Mar 22
21.12: Breaking Down Barriers- Environment
When writing feels harder than it should, the problem might not be the story— it might be the room. In this episode, our hosts explore how environment shapes process, from desks and chairs to light, sound, and visual clutter. We talk about running through your senses to troublesh ... Show More
24m 43s
Mar 15
21.11: The Cold Open- Action
Sometimes the fastest way to hook a reader is to start with something exploding. In this episode, our hosts dig into the promise — and the pitfalls — of opening with action, and why survival alone is rarely enough to make us care. We explore how voice, worldbuilding, and characte ... Show More
23m 20s
Mar 8
21.10: The Cold Open- Voice
A cold open can hook a reader with nothing more than voice. In this episode, our hosts explore what makes a voice-driven opening work — cadence, rhythm, authority, and a clear reason to care. We break down how aesthetic voice differs from mechanical POV, how to avoid purple prose ... Show More
24m 22s
Jun 2025
A Scandal in Bohemia - Part Five
THE GREAT GAME - we had everything set for the seizing of that drive, the chastening of Irene Adler and - most importantly - a victory for Sherlock Holmes against his latest opponent. The fire would reveal all, we would be able to see deep into her person, into her desires and sc ... Show More
28m 19s
Jun 2025
A Scandal in Bohemia - Part Four
THE BOY WHO WOULD BE KING - Irene, Sherlock and I finally had our chance to drop the disguises and speak, albeit in this holy place. It was clear she planned something, quite what destructive scale would unfold escaped even my imagination. We needed a plan and it was devised, ina ... Show More
29m 58s
Apr 2025
Charles Augustus Milverton - Part Two
THIEVES IN THE NIGHT - Milverton had to be stopped and Sherlock had just the plan. Unfortunately that plan involved me. And a woman called Agatha. You'll see what I mean. Part 2 of 3 This episode contains swearing, sexual references, references to coercive behaviour, dark sexual ... Show More
35 m
We had the absolute joy of sitting down with Charlie Jane Anders, the author of the book we’ve focused on for our last four episodes (All the Birds in the Sky). We talked with Anders about POV, tone, and how she played around with humor —partly by occasionally using an omniscient POV! Anders also explained how to incorporate humor and whimsy, and what it fee ... Show More