Episodes

  • Episode 20: How Deep Should You Build A World?
    Sep 28 2024

    Jared and Chris are back again, this time to talk about world building.

    From "The Big Oyster" to "The Wheel of Time" the question arises: How deep should you go in world building?

    It's a common question that nearly all authors must ask themselves...and then come up with an answer that will please everyone, because everyone has a freakin opinion about world building...

    Just do what you want...the world is your oyster!

    Join Jared and Chris as they discuss their own world building experience and share their insights and opinions on the subject...then go do what you want.

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    1 hr and 4 mins
  • Episode 19: Push Pull Twist Blow! (We're talking about glass)
    Sep 18 2024

    Eleven-Hundred-degree glass is the same color as room temperature glass, and that can be dangerous!

    Glassblower, creator, and owner of the Laughing Dragon, Trent Mall talks about his past in creative endeavors and how he got into glass blowing. He shares some of his techniques and why glass blowing has become an integral part of his life.

    Join Jared and Chris as they dive into the world of glass blowing and experience the magic of shaping glass into creative works of art.

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    1 hr and 30 mins
  • Episode 18: Learning with Liz - Character Emotions
    Sep 11 2024

    Do you ever feel sad?

    Do you ever feel angry?

    What about suspicious? Awkward? Adrontis?

    We all feel emotions at times, but how do you show those emotions in your writing without being cliche or over explaining (telling rather than showing)?

    Today, Liz Verity returns to share her insights with Jared and Chris on how to do this, and why it can be so dang hard sometimes.

    If you're a writer, you won't want to miss this lesson on character emotions. If you're a reader, you'll get a glimpse behind the curtain to see how writers learn to portray characters and describe emotions in a way we can all relate to.

    P.S. Adrontis is the sense of frustration with how long it takes to get to know someone.

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    1 hr and 14 mins
  • Episode 17: A Talk with Glub Glub
    Sep 4 2024

    He's back again to share his insights and wisdom with adoring fans!

    Jared and Chris return to have another discussion with Caleb...or as he will henceforth be known...Glub Glub.

    Thoughts run deep into the realm of moral relativism in stories. How do writers and creators determine the morals of the worlds they create? Do the morals and traditions of fantasy reflect some portion of the creator's psyche?

    Also...WoT the tv series is garbage!!

    Join in the fun as all things creative are on the table in this new episode.

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    1 hr and 11 mins
  • Episode 16: The Power of Procrastination
    Aug 28 2024

    Do you put things off till the last minute?

    Believe it or not, so did some very famous creative geniuses. You're not distracted, or lazy, or unmotivated, you're just a super creative person. Maybe even a savant. It just takes the pressure of the last minute for your genius to express itself.

    At least, that's what we're going with...

    Join Jared and Chris as they dive into some of the psychology behind procrastination and consider whether those tasks that are put off till the last minute just might be some of the best, no matter what the time-management experts say...

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    1 hr and 9 mins
  • Episode 15: Liz Verity and Epic Fantasy
    Aug 21 2024

    What is your favorite epic fantasy? (Hopefully the answer is the Chronicles of Duradim...)

    On this episode Jared and Chris sit down with content editor and epic fantasy writer, Liz Verity.

    The genre is not for the faint of heart. Thousands of pages, hundreds of thousands of words...in the words of the grandpa from The Princess Bride: "Are you kidding? Fencing, fighting, torture, revenge, giants, monsters, chases, escapes, true love, miracles..."

    Who wouldn't love all that, right?

    Now, imagine the work that goes into creating, writing, editing, and producing the millions of pages of fantasy that exist for you to lose yourself in.

    Join Jared, Chris, and Liz as they discuss the joy and challenges of creating epic stories. Maybe they'll win you over, if you haven't yet joined the ranks of fantasy readers. If you need a nudge, maybe your grandpa can come over and read some fantasy books to you.

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    1 hr and 13 mins
  • Episode 14: The Creator's Catch-22
    Aug 14 2024

    Have you worked to perfect your creativity, only to feel like it isn't where you want it to be?

    We've all been there. It's a dilemma we all face, that fight between perfection and good enough.

    So, how do you face it?

    Join Jared and Chris as they discuss this conundrum and how they've reconciled the fact that they're still learning, with the desire to put the best work they can out in front of the world.

    Oh, and they also talk about cartoons! From Disney to Batman to Sponge Bob. Are you a toon fan? If so, what are your favorites?

    Dive in for a fun discussion about creativity, cartoons, and the catch-22.

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    1 hr and 7 mins
  • Episode 13: Go for the Guild
    Aug 7 2024

    With the summer Olympics in full swing, Jared and Chris decided that going for the Guild was the right move…The Springfield Writers’ Guild that is…

    There are lots of creative people out there and it’s a rewarding experience to rub elbows with them and share in the creative works they produce.

    The Guild members come from varied backgrounds and ages and enjoy different styles and genres of both reading and writing. On this episode some of those authors are introduced along with the works they’ve created.

    Dive in with Jared and Chris as they discuss some of their experiences working with the SWG, and introduce you to some of the friends they’ve made along the way.

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    57 mins