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The Nuts and Bolts of Writing
By Fortunus GamesEducation
The Nuts and Bolts of Writing episodes
- EP 90: Developing Malka's Sexuality (1): Is She Like a Bodice Ripper Heroine?
In this episode, Tete and I, Fortunus Games, talk about my character, Malka Spitzer, from my graphic novel, "The Book of Joel" (which you can read here: https://www.fortunusgames.com/current-projects).
Artwork in thumbnail is by me. It's the tarot card of Malka as The Empress: https://www.artstation.com/artwork/9mxVyW
We talk about the process I went through to develop Joel's sexuality and how it is an integral part of his personality. In particular, we discuss the following and more:
- How does Malka differ from "bodice ripper" female protagonists?
- How does Malka view Joel compared to how the "bodice ripper" female protagonists view their male love interests?
- How does Malka view love, romance, and sexuality?
- How does Malka's nuanced personality compared to "bodice ripper" personalities and tropes?
- How does Malka view sexual and emotional fulfillment compared to "bodice ripper" heroines?
- How is Malka's first impression of Joel? What does she think of men in general, and does she distrust Joel (like most "bodice ripper" women do) when she first meets him when they are children?
55 min - EP 89: Developing Joel's Sexuality (2): What I've Learned
In this episode, Tete and I, Fortunus Games, talk about my character, Joel Farber, from my graphic novel, "The Book of Joel" (which you can read here: https://www.fortunusgames.com/current-projects).
Artwork in thumbnail is by me.
We talk about the process I went through to develop Joel's sexuality and how it is an integral part of his personality. In particular, we discuss the following and more:
- How does Joel differ from "bodice ripper" male protagonists?
- How Joel challenges toxic masculinity as embodied in "bodice ripper" novels
- How does Joel express his sexuality and auto-eroticism?
- How does Joel connect with someone to express his sexuality?
1 hr 1 min - EP 88: Writing Short Stories (11): Helevorn's "The Enchanted Isles"
Read "The Enchanted Isles" by Helevorn: https://tapas.io/episode/2130584
Helevorn's Instagram: @helevorn_bor
Art in the thumbnail is by Helevorn.
Today we're analyzing one of Helevorn's short-stories called "The Enchanted Isles". Set in 10th century England it is the story about imagination, the creation of fiction, escapism, the supernatural and motherhood. The protagonists are Merwyn, an aristocrat from Northumbria, and her little boy Aidan. We're going to talk about story making, Celtic mythology and Anglo-Saxon poetry 😊
26 min - EP 87: Custom Tarot Card Planning for Tete's "70 Fierce Years"
In this episode, @fortunusgames and @tete.depunk talk about which Tarot cards the cast of @tete.depunk's novel, "70 Fierce Years." Watch the YouTube version for visuals, since Tete walks us through her scrapbook: https://youtu.be/RmRTpbLJ80s
You will learn more about the updates to the novel, such as Kirka's betrayal and how it affects Andrei, Andrei's boisterous aunt Pelegaya, and most importantly, his wife (replacing Dasha in the draft version), Tamara.
Scrapbooking in the thumbnail is by Tete.Depunk.
Buy the draft version of "70 Fierce Years" (which is a "skeleton" novel since it only contains a number of scenes and none of the new characters mentioned above and in this episode) here: https://www.amazon.ca/70-Fierce-Years-Theresa-Carstetter-ebook/dp/B08GZWJR89
55 min - EP 86: Writing Short Stories (10): Helevorn's "The Linden Trees"
Read "The Linden Trees" by Helevorn on Tapas: tapas.io/episode/2073117
Helevorn's Instagram: @helevorn_bor
Art in the thumbnail is by Helevorn!
Today we're analyzing one of Helevorn's short-stories called "The Linden Trees". Set in 10th century Normandy, it is the story of a past relationship, of love, restraint, loyalty and time, from the perspective of an Anglo-Saxon protagonist, Ædgar.
21 min - EP 85: Developing Kai and Gerda in the 19th Century (1)
Tete's Instagram: @tete.depunk
Artwork in the thumbnail is a collage done by Tete using ephemera.
In this episode. Tete and I, @fortunusgames, talk about how she's been working on a new story, "Union of Wave and Shore," about her characters Gerda and Kai in 19th century Norway. Now that they've been removed from their original fantasy setting (as seen in OC-training on deviantArt), Tete wants to explore their confluence and growing love for one another that they never expected to experience in their lifetimes.
As Tete wrote on her Instagram: "in this story, they are humans living in 19th century Norway, who must contend with an arranged marriage in the midst of a property will conflict in an embittered family feud..."
