Writer Syndrome

Backstory is essential to establishing who your characters are and the decisions they'll make in your story, but how much is too much? In this REPLAY episode from 2024, Russ and Tim discuss backstory, how they approached it for their first novels, and how they plan on using it in their new works.

Have you ever read a book and thought the end wasn't particularly satisfying? Well, you're not alone! In this REPLAY episode, Russ and Tim explore common Act III pitfalls, why they can make your final act fall flat, and how to avoid them.

When self-publishing there are many decisions to be made. The biggest is how you'll publish and distribute your novel. In this episode Russ & Tim chat about the pros and cons of publishing exclusively with Amazon or going WIDE and the choices they've made.

Looking to build hype before a book launch? One tool that can boost an initial launch is ARC (Advanced Review Copy) readers. In this episode, Russ and Tim explore the pros and cons of ARC Readers, why and how authors enlist them, and how they plan to use them (or not) for their upcoming book launches.

What does it take to stand out and be successful when publishing a novel? Spoilers: It's more than simply selling your novel. This episode Russ & Tim chat with Joe Mynhardt from Crystal Lake Publishing about publishing and finding your personal brand.

Are fourth walls made to be broken? Have you mastered the basics and are now ready to experiment with story structure? In this episode, Russ and Tim discuss metafiction and self-awareness, their meaning and characteristics, and how these tools can be used to create engaging narratives.

When is the best time to write? Whenever possible. At least that's what works for John Durgin. This episode, Russ and Tim dig into publishing, horror, and the prolific horror writing habits of John Durgin. John has published over five books in the last few years, with his next, I Woke Up A Final Girl, coming in June of 2026.

WHAM! BAM! ZAP! Interested in knowing what goes into writing a comic book? In this episode, Russ and Tim chat with comic book writer Joey Esposito. He's published stories for DC Comics, working on titles such as BATMAN: URBAN LEGENDS, AQUAMAN AND THE LOST KINGDOM. He's currently working on the new POWER RANGERS UNLIMITED series from Boom Studios, which kicks off with a special free preview issue on comic book day in May, then #1 in July. He's also working on a book called KILLER INFLUENCES for IDW Publishing's Crime imprint.

Do you have a manuscript sitting in a drawer somewhere? Are you staring at a screen, unsure where to restart? Us too! Sometimes your manuscript will take a backseat to life, by choice or not, and finding your way back can be difficult. In this episode, Russ and Tim find ways to reconnect with projects that life has pushed aside, whether they wanted to or not.

Ever felt like someone was telling you one thing, but their tone was screaming another? Or maybe you’ve decoded a "fine" that definitely didn't mean things were okay? In life and fiction we're always finding meaning beyond intention. In this episode Russ and Tim read between the lines of another idiom and how it functions as a literary device.