The Novel Analyst Podcast: Creative Writing Advice & Author Interviews

I normally analyse novels. On this episode, I'm pulling lessons from another storytelling form to see how it can improve our writing. Enjoy!

Show Notes:

My email - send me your comments/questions/queries - I respond to every message -> jed.herne1(at)gmail.com

Twitter: @jedherne

Fires of the Dead - just $0.99 on Amazon for a limited time: https://amzn.to/39W9Xaq

The Magician's Workshop: https://www.choiceofgames.com/magicians-workshop/

Sky Pirates of Actorious: https://www.choiceofgames.com/sky-pirates-of-actorius/

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Rob J. Hayes is the author of the Amazon Best Selling The Heresy Within, the SPFBO-winning piratical swashbuckler Where Loyalties Lie, and the critically acclaimed Never Die. 

Website: www.robjhayes.co.uk

Twitter: @RoboftheHayes

Show Notes:

• My grimdark fantasy novella, Fires of the Dead, just became the #1 bestseller on Amazon's 'Fantasy Adventure Fiction', 'Sword & Sorcery', and various other charts. Read it here: https://jedherne.com/firesofthedead
• My Novel Analyst episode 46 on Never Die by Rob J. Hayes: https://anchor.fm/novelanalyst/episodes/46--Never-Die-by-Rob-J--Hayes---Choreographing-Excellent-Ensemble-Casts-easrko
• Novel Analyst episode 41 on The Ember Blade by Chris Wooding: https://anchor.fm/novelanalyst/episodes/41--The-Ember-Blade-by-Chris-Wooding---Nailing-the-Opening-48-Pages-e96cua

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My fantasy novella, Fires of the Dead, is free on Amazon for the next 4 days! 

Check it out here: https://amzn.to/32BIwjC

During its free period, it's reached:

• #1 in Gaslamp Fantasy (Kindle Store)
• #1 in Action & Adventure Fantasy (Kindle Store)
• #1 in Alternative History

It's only free in eBook form, but you can download the free Kindle app to read it on any device or computer. Enjoy!

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In this episode, I analyse the brilliant dynamics behind Rob J. Hayes' eclectic crew in his wonderful grimdark fantasy book, Never Die. Enjoy!

Show Notes:

Listen to me read chapter 1 of my latest fantasy novel, Across the Broken Stars: https://anchor.fm/novelanalyst/episodes/Sneak-Peek---Chapter-1-of-Across-the-Broken-Stars---My-Upcoming-Space-Fantasy-Novel-ea9cnk/a-a1b1bre 

(Or just scroll down in this podcast feed to find it manually). 

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Buy Across the Broken Stars here: jedherne.com/acrossthebrokenstars

Today's episode features the audio recording from my latest book launch.  Enjoy!

00:00 - 10:20 - Jed's thoughts on how to become more creature

10:20 - 21:12 - Jed reads scene 1 from Across the Broken Stars

21:12 - onwards - Q & A from the audience.

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Buy a copy here: https://jedherne.com/broken

And if you buy a copy before midnight Feb 9th, email your receipt to [email protected]  to receive free bonuses, including:

• The unedited first draft (which was 20 000 words shorter than the final novel)
• My original outline
• A free companion short story
• Other behind-the-scenes looks into my process.

Enjoy!

Full Blurb:

Leon has a secret. He was once an angel – a winged warrior sworn to protect Paya, a realm where people live on discs that float in space.

He failed.

Now, Leon’s a broken man, trying to forget the past. He thinks he’s the last angel. But then a young fugitive stumbles onto Leon’s doorstep. She’s an angel, too. And she has a riddle leading to a place where angels still live. Or so the stories claim…

Desperate for redemption, Leon begins a perilous quest through myth and folklore. But will Leon and the fugitive find their legendary destination? Or will Leon lose his last chance for salvation?

Brutal and gripping, this is a story about a flawed man’s search for forgiveness.

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The Left Hand of Darkness is a visionary sci-fi story about a lone human ambassador to Winter, an alien world whose inhabitants’ biology allows them to choose—and change—their gender. His goal is to facilitate Winter's inclusion in a growing intergalactic civilization. But to do so he must bridge the gulf between his own views and those of the completely different culture that he encounters. Exploring psychology, society, and human emotion on an alien world, The Left Hand of Darkness is as a landmark achievement - especially considering that it came out in 1969!

In this episode, I examined how despite being very slow-paced (or, perhaps, because of this), Le Guin's novel is incredibly engaging. Enjoy!

Show Notes:

Read my latest space fantasy novel, Across the Broken Stars (out today!): https://jedherne.com/broken

Got thoughts? Email me at jed.herne1 (at) gmail.com - I love hearing from you and I respond to as many messages as I can.

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An in-depth look at creating interesting, cohesive magic that improves your story in meaningful ways. 

Show Notes:

My interview with Justin, author of Master of Sorrows: https://novelanalyst.com/2020/01/07/justin-call-interview/

My upcoming space fantasy book, Across the Broken Stars: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/49125250-across-the-broken-stars

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To celebrate the upcoming release of my epic space fantasy novel, Across the Broken Stars, I'm sharing chapter 1 of the book. The actual book releases on Feb 3rd, 2020. Click here to learn more: jedherne.com/acrossthebrokenstars

Leon has a secret. He was once an angel – a winged warrior sworn to protect Paya, a realm where people live on discs that float in space.

He failed.

Now Leon’s a broken man, trying to forget the past. He thinks he’s the last angel. But then a young fugitive stumbles onto Leon’s doorstep. She’s an angel, too. And she has a riddle leading to a place where angels still live. Or so the stories claim…

Desperate for redemption, Leon begins a perilous quest through myth and folklore. But will Leon and the fugitive find their legendary destination? Or will Leon lose his last chance for salvation?

Brutal and gripping, this is a story about a flawed man’s search for forgiveness.

“If you are looking for an epic fantasy that has a unique setting, this is it.” – Kate Valent, Reedsy Discovery.

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Justin Call graduated from Harvard University in 2012 with a Master's in Literature and Creative Writing. He has studied fantasy literature for almost two decades and is the author of Master of Sorrows, Book 1 of The Silent Gods tetralogy. Justin is also the CEO of Broomstick Monkey Games and co-designer of the games Imperial Harvest, Royal Strawberries, Royal Scum, and 8 Kingdoms. He currently lives in Park City, Utah with his wife, his two sons, his Great Dane (Pippa) and his St. Bernard-Mastiff (Herbie).

Show Notes:

https://justintcall.com/

https://twitter.com/Justin_T_Call

https://justintcall.com/master-of-sorrows/

Justin's top writing-advice books/resources:

- Save the Cat by Blake Snyder

- The Power of Myth by Joseph Campbell

- The Hero with a Thousand Faces by Joseph Campbell

- The Writing Excuses podcast

- 101 Habits of Highly Effective Writers

- 101 Habits of Highly Effective Screenwriters

Justin's top books/authors:

- 'Crowfall' by Ed McDonald

- Book of the Ancestor Series by Mark Lawrence

- Anything by Brandon Sanderson (I second this suggestion). 

My notes:

Half-Baked Stories podcast

@jedherne (Twitter, Instagram)

jedherne.com

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