Chris's Idea Engine Podcast

First Story, First Kiss

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 09:00:00 -0400

I chase the feeling I get the first time it worked out for me. But like a first kiss is not the same as a relationship, writing a story is not like being an author.

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What's the Best Use for an Outline?

Mon, 27 Apr 2026 13:00:00 -0400

Sure, you can use it to prepare your story, but I've got a different use for it that may be more helpful.

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The Novice Writer: Finding Beauty

Fri, 15 Sep 2023 09:00:00 -0400

Mentally, seeking beauty (and being open to whatever form it takes) helps you as a writer.

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The Novice Writer: Go For a Walk

Thu, 14 Sep 2023 09:00:00 -0400

Besides exercise being good for your body, walking in particular is great for the writing brain.

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The Novice Writer: Handwriting or Typing?

Wed, 13 Sep 2023 09:00:00 -0400

What's the difference between the two? Handwriting works great for drafting ideas, and typing is great for developing the story.

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The Novice Writer: Copying Stories

Tue, 12 Sep 2023 09:00:00 -0400

Copying Stories should be like copying the artwork of a master. It isn't copying to claim the work, but to follow the master in their results.
Like handwriting, or "do what I do" for writers.

So don't be ashamed to copy what someone else did. Just don't pass it off as your own.

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The First Draft: On Writing From the Mind

Mon, 11 Sep 2023 09:00:00 -0400

Final thoughts on turning your idea into a written project. Write down everything, pick it what's important later. Practice much. Good luck.

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The First Draft: From Picture to 1000 Words

Sat, 09 Sep 2023 09:00:00 -0400

When you try to turn an image in your head into a story, what are some things to consider?

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The First Draft: Drawn Stories

Fri, 08 Sep 2023 09:00:00 -0400

How's are graphic novels different from written stories?

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The First Draft: Video Games, Options, and Writing

Thu, 07 Sep 2023 09:00:00 -0400

Thinking of your story like a video game (sometimes) can solve a lot of writer's block issues.

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The First Draft: Video Games and Side Quest Stories?

Thu, 07 Sep 2023 09:00:00 -0400

When your world is too big for one story, how do you explore it without losing focus? You make "side quests."

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The First Draft: Video Game Stories

Wed, 06 Sep 2023 09:00:00 -0400

How are video games a way to tell stories? What makes them different from movies and books?

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The First Draft: Audio to Book

Tue, 05 Sep 2023 09:00:00 -0400

A few tips for turning audio stories into written stories, mostly limitations.

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The First Draft: Audio Stories

Mon, 04 Sep 2023 09:00:00 -0400

Even longer than people have written stories, they have told stories. What are some of the unspoken features of the world of audio stories?

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The First Draft: Movies vs. Books? Pictures vs. Words?

Sat, 02 Sep 2023 09:00:00 -0400

If I'm a visual imaginer, and my stories are visual when I first conceive them, how do I turn that into words?

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The First Draft: Movie as a Medium of Art

Fri, 01 Sep 2023 09:00:00 -0400

When a picture is with a thousand words, that saves a thousand words of work. Plus you can do things visually that you can't on paper.

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The First Draft: Writing as a Form of Storytelling

Thu, 31 Aug 2023 09:00:00 -0400

What are the features, strengths, and weaknesses of the written word?

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The First Draft: Why Your Story Never Turns Out How You Imagine It

Wed, 30 Aug 2023 09:00:00 -0400

Hint: you aren't writing it down, you are changing it from one media form to another.

Like a book turned into a movie, or vice versa, taking your story from how you imagine it to how you express it... Well, it won't be the danger because you are literally changing it's format.

Let's take some time to thing of different media, how they compare to the written word, and how that can help use write the first draft of the story.

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It Was All a Dream? When It Works

Tue, 29 Aug 2023 09:00:00 -0400

The trope isn't a lost cause. There t ick is to give the dream meaning.

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It Was All a Dream? Examining a trope

Mon, 28 Aug 2023 09:00:00 -0400

What is the problem with this trope? And how can it be fixed?

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Selling Your Stories?

Thu, 24 Aug 2023 09:00:00 -0400

A little input on making good stories to, hopefully, sell.

