Writing Roots

S6E3 – The Use of Prologues, Dreams, and Flashbacks

Authors can always be served by returning to the basics of writing. We spend so much time focusing on the grand scale of books – plot, themes, sequels – that the simple pieces of writing which make a story stand out can be lost. This month, Writing Roots is focusing on the nitty gritty, from writing dialogue and humor to developing character voice.
Dreams, flashbacks, and prologues are all devices with specific uses in writing. When used correctly, they add flavor and depth to a story. There are, however, too many cases where they are used improperly. It creates a jarring experience that throws the reader out of the story or simply confuses them. In this episode, we discuss these devices and how they can be used properly.
First aired January 9, 2020.
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S6E2 – Maintaining Momentum

Authors can always be served by returning to the basics of writing. We spend so much time focusing on the grand scale of books – plot, themes, sequels – that the simple pieces of writing which make a story stand out can be lost. This month, Writing Roots is focusing on the nitty gritty, from writing dialogue and humor to developing character voice.
Momentum in a story is what drives the reader to the final pages. Losing it can result in the reader setting aside the book for other pursuits. Momentum can be found even without constant action. Ley and Leigh discuss ways to keep your reader around, and what to avoid so the momentum doesn’t slow.
First aired January 6, 2020.
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S6E1 – Writing Dialogue

Happy New Year, listeners! Welcome to 2020.
Authors can always be served by returning to the basics of writing. We spend so much time focusing on the grand scale of books – plot, themes, sequels – that the simple pieces of writing which make a story stand out can be lost. This month, Writing Roots is focusing on the nitty gritty, from writing dialogue and humor to developing character voice.
Dialogue in writing is tricky. So much goes into determining just how spoken words appear in a story. Authors must consider the character, their background, and their situation, while still making it feel natural to the reader. Ley and Leigh discuss the use of dialogue, languages, accents, and more in this episode.
First aired January 2, 2020.
As promised in the episode, here is the link to the XKCD comic “Fiction Rule of Thumb.”
https://imgs.xkcd.com/comics/fiction_rule_of_thumb.png
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S5E9 – How Do I Help Authors I Support?

Writing and publishing a book can be a daunting process. It starts with an idea and hope for the future, but is often crushed by the constant questions along the way. Writing Roots is using December to explore your questions, along with questions we see most often in our business.
The ease of self-publishing has made it so nearly anyone can be an author. Their supporters – whether they be family, friends, or fans – are always looking to buy the next book. Supporting an author, though, can include so much more than monetary contributions. In this episode, Leigh and Ley talk about other ways to help your favorite self-published authors.
This episode is a few minutes longer than normal. Be sure to listen to the end, as we ask you, our listeners, questions. We want to know what you’re interested in, what you want to know, and how we can help you most in your writing journey.
And of course, Happy New Year!
First aired December 30, 2019.
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S5 Bonus – Battle of the Hosts: Adverbs

It’s time for another Battle of the Hosts. The topic of conversation is adverbs. Are they good or bad? Should authors use them or avoid them? Ley takes up the pro-adverb argument, believing that adverbs can help add flavor and understanding. Leigh argues against them, calling them redundant and often replaceable.
Which side are you on?
First aired December 28, 2019.
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S5E8 – Is it All in My Head?

Writing and publishing a book can be a daunting process. It starts with an idea and hope for the future, but is often crushed by the constant questions along the way. Writing Roots is using December to explore your questions, along with questions we see most often in our business.
New authors tend to let their head take over their work. While using your head is good for things like grammar and sentence structure, writing comes from the heart. Still, questions such as “is it too cliche?” and “is this genre popular enough?” pop up in the heads of writers everywhere. Leigh and Ley discuss the answers in this episode.
First aired December 26, 2019.
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S5E7 – What’s the Difference? Traditional vs. Self-Publishing

Writing and publishing a book can be a daunting process. It starts with an idea and hope for the future, but is often crushed by the constant questions along the way. Writing Roots is using December to explore your questions, along with questions we see most often in our business.
How do I know which publishing path is right for me? Is self-publishing an option if I want to become a best-seller? With today’s technology and ease of access, every new author has to ask these questions. It’s not always a one or the other answer, though. Leigh and Ley discuss the difference in this episode.
First aired December 23, 2019.
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S5E6 – How Do I Become a Writer? Pt. 2

Writing and publishing a book can be a daunting process. It starts with an idea and hope for the future, but is often crushed by the constant questions along the way. Writing Roots is using December to explore your questions, along with questions we see most often in our business.
What if I get a negative review? Do I have to go to school for writing to be a writer? How do I find my voice as an author? We address these and more in this second part of our exploration of the question “how to become a writer.”
First aired December 19, 2019.
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S5E5 – How Do I Become a Writer?

Writing and publishing a book can be a daunting process. It starts with an idea and hope for the future, but is often crushed by the constant questions along the way. Writing Roots is using December to explore your questions, along with questions we see most often in our business.
What is the difference between being a writer and being an author? How do I even get a book published? Should I be going to writer’s conferences and retreats? Is all of that even required to be a writer? These are just some questions people wonder as they’re beginning a career in writing. Hosts Leigh and Ley address these and more in the first part of this two-episode set on becoming a writer.
First aired December 16, 2019.
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S5E4 – Is it Okay if I Write _____?

Writing and publishing a book can be a daunting process. It starts with an idea and hope for the future, but is often crushed by the constant questions along the way. Writing Roots is using December to explore your questions, along with questions we see most often in our business.
This is a question that dogs many writers in their process. They wonder about writing that explicit or violent scene. They worry that they aren’t a writer if their work isn’t published traditionally. In this episode, the hosts discuss why this question should never hold you back.
First aired December 12, 2019.
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