Writing Roots

S8E4 – The Thriller and Suspense Genres

Genres can be tricky things for new authors. The genre often determines the audience, writing style, and even basic themes contained in the book. Many new authors ask in forums across the internet which genre is best for their book. This series is dedicated to those authors, in hopes of answering those questions. Each episode will break down a different genre, from the expected word count to the sentence structure.
The thriller and suspense genres excel at one thing: action. It’s about the fight and the question. They also have some of the shortest novels out there, opting for implication and brevity over wordy descriptions. This episode breaks down the writing style and important aspect for authors who choose to write suspense or thriller.
First aired March 12, 2020.
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S8E3 – The Young Adult Genre

Genres can be tricky things for new authors. The genre often determines the audience, writing style, and even basic themes contained in the book. Many new authors ask in forums across the internet which genre is best for their book. This series is dedicated to those authors, in hopes of answering those questions. Each episode will break down a different genre, from the expected word count to the sentence structure.
Not only is Young Adult fiction one of the most varied genres out there, it is one of the most widely read. There are a lot of things to consider when venturing out into the world of writing YA, including the target audience and subgenres.
First aired March 9, 2020.
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S8E2 – The Science Fiction Genre

Genres can be tricky things for new authors. The genre often determines the audience, writing style, and even basic themes contained in the book. Many new authors ask in forums across the internet which genre is best for their book. This series is dedicated to those authors, in hopes of answering those questions. Each episode will break down a different genre, from the expected word count to the sentence structure.
Science Fiction is about boldly going where no writer has gone before. Like Fantasy, there is infinite space for creativity and imagination, but it differs in one major place. Technology. This episode is all about the different aspects of Sci-Fi, from imagining futuristic technology to using modern theories and ideas in writing.
First aired March 5, 2020.
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S8E1 – The Fantasy Genre

Genres can be tricky things for new authors. The genre often determines the audience, writing style, and even basic themes contained in the book. Many new authors ask in forums across the internet which genre is best for their book. This series is dedicated to those authors, in hopes of answering those questions. Each episode will break down a different genre, from the expected word count to the sentence structure.
Fantasy is one of the most popular genres for writing, whether it be high or urban or anything in between. This episode focuses on what it means to write fantasy and why it is one of the best genres for those with a big imagination.
First aired March 2, 2020.
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S7 Bonus – Women in Fiction

There are so many tropes attached to women in fiction, many of them unflattering and unrealistic. The “Mary Sue,” which we covered at the beginning of the month, is just a drop in the bucket. Everyone can think of a book, movie, or some kind of entertainment that includes absurd depictions of women. Sometimes it’s the supermodel who, somehow, can fight ten men while wearing heels. Sometimes it’s body parts that are given expressions of their own, completely disconnected from the woman’s own emotions. Sometimes it’s simply making women shallow, not only in personality, but in characterization.
Women in fiction should reflect women in reality, just like men in fiction should reflect men in reality. There should be real emotions, realistic physiology, and and real depth.
First aired February 29, 2020.
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S7E8 – Shoulder Angels

Across all forms of story, you can find similarities and themes. Plots have recognizable structures, main characters almost always fight for good in some way, and there is usually a change in status quo. Sometimes, though, those themes transform into tropes, whether good or bad. Tropes are devices or elements used in story-telling that become recognizable through their consistent use. Like any other literary device, tropes are tools. They are not inherently bad, nor inherently good. We are taking this month to talk about some of the more common tropes, what they are, how they can be used correctly, and why you should be aware they exist.
A feature of many stories – from ancient to modern – is a struggle between good and evil, light and dark, selfishness and selflessness. Mankind is usually in between. In some version, especially those that lean towards comedy or parody, it is represented literally with an angel and a devil on the shoulder. Sigmund Freud used Id, Ego, and Superego to represent the same kind of struggle. Knowing these ideas can help author create real, personal struggle for their characters that should, like humans in general, be stuck somewhere in the middle.
First aired February 27, 2020.
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S7E7 – Plot Armor

Across all forms of story, you can find similarities and themes. Plots have recognizable structures, main characters almost always fight for good in some way, and there is usually a change in status quo. Sometimes, though, those themes transform into tropes, whether good or bad. Tropes are devices or elements used in story-telling that become recognizable through their consistent use. Like any other literary device, tropes are tools. They are not inherently bad, nor inherently good. We are taking this month to talk about some of the more common tropes, what they are, how they can be used correctly, and why you should be aware they exist.
It happens in so many books, movies, and especially television shows. The main characters are seemingly immortal. Nothing can kill them because they’re the main character. If they do die, they are somehow brought back to life. This is a trope known as Plot Armor. While sometimes necessary, if taken to an extreme it can leave the reader uninterested and far from invested in the plight of your protagonist.
First aired February 25, 2020.
(We apologize for the delayed posting of this episode. The audio proof editor encountered some personal delays.)
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S7E6 – Deus Ex Machina

Across all forms of story, you can find similarities and themes. Plots have recognizable structures, main characters almost always fight for good in some way, and there is usually a change in status quo. Sometimes, though, those themes transform into tropes, whether good or bad. Tropes are devices or elements used in story-telling that become recognizable through their consistent use. Like any other literary device, tropes are tools. They are not inherently bad, nor inherently good. We are taking this month to talk about some of the more common tropes, what they are, how they can be used correctly, and why you should be aware they exist.
Writing a great ending is a challenge. Authors spend the whole book making sure the protagonist faces problems they can’t overcome. But the good guy is supposed to win in the end, right? That’s where a Deus Ex Machina comes in: an easy way out of a tough corner that is guaranteed to frustrate the reader. It’s a trope that, in many opinions, should never be used. This episode discusses why, and how to avoid needing the machinery of the gods in the first place.
First aired February 20, 2020.
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S7E5 – MacGuffins

Across all forms of story, you can find similarities and themes. Plots have recognizable structures, main characters almost always fight for good in some way, and there is usually a change in status quo. Sometimes, though, those themes transform into tropes, whether good or bad. Tropes are devices or elements used in story-telling that become recognizable through their consistent use. Like any other literary device, tropes are tools. They are not inherently bad, nor inherently good. We are taking this month to talk about some of the more common tropes, what they are, how they can be used correctly, and why you should be aware they exist.
Have you ever read a story and found both the good guys and bad guys are pursuing an object which seems to have no actual value or worth in the end? In the world of tropes, that object would be known as a MacGuffin. It’s there just to get things going, but serves no other function. This episode focuses on the uses of this trope and how to make an object trigger a plot and serve a deeper function.
First aired February 17, 2020.
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S7E4 – Love Triangles

Across all forms of story, you can find similarities and themes. Plots have recognizable structures, main characters almost always fight for good in some way, and there is usually a change in status quo. Sometimes, though, those themes transform into tropes, whether good or bad. Tropes are devices or elements used in story-telling that become recognizable through their consistent use. Like any other literary device, tropes are tools. They are not inherently bad, nor inherently good. We are taking this month to talk about some of the more common tropes, what they are, how they can be used correctly, and why you should be aware they exist.
Happy Valentine’s Day! This was the perfect opportunity to address one of the most common tropes across all genres. Love triangles are central to many Young Adult and Romance books, but it’s often found in subplots of Fantasy, Sci-Fi, and even Mystery and Action novels. Like any trope, there are ways to use it effectively and still leave your reader satisfied with the resolution.
First aired February 13, 2020.
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