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Meta-Fiction, and How It Messes With Your Head

Wed, 23 Aug 2023 09:00:00 -0400

What is Meta-Fiction? And why do I enjoy writing it so much?

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Why Writers "Nerf" Their Stories

Tue, 22 Aug 2023 09:00:00 -0400

Why make a feature suddenly weaker, or a smart character suddenly rather dumb? It's a problem that should be fixed in the second draft, but often isn't.

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Reading to Write

Mon, 21 Aug 2023 11:00:00 -0400

When I have trouble writing, why does reading help? And what should I read?

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How Much Should I Explain?

Mon, 31 Jul 2023 11:00:00 -0400

If I explain every aspect of my world and backstory, my book gets bloated. How do I decide what to explain, and what to leave alone?

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Why Should I Join Writing Competitions?

Thu, 27 Jul 2023 12:00:00 -0400

They're all over, and most of them cost money. When the chances of winning are so small, why bother at all?

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Fan Fiction Writing 101: the Business Benefits of Fan Fiction

Thu, 27 Jul 2023 09:00:00 -0400

It won't necessarily make you money, but it will teach you how to be an author, which is a business, which takes a little more intentional work.

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Fan Fiction Writing 101: What Men and Women Want from Fanfic

Tue, 25 Jul 2023 09:00:00 -0400

Believe it or not, men and women write very different kinds of fanfiction. Is either one correct?

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Author's Life: Who Is Your Intended Audience?

Mon, 24 Jul 2023 14:00:00 -0400

Or, in business terms, who is already reading the sorts of stories you are writing?

Thoughts for the business side of things.

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Fanfiction Writing 101: Minimal Reality

Fri, 21 Jul 2023 13:00:00 -0400

What's the least content you should use for your fanfiction? The answer is... Just enough, and maybe a little more.

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Fan Fiction Writing 101: Who is Your Audience?

Thu, 20 Jul 2023 12:00:00 -0400

Should the reader determine the story? If so, how much? And if not, why bother?

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Fanfiction Writing 101: What Pieces to Use...

Thu, 20 Jul 2023 09:00:00 -0400

If you're writing a story that isn't as big as it's source material, do you have to use all of it?

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Fan Fiction Writing 101: Lord of the Rings Fanfic?

Tue, 18 Jul 2023 08:00:00 -0400

Why do I clarify the Lord of the Ring movies as fan fiction? Only for good reasons, I promise.

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Fanfiction Writing 101: Same World, Different Story

Mon, 17 Jul 2023 10:00:00 -0400

When you like the world, but you have something different in mind for us, why use the same world? Why not just write your own original world?
There are a few good reasons, actually.

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Fan Fiction Writing 101: More on Story Types

Mon, 17 Jul 2023 09:00:00 -0400

A few more thoughts on the stories you can tell with fanfiction.

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Fanfiction Writing 101: Retellings

Thu, 13 Jul 2023 11:00:00 -0400

If you want to write the story form of a video game, or the video form of a story, here are some things to think about.

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Fanfiction Writing 101: Character Sequels

Wed, 12 Jul 2023 09:00:00 -0400

Who do you write about if the main character completed their arc in the original story? Maybe find a nother character, or an unanswered question, or an answer you didn't like, and follow that.

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Fanfiction Writing 101: Types of Stories

Tue, 11 Jul 2023 08:00:00 -0400

What are the types and traits of common fanfics? I'll examine one of the big three today: the Sequel. Specifically, the Charger Sequel.

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How Miyazaki Writes a Story with No Single Villain

Mon, 10 Jul 2023 13:00:00 -0400

But he uses avatars, in a way, so it isn't that there are no antagonists.

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Why No One Can Copyright an Idea

Fri, 07 Jul 2023 08:00:00 -0400

Given the same prompt, two people will still write two very different stories. A little illustration from my life may prove the point.

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When Outlining Doesn't Work

Thu, 29 Jun 2023 17:00:00 -0400

When the rubber meets the road in writing, my outline often runs into potholes I didn't expect. It's never that easy, and here's why.

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Better Writing by Using What's There?

Thu, 29 Jun 2023 14:00:00 -0400

I enjoy finding solutions to plot holes. That's usually because I can find the pieces I need already in my story world.

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Am I An Artist or a Businessman?

Tue, 27 Jun 2023 13:00:00 -0400

"Quality doesn't sell. Salesmanship sells." Alas.

