Third Person POV: A Writing Group

In this episode of Third Person POV, the group dives into a mix of dark fantasy, paranormal mystery, and superhero storytelling as they critique each other’s latest chapters. Along the way, they talk character motivation, plot progression, worldbuilding, and the value of honest feedback—plus a few rabbit trails, laughs, and writerly tangents.

In this episode of Third-Person POV, the group digs into three very different fiction submissions and ends up in a bigger conversation about what makes characters actually work. They talk through a tense conflict scene between allies, a flashback chapter that unlocks major emotional backstory, and a magic-heavy chapter balancing action with exposition. Along the way, they get into character motivation, the difference between static and dynamic characters, when tropes help or hurt, why flawed characters matter, and how “Mary Sue” characters — or even whole Mary Sue groups — can drain the life out of a story. It’s part critique session, part writing workshop, and part chaotic writer banter.

Find the co-hosts on:

→JC Bybee at https://jcbybee.com/

→Grey Alder on Substack: https://open.substack.com/pub/greyalder/p/the-shipwrecked?utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web

→Tyler Hess on his blog: https://hesstylerblog.com/

Three writers work through camera glitches and exhaustion to bring you a stellar writer's group session. They talk craft, razz and raise each other, and get into the nitty gritty of that age-old problem that all writers have experienced: blockage.

Find the co-hosts on:

→JC Bybee on jcbybee.com

→Grey Alder on Substack: https://open.substack.com/pub/greyalder/p/the-shipwrecked?utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web

→Tyler Hess on his blog: https://hesstylerblog.com/

In Episode 4, the group critiques three works-in-progress—JC’s Technomancer (Jessica/Darren/Eve), Tyler’s first Layla POV, and Gray’s chapter on the Tangled Man’s Throat and a looming blood feud—then zooms out to talk feedback: beta readers vs editors, finding trusted readers, and taking critique without getting defensive.

Find the co-hosts on:

→JC Bybee at https://jcbybee.com/

→Grey Alder on Substack: https://open.substack.com/pub/greyalder/p/the-shipwrecked?utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web

→Tyler Hess on his blog: https://hesstylerblog.com/

So, how do you give feedback? How should you act when you receive it? Your book is your baby; it can be hard to be chill while someone rips it apart in front of your eyes. That's why you need a really great writing group.

In this episode, three writers show what an effective critique session looks like. They balance razzing and targeted feedback with laughter and encouragement. If you're trying improve your writing craft, or form your own writing group, this is the podcast for you.

They also dig into:

-concrete over abstract details
-imagery
-pacing
-mystery

Find the co-hosts on:

→JC Bybee on jcbybee.com

→Grey Alder on Substack: https://open.substack.com/pub/greyalder/p/the-shipwrecked?utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web

→Tyler Hess on his blog: https://hesstylerblog.com/

So, how do you give feedback? How should you act when you receive it? Your book is your baby; it can be hard to be chill while someone rips it apart in front of your eyes. That's why you need a really great writing group.

In this episode, three writers show what an effective critique session looks like. They balance razzing and targeted feedback with laughter and encouragement. If you're trying improve your writing craft, or form your own writing group, this is the podcast for you.

They also dig into:

-setting emotional stakes
-Describing characters, environments, and magic systems
-pacing

Find the co-hosts on:

→JC Bybee on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B07RC91VPS?ccs_id=0e9381f4-8f89-4b62-b653-19846c7b1892

→Grey Alder on Substack: https://open.substack.com/pub/greyalder/p/the-shipwrecked?utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web

→Tyler Hess on his blog: https://hesstylerblog.com/

Dear Writer, giving and receiving feedback can be hard. Haven't you ever wished you could watch someone else's writing group to see how they do it?

In this pilot episode, three writers show what an effective critique session looks like. They balance razzing and targeted feedback with laughter and encouragement. If you're trying improve your writing craft, or form your own writing group, this is the podcast for you.

They also dig into:

-scene-setting and clarity
-sensory cues
-handling theme without being heavy-handed
-worldbuilding choices that “click”
-where AI does (and doesn’t) fit in creative writing

Find the co-hosts on:

→JC Bybee on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B07RC...

→Grey Alder on Substack: https://open.substack.com/pub/greyalder/p/...

→Tyler Hess on his blog: https://hesstylerblog.com/