Writer Syndrome

Pacing

Nothing slows a story like an Act II info dump or an author cramming all their research during the climax. Deliberate pacing is an essential tool in the writer's toolbox to keep readers engaged. Dialogue, description, and even white space on the page can significantly affect your pacing. In this episode, Russ and Tim dissect pacing in their works and share what they've learned to keep pages turning.

Violence In Writing

Every good story is built on conflict. Sometimes, that conflict can culminate in scenes of violence. But when is that violence too much or not enough? In this episode, Russ and Tim explore violence in writing and the many factors that impact readers' expectations and enjoyment.

The Writing On The Wall

Our idiom series continues with "the writing on the wall." In this episode, we dive into the classic religious story that involved too much partying and impending doom. Get the popcorn.

Time Jumps

Generally, stories don't cover every waking moment of a character's life. Stories move through time, skipping the dull parts and getting to the key moments that impact a character's arc. In this episode, Russ and Tim get into the how, when, and why of time jumps and their impact on writing a cohesive narrative.

Getting Back Into It

Life has a way of getting in the way. It can take our best intentions, writing or otherwise, and throw them into the void, never to be seen again. It happens to everyone, so how do you get back into it and meet your goals? In this episode, Russ and Tim suggest methods to regain focus so you can get back into writing like you were never away.

Tension & Suspense

What is tension? What is suspense? These key ingredients keep readers turning your pages and wondering what will happen next. In this episode, Russ and Tim discuss tension and suspense and explore how these tools can work together to create a compelling narrative.

Coincidences In Storytelling

Every story will have at least one coincidence to kick off the plot. After that, as a writer, you're asking your audience to continue to suspend disbelief to move the story along at the cost of losing them. In this episode, Russ and Tim talk about coincidences, how many are too many (spoilers: more than one), and get into Deus Ex Machina, and Tim voraciously defends Lord of the Rings.

Get The Ball Rolling

We're getting the ball rolling...on a new year! It's our first episode of 2025, and we're diving into idioms. We'll be "tackling" them throughout the year, exploring their history, usage, and how they could be used in writing.

2024 Year-In-Review

Goodbye 2024! In this episode, Russ and Tim look back at their respective writing goals for the year and grade how they did. Spoilers: everyone got an A+, even if they didn't deserve it. Happy New Year, everyone, and thank you for listening.

Book Swap: The Troop / The Killing Floor

Book swap! In this episode, Russ and Tim trade books from their favorite genres and give a review. Russ read Nick Cutter's The Troop while Tim read Lee Child's The Killing Floor.