WriterDojo

On today's episode our hosts, authors Steve Diamond and Larry Correia, discuss 'message fiction'. Is it inherently a bad thing? Is there a right way and a wrong way to do it? And just how guilty of hypocrisy are they? Tune in for this and much more in this week's episode!

If you would like to join the ranks of our supporters, you can support this podcast with a small monthly donation to help sustain future episodes at: https://anchor.fm/writerdojo 

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*The 10 Commandments of Book Marketing* is available at:https://www.authormedia.com/the-10-commandments-of-book-marketing/(For FREE!!)

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WriterDojo S4 Ep19: Beginnings

Hosts/Authors Steve Diamond and Larry Correia enjoy answering questions from our beloved Supporters during our Supporter Spectaculars, but sometimes the answers take a bit longer to answer than others. This was the case with one during Supporter Spectacular IX, so they decided to devote an entire episode to discussing one question in particular. What makes a great opening for a story? (This is another 'nuts & bolts' kind of episode with real, useful tips to help you keep your readers reading!)

If you would like to join the ranks of our supporters, you can support this podcast with a small monthly donation to help sustain future episodes at: https://anchor.fm/writerdojo

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*The 10 Commandments of Book Marketing* is available at: https://www.authormedia.com/the-10-commandments-of-book-marketing/ (For FREE!!)  ____________________________________

We all know the expression 'a rising tide lifts all boats', but what about the opposite- does a falling tide lower all boats? Hosts/authors Steve Diamond and Larry Correia discuss both sides of the issue. Also introduces a new voice- Amazon Review Voice! (which sounds suspiciously like Bad Twitter Advice Voice)

If you would like to join the ranks of our supporters, you can support this podcast with a small monthly donation to help sustain future episodes at: https://anchor.fm/writerdojo  

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*The 10 Commandments of Book Marketing* is available at: https://www.authormedia.com/the-10-commandments-of-book-marketing/ (For FREE!!)  ____________________________________

Passive Voice is the subject of the WriterDojo podcast this week. This topic was discussed by authors/hosts Steve Diamond and Larry Correia, and they were joined by Craig Nybo.

If you would like to join the ranks of our supporters, you can support this podcast with a small monthly donation to help sustain future episodes at: https://anchor.fm/writerdojo

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*Meetings (Blood Brothers Book 1)* is available at: https://rb.gy/9cqp2 

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We've had a lot of questions in the WriterDojo facebook group in regards to editing, so this week hosts Steve Diamond & Larry Correia sat down with Dave Butler &  Christopher Ruocchio to discuss editing: the different types of editing, what to do, what not to do, tips & tricks, etc.

This week, hosts/authors Steve Diamond and Larry Correia are joined in the studio with Christopher Ruocchio to discuss Science Fantasy- what it is, what it isn't, and why it's useful. 

If you would like to join the ranks of our supporters, you can support this podcast with a small monthly donation to help sustain future episodes at: https://anchor.fm/writerdojo
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This week's episode is brought to you by Sunflower Sails- booksellers of the rare and hard to find. https://www.ebay.com/str/sunflower-sails 
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This week your hosts Steve Diamond & Larry Correia got the opportunity to sit down in the studio with super author Christopher Ruocchio and discuss the genesis of the Sun Eater series, what path he took to becoming a published author, and lots more.

If you would like to join the ranks of our supporters, you can support this podcast with a small monthly donation to help sustain future episodes at: https://anchor.fm/writerdojo 

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*The 10 Commandments of Book Marketing* is available at: https://www.authormedia.com/the-10-commandments-of-book-marketing/(For FREE!!) 

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You've got great characters with great motivations and a great plot- but plots need a place to happen. What's the best way to choose the right location? How much does it really matter to the story? Can the location actually be more than just a stage for the plot to happen? Hosts/Authors Steve Diamond and Larry Correia expound upon the subject, including examples of why some of their works are set where they are.

