Welcome to the second episode of The Writers' Nook! Gary and Shayla discuss what they gleaned from the most recent workshop, Triumphantly Real Heroes: Creating Your Protagonist. Here's a quick rundown:

Why should Shayla read Crazy Rich Asians, and is it better than the movie?

Shayla is brainstorming her second novel while awaiting her content edits for The Suicide Tree. Gary is rewriting his current novel-in-progress.

Top Gary quotes from his first workshop, Shayla's favorite being: "Writing is beautiful in a way . . . that . . . you can do everything right and everything wrong."

Strange noises in the background, such as an alarm system beeping and the sound of coloring pencils on paper.

What does it mean to get real with yourself if you want to write a real protagonist?

Get out of your comfort zone as a writer . . . but how?

Be a stalker.

The controversial topic: Why does Romance sell the most? Yikes . . .

Minor characters: why we love them so much.

Tell the truth as a writer, and you'll sleep better at night.

Characterization tips of the day from Gary and Shayla.