So I'm Writing a Novel...

Oliver has a long, highly informative chat with author, actor, and voice actor J.M. Frey about her experiences as a writer, including what happens when your book grows to around the 200K word mark, self-publishing, the challenges of author exhaustion (incl. frank discussion of how the economics of publishing deals have evolved), when she received her first piece of fan art based on her work, and more! Jess is terribly knowledgeable, and we strongly recommend you check out her site not only for all the great advice it contains, but also to study how Jess presents herself online. Jess's Author Page Jess on Twitter / Facebook / Instagram / Youtube / Tumblr / Wattpad / Radish Also mentioned in this episode: Print Run Podcast, and Writer Beware. www.soimwritinganovel.com PATREON: www.patreon.com/soimwritinganovel BUY OLIVER'S BOOKS: https://www.oliverbrackenbury.com/store SO I'M WRITING A NOVEL... TWITTER: https://twitter.com/so_writing OLIVER'S TWITTER: https://twitter.com/obrackenbury Oliver's Link Tree (For everything else): https://linktr.ee/obrackenbury  

We're kicking off a block of interviews with a chat with Oliver's mum, about her relationship to creativity as both parent and "pre-parent", the book she wrote, the book Oliver's dad says he'll finish, what it's like for both Oliver and Christine to look back on his decision to try making writing what he does for a living, and more. Oh and of course they cover the time she struck back at workplace sexism with a picture of a big ol' penis. If you'd like to see the jewelry Oliver's parents make together, you can check out at www.brackenbury.ca www.soimwritinganovel.com PATREON: www.patreon.com/soimwritinganovel BUY OLIVER'S BOOKS: https://www.oliverbrackenbury.com/store SO I'M WRITING A NOVEL... TWITTER: https://twitter.com/so_writing OLIVER'S TWITTER: https://twitter.com/obrackenbury Oliver's Link Tree (For everything else): https://linktr.ee/obrackenbury

With this, the fifth short story, we've reached the end of the first act! In Disgrace the Stone, the outlining of which Oliver will share with you, Voe is finally a "hero" as she's struggled to be but the events of this story will change her mind about that being what she wants. The brainstorming for this story involved an unexpected intersection between the webcomic Achewood, Leonard Cohen, and the pandemic (though this isn't a plague story, have no fear). This sent Oliver off on a journey that involved putting the this tale down for an entire year before coming back to finish it, providing unexpected benefits as well as a lesson in why it's important to always make very clear notes so that future-you can easily pick up where they left off...no matter how long it's been. www.soimwritinganovel.com PATREON: www.patreon.com/soimwritinganovel BUY OLIVER'S BOOKS: https://www.oliverbrackenbury.com/store SO I'M WRITING A NOVEL... TWITTER: https://twitter.com/so_writing OLIVER'S TWITTER: https://twitter.com/obrackenbury Oliver's Link Tree (For everything else): https://linktr.ee/obrackenbury

This time around we're outlining story number four in our sword & sorcery short story cycle! Oliver sets out to write a sword & sorcery love story, but is that what he ends up with? He also gets into that time the rural Canadian mafia murdered Oliver's brother because his parents wouldn't give them gold, knowing when to break your own format, the dangers of trying to will what you want into existence, and, as always, more. www.soimwritinganovel.com PATREON: www.patreon.com/soimwritinganovel BUY OLIVER'S BOOKS: https://www.oliverbrackenbury.com/store SO I'M WRITING A NOVEL... TWITTER: https://twitter.com/so_writing OLIVER'S TWITTER: https://twitter.com/obrackenbury Oliver's Link Tree (For everything else): https://linktr.ee/obrackenbury

This time around we're outlining story number three in our sword & sorcery short story cycle! Oliver introduces you to the marvelous book which made him want to tell this story, thrusting his protagonist Voe into the middle of a mighty battle between empires in the absolute meat grinder of a canyon floor with arrows raining down from either side! He then goes on to dissect the mentor/mentee relationship, share a formative story from his very Canadian youth (yes, it involves ice skating), and Ursula K Le Guin rears her head once more as Oliver looks to one of her better quotes for a great theme to explore, in which the very idea of deserving is framed as a fake idea. www.soimwritinganovel.com PATREON: www.patreon.com/soimwritinganovel BUY OLIVER'S BOOKS: https://www.oliverbrackenbury.com/store SO I'M WRITING A NOVEL... TWITTER: https://twitter.com/so_writing OLIVER'S TWITTER: https://twitter.com/obrackenbury Oliver's Link Tree (For everything else): https://linktr.ee/obrackenbury

Dive into the art of outlining as the host reveals insights on character development in a fantasy narrative. Explore whether characters should evolve throughout the story and the balance between templates and writing prompts. Discover the complex journey of Marguerite, a warrior grappling with her motivations and emotional depth. There's even a quirky discussion about the hilariously dubbed 'poop pipes.' Join for a creative exploration of character arcs and the architectural secrets behind storytelling!

Dive into the fascinating world of fiction research! Discover how to balance creativity with historical context in your narratives. Learn about the hilarious pitfalls of 'Wikipedia Mouth' and the unintentional plagiarism trap. Explore the importance of an 'information diet' for enhancing creativity, along with tips for effective documentation. Plus, gain insights into the ethical responsibilities of representing diverse cultures in your writing. This is a treasure trove of knowledge for aspiring authors everywhere!

Howard Andrew Jones, author of the Ring-Sworn trilogy and editor of Tales of the Magician's Skull, shares his insights about the sword and sorcery genre. He defines S&S and discusses the balance between character development and pacing in fantasy stories. The conversation dives into the richness of diverse reading for enhancing writing skills, as well as the relevance of origin stories. Howard also highlights the impactful narratives of authors like Robert E. Howard, encouraging a broader interpretation of heroism in storytelling.

Explore the thrilling blend of science fiction and fantasy in the captivating subgenre known as Sword and Planet. The host discusses the complex relationship between these genres, delving into historical inspirations and moral complexities found in classic literature. Key critiques of works like 'A Princess of Mars' reveal nuanced character dynamics and colonial themes. With an eye toward cultural sensitivity, the conversation inspires a fresh take on storytelling, balancing traditional elements with modern sensibilities in their own adventurous writing journey.

In the show's first interview, Oliver speaks with two authors whose work - The Red Man and Others - not only entertained him, it provided him with a great deal of hope for his own novel-in-progress and the future of sword & sorcery in general. Aside from Red Man, they discuss being a couple who also write together, what they like & dislike in author's public presences, the very concept of writing advice, and more. Buy The Red Man and Others on Amazon in paperback & eBook formats. Doesn't matter what country you're in, you can get it from Amazon.ca, .uk, etc You can also check out their blog, Turnip Lanterns, as well as find both Remco and Angeline on Twitter. Their linktree is also a good hub for all links related to them and their work. www.soimwritinganovel.com PATREON: www.patreon.com/soimwritinganovel BUY OLIVER'S BOOKS: https://www.oliverbrackenbury.com/store SO I'M WRITING A NOVEL... TWITTER: https://twitter.com/so_writing OLIVER'S TWITTER: https://twitter.com/obrackenbury Oliver's Link Tree (For everything else): https://linktr.ee/obrackenbury