If you would like to join the ranks of our supporters, you can support this podcast with a small monthly donation to help sustain future episodes at: https://anchor.fm/writerdojo 

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*the Wizard's Stone* is available on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3E6ZBWr (affiliate link)
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This week Hosts/Authors Steve Diamond and Larry Correia discuss the process of collaborative brainstorming (including some hints about the upcoming sequel to Servants of War)

If you would like to join the ranks of our supporters, you can support this podcast with a small monthly donation to help sustain future episodes at: https://anchor.fm/writerdojo 

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*The 10 Commandments of Book Marketing* is available at: https://www.authormedia.com/the-10-commandments-of-book-marketing/ (For FREE!!)  ____________________________________

Since man first stubbed his bare toe on a rock, profanity has been with us. Profanity has evolved and grown over time like all language, but it's certainly nothing new. Hosts/Authors Steve Diamond and Larry Correia discuss this topic in depth. When is profanity acceptable and when is it  not acceptable? How much is too much? Most importantly, why is 'cussing  like a sailor' not that impressive? All this and more on this week's  episode of the WriterDojo

If  you would like to join the ranks of our supporters, you can support  this podcast with a small monthly donation to help sustain future  episodes at: https://anchor.fm/writerdojo

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This week's episode is brought to you by Sunflower Sails- booksellers of the rare and hard to find. https://www.ebay.com/str/sunflower-sails

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"I don't pretend we have all the answers. But the questions are certainly worth thinking about."- Arthur C. Clarke

This  week Hosts/Authors Steve Diamond and Larry Correia try once again to  get caught up on some of these awesome questions sent in by our amazing  supporters.

If  you would like to join the ranks of our supporters, you can support  this podcast with a small monthly donation to help sustain future  episodes at: https://anchor.fm/writerdojo

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*The 10 Commandments of Book Marketing* is available at: https://www.authormedia.com/the-10-commandments-of-book-marketing/ (For FREE!!)

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"Every  record has been destroyed or falsified, every book rewritten, every  picture has been repainted, every statue and street building has been  renamed, every date has been altered." —George Orwell, 1984

WriterDojo hosts/Authors Steve Diamond and Larry Correia talk this week about censorship and the rewriting of books to better suit modern sensibilities.

If  you would like to join the ranks of our supporters, you can support this podcast with a small monthly donation to help sustain future episodes at: https://anchor.fm/writerdojo

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*The Revenant & the Tomb* by Herman Hunter is available on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3IZYWsN (affiliate link)

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With  Larry having done dozens of interviews in the last month alone and Steve interviewing SO many people over the years, it makes sense to  cover this subject. WriterDojo hosts/Authors Steve Diamond and Larry Correia talk this week about interviewing and being interviewed. 

If you would like to join the ranks of our supporters, you can support  this podcast with a small monthly donation to help sustain future episodes at: https://anchor.fm/writerdojo  

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*The 10 Commandments of Book Marketing* is available at: https://www.authormedia.com/the-10-commandments-of-book-marketing/ (For FREE!!)  ____________________________________ 

WriterDojo  hosts/Authors Steve Diamond and Larry Correia just cannot get enough  monsters! So the discussion continues this week with some tips for how,  when, and why to create your own monsters (just in writing- sorry,  Steve)

If  you would like to join the ranks of our supporters, you can support  this podcast with a small monthly donation to help sustain future  episodes at: https://anchor.fm/writerdojo

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*the Wizard's Stone* is available on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3E6ZBWr (affiliate link)

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Saddle up for a rip roarin' discussion about the genre of Westerns with hosts/Authors Steve Diamond and Larry Correia. Yee haw, I guess?

If  you would like to join the ranks of our supporters, you can support  this podcast with a small monthly donation to help sustain future  episodes at: https://anchor.fm/writerdojo

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*In Defense of the Second Amendment* is available on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3QreDvd (affiliate link)

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Albert Einstein said 'The important thing is to not stop questioning' Judging by the ones sent in by our beloved supporters, they know this well. Once again, our Hosts/Authors Steve Diamond and Larry Correia return to answer still more questions submitted by our lovely supporters.

If  you would like to join our supporters, you can support this podcast with a small monthly donation to help sustain future episodes at:  https://anchor.fm/writerdojo

"Word Mercenaries" (the WriterDojo theme) is by Craig Nybo

With the FenCon 2022 live episodes behind us, this week, hosts/authors Steve Diamond and Larry Correia return to the more nuts-and-bolts side of things with a discussion of First-Person Narrative. What is the best time/way to use it and when should you NOT use it. 

