After some recording troubles, I ramble on a bit about my NaNoWriMo progress, doing a novel adaptation & how it differs from writing "my own" work, why I'm okay with not doing a new novel this year, and why I'll do a "proper" NaNo next year. I also rant a bit about another instance of the whole "my way is the only way" attitude in forums.

Random Recommendation: Madeline Turnipseed's Blog (http://madelineturnipseed.blogspot.com/ )

Another mid-week episode and this time I have my very first interview! Fellow writer and NaNo enthusiast Ted Boone, one of our regional MLs, sat down with me to talk writing and NaNo.

Progress Report: None, of course, still NaNo Prep!

Goals: Stay on track for the first week of NaNo

Random Recommendation: Vicious by V. E. Schwab (novel recommendation from Ted; Amazon page http://ow.ly/qlp9R)

In this rare mid-week episode, I discuss the difficult topic of online bullying and the whole response to GoodReads and other sites attempting to curb such behavior on from their users.

Goals: Nothing to report - NaNo Time!

Random Recommendation: The Laramie Project (play originally created by Moises Kaufman and Tectonic Theater Project; http://www.laramieproject.org/ ; there is also an abridged movie version available on DVD)

In this free form episode, I chat a bit about my new PS3, my natural sleeping habits vs what I require of my body, my use of multiple alarms to try to get up, and Les Miserables. I also talk about my struggle with my brain wanting to create because it's October and a bit about some potential roof issues after heavy rains.

It's October, meaning it's less than a month until National Novel Writing Month, AKA NaNo! In this episode, I give an intro and overview to NaNo, rant a little about NaNo criticisms, share my NaNo story, and give some tips for first time wrimos.

Progress Report: Finished the cover except for the blurb and I did get the podcast stuff into Scrivener, so yay me; wrote a bit of the scene with Kazuki talking to Ito's memorial, but haven't finished yet.

Goals: Finish said scene and continue editing; probably not much more until December since I have ton to do for NaNo :-)

Random Recommendation: Write or Die (iPad, desktop, and web application; http://writeordie.com/ )

For this episode, I review Elmore Leonard's 10 rules of writing and give my views on the idea of "writing rules" in general, and these rules specifically.

Progress Report: Reorganized my chapters some, splitting up several that were too long or had different focuses; did a timeline to help me keep track of when what happens

Goals: Finish the timeline with plot points for myself, finish editing chapter 10, write the scene I've mulled over with Kazuki at the memorial, get the podcast stuff into Scrivener for easier management

Random Recommendation: The Book Girl light novel series by Mizuki Nomura (http://www.yenpress.com/book-girl-novel/ )

For my first "extempore" episode, which will be unplanned and more free form, I talk about why my dislike of being confined brought about the need to add these kinds of episodes to the podcast. I also talk a bit about how I got through my struggles with writing a scene with my podcasting set up, whether I should get on Pinterest, and the lack of social presence of some older authors.

Random Recommendation: I Should Be Writing by Mur Lafferty (Podcast; available on iTunes and http://murverse.com/ )

For this episode, I discuss how a geographical error in my first draft of Aisuru derailed my editing of chapter 10, and the pros and cons you might find when setting a story in the "real" world vs a made up one.

Progress Report: Finished chapter 9 and deleted chapter 10.

Goals: Be up to what is now chapter 14 by September 15th

Random Recommendation: MorgueFile.com (website for 100% free high-resolution stock photos; http://morguefile.com/ )

Music Clip: Persephone by snowflake is licensed under a Attribution. http://ccmixter.org/files/snowflake/22364

In this episode, I get into a bit of a rant about how some writers, critics, and readers dismiss certain writers as being "not real writers", such as those who write romance, erotic, comics, fan fiction, and novelizations, and why that phrase irks me so much.

Progress Report: Finished chapter 8 and half way through 9

Goals: Be up to chapter 10 by August 21st

Random Recommendation: The Awakening hidden object adventure game series from Boomzap Games, available on Big Fish Games (http://www.bigfishgames.com/download-games/search.html?search=Awakening)

In this episode, I share with you my writing process, i.e. how I get my story concepts and how I go from those to a finished novel.

Progress Report: Finished chapters 6 & 7 and half way through chapter 8

Goals: Be up to chapter 10 by August 20th

Random Recommendation: Pride of Baghdad by Brian K. Vaughan and Niko Henrichon (Graphic Novel; Amazon page: http://ow.ly/ouYHY)