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Batman's Built-in Scope

Thu, 22 Jun 2023 12:00:00 -0400

Some famous characters are designed with a stage size in mind. Putting them on a smaller (or larger) stage doesn't work. It's all in their design.

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Batman in Gotham?

Thu, 22 Jun 2023 09:00:00 -0400

I'm still trying to nail down why done characters only work will in certain settings. Or, why they work best in their native setting.

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Batman on the Battlefield, But It Doesn't Work

Tue, 20 Jun 2023 10:00:00 -0400

Why do some characters not work well in certain stories?

I am trying to figure that out.

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How Do I Use My Theme To Guide My Story?

Mon, 19 Jun 2023 08:00:00 -0400

Eh, ship listening to this one. I rambled a bit.
When you design your characters to make their choices, or you lose track of what characters should do, that's when to make them do what the theme demands. You either reinforce or your challenge the theme with every major decision.

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How to Create Time to Write

Fri, 16 Jun 2023 08:00:00 -0400

One way I fit more writing time into my day is... Probably gonna get me in trouble.

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Fan Fiction Writing 101: The Rewriting Begins

Thu, 15 Jun 2023 08:00:00 -0400

In this new series, I'm going to show how writing fan fiction helped me grow as a writer.
First of, what do I look for in a story I want to rewrite? The answer: Unused potential.

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Please Don't Write Like This

Thu, 15 Jun 2023 07:00:00 -0400

Realism aside, there is one your if writing that I can't stand:
Hero bashing.

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Why Simple Themes Make Good Complicated Plots

Mon, 12 Jun 2023 12:00:00 -0400

Sherlock Holmes one says that the most complicated matters turn out to be the simplest. I explore how that works in writing.

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I Love Making Worlds

Mon, 12 Jun 2023 08:00:00 -0400

Just me, musing about what I enjoy about writing.

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Why Does My Writing Plan Not Work When I Start Writing?

Thu, 08 Jun 2023 12:00:00 -0400

What I intend for a scene, and what I actually write, don't often match. How do I adapt to that?

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Not Writing Something, and Preparing to Write Something Else

Wed, 07 Jun 2023 10:00:00 -0400

After an evening typing, I finished one section and began looking at another. Here's what I had to consider.

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Should I Delete Useless Parts of My First Draft?

Tue, 06 Jun 2023 08:00:00 -0400

Not quite yet. I wrote a section that was in the pan, but that didn't work out as I intended. Here's why I didn't delete it.

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How Complex Should My Story Be?

Mon, 05 Jun 2023 07:00:00 -0400

How do some themes develop themselves? How complex should a story be? Let the topic decide... And maybe let Sherlock Holmes advise you on that.

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How Much Should I Write Every Day?

Fri, 02 Jun 2023 10:00:00 -0400

This one is less about above, more about how I can't get a break to actually write these days.

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Do Readers Want Complex Characters?

Thu, 01 Jun 2023 13:00:00 -0400

Somewhat. We want real characters, but those aren't just in adult books.

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Why Starting a Business Requires Love

Wed, 31 May 2023 11:00:00 -0400

"Love what you do, and you'll never work a day"? No, not at all. Love what you do, and work to make it happen.

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How Line Editing Improves Writing

Wed, 31 May 2023 08:00:00 -0400

I studied what a line editor does. And now I can't stop.
But I think it is helping improve my writing.

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Wholesome Fiction and Me

Thu, 25 May 2023 08:00:00 -0400

I don't like easy happy endings. Or, now that I think about it, being emotionally manipulated.

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What If I Can't Finish My Story?

Wed, 24 May 2023 14:00:00 -0400

I don't have any good answers to toss one, just a little perspective on my experience with this.

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What If I Can't Keep Up My Habits?

Tue, 23 May 2023 16:00:00 -0400

Life conspires against building good habits. It just does. But good habits are still worth building.

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How Important are Unimportant Details?

Tue, 23 May 2023 11:00:00 -0400

"Only put it in if it serves the story." But what if it doesn't serve the story, but it serves the writer?

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Should I Write My Story In Order?

Tue, 23 May 2023 09:00:00 -0400

Common advice says, "No, you don't have to write your story in any order." Here's my experience.