If  you would like to join our supporters, you can support this podcast  with a small monthly donation to help sustain future episodes at:  https://anchor.fm/writerdojo

"Word Mercenaries" (the WriterDojo theme) is by Craig Nybo https://craignybo.com 

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At FenCon 2022 we had the opportunity to sit down and have a conversation with some seriously amazing guests. This week, hosts/authors Steve Diamond and  Larry Correia were honored to sit down with one of the most respected editors in publishing, Special Guest Toni Weisskopf, to talk about the dynamics of writers and editors and how to prosper in the writing business.

Where do they get such wonderful questions?

From our lovely supporters, of course! This week, Hosts/Authors Steve Diamond and Larry Correia return to answer even more questions submitted by our beloved supporters.

If you would like to join our supporters, you can support this podcast with a small monthly donation to help sustain future episodes at: https://anchor.fm/writerdojo

Recently we were having a discussion on the WriterDojo Facebook group and the question of these came up, so this week, Hosts/Authors Steve Diamond and Larry Correia discuss the pros & cons of writer groups; what to  look for in a beta reader, and if a group is what you need. 

If you would like to join our supporters, you can support this podcast with a small monthly donation to help sustain future episodes at: https://anchor.fm/writerdojo 

*Life Support: Secret Operations* by Joseph L Kellogg is available on Amazon at https://amzn.to/3Kupp0I (affiliate link) 

This week, Hosts/Authors Steve Diamond and Larry Correia return to answer more of these awesome questions submitted by our wonderful supporters.  Supporters, we appreciate you SO much- thank you all!

With  Steve fresh back from his role as ambassador at GenCon, this week our  hosts/authors Steve Diamond and Larry Correia share stories that  highlight the various aspects of networking- the good, the bad, and the  ambivalent.

If  you would like to join our supporters, you can support this podcast  with a small monthly donation to help sustain future episodes at: https://anchor.fm/writerdojo

*Empire: Secret Police* is available on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3QtSfk5 (affiliate link)

What’s the secret to writing nonfiction that sells? How long does it take compared to fiction? While nonfiction is not their usual subject, this week our hosts/authors Steve Diamond and Larry Correia tap into their personal experiences to discuss this oft overlooked section of publishing and discuss some of the pros and cons.

Our forbearing Hosts/Authors Steve Diamond and Larry Correia so love our listeners that they will even hold their noses and wade into the Twitterverse to dredge up more bad writing advice to mock and ridicule for your amusement and edification. 

What better way to kick off season 3 then to talk about what Larry is best known for- writing action. This week hosts/Authors Steve Diamond and Larry Correia discuss how to best writer action and how to switch it up for maximum impact.

If you would like to join the ranks of our supporters, you can support this podcast with a small monthly donation to help sustain future  episodes at: https://anchor.fm/writerdojo

*In Darkness Cast* is available on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3RwiU0j (affiliate link)

This  week we catch up with hosts/Authors Steve Diamond and Larry Correia and  follow up on the New Year's Eve Resolutions episode. What they are  working on now, what's coming up, and where they'll be for the rest of  the year. As a bonus, Larry reveals secrets about producer Jack Wylder  that he wasn't supposed to tell but no really, it's fine- it's FINE  Larry.... 

If you would like to join the ranks of our supporters, you can support this podcast with a small monthly donation to help sustain future  episodes at: https://anchor.fm/writerdojo 

*Burnout* is available on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3alPhy7 (affiliate link) 

"Word Mercenaries" (the WriterDojo theme) is by Craig Nybo https://craignybo.com/ 

We haven't done a Genre focused episode in a bit, so this week hosts/authors Steve Diamond and Larry Correia will discuss Historical Fantasy with our friend Author/Editor D.J. (Dave) Butler.

There are really four people who make this podcast happen- you already know our hosts, authors Steve Diamond and Larry Correia and you might know Jack, but who is the mysterious fourth person who makes it happen? And what writing advice did he give that Steve was so impressed with that he wanted to dedicate an entire episode to exploring? Find out on this week’s exciting and thought provoking episode of the WriterDojo!

Downtime is an excellent time to ponder things. Some people fish to relax, some  play golf- some subject themselves to hot weather and grueling training to become more effective shooters. This week hosts/authors Steve Diamond and Larry Correia discuss a recent gun training event they attended and share their insights in regards to both writing and in life.

