In this episode, Semi-Sage Theresa Halvorsen talks about how to build character arcs that will make your readers happy. She discusses the hero's journey and several examples including Mr. Darcy, Cersei Lanaster and Bilbo Baggins.

The Semi-Sages of the Pages interview Jake, a long-time Dungeon Master and co-host of Grand Sumo Breakdown.

Learn about what it takes to be a Dungeon Master and the skills traditional writers can learn from tabletop role playing, like the importance of knowing your audience! You can check out Jake here: https://grandsumobreakdown.wordpress.com/ 

Though there are no events for us to go to, it's imperative to stay involved in our communities in these uncertain times, even if that means writing to us about that mysterious package you received in the mail...

This is the second half of our recording where we discuss pandemics, sicknesses and authors throughout the ages. In the first half, we talked primarily about Shakespeare. In the second half, we talk about the Bronte family, sanitation, old beer making practices, and the 1918 Influenza. 

Don't just trust our word for it, here are some sources:

• https://www.bl.uk/collection-items/sanitary-report-on-haworth-home-to-the-bronts#
• https://hekint.org/2017/02/01/remembering-charlotte-bronte/
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQ9WX4qVxEo&list=PLhyKYa0YJ_5BZ3gQleTk-PJqIejFf4Rh2

Join Molly as she tells the story of how she received a mysterious package in the mail...

The Semi-Sages are sheltering at home! Join us (virtually) as we learn about how writers have survived and thrived through sickness and pandemics in history. This is a PART 1, which centers around the life and works of William Shakespeare, a man plagued by plague (starts at 15:30).

Also, we devolve into discussing the alleged origin of the phrase "shit-faced drunk." 

Sources:

• https://slate.com/culture/2020/03/shakespeare-plague-influence-hot-hand-ben-cohen.html
• https://www.theguardian.com/books/2015/sep/24/shakespeares-great-escape-plague-1606--james-shapiro
• http://www.literarygenius.info/bubonic-plague-shakespeare.htm
• https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01h666y
• http://www.shakespeare-online.com/biography/londondisease.html

Are you thinking about trying writing as a hobby? This is a great place to get started!

Join Morrigan as she puts on her teacher-pants to help us discover why we write in her first ever semi-sode! 

This episode is appropriate for all ages! So you won't feel guilty sharing it with your student, your mother-in-law, or the creepy guy who just started following you on twitter!

The semi-sages talk about the details of good dialogue and how to use it to bring good characterization to a story. Theresa gives us some more details about her book and we have a lovely, unplanned diversion about how to spark ideas and brainstorm.

This episode is CLEAN and safe for general consumption. 

In this episode Theresa discusses a common question among writers; are you a plotter or a pantser?