Punch Keys

By Cass Kay and Poppy Minnix

Punch Keys gives writer support to keep you punching those keys. Cass Kay and Poppy Minnix talk about fiction novel writing over a glass of wine every Wednesday night. Uncork and join us!... more

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FAQs about Punch Keys:

How many episodes does Punch Keys have?

The podcast currently has 38 episodes available.

Punch Keys episodes:

April 18, 2022The Secret Layers of Editing Your Novel
This week, Cass and Poppy talk about how they tackle editing and how to find the best story hiding within your unedited words.
Links mentioned in this episode:
http://www.punchkeys.com
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58min
March 15, 2022What Are Genre Expectations?
This week, Poppy and Cass discuss what genre expectations are and how they can give insight on how to turn readers into mega fans. Come on, don't shudder at the word expectations. You got this!
Links mentioned in this episode:
http://www.punchkeys.com
...more
44min
February 22, 2022The Run Down on Series Writing
This week, Poppy and Cass break down series writing for fiction novelists. The different types, tips and tricks for keeping you consistent, and power to keep punching the keys!
Links mentioned in this episode:
https://blog.reedsy.com/how-to-write-a-series/
http://punchkeys.com
...more
49min
December 15, 2021Interview with YA Horror Romance Author Lauren Blackwood
This week, Poppy and Cass talk with Lauren Blackwood about her debut novel, Within These Wicked Walls. Her novel was selected for the Reese book club and is a NYT best seller. She discusses her novel, character building, and the music that inspires her characters.
Links mentioned in this episode:
http://www.punchkeys.com
https://www.laurenblackwood.com
https://www.instagram.com/laurenblackwoodwrites/
https://twitter.com/LJ_Blackwood
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/basic-pitches/id1540910625
https://www.manuscriptwishlist.com/
https://pitchwars.org/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QYNMTocU5KE
This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm
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46min
December 01, 2021Podcast Takeover! Imogen Keeper Interviews Romcom Author Poppy Minnix
You read that right. Podcast takeover! Steamy, romance, indie author Imogen Keeper interviews our very own Poppy Minnix about her newest release, Holiday Hotel.
Links mentioned in this episode:
http://www.punchkeys.com
https://poppyminnix.com
https://www.imogenkeeper.com
https://www.amazon.com/Holiday-Hotel-Simona-Island-Book-ebook/dp/B09JL64JRV/ref=sr_1_1?crid=V0WRZWEZ92RG&keywords=holiday+hotel+poppy+minnix&qid=1638335743&sprefix=holiday+hotel%2Caps%2C223&sr=8-1
This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm
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1h 7min
November 17, 2021Get the Scoop on Pen Names and Social Media
This week, Poppy and Cass discuss how to pick a pen name and then use it to step into the world of social media as an author. It's all about making friends. You've got this! Below are our podcast and author social media links if you want a buddy to cheer you on.
Twitter:
@punchkeys
@casskaywrites
@poppyminnix
Instagram:
@punch.keys
@poppyminnix
Links mentioned in this episode:
http://www.punchkeys.com
http://www.buildbookbuzz.com
https://kindlepreneur.com/social-media-for-writers/
This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm
...more
45min
November 10, 2021Interview With Indie Mystery Author Paul Bradley Carr
This week, Poppy and Cass interview Paul Bradly Carr on his recent release of 1414°, braving self-publishing, embracing the journey that's got him here, and everything in-between.
Books and Authors Mentioned in the Episode:
A Uterus Is a Feature, Not a Bug by Sarah Lacy
Haven't They Grown by Sophie Hannah
The Startup Wife by Tahmima Anam
Imposter Syndrom by Kathy Wang
The Moving Toyshop by Edmund Crispin
Agatha Christie
Ruth Wara
Links mentioned in this episode:
http://www.punchkeys.com
https://bookworm.fm/
https://www.ingramspark.com/
http://www.paulbradleycarr.com
Twitter handle: @paulbradleycarr
This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm
...more
1h 13min
November 02, 2021What to Do After Your First Draft
This week, Poppy and Cass discuss what to do with your completed, first-draft manuscript. And no, the answer is not query it. Take a deep breath. Let's talk about editing and what it entails beyond spellcheck and filter word searches.
As promised in the episode, here are Cass and Poppy's individual checklists for editing.
Cass Editing Checklist
Gathering Info Before Diving In
Combine all beta notes and make a list of problem areas and suggestions I want to address
Make notes of cupcake adjustments from areas beta readers were confused
Look over my own research notes and see what I forgot to put into the story
Study genre for manuscript and check that I have delivered satisfying tropes and avoided negative ones
Pick a scene that reveals the heart/theme of the story
Check character arcs and refernce them with theme
Check character relationships and make them believable and natural
Round One
I do a read through with the notes from this list and edit as I go. I look over the list before each chapter and see if the chapter is capable of fixing any of those problems. If a new scene or chapter is needed, I add them in on this round. Same goes if I need to combine scenes or cut/add characters.
I also check time passage at this stage and make sure it's consistent and clear.
Round Two
Now I do a read through where the focus is scene-by-scene. I check that each scene is doing a minimum of two of these things: furthering plot, furthing character arc, furthering relationship arcs, revealing cupcakes for the ending scene, or revealing cupcakes for a series arc. This tightens pacing.
I also look at character voice in this round. All metaphors should reveal something about the character, swears unique to upbringing, literaray devices implemented for outer dialogue on certain characters, and cut any meaningless polite chatter that will bore the reader.
Round Three
Here's where I look at spag. I check sentence structure and dialogue tags a lot. Make sure all movement makes senese and all sentence structures are varied. I run each chapter when I'm done reading through ProWritingAid in this read through.
Poppy Editing Checklist
Poke alpha/beta readers notes and any notes I left myself during the drafting process
ProWritingAid repetition check while rereading outloud and altering sentence style if needed
ProWritingAid combo check
Reread
Send to editor
Developmental edits from editor
Secondary pokes (nitpicks) from editor
Copyeditor approvals
Reread for typos
Friend reread for typos
Publish that sucker
Links mentioned in this episode:
http://www.punchkeys.com
This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm
...more
54min
October 27, 2021Research Interview with Army Ranger and Officer Jason
This week, Poppy and Cass talk with Jason (Danger Ranger) about his life experience as an army ranger and law enforcement. He shares how military and crime have affected him psychologically and how he fights depression and seeing the worst in every scenario.
Developing characters in your story that are other than you can be an uphill battle. In this interview, we show how it works to reach out, listen, and broaden the depth of your knowledge base.
Links mentioned in this episode:
http://www.punchkeys.com
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gg3PR4QN8hk
This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm
...more
1h 5min
October 13, 2021How To Sculpt Your Words Into Swoon-Worthy Prose
This week, Poppy and Cass discuss cleaning up prose and scultping words in order to get the best version of your story. Make sure to stop by our website if you'd like to join our writer tribe on discord.
Links mentioned in this episode:
http://www.punchkeys.com
This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm
...more
47min

FAQs about Punch Keys:

How many episodes does Punch Keys have?

The podcast currently has 38 episodes available.