Shows
Writer SyndromeREPLAY - Story ArchetypesA replay of an episode recorded in 2023. Story archetypes are a great starting point for building your narrative. In this episode Russ and Tim discuss the seven core story archetypes that can be found in most fiction, how they can be used to create engaging novels, and how they used (or didn't use) them for their own projects.
2025-07-2918 minWriter SyndromeThe Third Draft & BeyondIf you've survived the second draft, congrats! But you still have quite a way to go on your journey, which brings us to the third draft and beyond. Refining sentence structure and word choice, incorporating beta reader feedback, eliminating crunch words and phrases, the drafts where the polish happens. In this episode, Russ and Tim reflect on their drafting process, how many it took, and what hurdles they hope to avoid for future novels.
2025-07-1536 minWriter SyndromeThe Second DraftSo you've completed a first draft of your manuscript. Now what? The real work begins. Writing is re-writing and the second draft is a heavy lift of fixing those major character and plot issues that creep in during that first vomit draft. This episode Russ and Tim talk about the trials and tribulations of the second draft and how important it is when shaping your story.
2025-07-0236 minWriter SyndromeThe First DraftThe first draft, often called the "vomit draft," is one of the most important parts of the writing process. Once you type "the end," you can truly begin. In this episode, Russ and Tim revisit their first drafts and discuss the improvements they've made for their upcoming projects.
2025-06-1739 minWriter SyndromeThe Pen Is Mightier Than The SwordThe battle is on! Pens vs swords! In this episode, we explore the variations of the classic idiom "the pen is mightier than the sword." We discuss its fascinating history, discover who made it what it is today, and why pens shouldn't turn into laser swords.
2025-06-0329 minWriter SyndromeResearch MethodsResearch is a key part of the writing process. Without proper research, building credible worlds, intriguing plots, and relatable characters is impossible. But how much is too much? In this episode, Russ and Tim discuss how their research methods have evolved from their first manuscripts to their new ones.
2025-05-2059 minWriter SyndromeReplay - ThemeA replay of an earlier episode on Themes in storytelling. It's a timely topic for us as we're exploring themes in our new projects. A good theme can provide the heart and glue that binds your story together. Characters, dialogue, setting, and symbolism are important in conveying your theme to the reader. In this episode, Russ and Tim dive into the common themes and how they used them in their writing.
2025-05-0618 minWriter SyndromePacingNothing 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.
2025-04-2350 minWriter SyndromeViolence In WritingEvery 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.
2025-04-0837 minWriter SyndromeThe Writing On The WallOur 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.
2025-03-2528 minWriter SyndromeTime JumpsGenerally, 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.
2025-03-1148 minWriter SyndromeGetting Back Into ItLife 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.
2025-02-2542 minWriter SyndromeTension & SuspenseWhat 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.
2025-02-1151 minWriter SyndromeCoincidences In StorytellingEvery 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.
2025-01-2845 minWriter SyndromeGet The Ball RollingWe'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.
2025-01-1432 minWriter Syndrome2024 Year-In-ReviewGoodbye 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.
2024-12-3145 minWriter SyndromeBook Swap: The Troop / The Killing FloorBook 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.
2024-12-1744 minWriter SyndromeWhat To Leave OutIs that an adverb? Ditch it. Overly verbose exposition? Delete. Detailed descriptions of everyday objects? Get rid of it! In this episode, Russ and Tim discuss killing their darlings and reflect on what they left in their novels and why.
2024-12-0348 minWriter SyndromeEpiloguesEpilogues—who needs them? Isn't your story already over? In this episode, Russ and Tim discuss how epilogues are used, why they exist, and whether or not you should use one.
2024-11-2032 minWriter SyndromeProloguesTo prologue or not to prologue? That is the question. In this episode, Russ and Tim discuss the ins and outs of prologues, what makes a good one, and why people don't like them.
2024-11-0548 minWriter SyndromeMistakes & ExpectationsHave you ever made a mistake that kept you up at night? Or maybe you set an expectation that you couldn't quite meet? In this episode, Russ and Tim explore their own writing mistakes and expectations, how they recovered from them (if they did), and how they adjusted to maintain writing productivity.
