Ask the Bards Podcast

In which the Bards address several questions from Twitter: * how long does it take for a writer to finish a book and turn it in to their editor? * is it better to do craft exercises or keep working on a book that might not be good enough? * if you’re writing in multiple genres, which one should you try to publish first? * what is the difference between a story’s plot and its conflict?

In which the Bards address several questions from Twitter: * what was your agenting process like? * if you don’t have connections in the publishing industry, how do you get your book in print? * what books or authors make you say, “How do they do that?” And, as always, we cover Things That Will Blow Your Mind.

In which the Bards—and special guest Chuck Wendig!!— address several questions from Twitter: * what are some tips for maximizing productivity? * do you have the story fully planned or plot as you go, and do you ever write a story around the ‘twist’? * if you’ve lost your muse, how do you get it back? * what is the impact of facial hair on writing?

In which the Bards address several questions from Twitter: * how do you deal with word count? * how do you know when it's time to trunk a story, and how do you know when it's time to dust off a trunked story? Plus we continue week 4 of plotting our story in real time and discuss Things That Blow Your Mind!

In which the Bards address several questions from Twitter: * should I create an LLC as an author? * how do you measure daily progress when doing revisions? * do you have tips for making a character’s success feel earned? * what are your highs and lows as published authors? We continue our SUPER SPECIAL BONUS BOOK PLOTTING SEGMENT in which we start from nothing to build out a book idea to show you how pro authors flesh out the bones of a story.

The Bards address several quick questions from Twitter: * how much should I consider genre when coming up with a book idea? * how to write comedy without letting your characters become 1D joke machines? * should you get an agent first or sell directly to publishers, then get an agent? * what are the pros and cons of taking a pen name and how do you choose? * should you pitch a finished book or a partial/idea? Plus, we continue our SUPER SPECIAL BONUS BOOK PLOTTING SEGMENT!

In which the Bards address THREE questions from Twitter: * should I query during the pandemic? * what if there are already tons of books out there like the one I want to write? * how do you know if you’ve gone too far with description? With a SUPER SPECIAL BONUS SEGMENT in which we start from nothing to build out a book idea on the spot. And, as always, we cover Things That Will Blow Your Mind. Got a question? Ask us on Twitter with hashtag #askthebards!

In which the Bards address THREE questions from Twitter: * how do you plan your novel? * what are some frequent mistakes made by first time authors? * what common writing advice doesn't work for you? And, as always, we cover Things That Will Blow Your Mind. Got a question on writing, publishing, books, comics, or the best kind of cocktail or gluten free goodies to power your creativity? Ask us on Twitter with hashtag #askthebards!

CW: In question 3, rape and domestic abuse. In which the Bards address 3 questions from Twitter: * writing a synopsis? * 1 POV vs. multiple POVs * what do you do when your writing is dredging up uncomfortable emotions? And, as always, we cover Things That Will Blow Your Mind. Got a question on writing, publishing, books, comics, or the best kind of cocktail or gluten free goodies to power your creativity? Ask us on Twitter with hashtag #askthebards!

In which the Bards address two questions from Twitter: * how do you write through the hard times? * how do you deal with disappointment? With a bonus discussion on tips for working from home and maximizing your writing time. And, as always, we cover Things That Will Blow Your Mind. Got a question on writing, publishing, books, comics, or the best kind of cocktail or gluten free goodies to power your creativity? Ask us on Twitter with hashtag #askthebards!