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How Fitness Fits in Writing

Fri, 19 May 2023 15:00:00 -0400

Exercise makes a person more brain-capable?

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If I Miss a Day of Writing, Should I Feel Bad??

Wed, 17 May 2023 13:00:00 -0400

We all miss a day or two here or there. How do I personally deal with it?

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How Can I Be Sure I Want to Be a Writer?

Wed, 17 May 2023 09:00:00 -0400

Why would you try to make a full-time career of it if you can't enjoy it? Let's examine a case study.

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How Long Should My First Draft Take To Write? Eh, Ten Weeks?

Mon, 15 May 2023 08:00:00 -0400

Why am I giving myself only ten weeks to write this project? Because psychology (citation somewhere around here...)

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Should I Start My Story "In Media Res?"

Sat, 13 May 2023 09:00:00 -0400

Starting my story in the middle of the action is helpful... Some of the time. But is it always the best idea?

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Is It Worth Writing?

Fri, 12 May 2023 13:00:00 -0400

Musings on whether it's it worth writing when so much has already been written.

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Fan Fiction and Borrowing Characters

Wed, 10 May 2023 16:00:00 -0400

How do I avoid misusing characters from other stories when I write fanfiction? I try to make their decisions out of their original character traits.

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Why are Bad Girls in Fiction Dressed like Bad Girls?

Wed, 10 May 2023 14:00:00 -0400

I rant about how evilness in women in fiction is often clothed in very little.

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How I Write At Work

Mon, 08 May 2023 16:00:00 -0400

I don't always have time or opportunity or inspiration, but I always have a method.

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Should I Write 1000 Words Every Day?

Mon, 08 May 2023 15:00:00 -0400

When live happens, how do I keep up my writing goals? With a little forgiveness and persistence.

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How to Make Characters Talk?

Fri, 05 May 2023 08:00:00 -0400

Hint: Their reason has to outweigh their reluctance.

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Contrasting Character Traits

Thu, 04 May 2023 14:00:00 -0400

A good character? Interesting. A good character constantly fighting their own bad nature? I think that's more realistic, and it can be done without making the character's goodness into something bad.

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History, Story, and Fiction

Thu, 04 May 2023 12:00:00 -0400

What study real life if I'm going to make up my world's history anyways? Well, first off, history is wild. Second, I understand my world better when I understand how the real world works.

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Coffee, Drugs, and Writing

Wed, 03 May 2023 08:00:00 -0400

When something affects the creative brain, how do I deal with it responsibly?

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If only I Could Write All Day

Tue, 02 May 2023 08:00:00 -0400

When I have the time, I still... Can't. Here's how I deal with my limited writing energy.

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How To Drive Plot with Characters

Mon, 01 May 2023 08:00:00 -0400

When your characters fought your plot, maybe change your characters?

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The Knives of the Skull King: Ring

Wed, 09 Nov 2022 11:00:00 -0500

The Skull King explains what his heaviest decoration is, and what makes a king powerful.

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The Knives of the Skull King: Slow Fighter

Thu, 03 Nov 2022 11:00:00 -0400

How does this fighter win, even when he isn't as fast as his opponent?

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The Knives of the Skull King: The Jokes

Tue, 01 Nov 2022 11:00:00 -0400

How does a joke prevent a rebellion?
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The Knives of the Skull King: The Kingdom Killer

Sat, 29 Oct 2022 11:00:00 -0400

What do international politics and cooking have in common?

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The Knives of the Skull King: A Betting Man

Thu, 27 Oct 2022 11:00:00 -0400

A gambler explains why he will not bet against one man.

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The Knives of the Skull King: Table War

Wed, 26 Oct 2022 11:00:00 -0400

The Skull King explains why a common courtier is in the generals' presence during a pivotal battle.

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The Knives of the Skull King: From On High

Mon, 24 Oct 2022 11:00:00 -0400

Has this diplomat turned honesty into a weapon?

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The Knives of the Skull King: The Cell of the Man

Thu, 20 Oct 2022 11:00:00 -0400

An old king recounts the most terrifying man he ever knew: a captive with evil advice.

This is a world-building scrap from an upcoming world, "The Highlands."

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Coffee

Fri, 25 Mar 2022 00:00:00 -0400

Mini-fiction about a spirit that guards me. Do I know it from somewhere before?