2024-10-2242 minWriter SyndromeInfluencesWho or what influences you and your writing? Influences can come from anywhere and are important in shaping the stories we tell. This episode Russ and Tim get into the authors, movies, art, music, and even family, that influenced their stories.
2024-10-0852 minWriter SyndromeSelf-CensorshipWe're not fans of novels getting censored, but what happens when you're the one doing the censoring? There is a fine line between being true to the vision of your story and being shocking or sultry just for the sake of it. In this episode, Russ and Tim talk about how they self-censored their own work based on genre, reader expectations, and what they learned through the process.
2024-09-2441 minWriter SyndromeBook TitlesYou only get one chance to make a first impression. Title your book wrong, and you may lose out on potential readers. Is your title intriguing enough? Is it too similar to others? Does it fit within your genre? In this episode, Russ and Tim tackle these questions and explain why they named their first novels and what they did.
2024-09-1036 minWriter SyndromePop Culture ReferencesPop culture references are a fun way to build on a character, setting, and world within your story. Yet too many references can ruin your reader's suspension of disbelief. So, where's the line? How much is too much? In this episode, Russ and Tim reflect on how they used pop culture references in their first works and the lessons they've learned.
2024-08-2746 minWriter SyndromeCharacter NamesWhat's in a name? Character names can allow readers to peer into and gather insight into what makes them tick. Does your protagonist need an epic name? How about your villains or secondary characters? Russ and Tim get into naming characters in this episode and dive into their own naming experiences and missteps in early drafts.
2024-08-1340 minWriter SyndromeSymbolismSymbolism is yet another tool in the author's toolkit for enhancing a story. Whether it be big-picture themes, character behaviors, or a setting, symbolism is a great way to enrich a reader's experience. In this episode, Russ and Tim chat about how they applied symbolism to their stories and lessons learned.
2024-08-0337 minWriter SyndromeBackstoryBackstory 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 episode, Russ and Tim discuss backstory, how they approached it for their first novels, and how they plan on using it in their new works.
2024-07-1650 minWriter SyndromeWhere To Begin, AgainWriting your first novel is hard, but is writing a second novel any easier? In this episode, Russ and Tim chat about how to plan a new project, when to stop researching and start writing, and why their approaches have changed since completing their first works.
2024-07-0234 minWriter SyndromeHumorKnock, knock... no, we won't do that to you. In this episode, Russ and Tim discuss writing with humor, how they approach it in their works, the different types of humor authors can use, and when to use it.
2024-06-1840 minWriter SyndromeSpecial Guest - Michael BahlerIn this episode, Russ and Tim are joined by Michael Bahler, a New Jersey-based writer whose short fiction and nonfiction have appeared in The New York Times, Glimmer Train, Nerve, and many others, including the Brooklyn Rail. He joins us to chat about the publishing industry, writing short stories, and his jump from short to long-form writing.
2024-06-0543 minWriter SyndromeAct III PitfallsHave you ever read a book and thought the end wasn't particularly satisfying? Well, you're not alone! In this episode, Russ and Tim explore common Act III pitfalls, why they can make your final act fall flat, and how to avoid them.
2024-05-2242 minWriter SyndromeScene TransitionsWhy are scene transitions important? Not ony to they ground the reader in POV, setting, and time. They can change mood and create pacing that keeps a reader engaged. In this episode Russ and Tim get into their own approaches to scene transitions and if they were intentional from the start.
2024-05-0937 minWriter Syndrome50th EPISODE! Where Are We Now?50th episode! We made it! Russ and Tim do a pulse check on their projects, how far they've come, and the path ahead. Here's to fifty more!
2024-04-2345 minWriter SyndromeStructuring ChaptersStructure is a good thing, right? In this episode, Russ and Tim discuss chapter structure and how a well-structured chapter can impact pacing and tension and influence the reader to keep turning pages.
2024-04-1155 minWriter SyndromeVideo Game NarrativesAre video games art? What elevates a video game narrative to make it memorable? Will Russ and Tim ever stop playing and get back to writing their second novels? In this special video game-themed episode, we tackle these questions and more.
2024-03-2752 minWriter SyndromeSpecial Guest - Geoffrey MorrisonAuthor Geoffrey Morrison joins us again for a great chat about his new nonfiction book, Budget Travel for Dummies. We discuss his move from fiction to nonfiction, hostels, deadlines, editing, and more.