We don't do current events often, but every once in awhile it's appropriate. This week hosts/authors Steve Diamond and Larry Correia discuss a recent event in which a world famous author was savaged for using the right words in the wrong order.

In addition to being a successful author in his own right, guest Dave Butler is also an editor for Baen Books. This week hosts/authors Steve Diamond and Larry Correia dive into it with Dave and explain how best to pitch your book to a publisher and get acquired.  

If you would like to join the ranks of our supporters, you can support  this podcast with a small monthly donation to help sustain future episodes at: https://anchor.fm/writerdojo 

Dave (D.J.) Butler's Abbott in Darkness is available on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3kXsr1x (affiliate link) 

"Word Mercenaries" (the WriterDojo theme) is by Craig Nybo https://craignybo.com/ 

Continuing our discussion with D.J. (Dave) Butler, this week hosts/authors Steve Diamond and Larry Correia discuss the differences between World Building  and World Telling.

If you would like to join the ranks of our supporters, you can support  this podcast with a small monthly donation to help sustain future  episodes at: https://anchor.fm/writerdojo

Dave (D.J.) Butler's Abbott in Darkness is available on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3kXsr1x (affiliate link)

"Word Mercenaries" (the WriterDojo theme) is by Craig Nybo https://craignybo.com/

This week we were lucky enough to have super-author D.J. (Dave) Butler in studio with hosts/authors Steve Diamond and Larry Correia. Dave is a successful author who writes adventure stories for all readers and has been a lawyer, a musician, a consultant, and a corporate  trainer (his own story is almost as interesting as the stories he writes.) Dave tells how he broke into publishing and offers up tips & tricks you won't learn in any classroom.

We get lots of questions from our beloved supporters, so this week our ever-grateful Hosts/Authors Steve Diamond and Larry Correia take the opportunity to address a couple more of them.

If you're a writer, you've probably heard the refrain "you should be writing!" If you're a reader, you might have told your favorite author the same. Our perspicacious Hosts/Authors Steve Diamond and Larry Correia return this week to ponder the correct response to this and whether or not this is good or helpful advice. 

Recently, a well known writer launched a Kickstarter that did pretty well for itself. Does that mean traditional publishers are done for? How does this affect the writing community? Is everyone just going to do this from now on? Our insightful Hosts/Authors Steve Diamond and Larry Correia return this week to ruminate on this and speculate on the long term effects. 

Cancel culture- it's insidious and it's everywhere. How do you handle the threat of cancellation? Our fearless Hosts/Authors Steve Diamond and Larry Correia return this week to share their thoughts on this trending topic and provide some insight and guidance. (Plus Larry does his Twitter Voice!) 

The market for short fiction is larger than it ever has been, with new anthologies coming out constantly. Having written short stories and novellas for many years, Hosts/Authors Steve Diamond and Larry Correia return to tackle the question- How do you tell a story in 5,000 words or less? 

Hosts/Authors Steve Diamond and Larry Correia return to tackle the question- what's  the difference between natural inclusion and Mandatory Diversity? What  should be the focus of writing? How did Larry almost die? All that and a sneak peek behind the scenes of MHI!

Conventions are a wonderful resource, but they cost both time and money.  How do you make sure you get the most bang for your buck? Hosts/Authors Steve Diamond and Larry Correia return to discuss the ins and outs of attending conventions.

IPs  (Intellectual Properties) can be tricky to write for. When does FanFic  become canon? What are the Dos and Don'ts? Having been on both sides of the equation, Hosts/Authors Steve Diamond and Larry Correia return to discuss the pros & cons of writing in someone else's property as well as having someone write in yours. 

Based partially on their recent experience writing Servants of War together, Hosts/Authors Steve Diamond and Larry Correia return to discuss the  pros & cons of working with other authors on a project. 

Pacing  can make or break a book and it's something that many authors struggle  with. Hosts/Authors Steve Diamond and Larry Correia return this week to  discuss the different approaches to pacing and provide some helpful tips  on how to pace yourself. 

Here  we are at the start of Season Two, and this one gets a little personal as hosts/authors Steve Diamond and Larry Correia reflect on what they  did last year, what they're planning for this year, and make some suggestions to make your new year as productive as possible.