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Wolf, Cat, Rabbit?

Wed, 23 Mar 2022 00:00:00 -0400

Mini-fiction about a spirit that guards me. Am I the only person with these?

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Mather's Odds Audiobook

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Shadows

Mon, 21 Mar 2022 00:00:00 -0400

Mini-fiction about a spirit that guards me. Guards me through the night.

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Safe Place

Fri, 18 Mar 2022 00:00:00 -0400

Mini-fiction about a spirit that guards me. And maybe I guard him, too?

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Mather's Odds Audiobook

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Naiads

Wed, 16 Mar 2022 00:00:00 -0400

Mini-fiction about a spirit that guards me. And not just me, I think.

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Devotions

Mon, 14 Mar 2022 00:00:00 -0400

Mini-fiction about a spirit that guards me. What does it believe?

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Pathfinder

Fri, 11 Mar 2022 00:00:00 -0500

Mini-fiction about a spirit that guards me. He's good at finding safe climbing paths, too.

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Mather's Odds Audiobook

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The Rascal

Wed, 09 Mar 2022 00:00:00 -0500

Mini-fiction about a spirit that guards me. And gets rid of ducks.

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Birds and Wolves

Mon, 07 Mar 2022 00:00:00 -0500

Mini-fiction about a spirit that guards me. What other kinds of spirits are out there?

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Mather's Odds Audiobook

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Better Side Characters

Sat, 05 Mar 2022 00:00:00 -0500

We need side characters in our stories, but what is the best way to write them? I share a few videos and my own thoughts about one of the main side character types: The Lancer.

Referenced videos:
OSP: 5-Man Band
OSP: Trope Talk "the Lancer"

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Vacation with Wolfy 2: Guardian Angels?

Fri, 04 Mar 2022 00:00:00 -0500

Mini-fiction about a spirit that guards me. What is he?

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Mather's Odds Audiobook

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Writing Better Bullies

Thu, 03 Mar 2022 00:00:00 -0500

How do we go from 'knocking into the new kid' to 'killing animals and worse'? Well, let's look at how evil develops in the most generic evil character: The Bully.

I answer at length a question posted on a page about how to write a bully's actions. With a little psychology and more than a little personal experience, I share how bullying actually works, how to portray it in your writing, and (a little bit) how to defeat it in your own life.

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Mather's Odds Audiobook

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Vacation with Wolfy 1: A Run

Wed, 02 Mar 2022 00:00:00 -0500

Mini-fiction series about a spirit that guards me. Here's how we met.

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Mather's Odds Audiobook

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Rethinking Character Flaws

Tue, 01 Mar 2022 12:00:00 -0500

Modern writing insists that all heroes have flaws. Some writers choose from the 7 Deadly Sins, but are there other options? Can the flaws do more to the story than just flavor the protagonist? Can they actually influence the story? And how much- or how little- would it take?

I give some examples of how you can use flaws some other way that increases the drama, without making your characters seem like scumbags.

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Special! Writing Death First

Wed, 15 Sep 2021 08:00:00 -0400

A special episode! I read one of the most popular posts on my blog here! Check out the written article in the link below! I hope you enjoy it!
An Early Death

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Check out my book Mather's Odds on Amazon!

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Raw Voice

Tue, 14 Sep 2021 08:00:00 -0400

I drop the acting voice for this episode to talk about using different voices, and the benefits and dangers it has.

My story blog:
gestalticocean.wordpress.com

My business blog:
chrisschallertideaengine.squarespace.com

Support me on Patreon and Ko-Fi
Ko-Fi
Patreon

Want to sign up to win a free copy of my upcoming audiobook? Go here!
Sign Me Up!

Check out my book Mather's Odds on Amazon!

Support the show

No Time to Write?

Mon, 13 Sep 2021 08:00:00 -0400

How can you keep your story going if you don't have the time to sit down and write it? Here's my advice:
Engage with it, any little bit.

My story blog:
gestalticocean.wordpress.com

My business blog:
chrisschallertideaengine.squarespace.com

Support me on Patreon and Ko-Fi
Ko-Fi
Patreon

Want to sign up to win a free copy of my upcoming audiobook? Go here!
Sign Me Up!

Check out my book Mather's Odds on Amazon!