2024-03-1244 minWriter SyndromeMetaphors and SimilesSimiles are metaphors; metaphors are not similes. In this episode, Russ and Tim explore more tools in the author's toolbox with metaphor and simile usage. What are they? How are they different? And how they use them in their own stories. Along with soup analogies. It's the most fun you can have while learning about figures of speech.
2024-02-2942 minWriter SyndromeFinding Your VoiceHave you found your voice as a storyteller? What does that even mean? This episode Russ and Tim explore the many factors that can shape an author's voice, and how they found (or are still looking for) their own.
2024-02-1435 minWriter SyndromeMyths About WritingThere are a slew of writing myths out there. In this episode, Russ and Tim walk through some common myths and even bust a few of the big ones.
2024-01-3045 minWriter SyndromeQuery ProcessThe query process can be a daunting, self-doubt-inducing part of getting published. In this episode, Russ asks Tim about his experience with the query process, the good, the bad, the ugly, and most importantly, how to stay focused on writing.
2024-01-1844 minWriter SyndromeThemeA good theme can provide the heart and glue that binds your story together. Characters, dialogue, setting, and symbolism are important in conveying your theme to the reader. In this episode, Russ and Tim dive into the common themes and how they used them in their writing.
2024-01-0224 minWriter SyndromeInterview w/ J.D. EdwinJ.D. Edwin, author of the sci-fi fantasy trilogy Headspace, joins us as we discuss querying, marketing, plotting vs pansting, and how to stay sane while writing a series.
2023-12-1942 minWriter SyndromeCharacterizationCharacter archetypes were just the beginning, in order to further refine your characters you need to utilize direct and indirect characterization. This episode Russ and Tim discuss the finer details about characters, and the ways to tease that information to readers.
2023-12-0536 minWriter SyndromeCharacter ArchetypesLooking to build out characters for your narrative? Character archetypes can help! This episode Russ and Tim discuss the various archetypes with examples and how they might be used to create interesting and unique characters.
2023-11-2248 minWriter SyndromeStory ArchetypesStory archetypes are a great starting point for building your narrative. In this episode Russ and Tim discuss the seven core story archetypes that can be found in most fiction, how they can be used to create a engaging novels, and how they used (or didn't use) them for their own projects.
2023-11-0732 minWriter SyndromeStory Beats Act IIIIt all comes down to this...Act III. Our heroes have been removed from their normal world, thrust into a chaotic Act II world, been through the ringer, hit the bottom of the barrel, now it's time for them to shine (or maybe not?) and finish their journey. Join Russ and Tim as they wrap-up their deep dive into the Save the Cat! Act III story beats.
2023-10-2432 min
Writer SyndromeStory Beats Act IIDoing their best to avoid strong act II vibes, Russ and Tim continue their deep dive into Save the Cat! Writes A Novel story beats with Act II.
2023-10-1131 minWriter SyndromeStory Beats Act IUsing Save the Cat! Writes A Novel as a jumping off point, Russ and Tim do a deep dive into the Act I story beats, and reference how this methodology was useful in crafting their own works.
2023-09-2739 minWriter SyndromeWriter’s BlockWriter's block...
2023-09-1226 minWriter SyndromeCharacter MotivationsDo your characters have the right motivation? Proper motivation is necessary if you want your characters to make believable decisions that lead toward their goals, even if those decisions are flawed. In this episode, Russ and Tim discuss internal and external motivations, how they connect to goals, and how they can change as the story progresses.
2023-08-2933 minWriter SyndromeMarketing & Social MediaThe work doesn't stop once you launch your book. If you want to be read, you need to promote your book to the world. In this episode, Russ and Tim discuss marketing, social media, advertising, and Russ' plan for promoting his new book, HOST.
2023-08-1546 minWriter SyndromeHOST Book LaunchThe day has arrived! Russ has launched his debut novel, HOST. Tim asks how Russ feels, what happens next, and what improvements he'll make as he ramps on book two. Also, go buy HOST so Russ can be a little less of a starving artist.
2023-08-0240 minWriter SyndromeCover Art ProcessCover art is often your first chance to make an impression on the reader, so you better make it a good one. In this episode, Russ and Tim chat about the cover art process, how Russ approached it for his self-published title, what mistakes he made along the way, and how it's a great way to refill the creative well.
