Welcome to A Darker Shade of Magic! In this episode I cover parts 1-4 of the first book in the Shades of Magic trilogy.

An introduction to how this readalong works.

LAST* EPISODE OF SEASON ONE!!!!!!!

From learning disability to award winning author, living and working in Hong Kong, io9 and other work, novel vs. short story, revisiting old ideas, second guessing, explorative writing, dialogue, scriptwriting, description and scene setting, getting emotion on the page, daily routine, and more! Listen in. 


This originally streamed 8/22/2020 on Instagram live.

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*the final episode of season 1 was with Nic Stone (@nicstone) on 8/29/2020. Unfortunately, the interview was immediately deleted when Instagram crashed :( 

Hydrate!, growing up around books, editing, negative feedback, short stories, getting an agent, using spreadsheets to track novel writing, idea cook time, {technical difficulties in the episode mean a mini-q&a with V!}, setting as character, juggling projects, work-life balance, daily schedule, and more! Listen in.    



This originally streamed 8/15/2020 on Instagram live.

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Rethinking social media, using mythology for personal catharsis, visiting a psychic, becoming a published author, finishing a trilogy, talking the story out, 9 box setup, outlining, growing as a writer, rewriting, breaking down goals, empowering upcoming writers, new vampires, and more! Listen in. 

This originally streamed 8/8/2020 on Instagram live.

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Follow Natalie @ncparker

Book lengths, second book syndrome, starting with fanfiction, getting feedback, the pressure and psychology of being published young, working on multiple projects, structural edits, starting with a synopsis and a chapter plan, character arc, using music to build character and setting, drafting troubles, tracking character experience, attempting to finding balance, and more! Listen in.

This originally streamed 8/1/2020 on Instagram live.

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Follow Samantha @say_shannon

Getting into comics through Sailor Moon, building art and story skills, choosing which details to track and develop, illustration vs. comics, day to day process of creating a graphic novel, pushing through doubt to finish,  challenges of comics, reference and inspiration, illustrating Wonder Woman, consistency and artistic "glow-ups", dream projects and stories, cheat codes, and more! Listen in. 

This originally streamed 7/25/2020 on Instagram live.

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Life in lockdown, from fan fiction to publication, inspired by Scrivener, writing out of order, on connecting with her Chinese heritage, second book syndrome, the story begins with an argument, complicated history leads to naturally complicated characters, changing personal perspectives and how that effects writing, moving on from a series, keeping promises, not forcing a scene, getting inspired and recharged, and more! Listen in. 


This originally streamed 7/18/2020 on Instagram live.

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Victoria chats about current reads and favorite books before being joined by her guest.

How Michael's dreams of acting first left writing on the back burner and then led to other creative ventures, the role of desperation and fear, hands in all the "cookie pies", learning to open up, writing children's books, the creative process, discipline and cultivation, trusting the process, first drafts and revisions, being a public figure in the social media age, and more! Listen in. 

This originally streamed 7/11/2020 on Instagram live.

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Follow Michael @michaelianblack

First grade dreams, fear of starting, the first novel, letting ideas simmer, drafting and revision, shiny idea syndrome, discipline, process, writing linearly, best night time note taking practices, self-care, the importance of diverse stories of discovery and exploration, writing trilogies and satisfying conclusions, telling stories with integrity, and more! Listen in.   

This originally streamed 7/5/2020 on Instagram live.

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Follow Kiersten @authorkierstenwhite