Writing Roots

S16E5 – Make it Small

There are some things that can help any author simply write, no matter the genre. We’re sharing with you this month tricks of the writing trade. Especially during November, which is National Novel Writing Month, writers everywhere need all the help they can get to hit that 50,000 word count goal. That includes things like how to write right, filling the middle bits of a book, and making sure to also highlight supporting characters.
What really makes a story relatable? It’s not the battles on a grand scale. It’s not the politics of planets. It’s not the entire police agencies case load. A relatable story is small. It zooms in on a character – or sometimes a few characters – to tell the tale of their lives as they navigate the world’s troubles. Authors can sometimes struggle with this concept because they want to display the fantastic world they’ve created. But that’s not why readers get invested in a book. They get invested in the characters, then learn to love the world. Listen to this episode to explore ways to make a story small in order to make it big.
First aired November 16, 2020.
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S16E4 – Using the Senses to Connect with Readers

There are some things that can help any author simply write, no matter the genre. We’re sharing with you this month tricks of the writing trade. Especially during November, which is National Novel Writing Month, writers everywhere need all the help they can get to hit that 50,000 word count goal. That includes things like how to write right, filling the middle bits of a book, and making sure to also highlight supporting characters.
Writing is about the details. One thing many authors forget is to tap into all of the senses when trying to submerse the readers in a world. This doesn’t mean describing all the sights, sounds, and tastes at the same time, but it does mean considering more than just what the scene looks like. In fact, there are more than five senses that can make the reader really feel like they are living the story. This episode breaks down those senses and how they can be used effectively in writing to connect with the audience.
First aired November 12, 2020.
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S16E3 – Between the Lines: Importance of Subtext

There are some things that can help any author simply write, no matter the genre. We’re sharing with you this month tricks of the writing trade. Especially during November, which is National Novel Writing Month, writers everywhere need all the help they can get to hit that 50,000 word count goal. That includes things like how to write right, filling the middle bits of a book, and making sure to also highlight supporting characters.
It’s often the small, untyped details that can make a story. If an author wants a reader to understand something without spending a lot of time explaining, subtext is the way to go. Subtext can allow the reader to understand a character’s fears, thoughts, emotions, and pieces of their history without the author having to go into paragraphs of exposition. It’s a cringe as they see a dog, a wince as someone raises their hand too quickly, a nostalgic smile at the mention of a name.
First aired November 9, 2020.
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S16E2 – Using Similes and Metaphors

There are some things that can help any author simply write, no matter the genre. We’re sharing with you this month tricks of the writing trade. Especially during November, which is National Novel Writing Month, writers everywhere need all the help they can get to hit that 50,000 word count goal. That includes things like how to write right, filling the middle bits of a book, and making sure to also highlight supporting characters.
Similes and metaphors are devices that have been used in writing for a very long time. Ancient writing used allegories while more modern uses can be single sentences or phrases. In each case, it’s a way to convey a large idea in just a few words. Ley and Leigh break down what they are and how they can be used most effectively in fiction.
First aired November 5, 2020.
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S16E1 – Writing Right Right Now

There are some things that can help any author simply write, no matter the genre. We’re sharing with you this month tricks of the writing trade. Especially during November, which is National Novel Writing Month, writers everywhere need all the help they can get to hit that 50,000 word count goal. That includes things like how to write right, filling the middle bits of a book, and making sure to also highlight supporting characters.
The first step for any author is to simply write. It can be difficult, though, to accept a first draft as a first draft and not a perfected best-selling novel. It takes time. It takes patience. And it takes a willingness to accept that writing right right now isn’t always writing a perfect draft. Leigh and Ley discuss their struggles with the concept and ways you can overcome one of the most common inhibitions for writers.
First aired November 2, 2020.
Find all the information about our NaNoWriMo giveaway here.
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S15 Bonus – The Worst Monsters: Features of True Crime

Happy Halloween everyone! We’ve been talking monsters and fantastical creatures for the entire month of October, progressively getting darker and scarier. Hosts Ley and Leigh were in agreement, though, that the worst of all monsters are humans. For centuries, stories have included men and women who have committed far more attrocities than any mindless undead creature.
We start the episode by diving into the mythological human creatures, such as werewolves, then explore the dark world of serial killers. Listen to hear some unusual cases as well as a brief exploration of what science knows of serial killer psychology.
First aired October 31, 2020.
A special thank you goes to Leigh’s sister, Brianna Joy for her contributions to this episode. An interest in true crime must run in the family.
Recommended podcasts for true crime:
The Murder SquadMonster: The Zodiac KillerStuff You Missed in History ClassSmall Town The post S15 Bonus – The Worst Monsters: Features of True Crime appeared first on Writing Roots.

S15E9 – Ancient and Prehistoric Monsters and Gods

From those that go bump in the night to ones that offer hope, mythical creatures and monsters are abound in fiction. You can find them in anything from horror to science fiction and fantasy. But where do our ideas for creatures to scare or inspire come from? Throughout October, Writing Roots will be delving into the myths of monsters across the world to help bring inspiration for anyone seeking to write a classic creature or one with a bit of a twist.
Some monsters of legend and myth predate human existence. They are the ones who lived and ruled the earth before mankind came to be. In many stories, they’re simply lurking below, waiting for their time to return and reign supreme. We’re talking gods and ancient monsters in this episode, from the Greek Titans to Lovecraft’s Cthulu mythos.
First aired October 29, 2020.
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S15E8 – Ghosts and Hauntings with Lori Juszak

From those that go bump in the night to ones that offer hope, mythical creatures and monsters are abound in fiction. You can find them in anything from horror to science fiction and fantasy. But where do our ideas for creatures to scare or inspire come from? Throughout October, Writing Roots will be delving into the myths of monsters across the world to help bring inspiration for anyone seeking to write a classic creature or one with a bit of a twist.
Ghosts and spirits are a staple for the Halloween season. In some places, though, it’s believed that ghosts are a part of normal existence. Many people have had their own spectral experience. That means there is a lot to work with for authors hoping to venture into the spooky realms of writing. We invited ghost tour guide Lori Juszak to discuss her experiences with ghosts and to get a look into the world of searching for the phenomena.
Ghosts of Fort Collins
Contact Lori Juszak
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S15E7 – Hordes of the Undead

From those that go bump in the night to ones that offer hope, mythical creatures and monsters are abound in fiction. You can find them in anything from horror to science fiction and fantasy. But where do our ideas for creatures to scare or inspire come from? Throughout October, Writing Roots will be delving into the myths of monsters across the world to help bring inspiration for anyone seeking to write a classic creature or one with a bit of a twist.
Stories of people rising from the dead to hunt the living have riddled histories and cultures for centuries. From more modern takes on zombies to ancient stories of vampires who feast on blood, there are so many elements to draw from when creating a story involving the undead. Leigh and Ley discuss some of the more common themes in this episode.
First aired October 22, 2020.
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S15E6 – Creatures from the Deep

From those that go bump in the night to ones that offer hope, mythical creatures and monsters are abound in fiction. You can find them in anything from horror to science fiction and fantasy. But where do our ideas for creatures to scare or inspire come from? Throughout October, Writing Roots will be delving into the myths of monsters across the world to help bring inspiration for anyone seeking to write a classic creature or one with a bit of a twist.
Some of the oldest and deepest fears of humankind include the unknown, and there’s nothing more unknown than what’s in the deep abyss we call the sea. In the old tales, creatures from the waters were often massive and destructive, or alluring tempters. They were never benevolent. Leigh and Ley take a dive into the waters in this episode to explore aquatic monsters, from the mermaid to the Kraken.
First aired October 19, 2020.
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