2023-07-1839 minWriter SyndromeComps & OriginalityAre you original? Do you need to be? In this episode Russ and Tim chat about comps, what they are, why they're useful, and how not to get derailed when you don't feel original.
2023-07-0629 minWriter SyndromeAI & WritingJoin hosts Russ and Tim on an exciting journey as they explore the fascinating world where writing and AI intersect. From AI-generated story prompts to overcoming writer's block, discover how artificial intelligence can revolutionize the creative process. Get inspired and unleash your writing potential with this insightful podcast. (Credit AI for writing this description, although us humans think this AI is a bit full of itself.)
2023-06-2041 min
Writer SyndromeDialogue Tags & Action BeatsHe said, she smiled, they replied. Dialogue tags and action beats are one of many tools a writer can use to distinguish characters and create dynamic scenes. This episode Russ and Tim chat about lessons learned with dialogue tags and how they used action beats to pump life into their scenes.
2023-06-0625 minWriter SyndromeWriting ActionAction! For every action there is a reaction. This episode Russ and Tim take a swing at issues they ran into while writing action scenes. From character POV, to purpose, to violence. They touch on it all and share what art served as inspiration.
2023-05-2333 min
Writer SyndromeLaunching A BookIf a book launches and no one sees it, does it actually launch? There's more to launching a book than just uploading it to Amazon. There's websites, newsletters, social media, and much more to think about. In this episode Russ chats about launching his first novel, what he's planning, what he's ignoring, and things he'd like to improve upon next time.
2023-05-1145 min
Writer SyndromeSetting & DescriptionThe Devil is in the details. Balancing the details you give to readers in character and setting description is just another aspect of telling a great story. How much is too much? Or too little? This episode Russ and Tim find the Devil in setting and description and how they approached balancing what was important to the senses versus the moving the story along.
2023-04-2535 min
Writer SyndromeStory v PlotStory versus plot. Is there a difference? Can one overshadow the other and is that OK? This episode Russ and Tim dissect these terms to their core and attempt to find a balance between their importance when crafting a story.
2023-04-1141 min
Writer SyndromeLetting Go of Your Artistic MasterpieceLetting go is hard, but necessary. The chase for perfection isn't a realistic goal because it doesn't exist. This episode Russ and Tim chat about their own artistic masterpieces, how they used editing goals to determine when they're done tinkering—even while they search for that perfect sentence.
2023-03-2829 min
Writer SyndromeBuilding CharactersJust because you are a character doesn't mean you have character. Goals, motivations, wants, needs, height, hair color, and back story. So many things to think about when developing a character, but what's important to get started? Do you need a detailed profile before you can send them on their journey? This episode Russ and Tim dive into their characters. How they failed them, what they discovered along the way, and what they'd do different next time.
2023-03-1442 minWriter SyndromeSelf-Publishing Imprint, Yay or Nay?Can a self-publisher have their own imprint? Some say yes, others say it's trickery. This episode Russ and Tim get into the business side of self-publishing and discuss creating an imprint to publish books under. They'll touch on pros, cons, and what to expect when going down this path.
2023-03-0135 minWriter SyndromeDeveloping IdeasIdeas are out there but how do we find them? How do we nuture them and guide them into a story? When is it OK to let them distract us while working on another? This episode Russ and Tim tackle these questions and their ideation process for their own stories.
2023-02-1543 minWriter SyndromeWriting GoalsLike their protagonists, writers also need goals. It's the start of a new year which is the perfect time to set some writing goals. This episode Russ and Tim chat about their own goals, failures, and what's kept them driven to finish their stories.
2023-02-0145 minWriter SyndromeFrom a Certain Point of ViewThere are plenty of POVs to use to tell your story, but which is the right one? Which are more widely used today? Join Russ and Tim as they navigate from first to third person and every variation in-between.
2023-01-2048 minWriter SyndromeCopy / Line Edit ProcessThe development edit vs. the line edit vs. the copy edit, what's the difference and where do they fall? In this episode Russ and Tim talk through this royal rumble of the editing process and why it pays to plan ahead and when you should pay out for a professional.