Support the show

You Do Not Have to Write

Fri, 10 Sep 2021 08:00:00 -0400

Do you feel pressured to publish just because you're writing? Here's a dirty secret: You don't have to if you don't want to.

My story blog:
gestalticocean.wordpress.com

My business blog:
chrisschallertideaengine.squarespace.com

Want to sign up to win a free copy of my upcoming audiobook? Go here!
Sign Me Up!

Check out my book Mather's Odds on Amazon!

Support the show

Just Tell Stories

Thu, 09 Sep 2021 08:00:00 -0400

The world is divisive right now. Writers need to tell stories and not push agendas because we have enough people pushing agendas and not enough telling stories.

My story blog:
gestalticocean.wordpress.com

My business blog:
chrisschallertideaengine.squarespace.com

Want to sign up to win a free copy of my upcoming audiobook? Go here!
Sign Me Up!

Check out my book Mather's Odds on Amazon!

Support the show

Making Excitement

Wed, 08 Sep 2021 08:00:00 -0400

How do you go from zero subscribers to enthusiastic readers? Start free, and always be enthusiastic!

My story blog (also my first blog):
gestalticocean.wordpress.com

My audiobook link:
https://winning-teacher-6976.ck.page/b87b43b507

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Sounding Like Everyone Else

Tue, 07 Sep 2021 08:00:00 -0400

Want to avoid the tropes, cliches, and everything else that makes everyone sound like everyone else? Might want to rethink that for a minute, because tropes have uses, but shouldn't define your book.

My story blog:
gestalticocean.wordpress.com

Audiobook Link:
https://winning-teacher-6976.ck.page/b87b43b507

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Difficult to Describe

Mon, 06 Sep 2021 08:00:00 -0400

Are you afraid of the question, "What's your story about?" Let's face that fear head-on and develop an answer for when people ask this rather inappropriate question.

My story blog:
gestalticocean.wordpress.com

Audiobook Link:
https://winning-teacher-6976.ck.page/b87b43b507

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You Don't Have to Be An Author

Fri, 03 Sep 2021 08:00:00 -0400

Someone said you should write a book. Does that mean you have to get it edited, published, marketed, and turn it into the rest of your life? Not necessarily.

My story blog:
gestalticocean.wordpress.com

Audiobook Link:
https://winning-teacher-6976.ck.page/b87b43b507

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The Big Question About My Book

Thu, 02 Sep 2021 08:00:00 -0400

"What's it about?"
No sooner do I answer them than I lose a potential reader. Is there a better way to answer this seemingly-innocent question?
Of course there is. But involves saying much, much less.

I refer to this video. Go and watch it. It's amazing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xlg8zdSVjgg&t=922s

For my book:
https://www.amazon.com/Mathers-Odds-Chris-Schallert/dp/1640856560

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Writing a Conversation-Starting Book

Wed, 01 Sep 2021 08:00:00 -0400

Do you want your book to start people talking, asking, and arguing? Well, there's no easy way to write timeless literature, but there is an easier way to write unique literature.
For "The Last of Us," a video game I reference here, go to this link on Youtube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mvoVZcXCeX0

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First Drafts Suck

Tue, 31 Aug 2021 08:00:00 -0400

Everyone says it, but it still hurts when I can't write a good sentence for my first draft. What's going on? How can I look at it a different way?
Just remember. You and your story are growing together, and growing means you start out weak.

Check out my story blog:
gestalticocean.wordpress.com

Sign up for emails at my business site:
chrisschallertideaengine.squarespace.com

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Advice Isn't Helping

Mon, 30 Aug 2021 11:00:00 -0400

Outlines? Arcs? Hero's Journey? There are too many voices saying you need this or that sort of help, but for your first draft there's just one piece you need to follow.
Everything else serves a different purpose (hint: it isn't to help you write your book)

Check out my writing blog at:
gestalticocean.wordpress.com

Come visit my business blog at:
chrisschallertideaengine.squarespace.com

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Why Not a Job?

Wed, 26 May 2021 08:00:00 -0400

Why am I so dissatisfied with my job? Isn't it enough to just pay the bills and do my time? Well... No.

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No Advice

Tue, 25 May 2021 08:00:00 -0400

Rather than tell you what to do, I'll spend this season describing my own creative life. I can't vouch for anyone but myself, after all.

