Writing Roots

S19E6 – Using the Weather and Other Acts of God

If you find yourself in middle of your manuscript wondering what could possibly happen to get things moving, you might consider an act of god. This doesn’t have to mean a literal god in your story reaching down and changing something, though that is possible. Acts of god, like natural disasters, weather, and other elements outside of the control of mortal beings, can create hurdles and roadblocks in the plans of your characters.
From having a hurricane destroy an essential part of the villain’s plan, to an earthquake forcing the protagonist crew out into the open, acts of god can really help round out act two of a story.
First aired February 18, 2021.
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S19E5 – Romance and Drunkenness

No matter the genre, using scenes that focus on character emotions can help drive a plot through the second act. Sometimes this comes with romantic dates that end in mishaps or misery. Sometimes it means a character gets drunk or otherwise inhibited and reveals a secret. Either of these devices can give authors more depth to the story, to the characters, and to the plot.
In this episode, Ley and Leigh discuss why romantic scenes in the middle shouldn’t end well, and how alcohol can play a part in making that happen.
First aired February 15, 2021.
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S19E4 – Creating a Holiday for Worldbuilding

What can be better for the middle of Act II than a party? Holidays and events are a wonderful way to add some depth to the world while giving the characters something to work towards. Festivities can also give characters a new setting for different kinds interaction.
Leigh and Ley discuss different kinds of holidays, how they usually get started, and how you can use earthly holidays to help create ones in your world.
First aired February 11, 2021.
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S18E3 – Time for a Casting Change

One way to help the process of writing the second act is to have a casting change of some kind. This could be bringing back a character introduced early in the book, adding a new character, or even removing one from the story. It’s difficult, though, to make a change in the characters seem natural. In this episode, we discuss ways to shift around the cast in ways that will add to the story rather than overwhelm the reader with name after name.
First aired February 8, 2021.
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S19E2 – A Secret Revealed

Every character has a secret. Sometimes it’s something they know about another, and sometimes it’s about themselves. Using these secrets during the second act can help give the plot direction and conflict to build towards the final confrontation.
Continuing our series on finding prompts for Act Two of a three-act structure, hosts Leigh and Ley discuss the use of secrets, how they can come out, and how they can change relationship dynamics.
First aired February 4, 2021.
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S19E1 – Using Footholds to Find Direction

The most challenging part of writing a novel is often the middle. It’s find the pieces to keep the plot moving forward without simply skipping to the end. Throughout February, we will be talking about writing prompts and devices that can be used to spur any writer on, whether or not they keep the scene in the final edit.
Footholds are the first step to any scene that fills the middle of a book. They’re moments where a character mentions something – a person, place, or object – that can be tied into the story later. They’re not necessarily relevant to the plot, but can be used to fill and embellish. To get the characters from where they are to where they need to be. Listen to this episode to learn what kinds of things you can make a foothold for your own writing.
First aired February 1, 2021.
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S18 Bonus – Pearls from the Masters: Brandon Sanderson

It’s no secret to anyone that listens to this podcast that Brandon Sanderson is Leigh’s favorite author, but he also has a lot of advice to help new authors. While he’s creating worlds with depth and beauty, he also spends time to help writers expand their abilities. From a podcast to a university class, he’s made sure there are ample resources for anyone wanting to dive into creating fantasy works of their own.
First aired January 30, 2021.
Resources:– YouTube channel– Five Tips for Writing Your First Novel– Lecture Series
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S18E8 – Pearls from the Masters: Ernest Hemingway

Ernest Hemingway is considered one of the greatest writers of the 20th Century, his influence expanding beyond just his works alone. His writing is as straightforward as his advice for writers. We review some of that advice and break down how it applies to modern writers.
First aired January 28, 2021.
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S18E7 – Pearls from the Masters: J.R.R. Tolkein and C.S. Lewis

Two of the greatest fantasy writers came from the same writing group. Not only that, but they were known friends as they worked on their individual stories and books. J.R.R Tokein is best known for The Lord of the Rings and the rest of the Middle Earth universe. C.S. Lewis, while he has many philosophical or theological writings, is known in the fantasy world for The Chronicles of Narnia series.
In this episode, we take quotes from both of these authors and compare them, seeing how the two sometimes-rivals agreed or disagreed in many ways.
First aired January 25, 2021.
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S18E6 – Pearls from the Masters: Agatha Christie

Agatha Christie is among the greatest mystery authors of all time. Her stories, though around 100 years old, are still loved and well-read today. Part of that was her ability to weave a mystery that keeps the reader intrigued and wondering.
She also shared advice and revealed her own writing process that is still useful for new authors. Leigh and Ley share those and discuss why it’s useful advice after a century in this episode.
First aired January 21, 2021.
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