging writers, by emerging writers. Because sometimes we feel like pros, and sometimes we feel like cons.

Brought to you by Precipice Fiction. Six Writers. Six Worlds. Alexandria Burnham, Paddy Boylan, Alex Eldridge, Matan Elul, Phoenix Raig and James Healy.

The New Mythic: A Sci-Fi & Fantasy Collection - Available now in ebook or paperback: mybook.to/TheNewMythic

• Website: precipicefiction.com
• YouTube: youtube.com/@PrecipiceFiction
• Instagram: instagram.com/precipicefiction/
• Twitter: twitter.com/PrecipiceFic
• Facebook: facebook.com/PrecipiceFiction

Three authors walk into a podcast... BA DOOM TING!

That's right today we're talking about comedy and where to find it's beats. What makes something funny? Is it the straight man and the wildcard? Is it finding humour in the mundane? Is it simple contrast?

...Yes!

Send us a message!

Contact us at: precipicefiction.com/contact/

=============================================

This is Prose & Cons - a podcast for emerging writers, by emerging writers. Because sometimes we feel like pros, and sometimes we feel like cons.

Brought to you by Precipice Fiction. Six Writers. Six Worlds. Alexandria Burnham, Paddy Boylan, Alex Eldridge, Matan Elul, Phoenix Raig and James Healy.

The New Mythic: A Sci-Fi & Fantasy Collection - Available now in ebook or paperback: mybook.to/TheNewMythic

• Website: precipicefiction.com
• YouTube: youtube.com/@PrecipiceFiction
• Instagram: instagram.com/precipicefiction/
• Twitter: twitter.com/PrecipiceFic
• Facebook: facebook.com/PrecipiceFiction

Today's classic episode is our deep dive into all things VILLANOUS! A great villain is a wonderful thing, and some of the most classic, memorable characters in fiction have been baddies. But what makes a villain tick? What makes a villain effective as a character? And why did Alex think he could nominate a hotel as one of his picks in the Great Precipice Villain Draft? The answer is he can't; nominating a hotel is cheating.

Send us a message!

Contact us at: precipicefiction.com/contact/

=============================================

This is Prose & Cons - a podcast for emerging writers, by emerging writers. Because sometimes we feel like pros, and sometimes we feel like cons.

Brought to you by Precipice Fiction. Six Writers. Six Worlds. Alexandria Burnham, Paddy Boylan, Alex Eldridge, Matan Elul, Phoenix Raig and James Healy.

The New Mythic: A Sci-Fi & Fantasy Collection - Available now in ebook or paperback: mybook.to/TheNewMythic

• Website: precipicefiction.com
• YouTube: youtube.com/@PrecipiceFiction
• Instagram: instagram.com/precipicefiction/
• Twitter: twitter.com/PrecipiceFic
• Facebook: facebook.com/PrecipiceFiction

Ever written a story that feels flat? Or maybe doesn't quite feel like it's going anywhere?  Ever struggled with a story's end or big climax? Today on the pod we have a pair of excellent techniques to help you build tension, work towards the climax, and keep your story moving in an exciting direction.

Special thanks to Chuck Palahniuk for the inspiration for this episode. Check out his blog at https://chuckpalahniuk.substack.com/

STEPHEN KING REFERENCE COUNTER: 1 TODAY, 83 TOTAL

Send us a message!

Contact us at: precipicefiction.com/contact/

=============================================

This is Prose & Cons - a podcast for emerging writers, by emerging writers. Because sometimes we feel like pros, and sometimes we feel like cons.

Brought to you by Precipice Fiction. Six Writers. Six Worlds. Alexandria Burnham, Paddy Boylan, Alex Eldridge, Matan Elul, Phoenix Raig and James Healy.

The New Mythic: A Sci-Fi & Fantasy Collection - Available now in ebook or paperback: mybook.to/TheNewMythic

• Website: precipicefiction.com
• YouTube: youtube.com/@PrecipiceFiction
• Instagram: instagram.com/precipicefiction/
• Twitter: twitter.com/PrecipiceFic
• Facebook: facebook.com/PrecipiceFiction

This is a rerun of Ally Burnham's fascinating look into what makes the creative mind tick and how to give it a bit of a kickstart if you're feeling stuck. This was a popular episode among the Precipice crew so if you haven't heard it, it's worth a listen!

Send us a message!

Contact us at: precipicefiction.com/contact/

=============================================

This is Prose & Cons - a podcast for emerging writers, by emerging writers. Because sometimes we feel like pros, and sometimes we feel like cons.

Brought to you by Precipice Fiction. Six Writers. Six Worlds. Alexandria Burnham, Paddy Boylan, Alex Eldridge, Matan Elul, Phoenix Raig and James Healy.

The New Mythic: A Sci-Fi & Fantasy Collection - Available now in ebook or paperback: mybook.to/TheNewMythic

• Website: precipicefiction.com
• YouTube: youtube.com/@PrecipiceFiction
• Instagram: instagram.com/precipicefiction/
• Twitter: twitter.com/PrecipiceFic
• Facebook: facebook.com/PrecipiceFiction