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Be Consistent

Fri, 14 May 2021 08:00:00 -0400

(re-release episode) Reliability builds reputation, so you can't afford to slack off.

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Shop Boys and The Next Job

Thu, 13 May 2021 08:00:00 -0400

(re-release episode) Don't lose heart if you seem stuck on a day job. It doesn't mean you only belong in day jobs.

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Herlock Sholmes, I Kid Thee Not!

Wed, 12 May 2021 00:00:00 -0400

(re-release episode) A funny story of how one author did his own thing in the face of a copyright wall!

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Write Down Everything

Tue, 11 May 2021 08:00:00 -0400

(re-release episode) And here's why I mean EVERYTHING!

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Giving Away Your Best

Mon, 10 May 2021 08:00:00 -0400

(re-release episode) For you entrepreneurs, are your afraid of giving away your best stuff? No need to be. Here's why you should do it!

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Don't Make Your Story Too Big

Fri, 07 May 2021 00:00:00 -0400

(re-release episode) Can a story be too big for its own good? Yes. Here is what I mean.

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Don't Say Too Much

Thu, 06 May 2021 08:00:00 -0400

(re-release episode) Why, and how, less is more.

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No Useless Plot Points

Wed, 05 May 2021 08:00:00 -0400

(re-release episode) What is a useless plot point? And how can you avoid them?

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Persona Hours

Tue, 04 May 2021 08:00:00 -0400

(re-release episode) How a video game changed my use of time.

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A New Greeting

Mon, 03 May 2021 08:00:00 -0400

(re-release episode) You can change your life by changing how you introduce yourself.

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How to Steal Stories

Fri, 30 Apr 2021 08:00:00 -0400

(re-release episode)
Isn't it plagiarism?
No.
Here's how I use the ideas other people have to inspire my own ideas.

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Season 2 Finale: Hindsight

Thu, 29 Apr 2021 08:00:00 -0400

There is a point where you decide to close a chapter, start something new or start it anew. Here's a little review of my life while I've been doing this, and how I felt about this season of the podcast.

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Being Vulnerable

Wed, 28 Apr 2021 08:00:00 -0400

What is the point of being open about your struggles and flaws and the disasters in your life?
There is more to seeing weakness as a voyeur. It may connect you in a world desperate for a personal touch.
But there are dangers.

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Using Multiple Formats

Tue, 27 Apr 2021 08:00:00 -0400

Everyone has a different voice. Every format works best with a different format, language, syntax, label of polish... Or voice.
Here's how I use different formats to publish my different materials.

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Over/Underestimating My Ability

Mon, 26 Apr 2021 08:00:00 -0400

Do you have a good idea of what you can do with your time? Probably not
Here's something to think about as you set goals.

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Speaking For Yourself

Fri, 23 Apr 2021 08:00:00 -0400

We try to make something to appeal to everyone, but as close as we get, we're limited by our own inability to be someone else

This is a feature, not a flaw. But your still need to be aware of it.

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Reaching, But Not Being Reached For

Thu, 22 Apr 2021 08:00:00 -0400

To all the friends of creative people, take the time to reach out to them and be interested in them. You know how hard it is to go out alone, and it's even lonelier when you can't share your vision.

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Embrace Your Creative Partner

Thu, 22 Apr 2021 08:00:00 -0400

This one goes out to all the spouses of creators. You can lose them so easily, but keeping them can be so rewarding!

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Your Spouse, Uninvolved

Tue, 20 Apr 2021 08:00:00 -0400

If your significant other wants nothing to do with your creative life, you have to watch out for specific dangers.

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Your Spouse as Your Co-Creator

Mon, 19 Apr 2021 08:00:00 -0400

We all dream of a relationship where we are perfectly and creatively in-sync with our partner. But is it really such a good idea? Watch out for these hazards.

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Your Spouse as Your Critic

Fri, 16 Apr 2021 08:00:00 -0400

When you want help with your creation, you want a critic. But is asking your loved ones really a good option? It can be, if you follow these guidelines

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Your Spouse as Your Audience

Thu, 15 Apr 2021 12:00:00 -0400

If you want to show your creations to your loved ones, here's some tips on how to prepare you both for the scary process.

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