In this episode we ramble about how to write beginnings.

Beginning your book is hard, and its even harder knowing how to explain everything without info dumping, its hard to know how to describe your characters without sound amateurish, or knowing when to prelude or not to prelude. Beginnings are the powerhouse to engaging readers with your story, and they aren't just the hook, they are the net an author casts to encompass everything that makes the beginning of a book a story you can't put down - and don't want too.

If you enjoyed, think about leaving a like and review. And if there are any topics you would like us to cover, drop us an email at royaltyfreewritingpodcast@gmail.com because we would love to add your requests to our upcoming roster. Thanks again!

On this funky episode, the three of us had a candid-caught discussion on AI and the use of it in written works and in the creative fields. We didn't plan for this to be an episode, but thanks to my quick clicking skills, I caught the entire conversation on mic and we ended up with a very in-depth discussion on the uses of AI, the cons of AI, and even the pros of AI. We discuss everything from how AI is hurting younger creatives, how in days long past we imagined AI was intended to be useful for all, and how it is currently being viewed by creatives as well as the general public. Join us for our unintended episode that proves that well scripted AI prompts will never beat the brilliant chaos of the spontaneous human soul.

If you would like to suggest a topic, please drop it in the reviews or write us an email at royaltyfreewritingpodcast@gmail.com We'd love to hear from you and we'd love to add your requests to our rotation of episodes. Thanks for listening!

In this episode we talk about World Building! We discuss our philosophies on how to world build, techniques we use, and how we have expanded our original worlds as our stories have outgrown the original floorplan. We talk about things to consider (like hairdressers, or who is running the mundane tasks) in every day life, and we dip our toes into world creationism (but we'll have to save that for another episode along with flora and fauna). We talk a lot about considering what your society is like in your world creation and how it will effect your characters. We also discuss how we have drawn on other cultures as inspiration and the need to be respectful of them in your stories. This is just the tip of the World Building iceberg, so leave us a comment on what you'd like to hear next!

If your earholes enjoy listening to us, please leave us a like and subscribe, and if you would like to leave us a topic recommendation, drop us a comment or email us at royaltyfreewritingpodcast@gmail.com

Thanks again!

On this episode, we discuss the three different types of publishing for those ready to enter the world with their printed book. All three of our contestants are dashingly handsome, but, do you really know them? We go over all three publishing world options for you so you know the good, the bad, and the ugly before you commit to dating one type of publishing. All three are great and difficult in their own ways, but ultimately, you need to decide which is the right one for you!

We will cover traditional publishing, hybrid publishing, and independent publishing. There are pros and cons to all three. We discuss how traditional publishing has changed, we briefly go into how hybrid publishing has affected one of us and how it is often perceived to the world, and we cover some of the unthought of topics for independent authors that you may want to think about before you dive into the deep end.

So, step on up and meet your potential match on today's episode of The Publishing Dating Game!

And if you would like us to go into more detail about publishing, or if you have any questions and/or topics you would like us to discuss, please drop us an email at royaltyfreewritingpodcast@gmail.com or leave us a review.

Plus, if you like what you have heard so far, drop us a like and subscribe (because Melissa is needy and wants to know people are enjoying the podcast. Please, I'm desperate for validation!) ;)

On this episode we will be discussing Spicy Books. Modern books are now featuring a lot of spice in books, whether it is closed door, open door, fade to black, or explicit content warnings, we talk about how modern spicy romances and books containing spice have changed over the years opinions on where spice is expected, our personal opinions on when spice is appropriate and beneficial, what it brings to a story or how it can take away. This episode is another opinion piece on how the Spicy Book market has become the norm and our opinions on what writers need to consider if they are planning to include spice.

Ellie is of the opinion less is preferable for both her own writing and in what she reads.

Melissa is of the opinion what does the spice add to the story because any level of spice can be beneficial to the telling of the story.

If you would like to leave a comment or insights of your own, email us at royaltyfreewritingpodcast@gmail.com or drop us a review. We'd love to hear from you and would love to answer any questions you have! Maybe your question will be our next topic!

On this episode of Royalty Free, oh how the tables have turned! It is Kait and Melissa this week (as Ellie is sick) and so the two of us have conspired to discuss a topic she loathes: How to Plot - or more accurately, the many ways in which a writer can plot and the resources we have gathered through our journey in learning what kind of plotters we are. We discuss different philosophies of plotting, archetypes, books you should check out, as well as the instinctual side of being a plotter that you pick up with time and media. Join us for a deep-dive into the many layers of being an architect type of plotter, as well as how to garden your way into the perfect amount of plot so you don't get bored.

Some books we discussed:

Save the Cat! by Blake Snyder

Save the Cat! Writes a Novel by Jessica Brody

The Heroine's Journey by Gail Carriger

The Better Novel Project (google search is the only option for this, sorry)

Write the Magic Within by Gail Carson Levine

Writing Fantasy by Orson Scott Card

and an honorary shoutout to K.M. Weiland's books Structuring Your Novel and Creating Character Arcs (don't know why I didn't bring up her books, I adore them and they have helped me immensely)

If you would like to ask us any questions (perhaps a topic to cover in a future episode) email us at royaltyfreewritingpodcast@gmail.com or drop us a like and subscribe so you can always stay up to date! Thanks for listening!

On this episode we discuss the sheer domination and takeover of the latest genre, Romantasy! This genre has taken the book world by storm with millions of lovers. Ellie and Melissa share their opinions on Romantasy (in a not so great light, as well as in a late addition glowing review), and they discuss how Romantasy has affected other genres and taken it over like a Mean Girl demanding Dark Fantasy "get in the car, loser."

This episode is purely our own opinions on Romantasy and is not meant to be an inditement on the genre as a whole - because as the new kid on the block, this genre has left this librarian flustered as to how to talk about it, and displaced Dark Fantasy writers with an eviction notice and feelings were felt.

If you would like to comment or leave a review please reach out to us at royaltyfreewritingpodcast@gmail.com and please be respectful with all hate mail for this episode. I, personally, would love to have a follow up episode to discuss your insights on Romantasy!

P.S. Kait, don't listen to this episode. I say the word 'orgasm.'

On this episode, Kaitlyn is off on an important mission, and it's just Ellie and Melissa today talking Dark Fantasy.

We discuss the genre expectations, what Dark Fantasy is about, what makes a Dark Fantasy, and how it has changed over time: aka, how Dark Fantasy was mugged in a back alley. Dark Fantasy is meant to feel creepy, uncomfortable, and its supposed to reflect reality back at us like a mirror just using fantasy to say something deeper, and we discuss how these changes has made Dark Fantasy's expectations differ from one generation to the next.

Ellie and I also dive into the cult classic, The Labyrinth, and how that movie a great example of the darker themes of Dark Fantasy, as well as how Bowie's pants was an awaking moment for everyone.

If you have any questions you would like us to discuss, drop us a review, or contact us at our email at: royaltyfreewritingpodcast@gmail.com we would love to help dig into a topic of your choice.