2023-01-0343 minWriter SyndromeWrite What You Know. What Do You Know?What the hell do you know? Nothing and everything. This episode Russ and Tim chat about the old adage, write what you know. They dig into what it means and how it should be tweaked to not be so vague and pretentious (according to Russ). All that plus caviar.
2022-12-2033 minWriter SyndromeMomentum & Refilling Your WellMaintaining momentum while working toward a goal is hard in and of itself. Picking back up once it's lost can stop creativity in its tracks. This episode Russ and Tim talk about momentum, how they try to maintain it, and when it stops, how they push forward to get moving again.
2022-12-0740 minWriter SyndromeGenre ExpectationsDon't judge a book by its cover. At least, so they say. But covers, blurbs, and genres all set expecations for the reader before they read a single word. How important is it to know your genre before getting started? Russ and Tim chat through these ideas, the basic expectations for popular genres, mixing genres, and laser swords vs shields in the latest episode.
2022-11-2253 minWriter SyndromeArt / Life BalanceTime. We all have it, but how we use it matters. Procrastination can take it from us and pressure can make it move faster. This episode Russ and Tim chat about the art / life balance and how they're making (or not making) the two work together.
2022-11-0835 minWriter SyndromeThe Editing ProcessThey say writing is rewriting. They aren't wrong. In this episode, Russ and Tim talk about the editing process, what they've learned from beta readers and editors, and how f**king hard it all is. Tune in to hear how they're working through this process and how Tim is using Russ for his spreadsheets.
2022-10-2647 minWriter SyndromeSelf-Publishing an Interview w/ Geoffrey Morrison Part 2In part two of our interview with Geoffrey Morrison we take some detours from the self-publishing chat to discuss editing, pacing, genre expectations, hugging koalas and, Avatar. Yes, that Avatar. But fear not, it all ties back to self-publishing, kinda.
2022-10-1138 minWriter SyndromeSelf-Publishing an Interview w/ Geoffrey Morrison Part 1Russ and Tim dive into self-publishing with their latest guest, Geoffrey Morrison, self-published author of Undersea and Undersea Atrophia. By day, Geoff is a writer and photographer about tech and travel for CNET, Wirecutter, and The New York Times. He talks about his self-publishing experience and the benefits of traditional vs self-publishing.
2022-09-2734 minWriter SyndromeTo Query or Not an Interview w/ M.D. Payne Part 2To query or not, again? We had such a great chat with M.D. Payne about the various aspects of publishing, social media, and the elegant passing of wind we couldn't fit it all in one episode.
2022-09-1329 minWriter SyndromeTo Query or Not an Interview w/ M.D. Payne Part 1To query or not? That is the question, among many others, as Russ and Tim welcome their first guest M.D. Payne. Author of the middle grade series Monster Juice and a handful of books in the WHO WAS series including Who Was Duke Ellington.
2022-08-3031 minWriter SyndromeBeta Readers & FeedbackBeta readers & feedback. Russ and Tim discuss their experiences giving and receiving feedback while making sure no fragile artists are shattered along the way.
2022-08-1637 minWriter SyndromeThe Fragile Artist & Self-DoubtThe fragile artist and self-doubt. Russ and Tim get sensitive and discuss how they grapple with the creative crippling monster known as self-doubt.
2022-08-0228 minWriter SyndromeStory BeatsStory beats. Love 'em or hate 'em they're the blueprints of story telling. This episode Russ and Tim traverse the various beats, from start to finish, and share their experience using them in their own works.
2022-07-1950 minWriter SyndromePantsers vs PlannersPantsers vs planners. Spreadsheets, beat sheets, edge of seats, oh my! Russ and Tim attempt to find middle ground on whether to plan or not to plan before writing.
2022-07-0540 minWriter SyndromeMen Writing Female CharactersMen writing female characters. Russ and Tim tackle this difficult topic and share how they approach writing female characters. TLDL, don't be an a**hole.
2022-06-2129 minWriter SyndromeWhere To BeginWhere does a story begin? A character, an idea, an article someone sent you? Stories can begin anywhere, but too often good stories go untold because life impedes the writer's path. Russ and Tim discuss how they got started with their projects and a share few simple tips that helped them stay on track.
2022-06-0727 min