We also explore what influenced her to focus on the more naturalistic aspects of Gerda and Kai's personal lives. Besides my graphic novel, "The Book of Joel," there are three other books/movies/performances that inspired her...can you guess what they are?
57 min - EP 84: Tolkien's Influence on Wren's Work, "The House on Caple Hill"
Wren's Instagram: @wrenby_m
In this episode, me and Wren talk about their upcoming graphic novel, "The House on Caple Hill," and how Tolkien influenced their work.
Art in thumbnail is from Pinterest (fair use, education) and I'm not sure who the original creator is - https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/437130707576724255/
We go through the following questions:
1) Will your graphic novel “The House on Caple Hill” have a lot of world-building, since it is a more character-driven work? What role will world-building play in “The House on Caple Hill”?
2) Which culture (I.e. Elvish, Dwarven, etc.) in Tolkien’s work was the most inspirational for you?
3) Did Tolkien’s writing style have an impact on how you’ll be writing your graphic novel? How about the framing of events and pacing?
30 min - EP 83: Developing Joel's Sexuality (1): What I've Learned
In this episode, Tete and I, Fortunus Games, talk about my character, Joel Farber, from her graphic novel, "The Book of Joel" (which you can read here: https://www.fortunusgames.com/current-projects).
Artwork in thumbnail is by me and is a panel from Chapter 2 of "The Book of Joel," showing Joel and Malka coming together as lovers.
We talk about the process I went through to develop Joel's sexuality and how it is an integral part of his personality. In particular, we discuss the following and more:
- Why did it take me so long to realize certain things about Joel?
- Why did I fear focusing too much on Joel's sexual life and his views on his own sexual feelings? Did I feel that it would become too one-note? Did Tete feel similarly regarding her character Andrei's robust sexuality?
- How does Joel's sexuality compare to Tete's Andrei and Kai?
- How does Joel's sexuality change after he forms a relationship with Malka?
40 min - EP 82: Tolkien's Influence on Helevorn's Works
In this episode, I, Fortunus Games, interview Helevorn (Instagram: @helevorn_bor) about how Tolkien's writings influenced her novels, "Sons of Disobedience" and "Lucky Wolf"!
"Lucky Wolf" is now out in hard copy and you can buy it through Helevorn - check out her Instagram post to find out more: https://www.instagram.com/p/CRez6x8l9lr/
You can also read "Lucky Wolf" on Tapas: https://tapas.io/series/lucky-wolf/info
Check out Helevorn's fanart of Tolkien characters on her deviantArt: https://www.deviantart.com/helevornart/gallery/46461480/lord-of-the-rings
Art in thumbnail is from Pinterest (fair use, education) and I'm not sure who the original creator is - https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/437130707576724255/
We cover the following questions in this podcast episode:
- Tolkien’s world building is inspired from history and medieval literature, particularly Old Norse. How do you see this influence in his writings?
- Your own writings draw on the same source of Old Norse literature. Was this influenced by Tolkien?
- How did Tolkien’s world building (informed as it is by history) affect the way you developed your novel, Sons of Disobedience?
- Did Tolkien’s Dwarves influence your Norse characters in any way, since they are inspired by Norse culture?
- What similarities between historical and fantasy world building are there? How does research inform both? And what are the differences?
44 min - EP 81: Tete's "Scale, Blood, and Bone" vs "The Book of Joel"
READ "SCALE, BLOOD & BONE" here: https://tapas.io/series/Scale-Blood--Bone/infoTete's
Instagram: @tete.depunk
Cover art of "Scale, Blood & Bone" is done by Tete.Depunk!
Today, Tete and I talk about her new Tapas novel, "Scale, Blood, and Bone," and how it was inspired by my Tapas graphic novel, "The Book of Joel."
We talk about how "The Book of Joel" influenced "Scale, Blood, and Bone," particularly how she was struck by my portrayal of Joel and Malka's relationship. She was particularly interested in how Joel and Malka's relationship was so organic and lacked ulterior motives, and this resembles not only Zhuel and Malka's relationship in "Scale, Blood, and Bone," but also in her upcoming series where her characters Gerda and Kai are now humans in our world.
1 hr 8 min
About The Nuts and Bolts of Writing
From the publisher's feed
Hosts Imelda Wei Ding Lo (a.k.a. Fortunus Games), Teresa (Tete DePunk), and R.N. Roveleh interview a wide range of writers and creators about their creative process and approach to writing. They also…
talk about their own writing journeys and offer tips for writing more effectively and efficiently.